Whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.

"
Luke xiv, 27

PRAYER-BOOK FOR RELIGIOUS

A COMPLETE MANUAL OF PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS

FOR THE USE OF THE MEMBERS OF ALL RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE PARTICULAR EXAMEN

AND TO THE METHODS OF MEDITATION

BY

REV. F. X. LASANCE,

Author of" Visits to Jesus in the Tabernacle,"

"The Sacred Heart Book, Mass Devotions"

NEW REVISED EDITION

NEW YORK, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO

BENZIGER BROTHER

PRINTERS TO THE HOLY APOSTOLIC SEE

Nihil obstat

REMY LAFORT,
Censor Librorum

Imprimatur

JOHN M. FARLEY,
Archbishop of New York

NEW YORK, May 16, 1904

COPYRIGHT, 1904, BY BENZIGER BROTHERS

 PREFACE

THE character and the purpose of this book are clearly indicated by its title. It is a
book of devotions and prayers designed and specially adapted for the use of
Religious. It offers itself to them as a helpful companion in all the exercises of
religion; it aims to assist them in the particular and general examination; to instruct
them in the correct and practical methods of making a meditation, and to direct
them how to converse with God most properly and profitably in mental and vocal
prayer.

It supplies them with abundant devotions and prayers for all the seasons of the
ecclesiastical year.

A member of one of our most illustrious Religious Orders remarked one day quite
casually in our presence, when devotional literature was the topic of conversation:
"What we need in English is a complete Prayer-book to meet the special wants of
Religious, so that a Mistress of Novices may be able to say to inquiring aspirants to
the religious life: Besides the Roman Missal, I recommend to you this particular
book; then you will surely have what will prove most serviceable in the convent for
the hours of devotion.

Acting on this inspiration or suggestion, we have devoted much time and spared no,
pains in the compilation and adaptation of the present work. It is the result at least
of honest effort to meet the wants of our various Sisterhoods, and it comprises,
indeed, a number of little books under one title which were approved since 1902,
are from The New Raccolta.

This book is dedicated most respectfully to the members of our Religious Orders,
whose heroic life of self-denial for the love of God and their neighbor, in the
following of Christ and in the spirit of their vows of obedience, chastity, and poverty,
is an inspiration and encouragement to all who value truth and justice, virtue and
holiness, while it is, at the same time, a rebuke to the worldly-minded, who walk not
with God, whose thoughts are not of heaven, but of earth, and who, in their nervous
quest for honor, wealth, and pleasure, in these times of individualism or egotism,
seek simply the gratification of self.

We plead with these good and edifying Religious for an occasional Memento before
Jesus in the tabernacle.

F. X. LASANCE.
 CONTENTS

Preface
Alphabetical Index
The Calendar
Some Movable Feasts of Special Devotion
Fasting-Days
Feasts of Obligation in the United States
Table of Movable Feasts

BOOK I
MEDITATION, PRAYER, AND THE PARTICULAR EXAMEN

Prayer
For What and for Whom we Should Pray
A Talk about Prayer
Vocal Prayer
Mental Prayer
Is Mental Prayer Easy?
Method of Meditation according to St. Ignatius
Outlines of the Sulpician Method of Meditation
Explanation of the Sulpician Method of Mental Prayer
Bishop Bellord s Summary of a Method of Meditation
Method of Particular Examination in Striving after Perfection
The Subject-Matter of the Particular Examen
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Arranged in Prayers

BOOK II
GENERAL DEVOTIONS

SPIRITUAL EXERCISES IN THE MORNING

On Awaking and Arising

Prayer while Dressing
Prayer while putting on the Habit
Prayer of St. Gertrude on Awaking
Prayer of Blessed Margaret Mary
Prayers before Meditation
Prayers after Meditation
Morning Prayers
Renewal of Vows
Short Formula of Renovation of Vows
Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
A Short Form of Morning Prayers for Religious
Morning Offering to the Blessed Sacrament

EVENING PRAYERS

Litany of the Blessed Virgin

Consecration of Religious Communities
Act of Consecration for Religious
A Short Form of Evening Prayer
Night Offering to the Blessed Sacrament
Vesper-Song of Our Lady
Compline
A Formula of the Vows

GRACE BEFORE AND AFTER MEALS

GENERAL PRAYERS

Daily Intentions
Daily Prayer for the Associates in the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Daily Prayer for the Associates in the Sacred Heart of Mary
Prayer before Examen
Daily Examen
General Examen
An Offering of Communion
Intentions for Holy Communion
Prayer of the Associates for the Communion of Reparation

METHODS OF HEARING MASS

Offering of Mass and Communion on Sunday - The Holy Trinity

Offering of Mass and Communion on Monday - The Holy Souls in Purgatory
Offering of Mass and Communion on Tuesday - The Holy Angels
Offering of Mass and Communion on Wednesday - St. Joseph
Offering of Mass and Communion on Thursday - The Blessed Sacrament and the
Sacred Heart
Offering of Mass and Communion on Friday - The Passion and the Sacred Heart of
Jesus 214
Offering of Mass and Communion on Saturday - The Blessed Virgin Mary
Prayers Ordered by Pope Leo XIII, to be said after Every Low Mass in all the
Churches of the World
Ordinary Method of Serving a Priest at Mass
A Method of Assisting at Mass for Children
The Ordinary of the Holy Mass
Mass Devotions for Each Day in the Week
Sunday Votive Mass of the Blessed Trinity
Monday Votive Mass of the Holy Ghost
Tuesday Mass of the Holy Angels
Wednesday Votive Mass of St. Joseph
Thursday Votive Mass of the Blessed Sacrament
Friday Votive Mass of the Passion
Saturday Votive Mass of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mass of the Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary
A Method of Hearing Mass for Religious
A Method of Hearing Mass by Way of Meditation on the Passion
The Holy Mass in Union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus
A Mode of Hearing Mass for the Faithful Departed
A Mode of Hearing Mass in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

DEVOTIONS FOR CONFESSION

Prayers to the Holy Ghost before Confession

Preparatory Prayers
Examen for Confession
Means of Arriving at Perfection
Interior Practice
Reflections for Contrition and Amendment
Offering of Confession
The Seven Penitential Psalms in Latin and in English

DEVOTIONS FOR HOLY COMMUNION

Mass in Honor of the Blessed Sacrament before Holy Communion

After Mass and Communion (Thanksgiving)
Petitions and Offerings after Holy Communion
A Mass of Thanksgiving after Holy Communion
Various Exercises of Devotion for Holy Communion
Simple Prayers for Holy Communion
Litany for Holy Communion
Short Acts for Holy Communion
After Holy Communion
The Picture of a Good Novice
Reflections and Prayers before and after Communion for Religious
A very Commendable Exercise for Holy Communion

INDULGENCED PRAYERS

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

LITANIES, NOVENAS, INDULGENCED PRAYERS, OFFICES, AND PRAYERS FOR

PARTICULAR OCCASIONS

THE WEEK SANCTIFIED

I. The Holy Trinity: One God

II. The Holy Ghost

Devotions for the Faithful Departed

III. Devotions to the Angels and in Particular to the Angel Guardian

IV. Devotions in Honor of St. Joseph

V. Devotions to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Hour of Adoration
Prayers for Visits to the Blessed Sacrament and the Hour of Adoration
Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity before the Blessed Sacrament
Sentiments of a Religious before the Blessed Sacrament
Reparation and Consecration for Religious
Renovation of Vows for Religious Persons
Litany of the Blessed Sacrament
Litany of the Sacred Heart
Little Office of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Holy Hour
A Favorite Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Consecration of Religious Communities and Families
The Venerable Mother Julie Billiart and Her Devotion to the Sacred Heart
Rosary of the Sacred Heart
The Month of June

VI. Devotions in Honor of the Passion of Our Lord

Thoughts from the Saints
The Via Crucis or Way of the Cross
Litany of the Passion
Month of the Precious Blood
Novena in Honor of the Precious Blood of Jesus
The Ceremonies of Holy Week Explained

VII. Devotions in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reflections of a Religious on Devotion to Our Lady
Indulgenced Novenas in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
Rosary of the Blessed Virgin
Little Office of the Immaculate Conception
Novena in Honor of the Dolors of the Blessed Virgin
Officium Parvum Beatae Mariae Virginis (The Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary; or,
The Hours of
Our Lady)
Comments on the Rubrics of the Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Commemorations

BONA MORS DEVOTIONS; PREPARATION FOR A HAPPY DEATH; EXAMINATION OF

CONSCIENCE FOR EXTRAORDINARY OCCASIONS; PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND
DYING; THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAST SACRAMENTS; THE BURIAL SERVICE; A
LITTLE BOOK OF NOVENAS; MISCELLANEOUS PRAYERS

The Monthly Retreat or Day of Recollection and Prayer in Preparation for a Happy
Death
Thoughts from St. Alphonsus on Death and Eternity
Offering of Mass and Communion for the Monthly Recollection in Preparation for
Death
A Bona Mors Litany and Other Prayers for a Happy Death
Devotions for the Sick, and the Last Prayers
The Order of Administering Holy Communion to the Sick
The Order of Administering the Sacrament of Extreme Unction
Apostolic Benediction and Plenary Indulgence at the Hour of Death
Recommendation of a Soul Departing
The Burial Service
Ordinary of the Mass for the Dead
Litany of the Saints
Litany for the Faithful Departed
The Psalter of Jesus
Devotions for Advent and Ember Days
Ember Days

A LITTLE BOOK OF NOVENAS

Novena for Christmas

Another Novena to the Holy Child
The Last Day of the Year
Novena to the Infant Jesus
Novena for the New Year
Novena for Epiphany
Novena to the Holy Name of Jesus
Novena for the Purification of Our Lady
Novena to St. Joseph
Litany to St. Joseph
Novena for the Annunciation of Our Lady
Novena in Honor of Our Saviors Passion
Novena for Easter in Honor of the Glorious Resurrection
Novena for Pentecost
Prayers for the Month of May
Novena for Corpus Christi
Novena for the Feast of the Sacred Heart
Novena for the Festival of the Visitation
Novena for the Assumption
.Novena for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Novena to Our Lady of Mercy
Novena for the Feast of the Guardian Angels
Novena to the Patron Saint of your Religious Order
Novena for the Feast of Mary s Presentation
Novena for the Immaculate Conception
Prayer to St. Augustine
Novena to St. Benedict, Abbot
Devotions to St. Francis of Assisi
Novena to St. Francis of Assisi
Novena to St. Clara
Novena to St. Dominic
Novena to St. Catharine of Sienna
Novena to St. Francis de Sales
Novena and Prayers to St. Jane Frances de Chantal
Novena in Honor of St. Vincent de Paul
Novena to St. Ignatius Loyola
Novena to St. Ursula
Novena to St. Bernard
Novena to St. Charles Borromeo
The Novena of Grace in Honor of St. Francis Xavier
St. Francis Xavier, Patron of the Apostleship of Prayer
Novena for the Feast of All Saints
Novena to St. Anthony of Padua
Miscellaneous Prayers
Devout Exercise of the Six Sundays in Honor of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

Indulgenced Aspirations and Short Prayers

Additional Prayers for Various Occasions

Prayers for Travelers
Prayer for Sisters in Retreat

Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers

Extracts from Masters in the Spiritual Life

APPENDIX, containing Additional Prayers

EPISTLES AND GOSPELS

 BOOK I
MEDITATION, PRAYER AND THE PARTICULAR EXAMEN

THE APOSTLES CREED

BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator 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: died, and was buried. He
descended into hell: the third day He arose again from the dead: He ascended into
heaven, 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 Catholic
Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the
body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

CREED OF ST. ATHANASIUS

Whoever wishes to be saved, needs above all to hold the Catholic faith; unless each
one preserves this whole and inviolate, he will without a doubt perish in eternity.

But the Catholic faith is this, that we venerate one God in the Trinity, and the Trinity
in oneness; neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance; for there is
one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit; but the
divine nature of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is one, their glory is
equal, their majesty is coeternal.

Of such a nature as the Father is, so is the Son, so also is the Holy Spirit; the Father
is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, and the Holy Spirit is uncreated; the Father is
infinite, the Son is infinite, and the Holy Spirit is infinite; the Father is eternal, the
Son is eternal, and the Holy Spirit is eternal; and nevertheless there are not three
eternals but one eternal; just as there are not three uncreated beings, nor three
infinite beings, but one uncreated, and one infinite; similarly the Father is almighty,
the Son is almighty, and the Holy Spirit is almighty; and yet there are not three
almightys but one almighty; thus the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy
Spirit is God; and nevertheless there are not three gods, but there is one God; so
the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Spirit is Lord; and yet there are not
three lords, but there is one Lord; because just as we are compelled by Christian
truth to confess singly each one person as God, and also Lord, so we are forbidden
by the Catholic religion to say there are three gods or three Lords.

The Father was not made, nor created, nor begotten by anyone. The Son is from the
Father alone, not made nor created, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is from the Father
and the Son, not made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

There is, therefore, one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy
Spirit, not three Holy Spirits; and in this Trinity there is nothing first or later, nothing
greater or less, but all three Persons are coeternal and coequal with one another, so
that in every respect, as has already been said above, both unity in Trinity, and
Trinity in unity must be venerated. Therefore, let him who wishes to be saved, think
thus concerning the Trinity.

But it is necessary for eternal salvation that he faithfully believes also the
incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Accordingly, it is the right faith that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Son of God is God and man. He is God begotten of the substance of the
Father before time, and He is man born of the substance of His mother in time:
perfect God, perfect man, consisting of a rational soul and a human body, equal to
the Father according to His Godhead, less than the Father according to humanity.

Although he is God and man, yet He is not two, but He is one Christ; one however,
not by the conversion of the Divinity into a human body, but by the assumption of
humanity in the Godhead; one absolutely not by confusion of substance, but by
unity of person. For just as the rational soul and body are one man, so God and man
are one Christ.

He suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, on the third day arose again from
the dead, ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead; at His coming all men have
to arise again with their bodies and will render an account of their own deeds: and
those who have done good, will go into life everlasting, but those who have done
evil, into eternal fire.

This is the Catholic faith; unless every one believes this faithfully and firmly, he
cannot be saved. Amen.

NICENE CREED

I BELIEVE in one God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all
things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, born of the Father
before all ages. God of God; Light of light; true God of true God; begotten, not
made; consubstantial with the Father, by Whom all things were made. Who for us
men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy
Ghost of the Virgin Mary: AND WAS MADE MAN. (Kneel in reverence of Christ s
Incarnation.) He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was
buried. The third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into
heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father: and He shall come again with
glory to judge both the living and the dead: of Whose kingdom there shall be no
end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Life-giver, Who proceedeth from the
Father and the Son: Who together with the Father and the Son is adored and
glorified : Who spoke by the prophets. And one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the
dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
 PROFESSION OF FAITH AT THE RECEPTION OF CONVERTS INTO THE CATHOLIC
CHURCH

I, N.N., ______ years of age, born outside the Catholic Church, have held and
believed errors contrary to her teaching. Now, enlightened by divine grace, I kneel
before you, Reverend Father _____________, having before my eyes and touching with
my hand the holy Gospels. And with firm faith I believe and profess each and all the
articles contained in the Apostles' Creed, that is: I believe in God, the Father
almighty, Creator 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, died, and was buried; He descended into hell, the third
day He arose again 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 Catholic Church; the communion of
saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.

I admit and embrace most firmly the apostolic and ecclesiastical traditions and all
the other constitutions and prescriptions of the Church.

I admit the Sacred Scriptures according to the sense which has been held and is
held by Holy Mother Church, whose duty it is to judge the true sense and
interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures, and I shall never accept or interpret them
except according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers.

I profess that the sacraments of the New Law are, truly and precisely, seven in
number, instituted for the salvation of mankind, though all are not necessary for
each individual: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction,
Holy Orders, and Matrimony. I profess that all confer grace, and that of these
Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders cannot be repeated without sacrilege.

I also accept and admit the ritual of the Catholic Church in the solemn
administration of all the above mentioned Sacraments.

I accept and hold, in each and every part, all that has been defined and declared by
the Sacred Council of Trent concerning Original Sin and Justification. I profess that in
the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist is really, truly and substantially the Body and
Blood together with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that there
takes place what the Church calls transubstantiation, that is, the change of all the
substance of the bread into the Body of Christ and of all the substance of wine into
the Blood. I confess also that in receiving under either of these species one receives
Jesus Christ, whole and entire.

I firmly hold that Purgatory exists and that the souls detained there can be helped
by the prayers of the faithful. Likewise I hold that the saints, who reign with Jesus
Christ, should be venerated and invoked, that they offer prayers to God for us and
that their relics are to be venerated.
I firmly profess that the images of Jesus Christ and of the Mother of God, ever Virgin,
as well as of all the saints, should be given due honor and veneration. I also affirm
that Jesus Christ left to the Church the faculty to grant indulgences, and that their
use is most salutary to the Christian people. I recognize the Holy, Roman, Catholic,
and Apostolic Church as the mother and teacher of all the churches, and I promise
and swear true obedience to the Roman Pontiff, successor of St. Peter, Prince of the
Apostles and Vicar of Jesus Christ.

Besides I accept, without hesitation, and profess all that has been handed down,
defined, and declared by the Sacred Canons and by the general Councils, especially
by the Sacred Council of Trent and by the Vatican General Council, and in a special
manner concerning the primacy and infallibility of the Roman Pontiff. At the same
time I condemn and reprove all that the Church has condemned and reproved. This
same Catholic Faith, outside of which nobody can be saved, I now freely profess and
to which I truly adhere, the same I promise and swear to maintain and profess with
the help of God, entire, inviolate and with firm constancy until the last breath of life;
and I shall strive, as far as possible, that this same Faith shall be held, taught, and
publicly professed by all who depend on me and by those of whom I shall have
charge.

So help me God and these holy Gospels.

 PRAYER

"He who prayeth shall certainly save his soul; he who prayeth not shall certainly
lose it."

THE justly celebrated sentence of St. Alphonsus Liguori, who may well be called the
"Doctor of Prayer," finds a fitting place at the beginning of this book of devotions for
Religious, It was neither lightly nor by chance that St. Alphonsus wrote these solemn
words. Their truth had been impressed upon his mind during his long experience as
a missionary priest, and in confirmation of it many proofs from Holy Writ and from
tradition are adduced by the holy Doctor in his treatise on prayer.

St. Alphonsus writes: "Prayer is a sure and indispensable means of obtaining

salvation and all the graces leading thereto. Convinced as I am of the necessity of
prayer, I say that all books treating of spiritual subjects, all preachers in their
sermons, all confessors in every confession which they hear, should attach the
greatest importance to inculcating the necessity of constant prayer on the minds of
their readers and hearers, and they should never tire of impressing it on them and
of repeating over and over again: Pray, pray always; if you pray, you will certainly
save your souls; if you do not pray, you will certainly lose them. It is true that many
excellent ways of persevering in the grace of God may be recommended to souls;
for instance, avoiding occasions of sin, frequenting the sacraments, resisting
temptation, listening to sermons, meditating on the eternal truths, etc., all of which
are most salutary practices, as every one must admit; but, I ask, of what good are
sermons, meditations, and the other means suggested by the masters of the
spiritual life, without prayer? since Our Lord has declared that He will only grant His
grace to those who pray for it: Ask and ye shall receive. According to the ordinary
course of Providence, all our meditations, resolutions, promises are useless without
prayer; if we do not pray, we shall always be faithless to the lights we have received
from God and to the resolutions we have taken. Because, in order to do right, to
overcome temptation, to practice virtue, to observe God s law, it is not sufficient to
have received divine lights, to have meditated, and to have taken firm resolutions.
God s actual help is also necessary. Now, this actual help is only granted by Our
Lord to those who pray perseveringly for it. The lights we receive, and the earnest
consideration and firm resolutions which we make, have the effect of inciting us to
have recourse to prayer in the time of temptation and when in danger of offending
God: by prayer we obtain the divine help necessary for keeping us from sin, and if,
under these circumstances, we were to neglect praying, we should undoubtedly be
lost.

"The texts of Scripture which prove the necessity we are under of praying, if we
wish to be saved, are extremely clear: We ought always to pray (Luke xviii. i). Watch
ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation (Matt. xxvi. 41). Ask, and it shall be
given you (Matt. vii. 7).

Theologians are of opinion that this way of speaking imposes the precept and
denotes the necessity of prayer. Hence the learned Lessius asserts that it can not be
denied, without sinning against faith, that for adults prayer is necessary to
salvation.
"The reason of this is that, without the help of grace, we can do nothing good.
Without Me, says Jesus Christ, you can do nothing (John xv. 5) . St. Augustine
remarks on this subject that Our Saviour did not say, You can complete nothing
without Me; but, You can do nothing. This truth was proclaimed at the second
Council of Orange, when it was denned that man does no good thing except what
God enables him to do by the operations of His grace. Man is therefore quite unable
to work out his own salvation unassisted, since it is God s will that all he has or can
have should come to him by the help of grace. Now, this grace God only grants, in
the ordinary course of His providence, to those who pray for it. According to the
maxim laid down by Gennadius, No man can attain salvation without the help of
God; no man can obtain this help except by prayer. This does not mean, says St.
Thomas, that it is necessary for us to pray in order that God may know of what we
stand in need; but that we must pray in order that we ourselves may understand
our need of having recourse to God to obtain the aid necessary for our salvation,
and may thus acknowledge Him as the only author of all our good."

NECESSITY OF PRAYER

WE ought always to pray, and not to faint.

Luke xviii. i.

Watch ye, and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.

Matt. xxvi. 41.

Ask and it shall be given you.

Ibid. vii. 7.

Without Me you can do nothing. John xv. 5.

Not that we are sufficient to think anything of ourselves as of ourselves, but our
sufficiency is from God.
2 Cor. iii. 5.

God bestows some favors without prayer, such as the beginning of faith; others,
such as perseverance, are granted only to those who pray.
St. Augustine.

To enter heaven, continual prayer is necessary after baptism; for although all sins
are remitted by that sacrament, there still remain concupiscence to assail us from
within, and the world and the devil to attack us from without.
St. Thomas.

All the graces, which God hath prepared for us from all eternity ; will be granted
only to prayer.
St. Thomas.

God wishes to give, but He gives only to those who ask.

St. Augustine.
To prayer may be traced the beginning, the progress, and the perfection of all
virtues.
St. Charles Borromeo

Who are we, or what is our strength, that we should be able to resist so many
temptations? God certainly wished, that we, seeing that we are deficient, and that
out of Him there is no assistance for us should, with all humility, have recourse to
His mercy.
St. Bernard

EFFICACY OF PRAYER

ASK, and it shall be given unto you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be
opened to you.
Matt. vii. 7.

How much more will your Father, Who is in heaven, give good things to them that
ask Him?
Ibid. vii. ii.

For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth.
Ibid. vii. 8.

If you shall ask Me anything in My name, that will I do.

John xiv. 14.

You shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you.
John xv. 7.

Amen, Amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it
you.
Ibid. xvi. 23.

I can do all things in Him Who strengtheneth me.

Phil. iv. 13.

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him; to all that call upon Him in truth.
He will do the will of them that fear Him, and He will hear their prayer and save
them.
Ps. cxliv. 18, 19. By

Prayer is obtained the possession of every good, and deliverance from every evil.
St. Bonaventure.

CONDITIONS OF PRAYER

THE most necessary conditions of prayer, are humility, confidence, and

perseverance.
St. Liguori.

He hath regard to the praver of the humble.

Ps. ci. 18.

God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

St. James iv. 6.

The prayer of him that humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds; and he will not
depart till the Most High behold.
Ecclus. xxxv. 21.

A contrite and humble heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

Ps. 1. 19.

Thou Who savest them that trust in Thee.

Ibid. xvi. 7.

Because he hath hoped in Me, I will deliver him and I will glorify him.
Ibid. xc. 14, 15.

But they that hope in the Lord, shall renew their strength.
Isaias xl. 31.

No one hath hoped in the Lord, and hath been confounded.

Ecclus. ii. n.

They that trust in the Lord, shall be as Mount Sion.

Ps. cxxiv. i.

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in Thee.

Ps. xxxii. 22.

He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the
wind. Therefore, let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.
St. James i. 6, 7.

Go; and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee.

Matt. viii. 13.

All things whatsoever you ask, when ye pray, believe that you shall receive; and
they shall come unto you.
Mark xi. 24.

God protects and saves all who confide in Him.

St. Liguori.

They that hope in the Lord shall lay aside their weakness, and put on the strength of
God; they shall not faint, nor even be fatigued, in treading the rugged ways of
salvation. Ibid. Thou, O Lord, dost not pour the oil of mercy, unless into vessels of
confidence.
St. Bernard.

The prayer of the just man is the key of heaven; his petition ascends, and Gods
mercy descends.
St. Augustine.

Trusting in the divine promises, let us ever pray with confidence, not wavering, but
strong and firm.
St. Liguori.

To obtain final perseverance, we must continue to pray to the end of our lives. If, by
our negligence, we break the chain of our prayers, the chain of graces, on which our
salvation depends, will also be broken. Ibid.

Oh, how the constant application to God by prayer, and the confident expectation of
receiving from Him the graces we stand in need of, enkindle in us the fire of divine
love, and unite us to the divinity!
Ibid.

We must continue to pray until we receive the sentence of eternal salvation.

Ibid.

All our petitions should be made through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Ask in the name of
Jesus Christ, through
His merits, and in virtue of His divine promises.

FOR WHAT AND FOR WHOM SHOULD WE PRAY?

ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI insists repeatedly that in all our devotions, at Mass, at Holy
Communion, in all our visits to the Blessed Sacrament, we should pray for these
four graces for ourselves, viz.: the forgiveness of our sins, the love of God, the love
of prayer. and final perseverance. When these graces are secured, our salvation is
assured.

Furthermore, Religious should, in all their prayers and good works, unite themselves
intimately with our holy Mother the Church, in her three intentions:

1. To glorify God; to venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels and the saints; the
Church triumphant.
2. To provide for the spiritual and temporal necessities of the children of the Church
militant.
3. To procure the deliverance of the holy souls in purgatory, that is, to aid the
Church suffering.

The Morning Offering of the Apostleship of Prayer is very efficacious.

"O my God, I offer Thee my prayers, works, and sufferings this day in union with the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the intentions for which He pleads and offers Himself in
holy Mass, in thanksgiving for Thy favors, in reparation for our offences, and for the
petitions of all our Associates."

Religious should say the beads, hear Mass, and offer holy communion frequently for
our holy Mother the Church, for our holy Father the Pope, for bishops, priests, and
superiors, for the needs of our country, for universal peace, for the conversion of
sinners, and all those who do not belong to the one fold of Christ; and last, but not
least, for the holy, suffering souls in purgatory.

Father Girardey, dwelling on the subject of prayer, writes:

"In praying for temporal favors for ourselves, we can claim unconditionally only the
necessaries of life, for in the Our Father our daily bread is equivalent to the
necessaries of life, but does not include its superfluities or luxuries; and the words
deliver us from evil do not necessarily include, as we have seen, deliverance from
physical evils, for the evil here meant is sin and all that leads to sin. We have no
reason to hope that God will hear our prayers for those temporal favors that may
prove hurtful to our salvation, or that He will exempt us from certain corporal pains
and trials, if such an exemption would lead us to sin or endanger our salvation. The
granting of such prayers would be, not a favor, but a terrible punishment. We
should, then, ask for temporal favors conditionally that is, under the condition that
they may promote our salvation, or at least not hinder it. We ought never to lose
sight of this saying of our loving Redeemer: What doth it profit a man, if he gain the
whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? (Mat.. xvi. 26.)

"Let us not be so solicitous for temporal favors, which, after all, may, as we have
seen, prove hurtful to our soul, but let us rather pray for what is conducive to our
eternal welfare. When we pray for temporals, and God, in Hit, mercy, refuses them
to us, it is because they would prove hurtful to us. But, says St. Gregory of
Nazianzen, he who asks God for a real favor (that is, for a favor that is necessary or
useful for his salvation), obtains it, for God is bountiful and generous, and readily
bestows His gifts. When you pray/ says St. Ambrose, ask for great things; ask not for
what is transitory, but for what is eternal. We should pray, says St. Augustine, in the
name and through the merits of Jesus Christ. When, however, we pray for what is
injurious to our soul, we do not pray in the name of Our Redeemer. In praying for
temporals we should be moderate and timid, asking God to give them to us
provided they are really beneficial, and to withhold them if they should prove
hurtful. Many, when they pray, invoke God, but not as God, for the object of their
prayer is opposed to His glory and favor able to their passions. They seem to
consider God as a mere servant of themselves and of their passions, such as pride,
covetousness, and lust. Let us pray, not for temporals, but for heavenly glory and
the means of attaining it. The most precious and excellent of temporal things are
but insignificant trifles in comparison to what is eternal.

"Rohrbacher relates in his Church History that, among the pilgrims who flocked to
the tomb of St. Thomas of Canterbury to seek favors through the saint s
intercession, there was a blind man who prayed so fervently for the recovery of his
lost sight that he was perfectly cured. After returning home, however, he began to
reflect that the restoration of his sight might, perhaps, prove an obstacle to his
salvation. He accordingly re turned to the tomb of the saint, and, after fervently
praying that were his sight ever to be injurious to his soul he should again lose it, he
became totally blind once more. He acted most wisely, for it was much better for
him to be blind than run the risk of losing his soul. Unguarded looks are often the
cause of grievous sin, as is shown by the example of David and of many others.

"When our prayers for temporal favors, either for ourselves or in behalf of others,
are not granted, we should consider God s refusal a real benefit rather than a
misfortune. In beseeching God for temporals we should be indifferent as to the
result of our prayers, being equally ready to accept a refusal or a favorable hearing
from Him. If such should be our dispositions, God, when refusing our request, will
not fail to compensate us by bestowing on us more excellent favors which we do not
think of asking. In vain does a child cry for a sword or a live coal, remarks St John
Chrysostom; his parents justly refuse him what may prove very hurtful to him. In
like manner, God justly and kindly refuses us what is injurious to us; but, in His
goodness, He will give us something better instead. Let us in all our prayers aim
principally at the salvation of our soul, and we shall obtain also temporal favors
from God, according to this saying of our loving Redeemer: Seek ye therefore first
the kingdom of God, and His justice: and all these things shall be added unto you
(Matt. vi. 33).

"For whom should we pray? We should, first of all, pray for ourselves, because our
salvation is our first and most important duty. Although, by the law of charity, we
are bound to pray for all men, there are, nevertheless, some for whom we have a
special obligation or special reasons to pray. Children should daily pray for their
parents, parents for their children, members of the same family and household or
community for one another, inferiors for their superiors, both ecclesiastical and civil,
and superiors for their inferiors. It is also incumbent on us to pray for our
benefactors, both spiritual and temporal, for our relatives, for those who ask our
prayers and who pray for us, for our friends, and for our enemies also, whosoever
they may be or whatever evil they may have done or may wish us. We ought,
likewise, to pray for the perseverance of the just and for the conversion of sinners,
of heretics, schismatics, Jews, and unbelievers. It is a most praiseworthy custom to
pray for the sick, for those who are in their agony, for all who are in danger of
death, or in danger of losing their innocence, and for all who are in distress, pain,
trouble, or sorrow.

"It behooves us daily to remember in our prayers the souls in purgatory, particularly
the souls toward whom we have some special obligation, e.g., the souls of our
parents, of our benefactors, of those who are suffering on our account. We should
endeavor to gain many indulgences for their benefit. If, during our life, we pray for
them, God will, after our death, inspire com passionate souls to pray for us when we
are in purgatory, for, says our divine Savior, with what measure you mete, it shall
be measured to you again (Matt. vii.

A TALK ABOUT PRAYER

From Spencers The Little Grain of Wheat
"IN the first place, we will speak of the ways of making vocal prayer. Besides the
ordinary way we have of reciting our vocal prayers, i.e., a simple repetition oj the
words, with a general attention to God and to the intention for which we are reciting
them there are two other ways, highly recommended by the saints.

One is to recite the words of the prayer, say, of the Our Father, very slowly and
thoughtfully, attending to the sense of the words, and pausing an instant after each
sentence or clause, in order to make the meaning of the prayer our own. It is well to
get into the habit, in fact, when we are alone and have enough leisure, of saying our
prayers slowly and thoughtfully, and with great exterior and interior reverence, even
though at times we may find no devotion in considering the meaning of every
sentence, but only have in our souls a sense of the presence of God. In that case it
will be better simply to recite the prayer slowly, and with quiet recollection of the
divine presence.

The other way of reciting vocal prayers, particularly the Our Father and the Hail
Mary, is, in fact, a method of turning vocal into mental prayer. It consists in not
merely reciting the prayer slowly, but resting at each sentence or petition, and
meditating upon what is there said, or asked of God. It is the method St. Teresa
taught her nuns, and is a most profitable as well as an easy way of meditating.
Some people find it very difficult to make use of mental prayer by the ordinary
methods. They will not, perhaps, find this method so difficult. We will give a rapid
sketch of the manner of meditating on the Our Father, and of some of the subjects
of meditation to be found in it. Those who are not able to meditate by reasoning
upon points, may find in this method great help and encouragement.

Upon the very first words of this divine prayer of Our Lord the soul may rest and find
nourishment. It is not necessary, having begun the first words of the prayer, to go
on and finish it; but if, during the whole time of prayer, the soul rests upon these or
any other words, there let her stay as long as she is inclined. Afterwards, if there is
any more time, let her go on to the next sentence or petition.

On the words, "Our Father," the soul may consider what a great thing it is to be the
son or daughter of such a great Lord and Sovereign, and what it is to have such a
Father, Who is almighty, all-loving, all-good, able and desirous to help and benefit
His child to the uttermost. Again, having such a Father in God, His only-begotten
Son is become our brother, in Whom we are all brethren, coheirs with Him, and
brethren and fellow-citizens with the saints and angels in heaven. And having such
a Father and such brethren, we should have very great confidence that, if we are
faithful children, all things will cooperate together for our good, and heaven will be
ours hereafter; and any other such like thoughts that may present themselves to
our minds. Then we can raise our souls to God in acts of love, thanksgiving, filial
fear, confidence, and joy, and spend thus as long a time as we desire before going
on. And all this and much more on the first simple words, "Our Father."

Next come the words "Who art in heaven." Our Father is in heaven therefore heaven
is our country; and the devout soul may make acts of desire and longing for her
heavenly home. Again, wherever God is, by His grace and love, there is heaven. His
presence makes heaven. Now we know by divine faith that God is every where, and
intimately present in all things and in all places; therefore, He is present in our own
souls; and in a special manner, as He is more particularly present to spiritual
substances than to other things. He is present there really and actually, at every
moment, by His essence and His power, and, let us humbly and confidently trust,
also by His grace and love. Therefore, heaven is in our souls. Every time we say:
"Our Father, Who art in heaven," we can look at God continually abiding in the very
centre and essence of our souls, so that He is not far off from us, nor must we go to
the heavens above to find Him, as St. Teresa says, but He is very near to us, as near
as our own souls to our own bodies. And this all the time, at any and every moment;
and with the Father we have the Son and the Holy Ghost. So there are the Three
Persons of the Trinity, enacting their wonderful relations one with another, working
Their mighty works, upholding the entire universe, all within our own soul wondrous
thought! And since Jesus Christ our Lord is God the Son, then Jesus our Lord is
present in our souls, making heaven there; and, by a sort of spiritual concomitance,
we can represent to ourselves His sacred humanity as present also, and His blessed
Mother, too, who is not separated from Him, and the saints and angels who
constitute His court; these also we can represent to ourselves as present, though in
a spiritual sense and not with the same actuality that the Divinity is present. Since
God then, and heaven, are present in our souls, at all times and in all places, we
surely should have but little trouble in finding Him or in speaking with Him in our
thoughts, or in making Him hear us: and this makes it very easy for us in time of
prayer to form acts of love, etc., and to converse with Him. And not only in time of
prayer, but at all times, all we have to do is to look within, and God is really and
actually present. This should help us greatly to be recollected everywhere, and we
should endeavor, little by little, to learn to keep up a continual conversation in our
souls with God, Who is so much nearer to us than our dearest friend can ever be. In
this way we would always be on our guard against offending one who in habits our
very soul, and we would be habitually filled with a holy filial fear and love. The
heaven that is within our souls by this divine presence will begin to project itself
upon our surroundings, and we will be almost living in heaven, the world about us
and our lives becoming tinged with its light. Behold all there is in the Our Father in
this manner of prayer, before we come to the first petition. And many other holy
thoughts with accompanying requests and acts of the will and aspirations will
present themselves to your minds, as God the Holy Ghost within you may direct.

"Hallowed be Thy name." In this first petition we address God as our Father and
Lord; and as His children we pray, and ought greatly to desire, that our lives may be
sanctified, in order that we may live up to our holy vocation as children of such a
Father. Let us, then, while meditating on this petition, greatly desire to become holy,
to become saints, as children of God ought to be. Then we should make acts of self-
contempt and indignation against ourselves, because we are so unworthy of such a
high dignity, and are so full of sin and ingratitude to so good a Father; and make
acts of contrition for our sins, by which we have offended Him, and do continually
offend Him. We should not be content with this, but should grieve over all the sins,
crimes, sacrileges, and other evils that are continually being committed by sinners,
since by them Gods name is not hallowed, but dishonored and outraged. We should
offer up the most precious blood in satisfaction for all these evils, together with the
merits of the most blessed Mother of God and of all the saints. Then we should beg
that God, for the honor of His holy name and for the salvation of souls, would raise
up great saints on the earth, who are so much needed in these times of spiritual
darkness, these last days of the world, as very likely they are. St. Teresa says that
the petition "Thy kingdom come" follows very naturally from the preceding one,
since a fathers kingdom belongs to his children. "Say, then," she continues, "to
your heavenly Father: Since the world, the devil, and the flesh reign upon earth, do
Thou reign over us as our King, and destroy in our souls these kingdoms of avarice,
pride, and sensuality." In this petition we address Him as our King, and beg Him to
reign over us, and set up His kingdom in our souls. How many aspirations may we
not make to that effect, and how much time may we not spend upon this petition!
But this is not all; for we beg and pray Him in this petition to establish His kingdom
in other souls also, that all men may love Him. And we also pray that the kingdoms
of the world may recognize the principles of religion and truth and justice, and the
nations become truly Christian. Also that God s kingdom, which is the Catholic
Church, may be triumphant in the world, the Vicar of Christ delivered from his
enemies, and all people recognize the Catholic religion as the one true faith. Thus
we may make this petition a prayer of intercession for the whole world. Again we
pray in this place that God would give us His kingdom, that is, the kingdom of
heaven thus praying for our everlasting salvation, and that of our neighbor. And
finally we pray for His second coming, when "The kingdoms of the world shall
become the kingdom of the Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and
ever; " when all wrongs shall be righted, and all justice done, and the proud shall be
cast down, and the meek shall inherit the kingdom, and Satan and his ministers
shall be chained in everlasting darkness; "when God shall wipe away all tears from
our eyes; and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor any more
sorrow, for the former things are passed away." (Apoc. xxi. 4.) Behold all the matter
of prayer contained in this one petition. Well might we spend upon it the whole time
of our prayer.

Next follows the petition, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." And here
we speak to Our Lord as to a spouse: for while respect and veneration are owed to
the name of Father, and between a king and his subjects there is the interchange of
commands and obedience, so, between two who are so closely united as two
spouses, there is an interchange of wills, each being desirous to do the will of the
other. For all that one has is the other s, and their affairs are in common. So Our
Lord makes all He has ours and all He desires is that we should make all that is ours
His; and when there are common interests, there should be one will. He desires us
to give Him our will; and when we have done so, and sincerely desire and do His
will, He, in return, does our will, and all that we ask of Him He grants us; so that, as
St. Teresa says, Our Lord is pleased that thus He and the faithful soul should
command by turns, as it were the soul doing His will, and He doing hers. In His
kingdom in heaven His will is perfectly done; so it is no more than right, if we desire
His kingdom to be on earth (as we have asked in the former petition), that His will
should be done in this kingdom as in the other. Here, then, you can earnestly pray
for this perfect conformity of your will with His will; in this conformity consists all
perfection.

In the next petition we ask Him to "Give us this day our daily bread." Those who
have given themselves up to God in an interior life, and have cast themselves upon
His providence, have no need to importune their divine Master to give them their
earthly bread for their bodily support, for as they have forsaken the love of the
world for Him, He will provide for them, as He is in a manner bound to do. So, in this
petition, we beg for our spiritual necessities.
Pray here for all the graces you need, for strength to support you in temptation, for
light to know the will of Our Lord, since we can not do His will, as we have asked
that it might be done, without the assistance and light of the Holy Ghost. Also, when
you are overburdened with grief, or temptations, or other trials, it is right you should
pray for relief, as far as relief is needful for you; and in times of long-continued
dryness, it is not wrong for you humbly to ask a little of the bread of consolation, if it
be Our Lord s will. But this petition may, in a special manner, be applied to the
Blessed Sacrament, in which Our Lord Himself becomes our daily or super-
substantial bread; and we can turn this clause into contemplation upon the real
presence, and Holy Communion.

As to the rest of the petitions of the Lord s Prayer, what has already been said of the
first four is sufficient to show how the devout soul may occupy her time with each of
the others. It is enough to say that in the petition, "Forgive us our trespasses,"
special consideration should be given to the second clause "As we forgive those
who trespass against us." For here we can make acts of patience under annoyances,
of ready forgiveness of all injuries, offer ourselves to be ill-treated, humiliated, and
insulted, and pray for the spirit of meekness. Here, also, in this connection, we can
bring in the sacred Passion of Our Lord, and consider the meekness and patient love
with which He endured so many outrages; and so, thinking upon this petition can
set us to meditating or the Passion of Christ. The next petition, "Lead us not into
temptation," refers especially to the temptations, wiles, and machinations of the
devil; and the last petition refers, not only to temporal and spiritual evils, from
which we ask to be delivered, but also to this life of exile, from which the devout
soul may beg to be set free, if it be God s will, in order to enter upon the possession
of her heavenly kingdom, which is the kingdom of her Spouse.

This method of prayer may be applied to the Hail Mary, and, indeed, to any other
prayer, though no prayer will be found to contain so much as this divine prayer of
Our Lord. The Lord s Prayer, used in this manner, may also be applied to any subject
that you may take up for meditation; as, if the meditation is on any particular virtue,
this prayer may be made to refer to that virtue; if on the nativity, our Father, King,
and Spouse may be represented as present in our souls as an infant, while we use
the different petitions, as above pointed out. If the subject be the Passion, then we
may represent Our Lord present to our souls as suffering and abandoned by all, and
so on.

A few words about the ordinary method of meditation. Though it is best for those
who are accustomed to meditate according to the usual formal method to stick to
the subject they have chosen, yet great latitude should be allowed one s self as to
the way of developing the points, and full liberty also to stop upon any point, or to
dwell upon any affection that may arise, as long as the soul is drawn to do so, or
finds any satisfaction in it, so that, if, during the whole time of meditation, you do
not advance beyond the first point, the object of the meditation will be gained; for
the consideration of the subject and the reasoning over the points are designed to
rouse affections and movements of the will towards God, and when that happens, it
would be a mistake to smother these ascensions of the heart and will toward God, in
order to go on and begin to reason upon another point. Indeed, if the soul is thus
roused at the commencement, when the picture of the mystery is proposed to the
imagination, she should stop there, until her affections begin to flag, when she can
go on further. You need have no fear of being unfaithful by following this rule.

Another thing. Sometimes it so happens that both the imagination and reason seem
to be paralyzed, so that after faithfully trying to begin and go on with the meditation
for a little while, the soul finds itself so stupid and dull, as to be able to imagine or
reason upon nothing. Let her not be discouraged. Let her make simple acts of the
will, however hard and dry they may seem to be. Let her spend the time saying to
God such things as, "O my God, I love you. O my God, I offer my mind and body to
you; take me. O my God, I give my will up to your will I submit to this dryness and
dullness "and other such simple, dry acts. There may be no sensible fervor in them,
they may seem to the soul perfectly stupid: yet such acts of the will, done, at the
same time, with great calmness and interior stillness, without hurry or anxiety, will
be of the greatest value to the soul in the eyes of God. You will make more progress
during that hour, than in many others when the reason was bright and the
affections came gushing forth like a fountain. But perhaps the heart may be so dull
that even these simple acts can not be made without turmoil and disturbance of
mind. In that case, remain quietly before God in perfect calmness, submitting
yourself to His will in this. Occupy yourself simply in keeping peace.

Another thing is, to make all your spiritual exercises daily or otherwise, whatever
manner of prayer you may be using, with the greatest peace, calmness, and
stillness of heart. There is nothing worse in prayer than anxiety, fear, fretfulness,
hurry, over-eagerness to do it right, or any overstraining of the soul. All should be
done with the greatest calmness, stillness, peace, and tranquility possible. The loss
of that interior calmness disturbs recollection, distracts the attention, and hinders
the workings of the Holy Spirit. So that, if your tranquility is disturbed, you must
endeavor by all means to restore it before you go further, even though the whole
time of your prayer be occupied in doing this.

Another way of practicing interior prayer is to take some devout book, read a little
in it, and then reflect upon what has been read, and make acts of the will and
affections upon it. When the mind grows a little weary take the book up again, and
read a little more, and so on, the same can be done with any vocal prayer, as
explained above. In this way we turn vocal prayer into mental.

When the time for ending the meditation is come, it should not be prolonged
because the soul is dissatisfied with its success. That would bring on weariness and
scruples. W r hen something happens that the prayer must be curtailed or even
omitted let it be done with liberty and without scruple; only not out of a spirit of
sloth or disgust. For the rest of your time endeavor to keep quietly and gently
recollected in God.

VOCAL PRAYER
From Father Girardeys "Instructions on Prayer"

VOCAL prayer is prayer recited with the lips, and usually according to some certain
formula. Although in itself vocal prayer is not so excellent as mental prayer, we
should, nevertheless, beware of underrating its usefulness or necessity. All true
Christians frequently recite vocal prayers, such as the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the
Apostles Creed, the acts of faith, hope, charity, and contrition. The Church
prescribes vocal prayer very strictly to her priests and her Religious, in the Mass, in
the liturgy, and in the divine office. She has enriched many vocal prayers with
numerous indulgences, and has approved of many prayer-books filled with prayers
suited to every want and devotion. Vocal prayer, then, is both useful and necessary
for all men without exception even for those who are soaring in the heights of
contemplation. In reciting vocal prayers, we should strive to attend to the meaning
of the words, appropriating it to ourselves with all, possible fervor and earnestness.
A few short vocal prayers well said are far more acceptable to God than a great
many long ones recited without attention or fervor.

One of the best forms of vocal prayer is the frequent recitation during the day of
some favorite aspiration or ejaculatory prayer, especially if we do so in time of trial
and temptation. This commendable practice gradually imparts a habit of
recollection, and renders all other prayers comparatively easy and free from
distraction. We should, as far as practicable, prefer reciting those vocal prayers
which the Church has enriched with indulgences, for we thereby gain a twofold
advantage the benefit of the beautiful and devout prayers themselves, and the
indulgences, which help us to acquit ourselves of the great temporal debt which we
have contracted towards the divine justice on account of our numerous sins. Or we
may also apply said indulgences, when so applicable, to the souls in purgatory, who
will be relieved thereby and will not fail to intercede for us in our wants.

It would be well to join, to a certain extent; mental prayer with our vocal prayers, for
the merit of the latter would be thereby greatly increased. We may do so in this
wise. During the recitation of our vocal prayers we pause at short intervals to reflect
either on their meaning or on some supernatural truth; or, without at all pausing, we
reflect thereon while actually pronouncing the prayers with our lips. The rosary is
the most common and readily understood example of this manner of praying. While
we are reciting the Our Father and the Hail Marys of each decade of the rosary, we
meditate or reflect on some mystery connected with the life of Jesus Christ or of His
blessed Mother.

It is also useful, in using the prayers of our prayer- book, to read them slowly and
deliberately, making in the meantime practical reflections on their contents, or
pausing from time to time to meditate a little and apply the words of the prayers to
our own wants. If we accustom ourselves to recite our vocal prayers in this way, we
shall not only make them our own and pray well, but we shall also gradually acquire
the habit of making mental prayer, which tends to unite us more closely to God,
and, through the practical imitation of our divine Saviors virtues, to render us
conformable to Him.

MENTAL PRAYER

MENTAL prayer is called by St. Gregory Nazianzen a conference, or conversation

with God. St. John
Chrysostom speaks of prayer as a discourse with the divine majesty. According to
St. Augustine it is the raising up of the soul to God. St. Francis de Sales de scribes it
as a conversation of the soul with God, by which we aspire to Him and breathe in
Him, and He, in return, inspires us and breathes on us.

Father Bertrand Wilberforce, in his tract on Mental Prayer, writes:

All prayer is the speaking of the soul to God. This may be done in three ways. For
the prayer may be either in thought only, unexpressed in any external way, or on
the other hand the secret thoughts and feelings of the soul may be clothed in
words; and these words, again, may either be confined to a set form, or they may
be words of our own, unfettered by any form, and expressing the emotions of our
soul at the moment. In the first case our prayer will be purely mental; in the second,
in which we employ a set form of words, it will be vocal prayer; in the third case,
where the prayer is chiefly in thought, but these thoughts are allowed to break forth
into words in any way that at the moment seem best to express the feelings of the
soul, it is a mixture of mental and vocal prayer, but as the words are spontaneous
and not in any prescribed form, it may justly be considered as mental prayer.

In an audience with the Pope, we might read a written address to his Holiness, or we
might trust to the words that might occur at the moment, to express what we
desired to convey to his mind. But if God were to enable the Pope to read the
thoughts of our mind, we might then simply stand silent in his presence, and he
would see all that we wanted to express. The formal address would be vocal prayer,
the silent standing before his throne would be purely mental prayer, the
conversation with unprepared words would be a mixture of the two, and might be
called mental prayer in a more general and extended sense. God knows our secret
thoughts more clearly than we can express them, more certainly than we ourselves
can know them, and words therefore are not necessary in our intercourse with Him,
though often a considerable help to us.

A set form of words spoken, or read, can not be called prayer at all, unless the mind
intends it as prayer, and gives some kind of spiritual attention, either to the actual
sense of the words themselves, or to God Himself while they are being uttered.
Shakespeare spoke as a theologian when, in Hamlet, he put into the mouth of the
king, who asked for pardon without repentance:

My words go up, my thoughts remain below,

Words without thoughts never to heaven go.

God condemned the merely material homage of the Jews by declaring, "This people
honoreth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me." All prayer, therefore, of
whatever kind, must be "in spirit and in truth" (John iv. 23), but vocal prayer is
confined to a prescribed form of words, whereas mental prayer is the spontaneous
utterance of the soul either with or without words. When St. Francis said an Our
Father, or recited his office, he used vocal prayer; when he knelt before God without
a word his prayer was purely mental; when he spent the whole night in saying "My
God and my all," his mental prayer was mingled with words which expressed the
burning love of his seraphic soul.

St. Alphonsus says, "He who neglects meditation (a part of mental prayer), and is
distracted by the affairs of the world, will not know his spiritual wants, the dangers
to which his salvation is exposed, the means he ought to take to conquer
temptations, and will forget the necessity of the prayer of petition for all men; thus
he will not ask for what is necessary, and by not asking God s grace, he will
certainly lose his soul."

In the same way St. Teresa asks: "How can charity last, unless God gives
perseverance? How will the Lord gives us perseverance if we neglect to ask Him for
it? And how shall we ask it without mental prayer? With out mental prayer there is
not the communication with God, which is necessary for the preservation of virtue."
The holy Doctors agree that those who persevere in mental prayer will live in Gods
grace. The following words are the deliberate sentence of the holy Doctor St.
Alphonsus, the conclusion gathered from his vast learning and experience: "Many
say the Rosary, the Office of Our Lady, and perform other acts of devotion, but they
still continue in sin. But it is impossible for him who perseveres in mental prayer to
continue in sin; he will either give up mental prayer, or renounce sin. Mental prayer
and sin can not exist together. And this we see by experience; they who make
mental prayer, rarely fall into mortal sin ; and should they have the misery of falling
into sin, by persevering in mental prayer, they see their misery, and return to God.
Let a soul, says St. Teresa, be ever so negligent, if she perseveres in mental prayer,
the Lord will bring her back to the haven of salvation."

If this were merely the opinion of St. Alphonsus himself it would be of immense
weight, considering his resplendent sanctity, his vast spiritual learning, and the
varied experience of his long and active life, but besides this the holy Doctor is here
only summing up, in one sentence, the teaching and experience of all the doctors,
saints, writers, preachers, and confessors of the whole Church since the beginning.
What stronger argument could be used to prove the importance and necessity of
mental prayer?

IS MENTAL PRAYER EASY?

ANY one who has a real desire to be saved, and who believes that the opinion of St.
Alphonsus, and all other spiritual teachers, that mortal sin and mental prayer can
not live together, but are mutually destructive, is really true, must feel a desire to
adopt so certain a means of salvation. But many are faint-hearted, and dread the
little difficulty they feel in beginning a new exercise, and many more lack the
courage and self-denial necessary to continue in it after the novelty has worn away,
and the yoke of perseverance begins to gall. Blessed are they who courageously
persevere, for their salvation is secure!

Those who find it difficult to begin, or are tempted to abandon this powerful means
of salvation, must pluck up heart, and encourage themselves by remembering that
mental prayer requires no learning, no special power of mind, no extraordinary
grace, but only a resolute will and a desire to please God. In fact the hard matter is
to convince people how easy and simple a matter mental prayer really is, and how
the difficulty is far more imaginary than real. This difficulty often rises from not
having grasped the true idea of what is meant by mental prayer, and the false idea
of the exercise once formed, is often never corrected, the consequence being that
the practice is either abandoned in disgust, or persevered in with extreme
repugnance, and little fruit.

One common cause of misunderstanding, perhaps the most common of all, is the
custom of calling the whole exercise by the name of one subordinate and not most
important part that is meditation. From this, the idea arises that it is a prolonged
spiritual study, drawn out at length with many divisions and much complicated
process, and this notion frightens many good souls, and makes them fall back on
vocal prayer alone. They imagine that the soul must preach a discourse to itself,
and they feel no talent for preaching. Many, if they spoke their minds clearly, would
say, "I can not meditate, but if I might be allowed to pray during that time instead, I
could do very well!" This is no imaginary case, as any one who has had any
experience will testify, and this miserable misunderstanding that so often holds
souls back for years, is partly brought about by defective teaching, but partly also
by the name meditation being used, instead of the more comprehensive one of
mental prayer.

Mental prayer properly understood, will be found to be easy and within the power of
all who desire salvation. Of course there are many degrees of prayer, and to pray
perfectly is no doubt a matter of great difficulty, but to pray well and in a way very
pleasing to God, and very profitable to the soul, is an easy and simple matter. If we
remember how many thousands have excelled in mental prayer though not even
able to read, we shall see that this holy exercise can not require any special power
of mind or any degree of culture. St. Isidore, a farm laborer, is an example of a man
utterly devoid of human learning, but rising, by God s grace, to the sublimest
prayer.

In order to pray with fruit and without distraction, it is very useful and in most cases
necessary, to spend some time in meditation or pious thought on some definite
subject, and from this fact, as before stated, the whole exercise is often called
meditation, instead of mental prayer. This often misleads people into imagining that
meditation that is, the use of the intellect in thinking on a holy subject, is the main
end to be aimed at, whereas in fact it is only a means to the end, which is prayer or
conversation with God. Meditation furnishes us with the matter for conversation, but
it is not itself prayer at all. When thinking and reflecting the soul speaks to itself,
reasons with itself; in prayer it speaks to God.

Meditation in its wide sense is any kind of attentive and repeated thought upon any
subject and with any intention, but in the more restricted sense in which it is
understood as a part of mental prayer, it is, as St. Francis de Sales puts it, "an
attentive thought, voluntarily repeated or entertained in the mind, to excite the will
to holy and salutary reflections and resolutions." It differs from mere study in its
object: we study to improve our minds and to store up information, we meditate to
move the will to pray and to embrace good. We study that w may know, we
meditate that we may pray.

We must then use the mind in thus thinking or pondering on a sacred subject for a
few minutes, and in order to help the mind in this exercise, we must have some
definite subject of thought upon which it is well to read either a text of Holy
Scripture or a few lines out of some other holy book. St. Teresa tells us that she thus
helped herself with a book for seventeen years. By this short reading, the mind is
rendered attentive and is set on a train of thought. Further to help the mind you can
ask yourself some such questions as the following: What does this mean? What
lesson does it teach me? What have I done about this in the past? What shall I now
do, and how?

Two remarks are here most important. The first is, that care must be taken not to
read too much, but to stop when any thought strikes the mind. If the reading is
prolonged, if, for example, in a short prayer of half an hour you were to read for ten
minutes, the exercise would be changed into spiritual reading. The second remark
is, that you must not be distressed if you find the mind torpid, and if only one or two
very simple thoughts present themselves. It is by no means necessary to have
many thoughts, or to indulge in deep and well arranged reflections. The object of
mental prayer is not to preach a well prepared and eloquent sermon to yourself: the
object is to pray. If one simple thought makes you pray, why distress yourself
because you have not other and more elaborate thoughts? If you wanted to reach
the top of a roof you would not trouble yourself because your ladder was a short
one, provided it was long enough to land you safely on the roof. The end is gained. If
one simple reflection enables you to pray, you would, in reality, be merely
distracting yourself from prayer in order to occupy yourself with your own thoughts,
if you were to go on developing a lengthy train of thought. This would be to mistake
the means for the end, and it is a very common mistake and the cause of great
discouragement. This mistake will be evident if you remember that while you are
following out a line of thought, for instance, when you are answering the questions
suggested above, you are conversing with yourself.

It is plain therefore that as your object is to converse with God, you should not
remain too long in talking to yourself, and that, therefore, if you feel a difficulty in
doing this, you need not be distressed. "The progress of a soul," says the
enlightened St. Teresa, "does not consist in thinking much of God, but in loving Him
ardently; and this love is gained by resolving to do a great deal for Him."

I have said that misunderstanding this point is the most fruitful source of
discouragement, and one of the commonest reasons for abandoning mental prayer
in disgust, and the reason is, because very few people are accustomed to prolonged
or deep thought on any subject. Few indeed are capable of it. If, therefore, they
imagine that prolonged, if not deep thought, is necessary for mental prayer, they
are in constant trouble and discouragement, which ends in their abandoning the
whole exercise in despair. "If I might only be allowed to pray," they will sigh to
themselves, "how much easier it would be!"

Let such persons then clearly understand, that many thoughts are not necessary,
that their reflections need not be deep and ought not, especially in a prayer of half
an hour, to be long, lest prayer should be neglected and the exercise be changed
into a study. "Meditation," says St. Alphonsus, "is the needle, which only passes
through that it may draw after it the golden thread, which is composed of affections,
petitions, and resolutions." The needle is only used in order to draw the thread after
it. If then you were to meditate for an hour, and think out a subject in all its details,
but without constant acts and petitions, you would be working hard with an un
threaded needle.
Men s minds differ as much as their features, and some men, especially those
employed in very distracting duties, need more thought before they can pray than
others, but many, especially women, will find that the effort, after prolonged
reflections, will generally defeat itself and end in distraction.

As soon, therefore, as you feel an impulse to pray, give way to it at once in the best
way you can by acts and petitions, in other words, begin your conversation with God
on the subject about which you have been thinking. Do not imagine, moreover, that
it is necessary to wait for a great fire to burn up in your soul, but cherish the little
spark that you have got. Above all, never give way to the mistaken notion that you
must restrain your self from prayer in order to go through all the thoughts
suggested by your book, or because your prayer does not appear to have a close
connection with the subject of your meditation. This would simply be to turn from
God to your own thoughts or to those of some other man.

To meditate means in general nothing else than to reflect seriously on some subject.
Meditation, as mental prayer, is a serious reflection on some religious truth or
event, united with reference and application to ourselves, in order thereby to excite
in us certain pious sentiments such as contrition, humility, faith, hope, charity, etc.
and to move our will to form good resolutions conformable to these pious
sentiments. Such an exercise has naturally a beneficial influence on our soul and
greatly conduces to enlighten our mind and to move our will to practice virtue.

"Meditation," writes Madame Cecilia, in her admirable work "At the Feet of Jesus,"
"consists in occupying ourselves mentally and prayerfully with some mystery of the
faith. We call to mind the chief facts, ponder over them, and then stir up our will to
regulate our conduct in consequence. Hence, meditation is an exercise of the
faculties of our soul memory, understanding, and will. Some persons are also aided
by the imagination; to others it is a hindrance. Do you complain that you can not
meditate? Well, let me ask you: Have you ever received an affront that cut you to
the quick? Then, perhaps, you did meditate; you thought over it for an hour or
more. Memory recalled the facts, imagination supplied extra details and coloring,
the intelligence discussed the motives, such as ingratitude, jealousy, pride; it
considered the baseness and the unexpectedness of the insult; finally, the "will took
a firm resolution to avoid that person. Now, what was all this but a meditation in
which you employed all the powers of your soul? Moreover, it was probably made
without a single distraction, which is of very rare occurrence when we meditate on a
mystery of our holy faith.

"Unfortunately, the subject was not well chosen, but at least it may help you to
understand that you are capable of making a meditation. Suppose that, instead of
reflecting on a personal affront, you had chosen for subject the insults received by
Our Lord at the court of Herod. You pictured out the scene, recalled the facts,
pondered them over, weighed the motives, and then stirred up yourself to imitate
your divine model. This would have been an excellent meditation. Now it is true that
the Holy Ghost is the great Master Who teaches us how to pray, but this does not
dispense us from means which He has placed at our disposal, for God helps those
who help themselves, in this as in temporal enterprises. The masters of the spiritual
life have traced out methods of mental prayer for their disciples. The one laid down
by St. Ignatius, in his Spiritual Exercises, is perhaps the best known."

It consists of three parts: (1) preparation, (2) meditation proper, (3) exercise of the
affections. Each of these parts is subdivided, and a few words on them may be
useful to the reader.

METHOD OF MEDITATION ACCORDING TO ST. IGNATIUS

I. PREPARATION

READ over the subject of the meditation carefully. This can be done the previous
evening. Place yourself in the presence of God; stand (if convenient) and reflect on
the truth that God sees into your inmost soul; kneel and make an act of faith and an
act of adoration with all the intensity of your inmost being.

As to the remote preparation: Having read the subject of the meditation over night,
reflect what fruit you may gather from it, considering the actual need of your soul.
When in bed, dwell on no thought which might distract you from the subject of the
meditation.

When you awake in the morning, after some appropriate ejaculatory prayers, and
after offering to God your heart and your actions, banish every other thought;
reflect before Whom you are about to appear, and try to excite in yourself some
affection, analogous to the fruit which you desire to gather from the meditation.

The acts of faith and adoration need not occupy much time. They have for object to
prepare you by devout recollection to commune with God. They form the immediate
preparation, together with the preludes.

1st Prelude. This is an exercise of the imagination which you can omit if you do not
find it helpful. Picture to yourself some scene connected with the mystery which
forms the subject of your meditation, i.e., form your composition of the place.

2d Prelude. Ask for a grace in keeping with the mystery on which you intend to
meditate. Thus, if you have chosen the Passion of Our Lord, pray for a deep hatred
of sin or perfect contrition.

II. THE MEDITATION PROPER

Having called to mind very vividly, by acts of faith and adoration, that you are in the
presence of God; having made your preparatory prayer; having formed your
composition of place, if desirable, by means of the imagination, and having finished
your preludes, you proceed to the meditation proper, namely, to the second part.

Here we consider the subject carefully and devoutly.

If you have for subject some maxim of Our Lord, think when, where, and why He
uttered it. See what lesson you can learn from it, and how far your conduct is at
variance with the precept. Take a practical resolution to amend. Determine some
definite act of virtue in question. A vague purpose of amendment is useless.

In this part of the meditation, avoid spending all the time in reflections, since they
are a means, not an end. Their great object is to stir up your will to do some good
action, and to serve as solid foundation for your resolutions. The most important
part of meditation is the exercise of the affections, and all the preceding steps
should lead up to this essential point.

As Father Chaignon, S J., says in his "Sacerdotal Meditations;" "Prayer is a gift of the
Spirit of God; it is a science of which this Holy Spirit is the first, or rather the only,
veritable Master. Let us earnestly pray to Him to grant us this gift, which shall be for
us the channel of the most precious graces. Let us learn of Him this science, which
is so important a part of the science of the saints."

Domine, doce nos orare. (Luke i. n.) He teaches it, says St. Bernard, in acting upon
our memory, our intellect, and our will. Monet, et docet, et movet; monet
memoriam, docet rationem, movet voluntatem: suggerendo, instruendo, afficiendo.
(St. Bernard, Serm. de Pent.). One could not have more clearly designated the
exercises of the three faculties, in which the method of St. Ignatius precisely
consists.

A. The Memory: Propose to yourself the whole subject of the meditation; place
before yourself the whole of the truth or mystery under consideration, as if you
were relating or describing it to another person very clearly and briefly. An act of
faith will help you.

B. The Intellect or Understanding: It first considers the truth and then makes the
application.

1. Consider what you have to believe, or do, with respect to the truth which you
have proposed to yourself; what lesson for the amendment of your life you will find
in this truth, or in this mystery. Search for it, and as soon as you have arrested it,
you will pass on. to the consideration of some motives, which may move your heart
and engage you to put it in practice.

2. Examine also very carefully how much you esteem a truth so important for your
salvation as that which engages your attention ; whether you are in the habit of
regulating your conduct by what it inculcates, or whether you are negligent with
regard to it. Admit your negligence; acknowledge your faults. What is the cause of
your errors? What means will you employ to avoid them?

C. The Will:

1. Pious affections are aroused. These affections differ as the subject varies, or in
accordance with the dispositions of the soul and the motions of the Holy Spirit
confusion, shame, and contrition; distrust of ourselves; confidence in God;
thanksgiving; offering of ourselves; sacrifice of whatever obstructs or retards
perfection; resignation; abandonment to the will of God.
2. The will makes strong resolutions, with regard to a certain virtue, for instance,
humility, or, with regard to certain occasions and certain means, tending to greater
perfection.

3. You will make some colloquies, especially toward the end of the meditation.

III. COLLOQUY

This is a direct prayer; so make acts of faith, hope, charity, etc., as they are
suggested by the subject of your meditation. This part of the meditation should
occupy perhaps one-fifth of the whole time allotted to the exercise.

The colloquy may also be called a familiar and respectful address to God, in which
we praise Him, thank Him, beg His pardon, ask Him for some grace, sometimes as
His child, sometimes as His servant or spouse. In the colloquies we may also
address ourselves to Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin, or the saints.

IV. RESOLUTIONS AND SPIRITUAL BOUQUET AFTER MEDITATION

Finish with the offering of resolutions. You can use a set form, or your own words.
Then, as a reminder of your meditation, choose a "spiritual bouquet," that is, some
thought which bears on the subject and which you can recall when tempted to
break your resolution.

Finally, recite some vocal prayer, such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, or the Anima
Christi. This is a brief exposition of the Ignatian method.

Remember that there are times of spiritual desolation, when mental prayer or
meditation is very difficult. This is not a reason for neglecting or curtailing your
meditation. Try to fix your attention and say some vocal prayers to obtain the grace
you desire; humble yourself before God; do not be discouraged. God asks for your
efforts; the success does not depend entirely on you.

When you find sufficient food for reflection and affections in one point, do not be in
a hurry to pass on to the next.

Do not adhere slavishly to the thoughts suggested in the colloquies; those that
come to you naturally are far more helpful. Speak to God with respectful familiarity.

In choosing your resolution, base it on some well grounded motive; endeavor to

foresee when and how you can put it into practice.

Those who desire further information on this subject can consult the Method of
Meditation by Pere Roothan, S.J., or any other similar work.

OUTLINES OF THE SULPICIAN METHOD OF MEDITATION

PART I. THE PREPARATION

1. Remote Preparation:

Detachment from sin

Mortification of the passions
Control of the interior and exterior senses

2. Proximate Preparation:

On the preceding evening and in the morning to think over the subject of
meditation, and, in particular

(a) What we should consider in Our Lord;

(b) The motives proper to convince us;
(c) The resolutions we should take.

To keep strict silence from the evening till the next morning after prayer.
To go to prayer with gladness and humility.

3. Immediate Preparation:

To put ones self in the presence of God by acts of faith and adoration.
To acknowledge one s self unworthy to appear before God and to be suffered in His
presence, making acts of humility, contrition, and union with Our Lord.

To acknowledge one s self incapable of praying, on account of blindness of intellect

and perverseness of the will.
To invoke the Holy Ghost.

PART II. THE BODY OF THE PRAYER

First Point: Adoration

To consider in Our Lord the subject proposed for meditation His sentiments, His
words, His actions.
To discharge toward Him our duties of adoration, admiration, praise, thanksgiving,
love, and joy or compassion.

Second Point: Communion

Consideration of the motives leading to virtue and withdrawing from vice;

consideration of the circumstances of the mysteries.

Reflection on one s self, with sentiments of contrition for the past, confusion for the
present, and desire for the future.

Petition, with humility, confidence, and perseverance.

Third Point: Cooperation

To take resolutions definite, present, efficacious.

To have great distrust in one s self.
To put entire confidence in Our Lord.

PART III. THE CONCLUSION

To thank God for having suffered us in His presence and for the graces He gave us
during prayer.
To beg His pardon for the faults we may have committed during prayer.
To beg His blessing on our resolutions, the present day, our life, and our death.
To place ourselves and the fruit of our prayer under the protection of the Blessed
Virgin.
To make the spiritual nosegay "Sub tuum praesidium." "O Jesu, vivens in Maria."

SUB TUUM PRAESIDIUM

SUB tuum praesidium confugimus, WE fly to thy patronage, O holy
Sancta Dei Genetrix. Nostras Mother of God; despise not our
deprecationes ne despicias in petitions in our necessities, but
necessitatibus, sed a periculis deliver us always from all
cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo dangers, O glorious and blessed
gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. Virgin. Amen.
V. Dignare me laudare te, virgo V. Make me worthy to praise thee,
sacrata. holy Virgin.
R. Give me strength from thine
R. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes enemies.
tuos.
V. Blessed be God in His saints.
V. Benedictus Deus in sanctis suis. R. Amen.
R. Amen.

O JESU, VIVENS IN MARIA

O Jesu, vivens in Maria, veni et O Jesus, who dost live in Mary,
vive in famulis tuis, in Spiritus come and live in Thy servants, in
sanctitatis tuae, in plenitudine the spirit of Thine own holiness, in
virtutis tuae, in veritate virtutum the fulness of Thy power, in the
tuarum, in perfectione viarum reality of Thy virtues, in the
tuarum, in communione perfection of Thy ways, in the
mysteriorum tuorum, dominare communion of Thy mysteries, -
omni adversae potestate in Spiritu have Thou dominion over every
tuo ad gloriam Patris. Amen. adverse power, in Thine own
Spirit, to the glory of Thy Father.
Amen.

EXPLANATION OF THE SULPICIAN METHOD OF MENTAL PRAYER

Very Rev. A. Magnien, S.S., D.D., former Superior of the Theological Seminary of St.
Sulpice, Baltimore, in his introduction to Father Hamons "Meditations," writes:
This work is based upon the Method of Mental Prayer, which is followed in all
Sulpician seminaries and in many other religious communities throughout the world.
This method is extremely logical and as simple as it is logical.

Many, however, have been trained in the Ignatian method, and do not readily take
to any other.

The Sulpician method of meditation consists essentially of three parts, the first of
which is called the Preparation, the second the Body of the Prayer, and the third the
Conclusion. We shall devote a few words to the explanation of each. All spiritual
writers presuppose in those who practice meditation a preparation known as
remote. By the very nature of the case, the lives of those who aim at perfection
should be characterized by detachment from worldly things as such, and by the
spirit of mortification. The method proper, then, opens with the proximate
preparation. This should be made on the preceding evening and in the morning,
continuing until the moment we are ready to begin our prayer. In its main outlines it
is a summary of the whole Meditation, and is so styled in Father Hamons work.
After dwelling upon the goodness of God as evidenced in each particular subject, we
consider what we ought to do for Him in return, and what means it were best to
adopt in view of the desired end. The resolutions flow naturally from these
considerations, and are determined in their character by them.

We have now to deal with the Body of the Prayer, which in Father Hamons work
falls under the title Meditation for the Morning. In the first part, called Adoration, we
study the subject in our blessed Lord, calling to mind His words, His actions, and the
spirit of His life. The mystery or virtue as seen in Him will induce us to render to Him
our duties of adoration, admiration, praise, thanksgiving, love, joy, or compassion,
according to circumstances. The second part (including points 1 and 2) supplies us
with motives and means of practicing virtue, and suggests, in each case, that we
reflect upon our conduct in order to see whether, and to what extent, we possess
the particular virtue recommended. Our neglect and consequent failure will inspire
us with sorrow for the past, confusion for the present, and desire for the future.
Recognizing that God only can give effect to our desires, we earnestly implore Him
to grant us the virtue upon which we have been meditating. That nothing may be
wanting to success, we in the third part of the Body of the Prayer make definite
resolutions for the present day, thus insuring our own cooperation.

What we have termed the Conclusion is made up of acts in which we thank God for
the graces which He has bestowed upon us during prayer, and beg His pardon for
any faults of which we may have been guilty whilst holding commune with Him.

The Spiritual Nosegay is a text taken from the Sacred Scriptures, or from the
Fathers, or from the Office of the Church, which both summarizes and suggests the
considerations and resolutions of the morning. Those who desire more intimate
acquaintance with this excellent method will find an admirable exposition of its
several parts in Father Fabers treatises: "Growth in Holiness" in the chapter on
Prayer.

Bishop Bellords Summary of a Method of Meditation

REMOTE PREPARATION

1. Read the meditation over-night.

2. Review it at intervals till next morning.
3. Affections of love and joy up to the meditation.

INTRODUCTION

1. Place yourself in the presence of God.

2. Act of humility: acknowledge your unworthiness-
3. Confess your incapacity: ask for aid.

THE MEDITATION

I. Adoration.

1. Contemplate the subject in God the Father, or in Jesus Christ, with

reference to His (i.) Dispositions, (ii.) Words, (iii.) Actions.

2. Offer Him, with respect to the subject, (i.) Adoration, (ii.) Admiration, (iii.)
Praise, (iv.) Love, (v.) Joy, (vi.) Gratitude.

II. Reflection.

Transfer to yourself what you have contemplated in God, considering:

1. What example, or warning, or knowledge, is to be gathered with a view to

your own case?
2. What are your past negligences, present deficiencies, future needs?
3. What grace do you require from God?

III. Action.

1. Petition.

(i.) Simple petition.

(ii.) With obsecration (through the merits of Christ, the Blessed Virgin, etc.).
(iii.) With thanksgiving,
(iv.) With intercession for others.

N.B. Your petitions must be (i.) Humble; (ii.) Confident; (iii.) Persevering.

2. Resolutions.

(i.) Let them be practical,

(ii.) For immediate use.
(iii.) Adapted to your special case,
(iv.) Efficacious.
3. Colloquies.

With God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin, your Guardian Angel, etc.

CONCLUSION

1. Thanksgiving.

(i.) For admission to God s presence,

(ii.) For ability to pray,
(iii.) For lights received.

2. Contrition.

For faults committed, with a brief examination of the meditation.

3. Oblation.

Offer the meditation to God by the hands of the Blessed Virgin for the supplying of
all defects.

4. Spiritual Bouquet.

Sum up the meditation in a maxim or ejaculation to be recalled during the day.

METHOD OF PARTICULAR EXAMEN IN STRIVING FOR PERFECTION

THERE are two kinds of examination (or examen) general and particular. The object
of the first is to discover all the faults we have committed.

The second or particular examination has for its object one single fault or bad habit,
which we have resolved to correct.

It is made every day in the following manner:

1. In the morning, on rising, resolve to avoid this sin or defect.

2. Toward noon, ask of God the grace to remember how often you have fallen into it,
and to avoid it for the future. Then examine, thinking over the time passed since
your rising, ascertaining the number of faults committed, and marking them by so
many points in the first line of a table like the following:

Days of the Week

1st day _____________________________

_____________________________
2nd day ___________________________
___________________________
3rd day _________________________
_________________________
4th day _______________________
_______________________
5th day _____________________
_____________________
6th day ___________________
___________________
7th day _________________
_________________

This done, renew your resolutions for the rest of the day

3. In the evening, after supper, or at nightfall, a new examination like the first,
marking the faults on the second line for the day.

Observations

1. At each fault against the resolutions you have taken, as soon as you recollect,
yourself, put your hand on your heart and repent of your fall.

This can be done without being observed by any one.

2. At night, count the points of the two examinations, and see if from the first to the
second you have made any amendment or progress.

3. Compare in the same way the day or the week, which is ending, with the
preceding day or week. The lines of the record diminish in length, from the 1st to
the 7th day, because it is reasonable to expect that the number of the faults should
likewise diminish.

4. The subject of the particular examen should be ordinarily the predominant

passion that is, the one which is the source of the greater number of faults that you
commit, and which consequently is the great obstacle to your sanctification.

5. This examination on the predominant passion should be continued, until it is

entirely overcome, or, at least, notably weakened.

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE PARTICULAR EXAMEN

From "First Lessons in the Science of the Saints," by R. Meyer, S.J.

WHAT is the subject-matter of the Particular Examination? According to St. Ignatius,

it is "the particular sin or defect," that is, imperfection of any kind, "of which one
wishes to correct himself." The same idea is conveyed by the words which the priest
says at the Offertory of the Mass, when he prays: "Accept, O holy Father, almighty
and everlasting God, this immaculate victim which I, Thy unworthy servant, offer
Thee for my innumerable sins, and offences, and negligences."

Sins, in this connection, are faults properly so called in thought, word, deed, and
omission and into which we frequently and deliberately fall. Offences are faults less
properly so called, which we are wont to commit through human frailty and
inadvertence, just as a traveler walking upon slippery ground is apt to fall, when he
is ever so little off his guard. Negligences are shortcomings which can not properly
be classed with sins of omission, and which do not wholly vitiate our actions, but
which dim their luster and mar their perfection. Such, for example, are all those
shortcomings, which result from a lack of fervor, of a pure intention, of full
correspondence with the lights and graces vouchsafed us, and of other qualities
which ought to shine forth in our actions and in our whole lives. The Particular
Examination, therefore, should be directed: first, towards avoiding all deliberate
sins; secondly, towards diminishing the number of our lesser offences, and, as far as
possible, avoiding them; thirdly, towards diminishing the number of our
negligences, and, as far as possible, avoiding them. In all these cases, there is
question of amending some fault, whether it be a sin strictly so called, or a want of
perfect fidelity and correspondence on our part. Hence St. Ignatius very properly
mentions only sins and defects, as the subject matter of the Particular Examination
of Conscience, yet it is obvious, that we can not avoid those shortcomings called
negligences, except by the practice of the missing virtue or perfection. For instance,
if the negligence consists in the lack of a pure intention in our actions, the only way
to correct it is to be careful in future to have such an intention, and this implies
positive acts of virtue. In general, sins or evil habits may be overcome, either
directly by repressing them, or indirectly by practicing the contrary virtues. The
former is called the negative, and the latter the positive method. Both methods are
indicated by the. author of the Imitation, when he writes: "Two things particularly
conduce to a great amendment; these are, forcibly to with draw ones self from that
to which nature is viciously inclined, and earnestly to labor for the good which one
wants the most."

But, whether we pursue the negative or the positive method, it is essential to full
success that the subject-matter be sharply denned. Not only must we aim at the
correction of our vice, or the acquisition of one virtue at a time, but often we must
subdivide the matter into several parts, corresponding to the different ways in which
either the vice or the virtue shows itself. For example, if we wish to apply our
Particular Examination to rooting out pride and implanting humility in our hearts, it
is not sufficient to propose to ourselves in general, not to take pride in anything and
to humble ourselves in everything. Thus proposed, the subject- matter is altogether
too comprehensive. For pride may betray itself in ambitious thoughts, in boastful
words, in haughty deeds; humility, on the other hand, may manifest itself in
lowliness of spirit, in meekness of speech, in modesty of demeanor. And each one of
these subdivisions furnishes ample matter for the Particular Examination of
Conscience.

So much being presupposed, we may ask: What should we take as the subject of
our Particular Examination? To this question no general answer can be given. It is a
matter which the advice of a prudent confessor or director, aided by the self-
knowledge derived from prayer and especially from the General Examination, must
determine for each one of us, according to circumstances. However, as a guide for
the confessor or director, as well as for the penitent, spiritual writers lay down the
following rules:
1 . Strive to subdue your vice before you apply your self to the acquisition of virtue.
"The husbandman frees his field from briars, nettles, and noxious weeds, before he
scatters the good seed over it. In like manner, he that tills the soil of his heart,
should begin by rooting up his vices, and then devote himself to cultivating the
virtues which will bear fruits of holiness, while at the same time they will check the
undergrowth of vice." The first subject, therefore, of the Particular Examination
should be deliberate sins. Until they have been cleared away, we look in vain for a
healthy growth of virtues.

2. Correct your external faults before others which are purely internal. The latter
easily escape the scrutiny of one who has little experience in the spiritual life. They
may not be voluntary, because not all our internal actions are under the control of
the will; and so it often happens, that the beginner is unable to tell how far, if at all,
he is to blame. Begin, therefore, with external actions, which are more easily
governed, and more readily recognized as culpable, when they deviate from the
laws of God and of right reason. By thus regulating your external actions, you will
gradually weaken the vices in which they have their origin. For instance, if the high
opinion which you have of yourself, shows itself in haughty or boastful words, the
effort to check them will make itself felt in your heart, and will deaden the
sentiment of egotism which finds expression in them.

3. If you are subject to a, variety of external faults, try to free yourself first from
such as are more likely to give scandal or to detract from the esteem which a life of
virtue ought to inspire ii\ others. For example, if you are accustomed to speak
hastily, thoughtlessly, sharply, and thereby perhaps wound the feelings or in jure
the reputation of your neighbor, reason and charity requite you to correct these
defects before others which, in themselves, may be far more serious.

4. Again, amend your deeds before your words; because, as St. Ignatius teaches in
the General Examination of Conscience, sins of deed are more serious than others,
for a threefold reason: namely, "on account of the greater length of time, the
greater intensity of the act, and the greater number scandalized or injured."

5. Beware, however, of being so intent on the correction of external faults, as to

pass your whole life therein. After all, it is not external propriety, but internal purity,
that we must propose to ourselves as our ultimate aim. We are engaged in a conflict
with vice, and vice is rooted in the heart.

Find out, therefore, by means of the General Examination, what is the vice that has
the upper hand in you; in other words, find out what is the chief disorder introduced
into the soul by your predominant passion. There is your danger, there is the spot
which your enemy will attack, there is the traitor, ready to take sides with him and
to deliver you into his hands, there is the Goliath, whose head you must cut off in
order to free yourself from the hands of the Philistines.

If several vices or disorderly passions of different kinds hold sway in your soul, see
of what nature they are. Some vices may be spiritual, because they seem, as it
were, to spring up from the soul itself. Such a vice is pride, with all its varieties of
vainglory, ambition, haughtiness, disdain, and the like. Other vices, on the contrary,
are wholly carnal, because they proceed more directly from the sinful appetites of
the body. Such a vice is sensuality under all its forms of impurity, gluttony, sloth,
and so forth. These carnal vices, if not restrained, are a source of great and
imminent danger; and, therefore, a person who is molested by them should subdue
them before he undertakes the combat against spiritual vices, which may indeed
inflict many slight wounds upon the soul, but which do not easily kill it.

6. In case you are not troubled by any vice in particular, or have so far subdued
them that your faults are few and light, it is well for you to change from the
negative method to the positive, and to take, as the subject of your Particular
Examination, the virtue which you desire especially to acquire. For though, as
already stated, the immediate object of the Particular Examination is the correction
of your faults, it is not well to spend your whole time in this alone. He that is
engaged in weeding a garden, is well employed; but it does not follow therefrom
that he must never do anything else. On the contrary, the object he should have in
view in pulling up the weeds, is to plant flowers in their place. In like manner, when
you spend your Particular Examination in rooting up the vicious inclinations of your
soul, you should propose to yourself to plant the sweet-scented flowers of virtue in
their stead.

What should move you, above all, to adopt the positive method, when your passions
rarely rise in open or violent revolt against reason, is that otherwise you will derive
little or no profit from your Particular Examination. In fact, the occasions of combat
being rare, you are apt to forget the subject altogether and to imagine that your
enemies have surrendered when they have only withdrawn into their stronghold.
You fancy, for sooth, that you have subdued the passion of anger, because nothing
has occurred to ruffle your temper. But you are greatly deceived. It is not
astonishing that the sea is smooth when there is not a breath of air to disturb the
calm. Neither is it astonishing that you are quiet, when chere is not a living soul to
arouse your wrath. Your passions seem to be dead; but, in reality, they are only
asleep. Unless you strengthen and arm yourself then, while they leave you a little
respite, they "will assault you all the more violently, when they awake.

Instead, therefore, of laboring to correct a defect which you seldom commit, aim at
acquiring the opposite perfection. Do you wish to guard against ever treating others
with haughtiness or contempt? Learn to look upon yourself as the least of all; and
take, as the subject of your Particular Examination, the practice of humiliation. Do
you wish to make sure of not repining when adversity will come to try you?
Endeavor to see the hand of God in all the occurrences of life; and take, as the
subject of your Particular Examination, the practice of perfect conformity to the
divine will. Whatever virtue you select, let it be genuine, solid, supernatural,
capable of bearing the stress of trying circumstances and of being carried to the
highest degree of perfection. Let it be the virtue which is most opposed to your pre
dominant passion, the virtue which you need most in your present state and
condition of life, or the virtue which will unite you most closely to God, the source
and centre of all holiness and perfection.

Having thus determined the subject-matter, we perform the Particular Examination,

together with the General Examination, as an adjunct and auxiliary to it. That we
may do so with the best possible results, St. Ignatius, who was the first to reduce
the Particular Examination to a systematic form and to promote its practice
throughout the world, gives us some valuable directions. "The daily Particular
Examination," he writes, "embraces three times and two sittings. The first time is
straightway in the morning on rising, when a person resolves to guard diligently
against the particular sin or defect, which he desires to correct. The second time is
in the middle of the day, when, after begging light to know how often he has
offended Almighty God, he begins the scrutiny of his conscience, as explained in the
General Examination, by first demanding an account of his soul concerning the
particular fault in question... from the hour at which he rose down to the present.

Then he marks in a book prepared for the purpose, how many times he has fallen;
and, when he makes the act of contrition and purpose of amendment for his sins, he
includes, in an especial manner, the particular fault in question.

"The third time is in the evening, when he makes a second sifting in like manner ;
and, after marking in his book, how many times he has fallen, he again says an act
of contrition and resolves to be more on his guard in future, especially against the
particular fault in question."

These practices, and especially that of marking the number of one s falls, will
perhaps be looked upon by some as childish minutiae, calculated only to hamper
the spirit. But they are not so regarded by those who are experienced in the
spiritual life. As a proof, it may be allowed to refer, in passing, to two eminent
ecclesiastics, now departed, who were well known to some readers of these lines,
and who were highly esteemed by all that knew them for their sound, practical
judgment, no less than for their manly virtue. One of these spoke of the little book
of the Particular Examination, as the pass-book, in which we daily note our current
account with heaven, and which, if faithfully kept to the last, we may present with
confidence at the judgment-seat of God. The other, a much-beloved prelate, who
had resigned the dignity of office for the lowliness of a religious life, on perceiving
that the hour for the usual examination of conscience had come, took leave of the
friends with whom he was conversing, and, drawing forth from his pocket the
booklet of his Particular Examination, shook it playfully in their faces, with the
remark: "For me this is very necessary." These words, said with an air and tone of
earnest conviction, are quite as applicable to all of us as to the speaker. Not that the
success of the Particular Examination depends essentially upon recording, even to
the last unit, the exact number of our daily failings; but that neglect in marking with
becoming diligence the result of the Examination, gradually leads to forgetfulness, if
not to complete disuse, of this important exercise in a fervent Christian s life.

The object of this marking of our faults is to fix the attention, and to prevent us from
relaxing our efforts during the course of the day. The same is true also of other
practices recommended by St. Ignatius, under the head of "Four useful additions, for
the easier and quicker extirpation of any particular sin or defect." "The first is, that
each time a person falls into that particular sin or defect, he lay his hand on his
breast, and grieve for his fault. This he can do even in the presence of others,
without their perceiving it."

"The second is, that at night, after making the second scrutiny of his conscience, he
compare it with the first, "and observe if any amendment has taken place."
"The third is that he compares the examination of the first and second day, and
sees if there has been any improvement."

"The fourth is, that he compare one week with another, and note if, in the present
week, he has improved on the preceding." Made in accordance with these
directions, the Particular Examination can not fail to produce the happiest results. "It
owes its great efficacy," writes an experienced director of souls, " to these three
things: first, it divides our enemies, and brings all our forces to bear upon one of
them at a time; secondly, it attacks our disorders and sinful habits at the root;
thirdly, it keeps us at work all day and calls for the exercise of every power of the
soul." And thus it becomes the specific for inveterate and radical defects, which
resist all other means of self-reform.

Deep-seated and chronic evils, it is true, are not cured speedily, nor by the ordinary
remedies; but it is also true, that no spiritual evils, however obstinate, can resist the
persevering efforts of a resolute will aided by the grace of God. "Let no one then
despair," says St. Basil, "because of his sinful inclination; rather, let him bear in
mind that, as skilful culture can change the qualities of trees and shrubs, so zeal
and industry in the pursuit of virtue can check and correct all the vicious affections
of the soul."

In a similar manner, one of the ancient fathers of the desert counseled and
encouraged an anchoret, who had grown so remiss in the discharge of all his
spiritual duties, that lukewarmness seemed to have become his normal condition;
so much so that though moved to lead a life more worthy of his calling, he thought
his case too desperate to begin the work of self-reform. The venerable patriarch,
desiring to give additional force to his advice, put it in the form of a parable,
somewhat as follows: "A certain man, having a field all overrun with thorns, briars,
and tares, told his son to stub and clear it. The youth, therefore, set out one day to
do the work assigned him; but immediately upon beholding it, he lost heart, threw
himself upon the ground, and spent his time in sleep. The next day he went out
again, and did likewise. Questioned at night how he was progressing, he frankly
confessed that he had not the courage to undertake what appeared to him a
hopeless task. Whereupon his good father reproved him, saying: You do wrong, my
son, to look upon your work in the gross, as if you had to do it all at once. Mark out
for yourself, in the morning, as much as you can easily do in a day, and address
yourself with a will to your appointed task. Before long you will find that it is not so
hopeless as you now fancy to yourself. The son followed his fathers advice, and full
soon the whole field was cleared."

Let us all apply this parable to ourselves, and mark out, every morning, a definite
amount of work to do in the field which our heavenly Father has given us to
cultivate. Let us daily clear away some of the thorns, briars, and tares which
overrun it and hinder the growth of the good grain. In other words, let us make
strenuous and persevering efforts to free our souls from the sins, offences, and
negligences into which we are wont to fall, and which we recognize as the greatest
impediment in the way of a Christian life.

With this object in view, let us diligently perform the Particular Examination of
Conscience. It is a most efficacious means of self-amendment and spiritual progress.
For it is a combat carried on against our faults, until the vices from which they
spring have been subdued and replaced by the opposite virtues; and, as the pious
author of the Imitation assures us, "if every year we rooted out one vice, we should
soon be perfect men."

THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST. IGNATIUS ARRANGED AS PRAYERS

Contents

1. Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

2. A Prayer of St. Ignatius to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Preparatory Prayer.
4. Prayer to obtain the grace of understanding the true end of man.
5. Prayer to excite one s self to Repentance.
6. The Triple Colloquy.
7. Colloquy on God s Mercy.
8. Prayer to Jesus Christ that we may obey His call.
9. Prayer for aid in contemplating the scenes of the Gospel.
10. Prayer to attain the three degrees of Humility.
11. Prayer on the Three Classes.
12. Prayer that we may be received under the Standard of our divine King.
13. Prayer before Election.
14. Prayer in Desolation.
15. Prayer to unite ourselves with Christ s Sufferings,
16. Prayer to Our Lord risen from the Dead.
17. Prayer to excite love for God.

1
PRAYER OF ST. IGNATIUS

SOUL of Christ, sanctify me;

Body of Christ, save me;
Blood of Christ, inebriate me;
Water from the side of Christ, wash me;
Passion of Christ, strengthen me;
O good Jesus, hear me ;
Within Thy wounds hide me;
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee;
From the evil enemy defend me;
In the hour of my death call me,
And bid me come untc Thee,
That with all Thy saints I may praise Thee
For all eternity. Amen.

2
A PRAYER OF ST. IGNATIUS TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
O BELOVED Word of God, teach me to be generous, to serve Thee with that
perfection which Thy majesty claims, to give without calculation, to fight with out
heeding wounds, to labor without repose, to expend myself in Thy service without
thought of other reward than that of knowing that I do Thy most holy will. Amen.

3
PREPARATORY PRAYER

LORD, it is for the purpose of conquering myself that by Thy grace I have
undertaken these holy exercises. It is my rebel will that I desire to vanquish and
overcome, my unruly and disordered affections which I desire to put in order, so
that my soul may be attentive simply to the seeking and finding of Thy will, and to
the following of it alone, in the ordering and disposing of my life.

Give me a generous heart, a heart truly liberal, which, giving itself to Thee, may
abandon itself without any reservation to Thee, its Lord and Redeemer.

Lord, so great to all Thy servants, dispose of my life, of my liberty, of all that
surrounds me. O my Creator, speak to Thy creature. Behold my soul before Thee:
my will is as a scale in a state of perfectly equal balance, which shall only waver to
one side or the other when Thou placest in it the weight of Thy will or wish. I ignore
all natural inclination; my will is suspended and in a state of perfect indifference. I
have but one will and desire, to obey and please Thee. I promise Thee fidelity to my
exercises of piety, and to the full time meditation. I foresee the furious assaults of
the devil, but I am firmly resolved to yield nothing on this point to his importunities.

I promise Thee to exert my earnest efforts. It is for me to exercise myself, and to

labor, even at the cost of suffering if necessary; to examine my soul and to rectify
its ways; to call on Thee, to listen to Thee, to obey Thee.

I promise Thee to preserve silence; not only shall my lips remain silent, but my mind
shall be drawn off from the cares of life, from the agitations of the world, and from
all vanities. I know that this interior and exterior solitude possesses great merit in
Thy sight. But above all it leaves me in greater liberty to find that which I so
ardently desire; it enables me to approach closely to Thee, to lose none of Thy
words, to be better disposed for the receiving of the gifts of Thy divine and supreme
goodness.

4
PRAYER TO OBTAIN THE GRACE OF UNDERSTANDING THE TRUE END OF MAN

MAN was created for this end to praise, reverence, and serve the Lord his God, and
by this means to arrive at eternal salvation. All other beings or objects placed
around man on earth have been created for him, to serve as means to assist him in
the pursuit of the end for which he was created.

We must, then, above all things, endeavor to establish in ourselves a complete

indifference with regard to all created things, even those of which the use is not
forbidden us; not preferring, as far as depends on us, health to sickness, riches to
poverty, honor to humiliation, a long life to a short one; since good order requires
that we wish for and choose, in everything, what will lead us most surely to the end
for which we were created. (Text of St. Ignatius)

For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his
soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark viii. 36, 37)

Jesus said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy
whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first
commandment." (Matt. xxii. 37, 38)

Jesus said: "The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and Him only shalt thou serve."
(Matt. iv. 10)

Lord, Thou hast created me, Thou hast created me for Thyself to praise Thee, to
reverence Thee, to serve Thee. It is by applying myself to Thy service that I shall
save my soul. All other things placed around me in this world are there as so many
means whereby I may be conducted to the great final end of my creation, which is
twofold yet one: to serve Thee and save myself.

Teach me, O Lord, to do my duty, my only duty in this world, which is for the
fulfilling of Thy intentions and designs, to discern amongst Thy creatures 1st, those
which may aid me, so as to use them so long as they may be of service to me: 2d,
those which may be harmful to me, so as to reject them inasmuch as they may be
injurious to me. If I accept some and reject the others, may it be solely with the
view of glorifying Thee, and of being always within the order of Thy will.

But since my courage may give way, since my heart may be fascinated by these
extraneous creatures, defend it, O my God, and assure to it safety and freedom
from the seductions of the world. Grant that, indifferent to all that is not
commanded by Thee, indifferent to all those creatures the use of which Thou hast
not even forbidden, my heart may neither desire nor seek amongst the multiplicity
of creatures and the vicissitudes of life aught but what is needful for the fulfilling of
Thy will.

May health or sickness, riches or poverty, honors or contempt and humiliations,

leave my soul, if not insensible, at least in that state of holy indifference to which I
desire to attain for Thy greater honor and glory; for this I pray. I will and desire that
it should be thus with me, and I firmly resolve continually to restore my will to this
necessary equilibrium, so that it may always be inclined solely by the motive-power
of Thy holy will

5
PRAYER TO EXCITE ONE S SELF TO REPENTANCE

I BESEECH Thee, O Lord, to grant me the grace which I need, and which I earnestly
desire to obtain. I ask it with confidence, since I know I ought to have a deep
contrition and abiding and sincere sentiments of sorrow for my sins. I ask of Thee
that feeling of shame which should make me blush for myself. Many souls have
been lost by a single mortal sin. How many times have I not merited this judgment
for my many and great sins?

I ask of Thee an intense sorrow for having committed them, tears to weep over
them, a broken and contrite heart at the memory of them.

What a sight for me, a sinner, to behold Jesus Christ living and in agony on the tree
of the cross! O my Creator and Redeemer, how great was Thy love when Thou didst
will to exchange heaven for earth, the glory of Thy heavenly life for this life of pain,
and to suffer a death of infamy for me for my sins.

Look, O my soul; look at and consider thy past life what hast thou done for Jesus
Christ in the past at this present time what art thou doing for Jesus Christ in the
future what wilt thou do for Jesus Christ ? Speak, O my soul, with Jesus crucified; tell
Him thy thoughts, tell them to Him with all simplicity; tell them to Him just as thou
thinkest them.

Pour out thyself, O my heart, to thy God. Let thy thoughts turn from Him to thyself;
thy prayer is always good and fervent when it is true and sincere, when it speaks as
a friend speaks to his friend, as a subject speaks to his king, as a slave speaks to his
master. Accuse thyself, O my soul, of the evil thou hast done, declare all thy
wounds, thy weakness, thy doubts, thy waverings, thy most secret thoughts.

May the Lord, my Creator, cure me and shelter me beneath His pardoning grace.

6
THE TRIPLE COLLOQUY

O MOTHER of my Saviour, my blessed Lady, my Queen, vouchsafe to intercede for

me with thy divine Son, thy Lord, and obtain for me these three graces:

The grace to know with a full knowledge, to feel profoundly, to deplore and to detest
my sins;

The grace to feel and realize the disorder of my life, to hold it in horror, to reduce it
to rule, and amend it, and to correct myself;

The grace to know and detest the world, to put away from my soul, and keep out of
it, all worldly and vain thoughts, and to renounce for ever the world and all its
vanities.

Hail Mary

2. O LORD Jesus Christ, for the sake of Thy blessed Mother, obtain for me from the
eternal Father these three graces:

The grace to know with a full knowledge, to feel profoundly, to deplore and to detest
my sins;
The grace to feel and realize the disorder of my life, to hold it in horror, to reduce it
to rule, and amend it, and to correct myself;

The grace to know and detest the world, to put away from my soul, and keep out of
it, all worldly and vain thoughts, and to renounce for ever the world and all its
vanities.

Anima Christi

3. ETERNAL God, Father Almighty, in the Name of the Word made flesh; I beseech
Thee to grant me these three graces I implore of Thee:

The grace to know with a full knowledge, to feel profoundly, to deplore and to detest
my sins;

The grace to feel and realize the disorder of my life, to hold it in horror, to reduce it
to rule, and amend it, and to correct myself;

The grace to know and detest the world, to put away from my soul, and keep out of
it, all worldly and vain thoughts, and to renounce for ever the world and all its
vanities.

Our Father

7
COLLOQUY ON GOD S MERCY AND COMPASSION

Thanksgiving of the Sinner

O LORD God, Thou art infinitely wise, I adore Thee Who hast borne with my
ignorance; Thou art infinitely just, I adore Thee Who hast not chastised my iniquity;
Thou art infinitely powerful, I adore Thee Who hast deigned to spare my weakness ;
Thou art infinitely good, I adore Thee Who hast pardoned me all my malice and sins.

I thank Thee that the angels, who are the avenging swords of Thy justice, have not
slain me. I thank Thee because the saints, who are Thy friends, have prayed and
made intercession for me who was Thine enemy. I thank Thee that Thy heavens,
Thy stars, Thy sun have not refused to shine on me. I thank Thee for having placed
the whole of creation at my service; I have caused it to groan beneath the burden of
my sin, and yet it has not risen up against me. I thank Thee that the very earth has
not opened beneath my feet to precipitate me into the lowest depths of hell, where I
indeed deserve to be eternally.

I behold before me, O my God, the mystery of the infinite abyss of Thy mercy. I
return Thee thanks for having preserved my life until this day, for having granted to
me repentance for my sins; how great has been and how incomprehensible remains
Thy pity for me!
Pardon, O perfections of my God, for having preferred imperfect and vile creatures
to Thee! Pardon, O justice of my God, for having outraged Thee by my crimes!
Pardon, O holiness of my God, pardon for having so long stained the purity of Thy
sight by my sins! Pardon, O mercy of my God, for having so long despised Thy
merciful voice! In deep sorrow and contrition I cast myself at Thy feet have mercy
on me!

"Show mercy to a poor penitent, whom Thou hast so long spared in his
impenitence."
(St. Bernard)

8
PRAYER TO JESUS CHRIST OUR KING THAT WE MAY OBEY HIS CALL

MY Lord Jesus Christ, Thou hast said to me: "My will is to subject the infidel world to
My empire. If any one desires to follow Me, he must be content to abide beneath My
tent, to eat at My table, to drink from the same cup with Me; he must also be willing
to labor as I labor and with Me; he shall share with Me the fruits of the victory in
proportion to the manner in which he shall have shared with Me the fatigues of the
conflict." I have reflected upon this Thy call; I have asked of Thee, O Jesus Christ,
and I still ask of Thee, the grace not to be deaf to Thy call, but to answer it joyfully,
and to give all that Thy most holy will awaits from me.

Now, after mature consideration, this is what I freely offer Thee with my whole
heart, protesting it to be my firm inward resolution, my determined will, which is
fixed and will be, I trust, unalterable and steady, and which I shall never repent or
regret.

I have understood that the infidel lands to be conquered are my soul, my heart, the
world, and the devil: that the enemies to Thy domain are my sensuality, my pride,
the spirit of the world ever living and working within me ; these are the enemies
that I must fight against. I have taken the resolution of doing this, and I desire to
distinguish myself in Thy service.

I ardently desire to join Thee in this great enterprise in which Thou, my Lord Jesus
Christ, art leader, and the apostles, martyrs, penitents in a word, all the saints, are
my illustrious companions.

O eternal King, O Christ, Our Lord and Ruler; under Thy protection, by Thy grace,
with the memory of Thy infinite mercy, at Thy feet, in the presence of Thy glorious
Mother and of all the saints who adorn Thy heavenly court I offer and consecrate
myself to Thee and to Thy service alone; I give myself to Thee without any reserve. I
am resolved to imitate Thee, I am resolved to follow Thee, and to distinguish myself
as a follower of Thee, to be there where Thou art, if Thy divine Majesty will but
deign to choose me and to receive me as one of Thy faithful and devoted followers.

Acknowledging my utter unworthiness, I humbly beg of Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,

to be graciously pleased to accept my whole self as a full and entire oblation. Grant
that I may live and die at the post where the interests of Thy glory and my salvation
and Thy divine call may have placed me.

9
PRAYER FOR ASSISTANCE IN CONTEMPLATING THE SCENES OF THE GOSPEL

I BEG of Thee, O God, the grace which I desire to obtain: an intimate knowledge of
Our Lord Jesus Christ, so that, knowing Him more clearly, I may love Him more
dearly; that loving Him more dearly, I may follow him more nearly; and that
following Him more nearly, I may attain to a high degree of perfection by imitating
Him in all things.

Open, O my God, the eyes of my soul; grant me to contemplate in the silence of

respect, of prayer, and of adoration the eternal Word made flesh (John i. 14), placed
in the manger (Luke ii. 7), adored by Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi, and
the angels (Matt, ii. n). Permit me to contemplate and consider the demeanor of
Jesus; His actions His divine perfection in the smallest actions, His voluntary
obedience, His toil: His bearing its dignity, what modesty in all His gestures, His
movements, His steps: His looks their serenity and sweetness. Let me consider Him
in His sleep. In His prayer what fervor, what recollectedness. When He works what
admirable resignation and humility. When seated at the humble table of Joseph. Let
me follow Him when, with the blessing of His Mother, He departs to receive baptism
by St. John when He retires into the desert calls together His disciples teaches the
multitude.

Grant, O Lord Jesus, that I may be attentive to Thy thoughts, to Thy teachings, to
Thy holy will. If Thou speakest, may I never lose a single word from Thy lips; if Thy
lips are silent, grant to me to know and understand the workings of Thy Sacred
Heart; may I be attentive alike to what Thou sayest and to what Thou mightest say.
May Thy voice vibrate through my soul, may it enter my heart and be as a salutary
food to nourish, vivify, and invigorate it.

Above all, grant that I may love, that I may feel, that I may taste, that I may breathe
forth to some extent the infinite sweetness and gentleness of holiness, the exquisite
fragrance of virtue; and that I may follow the example which Our Lord Jesus Christ
has given us by His life and teachings.

Holy cave of Bethlehem, blessed walls of Nazareth, where my Jesus, lived, let my
lips kiss in spirit these wit nesses of the virtues of Christ! Would that I could press
my lips to all the traces of Thy steps, the earth, the walls sanctified by Thy
presence, O Jesus! If Thou wilt permit me to approach yet nearer to Thyself, I would
fain, in the purity and ardor of my love, kiss, as did the stricken woman of the
Gospels, the hem of Thy garment.

10
PRAYER TO ATTAIN THE THREE DEGREES OF HUMILITY
MY Lord, I beseech of Thee to grant me a grace absolutely necessary for the eternal
salvation of my soul. It is that I may always have sufficient humility, dependence,
and submission to obey in all things Thy holy law, and that I may never hesitate
before an order, or break any command of Thine, or of those appointed by Thee to
command me, which obliges me, under pain of mortal sin, not even if by so doing I
might preserve my life or obtain possession of the whole world. May I sacrifice my
life, or renounce the empire of the entire world, before I willingly transgress any of
Thy precepts.

2. Lord, I ask of Thee a greater grace than that of never offending Thee by mortal
sin: may I always have sufficient humility and submission never to give way to the
temptation of committing a single deliberate venial sin, even if by so doing I might
save my life or acquire possession of the whole world. My heart will falter; it will
often hesitate before the thought of venial sin, if it is not indifferent between riches
and poverty, between honor and shame, between life and death. Grant me, O God,
this perfect indifference of soul.

3. O Lord, I ask of Thee a still greater grace than that of never offending Thee by
venial sin. May my soul be so humble, so entirely submissive, that it may no longer
have aught but one desire: to imitate Thee and to follow Thee, its Lord and its God.

Even if the interests of the glory of God are not involved or affected, in order to
resemble more closely Our Lord Jesus Christ, I will and desire to be poor with Jesus
Christ in His poverty rather than to be rich, since Jesus Christ was not rich. I will and
desire to be covered with ignominy rather than to be honored by the world, since
Jesus Christ was not honored by it. I will and desire to be looked upon as a being
useless to all, of little interest, of little repute, of little influence, of little learning and
wisdom, since such was the estimation in which the world held Our Lord Jesus
Christ.

Grant me, O Lord, to arrive at this third and highest degree of perfection, and the
grace of a perfect renunciation of myself after Thine example.

11
PRAYER ON THE THREE CLASSES

LORD, I beg of Thee the grace not to belong to that class of Christians, who,
convinced of the truth of religion, are not converted or sanctified, because they will
not make use of the means by which sanctity may be acquired and their conversion
assured. Grant that I may not be with those who give Thee desires only, and who
put off, from day to day, the means necessary for holiness and salvation, and who
do nothing until the day of their death.

Lord, I ask of Thee the grace not to belong to that class of men who indeed desire
holiness, but who at the same time will not make the sacrifice at all, who can not
bring themselves to renounce certain passions, who will only give to Thee certain
works, who would have Thee and at the same time retain possession of certain
worldly advantages, who will not choose the most certain means of holiness. They
are very willing that Thou shouldst come to them, but they can not persuade
themselves to go to Thee; and yet what a happy lot would be theirs if they had but
the courage to give themselves unreservedly to Thee! With what superabundant
graces dost Thou reward the sacrifices of generous souls, O my God!

Lord, I ask of Thee to grant me the grace of being in the class of those whose will is
in a state of such perfect equilibrium, that it neither accepts nor rejects anything
except as Thou inspirest it to accept or reject it.

I desire nothing, O my God, unless Thou first wiliest it; I wish for nothing except to
serve Thee, my Creator and my Savior; and if the voice of nature asks anything
different of me, it is my will and desire to go against this voice of nature, this natural
repugnance. And I pray and beseech Thee to grant and vouchsafe to me, though in
opposition to my natural inclination, and notwithstanding the reluctance of nature,
that I may have the grace accorded me of always acting solely for the greater honor
and glory of Thy infinite Majesty, the grace of always choosing what is for Thy
greater glory; and to this end I beseech of Thee the grace of perfect and effective
detachment

12
PRAYER THAT WE MAY BE RECEIVED UNDER THE STANDARD OF OUR DIVINE KING

LORD, behold me a suppliant praying before Thee. I come to implore of Thee a

grace which is repugnant to my nature and which I dread to obtain. Alas, my heart
is not indifferent: on the contrary, it rebels at the thought of voluntary poverty, and
the contempt of men. It is to master my natural inclinations, to vanquish self, and to
conquer my heart, to extinguish in it every spark of that self-love which is not in
accordance with the rule these exercises place before me, that I entreat Thee to
receive me under Thy standard.

May Thy divine Majesty deign to shelter me beneath me folds of this Thy holy
standard, to give me the spirit of poverty and detachment, and to call me even to
the practice of actual and perfect poverty, if such is Thy good pleasure. Lord Jesus,
in order that I may resemble Thee more closely, grant me a share, I beseech Thee,
in Thy humiliations, and in the injustices that Thou didst meet with, provided that I
can bear them without committing any sin, without ever displeasing, in any way,
Thy divine Majesty.

O Blessed Virgin, Mother of my God, obtain for me from Thy divine Son the grace to
be received and to march under His standard.

Hail Mary

O Eternal Word, for the love Thou bearest Our Lady, Thy blessed Mother, obtain for
me from the Father the grace to be received and to march under Thy standard.

Anima Christi
O Father, for the love Thou bearest the most holy Virgin Mary, for the sake of Thy
Son, Our Lord, I beseech Thee to grant me the grace to be received and to march
under the standard of Jesus Christ.

Our Father

13
PRAYER BEFORE ELECTION

GRANT, O Lord, to the eyes of mine understanding the light of a pure, upright, and
single intention; may I always be mindful of the end for which Thou hast created me
Thy glory and my eternal salvation. Help me, O God, to keep this end in view,
enlighten my spirit, and incline my will toward the calling I should choose.

Before proceeding to my decision, I will with Thy help behold present to me in

heaven the throne of the most Holy Trinity, of my Redeemer and Savior, the most
blessed Virgin Mary, the angels, the saints, and all the elect of God.

May my resolution have their approval and assent! Above all, O my Creator and my
God, I beseech Thee to communicate Thyself to my soul, and to bind it by ever
closer ties to Thee and to Thy holy service.

Grant me the grace to come to my decision and to act- as I should act if I were now
at the hour of my death as I should counsel another, a stranger, or a friend, to act
under similar circumstances to mine to decide as at the day of judgment, before
Thy tribunal, I should then wish I had now decided.

Before all, O my God, impress well upon my mind this important maxim, that the
measure of my progress in spiritual things will be that of my abnegation of self, and
that so much the more as I shall go out of myself, as I shall trample on my self-love,
my self-will, my natural disposition, as I shall ignore and leave behind me that self,
so much the more closely shall I approach to Thee, be united to and resemble Thee.

O Lord, if Thou hast approved of my decision, if it is agreeable to Thee, accept and

bless it, confirm me in it, and grant to me steadfastly to persevere in it, in peace of
mind, without regrets or doubts, to Thy greater honor and glory. Amen.

14
PRAYER IN DESOLATION

MY Lord and my God, I am tempted and in desolation; my soul is sad and languishes
within me; my spirit droops; I am as if separated from Thee, with out hope, without
love. I am anxious, agitated, and uneasy; my heart is troubled. I am tormented, I
falter, I am languid, overwhelmed, and weary with the conflict. Inferior and
terrestrial things are enticing me, they charm and draw me to them.
O my God, help! Come to my assistance, give me courage, give me strength, allow
me not to be overcome by the assaults of the evil one; discover to me his snares
and artifices.

If Thou hast left me, it is because I have been tepid and negligent in my exercises of
piety. My faults have deprived me of Thy consolations.

Perhaps also it is that Thou wiliest to show me how little I can do when left to myself
how little I can do alone, for Thy service, for Thy glory how weak and powerless I am
when deprived of Thy aid. Or Thou art proving me; Thou wiliest to see how I employ
myself for Thy service and glory when Thou dost not bestow on me every day the
rewards of Thy Spirit in gifts and sensible graces. Thou desirest to prove what I am,
and if I serve Thee for Thyself, or only for the reward of Thy divine consolations. Or
perhaps Thou wiliest to detach my heart from a certain self-confidence, and thus to
hold it back from the pitfall of pride and self-love, so dangerous to our salvation; to
forbid it to seek elsewhere than in Thyself its repose, its security, and its peace.

But what I do know is, that with Thy grace, which Thou wilt never refuse me, and of
which Thou wilt never deprive me although I may not always be sensible or
conscious of its presence, I shall be able to resist and overcome all my enemies;
therefore, establishing my confidence on Thy divine strength, I will not lose courage.

It only remains for me to humble myself, to abase myself to the very dust at the
sight of my nothingness, and to persevere in my former resolutions made in the day
of consolation, awaiting in patience and calm for, and looking with hope and
confidence to, Thy next visit; for I know that the day of desolation will pass, and that
consolation will not be long in coming.

Give me patience and hope, give me the courage to remain fixed in my resolutions,
to attack and fight with the enemy without making any change in my former
decisions; but, in order to dissipate this desolation, let me change myself, by being
more recollected, more attentive, more silent, more mortified; above all, by
applying myself more fervently to prayer and meditation.

15
PRAYER THAT WE MAY UNITE OURSELVES WITH THE SUFFERINGS OF OUR LORD

AT the foot of the cross I ask of Thee, O my God, the grace which I should first of all
seek to obtain in considering the Passion of Our Lord. I ask an intense sorrow with
Jesus Christ overwhelmed by sorrows; I ask for a broken heart in union with the
Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ in its agony. I beg of Thee tears to weep over the grief
of Jesus Christ, a deep and sincere sympathy and compassion for the sufferings of
Jesus Christ, and a lasting remembrance of all the profound sorrows and pains He
endured for me.

I beg of Thee, O God, a lively contrition for my sins, and for the agony and sufferings
they have caused Our Lord, and a tender love for Jesus Christ suffering for me.
Ah, it is for my sins, my Lord Jesus Christ that Thou dost advance to meet these
torments. I have looked upon Thy bruised and wounded body, I have listened to Thy
words in Thy affliction and distress, so full of tenderness and love, so full of sorrow
and of pain; I have followed Thee along all the paths of Jerusalem: from the room of
the Last Supper to the Garden of Gethsemane, from the Garden of Gethsemane to
the house of Caiphas, the high priest, from the high priest to Pilate, from Pilate to
Herod, from Herod back to the Roman governor, from the governor s hall to Calvary,
and there I have gazed on Thee nailed to the cross!

Behold what Thou hast suffered, O my God! and Thou wouldst suffer it all again and
still more for me were it necessary! So great is Thy love that it is, as it were, more
insatiable and cruel to Thyself than even the hate of Thy executioners!

May my eyes pour forth tears at this sad sight! O my soul, let the waters of
tribulation overwhelm thee; make every effort, strive with thyself, if necessary, to
keep alone before thy sight thy crucified Savior, to compassionate Him, to mourn, to
sorrow, to lament and bewail with Jesus crucified.

Where, O where is Thy Divinity hidden, O my Jesus? Why does not it arise to scatter
and annihilate all Thy enemies? Why does it permit Thy most holy Humanity to
suffer such indignities, such excruciating torments, torments beyond all bound and
measure?

O God, I realize it! All these terrible sufferings are necessary for the effacing of my
sins! Behold to what a state they have reduced Thee! Behold what Thy love has
found needful to suffer for me! What does it now behoove me to suffer for Thee?

Consider, my soul, what gifts thou wilt offer at the foot of the cross: what wilt thou
do and suffer for Thy God.

How can I refuse aught to Thee, my Lord and my Creator, Who hast done and
suffered so much for my sake; Thou hast given all Thou hast to me; Thou hast given
Thy labor, Thy toil, Thy thoughts, Thy love, Thy life, the very last drop of Thy Heart s
blood for me. Ah! let me give Thee all I have all my affections, all my love, all my
desires, my whole heart, my work, my efforts, my sorrows, my joys, my life, my
whole self.

16
PRAYER TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD

GIVE me, O Jesus, the grace I seek in this meditation on Thy glorious Resurrection; it
is that I may rejoice with Thee, that I may exult over, and participate in, Thy joy and
Thy glory.

How beautiful art Thou, O my well-beloved! How beautiful and radiant are the
wounds in Thy hands and Thy feet! And still more beautiful and still more radiant is
the wound in Thy Sacred Heart! What ineffable sweetness, what light in Thy words!
Happy Peter, happy Magdalen! still happier thou, O blessed Mother of Our Lord,
united to Him in the glory of His triumph!
Let me contemplate, O my Jesus, the splendor of Thy Divinity. It seemed to hide
itself during Thy Passion, but now that Thou art risen, how clearly does it shine, how
evident it is to me as I recognize and confess it, and the truth and holiness of Thy
presence, and of Thy apparitions which brought such peace and consolation with
them!

What so overjoys and fills me with gratitude in contemplating Thee, O Lord Jesus, is
the loving care Thou hast to bring -consolation to Thy servants. This tender care and
loving thought for those who are Thine fills me with a great joy, and deep love and
gratitude. O Jesus Christ, the Consoler, Thou Who so well knowest how to fulfil this
office, this royal ministry of Thy love; how immense is the difference, how great the
contrast between what friends can say to console their friends, and what Thou
sayest and dost to console Thy disciples!

O divine Consoler, be Thou my consoler! Give to me that true consolation, that

consolation which is the increase of faith, of hope, and of charity.

I congratulate thee, O most holy Virgin Mother, on thy happiness, and I participate
in thy joy.

Regina Coeli

I adore Thee, O Jesus, in the glory of Thy Resurrection, in the immutability of Thy
beatitude, and I consecrate myself to Thee anew, my Savior and my King.

Glory be to the Father

17
PRAYER TO EXCITE LOVE FOR GOD

LORD, I ask of Thee the grace to realize intimately the greatness and excellence of
Thy blessed benefits which Thou hast so lavishly poured forth on me; I beg of Thee
that I may realize the full extent of Thy generosity, the prodigality of Thy Heart, so
that measuring my gratitude by Thy marvelous generosity, it may make that return
which justice and love require by serving Thee in and by Thy gifts, and consecrating
myself to Thy love and service.

It is from Thee that I have received the benefits of creation, and all those special
gifts of grace which never fail me in my dangers and my difficulties. How good hast
Thou been to me in particular above so many others, who are more worthy than I
am.

Let me reflect upon the past! Thy love, never satisfied with giving, would always
give more. Ah, my God, I am confident, I know that in Thy love Thou wilt never be
satisfied, until Thou hast given me Thyself entirely and for ever in heaven.

And now in my turn, what can I do for Thee? What is meet, just, and right that I
should offer to Thy divine Majesty? I have nothing of myself, I hold all from God;
what else, then, can I do but offer Thee all that I have, all that I am?
Suscipe, Domine: Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my
understanding, and my whole will. All that I am, all that I have, Thou hast given me,
and I restore it all to Thee, to be disposed of according to Thy good pleasure. Give
me only Thy love and Thy grace; with these I am rich enough, and I desire nothing
more.

But Thou art present, Thou dwellest in all these Thy benefits, in all creatures, in
myself. It is Thou who didst create and dost give existence to the elements; Thou
who causest them to be Thou who dost give life to the plants, and causest them to
grow. Thou who hast given to animals sensation. Thou who hast given man
intelligence, the power of thought, an immortal soul. Thus Thou hast united all Thy
gifts and given them all to me, life, sensation, reason. I have been created in Thy
likeness, and am as an image of Thy divine Majesty. In the most noble and excellent
manner Thou dwellest in me, Thou dost dwell in me as in Thy temple, as in a
sanctuary, seeing in me Thine own image, and finding in me an intelligence,
capable of knowing and loving Thee. What then can I do to honor in His gifts Him
Who presents them to me and Who maintains them by His power? What can I do
except treat them with an infinite respect, and walk always in the presence of God,
thinking and acting in His presence which surrounds and penetrates even within me.

Thou, my Benefactor, art always with me; Thou art more intimately united to me
than is my soul to my body; help me then, O my God, help me to keep myself
before Thee as a child in the presence of a tenderly-loved father, studying the
slightest sign of Thy will and Thy wish.

O my God, not only dost Thou dwell in the whole of creation, not only art Thou
present in the entire universe, but Thou dost act continually in all Thy creatures,
and dost work in them for ever, for my service.

Yes! Divine Artificer, Thine infinite power, occupying itself in the heavens, the
elements, the fruits of the earth, becomes as it were the servant of my needs; Thou
dost light my path, enlighten me with the light of day; Thou dost nourish me with
the productions of the earth, and serve me by each one of the creatures I use! Thy
bounty, wisdom, and power, are placed at my service, and exercised for my wants
and pleasures.

Help me, O my God, to serve Thee, acting always solely for Thee, and in Thy
presence, uniting work with recollection, calm contemplation of Thee with activity in
Thy service; let me think always of Thee, but without ceasing to act, and let me act,
but in such a manner as not to be distracted and without ceasing to think of Thee.
That I may attain to this perfection in all that I do, grant that I may seek but one end
in the diversity of my occupations Thy good pleasure and holy will, O my God.

So Thou art in all these gifts which I receive from Thee; it is in them and by them
that Thou dost serve me.

Behind the veil of these creatures I discern Thy fatherly hand which presents them
to me, and fashions them to my service. If then, they come from Thee to me, it is
but just that from me they should return to Thee. It is with this intent that I have
offered all to Thee; for the future I will to see in creatures only the good and useful
means they may offer of serving and praising Thee, and to use them only so long
as, and inasmuch as, they shall serve to this end. I will to be detached from
creatures and myself; this double detachment will give me true liberty of spirit,
which consists in being no longer bound either to creatures or myself, and in
reposing perfectly and solely on Thy love.

I will to be detached from creatures because they have only very limited
perfections; the most perfect being but as a weak and rude image of Thy
perfections. What they have of the good and beautiful is but an emanation of Thy
Divinity, which rests on them as the rays of the sun rest on the moon and glorify it;
but as the moon is pale in the presence of the sun, shining as it does with but a
borrowed light, so creatures have but a very faint reflection of Thy perfections.

I will to be detached from myself, because all my being and happiness depend not
on myself but on Thee; if I leave myself I shall find Thee, and in Thee I find as in
their source and in an infinite degree all perfections. In Thee and in Thee alone shall
I find my happiness and my being. "Thou hast made us, O Lord, for Thyself, and our
hearts can not rest until they rest in Thee" (St. Augustine;. Thou hast said, O Lord:
"He that loveth his life shall lose it: and he that hateth his life in this world, keepeth
it unto life eternal" (John xii. 25).

O give me then, my Lord, this perfect detachment, since in that state my soul will
be absolutely indifferent to all that is not Thee. I shall then have but one thought to
please Thee in all my actions; but one desire soon to quit this world, in order fully to
possess Thee, my God, in heaven.

The little that I am flows from a Being so infinitely-elevated above me; from Thee, O
eternal Source, descend justice, comfort, sweetness, piety, gentleness, goodness. O
pour down into my soul Thy gifts, inundate me with Thy perfections, and grant me
such entire conformity to Thy will that I may attain to perfect repose in Thee.

O living Light, O heavenly Sun, the source from whence proceed all those beams of
light which illuminate the souls of the saints, flooding them with an effulgence of
celestial radiance, let me be engulfed and lose myself in Thee! May I forget myself,
and leave myself; may I strip myself of all love of creatures to love Thee alone, my
Creator and my God. May I leave both creatures and myself in order to attach
myself only to Thee, my Lord and my God. May I see Thee alone in the whole of
creation, serving Thee and Thee only, reposing and rejoicing for ever in Thy most
holy will. Amen.

18
PETITIONS FOR GRACES

O Father, O Son, O Holy Ghost!

O Most Holy Trinity! O Jesus! O Mary!
Ye blessed angels, and all ye saints of paradise, obtain for me these graces, which I
ask through the merits of the most precious blood of Jesus Christ.
1. Always to do the will of God.
2. To be always in union with God.
3. To think only of God.
4. To love God alone.
5. To do everything for God.
6. To seek only the glory of God.
7. To make myself a saint for God s sake alone.
8. To know my own nothingness.
9. To know more clearly the will of God.
10. (Insert what you specially desire.}

O most holy Mary, offer to the eternal Father the most precious blood of Jesus Christ
for my soul, for the holy souls in purgatory, for the needs of holy Church, for the
conversion of sinners, and for the whole world.
 BOOK II

SPIRITUAL EXERCISES IN THE MORNING

I. Aspirations and Invocations.

II. Mental Prayer.
III. Vocal Prayer.

On Awaking and Arising

ASPIRATIONS

In the name of the Father + and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

THE ANGELIC TRISAGION

SANCTUS, Sanctus, Sanctus, HOLY, holy, holy, Lord God of

hosts:
Dominus Deus; exercituum: the earth is full of Thy glory.
Plena est terra gloria tua: Glory be to the Father,
Gloria Patri, gloria Filio, glory be to the Son,
gloria Spiritui Sancto. glory be to the Holy Ghost.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Clement XIV., June 6, 1769.

Omnia ad majorem Dei gloriam!

PRAYER WHILE DRESSING

CLOTHE me, my Lord, with the robe of innocence; invest me, O most loving Jesus,
true Spouse of my soul, with the wedding-garment of charity. Permit not that I
appear stripped of good works before Thy face. Let me ever be loyal to Thee, and
faithful to my promises.

Or, the following may be said:

CLOTHE me, my Lord, with the robe of innocence, and adorn my heart, O divine
Spouse of my soul, with all the virtues that are pleasing to Thee; especially with
humility, obedience, purity, charity, and an exact fidelity to my holy rules and vows.

PUTTING ON THE HABIT

GOOD Jesus, divine Spouse of my soul, I thank Thee for this cherished token of my
allegiance to Thee; and I beseech Thee, that, with Thy grace, I may preserve
unsullied the wedding-garment with which Thou didst invest my soul on the blessed
day of my consecration to Thee.
In spirit cast yourself into the Sacred Heart of Jesus and say some ejaculatory
prayer.

PRAYER OF ST. GERTRUDE ON AWAKING

Our divine Lord said to St. Mechtilde: When you awake in the morning, let your first
act be to salute My Heart, and to offer Me your own.

I ADORE, praise, and salute Thee, O most sweet Heart of Jesus Christ, fresh and
gladdening as the breath of spring, from which, as from a fountain of graces,
sweeter than the honeycomb floweth evermore all good and all delight. I thank Thee
with all the powers of my heart for having preserved me throughout this night, and
for having rendered to God the Father praises and thanksgivings on my behalf. And
now, O my sweet Love, I offer Thee my wretched and worthless heart as a morning
sacrifice; I place it in Thy most tender Heart, and entrust it to Thy keeping;
beseeching Thee that Thou wouldst deign to pour into it Thy divine inspirations, and
to enkindle it with Thy holy love. Amen.

PRAYER OF BLESSED MARGARET

I BELIEVE that my Redeemer liveth, and that I shall rise again on the last day. Grant,
O my God, that my resurrection be a glorious one. This hope rests in my heart.
Replenish it, O God, so copiously with Thyself, that space be no longer found therein
for creatures, for myself, or for earthly things. Permit me not, O Jesus, to fall from
bodily into spiritual sleep, but awaken my heart, my spirit, and my will unto Thy
love, in which I desire to persevere, like the angels, without interruption. O my
divine Spouse, unite me so intimately with Thee that nothing shall be able to sever
me from Thee. Thou art my life, my treasure, and my sole consolation. Let external
occupations withdraw me not a moment from Thy holy presence, but let them
rather be the means of a closer union with Thee.

O SACRED Heart of Jesus! O Heart of love! Wilt Thou have my poor heart? Take it,
and plunge it into Thy Heart, that burning furnace of divine love, that it may be
inflamed with charity.

O MOST amiable Heart! I love Thee because Thou art goodness itself. I offer Thee
my heart and my whole being, in order to honor and glorify Thee now and for ever.
Let me never displease Thee ; help me ever to do what is most pleasing to Thee.

EJACULATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

MAY the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored, and loved
with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to
the end of time. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., Feb. 29, 1868.
 INVOCATIONS, ANTIPHONS AND SALUTATIONS

ORDINARY

V. Venite, adoremus Dominum qui fecit nos. V. Come, let us adore the Lord Who
made us.
R. Venite, adoremus. R. Come, let us adore Him.

SEASONAL

On Christmas Day

V. Christus natus est nobis; venite adoremus. V. Christ is born to us; come, let us
adore Him.
R. Venite, adoremus. R. Come, let us adore Him.

On Maundy Thursday

V. Christus factus est pro nobis obediens V. Christ became obedient for us unto
death.
usque ad mortem.

On Good Friday and Holy Saturday

V. Christus factus est pro nobis obediens V. Christ became obedient for us unto
death;
usque ad mortem; mortem autem crucis. even the death on the cross.

On Easter Day

V. Surrexit Dominus vere, Alleluia. V. The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, Alleluia. R. Alleluia, Alleluia.

On Ascension Day

V. Alleluia; Christum Dominum ascendentem V. Alleluia; come, let us adore Christ,

our Lord,
in coelum; venite adoremus, Alleluia. ascending into heaven, Alleluia.
R. Venite, adoremus, Alleluia. R. Come, let us adore Him, Alleluia.

Pentecost

V. Alleluia, Spiritus Domini replevit orbem V. Alleluia, the Spirit of; the Lord hath
filled the whole
Terrarium, venite, adoremus, Alleluia. earth; come, let us adore Him, Alleluia.
R. Venite, adoremus, Alleluia. R. Come, let us adore Him, Alleluia.
 PRAYER BEFORE MEDITATION
For your selection

MY God, I firmly believe that Thou art here present. Thou dost penetrate my heart,
and dwell therein as in Thy living temple:- I offer Thee my profound adoration and
beseech Thee to give me the grace of perfect union with Thee now and for ever.
Amen.

My Lord, I can do nothing of myself; I can not even have a good thought; therefore I
beseech Thee, in this meditation, to direct all the powers of my soul to Thy service
and glory, and to my sanctification. Amen.

ANOTHER PREPARATORY PRAYER

MY God, I firmly believe Thou art everywhere present, and seest all things. Thou
seest me in all my actions; Thou seest me in this, my meditation. I bow down before
Thee and worship Thy divine majesty with my whole being. Cleanse my heart from
all vain, wicked, and distracting thoughts. Enlighten my understanding and inflame
my will, that I may pray with reverence, attention, and devotion.

My Lord and my Creator! look graciously on Thy child, the work of Thy hands, and
mercifully grant me the help of Thy grace, that all my intentions and acts during this
meditation may be directed purely to the service and praise of Thy divine majesty;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

ANOTHER FORM OF PRAYER BEFORE MEDITATION

Pater and Ave.

MY God, I believe that Thou art here truly present, that Thy divine eyes penetrate
the secrets of my heart. Thou seest all its miseries.

I adore Thee in union with holy Mary, all the angels and saints, and all holy souls
upon earth.

I deeply grieve for all my sins, especially for those which wound Thy Sacred Heart,
and render my heart most unlike Thine.

I offer Thee, O Lord, all I possess: my soul with all its faculties, my body with all its
senses. Miserable as this offering is, my God, it is all I have; and in return I ask the
light of the Holy Spirit, that I may know Thy will and Thy grace, that I may do it.

I beseech Thee, grant that I may draw fruit from this prayer. Holy Mary, blessed
Mother of Jesus, refuge of poor sinners, and my dear Mother, pray for me.

St. Joseph, St. Ignatius, St. Francis Xavier, pray for us.
 A SHORT PREPARATORY PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART

MY Jesus, I desire to enter into Thy Sacred Heart, and to make my prayer there, that
I may pray with Thee and through Thee, and adore the Father in spirit and in truth. I
desire to unite myself as closely as possible to this source of all graces and
blessings, that my heart may be inflamed, my mind enlightened, and all my
deficiencies supplied. Amen.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY GHOST BEFORE MEDITATION

COME, O Holy Spirit! fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy
love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O GOD, Who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise, and ever
rejoice in His consolation through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

O ETERNAL Father! shed upon us, we beseech Thee, the plenitude of Thy divine
Spirit, and grant us an entire and perfect submission to the inspirations of Thy
grace. We renounce every thought and affection which may withdraw us from Thy
adorable presence, and we most earnestly implore, through the merits and
sufferings of Our Lord Jesus Christ, as also through the intercession of His
immaculate Mother Mary, of our guardian angels, and of our patron saints, that this
meditation may be conducive to Thy greater glory, and to our eternal salvation.

PRAYERS AFTER MEDITATION

For your selection

OFFERING OF THE RESOLUTIONS

O God, I offer Thee these resolutions: that I may be faithful to them, I must have
Thy blessing. From Thy goodness, then, I hope to obtain this blessing, which I ask of
Thee in the name and through the merits of Jesus, my divine Savior.

Holy Virgin, Mother of my God, who art also my Mother, my guardian angel, and my
holy patron saints, obtain for me the grace to keep these resolutions with perfect
fidelity.

THANKSGIVING AFTER MEDITATION

MY God, I most humbly thank Thee for having permitted me to be so long in Thy
holy presence, although so unworthy. I thank Thee for the light? and good affections
which I have received from Thy Holy Spirit. I beg Thy pardon for the distractions
which I have had during this meditation. I consecrate anew to Thee my whole being,
my thoughts, my words, and my actions.

O holy Virgin Mary, my dear Mother and my good Patroness, obtain for me from
Jesus, thy Son, the grace to put my good resolutions into practice. O my good angel,
my holy patrons, and all ye saints, pray for me, that I may preserve in my heart the
truths upon which I have meditated, and that I may regulate my life in accordance
with them. Amen.

ANOTHER FORM OF PRAYER AFTER MEDITATION

O MY God, I give Thee heartfelt thanks for all the graces and for all the light Thou
hast conferred on me during this meditation. Pardon me, I beseech Thee, all the
negligence and all the distractions of which I have been guilty. Give me strength to
carry out the resolutions that I have made. Fortify me, that from henceforth I may
diligently practise this virtue... avoid this fault... perform this action... to Thy honor.
Help me to do this, O sweet Virgin Mary; and do thou, my good angel, recall these
good resolutions to my memory, if I should ever forget or neglect them.

Omnia ad majorem Dei gloriam!

ANIMA CHRISTI

ANIMA Christi, sanctifica me. SOUL of Christ, sanctify me.

Corpus Christi, salva me. Body of Christ, save me.
Sanguis Christi, inebria me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Aqua lateris Christi, lava me. Water from the side of Christ,
Passio Christi, conforta me. wash me.
O bone Iesu, exaudi me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
Intra tua vulnera absconde me. O good Jesus, hear me.
Ne permittas me separari a te. Within Thy wounds, hide me.
Ab hoste maligno defende me. Separated from Thee let me never
In hora mortis meae voca me. be.
Et iube me venire ad te, From the malignant enemy,
Ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te defend me.
in saecula saeculorum. At the hour of death, call me.
Amen. To come to Thee, bid me,
That I may praise Thee in the
company
Of Thy Saints, for all eternity.
Amen.

SUSCIPE OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA

 Suscipe, Domine, universam Receive, O Lord, all my liberty.
meam libertatem. Accipe Take my memory, my
memoriam, intellectum, atque understanding, and my entire will.
voluntatem omnem. Quidquid Whatsoever I have or possess
habeo vel possideo mihi largitus Thou hast bestowed upon me; I
es; id tibi totum restituo, ac tuae give it all back to Thee and
prorsus voluntati trado surrender it wholly to be governed
gubernandum. Amorem tui solum by Thy Will. Give me love for Thee
cum gratia tua mihi dones, et alone along with Thy grace, and I
dives sum satis, hec aliud am rich enough and ask for
quidquam ultra posco. nothing more.

MORNING PRAYERS

In the name of the Father + and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Place Yourself in the Presence of God, and adore His holy Name.

MOST holy and adorable Trinity, one God in three Persons, I believe that Thou art
here present; I adore Thee with the deepest humility, and render to Thee, with my
whole heart, the homage which is due to Thy sovereign majesty. Blessed be the holy
and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen.

AN ACT OF FAITH

O MY God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three divine Persons, Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost; I believe that Thy divine Son became man, and died for our
sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these, and all
the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed
them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

AN ACT OF HOPE

O MY God, relying on Thy infinite power, goodness, and promises, I hope to obtain
the pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the
merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

AN ACT OF LOVE

O MY God, I love Thee above all things, and with my whole heart, because Thou art
all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee.

AN ACT OF CONTRITION
O MY God, for the love of Thee, I heartily detest my sins. I am truly sorry for having
offended Thee, because Thou art infinitely good. I firmly resolve never to offend
Thee again, and by the help of Thy grace to amend my life.

Thank God for all Favors and Offer Yourself to Him.

MY God, Thou hast made me out of nothing, Thou hast redeemed me by the death
of Thy Son, Thou hast sanctified me by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, Thou hast
favored me by a call to the religious life, Thou has sent me so many blessings
through the Holy Eucharist, Thou hast preserved me and brought me happily to the
beginning of another day: I thank Thee, my Lord, most humbly and earnestly for
these benefits and for all the graces which Thou hast bestowed upon me. I offer and
consecrate to Thee my whole being, and in particular all my thoughts, words,
actions, and sufferings this day, beseeching Thee that through the infinite merits of
Jesus Christ, my Saviour, they may all be pleasing and acceptable in Thy sight. May
Thy divine love animate them, and may they all tend to Thy greater glory.

Resolve to Avoid Sin and to Practise Virtue.

ADORABLE Jesus, my Saviour and Master, model of all perfection, I resolve and will
endeavor this day to imitate Thy example, to be, like Thee, mild, humble, chaste,
obedient, charitable, and resigned. I will redouble my efforts that I may not fall this
day into any of those sins which I have heretofore committed (here name my
besetting sin), and which I sincerely desire to forsake.

Ask God for the Necessary Graces.

O MY God, Thou knowest my poverty and weakness, and that I am unable to do

anything good with out Thee; deny me not, O God, the help of Thy grace: proportion
it to my necessities; give me strength to avoid anything evil which Thou forbiddest,
and to practise the good which Thou hast commanded; and enable me to bear
patiently all the trials which it may please Thee to send me.

Let us pray for the Holy Church.

O GOD, hear our prayers in behalf of our Holy Father, Pope...., our bishops, our
clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless all Religious; bless the whole
Catholic Church; convert all heretics and unbelievers; have mercy upon our country.
Pour down Thy blessings, O Lord, upon all our friends, relatives, and benefactors.
Help the poor and sick, and those who are in their last agony. O God of mercy and
goodness, have compassion on the souls of the faithful in purgatory; put an end to
their sufferings; and grant to all those for whom we are particularly bound to pray,
eternal light, rest, and happiness.

V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace. Amen.

THE LORDS PRAYER

PATER NOSTER, qui es in caelis, OUR FATHER, who art in heaven,
sanctificetur nomen tuum. hallowed be Thy name. Thy
Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat kingdom come. Thy will be done
voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in on earth as it is in heaven.
terra.

Panem nostrum quotidianum da Give us this day our daily bread

nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis and forgive us our trespasses as
debita nostra sicut et nos we forgive those who trespass
dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et against us. And lead us not into
ne nos inducas in tentationem, temptation, but deliver us from
sed libera nos a malo. Amen. evil.
Amen.

THE HAIL MARY

AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus HAIL MARY, full of grace, the Lord
tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, is with thee. Blessed art thou
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, amongst women and blessed is
Iesus. the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for
nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in us sinners, now, and in the hour of
hora mortis nostrae. Amen. our death. Amen.

THE APOSTLES CREED

CREDO in Deum Patrem I BELIEVE in God, the Father

omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et almighty, Creator of heaven and
terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His
Filium eius unicum, Dominum only Son, our Lord. He was
nostrum, qui conceptus est de conceived by the power of the
Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin
Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, Mary. He suffered under Pontius
crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus, Pilate, was crucified, died, and
descendit ad inferos, tertia die was buried. He descended to the
resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad dead. On the third day He rose
caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei again. He ascended into heaven
Patris omnipotentis, inde venturus and sits at the right hand of God,
est iudicare vivos et mortuos. the Father Almighty. From thence
Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, He shall come to judge the living
sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, and the dead. I believe in the Holy
sanctorum communionem, Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
remissionem peccatorum, carnis the communion of saints, the
resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. forgiveness of sins, the
Amen. resurrection of the body, and the
life everlasting. Amen.
Make the intention to gain all the indulgences you can this day by your prayers and
good works.

Ask the Prayers of the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, your Guardian Angel, and your
Patron Saint.

HOLY Virgin, Mother of God, my Mother and Patroness, I place myself under thy
protection, I throw myself with confidence into the arms of thy com passion. Be to
me, O Mother of mercy, my refuge in distress, my consolation under suffering, my
advocate with thy adorable Son, now and at the hour of my death.

INVOCATION TO ST. JOSEPH

HELP us, Joseph, in our earthly strife,

Eer to lead a pure and blameless life.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 18, 1882.

ANGEL of God, my guardian dear,

To whom His love commits me here,
Ever this day be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.

O GREAT saint whose name I bear, protect me, pray for me, that like thee I may
serve God faithfully on earth, and glorify Him eternally with thee in heaven. Amen.

PRAISES TO THE WILL OF GOD

Fiat, laudetur, atque in aeternum May the most just, most high,
superexaltetur justissima, most adorable will of God be in all
altissima, et amabilissima things done, and praised, and
voluntas Dei in omnibus. magnified forever.

INVOCATIONS

JESUS, have mercy on us.

Jesus, have mercy on us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
All ye holy angels, pray for us.
Holy apostles, pray for us.
Holy martyrs, pray for us.
Holy confessors, pray for us.
Holy virgins, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
St. John Baptist, pray for us.
St. Benedict, pray for us.
St. Dominic, pray for us.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.
St. Ignatius, pray for us.
St. Vincent of Paul, pray for us.
St. Francis of Sales, pray for us.
St. Augustine, pray for us.
St. Charles, pray for us.
St. Bernard, pray for us.
St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.
St. Francis Xavier, pray for us.
St. Patrick, pray for us.
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
St. Roch, pray for us.
St. Teresa, pray for us.
St. Gertrude, pray for us.
St. Mechtilde, pray for us.
St. Ursula and all your holy companions, pray for us
St. Hildegard, pray for us.
St. Catharine, pray for us.
St. Clara, pray for us.
St. Angela Merici, pray for us.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal, pray for us.
St. Elizabeth. St. Rose, Bl. Margaret Mary, pray for us.
All the holy founders and great saints of the Religious Orders, pray for us.
May all the saints in heaven intercede with God for us.*

These Invocations may be either extended or curtailed by pleasure.

LET US PRAY FOR OUR REVEREND MOTHER/FATHER

V. O LORD, save N.N., our reverend Mother;

R. And hear our prayers in her behalf.

Let us pray.

WE beseech Thee, almighty and eternal God, grant to Thy servant, N.N., who,
through Thy mercy, hath undertaken the government of this Congregation, the light
of Thy Holy Spirit, and an increase of all virtues, that she may perform the works
that are pleasing to Thee, and, being rendered acceptable in Thy sight, may come
at length to Thee, Who art the way, the truth, and the life. Through Jesus Christ, Thy
Son, Our Lord. Amen.

Pater, Ave.

Renewal of Vows

I WISH, dear Jesus, to follow closely in Thy footsteps this day, carrying my cross the
cross of religious life after Thee. I desire to fasten myself to the cross by renewing
my holy vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, so that I may resemble Thee
more closely, my crucified Saviour, Who art the sweet Spouse of my soul. May all
my actions, performed in union with Thee, be pleasing to the heavenly Father, as
springing from the tree of the cross, to which I nailed myself on the happy day on
which I made these vows. Sweet cross! Thou art my joy and my salvation.

SHORT FORMULA FOR RENEWAL OF VOWS

ALMIGHTY and eternal God, I renew and confirm with all my heart the vows of
poverty, chastity, and obedience which I made at my profession, and I implore Thy
grace to accomplish them perfectly. Amen.

MORNING OFFERING OF THE "APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER"

O MY God, I offer Thee my prayers, works, and sufferings this day, in union with the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the intentions for which He pleads and offers Himself in
holy Mass, in thanksgiving for Thy favors, in reparation for our offences, for the
petitions of our associates, especially this month for
(Name the General Intention for this month.)

EJACULATION IN HONOR OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS IN THE BLESSED

SACRAMENT

MAY the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored, and loved
with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to
the end of time.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., Feb. 29, 1868.

A SHORT ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

MY loving Jesus! I, N.N., give Thee my heart, and I consecrate myself wholly to Thee,
out of the grateful love I bear Thee, and as reparation for all my unfaithfulness; and
with Thy aid I purpose never to sin again.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day, if said before a picture of the Sacred Heart.
Pius VII., June 9, 1807.

Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love !

Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation !

Instead of the preceding Invocations may be recited the

LITANY OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS

Kyrie, eleison Lord, have mercy.

R. Christe, eleison. R. Christ, have mercy.
Kyrie, eleison. Iesu, audi nos Lord, have mercy. Jesus, hear us.
R. Iesu, exaudi nos. R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
Pater de caelis, Deus, God, the Father of Heaven,
R. miserere nobis. R. have mercy on us.
Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, God, the Son, Redeemer of the
R. miserere nobis. world,
Spiritus Sancte, Deus, R. have mercy on us.
R. miserere nobis. God, the Holy Spirit,
Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, R. have mercy on us.
R. miserere nobis. Holy Trinity, one God,
Iesu, Fili Dei vivi, R. have mercy on us.
Iesu, splendor Patris, Jesus, Son of the living God,
Iesu, candor lucis aeternae, Jesus, Splendor of the Father,
Iesu, rex gloriae, Jesus, Brightness of eternal Light,
Iesu, sol iustitiae, Jesus, King of Glory,
Iesu, Fili Mariae Virginis, Jesus, Sun of Justice,
Iesu, amabilis, Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary,
Iesu, admirabilis, Jesus, most amiable,
Iesu, Deus fortis, Jesus, most admirable,
Iesu, pater futuri saeculi, Jesus, the mighty God,
Iesu, magni consilii angele, Jesus, Father of the world to come,
Iesu potentissime, Jesus, Angel of Great Council,
Iesu patientissime, Jesus, most powerful,
Iesu oboedientissime, Jesus, most patient,
Iesu, mitis et humilis corde, Jesus, most obedient,
Iesu, amator castitatis, Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Iesu, amator noster, Jesus, Lover of Chastity,
Iesu, Deus pacis, Jesus, our Lover,
Iesu, auctor vitae, Jesus, God of Peace,
Iesu, exemplar virtutum, Jesus, Author of Life,
Iesu, zelator animarum, Jesus, Model of Virtues,
Iesu, Deus noster, Jesus, zealous for souls,
Iesu, refugium nostrum, Jesus, our God,
Iesu, pater pauperum, Jesus, our Refuge,
Iesu, thesaure fidelium, Jesus, Father of the Poor,
Iesu, bone pastor, Jesus, Treasure of the Faithful,
Iesu, lux vera, Jesus, good Shepherd,
Iesu, sapientia aeterna, Jesus, true Light,
Iesu, bonitas infinita, Jesus, eternal Wisdom,
Iesu, via et vita nostra, Jesus, infinite Goodness,
Iesu, gaudium Angelorum, Jesus, our Way and our Life,
Iesu, rex Patriarcharum, Jesus, joy of the Angels,
Iesu, magister Apostolorum, Jesus, King of the Patriarchs,
Iesu, doctor Evangelistarum, Jesus, Master of the Apostles,
Iesu, fortitudo Martyrum, Jesus, Teacher of the Evangelists,
Iesu, lumen Confessorum, Jesus, Strength of Martyrs,
Iesu, puritas Virginum, Jesus, Light of Confessors,
Iesu, corona Sanctorum omnium, Jesus, Purity of Virgins,
Propitius esto, Jesus, Crown of all Saints,
R. parce nobis, Iesu. Be merciful,
Propitius esto, R. spare us O Jesus.
R. exaudi nos, Iesu. Be merciful,
Ab omni malo, libera nos, Iesu. R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Ab omni peccato, libera nos, Iesu. From all evil, deliver us, O Jesus.
Ab ira tua, libera nos, Iesu. From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus.
Ab insidiis diaboli, From Thy wrath, deliver us, O
A spiritu fornicationis, Jesus.
A morte perpetua, From the snares of the devil,
A neglectu inspirationum tuarum, From the spirit of fornication,
Per mysterium sanctae
From everlasting death,
Incarnationis tuae, From the neglect of Thy
Per nativitatem tuam, inspirations,
Per infantiam tuam, Through the mystery of Thy holy
Per divinissimam vitam tuam, Incarnation,
Per labores tuos, Through Thy Nativity, deliver us,
Per agoniam et passionem tuam, O Jesus.
Per crucem et derelictionem Through Thy Infancy,
tuam, Through Thy most divine Life,
Per languores tuos, Through Thy Labors,
Per mortem et sepulturam tuam, Through Thy Agony and Passion,
Per resurrectionem tuam, Through Thy Cross and
Per ascensionem tuam, Dereliction,
Per sanctissimae Eucharistiae Through Thy Sufferings,
institutionem tuam, Through Thy Death and Burial,
Per gaudia tua, Through Thy Resurrection,
Per gloriam tuam, Through Thy Ascension,
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata Through Thy Institution of the
mundi, Most Holy Eucharist,
R. parce nobis, Domine. Through Thy Joys,
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata Through Thy Glory,
mundi, Lamb of God, who taketh away
R. exaudi nos, Iesu. the sins of the world,
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata R. spare us, O Jesus.
mundi, Lamb of God, who taketh away
R. miserere nobis, Iesu. the sins of the world,
Iesu, audi nos. R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
R. Iesu, exaudi nos. Lamb of God, who taketh away
the sins of the world,
Oremus; R. have mercy on us, O Jesus.
Domine Iesu Christe, qui dixisti: Jesus hear us.
Petite et accipietis; quaerite et R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
invenietis; pulsate et aperietur
vobis; quaesumus, da nobis Let us pray:
petentibus divinissimi tui amoris O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou hast
affectum, ut te toto corde, ore et said, "Ask and you shall receive;
opere diligamus et a tua seek and you shall find; knock,
numquam laude cessemus. and it shall be opened to you";
mercifully attend to our
Sancti Nominis tui, Domine, supplications, and grant us the
 timorem pariter et amorem fac grace of Thy most divine love,
nos habere perpetuum, quia that we may love Thee with all our
numquam tua gubernatione hearts, and in all our words and
destituis, quos in soliditate, tuae actions, and never cease to praise
dilectionis instituis. Qui vivis et Thee.
regnas in saecula saeculorum.
Amen. Make us, O Lord, to have a
perpetual fear and love of Thy
holy name, for Thou never failest
to govern those who Thou dost
solidly establish in Thy love. Thou
who livest and reignest forever
and ever. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Jan. 16, 1886.

THE ANGELUS DOMINI

Per annum Outside the Paschal Season

V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit V. The angel of the Lord declared
Mariae; unto Mary;
R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto. R. And she conceived of the Holy
Spirit.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is
tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, with thee. Blessed art thou
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, amongst women and blessed is
Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy
ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. sinners, now, and in the hour of
our death. Amen.
V. Ecce ancilla Domini. V. Behold the handmaid of the
R. Fiat mihi secundum verbum Lord:
tuum. R. Be it done unto me according
to Thy word.
Ave Maria, gratia plena,....... Hail Mary, full of grace, .....
V. Et Verbum caro factum est. V. And the Word was made flesh:
R. Et habitavit in nobis. R. And dwelt among us.
Ave Maria, gratia plena,....... Hail Mary, full of grace, .....
V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of
Genetrix. God.
R. Ut digni efficiamur R. That we may be made worthy
promissionibus Christi. of the promises of Christ.
Oremus: Let us pray:

Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O

Domine, mentibus nostris infunde; Lord, Thy grace into our hearts,
ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi that we, to whom the incarnation
Filii tui incarnationem of Christ, Thy Son, was made
cognovimus, per passionem eius known by the message of an
et crucem, ad resurrectionis angel, may by His passion and
gloriam perducamur. Per eundem cross be brought to the glory of
Christum Dominum nostrum. His resurrection, through the
R. Amen. same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Tempore Paschali Paschal Season
Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia: Queen of Heaven rejoice, alleluia:
Quia quem meruisti portare, For He whom you merited to bear,
alleluia. alleluia,
Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia. Has risen as He said, alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin
Alleluia, Mary, alleluia.
R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, R. Because the Lord is truly risen,
alleluia. alleluia.
Oremus: Let us pray:

Deus qui per resurrectionem Filii O God, who by the Resurrection of

tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
mundum laetificare dignatus es: granted joy to the whole world:
praesta, quaesumus, ut per eius grant we beg Thee, that through
Genetricem Virginem Mariam, the intercession of the Virgin
perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Mary, His Mother, we may lay hold
Per eundem Christum Dominum of the joys of eternal life. Through
nostrum. the same Christ our Lord.

R. Amen. R. Amen.

HYMN AT PRIME ON SUNDAYS AND WEEK-DAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Jam lucis orto sidere

IAM lucis orto sidere, NOW in the sun's new dawning

Deum precemur supplices, ray,
ut in diurnis actibus lowly of heart, our God we pray
nos servet a nocentibus. that He from harm may keep us
free
in all the deeds this day shall see.
 Linguam refrenans temperet, May fear of Him our tongues
ne litis horror insonet, restrain,
visum fovendo contegat, lest strife unguarded speech
ne vanitates hauriat. should stain:
His favoring care our guardian be,
lest our eyes feed on vanity.
Sint pura cordis intima, May every heart be pure from sin,
absistat et vecordia: and folly find no place therein:
carnis terat superbiam scant meed of food, excess
potus cibique parcitas. denied,
wear down in us the body's pride
Ut cum dies abscesserit, That when the light of day is
noctemque sors reduxerit, gone,
mundi per abstinentiam and night in course shall follow
ipsi canamus gloriam. on,
we, free from cares the world
affords,
may chant the praises that is our
Lord's.
Deo Patri sit gloria, All laud to God the Father be,
eiusque soli Filio, all praise, Eternal Son, to Thee;
cum Spiritu Paraclito, |all glory, as is ever meet,
nunc et per omne saeculum. to God the Holy Paraclete.
Amen. Amen.

SHORT FORM OF MORNING PRAYER FOR RELIGIOUS

(All the essential points of the preceding Morning Prayers will be found condensed
in this Short Form.)

IN the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy
love.

Most holy and adorable Trinity, one God in three Persons, I adore Thee, as Thou art
truly present here, with the deepest humility, and render to Thee, with my whole
heart, the worship that is due to Thy sovereign majesty.

O my good God, I thank Thee for having preserved me during the past night, for all
the favors Thou hast hitherto granted me, and especially for the grace of my
vocation to the religious life.

I believe in Thee, because Thou art truth itself;

I hope in Thee, because Thou art all good, all-powerful, and faithful to Thy promises;
I love Thee above all things, and with my whole heart, because Thou art infinitely
perfect and worthy of all love.
I am truly sorry for having offended Thee because Thou art infinitely good, and I
heartily detest my sins because by them I have displeased Thee. I am firmly
resolved, with the help of Thy grace, to amend my life, and to strive more earnestly
than ever after perfection in the following of Christ and in the imitation of the saints.
Accept, O Lord, my good will; grant me Thy blessing that I may do Thy holy will and
please Thee this day in all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings, which I offer
and consecrate to Thee, for Thy greater glory, in union with the Sacred Heart of
Jesus and the immaculate Heart of Mary.

I intend to gain all the indulgences that I can this day, and to be present in spirit at
all the Masses which will be celebrated to-day in the whole world.

I beseech Thee, O Lord, to accept the dedication of my whole being, and of all my
good works and prayers to Thy divine honor, in union with the offerings of all just
souls on earth, and of all Religious Congregations.

I implore Thy grace to enable me to perform all my duties in the spirit of our Holy
Rule, and to observe faithfully my vows, which I now renew. Bless our dear Reverend
Mother in the government of our holy Institute, and direct her in the way of
salvation. Teach us all to do Thy will, O God, and strengthen us to fulfill it perfectly.

O Jesus, ever-present in the adorable Sacrament of the Altar, may every creature
praise and bless Thee.

O Sacrament most holy; O Sacrament divine;

All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Lord Jesus, keep me in Thy love; let me dwell in Thy Sacred Heart, let me live in
close union with Thee all through the day.

Mary, my dear Mother, I love thee; bless me and protect me.

St. Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for me.
My good angel, enlighten and guard me, rule aid guide me.
My holy patron saints, I salute you, and beseech you, together with all the angels
and saints, to pray for me.

Unto the King of ages, the immortal, invisible, only God, be honor and glory for ever
and ever!

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us unto life everlasting.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

MORNING OFFERING TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

O SWEETEST Jesus, divine Friend, Thou hast been watching and waiting patiently
and lovingly in Thy lonely tabernacle all through the dark night for this moment,
which finds me once more at Thy blessed feet, that I may be consoled and
strengthened by Thy presence. And now, my dearest Lord, I have come in humble
adoration before Thee, with a heart full of thanks for abiding with us "all days," for
having protected and preserved me during the past night, and for having given me
another day to labor for Thy greater honor and glory, and for the salvation of my
soul. In reparation for all the sufferings that Thy Sacred Heart endures in the
Blessed Sacrament, I offer Thee the adoration and praise of all the just on earth, of
all the angels and saints in heaven, and especially of Thy blessed Mother. I offer
Thee my heart, my soul, my body, and all that I have. My whole being shall be
consecrated to Thy service. Deign to make me obedient, modest, humble, patient,
kind, and simple as a little child; draw me to Thee in ever closer union with Thy
loving Sacred Heart; make me resigned to Thy holy will, and grant that I may be
found worthy one day of that reward which Thou hast promised to those who love
and serve Thee faithfully on earth. Give me Thy grace, that I may become a saint.
Oh, stay with us.

O dear Jesus, till the evening of life. Pardon me all my past transgressions; for I love
Thee truly with my whole heart; and when death conies, say to me: "Enter thou into
the joy of thy Lord." Amen.

EVENING PRAYERS

IN the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Come, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy
love.

Place Yourself in the Presence of God and Humbly Adore Him.

God! the Lord of heaven and earth! I prostrate myself before Thee. With the
adorable Heart of Jesus, the immaculate heart of Mary, and with all Thy angels and
saints, I adore Thee, and render to Thee the homage of my being and life. I
acknowledge Thee to be my Creator and sovereign Lord. I devote myself to Thy
divine service now and for ever. Amen.

AN ACT OF FAITH

MY God! I firmly believe all the sacred truths which Thy Holy Catholic Church
believes and teaches; because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive
nor be deceived.

AN ACT OF HOPE

MY God! relying on Thy infinite power, goodness, and promises, I hope to obtain the
pardon of my sins, the assistance of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the
merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

AN ACT OF LOVE
MY God! I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou
art infinitely amiable, and deserving of all love. I love, also, my neighbor as myself,
for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I
have injured.

Pater Noster, Ave Maria, and Credo

Return Thanks to God for all His Mercies.

I THANK Thee, O my God, for all Thy benefits. How can I thank Thee worthily for Thy
inestimable graces? Thou hast thought of me and loved me from all eternity; Thou
hast formed me out of nothing; Thou hast delivered up Thy beloved Son to the
ignominious death of the cross for my redemption; Thou hast made me a member
of Thy holy Church; Thou hast even called me to the religious life; Thou hast
preserved me from falling into the abyss of eternal misery, when my sins had
provoked Thee to punish me; Thou hast graciously continued to spare me, even
though I have not ceased to offend Thee. What return, O my God, can I make for
Thy innumerable blessings and particularly for the favors of this day? O all ye saints
and angels, unite with me in praising the God of mercies, Who is so bountiful to so
unworthy a creature.

Ask God for Light to Discover the Sins Committed this Day.

MY God, sovereign Judge of men, Who desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he
should be converted and saved, enlighten my mind, that I may know the sins which
I have this day committed in thought, word, and deed, and give me the grace of
true contrition.

Here Examine your Conscience; then Say:

MY God, I heartily repent, and am grieved that I have offended Thee, because Thou
art infinitely good and sin is infinitely displeasing to Thee. I humbly ask of Thee
mercy and pardon, through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ. I resolve by the
assistance of Thy grace, to do penance for my sins, and I will endeavor never more
to offend Thee.

THE CONFITEOR

CONFITEOR Deo omnipotenti, I CONFESS to almighty God, to

beatae Mariae semper Virgini, blessed Mary ever Virgin, to
beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato blessed Michael the Archangel, to
Ioanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis blessed John the Baptist, to the
Petro et Paulo, et omnibus holy apostles Peter and Paul, and
Sanctis, quia peccavi nimis to all the saints that I have sinned
cogitatione, verbo et opere: mea exceedingly in thought, word, and
culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima deed, through my fault, through
culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam my fault, through my most
semper Virginem, beatum grievous fault. Therefore, I
 Michaelem Archangelum, beatum beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin,
Ioannem Baptistam, sanctos blessed Michael the Archangel,
Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, et blessed John the Baptist, the holy
omnes Sanctos, orare pro me ad apostles Peter and Paul, and all
Dominum Deum nostrum. Amen. the saints, to pray for me to the
Lord our God. Amen.
Misereatur nostril omnipotens May almighty God have mercy
Deus, et dimissis peccatis nostris, upon us, and forgive us our sins,
perducat nos ad vitam aeternam. and bring us unto life everlasting.
Amen. Amen.

Indulgentiam, + absolutionem, et May the almighty and merciful

remissionem peccatorum Lord + grant us pardon,
nostrorum, tribuat nobis absolution, and remission of our
omnipotens et misericors sins. Amen.
Dominus. Amen.

Pray for the Church of Christ

O GOD, hear my prayers in behalf of our holy Father Pope N., our bishops, our
clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless, I beseech Thee, the whole
Catholic Church, and convert all heretics and unbelievers.

Let us pray for our Reverend Mother. (See Morning Prayers), or say the Memorare
for her.

Pray for the Living and for the Faithful Departed.

POUR down Thy blessings, O Lord, upon all our friends, relations and benefactors.
Bless our Institute. Help the poor and sick, and those who are in their last agony. O
God of mercy and goodness, have compassion on the souls, of the faithful in
purgatory; put an end to their sufferings, and grant to them eternal light, rest, and
happiness. Have pity especially upon the souls of our Superiors, and of the Sisters
who once dwelt in this house, and who have gone before us, through the portals of
death, into the house of eternity.

V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine

R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis. Amen.

Commend Yourself to God, to the Blessed Virgin, and the Saints.

BLESS, O Lord, the repose I am about to take, that, my bodily strength being
renewed, I may be the better enabled to serve Thee.

BLESSED Virgin Mary, Mother of mercy, pray for me that I may be preserved this
night from all evil, whether of body or soul. Dear St. Joseph, all ye saints and angels,
and especially you, my guardian angel and my chosen patron, watch over me. I
commend myself to your protection now and always. Amen.
 MEMORARE TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who
fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left
unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful, O Mother of the Word
Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Mary, my dearest Mother, pray to Jesus for me; pray for our Reverend Mother.

LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Kyrie, eleison Lord, have mercy on us.

Christe, eleison. Christ have mercy on us.
Kyrie, eleison. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christe, audi nos. Christ, hear us.
Christe, exaudi nos. Christ graciously hear us.

Pater de caelis, Deus, miserere God, the Father of heaven,

nobis. have mercy on us.
Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, God the Son, Redeemer of the
Spiritus Sancte Deus, world,
Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, God the Holy Ghost, have mercy
on us.
Sancta Maria, ORA PRO NOBIS. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy
Sancta Dei Genetrix, on us.
Sancta Virgo virginum,
Mater Christi, Holy Mary, pray for us.
Mater Ecclesiae, Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Mater Divinae gratiae, Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mater purissima, Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mater castissima, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mater inviolata, Mother of divine grace, pray for
Mater intemerata, us.
Mater amabilis, Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mater admirabilis, Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mater boni Consilii, Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mater Creatoris, Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mater Salvatoris, Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Virgo prudentissima, Mother most admirable, pray for
Virgo veneranda, us.
Virgo praedicanda, Mother of good counsel, pray for
Virgo potens, us.
Virgo clemens, Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Virgo fidelis, Mother of our Savior, pray for us.
Speculum iustitiae, Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Sedes sapientiae, Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Causa nostrae laetitiae, Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Vas spirituale, Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Vas honorabile, Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Vas insigne devotionis, Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Rosa mystica, Mirror of justice , pray for us.
Turris Davidica, Seat of wisdom , pray for us.
Turris eburnea, Cause of our joy , pray for us.
Domus aurea, Spiritual vessel , pray for us.
Foederis arca, Vessel of honor , pray for us.
Ianua caeli, Singular vessel of devotion , pray
Stella matutina, for us.
Salus infirmorum, Mystical rose , pray for us.
Refugium peccatorum, Tower of David , pray for us.
Consolatrix afflictorum, Tower of ivory , pray for us.
Auxilium Christianorum, House of gold , pray for us.
Regina Angelorum, Ark of the covenant , pray for us.
Regina Patriarcharum, Gate of heaven , pray for us.
Regina Prophetarum, Morning star , pray for us.
Regina Apostolorum, Health of the sick, pray for us.
Regina Martyrum, Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Regina Confessorum, Comforter of the afflicted, pray for
Regina Virginum, us.
Regina Sanctorum omnium, Help of Christians, pray for us.
Regina sine labe originali Queen of Angels, pray for us.
concepta, Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Regina in caelum assumpta, Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Regina Sanctissimi Rosarii, Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Regina familiae, Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Regina pacis, Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata Queen conceived without original
mundi, parce nobis, Domine. sin,
Queen assumed into heaven, pray
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata for us.
mundi, exaudi nobis, Domine. Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of the Family, pray for us.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata Queen of Peace, pray for us.
mundi, miserere nobis.
Lamb of God, who takes away the
SUB tuum praesidium confugimus, sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Sancta Dei Genetrix. Nostras
deprecationes ne despicias in Lamb of God, who takes away the
necessitatibus1, sed a periculis sins of the world, graciously hear
cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo us O Lord
gloriosa et benedicta. Amen.
Lamb of God, who takes away the
V. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei sins of the world, have mercy on
Genetrix. us.
R. Ut digni efficiamur
promissionibus Christi. WE fly to thy patronage, O holy
Mother of God; despise not our
Oremus. petitions in our necessities, but
deliver us always from all
Concede nos famulos tuos, dangers, O glorious and blessed
quaesumus, Domine Deus, Virgin. Amen.
perpetua mentis et corporis
sanitate gaudere: et gloriosa V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of
beatae Mariae semper Virginis God.
intercessione, a praesenti liberari R. That we may be made worthy
tristitia, et aeterna perfrui laetitia. of the promises of Christ.
Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen. LET US PRAY

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord

GRATIAM tuam quaesumus, God, unto us Thy servants, that
Domine, mentibus nostris infunde: we may rejoice in continual health
ut qui, angelo nuntiante, Christi of mind and body; and, by the
Filii tui incarnationem glorious intercession of Blessed
cognovimus, per passionem ejus Mary ever Virgin, may be
et crucem ad resurrectionis delivered from present sadness,
gloriam perducamur. Per eumdem and enter into the joy of Thy
Christum Dominum nostrum. eternal gladness. Through Christ
Amen. our Lord. Amen.

DEFENDE, quaesumus, Domine, POUR FORTH, we beseech Thee, O

beata Maria semper Virgine Lord, Thy grace into our hearts;
intercedente, istam ab omni that we, to whom the Incarnation
adversitate familiam: et, toto of Christ, Thy Son, was made
corde tibi prostratam, ab hostium known by the message of an
propitius tuere clementer insidiis.
angel, may, by His Passion and
cross, be brought to the glory of
His Resurrection. Through the
DEUS, qui ineffabili providentia same Christ our Lord. Amen.
beatum Joseph Sanctissimse
Genitricis tuae Sponsum eligere DEFEND, O Lord, we beseech
dignatus es; praesta, quaesumus, Thee, by the intercession of
ut quem protectorem veneramur blessed Mary ever Virgin, this Thy
in terris, intercessorem habere family from all adversity; and
mereamur in caslis. Qui vivis et mercifully protect us, who
regnas in sascula saeculorum. prostrate ourselves before Thee
Amen. with all our hearts, from the
snares of the enemy.

O GOD, Who by Thy unspeakable

providence didst vouchsafe to
choose blessed Joseph to be the
spouse of Thy most holy Mother;
grant that, while we venerate him
as our protector on earth, we may
 deserve to be aided by his
intercession in heaven. Who livest
and reignest, world without end.
Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days every time; plenary indulgence under usual conditions. Pius
VII., Sept. 30, 1817.

V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this night to keep us without sin.

R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.

Let us pray.

VISIT, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this habitation and drive from it all the snares of
the enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell herein, to preserve us in peace; and may Thy
blessing be upon us forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give my heart and my soul to you;

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony;
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.

CONSECRATION OF RELIGIOUS FAMILIES

SACRED Heart of Jesus, whence came those words of truly ineffable love: "Come to
Me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you." Relying upon this
promise of Thine infinite tenderness and charity, in the trial? and hardships of our
times, when the universal Church is attacked in her chief Pastor and in her religious
children, we betake ourselves to Thee. We have determined to consecrate to Thee
for ever, solemnly and anew, this our house, ourselves, and all that belongs to us.
Do Thou graciously look down upon us and accept our vows, that, sealed by Thy
grace, they may ever remain firm and unchangeable.

Wherefore, dearest Jesus, our sovereign Lord and Leader, we, although most
unworthy members of this (College, Convent, Academy, House, etc., N.N.), yet
trusting in Thy help and grace, offer, and consecrate ourselves and our household
entirely to Thy most Sacred Heart, and we submit ourselves and all that we have to
Thy most holy will.

We call upon our blessed Lady, Thy Virgin Mother, our Founder N., and the whole
court of heaven to witness that this is our intention, our desire, and our firm
determination to imitate as closely as possible Thy most Sacred Heart in practising
the virtues belonging to our state of life, in order that we may promote Thy glory in
ourselves, and make some reparation for all the grievous insults offered to Thee.

We, therefore, implore Thee, dearest Jesus, to protect our house, to guard us Thy
servants for ever in Thy most Sacred Heart, and to sanctify our labors, our studies,
and trials. May we, by Thy grace, advance Thy greater glory, the salvation of souls,
and devotion to Thy most Sacred Heart. Amen.

ACT OF CONSECRATION FOR RELIGIOUS

Ven. de la Colombiere

MY amiable Redeemer. I give and consecrate myself to Thy Sacred Heart without
reserve.

I have in a manner nailed myself to Thy cross by the vows of my profession; I renew
them in this divine Heart in presence of heaven and earth ; and I return Thee thanks
for having inspired me to make them.

I own that the yoke of Thy holy service is neither hard nor heavy; I do not find
myself embarrassed with my chains; on the contrary, I would wish to multiply them,
or rivet them yet closer upon me.

I embrace, then, the dear cross of my vocation, even to my death; it shall be all my
pleasure, all my glory, and aft my delight.

God forbid that I should glory, that I should ever rejoice, save in the cross of Jesus
Christ.

God forbid that I should ever have any other treasure than His poverty, any other
delight than His sufferings, any other love than Himself.

No, no, my amiable Lord, never will I separate myself from Thee; and I will attach
myself to none but Thee; the narrowest paths of the life of perfection to which I am
called give me no alarm, because Thou art my light and my strength.

I hope, then, O Lord, that Thou wilt render me stead fast under all temptations,
victorious against the efforts of my enemies, and that Thou wilt stretch out over me
that beneficent hand, which has bestowed upon me so many favors, and make me
ever more and more liberal toward Thee.

I entreat this of Thee, O my adorable Jesus, by Thy blood, by all Thy wounds, and by
Thy Sacred Heart.

Grant that by the consecration which I make to Thee of all that I am, I may become
this day entirely renewed in Thy love. Amen.

SHORT FORM OF EVENING PRAYER

IN the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy
love.
Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Credo.

I ADORE Thee, O my God, and return Thee thanks for all the benefits which I have
ever received from Thee, and particularly this day. Give me light to see what sins I
have committed during the past day, and grant me grace to be truly sorry for them.

(Here examine your conscience.)

Offences against God ; against your neighbor; against yourself,

Where have you been? With whom have you been?

Commandments of God; poverty, chastity, obedience; the Holy Rule; the

predominant passion; resolutions; prayers, works, and sufferings. Does your
conscience reproach you with regard to any of these points?

O MY God, forgive me my offences; I am truly sorry for having sinned, because Thou
art infinitely good, and sin displeases Thee. I purpose, with the help of Thy grace,
never to sin again. I love Thee above all things, and with my whole heart, because
Thou art infinitely amiable and worthy of all love.

I beseech Thee, Lord, to preserve me this night, and to keep me from all sin. I take
this sleep to please Thee, and I have the intention to love Thee, praise Thee, and
thank Thee with every breath I draw, in union with the angels and saints in heaven.

O MOST amiable Heart of Jesus! let me, my relatives, and friends, and all that have
commended themselves to my prayer, and for whom I am bound to pray, especially
our reverend Mother, experience Thy most powerful aid. Assist them individually in
their necessities. O Heart full of mercies! convert all hardened hearts, console the
souls in purgatory, be the refuge of the dying, the consolation of all distressed and
suffering. Above all, be the refuge of ray soul at the hour of death, and receive it
into the bosom of Thy mercy. In it I sleep securely and rest in peace.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.

MAY the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored, and loved
with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to
the end of time.

Mary, my dear Mother, bless me, and keep me under thy protecting mantle.
St. Joseph, my good angel, and my dear patron saints, pray for me.

MAY Our Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil, and bring us to life everlasting.
And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

A PRAYER FOR A HAPPY DEATH

In Connection with the Seven Last Words of Our Lord on the Cross.
DIVINE Jesus! Incarnate Word of God! Who having taken flesh for my salvation, didst
vouchsafe to be born in a stable, to lead a life of poverty, toil, and love, and finally
to expire in agony on the cross: Say, I beseech Thee, to Thy eternal Father at the
moment of my death: " Father, forgive her; " say to Thy blessed Mother: " Behold
thy child;" say to my soul: " Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise."

My God, my God, forsake me not in that hour! "I thirst!" Yea, my soul thirsts, O my
God, after Thee; Thou art the Fountain of living waters.

My life is passing away as a tale that is told; yet a little while, and all will be "
consummated ;" therefore my adorable Saviour, even from this moment, for all
eternity: "Into Thy hands I commend my spirit." My Jesus, mercy!

NIGHT OFFERING TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

DIVINE Jesus! lonely to-night in so many tabernacles, without visitor or worshipper, I

offer Thee my poor, but loving heart. May every pulsation be a prayer of love to
Thee. Thou art ever watching under the sacramental veils; in Thy love Thou never
sleepest, and Thou art never weary of Thy vigil for sinners. O good Jesus, I love
Thee. Thou art infinitely good, and I have displeased Thee by many sins. Forgive me
I am truly sorry for having offended Thee. O sweet Jesus . O lonely Jesus! may my
heart be a lamp, the light of which shall burn henceforth for Thee alone. Bless me,
Jesus. Come, and refresh me spiritually by Thy presence, before I take my repose.
Let me never more be separated from Thee by sin. Adorable Heart of Jesus, burning
furnace of divine love! within Thy sacred wound take Thou my soul, in order that my
heart may be inflamed with the love of Thee.

O Prisoner of love! divine Jesus! chain my poor heart to the foot of Thy altar. Dearest
Jesus, Thou hast made my heart for Thyself alone, and it will not find rest, except in
Thee ; hide it within Thy divine Heart in the tabernacle. When shall I see Thee face
to face, and rest for ever in Thy bosom ? Good Lord, my heart is weary; suffer me to
enter and repose in Thy Sacred Heart.

O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine,

All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

IM, Jesus, wholly Thine;

Take this wayward heart of mine;
Guide me through this world so drear
Heart of Jesus, hear!

When I draw my parting breath,

When my eyes shall close in death,
Then, sweet Jesus, be Thou near
Heart of Jesus, hear!

THE MAGNIFICAT
MAGNIFICAT * anima mea MY soul doth magnify * the Lord,
Dominum, and my spirit hath rejoiced * in
et exultavit spiritus meus * in Deo God my Savior.
salvatore meo, For He hath regarded the humility
quia respexit humilitatem ancillae of His handmaiden.*
suae. * For behold, from henceforth all
Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me generations shall call
dicent omnes generationes, me blessed.
quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens For He that is mighty hath done
est,* great things to me, *
et sanctum nomen eius, and holy is His Name.
et misericordia eius in progenies And His Mercy is from generation
et progenies * unto generations *
timentibus eum. upon them that fear Him.
Fecit potentiam in brachio suo, * He hath shewed might in His arm,
dispersit superbos mente cordi *
sui; He hath scattered the proud in the
deposuit potentes de sede * conceit of their heart.
et exaltavit humiles; He hath put down the mighty from
esurientes implevit bonis * their seat, *
et divites dimisit inanes. and hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with
good things, *
and the rich He hath sent empty
away.
Suscepit Israel puerum suum, * He hath received Israel, His
recordatus misericordiae, servant, *
sicut locutus est ad patres being mindful of His mercy.
nostros, * As He spoke to our Fathers, *
Abraham et semini eius in Abraham and his seed forever.
saecula.
Oremus. Let us pray.

Concede nos famulos tuos, Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord

quaesumus, Domine Deus, God, that we Thy servants, may
perpetua mentis et corporis enjoy lasting health of mind and
sanitate gaudere: et gloriosa body, and by the glorious
beatae Mariae semper Virginis intercession of the Blessed Mary,
intercessione, a praesenti liberari ever Virgin, be delivered from
tristitia, et aeterna perfrui laetitia. present sorrow and enter into the
Per Christum Dominum nostrum. joy of eternal happiness. Through
R. Amen. Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Oremus. Let us pray.

Deus, qui de beatae Mariae O God, Thou hast willed that at

Virginis utero Verbum tuum, the message of an angel Thy
Angelo nuntiante, carnem Word should take flesh in the
suscipere voluisti: praesta womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
supplicibus tuis; ut, qui vere eam grant to Thy suppliant people,
Genetricem Dei credimus, eius that we, who believe her to be
apud te intercessionibus truly the Mother of God, may be
adiuvemur. Per Christum helped by her intercession with
Dominum nostrum. Thee. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

DE PROFUNDIS
For the Holy Souls in Purgatory

1 DE PROFUNDIS clamavi, ad te 1 OUT OF THE DEPTHS I cry to

Domine; * 2 Domine, exaudi Thee, O Lord; * 2 O Lord, hear my
vocem meam. voice!
Fiant aures tuae intendentes * in Let Thy ears be attentive * to the
vocem deprecationis meae. voice of my supplication:
3 Si iniquitates observaveris, 3 If Thou, O Lord, mark one's
Domine, * Domine, quis iniquities, * O Lord, who can
sustinebit? stand?
4 Quia apud te propitiatio est; * et 4 But with Thee is forgiveness, *
propter legem tuam sustinui te, and account of Thy law, I have
Domine. waited for Thee.
Sustinuit anima mea in verbo My soul hath relied upon His word:
eius; * 5 speravit anima mea in * 5 my soul hath hoped in the
Domino. * Lord.
6 A custodia matutina usque ad 6 From the morning watch until
noctem: * 7 speret Israel in night, * let Israel hope in the Lord.
Domino;
7 Quia apud Dominum 7 For with the Lord is mercy * and
misericordia, * et copiosa apud plenteous with Him is redemption;
eum redemptio.
8 Et ipse redimet Israel * ex 8 And He will redeem Israel * from
omnibus iniquitatibus eius. all their iniquities.
REQUIEM aeternam dona ei (eis), ETERNAL rest grant unto him/her
Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei (them), O Lord, and let perpetual
(eis). light shine upon him/her (them).

May he/she (they) rest in peace.

Requiescat (-ant) in pace. Amen. Amen.
Oremus. Let us pray.
 Fidelium Deus, omnium conditor God, the Creator and Redeemer of
et redemptor: animabus all the faithful, grant to the souls
famulorum famularumque tuarum of your departed servants
remissionem cunctorum tribue remission of all sins; and by our
peccatorum; ut indulgentiam fervent prayers may they obtain
quam semper optaverunt, piis the pardon they have always
supplicationibus consequantur: desired. We ask this of you who
Qui vivis et regnas. live and reign forever and ever.

R. Amen. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days to all the faithful who, at the sound of the bell, at the first
hour after nightfall, shall say devoutly on their knees the psalm De profundis, or the
Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Requiem aeternam.

Plenary indulgence, once a year, on usual conditions. Clement XII., Aug. n, 1736.
Pius VI., March 18, 1781, granted these indulgences to all the faithful who may
happen to dwell in a place where no bell for the dead is sounded, provided they
shall say the De profundis, or the Our Father, and the Hail Mary, etc.,
about nightfall. Pius IX., July 18, 1877, declared that these indulgences can be
gained on the recital as above of the De profundis, or the Our Father, etc., before or
after nightfall, provided that the bell is sounded at such hour, according to the
custom of the church or place. Leo XIII., Feb. 3, 1888, granted indulgence of 50 days
three times a day.

COMPLINE

Compline is the last office of the Church, and is proper to the end of the evening
before going to bed, reckoned to be about 9 p.m. But it may be said any time before
midnight.

Incipit Start
V. Iube domne benedicere. V. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benedictio. Noctem quietam et Benedictio. May almighty God
finem perfectum concedat nobis grant us a quiet night and a
Dominus omnipotens. Amen. perfect end.
Amen.
Lectio brevis
1 Pet 5:8-9 Short reading
1 Pet 5:8-9
Fratres: Sobrii estote, et vigilate:
quia adversarius vester diabolus Brothers: Be sober and watch:
tamquam leo rugiens circuit, because your adversary the devil,
quaerens quem devoret: cui as a roaring lion, goeth about
resistite fortes in fide. Tu autem seeking whom he may devour.
Domine, miserere nobis. Whom resist ye, strong in faith:
R. Deo gratias But thou, O Lord, have mercy on
 us.
V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine R. Thanks to be God
Domini.
R. Qui fecit coelum et terram. V. Our help is in the name of the
Lord,
Pater noster, qui es in caelis, R. Who made heaven and earth.
Sanctificetur nomen tuum.
Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat Our Father, who art in heaven,
voluntas tua, sicut in coelo et in Hallowed be thy name. Thy
terra. Panem nostrum kingdom come. Thy will be done
quotidianum da nobis hodie. Et on earth as it is in heaven. Give
dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut us this day our daily bread. And
et nos dimittimus debitoribus forgive us our trespasses, as we
nostris. Et ne nos inducas in forgive those who trespass
tentationem: Sed libera nos a against us. And lead us not into
malo. Amen. temptation: But deliver us from
evil. Amen.
Confiteor Deo omnipotenti,
beatae Mariae semper Virgini, I confess to almighty God, to
beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato blessed Mary ever Virgin, to
Ioanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis blessed Michael the Archangel, to
Petro et Paulo, et omnibus blessed John the Baptist, to the
Sanctis, quia peccavi nimis holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and
cogitatione, verbo et opere: mea to all the Saints, that I have
culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima sinned exceedingly in thought,
culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam word and deed: through my fault,
semper Virginem, beatum through my fault, through my
Michaelem Archangelum, beatum most grievous fault. Therefore I
Ioannem Baptistam, sanctos beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin,
Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, et blessed Michael the Archangel,
omnes Sanctos, orare pro me ad blessed John the Baptist, the holy
Dominum Deum nostrum. Amen. Apostles Peter and Paul, and all
the Saints, to pray for me to our
Lord our God. Amen.
Misereatur nostri omnipotens
Deus, et dimissis peccatis nobis, May almighty God have mercy on
perducat nos ad vitam aeternam. us, forgive us our sins, and bring
Amen. us to everlasting life. Amen.

Indulgentiam, + absolutionem et May the almighty and merciful

remissionem peccatorum Lord + grant us pardon,
nostrorum tribuat nobis absolution and remission of our
omnipotens et misericors sins. Amen.
Dominus. Amen.

V. Converte + nos Deus, salutaris V. Turn us then, + O God our

noster. saviour:
R. Et averte iram tuam a nobis. R. And let thy anger cease from
us.
V. Deus + in adjutorium meum
intende. V. O God + come to my
R. Domine, ad adjuvandum me assistance;
festina. R. O Lord, make haste to help me.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et Spirtui V. Glory be to the Father, and to

Sancto. the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et nunc, R. As it was in the beginning, is
et semper, * et in saecula now, * and ever shall be, world
saeculrum. Amen without end. Amen.

Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of

Laus tibi Domine, rex aeternae eternal glory.
gloriae
Psalms

Psalmi Ant. Have mercy

Ant. Miserere Psalm 4

Psalmus 4 4:1 When I called upon him, the

God of my justice heard me: *
4:1 Cum invocrem exaudvit me when I was in distress, thou hast
Deus justti me: * in enlarged me.
tribulatine dilatsti mihi. 4:2 Have mercy on me: * and hear
4:2 Miserre mei, * et exudi my prayer.
oratinem meam. 4:3 O ye sons of men, how long
4:3 Flii hminum, squequo gravi will you be dull of heart? * Why do
corde? * ut quid dilgitis you love vanity, and seek after
vanittem, et quritis lying?
mendcium? 4:4 Know ye also that the Lord
4:4 Et scitte quniam mirificvit hath made his holy one
Dminus sanctum suum: * wonderful: * the Lord will hear me
Dminus exudiet me cum when I shall cry unto him.
clamvero ad eum. 4:5 Be ye angry, and sin not: * the
4:5 Irascmini, et nolte peccre: * things you say in your hearts, be
qu dcitis in crdibus vestris, in sorry for them upon your beds.
cublibus vestris compungmini. 4:6 Offer up the sacrifice of
4:6 Sacrificte sacrifcium justti, justice, and trust in the Lord: *
et sperte in Dmino. * Multi many say, Who sheweth us good
dicunt: Quis ostndit nobis bona? things?
4:7 Signtum est super nos lumen 4:7 The light of thy countenance,
vultus tui, Dmine: * dedsti O Lord, is signed upon us: * thou
lttiam in corde meo. hast given gladness in my heart.
4:8 A fructu frumnti, vini, et lei 4:8 By the fruit of their corn, their
sui * multiplicti sunt. wine, and oil, * they are
4:9 In pace in idpsum * drmiam, multiplied.
et requiscam; 4:9 In peace in the selfsame * I
4:10 Quniam tu, Dmine, will sleep, and I will rest:
singulriter in spe * constitusti 4:10 For thou, O Lord, singularly *
me. hast settled me in hope.
V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et Spirtui V. Glory be to the Father, and to
Sancto. the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et nunc, R. As it was in the beginning, is
et semper, * et in saecula now, * and ever shall be, world
saeculrum. Amen without end. Amen.

Psalm 90
Psalmus 90
90:1 He that dwelleth in the aid of
90:1 Qui hbitat in adjutrio the most High, * shall abide under
Altssimi, * in protectine Dei cli the protection of the God of Jacob.
commorbitur. 90:2 He shall say to the Lord:
90:2 Dicet Dmino: Suscptor Thou art my protector, and my
meus es tu, et refgium meum: * refuge: * my God, in him will I
Deus meus sperbo in eum. trust.
90:3 Quniam ipse libervit me de 90:3 For he hath delivered me
lqueo venntium, * et a verbo from the snare of the hunters: *
spero. and from the sharp word.
90:4 Scpulis suis obumbrbit tibi: 90:4 He will overshadow thee with
* et sub pennis ejus sperbis. his shoulders: * and under his
90:5 Scuto circmdabit te vritas wings thou shalt trust.
ejus: * non timbis a timre 90:5 His truth shall compass thee
noctrno, with a shield: * thou shalt not be
90:6 A sagtta volnte in die, a afraid of the terror of the night.
negtio perambulnte in tnebris: 90:6 Of the arrow that flieth in the
* ab incrsu, et dmnio day, of the business that walketh
meridino. about in the dark: * of invasion, or
90:7 Cadent a ltere tuo mille, et of the noonday devil.
decem mllia a dextris tuis: * ad te 90:7 A thousand shall fall at thy
autem non appropinqubit. side, and ten thousand at thy
90:8 Vermtamen culis tuis right hand: * but it shall not come
considerbis: * et retributinem nigh thee.
peccatrum vidbis. 90:8 But thou shalt consider with
90:9 Quniam tu es, Dmine, spes thy eyes: * and shalt see the
mea: * Altssimum posusti reward of the wicked.
refgium tuum. 90:9 Because thou, O Lord, art my
90:10 Non accdet ad te malum: * hope: * thou hast made the most
et flagllum non appropinqubit High thy refuge.
tabernculo tuo. 90:10 There shall no evil come to
90:11 Quniam ngelis suis thee: * nor shall the scourge come
mandvit de te: * ut custdiant te near thy dwelling.
in mnibus viis tuis. 90:11 For he hath given his angels
90:12 In mnibus portbunt te: * charge over thee; * to keep thee
ne forte offndas ad lpidem in all thy ways.
pedem tuum. 90:12 In their hands they shall
90:13 Super spidem, et bear thee up: * lest thou dash thy
basilscum ambulbis: * et foot against a stone.
conculcbis lenem et dracnem. 90:13 Thou shalt walk upon the
90:14 Quniam in me spervit, asp and the basilisk: * and thou
liberbo protection of the God of shalt trample under foot the lion
Jacob. eum: * prtegam eum, and the dragon.
quniam cognvit nomen meum. 90:14 Because he hoped in me I
90:15 Clambit ad me, et ego will deliver him: * I will protect
exudiam eum: * cum ipso sum in him because he hath known my
tribulatine: erpiam eum et name.
glorificbo eum. 90:15 He shall cry to me, and I
90:16 Longitdine dirum replbo will hear him: * I am with him in
eum: * et ostndam illi salutre tribulation, I will deliver him, and I
meum. will glorify him.
V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et Spirtui 90:16 I will fill him with length of
Sancto. days; * and I will shew him my
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et nunc, salvation.
et semper, * et in saecula V. Glory be to the Father, and to
saeculrum. Amen the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is
now, * and ever shall be, world
without end. Amen.

Psalm 133

133:1 Behold now bless ye the

Psalmus 133 Lord, * all ye servants of the Lord:
133:2 Who stand in the house of
133:1 Ecce nunc benedcite the Lord, * in the courts of the
Dminum, * omnes servi Dmini: house of our God.
133:2 Qui statis in domo Dmini, * 133:3 In the nights lift up your
in triis domus Dei nostri. hands to the holy places, * and
133:3 In nctibus extllite manus bless ye the Lord.
vestras in sancta, * et benedcite 133:4 May the Lord out of Sion
Dminum. bless thee, * he that made heaven
133:4 Benedcat te Dminus ex and earth.
Sion, * qui fecit clum et terram. V. Glory be to the Father, and to
V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et Spirtui the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Sancto. R. As it was in the beginning, is
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et nunc, now, * and ever shall be, world
et semper, * et in saecula without end. Amen.
saeculrum. Amen
Ant. Have mercy * on me O Lord,
and hear my prayer.
Ant. Miserere * mihi Domine, et
exaudi orationem meam
Hymnus

Hymnus Before the ending of the day,

Creator of the world, we pray
Te lucis ante terminum, That with thy wonted favor thou
Rerum Creator, poscimus, Wouldst be our guard and keeper
Ut pro tua clementia now.
Sis praesul et custodia.
From all ill dreams defend our
Procul recedant somnia, eyes,
Et noctium phantasmata; From nightly fears and fantasies;
Hostemque nostrum comprime, Tread under foot our ghostly foe,
Ne polluantur corpora. That no pollution we may know.

Praesta, Pater piissime, O Father, that we ask be done,

Patrique compar Unice, Through Jesus Christ, thine only
Cum Spiritu Paraclito Son;
Regnans per omne saeculum. Who, with the Holy Ghost and
Amen. thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
Capitulum Amen.
Jer 14:9
Chapter
Tu autem in nobis es, Domine, et Jer 14:9
nomen sanctum tuum invocatum
est super nos: ne derelinquas nos, But thou, O Lord, art among us,
Domine Deus noster. and thy name is called upon by
R. Deo gratias. us, forsake us not.
R. Thanks to be God
Responsorium

R.br. In manus tuas, Domine, * Responsory

commendo spiritum meum.
R.br. Into thy hands, O Lord * I
R. In manus tuas, Domine, commend my spirit.
commendo spiritum meum. R. Into thy hands, O Lord * I
commend my spirit.
V. Redemisti nos, Domine, Deus V. For thou hast redeemed us, O
veritatis. Lord, God of truth.
R. Commendo spiritum meum. R. I commend my spirit.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to
V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et Spirtui the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Sancto. R. Into thy hands, O Lord * I
R. In manus tuas, Domine, * commend my spirit.
commendo spiritum meum.

Versum Versicle

V. Custodi nos, Domine, ut V. Keep us, Lord, as the apple of

pupillam oculi. thine eye.
R. Sub umbra alarum tuarum R. Protect us under the shadow of
protege nos. thy wings.

Canticum Nunc dimittis

Canticum Nunc dimittis
Ant. Protect us
Ant. Salva nos
Canticum Simeonis
 Canticum Simeonis
2:29 Now thou dost dismiss thy
2:29 Nunc dimttis servum tuum, servant, O Lord, * according to thy
Dmine, * secndum verbum word in peace;
tuum in pace: 2:30 Because my eyes have seen
2:30 Quia vidrunt culi mei * * thy salvation,
salutre tuum, 2:31 Which thou hast prepared *
2:31 Quod parsti * ante fciem before the face of all peoples:
mnium populrum, 2:32 A light to the revelation of
2:32 Lumen ad revelatinem the Gentiles, * and the glory of
Gntium, * et glriam plebis tu thy people Israel.
Isral. V. Glory be to the Father, and to
V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et Spirtui the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Sancto. R. As it was in the beginning, is
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et nunc, now, * and ever shall be, world
et semper, * et in saecula without end. Amen.
saeculrum. Amen
Ant. Protect us, * Lord, while we
are awake and safeguard us while
we sleep; that we may keep watch
Ant. Salva nos, * Domine, with Christ, and rest in peace.
vigilantes, custodi nos
dormientes; ut vigilemus cum Sunday intercessions
Christo, et requiescamus in pace
Lord have mercy on us, Christ
have mercy on us, Lord have
Preces Dominicales mercy on us

Kyrie eleison. Christe

eleison. Our Father, who art in heaven,
Kyrie, eleison. Hallowed be thy name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done
Pater noster, qui es in caelis, on earth as it is in heaven.
Sanctificetur nomen tuum. Give us this day our daily bread.
Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat And forgive us our trespasses, as
voluntas tua, sicut in coelo et in we forgive those who trespass
terra. against us.
Panem nostrum quotidianum da
nobis hodie. Et dimitte nobis V. And lead us not into
debita nostra, sicut et nos temptation:
dimittimus debitoribus nostris. R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Et ne nos inducas in I believe in God, the Father

tentationem: almighty, Creator of heaven and
R. Sed libera nos a malo. earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son,
Credo in Deum, Patrem our Lord; who was conceived by
omnipotntem, Creatrem caeli et the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin
terrae. Mary, suffered under Pontius
Et in Jesum Christum, Flium ejus Pilate, was crucified, died and was
nicum, Dminum nostrum: qui buried: he descended into hell;
concptus est de Spritu Sancto, the third day he arose again from
natus ex Mara Vrgine, passus the dead; he ascended into
sub Pntio Pilto, crucifxus, heaven; sitteth at the right hand
mrtuus, et sepltus: descndit of God the Father almighty: from
ad nferos; trtia die resurrxit a thence he shall come to judge the
mrtuis; ascndit ad caelos; sedet living and the dead.
ad dxteram Dei Patris I believe in the Holy Ghost, the
omnipotntis: inde ventrus est holy catholic Church, the
judicre vivos et mrtuos. communion of Saints, the
Credo in Spritum Sanctum, forgiveness of sins. The
sanctam Ecclsiam cathlicam, resurrection of the body. And life
Sanctrum communinem, everlasting. Amen.
remissinem peccatrum, carnis
resurrectinem, vitam aetrnam. V. Blessed are you, Lord, God of
Amen. our fathers.
R. Worthy of praise, and glorious
V. Benedictus es, Domine, Deus for ever.
patrum nostrorum.
R. Et laudabilis et gloriosus in V. Let us bless the Father, the Son
saecula. and the Holy Spirit
R. Let us praise and exalt him
V. Benedicamus Patrem et Filium above all for ever
cum Sancto Spiritu.
R. Laudemus, et superexaltemus V. Blessed art thou in the
eum in saecula. firmament of heaven:
R. Worthy of praise, and glorious
V. Benedictus es, Domine, in for ever
firmamento coeli.
R. Et laudabilis, et gloriosus, et
superexaltatus in saecula. V. May the almighty and merciful
God bless us and keep us
V. Benedicat et custodiat nos R. Amen.
omnipotens et misericors
Dominus. V. Vouchsafe, O Lord,
R. Amen. R. To keep us this night without
sin.
V. Dignare, Domine, nocte ista.
R. Sine peccato nos custodire. V. O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Miserere nostri, Domine.
R. Miserere nostri. V. O Lord, let thy mercy lighten
upon us
V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, R. As our trust is in you.
super nos.
R. Quemadmodum speravimus in Prayer
te. V. O Lord, hear my prayer
R. And let my cry come unto thee
Oratio Let us pray
V. Domine exaudi orationem Visit we beseech thee, O Lord, this
meam dwelling, and drive far from it the
R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat snares of the enemy let thy holy
Oremus. angels dwell herein to preserve us
Visita, quaesumus, Domine, in peace and let thy blessing be
habitationem istam, et omnes always upon us.
insidias inimici ab ea longe Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our
repelle: Angeli tui sancti habitent Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with
in ea, qui nos in pace custodiant; thee, in the unity of the Holy
et benedictio tua sit super nos Ghost, ever one God, world
semper. without end.
Per Dominum nostrum Jesum R. Amen.
Christum, Filium tuum: qui tecum V. O Lord, hear my prayer
vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus R. And let my cry come unto thee
Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula
saeculorum.
R. Amen. Conclusion
V. Domine exaudi orationem
meam V. Let us bless the Lord
R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat R. Thanks be to God.

Conclusio Benedictio. The almighty and

merciful Lord the Father, + the
V. Benedicamus Domino. Son and the Holy Spirit bless us
R. Deo gratias and keep us
R. Amen.
Benedictio. Benedicat et custodiat
nos omnipotens et misericors MOTHER of Christ, hear thou thy
Dominus, Pater, + et Filius, et people's cry
Spiritus Sanctus. Star of the deep and Portal of the
R. Amen. sky!
Mother of Him who thee made
ALMA Redemptoris Mater, quae from nothing made.
pervia caeli Sinking we strive and call to thee
Porta manes, et stella maris, for aid:
succurre cadenti, Oh, by what joy which Gabriel
Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae brought to thee,
genuisti, Thou Virgin first and last, let us
Natura mirante, tuum sanctum thy mercy see.
Genitorem
Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis During Advent
ab ore V. The Angel of the Lord
Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum announced unto Mary.
miserere. R. And she conceived by the Holy
Spirit.
Tempus Adventus
V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Let us pray
Mariae. Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O
R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto. Lord, Thy grace into our hearts:
that as we have known the
Oremus incarnation of Thy Son Jesus
Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Christ by the message of an
Domine, mentibus nostris infunde: Angel, so too by His Cross and
ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi passion may we be brought to the
Filii tui incarnationem glory of His resurrection. Amen.
cognovimus; per passionem eius
et crucem, ad resurrectionis From Christmas Eve until the
gloriam perducamur. Per eundem Purification
Christum Dominum nostrum. V. After childbirth thou didst
Amen. remain a virgin.
R. Intercede for us, O Mother of
God.
Donec Purificatio
V. Post partum, Virgo, inviolata Let us pray
permansisti. O God, who, by the fruitful
R. Dei Genetrix, intercede pro virginity of blessed Mary, hast
nobis. bestowed upon mankind the
reward of eternal salvation: grant,
Oremus we beseech Thee, that we may
Deus, qui salutis aeternae, beatae experience her intercession,
Mariae virginitate fecunda, through whom we have been
humano generi praemia made worthy to receive the
praestitisti: tribue, quaesumus; ut author of life, our Lord Jesus
ipsam pro nobis intercedere Christ, Thy Son. Amen.
sentiamus, per quam meruimus
auctorem vitae suscipere,
Dominum nostrum Iesum
Christum, Filium tuum. Amen.
Hail, O Queen of heaven,
enthroned!
From the Feast of Purification to Hail, by Angels Mistress owned!
Wednesday of Holy Week Root of Jesse, Gate of morn,
Whence the world's true Light was
Ave, Regina caelorum, born:
Ave, Domina Angelorum:
Salve radix, salve porta, Glorious Virgin, joy to thee,
Ex qua mundo lux est orta: Loveliest whom in heaven they
see:
Gaude, Virgo gloriosa, Fairest thou, where all are fair,
Super omnes speciosa, Plead with Christ our sins to
Vale, o valde decora, spare.
Et pro nobis Christum exora.
V. Allow me to praise thee, holy
V. Dignare me laudare te, Virgo Virgin.
sacrata. R. Give me strength against thine
R. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes enemies.
tuos.
Let us pray
Oremus. Grant, O merciful God, to our
Concede, misericors Deus, weak natures thy protection, that
fragilitati nostrae praesidium; ut, we who commemorate the holy
qui sanctae Dei Genitricis Mother of God may, by the help of
memoriam agimus; intercessionis her intercession, arise from our
eius auxilio, a nostris iniquitatibus iniquities.
resurgamus. Through the same Jesus Christ,
Per eumdem Dominum nostrum thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and
Jesum Christum filium tuum, qui reigneth with thee in the unity of
tecum vivit et regnat in unitate the Holy Ghost, God, world
Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia without end.
saecula saeculorum. R. Amen.
R. Amen.

From Easter Sunday to Trinity

Sunday O QUEEN of heaven rejoice!
alleluia:
REGINA, caeli, laetare, alleluia: For He whom thou didst merit to
Quia quem meruisti portare, bear, alleluia,
alleluia, Hath arisen as he said, alleluia.
Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin
Mary, alleluia.
V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, R. Because the Lord is truly risen,
alleluia, alleluia.
R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere,
alleluia. Let us pray
O God, who gave joy to the world
through the resurrection of Thy
Oremus Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; grant,
Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii we beseech Thee, that through
tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, His Mother, the Virgin Mary, we
mundum laetificare dignatus es: may obtain the joys of everlasting
praesta, quaesumus; ut, per eius life. Through the same Christ our
Genetricem Virginem Mariam, Lord. Amen.
perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae.
Per eundem Christum Dominum
nostrum. Amen.

From Trinity Sunday until Advent HAIL holy Queen, Mother of

mercy, our life, our sweetness,
SALVE, Regina, mater and our hope. To thee do we cry,
misericordiae, vita, dulcedo, et poor banished children of Eve. To
spes nostra, salve. Ad te thee do we send up our sighs,
clamamus exsules filii Hevae. Ad mourning and weeping in this
te suspiramus, gementes et valley of tears. Turn then, most
flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. gracious Advocate, thine eyes of
Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, illos mercy toward us. And after this
tuos misericordes oculos ad nos our exile show unto us the blessed
converte. Et Iesum, benedictum fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc
exsilium ostende. O clement, O loving, O sweet
Virgin Mary. Amen.
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo
Maria. Amen. V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of
God.
V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei R. That we may be made worthy
Genetrix. of the promises of Christ.
R. Ut digni efficiamur
promissionibus Christi. Let us pray
Almighty, everlasting God, who by
Oremus the cooperation of the Holy Spirit,
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui didst prepare the body and soul of
gloriosae Virginis Matris Mariae the glorious Virgin-Mother Mary to
corpus et animam, ut dignum Filii become a worthy dwelling for Thy
tui habitaculum effici mereretur, Son; grant that we who rejoice in
Spiritu Sancto cooperante, her commemoration may, by her
praeparasti: da, ut cuius loving intercession, be delivered
commemoratione laetamur; eius from present evils and from the
pia intercessione, ab instantibus everlasting death. Amen.
malis, et a morte perpetua
liberemur. Per eundem Christum V. May the divine asistance +
Dominum nostrum. Amen. remain with us always
R. Amen.
V. Divinum + auxilium maneat
semper nobiscum. Our Father, who art in heaven,
R. Amen. Hallowed be thy name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done
Pater noster, qui es in caelis, on earth as it is in heaven.
Sanctificetur nomen tuum. Give us this day our daily bread.
Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat And forgive us our trespasses, as
voluntas tua, sicut in coelo et in we forgive those who trespass
terra. against us. And lead us not into
Panem nostrum quotidianum da temptation: But deliver us from
nobis hodie. Et dimitte nobis evil. Amen.
debita nostra, sicut et nos
dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et Hail Mary, full of grace; The Lord
ne nos inducas in tentationem: is with thee; Blessed art thou
Sed libera nos a malo. Amen. amongst women, And blessed is
the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Ave Maria, gratia plena; Dominus Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for
tecum: Benedicta tu in mulieribus, us sinners, now and at the hour of
Et benedictus fructus ventris tui our death. Amen.
Jesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora pro I believe in God, the Father
nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in almighty, Creator of heaven and
hora mortis nostrae. Amen. earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son,
our Lord; who was conceived by
Credo in Deum, Patrem the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin
omnipotntem, Creatrem caeli et Mary, suffered under Pontius
terrae. Pilate, was crucified, died and was
Et in Jesum Christum, Flium ejus buried: he descended into hell;
 nicum, Dminum nostrum: qui the third day he arose again from
concptus est de Spritu Sancto, the dead; he ascended into
natus ex Mara Vrgine, passus heaven; sitteth at the right hand
sub Pntio Pilto, crucifxus, of God the Father almighty: from
mrtuus, et sepltus: descndit thence he shall come to judge the
ad nferos; trtia die resurrxit a living and the dead.
mrtuis; ascndit ad caelos; sedet I believe in the Holy Ghost, the
ad dxteram Dei Patris holy catholic Church, the
omnipotntis: inde ventrus est communion of Saints, the
judicre vivos et mrtuos. forgiveness of sins. The
Credo in Spritum Sanctum, resurrection of the body. And life
sanctam Ecclsiam cathlicam, everlasting. Amen.
Sanctrum communinem,
remissinem peccatrum, carnis
resurrectinem, vitam aetrnam.
Amen.

A FORMULA OF VOWS

ALMIGHTY and eternal God! I, N.N., in profound adoration before the Holy Trinity,
and in presence of the blessed Virgin Mary, and of all the angels and saints, vow
and promise to Thy supreme Majesty, and, subject to the good pleasure of His
Lordship, the Bishop, to you, reverend Mother, as first holding the place of God to
me, poverty, chastity, and obedience* (for a year in the Company or Congregation
N.N.); and I hope to obtain, through the merits of Jesus Christ, Who inspires me to
make these vows, and through the interces sion of the saints, the grace to
accomplish them. Amen.

* Some Religious Orders mention obedience first in the formula then poverty and
chastity.

FORMULA FOR RENEWAL OF VOWS

ALMIGHTY and eternal God! I, Sister N.N., now renew and confirm with my whole
heart the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, which I made at my profession. I
implore Thee, O God of infinite goodness and mercy, by the precious blood of Jesus
Christ, and through the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, to grant me the
grace to fulfil these vows perfectly. Amen.

GRACE BEFORE AND AFTER MEALS

Ante Prandium (Before Lunch)

V. Benedicite.
R. Benedicite.

V. Oculi omnium
R. in te sperant, Domine, et tu das
illis escam in tempore opportuno.
Aperis tu manum tuam, et imples
omne animal in benedictione.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui
Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et
nunc, et semper, et in saecula
saeulorum. Amen.

Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.

Pater noster... [continue in silence

up to:]
V. Et ne nos inducas in
tentationem.
R. Sed libera nos a malo.

V. Benedic, Domine, nos et haec

tua dona, quae de tua largitate
sumus sumpturi. Per Christum
Dominum nostrum.
R. Amen.

Lector: Iube, domne, benedicere.

V: Mensae caelestis participes
faciat nos Rex aeternae gloriae.
R. Amen.

Post Prandium (After Lunch)

Lector: Tu autem, Domine,

miserere nobis.
R. Deo gratias.

All rise.
V: Confiteantur tibi, Domine, omnia
opera tua.
R. Et sancti tui benedicant tibi.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui
Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et
nunc, et semper, et in saecula
saeculorum. Amen.

V: Agimus tibi gratias, omnipotens

Deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis:
Qui vivis et regnas in saecula
saeculorum.
R. Amen.
All: Laudate Dominum, omnes
gentes, laudate eum, omnes
populi. Quoniam confirmata est
super nos misericordia eius et
veritas Domini manet in aeternum.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui
Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et
nunc, et semper, et in saecula
saeculorum. Amen.

Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.

Pater noster... [continue in silence

up to:]
V. Et ne nos inducas in
tentationem.
R. Sed libera nos a malo.

V. Dispersit, dedit pauperibus.

R. Iustitia eius manet in saeculum
saeculi.

V. Benedicam Dominum in omni

tempore.
R. Semper laus eius in ore meo.

V. In Domino laudabitur anima

mea.
R. Audiant mansueti, et laetentur.

V. Magnificate Dominum mecum.

R. Et exaltemus nomen eius in
idipsum.

V. Sit nomen Domini benedictum.

R. Ex hoc nunc et usque in
saeculum.

V: Retribuere, dignare, Domine,

omnibus, nobis bona facientibus
propter nomen tuum, vitam
aeternam.
R. Amen.

V. Benedicamus Domino.
R. Deo gratias.

V. Fidelium animae per

misericordiam Dei requiescant in
pace.
R. Amen.

Pater noster... [all in silence]

V. Deus det nobis suam pacem.

R. Amen.

Ante Coenam (Before Dinner)

V: Benedicite.
R: Benedicite.

V: Edent pauperes
R: et saturabuntur, et laudabunt
Dominum, qui requirunt eum:
vivant corda eorum in saeculum
saeculi. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et
Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in
principio, et nunc, et semper, et in
saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.

Pater noster... [continue in silence

up to:]
V. Et ne nos inducas in
tentationem.
R. Sed libera nos a malo.

V: Benedic, Domine, nos et haec

tua dona, quae de tua largitate
sumus sumpturi. Per Christum
Dominum nostrum.
R. Amen.

Lector: Iube, domne, benedicere.

V: Ad caenam vitae aeternae
perducat nos Rex ternae gloriae.
R. Amen.

In Fine Coenae (At the End of Dinner)

Lector: Tu autem, Domine,

miserere nobis.
R. Deo gratias.

All rise.

V: Memoriam fecit mirabilium

suorum, misericors et miserator
Dominus. Escam dedit timentibus
se. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui
Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et
nunc et semper, et in saecula
saeculorum. Amen.

V: Benedictus Deus in donis suis, et

sanctus in omnibus operibus suis,
qui vivat et regnat in saecula
saeculorum. R. Amen.

R: Laudate Dominum, omnes

gentes, laudate eum, omnes
populi. Quoniam confirmata est
super nos misericordia eius et
veritas Domini manet in aeternum.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui
Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et
nunc, et semper, et in saecula
saeculorum. Amen.

Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.

Pater noster... [continue in silence

up to:]

V. Et ne nos inducas in
tentationem.
R. Sed libera nos a malo.

V. Dispersit, dedit pauperibus.

R. Iustitia eius manet in saeculum
saeculi.

V. Benedicam Dominum in omni

tempore.
R. Semper laus eius in ore meo.

V. In Domino laudabitur anima

mea.
R. Audiant mansueti, et laetentur.
 V. Magnificate Dominum mecum.
R. Et exaltemus nomen eius in
idipsum.

V. Sit nomen Domini benedictum.

R. Ex hoc nunc et useque in
saeculum.

V: Retribuere, dignare, Domine,

omnibus, nobis bona facientibus
propter nomen tuum, vitam
aeternam.
R. Amen.

V. Benedicamus Domino.
R. Deo gratias.

V. Fidelium animae per

misericordiam Dei requiescant in
pace.
R. Amen.

Pater noster... [all in silence]

V. Deus det nobis suam pacem.

R. Amen.

V. Tribuat Dominus benefactoribus

nostris pro terrenis caelestia, pro
temporalibus sempiterna.
R. Amen.

In Caena Serotina
(At collations: the small second meal allowed on fast days)

Lector: Benedicite.
V: Collationem servorum suorum
benedicat Christus, Rex angelorum.
R. Amen.

The preceding form of Grace before and after meals is continued throughout the
year, except on the festivals hereafter marked.

On fast days no other Grace is said before and after dinner than that appointed for
supper on ordinary days.

CHRISTMAS
V. Benedcite. V. Bless ye.
R. Benedcite. R. Bless ye.

V. Verbum caro factum est, V. The Word was made flesh,

allelja. alleluia.
R. Et habitvit in nobis, allelja. R. And dwelt amongst us,
alleluia.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in R. As it was in the beginning, is
scula sculrum. Amen. now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
elison. Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are

V. Et ne nos inducas in said aloud, and the rest
tentatinem. secretly to
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. V. And lead us not into
temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

Oremus. Ortio Let us pray. Collect

Bnedic, Dmine, nos, et hc Bless us, O Lord, and these
tua dona, qu de tua largitte thy gifts, which we are about to
sumus sumptri. Per Christum receive, from thy bounty.
Dminum nostrum. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

The Lector then bows to the Foremost, and says :

Jube domne, (Dmine) Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O

benedcere. Lord), thy blessing.

To which the Foremost makes answer:

Benedictio: The Blessing:

Mens clstis partcipes May the King of eternal glory
fciat nos Rex trn glri. make us partakers of his
R. Amen. heavenly table.
R. Amen.
 POST PRANDIUM AFTER THE MIDDAY MEAL

At the end of the reading the Lector says :

V. Tu autem, Dmine, miserre V. But thou, O Lord, have

nobis. mercy upon us.
R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

STAND

The Foremost begins the Grace after the Midday Meal :

V. Notum fecit Dminus, V. The Lord hath made known,

allelja. alleluia.
R. Salutre suum, allelja. R. His salvation, alleluia.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in R. As it was in the beginning, is
scula sculrum. Amen. now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.

And then the Foremost says immediately:

Agimus tibi grtias, omnpotens We give thee thanks, Almighty

Deus, pro univrsis benefciis God, for all thy benefits. Who
tuis : Qui vivis et regnas in livest and reignest, world
scula sculrum. without end.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

And then is said Psalm 97 Cantate Domino as follows:

Psalmus 97. Cantate Domino Psalm 97. Cantate Domino

Cantte Dmino cnticum O sing unto the Lord a new
novum: * quia mirablia fecit. song; * for he hath done
2 Salvvit sibi dxtera ejus: * marvellous things.
et brchium sanctum ejus. 2 His right hand hath wrought
3 Notum fecit Dminus for him salvation : * and his arm
salutre suum: * in conspctu is holy.
Gntium revelvit justtiam 3 The Lord hath made known
suam. his salvation; * his
4 Recordtus est misericrdi righteousness hath he revealed
su, * et verittis su dmui in the sight of the heathen.
Isral. 4 He hath remembered his
5 Vidrunt omnes trmini mercy, * and his truth toward
terr * salutre Dei nostri. the house of Israel.
6 Jubilte Deo, omnis terra: * 5 All the ends of the world
cantte, et exsultte, et have seen * the salvation of our
psllite. God.
7 Psllite Dmino in cthara, in 6 Be ye joyful unto God, all the
cthara et voce psalmi: * in earth : * make melody, rejoice,
tubis ductlibus, et voce tub and sing.
crne. 7 Sing praise unto the Lord
8 Jubilte in conspctu regis upon the harp, yea, upon the
Dmini: * movetur mare, et harp and with the voice of a
plenitdo ejus: orbis terrrum, psalm : * with long trumpets,
et qui hbitant in eo. and with the sound of the
9 Flmina plaudent manu, shawm.
simul montes exsultbunt a 8 O shew yourselves joyful
conspctu Dmini: * quniam before the Lord, the King : * let
venit judicre terram. the sea be moved, and the
10 Judicbit orbem terrrum in fulness thereof: the round
justtia, * et ppulos in world, and they that dwell
quitte. therein.
9 Let the floods clap their
hands, and let the hills be joyful
together before the Lord; * for
he is come to judge the earth.
10 With righteousness shall he
judge the world, * and the
peoples with equity.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in R. As it was in the beginning, is
scula sculrum. Amen. now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
elison. Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are

V. Et ne nos inducas in said aloud, and the rest
tentatinem. secretly to
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. V. And lead us not into
temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.
V. Disprsit, dedit paupribus. V. He hath dispersed abroad,
R. Justtia ejus manet in and given to the poor.
sculum sculi. R. And his righteousness
endureth for ever.

V. Benedcam Dminum in V. I will alway give thanks unto

omni tmpore. the Lord.
R. Semper laus ejus in ore R. And his praise shall ever be
meo. in my mouth.

V. In Dmino laudbitur nima V. My soul shall make her boast

mea. in the Lord.
R. Audiant mansuti, et R. The humble shall hear
ltntur. thereof, and be glad.

V. Magnificte Dminum V. O magnify the Lord with me.

mecum. R. And let us exalt his Name
R. Et exaltmus nomen ejus in together.
idpsum.

V. Sit nomen Dmini V. Blessed be the Name of the

benedctum. Lord.
R. Ex hoc nunc et usque in R. From this time forth for
sculum. evermore.

And then the Foremost says immediately:

Retribere dignre, Dmine, Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy

mnibus, nobis bona Name's sake, to reward all them
facintibus propter nomen that do us good with
tuum, vitam trnam. everlasting life.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

V. Benedicmus Dmino. V. Bless we the Lord.

R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

V. Fidlium nim per V. May the souls of the

misericrdiam Dei requiscant faithful departed, through the
in pace. mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

Pater Noster totum secreto. Our Father is said silently.

After which the Foremost says aloud :

Deus det nobis suam pacem. May God grant us his peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

ANTE CNAM BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL

STAND

Before the Evening Meal, the Foremost present or his deputy who
is to bless the meal begins by saying :

V. Benedcite. V. Bless ye.

R. Benedcite. R. Bless ye.

V. Verbum caro factum est, V. The Word was made flesh,

allelja. alleluia.
R. Et habitvit in nobis, allelja. R. And dwelt amongst us,
alleluia.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in R. As it was in the beginning, is
scula sculrum. Amen. now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
elison. Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are

V. Et ne nos inducas in said aloud, and the rest
tentatinem. secretly to
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. V. And lead us not into
temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

Oremus. Oratio Let us pray. Collect

Bnedic, Dmine, nos, et hc Bless us, O Lord, and these
tua dona, qu de tua largitte thy gifts, which we are about to
sumus sumptri. Per Christum receive, from thy bounty.
Dminum nostrum. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

The Lector then bows to the Foremost, and says :

Jube domne, (Dmine) Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O
benedcere. Lord), thy blessing.

To which the Foremost makes answer:

Benedictio: The Blessing:

Ad cnam vit trn May the King of eternal glory
perdcat nos Rex trn bring us to the supper of
glri. eternal life.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

POST CNAM AFTER THE EVENING MEAL

At the end of the reading the Lector says:

V. Tu autem, Dmine, miserre V. But thou, O Lord, have

nobis. mercy upon us.
R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

STAND

The Foremost begins the Grace after the Evening Meal:

V. Notum fecit Dminus, V. The Lord hath made known,

allelja. alleluia.
R. Salutre suum, allelja. R. His salvation, alleluia.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in R. As it was in the beginning, is
scula sculrum. Amen. now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.

And then the Foremost says immediately:

Benedctus Deus in donis suis, Blessed be the Lord in all his

et sanctus in mnibus opribus gifts, and holy in all his works.
suis : Qui vivit et regnat in Who liveth and reigneth, world
scula sculrum. without end.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

And then is said Psalm 97 Cantate Domino as follows:

Psalmus 97. Cantate Domino Psalm 97. Cantate Domino
Cantte Dmino cnticum O sing unto the Lord a new
novum: * quia mirablia fecit. song; * for he hath done
2 Salvvit sibi dxtera ejus: * marvellous things.
et brchium sanctum ejus. 2 His right hand hath wrought
3 Notum fecit Dminus for him salvation : * and his arm
salutre suum: * in conspctu is holy.
Gntium revelvit justtiam 3 The Lord hath made known
suam. his salvation; * his
4 Recordtus est misericrdi righteousness hath he revealed
su, * et verittis su dmui in the sight of the heathen.
Isral. 4 He hath remembered his
5 Vidrunt omnes trmini mercy, * and his truth toward
terr * salutre Dei nostri. the house of Israel.
6 Jubilte Deo, omnis terra: * 5 All the ends of the world
cantte, et exsultte, et have seen * the salvation of our
psllite. God.
7 Psllite Dmino in cthara, in 6 Be ye joyful unto God, all the
cthara et voce psalmi: * in earth : * make melody, rejoice,
tubis ductlibus, et voce tub and sing.
crne. 7 Sing praise unto the Lord
8 Jubilte in conspctu regis upon the harp, yea, upon the
Dmini: * movetur mare, et harp and with the voice of a
plenitdo ejus: orbis terrrum, psalm : * with long trumpets,
et qui hbitant in eo. and with the sound of the
9 Flmina plaudent manu, shawm.
simul montes exsultbunt a 8 O shew yourselves joyful
conspctu Dmini: * quniam before the Lord, the King : * let
venit judicre terram. the sea be moved, and the
10 Judicbit orbem terrrum in fulness thereof: the round
justtia, * et ppulos in world, and they that dwell
quitte. therein.
9 Let the floods clap their
hands, and let the hills be joyful
together before the Lord; * for
he is come to judge the earth.
10 With righteousness shall he
judge the world, * and the
peoples with equity.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in R. As it was in the beginning, is
scula sculrum. Amen. now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
elison. Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are

V. Et ne nos inducas in said aloud, and the rest
tentatinem. secretly to
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. V. And lead us not into
temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Disprsit, dedit paupribus. V. He hath dispersed abroad,

R. Justtia ejus manet in and given to the poor.
sculum sculi. R. And his righteousness
endureth for ever.

V. Benedcam Dminum in V. I will alway give thanks unto

omni tmpore. the Lord.
R. Semper laus ejus in ore R. And his praise shall ever be
meo. in my mouth.

V. In Dmino laudbitur nima V. My soul shall make her boast

mea. in the Lord.
R. Audiant mansuti, et R. The humble shall hear
ltntur. thereof, and be glad.

V. Magnificte Dminum V. O magnify the Lord with me.

mecum. R. And let us exalt his Name
R. Et exaltmus nomen ejus in together.
idpsum.

V. Sit nomen Dmini V. Blessed be the Name of the

benedctum. Lord.
R. Ex hoc nunc et usque in R. From this time forth for
sculum. evermore.

And then the Foremost says immediately:

Retribere dignre, Dmine, Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy

mnibus, nobis bona Name's sake, to reward all them
facintibus propter nomen that do us good with
tuum, vitam trnam. everlasting life.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

V. Benedicmus Dmino. V. Bless we the Lord.

R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.
V. Fidlium nim per V. May the souls of the
misericrdiam Dei requiscant faithful departed, through the
in pace. mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

Pater Noster totum secreto. Our Father is said silently.

After which the Foremost says aloud:

Deus det nobis suam pacem. May God grant us his peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

NOTE: That on any day when only one meal is eaten, Grace is said
as at the Evening Meal.

EPIPHANY

ANTE PRANDIUM BEFORE THE MIDDAY MEAL

STAND

Before the Midday Meal, the Foremost present or his deputy who is
to bless the meal begins by saying:

V. Benedcite. V. Bless ye.

R. Benedcite. R. Bless ye.

V. Reges Tharsis et nsul V. The kings of Tharsis and of

mnera fferunt, allelja. the isles shall give presents,
R. Reges Arabum, et Saba dona alleluia.
addcent, allelja. R. The kings of Arabia and
and Saba shall bring gifts,
alleluia.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in scula R. As it was in the beginning,
sculrum. Amen. is now, and ever shall be, *
world without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, R. Christ, have mercy upon
elison. us. Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are

V. Et ne nos inducas in said aloud, and the rest
tentatinem. secretly to
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. V. And lead us not into
temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

Oremus. Ortio Let us pray. Collect

Bnedic, Dmine, nos, et hc Bless us, O Lord, and these
tua dona, qu de tua largitte thy gifts, which we are about
sumus sumptri. Per Christum to receive, from thy bounty.
Dminum nostrum. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

The Lector then bows to the Foremost, and says:

Jube domne, (Dmine) Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O

benedcere. Lord), thy blessing.

To which the Foremost makes answer:

Benedictio: The Blessing:

Mens clstis partcipes fciat May the King of eternal glory
nos Rex trn glri. make us partakers of his
R. Amen. heavenly table.
R. Amen.

POST PRANDIUM AFTER THE MIDDAY MEAL

At the end of the reading the Lector says :

V. Tu autem, Dmine, miserre V. But thou, O Lord, have

nobis. mercy upon us.
R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

STAND

The Foremost begins the Grace after the Midday Meal:

V. Omnes de Saba vnient, V. All they from Saba shall

allelja. come, alleluia.
R. Aurum et thus deferntes, R. They shall bring gold and
allelja. incense, alleluia.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in scula R. As it was in the beginning,
sculrum. Amen. is now, and ever shall be, *
world without end. Amen.

And then the Foremost says immediately:

Agimus tibi grtias, omnpotens We give thee thanks, Almighty

Deus, pro univrsis benefciis God, for all thy benefits. Who
tuis : Qui vivis et regnas in livest and reignest, world
scula sculrum. without end.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

And then is said Psalm 71 Deus, judicium tuum as follows:

Psalmus 71. Deus, judicium Psalm 71. Deus, judicium

tuum tuum
Deus, judcium tuum regi da: * et Give to the King thy judgment,
justtiam tuam flio regis. O God, * and thy justice unto
2 Judicre ppulum tuum in the King's son.
justtia, * et puperes tuos in 2 To judge thy people with
judcio. justice, * and thy poor with
3 Suscpiant montes pacem judgment.
ppulo: * et colles justtiam. 3 The mountains also shall
4 Judicbit puperes ppuli, et receive peace for the people, *
salvos fciet flios puperum: * and the little hills
et humilibit calumniatrem. righteousness.
5 Et permanbit cum sole, et 4 He shall judge the poor of
ante lunam, * in generatine et the people, and he shall save
generatinem. the children of the poor, * and
6 Descndet sicut plvia in he shall humble the oppressor.
vellus: * et sicut stillicdia 5 And he shall endure with
stillntia super terram. the sun and before the moon,
7 Oritur in dibus ejus justtia, * throughout all generations.
et abundntia pacis: * donec 6 He shall come down like the
aufertur luna. rain into a fleece of wool, *
8 Et dominbitur a mari usque even as the drops that fall
ad mare: * et a flmine usque ad gently upon the earth.
trminos orbis terrrum. 7 In his time shall justice
9 Coram illo prcident thopes: flourish, yea, and abundance
* et inimci ejus terram lingent. of peace, * so long as the
10 Reges Tharsis, et nsul moon endureth.
mnera fferent: * reges Arabum 8 And his dominion shall be
et Saba dona addcent. from sea to sea, * and from
11 Et adorbunt eum omnes the river unto the ends of the
reges terr: * omnes Gentes earth.
srvient ei: 9 The Ethiopians shall kneel
12 Quia liberbit puperem a before him; * and his enemies
potnte: * et puperem, cui non shall lick the dust.
erat adjtor. 10 The kings of Tharsis and of
13 Parcet puperi et nopi: * et the isles shall give presents; *
nimas puperum salvas fciet. the kings of Arabia and Saba
14 Ex usris et iniquitte shall bring gifts.
rdimet nimas erum: * et 11 And all the kings of the
honorbile nomen erum coram earth shall worship him; * all
illo. nations shall do him service.
15 Et vivet, et dbitur ei de auro 12 For he shall deliver the
Arbi, et adorbunt de ipso poor from the mighty; * even
semper: * tota die benedcent ei. the poor that hath no helper.
16 Et erit firmamntum in terra 13 He shall spare the poor
in summis mntium, and needy, * and he shall save
superextolltur super Lbanum the souls of the poor.
fructus ejus: * et florbunt de 14 He shall redeem their
civitte sicut fnum terr. souls from usuries and
17 Sit nomen ejus benedctum wickedness; * and dear shall
in scula: * ante solem their names be in his sight.
prmanet nomen ejus. 15 He shall live, and unto him
18 Et benedicntur in ipso shall be given of the gold of
omnes tribus terr: * omnes Arabia, and they shall ever
Gentes magnificbunt eum. worship him : * all the day
19 Benedctus Dminus, Deus long shall they bless him.
Isral, * qui facit mirablia solus. 16 There shall be a firmament
20 (Fit reverentia) Et in the earth, high upon the
benedctum nomen majesttis hills, and above Lebanon shall
ejus in trnum: * et replbitur the fruit thereof be exalted : *
majestte ejus omnis terra: fiat, they shall be green in the city
fiat. like grass upon the earth.
17 Blessed be his Name for
evermore; * his Name
endureth before the sun.
18 And in him shall all the
tribes of the earth be blessed :
* all nations shall magnify him.
19 Blessed be the Lord, the
God of Israel, * which only
doeth wondrous things;
20 (All bow during the first
half of this verse) And blessed
be the Name of his Majesty for
 ever: * and all the earth shall
be filled with his Majesty.
Amen, Amen.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in scula R. As it was in the beginning,
sculrum. Amen. is now, and ever shall be, *
world without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, R. Christ, have mercy upon
elison. us. Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are

V. Et ne nos inducas in said aloud, and the rest
tentatinem. secretly to
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. V. And lead us not into
temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Disprsit, dedit paupribus. V. He hath dispersed abroad,

R. Justtia ejus manet in and given to the poor.
sculum sculi. R. And his righteousness
endureth for ever.

V. Benedcam Dminum in omni V. I will alway give thanks

tmpore. unto the Lord.
R. Semper laus ejus in ore meo. R. And his praise shall ever be
in my mouth.

V. In Dmino laudbitur nima V. My soul shall make her

mea. boast in the Lord.
R. Audiant mansuti, et R. The humble shall hear
ltntur. thereof, and be glad.

V. Magnificte Dminum V. O magnify the Lord with

mecum. me.
R. Et exaltmus nomen ejus in R. And let us exalt his Name
idpsum. together.

V. Sit nomen Dmini V. Blessed be the Name of the

benedctum. Lord.
R. Ex hoc nunc et usque in R. From this time forth for
sculum. evermore.

And then the Foremost says immediately :

Retribere dignre, Dmine, Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy

mnibus, nobis bona facintibus Name's sake, to reward all
propter nomen tuum, vitam them that do us good with
trnam. everlasting life.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

V. Benedicmus Dmino. V. Bless we the Lord.

R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

V. Fidlium nim per V. May the souls of the

misericrdiam Dei requiscant in faithful departed, through the
pace. mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

Pater Noster totum secreto. Our Father is said silently.

After which the Foremost says aloud:

Deus det nobis suam pacem. May God grant us his peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

ANTE CNAM BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL

STAND

Before the Evening Meal, the Foremost present or his deputy who
is to bless the meal begins by saying :

V. Benedcite. V. Bless ye.

R. Benedcite. R. Bless ye.

V. Reges Tharsis et nsul V. The kings of Tharsis and of

mnera fferunt, allelja. the isles shall give presents,
R. Reges Arabum, et Saba dona alleluia.
addcent, allelja. R. The kings of Arabia and
and Saba shall bring gifts,
alleluia.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in scula R. As it was in the beginning,
sculrum. Amen. is now, and ever shall be, *
world without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, R. Christ, have mercy upon
elison. us. Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are

V. Et ne nos inducas in said aloud, and the rest
tentatinem. secretly to
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. V. And lead us not into
temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

Oremus. Ortio Let us pray. Collect

Bnedic, Dmine, nos, et hc Bless us, O Lord, and these
tua dona, qu de tua largitte thy gifts, which we are about
sumus sumptri. Per Christum to receive, from thy bounty.
Dminum nostrum. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

The Lector then bows to the Foremost, and says :

Jube domne, (Dmine) Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O

benedcere. Lord), thy blessing.

To which the Foremost makes answer:

Benedictio: The Blessing:

Ad cnam vit trn May the King of eternal glory
perdcat nos Rex trn bring us to the supper of
glri. eternal life.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

POST CNAM AFTER THE EVENING MEAL

At the end of the reading the Lector says:

V. Tu autem, Dmine, miserre V. But thou, O Lord, have

nobis. mercy upon us.
R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.
STAND

The Foremost begins the Grace after the Evening Meal:

V. Omnes de Saba vnient, V. All they from Saba shall

allelja. come, alleluia.
R. Aurum et thus deferntes, R. They shall bring gold and
allelja. incense, alleluia.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in scula R. As it was in the beginning,
sculrum. Amen. is now, and ever shall be, *
world without end. Amen.

And then the Foremost says immediately:

Benedctus Deus in donis suis, et Blessed be the Lord in all his

sanctus in mnibus opribus suis gifts, and holy in all his works.
: Qui vivit et regnat in scula Who liveth and reigneth, world
sculrum. without end.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

And then is said Psalm 71 Deus, judicium tuum as follows:

Psalmus 71. Deus, judicium Psalm 71. Deus, judicium

tuum tuum
Deus, judcium tuum regi da: * et Give to the King thy judgment,
justtiam tuam flio regis. O God, * and thy justice unto
2 Judicre ppulum tuum in the King's son.
justtia, * et puperes tuos in 2 To judge thy people with
judcio. justice, * and thy poor with
3 Suscpiant montes pacem judgment.
ppulo: * et colles justtiam. 3 The mountains also shall
4 Judicbit puperes ppuli, et receive peace for the people, *
salvos fciet flios puperum: * and the little hills
et humilibit calumniatrem. righteousness.
5 Et permanbit cum sole, et 4 He shall judge the poor of
ante lunam, * in generatine et the people, and he shall save
generatinem. the children of the poor, * and
6 Descndet sicut plvia in he shall humble the oppressor.
vellus: * et sicut stillicdia 5 And he shall endure with
stillntia super terram. the sun and before the moon,
7 Oritur in dibus ejus justtia, * throughout all generations.
et abundntia pacis: * donec 6 He shall come down like the
aufertur luna. rain into a fleece of wool, *
8 Et dominbitur a mari usque even as the drops that fall
ad mare: * et a flmine usque ad gently upon the earth.
trminos orbis terrrum. 7 In his time shall justice
9 Coram illo prcident thopes: flourish, yea, and abundance
* et inimci ejus terram lingent. of peace, * so long as the
10 Reges Tharsis, et nsul moon endureth.
mnera fferent: * reges Arabum 8 And his dominion shall be
et Saba dona addcent. from sea to sea, * and from
11 Et adorbunt eum omnes the river unto the ends of the
reges terr: * omnes Gentes earth.
srvient ei: 9 The Ethiopians shall kneel
12 Quia liberbit puperem a before him; * and his enemies
potnte: * et puperem, cui non shall lick the dust.
erat adjtor. 10 The kings of Tharsis and of
13 Parcet puperi et nopi: * et the isles shall give presents; *
nimas puperum salvas fciet. the kings of Arabia and Saba
14 Ex usris et iniquitte shall bring gifts.
rdimet nimas erum: * et 11 And all the kings of the
honorbile nomen erum coram earth shall worship him; * all
illo. nations shall do him service.
15 Et vivet, et dbitur ei de auro 12 For he shall deliver the
Arbi, et adorbunt de ipso poor from the mighty; * even
semper: * tota die benedcent ei. the poor that hath no helper.
16 Et erit firmamntum in terra 13 He shall spare the poor
in summis mntium, and needy, * and he shall save
superextolltur super Lbanum the souls of the poor.
fructus ejus: * et florbunt de 14 He shall redeem their
civitte sicut fnum terr. souls from usuries and
17 Sit nomen ejus benedctum wickedness; * and dear shall
in scula: * ante solem their names be in his sight.
prmanet nomen ejus. 15 He shall live, and unto him
18 Et benedicntur in ipso shall be given of the gold of
omnes tribus terr: * omnes Arabia, and they shall ever
Gentes magnificbunt eum. worship him : * all the day
19 Benedctus Dminus, Deus long shall they bless him.
Isral, * qui facit mirablia solus. 16 There shall be a firmament
20 (Fit reverentia) Et in the earth, high upon the
benedctum nomen majesttis hills, and above Lebanon shall
ejus in trnum: * et replbitur the fruit thereof be exalted : *
majestte ejus omnis terra: fiat, they shall be green in the city
fiat. like grass upon the earth.
17 Blessed be his Name for
evermore; * his Name
endureth before the sun.
18 And in him shall all the
tribes of the earth be blessed :
* all nations shall magnify him.
19 Blessed be the Lord, the
 God of Israel, * which only
doeth wondrous things;
20 (All bow during the first
half of this verse) And blessed
be the Name of his Majesty for
ever: * and all the earth shall
be filled with his Majesty.
Amen, Amen.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in scula R. As it was in the beginning,
sculrum. Amen. is now, and ever shall be, *
world without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, R. Christ, have mercy upon
elison. us. Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are

V. Et ne nos inducas in said aloud, and the rest
tentatinem. secretly to
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. V. And lead us not into
temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Disprsit, dedit paupribus. V. He hath dispersed abroad,

R. Justtia ejus manet in and given to the poor.
sculum sculi. R. And his righteousness
endureth for ever.

V. Benedcam Dminum in omni V. I will alway give thanks

tmpore. unto the Lord.
R. Semper laus ejus in ore meo. R. And his praise shall ever be
in my mouth.

V. In Dmino laudbitur nima V. My soul shall make her

mea. boast in the Lord.
R. Audiant mansuti, et R. The humble shall hear
ltntur. thereof, and be glad.

V. Magnificte Dminum V. O magnify the Lord with

mecum. me.
R. Et exaltmus nomen ejus in R. And let us exalt his Name
idpsum. together.
 V. Sit nomen Dmini V. Blessed be the Name of the
benedctum. Lord.
R. Ex hoc nunc et usque in R. From this time forth for
sculum. evermore.

And then the Foremost says immediately :

Retribere dignre, Dmine, Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy

mnibus, nobis bona facintibus Name's sake, to reward all
propter nomen tuum, vitam them that do us good with
trnam. everlasting life.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

V. Benedicmus Dmino. V. Bless we the Lord.

R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

V. Fidlium nim per V. May the souls of the

misericrdiam Dei requiscant in faithful departed, through the
pace. mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

Pater Noster totum secreto. Our Father is said silently.

After which the Foremost says aloud :

Deus det nobis suam pacem. May God grant us his peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

NOTE : That on any day when only one meal is eaten, Grace is said
as at the Evening Meal.

LENT

ANTE PRANDIUM BEFORE THE MIDDAY MEAL

STAND

Before the Midday Meal, the Foremost present or his deputy who is to
bless the meal begins by saying :

V. Benedcite. V. Bless ye.

R. Benedcite. R. Bless ye.

And then he says :

V. Oculi mnium. V. The eyes of all.

And the rest continue :

R. In te sperant, Dmine, et tu R. Wait upon thee, O Lord, and

das escam illrum in tmpore thou givest them their meat in
opportno. Aperis tu manum due season. Thou openest thine
tuam, et imples omne nimal hand, and fillest all things living
benedictine. with plenteousness.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et Spirtui V. Glory be to the Father, and to

Sancto. the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et nunc, R. As it was in the beginning, is
et semper, * et in scula now, and ever shall be, * world
sculrum. Amen. without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, elison. R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are said
V. Et ne nos inducas in aloud, and the rest secretly to
tentatinem. V. And lead us not into
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

Oremus. Oratio Let us pray. Collect

Bnedic, Dmine, nos, et hc Bless us, O Lord, and these thy
tua dona, qu de tua largitte gifts, which we are about to
sumus sumptri. Per Christum receive, from thy bounty. Through
Dminum nostrum. Christ our Lord.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

The Lector then bows to the Foremost, and says :

Jube domne, (Dmine) Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O

benedcere. Lord), thy blessing.

To which the Foremost makes answer:

Benedictio: The Blessing:
Mens clstis partcipes fciat May the King of eternal glory
nos Rex trn glri. make us partakers of his heavenly
R. Amen. table.
R. Amen.

POST PRANDIUM AFTER THE MIDDAY MEAL

At the end of the reading the Lector says :

V. Tu autem, Dmine, miserre V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy

nobis. upon us.
R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

STAND

The Foremost begins the Grace after the Midday Meal:

V. Confitentur tibi, Dmine, V. All thy works shall praise thee,

mnia pera tua. O Lord.
R. Et Sancti tui benedcant tibi. R. And thy Saints shall give
thanks unto thee.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et Spirtui V. Glory be to the Father, and to

Sancto. the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et nunc, R. As it was in the beginning, is
et semper, * et in scula now, and ever shall be, * world
sculrum. Amen. without end. Amen.

And then the Foremost says immediately :

Agimus tibi grtias, omnpotens We give thee thanks, Almighty

Deus, pro univrsis benefciis God, for all thy benefits. Who
tuis : Qui vivis et regnas in scula livest and reignest, world without
sculrum. end.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

And then is said Psalm 50 Miserere mei, Deus as follows :

Psalmus 50. Miserere mei, Deus Psalm 50. Miserere mei, Deus
Miserre mei Deus, * secndum Have mercy upon me, O God, *
magnam misericrdiam tuam. after thy great goodness.
2 Et secndum multitdinem 2 According to the multitude of
miseratinum turum, * dele thy mercies * do away mine
iniquittem meam. offences.
3 Amplius lava me ab iniquitte 3 Wash me throughly from my
mea: * et a peccto meo munda wickedness, * and cleanse me
me. from my sin.
4 Quniam iniquittem meam 4 For I acknowledge my faults, *
ego cognsco: * et pecctum and my sin is ever before me.
meum contra me est semper. 5 Against thee only have I sinned,
5 Tibi soli peccvi, et malum and done this evil in thy sight; *
coram te feci: * ut justificris in that thou mightest be justified in
sermnibus tuis, et vincas cum thy saying, and clear when thou
judicris. art judged.
6 Ecce enim in iniquittibus 6 Behold, I was shapen in
concptus sum: * et in pecctis wickedness, * and in sin hath my
concpit me mater mea. mother conceived me.
7 Ecce enim verittem dilexsti: * 7 But lo, thou requirest truth in
incrta et occlta sapinti tu the inward parts, * and shalt make
manifeststi mihi. me to understand wisdom
8 Asprges me hysspo, et secretly.
mundbor: * lavbis me, et super 8 Thou shalt purge me with
nivem dealbbor. hyssop, and I shall be clean; *
9 Audtui meo dabis gudium et thou shalt wash me, and I shall be
lttiam: * et exsultbunt ossa whiter than snow.
humilita. 9 Thou shalt make me hear of joy
10 Avrte fciem tuam a pecctis and gladness, * that the bones
meis: * et omnes iniquittes meas which thou hast broken may
dele. rejoice.
11 Cor mundum crea in me, 10 Turn thy face from my sins, *
Deus: * et spritum rectum nnova and put out all my misdeeds.
in viscribus meis. 11 Make me a clean heart, O
12 Ne projcias me a fcie tua: * God, * and renew a right spirit
et spritum sanctum tuum ne within me.
uferas a me. 12 Cast me not away from thy
13 Redde mihi lttiam salutris presence, * and take not thy holy
tui: * et spritu principli confrma Spirit from me.
me. 13 O give me the comfort of thy
14 Docbo inquos vias tuas: * et help again, * and stablish me with
mpii ad te convertntur. thy free Spirit.
15 Lbera me de sangunibus, 14 Then shall I teach thy ways
Deus, Deus saltis me: * et unto the wicked, * and sinners
exsultbit lingua mea justtiam shall be converted unto thee.
tuam. 15 Deliver me from blood-
16 Dmine, lbia mea apries: * guiltiness, O God, thou that art
et os meum annuntibit laudem the God of my health; * and my
tuam. tongue shall sing of thy
17 Quniam si volusses righteousness.
sacrifcium dedssem tique: * 16 Thou shalt open my lips, O
holocustis non delectberis. Lord, * and my mouth shall shew
18 Sacrifcium Deo spritus thy praise.
contribultus: * cor contrtum, et 17 For thou desirest no sacrifice,
humilitum, Deus non despcies. else would I give it thee; * but
19 Bengne fac, Dmine, in bona thou delightest not in burnt-
voluntte tua Sion: * ut offerings.
dificntur muri Jersalem. 18 The sacrifice of God is a
20 Tunc acceptbis sacrifcium troubled spirit: * a broken and
justti, oblatines, et holocusta: contrite heart, O God, shalt thou
* tunc impnent super altre tuum not despise.
vtulos. 19 O be favourable and gracious
unto Sion; * build thou the walls of
Jerusalem.
20 Then shalt thou be pleased
with the sacrifice of
righteousness, with the burnt-
offerings and oblations; * then
shall they offer young bullocks
upon thine altar.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et Spirtui V. Glory be to the Father, and to

Sancto. the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et nunc, R. As it was in the beginning, is
et semper, * et in scula now, and ever shall be, * world
sculrum. Amen. without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, elison. R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are said
V. Et ne nos inducas in aloud, and the rest secretly to
tentatinem. V. And lead us not into
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Disprsit, dedit paupribus. V. He hath dispersed abroad, and

R. Justtia ejus manet in sculum given to the poor.
sculi. R. And his righteousness
endureth for ever.

V. Benedcam Dminum in omni V. I will alway give thanks unto

tmpore. the Lord.
R. Semper laus ejus in ore meo. R. And his praise shall ever be in
my mouth.

V. In Dmino laudbitur nima V. My soul shall make her boast in

mea. the Lord.
R. Audiant mansuti, et ltntur. R. The humble shall hear thereof,
 and be glad.

V. Magnificte Dminum mecum. V. O magnify the Lord with me.

R. Et exaltmus nomen ejus in R. And let us exalt his Name
idpsum. together.

V. Sit nomen Dmini benedctum. V. Blessed be the Name of the

R. Ex hoc nunc et usque in Lord.
sculum. R. From this time forth for
evermore.

And then the Foremost says immediately :

Retribere dignre, Dmine, Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy Name's

mnibus, nobis bona facintibus sake, to reward all them that do
propter nomen tuum, vitam us good with everlasting life.
trnam. R. Amen.
R. Amen.

V. Benedicmus Dmino. V. Bless we the Lord.

R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

V. Fidlium nim per V. May the souls of the faithful

misericrdiam Dei requiscant in departed, through the mercy of
pace. God, rest in peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

Pater Noster totum secreto. Our Father is said silently.

After which the Foremost says aloud :

Deus det nobis suam pacem. May God grant us his peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

ANTE CNAM BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL

STAND

Before the Evening Meal, the Foremost present or his deputy who is to
bless the meal begins by saying :

V. Benedcite. V. Bless ye.

R. Benedcite. R. Bless ye.
And then he says :

V. Edent puperes. V. The poor shall eat.

And the rest continue :

R. Et saturabntur, et laudbunt R. And be satisfied, and they shall

Dminum, qui requrunt eum : praise the Lord that seek him :
vivent corda erum in sculum their heart shall live for ever.
sculi.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et Spirtui V. Glory be to the Father, and to

Sancto. the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et nunc, R. As it was in the beginning, is
et semper, * et in scula now, and ever shall be, * world
sculrum. Amen. without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, elison. R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are said
V. Et ne nos inducas in aloud, and the rest secretly to
tentatinem. V. And lead us not into
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

Oremus. Oratio Let us pray. Collect

Bnedic, Dmine, nos, et hc Bless us, O Lord, and these thy
tua dona, qu de tua largitte gifts, which we are about to
sumus sumptri. Per Christum receive, from thy bounty. Through
Dminum nostrum. Christ our Lord.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

The Lector then bows to the Foremost, and says :

Jube domne, (Dmine) Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O

benedcere. Lord), thy blessing.

To which the Foremost makes answer:

Benedictio: The Blessing:

Ad cnam vit trn perdcat May the King of eternal glory bring
nos Rex trn glri. us to the supper of eternal life.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

POST CNAM AFTER THE EVENING MEAL

At the end of the reading the Lector says :

V. Tu autem, Dmine, miserre V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy

nobis. upon us.
R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

STAND

The Foremost begins the Grace after the Evening Meal :

V. Memriam fecit mirablium V. The merciful and gracious Lord

surum misricors et misertor hath so done his marvellous works
Dminus. that they ought to be had in
R. Escam dedit timntibus se. remembrance.
R. He hath given meat unto them
that fear him.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et Spirtui V. Glory be to the Father, and to

Sancto. the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et nunc, R. As it was in the beginning, is
et semper, * et in scula now, and ever shall be, * world
sculrum. Amen. without end. Amen.

And then the Foremost says immediately :

Benedctus Deus in donis suis, et Blessed be the Lord in all his gifts,
sanctus in mnibus opribus suis : and holy in all his works. Who
Qui vivit et regnat in scula liveth and reigneth, world without
sculrum. end.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

And then is said Psalm 50 Miserere mei, Deus as follows :

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, elison. R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are said
V. Et ne nos inducas in aloud, and the rest secretly to
tentatinem. V. And lead us not into
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Disprsit, dedit paupribus. V. He hath dispersed abroad, and

R. Justtia ejus manet in sculum given to the poor.
sculi. R. And his righteousness
endureth for ever.

V. Benedcam Dminum in omni V. I will alway give thanks unto

tmpore. the Lord.
R. Semper laus ejus in ore meo. R. And his praise shall ever be in
my mouth.

V. In Dmino laudbitur nima V. My soul shall make her boast in

mea. the Lord.
R. Audiant mansuti, et ltntur. R. The humble shall hear thereof,
and be glad.

V. Magnificte Dminum mecum. V. O magnify the Lord with me.

R. Et exaltmus nomen ejus in R. And let us exalt his Name
idpsum. together.

V. Sit nomen Dmini benedctum. V. Blessed be the Name of the

R. Ex hoc nunc et usque in Lord.
sculum. R. From this time forth for
evermore.

And then the Foremost says immediately :

Retribere dignre, Dmine, Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy Name's

mnibus, nobis bona facintibus sake, to reward all them that do
propter nomen tuum, vitam us good with everlasting life.
trnam. R. Amen.
R. Amen.

V. Benedicmus Dmino. V. Bless we the Lord.

R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

V. Fidlium nim per V. May the souls of the faithful

misericrdiam Dei requiscant in departed, through the mercy of
pace. God, rest in peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.
Pater Noster totum secreto. Our Father is said silently.

After which the Foremost says aloud :

Deus det nobis suam pacem. May God grant us his peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

HOLY THURSDAY

ANTE PRANDIUM BEFORE THE MIDDAY MEAL

STAND

Grace is begun at once by the Foremost, who says:

V. Christus factus est pro nobis V. Christ for our sake became
obdiens usque ad mortem. obedient unto death.

And the Pater is said secretly.

Pater noster. Our Father.

After which the Foremost blesses the table with the Sign of the
Cross, saying nothing; nor is anything further said.

POST PRANDIUM AFTER THE MIDDAY MEAL

At the end of the reading the Lector says:

V. Tu autem, Dmine, miserre V. But thou, O Lord, have

nobis. mercy upon us.
R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

STAND

The Foremost begins by saying:

V. Christus factus est pro nobis V. Christ for our sake became
obdiens usque ad mortem. obedient unto death.
After which is recited Psalm 50 Miserere mei, Deus with the
Collect, just as it is said in the Divine Office on those days. And
nothing is added, nor is anything sung with musical inflection.

After this Psalm is finished, without Oremus there is said, in a

similar tone the Collect :

Rspice, qusumus, Dmine, Almighty God, we beseech thee

super hanc famliam tuam, pro graciously behold this thy
qua Dminus noster Jesus family, for which our Lord Jesus
Christus non dubitvit mnibus Christ was contented to be
tradi nocntium, et crucis subre betrayed, and given up into the
tormntum : sed dicitur sub hands of wicked men, and to
silentio : Qui tecum vivit et suffer death upon the Cross.
regnat in unitte Spritus Sancti Here is added silently : Who
Deus, per mnia scula liveth and reigneth with thee,
sculrum : Amen. in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without
end : Amen.

ANTE CNAM BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL

STAND

Grace is begun at once by the Foremost, who says:

V. Christus factus est pro nobis V. Christ for our sake became
obdiens usque ad mortem. obedient unto death.

And the Pater is said secretly.

Pater noster. Our Father.

After which the Foremost blesses the table with the Sign of the
Cross, saying nothing; nor is anything further said.

POST CNAM AFTER THE EVENING MEAL

At the end of the reading the Lector says:

V. Tu autem, Dmine, miserre V. But thou, O Lord, have

nobis. mercy upon us.
R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.
STAND

The Foremost begins by saying:

V. Christus factus est pro nobis V. Christ for our sake became
obdiens usque ad mortem. obedient unto death.

After which is recited Psalm 50 Miserere mei, Deus with the

Collect, just as it is said in the Divine Office on those days. And
nothing is added, nor is anything sung with musical inflection.

After this Psalm is finished, without Ormus there is said, in a

similar tone the Collect:

Rspice, qusumus, Dmine, Almighty God, we beseech thee

super hanc famliam tuam, pro graciously behold this thy
qua Dminus noster Jesus family, for which our Lord Jesus
Christus non dubitvit mnibus Christ was contented to be
tradi nocntium, et crucis subre betrayed, and given up into the
tormntum : sed dicitur sub hands of wicked men, and to
silentio : Qui tecum vivit et suffer death upon the Cross.
regnat in unitte Spritus Sancti Here is added silently : Who
Deus, per mnia scula liveth and reigneth with thee,
sculrum : Amen. in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without
end : Amen.

GOOD FRIDAY

ANTE PRANDIUM BEFORE THE MIDDAY MEAL

STAND

Grace is begun at once by the Foremost, who says:

V. Christus factus est pro nobis V. Christ for our sake became
obdiens usque ad mortem. obedient unto death.
R. Mortem autem crucis. R. Even the death of the Cross.

And the Pater is said secretly.

Pater noster. Our Father.

After which the Foremost blesses the table with the Sign of the
Cross, saying nothing; nor is anything further said.

POST PRANDIUM AFTER THE MIDDAY MEAL

At the end of the reading the Lector says:

V. Tu autem, Dmine, miserre V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy

nobis. upon us.
R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

STAND

The Foremost begins by saying:

V. Christus factus est pro nobis V. Christ for our sake became
obdiens usque ad mortem. obedient unto death.
R. Mortem autem crucis. R. Even the death of the Cross.

After which is recited Psalm 50 Miserere mei, Deus with the Collect,
just as it is said in the Divine Office on those days. And nothing is
added, nor is anything sung with musical inflection.

After this Psalm is finished, without Ormus there is said, in a

similar tone the Collect:

Rspice, qusumus, Dmine, Almighty God, we beseech thee

super hanc famliam tuam, pro graciously behold this thy
qua Dminus noster Jesus family, for which our Lord Jesus
Christus non dubitvit mnibus Christ was contented to be
tradi nocntium, et crucis subre betrayed, and given up into the
tormntum : sed dicitur sub hands of wicked men, and to
silentio : Qui tecum vivit et suffer death upon the Cross.
regnat in unitte Spritus Sancti Here is added silently : Who
Deus, per mnia scula liveth and reigneth with thee, in
sculrum : Amen. the unity of the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without
end : Amen.

ANTE CNAM BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL

STAND
Grace is begun at once by the Foremost, who says:

V. Christus factus est pro nobis V. Christ for our sake became
obdiens usque ad mortem. obedient unto death.
R. Mortem autem crucis. R. Even the death of the Cross.

And the Pater is said secretly.

Pater noster. Our Father.

After which the Foremost blesses the table with the Sign of the
Cross, saying nothing; nor is anything further said.

POST CNAM AFTER THE EVENING MEAL

At the end of the reading the Lector says :

V. Tu autem, Dmine, miserre V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy

nobis. upon us.
R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

STAND

The Foremost begins by saying:

V. Christus factus est pro nobis V. Christ for our sake became
obdiens usque ad mortem. obedient unto death.
R. Mortem autem crucis. R. Even the death of the Cross.

After which is recited Psalm 50 Miserere mei, Deus with the Collect,
just as it is said in the Divine Office on those days. And nothing is
added, nor is anything sung with musical inflection.

After this Psalm is finished, without Ormus there is said, in a

similar tone the Collect:

Rspice, qusumus, Dmine, Almighty God, we beseech thee

super hanc famliam tuam, pro graciously behold this thy
qua Dminus noster Jesus family, for which our Lord Jesus
Christus non dubitvit mnibus Christ was contented to be
tradi nocntium, et crucis subre betrayed, and given up into the
tormntum : sed dicitur sub hands of wicked men, and to
silentio : Qui tecum vivit et suffer death upon the Cross.
regnat in unitte Spritus Sancti Here is added silently : Who
Deus, per mnia scula liveth and reigneth with thee, in
sculrum : Amen. the unity of the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without
end : Amen.

HOLY SATURDAY

ANTE PRANDIUM BEFORE THE MIDDAY MEAL

STAND

Before the Midday Meal, the Foremost present or his deputy who is
to bless the meal begins by saying :

V. Benedcite. V. Bless ye.

R. Benedcite. R. Bless ye.

V. Vspere autem sbbati, qu V. In the end of the Sabbath,

lucscit in prima sbbati, as it began to dawn toward the
allelja. first day of the week, alleluia.
R. Venit Mara Magdalne, et R. Came Mary Magdalene, and
ltera Mara, vidre seplcrum, the other Mary, to see the
allelja. sepulchre, alleluia.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in scula R. As it was in the beginning, is
sculrum. Amen. now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
elison. Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are

V. Et ne nos inducas in said aloud, and the rest
tentatinem. secretly to
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. V. And lead us not into
temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.
Oremus. Ortio Let us pray. Collect
Bnedic, Dmine, nos, et hc Bless us, O Lord, and these
tua dona, qu de tua largitte thy gifts, which we are about to
sumus sumptri. Per Christum receive, from thy bounty.
Dminum nostrum. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

The Lector then bows to the Foremost, and says :

Jube domne, (Dmine) Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O

benedcere. Lord), thy blessing.

To which the Foremost makes answer:

Benedictio: The Blessing:

Mens clstis partcipes fciat May the King of eternal glory
nos Rex trn glri. make us partakers of his
R. Amen. heavenly table.
R. Amen.

POST PRANDIUM AFTER THE MIDDAY MEAL

At the end of the reading the

Lector says :

V. Tu autem, Dmine, miserre V. But thou, O Lord, have

nobis. mercy upon us.
R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

STAND

The Foremost begins the Grace after the Midday Meal :

V. Vspere autem sbbati, qu V. In the end of the Sabbath,

lucscit in prima sbbati, as it began to dawn toward the
allelja. first day of the week, alleluia.
R. Venit Mara Magdalne, et R. Came Mary Magdalene, and
ltera Mara, vidre seplcrum, the other Mary, to see the
allelja. sepulchre, alleluia.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in scula R. As it was in the beginning, is
sculrum. Amen. now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.

And then the Foremost says immediately :

Agimus tibi grtias, omnpotens We give thee thanks, Almighty

Deus, pro univrsis benefciis God, for all thy benefits. Who
tuis : Qui vivis et regnas in livest and reignest, world
scula sculrum. without end.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

And then is said Psalm 116 Laudte Dminum, omnes gentes as

follows :

Psalmus 116. Laudate Dominum Psalm 116. Laudate Dominum

Laudte Dminum, omnes O praise the Lord, all ye
Gentes: * laudte eum, omnes nations; * praise him, all ye
ppuli : peoples.
2 Quniam confirmta est super 2 For his mercy is confirmed
nos misericrdia ejus: * et upon us; * and the truth of the
vritas Dmini manet in Lord endureth for ever.
trnum.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in scula R. As it was in the beginning, is
sculrum. Amen. now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
elison. Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are

V. Et ne nos inducas in said aloud, and the rest
tentatinem. secretly to
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. V. And lead us not into
temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Disprsit, dedit paupribus. V. He hath dispersed abroad,

R. Justtia ejus manet in and given to the poor.
sculum sculi. R. And his righteousness
endureth for ever.
V. Benedcam Dminum in omni V. I will alway give thanks unto
tmpore. the Lord.
R. Semper laus ejus in ore meo. R. And his praise shall ever be
in my mouth.

V. In Dmino laudbitur nima V. My soul shall make her

mea. boast in the Lord.
R. Audiant mansuti, et R. The humble shall hear
ltntur. thereof, and be glad.

V. Magnificte Dminum V. O magnify the Lord with me.

mecum. R. And let us exalt his Name
R. Et exaltmus nomen ejus in together.
idpsum.

V. Sit nomen Dmini V. Blessed be the Name of the

benedctum. Lord.
R. Ex hoc nunc et usque in R. From this time forth for
sculum. evermore.

And then the Foremost says

immediately :

Retribere dignre, Dmine, Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy

mnibus, nobis bona facintibus Name's sake, to reward all
propter nomen tuum, vitam them that do us good with
trnam. everlasting life.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

V. Benedicmus Dmino. V. Bless we the Lord.

R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

V. Fidlium nim per V. May the souls of the

misericrdiam Dei requiscant in faithful departed, through the
pace. mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

Pater Noster totum secreto. Our Father is said silently.

After which the Foremost says aloud :

Deus det nobis suam pacem. May God grant us his peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.
 ANTE CNAM BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL

STAND

Before the Evening Meal, the Foremost present or his deputy who is
to bless the meal begins by saying :

V. Benedcite. V. Bless ye.

R. Benedcite. R. Bless ye.

V. Vspere autem sbbati, qu V. In the end of the Sabbath,

lucscit in prima sbbati, as it began to dawn toward the
allelja. first day of the week, alleluia.
R. Venit Mara Magdalne, et R. Came Mary Magdalene, and
ltera Mara, vidre seplcrum, the other Mary, to see the
allelja. sepulchre, alleluia.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in scula R. As it was in the beginning, is
sculrum. Amen. now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
elison. Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are

V. Et ne nos inducas in said aloud, and the rest
tentatinem. secretly to
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. V. And lead us not into
temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

Oremus. Ortio Let us pray. Collect

Bnedic, Dmine, nos, et hc Bless us, O Lord, and these
tua dona, qu de tua largitte thy gifts, which we are about to
sumus sumptri. Per Christum receive, from thy bounty.
Dminum nostrum. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

The Lector then bows to the Foremost, and says :

Jube domne, (Dmine) Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O
benedcere. Lord), thy blessing.

To which the Foremost makes answer:

Benedictio: The Blessing:

Ad cnam vit trn May the King of eternal glory
perdcat nos Rex trn bring us to the supper of
glri. eternal life.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

POST CNAM AFTER THE EVENING MEAL

At the end of the reading the Lector says :

V. Tu autem, Dmine, miserre V. But thou, O Lord, have

nobis. mercy upon us.
R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

STAND

The Foremost begins the Grace after the Evening Meal :

V. Vspere autem sbbati, qu V. In the end of the Sabbath,

lucscit in prima sbbati, as it began to dawn toward the
allelja. first day of the week, alleluia.
R. Venit Mara Magdalne, et R. Came Mary Magdalene, and
ltera Mara, vidre seplcrum, the other Mary, to see the
allelja. sepulchre, alleluia.

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in scula R. As it was in the beginning, is
sculrum. Amen. now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.

And then the Foremost says immediately :

Benedctus Deus in donis suis, et Blessed be the Lord in all his

sanctus in mnibus opribus suis gifts, and holy in all his works.
: Qui vivit et regnat in scula Who liveth and reigneth, world
sculrum. without end.
R. Amen. R. Amen.
And then is said Psalm 116 Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes

V. Glria Patri, et Flio, * et V. Glory be to the Father, and

Spirtui Sancto. to the Son, * and to the Holy
R. Sicut erat in princpio, et Ghost.
nunc, et semper, * et in scula R. As it was in the beginning, is
sculrum. Amen. now, and ever shall be, * world
without end. Amen.

V. Kyrie, elison. V. Lord, have mercy upon us.

R. Christe, elison. Kyrie, R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
elison. Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad Our Father. Which words are

V. Et ne nos inducas in said aloud, and the rest
tentatinem. secretly to
R. Sed lbera nos a malo. V. And lead us not into
temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Disprsit, dedit paupribus. V. He hath dispersed abroad,

R. Justtia ejus manet in and given to the poor.
sculum sculi. R. And his righteousness
endureth for ever.

V. Benedcam Dminum in omni V. I will alway give thanks unto

tmpore. the Lord.
R. Semper laus ejus in ore meo. R. And his praise shall ever be
in my mouth.

V. In Dmino laudbitur nima V. My soul shall make her

mea. boast in the Lord.
R. Audiant mansuti, et R. The humble shall hear
ltntur. thereof, and be glad.

V. Magnificte Dminum V. O magnify the Lord with me.

mecum. R. And let us exalt his Name
R. Et exaltmus nomen ejus in together.
idpsum.

V. Sit nomen Dmini V. Blessed be the Name of the

benedctum. Lord.
R. Ex hoc nunc et usque in R. From this time forth for
sculum. evermore.
 And then the Foremost says immediately :

Retribere dignre, Dmine, Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy

mnibus, nobis bona facintibus Name's sake, to reward all
propter nomen tuum, vitam them that do us good with
trnam. everlasting life.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

V. Benedicmus Dmino. V. Bless we the Lord.

R. Deo grtias. R. Thanks be to God.

V. Fidlium nim per V. May the souls of the

misericrdiam Dei requiscant in faithful departed, through the
pace. mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

Pater Noster totum secreto. Our Father is said silently.

After which the Foremost says aloud :

Deus det nobis suam pacem. May God grant us his peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

EASTER

Psalm CXXIX. De Profundis

V. Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine.

R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

V. A porta inferi,
R. Erue Domine animas eorum.

V . Requiescant in pace.
R. Amen.
V. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

V. From the gates of hell,

R. Deliver their souls, O Lord.

V. May they rest in peace.

R. Amen.

* For the convenience of those Communities in which the "De Profundis" is recited
after Grace at certain times, the Psalm is here inserted together with the Versicles,
responses, and prayers.

For the Magnificat, see p. 155.

GRACE BEFORE MEALS

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy
bounty: through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

GRACE AFTER MEALS.

We give Thee thanks, O almighty God, for all Thy benefits. Who liveth and reigneth
now and for ever.

R. Amen.

V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to reward with eternal life all those who do us good for Thy
name s sake.
R. Amen.

V. Let us bless the Lord

R. Thanks be to God.

V. May the souls of the faithful departed- through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.

GENERAL PRAYERS

Daily Intentions

SUNDAY. Mass, Communion, Office, Rosary, etc., in honor of the Most Holy Trinity, for
the Pope, prelates, and clergy, the propagation of the faith, in thanksgiving for my
creation, redemption, and vocation, and to beg grace to unite my heart perfectly to
God by dying to myself and to the world, so that I may use my talents and my whole
being in the service of my heavenly Spouse.

Monday. Mass, Office, Rosary, etc., in honor of St. N., for the repose of the souls of
the faithful departed, particularly N.N., and the Sisters of the Institute; and for
myself, the grace of final perseverance and a happy death.

Tuesday. Mass, Communion, Office, Rosary, etc., in honor of the angels, for the
conversion of negligent Catholics, especially N.N.; for myself, a right knowledge,
and the perfect spirit of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Wednesday. Mass, Office, Rosary, etc., in honor of St. Joseph, for parents, friends,
benefactors, for those for whom I have promised to pray, for the temporal wants of
the Institute, for the Superiors of the several houses; and for myself, modesty,
meekness, and humility, and the graces to subdue my senses and imagination.

Thursday. Mass, Communion, Office, Rosary, etc., in honor of the Blessed

Sacrament, in reparation for all sacrilegious communions, and all indignities offered
to this Sacrament of love, for all Religious, N.... for priests, N.... my duties, the relief
of the poor; and for myself, the virtues of charity, patience, and confidence in God.

Friday. Mass, Communion, Office, Rosary, etc., in honor of the sacred Passion and
death of my Saviour, Jesus Christ, that union and charity may reign in the
Community, that its members may increase, and that all may be filled with zeal for
the conversion of sinners; for myself, a simple and pure intention in all my actions.
For the same intentions, in honor of the Sacred Heart.

Saturday. Mass, Office, Rosary, etc., in honor of our blessed Lady, to beg grace to
confess my sins, briefly, distinctly, and contritely, and to draw fruit from my con
fessions and communions.

DAILY PRAYERS FOR THE ASSOCIATES OF THE SACRED HEART

MY loving Jesus, I, N.N., give Thee my heart, and I consecrate myself wholly to Thee
out of the grateful love I bear Thee, and as a reparation for all my unfaithfulness to
grace, and with Thine aid I purpose never to sin again.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning with love for us, inflame our hearts with love for
Thee. Grant that we
may, in conversation, manners, and conduct, avoid whatever may in the least
disturb our union, or lessen in the smallest degree our mutual charity and love, that
we may repair the smallest offence by quickly asking pardon, and if asked pardon of
by others, oh! enable us to grant it without contention or reserve.

MEMORARE

REMEMBER, O most blessed Virgin! that it has never been heard of in any age, that
those who implored thy powerful protection were abandoned by thee. I, therefore, O
sacred Virgin, animated with the most lively confidence, cast myself at thy sacred
feet, most earnestly beseeching thee to adopt me as thy child, to take care of my
eternal salvation, and to watch over me at the hour of death. Oh, do not, Mother of
the Word Incarnate, despise my prayer, but graciously hear and obtain the grant of
my petitions. Amen.

O dearest Mother, obtain for us, thy children, the grace ever to bear in mind that by
the vow of obedience we have for ever renounced our own will, and resigned it to
the direction of our Superiors: that we may be able to comply with all their
directions, whether in matters of great or little moment, agreeable or disagreeable:
that we may never murmur, but with humility and spiritual joy carry the sweet yoke
of thy divine Son, Jesus.

PRAYER BEFORE EXAMEN

MOST loving Father! I thank Thee with my whole heart and soul for all Thy mercies
to me, most miserable sinner. Thou hast created me for Thine own glory, redeemed
me with Thy most precious blood, called me to Thy holy faith, and, with most
unspeakable goodness, hast chosen me for Thy spouse, permitting me to live under
the same roof with Thyself and Thy chosen servants. O my soul, bless the Lord! let
all that is within thee praise His holy name! He has done all things for me: I will
bless and glorify Him for ever and ever.

O divine Spirit of light and truth, enlighten me, that I may know myself. Amen.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.

DAILY EXAMEN

RISING. Promptitude in rising and dressing, thoughts on God or the subject of

meditation. Morning Offering. With fervor. Meditation. Respectful posture; presence
of God; attention; fervor in affections and resolutions; choice of ejaculations for the
day.

Office. Recollection; attention to ceremonies and pronunciation of words.

Mass. Formal intention; the prayers with devotion or meditation on the Passion ;
spiritual communion and offering of ones self to God.

Communion. Preparation by offering of duties from evening meditation; faith,

humility, gratitude, love, the fruit drawn from it.

Visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Fidelity in making those prescribed, viz.: after
breakfast to review meditation, after spiritual reading, before and after meals,
before and after an appointed duty in the schools, house of mercy, etc.: besides
those, one or two of special devotion for a few minutes.

Spiritual Reading. Attention, fruit drawn from it.

Domestic Duties. Union with Jesus in Nazareth, or in the spirit of penance, care,
neatness.

Time-employments. With regularity, exactness, fervor, cheerfulness under labor or

fatigue ; avoiding indulgence in idleness or slothful neglect, yielding to impatience,
irritability, pride, or vanity.

Silence. Time, places, and manner prescribed; avoiding idle thoughts.

Night Prayers. Punctuality; diligent examen; devotion at Litany; preparation of

meditation.

Retiring to rest. Silence ; thoughts of God ; in bed at the appointed time.

ANOTHER SHORT METHOD OF DAILY EXAMEN

Recall Presence of God.

FIRST POINT: ACT OF THANKSGIVING

MY Lord and my God! I most humbly thank Thee for the great benefits of creation,
redemption, etc., and for Thy mercy and patience in bearing with me in spite of my
many faults and sins. I offer Thee, my dear Lord and Master, the gratitude of my
poor heart for all Thy favors, general and particular; above all, for having called me
to this Congregation in order to save rne in it.

SECOND POINT: PETITION FOR LIGHT

MY God, give me light to know my sins and see their real deformity, and to realize
what a bad and bitter thing it is to stray from Thee. Grant me grace to see clearly
my miseries, and to detest them with all my heart.

THIRD POINT: EXAMINATION

MY dear Lord, how far have I gone astray from the path of perfection, although my
Saviour Jesus hath marked it out for me by footprints stained with blood!

General Examen

FIRST POINT: SPIRITUAL DUTIES

OFFERING of first thoughts and in union with the Apostleship of Prayey? Morning
and night prayers? Meditation and reflection? Mass? Holy communion? Spiritual
reading? Daily examen? Beads? Vocal prayers? Visits to the Blessed Sacrament?
Particular examen?
SECOND POINT: VOWS

1. POVERTY. In giving? lending? borrowing? accepting ? retaining ? without leave ?

Waste in charges ? Spirit of poverty cultivated ?

2. Chastity. Custody of eyes, ears, tongue? Dangerous reading? Avoidance of

dangerous occasions?

3. Obedience. In execution? In will? In judgment? Obeyed unreservedly? promptly?

courageously? humbly? in spirit of faith?

4. Sendee of the Poor. Appointed work neglected or badly done? Spirit of faith,
serving Christ s poor with devotedness? "Unceasing labor"?

5. Instruction of Children. Devotedness? Thor oughness? Kindness? Patience?

Impartiality? In the spirit of faith?

THIRD POINT: PRACTICE OF PRINCIPAL VIRTUES

What faults against charity? Humility? Industry? Patience ? Punctuality ? Silence ?

etc.

FOURTH POINT: ACT OF SORROW

MY dear Lord, through Thy infinite mercy pardon me my many sins and faults. I am
heartily sorry for them, because by them I have grieved and wounded Thy Sacred
Heart and rendered myself so unworthy of Thy love. I am sorry from my heart for
the ungrateful return I have made Thee for all Thy goodness to me. Forgive me,
dear Lord, pierce my heart with true sorrow. I love Thee above all things.

FIFTH POINT: PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT

MY Lord and my God, I now firmly resolve with Thy help to correct my faults to
overcome specially that one, N.N., which I am determined not to commit again.
Confirm this my resolution by the merits of Thy bitter Passion and death, which I
now offer in satisfaction for my sins. My dear Jesus! I unite my poor heart with Thine
all wounded and torn. May Thy Heart be a hiding-place in which I may dwell
securely. My heart is ready, O my God! my heart is ready to make atonement for my
sins, to adopt the means of correcting my faults, and of acquiring the perfection of
my holy state.

N.B. Conclude with Pater and Ave. If time permit, recite Acts of Faith, Hope, and
Charity, also "Suscipe" and a few indulgenced aspirations.

AN OFFERING OF COMMUNION
I OFFER Thee, O my God! the Mass and communion of tomorrow, to the honor and
glory of Thy most holy name, in commemoration of Thy sacred Passion, in
thanksgiving for all Thy benefits, in satisfaction for all my sins, and as a means of
obtaining all the graces I stand in need of, in order to serve Thy divine Majesty in
the most perfect manner possible to me. I offer this holy communion to Thee, O
eternal Father, in union with the offering my dear Redeemer made of Himself upon
the cross, in thanksgiving for my creation, redemption, and preservation, in union
with all the intentions my divine Saviour had in the institution of this Most Holy
Sacrament, that I may become more meek, humble, particularly charitable,
obedient, patient, and mortified; that I may always do Thy will with exactness,
fervor, and perseverance; and that in all my actions I may aim at perfection. I offer
it as an atonement to the adorable Heart of my most loving Jesus, for all the
outrages it has received, from myself and all mankind. I also offer it for N.N., for the
conversion of sinners, the perseverance of the just, and for the relief of the souls in
purgatory.

INTENTIONS FOR HOLY COMMUNION

INTENTIONS for holy communion regarding the Church Triumpliant, the Church
Militant, and the Church Suffering.

1. In thanksgiving for benefits; to obtain an increase of graces and blessings for the
whole Order; particularly to supplicate the divine assistance in the spiritual and
temporal necessities of your own Community; in praise of God for the glory of the
saints, and especially of the founders of Religious Orders.

2. For the Catholic Church in general; for its special wants in this country; for the
propagation of the faith; for the intentions of the Holy Father ; for the hierarchy ; for
zealous priests and evangelical laborers; for the League of the Sacred Heart, and
the intentions of the Apostleship of Prayer; for your own sanctification, fidelity to
your vows, and final perseverance.

3. For the holy, suffering souls in purgatory in particular for the deceased members
and benefactors of your Order, and for those souls that were most devoted to the
Holy Eucharist and to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Visitation Manual (Special intentions are mentioned in the following chapters,
i.e., in the opening prayer, under the caption: Offering of Mass and Communion, for
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and so on, for each -day in the week) gives the following
list of intentions for holy communions:

THE first communion in each month, for the renovation of your vows, or good
purposes.
The second, for the exaltation of the holy Church, for the Pope, and the whole
ecclesiastical order.
The third, for the preservation, union, and perfection of your Order.
The fourth, for the conversion of infidels and sinners.
The fifth, for concord among Christian rulers ; chiefly for the welfare of the country
in which you reside, or for other public necessities.
Sixth. A holy communion and Mass, once a month, for all the souls in purgatory.
Seventh. A holy communion and Mass, for the deceased members of your holy
Order; and one upon the
decease of relations and Sisters.

In the monasteries of the Visitation, a Mass and general communion are offered for
all benefactors, at their decease.

On the first Friday, or first Sunday of each month, offer your holy communion in
union with the League of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the intentions of the
Apostleship of Prayer.

The intentions for the daily communion are:

1st. For the special wants of the Church, particularly in this country, and for the
propagation of the faith.
2nd. To obtain evangelical laborers.
3d. For the whole Order and particularly for the spiritual and temporal necessities of
your own Community.
4th. For those devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to our holy founder.

PRAYER OF THE ASSOCIATES FOR THE COMMUNION OF REPARATION

ANIMATED by an earnest desire to console Thy Adorable Heart, O beloved Jesus, and
feeling our inability to do so worthily, it is by the immaculate heart of Thy holy
Mother that we dare to offer Thee the homage of our humble reparation. With her,
and in memory of Thy precious blood, we beseech Thee to stretch forth Thy
powerful arm over Thy Church, to defend her, to give her the victory over all her
enemies, and to put an end to the long trials of her venerable and august Head.
Vouchsafe also to bless and protect this, our country, cast upon it Thine eyes of
mercy, and render it fruitful in saints and valiant defenders of the faith. Finally, O
blessed Lord, bring back to Thyself all sinners, crown with Thy graces and with Thy
most abun dant blessings each member of our Association, and kindle in the hearts
of all the fire of Thy love, and those burning flames of zeal which Thou Thyself didst
come to enkindle upon the earth. Amen.

PRAYER TO BE SAID BEFORE MASS

LORD, God almighty, behold me prostrate before Thee, in order to appease and
honor Thy divine Majesty, in the name of all creatures. But how can I do it I, a
wretched sinner? Yes, I can, and I will do it; because I know that Thou dost glory in
being called the Father of mercy, and that, for love of us, Thou hast given even Thy
only-begotten Son, Who offered Himself for us on the cross, and Who continually
renews for us the same sacrifice on our altars. And therefore, though a sinner, yet
truly penitent; wretched, and yet rich in Jesus Christ, I present myself before Thee,
and with the fervor of all the saints and angels, and with the ardent love of the
immaculate heart of Mary, I offer Thee, in the name of all creatures, the Masses
which are now being said, with all those which have been said, and which will be
said to the end of the world. I also desire to renew this offering, at every instant of
this day, and of my whole life, in order to give Thy infinite majesty honor and glory
worthy of Thee; to appease Thy wrath, and to satisfy Thy justice for our many sins;
to render Thee thanks in keeping with Thy benefits, and to implore Thy mercy for
myself and for all sinners, for all the faithful, living and dead, for the whole Church,
and chiefly for its visible head, the Roman Pontiff; and lastly, for all poor
schismatics, heretics, and infidels, that they may also be converted and saved.

AN OFFERING TO BE MADE DURING THE TIME OF MASS

ETERNAL Father, I offer Thee the sacrifice which Thy beloved Son, Jesus, made of
Himself on the cross, and now renews on this altar. I offer it in the name of all
creatures, together with the Masses which have been said and which will be said
throughout the whole world, to adore Thee and to give Thee honor which Thou
deservest; to render to Thee the thanks which are due Thee for Thy numberless
benefits, to appease Thy anger, and to satisfy for our many sins; to supplicate Thee
for myself, for the Church, for the whole world, and for the blessed souls in
purgatory.

Indulgence of 3 years, once a day, for each prayer; plenary indulgence, once a
month, on usual conditions. Pius IX. The S. Congr. of Indulgences, May 5, 1890,
declared that priests can gain the indulgence granted for the above offering by
sayingit before celebrating Mass.

METHODS OF HEARING MASS

An Offering

ETERNAL Father, we offer Thee the blood, the Passion, and the death of Jesus Christ,
the sorrows of Mary most holy, and of St. Joseph, in satisfaction for our sins, in aid of
the holy souls in purgatory, for the needs of holy Mother Church, and for the
conversion of sinners.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., April 30, 1860.

Sunday, in honor of the Holy Trinity.

Monday, for the holy souls in purgatory.
Tuesday, in honor of the holy angels, and especially the Guardian Angel.
Wednesday, in honor of St. Joseph.
Thursday, in honor of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacred Heart.
Friday, in honor of the Sacred Passion and the suffering Heart of Jesus.
Saturday, in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Offering of Mass and Communion on Sundays

In Honor of the Holy Trinity
PROSTRATE before the throne of Thy divine Majesty, O my God, I humbly implore
Thy pardon for my offences, and Thy grace that I may be entirely employed in
praising and adoring Thee. O adorable Trinity! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless
me. O Holy Trinity, Whose throne is surrounded by adoring angels, and Whose awful
presence is felt by all creatures, the work of Thy omnipotent hands, disdain not the
homage of my heart, which I desire to consecrate entirely to Thy service. Thou art
my hope and my life; what can I desire in heaven, or what can I seek on earth, but
Thee? and where shall I so surely find Thee as on this altar ? I offer this Mass and
holy communion in thanksgiving for the benefits bestowed upon me; give me grace
to be ever grateful for them, and to serve Thee faithfully by the observance of my
vows, and by an unreserved consecration of myself to Thee.

PRAYER TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

OMNIPOTENCE of the Father, help my weakness, and deliver me from the depth of
misery.
Wisdom of the Son, direct all my thoughts, words, and actions.
Love of the Holy Ghost, be thou the source and beginning of all the operations of my
soul, whereby they may be always conformable to the divine will.

Indulgence of 200 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 15, 1890.

FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE INTROIT

Make acts of humility and contrition, and beg grace to assist devoutly and with
profit at this august sacrifice.

FROM THE INTROIT TO THE ELEVATION.

Follow the Ordinary oj the Mass.

FROM THE ELEVATION TO THE PATER NOSTER.

Prostrate in spirit before God, offer Him, in thanks giving for all the benefits
bestowed on you, the merits of His divine Son in this august sacrifice; pray for the
wants of the Catholic Church, the propagation of the true faith, for the Pope,
prelates, and clergy, for this Community, and for the Institute in general.

AT THE PATER NOSTER.

Repeat devoutly this prayer I fie prayer of Jesus Christ Himself make acts of faith,
love, and confidence in your Lord and Saviour, Who wishes to come into your heart,
Vide Mass on Thursday.

AT THE AGNUS DEI.

O LAMB of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, take away my sins, cleanse
my soul from every imperfection. I am unworthy to receive Thee. Come, O Lord, and
prepare my heart for Thyself. My God and my all, what have I but Thee ? Satisfy the
desire of my heart: come to me and make me entirely Thine. Make an act of sincere
contrition, renew your offering and intentions. Renew your vows, and then keep
yourself in profound recollection, wailing to receive into your heart your Lord and
your God. Vide Devotions for Communion, and in honor of the Holy Trinity.

OFFERING OF MASS AND COMMUNION ON MONDAYS

For the Holy Souls in Purgatory

O GOD! what victim can better appease Thy justice than that which we are going to
offer in this unbloody sacrifice of the cross? As that divine oblation disarmed Thy
wrath, and induced Thee to revoke the sentence of condemnation pronounced
against mankind, so, mercifully grant that this adorable sacrifice may be accepted
by Thee as an atonement for those souls for whom we offer it, that, being released
from their prison, they may be received into Thy kingdom, and through the merits of
Jesus Christ, pass into eternal joys.

O bountiful Jesus, Who art the propitiation for the living and the dead, what thanks
are due to Thee for having left us this divine sacrifice, and for having rendered it
available to the souls of the faithful departed! Mercifully grant that they for whom
we offer it this day... being released from suffering, may advocate for us in heaven,
as we advocate for them on earth.

Let Thy mercy, O Lord! which Thou delightest to exercise, be applied to... whose
greatest torment is to be deprived of Thy sweet and adorable presence. Jesus
Christ, a willing victim on this new Calvary, pleads powerfully for the remission of
every stain that now sep arates them from Thee.

Vide " Mass for the Poor Souls," and " Requiem Mass," at the end of the "Office for
the Dead."

OFFERING OF MASS AND COMMUNION ON TUESDAYS

In Honor of the Holy Angels

MY God, being wholly incapable of rendering Thee the thanks I owe, I offer Thee the
ardent love and perpetual praise of Thy glorious host of angels the profound
adorations of Thy saints, especially the pure and fervent love of the ever blessed
Virgin, the Queen of angels and saints, begging that Thou wilt be pleased to receive
them in acknowledgment of all Thy infinite mercies to rne. I offer this Mass and
communion for the conversion of negligent Catholics, especially... I offer it to obtain
for myself, through the special intercession of my angel guardian, the spirit of
interior recollection, fidelity to grace, and union with God, a profound humility, and
sincere and heartfelt contrition. I also offer this Mass and communion to beg, O my
God, that Thou wilt bestow upon all priests, especially . Thy spirit, and make them
apostolic men, and true and faithful laborers in Thy vineyard. Behold me, O my God,
prostrate before Thee, begging that, together with the sacrifice of Thy divine Son,
Thou wilt be pleased to accept of my unworthy self, and the promises I made at my
profession, which I now renew. O Mary, my Mother, have compassion on me, and
obtain for me, from thy divine Son, what you see I want most, in order to render me
agreeable in His sight.

O all ye holy angels and saints of God, intercede for me.

Method of Hearing Mass on Tuesday

FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE OFFERTORY

"Recite in sentiments of contrition and confidence in God, the psalm "Miserere."

AT THE OFFERTORY

Lord and my God, permit me to offer Thee my soul and body with the bread and
wine which are offered Thee by the priest, to the end that they may be changed into
the body and blood of Thy divine Son. Oh! so let me be changed into the semblance
of Him. All is pure in Him, and all is profane in me. It was to reform what the malice
of the devil and sin had defaced of Thy image, that my Saviour immolated Himself
on the cross, and it is for that He now sacrifices Himself on this altar. Oh! repair in
me His image by that precious blood which flowed from His sacred wounds, and
which will soon flow on this altar. Take away from me the perverse inclinations which
lead me into sin, change my tepidity into fervor, take possession of me, O my God,
and make me wholly Thine. Imprint on my memory the remembrance of Thy divine
presence, in my under standing the knowledge of Thy divine perfections, and in my
heart Thy love; destroy in me whatever may dispute Thy right over me, and crown
all Thy mercies to me by giving me that humble and contrite heart, which is the
offering Thou desirest above all to receive from Thy creatures.

AFTER THE ELEVATION

VICTIM of Salvation! Eternal King! Incarnate Word! sacrificed for me and all
mankind! O precious body of the Son of God! O sacred flesh, torn with nails, pierced
with a lance, and bleeding on a cross for me! O infinite Good! O exceeding Love! let
that tender love plead now in my behalf; let all my iniquities be here effaced, and
my name be written in the book of life. I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee.
To Thee be honor, praise, and glory for ever and ever. O sacred blood flowing from
the wounds of Jesus Christ, and washing away the sins of the world! cleanse,
sanctify, and preserve my soul, that nothing may ever separate me from Thee.
Behold, O eternal Father, Thy only-begotten Son ! look on the face of Thy Christ, in
Whom Thou art well pleased; hear the voice of His blood, which calls to Thee for
mercy and pardon. Oh! let it plead powerfully in our behalf; let it blot out my sins,
cleanse every stain from my soul, and render me pure and pleasing in Thy sight.

AT THE AGNUS DEI

ETERNAL Father, behold here Thy divine Son, and for His sake look upon me, whom
He has redeemed with His precious blood, since together with Him I consecrate
myself to Thee, to be disposed of as Thou shalt please for time and eternity.
AT THE COMMUNION

COME, dear Jesus, into my heart; it is by Thee alone that I can worthily acknowledge
Gods infinite mercies to me. O love, immense and infinite, thaw the icy coldness of
my heart, soften it, that Thou mayest no longer find in it any resistance to Thy
inspirations. I consecrate to Thee my soul, my life, and all that I am. O sweet
Saviour! unite me to Thyself, that I may be one with Thee by grace and a perfect
conformity of will; and by the efficacy of Thy presence in my heart, increase my
faith, strengthen my hope, and inflame my heart with Thy love, that it may pant
only for Thee, and live for Thee alone.

Make an act of sincere contrition, renew your vows, and, with humble reverence,
invite Jesus into your heart by fervent aspirations. Vide Devotions In honor of the
Angels.

OFFERING OF MASS AND COMMUNION ON WEDNESDAY

In Honor of Saint Joseph

O DIVINE Jesus! Lamb without spot, Whose precious blood was shed for the
redemption of mankind, I adore Thee in the mystery of faith and love, in which, by
Thy exceeding great mercy, Thou dost daily renew the sacrifice of Thyself for man.
Deign to destroy in me all that is displeasing to Thy pure eyes, in order that I may
be as a living holocaust, pleasing and acceptable before the throne of Thy love.

O Mary, I have recourse to thee in this happy moment; pray for me, that my heart
may be penetrated with profound humility, lively faith, and ardent lo^e during the
celebration of this august sacrifice.

O glorious St. Joseph, first adorer, after Mary, of the sacred humanity of my Saviour,
to you do I confide my friends and benefactors, and those for whom I promise to
pray, especially... Obtain for them all the graces you know to be necessary for them;
take under your protection the temporal interests of this Institute; obtain for its
Superiors, wisdom and justice in the discharge of their authority, and obtain for me,
O holy St. Joseph, a perfect spirit of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and a happy
death.

Method of Hearing Mass on Wednesday

FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE GOSPEL

Employ yourself in making acts of contrition for your many sins committed against
God, considered as your God, your King, and your Father. Vide " Mass for Religious."

AT THE OFFERTORY

MY God, considering the infinite merits of the Victim that will be offered to Thee, I
hope that Thou wilt look with pity and compassion on me. O blessed be this hour in
which Thou, O divine Jesus, art going to offer Thyself to Thy eternal Father for my
salvation. O my God, receive this holy sacrifice, in which Thy divine Son offers
Himself, and is offered by the priest, to render Thee due homage and worthy thanks
for all Thy benefits. Receive here also the entire sacrifice which I make of myself, of
my body, of my soul, and of all that I am, which I unite with that of Thy divine Son.
For His sake receive me, together with the promises I made at my holy profession.

AT THE ELEVATION

ADORE Thee, O Victim of propitiation, Who hast been sacrificed for my salvation.
Humbled at Thy feet I implore Thy mercy. Thou hast shed Thy blood to blot out my
iniquitif 3; purify my soul still more from its stains. O infinite Goodness, do not
abandon me. Sacred hands, which have formed me, do not destroy me. Sacred feet,
which have been fatigued running after the dispersed children of Israel, be my
asylum and refuge. Heart, ever filled with compassion for sinners, receive me. C
Jesus, my beloved, for me Thou hast died, for Thee I desire to live for Thee alone.
Jesus, my Lord, my God, and my all! Thou wert crucified and didst die for love of
me; oh, grant that I may be truly crucified in spirit and die to self for love of Thee.

AT THE AGNUS DEI

DIVINE Lamb, Who earnest to take away the sins of the world, let me not be
excluded from a share in Thy universal mercies! Cleanse my soul; purify it in the
bath of Thy precious blood; adorn it, I beseech Thee, with those virtues which will
render me less un worthy to participate in the food of angels. "As the heart panteth
after fountains of water, so my soul panteth after Thee, O God !"

O amiable Virgin! thou, who art by excellence blessed among women, show thyself
now my tender Mother and powerful advocate.

Angels and saints, bless the Lord, and intercede for me.

I adore Thee at every moment, O living Bread of heaven, Most August Sacrament. O
Jesus, beloved Son of the Virgin Mary, I pray Thee to bless my soul.

To Thee I consecrate my heart, O most blessed Jesu? my dear Saviour. Mayest Thou
be known, adored, and loved by all, and may thanks be continually given to Thee in
the Most Holy and Most August Sacrament. Amen.

Jesus, most merciful; Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, forgive us our sins; give Thy
peace to our souls remember us in Thy kingdom.

Mary and Joseph, pray for us this hour and at the hour of our death.

Make an act of contrition, a renewal o] vows, and wait in humble adoration the
coming of Jesus.

OFFERING OF MASS AND COMMUNION ON THURSDAYS

In Honor of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacred Heart
COME, O my God, into Thy sanctuary, to seek the food and life of my soul. By the
hope Thou commandest me to have in Thee, inspire me with confidence to
approach Thy holy mountain; permit me, divine Jesus, to ascend this new Calvary
with Thee, that my whole soul may do homage to Thy Majesty; that my heart, with
its tenderest affections, may acknowledge Thy infinite love; that my memory may
dwell on the admirable mysteries here renewed; and that the sacrifice of my whole
being may accompany them. Alas! I am unworthy to join with Thy minister in
adoring Thee; but do Thou Thyself assist me, and purify my heart and mind, that I
may be entirely employed and occupied about Thee during this holy sacrifice. O
Jesus, humbly prostrate before Thee, I adore Thee and offer Thee the holy sacrifice
at which I am going to assist, in order to make atonement for the many outrages
which Thy divine Heart daily receives in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I
beseech Thee to inflame my heart with a most ardent love of Thee; make me one
with Thee; totally transform and change me into Thyself; may nothing in life or
death ever separate me from Thee.

Method of Hearing Mass on Thursday

FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE INTROIT

Make acts of contrition, humility, and confidence.

AT THE INTROIT

O MY God, strengthen me by Thy grace, that I may worthily approach Thy altar and
participate in the sacred mysteries. Create in me, O Lord, a clean heart, and renew
a right spirit within me. Thou art worthy, O my almighty Creator, of an infinite
homage, which my extreme misery and poverty render me incapable of offering; yet
I am not destitute, for Jesus, Thy beloved Son, by His profound adorations and
incomprehensible humiliations, more than supplies for my deficiencies. O permit me
by Him and with Him to prostrate and humble myself before Thy supreme Majesty. I
adore Thee with the adorations of my divine Saviour, the only Victim worthy of
Thyself, and I rejoice in seeing Thee thus worthily and perfectly honored. I offer this
Mass and holy communion in honor of the adorable Sacrament, in reparation for all
sacrilegious communions, for Religious, for priests, for those under my care, and to
implore for myself the spirit of patience, self-denial, and entire resignation, charity,
and unbounded confidence in my Lord and God.

AT THE OFFERTORY

JESUS! Thou hast loved me so tenderly as to leave me Thy Heart in the Eucharist,
and this Heart so full of mercy and of love is outraged and pierced incessantly by
my ingratitude; but Thou wilt forgive my sins. Oh! yes, I conjure Thee, save my soul,
which Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood, cleanse me from every stain. I
long to be restored to Thy grace and favor. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, inflamed with
love of me, inflame my heart with love of Thee! I dedicate myself to Thee for ever
my tongue to proclaim Thy favors; my mind to think of Thee, my only Good; my will
to desire Thee; and my heart to love Thee alone. I offer Thee the sacrifice of my
existence when it may please Thee to call for it, only asking that I may breathe my
last sigh in Thy Sacred Heart. I offer Thee, my God, all that I have and all that I am,
a miserable sacrifice, but such as it is, I unite it to the great oblation of my divine
Saviour, in union with Whose precious blood and merits I dare hope Thou wilt accept
my offering.

AT THE PREFACE

O DIVINE Jesus! grant me a share in Thy zeal for Thy Father s glory, that, in union
with the dominations, principalities, and the whole hierarchy of angels, I may
anticipate in my exile the ever new canticle which they incessantly sing in the
abode of bliss: Holy, thrice holy, infinitely holy, is the Lord God of hosts! the
heavens and the earth are full of His glory; but His mercies have been exalted
above all His works, since Thou, O divine Jesus! hast descended from His bosom and
come in His name to dwell in this valley of tears; nay, more, to dwell in unworthy
hearts.

AT THE ELEVATION

ADORE Thee at every moment, O living Bread of heaven, great Sacrament! O Jesus!
beloved Son of the Virgin Mary, I pray Thee to bless my soul; to Thee I consecrate
my heart, O most blessed Jesus! my dear Saviour. Mayest Thou be known, adored,
and loved by all, and may thanks be continually given to Thee in the Most Holy and
Most August Sacrament.

OH! see upon the altar placed

The Victim of the greatest love!
Let all the earth below adore,

And join the choirs of heaven above.

Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore;
Oh! make us love Thee more and more.

O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine,

All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!
Glory be to the blood of Jesus, now and for ever, and throughout all ages. Amen.

IN PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION

V. ADORAMUS te, Christe, V. WE adore Thee, Christ,

et benedicimus tibi. and we bless Thee.
Quia per sanctam crucem Because by Thy holy cross
tuam redemisti mundum. Thou hast redeemed the world.

I ADORE Thee, eternal Father, and I give Thee thanks for the infinite love with which
Thou didst deign to send Thy only-begotten Son to redeem me, and to become the
food of my soul. I offer Thee all the acts of adoration and thanksgiving that are
offered to Thee by the angels and saints in heaven and by the just on earth. I
praise, love, and thank Thee with all the praise, love, and thanksgiving that are
offered to Thee by Thine own Son in the Blessed Sacrament; and I beg Thee to grant
that He may be known, loved, honored, praised, and worthily received by all in this
Most Divine Sacrament.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.

I ADORE Thee, eternal Son, and I thank Thee for the infinite love which caused Thee
to become man for me, to be born in a stable, to live in poverty, to suffer hunger,
thirst, heat, cold, fatigue, hardships, contempt, persecutions, the scourging, the
crowning with thorns, and a cruel death upon the hard wood of the cross. I thank
Thee with the Church militant and triumphant for the infinite love with which Thou
didst institute the Most Blessed Sacrament to be the food of my soul.

I adore Thee in all the consecrated Hosts throughout the whole world, and I return
thanks for those who know Thee not and do not thank Thee. Would that I were able
to give my life to make Thee known, loved, and honored by all in this Sacrament of
love, and to prevent the irreverences and sacrileges that are committed against
Thee! I love Thee, divine Jesus, and I desire to receive Thee with all the purity, love,
and affection of Thy blessed Mother, and with the love and affection of Thy own
moot pure Heart. Grant, O most amiable Spouse of my soul, in coming to me in this
Most Holy Sacrament, that I may receive all the graces and blessings which Thou
dost come to bestow on us, and let me rather die than receive Thee unworthily.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.

I ADORE Thee, eternal Holy Ghost, and I give Thee thanks for the infinite love with
which Thou didst work the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation, and for the infinite
love with which Thou didst form the sacred body of Our Lord Jesus Christ out of the
most pure blood of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to become in this Sacrament the food of
my soul. I beg Thee to enlighten my mind, and to purify my heart and the hearts of
all men, that all may know the benefit of Thy love, and receive worthily this Most
Blessed Sacrament.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.

Tantum Ergo Sacramentum

Indulgence of 100 days. Pius VII., Aug. 24, 1818.

AGNUS DEI AND COMMUNION

INNOCENT Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world, take away mine, I
beseech Thee; efface them by Thy great mercy ; purify my soul in the streams of
Thy precious blood. O Prince of peace, give me that peace which the world can not
give, that peace which is found in Thy love, that peace which neither earth nor hell
can deprive me of, unless I forfeit it by sin. O grant me the peace of Thy grace here,
and eternal peace hereafter. Amen.

PRAYER
SEE where Thy boundless love has reached, my loving Jesus! Thou, of Thy flesh and
precious blood, hast made ready for me a banquet whereby to give me all Thyself.
Who drove Thee to this excess of love for me? Thy Heart, Thy loving Heart. O
adorable Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of divine love! within Thy sacred wound
take Thou my soul; in order that, in that school of charity, I may learn to love that
God Who has given me such wondrous proofs of His great love. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius VII., Feb. 9, 1818.

Make an act of contrition, a renewal of vows, and invite your Lord into your heart by
fervent aspirations.

AFTER HOLY COMMUNION

Faith and Adoration

MY Lord Jesus Christ! Thou dost now dwell within me. Thou art mine and I am all
Thine. I adore Thee with the angels and saints of heaven. Thou art my King; reign
Thou alone in me; defend me against the evil spirits and the temptations of the
world, that I may serve Thee and love Thee faithfully and never be separated from
Thee and Thy sweet dominion over me.

Thanksgiving

MY Lord Jesus Christ! I thank Thee for the grace which Thou hast bestowed upon me
to-day of coming to dwell within me and of nourishing me with Thy sacred body and
precious blood.

Saints and angels! in my unworthiness I call upon you to give thanks to God for His
great goodness and mercy, and to praise becomingly His holy name. "What shall I
render to the Lord for all the things that He hath rendered to me?" (Ps. cxv. 12.)

Love

MY Lord Jesus Christ, how great is Thy love! I now return Thee love for love,
according to my ability. I repent with my whole heart of all my offences against
Thee, because Thou art infinitely good and deserving of all my love. I desire to love
Thee more and more, and I will avoid everything that is displeasing to Thee.

Prayer of St. Ignatius

TAKE, O Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my

whole will. Thou hast given me all that I am and all that I possess ; I surrender it all
to Thee that Thou mayest dispose of it according to Thy will. Give me only Thy 15ve
and Thy grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will have no more to desire.

Indulgence of 300 days once a day. Pope Leo XIII., May 26, 1883.
 Petitions

Pray for the Holy Fathers intentions, for the Catholic Church, for the conversion of
sinners, for the holy, suffering souls in purgatory, for your Community, for the
Religious Orders, for your special necessities, for your country, for your relatives and
benefactors, and for all who have asked you to pray for them. Vide "Mass for
Communion days" and "Devotions for Holy Communion."

INDULGENCED PRAYER BEFORE A CRUCIFIX

LOOK down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel,
and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively
sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm
purpose of amendment; and while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy
five wounds, pondering over them within me, and calling to mind the words which
David Thy prophet -said of Thee, my Jesus: "They pierced* my hands and my feet;
they numbered all my bones." (Ps. xxi. 17, 18.)

A plenary indulgence, which can be applied to the souls in purgatory, may be

gained by the faithful who, after having confessed their sins with sorrow and
received holy communion, shall devoutly recite the above prayer before an image
or picture of Christ crucified, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. Pius IX.,
July 31, 1858.

ANIMA CHRISTI

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius IX., Jan. 9, 1854.

PRAYER: O JESUS, LIVING IN MARY

O Jesu, vivens in Maria, veni et O Jesus, who dost live in Mary,

vive in famulis tuis, in Spiritus come and live in Thy servants, in
sanctitatis tuae, in plenitudine the spirit of Thine own holiness, in
virtutis tuae, in veritate virtutum the fulness of Thy power, in the
tuarum, in perfectione viarum reality of Thy virtues, in the
tuarum, in communione perfection of Thy ways, in the
mysteriorum tuorum, dominare communion of Thy mysteries, -
omni adversae potestate in Spiritu have Thou dominion over every
tuo ad gloriam Patris. Amen. adverse power, in Thine own
Spirit, to the glory of Thy Father.
Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius IX.. Oct. 14, 1859.
 PRAYER: O MOST COMPASSIONATE JESUS.

CLEMENTISSIME Jesu, salus, vita, O MOST compassionate Jesus!

resurrectio nostra tu solus es. Te Thou alone art our salvation, our
ergo quaesumus ne derelinquas life, and our resurrection. We
nos in angustiis et implore Thee, therefore, do not
perturbationibus nostris, sed per forsake us in our needs and
agoniam cordis tui sanctissimi et afflictions, but, by the agony of
per dolores matris tuae Thy most Sacred Heart, and by
immaculatae tuis famulis subveni, the sorrows of Thy immaculate
quos pretioso sanguine redemisti. Mother, succor Thy servants
whom Thou hast redeemed by
Thy most precious blood.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., Oct. 6, 1870.

OFFERING OF MASS AND COMMUNION ON FRIDAYS

In Honor of the Sacred Passion and the Sorrowful Heart of Jesus

DIVINE Jesus! sacred Victim, immolated for the redemption of mankind, I earnestly
beseech Thee that I may assist at this adorable sacrifice with the most lively faith,
animated hope, unbounded gratitude, and tender love; permit me to follow Thee in
spirit through the different stages of Thy sacred Passion, and give me an abundant
share of that infinite charity which induced Thee to suffer such excessive torments
for my sake. I offer this divine sacrifice to commemorate in a special manner Thy
Passion and death, and to obtain, through its efficacious merits, the conversion of
tepid priests and Religious ; furthermore that union and charity may reign in this
Community, and that all its members may be filled with zeal for the conversion of
sinners, for whom Thou didst die; and for myself, the spirit of mortification and
humility, light and prudence in the discharge of my office, patience and forbearance
with those under my care, purity of intention, simplicity, diffidence in self,
confidence in God. But, O my Jesus, Thou needest not my representation to discern
my wants. I am too weak, too insensible, to feel my miseries as I ought, too guilty to
deserve being heard; let my silence then speak. O most merciful Saviour! let my
multiplied miseries plead in my behalf. Thou wilt not be deaf to their eloquent
supplications, and surely, O my Jesus! Thou needest but consult Thy own Heart, and
that infinite love which brings Thee daily upon our altars, to find motives for
granting pardon, and mercy to me, a poor sinner.

Method of Hearing Mass on Friday

AT THE CONFITEOR AND INTROIT

Represent to yourself Jesus Christ retiring to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray :

unite your sentiments with the divine dispositions of the Son of God, and prepare for
this divine sacrifice of the Mass by acts oj sincere contrition:
JESUS, in the Garden of Olives, shed His blood for us in such streams that it bathed
the earth around.

This He did at the vision He then had of the ingratitude with which men would meet
His love. Oh! let us, then, repent sincerely for the past, considering how poorly we
have met the countless benefits of Our Lord, and resolve henceforth to make good
use of His graces and holy inspirations.

O my good Jesus, my dear Saviour, I compassionate Thee in Thy sufferings. I

fervently bless Thee and thank Thee for all Thou hast done and suffered for me;
give me grace to weep over the sins and the ingratitude which caused Thy dreadful
agony. Sweet Jesus, mercy! Pardon me, O Lord, for my past indifference to Thy love.
Heart of Jesus, inflamed with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of Thee.

AT THE KYRIE ELEISON

Represent Jesus taken and bound with cords, and say: those bonds which confined
Thy hands burst the fetters of my sins, and restore me to the sweet liberty of Thy
children! I cast myself at Thy sacred feet, O my King and my God: and since Thou
hast undergone the humiliation of allowing Thyself to be bound by Thy creatures,
may I place all my happiness in sharing Thy humiliations, and carrying Thy cross.

AT THE GOSPEL

Reflect on the patience and benignity of Jesus in allowing Himself to be dragged

from tribunal to tribunal, and say:

SPOTLESS Lamb of God! while Thy judges proclaim Thee an impostor, I rise without
fear or shame to declare, in the face of heaven and earth, that Thou art Christ, the
Son of the living God, and that I unreservedly assent to all and every article
proposed by Thy holy Church to my belief: but, O divine Lord, give me grace to
profess by my actions as well as by my words the faith. Have mercy on all who are
involved in the dreadful night of infidelity : may the light of Thy grace shine upon
them, and so penetrate their hearts that they may embrace the truth, and be
admitted to the communion of Thy holy Church.

AT THE OFFERTORY

Represent Jesus bound to the pillar and cruelly scourged:

JESUS, in His cruel scourging, shed His blood most painfully and abundantly, offering
it to His eternal Father in payment of our impatience and our wantonness. How is it,
then, that we do not curb our wrath and self-love? Oh! let us henceforth try to
before patient in our trials, to despise ourselves, and to bear in peace the injuries
men do us.
O Jesus, Thou art the Love and Life of my soul. I find true peace and real happiness
only in Thy love, inThy service, and in the imitation of Thy virtues. I offer myself to
Thee; do what Thou wiliest with me; hence forth my motto shall be, "All for Jesus."

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make my heart like unto Thine.

Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love!

AT THE PREFACE

Contemplate thy Saviour crowned with thorns; reflect on the words "Behold the
man," and say:

BEHOLD me, O most merciful Jesus: A poor sinner; I cast myself at Thy sacred feet,
penetrated with sorrow for my sins. Oh! let not pride any longer occupy my heart,
which Thou, my Saviour, hast so tenderly loved and redeemed at so great a price;
cleanse my poor soul, O Jesus, from all offensive stains, and drown my
imperfections in the boundless ocean of Thy mercy.

AT THE ELEVATION

Contemplate Jesus hanging on the cross, and adore the same Jesus here present on
the altar:

Ave Verum

O JESUS, my crucified Saviour, Thou didst die for the love of me, let me die to self
and to the world for love of Thee! O crucified Love! O precious blood of Jesus! May
all hearts ove Thee, may all tongues praise and glorify and thank Thee, now and for
ever more.

PRECIOUS blood, shed so profusely in the crucifixion of our Jesus, make me die
entirely to self-love!

Precious blood, shed to the very last drop by the opening of the Sacred Heart, give
me that generous love that sacrifices all for God!

Precious blood, sacred source whence flow all virtues and all graces, apply thy
infinite merits to my soul

Precious blood, whose virtue animates and vivifies our actions, apply thy infinite
merits to all our works!

Life-giving fountain, in which the soul fully slakes its thirst, saturate it with pure
love!

O divine blood of my Jesus, I adore thee from the depth of my heart! Thee I ardently
invoke, for thou art my salvation, and by thee I hope to obtain the joys of paradise.
Most precious blood of Jesus, cry for mercy for us, to thy divine Father and deliver
us!

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood of Jesus, in satisfaction for my sins
and for the wants of the holy Church.

By the precious blood of Jesus, I beseech Thee, Father in heaven, have mercy on the
poor souls in purgatory.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine; Et lux perpetua luceat eis!

Adore the five wounds of your crucified Jesus, kissing them in spirit, praying for true
and abiding sorrow for your sins, for perfect conformity to the will of God and the
grace of perseverance.

Jesu dulcis amor meus

JESU ! as though Thyself wert here,

I draw in trembling sorrow near;
And hanging o er Thy form divine,
Kneel down to kiss these wounds of Thine.

Ah me, how naked art Thou laid!

Bloodstain d, distended, cold, and dead?
Joy of my soul my Saviour sweet,
Upon this sacred winding-sheet!

Hail, awful brow! hail, thorny wreath!

Hail, countenance now pale in death!
Whose glance but late so brightly blazed,
That angels trembled as they gazed.

And hail to thee, my Saviour s side;

And hail to thee, thou wound so wide:
Thou wound more ruddy than the rose,
True antidote of all our woes!

Oh, by those sacred hands and feet

For me so mangled! I entreat,
My Jesu, turn me not away,
But let me here for ever stay.

AT COMMUNION

Make an act of contrition, a renewal of vows, and tasting yourself in spirit into the
bleeding Heart of Jesus, pray that you may love Him more and more, be more like
to Him in the imitation of His virtues, and be united with Him for evermore.
AT THE BLESSING

ETERNAL Father! we offer Thee the most precious blood of Jesus, shed for us with
such great love and bitter pain from the wound in His right hand ; and, through its
merits and its might, we entreat Thy divine Majesty to grant us Thy holy
benediction, that, by its power, we may be defended against all our enemies and
freed from every ill; whilst we say:

Benedictio Dei omnipotentis, May the blessing of God almighty,

Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti, Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost,
descendat super nos, et maneat descend upon us, and remain for
semper. Amen.
ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Indulgence of 100 days to those who shall say this offering, with the Our Father, the
Hail Mary, and the Glory be to the Father, to the Most Holy Trinity, in thanksgiving
for blessings received; plenary indulgence once a month, on usual conditions. Leo
XII., Oct. 25, 1823.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY VIRGIN, OUR LADY OF SORROWS

MARY most holy. Mother of sorrows, by that intense martyrdom which thou didst
suffer at the foot of the cross, during the three hours of Jesus agony: deign to aid us
all, children of thy sorrows, in our last agony, that, by thy prayers, we, from our bed
of death, may pass to heaven s holy joys, there to adorn thy crown.

Hail Mary, three times.

Maria Mater Gratiae

MARIA mater gratiae, MOTHER of mercy, Mother of

Mater misericordiae, grace,
Tu nos ab hoste protege. Mary, help a fallen race,
Et mortis hora suscipe. Shield us when the foe is nigh,
And receive us when we die.
V. A subitanea et improvisa morte.
R. Libera nos, Domine. V. From sudden and un prepared
death.
V. Ab insidiis diaboli. R. Deliver us, O Lord!
R. Libera nos, Domine.
V. From the snares of the devil.
V. A morte perpetua. R. Deliver us, O Lord!
R. Libera nos, Domine.
 V. From everlasting death.
Oremus. R. Deliver us, O Lord!

DEUS, qui ad humani generis Let us pray.

salutem in dolorosissima Filii tui
morte exemplum et subsidium GOD, Who for our salvation hast,
constituisti: concede, quaesumus, in the most bitter death of Thy
ut in extremo mortis nostrae Son, made for us both an example
periculo tantse charitatis effectum and a refuge: grant, we beseech
consequi, et ipsius Redemptoris Thee, that, in the last peril, at the
gloriae consociari mereamur. Per hour of our death, we may be
eumdum Christum Dominum made worthy to experience the
nostrum. Amen. effect of His great charity, and to
be made par takers of the
Redeemer s glory. Through the
same Christ our Lord. Amen.

End with the ejaculations:

JESUS, Mary, and Joseph! I give you my heart and my soul.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! may I breathe out my soul in peace with you.

OFFERING OF MASS AND COMMUNION ON SATURDAYS

In Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mary, Queen of heaven, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and Mistress of the world,
who forsakest no one, and despisest no one, look upon me, O dear Mother of mercy,
and my Mother, with an eye of pity, and entreat for me, of thy beloved Son,
conversion to that perfection to which God has called me, the virtues of purity and
humility, and great confidence in thee. Obtain, likewise, that this Mass and
communion may be acceptable to God for the conversion of sinners, especially...;
for the increased perfection of each dear sister of this Community, and for our
preservance.

MOST holy Virgin, Mother of the Word Incarnate, depositary of graces, and Refuge of
sinners, we have recourse to thy maternal love: with a lively faith we ask the grace
to do always the will of God and thine. We resign ourselves into thy most sacred
hands, and beseech thee to obtain for us the virtues of our state and the grace of a
happy death. We confidently hope that thou, O most loving Mother, wilt graciously
hear us, and therefore with a lively faith we say, "Hail Mary."

Repeat the Hail Mary three times.

Let us pray.

WE beseech Thee, O Lord, protect Thy servants from every frailty, through the
intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and, as we kneel in humble adoration before
Thee and offer Thee our hearts, mercifully guard us against the snares of our
enemies, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Method of Hearing Mass on Saturday

AT THE BEGINNING

Make acts of contrition, humility, and confidence.

Vide: "Mass in Honor oj the Blessed Virgin Mary."

INTROIT

Salve Sancta Parens

COLLECT. Concede nos. Grant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that we, Thy servants,
may enjoy constant health of body and mind, and by the glorious intercession of
blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from all temporal afflictions, and come to
those joys that are eternal. Through, etc.

LESSON. Ecclus. xxiv. 14, 16. From the beginning, and before the world, was I
created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy
dwelling-place I have ministered before Him. And so was I established in Sion, and
in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in
an honorable people, and in the portion of my God His inheritance, and my abode is
in the full assembly of saints.

GRADUAL. Thou art blessed, and worthy of our respects, O Virgin Mary, who, without
prejudice to thy virginity, didst become the Mother of Our Saviour.

V. O Virgin Mother of God! He Whom the whole world can not contain, became man,
and was enclosed in the womb. Alleluia, Alleluia.

V. After child-birth thou didst remain a pure Virgin.

R. O Mother of God, intercede for us!

GOSPEL. In illo loquente Jesu. Luke xi. 27, 28. At that time, as Jesus was speaking to
the multitudes, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to Him:
Ble:sed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps that gave Thee suck. But He said:
Yea, rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.

OFFERTORY. Happy art thou, O holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise,
because from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our Lord.

SECRET. May, O Lord, by Thy own mercy and the intercession of blessed Mary, ever
a Virgin, this oblation procure us peace and happiness, both in this life, and in that
which is to come. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son.
PRAYER AT THE OFFERTORY

O MERCIFUL God! Who, for the salvation of sinners and the comfort of the afflicted,
hast infused into the immaculate heart of the Blessed Virgin sentiments of the
tenderest compassion for us, similar to those which predominate in the Heart of
Jesus, grant that, by the intercession of our holy patroness, we may imitate our
divine Model, and thus becoming ever more pleasing to Thee, may enjoy a foretaste
of the joys of heaven. O sweet Jesus! Who tenderly lovest the most holy of virgins,
and art most tenderly loved by her, grant, through her intercession, and by the
resemblance her immaculate heart bore to Thine, that I may ever love Thee, live but
for Thee, and be united to Thee in a happy eternity. Amen.

O holy Mother of Jesus! the most pure of all creatures, in union with all the saints in
heaven and all the just on earth, I venerate thee: I consecrate my heart to thee,
choosing thee for my Mother, my queen, my advocate, and my guide; I wish to
imitate ;hee, and I desire to serve thee with a tender, generous, and filial love. I
beseech thee, august and merciful Queen of heaven, to receive me this day as thy
child, to assist me in all my undertakings, to succor me all in my wants, to obtain for
me purity, humility, charity, patience, obedience, union with God, and perfect
submission to His holy will. Comfort and support me, dear Mother, in the hour of my
death. Amen.

THREE OFFERINGS, IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

I. HOLIEST Virgin, with all my heart I worship thee above all the angels and saints in
paradise as the daughter of the eternal Father, and to thee I consecrate my soul and
all its powers.

Hail Mary, etc.

II. HOLIEST Virgin, with all my heart I worship thee above all the angels and saints in
paradise as the Mother of the only-begotten Son, ad to thee I consecrate my body
with all its senses.

Hail Mary, etc.

III. HOLIEST Virgin, with all my heart I worship thee above all the angels and saints
in paradise as the spouse of the Holy Ghost, and to thee I consecrate my heart and
all its affections, praying thee to obtain for me from the ever-blessed Trinity all the
graces which I need for my salvation.

Hail Mary, etc.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time, to be gained by those who shall say above
prayers to obtain Our Lady s protection in the practice of all holy virtues, and
especially of chastity.

Plenary indulgence on usual conditions. Leo XII., Oct. 21, 1823; Pius IX., June 18,
1876.
AT THE PREFACE

DIVINE Jesus, grant me a share in Thy zeal for Thy Father s glory, that in union with
the dominations, principalities, and the whole hierarchy of angels, I may anticipate
in my exile the ever new canticle, which they incessantly sing in the abode of bliss:
Holy, thrice holy, infinitely holy is the Lord of hosts! the heavens and the earth are
full of His glory, but His mercies have been exalted above all His works, since Thou,
O divine Jesus, hast descended from His bosom, and come in His name to dwell in
this valley of tears nay, more, to dwell in unworthy hearts.

AFTER THE ELEVATION

ETERNAL Father! behold Thy beloved Son, my blessed Saviour, Whom I humbly offer
to Thy divine Majesty in satisfaction for all my offences and ingratitude.

I offer Thee His purity, His innocence, to arone for my defilement; His humility, for
my pride; His zeal, for my tepidity ; and the holiness of His life, for all the
imperfections of mine.

O merciful Father! look on the charity of Thy Son; behold how He once offered
Himself a bloody sacrifice for my salvation, and how He now offers Himself in an
unbloody manner on this altar for the same end. O holy Father! receive this His
sacrifice in lieu of all the honor, homage, and gratitude due to Thy goodness from
me and all Thy creatures.

O my sweet Saviour! I thank Thee for Thy love and Thy mercy. I thank Thee, also, for
all the wondrous prerogatives and dignities which Thou hast conferred on Mary, the
Queen of heaven. I love Thee with my whole heart. What pledge of my love can I
give Thee? Thou hast asked my heart: take it, Loid Jesus, take it Thou alone, take it
all to Thee, take it as Thy due, and my free offering; take it as the present of a child
to her father; take it as a holocaust, to be consumed entirely in Thy service.

Invocation: Sancta Virgo Maria Immaculata

SANCTA Virgo Maria Immaculata, HOLY Virgin Mary Immaculate,

Mater Dei, Mater nostra, Tu pro Mother of God and our Mother,
nobis loquere ad Cor Jesu, qui speak thou for us to the Heart of
Jesus, Who is thy Son and our
tuus Filius est et Frater noster.
Brother.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Dec. 20, 1890.

Ejaculation of St. Philip Neri

VIRGIN Mother of God, Mary, pray to Jesus for me.

Indulgence of 50 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 29, 1894.

Pious Exercise

Pius VII., on Dec. 4, 1815, in order to increase, in all the faithful, devotion toward
the sorrows of the most holy Virgin Mary, and to excite in them grateful recollection
of the Passion of her Son Jesus, granted to those who, with contrite heart, shall say
the Hail Mary seven times, and after each Hail Mary, the stanza,

Sancta mater istud agas, Bid me bear, O Mother blessed !

Crucifixi fige plagas On my heart the wounds
Cordi meo valide. impressed
Suffered by the Crucified.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day; plenary indulgence, on any one day, in each
month, on usual conditions.

AT THE AGNUS DEI AND COMMUNION

LAMB of God! have mercy on me, and may the voice of Thy blood plead powerfully
in my favor: grant me a secure shelter in Thy sacred wounds; impart to me, in the
adorable Sacrament which I am about to receive (if you do not communicate
actually, make at least a spiritual communion), that peace which the world can not
give, and which can alone be found in union with Thee, O divine Victim! O Jesus, my
life and my salvation, when Thou enteresi into my heart in holy communion, impress
on it the lessons of humility, meekness, patience, charity, and sweetness, so
strongly inculcated by Thy precepts and example. O Mary! show thyself now my
tender Mother and powerful advocate, that I may receive with faith, purity, fervor,
humility, and confidence thy own beloved Son, and my sweet Saviour and Master. O
blessed spirits of heaven, and, above all, my dear angel guardian, intercede for me,
and supply, by your ardent adorations, for my want of fervor when I receive my
Redeemer.

Make an act of contrition, a renewal of vows, and then with jervent aspirations invite
your Saviour into your heart.

PRAYERS ORDERED BY POPE LEO XIII TO BE RECITED EVERY AFTER LOW MASS
The Leonine Prayers

The priest with the people recites the Hail Mary thrice then the Salve Regina:

HAIL holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do
we cry. poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning
and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes
of mercy towards us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy
womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray.

O GOD, our refuge and our strength, look down with favor upon Thy people, who cry
to Thee; and through the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of God, of her spouse, blessed Joseph, of Thy holy apostles Peter and Paul,
and of all the saints, mercifully and graciously hear the prayers which we pour forth
to Thee, for the conversion of sinners and the liberty and exaltation of holy mother
Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Add the Invocation:

St. Michael the archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the malice
and snares of the devil. Rebuke him, O God, we humbly pray; and do thou, O prince
of the heavenly host, by the divine power, thrust into hell Satan and the other evil
spirits who roam through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days.

Invocation after Mass

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. (Three times.)

Indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines if recited three times after Mass
with the priest. Pope Pius X. June 7, 1904.

ORDINARY METHOD OF SERVING THE PRIEST AT MASS

P. INTROIBO ad altare Dei.

C. Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.

P. Judica me Deus. et discerne causam meam de gente non sancta, ab homine

iniquo et doloso erue me.
C. Quia tu es, Deus, fortitude mea, quare me repulisti et quare tristis incedo dum
affligit me inimicus.

P. Emitte lucem tuam et veritatem tuam: ipsa me deduxerunt et adduxerunt in

montem sanctum tuum, et in tabernacula tua.
C. Et introibo ad altare Dei, ad Deum qui laetificat juventu tem meam.

P. Confitebor tibi in cithara Deus, Deus meus: quare tristis es anima mea, et quare
conturbas me.
C. Spera in Deo, quoniam adhuc confitebor illi, salutare vultus mei et Deus meus.

P. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

C. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
P. Introibo ad altare Dei.
C. Ad Deum, qui laetificat juventutem meam.

P. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini.

C. Qui fecit coelum et terram.

P. Confiteor Deo, etc.

C. Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis tuis perducat te ad vitam

aeternam.

P. Amen.

C. Confiteor Deo omnipotent^ beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli

Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo omnibus
sanctis, et tibi, Pater, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo et opere, mea culpa,
mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam, semper Virginem,
beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos
Petrum et Paulum, omnes sanctos, et te Pater, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum
nostrum.

P. Misereatur vestri, etc.

C. Amen.

P. Indulgentiam, absolutionem, etc.

C. Amen.

P. Deus tu conversus vivificabis nos.

C. Et plebs tua laetatibur in te.

P. Ostende nobis Domine misericordiam tuam.

C. Et salutare tuum da nobis.

P. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.

C. Et clamor meus ad te veniat

P. Dominus vobiscum.
C. Et cum spiritu tuo.

P. Kyrie eleison.
C. Kyrie eleison.
P. Kyrie eleison.
C. Christe eleisoa
P. Christe eleison.
C. Christe eleison.
P. Kyrie eleison.
C. Kyrie eleison.
P. Kyrie eleison.
P. Dominus vobiscum, or Flectamus genua.
C. Et cum spiritu tuo, or Levate.

P. Per omnia ssecula saeculorum.

C. Amen.

At the end of the Epistle say, Deo gratias.

P. Sequentia sancti Evangelii, etc.

C. Gloria tibi Domine.

At the end of the Gospel say, Laus tibi Christe.

P. Dominus vobiscum.
C. Et cum spiritu tuo.

P. Orate Fratres.

C. Suscipiat Dominus sacrificium de manibus tuis; ad laudem et gloriam nominis sui;

ad utilitatem quoque nostram totiusque Ecclesiae suae sanctae.

P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

C. Amen.

P. Dominus vobiscum.
C. Et cum spiritu tuo.

P. Sursum corda.
C. Habemus ad Dominum.

P. Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.

C. Dignum et justem est.

P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

C. Amen.

P. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.

C. Sed libera nos a malo.

P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

C. Amen.

P. Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.

C. Et cum spiritu tuo.

P. Dominus vobiscum.
C. Et cum spiritu tuo.

P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

C. Amen.
P. Ite missa est, or Benedicamus Domino.
C. Deo gratias.

P. Requiescant in pace.
C. Amen.

DOMINICAN RITE OF SERVING MASS

Before beginning Mass the priest puts wine and water inco the chalice.

P. IN nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

P. Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus.

C. Quoniam in saeculum misericordia ejus.

P. Confiteor, etc.

C. Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, et dimittat tibi omnia peccata tua, liberet te ab
omni malo, salvet et confirmet in omni opere bono, et perducat te ad vitam
aeternam.
P. Amen.

C. Confiteor Deo omnipotent!, et Beatae Mariae semper Virgini, et Beato Dominico

Patri nostro, et omnibus Sanctis, et tibi Pater quia peccavi nimis cogitatione,
locutione, opera et omissione, mea culpa, precor te orare pro me.

P. Misereatur vestri, etc.

C. Amen.

P. Absolutionem et remissionem omnium peccatorum vestrorum tribuat vobis

omnipotens et misericors Dominus.
C. Amen.

P. Adjutorium nostram in nomine Domini.

C. Qui fecit ccelum et terram.

All the rest is as usual, except that there is not any "Deo gratias" after the Epistle,
nor any "Laus tibi Christe " after the first Gospel, and no response is made at the
"Orate Fratres." "The bell is rung at the "Agnus Dei." The "Domine non sum dignus"
is not said aloud. After the last Gospel the "Deo gratias" is said as usual.

PRO FIDELIBUS DEFUNCTIS

P. De profundis clamavi ad te Domine; Domine exaudi vocem meam.

C. Fiant aures tuae intendentes in vocem deprecationis meae.

P. Si iniquitates observaveris Domine, Domine, quis sustinebit.

C. Quia apud te propitiatio est: et propter legem tuam sustinui te Domine.

P. Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus; speravit anima mea in Domino.

C. A custodia mututina usque ad noctem speret Israel in Domino.

P. Quia apud Dominum misericordia, et copiosa apud eum Redemptio.

C. Et ipse redimet Israel ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus.

P. Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine.

C. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

P. A porta inferi.
C. Erue Domine animas eorum,

P. Requiescant in pace.
C. Amen.

P. Domine exaudi orationem meam.

C. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.

P. Dominus vobiscum.
C. Et cum spiritu tuo.

Oremus.

FIDELIUM Deus omnium conditor et Redemptor animabus famulorum famularumque

tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum ut indulgentiam quam semper
optaverunt piis supplicationibus consequantur. Qui vivis et regnas, etc.

METHOD OF ASSISTING AT MASS WITH CHILDREN

When the Priest says the Confiteor, the children say in common:

I CONFESS to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the
archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and to all
the saints, and to you, father, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word, and
deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.
Therefore, I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the archangel,
blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, and
you, father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.

May the almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to
everlasting life. Amen.

May the almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of
my sins. Amen.

Follows a Hymn
When the Priest says the Credo the children recite in common the Apostles Creed:

I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator 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, died, and was buried. He
descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He
ascended into heaven, 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 Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

At the Offertory the children say in common:

ACCEPT, O holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, this stainless Host, which we,
through the hands of the priest, offer unto Thee, O God, living and true, for our
innumerable sins, offences, and negligences, and for all here present; as also for all
faithful Christians, both living and dead, that it may be profitable for our own and
for their salvation unto life eternal. Amen.

Follows one decade of the Rosary.

At the Sanctus the children say in common:

HOLY, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna
in the highest. Blessed is He Who cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the
highest.

At the Elevation.

At the elevation of the sacred Host, after each signal all say in common:

MY God, I believe in Thee,

O my God, I hope in Thee,
O my God, I love Thee above all things.

O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine,

All praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment Thine !

At the elevation of the chalice, after each signal all say in common:

Jesus, for Thee I live,

My Jesus, for Thee I die,
My Jesus, I am Thine in life and in death!

ETERNAL Father, I offer Thee the precious blood of Jesus, in satisfaction for my sins,
and for the wants of holy Church.

Memento for the Dead

Follows a hymn or an approved Litany. At the communion all say in common after
the signal is given:

LORD, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter into my heart; say only the word
and my soul shall be healed.

Spiritual Communion

Jesus, I believe that Thou art truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love
Thee above all things, and I desire to possess Thee within my soul. Since I am
unable now to receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I
embrace Thee as being already there, and unite myself wholly to Thee; never
permit me to be separated from Thee.

After Communion

SOUL of Christ, sanctify me;

Body of Christ, save me;
Blood of Christ, inebriate me;
Water from the side of Christ, wash me;
O good Jesus, hear me;
Within Thy wounds, hide me;
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee;
From the malicious enemy, defend me;
In the hour of death, call me and bid me to come to Thee;
That with Thy saints I may praise Thee for ever and ever.
Amen.

After Mass

Prayers ordered by his Holiness Pope Leo XIII., to be said kneeling after every Low
Mass: Hail Mary, three times. Then the Salve Regina, as on page 228.

ANOTHER SHORT AND SIMPLE METHOD OF ASSISTING AT MASS FOR CHILDREN

Approved by Archbishop Elder

When the Priest begins Mass the children all say in common:

I CONFESS to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever virgin, to blessed Michael the
archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, to all the
saints, and to you, father, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word, and
deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.
Therefore, I beseech the blessed Mary ever virgin, blessed Michael the archangel,
blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, all the saints, and you,
father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
May the almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to
everlasting life. Amen.

May the almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of
my sins. Amen.

One decade oF the beads or more.

AT THE OFFERTORY:

ACCEPT, O holy Father, almighty, eternal God, this stainless Host, which we offer
unto Thee, our true and living God, by the hands of Thy priest, for our innumerable
sins, offences, and negligences, and for all here present, and for all the Christian
faithful, living and dead; that it may be profitable to us and to them unto life
everlasting. Amen.

Continue the Rosary.

AFTER THE ELEVATION OF THE CHALICE:

SACRAMENT most holy, O Sacrament divine, All praise and all thanksgiving be every
moment Thine!

O eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood of Jesus Christ in expiation of my
sins, and for the wants of holy Church.

AT THE DOMINE NON SUM DIGNUS:

LORD, I am not worthy that Thou enter under my roof. But only say the word, and
my soul shall be healed. (Three times.)

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION:

JESUS, I believe in Thee, because Thou art truth itself.

Jesus, I hope in Thee, because Thou art almighty, merciful, and faithful to Thy
promises.
Jesus, I love Thee, because Thou art infinitely good, and worthy of all my love.
Jesus, I desire to receive Thee. I am sorry for having offended Thee. Come to me,
and never again let me be separated from Thee by sin.

Jesus, my Lord, my God, and my all!

ANIMA CHRISTI

SOUL of Christ, be my sanctification !

Body of Christ, be my salvation!
Blood of Christ, fill all my veins!
Water of Christ s side, wash out my stains!
Passion of Christ, my comfort be!
O good Jesus, listen to me!
In Thy wounds I wish to hide!
Neer to be parted from Thy side!
Guard me should the foe assail me.
Call me, when my life shall fail me,
Bid me come to Thee above
With Thy saints to sing Thy love,
World without end. Amen.

Continue the Rosary.

ORDINARY OF THE MASS

The Asperges
On Sundays before the principal Mass the church and congregation are
sprinkled with holy water.

Antiphon Antiphon
P. Asperges me P. Thou shalt sprinkle me,
C. Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor: C. Lord, with hyssop and I shall be
lavabis me, et super nivem cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and
dealbabor. Ps. 50 Misere mei, Deus, I shall be made whiter than snow.
secundum magnam misericordiam Have mercy on me, O. God,
tuam. according to thy great mercy.
V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui V. Glory be to the Father and to the
Sancto, Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et R. As it was in the beginning, is
semper, et in saecula saeculorum. now, and ever shall be, world
Amen without end. Amen.
Antiphon Asperges me, Domine, Antiphon Thou shalt sprinkle me,
hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, Lord, with hyssop and I shall be
et super nivem dealbabor. cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and
I shall be made whiter than snow.

or during Easter time

Antiphon Antiphon
P. Vidi aquam P. I saw water coming
C. egredientum de templo, a latere C. forth from the Temple from the
dextro, alleluia: et omnes ad quos right side, alleluia: and all those
pervenit aqua ista salvifactci dunt, were saved to whom that water
et dicent: Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 117 came, and they shall say alleluia,
Confitemini Domino, quoniam alleluia. Give praise to the Lord, for
bonus; quoniam in seculum he is good,: for His mercy endureth
misericordia ejus. forever.
V.Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui V. Glory be to the Father and to the
Sancto, Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et R. As it was in the beginning, is
semper, et in saecula saeculorum. now, and ever shall be, world
Amen without end.
 Amen.
Antiphon Vidi aquam egredientum Antiphon I saw water coming forth
de templo, a latere dextro, alleluia: from the Temple from the right
et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua ista side, alleluia: and all those were
salvifactci dunt, et dicent: Alleluia, saved to whom that water came,
alleluia and they shall say alleluia, alleluia.

P. Ostende nobis, Domine, P. Show us, Lord, Your mercy.

misericordiam tuam. (alleluia) (Alleluia)
S. Et salutare tuum da nobis S. And grant us Your salvation.
(alleluia) (Alleluia)

P. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.

S. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. P. O Lord, hear my prayer.
S. And let my cry come unto You.

P. Dominus vobiscum. P. May the Lord be with you.

S. Et cum spiritu tuo. S. And with your spirit

P. Exaudi nos, Domine, sanctae P. Let us pray. Hear us Lord, holy

Pater, omnipotens aeterne Deus et Father, almighty and eternal God;
mittere digneris sanctum Angelum and graciously send Your Holy
tuum de caelis, qui custdiat, foveat, Angel from heaven to watch over,
protegat, vistet, atque defendat to cherish, to protect, to abide with,
omnes habitantes in hoc habitaculo. and to defend all who dwell in this
Per Christum Dominum nostrum. house. Through Christ our Lord.
S. Amen S. Amen.

The Mass
Mass of the Catechumens
P. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et P. In the Name of the Father, and of
Spiritus Sancti. S. Amen. the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit.
S. Amen

Psalm 42
(Omit during Passiontide)
P. Introibo ad altare Dei P. I will go to the altar of God.
S Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem S. To God, the joy of my youth.
meam.
P. Do me justice, O God, and fight
P. Judica me, Deus, et discerne my fight against an unholy people,
causam meam de gente non sancta: rescue me from the wicked and
ab homine iniquo et doloso erue me. deceitful man.
S. Quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo mea: S. For Thou, O God, art my
quare me repulisti, et quare tristis strength, why hast Thou forsaken
incedo, dum affligit me inimicus? me? And why do I go about in
sadness, while the enemy harasses
me?
P. Emitte lucem tuam et veritatem P. Send forth Thy light and thy
tuam: ipsa me deduxerunt et truth: for they have led me and
adduxerunt in montem sanctum brought me to thy holy hill and Thy
tuum, et in tabernacula tua. dwelling place.
S. Et introibo ad altare Dei: ad Deum S. And I will go to the altar of god,
qui laetificat juventutem meam. to God, the joy of my youth.

P. Confitebor tibi in cithara, Deus, P. I shall yet praise Thee upon the
Deus meus quare tristis es anima harp, O God, my God. Why art thou
mea, et quare conturbas me? sad, my soul, and why art thou
downcast?
S. Spera in Deo, quoniam adhuc S. Trust in God, for I shall yet praise
confitebor illi: salutare vultus mei, et Him, my Savior, and my God.
Deus meus.

P. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui P. Glory be to the Father, and to the

Sancto. Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
S. Sicut erat in principo, et nunc, et S. As it was in the beginning is now,
semper: et in saecula saeculorum. and ever shall be, world without
Amen. end. Amen.

P. Introibo ad altare Dei. P. I will go to the altar of God.

S. Ad Deum qui laetificat S. To God, the joy of my youth.
juventutem meam.

P. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine P. Our help + is in the Name of the

Domini. Lord.
S. Qui fecit coelum et terram. S. Who made heaven and earth.

Confiteor
(Priest's Confession)
P. Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, P. I confess to Almighty God, to
beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to
Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Blessed Michael the Archangel, to
Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Blessed John the Baptist, to the
Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et tibi Pater: Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all
quia peccavi nimis cogitatione the angels and saints, and to you
verbo, et opere: mea culpa, mea my brothers and sisters, that I have
culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo sinned exceedingly in thought,
precor beatam Mariam semper word, deed.(here he strikes his
Virginem, beatum Michaelem breast three times) through my
Archangelum, beatum Joannem fault, through my fault, through my
Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos most grievous fault, and I ask
Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Blessed
et te Pater, orare pro me ad Michael the Archangel, Blessed
Dominum Deum Nostrum. John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles
Peter and Paul, all the Angels and
Saints, and you my brothers and
sisters, to pray for me to the Lord
our God.
S. Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, S. May almighty God have mercy
et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat te on you, forgive you all your sins,
ad vitam aeternam. and bring you to everlasting life.
P. Amen. P. Amen.
(People's Confession)
S. Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, S. I confess to Almighty God, to
beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to
Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Blessed Michael the Archangel, to
Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Blessed John the Baptist, to the
Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et tibi Pater: Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all
quia peccavi nimis cogitatione the angels and saints, and to you
verbo, et opere: mea culpa, mea my brothers and sisters, that I have
culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo sinned exceedingly in thought,
precor beatam Mariam semper word, deed.(here one strikes one's
Virginem, beatum Michaelem breast three times) through my
Archangelum, beatum Joannem fault, through my fault, through my
Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos most grievous fault, and I ask
Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Blessed
et te Pater, orare pro me ad Michael the Archangel, Blessed
Dominum Deum Nostrum. John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles
Peter and Paul, all the Angels and
Saints, and you my brothers and
sisters, to pray for me to the Lord
our God.
P. Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, P. May Almighty God have mercy on
et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat te you, forgive you your sins, and
ad vitam aeternam. bring you to everlasting life.
S. Amen. S. Amen

P. Indulgentiam absolutionem, et P. May the Almighty and Merciful

remissionem peccatorum Lord grant us pardon, + absolution,
nostrorum, tributat nobis and remission of our sins.
omnipotens et misericors Dominus. S. Amen.
S. Amen.

P. Deus, tu conversus vivificabis P. Turn to us, O God, and bring us

nos.. life.
S. Et plebs tua laetabitur in te. S. And Your people will rejoice in
You.
P. Ostende nobis Domine,
misericordiam tuam. P. Show us, Lord, Your mercy.
S. Et salutare tuum da nobis. S. And grant us Your salvation.

P. Domine, exuadi orationem meam. P. O Lord, hear my prayer.

S. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. S. And let my cry come to You.

P. Dominus vobiscum. P. May the Lord be with you.

S. Et cum spiritu tuo. S. And with your spirit.
P. Oremus. P. Let us pray.
(The Priest inaudibly says the following while going to the Altar)
P. Aufer a nobis, quaesumus, P. Take away from us, O Lord, we
Domine, iniquitates nostras ut ad beseech You, that we may enter
Sancta sanctorum puris mereamur with pure minds into the Holy of
mentibus introire. Per Christum Holies. Through Christ our Lord.
Dominum nostrum. Amen. Amen.

(He kisses the altar at the place where the saint's relics are enclosed an
says:)
P. Oramus te. Domine, per merita P. We beseech You, O Lord, by the
Sanctorum tuorum, quorum merits of Your Saints whose relics
reliquiae hic sunt, et omnium lie here, and of all the Saints, deign
Sanctorum: ut indulgere digneris in your mercy to pardon me all my
omnia peccata mea. Amen. sins. Amen.
(At this point in a sung or high Mass the celebrant now censes the altar.
He says:)
P: May this incense be blessed by him in whose honour it is to be
burned. Amen.

Introit Antiphon
(said by Priest here, but sung by the Choir after the sign of the Cross)

Kyrie
P. Kyrie eleison. P. Lord, have mercy.
S. Kyrie eleison. S. Lord, have mercy.
P. Kyrie eleison. P. Lord, have mercy.
S. Christe eleison. P. Christ, have mercy.
P. Christe eleison. S. Christ, have mercy
S. Christe eleison. P. Christ, have mercy.
P. Kyrie eleison. P. Lord, have mercy.
S. Kyrie eleison. S. Lord, have mercy.
P. Kyrie eleison. P. Lord, have mercy

Gloria
Sung or said on all Sundays (except during penitential seasons) and on
many
other days, but never at Mass for the Dead.
P. Gloria in exceslis Deo. P. Glory to God in the highest.
(The priest concludes the Gloria below and sits while the choir sings it)
C. Et in terra pax hominibus bonae C. And on earth peace to people of
voluntatis. Laudamus te. good will. We praise You. We bless
Benedicimus te. Adoramus te. You. We worship You. We glorify
Glorificamus te. Gratiam agimus tibi You. Lord God, heavenly King, God
propter magnam gloriam tuam. the Father almighty. Lord Jesus
Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Deus Christ, the Only-begotten Son. Lord
Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili God, Lamb of God, Son of the
unigenite, Jesu Christe. Domine Father. You who take away the sins
Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris,. Qui of the world, have mercy on us..
tollis peccata mundi, miserere You who take away the sins of the
nobis.. Qui tollis peccata mundi, world, receive our prayer. You who
suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sit at the right hand of the Father,
sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere have mercy on us. For You alone
nobis. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus. Tu are holy. You alone are Lord. You
solus Dominus. To solus Altissimus, alone are the Most High, Jesus
Jesu Christe. Cum Sancto Spiritu in Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the
gloria Dei Patris.. Amen. Glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Prayer
(Here the Priest prays the collect for the day.)
P. Dominus Vobiscum. P. May the Lord be with you.
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. S. And with your Spirit.
P. Oremus. P. Let us pray.
(after having read the one or more Prayers of the day:)
P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum. P. For ever and ever
S. Amen. S. Amen.

The Epistle
(sit)
P/L: A reading from the....
(The Subdeacon or Lector reads the lesson here).
(The epistle for the day is read at this point, at the end of the reading,
the server responds:)
P. Verbum Domini. P/L. The Word of the Lord.
S. Deo gratias. S. Thanks be to God.

Graduale

Here the Gradual is sung, while the preparation for the Gospel occurs.
The Alleluia, and Sequence Paschale victimae in the Easter Vigil, Veni,
sancte Spiritus on Pentecost, Lauda Sion on Corpus Christi, Stabat Mater
on Our Lady of Sorrows, Dies Irae on All Souls and in requiem and
Funeral Masses. In Lent and at Masses for the dead the Alleluia is
omitted and a tract sung instead.

Munda cor Meum

D. Munda cor meum ac labia mea, D. Cleanse my heart and my lips, O
omnipotens Deus, qui labia Isaiae Almighty God, Who cleansed the
Prophetae calculo mundasti ignito: lips of the Prophet Isaiah with a
ita me tua grata miseratione burning coal. In Your gracious
dignare mundare, ut sanctum mercy deign so to purify me that I
Evangelium tuum digne valeam may worthily proclaim Your holy
nuntiare. Per Christum Dominum Gospel. Through Christ our Lord.
nostrum. Amen. Amen.
Jube, Domine benedicere. Lord, grant me your blessing.
P. Dominus sit in corde meo et in P. The Lord be in your heart and on
labiis meis. ut digne et competenter your lips that you may worthily and
annuntiem evangelium suum. fittingly proclaim His holy Gospel.
D. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of
the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit.
D. Amen

TheGospel
(stand)
P/D. Dominus vobiscum. P/D. May the Lord be with you.
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. S. And with your spirit.
P/D. Sequentia (or Initium) sancti P/D. + A continuation of the holy
Evangelii secundum N. Gospel according to St. (name).
(The Gospel book is incensed)
S. Gloria tibi, Domine. S. Glory to you, O Lord.
(The Gospel is read)
(at the end of the reading the Deacon says:)
S. Laus tibi, Christe. S. Praise to you, O Christ.
(Afterwards at high Mass, the deacon takes the book to the cleebrant
who kisses it, saying:)
P. Per evangelica dicta deleantur P. May the words of the gospel wipe
nostra delicta. away our sins.

Homily or Sermon
(sit)

Nicene Creed
(as with the Gloria, the Priest recites the Creed and then sits while the
choir sings it)
Credo in unum Deum, Patrem I believe in one God, The Father
omnipotentem, factorem coeli et Almighty, Maker of heaven and
terrae, visibilium omnium et earth, and of all things visible and
invisibilium. Et in unum Dominum invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus
Jesum Christum, Filium Dei Christ, the Only-begotten Son of
unigenitum. Et ex Patre natum ante God. Born of the Father before all
omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, ages. God of God, Light of Light,
lumen de lumine, Deum verum de true God of true God. Begotten, not
Deo vero. Genitum, not factum, made, of one substance with the
consubstantialem Patri: per quem Father. By whom all things were
omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos made. Who for us men and for our
homines, et propter nostram salvation came down from heaven.
salutem descendit de coelis. Et (here all present kneel) And
incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex became incarnate by the Holy Spirit
Maria Virgine: ET HOMO FACTUS of the Virgin Mary: AND WAS MADE
EST. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis; sub MAN. (here all arise) He was also
Pontio Pilato passus, et sepultus est. crucified for us, suffered under
Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And
Scripturas. Et ascendit in coelum: on the third day He rose again
sedet ad desteram Patris. Et iterum according to the Scriptures. He
venturus est com gloria judicare ascended into heaven and sits at
vivos et mortuos. cujus regni non the right hand of the Father. He will
erit finis. Et in Spiritum Sanctum, come again in glory to judge the
Dominum et vivificantem: qui ex living and the dead and His
Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum kingdom will have no end. And in
Patre, et Filio simul adoratur et the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver
conglorificatur: qui locutus est per of life, Who proceeds from the
Prophetas. Et unam, sanctam, Father and the Son. Who together
catholicam et apostolicam with the Father and the Son is
Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma adored and glorified, and who
in remissionem peccatorum. Et spoke through the prophets. And
exspecto resurrectionem one holy, Catholic and Apostolic
mortuorum. Et vitam ventura Church. I confess one baptism for
saeculi. Amen. the forgiveness of sins and I await
the resurrection of the dead and
the life + of the world to come.
Amen.
P. Dominus vobiscum. P. May the Lord be with you.
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. S. And with your spirit.
P. Oremus. P. Let us pray.

Mass of he Faithful
Offertory Verse
(The offertory Antiphon is sung while the Priest begins the Offertory)
(sit)

Offertory Prayers
(said in a low voice while choir sings Offertory verse)
P. Suscipe, sancte Pater, omnipotens P. Accept, O Holy Father, Almighty
aeterne Deus, hanc immaculatam and eternal God, this spotless host,
hostiam, quam ego indignus which I, your unworthy servant,
famulus tuus offero tibi, Deo meo offer to You, my living and true
vivo et vero, pro innumerabilibus God, to atone for my numberless
peccatis, et offensionibus, et sins, offenses and negligences; on
negligentiis meis, et pro omnibus behalf of all here present and
circumstantibus, sed et pro omnibus likewise for all faithful Christians
fidelibus Christianis vivis atque living and dead, that it may profit
defunctis. ut mihi, et illis proficiat ad me and them as a means of
salutem in vitam aeternam. salvation to life everlasting.
S.Amen. S. Amen.

P. Deus, qui humanae substantiae P. O God, + who established the

dignitatem mirabiliter condidisti, et nature of man in wondrous dignity,
mirabilius reformasti: da nobis per and still more admirably restored it,
hujus aquae et vini mysterium, ejus grant that by the mystery of this
divinitatis esse consortes, qui water and wine, may we come to
humanitatis nostrae fieri dignatus share in His Divinity, who humbled
est particeps, Jesus Christus Filius himself to share in our humanity,
tuus Dominus noster: Qui tecum Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.
vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus who lives and reigns with You in the
Sancti Deus. per omnia saecula unity of the holy Spirit, one God,
saeculorum. Amen. forever and ever. Amen.
P. Offerimus tibi, Domine, calicem P. We offer You, O Lord, the chalice
salutaris tuam deprecantes of salvation, humbly begging of
clementiam: ut in conspectu divinae Your mercy that it may arise before
majestatis tuae, pro nostra et totius Your divine Majesty, with a pleasing
mundi salute com odore suavitatis fragrance, for our salvation and for
ascendat. Amen. that of the whole world. Amen.

P. In spiritu humilitatis, et in animo P. In a humble spirit and with a

contrito suscipiamur a te, Domine, contrite heart, may we be accepted
et sic fiat sacrificum nostrum in by You, O Lord, and may our
conspectu tuo hodie, ut placeat tibi, sacrifice so be offered in Your sight
Domine Deus. this day as to please You, O Lord
God.
P. Veni, Sanctificator omnipotens P. Come, O Sanctifier, Almighty and
aeterne Deus. et bene dic hoc Eternal God, and bless, + this
sacrificum tuo sancto nomini sacrifice prepared for the glory of
praeparatum. Your holy Name.

(When Mass is sung, the celebrant now blesses incense, saying)

P. Per intercessionem beati Michaelis P. Through the intercession of
Archangeli, stantis a dextris altaris Blessed Michael the Archangel,
incensi, et omnium electorum standing at the right hand of the
suorum, incensum istud dignetur altar of incense, and of all His elect
Dominus bene dicere, et in odorem may the Lord vouchsafe to bless +
suavitatis accipere. Per Christum this incense and to receive it in the
Dominum nostrum. Amen. odor of sweetness. Through Christ
our Lord. Amen.
(He censes the offerings, the cross and the altar, saying:)
P. Incensum istud a te benedictum, P. May this incense blessed by You,
ascendat ad re, Domine, et arise before You, O Lord, and may
descendat super nos misericordia Your mercy come down upon us
tua.

(while incensing the altar)

P. Dirigatur, Domine, oratio mea P. Let my prayer, O Lord, come like
sicut incensum in conspectu tuo: incense before You; the lifting up of
elevatio manuum mearum my hands, like the evening
sacrificium vespertinum. Pone, sacrifice. O Lord, set a watch before
Domine, custodiam ori meo, et my mouth, a guard at the door of
ostium circumstantiae labiis meis : my lips. Let not my heart incline to
ut non declinet cor meum in verba the evil of engaging in deeds of
malitiae, ad excsandas excusationes wickedness..
in peccatis.

(while handing the thurible back)

P. Accendat in nobis Dominus ignem P. May the Lord enkindle in us the
sui amoris, et flammam aeterne fire of His love and the flame of
caritatis. Amen. everlasting charity. Amen

(Now the celebrant, the ministers, the servers, and the people are
censed in order)

(The celebrant washes his fingers, saying these verses of Psalm 25:)
P. Lavabo inter innocentes manus P. I wash my hands in innocence,
meas. et circumdabo altare tuum, and I go around Your altar, O Lord,
Domine. Ut audiam vocem laudis. et giving voice to my thanks, and
enarrem universa mirabila tua. recounting all Your wondrous
Domine, dilexi decorem domus deeds. O Lord, I love the house in
tuae: et locum habitationis gloriae which You dwell, the tenting place
tuae. Ne perdas cum impiis, Deus of Your glory. Gather not my soul
animam meam: et cum viris with those of sinners, nor with men
sanguinum vitam meam: in quorum of blood my life. On their hands are
manibus iniquitates sunt: dextera crimes, and their right hands are
eorum repleta est muneribus. Ego full of bribes. But I walk in integrity;
autem in innocentia mea ingressus redeem me, and have pity on me
sum: redime me, et miserere mei. My foot stands on level ground; in
Pes meus stetit in directo: in the assemblies I will bless You, O
ecclesiis benedicam te, Domine. Lord.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Glory be to the Father, and to the
Sancto. Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Sicut erat in proncipio, et nunc, et As it was in the beginning, is now,
semper: et in saecula saeculorum. and ever shall be, world without
Amen. end. Amen.

(facing at the middle of the altar, the priest prays)

P. Suscipe sancta Trinitas, hanc P. Accept, most Holy Trinity, this
oblationem, quam tibi offerimus ob offering which we are making to
memoriam passionis, resurrectionis, You in remembrance of the passion,
et ascensionis Jesu Christi Domini resurrection, and ascension of Jesus
nostri: et in monorem beatae Mariae Christ, Our Lord; and in honor of
semper Virginis, wt beati Joannis blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Blessed
Baptistae, et sanctorum John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles
Apostolorum Petri et Pauli, et Peter and Paul, and of (name of the
istorum, et monium Sanctorum: ut Saints whose relics are in the Altar)
illis proficiat ad honorem, nobis and of all the Saints; that it may
autem ad salutem: et illi pro nobis add to their honor and aid our
intercedere dignentur in coelis, salvation; and may they deign to
quorum memoriam agimus in terris. intercede in heaven for us who
Per eumdem Christum Dominum honor their memory here on earth.
nostrum. Through the same Christ our Lord.
S. Amen. S. Amen.

(He turns to the congregation and calls on them to join their prayers
with his:)
P. Orate fratres, et meum ac P. Pray brethren, that my Sacrifice
vestrum sacrificium acceptabile fiat and yours may be acceptable to
apud Deum Patrem omnipotentem. God the Father Almighty.
S. Suscipiat Dominus sacrificium de S. May the Lord receive the
manibus tuis ad laudem et gloriam Sacrifice from your hands to the
nominis sui, ad utilitatem quoque praise and glory of His Name, for
nostram, totiusque Ecclesiae suae our good, and that of all His holy
sanctae. Church.

The Secret
(The Priest here says the day's Secret prayer:)

(At the end of the Secret, the Priest says audibly:)

P. ..per omnia saecula saeculorum. P. ..forever and ever.
S. Amen. S. Amen.

Canon of the Mass

(Stand)
P. Dominus vobiscum. P. May the Lord be with you.
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. S. And with your spirit.
P. Sursum corda. P. Lift up your hearts.
S. Habemus ad Dominum. S. We have lifted them up to the
P. Gratias agamus Domino Deo Lord.
nostro. P. Let us give thanks to the Lord our
S. Dignum et justum est. God.
S. It is right and just.

(Here the Priest says the appropriate Preface. This is the Preface of the
Holy Trinity)
P. Vere dignum et justum est, P. It is indeed fitting and right, our
aequum et salutare, nos tibi duty and our salvation, always and
semper, et ubique gratias agere: everywhere to give thanks to You,
Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, Lord, Holy Father, almighty and
aeterne Deus. qui cum unigenito eternal God, who with Your only-
Filio tuo, et Spiritu Sancto, unus es begotten Son and the Holy Spirit
Deus, unus es Dominus. non in are one God, one Lord: Not in the
unius singularitate personae, sed in oneness of a single person, but
unius Trinitate substantiae. Quod three persons in one single
enim de tua gloria, revelante te, essence. For what we believe from
credimus, hoc de filio tuo, hoc de your revelation concerning Your
Spiritu Sancto, sine differentia glory, that also we believe of Your
discretionis sentimus. Ut in Son and of the Holy Spirit without
confessione verae sempiternaeque difference or distinction; so that
Deitatis, et in personis proprietas, et when we affirm the true and
in essentia unitas, et in majestate everlasting Godhead we worship
adoretur aequalitas. Quam laudant three distinct persons in a oneness
Angeli atque Archangeli, Cherubim of Being and with equality of
quoque ac Seraphim: qui non majesty. And that God the angels
cessant clamare quotidie, una cove praise with the archangels,
discentes. cherubim, and seraphs, ceaselessly
singing with one voice:

Sanctus
(Sung as the Priest begins the canon. All the prayers are said in a low
voice.)
S/C. Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, S/C. Holy, Holy, Holy
Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Lord God of Hosts.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Heaven and earth are filled with
Hosanna in excelsis. your glory.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Hosanna in the highest.
Domini. Blessed is He Who comes in the
Hosanna in excelsis. Name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest

The Roman Canon

(kneel)
P. Te igitur, clementissime Pater, per P. Therefore, most gracious Father,
Jesum Christum Filium tuum, we humbly beg of You and entreat
Dominum nostrum, supplices You through Jesus Christ Your Son,
rogamus ac petimus uti accepta Our Lord. Hold acceptable and
habeas, et benedicas haec dona, bless + these gifts, these +
haec munera, haec sancta sacrificia offerings, these + holy and
illibata; in primis quae tibi offerimus unspotted oblations which, in the
pro Ecclesia tua sancta catholica; first place, we offer You for your
quam pacificare, custodire, adunare, Holy Catholic Church. Grant her
et regere digneris toto orbe peace and protection, unity and
terrarum: una cum famulo tuo Papa guidance throughout the worlds,
nostro N.,et Antistite nostro N. et together with Your servant (name),
omnibus orthodoxis, atque our Pope, and (name), our Bishop;
catholicae et aostolicae fidei and all Orthodox believers who
cultoribus. cherish the Catholic and Apostolic
Faith.
P. Memento, Domine, famulorum, P. Remember, O Lord, Your servants
famularumque tuarum N. et N. et and handmaids, (name) and
omnium circumstantium, quorum (name), and all here present,
tibi fides cognita est, et nota whose faith and devotion are
devotio, pro quibus tibi offerimus. known to You. On whose behalf we
vel qui tibi offerunt hoc sacrificium offer to You, or who themselves
laudis pro se, suisque omnibus, pro offer to You this sacrifice of praise
redemptione animarum suarum, pro for themselves, families and
spe salutis, et incolumitis suae; friends, for the good of their souls,
tibique reddunt vota sua aeterno for their hope of salvation and
Deo, vivo et vero. deliverance from all harm, and who
offer their homage to You, eternal,
living and true God.
(This next prayer has special beginnings for certain feasts. This is the
usual version.)
P. Communicantes, et memoriam P. In the unity of holy fellowship we
venerantes in primis gloriosae observe the memory, first of all, of
semper Virginis Mariae, Genitricis the glorious and ever Virgin Mary,
Dei et Domini nostri Jesu Christi: sed Mother of our Lord and God Jesus
et beati Joseph ejusdem Virginis Christ. Next we observe the
Sponsi, et beatorum Apostolorum ac memory of Blessed Joseph, Spouse
Martyrum tuorum, Petri et Pauli, of the same Virgin, and of Your
Andreae, Jacobi, Joannis, Thomae, blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter
Jacobi, Philippi, Bartholomaei, and Paul, Andrew, James, John,
Matthaei, Simonis, et Thaddaei: Lini, Thomas, James, Philip,
Cleti, Clementis, Xysti, Cornelii, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and
Cypriani, Laurentii, Chrysogoni, Thaddeus; of Linus, Cletus,
Joannis et Pauli, Cosmae et Damiani, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian,
et omnium Sanctorum tuorum; Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and
quorum meritis precibusque Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and all
concedas, ut in omnibus Your Saints. By their merits and
protectionis tuae muniamur auxilio. prayers grant that we may be
Per eundem Christum Dominum always fortified by the help of Your
nostrum. Amen. protection. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
P. Hanc igitur oblationem servitutis P. Graciously accept, then, we
nostrae, sed et cunctae familiae beseech You, O Lord, this service of
tuae quaesumus, Domine, ut our worship and that of all Your
placatus accipias, diesque nostros in household. Provide that our days
tua pace disponas, atque ab aeterna be spent in Your peace, save us
damnatione nos eripi, et in from everlasting damnation, and
electorum tuorum jubeas grege cause us to be numbered in the
numerari. Per Christum Dominum flock you have chosen. Through
nostrum. Amen. Christ our Lord. Amen.
P. Quam oblationem tu, Deus, in P. O God, deign to bless + what we
omnibus, quaesumus, benedictam, offer, and make it approved, +
adscriptam, ratam, rationabilem, effective, + right, + and wholly
acceptabilemque facere digneris,. ut pleasing in every way, that it may
nobis Corpus, et Sanguis become for our good, the Body +
fiatdilectissimi Filii tui Domini nostri and Blood + of Your dearly beloved
Jesu Christi. Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Consecration
P. Qui pridie quam pateretur, accepit P. Who, the day before He suffered,
panem in sanctas ac venerabiles took bread into His holy and
manus suas, et elevatis oculis in venerable hands, and having raised
coelum ad te Deum Patrem suum His eyes to heaven to you, God, His
omnipotentem tibi gratias agens, Almighty Father, giving thanks to
benedixit, fregit, diditque discipulis You, He blessed, + it broke it, and
suis, dicens: Accipite,et manducate gave it to His disciples, saying:
ex hoc omnes: "Take and eat of this, all of you,
HOC EST ENIM CORPUS MEUM. FOR THIS IS MY BODY."

(The Body of Christ is lifted up for worship).

P. Simili modo postquam coenatum P. Similarly, when the supper was
est, accipiens et hunc praeclarum ended, taking also this goodly
Calicem in sanctas ac venerabiles chalice into His holy and venerable
manus suas. item tibi gratias agens, hands, again giving thanks to You,
benedixit, deditque discipulis suis, He blessed it, and gave it to His
dicens. Accepite, et bibite ex eo disciples, saying: "Take and drink of
omnes: this, all of you,
HIC EST ENIM CALIX SANGUINIS MEI, THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD
NOVI ET AETERNI TESTAMENTI: OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL
MYSTERIUM FIDEI: COVENANT:
QUI PRO VOBIS ET PRO MULTIS THE MYSTERY OF FAITH:
EFFUNDETUR IN REMISSIONEM WHICH IS BEING SHED FOR YOU
PECCATORUM. AND FOR MANY FOR THE
FORGIVENESS OF SINS
Haec quotiescumque feceritis, in As often as you shall do these
mei memoriam facietis. actions, do this in memory of Me."

(The Blood of Christ is lifted up for worship).

P. Unde et momores, Domine, nos P. Mindful, therefore, Lord, we, Your
servi tui, sed et plebs tua sancta, ministers, as also Your holy people,
ejusdem Christi Filii tui Domini nostri of the same Christ, Your Son, our
tam beatae Passionis, nec non et ab Lord, remember His blessed
inferis Resurrectionis, sed et in passion, and also of His
coelos gloriosae Ascensionis. Resurrection from the dead, and
offerimus praeclarae majertati tuae finally of His glorious Ascension
de tuis donis ac datis hostiam into heaven, offer to Your supreme
puram, hostiam sanctam, hostiam Majesty, of the gifts bestowed upon
immaculatam, Panem sanctum vitae us, the pure + Victim, the holy +
aeternae, et calicem salutis Victim, the all-perfect + Victim: the
perpetuae. holy + Bread of life eternal and the
Chalice + of perpetual salvation.
P. Supra quae propitio ac sereno P. Deign to regard with gracious
vultu respicere digneris; et accepta and kindly attention and hold
habere, sicuti accepta habere acceptable, as You deigned to
dignatus es munera pueri tui justi accept the offerings of Abel, Your
Abel, et sacrificium patriarchae just servant, and the sacrifice of
nostri Abrahae, et quod tibi obtulit Abraham our Patriarch, and that
summus sacerdos tuus which Your chief priest
Melchisedech, sanctum sacrificium, Melchisedech offered to You, a holy
immaculatam hostiam. Sacrifice and a spotless victim.
P. Supplices te rogamus, omnipotens P. Most humbly we implore You,
Deus, jube haec perferri per manus Almighty God, bid these offerings
sancti Angeli tui in sublime altare to be brought by the hands of Your
tuum, in conspectu dininae Holy Angel to Your altar above,
majertatis tuae: ut quoquot ex hac before the face of Your Divine
altaris participatione, sacrocanctum Majesty. And may those of us who
Filii tui Corpus, et Sanguinem by sharing in the Sacrifice of this
sumpserimus, omni benedictione altar shall receive the Most Sacred
coelesti et gratia repleamur. Per + Body and + Blood of Your Son, be
eumdem Christum Dominum filled with every grace and
nostrum. Amen. heavenly blessing, Through Christ
our Lord. Amen.
P. Memento etiam, Domine, P. Remember also, Lord, Your
famulorum famularumque tuarum servants and handmaids (name)
N. et N. qui nos praecesserunt cum and (name) who have gone before
signo fidei, et dormiunt in somno us with the sign of faith and rest in
pacis. Ipsis, Domine, et omnibus in the sleep of peace. To these, Lord,
Christo quiescentibus, locum and to all who rest in Christ, we
refrigerii, lucis et pacis, utindulgeas, beg You to grant of Your goodness a
deprecamur. Per eumdem Christum place of comfort, light, and peace.
Dominum nostrum. Amen. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
P. Nobis quoque peccatoribus P. To us sinners also, Your servants,
famulis tuis, de multitudine trusting in the greatness of Your
miserationum tuarum sperantibus, mercy, deign to grant some part
partem aliquam, et societatem and fellowship with Your Holy
donare digneris, cum tuis sanctis Apostles and Martyrs with John
Apostolis et Martyribus, cum Joanne, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas,
Stephano, Matthia, Barnaba, Ignatio, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus,
Alexandro, Marcellino, Petro, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha,
Felicitate, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and
Agnete, Caecilia, Anastasis, et all Your Saints. Into their company
omnibus Sanctis tuis, intra quorum we implore You to admit us, not
nos consortium, non aestimator weighing our merits, but freely
meritim sed veniae, quaesumus, granting us pardon. Through Christ
largitor admitte. Per Christum our Lord.
Dominum nostrum.
P. Per quem haec omnia Domine, P. Through Whom, Lord, You always
semper bona creas, sanctificas, create, sanctify, + fill with life, +
vivificas, benedicis, et praestas bless + and bestow upon us all
nobis. good things.

The Elevation
P. Per ipsum, et cum ipso, et in ipso, P. Through Him, + and with + Him,
est tibi Deo Patri omnipotenti, in and in + Him, is to You, God the
unitate Spiritus Sancti, omnis honor Father + Almighty,in the unity of
et gloria, per omnia saecula the + Holy Spirit, all honor and
saeculorum. glory, forever and ever.
S. AMEN! S. AMEN!.

The Communion Rite

P. Oremus. P. Let us pray:
Praeceptis salutaribus moniti, et Taught by our Savior's command
divina institutione formati, audemus and formed by the word of God, we
dicere: dare to say:
S. Pater noster, qui es in coelis. S. Our Father, Who art in heaven,
sanctificetur nomen tuum: adveniat hallowed be Thy Name; Thy
regnum tuum: fiat voluntas tua, Kingdom come; Thy will be done on
sicut in coelo, et in terra. Panem earth as it is in heaven, Give us this
nostrum quotibianum da nobis day our daily bread; and forgive us
hodie, et dimitte nobis debita our trespasses as we forgive those
nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus who trespass against us; and lead
debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos us not into temptation.
inducas in tentationem:
S.Sed libera nos a malo. S. But deliver us from evil.
P. Amen. P. Amen.

Breaking of the Bread

P. Libera nos, quaesumus, Domine, P. Deliver us, we beg You, Lord,
ab omnibus malis, praeteritis, from every evil, past, present, and
praesentibus, et futuris, et to come; and by the intercession of
intercedente beata et gloriosa the blessed and glorious ever-
semper Virgine Dei Genitrice Maria, Virgin, Mother of God, Mary, and of
cum beatis Apostolis tuis Petro et the Blessed Apostles Peter and
Paulo, atque Andrea, et omnibus Paul, of Andrew, and all Saints.
Sanctis, da propitius pacem in Grant of Your goodness, peace in
diebus nostris, ut ope misericordiae our days, that aided by the riches
tuae adjuti, et a peccato simus of Your mercy, we may be always
semper liberi, et ab omni free from sin and safe from all
perturbatione securi. Per eumdem disturbance. Through the same
Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,
Filium tuum. Qui tecum vivit et Who lives and reigns with Thee, in
regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti the unity of the Holy Spirit, God,
Deus. Per omnia saecula world without end.
saeculorum. S. Amen.
S. Amen.

The Pax
P. Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum. P. May the peace + of the Lord be
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. + always with + you.
S. And with your spirit.

(said inaudibly while a small piece of the Host is placed in the Chalice)
P. Haec commixtio et consecratio P. May this mingling and
Corporis et Sanguinis Domini nostri consecration of the Body and Blood
Jesu Christi, fiat accipientibus nobis of our Lord Jesus Christ help us who
in vitam aeternam. Amen. receive it to eternal life. Amen.

Agnus Dei
(sung during the Priest's preparation for communion)
C Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata C. Lamb of God, Who take away the
mundi, misere nobis. sins of the world, have mercy on
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, us.
misere nobis. Lamb of God, Who take away the
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, sins of the world, have mercy on
dona nobis pacem. us.
Lamb of God, Who take away the
sins of the world, grant us peace.
P. Domine Jesu Christe, qui dixisti P. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who has said
Apostolis tuis. Pacem relinquo vobis, to Your Apostles. Peace I leave you,
pacem meam do vobis. ne respicias My peace I give you, regard not my
peccata mea, sed fidem Ecclesiae sins but the faith of Your Church,
tuae: eamque secundum and be pleased to give her peace
voluntatem tuam pacificare et and unity according to Your will.
coadunare digneris. qui vivis et Who lives and reigns God, world
regnas Deus, per omnia saecula without end. Amen.
saeculorum. Amen.
P. Domine Jesu Christe, Fili Dei vivi, P. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the
qui ex voluntate Patris, cooperante living God, Who, by the will of the
Spiritu Sancto, per mortem tuam Father, with the cooperation of the
mundum vivificasti: lebera me per Holy Spirit, have by Your death
hoc sacrosanctum Corpus et given life to the world, deliver me
Sanguinem tuum ab omnibus by this Your most sacred Body and
iniquitatibus meis, et universis Blood from all my sins and from
malis, et fac me tuis semper every evil. Make me always cling to
inhaerere mandatis, et a te Your commandments, and never
numquam separari permittas. Qui permit me to be separated from
cum eodem Deo Parte et Spiritu You Who with the same God the
Sancto vivis et regnas Deus in Father and the Holy Spirit, live and
saecula saeculorum. Amen. reign, God, forever and ever. Amen.
P. Perceptio Corporis tui, Domine P. Let not the partaking of Your
Jesu Christe, quod ego indinus Body, Lord Jesus Christ, which I,
sumere praesumo, non mihi though unworthy, presume to
proveniat in judicium et receive, turn to my judgment and
condemnationen; sed pro tua condemnation; but through Your
pietate prosit mihi ad tutamentum goodness, may it become a
mentis et corporis, et ad medelam safeguard and an effective remedy,
percipiendam. Qui vivis et regnas with God the Father in the unity of
cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus the Holy Spirit, God, forever and
Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula ever. Amen.
saeculorum. Amen.

Communion of the Priest

P. Panem coelestem accipiam, et P. I will take the Bread of heaven,
nomen Domini invocabo. and call upon the Name of the Lord.
P. Domine, non sum dignus, et intres P. Lord, I am not worthy that You
sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic should come under my roof. But
verbo, et sanabitur anima mea. (3 say the word and my soul will be
times) healed.
(said three times)
P. Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi P. May the Body of our Lord Jesus
custodiat animam meam in vitam Christ preserve my soul to life
aeternam. Amen. everlasting. Amen.
(He reverently consumes the Host)
P. Quid retribuam Domino pro P. What return shall I make to the
omnibus quae retribuit mihi? Lord for all He has given me? I will
Calicem salutaris accipiam, et take the chalice of salvation, and I
nomen Domini invoacbo. Laudans will call upon the Name of the Lord.
invocabo Dominum, et ab inimicis Praising will I call upon the Lord
meis salvus ero. and I shall be saved from my
enemies.
P. Sanguis Domini nostri Jesu Christi P. May the Blood of our Lord Jesus
custiodiat animam meam in vitam Christ preserve my soul to life
aeternam. Amen. everlasting. Amen.
(He reverently drinks the Precious Blood)

(Sometimes said while the priest takes communion)

S : Confiteor Deo omnipotenti S. I confess to Almighty God, to
beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to
Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Blessed Michael the Archangel, to
Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Blessed John the Baptist, to the
Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et tibi Pater: Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and
quia peccavi nimis cogitatione all the Saints, and to you, Father,
verbo, et opere: mea culpa, mea that I have sinned exceedingly in
culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo thought, word, deed.(here they
precor beatam Mariam semper strike their breast three times)
Virginem, beatum Michaelem through my fault, through my fault,
Archangelum, beatum Joannem through my most grievous fault,
Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos and I ask Blessed Mary ever Virgin,
Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, Blessed Michael the Archangel,
et te Pater, orare pro me ad Blessed John the Baptist, the Holy
Dominum Deum Nostrum. Apostles Peter and Paul, all the
Saints, and you Father, to pray for
me to the Lord our God.
P. Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, P. May Almighty God have mercy on
et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat te you, forgive you your sins, and
ad vitam aeternam. bring you to everlasting life.
S. Amen S. Amen
P . Indulgentiam absolutionem, et P. May the Almighty and Merciful
remissionem peccatorum Lord grant us pardon, + absolution,
nostrorum, tributat nobis and remission of our sins.
omnipotens et misericors Dominus. S. Amen.
S : Amen

Communion of the Faithful

P. Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit P. Behold the Lamb of God, behold
peccata mundi: Him who takes away the sins of the
world.
All. Domine, nom sum dignus et All. Lord, I am not worthy that You
intres sub tectum meum; sed should come under my roof. But
tantum dic verbo, et anabitur anima say the word and my soul will be
mea. healed.
(Said three times)

(Communion is distributed at this point to those who wish to receive.)

(The priest goes andadministers Holy Communion tothe faithful saying
to each as a Host is placed on his or her tongue)
P. Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi P. May the Body of our Lord Jesus
custodiat animam tuam in vitam Christ preserve your soul unto
aeternam. everlasting life.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

The Ablutions
(The celebrant now cleanses the chalice)
P. Quod ore sumpsimus, Domine, P. What has passed our lips as food,
pura mente capiamus.. et de Lord, may we posses in purity of
munere temporali fiat nobis heart, that what is given to us in
remedium sempiternum. time, be our healing for eternity.
(and his fingers)
P..Corpus tuum, Domine, quod P. May Your Body, Lord, which I
sumpsi, et Sanguis quem potavi, have eaten, and Your Blood which I
adhaereat visceribus meis.. et have drunk, cleave to my very soul,
praesta, ut in me non remaneat and grant that no trace of sin be
scelerum macula, quem pura et found in me, whom these pure and
sancta refererunt sacramenta. Qui holy mysteries have renewed. You,
vivis et regnas in saecula Who live and reign, world without
saeculorum. Amen. end. Amen.

Communion Antiphon
(sung at this point)

Postcommunion
(stand)
P. Dominus vobiscum. P. May the Lord be with you.
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. S. And with you spirit.
P. Oremus.. P. Let us pray.
(Here he says the post-communion prayer)
S. Amen. S. Amen.

Final Prayer and Dismissal

P. Dominus vobiscum. P. May the Lord be with you.
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. S. And with your spirit
P. Ite, Missa est. D. Go, you are sent forth.
S. Deo gratias. S. Thanks be to God.
(or if the Gloria was omitted)
D. Let us bless the Lord.
S. Thanks be to God.
(or in Masses for the dead)
D. May they rest in peace.
S. Amen.
(The celebrant prays in a low voice)
P. Placeat tibi, sancta Trinitas, P. May the tribute of my worship be
obsequium servitutis meae: et pleasing to You, most Holy Trinity,
praesta, ut sacrificium quod oculis and grant that the sacrifice which I,
tuae majestatis indignus obtuli, tibi all unworthy, have offered in the
sit acceptabile, mihique, et omnibus presence of Your Majesty, may be
proquibus illud obtuli, sit te acceptable to You, and through
miserante propitiabile. Per Christum Your mercy obtain forgiveness for
Dominum nostrum. Amen. me and all for whom I have offered
it. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
P. Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus P. May Almighty God bless you, the
Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus. Father, and the Son, + and the Holy
S. Amen. Spirit.
S. Amen.

The Last Gospel

P. Dominus vobiscum. P. The Lord be with you.
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. S. And with your spirit.
P. Initium sancti Evangelii secundum P. + The beginning of the holy
Joannem. Gospel according to St. John.
S. Gloria tibi, Domine. S. Glory be to You, O Lord.
P. In principio erat Verbum et P. (The Priest reads John 1.1-14)
Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus In the beginning was the Word, and
erat Verbum. Hoc erat in principio the Word was with God, and the
apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta Word was God. The same was in
sunt, et sine ipso factum est nihil the beginning with God. All things
quod factum est; in ipso vita erat, et were made by him; and without
vita erat lux hominum; et lux in him was not any thing made that
tenebris lucet, et tenebrae eam non was made. In him was life; and the
comprehenderunt. life was the light of men. And the
light shineth in darkness; and the
darkness comprehended it not.
Fuit homo missus a Deo cui nomen There was a man sent from God,
erat Joannes. Hic cenit in whose name was John. The same
testimonium, et testimonium came for a witness, to bear witness
perhiberet de lumine, ut omnes of the Light, that all men through
crederent per illum. Non erat ille him might believe. He was not that
lux, sed ut testimonium perhiberet Light, but was sent to bear witness
de lumine. Erat lux vera quae of that Light. That was the true
illuminat omnem hominem Light, which lighteth every man
venientem in hunc mundum. In that cometh into the world. He was
mundo erat, et mundus per ipsum in the world, and the world was
factus est et mundus eum non made by him, and the world knew
cognovit. In propria venit, et sui him not. He came unto his own,
eum non receperunt. Quotquot and his own received him not. But
autem receperunt eum, dedit eis as many as received him, to them
potestatem filios Dei fieri; his qui gave he power to become the sons
credunt in nomine eius, qui non ex of God, even to them that believe
sanquinibus, neque ex voluntate on his name: Which were born, not
viri, sed ex deo nati sunt. ET of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
 VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST et nor of the will of man, but of God.
habitabit in nobis; et vidimus AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH,
gloriam eius gloiram quasi Unigenti and dwelt among us, (and we
a Patre, plenum gratiae et veritatis. beheld his glory, the glory as of the
only begotten of the Father,) full of
grace and truth
S. Deo gratias. S. Thanks be to God.

When a feast falls on a Sunday, or other day which has a proper Gospel of its own,
the Gospel of the day is read instead of the Gospel of St. John.

AFTER MASS

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus
with thee. Blessed art thou amongst tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et
women, and blessed is the fruit of benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus.
thy womb, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora
us sinners, now, and at the hour of mortis nostrae. Amen. (three times)
our death. Amen. (three times)
SALVE REGINA
HAIL HOLY QUEEN
Salve Regina, Mater misericordiae.
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
our life, our sweetness, and our Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae.
hope! To thee do we cry, poor Ad te Suspiramus, gementes et
banished children of Eve, to thee do flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. Eja
we send up our sighs, mourning and ergo, Advocata nostra, illos tuos
weeping in this valley of tears. Turn misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
then, most gracious Advocate, thine Et Jesum, benedictum fructum
eyes of mercy towards us, and after ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium
this our exile show unto us the ostende. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis
blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O Virgo Maria.
clement, O loving, O sweet virgin
Mary. P: Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.
R: Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus
P: Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. Christi.
R: That we be made worthy of the
promises of Christ.
P: Oremus. Deus refugium nostrum
P: Let us pray. O God, our refuge and et virtus, populum ad te clamantem
our strength, look down with favor propitius respice; et intercedente
upon Thy people who cry to Thee; gloriosa et immaculata Virgine Dei
and through the intercession of the Genitrice Maria, cum beato Josepho
 glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, ejus Sponso, ac beatis Apostolis tuis
Mother of God, of her spouse, Petro et Paulo, et omnibus Sanctis,
blessed Joseph, of Thy holy apostles, quas pro conversione peccatorum,
Peter and Paul, and all the saints, pro libertate et exaltatione sanctae
mercifully and graciously hear the Matris Ecclesiae, preces effundimus,
prayers which we pour forth to Thee misericors et benignus exaudi. Per
for the conversion of sinners and for eumdem Christum Dominum
the liberty and exaltation of holy nostrum. Amen.
mother Church. Through the same
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sancte Michael Archangele, defende
St. Michael, the archangel, defend us nos in praelio. Contra nequitiam et
in battle. Be our protection against insidias diaboli esto praesidium.
the malice and snares of the devil. Imperet illi Deus, supplices
We humbly beseech God to deprecamur. Tuque princeps militiae
command him. And do thou, O caelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus
prince of the heavenly host, by the malignos, qui ad perditionem
divine power thrust into hell Satan animarum pervagantur in mundo
and the other evil spirits who roam divina virtute in infernum detrude.
through the world seeking the ruin of Amen.
souls. Amen.

INVOCATION AFTER MASS P: Cor Jesu sacratissimum,

R: Miserere nobis. (three times)
P: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
R: Have mercy on us! (three times)

Indulgence of 300 days.

MASS DEVOTIONS FOR EACH DAY IN THE WEEK

To be Used in Connection with, the Preceding "Ordinary of the Mass."

SUNDAY
Votive Mass of the Blessed Trinity

INTROIT
BLESSED be the Holy Trinity and undivided Unity: we will give glory to Him, because
He hath shown His mercy to us. O Lord, Our Lord, how wonderful is Thy name in all
the earth!

BENEDICTA sit sancta Trinitas atque indivisa Unitas: confitebimur ei, quia fecit
nobiscum misericordiam suam. (Tob. xii.) Ps. viii. Domine Dominus noster, quam
admirabile est nomen tuum in universa terra!

COLL. Omnipotens. Almighty, everlasting God, Who hast granted to Thy servants in
the confession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and,
in the power of Thy Majesty, to adore the Unity; grant that, by steadfastness in the
same faith, we may ever be defended from all adversities.

EPISTLE. 2 Cor. xiii. n. Brethren: Rejoice, be perfect, take exhortation, be of one

mind, have peace: and the God of peace and of love shall be with you. The grace of
Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and the communication of the Holy
Ghost be with you all. Amen.

GRADUAL: Benedictus es, Domine, qui Blessed art Thou, O Lord, that beholdest
intueris abyssos, et sedes super the depths and sittest above the
Cherubim. Cherubim.
V.: Benedictus es, Domine, in firmamento V.: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the
coeli, et laudabilis in saecula. firmament of heaven, and worthy of
Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Benedictus es, praise forever.
Domine, Deus patrum nostrorum: et Alleluia, alleluia. V.(Dan. 3. 52).
laudabilis in saecula. Alleluia. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our
fathers, and worthy to be praised
forever. Alleluia.

After Septuagesima, instead of the Alleluia and V. of the Gradual, is said the

TRACT. With our whole hearts we glorify, praise, and bless Thee, O God the Father
not begotten, Thee the only-begotten Son, Thee the Holy Ghost the Paraclete, the
holy and undivided Trinity. V. For Thou art great and dost wonderful things; Thou
alone art God. V. To Thee be praise, to Thee be glory, to Thee be thanksgiving for
ever and ever, O blessed Trinity.

In Paschal time, the Gradual is omitted, and the following is said :

Alleluia, Alleluia. Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers, and worthy of praise
for ever. Alleluia. Let us bless the Father and the Son with the Holy Ghost. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. John xv. 26, xvi. i, 4. At that time : Jesus said to His disciples: When the
Paraclete cometh, Whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, Who
proceedeth from the Father, He shall give testimony of Me; and you shall give
testimony, because you are with Me from the beginning. These things have I spoken
to you, that you may not be scandalized. They will put you out of the synagogues;
yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth a service to
God. And these things will they do to you, because they have not known the Father
nor Me. But these things I have told you; that when the hour shall come, you may
remember that I told you of them.

OFFERTORY: Benedictus sit Deus Pater, Blessed be God the Father, and the
unigenitus que Dei Filius, Sanctus only-begotten Son of God, and also the
quoque Spiritus: quia fecit nobiscum Holy Spirit; because He hath shown His
misericordiam suam. mercy to us.
SEC. Sanctify, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, by the invocation of Thy holy
name, the victim of this oblation; and through the same perfect us as an eternal
offering to Thee.

COMMUNION. We bless the God of heaven, and we will give glory to Him in the sight
of all that live: because He hath shown His mercy to us.

P. COMM. May the receiving of this sacrament, O Lord our God, avail us to the
salvation of body and soul: together with the confession of an everlasting Holy
Trinity, and of the undivided Unity thereof. Through, etc.

MASS OF THANKSGIVING

N.B. On any occasion of Thanksgiving, either the Votive Mass of the Blessed Trinity,
or that of the Holy Ghost, or of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is said, with the addition of
the following Collect, Secret, and Post-Communion.

COLL. Deus, cujus. O God, Whose mercies are without number, and the treasure of
Whose goodness is infinite, we give Thee thanks for the blessings Thou hast
bestowed on us: always beseeching Thy divine Majesty, that as Thou gran test what
we ask, so Thou wouldst continue Thy favors to us in such a manner that by them
we may be prepared for receiving the rewards of eternal happiness.

SECRET. Receive, O Lord, this sacrifice of thanksgiving, and grant that those, whom
Thou hast heard, and hitherto preserved, may hereafter be defended against all
adversity, and that they may serve Thee and love Thee more and more.

P. COMM. Deus, qui. O God, Who hast compassion on those who hope in Thee, and
sufferest not that they shall be overwhelmed with afflictions; O Lord ever mercifully
attentive to the petitions of the faithful: we give Thee thanks for having heard our
prayers, and humbly beseech Thee that, by Thy favor, we may be delivered from all
adversity.

MONDAY
Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Souls

Dedicated to the Holy Ghost and to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

PROPER PARTS

INTROIT. Spiritus Domini replevit orbem The Spirit of the Lord hath filled the
terrarum, alleluia: et hoc quod continet whole world, alleluia; and that which
omnia, scientiam habet vocis, alleluia, containeth all things hath knowledge of
alleluia, alleluia. - Exsurget Deus, et the voice, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. --
dissipentur inimici ejus: et fugiant, qui (Ps. 67. 1). Let God arise, and let His
oderunt eum, a facie ejus. V.: Gloria enemies be scattered: and let them that
Patri... -- Spiritus Domini replevit orbem . hate Him flee from before His face. V.:
.. Glory be to the Father ... -- The Spirit of
 the Lord hath filled the whole world . . .

COLL. Deus, qui. O God, Who by the light of the Holy Ghost, didst instruct the hearts
of the faithful: grant, by the direction of the same Holy Spirit, that we may relish
what is right, and always enjoy His consolation. Through, etc.

LESSON. Acts viii. 14, 17. In those days: When the apostles who were in Jerusalem,
had heard that Samaria had received the word of God: they sent to them Peter and
John. Who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy
Ghost. For He was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only baptized
in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands upon them, and they
received the Holy Ghost.

GRAD. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: the people whom the Lord hath
chosen for His inheritance. By the word of the Lord the heavens were established:
and all the power of them by the spirit of His mouth.
Alleluia, Alleluia. F. (Here kneel.) Come, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Alleluia.

After Septuagesima, instead of the foregoing Alleluia and V. is said the

TRACT. Ps. ciii. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt
renew the face of the earth.
V. O Lord, how good and how sweet is Thy Spirit within us. Come, O Holy Ghost, fill
the hearts of Thy
faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

In Paschal time, instead of the Gradual, is said:

Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt
renew the face of the earth. Alleluia.

V. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful; and kindle in them the fire of
Thy love.

SEQUENCE

Veni, Sancte Spiritus, Come, Thou Holy Spirit, come,

Et emitte coelitus, And from Thy celestial home
Lucis tuae radium. Shed a ray of light devine

Veni pater pauperum, Come, Thou Father of the poor,

Veni dator munerum, Come, Thou source of all our
Veni lumen cordium. store,
Come, within our bosoms shine.
Consolator optime.
Dulcis hospes animae, Thou of Conforters the best,
Dulce refrigerium. Thou the soul's delightful guest,
Sweet refreshment here below.
 In labore requies,
In aestu temeries, In our labor rest most sweet,
In fletu solatium. Pleasant coolness in the heat,
Solace in the midst of woe.
O lux beatissima,
Reple cordis intima, O most blessed Light divine,
Tuorum fidelium. Shine within these hearts of
Thine,
Sine tuo numine, And our inmost being fill.
Nihil est in homine,
Nihil est innoxium. Where Thou art not, man hath
nought
Lava quod est sordidum, Nothing good in deed or thought,
Riga quod est aridum, Nothing free from taint of ill.
Sana quod est saucium.
Heal our wounds, our strength
Flecte quod est rigidum, renew,
Fove quod est frigidum, On our dryness pour Thy dew,
Rege quod est devium. Wash the stains of guilt away.

Da tuis fidelibus, Bend the stubborn heart and will,

In te confitentibus, Melt the frozen, warm the chill,
Sacrum septenarium. Guide the steps that go astray.

Da virtutis meritum, On Thy faithful who adore,

Da salutis exitum, And confess Thee evermore,
Da perenne gaudium. In Thy sevenfold gifts descend.
Amen. Alleluia.
Give them virtue's sure reward,
Give them Thy salvation, Lord,
Give them joys that never end.
Amen. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. John xiv. 23, 31. At that time: Jesus said to His disciples: If any one love Me,
he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and will
make Our abode with him: he that loveth Me not, keepeth not My words. And the
word which you have heard is not Mine: but the Father s Who sent Me. These things
have I spoken to you, abiding with you. But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, Whom the
Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring all things to your
mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to
you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor
let it be afraid. You have heard that I have said to you: I go away, and I come again
to you. If you loved Me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father: for
the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass: that
when it shall come to pass, you may believe. I will not now speak many things with
you. For the prince of this world cometh, and in Me he hath not anything. But that
the world may know that I love the Father: and as the Father hath given Me
commandment, so do I.
OFFERT. Ps. Ixvii. Confirm, O God, what Thou hast wrought in us, from Thy holy
temple which is in Jerusalem: kings shall offer presents to Thee. Alleluia.

SECRET. Sanctify, we beseech Thee, O Lord, these oblations, and purify our hearts
by the light of the Holy Ghost. Through, etc.

COMM. Acts ii. Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind
coming where they were sitting, Alleluia: and they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and published the wonderful works of God. Alleluia.

P. COMM. May the pouring forth of the Holy Ghost into our hearts, cleanse them, O
Lord, and render them fruitful by the dew of His grace. Through, etc.

Mass for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, after the Burial Service.

TUESDAY
Votive Mass of the Holy Angels

PROPER PARTS

Benedcite Dminum, omnes Bless the Lord, all ye His angels:

Angeli ejus: potntes virtte, qui you that are mighty in strength,
fcitis verbum ejus, ad and execute His word, harkening
audindam vocem sermnem to the voice of His orders. (Ps.
ejus. (Ps.102: 1) Bnedic, nima 102: 1) Bless the Lord, O my soul:
mea, Dmino: et mnia, qu and let all that is within me bless
intra me sunt, nmini sancto His holy name. Glory be to the
ejus. v. Gloria Patri et Filio et Father and to the Son and to the
Spiritui Sancti sicut erat in Holy Ghost, as it was in the
principio et nunc, et semper, et beginning, is now and ever shall
saecula saeculorum. Amen. be, world without end. Amen.
Repeat Benedicite Dominum... Repeat Bless the Lord...

COLL. Deus qui miro. O God, Who disposes! the services of angels and men in a
wonderful order; mercifully grant that those who ever stand before Thee,
ministering to Thee in heaven, may also protect our life here upon earth.

LESS. Apoc. v. 11-14. Audivi vocem angelorum. And I beheld, and I heard the voice
of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures and the ancients:
and the number of them was thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: The
Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and
strength, and honor, and glory, and benediction. And every creature, which is in
heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all
that are in them: I heard all saying: To Him that sitteth on the throne, and to the
Lamb, benediction and honor and glory and power for ever and ever. And the four
living creatures said: Amen. And the four-and-twenty ancients fell down on their
faces: and adored Him that liveth for ever and ever.

GRAD. Ps. cxlviii. Laudate Praise ye the Lord from the

 Dominum de coelis: laudate eum heavens: praise ye Him from the
in excelsis. V. Laudate eum high places. Praise ye Him, all His
omnes angeli ejus: laudate eum angels: praise ye Him, all His
omnes virtutes ejus. Alleluia. hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. I will sing
Alleluia. V. Ps. cxxxvii. In praise to Thee in the sight of the
conspectu angelorum psallam angels: I will worship toward Thy
tibi: adorabo ad templum holy temple, and I will give glory
sanctum tuum, et confitebor to Thy name. Alleluia.
nomini tuo. Alleluia.

After Septuagesima, Alleluia and V. are omitted, and the following is said:

TRACT. Ps. cii. Benedicite Bless the Lord, all ye His angels:
Dominum omnes angeli ejus: ye that are mighty in strength,
potentes virtute, qui facitis and execute His word, hearkening
verbum ejus. F. Benedicite to the voice of His orders. Bless
Domino omnes virtutes ejus: the Lord, all ye His hosts: ye
ministri ejus, qui facitis ministers of His that do His will.
voluntatem ejus. Bless the Lord, all His works: in
P. Benedicite Domino omnia every place of His dominion, O
opera ejus: in omni loco my soul, bless thou the Lord.
dominationis ejus, benedic

anima mea Domino.

GOSP. John i. 47-51. Vidit Jesus Nathanael venientem. Jesus saw Nathanael coming
to Him, and He saith of him: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.
Nathanael saith to Him: Whence knowest Thou me? Jesus answered, and said to
him: Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee.
Nathanael answered Him, and said: Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God, Thou art the
King of Israel. Jesus answered, and said to him: Because I said unto thee, I saw thee
under the fig-tree, thou believest: greater things than these shalt thou see. And He
saith to him. Amen, amen, I say to you, you shall see the heaven opened, and the
angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Stetit Angelus juxta aram templi, An angel stood near the altar of
habens thurbulum ureum in the temple, having a golden
manu sua, et data sunt ei incnsa censer in his hand: and there was
given to him much incense: and
multa: et ascndit fumus
the smoke of the perfumes
armatum in conspctu Dei, ascended before God, alleluia.
allelja.

SEC. We offer to Thee, O Lord, the sacrifices of praise, humbly beseeching Thee that
by the suffrages of angels in our behalf, Thou wouldst graciously accept them, and
grant that they may conduce to our salvation.
 Angeli, archangeli, throni et Angels, archangels, thrones and
dominationes, principatus et dominions, principalities and
potestates, virtutes caelorum, powers, virtues of the heavens,
cherubim atque seraphim cherubim and seraphim, bless ye
Dominum benedicite in the Lord forever.
aeternum.

P. COMM. Being replenished, O Lord, with heavenly benediction, we suppliantly

beseech Thee, that, by the aid of the holy angels and archangels, what we celebrate
by our un worthy office may be conducive to our salvation.

WEDNESDAY
Votive Mass of Saint Jospeh

PROPER PARTS

INTROIT. Adjutor, et protector The Lord is our helper and

noster est Dominus: ideo protector: in Him our heart shall
laetabitur cor nostrum, et in rejoice, and in His holy Name we
nomine sancto ejus speravimus, have trusted, alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. -- Qui alleluia. -- (Ps. 79. 1). Give ear, O
regis Israel, intende: qui deducis, Thou that rulest Israel: Thou that
velut ovem, Joseph. V.: Gloria leadest Joseph like a sheep. V.:
Patri... -- Adjutor, et protector Glory be to the Father... -- The
noster est Dominus . . . Lord is our helper and protector...

COLL. Deus qui. O God, Who by Thy unspeakable providence, didst vouchsafe to
choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother; grant that, as we
venerate him for our protector on earth, we may deserve to be aided by his
intercession in heaven.

EPISTLE. Gen. xlix. Joseph is a growing son, and comely to behold; the daughters
run to and fro upon the wall. But they that held darts provoked him, and quarrelled
with him, and envied him; his bow rested upon the strong, and the bands of his
arms and his hands were loosed by the hands of the mighty One of Jacob: thence he
came forth a pastor, the stone of Israel. The God of thy father shall be thy helper,
and the Almighty shall bless thee with the blessings of heaven above, with the
blessings of the deep that lieth beneath, with the blessings of the breasts and of the
womb.

The blessings of thy father are strengthened with the blessings of his fathers until
the desire of the everlasting hills shall come. May they be upon the head of Joseph,
and upon the crown of the Nazarite among His brethren.

GRAD. Domine praevenisti eum O Lord, Thou hast pre vented him
in benedictionibus dulcedinis: with blessings of sweetness;
posuisti in capite ejus coronam Thou hast set on his head a
de lapide pretioso. V. Vitam petiit crown of precious stones. V. He
a te, et tribuisti ei longitudinem asked life of Thee, and Thou hast
 dierum in saeculum saeculi. given him length of days forever
Alleluia. Alleluia. V. Fac nos and ever. Alleluia. Alleluia. V.
innocu- am, Joseph, decurrere Obtain for us, O Joseph, that we
vitam: sitque tuo semper tuta may lead an innocent life; and
patrocinio. Alleluia. may it ever be safe through thy
patronage. Alleluia.

After Septuagesima.

TRACT. Beatus vir qui timet Blessed is the man that feareth
Dominum: in mandatis ejus cupit the Lord; he delights exceedingly
nimis. Potens in terra erit semen in His commandments. His seed
ejus, generatio rectorum shall be mighty upon the earth;
benedicetur. Gloria, et divitiae in the generation of the righteous
domo ejus, et justitia ejus manet shall be blessed. Glory and
in saeculum saeculi. wealth shall be in his house; and
his justice remaineth for ever and
ever.

GOSPEL. Luke iii. At that time: It came to pass, when all the people were baptized,
that Jesus, also being baptized and praying, heaven was opened: and the Holy
Ghost descended in a bodily shape as a dove upon Him; and a voice came from
heaven: Thou art My beloved Son,- in Thee I am well pleased. And Jesus Himself was
beginning about the age of thirty years, being, as it was supposed, the son of
Joseph.

OFFERT. Ps. cxlvii. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem, because He hath strengthened the
bolts of thy gates: He hath blessed thy children within thee.

SEC. Supported by the patronage of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, we
beseech Thy clemency, O Lord, that Thou wouldst make our hearts despise all
earthly things, and love Thee, the true God, with perfect charity.

COM. Jacob autem genuit Joseph But Jacob begot Joseph, the
virum Mariae, de qua natus est husband of Mary, of whom was
Jesus, qui vocatur Christus, born Jesus, who is called Christ,
alleluia, alleluia. alleluia, alleluia.

P. COMM. Divini. Refreshed at the fountain of divine blessing, we beseech Thee, O

Lord our God, that as Thou makest us rejoice in the protection of blessed Joseph, so
by his merits and intercession Thou wouldst make us partakers of celestial glory.

Spiritual Communion

JESUS, my divine Saviour, like a meek and gentle lamb Thou didst offer Thyself upon
the cross as a sacrifice for the whole world, and in Thine own most precious blood
didst wash away our sins. On our altars Thou dost renew the sacrifice of the cross,
and givest Thyself, moreover, to us as the food of our souls. I may not now receive
Thee really in the Blessed Sacrament, but my soul sighs and longs for Thee, and
therefore I beseech Thee in Thy love and mercy to unite Thyself to me, at least in a
spiritual manner. Thou didst condescend to heal so many, when they but touched
the hem of Thy garment. Permit me now, good Master, gentle Saviour, to touch
Thee in spirit and with confidence that my poor soul may be freed from all its ills.
Come to me, Jesus, come, and remain with me always; let me nevermore be
separated from Thee by sin! I thank Thee for all Thy graces and blessings. I love
Thee above all things and with my whole heart. Bless me, that I may persevere in
Thy service to the end of my life.

Dear St. Joseph! how great, how innumerable were the graces which thou didst
receive, when the divine Child dwelt under thy roof! How inexpressible was the
happiness of thy heart, when thou didst carry Him in thy arms! Pray for me, holy
foster-father of Jesus, my Saviour, that this spiritual communion may be most
salutary to me, that the strength of the Most Holy Sacrament may be my support in
all the trials and temptations of life, that it may strengthen me in all good, and help
me to win the crown of eternal glory.

THURSDAY
Mass of the Blessed Sacrament

For Mass of the Sacred Heart, see " Mass in Union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

PROPER PARTS

Cibavit eos ex adipe frumenti, He fed them with the fat of

alleluia: et de petra, melle wheat, alleluia; and filled them
saturavit eos, alleluia, alleluia, with honey out of the rock,
alleluia. -- Exsultate Deo adjutori alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. -- (Ps.
nostro: jubilate Deo Jacob. V.: 80. 2). Rejoice in God our helper;
Gloria Patri... -- Cibavit eos ex sing aloud to the God of Jacob. V.:
adipe frumenti ... Glory be to the Father... -- He fed
them with the fat of wheat...

COLL. Deus qid. O God, Who under a wonderful Sacrament hast left us a memorial
of Thy Passion; grant us the grace, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred
mysteries of Thy body and blood, that we may ever feel within us the fruit of Thy
redemption.

EPIST. i Cor. xi. 23-29. Fr. ego enim. Brethren, I have received of the Lord, that which
also I have delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was
betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks, broke, and said, Take ye, and eat; this is
My body which shall be delivered for you; this do for the commemoration of Me. In
like manner also the chalice, after He had supped, saying, This chalice is the new
testament in My blood; this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the
commemoration of Me. For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink this
chalice, you shall show the death of the Lord until He come. Therefore, whosoever
shall eat this bread, or drink of the chalice of the Lord un worthily, shall be guilty of
the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself; and so let him
eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh
unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the
Lord.

Oculi omnium in te sperant, The eyes of all hope in Thee, O

Domine: et tu das illis escam in Lord, and Thou givest them meat
tempore opportuno. V.: Aperis tu in due season. V.: Thou openest
manum tuam: et imples omne Thy hand, and fillest every living
animal benedictione. creature with Thy blessing.
Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Caro mea Alleluia, alleluia. V.(John 6. 56,
vere est cibus et sanguis meus 57). My Flesh is meat indeed and
vere est potus: qui manducat My Blood is drink indeed: he that
meam carnem, et bibit meum eateth My Flesh and drinketh My
sanguinem, in me manet, et ego Blood, abideth in Me, and I in
in eo. Alleluia. Him. Alleluia.

GOSP. John vi. 56-59. In illo Caro mea. At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of
the Jews: My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He that eateth My
flesh, and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me, and I in him. As the living Father hath
sent Me, and I live by the Father, so he that eateth Me, the same also shall live by
Me: This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat
manna and are dead. He that eateth this bread shall live for ever.

Sacerdotes Domini incensum et The priests of the Lord offer

panes offerunt Deo: et ideo sancti incense and loaves to God, and
erunt Deo suo, et non polluent therefore they shall be holy to
nomen ejus, alleluia. their God, and shall not defile His
Name. Alleluia.

SEC. We beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to grant to Thy Church the gifts of unity
and peace, which are mystically designated under the gifts we offer.

Quotiescumque manducabitis As often as you shall eat this

panem hunc, et calicem bibetis Bread, and drink the Chalice, you
mortem Domini annuntiabitis, shall show the death of the Lord,
donec veniat: itaque quicumque until He come: therefore
manducaverit panem vel biberit whosoever shall eat this Bread or
calicem Domini indigne: reus erit drink the Chalice of the Lord
corporis et sanguinis Domini, unworthily, shall be guilty of the
alleluia. Body and Blood of the Lord.
Alleluia.

P. COMM. Fac nos. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be filled with the
everlasting fruition of Thy divinity, which is prefigured by the temporal reception of
Thy precious body and blood.

On the Feast of "Corpus Christi" is recited, before the Gospel, the Sequence: "Lauda
Sion." It is appended at the end of this Mass.
 SEQUENCE

Lauda, Sion, Salvatorem, Sion, lift thy voice and sing:

Lauda ducem et pastorem, Praise thy Savior and thy King,
In hymnis et canticis. Praise with hymns thy Shepherd
true.
Quantum potes, tantum aude;
Quia major omni laude, All thou canst, do thou endeavor,
Nec laudare sufficis. Yet thy praise can equal never
Such as merits thy great King.
Laudis thema specialis,
Panis vivus et vitalis, See today before us laid
Hodie proponitur. The living and life-giving Bread!
Theme for praise and joy
Quem in sacrae mensa coenae, profound!
Turbae fratrum duodenae,
Datum non ambigitur. The same which at the sacred
board
Sit laus plena, sit sonora; Was, by our incarnate Lord,
Sit jucunda, sit decora Giv'n to His Apostels round.
Mentis jubilatio.
Let the praise by loud and high:
Dies enim solemnis agitur, Sweet and tranquil be the joy
In qua mensae prima recolitur Felt today in every breast,
Hujus institutio.
On this festival divine
In hac mensa novi Regis, Which records the origin
Novum Pasha novae legis Of the glorious Eucharist.
Phase vetus terminat.
On this table of the King,
Vetustatem novitas, Our new Paschal offering
umbram fugat veritas, Brings to end the olden rite.
Noctem lux eliminat.
Here, for empty shadows fled,
Quod in coena Christus gessit, Is reality instead;
Faciendum hoc espressit Here, instead of darkness, light.
In sui memoriam.
His own act, at supper seated,
Docti sacris institutis, Christ ordain'd to be repeated,
Panem, vinum, in salutis In His memory divine;
Consecramus hostiam.
Wherefore now, with adoration,
Dogma datur Christianis, We, the Host of our salvation,
Quod in carnem transit panis, Consecrate from bread and wine,
Et vinum in sanguinem.
Hear what holy Church
Quod non capis, quod non vides, maintaineth,
Animosa firmat fides, That the bread its substance
Praeter rerum ordinem. changeth
Into Flesh, the wine to Blood.
Sub diversis speciebus,
Signis tantum, et non rebus, Doth it pass thy comprehending?
Latent res eximiae. Faith, the law of sight
transcending
Caro cibus, sanguis potus; Leaps to things not understood,
Manet tamen Christus totus
Sub utraque specie. Here beneath these signs are
hidden
A sumente non concisus, Priceless things, to sense
Non confractus, non divisus, forbidden
Integer accipitur. Signs, not things, are all we see.

Sumit unus, sumunt mille: Flesh from bread, and Blood from
Quantum isti, tantum ille: wine,
Nec sumptus consumitur. Yet is Christ in either sign,
All entire, confessed to be.
Sumunt boni, sumunt mali,
Sorte tamen inaequali They, who of Him here partake,
Vitae vel interitus. Sever not, nor rend, nor break:
But, entire, their Lord receive,
Mors et malis, vita bonis:
Vide paris sumptionis Whether one or thousands eat,
Quam sit dispar exitus. All receive the self-same meat,
Nor the less for others leave,
Fracto demum sacramento,
Ne vacilles, sed memento Both the wicked and the good
Tantum esse sub fragmento Eat of this celestial Food;
Quantum toto tegitur. But with ends how opposite!

Nulla rei fit scissura: Here 'tis life: and there 'tis death:
Signi tantum fit fractura: The same, yet issuing to each
Qua nec status nec statura In a difference infinite.
Signati minuitur.
Nor a single doubt retain,
Ecce panis Angelorum, When they break the Host in
Factus cibus viatorum, twain,
Vere panis filiorum. But that in each part remains
Non mittendus canibus. What was in the whole before;

In figuris praesignatur, Since the simple sign alone

Cum Isaac immolatur: Suffers change in state or form,
Agnus paschae deputatur; The signified remaining one
Datur manna patribus. And the same for evermore.

Bone pastor, panis vere, Lo! upon the altar lies,

Jesu, nostri miserere: Hidden deep from human eyes,
Tu nos pasce, nos tuere, Bread of Angels from the skies,
Tu nos bona fac videre Made the food of mortal man;
In terra viventium.
Children's meat to dogs denied,
 Tu, qui cuncta scis et vales, In old types presignified:
Qui nos pascis hic mortales, In the manna heaven-supplied
Tuos ibi commensales, In Isaac, and the Paschal lamb.
Cohaeredes et sodales,
Fac Sanctorum civium. Jesu! Shepherd of the sheep!
Amen. Alleluia. Thou Thy flock in safety keep,
Living Bread! Thy life supply:
Strengthen us, or else we die:
Fill us with celestial grace!

Thou, who feedest us below!

Source of all we have or know!
Grant that with Thy Saints above,
Sitting at the feast of love,
We may see Thee face to face.
Amen. Alleluia.

FRIDAY
Votive Mass of the Passion

PROPER PARTS

HUMILIAVIT semetipsum Dominus THE Lord Jesus Christ humbled

Jesus Christus usque ad mortem, Himself unto death, even the
mortem autem crucis; propter death of the cross; wherefore
quod et Deus exaltavit illum, et God also hath exalted Him, and
donavit illi nomen, quod est hath given Him a name which is
super omne nomen. (Phil, ii.) Ps. above every name. Ps: The
Ixxxviii. Misericordias Domini in mercies of the Lord I will sing for
aeternum cantabo: in ever: to generation and
generationem et generationem. generation.

COLL. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst descend from heaven, from the bosom of the
Father, and didst shed Thy precious blood for the remission of our sins, we humbly
beseech Thee that, placed at Thy right hand in the day of judgment, we may be
found worthy to hear these words: Come, ye blessed. Amen.

LESS. Zach. xii. 10, xiii. 6-7. Hac dicit Dom. Effundam. Thus saith the Lord: I will pour
out upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of
grace, and of prayers: and they shall look upon Me, Whom they have pierced: and
they shall mourn for Him as one mourneth for an only son, and they shall grieve
over Him as the manner is to grieve for the death of the first-born. In that day there
shall be a great lamentation in Jerusalem, and it shall be said: What are these
wounds in the midst of Thy hands? And He shall say: With these I was wounded in
the house of them that loved Me. Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and
against the man that cleaveth to Me, saith the Lord of hosts: strike the shepherd,
and the sheep shall be scattered, saith the Lord almighty.
 GRAD. Ps. Ixviii. Improperium My heart hath expected reproach
expectavit cor meum et and misery: and I looked for one
miseriam: et sustinui, qui simul that would grieve together with
mecum contristaretur, et non fuit: Me, and there was none: I sought
consolantem me quaesivi, et non one that would comfort Me, and I
inveni. R. Dederunt in escam found none. V. They gave Me gall
meam fel, et in siti mea for My food, and in My thirst they
potaverunt me aceto. Alleluia, gave Me vinegar to drink.
Alleluia. V. Ave Rex noster: tu Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Hail, Thou,
solus nostros es miseratus our King: Thou alone hast had
errores: Patri obediens, ductus es compassion on our errors :
ad crucifigendum / ut agnus obedient to the Father, Thou wert
mansuetus ad occisionem. led to be crucified, like a meek
Alleluia. lamb to the slaughter. Alleluia.

TRACT. Is. liii. Vere languores Surely He hath borne our

nostros ipse tulit, et dolores infirmities, and carried our
nostros ipse portavit. V. Et nos sorrows. V. And we have thought
putavimus eum quasi leprosum, Him as it were a leper, and as
et percussum a Deo et one struck by God and afflicted.
humiliatum. V. Ipse autem V. But He was wounded for our
vulneratus est propter iniquitates iniquities, He was bruised for our
nostras, attritus est propter sins. V. The chastisement of our
scelera nostra. V. Disciplina pads peace was upon Him: and by His
nostrae super eum: et livore ejus bruises we are healed.
sanati sumus.

In Paschal time instead of the Gradual is said:

Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ave Rex Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Hail, Thou,
noster: tu solus nostros es our King: Thou alone hast
miseratus errores: Patri obediens, compassion on our errors:
ductus es ad crucifigendum, ut obedient to the Father, Thou wert
agnus mansuetus ad occisionem. led to be crucified, like a meek
Alleluia. V. Tibi gloria, hosanna: lamb to the slaughter. V. To Thee
tibi Alleluia. triumphus et victoria: be glory, hosanna: to Thee be
tibi summae laudis et honoris triumph and victory: to Thee a
corona. Alleluia. crown of highest praise and
honor. Alleluia.

GOSP. John xix. 28-35. In illo, sclent Jesus. At that time: Jesus, knowing that all
things were now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst.
Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they putting a sponge full of
vinegar about hyssop, put it to His mouth. Jesus therefore when He had taken the
vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing His head, He gave up the ghost. Then
the Jews (because it was the parasceve), that the bodies might not remain upon the
cross on the Sabbath-day (for that was a great Sabbath-day), besought Pilate that
their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers,
therefore, came: and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was
crucified with him. But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that He was
already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear
opened His side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw
it hath given testimony, and his testimony is true.

Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ave Rex Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Hail, Thou,

noster: tu solus nostros es our King: Thou alone hast
miseratus errores: Patri obediens, compassion on our errors:
ductus es ad crucifigendum, ut obedient to the Father, Thou wert
agnus mansuetus ad occisionem. led to be crucified, like a meek
Alleluia. V. Tibi gloria, hosanna: lamb to the slaughter. V. To Thee
tibi Alleluia. triumphus et victoria: be glory, hosanna: to Thee be
tibi summae laudis et honoris triumph and victory: to Thee a
corona. Alleluia. crown of highest praise and
honor. Alleluia.

OFF. Insurrexerunt in me viri Wicked men rose up against Me:

iniqui: absque misericordia without mercy they sought to kill
quaesierunt me inter ficere: et Me: and they did not spare to spit
non pepercerunt in faciem meam in My face: they wounded Me
spuere: lanceis suis with their spears, and all My
vulneraverunt me, et concussa bones were shaken.
sunt omnia ossa mea.

SEC. May the sacrifice offered to Thee, O Lord, through the Passion of Thy only-
begotten Son interceding for us, ever enliven and defend us.

PREFACE. Qui salutem, as in Ordinary.

COMM. Ps. xxi. Foderunt manus They have pierced My hands and
meas et pedes meos: My feet; they have numbered all
dinumeraverunt omnia ossa mea. My bones.

P. COMM. Domine Jesu. O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who at the sixth
hour didst ascend the tree of the cross for the redemption of the world, and didst
shed Thy precious blood for the remission of our sins; we humbly beseech Thee,
grant that after our death we may joyfully enter the gates of paradise.

SATURDAY
Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Immaculate Conception

PROPER PARTS

INT: Gaudens gaudebo in Domino, I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,

et exsultabit anima mea in Deo and my soul shall be joyful in my
meo: quia induit me vestimentis God: for He hath clothed me with
salutis: et indumento iustitiae the garments of salvation, and
circumdedit me, quasi sponsam with the robe of justice He hath
 ornatam monilibus suis. -- covered me, as a bride adorned
Exaltabo te, Domine, quoniam with her jewels. -- (Ps. 29. 2). I
suscepisti me: nec delectasi will extol Thee, O Lord, for Thou
inimicos meos super me. V.: hast upheld me: and hast not
Gloria Patri Gaudens made my enemies to rejoice over
me. V.: GloryI will

COLL. Deus qui. O God, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, didst
prepare a worthy habitation for Thy Son; we beseech Thee that, as by the foreseen
death of this Thy Son, Thou didst preserve her from all stain of sin, so Thou wouldst
enable us, being made pure by her intercession, to come unto Thee.

LESS. Prov. viii. 22-35. Dominus possedit. The Lord possessed me in the beginning
of His ways, before He made anything, from the beginning. I was set up from
eternity, and of old, before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I
was already conceived; neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out; the
mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established: before the hills I
was brought forth; He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of
the world. When He prepared the heavens, I was present: when, with a certain law
and compass, He enclosed the depths; when He established the sky above, and
poised the fountains of waters; when He compassed the sea with its bounds, and
set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits; when He balanced the
foundations of the earth; I was with Him, forming all things, and was delighted every
day, playing before Him at all times, playing in the world: and my delights were to
be with the children of men. Now, therefore, ye children, hear me: blessed are they
that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the
man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts
of my doors. He that shall find me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the
Lord.

GRAD: Benedicta es tu, Virgo Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary,

Maria, a Domino Deo excelso, by the Lord the most high God,
prae omnibus mulieribus super above all women upon the earth.
terram. V.: Tu gloria Ierusalem, tu V.: Thou art the glory of
laetitia Israel, tu honorificentia Jerusalem, thou art the joy of
populi nostri. Israel, thou art the honor of our
people.
Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Tota pulchra
es, Maria: et macula originalis Alleluia, alleluia. V.: (Canticles
non est in te. Alleluia. 4. 7) Thou art all fair, O Mary, and
there is in thee no stain of
original sin.
After Septuagesima the Alleluia and V. are omitted, and the following is said :

TRACT: Fundamenta eius in The foundations thereof are in

montibus sanctis: diligit Dominus the holy mountains: the Lord
portas Sion super omnia loveth the gates of Sion above all
tabernacula Iacob. V.: Gloriosa the tabernacles of Jacob. V.:
dicta sunt de te, civitas Dei. V.: Glorious things are said of thee,
Homo natus est in ea, et ipse O city of God. V.: A man is born in
 funda vit eam Altissimus. her, and the Highest Himself hath
founded her.

In Paschal time, instead of the Gradual the following is said:

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Tu gloria Alleluia, alleluia. V.(Judith 15. 10)

Ierusalem, tu laetitia Israel, tu Thou art the glory of Jerusalem,
honorificentia populi nostri. thou art the joy of Irael, thou art
Alleluia. Tota pulchra es Maria: et the honor of our people. Alleluia.
macula originalis non est in te. V.(Canticles 4. 7) Thou art all fair,
Alleluia. O Mary, and there is in thee no
stain of original sin. Alleluia.

GOSP. Luke i. 26-28. In illo tern pore missus est angelus. At that time, the angel
Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin
espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgins
name was Man 7 . And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.

OFF: Ave, Maria, gratia plena, Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord
Dominus tecum: benedicta tu in is with thee; blessed art thou
mulieribus. [T. P. Alleluia.] among women. [P. T. Alleluia.]

SEC. Receive, O Lord, the saving Host which we offer to Thee in the solemnity of the
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and grant that as we profit by
that preventing grace which freed her from all stain of sin, so by her intercession we
may be delivered from all our sins.

PREFACE. Et te in Conceptione Immaculata. Ordinary.

COMM: Gloriosa dicta sunt de te, Glorious things are told of thee, O
Maria: quia fecit tibi magna qui Mary, for He who is mighty has
potens est. [T. P. Alleluia.] done great things unto thee. [P. T.
Alleluia.]

P. COMM. Sacramenta. May the sacraments we have received, O Lord our God,
repair in us the wounds of that sin, from which thou didst singularly preserve the
Immaculate Conception of blessed Mary.

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION AT MASS

SPIRITUAL communion, a practice earnestly recommended at every visit to the

Blessed Sacrament, consists, according to St. Thomas, in an ardent desire of
receiving Jesus Christ, and in welcoming Him with loving embrace, as though we
received Him sacramentally. This exercise, devoutly practised, has an especial
efficacy for inflaming us more and more with the fire of divine love and uniting us
ever more closely with Christ our Lord.
The fittest time for making spiritual communion is during the holy Mass, and when
we visit Our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. "Whenever you hear Mass," says
St. Teresa, "endeavor also to make a spiritual communion, and from this you will
gain the greatest spiritual profit." The faithful who assist at the holy sacrifice offer,
along with the priest, before the throne of grace, not only prayers and praises, but
the sacred Victim also; and holy Church desires that all the faithful assisting at the
sacrifice should partake together with the priest of the most holy body of Jesus
Christ. We find the holy Fathers most bitterly regretting the time when, the piety of
Christians waxing cold, they began to give up the saintly custom of communicating
daily at the Mass. The prayers recited by the priest in preparation and. thanksgiving
after holy communion are equally adapted to the use of the faithful assisting at
Mass. These and similar reasons show most clearly that if the faithful who are
present at Mass can not communicate sacramentally, they ought at least to
endeavor to communicate spiritually, that is, in heart and will.

Christians should also make a spiritual communion when they visit the Most Holy
Sacrament. The principal motive for which Jesus vouchsafes to remain amongst us
in the Blessed Sacrament is to communicate Himself to our souls. So great a
condescension on the part of Our Lord requires our cooperation. But how can we
respond to such an admirable invention of love, except by an ardent longing to be
united to Him, and to receive Him into our heart at least when we find ourselves in
His sacred presence?

In order, then, that you, O devout soul, may be well disposed for this holy exercise,
begin by making an act of sincere contrition for all your sins, thus, as it were, to
remove the dust from that chamber into which you desire your Lord to enter. Having
done this, next excite yourself to a lively faith in the presence of Jesus Christ in this
Divine Sacrament.

Consider briefly the majesty and grandeur of that God Whom you behold hidden
beneath the eucharistic veil; ponder on the strength of that love and that infinite
goodness which leads Him to desire earnestly to be united with so unworthy a
creature; break forth into accents of humility and longing desire; of humility when
you look upon your own unworthiness; of desire when you behold the infinite bounty
of your Lord. Seeing, then, that you can not now unite yourself to Him really by
sacramental communion, join yourself to Him at least in heart and affection, and
say to Him in words of burning love: "Come, my dearest Jesus, come into this poor
heart of mine; come and satiate my desires, come and sanctify my soul ; come, my
sweetest Jesus, come to my bosom; come and remain with me always."

Imagine, then, that Mary, our most holy Mother, or some other of your patron saints
or your good angels, presents to you the sacred particle; receive Him from their
hands, clasp Him to your bosom, press Him to your heart; after which, breaking
forth in accents of thanksgiving, praise, and adoration, as also of reparation,
beseech Him to bestow upon you those graces of which you find yourself most in
need; ask Him that you may always do His holy will and become a saint.

You will thus, besides the present advantage which you draw from the spiritual
communion, be most happily disposed to receive with increased devotion the real
body of your adorable Redeemer, when you approach the eucharistic table. For, as
wood which is kept warm and near the fire is the better prepared for burning, so a
heart which is constantly kept warm with love towards Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament is easily caught by the sacred flame of love when it approaches to that
furnace of charity, ever burning in these divine mysteries.

WHAT THE SAINTS THOUGHT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

THE Council of Trent recommends spiritual communion to the faithful, and St.
Thomas says they are considered to be communicated spiritually, and not
sacramentally, who desire to receive this Sacrament; so that, as Scaramelli says,
they do not only receive Jesus spiritually, but this very Sacrament spiritually. St.
Alphonsus, in his sweet little treatise on visiting the Blessed Sacrament, says that
Our Lord showed to Sister Paula Maresca two precious vessels, one of gold and the
other of silver, in the former of which He preserved her sacramental communions,
and in the latter her spiritual communions. Joanna of the Cross affirmed that she
was often visited in spiritual communion with the same graces she received in
sacramental, and, with a sigh, she exclaimed: "O rare method of communicating,
where neither leave of confessor nor of superior is needed, but only Thine, O my
God! " The blessed Agatha of the Cross so pined with love of the Blessed Sacrament
that it is said that she would have died if her confessor had not taught her the
practice of spiritual communion, and then she used to make two hundred spiritual
communions every day. Surin and Scaramelli both assert that some souls receive
sometimes greater graces in a spiritual than in a sacramental communion; this is, of
course, rare, and when it happens it is not through defect of the Sacrament, but
defect of fervor in themselves.

St. Teresa, addressing her spiritual children, says: "When ever, my daughters, you
hear Mass and do not communicate, you can make a spiritual communion, which is
a practice of exceeding profit, and you can immediately afterwards recollect
yourselves, just as I advised you when you communicate sacramentally; for great is
the love of Our Lord which is in this way infused into the soul. For when we prepare
ourselves to receive Him, He never fails to give Himself to us in many modes which
we comprehend not."

We read in the life of St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi that it was the custom in her
monastery that when daily communion was hindered by the illness of the priest or
any other cause, the nuns should communicate spiritually. The usual signal for
communion was given in the morning, and all being assembled, they prayed for half
an hour, and then made a spiritual communion. It was on one of these days that the
saint was communicated by St. Albert the Carmelite, saying the "Confiteor" and the
"Domine, non sum dignus," and doing all that she was accustomed to do when
receiving communion: and she afterwards declared that she had seer the same
saint with the pyx in his hand, going to communicate the other nuns. Her enlarged
charity ardently desired that others also, and especially those of her own
monastery, should have a great hunger for that Most Holy Sacrament.

It is said of St. Angela Merioi that when she was forbidden daily communion, she
supplied it by fervent spiritual communions in the Mass, and often felt her heart as
completely inundated by grace as if she had made a sacramental communion, and
she left as one of her legacies to her Order an earnest recommendation of this
devotion.

Father Squillante, of the Naples Oratory, in the life erf Sister Mary of Santiago, of the
Third Order of St. Dominic, which rivals Carmel as a mystical garden of delights to
the heavenly Spouse, tells us that her love of the Blessed Sacrament was such that
she had at last come to make a spiritual communion at almost every breath she
drew, so that in her were fulfilled the words of Jeremias that in the desire of her
heart she snuffed up the wind of her love, and that none turned her away.

Nothing can show the power of spiritual communion with Jesus more wonderfully
than the innumerable times in which the desire of communion has enabled the soul
to receive the real communion by some stupendous miracle, as is related of St.
Catharine of Sienna and other saints, and eminently in the case of St. Juliana of
Falconieri, communicated through her breast without manducation; that is, her
communion was real, without being either spiritual or> strictly speaking,
sacramental, as theologians make manducation necessary to sacramental
communion. (Fr. Faber.)

AN OFFERING OF THE MASS

ETERNAL Father, I offer Thee this most holy and sublime sacrifice of the Mass, in
union with Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, Who is both Priest and Victim; in union
with all the merits of His Passion; in union with His blessed Mother Mary, that my
soul may be animated with the sentiments of her immaculate heart, when she stood
at the foot of the cross; in union with the Church triumphant in heaven, militant on
earth, and suffering in purgatory: i. In honor of Thy supreme majesty; 2. In
thanksgiving for all Thy graces and blessings, especially for the favor of having
called me to the religious life; 3. In satisfaction for my own sins, and in reparation
for all the offences ever committed against Thee; 4. To obtain of Thy goodness and
mercy all the graces necessary for my eternal salvation.

I rejoice exceedingly that by means of this august sacrifice Thou shalt receive a
worthy tribute of adoration, thanksgiving, reparation, and prayer. And as, in this
sacrifice, the great mystery of the cross is renewed for Thy glory and my
sanctification, deign, O Lord, to apply its merits to my soul. Holy Spirit! sanctify me,
purify my mind and inflame my heart with divine charity, so that I may live holily
and die happily as a true Religious.

AT THE INTROIBO

Introibo ad altare Dei; Ad Deum, qui laetificat juventutem meam.

I AM already admitted into the house of the Lord: the religious state is that house:
God, by a love of predilection, has called me to it. I dwell in it. Ah! if I but knew my
happiness! And, O my God! what will it avail me to be a Religious, if I be not a holy
Religious? Make me worthy, O my God! of being admitted into Thy eternal
tabernacles, that I may bless Thee and glorify Thee for evermore with the angels
and saints.
AT THE CONFITEOR AND KYRIE ELEISON

Father, look at the face of Thy Christ (Ps. Ixxxiii. 10) ; look at the wounds of Thy Son,
which cry to Thee for pity. Have mercy upon me; for their sake pardon me the
outrages that I have committed against Thee! I do not deserve to be called a
Religious. I am a sinner, a great sinner, but I am sorry for all my offences. Thou art
good, O my God," and Thy mercy is above all Thy works.

O God, most worthy of love, and true lover of my soul, for the love of this, Thy Son,
so beloved by Thee, have mercy on me. I ask Thee to give me but Thy love and Thy
grace. Help me to do Thy holy will. Draw me wholly to Thyself. Burn up, O Thou
consuming fire, all that Thou seest impure in my sou!, and that hinders me from
belonging to Thee alone.

AT THE GLORIA

Gloria in excelsis Deo. Ad majorem Dei gloriam.

GLORY be to God! Yes, O my God . I desire to glorify Thee by the purest intentions in
all my actions. Oh! that I could make Thee known to every creature and loved by
every heart. I shall endeavor especially to make Thee loved by the Religious with
whom I have the happiness of living, by zealously praying for them, by ever giving
them a good example in obedience and detachment, and by showing in my
conversation great meekness, humility, and charity. I praise Thee, I thank Thee, I
bless Thee, I adore Thee. I love Thee, O my God, for Thou art good and worthy of all
love. "What shall I render to the Lord for all the things that He hath rendered to me?
I will take the chalice of salvation. I will pay my vows to the Lord before all His
people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saint 5 " (Ps. cxv. 3, 4, $.)

AT THE COLLECTS

Oremus.

I IMPLORE of Thee, O Lord, all that Thy minister prays for; I beseech Thee to bless
our holy Father, the Pope, our bishops, our priests, our Community, all Religious,
that they may do Thy will and glorify Thee; convert all sinners and heretics; pity
those who are in their last agony, and have mercy on the holy souls in purgatory.
Bless all my relatives and benefactors, and all those for whom I have promised to
pray. Grant me the grace to become a holy Religious. I offer all these prayers to
Thee, eternal Father, through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

AT THE EPISTLE

I AM much in need of being instructed. If I thoroughly knew my God, the obligations

of my state, the grandeur and the holiness of the religious life, how could I sin, how
could I ever be lukewarm? The saints in heaven can not offend God. They know Him
perfectly. Instruct me, then, O my Lord! Grant that I may know Thee in order that I
may love Thee. Let me know and realize how amiable Thou art, because of Thy
infinite perfections and Thy innumerable benefits; and how ungrateful I have been
in not loving Thee better, after having chosen Thee for my portion, in embracing the
religious life. Honor, wealth, pleasure, the goods of this earth what are they, in view
of death, and in view of the everlasting joys and rewards of heaven? But I love Thee,
O my God, for Thy own sake alone:

"Not with the hope of gaining aught,

Not seeking a reward;
But, as Thyself hast loved me
O ever-loving Lord."

With St. Francis of Assisi, I pray: "May I die to myself, O Lord, for love of Thee, Who
hast vouchsafed to die for love of me! "

AT THE GOSPEL

O MY Jesus! Thou art my Master, Thou art the sovereign truth, Thou art the true
light that has come down from heaven to enlighten those who sit in darkness.
Speak: I am Thy servant, and I listen for the purpose of knowing and obeying Thy
will. What wilt Thou have me to do ? I am ready to do all things. But, alas! I know
what I have to do. Thou commandest me to renounce my will, to carry my cross
every day of my life, to follow Thee by endeavoring to imitate Thee. Thou requirest
me to love Thee, and to
love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. Thou wishes me to testify my love
to Thee, in combating my inclinations, in observing Thy holy commandments with
fidelity, and in fulfilling the counsels of Thy Gospel. How can I hesitate? I hive
already promised it, I have bound myself to it. I renew my vows. Alas! I regret that I
have not been faithful to them! With the powerful aid of Thy grace, J shall be
faithful, most faithful, to the Holy Rule.

AT THE CREDO

I BELIEVE in Thee, O my God! I believe all Thou hast taught by Thy holy Church,
because Thou hast promised to preserve it from all error. I believe in it most firmly,
because Thou art Truth itself, Who neither canst deceive nor be deceived. Gladly
would I shed my blood for this faith!

I believe in Thee, O adorable Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ! I believe in Thee,
O only-begotten Son of the Father! I believe that Thou becamest man; that Thou
didst suffer and die for my salvation. I believe that Thou art in heaven, and in the
Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, where Thou intercedest for me. Increase my faith,
and deign to enlighten those who are in the darkness of error.

And do Thou, O Holy Ghost, Whom I adore as my true God, receive my heartfelt
thanks for the consolation and the strength which come to my soul through the
Bread of life and the holy sacrifice. I offer Thee my whole heart, O Holy Spirit, divine
Consoler, and thank Thee most heartily for all the benefits that Thou dost
unceasingly bestow upon the world. I beseech Thee to bless me with a lively faith in
the Holy Eucharist. Keep my soul ever bright for the corning of the Bridegroom.
Grant me Thy sevenfold gift, in order that I may with ardent love follow Christ, and
with perseverance walk in the way of salvation.
AT THE OFFERTORY AND LAVABO

O MY God! would that I were able to offer Thee something worthy of Thy divine
majesty and of Thy innumerable benefits. Of myself I have nothing, and yet what I
shall offer Thee is a treasure of infinite value; it is Thy only Son Jesus Christ, the
object of Thy complacency. I offer Him, then, to Thee, O great God! I offer to Thee all
His virtues, all His sentiments, all His words, all His actions, all His prayers, all His
fasts, all His tears, all His sufferings, all the drops of His blood, all His adorable
mysteries. I offer all the merits of the august Virgin, of the saints of heaven, of the
souls in purgatory, and of the just on earth. In union with Jesus, I offer Thee all that I
am, and all that I have: my soul, my body, my senses, my thoughts, my desires, my
words, my actions, my sufferings, my labors, my life, and my death. I desire no
longer to belong to myself. I am Thine and Thine forever. What an anomaly is a
Religious who is not Thine, O Lord! As this bread is about to be changed into the
body of Jesus Christ, so change me, O Lord! convert me, and cause me to become a
holy Religious.

O Lord, Thou art sanctity itself, and I belong to Thee; there should be no stain in me.
Purify me, wash me in the blood of Jesus Christ, my Saviour; let grief and anguish
wound my heart; let me never again be separated from Thee by sin.

AT THE ORATE FRATRES AND SECRETA

LORD, we join our prayers to those of the priest at the altar. God of infinite sanctity,
grant that he may be invested with that holiness which Thou dost look for in Thy
ministers. Bless him, that he may be
a man according to Thine own Heart. May this clean oblation, which he is offering,
be acceptable to Thee; may it be for the glory of Thy name, for the sanctification of
my soul, and for the welfare of Thy Church. Give me, O Lord, the innocence and
simplicity of a child, so that I may merit Thy fatherly favors and blessings!

AT THE PREFACE

I LONG to praise and thank Thee, my God, for ever and ever. What an ingrate I
should be were I insensible of God s love for me! In His goodness He has chosen
me, unworthy as I am, to be His spouse, and to serve Him apart iron? the world in
His "enclosed garden," as His favored handmaid. And I have rendered myself so
unworthy of His favors by my negligences and offences! It is but meet and" just that
I testify my gratitude and my devotedness in every place and at every instant. May
my whole life in future be a song of praise, and all my actions continual
thanksgivings. O angels and saints, let me unite my praise with yours! Ah! when
shall I sing with you in glory an everlasting canticle of thanksgiving and love, in
honor of the endless mercy and goodness of my God?

AT THE COMMEMORATION OF THE LIVING

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is offered up for the whole Church: I pray, then, O my
God! for all those who compose it. Bless our chief Pastor, N. N.. our bishops, and our
priests. Bless in particular our Superior. May all ecclesiastics be holy; grant that the
members of all Religious Orders may live conformably to their holy profession; and
that all Christians may live and die as true disciples of Jesus Christ. Convert all
sinners, and may the just obtain the grace of perseverance. I particularly
recommend to Thee all my relations and those who have authority over me, my
benefactors and those who have asked my prayers, those who have offended me
and whom I have offended. May the Community to which I have the honor of
belonging, be always dear to Thee, and cease not to receive from Thee abundant
blessings. Thou canst do all things, O Lord! Make, then, of us as many saints as we
are Religious.

At this moment I have need of being profoundly recollected. Jesus is about to

descend on the altar; there He will perform the office of Mediator for me. He will pay
for me the heavy debt I have contracted to divine justice. Come, O Lord Jesus!
come, O Spouse of my soul ! Let me taste the sweetness of Thy presence. O my
soul, behold thy King! Behold, He comes to thee full of tenderness and compassion!
He veils the splendor of His majesty, that thou mayest approach Him with more
confidence. Adoring angels surround His altar- throne. Wonderful condescension!
Miracle of God s love!

AT THE ELEVATION OF THE HOST.

JESUS, my Lord, my Saviour, is here. I adore Thee, true God and true man. "Thou, O
Christ, art the King of glory; Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father!" For love of
me Thou hast humbled Thyself. O my divine Spouse! I thank Thee, I love Thee.

AT THE ELEVATION OF THE CHALICE

O PRECIOUS blood of my Redeemer, shed for my salvation, I adore thee! Cleanse

me from every stain of sin. "Eternal Father! I offer Thee the precious blood of Jesus,
in satisfaction for my sins, and for the wants of holy Church."

Indulgence of 100 days, each time. Pius VII., Sept. 22, 1817.

AFTER THE ELEVATION AND AT THE MEMENTO FOR THE DEAD

THE heavens are opened; the Holy of holies has come down to us. This altar is now
the throne of Jesus, the King of glory, the joy of the angels and the crown of the
saints! How meekly, how humbly hast Thou come to us, good Lord!

Profoundly I adore Thee, and bless Thee, and praise Thee!

And what dost Thou ask of me, my Lord, in Thy great condescension?

Only my heart. Praise and honor are pleasing to Thee only when they spring from
pure hearts; therefore I beseech Thee, O Jesus, by Thy infinite purity and holiness,
to cleanse my heart more and more from every stain of sin and every evil
inclination. Give me the heart of a perfect Religious, pure, unselfish, and entirely
devoted to Thy interests. Take my heart into Thy Sacred Heart, that it may there be
purified, like gold in the furnace, from the dross of worldly attachments and sensual
desires. Thou hast said: "I am come to cast fire on the earth, and what do I desire
but that it be enkindled?" Mav my heart, O Lord, respond to the intensity of Thy
love. I love Thee, and I desire to love Thee daily more and more. O Sacred Heart of
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, sanctify my heart, make it like to Thine, that it may
be pleasing to Thee, and that I may remain united with Thee for ever. Have mercy,
also, on the poor, holy souls in purgatory; wash them, cleanse them in that precious
blood which Thou didst shed upon the cross and which is now here present on the
altar.

Be to them a merciful and kind Samaritan, and heal with Thy sacred blood, which is
indeed a heavenly oil, their burning wounds. O adorable Jesus, look down with pity
upon these poor, suffering souls. They loved Thee whilst they lived on earth; they
repent and lament that they were guilty of grieving and offending Thee, and they
ardently long to love Thee more perfectly and to praise Thee unceasingly in heaven.

Oh, do Thou satisfy their longing desires to behold Thee face to face, and in Thine
infinite mercy deliver them from their terrible sufferings and receive them into Thine
eternal kingdom.

Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord! And let per petual light shine upon them.

AT THE PATER NOSTER

MY God! Thou art my Father, and Father of all; from the summit of heaven where
Thou reignest and art the supreme happiness of the blessed, look down on the
prayer of Thy daughter and spouse. May Thy name be sanctified. I desire to become
a saint, and to lead my Sisters to sanctity. May Thy kingdom come. Reign in me now
by Thy grace, that I may one day reign with Thee in heaven. May Thy will be done. I
desire what -Thou desirest; I desire only what Thou desirest; I desire it only because
Thou desirest it. I desire to do Thy will with the same love and perfection as the
angels and saints do it in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; take this
religious house under Thy special protection, O Lord. Forgive us our trespasses, as
ive forgive those who trespass against us.

I love without exception, for the love of Thee, all my enemies, and all for whom I
have had any antipathy. Remember, O Lord! that Thou hast said, "Pardon, and you
shall be pardoned." Lead us not into temptation. O my God! do not allow me to be
tempted, or, if I shall be tempted, let me not yield to the temptation. Remove from
me the occasions of sin, and come to my assistance, in order that I may not expose
myself to it. Deliver us from evil. Sin is the greatest of all evils; purify me from those
I have committed, and suffer me not to commit any more. After life, preserve me
from hell, so often deserved by me for my sins; and even from purgatory, where the
souls therein detained, undergo most cruel torments in seeing themselves
separated from Thee. Amen. May it be so. I implore all these things with fervor,
through the merits of Jesus Christ, for myself, for all Religious, for all the faithful.

AT THE AGNUS DEI

Lamb of God! Who hast condescended to be immolated in order to expiate our

crimes, to reconcile us with Thy Father, to merit heaven for us, have pity on all men,
for whom Thou hast shed Thy blood; and particularly have compassion on Thy
servants consecrated to Thee in the religious state; have mercy on me.

AT THE DOMINE, NON SUM DIGNUS AND AT HOLY COMMUNION

LORD Jesus, I am not worthy to take my place at the table of angels; nevertheless I
desire most ardently to receive Thee O divine Spouse of my soul, bless me with
those dispositions which the reception of the Most Adorable Sacrament requires, so
that when I shall approach the holy table, I may do so in a manner most agreeable
to Thee, and most salutary to myself. I conjure Thee to purify my heart, to come and
dwell therein, until the day that I shall have the happiness to receive Thy sacred
body in the Blessed Sacrament. Come, Lord Jesus; come to me at least spiritually; I
love Thee with my whole heart. Come, give me, if not Thy sacred flesh, at least Thy
love, Thy grace, Thy spirit, Thy heart; grant that I may be transformed into Thee;
and that I may live Thy life.

Imagine that the Blessed Virgin or your guardian angel is presenting to you the
sacred Host. Keep closely united to Jesus Christ, as if you had really received Him,
and say in thanksgiving:

I ADORE and love Thee, O my Jesus, Who art truly the Life of my soul. I entreat Thee
to remain in my heart and to sanctify my whole life, so that I may have the
happiness to possess Thee eternally.

O infinite Charity! I have immolated myself entirely to Thee: grant that I may never
forget that I no longer belong to myself, but to Thee, my God! Yes, I am dead; my
life shall be hidden with Jesus Christ in God. May I ever be a living victim in Thine
eyes; always agreeable to Thee. Yes, O my God! I will unceasingly sacrifice myself in
union with Jesus Christ, to honor Thy Majesty, to thank Thee for Thy benefits, to
appease Thy justice, to draw down on myself, and all this Community, and on Thy
Church, those graces which Thou seest are necessary for us. Oh! how happy am I in
being consecrated to Thee, and separated from the world where so many dangers
present themselves! In religion, I have only to please Thee, the God of my heart.
Keep me, Lord, keep me in Thy Heart! O Sacred Heart of Jesus, most obedient to Thy
Father s will, turn our hearts to Thyself, that we may ever do those things which are
pleasing to Thee. O heart of Mary, Mother of Jesus, and my Mother, keep me, guard
me as thine own, help me, that I may imitate thy virtues, and thus become ever
more pleasing to thy divine Son.

AT THE BLESSING

MOST august Trinity! now that Thy minister is about to bless me in Thy name, pour
out on me Thy most abundant benedictions. Bless me now; bless me every day of
my life, and at the moment of my death; bless all those with whom I have the
happiness of living, in order that we may never cease to sing, one day, canticles of
praise and love to Thy mercy and Thy glory, in that kingdom which Thou hast
prepared for us in Thy boundless love.

IN CONCLUSION
I CANNOT leave Thy temple, O Lord, without expressing to Thee my gratitude fcr the
great blessings and holy inspirations that have come to me through this Mass. My
God, I thank Thee with all my heart. Love for love, eternal love for Thy boundless
love to me. Pardon, O Lord, the coldness and distractions of which I have been guilty
during the holy sacrifice. I am sorry for these offences, and for all the sins of my
whole life, because Thou art infinitely good and sin displeases Thee; henceforth I
shall endeavor more earnestly to please Thee in all things.

I leave for a time, dear Jesus, this place of benedictions which Thou hast chosen for
Thy dwelling; yet, though I can not be always bodily present in this holy place, to
commune with Thee in the Sacrament of Thy love, I shall ever be there in thought
and desire, and I shall return with joy as soon as possible, for my delights to be
before Thy altars. Let me not forget Thee during my occupations. I consecrate all
my work to Thee; I wish by it to please Thee alone. My watch word shall be: "Ad
majorem Dei gloriam et in honorem Beata Maria Virginis!" Give me Thy grace,, that
I may do Thy will and love Thee daily more and more. O my Well-Beloved! O Sacred
Heart of Jesus! O tender Spouse of my soul! have mercy on me. Keep me near Thee;
draw me ever closer to Thee. O Mary, my good Mother, I implore thy protection.
Angels and saints of heaven, intercede for this poor unworthy handmaid of the Lord,
who hopes one day to be associated with you in glory.

Ejaculations

HIAT, laudetur atque in /MAY tne most just, most

aeternum superexaltetur >- high, and most ami-
justissima, altissima et amab- able will of God be done in
ilissima voluntas Dei in om- all things, be praised and
nibus. magnified for ever.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius VII., May 19, 1818.

MY God, grant that I may love Thee, and may the only reward of my love be to love
Thee always more and more.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII, March 15, 1900.

METHOD OF HEARING MASS BY MEDITATION ON THE PASSION

THIS method is intended for those who prefer meditation to the recital of vocal
prayers. The Mass is divided into four parts: the first, from the beginning to the
Gospel; the second, to the Elevation; the third, to the Communion of the priest; and
the fourth to the end.

In the first part we may consider and honor the Heart of Jesus, praying in His agony
at the approach of His Passion, especially in the Garden of Olives.

In the second we honor the Heart of Jesus humbled and suffering in the various
tribunals of Jerusalem, until the time of the scourging at the pillar.
In the third we honor the Heart of Jesus suffering in the scourging and crowning with
thorns, and follow Him in the path of suffering until His last sigh on the cross.

In the fourth we honor the Heart of Jesus hidden and buried in the sepulcher.

This manner of hearing has four very precious advantages: The priest is followed
throughout the sacrifice, which is a very holy and meritorious way of assisting at
Mass. The Heart of Jesus is honored in every stage of His Passion. We enter into the
interior sentiments of His adorable Heart and endeavor to make them our own.

The Mass thus becomes a prayer, and at the same time a very useful and salutary
meditation.

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF MASS TO THE GOSPEL

IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The Heart of Jesus Praying and Suffering

Thou prayest, Thou dost suffer, O my sweet Saviour, Thy Heart experiencing a
mortal sadness ; suffer me to unite myself to Thy sorrows, and give me a share in
Thy deep affliction. Everything that presented itself to Thy mind plunged Thy Heart
in a sea of bitterness; for Thou didst behold the deplorable state of the world, the
crimes and excesses of mankind, the torrent of iniquities which deluged the earth,
the multitude of souls which would perish and be cast into hell, the glory of Thy
heavenly Father, outraged, the reproach of Thy Passion and sufferings, and their
uselessness with regard to so many sinners, who, notwithstanding the shedding of
Thy blood for them, would be lost for ever.

My Saviour, am I not also a cause of sorrow to Thee? Thou lamentest over me, Thou
seest the sad state of my soul, my tepidity and negligence, my unfaithfulness and
resistance to Thy grace, the little sorrow I have conceived, my little care for
amendment, the danger to which I am exposed of dying in so sad a state. Thou
lamentest all this, and I am not touched; Thou art afflicted, and I am insensible.
Heart of my God, Thou prayest and I know not how to pray; if I pray, it is with so
little attention, fervor, or devotion, that my prayers deserve not to ascend to the
throne of Thy mercy. My God, teach me how to pray, that at least, in virtue of Thy
sacrifice which I offer Thee, my prayer may be pleasing in Thy sight. Yes, my God, in
this holy confidence I offer Thee the homage of prayer for the salvation of my soul,
whose misery and extreme necessity Thou knowest.

I beseech Thee also to remember all those for whom I ought to pray my relations,
that we may be united much more strongly by the bonds of grace than by those of
blood; my friends, that Thou mayest be the bond and center of our friendship; my
benefactors, beseeching Thee to render them a hundredfold the goods which I have
received; and the vengeance which I desire for my enemies is, that Thou wouldst
visit them with Thy graces. I pray to Thee also, in a particular manner, my God, for
the Church, my tender mother, for the Sovereign Pontiff, and all Religious. Shed
over all Thy abundant benedictions; give to all of us hearts according to Thy Heart,
uniting us all in the same holy fellowship. Bless in particular our own Religious
Community.

Heart of Jesus, praying and suffering, I adore thee, and beseech thee to unite my
prayers with thine.

Heart of Jesus, lamenting and agonizing, I adore thee, and beseech thee to inspire
my heart with the same sentiments.

Heart of Jesus, offering thyself >n sacrifice to the eternal Father, I adore
thee, and beseech thee to offer me in sacrifice with thyself.

FROM THE GOSPEL TO THE ELEVATION

The Heart of Jesus Humbled and Annihilated

MY sweet Saviour! with what floods of bitterness is not Thy Sacred Heart deluged!
With what torrents of humiliation is it not overwhelmed! Led, or rather dragged from
tribunal to tribunal, from one indignity to another, before judges who are Thy
enemies, tied and bound as a slave, accused as a criminal, Thou
art judged and condemned as a malefactor, a seducer, a disturber of the public
peace.

At the house of Caiphas Thou art given up to insults, and the injuries and affronts of
a troop of soldiers, who make Thee undergo the most infamous treatment.

Before Annas Thy face is dishonored by a shameful blow, the most audacious
outrage that can be perpetrated amongst men.

By Herod Thou art covered with a white robe in sign of mockery. Thou art treated as
a fool before his whole court, who turn into contempt and insult the esteem and
admiration of which Thou hast been the object.

By Pilate Thou art placed on a level with a robber and a malefactor, and Thou hast
the sorrow to see this infamous wretch preferred before Thee.

Dragged through the streets of Jerusalem, Thou wast obliged to undergo the yells,
the cries, and imprecations of the immense populace there assembled, who load
Thee with curses and maledictions. O King of glory, what a flood of humiliations
overwhelmed Thy Heart! but what marvellous virtue Thou dost display! what
meekness, what patience, and charity! Thou dost pray for those who outrage Thee.
Thou offerest Thy sufferings for those who persecute and afflict Thee.

O adorable Saviour, this sacrifice of Thy Heart was necessary in order to repair the
glory of Thy outraged
Father, to humble the proud exaltation of our minds, to confound the detestable
pride with which our hearts are swelled, to make us know the inestimable value of
humiliations, to give us in Thy Passion a touching example to which we can have
nothing to oppose. Even on our very altars, to what a condition dost Thou reduce
Thyself for the love of us! And yet, O my God, how astonishing and deplorable it is,
that notwithstanding so striking an example, pride should still hold dominion over
us; for, alas! how much of vanity, self-love, and sensitiveness do we not possess!

My divine Saviour, how much have I not to reproach myself with on this point! I seek
only the applause and esteem of men, as if Thine were not sufficient. I can suffer
and endure nothing for Thee, Who hast undergone so much for me; the least
humiliation afflicts and dejects me; my spirit is rebellious, my heart swells, my
whole soul is disturbed and agitated; a cowardly and worthless human respect
makes me betray my duty and Thy interests. Oh, how can I call myself Thy disciple,
and acknowledge Thee for my Master and my God? Was it necessary, then, O my
Saviour and my Lord, that Thou alone shouldst drink of the chalice of humiliations?
No, my adorable Master, I will share it with Thee, I will receive it from Thy hands, I
will have a part in Thy abasements; and if I have not the courage to meet
humiliations, I will at least accept with submission those which Thou shalt send me.
From henceforth I offer Thee the sacrifice of my pride and my vanity, in order to
unite myself to Thee in Thy annihilations.

If nature rebels, or self-love complains, I will follow Thy example and implore Thy
grace. This divine example, drawn from Thy Heart and passing into mine, will render
the chalice of Thy humiliations precious, even consoling to me, and one drop of its
bitterness will be sweeter to me than all the deceitful and guilty pleasures of this
blind and perverse world.

O Heart of Jesus, saturated with indignities, make me share in thy chalice.

O Heart of Jesus, steeped in an ocean of sorrows, steep my heart in thy tears.
O Heart of Jesus, plunged in an abyss of humiliations and suffering, destroy my self-
love and pride.

FROM THE ELEVATION TO THE COMMUNION OF THE PRIEST

The Heart of Jesus Suffering and Expiring on the Cross

AS it necessary, O my Jesus, that, after having given up Thy Sacred Heart to the
greatest humiliations, Thy body should be delivered to excessive tor ments? To what
a condition art Thou reduced by the terrible scourging! Thy body is bruised, torn,
and covered with wounds. Thou art bathed in the streams of Thy adorable blood,
and yet they cease not to strike Thee, and to exercise over Thee all the fury, cruelty,
and hatred of which they are capable.

But, O my God, in the midst of these excessive sufferings of Thy body, what are the
emotions of Thy Heart ?

Thou dost suffer with patience, O sweet Saviour, submitting Thyself to Thy heavenly
Father, offering to Him Thy torments, begging of Him the forgiveness of our sins,
regarding Thyself as a victim sacrificed for our salvation, beholding those streams of
blood with resignation, and even with joy, in order that our sins might be washed
away, and that the voice of this adorable blood, rising even to heaven, might obtain
grace and mercy for us.
Tboii sufferest everything for me, O adorable Heart of my Saviour, and yet the least
suffering is a torment to me; I fear even the very name of suffering and pain. I care
so much for mv body, seeking its ease and guarding it so carefully, without
remembering that it is a body of sin, which I ought to subject to the rigors of
penance. Ah! my Saviour, do I not see that by my care in avoiding suffering I
increase Thine, rendering those sufferings useless for my salvation?

All Thy sufferings in this cruel scourging, O my Saviour, nevertheless are little else
than the commencement of Thy torments. Thy sacrifice must be consummated. I
behold Thee loaded with Thy cross, taking the way to Calvary. Suffer me, O my God
and Saviour, to follow Thee in spirit, and step in Thy bleeding footsteps. What do I
see, great God, what marvelous spectacle does faith present to me? A suffering
God! a dying God ! a God dying in excess of pain ! a God dying for the love of those
who cause His death! At such a sight what can I say; how can my heart express the
sentiments with which it is filled?

Ah! my Saviour, how eloquently dost Thou preach upon Thy cross the great truths of
faith which Thou hast announced to us! How dost Thou make known the greatness
of the inexorable justice of God, the excellence and the price of our souls, but,
above all, the malice and enormity of sin, the severity and horror of the
punishments which are reserved for it in eternity. And they are my sins, O Heart of
my God, which Thou bewailest, which Thou dost lament upon the cross. They are
my sins which led Thee there, which fastened Thee to its wood, which have shed
Thy sacred blood, and caused Thy death; and I, my Saviour, am not filled with
sorrow at the foot of Thy cross. Should I not weep with sorrow for having offended
my God, caused the sufferings of Jesus, rendered myself responsible for His blood,
and guilty of His death ? Thy Heart is still open for me upon Thy cross, O Jesus. Thy
arms are extended tenderly to receive me, and I return to Thee with sincerity and
sorrow.

Every day Thou renewest on our altars, in an unbloody manner, the bloody sacrifice
which Thou didst once offer upon Calvary. It is this sacrifice that I offer Thee, as
Thou didst offer it to Thy heavenly Father. Suffer me to unite to Thy sacrifice the
sacrifice of myself, and especially that of a contrite and humble heart. I beg of Thee
to give me a heart broken with sorrow to offer to Thee, and thus render the victim
worthy of Thee, worthy to be sacrificed to Thee.

FROM THE COMMUNION OF THE PRIEST TO THE END OF MASS

The Heart of Jesus Concealed and Buried in the Sepulcher

BELOVED Saviour, Thy body is placed in the sepulcher, the last of the humiliations
which Thou hadst to undergo in this world, for humiliation was to accompany Thee
even to the tomb. O my soul, what a state of abasement for God made man is this,
to be in the world as not there, hidden in the bosom of the earth, surrounded by the
shades of death, given up to obscurity in the region of darkness, absolutely
destitute of everything, for even the tomb in which Jesus reposes is not His, thus
verifying the words He had said of Himself: "The birds of the air have their nests;
but the Son of man hath not where upon to lay His head." Yet in this state of
humiliation Thou, my Jesus, dost preserve all Thy power.

Behold, my soul, the great example given us for our imitation. St. Paul tells us that
we are dead, that our life must be "hidden with Jesus Christ in God." Yes, my divine
Saviour, in Thy tomb I will learn detachment from the world, forgetfulness of the
world, death to the world and to myself, the nothingness of earthly things, the love
of retirement, and strict union with God; for Thou shalt take the place of all, O Jesus,
when for Thee I have quitted all with heart and mind.

O my God, vouchsafe to accept these resolutions; I renew them in this holy

sacrifice, and I offer them to Thee in union with Thine own. I beg of Thee to give me
the grace to preserve them in my soul as long as I live, and grant that I may
persevere in them until death.

O adorable Heart of my Saviour, Thou wast not always in humiliation, suffering, and
sorrow. After so many trials and conflicts, Thou didst ascend into heaven, the
conqueror of Thy enemies; triumphing over the world, death, and all the powers of
hell, Thou art exalted in glory, and seated at the right hand of the heavenly Father.

Heart of my God, I rejoice in Thy glory and Thy triumph. Shall I one day share Thy
glory and Thy happiness? It is only through Thee and Thy merits that I can hope for
and merit this grace. I beseech Thee to give it me in virtue of the sacrifice which I
offer Thee. Thou hast offered Thyself for me upon our altars; receive me one day in
Thy sacred tabernacle, in order that I may praise Thee for ever with Thy elect; and
as a pledge of this happiness, vouchsafe to ratify in heaven the blessing which Thy
priest gives us on earth, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen.

THE HOLY MASS IN UNION WITH THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

For the Feast of the Sacred Heart and for the First Fridays of Each Month

Special parts, i.e., Introit, Collect, Epistle, Gradual, Gospel, Offertory, Secret,
Communion, and Post-Communion from the proper Mass:

Miserebitur of the Roman Missal

PREPARATORY PRAYER

ERNAL Father, I offer Thee the sacrifice which Thy divine Son made of Himself on
the cross, and which He now renews on our altars. I offer it in the name of all
mankind, with the Masses which are now being celebrated, and which will be
celebrated throughout the world, in order to adore Thee and render Thee all
possible honor and glory; to thank Thee for Thy innumerable benefits, to appease
Thy justice provoked by our sins; to give Thee the satisfaction Thou dost expect;
also to obtain grace for myself, for Thy Church, for my friends and relations, for the
whole world, in particular for Religious and for the souls in purgatory. I wish to assist
at this holy Mass with the dispositions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when she stood
on Mount Calvary, in the shadow of the cross, offering the sufferings of her Son for
the redemption of the world.

Lord Jesus Christ! I desire to offer myself, in union with Thy Sacred Heart, for all the
intentions for which Thou now offerest Thyself to God, Thy Father.

AT THE CONFITEOR

DIVINE Jesus, Thou art the Victim, laden with all the iniquities of the world; Thou
hast wept for our sins, and expiated them by Thy Passion and death. I come to
mingle my tears with Thine; I confess to Thee, O Lord, in the presence of Mary, ever
virgin, and of all the angels and saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought,
word, and deed; that it is my ingratitude which pierced Thy Heart, and put Thee to a
cruel death. O God, my Saviour, through Thy tears, through Thy agony in the
Garden of Olives, through Thy precious blood and the wound in Thy Sacred Heart, I
beseech Thee to pardon me, and to grant me the remission of all my sins.

AT THE INTROIT (Miserabitur)

HE shall be merciful, according to the multitude of His mercies-; for He hath not
from His Heart laid low nor cast off the children of men; the Lord is good unto them
that hope in Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. Alleluia, Alleluia. The mercies of the
Lord I will sing for ever, unto generation and generation.

AT THE KYRIE

KYRIE eleison; LORD, have mercy;

Christe eleison; Christ, have mercy;
K.yrie eleison. Lord, have mercy.

FATHER in heaven, have mercy on us, the work of Thy hands! Heart of Jesus, have
pity on us, for whom thou hast shed thy most precious blood!

Holy Spirit, have compassion on us, and sanctify us.

AT THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

GLORY be to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise Thee;
we bless Thee; we adore Thee; we glorify Thee; we give Thee thanks for Thy great
glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. O Lord, the only-
begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who takest
away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; Thou Who takest away the sins of the
world, receive our prayers; Thou Wlio sittest at the right hand of the Father, have
mercy on us. For Thou only art holy: Thou only art the Lord: Thou only, O Jesus
Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

AT THE COLLECT
GRANT, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we, who, glorying in the Most Sacred
Heart of Thy beloved Son, commemorate the singular benefits of His love towards
us, may rejoice alike in their action and in their fruit.

GOD, the protector of those that hope in Thee, without Whom nothing is sure,
nothing is holy multiply upon us Thy mercy, that, Thou being our Ruler and Guide,
we may so pass through temporal gifts that we lose not those which are eternal.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AT THE EPISTLE

Lesson of the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

I WILL give thanks to Thee, O Lord, for Thou wast angry with me: Thy wrath is
turned away, and Thou hast comforted me. Behold, God is my Saviour, I will deal
confidently, and will not fear: because the Lord is rny strength and my praise, and
He is become my salvation. You shall draw waters with joy out of the Saviour s
fountains: and you shall say in that day: Praise ye the Lord, and call upon His name:
make His inventions known among the people: remember that His name is high.
Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath done great things: show this forth in all the earth.
Rejoice and praise, O thou habitation of Sion, for great is He that is in the midst of
thee, the Holy One of Israel. (Isaias xii. 1-6.)

GRAD. O all ye that pass by the way, attend and see if there be any sorrow like to
my sorrow. V. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them unto the
end. Alleluia, Alleluia. Learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of Heart: and ye
shall find rest to your souls. Alleluia.

AT THE GOSPEL

AT that time, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished that the
Scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. Now there was a vessel set there full of
vinegar. And they putting a sponge full of vinegar about hvssop, put it to His mouth.
Jesus, therefore, when He had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And
bowing His head, He gave up the ghost. Then the Jews (because it was the
parasceve) that the, bodies might not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath-day
(for that was a great Sabbath-day) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken,
and that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came : and they broke
the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified withhim. But after they were
come to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His
legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened His side, and immediately there
came out blood and water. And he that saw it hath given testimony; and his
testimony is true. (John xix. 28-35.)

AT THE CREDO

I BELIEVE, O my God, the truths which Thou hast revealed to Thy Church. I desire to
live and die in this faith. Grant, O Lord, that my life may be con formable to my
faith; that my faith may be animated by good works; and that, in particular, I may
live in imitation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, according to the spirit of my vows.
Sweet Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come! Mayest Thou reign in all hearts. Put into
my heart Thy spirit the spirit of meekness, humility, obedience, poverty, and
chastity. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make my heart like unto Thine.

AT THE OFFERTORY

BLESS the Lord, O my soul; and never forget all He hath done for thee ; Who
satisfieth thy desire with good things. Alleluia. (Psalm cii. 2-5.)

AT THE SECRET

DEFEND us, O Lord, who offer to Thee Thy holocaust; and that our hearts may be
more fervently prepared for it, enkindle within them the flames of Thy divine charity.

LOOK down graciously, O Lord, upon the offerings of Thy suppliant Church, and
grant that they may sanctify and save Thy people.

AT THE PREFACE

IT is truly meet and just, right and available to salvation, that we should always and
in all places give thanks to Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, eternai God, Who
hast appointed the salvation of mankind to be wrought on the wood of the cross;
that from whence death came, thence life might arise, and that he who overcame
by the tree might also by the tree be overcome. Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
through Whom the angels praise Thy majesty, the dominations adore it, the powers
tremble before it; the heavens, the heavenly virtues, and blessed seraphim, with
common jubilee, glorify it. Together with whom we beseech Thee that we may be
admitted to join our humble voices, saying:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna
in the highest. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the
highest.

AT THE CANON

GOD, infinitely holy, if my sins provoke Thee r and make me hateful in Thy sight,
look upor, the Lamb without spot, that taketh away the sins of the world, and,
beholding His merits, remember not my ingratitude. Behold the Sacred Heart of Thy
divine Son! This Heart, infinitely merciful, prayed for me on Calvary, and will soon
renew the sacrifice of itself for me upon the altar. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, in satisfaction for my sins and for the
wants of the holy Catho
lic Church.

Remember, O good and gentle Jesus, that none who had recourse to Thy Sacred
Heart, implored its assistance, or cried for pardon, were ever abandoned. Animated
with this confidence in Thy goodness and mercy, O Divine Heart, and groaning
beneath the weight of my iniquities, I prostrate myself before Thee. Have pity on
me, and listen to my prayers. Our Father in heaven. Who has deigned to give Thee
to us for our salvation, will, through Thee, and united with Thee, receive our
prayers. Through Thy merits we hope to obtain the pardon of our sins, the special
graces that we ask for now, and, above all, the grace of perseverance, that with the
angels and saints we may praise Thee now on earth, and bless Thee for ever in
heaven.

O sweetest Heart of Jesus, I implore, That I may ever love Thee more and more.

AT THE MEMENTO OF THE LIVING

MOST merciful Father! in the name of Jesus, in memory of His Passion and death,
and of His Heart, wounded for love of us, we beseech Thee to protect Thy holy
Church. Sanctify and exalt it as the spouse of Thy divine Son. Bless His Holiness, our
chief Pastor, our bishops, and our priests.

Remember also, O Lord, my parents, my relatives, my friends, my benefactors, and

all those who have asked me to pray for them, and for whom I have promised to
pray. Bless them, and by Thy grace advance them in the way of salvation.

O good and loving Jesus, take to Thy Sacred Heart all who belong to the Apostleship
of Prayer, all who are devoted to Thy interests. Thy kingdom come! Strengthen Thy
faithful servants, that by their fidelity and zeal they may compensate Thee for the
outrages which are inflicted upon Thee in the Sacrament of Thy love by those who
unfortunately do not love Thee.

AT THE ELEVATION

Cast a look of adoration and love upon the sacred Host when it is elevated by the
priest; then incline your head devoutly and say:

I SEE upon the altar placed

The Victim of the greatest love;
Let all the earth below adore,

And join the heavenly choirs above:

Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore.
Oh! make us love Thee more and more.

Jesus! dear Pastor of the flock,

That crowds in love about Thy feet,
Our voices yearn to praise Thee, Lord,

And joyfully Thy presence greet:

Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore.
Oh! make us love Thee more and more.

Ejaculations

MAY the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored, and loved
with grateful affection, at every moment and in all the world, to the end of time.
EUCHARISTIC Heart of my Jesus, whose blood is the life of my soul, I will no longer
live, but live thou alone in me!

AT THE MEMENTO OF THE DEAD

O FATHER of mercies, in the name of Thy beloved Son, in memory and in virtue of
the wound of His Sacred Heart, His bitter Passion, and His cruel death, in
consideration also of the dolors of the immaculate heart of Mary, of all the loving
transports of the saints, and of all the torments of the martyrs, I beseech Thee to
have pity on the souls of the faithful departed; particularly on the souls of our
friends, relatives, benefactors, and the associates of the League of the Sacred
Heart. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon
them. O Jesus, mercy! Blessed be Thy Sacred Heart, and may Thy precious blood,
shed for us in Thy Passion, obtain for us that heavenly inheritance, where we shall
dwell with Thee in honor and glory, and bless Thee for ever.

AT THE PATER NOSTER

Recite slowly and devoutly the sublime prayer which Jesus Himself taught His
disciples. Surely nothing better can be substituted here.

OUR Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will
be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us
our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

AT THE COMMUNION

MY heart hath expected reproach and misery; and I looked for one that would grieve
together with me, but there was none; and for one that would comfort me, and I
found none; Alleluia. (Psalm Ixviii. 21.)

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

This Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart may be used profitably, whenever we assist
at the holy sacrifice; hence an act of spiritual communion is here inserted for those
days on which we do not approach the holy table.

MY good Lord, my dear Jesus! I am sorry for having wounded Thy loving Heart by
my sins, because Thou art infinitely good, and sin displeases Thee. Like the beloved
disciple, let me rest upon Thy Heart, and let me grieve, together with Thee, for the
outrages that are committed against Thee in the Sacrament of Thy love. I give Thee
my heart and my love, if my poor love can comfort Thee. I love Thee above all
things, and I desire to possess Thee within my soul. Since I am unable now to
receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart, and nourish my
soul unto life everlasting. Let my soul, O Lord, feel Thy sweetness. Let me taste how
sweet Thou art, O Lord, that, being allured by Thy love, I may never sin by running
passionately after worldly pleasures. "Thou art the God of my heart, and the God
that is my portion for ever." Oh, Thou Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the
world, take away from me whatever may hurt me and displease Thee. Give me but
Thy love and Thy grace! May the sweet flame of Thy love consume my soul, that so
I may die to the world for the love of Thee, as Thou hast vouchsafed to die upon the
cross for the love of me.

PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION

BEING fed with peaceful delights and life-giving sacraments, we suppliantly beseech
Thee, O Lord our God, that Thou, Who art meek and humble of heart, wouldst make
us clean from the stain of every vice, and cause us to abhor more steadfastly the
vanities of the world.

MAY we be renewed, O Lord, by the sacred mysteries we have received; and may
they expiate our sins, and prepare us for Thy eternal mercies. Amen.

AT THE BLESSING

BLESSED be the Sacred Heart of Jesus! Bless us, O Lord, as Thou didst bless the
little children, and again Thy disciples at Thy glorious ascension into heaven, so that
we may persevere in Thy grace, and be numbered on the last day among the elect,
whom Thou wilt call the blessed of Thy Father, and invite into Thy eternal kingdom.

AT THE LAST GOSPEL

V. The beginning of the holy Gospel, according to St. John,

R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God:
the same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without
Him was made nothing that was made: in Him was life and the life was the light of
men: and the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a
witness to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. He
was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light. That was the true light
which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and
the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own,
and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, He gave them power
to be made the sons of God: to them that believe in His name, who are born, not of
blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. AND THE WORD
WAS MADE FLESH (here the people kneel), and dwelt among us: and we saw His
glory, the glory as it were of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

R. Thanks be to God.

AFTER MASS

The Anima Christi, prayers ordered by Pope Leo XIII to be said after every Low Mass,
as on page 228.

A MODE OF HEARING MASS FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

MAKE YOUR INTENTION

GOD of all mercy, I come to offer Thee the blood of the Lamb without spot, for the
souls which Thou lovest, and which long and sigh for the blessedness of seeing Thee
and glorifying Thee in heaven. Just, indeed, are Thy punishments; yet, we beseech
Thee, open to them this day the boundless treasure of the satisfaction of Thy divine
Son; and bestow upon them in this holy sacrifice wherewithal to discharge the debt
which they still owe to Thy sovereign justice.

If you intend to communicate, and wish to offer your communion for particular
souls, say:

I beseech Thee, O Lord, to apply to the souls of N.N. the indulgences which I hope to
be able to obtain by the communion I am about to receive.

A PRAYER BEFORE MASS

ETERNAL God, Who, besides the general precepts of charity, hast commanded a
particular respect to be shown to parents, priests, kindred, and benefactors, and by
the institution of the sacrifice of the Mass hast left us the means of testifying our
love and gratitude toward them even after death, vouchsafe that the Mass I this day
offer in union with Thy minister, for the souls of N.N. may shorten their sufferings, if
they be still detained in the purifying flames of purgatory. As there may be many of
my friends, relatives, benefactors, spiritual or temporal, or ancestors, tormented in
these, intense flames, who were the instruments of Thy providence in bestowing on
me existence, education, and innumerable other blessings, grant that I may be the
means of obtaining for them a speedy release from their excessive sufferings, and a
free admittance to Thy eter nal joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AT THE BEGINNING OF MASS

ALMIGHTY God, with Whom the spirits of the just live, and in Whose holy custody
are deposited the souls of all that depart hence in an inferior degree of grace, and
are therefore detained in a state of suffering; as we bless Thee for the saints already
admitted into Thy glory, so we humbly offer up our prayers for the afflicted souls
who continually sigh after the days of their deliverance.

If among them be the souls of those for whom we this day petition, vouchsafe to
pardon their sins, that they may behold Thee, and in Thy glorious light eternally
rejoice. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

INTROIT

GRANT them, O Lord, eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Ps. A
hymn becometh Thee, O Lord, in Sion, and a vow shall be paid to Thee in Jerusalem;
hear my prayer; all flesh shall come to Thee. Grant them, etc.

Lord, have mercy on them.

Christ, have mercy on them.
Lord, have mercy on them.

COLLECTS

GOD, Whose property is always to have mercy and to spare, we humbly beseech
Thee for the soul of Thy servant N., that Thou wouldst not deliver it up into the
hands of the enemy, nor forget it unto the end, but command it to be received by
Thy holy angels, and to be carried to paradise, its true country, that, as in Thee it
hoped and trusted, it may not have to endure the pains of hell, but come to the
possession of eternal joys. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GOD, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant unto the souls of Thy
servants departed the remission of all their sins, that by pious supplications they
may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Grant this, O God, Who
livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

EPISTLE
(i. Thess. iv. 12-16.)

BRETHREN: And we will not have you ignorant concerning them that are asleep, that
you be not sorrowful, even as others who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them who have slept
through Jesus, will God bring with Him.

For this we say unto you in the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain
unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them who have slept.

For the Lord Himself shall come down from heaven with commandment and with the
voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead who are in Christ
shall rise first.

Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the
clouds to meet Christ, into the air, and so shall we be always with the Lord.

GRADUAL

ETERNAL rest grant to them, and may perpetual light shine upon them. V. (Ps. cxi.
7.) The just shall be in everlasting remembrance; he shall not fear the evil hearing.

TRACT

REELEASE, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from the bonds of their sins.
V. And by the assistance of Thy mercy, may they escape the sentence of Thy justice.
V. And enjoy the bliss of eternal light.

THE GOSPEL
AT that time Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews: Amen, amen, I say unto you
that the hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of
God, and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He
given to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He hath given Him power to do
judgment, because He is the Son of man. Wonder not at this, for the hour cometh
wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they
that have done good shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; but they that
have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.

THE OFFERTORY

O LORD Jesus Christ, King of glory! deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from
the painful prison of purgatory. We offer Thee, eternal Father, a sacrifice of praise
and of prayer: accept it on behalf of the souls we commemorate this day, and let
them pass from death to life.

Here make an offering also of your own death and suffer ings in union with the holy
sacrifice, thus:

O my God, I offer Thee also the hour of my death and all the pains I am destined to
suffer from this moment until my last breath, for Thy glory, and in union with the
bitter pains of Jesus Passion and death.

MAY the most just, most high, and most adorable will of God be done in all things,
be praised and magnified for ever.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius VII., May 19, 1818.

OMNIPOTENT Lord! Who dost permit evil that good may spring from it, listen to the
humble prayers, by which we ask of Thee the grace of remaining faithful to Thee,
even unto death. Grant us also, through the intercession of Mary ever blessed, that
we may always conform ourselves to Thy most holy will.

SECRET

HAVE mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord, on the souls of Thy servants (name them),
for whom we offer this Victim of praise, humbly beseeching Thy majesty that by this
sacrifice they may arrive at rest eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PREFACE

IT is truly just and salutary, to return Thee thanks at all times, and in all places, O
almighty Father, eternal God. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, and through His merits,
we hope for a glorious resurrection; so that if the sentence of death alarm and
deject the promise of immortality consoles and animates us; for to Thy faithful
servants death is only a passage from this life to a better one. Therefore we unite
with all the blessed citizens of the heavenly country in singing a hymn to Thy glory,
and saying without ceasing: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabbaoth: heaven and
earth are full of Thy glory. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; His
blood pleads for pardon, and His voice rises ever to the throne of mercy in behalf of
the faithful. Amen.

THE CANON

WE therefore suppliantly beseech Thee, O Father of mercies, through Jesus Christ,

Thy Son, Our Lord, graciously to accept and bless this holy sacrifice which we offer
Thee for the peace and prosperity of the holy Catholic Church, for Thy servant, our
father, Pope N., for our bishop and clergy, and for all Thy faithful Catholic people: for
the living, that they may prepare for death; and for the dead, that they may obtain
eternal rest.

I recommend to Thee, O Lord, the souls of Thy servants N.N., and as, in mercy to
them, Thou didst become man, so now vouchsafe to admit them into the number of
the blessed. Remember, O Lord, that
the souls for whom we pray are Thy creatures, not made by strange gods, but by
Thee, the only true and living God, for there is no other God but Thee; none that can
work wonders like unto Thine.

Let their souls find comfort and mercy in Thy sight, and remember not their former
sins, nor any of those faults they may have fallen into through human frailty, or the
violence of temptation; for though they sinned, they still retained a true faith in
Thee, O Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and a lively zeal for Thy honor;
they faithfully adored Thee and died in favor with Thee, O divine Lord, as well as in
peace and charity with all mankind.

Remember not, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the sins and ignorance of their youth, but
according to Thy great mercy, be mindful of them in Thy glory. May the heavens be
now opened to receive them. May the archangel St. Michael, chief of the heavenly
host, conduct them. May the holy angels of God meet and accompany them into the
city of the heavenly Jerusalem. May blessed Peter, the apostle to whom were given
the keys of heaven, receive them. May holy Paul, the apostle who was a vessel of
election, help them. May St. John, the beloved disciple to whom God revealed the
secrets of heaven, intercede for them. May all the holy apostles, to whom was given
the power of binding and loosing, pray for them. May all the blessed and chosen
servants of God intercede for them, that being delivered from present confinement
and suffering, they may be admitted into the kingdom of heaven, through the
assistance and merits of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who livest, etc.

And now, all-powerful God, at this awful moment, when, by the words of
consecration, Thy divine Son is actually present, I offer up to Thee this same
beloved Son, Who died for mankind. I humbly entreat Thee, through the infinite
merits of His death, to show com passion and mercy to the souls for whose repose
the holy sacrifice is this day offered.

AT THE ELEVATION

HAIL! Most blessed Jesus,* eternal Son of the most high God! Oh, deign to be
merciful to those for whom we pray ; Thou Who didst expire on the cross for their
sake, give rest to their souls.
HAIL! Sacred blood, that flowed for the sins of the world; wash away whatever
stains may render Thy servants unfit to be admitted into heaven. O good and
merciful God, look on the face of Thy Christ, in Whom Thou art always well pleased,
and permit the souls for which He suffered to rest eternally in Thy divine presence.

AFTER THE ELEVATION

LORD Jesus Christ, we earnestly entreat Thee by Thy bitter agony and prayer in the
garden to become an advocate with Thy eternal Father on behalf of Thy servants
N.N. Lay before Him, we conjure Thee, all those drops of blood which in Thy anguish
of spirit flowed from Thy sacred body, and offer them as a sacrifice of atonement,
that thereby the souls of N.N. may be discharged from all the punishment still due
to divine Justice for their sins.

Jesus, Who wast pleased to suffer death on the cross for the redemption of mankind,
we humbly beseech Thee to offer up all the anguish and pain which Thou didst
endure, especially at the moment of Thy death, on behalf of Thy servants, that Thy
precious merits may be accepted for the repose of their souls.

God almighty, I beseech Thee, by the precious body and blood of Thy divine Son
Jesus, which He gave with His own hand upon the eve of His Passion to His beloved
apostles to be their meat and drink, and which He left to His whole Church to be a
perpetual sacrifice and life-giving food of His own faithful people, deliver the souls in
purgatory, and especially that one which was most devoted to this mystery of
infinite love; that, with .Thy divine Son, and with Thy Holy Spirit, it may ever praise
Thee for this Thy wondrous love in Thy eternal glory. Amen.

LORD God almighty, I beseech Thee, by the precious blood which Thy divine Son
shed on the cross from His most sacred hands and feet, deliver the souls in
purgatory, and especially that soul for which I am most bound to pray; that the
blame rest not with me that Thou bringest it not forthwith to praise Thee in Thy
glory and to bless Thee forever. Amen.

LORD God almighty, I beseech Thee, by the precious blood, which gushed forth from
the side of Thy divine Son Jesus, in the sight and to the extreme pain of His most
holy Mother, deliver the souls in purgatory, and especially that one amongst them,
which was ever the most devout to our blessed Lady; that it may soon attain unto
Thy glory, there to praise Thee in her, and her in Thee, world without end. Amen.

Have mercy, also, O Lord, in a particular manner upon all the souls in purgatory,
who once belonged to this House, and upon all who were members of our
Congregation.

Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.

PATER NOSTER
O DIVINE Jesus! at Whose name every knee doth bend, in heaven, on earth, and in
hell! Sovereign Judge of the living and the dead! may Thy name be honored by the
deliverance of the souls for whom we pray. May the gates of heaven be open to
receive them, and may Thy will, which desires the salvation of all men, be this day
perfectly done in their regard. Grant that, after having been fed on the bread of
sorrow, they may be fed with the living Bread of heaven in the possession of
Thyself. We implore Thy forgiveness of the sins of our parents, friends, and
benefactors, particularly of the sins to which we unhappily have been accessory.
Preserve us from those avenging flames, which we have but too well merited by our
repeated abuse of grace, our tepidity in Thy service, and our negligence in resisting
temptation. Deliver us from sin, the greatest of all evils, and enable us to feel and
under stand that it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Amen.

AT THE AGNUS DEI

LAMB of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest. Lamb of God,
takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest. Lamb of God, Who takest away
the sins of the world, grant them everlasting rest.

AT THE COMMUNION

I MOST ardently desire, O my adorable Saviour, that Thou wouldst honor this day
the dwelling of my heart by Thy divine presence. With what confidence could I then
implore rest and eternal peace for the suffering souls of purgatory whom Thou
lovest, though Thy justice forces Thee to banish them for a time from their heavenly
inheritance. Look, nevertheless, O merciful Redeemer, on the work of Thy hands;
hasten the happy hour of their deliverance. Grant me the graces of a spiritual
communion, that I may submissively accept and patiently bear all that is
disagreeable and painful to inclination, and thus avert a long separation from Thee
after the close of my mortal life. Amen.

POST-COMMUNION

GRANT, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that our humble prayers on behalf of the souls of
Thy servants, both men and women, may be profitable to them; so that Thou
mayest deliver them from all punishment due to their sins, and make them
partakers of the redemption Thou hast purchased for them. Who livest, etc.

AT THE LAST "GOSPEL

MAY now the bright company of angels meet your souls, O departed servants of the
Lord; may the holy apostles receive you; may the triumphant army of glorious
martyrs, confessors, and virgins welcome you; and may peace and joy be your
portion for ever in the company of all the saints. May you behold this day your
blessed Redeemer face to face in the garden of paradise, and rejoice forever in the
Beatific Vision the happiness of the elect.

A PRAYER AFTER MASS

AND now, O God, having recommended to Thy mercy the souls of Thy departed
servants, grant we may ever remember that we are most certainly to follow them.
Give us grace to prepare for our last hour by a good life, that so death, however
sudden it may be, may not find us unworthy of admittance into eternal glory. Open
likewise the eyes, and soften the hearts* of all sinners; inspire them, we humbly
beseech Thee, with a true sense of their dreadful danger, that by a timely
consideration of the uncertainty of life, and the certainty of death, they may be
sincerely converted, and, obtaining pardon for their sins in this life, be happy with
Thee forever in the next. Amen.

MODE OF HEARING MASS IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

A PRAYER BEFORE MASS

O MY God, I humbly- prostrate myself before Thee, to assist at the holy sacrifice of
the Mass, and to adore my sovereign Lord in the great mystery of the Passion and
death of Thy holy Son. I praise and glorify Thee in union with the holy and
immaculate Virgin Mary, whom Thou hast sanctified and preserved from all stain of
original sin, and hast ordained to be the Mother of Thy only-begotten Son, my Lord
and Redeemer. Grant that I and all these faithful here present may assist at the
celebration of this mystery of love with humility and purity of heart, with that
reverence, fervor, and devotion with which Mary, the blessed Mother of Jesus Christ,
prayed to Thee during the many years she remained in the Temple; but particularly
when she received the message of the angel, who, in Thy name, saluted her "full of
grace, and blessed amongst women."

O holy Mary, Mother of God, and Queen of heaven and earth! to thee we, poor
banished children of Eve, have recourse. I intend to assist at this holy sacrifice in
thanksgiving to God the Father, for having predestined thee His chosen daughter; to
the eternal Son for having made thee His beloved Mother; to the Holy Ghost for
having sanctified thee His cherished spouse. Pray for me and for all thy servants.
Obtain that I may participate in the fruits of the Passion and death of thy beloved
Son, Our Lord, and Redeemer, on Whose mysteries I am going to meditate during
this holy sacrifice of the Mass. Amen.

O Mary, refuge of sinners, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to
thee!

AT THE BEGINNING OF MASS

O INFINITE Creator and merciful God! Thou hast been pleased, by the incarnation of
Thy only-begotten Son, to repair the losses caused by the disobedience of our first
parents; Thou didst send the angel Gabriel to that chosen maid who, by becoming
the Mother of the Redeemer, crushed the infernal serpent s head, and brought
salvation to all mankind. Do Thou, O Lord, Who displayed Thy infinite power in
forgiving and showing mercy to poor sinners, give ear to our humble prayers, and
grant that we, who firmly believe that Thy eternal Son became man in the chaste
womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and that she is, therefore, truly the Mother of God,
may be helped by her prayers. I adore Thee, O my God, in this profound mystery,
the fruits whereof were first felt by the precursor, who, at the words of Mary s
salutation to St. Elizabeth, was sanctified in his mother s womb. Let us give praise
to God, for He is good, and His mercy endureth for ever. My sou. 1 doth magnify the
Lord ; my spirit rejoiceth in God my Saviour. But I am unworthy, O Lord, of Thy
favors. How can I dare to appear before Thee, O my God?

I confess to almighty God, to the blessed and immaculate Mary, ever virgin, to St.
Michael the archangel, to John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and
to all the saints, that I have sinned in thought, word, and deed, through my fault,
through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed
and immaculate Mary, ever virgin, blessed Michael the archangel, blessed John the
Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our
God for me.

May the almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to
everlasting life. Amen.

May the almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of
all my sins. Amen.

To thee, O merciful Queen of heaven and earth, I have recourse. It has never been
heard of that any one invoked thee and was forsaken. Plead for me before thy
divine Son and obtain for me the pardon of my sins.

AT THE INTROIT

AIL, holy Mother, who didst bring forth the King who reigns over heaven and earth
forever! Hail, Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst
women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray
for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

AT THE KYRIE ELEISON

LORD, have mercy on me! O Jesus, have mercy on me! O Lord Jesus, have mercy on
me, a sinner!
O Mary, refuge of sinners, pray for me!

AT THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

GLORY be to God on high, and peace on earth to men of good- will. O my God, I
unite my praises with those which the heavenly spirits sang to Thee on that night,
when Thy beloved Son, made man, was born of the Virgin Mary in the stable of
Bethlehem. My heart is full of gladness, because for my salvation the Word of God
was made man, and dwelt among men. Glory, praise, and adoration be to God the
Father, to God the Son, and to God the Holy Ghost; three Persons in one God. O holy
Virgin Mary, thou art the glorious Mother of my Redeemer. Remember the joy thy
immaculate and maternal heart did feel when for the first time thou didst behold,
adore, and embrace thy God and thy infant Son in the stable of Bethlehem. O
blessed Mother of God, pray to thy Son, that I may be made partaker of the joy of
heaven. Amen.

COLLECT OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. FROM THE VOTIVE MASS OF THE BLESSED
VIRGIN MARY

Let us pray.

GRANT, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy servants may enjoy perpetual
health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of the blessed Mary, ever
virgin, may be delivered from present sadness and enjoy eternal gladness. Through
Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

FOR THE CHURCH

MERCIFULLY hear, O Lord, the prayers of Thy Church, that all opposition and error
being re moved, she may serve Thee with undisturbed devotion.

FOR THE POPE

LORD God, the Pastor and Ruler of all the faithful, look down on Thy servant N.,
whom Thou hast appointed pastor over Thy Church, and grant, we beseech Thee,
that he may edify, both by word and example, those who are under his charge, and
that with the flock entrusted to him he may arrive at eternal happiness. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.

AT THE EPISTLE

ALMIGHTY and merciful God, Who never ceasest to direct our hearts to the
knowledge of Thy law, to instruct us through the ministry of Thy holy Church, grant
that we may faithfully attend to the lessons of salvation which Thou givest us. May
Thy holy word fructify in the soil of our hearts; may our souls be guided by Thy holy
law and directed to the possession of Thee. O God, have mercy on us, and bring us
to Thee, as by the appearance of a miraculous star Thou didst bring the Wise Men to
the stable of Bethlehem, where they found and adored the Saviour in the arms of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, His holy Mother, and offered Him, with their hearts, their
mysterious presents. O blessed Mary, obtain for us the grace to follow the
inspirations of the Holy Ghost, and amid the perils that beset our path in this world,
to direct our steps in the way of salvation. O Mary, guide us to Jesus, . . . by the light
of thee, Bright Star of the Sea!

AT THE GOSPEL

MY dear Redeemer, I give Thee thanks for the inestimable favor Thou hast bestowed
upon me, by calling me to the knowledge of Thy holy Gospel, and making me a child
of the one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I believe and confess all and each of
the articles of faith which Thou hast revealed to Thy Church, and which the same
Church proposes and teaches. I am ready, if it be Thy will, to shed the last drop of
my blood for my faith. I return Thee thanks for that love which prompted Thee to
leave to Thy Church in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar Thy body and blood, Thy
soul and divinity. I believe, O Lord, that Thou art really present in the Holy Eucharist.
When with the eyes of faith I see my Lord upon the altar, I can say: "Now, O Lord, let
Thy servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen Thy salvation." O sweet Mary,
thou didst bring thy holy Son to the Temple, and didst offer Him to the eternal
Father. The holy man Simeon received Jesus, in his arms from thy hands. Oh, bring
my Saviour into my poor heart, that I may love nothing else but Him and thee.
Amen.

AT THE OFFERTORY

O HOLY Father, almighty and eternal God, accept from the hands of Thy minister the
unspotted Host which he offers Thee in the name of the Church, for the honor,
glory, and adoration of Thy divine Majesty, in memory of the nativity, life,
sufferings, death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and in honor
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of all the saints. In the spirit of humility and
contrition of heart I now offer to Thee, O Lord, this bread and wine, which, through
the words of benediction, which Christ our Lord instituted at the Last Supper, will be
changed into the body and blood of Thy divine Son, our Saviour. Come, O almighty
and eternal God, the Sanctifier, and bless this sacrifice prepared for the praise and
glory of Thy holy name. Receive, O Lord, this sacrifice to the praise and glory of Thy
infinite Majesty, to our benefit, and to that of the whole Church, and also to the
honor of the blessed Mother of Jesus Christ, that she may vouchsafe to intercede for
us in heaven whose memory we celebrate on earth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O merciful God, direct and assist me in the dangers of this life, as Thou didst direct
Mary, the blessed Mother of Jesus, and her pure spouse, St. Joseph, in their flight
into Egypt. O Lord, save Thy servants who repose all their confidence in Thee and
who honor Thy blessed Mother.

SECRET

MAY this oblation procure us peace and happiness here and hereafter, through the
intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

FOR THE CHURCH

ROTECT us, O Lord, while we assist at Thy sacred mysteries, that being employed in
acts of religion we may serve Thee both in body and mind.

FOR THE POPE

BE appeased, O Lord, with the offering we have made, and cease not to protect Thy
servant, N., whom Thou hast been pleased to appoint pastor over Thy Church.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

AT THE PREFACE
IT is truly meet, and just, and right, and available to salvation, that we should
always, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal
God, and bless and glorify Thee, on the veneration of the blessed Mary, ever virgin,
who, by the over shadowing of the Holy Ghost, conceived Thy only-begotten Son,
and, her virginity still remaining, brought forth the eternal Light of the world, Jesus
Christ our Lord. By whom the angels praise Thy Majesty, the dominations adore it,
the powers tremble before it, the heavens, the heavenly virtues and blessed
seraphim with common jubilee, glorify it. Together with whom we beseech Thee that
we may be admitted to join our humble voices, saying:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; the heavens and the earth are full of Thy
glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

AT THE CANON

ALMIGHTY God, Thy beloved Son and my Lord Jesus Christ has commanded me, by
His word and example, to be always occupied with the things that are Thine. It was
in the Temple that His blessed Mother and St. Joseph found Him on the third day
after His departure from them. Grant that I may never depart from Thee by sin. But
if I ever have the misfortune of forfeiting Thy holy grace, 1 will sue again for mercy
in the Sacrament of Penance. Pray for me, O glorious Mother of God, and be my
advocate before thy Son. At thy suggestion He changed, in Cana of Galilee, water
into wine; beg of Him to change my heart too, to purify and sanctify it, that it may
be worthy of Him for ever.

O my God, when Mary pronounced these words: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord,
be it done unto me according to thy word," Thy only-begotten Son became
incarnate in her womb. In like manner at the words of consecration, which are about
to be pronounced by Thy minister, the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, descends on our
altars, and miraculously changes the substance of bread and wine into His body and
blood, soul and divinity. I humbly adore Thee, O loving Saviour, in this mystery of
Thy love. Through that divine charity which moved Thee to utter those consoling
words a few moments before the institution of this Sacrament: "With desire I have
desired to eat this pasch with you before I suffer," I beg of Thee to have mercy on
me, and to forgive me my sins. Help me in my necessities, strengthen me against
the enemies of my soul, and grant me the grace I stand in need of to secure my
eternal salvation.

I pray to Thee also, O Lord, for Thy holy Church, for our holy father the Pope, for our
bishops, and all pastors of souls; for our Superior and for all the members of our
Order, for my parents, relatives, benefactors, friends, and enemies. Grant Thy
particular blessings to the pious clients of Thy blessed Mother. Bless the poor, the
sick, and those who are in their agony. Have mercy on those who have
recommended themselves to my prayers, who pray for me, and finally on all those
for whom I am in justice or charity bound to pray. Grant peace and concord to all
Christian princes and people. Convert poor sinners, enlighten infidels, and bring
back heretics from the ways of error. May all of us united in one fold, under one
Shepherd. Jesus Christ, the true Pastor of our souls.
Holy Mary, thy divine Son now comes upon the altar. Present to Him my lowly
adoration. O my Jesus, come; come, my Saviour. Receive the prayers I offer Thee
through the hands of Thy blessed Mother. Come, O Lord Jesus. With the angels, who
are prostrate before the altar, I exclaim: Holy, holy, holy, Hosanna to Him that
cometh from the highest heavens ever blessed be His name!

AT THE ELEVATION OF THE HOST

JESUS Christ, Thou art the true Son of God. I adore Thee in this holy Sacrament. Be
Thou propitious to me and forgive me my sins.

AT THE ELEVATION OF THE CHALICE

O ADORABLE blood, which Jesus, the true Son of God and true Son of Mary, has
shed for me on the cross! I adore Thee, O my Redeemer, and I hide myself in Thy
sacred wounds, from which the price of my redemption flowed. O Jesus, grant that I
may live for Thee and die for Thee. Help, O Lord, Thy servants whom Thou hast
redeemed with Thy precious blood.

AFTER THE ELEVATION

An Act of Adoration

MERCIFUL Father, look down from Thy heavenly throne on the holy and immaculate
Victim now reposing on this altar. Thou hast given us Thy only Son, and with Him
and through Him Thou hast bestowed on us all the treasures of Thy grace. In this
holy sacrifice Thou hast furnished us with the means of offering Thee the adoration
Thou deservest. Jesus Christ here present adores Thee for us. Accept His adoration,
which is worthy of Thy sovereign Majesty Ah! how happy am I to have wherewith to
discharge my obligation toward Thy divine Majesty. This oblation is infinitely more
pleasing in Thy sight than those of Thy servant Abel, of Abraham, the father of the
faithful, or of Melchisedech, the high priest, who offered bread and wine as the
figure of the sacrifice of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

AN ACT OF THANKSGIVING

ACCEPT, O most merciful God, the sacrifice of Thy Son in thanksgiving for all the
benefits Thou hast granted me. Thou hast created me to Thine own image and
likeness. Thou hast redeemed me with Thy Son s precious blood. Thou hast called
me to the true faith, and preserved me from eternal death, which I so often
deserved for my sins. Thou hast called me as one of Thy favored children to follow
Thee more closely in the way of the evangelical counsels. What return shall I make
Thee for these and all Thy favors? I offer Thee Thy only Son, Who, before He
instituted this Most Holy Sacrament, lifted up His eyes, and gave thanks to Thee, His
Father almighty. I offer Him now immolated on this altar; and thus I make an
adequate thanksgiving for all the blessings Thou hast bestowed on me and on all
mankind.

AN ACT OF ATONEMENT
JESUS, my Saviour! By Thy Passion and death Thou hast purchased for me the
rewards of eternal life, and Thou still continuest to offer Thyself a holocaust of
propitiation in the holy sacrifice or the Mass. Therefore, I offer Thee to Thy eternal
Father as an atonement for my innumerable sins. O heavenly Father, by the
sacrifice of Thy Son Thou hast cancelled the handwriting of the decree which stood
against me, and hast fastened it to the cross. No longer does the blood of calves or
other victims propitiate Thee to penitent sinners; Jesus is our atonement. His
precious blood, like that of Abel, cries out to Thee for mercy. Look on Thy divine Son;
forgive me my sins, which I detest from the bottom of my heart. Have mercy on me
a sinner; forgive me through the merits of Jesus Christ.

AN ACT OF SUPPLICATION

MY God, I am unworthy to appear before Thee. I acknowledge my misery and

poverty. Thou art the fountain of all grace, and the source of all good. Thy beloved
Son has commanded me to pray to Thee, and to call Thee by the consoling name of
Father. Therefore I prostrate myself with confidence before Thee, and present to
Thee my humble supplication through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Who makes
intercession for me. Grant me a lively faith, a firm and constant hope, and an ardent
charity toward Thee and my neighbor. Save my soul. Give ma strength to vanquish
my spiritual enemies. Grant me a humble resignation to Thy holy will in the
adversities of this life; and, above all, the gifts of final perseverance in Thy love and
service. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have mercy also, O Lord, on the souls of the faithful departed on those of my
parents, benefactors, relatives, friends, and on all those for whom I am bound to
pray. Remember, O Lord, those who while living were most devoted to Thy blessed
Mother; grant them all rest from their torments, and bring them to heaven. I apply
to the souls in purgatory the holy indulgences granted to the faithful who assist at
the holy sacrifice of the Mass, and I intend to enter into the dispositions necessary
to gain them, through Thy grace and mercy.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, etc.

O my Redeemer! Thou hast commanded me by word and example to forgive my

enemies. I forgive them from the bottom of my heart for the love of Thee. Grant
them, O Lord, all the graces and blessings that are necessary for their spiritual and
temporal welfare. Now, my Saviour, as I have done what Thou hast commanded, do
Thou fulfil what Thou hast promised, and forgive me my sins.

Thou didst not forget me, O sweet Jesus, even in Thy agony. Before expiring on the
cross Thou didst leave me Thy sorrowful and afflicted Mother to be my Mother also.
"Behold thy Son behold thy Mother." I re turn Thee thanks, O my Saviour, for this
inestimable favor. And thou, my tender Mother, thou hast begotten me at the foot of
the cross. I am the child of thy sorrow. Take me under thy protection. Conduct me to
Jesus. Teach me to love Him. O Mother, O tender Mother! how happy am I in the
glorious privilege of being thy child. O Mary, show that thou art my Mother.

AGNUS DEI
LAMB of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on me. (Three
times.)

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

JESUS! Thou hast given us in the Holy Eucharist Thy body and blood to be our
spiritual nourishment, through which we may have life everlasting. Would that I
were worthy to receive Thee this day in the holy communion! I desire, with all my
heart, to receive the living Bread which came down from heaven.

O Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word,
and my soul shall be healed. (Three times.) Let me taste, at least, the sweetness of
a spiritual communion. Come to me, Jesus, my Lord, my Master. Come and refresh
my soul. Strengthen me, that in union with Thee I may do perfectly the heavenly
Father s will. Let me never be separated from Thee by sin.

Soul of Jesus, sanctify me. Body of Jesus, save me. Blood of Jesus, wash me. Water
out of the side of Jesus, purify me. Passion of Jesus, comfort me. O good Jesus, hear
me. Hide me within Thy sacred wounds. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, receive me. O
immaculate heart of Mary, plead for me, and love me.

O sweet Mother, obtain for me the grace of receiving the holy communion with
worthy dispositions, especially in my last sickness, when I shall be called to appear
before the tribunal of God, that, through the merits of my Saviour s death and
Passion, and thy intercession, I may have life everlasting. Amen.

AFTER COMMUNION

MY loving Saviour, after having suffered for three hours the most cruel agony; after
having accomplished all that had been foretold of Thee, Thou didst expire on the
cross. All nature trembled at Thy death. The rocks were split asunder and yet, alas,
my ungrateful heart is insensible. I have, by my sins, been Thy heartless
executioner. O my Redeemer, how can I dare to stand before Thee? But Thou didst
pardon the penitent thief; and this inspires me with the hope that Thou wilt pardon
me also, and admit me, like him, to the enjoyment of Thy happy kingdom.

O Mary, Queen of martyrs, through the sorrow which overwhelmed thy heart at the
foot of the cross, while thou wert witnessing the last painful act of Our Saviours
Passion through the anguish thou didst feel when thou didst accompany His sacred
body to the tomb, and the desolation thou didst experience on thy return, I beseech
thee to obtain that His Passion and thy sorrows may be ever engraven on my heart,
that I may never cease to deplore my sins, which were the cause of His death and of
thy anguish.

AT THE POST- COMMUNION

HAVING received, O Lord, what is calculated to advance our salvation, grant that we
may be always protected by the patronage of the blessed Mary, ever virgin, in
whose honor we have offeredthis sacrifice to Thy divine majesty.
FOR THE CHURCH

I beseech Thee, O Lord, not to leave exposed to the perils of human life those whom
Thou hast permitted to partake of these mysteries.

FOR THE POPE

I beseech Thee, O Lord, that the participation of this Divine Sacrament may protect
us from all dangers, and redound to the safety and defense of Thy servant, N.,
whom Thou hast appointed pastor over Thy Church, together with the flock
committed to his charge. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

AT THE BENEDICTION

HOLY and adorable Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to Thee be honor, praise,
and glory. May this blessing, which I humbly receive from the hands of Thy minister,
be an anticipation of that one which I trust Thou wilt give me after my death, and on
the day of judgment. May the blessing of God the Father, of God the Son, and of
God the Holy Ghost come upon me now and for evermore. Amen.

AT THE LAST GOSPEL

MY God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, and I love Thee with all my heart. May Thy
holy Gospel be propagated throughout the world. Assist the ministers whom Thou
hast appointed to carry the light of faith to unbelievers, or to revive it among luke
warm Christians. Grant to all the clergy that spirit of zeal, fortitude, and knowledge
which Thou didst impart to Thy holy apostles on the day of Pentecost. Thou hast
commanded us, O Lord, to pray to the Lord of the harvest that He may send
laborers to work in His vineyard. Wherefore I humbly beseech Thee, Who didst open
the prophets mouths, and didst call the apostles to announce Thy word, to send us
worthy pastors, and to grant that they may edify the flock, destroy errors and
abuses, root out vice, dispel ignorance, and establish Thy reign in the souls Thou
hast redeemed with Thy blood. Bless all religious, that they may be faithful to their
holy calling, and advance with all zeal possible Thy kingdom on earth. Reign Thou, O
Christ, over all Religious, and over all men by Thy love, and inspire them all with a
love of Thy kingdom and fidelity in Thy services. O Word of God made flesh, grant
us the grace that we may be admitted to the kingdom of Thy glory. Amen.

A PRAYER AFTER MASS

I GIVE Thee thanks, O my God, for having permitted me to assist at this holy
sacrifice. I humbly ask pardon for all the negligences and distractions I may have
given way to. Eternal praise be given to Thy holy name for all the privileges
bestowed on the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom Thou didst preserve from the stain of
original sin, and didst make worthy to be the Mother of Our Redeemer. Thou didst
place her on a throne of glory to be Queen of heaven and earth. I rejoice at her
glory, because she is the Mother of Jesus, and my Mother also. O loving Mother,
protect thy children, and conduct them to heaven. O holy Mary, succor the
distressed; strengthen the weak; comfort the afflicted; pray for the people;
intercede for the clergy; make supplication for devout women, and in particular for
Religious. May all experience thy assistance, rejoice in thy glory, and praise God
with thee for evermore.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

GRANT, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we Thy servants may enjoy perpetual health
of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may
be delivered from present sorrow and attain to eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Ejaculations

MY Queen! My Mother! Remember I am thine own. Keep me, guard me, as thy
property and possession.

Indulgence of 40 days each time. Pius IX., Aug 5, 1851.

O MARY, who didst come into this world free from stain! obtain of God for me that I
may leave it without sin.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., March 27, 1863.
 DEVOTIONS FOR CONFESSION

BEFORE CONFESSION

MY Lord and my God! Prostrate before Thee, full of shame and confusion, I
acknowledge I have broken my solemn promise to Thee, my loving Father- that
promise on account of which Thou hast so often forgiven me in the past.

O good Jesus, Saviour of the world, who gavest Thyself to the death of the cross to
save sinners, look upon me, a miserable sinner, who implores Thy mercy. Spare me,
Thou Who art my Saviour, and pity my sinful soul; loose its chains, heal its sores.
Lord Jesus, I earnestly desire to return to Thee, and I am sorry with my whole heart
that I have ever offended Thee.

Help me now, my dear heavenly Father, for I am weak, and wounded, and wretched;
but I come full of confidence to Thee, for Thou art my strength; out of Thee there is
no rest, without Thee there is no hope, therefore I put my whole trust in Thee.

O my God, make known to me the wounds which sin has made in my soul. Come to
my aid, O Lord; without Thee I can not discover them. O eternal light, dispel my
darkness. Heart of Jesus, enlighten me; show me my faults, make known to me my
sins. Grant that I may see them all as Thou Thyself dost behold them, and give me
courage and strength to lay them bare without reserve and with a truly contrite
heart.

O most gracious Virgin Mary, beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer,

intercede for me, that I may make a good confession. Obtain for me true sorrow for
my sins, that they may be all washed away in the precious blood of thy dear Son
Jesus, and a firm purpose not to offend Him in the future.

PRAYERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT BEFORE CONFESSION

Veni, Creator Spiritus and Veni, Sancte Spiritus, as on pp. 551-553-

COME, Holy Ghost, enlighten my mind and inflame my heart, so that I may confess
my sins worthily, and, being truly penitent, may amend my life, and henceforth
serve Thee faithfully and glorify Thee with all the powers of my soul and of my body.

Our Father, Hail Mary.

To God the Father glory be,

And to His sole-begotten Son;
The same, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While everlasting ages run.

PREPARATORY PRAYERS

ADORABLE Majesty, God almighty, I believe that Thou art here present. I adore Thee
and thank Thee for all the benefits which I have received from Thee, particularly for
having created me to Thine own image and likeness; for having permitted me to be
born in the bosom of the Catholic Church and adopted as one of Thy children, in the
Sacrament of Baptism; for having preserved me to the present time and saved me
from hell by Thy sufferings and death; for having so often washed me from my sins
in the Sacrament of Penance, and so often fed me with Thy body and blood in the
holy communion; for having called me to the religious state by a particular
predilection. O my God, one life is too short to love Thee, an eternity is too short to
thank Thee for so many benefits! O Holy Ghost, Source of light, vouchsafe to shed a
ray thereof upon my heart; come and assist me to know my sins; show them to me,
O Lord, as distinctly as I shall know them when I depart this life, when I shall have to
appear before Thee to be judged. Amen.

EXAMEN FOR CONFESSION

THOU shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and
with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is
like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments
dependeth the whole law and the prophets." (Matt, xxii.)

Consult the Index for other Examinations of Conscience.

AGAINST GOD

1. HAVE I performed the penance enjoined in my last confession?

2. Have I neglected any spiritual duty through sloth, or without leave, viz.,
Meditation, Mass, Communion, Examen, Rosary, etc. ?
3. Have I discharged those duties carelessly and with wilful distractions?
4. Have I yielded to diffidence in God s mercy, and dejection of mind?
5. Have I spoken with levity or disrespect of anything belonging to religion?

VOWS

1. H AVE I received or disposed of anything without permission? Of what

value?
2. If tempted against the virtue of purity did I neglect to pray?
3. Have I disobeyed any order or murmured against any direction?
4. Have I neglected or carelessly discharged my appointed duties in the
service of the children, the sick, the poor, etc. ?

AGAINST MY NEIGHBOR

1. HAVE I willfully entertained feelings of jealousy, aversion, resentment, or

contempt?
2. Have I held uncharitable conversations, or been unkind in act or manner?
3. Have I judged or suspected others rashly?
4. Have I yielded to impatience or irritability in word or manner?
5. Have I told lies?

AGAINST MYSELF

1. HAVE I yielded to thoughts or feelings of vanity, pride, or impatience?

 2. Have I yielded to sensuality, sloth, or idleness?
3. Have I neglected or carelessly done my appointed work?
4. Have I indulged idle, useless thoughts?

ACT OF CONTRITION

O MY God, I love Thee above all things. I hope, by the merits and Passion of Jesus
Christ, to obtain pardon of my sins. I grieve from the bottom of my heart for having
by them offended Thy infinite goodness. I detest them more than all imaginable
evils. I unite my grief for them to that by which Jesus Christ was oppressed in the
Garden of Olives. I firmly resolve, by the assistance of Thy grace, nevermore to
offend Thee.

(Whenever you will have said this prayer, with the requisite determination of
avoiding all sin, go in peace to confession, without scruple and without fear. St.
Ligouri.)

ANOTHER DETAILED METHOD OF EXAMINATION

Sacraments. Defective examination of conscience; want of contrition and purpose of

amendment.

Equivocation. Dissimulation in accusing one s self; neglecting the penance or

deferring it too long; paying no attention to the advice of the confessor; receiving
holy communion without preparation; neglecting thanksgiving.

Meditation. Want of promptitude and recollection on first awaking; neglecting the

remote or immediate preparation; not giving ail the time prescribed to it; not
following method in making it.

Holy Mass. Dissipation at the moment of preparation; losing part of it by one s own
fault; wilful distraction (say if it was on a day of obligation).

Examination of Conscience. Not giving the time prescribed to it, or passing all the
time in distraction; not making an exact search for one s faults; giving way to
discouragement; being vexed, instead of exciting ones self to contrition.

Spiritual Reading, Prayers, Divine Office. Not giving the prescribed time to it;
reading through curiosity, without choice, without preparation; saying morning and
evening prayers, Rosary, and other prayers hastily or without attention; distractions,
carelessness during the offices of the Church; want of attention at sermons and
instructions; want of confidence in God; want of perfect resignation to His holy will;
coldness, indifference; seldom calling to mind God s presence; irreverence toward
the Blessed Sacrament.

Obedience. Contempt, criticising, censures, judgments against Superiors; want of

respect, whether in speaking to them, or of them; interior or outward murmuring;
disobeying the command, or not complying with the desire manifested, or the
advice given by them; criticising the command; obeying through compulsion, or in a
manner entirely human, without viewing the matter in the light of faith; want of
indifference for employments, places, etc.; breaking the rules.

Poverty. Giving or receiving without permission; lending or taking without

permission; having anything superfluous either in what belongs to one s office, or in
anything else; being out of temper when deprived of such things, or in want of
anything; not taking care of things which are given for one s use or for one s work;
breaking, tearing, soiling, or losing by too much haste, carelessness, or frivolity.

Chastity. Transgressions of the rules of modesty.

Charity. Detractions, aversions, contempt of one s neighbors, indiscreet reports;

sharp words, railleries; rough or impatient words; want of complaisance, meekness,
and gentleness; rash judgments and unjust suspicions, whether communicated to
others or not; envy, jealousy, contentions, reproaches, antipathy, sourness,
impatience; particular friendships.

Humility. Voluntary thoughts of pride or vanity; excessive self-love; preferring one s

self before others; being vexed at their success; speaking in ones own praise;
speaking with haughtiness and disdain; proud, disdainful, imperious in gestures,
gait, or looks; excusing ones self, flying from humiliations, avoiding them by every
means, even by falsehood and evasions; being excessively taken up with one s self;
acting through human respect, or to attract the esteem of others.

Mortification. Following one s own ill-humor or caprice; gratifying the senses, as the
eyes, by dissipation or curiosity; the hearing, by the desire to hear or know
unprofitable things; the smell, by taking pleasure in sweet scents, and showing
great dislike for bad; the taste, by eating with sensuality or gluttony.

Employments. Discharge them faithfully; conscientious regard for particular rules of

one s employment.

Instruction of Youth. Acquitting one s self of it negligently, without viewing it in the

light of faith; want of application to study; not preparing lessons of catechism and
other branches of knowledge; want of careful watchfulness, of firmness, of
sweetness of temper, and of patience; antipathy, undue preference; little or no zeal
for the instruction of children, for the reformation of their hearts, for their
perseverance in good; too great familiarity with them, or their relatives.

Domestic Employments. Want of subordination to Superiors, or to those in the

higher offices; acting too much upon ones own ideas; acting with too great haste;
having little or no zeal and care for ones employment; not actuating ones work
with a spirit of faith.

Care of the Sick. Watchfulness; punctuality; diligence; kindness; patience;

supernatural motive in all actions.

Means of Striving at Perfection

In General. Simple submission to God, and simple attention to His presence.

 1. In Behavior. Uniformity, straightforwardness, modesty, prudence,
meekness, firmness.
2. In Conversation. Cheerfulness without dissipation, prudence in words,
forgetfulness of self, chariness in giving advice.
3. In Fault. Humble and sincere acknowledgment, profound sorrow without
discouragement, recourse to God, trust in His mercy.
4. In the Use of the Sacraments. Purity of heart and intention, detachment
from sensible devotion, lively faith, practical fervor.
5. With God. Filial confidence, striving to do His will, calmly waiting the
manifestation of His will, obedience, prompt, generous, unreserved.
6. With our Neighbor. Cordial readiness to oblige, forbearance, complaisance
without servility, deference without flattery, condescension without human respect.
7. With Ourselves. Strict justice, self-denial, practical and persevering
patience under all trials.
8. For our Body. Moderate care, discreet rigor, sobriety in all things.
9. For our Imagination. Unruffled calm at its wanderings, contempt for its
illusions, and diversion of the mind in its importunities.
10. For our Mind. Wise distrust of one s lights, happy ignorance of one s
merit, holy use of one s talents.
11. For our Heart. Fidelity in banishing from it every kind of trouble,
watchfulness over all its movements, sacrifice of all that is contrary to the good
pleasure of God.
12. Life of Faith. That is to say, entire conformity with Jesus Christ in thoughts,
feelings, language, works, and continual and universal dependence on His holy
Spirit. Happy the soul which is faithful to the practice of these means! In her God is
well pleased; enjoys God; she finds all in God; she secures the eternal possessions
of God.

Interior Practice. EASE not to withdraw from creatures until you find yourself alone
with God.

Interior Occupation for the Days of Recollection. Every month, if possible, devote
half an hour to examining the state of your soul. Employ in this way the time of
meditation, if you have no other moments at your disposal. Examine yourself
particularly on these three essential points: ist. Spiritual Exercises; 2d. The Holy
Rule; 3d. The Predominant Failing.

I. SPIRITUAL EXERCISES.

1st. IN awaking, have you, by a fervent act of love, cast yourself into the Sacred
Heart of Jesus?

2d. Have you been exact in reciting the customary prayers while dressing? In
recalling to mind the subject of your meditation? In rejecting every idle thought?

3d. With what respect and diligence have you hastened to the chapel to begin your
prayer?
4th. How do you prepare for meditation? How do you exercise the power of your
soul during it? Do you try to awaken corresponding sentiments in your heart? Do
you form practical and detailed resolutions upon the fault which you wish to
extirpate, or the virtue which you have proposed to acquire? Do you foresee
occasions of avoiding the one and practicing the other? When you finish meditation
do you take care to look back upon the manner in which you have per formed it,
and to choose a good thought on which you may dwell during the day?

5th. Besides the general intentions, do you propose to yourself some particular end
when you assist at the holy Mass?

6th. Do you neglect the means proposed to make the remembrance of the presence
of God easy for you during the day? Such as ejaculatory prayers, and examining
yourself after every action ?

7th. Do you make your examination according to the method prescribed, and with
the intention of deriving benefits from it?

8th. How do you spend the time of the visit to the Blessed Sacrament?

9th. Do you honor the mysteries in saying your beads? Do you take care to form
some particular intention?

10th. Do you make spiritual reading with attention?

11th. While undressing, do you call to mind the subject of the meditation prepared
for the next day? Do you take care to say the prayers recommended? Do you reject
all distractions? Do you retire to rest in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and go to sleep
occupied with some good thought?

12th. What fruit do you derive from confession? With what care do you prepare for
it? Do you spend a sufficient time in recollection afterward?

13th. How do you prepare for holy communion on the previous evening and in the
morning? How do you make your thanksgiving?

14th. Are you careful to direct your intentions for the indulgence?

2. THE HOLY RULE.

1st. WHAT is your conduct as to obedience? Do you endeavor to make it prompt,

entire, and blind? Do you consider Jesus Christ in the person of your Superiors,
Whose place they hold?

2d. Do you fulfill your office and your occupation with zeal, and according to the
view of your Superior?

3d. Are you careful to ask the smallest permission?

4th. What are your dispositions with respect to poverty? Are you content to feel
some of its effects? Do you practice it, as much as possible, in those things of which
you have the use, and in the care of things entrusted to you?

5th. How do you observe the rules of modesty?

6th. Have you for all your Sisters a truly fraternal charity that proves itself in
thoughts, words, and deeds? Do you render willingly to your Sisters the service
which they may ask of you?

7th. What is your exactness and punctuality to the sound of the bell; your fidelity in
keeping silence, and, in a word, in the entire perfect observance of the Holy Rule?

8th. Observe the faults you have committed and make a special resolution on those
points wherein you have found yourself most deficient.

3. PREDOMINANT FAULT.

Of whatever kind it may be, examine yourself on these four points:

1st. DO you, as far as possible, make this fault, or its opposite virtue, the subject of
your particular examen?

2nd. Are you constant and earnest in your efforts to overcome the difficulties which
you meet with in this combat ?

3d. Are you careful to humble yourself for your faults, and to give a faithful account
of them?

4th. Are your faults as frequent as those of the previous month?

EXTRACTS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURES TO EXCITE SORROW FOR SINS AND

CONFIDENCE

These may be read over, or meditated upon, in order to excite confusion and sorrow
for sin, and confidence in God s infinite mercy.

HEAR, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord hath spoken. I have brought
up children, and exalted them; but they have despised Me (Isa. i. 2).

Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and ye gates thereof, be very desolate, saith

the Lord For My people have done two evils. They have forsaken Me, the fountain of
living water, and have digged to themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold
no water (Jer. ii. 12, 13).

Know thou, and see that it is an evil and a bitter thing for thee, to have left the Lord
thy God. . . . Thou hast broken My yoke, thou hast burst My bonds, and thou saidst: I
will not serve (Jer. ii. 19, 20).
What are these wounds in the midst of Thy hands? ... With these I was wounded in
the house of them that loved Me (Zach. xiii. 6).

Crucifying again to themselves the Son of God, and making Him a mockery (Heb. vi.
6).

I will arise, and will go to my Father, and say to Him : Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and before Thee (Luke xv. 18).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy (Ps. 1. 3).

A contrite and humbled heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise (Ps. 1. 19).

If your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow (Isa. i. 18).

As I live, saith the Lord God, I desire not the death of the wicked, but that the
wicked turn from his way, and live (Ezech. xxxiii. ii).

I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing
penance (Luke xv. 10).

REFLECTIONS FOR CONTRITION AND AMENDMENT

THE sight of hell, whose endless pains one mortal sin deserves; the sight of heaven,
whose dreadful loss one unrepented mortal sin entails; the sight of Gethsemane,
where we see

"Beneath the olives moon-pierced shade

Our God alone, outstretched and bruised

And bleeding on the earth He made;"

the sight of the pretorium of Pontius Pilate, where, at the column of the flagellation,
we behold Our Lord on the pavement in a pool of His own most precious blood; the
sight of the thorn-crowned Saviour, falling under the weight of the cross, along the
Via Dolorosa; the sight of Calvary, where we behold the good and gentle Jesus
nailed upon a cross, and, in bitter agony and desolation, dying a malefactor s death
all impress upon us the heinousness and hatefulness of sin as well as the patience
and goodness of God, and thus lead us to true and tender sorrow for our own sins.
One mortal sin banishes God s grace from the soul. Unhappy is the soul which loses
its God by sin. God, Who is all love, all holiness, detests sin with infinite loathing and
hatred. We trample on the precious blood of Jesus Christ, we crucify Him anew when
we commit sin. Detest at this moment all your sins, and resolve rather to suffer
anything than ever again to offend God, Who is infinitely good and holy and worthy
of all your love. Take your crucifix in your hand, and consider attentively what a
death that was which our dear Lord suffered on Calvary. Has ever malefactor
suffered more than He? Think of the scourging that went before; think of the crown
of thorns; look at Him now, nailed to the cross the living flesh nailed hands and feet
nailed by the huge spikes driven through them into the wood. The gentlest handling
of those wounds would be agony, and He has to hang upon them with the whole
weight of His body for three hours until death.

Look at Him see the tortured head; the dull, glazed eyes; the parched lips; the
quivering limbs; the ever- widening wounds. Think of the intense thirst; the
dislocated bones; the agony of every nerve and muscle. Could I look unmoved upon
the worst of malefactors in such a pitiable plight?

And is He a malefactor? No.

Why, then, is He here? For me in my place to suffer the pains due to my sins. He is
here, hanging on the cross, to teach me what sin is what sin deserves to what my
sins have brought Him. If ever I have committed one mortal sin, I have had a
distinct share in bringing about this death of pain and shame. See how
uncomplainingly He suffers in every member of His body, in every faculty of His
soul. See how the divinity withdraws its support from the humanity except to enable
it to suffer more. See how willingly He endures all this for me, to atone for my sins,
to satisfy the Father for me, to win me the absolutions of my life.

O Jesus, I fall on my face before Your cross to ask for an "intimate knowledge of the
hatefulness of sin," to ask for grief, tears, and a sense of pain in union with You in
torment, debased thus in order to die for my sins.

Can I doubt that the fruit of Your Passion will be the full remission of all my sins, that
if they be as scarlet they will be made as white as snow? He, that spared not even
His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him give us
all things give me His forgiveness and His peace?

God is infinitely good; He is holiness itself. We can not understand what sin is
because we can not understand what God is. And yet the attribute of God which sin
outrages most directly is the one that im presses us more than any other His
holiness. We fear it more than we fear His wisdom, His power, or even His justice.

It was the holiness of God from which Adam and Eve sought to hide themselves,
amidst the trees of paradise," after their sin.

If, when Our Lord came amongst us, the little children swarmed around Him, and
publicans and sinners pressed upon Him, so that their company was made a
reproach against Him, it was because He veiled His holiness when for an instant He
let its presence be felt, all men quailed before it. Peter felt it after the miraculous
draught of fishes. It was the holiness rather than the power of Our Lord that
impressed him, and made him fall at Jesus knees and cry out: "Depart from me, for I
am a sinful man, O Lord." (Luke v. 8.) The centurion felt it when he said, "Lord, I am
not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof, but only say the word and my
servant shall be healed." (Matt. viii. 8.) The soldiers and the priests felt it in the
Garden, when they went back and fell to the ground. At the Last Day it will be the
holiness of God that will terrify the wicked and make them cry to the mountains and
rocks to fall upon them and hide them "from the wrath of the Lamb." The angels are
not pure in His sight. Before His throne the eternal song is "Holy, Holy, Holy," as
they cover their faces with their wings.
O holiness of God, I fall on my face before you, to ask for contrition for my sins.
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy." (Ps. 1. 3.) "O God, be
merciful to me a sinner." (Luke xviii. 13.) O God, what must You be in Yourself! What
must be the overflowing goodness of that nature which can spend itself on one like
me! Shall I not love it for its own sake?

O God, all good, the only good, surely the proof of Your infinite goodness is found in
this that You are good to me. You must be infinitely good to be good to me. O
goodness of God, which I have outraged, O patience of God, which I have tried so
sorely, I grieve most sincerely that I have ever offended you, I grieve for the sins of
the past week, for the sins of my past life, especially for . . . And I purpose, with the
help of Your grace, to labor with new courage at the work of my salvation and
perfection, particularly by the avoidance of this fault, . . . and by attention to my
particular examination.

Et dixi, Nunc coepi. Now do I begin. "Help me, O Lord God, in my good resolution
and in Your holy service, and give me grace now, this very day, perfectly to begin;
for all I have hitherto done is nothing."

ACT OF CONTRITION AND PRAYER FOR PARDON

MY God, Thou hast been so good to me, but I have been so careless and lukewarm
in my devotion to Thee. I have entangled myself too much in vain and transitory
things; I have been too self-indulgent and too eager for earthly pleasures. Sweet
Spouse of my soul, divine Master, here in Thy presence, I am overwhelmed with
shame and confusion at the sight of my many sins, offences, and imperfections. But
Thou, O God, wilt not despise a contrite and humble heart. I confess to Thee, most
tender Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, I am truly
sorry for having sinned, because Thou art infinitely good, and sin displeases Thee.
Thou hast chosen me from among so many who were more worthy of Thy special
love and graces, to be quite near to Thee, and to serve Thee in this holy house of
religion; yet I have been neglectful of my duties, and have often been more devoted
to self than to Thy interests. Have mercy on me, my God, and forgive me my sins,
which I abhor and regret not from any selfish motive, but simply and solely because
they have offended Thee, Who in Thyself art so good, so holy, so infinitely worthy of
all my affections. I love Thee, O infinite Goodness, with all my heart and above all
things, and I am firmly resolved, with the help of Thy grace, to avoid the occasions
of sin, and nevermore to offend Thee. In the name of Jesus, Thy Son, in Whom Thou
art well pleased; in view of His merits, I beseech Thee to pardon me all my offences,
and to restore me to Thy love, as a kind and tender Father. Bless me, good Father,
and grant me the grace to be faithful to Thee unto death. Amen.

SHORT AND EFFICACIOUS ACT OF CONTRITION

(St. Mechtildis)

O SWEET Jesus, I grieve for my sins; vouchsafe to supply whatever is lacking to my

true sorrow, and to offer for me to God the Father all the grief which Thou hast
endured because of my sins and those of the whole world. Amen.
 ACT OF SORROW
(At the foot of the cross.)

MY dear Lord and Saviour, my sins have fastened Thee to this cross. I know it is just
as if I had myself fixed the crown of thorns upon Thy brow; as if, with my own
hands, I had driven the nails through Thy sacred hands and feet. O my sweet Jesus,
I did not know what I was doing in committing these sins. I did not think but I see it
now. I have struck and wounded and insulted Thee. I am sorry, heartily sorry for all
my sins. Forgive me, dear Lord; I will confess them now, and I firmly resolve with
Thy help, never to commit them again.

From "Flowers of Nazareth."

ANOTHER ACT OF CONTRITION

LORD Jesus Christ, Lover of our souls, Who, for the great love wherewith Thou hast
loved us, wouldst not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted
and live; I grieve most sincerely that I have offended Thee, my most loving Father
and Redeemer, to Whom all sin is infinitely displeasing; Who hast so loved me that
Thou didst shed Thy blood for me, and endure a most cruel death. O my God! O
infinite Goodness! would that I had never offended Thee. Pardon me, O Lord Jesus,
pardon me, most humbly imploring Thy mercy. Have pity upon a sinner for whom
Thy blood pleads before the face of the Father. O most merciful and forgiving Lord,
for the love of Thee I forgive all who have ever offended me. I firmly resolve to
forsake all sins, and to avoid the occasions of them; and to confess, in bitterness of
spirit, all those sins which I have committed against Thy divine goodness, and to
love Thee, O my God, for Thine own sake, above all things and for ever. Give me
Thy love, O Lord, and the grace of final perseverance.

OFFERING OF CONFESSION

MY God and Saviour, I offer Thee the confession I am going to make in obedience to
Thy will, for the increase of Thy glory, to obtain pardon for my sins, for all the
indulgences which may be gained, and for whatever other intentions I ought to offer
it, particularly to advance in Thy holy grace and love. Grant to my soul, O Lord, all
the requisite dispositions of humility and contrition. Sweet Saviour of perishing
mankind, cast an eye of pity on my sinful soul, and regard not the evils I have done,
but rather Thine own merits and sufferings for my salvation; they infinitely outweigh
my sins, however enormous. Confiding in Thy mercies, O Jesus, I offer Thee the
sacrifice Thou didst offer of Thyself to Thy eternal Father on the cross, to atone for
my imperfect sorrow, and to obtain for me grace to avoid all sin in future.

PRAYERS AFTER CONFESSION

(Psalm cii.)
BLESS the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me praise His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and never forget all He has done for thee.
Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: Who healeth all thy diseases.
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: Who crowneth thee with mercy and
compassion.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful: long-suffering and plenteous in mercy.
He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: nor rewarded us according to our
iniquities.
As far as the east is from the west: so far hath He removed our iniquities from us.
As a father hath compassion on his children: so hath the Lord compassion on them
that fear Him.
For He knoweth our frame: He remembereth that we are dust.
Bless the Lord, all ye His angels: you ministers of His that do His will.
Bless the Lord, all His works: in every place of His dominion, O my soul, bless thou
the Lord.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and merciful God, Whose mercy is boundless and everlasting, and of
Whose goodness the riches are infinite, I give thanks to Thee because Thou hast so
graciously pardoned all my sins, and restored me to Thy grace and favor. Blessed be
Thy divine compassion, O my God, and blessed be the in comprehensible love of
Thy beloved Son, which constrained Him to institute so gentle and so mighty a
remedy for our sins. Wherefore, in union with all the thanksgivings which have ever
ascended to Thee from truly penitent hearts, I sing aloud Thy glad praises, on behalf
of all in heaven, on earth, and in purgatory, for ever and ever. Amen.

My dear Jesus, how much do I not owe Thee! By the merits of Thy blood I trust that I
have this day been pardoned. I thank Thee exceedingly, and I hope to praise Thy
mercies for ever in heaven. My God, if hitherto I have so often lost Thee, I will lose
Thee no more for the time to come; I am really resolved to change my life. Thou
deservest all my love; I wish to love Thee in good earnest. My will is never again to
be separated from Thee. I promise to shun the occasions of sin, and to use this
means (here mention it), for not falling again. But Thou, my Jesus, knowest my
weakness; give me the grace to be faithful to Thee until death, and to have
recourse to Thee in my temptations. Most holy Virgin Mary, assist me; thou art the
Mother of perseverance; I place all my hope in thy powerful intercession. Amen.

SHORT OFFERING OF SACRAMENTAL PENANCE

MY Lord and my God, I offer Thee the penance I am going to perform, and I unite it
to the infinite satisfaction of Jesus Christ my Saviour. Grant that the abundant merits
of Thy dear Son Jesus, and the immense extent of the love of His Sacred Heart, may
supply the imperfections and feebleness of the works which I shall perform, and the
punishment which I wish to endure, to satisfy Thy divine justice. Amen.

(Recite here the penance imposed.)

 AFTER PERFORMING SACRAMENTAL PENANCE

O MOST holy Father, I offer Thee this my confession and my satisfaction in union
with all the acts of penance which have ever been done to the glory of Thy holy
name, beseeching Thee to accept this offering and to render it available through the
merits of the Passion of Thy beloved Son, and through the intercession of the ever-
blessed Virgin Mary, and of all Thy holy apostles, martyrs, confessors, and virgins.
What ever has been lacking to me in sincere and earnest preparation, in perfect
contrition, in frank and clear confession, I commend to the most loving Heart of
Thine only-begotten Son, that treasury of all mercy and grace, from whose
overflowing abundance all debts to Thee are fully acquitted; that through it all my
negligences and defects in the reception of this Holy Sacrament may be fully and
perfectly supplied, to Thine everlasting praise and glory, and that Thou mayest
effectually absolve me in heaven, even as Thy minister has with Thy authority
absolved me here on earth ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Deo gratias!

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS

It is a pious custom to recite the seven Penitential Psalms, respectively, by way of

prayer, against the seven deadly sins.

Septem psalmi paenitentiales, cum The Seven Psalms, are to be said with
Litaniis, dicuntur flexis genibus. the Litanies, kneeling.
Ant: Ne reminiscaris. Ant: Remember not.
Psalmus [6] Psalm [6]

Domine ne in furore tuo arguas me: Lord rebuke me not in thy fury: nor
neque in ira tua corripias me. chastise me in thy wrath.

Miserere mei Domine, quoniam infirmus Have mercy on me Lord, because I am

sum: sana me Domine, quoniam weak: heal me Lord, because all my
conturbata sunt ossa mea. bones be troubled.

Et anima mea turbata est valde: sed tu

Domine usquequo. And my soul is troubled exceedingly:
but thou Lord how long?
Convertere Domine, et eripe animam
meam: salvum me fac propter Turn thee O Lord, and deliver my soul:
misericordiam tuam. save me for thy mercy.

Quoniam non est in morte, qui memor Because there is not in death, that is
sit tui: in inferno autem quis mindful of thee: and in hell who shall
confitebitur tibi? confess to thee?

Laboravi in gemitu meo, lavabo per I have laboured in my mourning, I will

singulas noctes lectum meum: lacrymis every night wash my bed: I will water
meis stratum meum rigabo. my couch with tears.

Turbatus est a furore oculus meus: Mine eye is troubled for fury: I have
inveteravi inter omnes inimicos meos. waxen old among all mine enemies.

Discedite a me omnes, qui operamini Depart from me all ye, that work
iniquitatem: quoniam exaudivit iniquity: because our Lord hath heard
Dominus vocem fletus mei. the voice of my weeping.

Exaudivit Dominus deprecationem Our Lord hath heard my petition: our

meam: Dominus orationem meam Lord hath received my prayer.
suscepit.
Let all my enemies be ashamed, and
Erubescant, et conturbentur very sore troubled: let them be
vehementer omnes inimici mei: converted, and ashamed very speedily.
convertantur, et erubescant valde
velociter.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et and to the Holy Ghost.
semper: et in saecula saeculorum. Even as it was in the beginning, and
Amen. Alleluia. now, and ever: and world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
Psalmus [31] Psalm [31]

Beati quorum remissae sunt iniquitates: Blessed are they whose iniquities are
et quorum tecta sunt peccata. forgiven: and whose sins be covered.

Beatus vir cui non inputavit Dominus Blessed is the man to whom our Lord
peccatum: nec est in spiritu eius dolus. hath not imputed sin: neither is there
guile in his spirit.
Quoniam tacui, inveteraverunt ossa
mea: dum clamarem tota die. Because I held my peace, my bones are
waxen old: whilst I cried all the day.
Quoniam die, ac nocte gravata est
super me manus tua: conversus sum in Because day, and night thy hand is
aerumna mea, dum configitur spina. made heavy upon me: I am turned in
my anguish, whilst the thorn is
Delictum meum cognitum tibi feci: et fastened.
iniustitiam meam non abscondi.
I have made my sin known to thee: and
Dixi, confitebor adversum me my injustice I have not hid.
iniustitiam meam Domino: et tu
remisisti impietatem peccati mei. I said, I will confess against me my
injustice to our Lord: and thou hast
forgiven the impiety of my sin.
Pro hac orabit ad te omnis sanctus: in
tempore oportuno. For this shall every holy one pray to
 thee: in time convenient.
Verumtamen in diluvio aquarum
multarum: ad eum non approximabunt. But yet in the overflow of many waters:
they shall not approach to him.
Tu es refugium meum a tribulatione,
quae circumdedit me: exultatio mea, Thou art my refuge from tribulation,
erue me a circumdantibus me. which hath compassed me: my joy,
deliver me from them that compass
Intellectum tibi dabo, et instruam te in me.
via hac, qua gradieris: firmabo super te
oculos meos. I will give thee understanding, and will
instruct thee in the way, that thou shalt
Nolite fieri sicut equus et mulus: quibus go: I will fasten mine eyes upon thee.
non est intellectus. Do not become as horse and mule: who
have no understanding.
In camo et freno maxillas eorum
constringe: qui non approximant ad te. In bit and bridle bind fast their jaws
that approach not to thee.
Multa flagella peccatoris: sperantem
autem in Domino misericordia Many are the scourges of a sinner: but
circumdabit. mercy shall compass him that hopeth
in our Lord.
Laetamini in Domino, et exultate iusti:
et gloriamini omnes recti corde. Be joyful in our Lord, and rejoice ye
just: and glory all ye right of heart.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et Even as it was in the beginning, and

semper: et in saecula saeculorum. now, and ever: and world without end.
Amen. Alleluia. Amen. Alleluia.

Psalmus [37] Psalm [37]

Domine ne in furore tuo arguas me: Lord rebuke me not in thy fury: nor
neque in ira tua corripias me. chastise me in thy wrath.

Quoniam sagittae tuae infixae sunt Because thy arrows are fastened in me:
mihi: et confirmasti super me manum and thou hast confirmed thy hand upon
tuam. me.

Non est sanitas in carne mea a facie There is no health in my flesh in

irae tuae: non est pax ossibus meis a respect of thy wrath: my bones have no
facie peccatorum meorum. peace in respect of my sins.

Quoniam iniquitates meae Because mine iniquities are gone over

supergressae sunt caput meum: et my head: and as a heavy burden are
sicut onus grave gravatae sunt super become heavy upon me.
me.
My scars are putrified, and corrupted:
Putruerunt, et corruptae sunt cicatrices in respect of my foolishness.
meae: a facie insipientiae meae.
I am become miserable, and am made
Miser factus sum, et curvatus sum crooked, even to the end: I went
usque in finem: tota die contristatus sorrowful all the day.
ingrediebar.
Because my loins are filled with
Quoniam lumbi mei impleti sunt illusions: and there is no health in my
illusionibus: et non est sanitas in carne flesh.
mea.
I am afflicted, and am humbled
Afflictus sum, et humiliatus sum nimis: exceedingly: I roared for the groaning
rugiebam a gemitu cordis mei. of my heart.

Domine ante te omne desiderium Lord before thee is all my desire: and
meum: et gemitus meus a te non est my groaning is not hid from thee.
absconditus.
My heart is troubled, my strength hath
Cor meum conturbatum est, dereliquit forsaken me: and the light of mine
me virtus mea: et lumen oculorum eyes, and the same is not with me.
meorum, et ipsum non est mecum.
My friends, and my neighbours: have
Amici mei, et proximi mei: adversum approached, and stood against me.
me appropinquaverunt, et steterunt.
And they that were near me, stood far
Et qui iuxta me erant, de longe off: and they did violence, which sought
steterunt: et vim faciebant, qui my soul.
quaerebant animam meam.
And they that sought out evils against
Et qui inquirebant mala mihi, locuti sunt me, spake vanities: and devised guiles
vanitates: et dolos tota die all the day.
meditabantur.
But I as deaf did not hear: and as one
Ego autem tamquam surdus non dumb not opening his mouth.
audiebam: et sicut mutus non aperiens
os suum. And I became as a man not hearing:
and not having reprehensions in his
Et factus sum sicut homo non audiens: mouth.
et non habens in ore suo redargutiones.
Because in thee O Lord have I hoped:
Quoniam in te Domine speravi: tu thou shalt hear me O Lord my God.
exaudies Domine Deus meus.
For I have said, lest sometimes my
Quia dixi, ne quando supergaudeant enemies rejoice over me: and whilst my
mihi inimici mei: et dum commoventur feet are moved, they spake great
pedes mei, super me magna locuti things upon me.
sunt.
 Because I am ready for scourges: and
Quoniam ego in flagella paratus sum: my sorrow is in my sight always.
et dolor meus in conspectu meo
semper. Because I will declare my iniquity: and I
will think for my sin.
Quoniam iniquitatem meam
annunciabo: et cogitabo pro peccato But mine enemies live, and are
meo. confirmed over me: and they are
multiplied that hate me unjustly.
Inimici autem mei vivunt, et confirmati
sunt super me: et multiplicati sunt, qui They that repay evil things for good,
oderunt me inique. did backbite me: because I followed
goodness.
Qui retribuunt mala pro bonis,
detrahebant mihi: quoniam sequebar Forsake me not O Lord my God: depart
bonitatem. not from me.

Non derelinquas me Domine Deus Incline unto my help: O Lord God of my

meus: ne discesseris a me. salvation.

Intende in adiutorium meum: Domine

Deus salutis meae.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et Even as it was in the beginning, and
semper: et in saecula saeculorum. now, and ever: and world without end.
Amen. Alleluia. Amen. Alleluia.

Psalmus [50] Psalm [50]

Miserere mei Deus: secundum magnam Have mercy on me O God: according to

misericordiam tuam. thy great mercy.

Et secundum multitudinem And according to the multitude of thy

miserationum tuarum: dele iniquitatem tender mercies: blot out my iniquity.
meam.
Wash me more from my iniquity: and
Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: et a cleanse me from my sin.
peccato meo munda me.
Because I know my iniquity: and my sin
Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego is always against me.
cognosco: et peccatum meum contra
me est semper. To thee only have I sinned, and have
done evil before thee: that thou mayest
Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te be justified in thy words, and mayest
feci: ut iustificeris in sermonibus tuis, et overcome when thou art judged.
vincas cum iudicaris.
 For behold I was conceived in iniquities:
and my mother conceived me in sins.
Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus
sum: et in peccatis concepit me mater For behold thou hast loved truth: the
mea. uncertain and hidden things of thy
wisdom thou hast made manifest to
Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti: incerta et me.
occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti
mihi. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop,
and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash
me, and I shall be made whiter than
Asperges me Domine hyssopo, et snow.
mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem
dealbabor. To my hearing thou shalt give joy, and
gladness: and humbled bones shall
rejoice.
Auditui meo dabis gaudium, et
laetitiam: et exultabunt ossa humiliata. Turn away thy face from my sins: and
blot out all my iniquities.
Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis: et
omnes iniquitates meas dele. Create a clean heart in me O God: and
renew a right spirit in my bowels.
Cor mundum crea in me Deus: et
spiritum rectum innova in visceribus Cast me not away from thy face: and
meis. thy holy spirit take not from me.

Ne proicias me a facie tua: et spiritum Render unto me the joy of thy

sanctum tuum ne auferas a me. salvation: and confirm me with a
principal spirit.
Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui: et
spiritu principali confirma me. I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the
impious shall be converted unto thee.
Docebo iniquos vias tuas: et impii ad te
convertentur. Deliver me from bloods O God, the God
of my salvation: and my tongue shall
Libera me de sanguinibus Deus, Deus extol thy justice.
salutis meae: et exultabit lingua mea
iustitiam tuam. Thou O Lord wilt open my lips: and my
mouth shall declare thy praise.
Domine labia mea aperies: et os meum
annunciabit laudem tuam. Because if thou wouldst have had
sacrifice, I had verily given it: with
Quoniam si voluisses, sacrificium burnt offerings thou wilt not be
dedissem utique: holocaustis non delighted.
delectaberis.
A sacrifice to God is a troubled spirit: a
contrite, and humble heart O God, thou
Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus: wilt not despise.
cor contritum, et humiliatum Deus non
despicies. Deal favourably O Lord, in thy good will
 with Sion: and let the walls of Jerusalem
Benigne fac Domine in bona voluntate be built up.
tua Sion: ut aedificentur muri
Hierusalem. Then shalt thou accept sacrifice of
justice, oblations, and whole burnt
Tunc acceptabis sacrificium iustitiae, offerings: then shall they lay calves
oblationes, et holocausta: tunc upon thy altar.
inponent super altare tuum vitulos.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et Even as it was in the beginning, and
semper: et in saecula saeculorum. now, and ever: and world without end.
Amen. Alleluia. Amen. Alleluia.

Psalmus [101] Psalm [101]

Domine exaudi orationem meam: et O Lord hear my prayer: and let my cry
clamor meus ad te veniat. come to thee.

Non avertas faciem tuam a me: in Turn not away thy face from me: in
quacumque die tribulor, inclina ad me what day soever I am in tribulation,
aurem tuam. incline thine ear to me.

In what day soever I shall call upon

In quacumque die invocavero te: thee: hear me speedily.
velociter exaudi me.
For my days have vanished as smoke:
Quia defecerunt sicut fumus, dies mei: and my bones are withered as a dry
et ossa mea sicut gremium aruerunt. burnt thing.

Percussus sum, ut faenum, et aruit cor I am smitten as grass, and my heart is

meum: quia oblitus sum comedere withered: for I forgot to eat my bread.
panem meum.
From the voice of any groaning: my
A voce gemitus mei: adhaesit os meum bone hath cleaved to my flesh.
carni meae.
I am become like a pelican of the
Similis factus sum pelicano solitudinis: wilderness: I am become as a night
factus sum sicut nycticorax in domicilio. crow in the house.

Vigilavi: et factus sum sicut passer I have watched: and am become as a

solitarius in tecto. sparrow solitary in the housetop.

Tota die exprobrabant mihi inimici mei: All the day did mine enemies upbraid
et qui laudabant me, adversum me me: and they that praised me, swear
iurabant. against me.

Quia cinerem tamquam panem For I did eat ashes as bread, and
manducabam: et potum meum cum mingled my drink with weeping.
fletu miscebam.
At the face of the wrath of thine
A facie irae et indignationis tuae: quia indignation: for that lifting me up thou
elevans allisisti me. hast thrown me down.

Dies mei sicut umbra declinaverunt: et My days have declined as a shadow:

ego sicut faenum arui. and I am withered as grass.

Tu autem Domine in aeternum But thou O Lord endurest for ever: and
permanes: et memoriale tuum in thy memorial in generation and
generatione, et generationem. generation.

Tu exsurgens Domine misereberis Sion:

quia tempus miserendi eius, quia venit Thou rising up shalt have mercy on
tempus. Sion: for it is time to have mercy on it,
for the time is come.
Quoniam placuerunt servis tuis lapides
eius: et terrae eius miserebuntur. Because the stones thereof have
pleased thy servants: and they shall
have pity on the earth thereof.
Et timebunt gentes nomen tuum
Domine: et omnes reges terrae gloriam And the Gentiles shall fear thy name O
tuam. Lord: and all the kings of the earth thy
glory.
Quia aedificavit Dominus Sion: et
videbitur in gloria sua. For our Lord hath builded Sion: and he
shall be seen in his glory.
Respexit in orationem humilium: et non
sprevit precem eorum. He hath had respect to the prayer of
the humble: and he hath not despised
Scribantur haec in generatione altera: their petition.
et populus qui creabitur, laudabit
Dominum. Let these things be written in another
generation: and the people that shall
be created, shall praise our Lord:
Quia prospexit de excelso sancto suo:
Dominus de caelo in terram aspexit. Because he hath looked forth from his
high holy place: our Lord from heaven
hath looked upon the earth.
Ut audiret gemitus conpeditorum: ut
solveret filios interemptorum. That he might hear the groanings of the
fettered: that he might unbind the
children of them that are slain.
Ut annuncient in Sion nomen Domini: et
laudem eius in Hierusalem. That they may show forth the name of
our Lord in Sion: and his praise in
In conveniendo populos in unum: et Jerusalem.
reges ut serviant Domino.
In the assembling of the people
Respondit ei in via virtutis suae: together in one: and kings to serve our
paucitatem dierum meorum nuncia Lord.
mihi.
He answered them in the way of his
Ne revoces me in dimidio dierum strength: show me the fewness of my
meorum: in generatione, et days.
generationem anni tui.
Call me not away in the half of my
Initio tu Domine terram fundasti: et days: thy years are unto generation,
opera manuum tuarum sunt caeli. and generation.

In the beginning O Lord thou didst

Ipsi peribunt, tu autem permanes: et found the earth: and the heavens are
omnes sicut vestimentum veterescent. the works of thy hands.

Et sicut opertorium mutabis eos, et They shall perish but thou remainest:
mutabuntur: tu autem idem ipse es, et and they shall all wax old as a garment.
anni tui non deficient.
And as a vesture thou shalt change
them, and they shall be changed: but
Filii servorum tuorum habitabunt: et thou art the selfsame, and thy years
semen eorum in saeculum dirigetur. shall not fail.

The sons of thy servants shall inhabit:

and their seed shall be directed for
ever.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et and to the Holy Ghost.
semper: et in saecula saeculorum. Even as it was in the beginning, and
Amen. Alleluia. now, and ever: and world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

Psalmus [129] Psalm [129]

De profundis clamavi ad te Domine: From the depths I have cried to thee O

Domine exaudi vocem meam. Lord: Lord hear my voice.

Fiant aures tuae intendentes: in vocem Let thine ears be attentive: unto the
deprecationis meae. voice of my petition.

Si iniquitates observaveris Domine: If thou wilt observe iniquities O Lord:

Domine quis sustinebit? Lord who shall endure it?

Quia apud te propitiatio est: propter Because with thee there is pitifulness:
legem tuam sustinui te Domine. and for thy law I have expected thee O
Lord.
Sustinuit anima mea in verbo eius:
speravit anima mea in Domino. My soul hath stayed in his word: my
 soul hath hoped in our Lord.
A custodia matutina usque ad noctem:
speret Israel in Domino. From the morning watch even until
night: let Israel hope in our Lord.
Quia apud Dominum misericordia: et
copiosa apud eum redemptio. Because with our Lord there is mercy:
and with him plentiful redemption.
Et ipse redimet Israel: ex omnibus
iniquitatibus eius. And he shall redeem Israel: from all his
iniquities.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et and to the Holy Ghost.
semper: et in saecula saeculorum. Even as it was in the beginning, and
Amen. Alleluia. now, and ever: and world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
Psalmus [142] Psalm [142]

Domine exaudi orationem meam, Lord hear my prayer, with thine ears
auribus percipe obsecrationem meam: receive my petition: in thy truth, hear
in veritate tua, exaudi me in tua me in thy justice.
iustitia.

Et non intres in iudicium cum servo tuo: And enter not into judgment with thy
quia non iustificabitur in conspectu tuo servant: for every one living shall not
omnis vivens. be justified in thy sight.

For the enemy hath persecuted my

Quia persecutus est inimicus animam soul: he hath humbled my life in the
meam: humiliavit in terra vitam meam. earth.

Collocavit me in obscuris sicut mortuos He hath set me in obscure places as

saeculi: et anxiatus est super me the dead of the world: and my spirit is
spiritus meus, in me turbatum est cor in anguish upon me, within me my
meum. heart is troubled.

Memor fui dierum antiquorum, I was mindful of old days, I have

meditatus sum in omnibus operibus meditated in all thy works: in the deeds
tuis: et in factis manuum tuarum of thy hands did I meditate.
meditabar.
I have stretched forth my hands to
Expandi manus meas ad te: anima mea thee: my soul as earth without water
sicut terra sine aqua tibi. unto thee.

Velociter exaudi me Domine: defecit Hear me quickly O Lord: my spirit hath

spiritus meus. fainted.

Non avertas faciem tuam a me: et

similis ero descendentibus in lacum. Turn not away thy face from me: and I
 shall be like to them that descend into
Auditam fac mihi mane misericordiam the lake.
tuam: quia in te speravi.
Make me hear thy mercy in the
Notam fac mihi viam, in qua ambulem: morning: for I have hoped in thee.
quia ad te levavi animam meam.
Make the way known to me, wherein I
Eripe me de inimicis meis, Domine, ad may walk: because I have lifted up my
te confugi: doce me facere voluntatem soul to thee.
tuam, quia Deus meus es tu.
Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord,
Spiritus tuus bonus deducet me in to thee I have fled: teach me to do thy
terram rectam: propter nomen tuum will, because thou art my God.
Domine vivificabis me in aequitate tua.
Thy good spirit shall conduct me into
Educes de tribulatione animam meam: the right land: for thy name's sake O
et in misericordia tua disperdes Lord thou shalt quicken me in thine
inimicos meos. equity.

Et perdes omnes, qui tribulant animam Thou shalt bring my soul out of
meam: quoniam ego servus tuus sum. tribulation: and in thy mercy thou shalt
destroy mine enemies.

And thou shalt destroy all, that afflict

my soul: because I am thy servant.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et and to the Holy Ghost.
semper: et in saecula saeculorum. Even as it was in the beginning, and
Amen. Alleluia. now, and ever: and world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

Ant: Ne reminiscaris Domine delicta Ant: Remember, not O Lord our or our
nostra, vel parentem nostrorum: neque parents' offences: neither take
vindictam sumas de peccatis nostris. vengeance of our sins.

DEVOTIONS FOR HOLY COMMUNION

MASS IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT BEFORE COMMUNION

PREPARATORY PRAYER

FATHER of mercies! Who, not content that Thy only-begotten Son should have been
once offered a bleeding Victim on the cross for our salvation, wouldst have the
same most acceptable oblation daily repented in an unbloody manner upon our
altars, to apply to our souls the fruit thereof, grant that we may assist at this
sublime sacrifice with such reverence, attention, and love as to partake most
plentifully of the fruits it is intended to produce in us, through the same Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.

HOLY tabernacle! Thou dost enclose the precious Bread of heaven, the Food of
angels, the Eucharistic Manna of the soul. How my heart longs and sighs for Thee, O
good, humble, gentle Jesus, Who art hidden in the Blessed Sacrament! Thou art my
Lord, my God, and my all, and Thou wilt deign to come to me this day in Holy
Communion. I adore Thee profoundly, with the angels who surround Thy altar-throne
of mercy and compassion; I bless Thee; I thank Thee; I am sorry for having offended
Thee, and I love Thee now with all my heart. I wish to offer this Holy Communion in
reparation for all the offences that have been committed against Thee in the
Sacrament of Thy love, and especially in atonement for my own sins and
negligences. I have also some other particular intentions and petitions which I now
recommend to Thy Sacred Heart (mention them), and I shall approach the holy table
today with the greatest confidence that Thou, O Lord, wilt grant me all my requests.

Ejaculations

MAY the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored, and loved
with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to
the end of time. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., Feb. 29, 1868.

HOLY Mary, Mother of God, St. John, evangelist and beloved disciple of Our Lord, St.
Thomas Aquinas, St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Paschal Baylon, St. Francis Xavier, St.
Aloysius, St. Juliana, Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Clara, St. Gertrude, St.
Mechtildis! Ye great saints and lovers of Jesus in the Sacrament of His love, pray for
me that I may receive the Lord most worthily in holy communion, that I may love
Him more and more, and that I may follow His example and persevere in my holy
vocation to the end of my life.

AT THE BEGINNING OF MASS

I BELIEVE in Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, because Thou art Truth itself, and Thou hast
said: "My flesh is meat indeed; and My blood is drink indeed." I hope in Thee, O
infinite Mercy, because in Thy goodness toward us Thou hast promised that
"whosoever shall eat of this bread shall live forever." I love Thee, O eternal
Goodness, above all things, with that love "which is diffused in our hearts by the
Holy Spirit, Who is given to us;" and therefore I grieve with my whole heart for the
sins I have committed, and I detest them, with the resolution of not sinning for the
future. "A contrite and humble heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise."

O my God, I wish to be present at the holy sacrifice of the Mass which is about to
begin, with all possible attention and devotion, for I believe it is the very same
sacrifice, offered up now in an unbloody manner, which was once offered up for us
on Calvary. Help me, O my God, to be very attentive, and to unite my intention with
that of the priest in offering it up to Thee as an act of adoration, thanksgiving,
reparation, and prayer; particularly to obtain the grace of a good communion, and a
complete transformation of myself into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

CONFITEOR AND KYRIE

MY God, give me the purity and holiness necessary to approach the holy table in a
worthy manner. Lord, I am a poor sinner. I am heartily sorry for all the sins of my
life, because by them I have offended Thee, Who art infinitely good and worthy of
all love. Kyrie eleison! Have mercy on me, according to Thy great mercy; and
according to the multitude of Thy mercies, blot out my iniquities.

AT THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

Give glory to God, praise His goodness, and beg peace and happiness of soul,
saying:

GLORY and thanks be to Thee, O God, for having worked such wonders for us, Thy
creatures, born in sin. I praise, O Lord, Thy goodness; I bless Thy holy name; I adore
Thy greatness and power; I beg of Thee to infuse into my heart that peace and joy
which Thou didst come on earth to spread amongst men. Give me strength of will
against my evil tendencies; destroy my bad habits; help me to do Thy will and thus
to become a saint.

AT THE COLLECTS SAY:

GOD, Who, under a wonderful Sacrament, hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion,
grant, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy body and
blood, that we may ever feel within us the fruit of Thy redemption. Who livest and
reignest with the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, now and for ever. Amen.

Give me daily more and more, O my God, Thy grace and Thy love that I may keep
my eyes fixed upon eternal things and persevere in Thy service, until with the saints
and angels I may praise and glorify Thee for ever in heaven. Amen.

AT THE EPISTLE

THE saints and prophets of the Old Law desired to see the things that I see, and did
not see them, and to hear the things that I hear, and never heard them. How
ardently Abraham and Moses, and David and Daniel, and Elias desired the coming of
this Redeemer. They saw the types and figures; I see the reality. Moses saw the
manna and the paschal lamb; I see the Bread from heaven and the Lamb of God
Who takes away the sins of the world. The heart of David panted for Thee, my God,
as the hart for the water-brooks, and Daniel was called "a man of desires." Oh, that I
could desire Thee as they did! What a shame it would be if their desires were more
fervent than my thanks giving now for the favors and graces that I have received
through the Incarnation and Passion of Jesus, and especially through the Holy
Eucharist. I offer Thee all their desires, and with David I cry out: "What have I in
heaven but Thee? And, besides Thee, what do I desire upon earth? Thou art the God
of my heart, and my portion forever."
AT THE GOSPEL

Promise God that you will always listen with great reverence to His word, saying:

MAY Thy word, O my God, be always a sweet music to my ears, and as honey to my
lips. To whom shall I listen but to Thee, Who hast the words of eternal life. The words
of men are as chaff scattered by the wind, but Thy words endure forever. These are
Thy words, O Lord: "Labor not for the meat that perisheth, but for that which
endureth unto life ever lasting." "The bread of God is that which cometh down from
heaven." "I am the Bread of life; he that cometh to Me shall not hunger, and he that
believeth in Me shall not thirst forever." "He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My
blood hath everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the Last Day." Thanks be to
God.

CREDO

An Act of Faith, Adoration, and Love

MY God, I firmly believe that Thou art really, truly, and substantially present, as God
and man, with soul and body, with flesh and blood, in the Most Holy Sacrament 01
the altar. I salute and adore Thee, sacred Host, Bread of angels, Sanctuary of the
divinity. My faith teaches me that Thou, O God, art present under the sacramental
species. I believe that these frail appearances conceal from us Thy humanity, united
to Thy divinity. And though, indeed, this sublime mystery surpasses my
understanding, I revere it with joy and contemplate it with respect. I am ready also
to give my life as a witness to this truth.

My dear Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, I love Thee. Forgive my past indifference,
my coldness and neglect toward the Sacrament of Thy love. Grant that I may love
Thee more and more generously. My kind Jesus, I wish by my presence at Mass this
morning to honor the wound in Thy Sacred Heart, in order that through it Thou
mayest pour Thy blessings, according to Thy good pleasure, on Thy friends and
mine. Pardon my sins; establish Thy kingdom in my heart; reign therein supremely.
Raise a barrier against the spirit of the world. Teach me to transform my actions
-into as many acts of love, so that after having known and loved Thee here below,
by the light of faith, I may behold Thee face to face in all Thy glory, and love Thee in
heaven for all eternity.

OFFERTORY

Present yourself to God, begging of Him to effect an entire change in your heart.

JESUS, Thou art all-powerful, and it is this power which, through the words of Thy
priest, changes bread into Thy body, and wine into Thy precious blood. O my good
God, do Thou work a like change in me, that no longer of this world as I have
hitherto been, I may become truly spiritual; that I may seek after and relish only the
things of God; that grace, virtue, and heaven may be in my eyes the only true and
solid goods; that, animated with Thy sentiments, O my Jesus, I may be transformed
into Thee, that Thou mayest dwell in me, and in all those who participate with me in
the blessings of Thy love. Almighty God, receive my heart; I unite it to the sacrifice
Thou makest of Thyself ; I place it in Thy hands; transform and consecrate it. Say
only one word, and it shall be entirely changed for the future, following only the
sweet impulse of Thy grace, which shall make it love virtue. With this offering of my
heart, O my God, I consecrate to Thee my mind, that it may know Thee; my body,
that it may be employed in Thy service; my whole self, that so I may one day find
myself absorbed in Thee.

AT THE SECRET PRAYERS

GRACIOUSLY hear us, O God, that, by virtue of this Sacrament, Thou mayest defend
us from all enemies both of body and soul, and give us grace in this life and glory in
the next, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AT THE PREFACE AND THE SANCTUS

LET us give thanks to the Lord our God! For it is meet and just. I give Thee thanks,
my divine Saviour, for the institution of this most wonderful Sacrament, in which
Thou hast bequeathed to us the Fountain of all graces, as a perpetual remembrance
of Thy boundless love and bitter sufferings. I give Thee thanks for the numerous
graces that I have received through this Sacrament at Mass, holy communion,
benediction, and in my visits before the tabernacle.

I love Thee, my Lord, and because I love Thee, I give myself entirely to Thee. I long
to receive Thee this day; however, while longing for Thee, dear Jesus, to come into
my heart, and to unite Thyself to me as the best of all friends, I must not forget Thy
might and majesty. How great and glorious, how wise and beautiful art Thou, O my
God! How presumptuous it would be to entertain the desire to come so near to
Thee, hadst not Thou Thyself invited me. I am a poor sinner; yet I love Thee, and
because Thou art good, I am sorry for having offended Thee. And though I believe
that Thou, the great God, art coming into my heart, I do not lose my awe and
reverence for Thee, but can only wonder at Thy marvelous goodness and
condescension. Let me, then, join my feeble voice to that of the thousands of angels
who surround Thy throne, singing before Thee in unceasing chorus: Holy, Holy, Holy,
Lord God of hosts! The heavens and the earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the
highest! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, Who is about to
descend upon this altar, and come into my very heart to bless me and to fill me with
the treasures of grace and the riches of His love. Hosanna in the highest!

AT THE CANON

Memento for the Living

IN this holy sacrifice, O Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Thou art the Mediator
between the heavenly Father and sinful man; Thou art the High-Priest appointed for
man to present his petitions to his God. Therefore I implore Thee to hearken to my
prayer, not only for myself but also for all for whom I am in charity bound to pray.
Obtain for us through this holy sacrifice the remission of our sins, mercy, and
reconciliation with the heavenly Father; imbue us with strength and valor in the
warfare against the enemies of our soul; give us fortitude and fidelity in the pursuit
of virtues; aid us in the practice of all good works, and bless us with the grace of
final perseverance. Permit me to offer my supplications for the peace and prosperity
of Thy holy Church; bless and protect the Holy Father, Thy vicar on earth; have
mercy on the bishops, priests, Religious, and all who labor in Thy vineyard; animate
them with zeal for the sanctification and salvation of souls. Inflame their hearts with
divine charity; render their lives as holy as the law they inculcate; make them all
according to Thine own divine Heart, and let their light so shine before men that
they, seeing their good works, may glorify the Father Who is in heaven. Pardon the
sinners and convert all to the true faith. O ye holy apostles, martyrs, and virgins,
whom the Church remembers in the Canon of the Mass, intercede for us, for all our
friends, relatives, benefactors, and for all those to whom we have promised our
prayers, that the good God may give them that grace which will most help them to
save their souls, to lead a quiet and peaceful life in this world, and to be happy with
Thee for ever in heaven. And do Thou, O divine Saviour, graciously condescend to
come now upon our altar, to bless Thy servants who kneel before Thee in profound
adoration.

AT THE CONSECRATION AND ELEVATION

OUR dear Lord is now coming down on the altar. When the priest pronounces the
words of consecration, troops of angels descend from heaven to adore their God at
that most solemn moment. When the bell rings and the sacred Host and the
precious blood are elevated, first lift up your eyes to your God with holy faith, strong
hope, and ardent love; then bow the head in deepest adoration, praise Him with the
heavenly host, thank Him, make atonement by compunction of heart and beg Him
by His precious blood, here truly present on the altar, to purify your soul from every
stain and prepare it to receive Him worthily.

Adoremus in aeternum Sanctissimum Sacramentum!

Indulgenced, prayer at the elevation during Mass.

SALVE salutaris Victima, HAIL, saving Victim, of-

pro me et omni hu- *-& fered on the gibbet of
mano genere in natibulo cru- the cross for me and for the
cis oblata. whole human race. Hail,

Salve, pretiose Sanguis, de precious blood, flowing from

vulneribus Crucifixi Domini the wounds of our crucified
nostri Jesu Christi profluens, Lord Jesus Christ and wash-
et peccata totius mundi ablu- ing away the sins of the whole
ens. world. Remember, O Lord,

Recordare, Domine, ere- Thy creature that Thou hast

aturae tuie, quam tuo pretioso redeemed by Thy precious
Sanguine redemisti. blood.

Indulgence of 60 days, once a day. Leo XIII., June 30, 1893.

Ejaculation.
O SACRAMENT most holy! O Sacrament divine! All praise and all thanksgiving be
every moment Thine!

Indulgence of 100 days, once during each Mass, when said at the elevation. Pius
VII., Dec. 7, 1819.

AFTER THE ELEVATION

Memento for the Dead

Reflect on the happiness you are about to receive at holy communion. Make acts of
love and longing desire, coupled with sorrow for sins. Pray for the faithful departed.

O LORD Jesus Christ, on Whose glory the angels and saints in heaven gaze with
rapturous delight, Thou hast deigned out of love for us to come down from Thy
bright and happy heaven, to veil Thy beauty under the appearances of bread and
wine, to dwell upon our poor altar, and art even now ready to come into our hearts.
Would that my soul were adorned with all those flowers of virtue, which my good
Jesus desires to find at His coming. In my poverty, I must appeal to Thyself, my
Lord, and I therefore beg of Thee, when Thou comest into my heart, to plant there
the seed of every flower that is pleasing to Thee. I promise Thee to water and
nourish them all by prayer and self-denial, so that every time Thou comest into my
heart Thou mayest find them growing and flourishing more and more. I know, O my
God, the work of keeping them alive will be difficult to flesh and blood, but I am
willing to work hard for Thee, and I trust also in Thee to water them plentifully with
grace as with dew from heaven.

My God, have pity on the poor holy souls in purgatory, who are longing to get to
Thee longing more to see Thy face than to be freed from the fierce flames in which
Thy justice is obliged to keep them, till their debt is paid. I offer Thee the precious
blood of Jesus; I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus to pay their debt. Eternal rest
give unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.

AT THE PATER NOSTER

Say the "Our Father" slowly and devoutly.

AT THE AGNUS DEI

Beg of God once more to forget and. forgive your past negligence and sin, saying:

SWEET and gentle Son of God, Who wast "led like a lamb to the slaughter without
opening Thy mouth." O Thou, Whose blood was shed to wash away the sins of the
world, cleanse my soul once more in that saving bath, that it may be pure and
bright and altogether spotless when Thou comest to take up Thy abode within me.
May Thy coming bring joy and peace to my soul, that peace which the world can not
give, because it does not possess it. May this holy communion not be for my
judgment and condemnation, but for my pardon and salvation.

AT THE "DOMINE, NON SUM DIGNUS"

Humble yourself before God, acknowledging your nothingness and unworthiness.
Desire to receive Jesus, your dear Lord.

LORD, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come into my breast; for what am I, or
what have I ever done to merit this wonderful favor? I have often displeased Thee;
yet, though I am not worthy of Thy love and condescension, I am truly sorry for
having offended Thee, and I will approach Thee with hope and confidence, because
Thou Thyself dost invite me in Thy goodness and mercy. I am now about to go to the
holy table, drawn thither by the sweet attractions of Thy love. Oh, I desire most
earnestly to receive Thee, my dear Lord, in holy communion.

"Comfort my poor soul distressed;

Come and dwell within my breast;
Oh, how oft I sigh for Thee!
Jesus, Jesus, come to me."

I place myself in Thy hands, O my God, to do with me what Thou wilt. My heart is
ready, O my God; my heart is ready, and is longing for Thee. Come, establish Thy
kingdom in my soul; take possession of my heart.

THANKSGIVING AFTER HOLY COMMUNION

THOU hast come at last, O dear Lord, into my heart. O my beloved, let me never
again be separated from Thee by sin. O Jesus, my God, I adore Thee; I believe in
Thee; I hope in Thee; I love Thee with all my heart. I thank Thee for coming to me, a
poor sinner. I am truly sorry for having displeased Thee so often and so grievously. I
pray Thee to bless me, that I may love Thee and become like Thee more and more.
Adore my Jesus, my God, ye blessed angels and saints of heaven adore and praise
and glorify my God for me!

Let my soul, O Lord, feel the sweetness of Thy presence. Let me taste how sweet
Thou art, O Lord! that, being allured by Thy love, I may never sin by running
passionately after worldly pleasures. "Thou art the God of my heart and the God
that is my portion for ever."

O Thou Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, take away from me
whatever may hurt me and displease Thee. Give me what Thou knowest to be
pleasing to Thee and profitable to myself.

O my God and my all! May the sweet flame of Thy love consume my soul, that so I
may die to the world for love of Thee, Who hast vouchsafed to die upon the cross
for love of me.

How poor a dwelling-place is my heart for Thee, O Lord of glory! What is it but a
poor human heart, full even yet of worldliness and selfish desires? I trust in Thee. I
pray Thee to drive all selfishness away from it, and to leave in it a great desire of
pleasing Thee and of being kind to others, because they all have souls for which
Thou didst shed Thy life s blood upon the cross. Bless me, O my God, and grant that
Thy holy will may be done in me and through me for ever.
 Suscipe

Take, O Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my

whole will. Thou hast given me all that I am, and all that I possess. I surrender it all
to Thee, that Thou mayest dispose of it according to Thy will. Give me only Thy love
and Thy grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will have no more to desire. St.
Ignatius Loyola.

Anima Chrlsti, as on page 213.

AT THE BLESSING

MAY Thy blessing, O Lord, descend upon us all, that we may love Thee and love one
another for Thy sake. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen.

AT THE LAST GOSPEL

WHAT a wonderful invention of Thy love it was, O my God, to become man like one
of us, to redeem us, and to teach us how to live in a manner worthy of our high
dignity as children of God, instead of living as the brutes that perish. Left to
ourselves, what would have become of us? We should have been as mere animals,
taking pleasure only in what gratifies or pleases the senses. But Thou hast taught us
to raise up our thoughts to Thee, and to journey onward through weariness and toil
to our true and lasting country in heaven. There we shall rest from our trouble, and
enjoy the sight of Thy magnificence and glory for ever. Amen.

THANKSGIVING

From the Roman Missal

THE BENEDICITE, OR SONG OF THE THREE CHILDREN

Antiphon. LET us sing the song of the three children. O all ye works of the Lord,
bless the Lord: praise and exalt Him above all for ever.

O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, ye heavens.
O all ye waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, all ye
powers of the Lord.
O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, ye stars of heaven.
O all ye showers and dew, bless ye the Lord: bless the Lord, all ye spirits of God.
O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, ye winter and summer.
O ye dews and hoar-frost, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, ye frost and cold.
O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, ye nights and days.
O ye light and darkness, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, ye lightnings and clouds.
O let the earth bless the Lord: let it praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, all things that spring forth
upon the earth.
O ye fountains, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, ye seas and floods.
O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, all ye
fowls of the air.
O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, ye sons of men.
Let Israel bless the Lord: let him praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, ye servants of the Lord.
O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: bless the Lord, O ye holy and
humble of heart.
O ANANIAS, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt Him above all
for ever. Let us bless the Father, and the Son, with the Holy Ghost: let us praise and
exalt Him above all for ever.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven: and worthy to be praised and
glorified, and exalted above all for ever.

PSALM CL

PRAISE the Lord in His holy places: praise Him in the firmament of His power.
Praise Him in His mighty acts: praise Him according to the multitude of His
greatness.
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with psaltery and harp.
Praise Him with timbrel and choir: praise Him with strings and organs.
Praise Him upon the high-sounding cymbals: praise Him upon cymbals of joy: let
every spirit praise the Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Antiphon. Let us sing the song of the three children which the holy souls sang in the
fiery furnace, blessing the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Our Father (inaudibly).

V. And lead us not into temptation.

R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Let all Thy works, O Lord, praise Thee.

R. And let Thy saints bless Thee.

V. The saints shall rejoice in glory.

R. They shall be joyful in their place of rest.

V. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us.

R. But unto Thy name give the glory.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
OGOD, Who for the three children didst check the flames of fire : mercifully grant
that the flames of sin may not consume us Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord,
our actions by Thy inspiration, and give to as Thy continual help; that every prayer
and work of ours may always begin with Thee, and through Thee be brought to an
end.

VOUCHSAFE, O Lord, to extinguish within us the flames of vice, as Thou didst grant
to Blessed Lawrence grace to arise whole from his fiery torments. Through Christ
our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

I GIVE Thee thanks, eternal Father, for having, out of Thy pure mercy, without any
deserts of mine, been pleased to feed my soul with the body and blood of Thy only
Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. I beseech Thee that this holy communion may not be to
my condemnation, but prove an effectual remission of all my sins. May it strengthen
my faith; encourage me in all that is good; deliver me from my vicious customs;
remove all concupiscence; perfect me in charity, patience, humility, and obedience,
and in ail other virtues. May it secure me against all the snares of my enemies, both
visible and invisible; perfectly moderate all my inclinations, closely unite me to
Thee, the true and only good, and happily settle me in unchangeable bliss. I now
make it my hearty request, that Thou wilt one day admit me, though an unworthy
sinner, to be a guest at Thy divine banquet, where Thou, with Thy Son and the Holy
Ghost, art the true light, eternal fullness, everlasting joy, and perfect happiness of
all the saints, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OF ST. BONAVENTURE

SWEETEST Lord Jesus Christ, pierce, I beseech Thee, the inmost marrow of my soul
with the tender and life-giving wound of Thy love, with true, and calm, and
apostolical charity, so that my whole soul may ever languish and faint for love of
Thee, and for desire of Thee alone. May it long for Thee, and pine for Thee in the
courts of Thy house; may it desire to be dissolved and to be with Thee. Grant that
my soul may hunger for Thee, Thou Bread of angels, Thou refreshment of holy
souls, our daily supersubstantial bread, having all manner of sweetness and savor,
and all most thrilling delights. May my heart ever hunger for Thee and feed on Thee,
on Whom angels long to look; and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness
of the taste of Thee. May it ever thirst for Thee, Thou well of life, Thou fountain of
wisdom and knowledge, Thou source of everlasting light, Thou torrent of pleasure,
Thou richness and abundance of the house of God; may it ever yearn toward Thee,
seek Thee, find Thee, tend toward Thee, attain to Thee, meditate ever on Thee,
speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility
end discretion, with love and delight, with ready care and glad affection, with
perseverance even to the end; and do Thou be alone and evermore my hope, my
whole trust, my riches, my delight, my joy, my rest and my tranquility, my peace
and my sweet contentment, my fragrance and my sweetness, my food and my
refreshment, my refuge and my help, my wisdom, my portion, my pos session, and
my treasure, in Whom my mind and my heart may ever remain fixed and firm, and
rooted immovably for evermore. Amen.
 ADORO TE DEVOTE, LATENS DEITAS
Rhythm of St. Thomas Aquinas

ADORO te devote, latens Deitas, HIDDEN God, devoutly I adore Thee,

quae sub his figuris vere latitas: truly present underneath these veils:
tibi se cor meum totum subiicit, all my heart subdues itself before
quia te contemplans totum deficit. Thee,
since it all before Thee faints and fails.

Visus, tactus, gustus in te fallitur, Not to sight, or taste, or touch be

sed auditu solo tuto creditur; credit hearing only do we trust
credo quidquid dixit Dei Filius: secure;
nil hoc verbo Veritatis verius. I believe, for God the Son has said it-
Word of truth that ever shall endure.

In cruce latebat sola Deitas, On the cross was veiled Thy

at hic latet simul et humanitas; Godhead's splendor,
ambo tamen credens atque confitens, here Thy manhood lies hidden too;
peto quod petivit latro paenitens. unto both alike my faith I render,
and, as sued the contrite thief, I sue.

Plagas, sicut Thomas, non intueor; Though I look not on Thy wounds with
Deum tamen meum te confiteor; Thomas,
fac me tibi semper magis credere, Thee, my Lord, and Thee, my God, I
in te spem habere, te diligere. call:
make me more and more believe Thy
promise,
hope in Thee, and love Thee over all.

O memoriale mortis Domini! O memorial of my Savior dying,

panis vivus, vitam praestans homini! Living Bread, that gives life to man;
praesta meae menti de te vivere make my soul, its life from Thee
et te illi semper dulce sapere. supplying,
taste Thy sweetness, as on earth it
can.

Pie pellicane, Iesu Domine, Deign, O Jesus, Pelican of heaven,

me immundum munda tuo sanguine; me, a sinner, in Thy Blood to lave,
cuius una stilla salvum facere to a single drop of which is given
totum mundum quit ab omni scelere. all the world from all its sin to save.

Iesu, quem velatum nunc aspicio, Contemplating, Lord, Thy hidden

oro fiat illud quod tam sitio; presence,
ut te revelata cernens facie, grant me what I thirst for and implore,
visu sim beatus tuae gloriae. Amen. in the revelation of Thy essence
to behold Thy glory evermore. Amen.

(The following is usually said after every stanza):

AIL, Jesus, hail; do Thou, good Shepherd of the sheep,

Increase in all true hearts the faith they fondly keep.

Indulgence of 100 days, after Holy Communion. Leo XIII., June 15, 1895.

Ejaculation

My sweetest Jesus, be not my Judge, but my Saviour.

Indulgence of 50 days. Pius IX., Aug. n, 1851.

INDULGENCED PRAYER BEFORE A CRUCIFIX

BEHOLD, O kind and sweetest Jesus, I cast myself upon my knees in Thy sight, and
with the most fervent desire of my soul I pray and beseech Thee to impress upon
my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, with true repentance for my
sins, and a firm purpose of amendment, whilst with deep affection and grief of soul I
ponder within myself, and mentally contemplate Thy five wounds; having before my
eyes that which David spoke in prophecy of Thee, O good Jesus: "They have pierced
My hands and My feet; they have numbered all My bones."

A plenary indulgence, which can be applied to the souls in purgatory, may be

gained by the faithful who, after having confessed their sins with sorrow and
received Holy Communion, shall devoutly recite the above prayer before an image
or picture of Christ crucified, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. Pius IX.,
July 31, 1858.

COR SANCTISSIMUM JESU!

Cor Sanctissimum Jesu!

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!

Tu amas! Non amaris! Utinam ameris!

Thou lovest! Thou art not loved! Would that Thou wert loved!

HEART of my Creator, lead me to perfection.

Heart of my Redeemer, deliver me.
Heart of my Judge, pardon me.
Heart of my Father, guide me.

Another English version of this prayer is given on page 213.

This is the version used most frequently in the United State.

Heart of my Spouse, love me.

Heart of my Brother, tarry with me.
Heart of my Teacher, instruct me.
Heart of my King, be my crown.
Heart of my Benefactor, enrich me.
Heart of my Pastor, guard me.
Heart of my Friend, be my shelter.
Heart of the Infant Jesus, draw me, that I may love Thee and be evermore closely
united to Thee.

Let us pray.

WE beseech Thee, Lord, may Thy Holy Spirit set us on fire with that love which Our
Lord Jesus Christ cast out of the depths of His Heart into the world and greatly
wished should be enkindled.

Thou hast been pleased, most loving Jesus, to come and dwell within my heart, I
expect many favors of Thee; for how canst Thou refuse to give me Thy gifts, since
Thou hast given me Thyself? No, this is not possible, my dearest Lord, and therefore
I feel the strongest confidence of obtaining all from Thy goodness. I confess, O Lord,
that I deserve nothing; but the more undeserving I am, the more is Thy goodness
glorified in bestowing Thy grace upon me. I ask, then, O most loving Redeemer, a
full pardon and remission of the guilt of all my sins, which I once more detest and
abominate with all my heart; and for the remission of the temporal punishment
which is due for them, I desire to gain all the indulgences I can, and beseech Thee
to give me the grace to accomplish this purpose.

By Thy most precious blood, by Thy body, soul, and divinity, which I have this
morning received, I beg of Thee with all humility to cleanse my heart from all
defilement. Create, O my Jesus, a clean heart within me, and grant me a new spirit
truly just and upright. Fill it with all the gifts of Thy Holy Spirit, and adorn it with
every virtue, especially with humility, patience, meekness, and mortification.
Detach my heart from all created things, fashion it after Thine own most Sacred
Heart, and unite it for ever to Thyself in the bonds of perfect charity. Give me
strength and courage to resist bravely all temptations until death; I purpose to
banish them at once, and promise to avoid every occasion of sin. But, my Lord,
Thou knowest that of myself I can do nothing, and therefore I implore Thee to help
me and to strengthen me by Thy blood.

I beseech Thee to engrave upon my heart so lively a remembrance of Thy Passion

and death, and the bitter sorrows of my Mother Mary, that they may be my
continual meditation night and day; so that henceforth and to my last breath I may
dwell on Calvary at the foot of Thy cross, in company with our dear Lady of sorrows.

I beseech Thee, too, my dearest Lord, most earnestly, to give me the grace to free
myself once for all from the passion which most predominates in me, and the sin I
most often fall into. (Here mention the particular passion, or sin, or fault.) I ask
moreover for those temporal graces Thou knowest to be most expedient for me, for
Thy greater glory and the salvation of my soul; and lest I should err in asking for
what might be injurious for me, I leave it entirely to Thee, and trust in Thee, Who
alone hast goodness and infinite wisdom, to give me what Thou knowest to be best
for me. To all these graces add that highest and most precious gift, the crown and
perfection of all Thy other gifts, the grace of final perseverance. Do Thou, Thyself,
my Jesus, ask it of Thine eternal Father: show Him Thy wounds; offer Him Thy most
precious blood, and then I shall be sure of being heard.
Lastly, I ask Thee, my Jesus, to give me Thy blessing before Thou leavest me. I
recommend my soul to
Thee during the whole of my life and in the hour of death. Every day and hour and
moment I am getting nearer to that time. Ah! defend me, then, from all
temptations, and give me grace to overcome them; grant me the assistance of my
Mother Mary; and oh! Do not let me, in punishment for my sins, and especially for
my irreverence toward the Blessed Sacrament and my unworthy communions do
not let me, I beseech Thee, dear Lord, depart this life without having received the
last sacraments with proper dispositions.

[You may here add any particular petitions for yourself and for your neighbor. Do not
forget to pray for the Holy Church, the Sovereign Pontiff, and all Superiors, both
ecclesiastical and secular. Recommend to our dear Lord the regular and secular
clergy, as also the members of all Religious Orders, and pray Him to give them the
true spirit of their holy vocation. Pray for your relatives, friends, and benefactors, for
the afflicted, the sick, and those in their agony. Pray for the poor, holy souls in
purgatory. Recommend all poor sinners, and pray for their conversion and salvation.
Do not forget to pray for heretics and infidels, beseeching God to enlighten them
and give them grace to embrace the true faith.]

I should, indeed, be ungrateful, O my Jesus, if after Thou hast given me Thyself in

this holy communion, I were to delay an instant in giving myself entirely to Thee. I
offer Thee, most loving Lord, my soul, together with my liberty. I offer Thee my
understanding, that, sanctified by Thee, it may be occupied earnestly in the
consideration of Thy blessed Passion and death, and Thy divine attributes. I give
Thee my memory, that I may ever have in remembrance the infinite mercies Thou
hast shown me. I give Thee my will, that by Thy holy love I may be entirely
conformed to Thy divine will, desiring nothing but what Thou wiliest, and rejecting,
everything that is displeasing to Thee. I give Thee my whole self, to be sanctified by
Thee in soul and body; and I intend in this offering to make an entire, irrevocable,
and eternal sacrifice of myself and all that belongs to me. I offer and consecrate to
Thee my poor heart, which now desires to love Thee so faithfully as to make
amends for all the infidelities of my past life. O my Jesus, detach my heart from
creatures, unite it perfectly to Thine own, and, hiding it within the loving wound of
Thy side, imprint deeply in it the memory of Thy bitter Passion and the sorrows of
Thy most holy Mother: so that, by frequent meditation on these mysteries, I may be
filled with sorrow for my past sins, and for the time to come faithfully correspond to
Thine infinite love.

I offer Thee all the senses of my body, particularly my eyes and my tongue: grant
that henceforth I may nevermore offend Thee by them. I offer Thee my thoughts,
words, and deeds. My Jesus, I desire to unite all I have offered Thee to the merits of
Thy most holy Passion and death, and the merits of my Mother Mary and all the
saints. I offer Thee the good works I have done, as well as those I shall ever do in
the whole course of my life, and I now make the intention of doing and suffering all
things for Thy greater glory, in preparation for Holy Communion, and in
thanksgiving for the Most Holy Sacrament.

Blessed and praised every moment be the Most Holy and Most Divine Sacrament!
 REFLECTIONS AFTER COMMUNION

CALL to mind, as often as you can during the day, that you have received Jesus in
the Blessed Sacrament. Try to repeat frequently this short sentence: "This morning
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, condescended to come and dwell within me, and gave
Himself to me." By doing this, you will derive greater fruit from your communion;
you will gain more patience under difficulties, and be more careful in keeping the
grace of God in your soul; you will more easily acquire true and real devotion; you
will set a good example to others, and have a continual inducement to lead a good
Christian life, if only you adopt this simple practice.

2. Retire frequently into your heart, in order to renew an act of adoration of Jesus, or
of thanksgiving for the loving visit He made you in the morning, and rekindle the fire
of divine charity by some holy aspiration. We would not so quickly lose the fervor of
devotion and the love of God, if we took greater pains about this; and Jesus Christ
would not have to lament the coldness with which men love Him, if they only
thought oftener of His benefits and His love, especially in the Most Holy Sacrament,
and thanked Him with their whole heart.

3. Frequently renew the offering of your heart to our dear Lord. By giving Himself to
you, He desires to gain you to His love, and earnestly asks you to give Him your
heart in exchange for the infinite gift He has bestowed upon you. Will you be so
ungrateful as to deny Him your heart, and to give it to the world and the devil on
the very day on which He has come to take possession of it? Ah! No; this must not
be; you have consecrated your heart to Jesus in your communion; you must ratify
and confirm this offering; and if the world, with its enticements, vanities, and false
pleasures, wishes to enter into your heart, say that you have given it for ever to
Jesus. If the devil with his suggestions, and the flesh with its temptations, assail
your heart, answer generously and courageously that you have given it to Jesus, to
be His and His alone and for ever. Oh, if all Christians were but to do this after their
communion, they would preserve the grace of God, an not relapse into sin.

4. Remember that your tongue h s received Jesus, that it has touched His sacred
body when you went to communion. Only recall this thought to mind when you feel
tempted to speak impatiently, or so as to offend or injure your neighbor; and surely
it will keep you from offending Jesus with that tongue which has been sanctified by
the touch of His sacred flesh.

5. In connection with your visits to the Blessed Sacrament every day make a
spiritual communion, renewing in the most lively manner your desire to receive our
dear Lord into your heart. Remember, for love of us Jesus remains night and day in
the tabernacle, ardently desiring to communicate Himself to our souls, and bestow
His graces upon us. Ah! what monstrous forgetfulness and ingratitude, if, when we
can easily do so, we neglect to go to Him during the day, to pay our homage and
adoration to Him in return for all His love.*

AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF MASS

YOU have now received from the tender mercy of your divine Redeemer the
greatest and sweetest proof of His wondrous love. Surely your heart is overflowing
with gratitude and affection. To give evidence of this gratitude, and to give
expression to this affection, you can do nothing better, nothing more acceptable to
God, than to assist again at the adorable sacrifice of the altar, thus offering to the
Almighty the only Victim of thanksgiving proportionate to the benefits which you
have received.

O GOD, "how hast Thou multiplied Thy mercies" in favor of Thy poor servant. When
was I ever so rich as at present? "What shall I render to the Lord for all the things
that He hath rendered to me? I will take the chalice of salvation; I will pay my vows
to the Lord before all His people; I will sacrifice to Thee the sacrifice of praise, and I
will call upon the name of the Lord, in the courts of the house of the Lord." (Psalm
cxv. 12-18.)

I am indeed fully conscious, O Lord, of my personal indigence, and my utter

unworthiness to be among Thy chosen ones in this holy place, yet, transported with
gratitude for the dignity to which I am raised by the sacred bonds, which unite me
to my Savior, I will again offer Thee, O King of heaven and earth, a worthy sacrifice,
a Victim of thanksgiving, commensurate with Thy gifts. I will offer Thee a host of
praise, immolated not only on this altar, but in the midst of my heart.

And Thou, O Jesus! "Sweet and mild, and plenteous in mercy" (Ps. Ixxxv. 5), give ear
to my earnest petition; let me be now so closely united to Thee that I may become
one with Thee, and thus be enabled to offer my whole being a sacrifice worthy of
the God to whose glory Thou art about to be immolated; create within me that
humble, meek, and fervent heart, which will make me pleasing and acceptable in
Thy sight; let Thy divine presence fill my soul with consolation and peace, and let
Thy mercies be now upon me, "according to the hope I have placed in Thee." I ask
of Thee, O Lord, a constant sense of Thy divine presence, that I may walk before
Thee, and be perfect.

OFFERING OF THE BLESSED MARGARET MARY

ETERNAL Father, receive, I beseech Thee, the offering that I make of the Heart of
Jesus Christ, Thy well-beloved Son, as He offers Himself to Thee in sacrifice. Be
pleased to receive this offering for me, with all the desires, all the sentiments, all
the affections, all the beatings, all the actions of this Sacred Heart. They are all
mine, since He immolates Himself for me; and I desire, for the future, never to have
any other intentions but His. Receive them in satisfaction for my sins, and in
thanksgiving for all Thy benefits. Receive them, and grant me, through their merits,
all the graces that are necessary for me, and particularly the grace of final
perseverance. Receive them as so many acts of love, adoration, and praise, which I
offer to Thy divine Majesty, since it is by Him alone that Thou art worthily honored
and glorified. Amen.

AT THE KYRIE
KYRIE eleison LORD, have mercy, etc.
Christe eleison Christ, have mercy
Kyrie eleison, Lord, have mercy, etc.

FROM THE GLORIA TO THE OFFERTORY

Adoration, Thanksgiving, Love

From Mother Loyolas Confession and Communion

I FALL down to adore You, O Holy and Undivided Trinity, One in Three and Three in
One, the earliest, highest, dearest Mystery of our faith!
I fall before You and adore You, O eternal Father, "Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of
Whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named!" (Eph. iii). Our Father, Who art in
heaven! I love and praise You in union with the Son and the Holy Spirit, and together
with my vow of poverty, put myself wholly into Your hands for ever.

Sume, Domine, et suscipe!

I FALL before You, and adore You, O eternal Son, God of God, Light of light, very God
of very God, my Brother by the Incarnation, my Spouse by the vows of my
profession, my Redeemer, my Master, my All in all! I love and praise You in union
with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and together with my vow of chastity, give
myself wholly to Your Heart for ever.

Sume, Domine, et suscipe!

I fall before You and adore You, O eternal Spirit, coequal with the Father and the Son,
my Guide, my Comforter!

I love and praise You in union with the Father and the Son, Whose uncreated Love
You are, and together with my vow of obedience, abandon myself wholly to Your
leading, to be conformed in all things to Your will for ever.

Snme, Domine, et suscipe!

Adoration

"Come, let us adore and fall down before the Lord that made us, for He is the Lord
our God." (Ps. xciv.)

Adoro Te devote, latens Deitas

I adore You, O Lord, my Creator, O God my Redeemer, my Sanctifier, O Ever-blessed

and Undivided Trinity!

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts; the earth is full of Thy glory; glory be to the
Father; Glory be to the Son; Glory be to the Holy Ghost.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pope Clement XIV, June 6, 1769.
Glory be to the Father, Who created me out of love.
Glory be to the Son, Who redeemed me with love.
Glory be to the Holy Ghost, Who sanctified me in love, and reserved for me His
graces of predilection.
Glory be to the Holy and Undivided Trinity, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Laudamus Te; benedicimus Te; adoramus Te, glorificamus Te. Gratias agimus Tibi
propter magnam gloriam Tuam.

Thanksgiving

TE Deum laudamus: Te Dominum confitemur.

Te aeternum Patrem: omnis terra veneratur.
Patrem immensse majestatis.
Venerandum Tuum verum, et unicum Filium.
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.
Benedicamus Patrem et Filium cum Sancto Spiritu.
Laudemus et superexaltemus eum in saecula.
Benedicta sit Sancta Trinitas et mdivisa unitas, una Deitas.

"O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
"O ye sons of men, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
"O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
"O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord praise and exalt Him above all for
ever.
"O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all for
ever.
"O give thanks to the Lord because He is good, because His mercy endureth for
ever.
"O all ye Religious, bless the Lord; praise Him and give Him thanks because His
mercy endureth for ever." (Dan. iii. 58-90.)

Love and Reparation

"IS not He thy Father, that hath possessed thee, and made thee, and created thee?"
(Deut. xxxii.)

"You are not your own, you are bought with a great price." (i Cor. vi.)

"You are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." (i Cor. iii.)

To whom, my God, do I belong if not to You? Who else has a shadow of right to me? I
am Yours by creation, by redemption, by sanctification. I am Yours by the vows of
my profession. And how have You treated one who is Yours by so many titles? Have
You loved me? Have You given me cause to love You?
Love is shown by deeds, by the communication of good things. Will Your love bear
this test, my God? Oh, let the history of Your benefits to me throughout my life
speak for You that hidden history of Your dealings with my soul, the significance of
which I could not make known to others, even if I would the opportunities, the help
in need, the persistent drawing aid waiting which make up the history of my life.

"No earthly father loves like Thee,

No mother half so mild
Bears and forbears, as Thou hast done,
With me Thy sinful child."

I have cause indeed to love, and I tell You again and again that I love You, my God
and my all. But where are the proofs? Love is shown by deeds. In deed and in truth
You have loved ni5. But where are the proofs of my love ? Resolutions in plenty
every morning. But when the evening comes what have I to show, what have I to
offer but weaknesses, cowardices, and failures. And yet I love You, dearest Lord. I
wish to please You; forgive me my unfaithfulness. You have created me; You know
my weaknesses and my struggles have mercy on me; help me to love You better;
help me to follow You more closely. Take my heart, and make it like Your Heart meek
and humble. I shall try to accept my failures in a deeply humble spirit; I shall not
yield to discouragement, but trusting in Your goodness, in Your love and Your grace,
I shall endeavor daily to overcome my weaknesses, and fight on calmly,
courageously, generously, and hopefully to the end. O Lord, I am willing to go on
still struggling fighting hard constantly to the last moment of my life; and even to
fail constantly, to have nothing to show but defeat and failures, provided only that
You are glorified. Omnia ad Majorem Dei gloriam.

AT THE OFFERTORY

When the Priest offers the Host, say with him:

ACCEPT, O holy Father, almighty, eternal God, this immaculate Host, which I, Thy
unworthy servant, offer unto Thee, my living and true God, for my innumerable sins,
offences, and negligences, and for all here present, as also for all faithful Christians,
both living and dead, that it may be profitable for my own and for their salvation
unto life eternal. Amen.

When the Priest offers the chalice, say with him:

WE offer unto Thee, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, beseeching Thy clemency that
in the sight of Thy divine majesty it may ascend with the odor of sweetness for our
salvation and for that of the whole world.

When the Priest washes his fingers, say with him

THE LAVABO

I WILL wash my hands among the innocent, and will compass Thy altar, O Lord: that
I may hear the voice of praise and tell of all Thy marvelous works. I have loved, O
Lord, the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. Take not
away my soul, O God, with the wicked, nor my life with bloody men. In whose hands
are iniquities; their right hand is filled with gifts. As for me, I have walked in my
innocence; redeem me and have mercy upon me. My foot hath stood in the right
path; in the churches I will bless Thee, O Lord. Glory be to the Father, etc.

When the Priest bows before the altar, say:

RECEIVE, O Holy Trinity, this oblation which we make to Thee in memory of the
Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and in honor of
Blessed Mary, ever virgin, of blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and
Paul, of these and of all the saints, that it may be available to their honor and to our
salvation; and may they vouchsafe to intercede for us in heaven, whose memory we
celebrate on earth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

AT THE ORATE, FRATRES

MAY the Lord receive this holy sacrifice from the hands of His minister at the altar to
the praise and glory of His name, to our own benefit, and to the welfare of the whole
Catholic Church.

AT THE SECRETA

MERCIFULLY grant Thy Church, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the gifts of unity and
peace, which are mystically represented in these offerings, through Jesus Christ our
Lord.

AT THE PREFACE

IT is truly meet and just, right and salutary, that we should always and in all places
give thanks to Thee, O Lord, Father almighty, eternal God, since by the mystery of
the Word made flesh a new ray of Thy glory has appeared to the eyes of our souls;
that, while we behold God visibly, we may be carried by Him to the love of things
invisible; and therefore, with the angels and archangels, with the thrones and
dominations, and with all the heavenly host, we sing our everlasting hymn to Thy
glory, saying:

AT THE SANCTUS

HOLY, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest!

AT THE BENEDICTUS

BLESSED is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

AT THE CANON

COMMEMORATION OF THE LIVING

AT this solemn part of the Mass, let the consideration of the love which the Almighty
has this day manifested toward you, animate you not only with gratitude toward
your divine Benefactor, but also with a lively interest in the temporal and eternal
welfare of all your fellow creatures. Pray fervently for all, whether friends or
enemies: since Jesus Christ loves all, and did not refuse to lay down His life for
them.

O DIVINE Jesus! the Redeemer of all mankind! Who art come to save even those
who were lost! Whose adorable blood was shed for many to the remission of sins!
deign to listen to the prayers I now offer, not for myself alone, but for all mankind,
Whose Creator, Lord, and Sovereign Master Thou art: permit me to offer my
supplications for the peace and prosperity of that Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic
Church, which was founded on Thy unerring word, established by Thy miracles,
enriched by Thy merits, and made illustrious by Thy saints; of that Church, whose
unworthy child I am, in whose bosom, through Thy grace, I resolve to live and die;
that Church, which has this day imparted to me her most precious treasure, in
giving me the adorable body and blood of her heavenly Spouse. O my God! Bless,
sanctify, and protect the Pope, Thy representative on earth; have mercy on the
bishops, priests, Religious, and all who labor in Thy vineyard; animate them with
zeal for the salvation of souls, who are the purchase of Thy blood; give them
humility, purity, prudence, patience, and perseverance; inflame their hearts with
that ardent zeal which consumed Thy holy apostles. Render their lives as holy as
the law they inculcate; make them all according to Thine own divine Heart, and let
their light so shine before men, that they, seeing their good works, may "glorify
their Father Who is in heaven" (Matt. v. 16). Bless our Holy Institute; bless our
friends, our relatives, our benefactors, all those who have asked us to pray for them,
and for whom we have promised to pray. Bless in particular those who, by prayer
and good works, are fostering and propagating devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

SWEETEST Jesus, Redeemer of mankind, behold me humbly prostrate before Thine

altar. I belong to Thee; I wish to be Thine; I dedicate myself to Thy most Sacred
Heart. O my Lord, I seek not that which is profitable to myself, but to many ; that
they may be saved (i Cor. x. 33). Many have never known Thee. Many, despising
Thy commands, have rejected Thee. Have pity on them, most merciful Jesus, and
draw all men to Thy Sacred Heart. Rule, O Lord, not only over the faithful who never
have gone away from Thee, but also over the prodigal sons who have forsaken
Thee; and make them return quickly to their Fathers house, lest they perish of
misery and hunger. Rule over those who have been misled by error, or separated by
schism; and call them back to the haven of truth and the unity of faith, so that there
may soon be one fold and one Shepherd. Lastly, rule over all who are sunk in the
old superstition of the Gentiles, and vouchsafe to bring them out of darkness into
the light and kingdom of God.

Give to Thy Church, O Lord, safety and liberty; give to all nations peace and order;
and grant that, over the whole earth, from pole to pole, may resound the words:
Praise be to the divine Heart, through which was brought to us salvation ; glory and
honor be to it for ever. Amen.

AT THE ELEVATION
Adoration

ADORO Te devote
Ave verum Corpus
 AFTER THE ELEVATION

I ADORE you, O soul of Christ, Holy of holies, holy with the holiness of God. I adore
you, and annihilate myself before you in my emptiness, my nothingness, my
baseness. Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

I adore you, body of Christ my ransom on the cross, my food in the Eucharist. O
divine head, O sacred face, O compassionate eyes, O blessed hands and feet, O
loving Heart, I adore you, I love and praise you, I put my trust in you. Body of Christ,
save me!

I adore you, most precious blood life and healing, redemption, intercession all in all
to me. O blood of my Saviour, by your profuse generosity under the olive trees, at
the column of the scourging, on the altar of the cross take away my languor and my
apathy, take me out of myself, fire me with your generosity, let me return you love
for love. Blood of Christ, inebriate me!

Thanksgiving

COME, let us praise the Lord with joy, let us joyfully sing to God our Saviour (Ps.
xciv.)

"Who hath loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood." (Apoc. i.)

"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."
(Luke i.)

"Salvation to Our God, Who sitteth upon the throne. Alleluia. Salvation and glory
and power to Our God. Alleluia." (Apoc. v. 11-13.)

"Give glory to the Lord for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever." (Ps. cvi.)

"For He is our peace" (Eph. ii.), "making peace through the blood of His cross."
(Coloss. i.)

Blessed be God.
Blessed be His holy name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

"Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift." (2 Cor. ix.)

Love

Our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have
patiently waited for Him; we shall rejoice and be joyful in His salvation." (Is. xxv.)

"My God and my Saviour! " (Ps. Ixi.)

"Say to my soul: I am thy salvation." (Ps. xxxiv.)
"This day is salvation come to this house." (Luke xix.)
Behold, God is my Saviour: I will deal confidently. " (Is. xii.)
"The Lord is my rock, and ray strength, and my Saviour." (2 Kings xxii.)
"He loved me and delivered Himself for me." (Gal. ii.)

Recordare, Jesu pie, Sweet Jesus, think my debt to pay,

Quod sum causa Tuae viae, Thou wouldst tread the mournful way;
Ne me perdas ilia die. Forsake me not in that dread day.
Quaerens me, sedisti lassus, In quest of me Thy feet were worn,
Redemisti, crucem passus, To ransom me Thy cross was borne;
Tantus labor non sit cassus. Let not such love reap only scorn.

O bone Jesu, exaudi me, O good Jesus, hear me;

Intra Tua vulnera absconde me; Within Thy wounds hide me;
Ne permittas me separari a Te Never let me be separated from Thee.

COMMEMORATION OF THE DEAD

O ALMIGHTY God! The resurrection and the life! He that believeth in Thee, even
though he were dead, shall certainly live, and enjoy in Thy kingdom the true liberty
of the children of God. Look then, I beseech Thee, with compassion and mercy on
those suffering souls who have always believed and confessed Thy name. O
sovereign Lord, remember that they are "the work of Thine own hands (Job x. 3);
created in Thy power, redeemed in Thy mercy, preserved in Thy goodness, and
formed to Thine adorable image. Ah! Why then hidest Thou Thine adorable face
from those who have been dear to Thy Sacred Heart, and who long to behold and
enjoy Thee, their sovereign Beatitude? Accept, O eternal God! In their favor, the
adorable Victim, Who now offers Himself to Thee on this altar, and Whom I likewise
possess in the center of my soul. Apply to them also, O Lord, the indulgence which
Thy Church this day holds forth in Thy name to worthy communicants, and let not
my imperfect dispositions be an obstacle to the exercise of Thy mercy on their
behalf. In consideration of Thy beloved Son, cease to remember their iniquities, and
take no further revenge of their sins. I particularly implore Thy mercy, O Lord! for
my parents, friends, and benefactors; for all those who are most abandoned; for
those to whose sufferings I may have been accessory; for all who, during life, were
most devoted to the Adorable Sacrament of Thy love, and also for those who were
the fervent clients of Thy blessed Mother, for priests and Religious, and in particular
for the deceased members of our Order.
O almighty Lord! Transport them into Thy bosom, where they shall be replenished
with the goods of Thy house; confirm them in Thy sight forever, that they may
joyfully sing a hymn to Thee in Sion, and pay to Thee a vow in Jerusalem" (Ps. Ixiv.
i).

AT THE PATER NOSTER

After repeating with the priest the Pater Noster, call to mind the indulgence which
the prodigal son experienced from his father on his sincere return, and acknowledge
with gratitude that the tenderness of his good parent has been infinitely surpassed
in your favor by your heavenly Father.
"FATHER in heaven, I am not worthy to be called I Thy child, but I entreat Thee once
more, in the name of Thy beloved Son, to receive me among the last of those whose
happiness it is to serve Thee under the sweet yoke of poverty, chastity, and
obedience.

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

RENEW your desire to receive Our Lord frequently during the day.

The Blessed Margaret Mary once said to her divine Spouse:

"My most loving Jesus, I wish to be consumed with the desire of Thee and since I
can not receive Thee now I will not cease to desire Thee." To which Our Lord
answered: "I take so much pleasure in being desired, that as many times as the
heart forms this desire, so often do I look upon it lovingly to attract it to Myself." Let
us often give this pleasure to our merciful Saviour, that we may reap from it the
sweet fruit that He promises.

MY Jesus, I most firmly believe that Thou art really present in the Blessed
Sacrament. I place in Thee my whole confidence, and I love Thee above all things.
Oh! That I had never offended Thee! I ardently desire to be united to Thee, my
loving Saviour, and never to be separated from Thee. What have I in heaven, and
besides Thee what do I desire upon earth! Veni, Domine Jesu.

Act of Atonement

MY Father in heaven, I offer unto Thee Thy Son Jesus Christ in atonement for my
sins, and for the sins of the world.

Look on Him, O my Father; He raises His hands to Thee; He is pleading for us all.

Listen to Him, Father in heaven. He asks Thee for pity and for pardon. He is Thine
own beloved Son, in Whom Thou art well pleased. Thou canst not refuse Him
anything. Do not let Him ask in vain.

He has paid dearly for us, O God. Remember His sighs, His tears, His sweat of blood,
His scourging and the cruel pangs He suffered for us on Calvary. For His sake, pity
and pardon us.

Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, I offer Thee, O eternal Father, humblest
adoration and thanks.
Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, I make atonement for the sins of the world,
and I implore Thy mercy and grace for myself and for all poor sinners, through the
same Jesus Christ Thy Son. Amen.

O wondrous Love! would that men knew Thee. How sweet Thou art, O Lord, how
good to those who love Thee! Bless me, that I may love Thee more, and serve Thee
faithfully to the end.
 Act of Consecration

Thee, O Jesus, I consecrate my heart. In Thy Sacred Heart I wish to live. In Thy
Sacred Heart I wish to die.

Inflame my heart with the fire of Thy love, and enlighten me with Thy wisdom and
Thy knowledge.

Oh, let Thy loving Heart be to me my strength in temptation and my consolation in

the day of tribulation and sorrow. Grant me grace, dear Jesus, ever to taste the
sweetness of Thy Sacred Heart, not only during my lifetime, but, above all, at the
hour of my death. Amen.

Will you be True?

WHEN you go to your holy communion, think that you see the divine Child looking
through and through you with His clear, pellucid gaze, and asking you the question,
"Will you be true?" Are you resolved to combat resolutely the visible faults all can
"see and be scandalized by, instead of the half-dozen imaginary ones with which
you love so much to torture yourselves? And I should love, I should dearly love you
to return His glance with one as limpid and as true, saying, " O Lord, no one knows
better than I how blind and weak I am, but I wish to know, I wish to see, what Thou
desirest of me, and will try with all my heart, regardless of all obstacles, to
accomplish it." He wishes you to be real. Be real.

Final Petitions

HE is your Master, Christ" (Matt, xxiii.). In two ways, Lord, You are my Master. You
are not Teacher only, You are owner. I am not merely Your disciple, I am Your
indisputable property. Thanks be to God that it is so. All that I have and am belongs
to You time, talents, labor, health, life, all the senses of my body, all the faculties of
my soul. Take them, O Lord, they are Yours, to You I restore them. See that I do not
misuse any one of them. See that I use them all with a pure intention for Your glory,
for Your greater glory choosing the means which most tend to the end for which I
was created, by which I may love and follow You more closely.

Have pity, O Lord and Master, on the poor, the suffering, the tempted, the uncared-
for little ones; on the teeming races of the poor heathen all the world over; on all
those who are in their agony. Let me make use of Your visits of mercy in this
acceptable time in these days of salvation my communion days. I desire nothing so
much as to love You. Give me Your love and Your grace, and this is enough for me.
Increase and invigorate my faith, that it may be productive of great things to Your
glory.

Stay with me, Lord, that from communion to communion I may ascend from virtue
to virtue, and become more pleasing in Your sight.

Have pity, Lord, on the multitudes who never think of You as Judge, on those outside
the Church who have but a dim belief in the judgment to come, and on those
children of the Church who, believing firmly that it is coming and coming fast, think
of it and prepare for it no more than if they did not believe. Remember, O Lord, that
You "will have all men to be saved" (i Tim. ii.), and that You died for all, and since
the "whole earth is made desolate because there is none that considereth in his
heart " (Jer. xii.), stir up faith in the hearts of all men. Give to all a living and
practical faith in the judgment to come, that they may prepare for it while there is
yet time.

Indulgenced Prayer

DEAR Jesus, in the Sacrament of the Altar, be forever thanked and praised. Love,
worthy of all celestial and terrestrial love! Who, out of infinite love for me,
ungrateful sinner, didst assume our human nature, didst shed Thy most precious
blood in the cruel scourging, and didst expire on a shameful cross for our eternal
welfare! Now, illumined with lively faith, with the outpouring of my whole soul and
the fervor of my heart, I humbly beseech Thee, through the infinite merits of Thy
painful sufferings, give me strength and courage to destroy every evil passion which
sways my heart, to bless Thee in my greatest afflictions, to glorify Thee by the exact
fulfillment of all my duties, supremely to hate all sin, and thus to become a saint.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., Jan. 1, 1866.

MEDITATIONS AFTER COMMUNION

FIRST MEDITATION
On the Sentiments which the Holy Communion should produce in our Souls.

CONSIDER with astonishment the excessive liberality with which Jesus Christ has
treated you; by this one communion you are infinitely elevated above all that the
world calls great you are happier than if you enjoyed all the delights of the universe
richer than if you possessed all its treasures and more privileged than if you were its
sole sovereign. Ah! if you understood the gift of God, if you had a just idea of your
own dignity, how soon would you despise every thing in this world! Penetrated with
gratitude for the greatness of the benefit you have received, you would exclaim with
the Royal Prophet: What shall I render to the Lord for all He has done for me? how
shall i testify my gratitude? Do not on this important matter deceive yourself as
many do. Do not imagine that so great a benefit as a communion is worthily
acknowledged by the most fervent expressions of thanksgiving. It is not those who
say: "Lord, Lord," that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. "Sincere gratitude for
any benefit," says St. Thomas, "consists chiefly in esteeming the benefit as it
deserves, and in endeavoring to make our benefactor an adequate return."

Give glory to Him Who has given you His precious body and blood, His soul and
divinity, and has thus rendered you, in a way, an object of envy to the angels
themselves. Beg of God most earnestly to enlighten your mind, that you may
understand the greatness of the favor conferred on you; and also to touch your
heart, that you may feel your obligation of acknowledging it by every means in your
power, especially by a greater love of the Blessed Sacrament, and a more self-
sacrificing devotedness to your duties as a Religious.
2. Cast yourself in spirit at the feet of your Creator, and present to Him the sacrifice
of thanksgiving which He deserves: A voluntary, unreserved oblation of your whole
being. Can that be too much for Him Who has created you to His image and
likeness, and redeemed you with His precious blood? or rather, what can be enough
for Him Who has loved you so much as to give Himself to you? If you would really
and entirely be long to God, you should make a twofold sacrifice: A sacrifice of your
body with all its senses, and of your heart and soul with all their powers and
affections. First, you should consecrate your body to God; that is, you should in
future bear in mind the union you have contracted with God, and respect in yourself
the temple of the divinity a temple of which He has so lately taken possession;
consecrated by His presence, purified by His blood, and enriched with the most
precious gifts of His holy spirit. This is the sacrifice to which St. Paul exhorts all
Christians, but particularly communicants, when he says: "I beseech you, brethren,
by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing
to God " (Rom. xii. i). Reflect also, that as a material temple is not alone
consecrated to God internally but is known before it is entered to be a house of God
by its external appearance ; so should your modesty and Christian deportment
manifest to every one that you are really consecrated to God, and become the living
temple of Jesus Christ. St. Chrysostom says: "It is not just that those eyes which
have be held the divine and sacred Host should afterwards delight in the vanity and
idle follies of the world that those lips, which received and touched the God of
heaven, should ever be profaned by frivolous discourses that your tongue, on which
the body of Jesus Christ reposed, should ever become instrumental in lessening the
reputation of others, or in wounding charity." Present your resolutions to God
through the glorious Queen of virgins. Set before your eyes, and resolve in every
action of your life, to imitate this incomparable model whom St. Anselm describes
as having "nothing disagreeable in her looks, nothing inconsistent in her words,
nothing imprudent in her actions; whose deportment was not assuming; whose
voice was not loud or arrogant; and whose exterior modesty was a finished portrait
of her interior purity." O most blessed Virgin, take me under thy protection, and
preserve me from defiling by sin the temple of thy beloved Son.

3. Consider that your immortal soul was created by God for Himself, stamped with
His own sacred image, redeemed with His blood, adorned with His graces, enriched
with His merits, and often strengthened with that Sacrament of life which you have
so lately received. Great then must be its value, since God Himself did not think it
too dearly purchased by the blood of His only Son. Yes, you cannot be too deeply
convinced that your immortal soul is your great and only treasure; lo save your soul
no pains can be excessive, no security too great; if that be lost, all is lost; and if you
be so happy as to save your soul, though you lose all the rest, all is well; the
kingdom of heaven is gained. "What will it profit a man, if he gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?" (Matt. xvi. 26). What does it now avail any of the damned,
to have been on earth honored, loved, respected, endowed with beauty, talents, wit,
or accomplishments, or to have been the idols or envy of all around them ? Alas!
What does all that avail them now, since they burn and will burn in hell for all
eternity? Oh! Let their irreparable misfortune animate you to struggle against your
passions, and to lead a virtuous life. O my Jesus, deign to enlighten me that I may
see the vanity of all worldly goods. Thou hast given Thyself entirely to me; I now
give myself entirely to Thee. I desire that my whole soul may be Thine; my body, my
powers, my senses, that all may be employed in serving and pleasing Thee. To Thee
I consecrate all my thoughts, my desires, my affections, and my whole life. Grant
me the gift of holy perseverance in Thy service, and the grace of a happy death. O
eternal Father, Thy beloved Son Jesus has promised that Thou wilt give me
whatsoever I ask of Thee in His name: "If you ask the Father anything in My name,
He will give it you" (John xvi. 23). In the name therefore, and through the merits of
this Thy Son, I ask Thee for Thy love and for holy perseverance, that I may one day
come to love Thee in heaven with all my powers, and to sing for ever Thy mercies,
safe from all danger of being ever again separated from Thee.

O most holy Mary, my Mother, obtain for me these graces which I so much desire.

SECOND MEDITATION
On the Imitation of Jesus Christ.

1. CONSIDER attentively that one of the chief ends for which Jesus gives Himself to
us in the Holy Communion is to unite us to Himself, and to make us one with Him:
"He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me, and I in Him" (John
vi. 57). St. Thomas teaches that in the Holy Eucharist Jesus Christ applies His most
sacred body like a seal on the heart of man, to revive that image of the divinity to
which we were created, that He transforms us into Himself, by imprinting on our
soul the image of His adorable perfections and by infusing into our heart abundant
graces to imitate His virtues. To become a perfect imitation of Jesus Christ, you
should conform your judgment, your opinions, your ideas, your heart, feelings, and
all your affections, to those of your divine Lord. The thoughts of Jesus were always
directed to God, or bent on something relative to the glory of God. How do you act
in this respect? Be convinced that a frequent recollection of God would be the best
guard you could have against those thoughts of vanity or pride which are so
common, and so sinful when indulged in Jesus Christ judged all things as God judges
them: His adorable Heart, inflamed with love for God and desire for His glory, was
incapable of a single sentiment of joy, of sorrow, of fear, of hope, of consolation, or
sadness, except as the interests, the glory, the worship of His heavenly Father were
concerned. Be ashamed of the trifles with which you have hitherto been delighted,
or the insignificant incidents at which you have been grieved. O my divine and
adorable Master, instead of looking on all things as Thou seest them, and as I
myself shall see them after death, I have consulted my interests, my passions, my
imagination, and the corrupt maxims of the world in forming my opinions and ideas.
I have unfortunately sought after those very things which Thou didst shun I loved
what Thou didst hate I have hated what Thou didst love. Thou didst pronounce
those blessed and happy who suffer, and I have been so impatient under sufferings;
Thou didst despise and flee from the honors of this world, and I have desired and
esteemed them as great advantages. O my God, enlighten me to see and detest my
folly.

2. Consider the example which Jesus Christ gives you in His sacred childhood. "Jesus
advanced in wisdom and age, and grace with God and men" (Luke ii. 52). Our divine
Redeemer, from the first moment of His Incarnation, had indeed the plenitude of
grace, of wisdom, and of virtue, incapable of any increase; but outwardly He, as it
were, progressed, conforming His sacred actions and discourses suitably to His age.
Learn from this that, as every day, every hour, the Al mighty adds to your life, so
should every grace, every instruction you receive, advance you in the road of solid
virtue. In particular, every time you have the happiness of receiving Holy
Communion, you should grow, like Jesus, in grace and wisdom before God and men:
that is, God should discern in your heart, and those with whom you associate should
witness in your conduct, an increase of the fear and love of God. Those faults and
failings which were excusable some years ago, before you were admitted into a
Religious Community, become more serious now. Examine whether you may not
unfortunately have lost much of the fervor with which you first approached the
Adorable* Eucharist, and never forget that not to go forward in virtue is to go back.

Jesus Christ, while yet a child, is found among the Doctors in the Temple, asking
them questions and listening to the word of God with profound veneration. Did the
eternal Son of God, the Fountain of all knowledge, require instruction? Was there
anything for Him to learn, or any person on earth who could teach Him? Certainly
not; but on this occasion He would teach you with what ardor you should seek after
instruction how thankfully and respectfully you should receive; how highly you
should value an opportunity of hearing the word of God. The chief virtue which
characterized the youth of Jesus Christ was obedience. He has scarcely permitted
any other account of His early years to reach us, than: that He was subject to His
blessed Mother and His reputed father, St. Joseph. He obeyed them in all things, at
all times, with cheerfulness and exactness. To imitate your adorable Model in this
important point, you must resolve to respect and love your Superiors; to submit to
their authority with docility and with confidence, because they are deputed by God
to command you, and have received light to direct your inexperience. Remember
that Jesus Christ was not less submissive to the orders of Herod, one of the most
wicked of men, than He was to those of His blessed Mother, the most perfect of
creatures; because it was God alone Whom He obeyed in all superiors. Impress this
lesson on your mind, and guard against a fault so common to worldlings: of obeying
only those who may please you, and totally forgetting that duty with regard to
others. If you do not respect the authority of God in all your Superiors; if you do not
love God in them all you can never acquire the virtue of obedience. O Jesus, my
God, infuse into my heart the virtues of Thy divine child hood Thy purity, simplicity,
obedience, and docility, penetrate my soul with the horror Thou hadst of sin, that I
may dread it as the only real evil, the only obstacle to my resembling Thee.

3. Consider the hidden life of Jesus Christ during thirty years of subjection and labor.
Contemplate the Incarnate Word at Nazareth, and consider with astonishment that
He Who has descended from heaven to instruct, convert, and save the whole
universe, passes the greater part of His life in seclusion; showing not otherwise the
perfection of the divinity which resides in Him than by obeying His parents, serving
and assisting them, and fulfilling in all things the will of His heavenly Father. The
accomplishment of that adorable will is the only object of His desires: it is so
necessary to His happiness that He Himself declares it to be His food, the support of
His existence, the end of His mission on earth. Learn from the hidden life of Jesus,
that lesson of perfect conformity to the will of God, by which alone you can
resemble Him, and attain true sanctity. Resolve, in every stage of your life, to place
all your perfection in being about the business of your heavenly Father; that is, in
faithfully discharging the duties which Providence has allotted you, whatever they
may be.
The public life of our divine Lord was a series of miracles and wonders, and the
lessons which He never ceased to preach to the world by word and example were
those of humility, patience, mortification, meekness, and charity. St. Francis de
Sales calls charity the peculiar fruit of a good communion. Charity was a favorite
virtue of Jesus the virtue to which He sacrificed His life the virtue by which He would
have His real followers distinguished. Resolve, then, that the fruits of your having
been so lately united to the God of charity should appear evident by your
gentleness, patience, forbearance, silence on the defects of others, and endeavors
to serve and oblige ail, particularly those who may appear to you least amiable or
deserving. Conclude this meditation by fervently and humbly begging of God to
impress the truths it contains so deeply on your heart that your ideas and conduct
may, in future, be happily regulated by them.

PARAPHRASE OF THE ANIMA CHRISTI

After Holy Communion or at Visits to the Blessed Sacrament.

ANIMA CHRISTI, SANCTIFICA ME

SOUL of Christ, ever subject to the will of thy heavenly Father, infuse into my soul
the spirit of holy subjection.

Soul of Christ, ever yearning after the salvation of men, infuse into my soul the spirit
of holy zeal.

Soul of Christ, ever most closely knit to thy Mother s soul, infuse into mine the holy
love of that Mother.

Soul of Christ, sorrowful in the Garden of Olives, fill my soul with a holy and abiding
sorrow:

Sorrow for my past sins;

Sorrow for my present unworthiness;
Sorrow for the sins of other men;
Sorrow for thy sacred Passion;
Sorrow for thy Mothers dolors;
The sorrow of compassion for others griefs and sufferings.

CORPUS CHRISTI, SALVA ME

BODY of Christ, born in littleness that thou mightiest attract all to thee, make me
also feel that saving attraction.

Lord Jesus, by Thy body, by which in Thy youth Thou wert a model of modesty, give
me that saving grace.
By Thy body, wearied out with fasting, with labors, and with watchings, grant me
that grace of unwearying charity and zeal which, by covering many sins, may save
my soul as well as the souls of others from death.

By Thy body, bathed in blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, give me the saving
grace of diligence in prayer.

By Thy body, dragged without resistance through the streets of Jerusalem, give me
the saving grace of obedience.

By Thy body, flayed with the cruel scourges, give me the saving grace of holy purity.

By Thy body, hanging, stripped of all, upon the cross, give me the saving grace of
detachment and self-sacrifice, and of courage to treat my body hardly.

By Thy body, taken down from the cross, and laid in the arms of Thy blessed
Mother, give me the saving grace of a tender devotion to her.

By Thy body, embalmed and laid in the sepulcher, give me the grace to embalm
Thy wounds by a constant remembrance of them, and to lay up the thought of Thy
Passion in my heart.

By Thy body, which saw no corruption, save me from the corruption of sin.

SANGUIS CHRISTI, INEBRIA ME

BLOOD of Christ, inebriating chalice, inflame my heart with love of my Creator, my

Father, my Redeemer, the divine Spouse of my soul.

Blood of Christ, inebriating chalice, may thy charm deaden in me the intoxicating
charms of this world.

Blood of Christ, wine that makest virgins, penetrate me, body and soul, with the gift
of holy purity.

O my Lord Jesus, may Thy precious blood, which Thou didst shed for me, inflame my
soul with a true and generous desire to suffer for Thee, and may it at least
strengthen me to bear those sufferings which it shall please Thee to send me.

My Lord, I ask these graces:

By the blood which Thou didst hasten to shed for me in Thy circumcision.
By the blood which Thou didst suffer to break forth from Thy body in Thine agony.
By the blood which flowed slowly and painfully during the buffeting.
By the blood which flowed in streams under the burning smart of the scourging.
By the blood pressed from Thy head with racking pain in Thy crowning.
By the blood which flowed to be profaned and trampled on through the streets of
Jerusalem.
By the blood which gushed from Thy gentle, holy, and venerable hands.
By the blood which bathed Thy adorable feet.
By the blood which flowed from Thy side at the opening of Thy Sacred Heart.

AQUA LATERIS CHRISTI, LAVA ME

MY Lord Jesus Christ, may the water which flowed from Thy wounded side and Heart
wash me from all my sins.

May it wash me yet more from those sins the guilt of which has been forgiven but
for which I have not yet done penance.

May it cleanse me from my hidden sins;

From sins of thought;
From sins caused in others;
From sins of omission;
From the stain of daily faults:
Faults of pride,
Faults of self-indulgence,
Faults of worldliness.

And may it cleanse the souls of all that are in sin, and especially of those now in
their agony.

PASSIO CHRISTI, CONFORTA ME

MY Lord Jesus Christ, may Thy holy Passion strengthen me against the assaults of
the enemy of my soul.

May the thought of Thy holy Passion, so terrible and so sorrowful, fortify me against
the bewitchment of worldly trifles.

May the thought of Thy holy Passion fortify and arm me against myself; may the
depth of Thy abasement arm me against the pride of my nature, and the fearfulness
of Thy pain against my self-indulgence.

Lord Jesus, Who in Thy suffering didst deign to receive strength at the hands of an
angel, may the thought of Thy Passion be my strength through life, and the strength
of all who are in sorrow or temptation.

O BONE JESU, EXAUDI ME

O MY Lord Jesus, hear me for the sake of my exceeding need of Thy assistance.

Hear me for Thy names sake.

Hear me that thus Thy mercy may be glorified.
Hear me for the sake of Thy holy Mother.
Hear me for the sake of all Thy saints.

Hear me in this petition, that all men may be brought to Thy holy love and may
daily grow therein and in sorrow for all past offences against Thee.
Hear me, good Jesus, I pray Thee:

By Thy prayer at the Last Supper for all Thy followers.

By Thy prayer for all sinners.
By Thy prayer from the cross for those especially who were Thy persecutors.

O INTRA TUA VULNERA ABSCONDE ME

MY Lord Jesus, give to me and to all souls that are in need, a safe refuge in Thy
adorable wounds. Suffer us to take refuge in the wounds of Thy feet from the demon
of despondency, who strives to trample in the dust souls redeemed by Thy precious
blood.

In the wound of Thy left hand suffer us to take refuge from those who may bear ill-
will or enmity -against us.

In the wound of Thy right hand afford us a refuge from the flatteries of false friends
and from the praise of men.

In the wound of Thy Sacred Heart hide us from all that can tend to draw us away
from Thee.

NE PERMITTAS ME SEPARARI A TE

Let me not be separated from Thee by sin.

Let me not be separated from Thee by tepidity.
Let me not be separated from Thee in will and in intention.
Let me not be separated from Thee in memory and thought.
Let me not be separated from Thee in prosperity:
By pleasure;
By pride;
By dissipation;
By inordinate affections.
Let me not be separated from Thee in adversity:
By sorrow;
By discouragement;
By my daily faults.

AB HOSTE MALIGNO DEFENDE ME

DEFEND me, Lord Jesus, for I am too weak to stand against my enemies without Thy
help; protect me:

From the open snares of the devil;

From his hidden snares;
From the bewitchment of worldly trifles;
From the flatteries of men;
From the incitements of the flesh.

"In hora mortis meae voca me,

Et jube me venire ad Te,
Ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem Te
In saecula sasculorum."

Dearest Lord Jesus, that this may be so, I beg of Thee that in this life Thou wilt not
spare me, but wilt give me strength and patience to bear afflictions, and voluntarily
also to afflict myself for my many offences against Thee. I ask of Thee specially the
grace to make some reparation by works of charity and zeal for the many injuries I
have done to Thy honor.

I ask this:

By the death of St. Joseph in Thy arms;

By the death of Thy holy and immaculate Mother;
By Thy own desolate death on the cross.

VARIOUS EXERCISES OF DEVOTION FOR HOLY COMMUNION

METHOD OF PREPARATION

Before receiving, endeavor to excite in yourself the proper dispositions.

LIVELY FAITH. Ask yourself, Whom am I going to receive? The divine Master answers:
"This is My body, My blood." It is Our Lord Jesus Christ, immolated on the cross,
triumphant in heaven. ... It is the eternal Word, the sovereign Lord and Creator, my
supreme Judge. Continue repeating: "Yes, my God, it is Thou indeed, it is Thou; I
believe it more firmly on Thy word, Thy infallible word, than if, with my own eyes, I
beheld thy resplendent Majesty."

Adoration. Acknowledge Him with all your heart to be your absolute Master, from
Whom you hold everything and to Whom you entirely belong.

Humble compunction. "Who am I that am about to receive Him ?" Lord, Thou art the
Holy of holies... before Thee Thy very angels are not sufficiently pure... and I am the
last of sinners. . . .

My heart has been defiled with many and many a sin ... it is so ungrateful, so
unworthy ... so tepid and inclined to fall again. Lord, I am not worthy. . . . And yet
Thou desirest me to come to Thee with filial confidence, as to my kind Saviour, my
charitable Physician!

Endeavor to strengthen your soul more and more by exciting yourself to hearty
contrition at the sight of so much goodness and love. "Forgive me, O my good
Master! I detest all my sins . . . may I rather die than ever again wound Thy loving
Heart! "

Generous love. Like that of Jesus He gives you all ... all ... in an ineffable union . . .
His flesh to purify yours, His soul to impregnate yours with His spirit of abnegation
and contempt of the world . . . His Heart to inflame yours with His generous
devotedness . . . His divinity to transform you . . . His treasures of merit to enrich
you . . . and His graces to strengthen you. Love Him then in return generously,
nobly, practically, that is to say, give yourself to Him without reserve, by the flight
of all sin, the fulfillment of every duty, the struggle against pride, sensuality,
cowardice. . . . What sacrifice did Jesus refuse to make for you? Can you then deny
Him anything? . . . Desire Him earnestly. . . . Call upon Him ardently: "Come, Lord
Jesus, come!

ACTS OF FAITH AND ADORATION

MY sweet Jesus, I believe with a firm and lively faith, that in this Adorable Sacrament
are Thy body and blood, soul and divinity. I believe that in this consecrated Host I
shall receive that same body which was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, which
suffered so many pains and torments for love of me on the cross, and which rose
gloriously the third day from the dead. I believe that I shall receive that most holy
soul which is enriched with all the treasures of the Divinity; that I shall receive God
Himself.

I adore Thee, O my God, as my Creator, Preserver^ Redeemer, and my Judge, truly

present in the Holy Eucharist. But do Thou strengthen my faith, and animate it with
deeper sentiments of adoration and love.

ACT OF CONTRITION

O MY God, I detest all the sins of my whole life because they displease Thee, and
especially I am heartily sorry for those which I have committed against this Divine
Sacrament, by the irreverence and the little profit I have drawn from so many
communions, by my negligence in guarding my senses, particularly my tongue,
which has been so often consecrated by Thy divine presence, and has been sullied
by so many sins.

O divine Jesus, what confusion I feel at beholding myself so unworthy to approach

Thy holy table. Suffer me, dear Jesus, to seek the remedy for my evils in the wound
of Thy Sacred Heart, that this adorable Heart, which can not endure the slightest
stain, may imprint on mine a horror and fear of the smallest offence. Let Thy Sacred
Heart be to me as the burning coal which purified the lips of Isaias; place it, all
inflamed with charity, I beseech Thee, dear Lord, on my heart, my tongue, my
senses, and all the powers of my soul, so that it may burn and annihilate all that is
displeasing to Thee.

ACTS OF HUMILITY AND CONFIDENCE

HOW utterly unworthy I am to receive Thee, my God. Who art Thou, great Lord? And
who am I that durst approach Thee? Thou art the Son of the living God, equal to Thy
Father, infinitely good, powerful, wise, and holy, and I am nothing but misery and
sin. O cast me not away on account of my innumerable infidelities. I come before
Thee, poor and altogether destitute of merit. Forgive my ingratitude; take pity on
me, Thy poor weak child, who places all her trust in Thee. Thou art my loving
Father, Who will watch over and protect me in all my trials and temptations. I know,
my dear Lord, I do not deserve that Thou shouldst honor- me with this visit; but I
know, also, that in spite of all my miseries, Thou dost tenderly love me, and
earnestly invitest me to receive Thee.

Grant me, O Lord, the grace of beginning a new, a fervent life, and deign to give me
in this Holy Sacrament the pledge of eternal life promised to those who receive
Thee worthily. Amen.

ACTS OF LOVE AND DESIRE

SWEET Jesus, the happy moment has at last arrived when I shall receive Thee. I give
Thee my heart, I desire to live only for Thee, O Lord, and to spend myself in Thy love
and service. Dispose of me as Thou pleasest, for from henceforth I am entirely
Thine. Come, O my Jesus, and with Thy nails fasten my heart to Thy cross, with the
lance wound my heart through and through with the most perfect charity; and with
the thorns of Thy crown surround it, as with an impregnable wall, that so this
miserable, weak heart of mine may withstand all the assaults of its enemies. Come,
dear Jesus, come, and be Thou all mine, as I desire to be all Thine.

ACT OF OBLATION

I make amends for my great unworthiness and negligences, I offer Thee, O my

Jesus, all the love and fervor with which those chosen souls, who are dearest to Thy
Heart, have ever received Thee, especially Thy blessed Mother; I offer Thee her
profound humility, her spotless purity; her burning charity and her most loving heart
itself. Above all, dear Jesus, I offer Thee that ineffable sanctity with which Thou didst
institute the Blessed Sacrament. I offer Thee like wise all the sorrows, sufferings,
and torments which Thou didst endure upon the cross, in virtue of which I hope
Thou wilt grant me the grace which Thou seest is most necessary for me to keep
faithful to Thee, and to bind me closer to Thy Sacred Heart.

PETITION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN AND THE SAINTS

BLESSED Virgin, my tender Mother, who didst obtain from thy divine Son a
wonderful miracle at the wedding-feast at Cana, behold my misery and the need I
have of thy assistance; obtain for me of Jesus a prodigy of His almighty power, that
my coldness and tepidity may be changed into ardent charity.

My holy angel guardian, and all ye heavenly spirits and my dear patrons N.N. obtain
for me a spark of that heavenly fire with which you are consumed with love for my
dear Lord. Jesus comes to me, His spouse. O Jesus! I humbly adore Thee, and with
my whole heart I love Thee!

METHOD OF THANKSGIVING

LOOK upon Our Lord as a treasure you carry away and have all to yourself. God is
looking upon this treasure in your heart, wondering what you will do with it, to
whom you will give it. This treasure is the One Whom His Heart loves His only Son!
You are no longer a poor, miserable petitioner, you are now rich and can offer a gift
infinite in value. For what will you offer it? Know what you are about, and do not
spend the time in doing nothing for want of a method. Realize Who is within you and
as soon as your devotion flags use a book, if only for two minutes, until you collect
your thoughts again.

Adoration. Jesus is in the most inner recess of your soul, seated as a king on His
throne, expecting your homage. Prostrate at His feet, tell Him again that He is your
Lord, your all ... that you wish to belong entirely to Him: to obey Him in
everything ... to live only for His glory. "O Godhead hid devoutly, I adore Thee."

Retribution (or Thanksgiving). What return can you make for this infinite gift? You
are so poor. . . . Offer at least your love . . . your transports of gratitude.

"Praised, loved, and adored for ever be Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the
Altar." Beg Mary and the seraphim to supply for your inability by their ardor.

Petition. Jesus wishes to give you everything . . . and He can. . . . Ask earnestly, with
immense confidence, for all necessary graces for yourself, for your dear ones, for
the Church, sinners, the souls in purgatory.

Offering (or oblation). Jesus has just given you all, the Infinite. . . . Will you keep
anything back? . . . He has a right to all. . . . Offer then all to Him, that He may
govern it according to His good pleasure. "Take, O Lord, and receive all that I am
and have."

Resolutions. Renew, with strong determination, the promises of your retreat:

Exercises of piety, combats of self-love . . . Purity . . . Duties of your state. Charity . .
. Zeal . . . your particular examen.

You carry God away with you. . . . Let every one see it by your recollection, your
devotedness, your spiritual progress.

In all places and times I will never depart From the Heart of my God and the God of
my heart."

ACTS OF ADORATION, PRAISE, AND THANKSGIVING

BEHOLD, Jesus is within me! The God of heaven has taken up His abode in my
wretched, unworthy heart. Welcome, my dear heavenly Spouse! I bless Thee for
having come to me! I bow down before Thee here really and truly present in my
heart, with Thy body and blood, soul and divinity, and with all the powers of my soul
I adore Thee.

I love Thee, my dear Jesus, with all my heart. I have found my treasure, my joy, my
delight! Thy adorable Heart is all mine; Thou Thyself hast given it to me! I praise
and bless Thee a thousand times for coming to me.

My dear Lord, as I am wholly unworthy of this inestimable favor, and altogether

unable to thank Thee as I ought, I beg Thy most holy Mother and all the heavenly
spirits to unite with me in praising, adoring, and thanking Thee, my generous
Benefactor. But as even this falls immeasurably short of the thanks due to God,
what can I do but offer Thy own loving Heart itself in thanksgiving. O supreme Good,
to Thee alone be praise, adoration, and glory from all creatures through endless
ages. Amen.

ACT OF OBLATION

WHAT return, dear Jesus, can I make Thee for Thy wondrous love in condescending
to visit me, a poor, worthless creature? I give Thee all I possess: my heart to Thy
love, my will to Thy law, my memory to the perpetual remembrance of Thy love,
Thy bitter Passion and death, and the profusion of Thy divine liberality to me. "Take
and receive, O Lord, my entire liberty."

Reign over my senses and all the powers of my soul. Do with me as Thou wilt: "My
heart is ready, O Lord, my heart is ready! "

Prostrate at Thy sacred feet, dear Jesus, I sacrifice to Thee my attachment to my

own will, I sacrifice those eager desires to be esteemed and loved by others, my
impetuous and hasty temper, that human respect which has so often been the
mainspring of my actions, and those warm attachments and natural friendships
which have occupied my mind and heart. I resolve hence forth to act only for Thee,
to seek only to please Thee, that my mind, my heart, and my soul may acknowledge
Thee forever as their only King and sovereign Master.

ACT OF PETITION

BESEECH Thee most earnestly, dear Jesus, to destroy in me all that is displeasing to
Thee. Help me to overcome my passions; make me strong against temptation; give
me grace to correct that special fault N.N. which I know most grieves Thy Sacred
Heart.

O holy head of my Jesus, crowned with sharp thorns, purify all the thoughts of my
mind, that they may be centered in Thee. Sacred eyes of my Jesus, restrain my
curiosity. Sacred tongue of my Jesus, curb my evil tongue, and teach me to be
fervent in Thy praise. Oh! Sanctify all my senses, that they may become
instruments of Thy glory.*

ACT OF TRUST

MY Jesus! Thou art infinitely rich, and all the treasures of grace are locked up in
Thee! These treasures Thou hast brought to me this day. Thou art now in my heart,
ready and willing to open Thy hands and fill me with Thy gifts. Wretched though I
am, I come full of confidence to Thee, my tender Father, sure that by the merits of
Thy precious blood Thou wilt enrich my poverty. Oh! most bountiful Jesus, give me
purity of soul and body, profound contrition and humility, fortitude, patience,
charity, and fervent zeal and unbounded confidence in Thee. Direct me in all my
undertakings, enlighten my mind, strengthen my resolutions, and confirm my will:
give me, dear Jesus, the spirit of my state, and grant me grace to observe with
fidelity my holy vows, which I here renew....

PRAYER FOR OTHERS

LORD Jesus, at this happy moment I must not pray for myself alone, but for the
whole Catholic Church, for the Pope and clergy; also for all Christian governments;
and, Lord, in Thy mercy look down on all unhappy infidels and heretics.

Cast an eye of love and pity on my friends and relatives, as also on those for whom I
am bound to pray. I beseech Thee to strengthen and console all who are in pain of
mind or body; and by Thy compassionate Heart, grant the grace of conversion to all
poor sinners. Support those who are in the j r last agony, and grant relief to the
suffering souls in purgatory.

Dear Jesus, I most earnestly implore Thee to watch with tender love and care over
our Congregation, its head, its Superiors, and all its charitable works; in particular I
recommend to Thy Sacred Heart this Community, its Superior and its special work
N.N. Grant, O Lord, that peace, union, and charity may reign among us, and may we
all attain to the end of our holy vocation, laboring efficaciously for "Thy greater
honor and glory."

Say the Indulgenced Prayer before a Crucifix and renew your vows.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY AFTER HOLY COMMUNION

MOTHER of Jesus, entertain now thy divine Son for me! O my dear Mother Mary,
raise up thy pure hands in my behalf. Through thee, O Mary, I consecrate to Jesus
my soul with all its powers, my body with all its senses, my heart with all its
affections. O Mary, obtain for me a true devotion to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
a great devotion to His most sacred Passion, and a tender love for Jesus in the
Blessed Sacrament of the Altar; great confidence in thy holy intercession, and that I
may ever serve and love thee as thy devoted child. O my dear Jesus, for the sake of
Thy most precious blood, and through the merits of Thy most holy Mother, do not
permit me to betray Thee. I pray Thee to grant me a holy death, give me grace to
receive Thee worthily in my last illness, with a heart full of confidence in Thy great
love and mercy, and a soul flooded with true and lively contrition for my many sins,
that united with Thee and burning with an ardent desire of seeing Thee, I may
depart from this life to behold Thee face to face for all eternity. Amen.

ZEAL FOR THE INTERESTS OF THE HEART OF JESUS

O LORD Jesus! Do Thou henceforth alone live in my heart. May the tongue on which
Thou hast rested never more utter words but such as would proceed from Thy meek
and humble Heart. May my thoughts be ever in unison with Thine. May that mind
that was in Thee be likewise in me; may I be consumed with the same desires. May I
be one heart and one soul with Thee.

O Jesus, Whom I bear within me, let this union of my heart with Thine shed its
influence over my whole life, and guide me at all times and in all events, that so I
may be able to draw hearts to love Thee, and devote themselves to Thy interests.
This is the desire, O my Jesus, with which Thou dost inspire me, that Thy kingdom
may come, reign, and triumph over all hearts and nations, and that Thy will may be
perfectly accomplished. Amen.
O holy Mother, keep and guard our hearts, which Jesus has this day chosen for His
dwelling. Defend us by thy ceaseless prayer, that we may seek in all things the
glory of God-and the interests of His Sacred Heart. Amen.

THANKSGIVING

JESUS, gentle Saviour,

God of might and power,
Thou Thyself art dwelling
In me at this hour.

Multiply Thy graces,

Chiefly love and fear,

And, dear Lord, the chiefest,
Grace to persevere.

When my heart Thou leavest,

Lord, worthless though it be,
Give it to Thy Mother
To be kept for Thee.

SIMPLE PRAYERS FOR HOLY COMMUNION

BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION

PRAYER FOR HELP. O my God, help me to make a good communion. Mary, my

dearest Mother, pray to Jesus for me. My dear angel guardian, lead me to the altar
of God.

Act of Faith. O my God, because Thou hast said it, I believe that I shall receive in
holy communion the sacred body of Jesus Christ, and His most precious blood. I
believe this with all my heart.

Ad of Hope. O my God, relying on Thy infinite power and goodness, and on Thy
promises, I hope to obtain, through Jesus Christ, the salvation of my soul.

Act of Humility. My God, I confess that I am a poor sinner; I am not worthy to receive
the body and blood of Jesus on account of -my sins. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou
shouldest enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed.

Act of Sorrow. My God, I detest all the sins of my life. I am sorry for them, because
they have offended
Thee, my God, Who art so good. I am resolved never more to commit sin. My good
God, have mercy on me, forgive me. Amen.

Act of Adoration. O Jesus, great God, present on the altar, I bow down before Thee, I
adore Thee.
Act of Love and Desire. Sweet Jesus, I love Thee. I desire with all my heart to receive
Thee. Come to me and let me never again be separated from Thee.

AFTER HOLY COMMUNION

ACT OF FAITH. O Jesus, I believe that I have received Thy sacred body and Thy most
precious blood in holy communion; I believe, O Saviour, that Thou art really present
within my breast. Thou art the same Jesus Who was born in Bethlehem and dwelt in
Nazareth, Who suffered and died for my salvation; the same Lord Who now sitteth in
heaven at the right hand of God, and Who is there the joy of the saints and angels.

Act of Adoration. O Jesus, my God, I adore Thee present in my heart and soul. I am
penetrated with Thy substance; I am Thy living ciborium; I unite myself with my holy
guardian angel, and offer Thee my tribute of honor and praise.

Act of Hope. O Jesus, I place all my hope in Thee, because Thou alone art my
salvation, my strength, my refuge, and the foundation of all my happiness.

Act of Humility. O Jesus, I am but dust and ashes, and yet Thou hast come to me,
and now my poor heart may speak to Thee as to a friend and brother.

Act of Love. Sweet Jesus, I love Thee; I love Thee with all my heart. Thou knowest
that I love Thee, and that I wish to love Thee daily more and more.

Act of Thanksgiving. My good Jesus, I thank Thee with all my heart. How good, how
kind Thou art to me, sweet Jesus. Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of
the Altar.

Act of Offering. O Jesus, receive my poor offering. Jesus, Thou hast given Thyself to
me, and now let me give myself to Thee:

I give Thee my body, that it may be chaste and pure.

I give Thee my soul, that it may be free from sin.
I give Thee my heart, that it may always love Thee.
I give Thee every breath that I shall breathe, and especially my last; I give Thee
myself in life and in death, that I may be Thine for ever and ever.

Remember the words of Jesus: "Ask and you shall receive," and

Pray for Yourself

O JESUS, wash away my sins with Thy precious blood.

O Jesus, the struggle against temptation is not yet finished. My Jesus, when
temptation comes near me, make me strong against it. In the moment of
temptation may I always say, "Jesus, mercy! Mary, help!"

O Jesus, may I lead a good life; may I die a happy death. May I receive Thee before I
die. May I say when I am dying, "Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my
soul."
Listen now for a moment to Jesus Christ; perhaps He has something to say to you.
There may be some promise you have made and broken, which He wishes you to
make again and keep.

Answer Jesus in your heart, and tell Him all your troubles. Then

Pray for Others

O JESUS, have mercy on Thy holy Church; take care of it.

O Jesus, have pity on poor sinners, and save them from hell.

O Jesus, bless my father, my mother, my brothers and sisters, and all I ought to pray
for, as Thy Heart knows how to bless them.

O Jesus, have pity on the poor souls in purgatory, and give them eternal rest.

Sweet Jesus, I am going away for a time, but I trust not without Thee. Thou art with
me by Thy grace. I will never leave Thee by mortal sin. I do not fear to do so, though
I am so weak, because I have such hope in Thee. Give me grace to persevere.
Amen.

PRAYER OF VEN. FATHER OLIER

O JESUS, living in Mary,

Come and live in Thy servants,
In the spirit of Thy holiness,
In the fullness of Thy might,
In the truth of Thy virtues,
In the perfection of Thy ways,
In the communion of Thy mysteries.
Subdue every hostile power,
In Thy Spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius IX. Oct. 14,, 1859.

Ejaculation

ETERNAL Father! I offer Thee the precious blood of Jesus in satisfaction for my sins,
and for the wants of Thy holy Church.

Indulgence of 100 days each time. Pius VII., Sept. 22, 1817.

OFFERING BEFORE A PICTURE OF THE SACRED HEART

MY loving Jesus, I N.N. give Thee my heart; and I consecrate myself wholly to Thee
out of the grateful love I bear Thee, and as a reparation for all my unfaithfulness;
and with Thine aid I purpose never to sin again.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day; plenary once a month if said daily. Pius VII.,
June 9, 1807.
 TO BE SAID AFTER THE HAIL MARY

MY Queen! My Mother! I give myself entirely to thee; and to show my devotion to

thee, I consecrate to thee this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my
whole being, without reserve. Wherefore, good Mother, as I am thine own, keep me,
guard me, as thy property and possession.

With one Hail Mary, morning and evening, an indulgence of 100 days, once a day.
Plenary indulgence on usual conditions. Pius IX., Aug. 5, 1851.

LITANY FOR HOLY COMMUNION

(Before or after)

This litany is for private devotion only. The Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, and
the Litany of the Sacred Heart, when recited slowly after holy communion, are apt
to excite happy inspirations and devout reflections.

LORD, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity one God,
Jesus, Living Bread which came down from heaven,
Jesus, Bread from heaven giving life to the world,
Hidden God and Saviour,
My Lord and my God,
Who hast loved us with an everlasting love,
Whose delights are to be with the children of men,
Who hast given Thy flesh for the life of the world,
Who dost invite all to come to Thee,
Who dost promise eternal life to those who receive Thee,
Who with desire dost desire to eat this Pasch with us,
Who art ever ready to receive and welcome us,
Who dost stand at our door knocking,
Who hast said that if we will open to Thee the door, Thou wilt come in and sup with
us,
Who dost receive us into Thy arms and bless us with the little children,
Who dost suffer us to sit at Thy feet with Magdalene,
Who dost invite us to lean on Thy bosom with the beloved disciple,
Who hast not left us orphans,
Most dear Sacrament,
Sacrament of love,
Sacrament of sweetness,
Life-giving Sacrament,
Sacrament of strength,
My God and my All,
That our hearts may pant after Thee as the hart after the fountains of water,
That Thou wouldst manifest Thyself to us as to the two disciples in the breaking of
bread,
That we may know Thy voice like Magdalene,
That with a lively faith we may confess with the beloved disciple "It is the Lord,"
That Thou wouldst bless us who have not seen and have believed,
That we may love Thee in the Blessed Sacrament with our whole heart, with our
whole soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength,
That the fruit of each communion may be fresh love,
That our one desire may be to love Thee and to do Thy will,
That we may ever remain in Thy love,
That Thou wouldst teach us how to receive and welcome Thee,
That Thou wouldst teach us to pray and Thyself pray within us,
That with Thee every virtue may come into our souls,
That through this day Thou wouldst keep us closely united to Thee,
That Thou wouldst give us grace to persevere to the end,
That Thou wouldst then be our support and Viaticum,
That with Thee and leaning on Thee we may safely pass through all dangers,
That our last act may be one of perfect love, and our last breath a long deep sigh to
be in Our Father s house,
That Thy sweet face may smile upon us when we appear before Thee,
That our banishment from Thee, dearest Lord, may not be very long,
That when the time is come, we may fly up from our prison to Thee and in Thy
Sacred Heart find our rest forever,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. Stay with us, Lord, because it is toward evening.

R. And the day is now far spent.

Let us pray.

WE come to Thee, dear Lord, with the apostles, saying, "Increase our faith." Give us
a strong and lively faith in the mystery of Thy real presence in the midst of us. Give
us the splendid faith of the centurion, which drew from Thee such praise. Give us
the faith of the beloved disciple to know Thee in the dark and say, "It is the Lord!"
Give us the faith of Peter to confess, "Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God."
Give us the faith of Magdalen to fall at Thy feet crying, "Rabboni, Master." Give us
the faith of all Thy saints, to whom the Blessed Sacrament has been heaven begun
on earth. In every communion increase our faith; for with faith love and humility,
and reverence, and docility, and all good, will come into our souls. Dearest Lord,
increase our faith.

SHORT ACTS FOR HOLY COMMUNION

ACT OF FAITH
JESUS, I believe that Thou art present in the Blessed Sacrament, as truly as Thou art
in heaven. I believe that, under the appearance of bread, I shall receive, in Holy
Communion, Thy sacred body and blood. I adore Thee as my Lord and my God.

ACT OF HOPE

JESUS, I hope in Thee because Thou art infinitely good, almighty, and faithful to Thy
promises. Through Thy mercy I hope to obtain the pardon of my sins, and the grace
of final perseverance.

ACT OF CHARITY

JESUS, I love Thee with my whole heart and above all things, because Thou art the
one supremely good and infinitely perfect Being. My desire is to love Thee more,
and in all things to please Thee.

ACT OF DESIRE

O JESUS, my heart yearns for Thee in Holy Communion. Come, Thou Food of angels
and Bread of heaven, to nourish my soul. Come, most amiable Spouse of my soul, to
inflame me with such love of Thee that I may never again be separated from Thee.
Come, do not delay, sweet Master, Thou Joy of the angels and Bliss of the saints.

ACT OF SORROW AND HUMILITY

JESUS, I am a poor sinner. But Thou wilt not despise a contrite and humble heart. I
am truly sorry for having sinned, because Thou art so good and sin displeases Thee.
O Lord! I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof, but say only the
word, and my soul shall be healed.

ACT OF DORATION

JESUS, my Beloved, Thou art with me now. Thou art my God, and yet Thou hast
come to me, a poor sinner. I adore Thee in union with the saints and angels. Thou
art my King; reign Thou alone over my heart and my whole being. Let me never be
separated from Thee by sin, that I may adore Thee and love Thee for ever, in
heaven.

ACT OF THANKSGIVING

O JESUS, I thank Thee for coming to me, and nourishing my soul with Thy sacred
body and most precious blood. "What shall I render to the Lord for all the things that
He hath rendered to me?" (Ps. cxv. 12). Unworthy as I am I will offer to God the
merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Beloved of my soul. I offer the merits of His
most blessed Mother, and of all the saints. O saints and angels, praise the Lord in
my name, and give thanks to Him for His goodness and mercy to me. With the
grace of God, I mean to manifest my gratitude for His graces and blessings by
obedience to His holy commandments, by my devotedness to my duties, and by my
fidelity to His inspirations. Thanks be to God. Blessed be His holy name!
 ACT OF REPARATION AND LOVE

JESUS, how great is Thy love for my poor soul. Thou hast died for me on the cross,
and Thou hast given me, in this Blessed Sacrament, the pledge of eternal life. I love
Thee, my Lord, with all my heart. I am sorry for the insults and injuries that I and
others have inflicted on Thy Sacred Heart; for Thou art infinitely good and worthy of
all my love. I would rather lose my life and all my possessions than lose Thee again
through mortal sin, O my sovereign Good! Help me to love Thee more and more. I
wish to avoid everything that is displeasing to Thee. I give Thee my soul and my
body. I consecrate to Thee my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings. I place
myself entirely in Thy hands; do with me according to Thy pleasure. With St.
Ignatius, I pray: "Give me but Thy love and Thy grace; more than this I do not ask;"
and with the seraphic Francis, I cry to Thee: "My Lord and my God! Thou hast died
for love of me, let me also die to self for love of Thee."

PETITION

JESUS, my Lord, since Thou hast come to me to grant me graces, bidding me to ask
with confidence, I now pray Thee not for earthly riches, honors, and transitory
pleasures, but for the greatest spiritual treasures, namely, a supernatural horror of
sin, and intense sorrow for past offences, freedom from inordinate affections, a
meek and humble heart like Thine, the most perfect submission and even
abandonment to Thy will, a holy life and a happy death. Help me to live daily more
perfectly in accordance with the spirit of my vows, and that I may persevere as a
true and zealous Religious to the end of my days.

I have also some particular graces to ask for (mention them). O heavenly Father!
Since our dear Lord and Saviour Himself has said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, if you
ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it you," I beseech Thee, for the
love of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, Who now dwells within me, and Whose infinite merits I
offer up to Thee, do Thou graciously hear my prayers and grant all my petitions.

MEMENTO OF THE LIVING

1. LORD, my God! I recommend to Thee the Sovereign Pontiff, and all prelates,
bishops, and priests, all Superiors and Religious; in particular those of our own
Congregation; grant them, O Lord, zeal and the spirit of their state, that they may
give themselves to the salvation of souls.

2. My relatives, friends, and enemies; the dying who are on the point of leaving this
world; and all the faithful who are in Thy grace; give them, O Lord, perseverance
and fervor in Thy love.

3. All infidels, heretics, and sinners; give them light and strength that they may all
know and love Thee.

MEMENTO OF THE DEAD

1. I RECOMMEND to Thee the souls of my parents, benefactors, friends, and

enemies; and of those who are in purgatory through my fault.
2. The souls of priests, and those who labored for souls especially of Superiors and
Religious.

3. The souls of those who were most devout to the Passion of Jesus Christ, to the
Most Holy Sacrament, to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to His Blessed Mother; the
souls who are the most forgotten; those who are suffering the most; and those who
are nearest to the gates of paradise.

FINAL REFLECTIONS, ACTS, AND PETITIONS

SWEET Heart of Jesus, be my love. Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation. May I

suffer for you, may I die for you; may I be all yours, and in nothing my own! May the
Most Holy Sacrament be evermore thanked and praised! Blessed be the holy and
immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. "My son, give Me thy heart"
(Prov. xiii. 26). O my soul, behold this is all that thy Lord asks of thee; when He
comes to visit thee, He would have thy heart and thy will. He gives Himself to thee
without reserve; it is but reasonable that thou shouldst also give Him all thyself
without reserve, taking care to follow His will in all things: "For the Lord will return,
to rejoice over thee in all good things" (Deut. xxx. 9). Act in such a manner that
Jesus, when He comes to thee again, may find that thou hast executed all His
designs. My Jesus! I wish to please Thee; help Thou my desire. Give me strength,
and do with me whatsoever Thou pleasest.

"When life is oer to me Hell say,

Arise, my love, the winter s past;
The rains have ceased, come haste away,
Heavens endless day has dawned at last.

"In rapturous love, then, face to face,

My Jesus all unveiled I ll see
Upon His Heart, in His embrace,
Ill sweetly rest eternally."

A PETITION TO OVERCOME YOUR FAULTS

DEAR Jesus, Thou knowest my special weaknesses, and how earnestly I have asked
Thee to strengthen me.

But there are other failings, and these I petition Thee to help me in a particular
manner to overcome.

I wince and chafe when I am found fault with, even when the reproach is just.

It is like a lancet cutting me to be misunderstood, and to have my intentions and

actions misrepresented.

But to be accused falsely and before many, to be branded with motives and deeds
which I would spurn, well-nigh paralyzes me, and tempts me to bitterness of heart
and revenge.
While seeing others preferred before me, being derided and held up to scorn rouses
all the worst feelings and passions of my nature with such force that I am well- nigh
carried away by their violence.

I feel it so hard, sometimes almost impossible, to be kind to those who have treated
me treacherously and with ingratitude, and my thoughts, words, and gestures are
poisoned with dislike when they come across me.

I strive to cast the injury they have done me from my mind, and to treat them with
more kindness than before, but the struggle seems hopeless.

And in this way I am so utterly unlike Thee, Whom I have received in holy
communion, Whose disciple I am, and Whose follower I pretend to be, that I entreat
Thee to change me, that I may imitate closely Thy beautiful example.

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make my heart like Thine!

When I am misunderstood and misrepresented, make me as calm, patient, resigned,

and joyful as Thou wert, when Thyself, Thy divine mission, and Thy actions were
misunderstood and grossly misrepresented.

When I am falsely accused, make me as unruffled as Thou wert when Thy enemies
accused Thee publicly of having a devil, of casting out devils by Beelzebub, and
when Thou stoodst before Pilate, arraigned as a rebel plotting to take away the
kingdom of Judea from the rule of Caesar.

When I am spoken of contemptuously, when others are preferred before me,

whether it be through injustice or by Thy permissive providence to cure me of my
deep pride and morbid self-love, make me silent and resigned, as Thou wert when
Barabbas, the murderer and the robber, was preferred before Thee, and when,
hanging on the cross, the Jews cried out, "Vah! Thou that destroyest the Temple of
God, and in three days dost rebuild it, save Thy own self: if Thou be the Son of God,
come down from the cross" (Matt, xxvii. 40).

In like manner also the chief priests, with the scribes and ancients, mocking, said,
"He saved others; Him self He can not save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him come
down from the cross, and we will believe Him" (Matt, xxvii. 42).

Make me act toward those who have offended me as Thou didst to Magdalen, whom
Thou didst love most of others after Thy Mother; as Thou didst to Peter, whom Thou
didst not only fully forgive, but didst make him prince of the apostles.

These are some of the weak parts of my moral nature, and I beseech Thee to
invigorate and strengthen them.

These are the points where my resolutions so often fail, and the enemy too
frequently triumphs.

Give me such fortitude that I may never be defeated again.

Leave the impress of Thy example on my soul to-day, that it may stimulate me to
walk in Thy footsteps, and so become like Thee in my thoughts, words, and actions,
but especially in my conduct toward others.

Oh! Dear Jesus, I desire most earnestly to be Thy real disciple, Thy true and faithful
follower. Help me with Thy grace.

It is my resolve ever to try to learn the golden truth and to act upon it, that all real
goodness must depend upon the practice of the love of God and my neighbor, as
Our Saviour says: "On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the
prophets" (Matt, xxii. 40).

It is my firm purpose to learn and practice humility, which consists in acting on the
plain truth, that we have nothing of our own, and that whatever we possess be
longs to God, according to the teaching of St. Paul: "By the grace of God, I am what I
am" (i Cor. xv. 10)

And if I am ever tempted to deny or to forget this primary truth, I will always say:
"What hast thou that thou hast not received, and if thou hast received, why dost
thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?" (i Cor. iv. 7).

And when self-love or others tempt me to glory in what is not mine, my answers
shall be in the words of David: "Not to us, O Lord, but to Thy name, give glory" (Ps.
cxiii. i).

Neither will I put myself before others unfairly or unjustly, but will follow the advice
of Our Saviour: "But when thou art invited, go sit down in the lowest place: that
when he who inviteth thee cometh, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher. Then
shalt thou have glory before them that sit at table with thee" (Luke xiv. 10).

And when pride and vanity are trying to enter my heart and mind, I will always
remember my nothing ness and say: "Why is earth and ashes proud?" (Ecclus. x. 9).

If ever I have authority, or am in an honorable position, I will never treat those

under me as my inferiors, but I will carry out the spirit of Our Saviour s instructions,
where He says: "Whoever shall be the greater among you, let him be your minister,
and he that shall be first among you shall be your servant" (Matt. xx. 26, 27).

Thus I shall avoid the punishment of the proud, and receive the reward of the
humble: "And whoso ever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and he that
humbleth himself shall be exalted" (Matt, xxiii. 12).

I am determined to be fully resigned to God s will, and in all that happens to say
from my heart in every sorrow and misfortune, "Not my will, but Thine, be done"
(Luke xxii. 42).

I promise to leave myself and my future with childlike trust and confidence in God s
hands, and to banish all fear, anxiety, and restlessness about what may happen.
I firmly resolve, with God s grace, never wilfully to commit any venial sin, whether of
pride, vanity, anger, jealousy, revenge, uncharitableness, or untruthfulness, and if I
fail, I am determined at once to ask God s forgiveness by an act of sorrow.

It is my unshaken intention to correspond with the inspirations of grace; and never

to forget the injunction of St. Paul: "And we exhort you not to receive the grace of
God in vain" (2 Cor. vi. 1).

This is the way to lead good lives, to prepare for a happy death, and to save our
souls. Then we shall be so pleasing to God that He will guard us as the apple of His
eye, and protect us under the shadow of His wings, and whenever we die a crown of
eternal glory will await us, for "He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be
saved" (Matt. x. 22).

JESUS, MASTER, TEACH ME

JESUS teach me, teach me, dearest Jesus,

In Thine own sweet loving way,
All the lessons of perfection
I must practice day by day.

Teach me meekness, dearest Jesus,

Of Thine own the counterpart;
Not in words and actions only,
But the meekness of the heart.

Teach Humility, sweet Jesus,

To this poor, proud heart of mine,
Which yet wishes, O my Jesus,
To be modeled after Thine.

Teach me Fervor, dearest Jesus,

To comply with every grace,
So as never to look backwards,
Never slacken in the race.

Teach me Poverty, sweet Jesus,

That my heart may never cling,
To whateer its love might sever,
From my Saviour, Spouse, and King.

Teach me Chastity, sweet Jesus,

That my every day may see
Something added to the likeness
That my soul should bear to Thee.

Teach Obedience, dearest Jesus,

Such as was Thy daily food
In Thy toilsome earthly journey
From the cradle to the rood.
Teach Thy Heart, to me, dear Jesus,
Is my fervent, final prayer.
For all beauties and perfections
Are in full perfection there.

A SPECIAL REQUEST

DEAREST Lord, whilst Thou art with me I have one great favor to ask, which I am
sure Thou wilt grant, because it is for Thy greater glory and for my good.

From to-day, and for the rest of my life, I want to love Thee with an unselfish,
perfect love.

I do not want to love Thee only for what gifts or rewards I shall receive, or for the
punishments I shall avoid.

I do not desire to love Thee merely because I shall thereby obtain heaven and avoid
hell.

But I ardently wish to love Thee for Thine own dear sake, because Thou art so
infinitely good, beautiful, powerful, rich, tender, compassionate, and loving.

Because there is no king or emperor can compare with Thee, and imagination can
not conceive any being that can dimly approach Thee.

This, loving Jesus, is the request I now make with all the fervor of my soul.

Give me, I beseech Thee, this generous and unselfish love. Intensify and deepen it
day by day, and then indeed my life will be happy and peaceful.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIERS HYMN OF LOVE

O GOD, I love Thee for Thyself

And not that I may heaven gain,
Nor yet that they, who love Thee not,
Must suffer hell s eternal pain.

Thou, O my Jesus! Thou didst me

Upon the cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails and spear
And manifold disgrace;

And griefs and torments numberless,

And sweat of agony;
E en death itself and all me, for one
Who was Thine enemy.

Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,

Should I not love Thee well:
Not for the sake of winning heaven,
Or of escaping hell;

Not with the hope of gaining aught,

Not seeking a reward;
But, as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever-loving Lord?

Een so I love Thee, and will love,

And in Thy praise will sing;
Solely because Thou art my God
And my eternal King.

AN ACT OF PRAISE

DEAREST Lord, praise is the outcome of a heart filled with perfect love, gratitude,
and admiration.

Oh, I love and praise Thee for all Thy wondrous deeds, Thy infinite love and
goodness, and particularly for giving Thyself to me in holy communion this day, to
be the food and nourishment of my soul!

Oh, that I could make all creatures and all creation love and praise Thee as Thou
deservest!

Oh, that, like the four-and-twenty ancients, I could ever continually repeat their
prayer of praise: "Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory, and honor, and
power! "

That as the angels sang over Bethlehem, I might keep singing in my heart, "Glory to
God in the highest."

That I might love to cry out like David, "Ye sun, moon, and stars, ye young men and
women, magnify and glorify God for ever."

That with the three children in the burning furnace, who walked in the midst of the
flames, praising God and blessing the Lord, in tribulation and adversity, I might ever
praise and bless Thee.

That, after the example of the Blessed Virgin, who cried out, "My soul doth magnify
the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Saviour," my soul might be full of
Thy praises.

That, imitating St. Francis and the saints in every age, I might call on everything to
praise the Lord, as they used to cry out, "Praise the Lord, ye birds and swallows and
all living things!"

This is the way I will try to praise Thee, dear Lord, for all Thy gifts, and especially for
giving Thyself to me in the holy communion.
 PRAYER OF BLESSED MARGARET MARY

MY God, I disavow with all my heart whatever passes within me contrary to Thy holy
love. I cheerfully accept all the painful dispositions in which it is Thy pleasure to
place me, and my wish is in all things to conform myself to Thy holy will. Whenever I
kiss Thy cross, it is to show that I submit to mine.

A PRAYER TO BECOME A FERVENT RELIGIOUS

IN calling me to the religious life, O God of my heart! Thou hast called me to

perfection; Thou wishest that I should daily aspire to it, and Thou affordest me the
most abundant means for that purpose. But, alas! how remote am I from that solid
and perfect virtue which should characterize Thy faithful spouse! What a long
journey still remains for me to arrive at that happy term! Notwithstanding the many
years I have passed in religion, I find myself still subject to the same defects, and I
make no progress in virtue. Instead of advancing, I very often fall back; instead of
correcting myself, of becoming more holy, of being more faithful to my duties, of
being more detached from the world and myself, more mild and charitable, more
exact and fervent, more docile, submissive, more poor in spirit and heart, I continue
to be tepid and negligent; averse to trouble and contradiction; hostile to
mortification, silence, and recollection; seeking in all things my satisfaction, the
gratification of my humor and natural inclinations. O my God! Shall I be always an
unfaithful soul, an imperfect Religious, a spouse unworthy of Thee? How great a
misfortune for me, were death to take me by surprise! Vouchsafe, O Spouse of my
soul! To lend me Thy all-powerful hand; draw me from my tepidity, inspire me with a
holy zeal for my perfection; and, in order to repair the lost time, conduct me by
rapid steps to the term of my vocation. I implore this favor of Thee through the
intercession of Mary and Joseph.

Pater, Ave.

MARKS OF A FERVENT RELIGIOUS

By Rev. J. Schneider, S.J.

THE perfection of a Religious does not consist, as is sometimes imagined, in

undertaking great things, in reciting long prayers, or in sublime contemplation, in
practicing excessive austerities and mortifications, in performing heroic acts of
virtue; in a word, it does not consist in walking in an extraordinary way and
distinguishing ones self by a singular mode of life, or by making one s self
prominent before the world. We are to seek perfection only in the faithful keeping of
our vows and in the strict observance of our rules and constitutions. The following
points are to be remarked in the conduct of a fervent Religious:

1. In regard to God the fervent Religious punctually performs all his exercises of
piety in accordance with the spirit of God and of his holy Institute. Or, to enter more
into details, he recites all his vocal prayers with attention, makes his meditations
with fervor and his spiritual reading considerately, receives holy communion with
due preparation, and performs all his actions with a pure intention, solely to please
and serve God, with inviolable fidelity to grace, with perfect conformity to the divine
will, with the most intimate union of his heart with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ,
Who deigned to call him to so holy and exalted a state.

2. In regard to his neighbor he is full of respect and esteem in accordance with the
divine law and his own conscience; he is charitable and obliging, meek, patient, and
indulgent toward others; bears their ill-humor with composure, excuses their faults,
sympathizes with them in their sufferings and trials, forestalls their desires and
wishes, most carefully shuns all cutting remarks, bitter complaints, un pleasant
retorts, all kinds of dissatisfaction, all coldness and unfeelingness. He seeks
occasions to oblige them, to render them service, and this without exacting
gratitude in return. He is never more pleased than when he can befriend them. He
gives to all a good example, helps and consoles them, and does all he can to
contribute to the happiness of those with whom he lives.

3. In regard to himself he is all humility, retirement, and watchfulness. In him reigns

a constant equanimity with a cheerful peace of mind. He is always perfectly
composed and devoid of obstinacy, uneasiness, confusion, pride, and arrogance.
Without hypocrisy or duplicity he considers himself as the servant of all, and sees in
his neighbor Jesus Christ Himself. He neither seeks human applause, nor yields to
the cravings of vanity, self-love, and self-complacency, and cheerfully devotes
himself to promoting the glory of God in whatever place, employment, or rank,
obedience and divine Providence may place him.

In short, a fervent Religious shows in his whole conduct and in his actions nothing
singular or extraordinary, but he imparts a sublime elevation and value to all his
actions and to his whole conduct by his exalted motives, by the wholly divine
exercise of an interior and recollected life, of walking in the presence of God, of
desire for perfection, and by his consideration and expectation of heavenly bliss.
Thus have many Religious lived, e.g., a St. Aloysius Gonzaga, in whose life there
was seen nothing grand or extraordinary, and who, by the exercises of an
apparently ordinary life, raised himself to a very high degree of holiness. St. Mary
Magdalen de Pazzi once beheld him in a vision clothed with brightest glory, at which
sight she was so full of astonishment and wonder that she fell into an ecstasy. How
did St. Aloysius reach such a height of virtue and glory? By constant fidelity to
grace, by the faithful performance of all his duties, by his "inner and hidden life," so
full of treasures of merits, so unknown to the world, but so pleasing to God and
richly rewarded by Him.

This grand model urges us to lead, a perfect life, and corrects our many former
errors concerning piety. It is very consoling to timorous souls, who do not feel strong
enough to take a lofty flight like the eagle, but who can gather there from the hope
of attaining, even step by step, that degree of perfection to which they are called by
their state and the grace of God.

Let us also keep in view this exalted model, that he may serve us as a mirror
wherein to contemplate how we may trace in us all his traits and adapt to them our
heart, our sentiments, and our conduct.
THE MARKS BY WHICH IT MAY BE KNOWN WHETHER HE WILL BECOME A GOOD AND
FAITHFUL MEMBER OF HIS ORDER
According to P. Dirkink, S.J.

A PERFECT novice, who in time will become a true Religious, may be known by the
following signs:

1. He never commits a venial sin with full deliberation.

2. He conceals nothing from his Superiors, nor does he wish that they should remain
in ignorance of anything about him whatever.

3. He bears it without bitterness if his faults are shown to him.

4. He cheerfully does penance for failings which scarcely deserve a punishment.

5. He takes advantage of every chance to deny and mortify himself.

6. He always speaks of matters that are in keeping with his vocation.

7. He keeps so close a guard over his external conduct that a searching eye finds
hardly anything to blame.

8. Books that excite virtuous resolutions he reads with greater fervor and relish than
those which merely satisfy curiosity and engage the mind.

9. He entertains no special friendship that rests on purely natural grounds.

10. He steadily combats self-love by undertaking, with the consent of his Superiors,
whatever he dislikes.

11. He struggles with success against weariness at prayer, reading, and other
spiritual exercises.

12. He estimates the practical value of meditation, not by the consolation he

experiences, but by the amount of love he acquires for virtue and the care he takes
to avoid willful imperfections.

13. He longs for perfection, not to benefit self, but to please God.

14. He avoids the smallest violation against the Rule and holds nothing unimportant
that bears on perfection.

15. He frequently consults his novice-master and submits to his guidance to the
intent:

(a) That he may be protected against the danger of mortally offending God, and
lessen the number of venial sins and imperfections.

(b) That he may practice virtue with safety.

(c) That he may learn to perform his interior and exterior actions more perfectly
from day to day.

16. Of several good works he aims to choose the more perfect.

17. He shows no preference for any occupation, office, or place, but simply
accommodates himself to every situation and circumstance.

18. He is always satisfied and cheerful, never ill-humored or self-willed.

19. He is not easily worried about anything, and construes matters in the best light;
but things that may injure the community, a wrong-doer, or a neighbor, he does not
fail to report.

20. A novice fashioned in this mould and rooted in solid virtue, leaves the novitiate
with such a dread of sin and imperfection, and such a love of virtue and perfection,
that all alone and without fear of reproof he will lead a life as virtuous, pure, and
guarded as if he were constantly under the observing eye of a most venerated
Superior.

I conclude with the short advice, "Do this and thou shalt live." Yes, you will live in
your Community with pleasure, your life will be blameless, godly, and perfect, as
becomes a true follower of Christ. I entreat you, only make a brave start; for "well
begun is half done." "When you begin," says St. Bernard, "begin well; if you do, you
will soon reach the end." And when, like the angels ascending, you have mounted,
as up a Jacob s ladder, the rounds of virtue, you will find the Lord leaning upon the
topmost round, and you will be clasped in the blessed, outstretched arms of God.

REFLECTIONS AND PRAYERS BEFORE AND AFTER COMMUNION FOR RELIGIOUS

By Mother Mary Loyola

BEFORE COMMUNION

I. Who comes?

HE, Who is King of kings, and Lord of lords" (Apoc. xix.); "the King of glory" (Ps.
xxiii.) ; "a powerful King and greatly to be feared, Who sitteth upon His throne and is
the God of dominion" (Ecclus. i.); He of Whom it is written: "On His head were many
diadems" (Apoc. xix.); "Thousands of thousands ministered to Him, and ten
thousand times a hundred thousand stood before Him" (Dan. vii.); "And the armies
that are in heaven followed Him" (Apoc. xix.); "And the four- and-twenty ancients
fell down before Him and adored Him and cast their crowns before the throne"
(Apoc. iv.).

"Afterwards He was seen upon earth, and conversed with men" (Baruch iii.).

"Art Thou a King then? ... I am a King. For this was I born and for this came I into the
world" (John xviii.); "I am appointed King over Sion" (Ps. ii.).
Yet how little He parades His royalty. Among the things that are so sweet in the
character of Our King, is the absence of condescension about Him. He says so little
about Himself. He comes so silently into our midst. He drops so quietly into our
ways that we have to be continually reminding ourselves Who He is.
Kings never succeed in putting those around them quite at their ease. They betray
themselves unconsciously by the attentions they exact. "Do you forget," said one,
"that I am your king?" With the King of kings it is not so. He does not show us that
He is stooping to come among us, that He feels our companionship trying after what
He has been used to, that our ways and our rudeness jar on His infinite refinement.
No, He leaves St. Paul to speak about the annihilation of His Incarnation: "Taking the
form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man"
(Phil. ii.). He Himself seems to be, if we might venture to say so, proud of what He
gained by His coming. He loves to call Himself the Son of man. And once among us,
He tries to be like us as far as He can. What we have to do and bear, He will do and
bear, and as we take our daily privations and troubles as a matter of course, so will
He. He speaks so seldom of Who He is, that some have said, He has never told us
plainly that He is God. If He works miracles all day long during the three years of the
public ministry, it is for our sakes, and He only speaks of them when our good
requires that He should speak. Of His frightful sufferings He scarcely makes any
mention two or three times, that is all and so calmly, quite as a thing to be looked
for. When they were over, He said they were only what we ought to have expected
our Messias to do for us. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things? "These
things" (Luke xxiv.), as if the mocking, and the scourging, and the crucifixion, which
had completely staggered the faith of His disciples, were nothing so very wonderful
after all.

Cur igitur non amem Te

O Jesu amantissime!"

O dearest King, who will give me a single reason in the wide world why I should not
love You, why I should not dedicate to You every fiber of my being, why I should not
strive with all my heart and soul and mind and strength to return You love for love?

Faith

"IT is a great glory to follow the Lord." I know it, O Lord, I know it. And I know how
utterly unworthy I am to be ranked among Your followers, Your personal attendants,
Your friends. I can not understand in the very least how You can have chosen me.
But I make my act of faith, without understanding, and so come to Your feet, that by
union with You I may become a little less unworthy.

Love

YOU also wast with Jesus of Nazareth" (Matt. xxvi.). My King and my Leader, put
into my heart so strong a love of You, that I may be eager to follow You everywhere,
even to pain and shame. Let the reproach which was flung at Peter be my glory. Let
my highest ambition here, let my happiness here after be, "Thou also wast with
Jesus of Nazareth."
II. To whom does He come?

I SEE the King standing on a grassy plain near Jerusalem, surrounded by those who
believe in Him and love Him. He is fair and beautiful, and the hearts of His servants
go out to Him as He stands there in their midst, on the green grass with the wild
flowers at His feet. I see Him calling a certain number, a few to be His personal
followers, His intimate companions, His friends. He chooses them here and there;
He calls them by their names one by one. Shall I say to my infinite surprise shall I
say to my extreme confusion shall I say to my intense joy, I hear my own name
called?

I see these so called stepping forth from the ranks and forming a little inner circle
round Him His personal companions, His friends. "I will not now call you servants,
but friends" (John xv.). Such a call is His free gift. He is Master of His gifts and He
dispenses them as He chooses. He binds all men by the law of His commandments.
He invites a few to the following of His counsels I am of that few. Some souls He
designs for great gifts, others for greater, others again for greatest I am elected to
the greatest.

Well may I cast down my eyes; well may I thank Him that He does not go by
goodness or by fitness, but
by His own glorious freedom of choice.

O GIFT of gifts, O gracious call,

My God, how can it be,
That Thou Who hast discerning love
Shouldst give that gift to me I

How many hearts Thou mightst have had

More innocent than mine,
How many souls more worthy far
Of that sweet touch of Thine.

Ah, grace! into unlikeliest hearts

It is Thy boast to come,
The glory of Thy light to find
In darkest spots a home.

Thy choice, O God of goodness! then

I lovingly adore;
O give me grace to keep Thy grace
And grace to merit more.

QUID RETRIBUAM? What shall I give Him? Surely that for which He is looking the
correspondence befitting such a vocation. By my profession I am called to the
special praise, reverence, and service of God. I must see that He gets this from me.
Like a courtier living in the palace, always in the immediate presence of royalty,
there must be in my praise, reverence, and service, a delicacy, an assiduity, an
exactitude, a generosity not called for from those outside. Mine is a service more
nearly observed and to be more gloriously requited.
God looks to Religious as to those with whom He may solace Himself. Repelled by
the generality of men, He turns to them to open Himself to them. Therefore no
minimizing for me, no paring down of a service, which when I have done my best,
He must use all His condescension to accept.

But there are degrees of devotedness even in the corps delite. There are those who
are content to fulfil their engagements, to do their own work, to keep in view the
movements of their own division. But as to the whole army, to the general interests,
to following the King closely this has no attraction for them they are not eminent.

And there are those whose one desire is to follow their King as closely as possible.
Where the battle is thickest where the blows are hardest where the marches are
longest and the burdens heaviest there they will be because He is there.
Mortifications that are not necessary, pain, and injuries, and ignominy are their
choice because they were His.

"Always to do my very best for Him all that I can possibly do I will do for Him." This
is the cry of their hearts. It shall be my cry. He is a King to live for a King to die for a
King to Whom it should be a joy to sacrifice personal interest, convenience, com
fort, health, strength, time, talents, life itself.

Let me do all that lies in me, to make my Congregation a stronghold in His cause.
This it will be if His principles reign supreme, if His service is the thought paramount
in every heart not those around me, certainly not me, for the first and foremost
consideration, but everywhere and always the King His interests, His glory, His
greater service.

"For oh, what is the single end

Of this life s mortal span,
Except to glorify the God
Who for our sakes was man?"

THY KINGDOM COME! in my own heart first, and then in every heart that I can
influence, in those near and dear to me, in those entrusted to me more than all.

My own heart first. Yes, for all strong, lasting influence for good must spring from
the interior spirit. It must come of personal devotion to you, of close union with Your
Sacred Heart. That Heart must win me to detachment from comforts and
convenience, to detachment from honor and reputation, to detachment from self in
all its forms if I am to follow my Lord closely, and win souls for Him.

I see Him holding out His hands and saying to me: Will you come? Asking for help,
asking for personal service, personal devotedness, personal sacrifice such as He has
given to me. Will you come? Will you be content with My food, with My cup, with My
clothing, content to share My labors and privations, content this coming year with
My food the will of My Father, with My cup suffering, with My livery, humiliations and
reproaches. Will you come? Can I hesitate?
O Sovereign and true Leader, I fall on my knees before You. I am not worthy, I am
most unworthy of Your call. But take me as I am. I give myself up into Your hands. "I
will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest" (Luke ix.). "In what place soever Thou
shalt be, my Lord King, either in death or in life, there will Thy servant be" (2 Kings).

Humility

HOW St. Francis Borgia prized his vocation! Perhaps the humility and gratitude of
that humble heart may find its way into mine, if I use his words and ask to feel as he
felt:

"O my Lord, in Whom alone I put my trust, what is there in me that Thou shouldst
look upon me? What hast Thou found in me, that Thou shouldst call me to form one
of the company of Thy chosen servants! For they ought to be valiant, and I am a
coward; they ought to be despisers of the world, and I am a slave to its opinion;
they ought to be haters of themselves, and I am full of self-love. What then didst
Thou find in me? Perhaps Thou didst perceive me to be bolder than others in
disobeying Thy commands, more indifferent to Thy glory, more wedded to my own
interests. Surely, if Thou didst seek these things, Thou didst find them in me."

"Thy choice, O God of goodness! then I lovingly adore,

Oh, give me grace to keep Thy grace,
And grace to merit more."

Contrition

IN return for all Your favor, my God, You do not ask much, but You do ask for
faithfulness. And I have been so unfaithful. There has been so little alacrity in Your
service, so much self-seeking, so many shortcomings every way.

Yet I know You will not have me to be discouraged. I know You are ready to take us
up at any time. For give me all there is to forgive You know, my God, what that
means. Could I ask it of any other than You ?

III. Why does He come?

HE comes to fire my heart with the loyal love of Him, with the devotion to His
person, on which the fervor of my service depends. He comes to be near me, to put
Himself within my reach, to unite Himself intimately to me, that so I may be able to
appreciate His character, to learn His ways, to know Him. Not to know Him is
darkness and death. To know Him is light and life eternal. "This is eternal life, to
know Thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent" (John xvii.).
He is the Model on the Mount, upon which all the elect are to be formed. The
knowledge of Him is the condition in the order of God s providence for carrying out
His mission in the world.

What God required in the apostles was not that they should be learned men or able
men, but that they should know His Son. St. Peter, too, required it when he
proposed another to fill the place of Judas. "Of these men who have companied with
us, all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out amongst us, . . . one of
these must be made a witness with us" (Acts i.). The same personal knowledge was
given to St. Paul, revealed to him by Our Lord Himself. The same is required in all
those who by their vocation are chosen to carry on the work of Jesus Christ. It is the
condition necessary to success. It is the training the soldiers must go through before
they can be let loose upon the enemy. An instrument, to be efficient, must be united
to the main agent; we must be united to Our Lord, we must study Him, we must be
like Him in His character, in His ways, in His likings and dislikings, in His methods, in
His principles, if we are to influence others as He did. He drew all to Him, that He
might draw all to God. We must draw all to God by giving them Jesus Christ.

Personal devotion to Him, familiarity with Him, is then an obligation for us. It must
be the fruit of study and of prayer. We say of those whom we love, and with whom
we are familiarly acquainted, "He would say this, he would act in this way, this
reminds me of him, this is like him." So must we come to know Christ our Lord, that
we may conform ourselves to Him and bring out His characteristics, some in one
way, some in another. This is the secret of finding an easy way into the hearts of all.
Those who have this strong, personal devotion to Our Lord, have a tact, an address,
a facility of approach denied to others. For those who know Him best love Him most,
and are most blessed by Him. They are most near Him and like Him here, and are to
be most near Him and like Him by-and-by.

This personal devotion to Our Lord is the one thing needed by many souls to make
them all that God wants, and all that they require to be most useful in His service.

If this be true, O Lord, and I know that it is true, then it is plain why You are coming
to me. I shall have much to talk to You about, much to ask, and much to obtain from
Your Heart.

Hope and Desire

WHO COMES?

The Word made flesh for me,

The Lord Who died for me,
The Love made food for me,
He comes!

TO WHOM DOES HE COME?

To one redeemed by Him,

To one allied with Him,
To one who longs for Him,
He comes!

WHY DOES HE COME?

To reign upon His throne,

To reign supreme alone,
To make me all His own,
He comes!
 AFTER COMMUNION

Adoration

NOW therefore your King is here, Whom you have chosen and desired." (i Kings
xii.)
KING, live forever!" (Dan. vi.)
"I will extol Thee, O God, my King." (Ps. cxliv.)
Thou alone art my King and my God " the blessed and only mighty, the King of
kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Tim. vi.), "my King Who is in His sanctuary" (Ps. Ixvii.).
"Sing praises to Our God, sing ye, sing praises to Our King, sing ye." (Ps. xlvi.)
"For this is God, Our God unto eternity, and for ever and ever; He shall rule for
evermore." (Ps. xlvii.)

Thanksgiving

BLESS Our God and make the voice of His praise to be heard." (Ps. Ixv.)

"I will cry to God, the most High, to God Who hath done good to me." (Ps. Ivi.)

"Bless the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in
the courts of the house of Our God." (Ps. cxxxiii.)

"Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us extol His name together." (Ps. xxxiii.)

"Blessed be the Lord, for He hath shown His wonderful mercy to me." (Ps. xxx.)

"Let them say so that have been redeemed by the Lord, whom He hath redeemed
from the hand of the enemy and gathered out of the countries." (Ps. cvi.)

"Oh, how hast Thou magnified Thy mercy, O God." (Ps. xxxv.)

"What shall I render to the Lord for all that He hath rendered to me?" (Ps. cxv.)

"Offer to God the sacrifice of praise and pay thy vows to the Most High." (Ps. xlix.)

"I will pay my vows to the Lord in the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of
thee, O Jerusalem." (Ps. cxv.)

"Let all Thy works, O Lord, praise Thee, and let all Thy saints bless Thee." (Ps. cxliv.)

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, in my life I will praise the Lord, I will sing to my God as
long as I shall be." (Ps. clxv.)

"What have I in heaven but Thee, and besides Thee what do I desire upon earth?
Thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion for ever." (Ps. Ixxii.)

"O Lord, my God, I will give praise to Thee for ever and ever." (Ps. xxix.)
 Love

Fear not for I have redeemed thee and called thee by thy name: thou art Mine" (Is.
xliii.). Yes, I am Yours, my God, Yours wholly, Yours only. I know that if it depended on
Your will alone, my perseverance and salvation would be assured. But there is my
own treacherous, inconstant will, ever ready to play me false. On what rock can I
anchor it, what is there that will secure it against its own instability? One thing only,
a strong personal love of Him Whom You have given me for my Redeemer and
Saviour.

Of all motives a personal love of Jesus is the strongest and lasts the longest. Others
lose their force. The love of God in a vague sort of a way will not stand the test of
time and trial ; temptation comes, and those who have relied on it fall away. But
those who cling to Our Lord with a deep, personal love remain steadfast to the end.

That this love may be possible, I must believe firmly in His personal love of me. I am
not to say, "Of course Our Lord can love this one or that, but I can not see what He
can find to love in me." My seeing has nothing to do with it. I am to believe it
heartily, like all other mysteries. He does love me and He wants my love.

Nor must I say, "My heart is cold and hard. He can not care for love such as mine."
Our Lord wants my love, such as it is, such as I can give Him. No two hearts give
Him the same kind of love. He does not ask me to give Him any one else s love, but
my own.

He wants of each what each can give. And so He asks of me a love which only my
heart can give, a love which if I refuse Him He will never have.

O Lord and Master, how can I refuse what is Yours by every conceivable claim? How
can I help bringing to You with joy the little I have to give? Take, O Lord, take all.

O Sovereign and true Leader, O Christ my King, I kneel before You here like a vassal
in the old feudal times to take my oath of fealty. I place my joined hands within the
wounded hands and renew the dear vows of my Profession. And I bring up to You all
that depend on me to show You homage and allegiance. All the powers of my soul,
all the senses of my body, all the affections of rny heart I offer them all to You.

Sume et suscipe
Take, take all, O Lord!

O ye angels, archangels, thrones and dominations, principalities and powers, virtues

of heaven, cherubim and seraphim, adore Our God for me; thank Him, and love Him
with me. Patriarchs and prophets, apostles, all ye martyrs of Christ, holy confessors,
virgins of the Lord, and all ye saints, adore Him, thank Him, love Him with me.

Mother of God, adore your Son for me, thank Him, and love Him for me.

O Heart of Jesus, be my adoration and my thanks giving to the three divine persons
now dwelling within me.
Eternal Father, look upon the face of Your Christ. Through Him and with Him and in
Him be to You in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory. Amen.

Petition

WHAT a joy it is, my God, to lay down my soul at Your feet, and feel that You read it
through and through. I know what You see there. I know I ought to fear Your all-holy
glance. And yet I love to think of You as my inward Witness. It is a joy to know that
"Thou hast understood my thoughts" (Ps. cxxxviii.j, that there is nothing I can hide
from You, even if I would. Bad as I am, I am content that You know all. I have no
secrets from You, my God.

And so I lay my heart here at Your feet, and open it out before You. All its needs, all
its miseries, all its longings are known to You what it is, what it ought to be, what
You want it to be. Take it into Your hands. Put it right for me. You can, and You have
the will. You are its Maker; You know exactly what is wrong. What springs to touch
You know, and what to cleanse, and what to renew.

"For Thou hast made this wondrous soul

All for Thyself alone;
Ah! send Thy sweet transforming grace
To make it more Thine own."

Your interest and Your intentions are mine, my God, because they are Yours. I love
and care for them all, I pray for them every one. The interests of Your greater glory;
the accomplishment of Your will; the extension of Your kingdom for all this I pray. For
the Church suffering, the holy, waiting souls; for the Church militant, and her almost
infinite needs; for the Holy See above all. I think of the weight of solicitude that day
and night presses on the anxious head of the Vicar of Christ . . . and I pray for him. I
pray for all rulers in Church and State; for all who can much advance or hinder the
good of souls. I pray for all laborers in Your vineyard, for all who are now bearing the
burden and heat of the day. And I beg for all Your pity, Your blessing, and Your help.

Special Petition for Perseverance

HE sent from on high and took me and drew me out of many waters. He delivered
me from my most mighty enemy, and from them that hated me, for they were too
strong for me. And He brought me forth into a large place, He delivered me because
I pleased Him." (2 Kings xxii.)

"Therefore will I give thanks to Thee, O Lord, and will sing to Thy name." (2 Kings
xxii.)

My God, keep ever fresh in my heart the thanksgiving with which it gave itself to
You on the day You called me from the world into Religion, on the day You clothed
me with Your livery, on the day You received my vows. As long as that thanksgiving
is there, my vocation is safe. At least I was in earnest then. At my Profession I chose
You, I forsook all things for You. It was not much, but like Peter I could say it was all
things; it was all I had, and if it had been a thousand times more I would gladly have
left it to follow You, O Lord. All I had I gave You body and soul, and mind, and heart,
and will, that I might be all Yours and live only for You and for Your service. Has
there been rapine in the holocaust? Have I broken my faith with You, my God? Oh,
give me grace to be always what I was then, in my desires, in self-surrender, in the
sincerity of my oblation. "Confirm, O Lord, what Thou hast wrought in us" (Ps. Ixvii.).
"Renew our days as from the beginning." (Lament, v)

God, Who called me then and gave me grace to begin, give me now more abundant
grace to perfect my offering and make my election sure.

I commend to You aft whom You have loved with me and sought out and gathered
together with me into the same religious family, all who are under the same roof
with me. You have Your designs on all and on each. I offer them each and all to You.
Because of their merits, because of their company, in which I hope to be found at
my death, have mercy on me. You have numbered me with Your chosen ones in this
life, number me with them in the life to come. Say to me at judgment: "Thou art one
of them" (Mark xiv.).

Let it be said to each of our Superiors as to St. Paul: "God hath given thee all them
that sail with thee. . . . And so it came to pass that every soul got safe to land" (Acts
xxvii.).

Oblation

MY God, what can I give to You in return for all You have given to me? I give You my
heart, I give You my love, I give You my body with all its senses, my soul with all its
powers, my heart with all its affections. I give You my vows. I give You all I have and
am, now and always in time and eternity. I bring to You all I love, all my treasures,
all who are dear to me, all who are in any way entrusted to me, and I give them all
into Your keeping.

I trust to You my temptations, my graces, my responsibilities, my opportunities. I

trust to You my progress in the way of perfection, my desire of a closer, more
uninterrupted union with You. Bring me up to the ideal You had in Your divine mind
when You created my soul. I could not bear, my God, to fall short of Your designs
after all You have done for me; I could not bear to be a disappointment to You
throughout eternity.

"Jesu, quern velatum nunc aspicio,

Oro, fiat illud, quod tam sitio,
Ut, Te revelata cernens facie,
Visu sim beatus Tuae gloriae."

"O Jesu, Whom by faith I now descry,

Shrouded from mortal eye,
When wilt Thou slake the thirsting of my heart
To see Thee as Thou art,
Face unto face in all Thy glad array,
Tranced with the glory of that everlasting day?"

Say the prayer before a crucifix, "Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus.
 ANOTHER COMMENDABLE EXERCISE FOR HOLY COMMUNION
From the Prayers of St. Gertrude and Other Saints

PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION

CONTRITION, HOPE, CONFIDENCE, DESIRE

JESUS, most sweet and loving Spouse of my soul, behold, the longed-for moment
draws near: the rapturous moment, in which I, Thy unworthy creature, shall receive
the Most Holy Sacrament of Thy body and blood, as the most effectual remedy for
all my miseries. For the love of Thee I grieve most bitterly for every one of my sins
and my negligences, whereby I have offended Thy tender goodness, and defiled my
soul, which Thou didst ransom with Thine own most precious blood. How shall I
presume to receive Thee into a heart all set around with briars and thorns, reeking
with foul and unwholesome vapors of worldliness and vain desires! But, my merciful
Jesus, though I am sick of soul, I remember the words which fell from Thine own
gracious lips that they who are whole need not the physician, but they who are sick
and this gives me confidence. Good Jesus, Who didst invite the blind and the lame,
the poor and the needy, to Thy supper, behold, as one of them, yea, even as the
poorest and most wretched of them all, I will draw near to the most sacred feast of
Thy body and blood, the Banquet of the angels, not in presumption, but with a
contrite and humble heart, with lowly confidence, with hope in Thy goodness and
mercy, with love for all the love that Thou hast shown to me, with vehement desire
to please Thee, to be all Thine, and to live hence forth for Thee alone.

TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Prayer of St. Gertrude before communion,
the efficacy of which Our Lord revealed to her.

O MOST loving Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech Thee, by all the love of Thy sweetest
Heart, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to offer for me all that perfection wherewith
Thou didst stand arrayed in the presence of God the Father when Thou didst ascend
on high to enter into Thy glory; and through Thy sinless and unspotted manhood to
render my polluted soul pure and free from every sin, and through Thy most
glorious divinity to endow and a loan it with every virtue, and through the virtue of
that love, which has forever united Thy supreme divinity to Thine immaculate
humanity, to furnish it befittingly with Thy best gifts. Amen.

TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Prayer, which the Blessed Virgin herself taught St. Gertrude

O MOST chaste Virgin Mary, T beseech thee by that unspotted purity wherewith
thou didst prepare for the Son of God a dwelling of delights in thy virginal womb,
that by thy intercession I may be cleansed from every stain.

O most humble Virgin Mary, I beseech thee by that most profound humility whereby
thou didst merit to be raised high above all the choirs of angels and of saints, that
by thy intercession all my negligences may be expiated.
O most amiable Virgin Mary I beseech thee, by that ineffable love which united thee
so closely and so inseparably to God, that by thy intercession I may obtain an
abundance of all merits. Amen.

INVITATION TO JESUS
St. Gertrude

Love and Desire

O JESUS, surpassingly sweet, Who hast said with Thine own gracious lips that Thy
delights are to be with the children of men, my soul longeth for Thee, my heart
yearneth now toward Thee. Wherefore I invite Thee to come unto me with all that
devotion and that love wherewith any loving soul hath ever invited Thee to itself.
Come, then, O most beloved Spouse of my soul; come, my only love; come and turn
aside awhile into the poor and wretched hovel of my heart. Come, Thou heavenly
Physician, come and heal my stricken soul. Come, O Friend, a thousandfold above
all others beloved, come and enrich my utter poverty.

Come, Thou bright and genial Sun, and scatter the thick darkness which hangs upon
my heart. Come, Thou sweetest Manna, and satisfy my souls exceeding hunger.
Come, O Jesus, incomparable in Thy loveliness; come, Thou beloved of my heart s
vows; come and sup with me in the chamber of my heart. And although I have
made ready nothing that is worthy of Thy dazzling magnificence, yet wilt Thou find
therein one dish of savory meat such as Thou lovest, a will which tends to Thee
alone, and affections wholly Thine.

O Thou my only Love, I long for Thy coming with most eager desire, I await Thy
coming with yearning love. O Thou fairest of the sons of men, O spring of
inexhaustible sweetness, O Thou sweeter than all sweetest delights, come, oh,
come unto me, and disdain not Thy poor and needy servant. Amen.

Invocations

O MARY, my sweet Mother! Jesus is coming to me; hasten to my assistance; do thou

prepare my heart as thou didst prepare thine own for the reception of thy beloved
Son in the Holy Eucharist. Adorn the sanctuary of my soul with all those dispositions
which thou knowest will make it a pleasure for Jesus to take up His abode therein.

Dear St. Joseph, beloved father mine! Prepare my heart as thou didst prepare so
lovingly the crib of Bethlehem; for the same divine Infant will soon repose there.

My holy guardian angel, blessed patron saints and all ye blessed spirits who
surround the altar-throne of Our Lord in profound adoration, pray for me with St.
Thomas Aquinas, "that I may receive the body of the only-begotten Son of God, Our
Saviour Jesus Christ the very body which He took of the Virgin Mary in such a
manner, that I may be truly incorporated into His mystical body and so numbered
among its members."

May the prayer of the angelic doctor be fulfilled in me: "Most gracious God, grant
that I may receive the Bread of angels, the King of kings, and Lord of lords with such
contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, such good- will and intention, as may
avail to the welfare and salvation of my soul. O most loving Father, grant that I may
at last behold with open face and for evermore this same beloved Son of Thine,
Whom I now purpose to receive in my pilgrimage, beneath the sacramental veils."

O VENI, DOMINE JESU!

JESUS, hidden God, I cry to Thee;

O Jesus, hidden Light, I turn to Thee;
O Jesus, hidden Love, I run to Thee;
With all the strength I have I worship Thee;
With all the love I have I cling to Thee;

With all my soul I long to be with Thee,

And fear no more to fail, or fall from Thee.
O Jesus, deathless Love, Who seekest me,
Thou Who didst die for longing love of me,
Thou King, in all Thy beauty, come to me,

White-robed, blood-sprinkled, Jesus, come to me,

And go no more, dear Lord, away from me.
My soul is dark away from Thee, my own-,
My eyes are dim in seeking Thee, my own;
My flesh doth pine away for Thee, my own;

My heart leaps up with joy to Thee, my own;

My spirit faints receiving Thee, my own.
Where in the height of heaven is light like Thee?
Where in the breadth of heaven is bliss like Thee?
Where in the depth of heaven is peace like Thee?

Where in the home of love is love like Thee?

With all my heart I give myself to Thee,
And waiting wait, O King and Spouse, for Thee,
Till I am one forevermore with Thee.
O sweetest Jesus, bring me home to Thee;

Free me, O dearest God, from all but Thee,

And all the chains that keep me back from Thee;
Call me, O thrilling Love, I follow Thee;
Thou art my All, and I love nought but Thee.

O hidden Love, Who now art loving me;

O wounded Love, Who once wast dead for me-,
O patient Love, Who weariest not of me
O bear with me till I am lost in Thee;
O bear with me till I am found in Thee.*

"DEAR LORD, HAVE MERCY"

DEAR Lord, have mercy on me; take pity- on me, and do not let me disappoint any
longer the desires of Thy Sacred Heart. Give me the grace to be at last what Thou
hast a right to expect me to be, favored as I have been in such unspeakable ways.
May 1 receive Thee into the poor dwelling of my heart in this mornings communion,
and in every communion that may still be before me, and especially in my last
communion may I receive Thee, O my Lord, with such dispositions that that last
communion may place me in safety before Thy judgment-seat. Thou wilt be my
Judge then; now Thou comest as my Saviour. 6 merciful Jesus, come now and
possess my heart, that then Thou mayest be able to say to me: "Come and possess
My kingdom." Thy kingdom come, O King of my heart! Come, Lord Jesus.

AFTER COMMUNION

FAITH, ADORATION, PRAISE, THANKSGIVING, PETITION

JESUS, my Lord my God, and my All! Jesus, my life, my love, Thou art really mine!
Thou art truly within me, Thou art all mine! With the angels and saints I adore Thee.
In union with the most blessed Virgin on the day of Thy Incarnation, and when later
she received Thee in the Most Holy Sacrament, I adore Thee with the liveliest faith,
the most ardent devotion, and the most profound respect. "My soul doth magnify
the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour, for He hath regarded the
humility of His handmaid" (Luke i.).

I praise Thee, I thank Thee, I will glorify Thee for evermore.

"That He Who lay on Marys knee,

Who still d the waves of Galilee,
Was the dear Guest at Bethany,
And bled and died on Calvary,
That He in truth abides with me
I hold with faith s sure certainty.
O God, O hidden Deity,
Profoundly I here worship Thee,
Rabboni!

"O God, most wonderful in all Thy ways,

Most in this mystery of love, upraise
My heart to Thee in canticles of praise,
Rabboni!

"And since my hungry soul this day is fed

With meat indeed, with Thee the living Bread,
Give me to live by Thee as Thou hast said,
Rabboni!"

"JESUS, MY LORD"
By Father Russell
JESUS, my Lord, fill my heart now with all the virtues which ought to have been
there to welcome Thee. Give me more faith and love, more hope and more
contrition, more humility and patience and piety, a stronger will and a purer heart. I
believe all that Thou hast in any way revealed to us; but, dearest Lord, make my
faith more living, more loving, more vivid, more strong. I grieve for all my sins,
offences, and negligences, from my first sin long ago down to the faults and
shortcomings of yesterday and to-day. I grieve, too, over the dullness, coldness, and
ingratitude of this heart which is now Thy tabernacle. I hope in Thee, O Lord, Who
wilt never let me be con founded. I thank Thee for this supreme gift, and for all the
gifts of Thy goodness, particularly for all the graces which, in spite of my miserable
unworthiness, I have received in this Sacrament so often since the happy day of my
first communion; and I beg of Thee, O Lord, the grace never more to abuse Thy
graces.

And now, adoring Thee in this deepest mystery of Thy condescension, and loving
Thee above all in this Sacrament of Thy love, I lay all the wounds and wants of my
soul before Thee, O my merciful and loving Redeemer! See the wretched plight to
which I am reduced: faith so dull, hope so dim, love so cold. Look upon me, and pity
me, and heal me, and I shall be healed. I ask Thy loving Heart, now so close to
mine, for all that I need and desire. But I need only Thyself, O Lord; I desire none but
Thee. I do not dare to ask for more grace, but I ask for more courage and generosity
in making use of all Thy graces. During all the hours that follow of this day, my
thoughts, my words, and my deeds must be the thoughts and words and deeds that
are fitting one on whom so many graces are showered hour by hour, the latest
being this sacramental communion. And so from day to day, from communion to
communion, may I sanctify my soul and serve Thee, my almighty and all-merciful
God, my Creator, my Redeemer, my Judge from day to day, and from communion to
communion, on to the last communion which I hope to receive as my Viaticum. May
that Viaticum conduct my soul, pure from sin, safe to the feet of my Jesus, Who has
just now come to me as my Saviour, but then must be my Judge. O Jesus, my
Saviour, be to me indeed a Saviour then and now and for ever. Amen.

The "Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity before the Blessed Sacrament" (respectively
by Father Ramiere, Father de la Colombiere, and Blessed Margaret Mary), which will
be found among the prayers in honor of the Blessed Sacrament in the latter part of
this book, may be appropriately recited here. Attention is also called to the Acts of
Consecration and other prayers among the same devotions, many of which are
most serviceable after Holy Communion.

Love

Thy excess of love, O divine Lord! Thou hast given Thyself to me. Tell me, O Jesus!
what Thou desirest of me. Is there any sacrifice Thy love demands of me? Speak,
Lord! for Thy child, Thy servant, listeneth, and, with Thy gracious assistance, will
accomplish Thy divine pleasure. I love Thee, O my God! I love Thee, and love Thee
alone: I love all Thy creatures for Thee and in Thee; and, with St. Paul, I will labor to
become all to all, in order to gain all to Thee, O sweetest Jesus, O most amiable,
most loving Lord Jesus. Strengthen me with Thy grace, hide me within Thine
adorable Heart, and there let me live and die as a victim of Thy pure and perfect
love.
 Self-immolation
According to St. Francis de Sales
GOD of my heart! behold this heart which is Thine; behold, I offer Thee all my love
through the hands of Thy tender Mother. O Mary, my Mother, accept this offering;
guard my heart; obtain that it may never be ruled by any other love than that of
Thy divine Son. "All in Him and Him in all." Sacred fire of the Heart of Jesus,
consume in me all that is contrary to the pure love of Thee!

A PRAYER FOR THE FULFILLING OF THF WILL OF GOD

GIVE me Thy grace, most merciful Jesus, that it may be with me, and labor with me,
and continue with me to the end.

Grant me always to desire and will that which is most acceptable to Thee and which
pleaseth Thee best.

Let Thy will be mine, and let my will always follow Thine, and agree perfectly with it.

Let me always will and not will the same with Thee; and let me not be able to will or
not will anything except what Thou wiliest or wiliest not. Amen.

Indulgence of 200 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Feb. 27, 1886.

OFFERINGS AND THANKSGIVINGS FROM THE PRAYERS OF ST. GERTRUDE

Offering to God the Father, of Exceeding Efficacy

MOST holy Father, behold I, Thy most unworthy servant, trusting only in Thine
ineffable compassion, have received Thy beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and
even now hold Him in my heart as my own possession, most intimately united with
me. Wherefore, receiving this Thy Son into my arms, even as did holy Simeon, I
offer Him to Thee with all that love and that fullness of intention wherewith He
offered Himself to Thee for Thine everlasting glory, while lying in the manger, and
when He was hanging upon the cross. Look, O compassionate Father, on this
offering, which I, Thine unworthy servant, make to Thee, my living and true God, to
Thine everlasting praise and glory, for Thine infinite rejoicing and delight.

I offer to Thee the same, Thy Son, for myself, and for all those for whom I am
accustomed or bound to pray, in thanksgiving for all the benefits Thou hast
bestowed on us, and in supply of all those virtues and good works which, of our own
mere negligence, we have failed to practice. I offer Him to Thee to obtain Thy grace
and Thy mercy, that we may be preserved and delivered from all evil and sin,
succored in every necessity of body or of soul, and brought forth through a happy
death into everlasting joys. Finally, I offer Him to Thee for the remission of all my
sins, and in satisfaction for that huge debt which I can not pay Thee, seeing that it
far exceeds even ten thousand talents; and therefore, casting myself at Thy feet, O
most merciful Father, I acknowledge and plead my utter poverty, in union with the
bitterness of the Passion of Thy most sinless Son, in Whom Thou hast declared
Thyself well pleased ; and in and through Him I make Thee full reparation and
satisfaction for my sins, offering Thee all His sorrows, griefs, and tears, and all that
expiation which He made upon the cross for the sins of the whole world.

Remember also, O Lord, Thy servants who have gone before us with the sign of
faith, and sleep the sleep of peace : for all and each of whom (and especially for N) I
offer Thee that saving Victim Whom I have now received, the body and blood of Thy
beloved Son; beseeching Thee, that through His infinite dignity and worth, and
through the merits of all saints, Thou wouldst grant them pardon of all their sins,
and merciful release from all their pains. Amen.

Offering to the Saints

You may form an idea of the efficacy of this offering from the vision vouchsafed to
St. Gertrude when she had offered this Sacrament in honor of the holy angels; she
saw these blessed spirits entranced with joy and gladness and overflowing with
abundant and thrilling delights, as though they had never known bliss before.

MOST blessed Virgin Mary, behold, I most humbly and lovingly set before thee thy
Son, Whom thou didst conceive in thy spotless womb, didst bring forth, and nourish
at thy breasts, and press to thy heart with most tender and thrilling embraces; Him
in Whose countenance Thou didst ever joy, and find ever fresh delights, and Who
has this day given Himself to me in the ineffable condescension of His divine love. I
offer Him to thee that thou mayest fold Him in thine arms, and kiss Him with the
kisses of thy mouth, and love and worship Him for me and together with me, and
offer Him, in deepest adoration, to the Most Holy Trinity for my sins and the sins of
all the world; so that the prerogative of thy great dignity may obtain for me what I
dare not presume to hope of myself.

O all ye saints of God, and ye especially, my most beloved patrons, behold Jesus
Christ, your Lord and Spouse, Whom while ye lived in the flesh ye loved with all your
heart and all your strength; for in and through Him Whom I have now received in
the Most Holy Sacrament, I salute you all and each of you, and offer Him to you for
the signal increase of your joy, your glory, and your blessedness, with all the love
and the faithfulness which He showed you in time, and now showeth you evermore
in eternity, beseeching you all to worship and adore Him for me, and to offer Him to
the Most Holy Trinity with all your consummate devotion on behalf of my necessities
and those of the whole Church, and in thanksgiving for all the benefits He has ever
bestowed upon me. And whatever I am unable to obtain of myself, do you impetrate
for me, through your merit- and intercessions. Amen.

Thanksgiving of St. Gertrude

ALL my heart and my soul, together with all my senses, and all my powers of mind
and body, give praise and thanks to Thee, O sweetest Jesus, in union with all the
creatures of Thy hand, for the con descending mercy which Thou, O most faithful
Lover of our salvation, hast deigned to show me, most un worthy, in this sacred
banquet of Thy body and blood. Acknowledging my utter insufficiency, I offer unto
Thee, O Most Blessed Trinity, all the praises and thanksgivings which the most
sacred humanity of Our Lord Jesus Christ rendered Thee throughout His whole
earthly life, and especially when He instituted this Sacrament. Receive also, O
compassionate Father, all those thanksgivings which the Blessed Virgin Mary and all
Thy saints have ever rendered Thee with ali their heart and all their soul, and
especially when they have received this Sacrament; and mercifully grant that all my
insufficiencies and my negligences may be supplied and satisfied for by their
abundance and perfection. Amen.

OFFERING OF ALL ONES ACTIONS TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

St. Mechtilde of the Blessed Sacrament

MOST Sacred Heart of Jesus, I offer thee my will, that thou mayest strengthen it; my
understanding, that thou mayest enlighten it; my memory, that thou mayest occupy
it; and all my desires and affections, that thou mayest purify them. I offer thee also
all my projects, that they may be guided by thee; my toils and labors, that they may
be blessed by thee; and all my interior and exterior occupations, that they may be
sanctified by Thee. Thy Divine Heart, O Jesus, shall possess all that I have and all
that I am. In the love which Thou dost bear me, I place all my hope and confidence.
O Jesus, hear my prayer and grant that I may never be separated from Thee. Amen.

ACT OF CONSECRATION BY BLESSED MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE

I, N. N., give and consecrate to the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ my person
and my life, my actions, penances, and sufferings, not wishing to make use of any
part of my being for the future except in honoring, loving, and glorifying that sacred
Heart.

It is my irrevocable will to be entirely His, and to do everything for His love,

renouncing with my whole heart whatever might displease Him.

I take Thee, then, O most sacred Heart, as the sole object of my love, as the
protector of my life, as the pledge of my salvation, as the remedy of my frailty and
inconstancy, as the repairer of all the defects of my life, and as my secure refuge in
the hour of death.

Be then, O Heart of goodness, my justification before God the Father, and remove
far from me the thunderbolts of His just wrath. O Heart of love, I place my whole
confidence in Thee. While I fear all things from my malice and frailty, I hope all
things from Thy goodness.

Consume, then, in me whatever can displease or be opposed to Thee, and may Thy
pure love be so deeply impressed upon my heart that it may be impossible that I
should ever be separated from Thee, or forget Thee.

I implore Thee, by all Thy goodness, that my name may be written in Thee, for in
Thee I wish to place all my happiness and all my glory, living and dying in very
bondage to Thee. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII, Jan. 13, 1898; Pius X, May 30, 1908.

PETITIONS OF ST. AUGUSTINE

O LORD Jesus, let me know myself, let me know Thee,
And desire nothing else but only Thee.
Let me hate myself and love Thee
And do all things for the sake of Thee.
Let me humble myself, and exalt Thee,
And think of nothing else but Thee.
Let me die to myself, and live in Thee,
And take whatever happens as coming from Thee.
Let me forsake myself and walk after Thee,
And ever desire to follow Thee.
Let me flee from myself, and turn to Thee,
That so I may merit to be defended by Thee.
Let me fear for myself, let me fear Thee,
And be amongst those who are chosen by Thee.
Let me distrust myself, and trust in Thee,
And ever obey for the love of Thee.
Let me cleave to nothing but only to Thee,
And ever be poor for the sake of Thee.
Look upon me, that I may love Thee;
Call me, that I may see Thee
And forever possess Thee. Amen.

Indulgence of 50 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Sept. 25, 1883.

PETITIONS

O GOD, Who out of Thy immense love hast given to the faithful the most Sacred
Heart of Thy Son, Our Lord, as the object of Thy tender affection; grant, we beseech
Thee, that we may so love and honor this pledge of Thy love on earth, as by it to
merit the love both of Thee and Thy gift, and be eternally loved by Thee and this
most blessed Heart in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world
without end. Amen.

Through Thy Sacred Heart, O Jesus, overflowing with all sweetness, we recommend
to Thee ourselves and all our concerns; we recommend to Thy tender mercy and
protection the whole Catholic Church, our Holy Father, N.N., our bishop, our priests,
our confessor, and in particular our Superiors N.N. ; bless our friends and enemies,
our relatives and benefactors, and all those for whom we have promised to pray;
take under Thy protection our Community, this house, city, and country; extend this
Thy care to all such as are under any affliction, and to those who labor in the agony
and pangs of death; cast an eye of compassion on the obstinate sinner, and more
particularly on the poor suffering souls in purgatory, as also on those who are
engaged and united with us in honoring and worshipping Thy Sacred Heart in the
Blessed Sacrament Bless these in particular, O bountiful Jesus, and bless them
according to the extent of Thy infinite love. Amen.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY, MOTHER OF CONFIDENCE

O IMMACULATE Mary, when we venerate thee under the gracious title of Mother of
Confidence, how our hearts overflow with the sweetest consolation, how we are
moved to hope for every good gift from thee! That such a name should have been
given to thee is a sign that none have recourse to thee in vain. Receive, then, with a
mothers compassion these acts of homage, with which we earnestly pray thee to
be propitious to us in every necessity. Above all we ask thee to make us live ever
united to thee and thy divine Son, Jesus. Under thy escort we shall safely walk along
the straight road; and so shall it be our lot to hear on the last day of our lives those
consoling words: Come, O faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord. Amen.

Indulgence of 200 days, once a day. Leo XIII, Jan. 26. 1901.

INDULGENCED PRAYERS AND EJACULATIONS

PRAYER TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

I ADORE Thee, O my God one God in three Persons; I annihilate myself before Thy
majesty. Thou alone art being, life, truth, beauty, and goodness. I glorify Thee, I
praise Thee, I thank Thee, and I love Thee, all incapable and unworthy as I am, in
union with Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and our Father, in the
mercifulness of His Heart and through His infinite merits. I wish to serve Thee, to
please Thee, to obey Thee, and to love Thee always, in union with Mary
Immaculate, Mother of God and our mother, loving also and serving my neighbor for
Thy sake. Therefore, give me Thy holy Spirit to enlighten, correct, and guide me in
the way of Thy commandments, and in all perfection, until we come to the
happiness of heaven, where we shall glorify Thee for ever. Amen.

300 days, every time. Pius X, April 18, 1906.

EJACULATION OF BLESSED MARGARET MARY

O HEART of love, I place all my trust in Thee: for though I fear all things from my
weakness, I hope all things from Thy mercies.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, June 3, 1908.

EJACULATION TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

JESUS in the most holy Sacrament, have mercy on us.

Indulgence of 100 days. Pius X, July 6, 1909.

EJACULATORY PRAYER TO OUR LORD

O JESUS CHRIST, Son of the living God, light of the world,

I adore Thee, for Thee I live, for Thee I die.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius X, July i, 1909.

 ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

HOLY Spirit, divine!" spirit of light and love, I consecrate to Thee my understanding,
heart and will, my whole being for time and eternity. May my understanding be
always submissive to Thy heavenly inspirations, and to the teaching of the Catholic
Church, of which Thou art the infallible guide; may my heart be ever inflamed with
love of God and of my neighbor; may my will be ever conformed to the divine will,
and may my whole life be a faithful imitation of the life and virtues of Our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, to Whom with the Father and Thee be honor and glory for ever.
Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius X, June 5, 1908.

EJACULATION

JESUS, Mary, and good Joseph, bless us, now and in the agony of death.

Indulgence of 50 days. Pius X, June 9, 1906.

PRAYER: "O DULCISSIME JESU."

For the Increase of Daily Communion

O SWEETEST JESUS, Who earnest into this world to enrich the souls of all with Thy
grace, and Who, in order to preserve and increase it in them, didst in the most
august sacrament of the Eucharist give Thyself to be a salutary remedy for our
infirmities and divine food to sustain our weakness; we humbly beg of Thee
mercifully to pour out upon all men Thy holy Spirit, which may enable them, if
stained with any mortal guilt, to recover the life of grace lost by sin, and return to
Thee; while those who through Thy great mercy are still united with Thee may daily,
so far as each may be able, approach Thy heavenly Table, where they may find
strength, and an antidote for their daily faults, may nourish the life of grace within
them, and, being more and more purified, may attain to everlasting happiness in
heaven. Amen.

An indulgence of 300 days, once a day, for the recital of the above prayer. Pius X,
June 3, 1905.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

VIRGIN MARY, our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, glory of the Christian people, joy
of the universal Church, salvation of the world, pray for us and awaken in all the
faithful devotion to the Holy Eucharist in order that they may render themselves
worthy to receive it daily.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time. Pius X, Jan. 23, 1907.

PRAYER FOR THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS

O LORD JESUS, most merciful Saviour of the world, we beg and beseech Thee,
through Thy most sacred Heart, that all wandering sheep may now return to Thee,
the shepherd and bishop of their souls, Who livest and reignest with God the Father
and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, Nov. 22, 1905.

ACTS OF CONSECRATION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY SODALITY

By St. John Berchmans

MY MARY, Mother of God, and virgin, I choose thee this day for my queen, patron,
and advocate, and firmly resolve and purpose never to abandon thee, never to say
or do anything against thee, nor to permit that aught be done by others to dishonor
thee. Receive me, then, I conjure thee, as thy perpetual servant; assist me in all my
actions and do not abandon me at the hour of my death. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, for each recitation. Pius X, Nov. 17, 1906.

By St. Francis de Sales

O holy Mary, virgin Mother of God, I (full name), most unworthy though I am to be
thy servant, yet touched by thy motherly care for me and longing to serve thee, do,
in the presence of my guardian angel, and all the court of heaven choose thee this
day to be my queen, my advocate, and my mother, and I firmly purpose to serve
thee evermore myself and to do what I can that all may render faithful service to
thee.

Therefore, most devoted mother, through the precious blood thy Son poured out for
me, I beg thee and beseech thee, deign to take me among thy clients and receive
me as thy servant for ever.

Aid me in my every action, and beg for me the grace never, by word or deed or
thought to be displeasing in thy sight and that of thy most holy Son.

Think of me, my dearest mother, and desert me not at the hour of death. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, for each recitation. Pius X, Nov. 17, 1906.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

O VIRGIN MARY, grant that the recitation of thy Rosary may be for me each day, in
the midst of my manifold duties, a bond of unity in my actions, a tribute of filial
piety, a sweet refreshment, an encouragement to walk joyfully along the path of
duty. Grant, above all, O Virgin Mary, that the study of thy fifteen mysteries may
form in my soul, little by little, a luminous atmosphere, pure, strengthening, and
fragrant, which may penetrate my understanding, my will, my heart, my memory,
my imagination, my whole being. So shall I acquire the habit of praying while I work,
without the aid of formal prayers, by interior acts of admiration and of supplication,
or by aspirations of love. I ask this of thee, O Queen of the Holy Rosary, through St.
Dominic, thy son of predilection, the renowned preacher of thy mysteries, and the
faithful imitator of thy virtues. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius X, March 15, 1907.

INDULGENCED PRAYERS IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF THE MOST BLESSED

SACRAMENT

1. Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us!

Indulgence of 300 days to those who recite this invocation before the Blessed
Sacrament exposed. Pius X, Dec. 30, 1905.

2. O Virgin Mary, our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, who art the glory of
Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us!
Stir up in all the faithful devotion to the most holy Eucharist, that they may render
themselves worthy to communicate every day.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time. Pius X, Dec. 9, 1906.

3. Let us with Mary immaculate adore, thank, supplicate, and console the most
sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus!

Indulgence of 200 days for each recital. Pius X, Dec. 19, 1904.

PRAYER TO OUR LORD IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

OUR sins, O Lord, darken our minds, and we lose the benefit of loving Thee as Thou
deservest. Enlighten us with a ray of Thy bright light. Thou art friend, redeemer,
father of all who turn repentant to Thy Heart; and we return to Thee sorrowing. Save
us, O Jesus; provide out of Thy infinite bounty for our miseries. O Jesus, we hope in
Thee because we know that our salvation cost Thee Thy life, sacrificed upon the
cross, and induced Thee to dwell continuously in the Blessed Sacrament, in order to
be united with us as often as we desire. We, O Lord, to thank Thee for the great love
Thou bearest us, promise with the help of Thy grace to receive Thee in the Blessed
Sacrament as often as possible; to declare Thy praises in church and in every place,
without human respect. O Lord, confiding in Thy sacred Heart, we beseech Thee, to
preserve in Thy love those who love thee and. to invite all to receive Thee daily at
the altar in accordance with Thy burning desire.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, July 6, 1906.

O DIVINE Heart of Jesus, grant, we beseech Thee, eternal rest to the souls in
purgatory, the final grace to those who shall die to-day, true repentance to sinners,
the light of the Faith to pagans, and Thy blessing to me and mine. To Thee, O most
compassionate Heart of Jesus, I commend all these souls, and I offer to Thee on
their behalf all Thy merits, together with the merits of Thy most holy Mother and of
all the saints and angels, and all the sacrifices of the holy Mass, communions,
prayers, and good works which shall be accomplished to-day throughout the
Christian world.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII, March 13, 1901.

INDULGENCED ACTS IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Reverent Genuflection and Invocation before the Blessed Sacrament

1. FOR reciting in any language the invocation "Jesus, my God, I adore Thee here
present in the sacrament of Thy love," whilst devoutly genuflecting before the
Blessed Sacrament enclosed in the tabernacle, one hundred days indulgence, each
time.

2. For reciting the same invocation whilst adoring with a double genuflection the
Blessed Sacrament solemnly exposed, three hundred days, each time.

3. For making an exterior act of reverence in passing by a church or oratory where

the Blessed Sacrament is kept, one hundred days, each time.

Pius X (S. Cong. Indul., July 13, 1908).

Blessed be God!

Indulgence of fifty days, every time, if said devoutly hearing a blasphemy. Pius X,
Nov. 28, 1903.

CONSECRATION OF THE FAMILY TO THE SACRED HEART

Heart of Jesus, Who didst manifest to Blessed Margaret Mary the desire of reigning
in Christian families, we to-day wish to proclaim Thy most complete dominion over
our own. We would live in future with Thy life, we would cause to flourish in our
midst those virtues to which Thou hast promised peace here below, we would
banish far from us the spirit of the world which Thou hast cursed: and Thou shall
reign over our minds in the simplicity of our faith, and over our hearts by the whole-
hearted love with which they shall burn for Thee, the flame of which we shall keep
alive by the frequent reception of Thy Holy Eucharist.

O divine Heart, deign to preside over our assemblings, to bless our enterprises, both
spiritual and temporal, to dispel our cares, to sanctify our joys, to alleviate our
sufferings. If ever one or other of us should have the misfortune to afflict Thee,
remind him, O Heart of Jesus, that Thou art good and merciful to the penitent sinner.
And when the hour of separation strikes, when death shall come to cast mourning
into our midst, we will all, both those who go and those who stay, be submissive to
Thy eternal decrees. We shall console ourselves with the thought that a day will
come when the entire family, reunited in heaven, can sing for ever Thy glories and
Thy mercies.
May the immaculate heart of Mary and the glorious patriarch, St. Joseph, present
this consecration to Thee, and keep it in our minds all the days of our life. All glory
to the Heart of Jesus, our King and our Father.

Plenary indulgence on the day of consecration, and every year on the day of
renewal (on the usual conditions). Pius X, June 15, 1908.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS

O GOOD Jesus! O most tender Jesus! O most sweet Jesus! O Jesus, Son of Mary the
Virgin, full of mercy and kindness! O sweet Jesus, according to Thy great mercy,
have pity on me! O most merciful Jesus, I entreat Thee by that precious blood of
Thine which Thou didst will to pour forth for sinners, to wash away all my iniquities,
and to look upon me, poor and unworthy as I am, asking humbly pardon of Thee,
and invoking this holy name of Jesus. O name of Jesus, sweet name! Name of Jesus,
name of joy! Name of Jesus, name of strength! Nay, what meaneth the name of
Jesus but Saviour? Wherefore, O Jesus, by Thine own holy name, be to me Jesus, and
save me. Suffer me not to be lost me, whom Thou didst create out of nothing. O
good Jesus, let not my iniquity destroy what Thy almighty goodness made. O sweet
Jesus, recognize what is Thine own, and wipe away from me what is not of Thee! O
most kind Jesus, have pity on me while it is the time of pity, and condemn me not
when it is the time of judgment. The dead shall not praise Thee, Lord Jesus, nor all
those who go down into hell. O most loving Jesus! O Jesus most longed for by Thine
own! O most gentle Jesus! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let me enter into the number of Thine
elect. O Jesus, salvation of those who believe in Thee; Jesus, consolation of those
who fly to Thee. Jesus, Son of Mary the Virgin, pour into me grace, wisdom, charity,
chastity, and humility, that I may be able perfectly to love Thee, to praise Thee, to
enjoy Thee, to serve Thee, and to glory in Thee, together with all those who invoke
Thy name, which is Jesus. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX, Nov. 26, 1876.

PRAYER, DIVINE JESUS

JESUS, incarnate Son of God, Who for our salvation didst vouchsafe to be born in a
stable, to pass Thy life in poverty, trials, and misery, and to die amid the sufferings
of the cross, I entreat Thee, say to Thy divine Father at the hour of my death:
Father, forgive him; say to Thy beloved mother: Behold thy Son; say to my soul: This
day thou shall be with Me in paradise. My God, My God, forsake me not in that hour.
I thirst; yes, my God, my soul thirsts after Thee, Who art the fountain of living
waters. My life passes like a shadow; yet a little while, and all will be consummated.
Wherefore, O my adorable Saviour! From this moment, for all eternity, into Thy
hands I commend my spirit. Lord Jesus, receive my soul. Amen.

His Holiness, Pope Pius IX, by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences,
June 10, 1856, confirmed an indulgence of three hundred days, to be gained by all
the faithful every time that they shall say this prayer with contrite heart and
devotion.

EJACULATIONS TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

I. EUCHARISTIC Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, July 26, 1907.

II. SACRED Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come !

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, May 4, 1906.

III. DIVINE Heart of Jesus, convert sinners, save the dying, set free the holy souls in
purgatory.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, Nov. 6, 1906.

PRAYER TO JESUS, LOVER OF CHILDREN

O JESUS, friend of children, Who from Thy most tender years didst grow visibly in
wisdom and in grace before God and men; Who at the age of twelve wast seated in
the Temple, in the midst of the Doctors, listening to them attentively, humbly asking
them questions, and exciting their admiration by the prudence and wisdom of Thy
discourse; Who didst receive so willingly the children, blessing them and saying to
Thy disciples : Let them come to Me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven, inspire
me as Thou didst inspire the Blessed Peter Canisius, model and guide of the perfect
catechist, with a profound respect and a holy affection for childhood, a taste and a
marked devotion for instructing them in Christian doctrine, a special aptitude in
making them understand its mysteries and love its beauties. I ask this of Thee,
through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius X, March 15, 1906.

PRAYER TO JESUS DEAD

O JESUS, Who in Thy bitter passion didst become the reproach of men and the man
of sorrows, I venerate Thy sacred face, on which shone the grace and sweetness of
the Divinity; now for my sake changed into the likeness of a leper. But under this
deformity I perceive Thy infinite love, and I am overwhelmed with the desire of
loving Thee and making Thee beloved by all men. The tears which stream from Thy
eyes seem as precious pearls, which I love to gather up, in order to purchase with
their infinite value the souls of poor sinners.

O Jesus, Thy face is the only beauty which ravishes my heart. I am content not to
see here below the sweetness of Thy look, not to feel the ineffable delight of a kiss
of Thy mouth; but oh! I beseech Thee, print on me Thy divine likeness, and inflame
me with Thy love, so that it may rapidly consume me, and I may soon come to see
Thy glorious face in heaven. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, Feb. 16, 1906.

 INDULGENCED PRAYERS IN HONOR OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

GLORIOUS St. John the Baptist, of those born of women the greatest of prophets
(Luke vii. 28); thou, though sanctified from thy mother s womb and most innocent,
didst nevertheless will to retire into the desert, there to practice austerities and
penance; obtain for us from Our Lord the grace to be detached, at least in the
affections of our hearts, from all earthly treasure, and to practice Christian
mortification with interior recollection and a spirit of holy prayer. Pater, Ave, and
Gloria.

MOST zealous apostle, who, without working any miracle on others, but solely by
the example of thy life of penance and the power of thy words, didst draw after thee
the crowds, in order to prepare them to worthily receive the Messiah, and listen to
His heavenly teaching; grant that it may be given to us also, by the example of a
holy life and the practice of good works, to lead many souls to God, and above all,
those who have been enveloped in the darkness of error and ignorance, and led
astray by vice. Pater, Ave, Gloria.

O UNCONQUERED martyr, who for the honor of God, and the salvation of souls,
didst, with heroic constancy, and at the cost of life itself, withstand the impious
Herod, reproving him openly for his bad and dissolute life; obtain for us a brave and
generous heart, so that, overcoming all human respect, we may boldly profess our
faith, and follow the teaching of our divine Master, Jesus Christ. Pater, Ave, Gloria.

V. Pray for us, St. John the Baptist.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, Who hast made this day worthy of honor in the nativity (commemoration) of
St. John, grant to Thy people the grace of spiritual joys, and direct the minds of all
the faithful into the way of eternal salvation; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Indulgences: i. 200 days, once a day. ii. 300 days, once a day, during a triduum or
novena. iii. Plenary, once during the triduum or novena, or within eight days, on the
usual conditions. Pius X, Jan. n, 1904.

EJACULATIONS

EUCHARISTIC Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, June 27, 1907.

SACRED Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee!

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, June 27, 1906.

BLESSED be God!
Indulgence of fifty days, every time. (If said devoutly on hearing a blasphemy.) Pius
X, Nov. 28, 1903.

MY GOD, unite all minds in the truth and all hearts in charity.
Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, Jan. 21, 1905; May 30, 1908.

Heart of Jesus, convert sinners, save the dying, set free the holy souls in purgatory.
Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, Nov. 6, 1906.

Lady of Good Studies, pray for us!

Indulgence of 300 days. Pius IX, May 22, 1906.

JESUS, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.
Indulgence of 303 days, every time. Pius X, Sept. 15, 1905.

OUR Lady of the Sacred Heart, pray for us!

Indulgence of 100 days, every time. Pius X, July 9, 1904.

JESUS, Mary, Joseph.

Indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines. Pius X, June 16, 1906.

MARY, our hope, have pity on us.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, Jan. 8, 1906.

MARY, most sorrowful mother of all Christians, pray for us.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, June 27, 1906.

PRAYERS DURING A PROCESSION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. Then say ten times:

V. Let us every moment praise the Most Holy Sacrament.

R. May our God, present in the Sacrament, be now and ever praised.

Repeat Our Father, Hail Mary, etc., while the procession is in progress.

Indulgence of 300 days. Pius X, Aug. n, 1906.

EJACULATIONS

OUR Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, Nov. 9, 1907.

MOTHER of love, of sorrow, and of mercy, pray for us.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X. May 30, 1908.

VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS

COME, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy
love.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, May 8, 1907,

DEVOTION TO THE HOLY NAME

For saying: Glory be to the Father, etc., and May the Holy Name of Jesus be infinitely
blessed, five times, the following indulgences are granted on the usual conditions:

I. Three hundred days, each time.

II. Plenary, on the Sunday after the Epiphany, if said daily, all who visit a church
where the Feast of the Holy Name being celebrated.
III. Plenary, to all who assist at the annual requiem for those who were devout to the
Holy Name. Pius X, Nov. 26, 1906.

TO BE SAID IN REPARATION FOR BLASPHEMIES

FATHER, by the most precious blood of Jesus Christ, glorify His most holy name,
according to the intention and the desires of His adorable Heart.

Indulgence of 300 days. Pius X, Jan. 27, 1908.

PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART

For the Church and the Supreme Pontiff, for Friends, Relatives, and Benefactors;
and for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

O MOST sacred Heart of Jesus, pour down Thy blessings abundantly upon Thy
Church, upon the Supreme Pontiff, and upon all the clergy; give perseverance to the
just, convert sinners, enlighten unbelievers, bless our parents, friends, and
benefactors, help the dying, free the souls in purgatory, and extend over all hearts
the sweet empire of Thy love. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius X, June 16, 1906.

EJACULATIONS

JESUS, Mary, and good Joseph, bless us, now and in the agony of death.
Indulgence of fifty days. Pius X, June 9, 1906.

Mary!
Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, Oct. 10, 1904.

PRAYER TO BE SAID AT THE BEGINNING OF MASS

Father, I unite myself with the intentions and affections of our Lady of Sorrows on
Calvary, and I offer Thee the sacrifice which Thy beloved Son Jesus made of Himself
on the cross, and now renews on this holy altar: i. To adore Thee and give Thee the
honor which is due to Thee, confessing Thy supreme dominion over all things, and
the absolute dependence of everything upon Thee, Thou who art our one and last
end. 2. To thank Thee for innumerable benefits received. 3. To appease Thy justice,
irritated against us by so many sins, and to make satisfaction for them. 4. To
implore grace and mercy for myself, for .... for all afflicted and sorrowing, for poor
sinners, for all the world, and for the holy souls in purgatory.
Indulgence of 300 days, every time; also a plenary indulgence once a month, if said
on every Sunday and holyday of obligation, on the usual conditions. Pius X, July 8,
1904.

EJACULATIONS

JESUS, my God, I love Thee above all things.

Indulgence of 50 days, every time. Pius IX, May 7, 1854.

JESUS, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.
Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, Sept. 15, 1905.

MAY the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere!

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX, Sept. 23, 1860.

SWEETEST Jesus, grant me an increase of faith, hope, and charity, a contrite and
humble heart.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII, Sept. 13, 1893.

MAY the Heart of Jesus in the most blessed sacrament be praised, adored, and loved
with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to
the end of time. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX, Feb. 29, 1868.

O SWEETEST Heart of Jesus! I implore That I may ever love thee more and more.
Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius IX, Nov. 26, 1876.

PRAYER TO ST. PAUL

O GLORIOUS St. Paul, who from a persecutor of the Christian name, didst become
an apostle of burning zeal, and who, in order that Jesus Christ might be known to
the furthermost bounds of the earth, didst joyfully suffer imprisonment, scourging,
stoning, shipwreck, and every kind of persecution, and who didst finally shed thy
blood to the last drop; obtain for us the grace of accepting, as divine favors, the
infirmities, torments, and calamities of this life, so that we may not be drawn from
the service of God by the vicissitudes of this our exile, but on the contrary may
prove ourselves more and more faithful and fervent. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius X, Jan. i8,?i90S.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY

MARY, mother of mercy, mother and daughter of Him Who is the Father of mercies
and the God of all consolation, (1) dispenser of the treasures of thy Son, (2)
handmaiden of God, (3) mother of the supreme High-priest, Christ, at once priest
and altar, (4) immaculate treasure-house of the word of God, (5) mistress of all the
apostles and disciples of Christ; (6) protect the Supreme Pontiff, intercede for us and
for our priests; that the High-priest Jesus Christ may purify our consciences, so that
we may worthily
and piously approach His holy banquet. Immaculate virgin, who not only gavest us
Christ, to be our bread from heaven, for the remission of sins, (7) but art thyself a
most acceptable victim offered to God, (8) and the glory of the priesthood, (9) who
according to the testimony of thy most blessed servant St. Antoninus, although thou
didst not receive the Sacrament of Order, art filled with whatever of dignity and
grace is conferred by it; wherefore deservedly art thou proclaimed virgin priest; (10)
look down upon us and on the priests of thy Son; purify, sanctify, save us, that
receiving the ineffable gifts of the sacraments, we may deserve to obtain the
eternal salvation of our souls. Amen.

Mother of mercy, pray for us.

Mother of the eternal priest, Christ Jesus, pray for us.
Queen of the clergy, pray for us.
Mary, virgin priest, pray for us.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, Jan. 9, 1907.

1 Richard of St. Laurence.

2 St. Bernard.
3 Bernard de Busto.
4 St. Epiphanius.
5 Blosius.
6 St. Thomas of Villanova.
7 St. Epiphanius.
8 St. Andrew of Crete.
9 St. Ephrem.
10 Br. of Pius IX, August 25, 1873,

EJACULATIONS

JESUS, my God, I adore Thee here present in the sacrament of Thy love.

Indulgence of 100 days, every time before the tabernacle; indulgence of 300 days,
at exposition, every time. Pius X, July 3, 1908.

MY GOD, unite all minds in truth and all hearts in charity!

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, May 30. 1908.

ALL for Thee, most sacred Heart of Jesus!

Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, Nov. 26, 1908.

ETERNAL FATHER! I offer Thee the precious blood of Jesus in satisfaction for my sins
and for the wants of holy Church.

Indulgence of 100 days, every time. Pius VII, Sept. 22, 1817.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY " REPARATRICE"

IMMACULATE Virgin, the refuge of sinners, thou who, to repair the outrages
committed against God, and the evil inflicted on man by sin, didst resign thyself to
the death of thy divine Son, be ever propitious to us, and carry on thy work of zeal
and love for us in heaven, where thou reignest so gloriously. We wish to be thy
children, do thou show thyself a Mother to us; obtain from the divine restorer, Jesus,
that by applying to our souls the fruits of His passion and death He may free us from
the bonds of our iniquities. May He be our light in the darkness, our strength in
weakness, our help in danger, so that after He has consoled us by his grace and
love in time, He may permit us to see, possess, and love Him in eternity. Amen.

Indulgence of 200 days, once a day. Pius X, Aug. 24, 1904.

PRAYER OF ST. ALPHONSUS FOR PURITY

Ave Maria thrice, and after each:

BY THY immaculate conception, O Mary, make my body pure and my soul holy.

Indulgence of 300 days, twice a day; morning and evening. Pius X, Dec. 5, 1904.

PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD OR DYING

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH

O GLORIOUS St. Joseph! model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me
the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work
conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my inclinations; to work with
thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of
labor the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and
patience, never shrinking from weariness and trials; to work, above all, with purity
of intention, and with detachment from self, keeping unceasingly before my eyes
death and the account I must give of time lost, talents unused, good omitted, and
vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God.

All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thy example, patriarch Joseph; such shall be
my watchword in life and in death. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius X, Nov. 25, 1906.

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH

O JOSEPH, virgin father of Jesus, most pure spouse of the Virgin Mary, pray for us
daily to the Son of God, that, armed with the weapons of His grace, we may fight as
we ought in life, and be crowned by Him in death.

Indulgence of 100 days, twice a day. Pius X, Nov. 26, 1906.

EJACULATIONS

DIVINE Heart of Jesus, convert sinners, save the dying, deliver the holy souls from
purgatory!
Indulgence of 300 days, every time. Pius X, Nov. 6, 1906.

ALL SOULS DAY

PLENARY indulgence, toties quoties. This indulgence, like that of the Portiuncula,
may be gained as often as a person visits a church or public chapel of the
Benedictines, whether monks or nuns, between first Vespers on Nov, 1 and sunset
on Nov. 2. Communities and those dwelling with them may use a semipublic chapel.

Those who wear a duly blessed medal of St. Benedict and are hindered from visiting
a church or public chapel of the Benedictines by infirmity, enclosure, or distance
(more than a mile), may gain the same indulgence by visiting any church or public
chapel. Pius X, Feb. 27, 1907:1 Sept, 2 and n, 1907.

PLENARY INDULGENCE IN ARTICULO MORTIS

To all who, on any day they may choose, will receive the sacraments of Penance
and Holy Eucharist and make this act for the love of God.

O LORD, my God, I now, at this moment, readily and willingly accept at Thy hand
whatever kind of death it may please Thee to send me, with all its pains, penalties,
and sorrows.

Pius X, March 9, 1904.

PRAYER TO OUR LORD ON THE CROSS

CRUCIFIED Jesus, mercifully accept the prayer which I now make to Thee for help in
the moment of my death, when at its approach all my senses shall fail me.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius X, Sept. 4, 1903.

PRAYER FOR A HAPPY DEATH

BLESSED are the dead who die in the Lord. my God, I have certainly to die, but I
know not when, how, or where I shall die; this only I know: that if I die in mortal sin, I
shall be lost forever. Amen.

Most blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mother of God, pray for me, a sinner, now and at the
hour of my death. Amen.

OFFERING OF MASSES FOR THE DYING

O GOD, I offer Thee all the Masses which are being celebrated to-day throughout
the whole world, for sinners who are in their agony and who are to die this day. May
the precious bloodlof Jesus, their Redeemer, obtain mercy for them.

Indulgence of 300 days. Pius X, December 18, 1907.

PRAYING FOR THE DYING

TTTms may be gained by priests saying Mass, or the laity assisting thereat, who
commend to God all the sinners of the world who are "at that moment in their
agony, or who are to die that day."

Indulgence of 100 days. Pius X, Dec. 10, 1907.

VERSICLES AND RESPONSES FOR THE DEAD

V. ETERNAL rest give unto them, Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

V. May they rest in peace.

R. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time, applicable only to the dead. Pius X, Feb. 13,
1908.

BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

O SALUTARIS HOSTIA

TANTUM ERGO SACRAMENTUM

V. Panem de coelo praestitisti eis.

R. Omne delectamentum in se habentem.

V. Thou hast given them bread from heaven.

R. Replenished with all sweetness and delight.

Oremus.

DEUS, qui nobis, sub sacramento mirabili, passionis tuae memoriam reliquisti, tribue
quaesumus, ita nos
corporis et sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tui fructum in
nobis jugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Let us pray.

O GOD, Who hast left us in this wonderful Sacrament a perpetual memorial of Thy
Passion: grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy
body and blood that we may ever feel within us the fruit of Thy redemption: Who
livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

AT THE BLESSING
O SACRAMENT most holy! O Sacrament divine! All praise and all thanksgiving be
every moment Thine.

Bless me, O Lord! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.

DEVOUT ACTS OF PRAISE

BLESSED be God.
Blessed be His holy name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and immaculate conception.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints.

Indulgence of 2 years for every public recital after Mass or Benediction of the
Blessed Sacrament. Leo XIII., Feb. 2, 1897.

TE DEUM LAUDAMUS

TE DEUM laudamus: te Dominum O GOD, we praise Thee: we

confitemur. acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.

Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra Everlasting Father, all the earth doth
veneratur. worship Thee.

Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi Caeli et To Thee all the Angels, the Heavens
universae Potestates; and all the Powers,

Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili all the Cherubim and Seraphim,

voce proclamant: unceasingly proclaim:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Deus Sabaoth.

Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis Heaven and earth are full of the
gloriae tuae. Majesty of Thy glory.

Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus, The glorious choir of the Apostles,

Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus, the wonderful company of Prophets,

Te Martyrum candidatus laudat the white-robed army of Martyrs,

exercitus. praise Thee.

Te per orbem terrarum sancta Holy Church throughout the world

confitetur Ecclesia, doth acknowledge Thee:
Patrem immensae maiestatis: the Father of infinite Majesty;

Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Thy adorable, true and only Son;
Filium;

Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum. and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.

Tu Rex gloriae, Christe. O Christ, Thou art the King of glory!

Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius. Thou art the everlasting Son of the

Father.

Tu ad liberandum suscepturus Thou, having taken it upon Thyself to

hominem, non horruisti Virginis deliver man, didst not disdain the
uterum. Virgin's womb.

Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti Thou overcame the sting of death and
credentibus regna caelorum. hast opened to believers the Kingdom
of Heaven.

Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Thou sitest at the right hand of God,
Patris. in the glory of the Father.

Iudex crederis esse venturus. We believe that Thou shalt come to be

our Judge.

Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis We beseech Thee, therefore, to help

subveni: quos pretioso sanguine Thy servants whom Thou hast
redemisti. redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.

Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria Make them to be numbered with Thy
numerari. Saints in everlasting glory.

V. Salvum fac populum tuum, V. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless
Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae. Thine inheritance!

R. Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in R. Govern them, and raise them up
aeternum. forever.

V. Per singulos dies benedicimus te. V. Every day we thank Thee.

R. Et laudamus nomen tuum in R. And we praise Thy Name forever,

saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi. yea, forever and ever.

V. Dignare, Domine, die isto sine V. O Lord, deign to keep us from sin
peccato nos custodire. this day.

R. Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have

nostri. mercy on us.

V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
super nos, quemadmodum for we have hoped in Thee.
speravimus in te.

R. In te, Domine, speravi: non R. O Lord, in Thee I have hoped; let

confundar in aeternum. me never be put to shame.

V. BENEDICTUS es, Domine, Deus, V. BLESSED art Thou, O Lord, the God
Patrum nostrorum. of our fathers.

R. Et laudabilis, et gloriosusin R. And worthy to be praised, and

saecula. glorious forever.
V. Let us bless the Father and the Son,
V. Benedicamus Patrem et Filium, cum with the Holy Ghost.
Sancto Spiritu.
R. Let us praise and magnify Him for
R, Laudemus et superexaltemus cum ever.
in saecula.
V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the
V. Benedictus es, Domine Deus, in firmament of
firmamento coeli. heaven.

R. Et laudabilis et gloriosus, et R. And worthy to be praised, glorified,

superexaltatus in saecula. and exalted for ever.

V. Benedic, anima mea, Dominum. V. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

R. Et noli oblivisci omnes retributiones R. And forget not all His benefits.
ejus.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.
V. The Lord be with you.
V. Dominus vobiscum.
R. And with thy spirit.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Let us pray.
Oremus.
O GOD, Whose mercies are without
DEUS, cujus misericordiae non est number, and the treasure of Whose
numerus, et goodness is infinite ; we render
bonitatis infinitus est thesaurus: thanks to Thy most gracious Majesty
piissimae majestati tuae pro collatis for the gifts Thou hast bestowed upon
donis gratias agimus, tuam semper us, evermore beseeching Thy
clementiam exorantes: ut qui clemency: that as Thou grantest the
petentibus postulata concedis, petitions of those who ask Thee, Thou
eosdem non deserens, ad praemia wilt never forsake them, but wilt
futura disponas. Qui vivis. prepare them for the rewards to
come.
 REFLECTIONS ON BENEDICTION

RELIGIOUS, in particular, ought to be grateful for the many opportunities they have
of assisting at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and they ought to show this
gratitude by the fervor of their devotion, and by ever seeking to make this
expression of their love of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and this tribute of their praise
and adoration as splendid as the circumstances will permit. Jesus must be pleased
with this devotion. As though it were too long for His burning love to remain hidden
all day in the tabernacle, He permits His priests to take Him out at evening and
place Him aloft on His altar-throne, that He may look down upon us, love us with His
Sacred Heart, and, loving us infinitely, bless us. O, how good is our gentle Jesus!
How many tender inventions of love has He devised to show His love to us and win
our love in return! When thus, in Benediction, He is raised on high before us amid
starry lights and fragrant flowers and sweet-smelling incense, let us lift up our
hearts to Him and ask Him very ardently to make us love Him. Let us tell Him all our
wants, thank Him for all His love, ask Him that one day we may see His divine face
in heaven, which is now veiled under the appearance of the little round white Host.
Long ago, when on earth, having first embraced them, He blessed the little children
who pressed around Him; so, too, He loves us, if we are innocent of heart, and will
bless us at Benediction.

Ask the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, and your guardian angel to aid you in assisting
worthily at Benediction.

PRAYERS AT BENEDICTION

I. O JESUS, Who art about to give Thy Benediction to me, and to all who are here
present, I humbly beseech Thee that it may impart to each and all of us the special
graces we need. Yet more than this I ask. Let Thy blessing go forth far and wide. Let
it be felt in the souls of the afflicted who can not come here to receive it at Thy feet.
Let the weak and tempted feel its power wherever they may be. Let poor sinners
feel its influence, arousing them to come to Thee. Grant to me, O Lord, and to all
here present, a strong, personal love of Thee, a lively horror of sin, a higher esteem
of grace, great zeal for Thy honor and glory, for the interest of Thy Sacred Heart, for
the salvation of souls,
for our sanctification and that of all those confided to our care, and grant that in our
intercourse with others we may lead many souls to Thee. Amen.

II. DIVINE Redeemer of our souls, Who of Thy great goodness hast been pleased to
leave us Thy precious body and blood in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, we
adore Thee with the most pro found respect, and return Thee our most humble
thanks for all the favors Thou hast bestowed upon us, especially for the institution
of this Most Holy Sacrament. As Thou art the source of every blessing, we entreat
Thee to pour down Thy benediction this day upon us, and upon all those for whom
we offer our prayers. And that nothing may interrupt the course of Thy blessing,
take from our hearts whatever is displeasing to Thee. Pardon our sins, O my God,
which, for the love of Thee, we sincerely detest; purify our hearts, sanctify our souls,
and bestow a blessing on us like that which Thou didst grant to Thy disciples at Thy
Ascension into heaven; grant us a blessing that may change us, consecrate us, and
unite us perfectly to Thee, and fill us with Thy spirit, and be to us in this life a
foretaste of those blessings which Thou hast prepared for Thy elect in Thy heavenly
kingdom. Amen.

III. MOST holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be hold us prostrate in Thy divine
presence. We humble ourselves profoundly, and beg of Thee pardon for our sins. We
adore Thee, omnipotent Father, and with the out pouring of our hearts we thank
Thee for having given us Thy divine Son Jesus to be our redeemer, and for having
left Him with us to the consummation of the world in the most august sacrament of
the Holy Eucharist, in which mystery of faith and love he reveals to us the wonders
of His sacred Heart. Gloria Patri.

O DIVINE Word, most adorable Jesus, we adore Thee in Thy sacrament, and with the
outpouring of our hearts we thank Thee for having taken human flesh and for
having made Thyself, for our redemption, priest and victim in the sacrifice of the
cross, a sacrifice which, by an excess of the love of Thy adorable Heart, Thou dost
renew every moment on our altars throughout the world. O supreme priest, O divine
victim, grant that we may honor the sacrifice of the most holy Eucharist with the
united homage of most holy Mary and of all Thy Church, in triumph, in suffering, and
in warfare. We offer ourselves wholly to Thee, and since Thou dost deign to have
victims associated with Thee, accept our offering, and, uniting it withThine, bless us.
Gloria Patri.

O DIVINE Spirit and Paraclete, we adore Thee, and with the outpouring of our hearts
we thank Thee for having with so much love for us wrought the ineffable blessing of
the incarnation of the divine Word, a benefit which is continually being extended
and increased in the most holy Eucharist. By this adorable mystery of the love of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus, grant to us and to all sinners Thy grace; pour out upon us
and upon all redeemed souls Thy holy gifts, but in a special manner bestow them
upon the holy Church, the spouse of Jesus Christ and our Mother, upon its visible
head the Supreme Pontiff, upon all the cardinals, the bishops, and pastors of souls,
on all priests, and on all the other ministers of the sanctuary. Amen. Gloria Patri.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius X, March 22, 1905.

 BOOK II

DEVOTIONS, NOVENAS, INDULGENCED PRAYERS, OFFICES AND PRAYERS FOR

PARTICULAR OCCASIONS

The "Week Sanctified

A COMMENDABLE practice of piety consists in consecrating each day of the week to

some particular devotion.

Besides honoring the mystery or the- saint of each day, and reciting the prayers
assigned for it, you should take as the object of your endeavors and prayers the
correction of the principal fault of which you accused yourself in your last
confession.

Select some prayers and ejaculations, from the following part of this book,
appropriate to the devotions assigned to each particular day, and say them in
connection with your daily visit to the Blessed Sacrament.*

*In the following part we have endeavored, for the sake of method, to group and
classify in seven sections, under the headings given for the sanctification of the
week, namely, Sunday, the Holy Trinity: one God; Monday, the Holy Ghost and the
Holy Souls; Tuesday, the Holy Angels; Wednesday, St. Joseph; Thursday, the Blessed
Sacrament and the Sacred Heart; Friday, the Sacred Heart and the Passion of Our
Lord and Saviour, and Saturday, the Blessed Virgin, all the prayers and devotions
appropriate to the various seasons of the whole year. The Novenas, however, will be
found in a separate group. In regard to the devotions of the Sacred Heart and the
Blessed Sacrament, given under Thursday, the Holy Hour and the Hour of Adoration,
i.e., the former in honor of the Suffering Heart of Jesus (to render Christ homage in
the extreme anguish He suffered on the night of His Passion), and the latter in honor
of the Blessed Sacrament, are kept by Communities mostly on Thursday after noon
or evening, and prayers to the Sacred Heart as well as to the Blessed Sacrament are
then used by the pious adorers before the Sacred Host exposed upon the altar. That
is why bom are included under Thursday. Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament
generally unite prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with devotions in honor of the
sublime Mystery of the altar. Friday is given to the Sacred Heart as well as to the
Passion, but the prayers for Sacred Heart devotions will be found, as we have said,
under Thursday.

SUNDAY
THE HOLY TRINITY

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

Make the sign of the cross, saying:

IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
This sacred sign may be regarded as a compendium of all the mysteries of our faith,
as a homage rendered to the three Persons of the adorable Trinity, as an act of
gratitude for all that the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
condescended to do in favor of man.

Indulgence of 100 days. Pius IX., March 23, 1876.

PRAYERS TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY TO BE SAID AT THE END AND AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

Pope Pius IX, by a brief, December 5, 1876, granted to all the faithful, who, with at
least contrite heart, during the last half hour of the year and the first half hour of
the following year, shall pray to the Most Holy Trinity in thanksgiving for benefits
received; beseeching the same Holy Trinity for peace among Christian nations, for
concord among Christian princes, for the conversion of sinners, and for the triumph
of holy Mother Church and its visible head, the Roman Pontiff, an indulgence of 7
years.

THE CANTICLE OF THE SERAPHIM

HOLY, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts! the earth is full of Thy glory. Glory be to the
Father, glory be to the Son, glory be to the Holy Ghost.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day; three times every Sunday and during the
Octave of the festival of the Most Holy Trinity. Clement XIV., 1769 and 1770.

PRAYER FOR SUNDAY TO THE BLESSED TRINITY

BLESSED Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the Source and Fountain of all good, I
most firmly believe in You, I most humbly adore You, and thank You with a grateful
heart for all the blessings and benefits I have received from Your infinite goodness. I
most fervently consecrate and offer to You an unreserved sacrifice of my whole
being. O my God, Who hast a right to every day, hour, and moment of my
existence, accept the thoughts, words, and actions of this day, which I offer Thee in
testimony of my sincere desire to satisfy my obligation of keeping it holy and as the
first-fruits of the week; mercifully assist me to spend it in such a manner as may
draw down Thy blessing. Increase in my soul the heavenly virtues of faith, hope,
and charity, which I received at baptism, and teach me to make faith the rule of my
conduct, that thereby it may avail me to life everlasting. Eternal Father, take
possession of my memory; efface from it all images of vanity, and engrave therein
the recollection of Thy adorable presence. Eternal Son, enlighten my understanding,
and conduct me in the path of salvation by the light of faith. Holy Spirit, sanctify my
will by the most ardent love; render it submissive under the contradictions of this
life, and never permit that by attachment to my own ideas or judgment, I should
forfeit the blessings of peace offered to men of good-will and obedient minds. Holy,
adorable, undivided Trinity, by Whose power, mercy, and providence I was created,
redeemed, regenerated, and preserved to this moment, receive the oblation of my
whole being, and take me out of the world rather than permit me to efface Your
sacred image in my soul by mortal sin. I adore You, O Holy Trinity, I worship You, I
most humbly give You thanks for having revealed to man this glorious, this
incomprehensible mystery, and for granting to those who persevere until death in
the faithful profession of it, the reward of beholding and enjoying in heaven, what
we now believe and adore upon earth, one God in three Persons, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Aspiration

GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the
beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

LITANY OF THE LOVE OF GOD

Composed by His Holiness Pope Pius VI

LORD, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God, the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Thou Who art Infinite Love,
Thou Who didst first love me,
Thou Who commandest me to love Thee,
With all my heart,
With all my soul,
With all my mind,
With all my strength,
Above all possessions and honors,
Above all pleasures and enjoyments,
More than myself, and everything belonging to me,
More than all my relatives and friends,
More than all men and angels,
Above all created things in heaven or on earth,
Only for Thyself,
Because Thou art the sovereign Good,
Because Thou art infinitely worthy of being loved,
Because Thou art infinitely perfect,
Even hadst Thou not promised me heaven,
Even hadst Thou not menaced me with hell,
Even shouldst Thou try me by want and misfortune,
In wealth and in poverty,
In prosperity and in adversity,
In health and in sickness,
In life and in death,
In time and in eternity,
In union with that love wherewith all the saints and all the angels love Thee in
heaven,
In union with that love wherewith the Blessed Virgin Mary loveth Thee,
In union with that infinite love wherewith Thou lovest Thyself eternally,

Prayer

MY God, Who dost possess in incomprehensible abundance all that is perfect and
worthy of love! Annihilate in me all guilty, sensual, and undue love for creatures,
kindle in my heart the pure fire of Thy love, so that I may love nothing but Thee or
in Thee, until, being entirely consumed by holy love of Thee, I may go to love Thee
eternally with the elect in heaven, the country of pure love. Amen.

MONDAY
THE HOLY SPIRIT

HYMN AND SEQUENCE OF THE HOLY GHOST

Hymn: Veni Creator Spiritus

VENI, Creator Spiritus, COME, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,

mentes tuorum visita, and in our souls take up Thy rest;
imple superna gratia come with Thy grace and heavenly
quae tu creasti pectora. aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast
made.

Qui diceris Paraclitus, O comforter, to Thee we cry,

altissimi donum Dei, O heavenly gift of God Most High,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas, O fount of life and fire of love,
et spiritalis unctio. and sweet anointing from above.

Tu, septiformis munere, Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are

digitus paternae known;
dexterae, Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Tu rite promissum Patris, Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
sermone ditans guttura. Who dost the tongue with power
imbue.

Accende lumen sensibus: Kindle our sense from above,

infunde amorem and make our hearts o'erflow with
cordibus: love;
infirma nostri corporis with patience firm and virtue high
virtute firmans perpeti. the weakness of our flesh supply.

Hostem repellas longius, Far from us drive the foe we dread,

pacemque dones and grant us Thy peace instead;
protinus: so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
ductore sic te praevio turn from the path of life aside.
vitemus omne noxium.
Per te sciamus da Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
Patrem, the Father and the Son to know;
noscamus atque Filium; and Thee, through endless times
Teque utriusque Spiritum confessed,
credamus omni tempore. of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Deo Patri sit gloria, Now to the Father and the Son,
et Filio, qui a mortuis Who rose from death, be glory given,
surrexit, ac Paraclito, with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
in saeculorum saecula. henceforth by all in earth and
Amen. heaven.
Amen.

VENI Sancte Spiritus

VENI, Sancte Spiritus, COME, Holy Ghost,

et emitte caelitus send down those beams,
lucis tuae radium. which sweetly flow in silent
streams
from Thy bright throne above.

Veni, pater pauperum, O come, Thou Father of the poor;

veni, dator munerum O come, Thou source of all our
veni, lumen cordium. store,
come, fill our hearts with love.

Consolator optime, O Thou, of comforters the best,

dulcis hospes animae, O Thou, the soul's delightful
dulce refrigerium. guest,
the pilgrim's sweet relief.

In labore requies, Rest art Thou in our toil, most

in aestu temperies sweet
in fletu solatium. refreshment in the noonday heat;
and solace in our grief.

O lux beatissima, O blessed Light of life Thou art;

reple cordis intima fill with Thy light the inmost heart
tuorum fidelium. of those who hope in Thee.

Sine tuo numine, Without Thy Godhead nothing

nihil est in homine, can,
nihil est innoxium. have any price or worth in man,
nothing can harmless be.

Lava quod est sordidum, Lord, wash our sinful stains away,
riga quod est aridum, refresh from heaven our barren
sana quod est saucium. clay,
 our wounds and bruises heal.

Flecte quod est rigidum, To Thy sweet yoke our stiff necks
fove quod est frigidum, bow,
rege quod est devium. warm with Thy fire our hearts of
snow,
our wandering feet recall.

Da tuis fidelibus, Grant to Thy faithful, dearest

in te confidentibus, Lord,
sacrum septenarium. whose only hope is Thy sure
word,
the sevenfold gifts of grace.

Da virtutis meritum, Grant us in life Thy grace that

da salutis exitum, we,
da perenne gaudium, in peace may die and ever be,
Amen, Alleluia. in joy before Thy face.
Amen. Alleluia.

Indulgence of 100 days each time for reciting either the hymn or the sequence. Pius
VI., May 26, 1796.

Versicle, Response, and Prayer to the Holy Ghost

VENI, Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum COME, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy
corda fidelium, et tui amoris in eis faithful and kindle in them the fire of
ignem accende. Thy love.

V. Emitte Spiritum tuum et creabuntur; V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall
R. Et renovabis faciem terrae. be created
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of
the earth.

Oremus: Let us pray:

DEUS, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus O GOD, Who taught the hearts of the
illustratione docuisti: da nobis in faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit,
eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de eius grant that, by the gift of the same
semper consolatione gaudere. Per Spirit, we may be always truly wise,
Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. and ever rejoice in His consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHAPLET OF THE HOLY GHOST

Sign of the Cross

Short Act of Contrition
Solemn invocation (the hymn) "Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come,"
V, R, and Prayer "O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful."
1 . By the Holy Ghost is Jesus conceived of Mary. (Luke i. 35)

Our Father, once; Hail Mary, once; Glory be, seven times

Practice: Conformity to Jesus by the aid of the divine Spirit through Mary s
intercession.

2. The Spirit of the Lord rests upon Jesus. (Matt. iii. 16.)

Our Father, once; Hail Mary, once; Glory be, seven times.

Practice: Esteem the gifts of the Holy Ghost and cultivate them assiduously;
live as becomes a child of God, and practice the virtues of faith, hope, and
charity.

3. By the Spirit is Jesus led into the desert. (Luke iv. i, 2.)

Our Father, once; Hail Mary, once; Glory be, seven times.

Practice: Distrust self, and in all your ways yield yourself to the guidance of
the Holy Spirit.

4. The abiding presence of the Holy Ghost in the Church. (Acts ii)

Our Father, once; Hail Mary, once; Glory be, seven times.

Practice: Devotion to the Holy See, the mouthpiece of the Holy Ghost.

5. The Holy Ghost within the soul of the just man. (1 Cor. vi. 19)

Our Father, once; Hail Mary, once; Glory be, seven times.

Practice: Interior recollection, purity of heart and constant devotion to the

Holy Ghost. Be ever mindful of the personal presence of the Holy Ghost within
you. Cultivate purity of soul and body, for you are the temple of the Holy
Ghost. Correspond faithfully with the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, so that
His twelve fruits may spring forth and flourish in your soul, namely: " Charity,
joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith,
modesty, continency, chastity" (Gal. v. 22).

Our Father, Hail Mary, the Creed for the intention of the Pope.

Leo XIIL, in a brief of approval, dated March 24, 1902, speaks of the "Chaplet of the
Holy Ghost" as a "salutary exercise," and hopes that by it "devotion toward the
Paraclete may be more widely diffused." The indulgences granted for its public as
well as private recital are seven years and seven quarantines for each recitation.

THE PRACTICE OF THE SEVEN GLORIA PATRIS IN HONOR OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Indulgence of 7 days. Pius IX., March 12, 1857.

INDULGENCES GRANTED FOR THIS NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

Pope Leo XIII., May 9, 1897, decreed that a novena to the Holy Ghost should be
made every year in preparation for the Feast of Pentecost, and granted an
indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines for each day of the novena, and
plenary indulgence any one day of the novena on the usual conditions. The same
indulgences may be gained any day of the week between Pentecost and Trinity
Sunday.

NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PREPARATION FOR THE FEAST OF PENTECOST

Commencing on Ascension Day

THE novena of the Holy Spirit is the chief of all the novenas, because it was the first
that was ever celebrated, and that by the holy apostles and the most holy Mary in
the supper-room, being distinguished by so many remarkable wonders and gifts;
principally by the gift of the same Holy Spirit, a gift merited for us by the Passion of
Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus Himself made this known to us when He said to His
disciples that if He did not die He could not send us the Holy Ghost: "If I go not, the
Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you" (John xvi. 7). We
know well by faith that the Holy
Ghost is the love that the Father and the Eternal Word bear one to the other; and
therefore the gift of love, which the Lord infuses into our souls, and which is the
greatest of all gifts, is particularly attributed to the Holy Ghost. As St. Paul says,
"The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, Who is given to
us" (Rom. v. 5). In this novena, therefore, we must consider, above all. the great
value of divine love, in order that we may desire to obtain it, and endeavor, by
devout exercises, and especially by prayer, to be made partakers of it, since God
has promised it to him who asks for it with humility: "Your Father from heaven will
give the good Spirit to them that ask Him" (Luke xi. 13).

During this novena no particular form of prayer is of obligation. Any prayer to the
Holy Ghost will suffice.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THE CHURCH

O HOLY Spirit, Creator, propitiously help the Catholic Church, and by Thy supernal
power strengthen and confirm it against the assaults of the enemy; by Thy charity
and grace renew the spirit of Thy servants whom Thou hast anointed, that in Thee
they may glorify the Father and His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Aug. 26, 1889.

SHORT INDULGENCED PRAYER TO THE HOLY GHOST

HOLY Spirit, Spirit of truth, come into our hearts; give to all peoples the brightness
of Thy light, that they may be well-pleasing to Thee in unity of faith.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., July 31, 1897.

VARIOUS PRAYERS SUITABLE FOR A NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST

Prayer for the Feast of Pentecost

O HOLY Spirit, O my God, I adore Thee, and acknowledge, here in Thy divine
presence, that I am nothing and can do nothing without Thee. Come, great
Paraclete, Thou Father of the poor, Thou Comforter the best, fulfill the promise of
our blessed Saviour, Who would not leave us orphans, and come into the mind and
the heart of Thy poor, unworthy creature, as Thou didst descend on the sacred day
of Pentecost on the holy Mother of Jesus and on His first disciples. Grant that I may
participate in those gifts which Thou didst communicate to them so wonderfully,
and with so much mercy and generosity. Take from my heart whatever is not
pleasing to Thee, and make of it a worthy dwelling-place for Thyself. Illumine my
mind that I may see and understand the things that are for my eternal good.
Inflame my heart with pure love of Thee, that it may be cleansed from the dross of
all inordinate attachments, and that my whole life may be hidden with Jesus in God.
Strengthen my will that it may be made conformable to Thy divine will, and be
guided by Thy holy inspirations. Aid me by Thy grace to practice the divine lessons
of humility, poverty, obedience, and contempt of the world, which Jesus taught us in
His mortal life.

Oh, rend the heavens, and come down, consoling Spirit! that inspired and
encouraged by Thee, I may faithfully comply with the duties of my holy state, carry
my daily cross most patiently, and endeavor to accomplish the divine will with the
utmost perfection. Spirit of love! Spirit of purity! Spirit of peace, sanctify my soul
more and more, and give me that heavenly peace which the world can not give.
Bless our Holy Father, the Pope, bless the Church, bless our bishops, our priests, all
Religious Orders, and all the faithful, that they may be filled with the spirit of Christ,
and labor earnestly for the spread of His kingdom.

O Holy Spirit, Thou Giver of every good and perfect gift, grant me, I beseech Thee,
the intentions of this novena. May Thy will be done in me and through me. Mayest
Thou be praised and glorified for ever more! Amen.

ACT OF OBLATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

O GOD the Holy Ghost, infinite love of the Father and of the Son, through the hands
of Mary, Thy immaculate spouse, I offer myself this day, and all the days of my life,
upon Thy chosen altar, the Divine Heart of Jesus, as a holocaust to Thee, O Thou
consuming fire, being firmly resolved, now more than ever, to hear Thy voice, and
to do, in all things, Thy most holy and adorable will.

I am resolved to foster a special devotion to Thee, to love Thee more perfectly, to

adore Thee more fervently, and to make Thee everywhere more known and loved.

OFFERING TO THE HOLY GHOST

ON my knees, before the multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and
body, to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God! I adore Thee, great God, and acknowledge Thy
dominion over me.

Thou art the light and the strength of my soul. In Thee I live and move and have my
being. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace, and I pray with all
my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee. Make me faithful in every
thought, and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice, watch for Thy light, and
follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling to Thee, and give myself to Thee, and ask
Thee, by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced
feet of Jesus, and looking at His five wounds, and trusting to His precious blood, and
adoring His open side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee, adorable Spirit, Helper of
my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee with the
sin which Thou canst not forgive. Give me grace, O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father
and the Son, to say to Thee, always and everywhere, "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant
heareth."

Prayer

GRANT, we beseech Thee, almighty and merciful God, that Thy Holy Spirit may
come to us, and make us to be a temple worthy of the habitation of His glory,
through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the same Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

LITTLE OFFICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Start of all the Hours

V. Spiritus Sancti gratia, illuminet V. May the grace of the Holy Spirit
sensus et corda nostra. illuminate our senses and our hearts.
R. Amen. R. Amen.
At Matins only
V. Domine labia mea aperies. V. O Lord, open my lips.
R. Et os meum annuntiabit laudem R. And my mouth will announce Thy praise.
tuam.
At Compline only
V. Converte nos, Deus salutaris V. Convert us, O God our Savior.
noster. R. And turn away Thy wrath from us.
R. Et averte iram tuam a nobis.
At all the Hours
V. Deus in adiutorium meum V. O God, come to my aid.
intende. R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
R. Domine ad adiuvandum me
festina.
V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
Sancto. and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and
semper, et in saecula saeculorum. ever shall be, world without end. Alleluia*.
Alleluia*.
During Lent until Easter, instead of the alleluia the following is said:
Laus tibi, Domine, Rex aeternae Praise to Thee, O Lord, King of everlasting
gloriae. glory.
MATINS
NOBIS Sancti Spiritus gratia sit data, THE grace of the Holy Ghost free unto us
De qua virgo virginum fuit befall:
obumbrata, Wherewith was overshadowed the maid of
Cum per sanctum Angelum fuit maidens all.
salutata, When the angel Gabriel his salutation said,
Verbum caro factum est, virgo The Word itself flesh became and virgin
fecundata. fruitful made.
PRIME
DE virgine Maria Christus fuit natus, CHRIST our Savior was born of Mary
Crucifixus, mortuus, atque blessed maid
tumulatus: Who crucified was and dead and in
Resurgens discipulis fuit sepulcher laid:
demonstratus, Rising to His disciples He shewed Himself
Et ipsis cernentibus, in caelis anew
elevatus. And was to the heavens high assumpted in
their view.
TERCE
SUUM Sanctum Spiritum Deus GOD His Holy Spirit sent to His Apostles
delegavit. dear,
In die Pentecostes Apostolos On the day of Pentecost to yield them
confortavit. gladsome cheer,
Et de linguis igneis ipsos And with fiery tongues in them did ardent
inflammavit: zeal impress:
Relinquere orphanos eos denegavit. By no means could He endure to leave
them comfortless.
SEXT
SEPTIFORMEM gratiam tunc THEN did they the sevenfold grace
acceptaverunt, abundantly receive,
Quare idiomata cuncta cognoverunt. Whereupon all languages they fully did
Ad diversa climata mundi perceive.
recesserunt: To the world's sundry coasts they then
Et fidem catholicam tunc departed all:
praedicaverunt. And did preach the Christian faith which
Catholic we call.
NONE
SPIRITUS paraclitus fuit appellatus, CALLED it was the Holy Ghost that comfort
Donum Dei, caritas, fons vivificatus, thus did bring,
Spiritalis unctio, ignis inflammatus, The gift of God, Charity, and the reviving
Septiformis gratia, charisma spring,
vocatus. The unction Spiritual, and eke the fire that
flames,
Sevenfold grace, precious gift, so called by
many names.
VESPERS
DEXTERAE Dei digitus, virtus THE finger of God's right hand, the ghostly
Spiritalis, virtue still,
Nos defendat, eruat ab omnibus Us defend, and set us free from every kind
malis. of ill:
Ut nobis non noceat daemon To the end the hellish ghost do us no
infernalis: hurtful deed:
Protegat, et nutriat, foveat sub alis. Under His wings He us keep, and there us
nurse and feed.
COMPLINE
SPIRITUS paraclitus nos velit iuvare, THE Spirit the comforter assist us by His
Gressus nostros regere et might:
illuminare: Our steps to direct and guide to clear us
Ut cum Deus venerit omnes with His light:
iudicare, That when God at last shall come to be the
Nos velit ad dexteram omnes judge of all.
appellare. At His right hand He may please us joyfully
to call.
CONCLUSION OF THE HOURS
Ant: Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple Ant: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy
tuorum corda fidelium: et tui amoris faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy
in eis ignem accende. love.
V. Emitte Spiritum tuum, et V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be
creabuntur. created.
R. Et renovabis faciem terrae. R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the
earth.
Oremus: Let us pray:

Adsit nobis, quaesumus Domine, We beseech Thee, O Lord, send down upon
virtus Spiritus Sancti: quae et corda us the power of the Holy Spirit; may He
nostra clementer expurget, et ab mercifully purify our hearts and protect us
omnibus tueatur adversis. Per from all adversity. Through Jesus Christ our
Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Lord, Who livest and reignest in the unity
filium tuum: Qui tecum vivit et of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti R. Amen.
Deus, per omnia saecula
saeculorum.
R. Amen.
 COMMENDATION
HAS horas canonicas cum devotione THESE hours Canonical with devotion to
Tibi Sancte Spiritus pia ratione Thee,
Dixi, ut nos visites inspiratione, And with godly respect O Holy Ghost I did
Et vivamus iugiter caeli regione. say,
Amen. That by inspiration visited we may be,
In Thy heavenly region to live alway with
Thee.
Amen.

PIOUS ASPIRATIONS FOR OBTAINING THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

COME, Holy Ghost, send down those beams

Which sweetly flow in silent streams,
From Thy bright throne above, etc.

COME, O Spirit of Wisdom! Dispose my heart, so that I may know how to value and
love the good things of heaven, and prefer them before all earthly delights. Show
me, more over, the way whereby I may obtain and possess them for ever.

Our Father
Come, Holy Ghost

COME, O Spirit of Understanding! Enlighten my mind, that I may apprehend and

embrace all the mysteries of salvation, and at length may deserve to behold the
Light eternal in Thy light, and to attain the full knowledge of Thee, and the Father,
and the Son.

Our Father
Come, Holy Ghost

COME, O Spirit of Counsel! Be Thou with me in all the affairs of this passing life,
incline my soul unto good, withhold it from evil, and guide me through the straight
path of Thy commandments to the wished-for goal of everlasting salvation.

Our Father
Come, Holy Ghost

COME, O Spirit of Might! Give strength to my heart, and establish it in every trouble
and mishap; grant me power against the baneful efforts of mine enemies, lest being
overcome, I be ever parted from Thee, O God, the sovereign Good.

Our Father
Come, Holy Ghost
COME, O Spirit of Knowledge! Grant I may see through the fragile goods of this
world, and their emptiness, that so I may despise them, nor ever use them but for
the glory of Thee alone, and mine own salvation, and may prize Thine everlasting
treasures beyond all earthly things.

Our Father
Come, Holy Ghost

COME, O Spirit of Godliness. Stir up my heart to true godliness and to a holy love of
the Lord my God, that I may ever seek Him in all my devotions, and may find Him in
true love.

Our Father
Come, Holy Ghost

COME, O Spirit of the Fear of the Lord! Make my flesh to tremble with fear of Thee,
that I may set the
Lord before me always, and may carefully avoid whatever may displease the most
pure eyes of Thy divine Majesty.

Our Father

V. Come, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful.

R. And kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

V. Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And may my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray. O Thou, of Thy loving kindness, we beseech Thee, O Lord, pour into our
hearts the Holy Spirit, by Whose wisdom we have been fashioned, and by Whose
providence we are guided. Through Christ, etc.

V. May the divine help abide ever with us.

R. Amen.

THE HOLY GHOST AND RELIGIOUS ORDERS

RELIGIOUS should ever bear in mind that the great Orders and Congregations of the
Church are the special work of the Holy Ghost, and that their personal call to the
holy state of life in which they are living is a special grace of the Divine Spirit, to
Whom, therefore, they should have or cultivate a special devotion. To the soul of
every Religious, these words of the Holy Ghost may be applied in a particular
manner: "Behold, I will allure her, and I will lead her into the wilderness; and I will
speak to her heart."

Father Marianus Fiege, O.M.Cap., writes on this subject in "The Paraclete":

You who are a Religious, tell me, who "allured" you away from the vanities of a
deceitful world? Who "led" you to your abode of sweet seclusion and retirement?
Who first "spoke to your heart" of the peaceful service of God in the cloister? Who
encouraged and strengthened you to "leave all things and follow Christ?" Who
enabled you to consummate the sacrifice, when by the three vows of poverty,
chastity, and obedience, you made of yourself a whole burnt-offering, and fastened
yourself, so to speak, with Jesus to the cross? Who has ever since that moment
enabled you to be faithful to the solemn promises you then made, and to be diligent
in the discharge of the sublime duties of your noble calling? Who still aids you to
lead that life of prayer and recollection, so necessary to you? Who is the source and
fount of the interior life you now lead a life utterly unknown to the lovers of the
world? Who gives you strength to practice the virtues befitting your exalted state?
Who encourages and comforts you amidst the many trials and hardships incident to
your mode of life? "I will speak, and do thou answer me." Is not all this the special
work of the Holy Ghost, Who has singled you out from among the rest of mankind
and called you to this blessed state of life?

Religious soul! How can you be conscious of all you owe to the Holy Ghost, without
cultivating a special devotion to Him in yourself, and others under your influence?
Let the Spirit of God reign entirely in your hearts; let the fire of His love purify your
hearts; let His will dominate your energies; then you will live, labor, and suffer for
Him; then you will be filled with zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Make a daily act of consecration to the Holy Ghost; trust in Him; love Him; think of
Him; pray to Him in every important undertaking; beseech Him for a more perfect
following of Christ, and being yourself filled with the Divine Spirit, make known His
gracious attributes everywhere, so that all may come under the sweet empire of His
love and mercy, thus finding rest to their soul s eternal salvation.

A PRAYER FOR THE CONVERSION OF UNBELIEVERS

O HOLY Spirit of truth, we beseech Thee to enlighten the minds of unbelievers in the
midst of us, to incline their hearts to receive Thy word, and to believe the teachings
of Thy Church; give them courage to accept the faith and openly profess it; that
they may come into union with Thee and the Father, through Christ our Lord, Who
liveth and reigneth for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

THANKSGIVING, CONSECRATION, AND PRAYER TO THE HOLY GHOST

HOLY Spirit, divine Consoler! I adore Thee as my true God. I bless Thee by uniting
myself to the praises
Thou dost receive from the angels and the saints. I offer Thee my whole heart, and I
render Thee heartfelt thanks for all the benefits that Thou hast bestowed and dost
unceasingly bestow upon the world. Thou, Who art the Author of all supernatural
gifts and Who didst enrich with immense favors the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the Mother of God, I beseech Thee to visit me by Thy grace and Thy love, and to
grant me Thy sevenfold gift, in order that I may with constant love and
perseverance walk in the way of my eternal salvation.

PRAYERS TO THE HOLY GHOST IN CONNECTION WITH DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED

SACRAMENT*
 From Father Rawes "Bread of Life

I. O HOLY Ghost, help me to receive Jesus with love and reverence. Thou art my
Teacher and my Sanctifier, and by Thee I live. Thou givest light and strength to my
soul. Jesus, hidden in the Blessed Sacrament, is my Saviour and my God. I long to
be with Him, that He may abide more in me and I in Him. He is the Bread of life, the
true Bread of God. I long to feed with adoration on that living Bread. Be with me, O
Blessed Spirit, as in this great light I draw near to the altar, and give me always
more faithfulness to Jesus and more love for Him.

II. LET the light of the tabernacle I ask Thee, O Holy Ghost, to fill my heart with pure
desire for Jesus, the living Bread. Give me grace to adore Him with the holy angels,
that His will may be done cm earth as it is in heaven, and that His will may be done
in my soul. Help me to thank Him for all His gifts, and most of all for Himself. By this
Holy Sacrament He strengthens souls on earth, and gives rest to souls in purgatory,
and gladdens souls in heaven. He is the hidden Manna, promised by Himself to all
who overcome. Thy grace will bring me in safety to God. May I taste the sweetness
of Jesus! May my soul be kept by Thee very bright for the coming of my Spouse!

III. CLEANSE my heart, O Holy Spirit, by this heavenly food, wherein Jesus gives me
Himself. Strengthen my faith, that I may see Jesus in this Sacrament of His body and
blood. There is in me a law by which I am in danger of falling into the captivity of
sin. I have often to go on my heavenward way through darkness and many
temptations, but Thou art my light and my strength. In Thee I trust. By Thy grace I
can do all things that Jesus wishes me to do. Be ever in my soul as the dew of the
light. With utter trust I rest upon Thee, and believe the testimony which Thou givest.
Set up more and more Thy kingdom in my soul, that I may keep my body under, and
bring it to subjection, lest I should be a castaway from Jesus and from Thee.

IV. O HOLY Ghost, let my life be hidden with Jesus in God. Give me grace to live for
God only, and to use creatures in Him and for His sake. Let the beauty of God blind
me to the beauty of the world, and let the light of God blind me to the light of earth.
Thou, O my God, art brighter than all things and sweeter. Take away from my soul
all the dross, and purify it, giving it light and strength. To Thee, Spirit of deathless
love, I turn for help. Take from me all human respect; for wrong regard of creatures
blights the soul, so that its fruits are withered. Help me to be more faithful to Jesus,
my Love, Who is coming to me from His altar. He is my life, as Thou art my life, and
as the eternal Father is my life. Give me more love, that I may welcome Jesus as He
comes to me in the hidden light, and the freshness of the morning dew.

V. O HOLY Ghost, fill me with the fear of the Lord, and drive far from me all thoughts
of presumption. Save me from guilt like this. Keep me from offending God; and keep
me from the wounds of His anger. Make me feel His goodness, and fill my heart with
thankfulness. If I am faithful to Thee, Thou wilt give me much grace; if I am
unfaithful, Thou wilt give me little grace, or, it may be, none at all. Dwell in my soul
more and more, that I may be faithful with a great faithfulness, and inherit the
fullness of Thy promises.

VI. O HOLY Ghost, give me a great hunger for the Bread of life. Do Thou, by that
Bread which is Jesus, satisfy my soul, and strengthen it, and make it full of life. I am
needy with a great need; but this Bread of heaven is the life of the poor; let it be my
life. I am very poor and needy; but Thou, my own Lord, dost always care for me.
Without Thee, Blessed Spirit, I can not say, Jesus: without Thee, Helper of the
needy, I can not feed on Him Who is the Bread from heaven.

O Spirit of peace, give me a great love for the holy sacrifice of the Mass.

Spirit of reconciliation, help all darkened souls, and bring them back to life.

O Spirit of mercy, help the souls that are now suffering in the fire of purgatory. I ask
Thee, by Thine own goodness, to give them refreshment and joy and white robes of
consoling love.

O most pitiful Spirit, give me a great joy in this Sacrament of love. Thou dwellest in
me, and by Thee Ilive to God. Thou makest me a temple of Thyself and of the Father
and the Son. Thou makest me an heir of God. Bring me now, dear Spirit, in light to
the altar; bring me in light to my grave ^ bring me in light to the city of the King
and the song of the morning stars.

VII. ETERNAL Father, wash me from my sins in the blood of Jesus.

Eternal Son, fill me with the fire of Thy Heart.
Eternal Spirit, make me glad with the sweetness of the soul of Jesus.

O eternal Father, crush all the powers of evil under my feet. Let me walk upon the
asp and the basilisk; let me trample under foot the lion and the dragon by the blood
of Thy Son.

O eternal Son, pour into my soul abundant gifts of grace. Thou didst die for me on
the cross. There Thou didst merit for me the treasures of grace which now Thou
givest. Thou didst give me Thyself in shedding of blood and in dimness of death.
Now Thou givest me Thyself in out pouring of gladness and in Thy deathless life.
Thou wast dead, and art alive for ever.

O eternal Spirit, hide me more and more with God, and let there be in me more and
more of the mind of Jesus. Touch the lips of my soul and give me a taste for this
Bread of God, that I may know the graciousness of my Jesus, and the sweetness of
His blood. The love of God is shed abroad in my heart, for Thou, O Holy Ghost, art
given to me. Oh, lift me up, dear Spirit, from the dust. Oh, bring me in Thine own
good time to the pavement of pure gold as clear as crystal. Fill my soul with Thy
dew ; fill it with Thy fire. There is no dew like Thine; and there is no fire like Thine.
They mingle together in the fruitfulness of the garden of the Spouse. They mingle
with the blood of Jesus, and with the water from His side. Oh, fire of the Holy Ghost,
gentle and sweet as dew! Oh, dew of the Holy Ghost, piercing and cleansing as fire!
O Holy Ghost, Whom I love, lift Thy little one to Thine uncreated Heart.

O Blessed Trinity, show me the hidden things of the blood of Jesus, the holy mystery
of Thy Church. O Blessed Trinity: O Blessed Trinity: O Blessed Trinity.

MONDAY
 DEVOTIONS TO THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

THE HEROIC ACT OF CHARITY

An offering of all works of satisfaction and of all the suffrages in behalf of the souls
in purgatory.

THIS heroic act of charity in behalf of the souls in purgatory consists in a voluntary
offering made in their favor to the divine Majesty, by any one of the faithful, of all
works of satisfaction done by him in his life, as well as of all the suffrages which
shall be offered for him after his death. Many of the faithful, devout to the Blessed
Virgin, have followed the praiseworthy practice, introduced, or at least much spread
since the last century, by, F. D. Gaspar Oliden, Theatine, of placing them in the
hands of the Blessed Virgin, that she may distribute them in behalf of those souls
whom it is her good pleasure to deliver sooner from the pains of purgatory. This
heroic act of charity has been enriched with many indulgences.

As the "New Raocolt " tells us, a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the
departed, is granted to all the faithful who shall have made this offering, whenever
they go to holy Communion, provided they visit a church or public oratory, and pray
there, for some time, for the intention of his Holiness.

A plenary indulgence, every Monday, to all who hear Mass in aid of the souls in
purgatory, provided they fulfill the other conditions mentioned above.

All indulgences granted or to be granted, which are to be gained by the faithful who
have made this offering, may be applied to the holy souls in purgatory.

Although this act of charity is called heroic vow of charity in some printed sheets, in
which also is given a formula for making the offering, no inference is to be drawn
therefrom that this offering binds under sin; neither is it necessary to make use of
the said formula, or any other, since, in order to share in the said indulgences, no
more is required than a heartfelt act of the will.

The heroic act of charity is not a vow; nor does this offering prevent the maker of it
from praying for himself, for his friends, or any other like intention, as by it he only
foregoes that special fruit of his good works, which would belong to himself, as a
satisfaction for the temporal punishment deserved by him on account of his sins.

It is sometimes objected," we read in Murrays "Guide to Indulgences," "that this

act of charity does an injustice to ourselves, because it takes away what is
necessary to satisfy God s justice for our sins, and so leaves us much more suffering
to endure in purgatory than would otherwise fall to our share.

"The answer to this is, that even if this lengthening of our own punishment was an
assured fact, it would be a small price to pay for the immense reward that God
would bestow in heaven on those who performed such an heroic act of charity. But it
is not true that those who make this offering will suffer more on account of it, for we
may be sure that God would not have it so. On the contrary, He will reward those
who are so generous by enkindling such a great love for Himself in their hearts that
it will result in a full forgiveness not only of sin, but also of its temporal punishment;
and, moreover, He has still the right to make their souls, if they go to purgatory, the
beneficiaries of those prayers and good works which the living are continually
offering Him."

Besides, those souls who may be released from their sufferings by these heroic
offerings will not prove ungrateful, but rather will they constantly intercede for
those to whom they owe their deliverance, and will not cease their prayers until the
latter are either brought straight to heaven, or released from purgatory.

REFLECTIONS

IT would seem like carrying coals to Newcastle, or water to the river, to exhort
Religious to exercise charity by offering their suffrages in behalf of the poor, holy
souls in purgatory.

The true and zealous Religious will not fail to offer the holy sacrifice of the Mass and
Holy Communion very frequently for the faithful departed. The Way of the Cross, the
Rosary, Novenas, and Litanies are good devotions for the same purpose. The De
Profundis, besides other indulgenced prayers and ejaculations, should be made use
of daily and frequently during the day in aid of the poor souls.

The good Religious will nourish the most tender com passion for those who are now
absolutely incapable of assisting themselves, and who must remain separated from
God until the last farthing is paid, either by their own sufferings, or by the
interposition of the faithful. Many powerful motives should induce you to be most
fervent in assisting them: By this spiritual work of mercy you prove your love for
God, you benefit your neighbor, and acquire great merit for yourself. You prove your
love for God by interceding for those holy souls who are so dear to His divine
Majesty, and whom He so ardently longs to glorify for ever. You perform an act of
the greatest charity toward these suffering, holy souls, by endeavoring to shorten
their banishment where they are tortured by a fire far more terrible than any earthly
fire, and deprived of the sight of God, a torment more excruciating than all other
pains. And you essentially serve your own soul by providing for yourself powerful
advocates who will not forget you when they stand before God.

Let these considerations animate you to do all you can for the souls in purgatory.
Devote fervently many prayers, good works, and various actions and mortifications
to their relief, and endeavor to gain many indulgences for their benefit. Offer up, in
particular, the holy sacrifice of the Mass on Mondays for this intention. But you
should particularly impress on your mind that sloth or negligence in the prayers or
actions which you offer for the suffering souls would make you very unworthy of
being heard, and, far from benefiting those for whom you pray, you would only
expose yourself to a severe purgatory hereafter in the same fire which torments
them.

PRAYER TO BE SAID ON MONDAY

O GOD of all holiness, infinitely pure and adorable Being, how great must be Thy
horror of the least stain of sin, since Thou punishest so rigorously in the flames of
purgatory the venial faults of those whom Thou so tenderly lovest. Ah, mercifully
enlighten my understanding, that the torments Thou inflictest on the least offence
in the other world, may teach me the enormity of sin, and penetrate my heart with
compassion for those souls who are now enduring inexpressible pains for such
failings as perhaps I too often look on as trivial. My God, though Thy justice
banishes them from that kingdom where nothing defiled can enter, yet surely Thy
mercy has not forgotten them; no, Thou art too good, too compassionate to
abandon the work of Thine own hands. Though the season for merit and repentance
is now past for them, yet Thou hast left them a resource in the prayers of Thy
servants on earth. Despise not, then, O Lord, the supplication which I, Thy unworthy
child, now make for those who can no longer implore Thy mercy for themselves.
Remember, O infinite Goodness, that they are all the work of Thy hands, redeemed
by the precious blood of Thine only Son; consider that they are the objects of Thine
infinite love, who burn with the most ardent desire to be united to Thee. Have mercy
on them, then, O infinite Mercy! and for Thine own sake stretch forth to their relief
those sacred hands by which they were formed, and apply to them once more the
merits of that adorable blood by which they were redeemed. I most humbly offer up,
to implore this favor, the adorable sacrifice of the Mass, in union with all the Masses
which will be celebrated through out, the world to-day.

In union, also, with the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, I offer all my prayers, works,
and sufferings this day for the relief of the holy souls.

Mercifully accept this oblation, O Lord, on behalf of all who now suffer in purgatory,
particularly those for whom Thou desirest I should pray those who are most dear to
me those to whose sufferings I may have been in any respect accessory those who
are most forgotten by others, and who have no one to pray for them. Give them all
speedy repose and eternal rest, O merciful Father of all mankind, and give me the
grace to spend this day in such a manner that through Thy infinite goodness, I may
obtain the relief of these suffering and blessed souls.

A SHORT INDULGENCED PRAYER IN BEHALF OF THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY

V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine. V. Eternal rest grant unto them,
O Lord.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis. R. And let perpetual light shine
upon them.

Indulgence, applicable to the poor souls alone, 50 days each time. Leo XIII., March
22, 1902.

THE CHAPLET OR THE ROSARY FOR THE DEAD

THE chaplet for the dead is composed of four decades, that is to say, forty beads, in
honor and memory of the forty hours that Our Lord Jesus Christ passed in Limbo, to
deliver and conduct to heaven all the souls of the saints who died before Him.

Begin with the De Profundis. (Those who do not know it can say an Our Father and
Hail Mary instead.)
On the large beads say:

Eternal rest, give to them, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

O my God, I believe in Thee, because Thou art truth itself; I hope in Thee, because
Thou art infinitely merciful; I love Thee with my whole heart, and above all things,
because Thou art infinitely perfect, and I love my neighbor as myself for the love of
Thee. I am truly sorry for having sinned, because Thou art infinitely good, and sin
displeases Thee. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, never more to offend
Thee. Amen.

On each of the small beads say:

Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation.

Conclude with the De Profundis.

Indulgence of 60 years each time, applicable to the souls in purgatory.

PRAYERS FOR EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

FOR SUNDAY

LORD God almighty, I beseech Thee, by the precious blood which Thy divine Son
Jesus shed in the garden, deliver the souls in purgatory, and amongst them all,
especially that soul which is most destitute of aid; and bring it to Thy glory, there to
praise and bless Thee forever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and the De Profundis

FOR MONDAY

LORD God almighty, I beseech Thee, by the precious blood which Thy divine Son
Jesus shed in His cruel scourging, deliver the souls in purgatory, and amongst them
all, especially that soul which is nearest to its entrance into Thy glory; that so it may
soon begin to praise and bless Thee for ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and the De Profundis

FOR TUESDAY

LORD God almighty, I beseech Thee, by the precious blood which Thy divine Son
Jesus shed in His bitter crowning with thorns, deliver the souls in purgatory, and in
particular, amongst them all, deliver that one which would be the last to issue from
those pains, that it tarry not so long a time before it comes to praise Thee in Thy
glory and bless Thee for ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and the De Profundis

 FOR WEDNESDAY

LORD God almighty, I beseech Thee, by the precious blood which Thy divine Son
Jesus shed through the streets of Jerusalem when He carried the cross upon His
sacred shoulders, deliver the souls in purgatory, and especially that soul which is
richest in merits before Thee; that so, on that throne of glory which awaits it, it may
magnify Thee and bless Thee for ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and the De Profundis

FOR THURSDAY

LORD God almighty, I beseech Thee, by the precious body and blood of Thy divine
Son Jesus, which He gave with His own hand upon the eve of His Passion to His
beloved apostles * be their meat and drink, and which He left to His whole Church to
be a perpetual sacrifice and life-giving food of His own faithful people, deliver the
souls in purgatory, and especially that one which was most devoted to this mystery
of infinite love; that, with Thy divine Son, and with Thy Holy Spirit, it may ever
praise Thee for this Thy wondrous love in Thy eternal glory. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and the De Profundis

FOR FRIDAY

LORD God almighty, I beseech Thee, by the precious blood which Thy divine Son
shed on this day, upon the wood of the cross, from His most sacred hands and feet,
deliver the souls in purgatory, and especially that soul for which I am most bound to
pray; that the blame rest not with me that Thou bringest it not forthwith to praise
Thee in Thy glory and to bless Thee for ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and the De Profundis

FOR SATURDAY

LORD God almighty, I beseech Thee, by the precious blood which gushed forth from
the side of Thy divine Son Jesus, in the sight and to the extreme pain of His most
holy Mother, deliver the souls in purgatory, and especially that one amongst them
all which was ever the most devout to this great Lady; that it may soon attain unto
Thy glory, there to praise Thee in her, and her in Thee, world without end. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and the De Profundis

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XII., Nov. 18, 1826.

THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER

HIS Holiness, Leo XIII, January 17, 1888, granted to the faithful who shall perform
some pious practice for the relief of the souls in purgatory, every day during the
whole month of November, whether in public or in private, an indulgence of seven
years and as many quarantines on each day of the month; a plenary indulgence,
once during the same month, on any day of the month, on the usual conditions:
confession and communion, and a visit to a church or public oratory, and there
praying for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

TUESDAY

DEVOTIONS TO THE HOLY ANGELS

In Particular to Our Guardian Angel

PRAYER TO THE ANGEL GUARDIAN

ANGELE Dei, qui custos es mei, ANGEL of God, my guardian

dear,
me tibi commissum pietate superna To whom His love commits me
here,
missum pietate superna illumina, Ever this day be at my side,
custodi, rege, et guberna. Amen. To light and guard, to rule and
guide. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days; plenary indulgence on the feast of the holy guardian angels
(Oct. 2), to those who shall have said this prayer, morning and evening, throughout
the year, on usual conditions; plenary indulgence at the hour of death. Pius VI., Oct.
2, 1795; June 1796. Pius VII., on May 15, 1821, granted a plenary indulgence, once
a month, to all the faithful who shall have said it every day for a month, as above
directed.

A PRAYER TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL

O ANGEL of God, my blessed protector, to whose care I have been committed by my

Creator from the moment of my birth, unite with me in thanking the Almighty for
having given me a friend, an instructor, an advocate, and a guardian in thee.
Accept, O most charitable guide, my fervent thanksgiving for all thou hast done for
me; particularly for the charity with which thou didst undertake to accompany me
through life; for the joy with which thou wert filled when I was purified in the waters
of Baptism; and for thy anxious solicitude in watching over the treasures of my
innocence. Thou knowest the numberless graces and favors which my Creator has
bestowed on me through thee, and the many dangers, both spiritual and temporal,
from which thou hast preserved me. Thou knowest how often thou didst deplore my
sins, animate me to repentance, and intercede with God for my pardon. Ah! Why
have I so little merited a continuance of thy zealous efforts for my salvation? Why
have I so often stained my soul by sin, and thereby rendered myself unworthy of the
presence and protection of an angel, of so pure a spirit as thou art, who never
sinned? But, as my ingratitude and thoughtlessness have not lessened thy
charitable interest for my salvation, so neither shall they diminish my confidence in
thy goodness, nor prevent me from abandoning myself to thy care, since God
Himself has entrusted thee with the charge of my soul. Penetrated with sorrow for
the little progress I have made in virtue, though blessed with such a Master, and
sincerely determined to correspond in future with thy exertions for my salvation, I
most earnestly entreat thee, O protecting spirit, to continue thy zealous efforts for
my eternal interest; to fortify my weakness, to shield me from the innumerable
dangers of the world, and to obtain by thy powerful prayers that my life may rather
be shortened, than that I should live to commit a mortal sin. Remember, O most
happy spirit, that it was one act of profound humility, and one transport of ardent
love for thy Creator, that caused God to establish thee forever in glory; obtain that
those virtues may be implanted in my soul, and that I may seriously endeavor to
acquire docility, obedience, gentleness, and purity of heart. Conduct me safely
through this world of sin and misery; watch over me at the awful hour of my death;
perform for my soul the last charitable office of thy mission, by strengthening,
encouraging, and supporting me in the agonies of dissolution, and then, as the
angel Raphael conducted Tobias safely to his father, do thou, my good angel and
blessed guide, return with me to Him Who sent thee, that we may mutually bless
Him, and publish His wonderful works for a happy eternity. Amen.

Aspiration

MY dear angel guardian, preserve me from the misfortune of offending God.

LITANY IN HONOR OF OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL

For private devotion only.

LORD, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels,
Holy Angel, my guardian,
Holy Angel, my prince,
Holy Angel, my monitor,
Holy Angel, my counselor,
Holy Angel, my defender,
Holy Angel, my steward,
Holy Angel, my friend,
Holy Angel, my negotiator,
Holy Angel, my intercessor,
Holy Angel, my patron,
Holy Angel, my director,
Holy Angel, my ruler,
Holy Angel, my protector,
Holy Angel, my comforter,
Holy Angel, my brother,
Holy Angel, my teacher,
Holy Angel, my shepherd,
Holy Angel, my witness,
Holy Angel, my helper,
Holy Angel, my watcher,
Holy Angel, my conductor,
Holy Angel, my preserver,
Holy Angel, my instructor,
Holy Angel, my enlightener,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord !
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

V. Pray for us, O holy angel guardian,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY, everlasting God, Who, in the counsel of Thine ineffable goodness, hast
appointed to all the faithful, from their mother s womb, a special guardian ange 1 of
their body and soul; grant that I may so love and honor him whom Thou hast so
mercifully given me, that, protected by the bounty of Thy grace, and by his
assistance, I may merit to behold, with him and all the angelic host, the glory of Thy
countenance in the heavenly country. Who livest and reignest, world without end.
Amen.

ANOTHER PRAYER TO ONE S GUARDIAN ANGEL

O MOST faithful companion, appointed by God to be my guardian, my protector, and

defender, and who never leavest my side; how shall I thank thee for thy faithfulness
and love, and for all the benefits which thou hast conferred upon me? Thou
watchest over me while I sleep; thou comfortest me when I am sad; thou liftest me
up when I am down; thou avertest the dangers that threaten me; thou warnest me
of those that are to come; thou withdrawest me from sin, and excitest me to good,
thou exhortest me to penance when I fall, and reconcilest me to God. Long ago
should I have been thrust down into hell, unless by thy prayers thou hadst turned
away from me the anger of God. Leave me not, nor forsake me ever, I beseech
thee; but still comfort me in adversity, restrain me in prosperity, defend me in
danger, assist me in temptations, lest at any time I fall beneath them. Offer up in
the sight of the divine Majesty my prayers and all my works of piety, and make me
to persevere in grace until I come to everlasting life. Amen.

LITTLE OFFICE OF THE HOLY ANGELS

AT MATINS

Ant. GOD hath given His angels charge of thee, that they keep thee in all thy ways.
Amen.

O Lord, open Thou my lips.

And my tongue shall declare Thy praise.
O God, incline unto my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, etc. Alleluia.

Hymn

O LORD, permit us here to raise our voice,

And waft before Thy throne our feeble praise,
And thank Thee for those angels whom Thy choice

Hath lent our weakness to direct its ways,

And free us from the envious foes that lurk
To spoil the beauty of Thy cherished work.

Ant. O holy angels, our guardians, defend us in the combat, that we perish not in
the dreadful judgment.

V. In the sight of the angels I will sing to Thee, my God.

R. I will adore at Thy holy temple, etc.

Prayer.

O GOD, Who, with unspeakable providence, hast vouchsafed to appoint Thy holy
angels to be our guardians, grant to Thy humble suppliants to be always defended
by their protection, and to enjoy their everlasting society, through Jesus Christ, Thy
Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth, etc. Amen.

AT PRIME

Ant. GOD hath given His angels charge of thee, that they keep thee in all thy ways.
Amen.

O God, incline unto, etc.

O Lord, make haste, etc.
Glory be to the Father, etc. Alleluia.

Hymn.

ABHOR Satan, driven from the happy land

Where once he shone in splendor, ill can brook
The kindly justice of the Almighty hand,

That gives to man the throne that he forsook;

And seeks to drag into his own disgrace
Poor mortals thus design d to fill his place.

Ant. O holy angels, our guardians, etc.

V. In the sight of Thy angels I will sing unto Thee, my God.
R. I will adore at Thy holy temple, and confess to Thy name.

Prayer

O God, Who with unspeakable providence, etc.

AT TIERCE

Ant. /T^fOD hath given His angels, etc.

^&J O God, incline unto my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, etc. Alleluia.

Hymn.

BRIGHT Spirit! whom a God supremely wise

Hath given to be the guardian of this land,
Come, arm d with all thy power from the skies,
And bear its children harmless in thy hand
Safe from all evil that defiles the soul,
Safe from disunion s withering control.

Tuesday: The Holy Angels. 58;

Ant. O holy angels, etc.

V. In the sight of Thy angels, etc.

R. I will adore at Thy holy temple, etc.

Prayer.
O God, Who with unspeakable providence, etc.

AT SEXT.

Ant. ^>(OD hath given His angels, etc.

\G^ O God, incline unto my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, etc. Alleluia.
Hymn.

O JESUS! glory of the angelic choirs,

Light of their brightness, sweetness of their bliss;
Thou Who didst leave a world where nothing tires,

To taste the pains and miseries of this;

Be these same pains, endured to set us free,
The germ of endless happiness with Thee.
Ant. O holy angels, our guardians, etc.
V. In the sight of -Thy angels, etc.
R. I will adore at Thy holy temple, etc.

Prayer.
O God, Who with unspeakable providence, etc.

AT NONE.

Ant. /"SOD hath given His angels charge over, etc.

\$> R. Amen.
V. O God, incline unto my aid.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, etc. Alleluia.

Hymn.

* 1 I NTGTiL of peace! come, Michael, to our aid,

gJrJ*-, Thou who didst once chase discord from the sky;
Come, calm those boisterous passions that have made

Such havoc here as they have made on high;

Drive strife and rancor to their kindred gloom,
To hell, their fitting, their eternal tomb.

Ant. Holy angels, our guardians, defend, etc.

V. In the sight of Thy angels I will sing to, etc.

R. I will adore at Thy holy temple, etc.

Prayer.

O God, Who with unspeakable providence, etc.

584 Tuesday: The Holy Angels.

AT VESPERS.

Ant lc^ D hath ^ ven His an g e l s charge over, etc.

\&J V. O God, incline unto my aid.

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, etc. Alleluia.

Hymn.
OTPIRIT of might! O Gabriel, display
Thy matchless power against our ancient foes;
Visit those sacred temples where we pray

Twas at thy potent word those temples rose

AOiose worship raised these shrines throughout the earth-
Thou wert the herald of His future birth.
Ant. O holy angels, our guardians, etc.
V. In the sight of Thy angels, etc.

Prayer.
O God, Who with unspeakable providence, etc.

AT COMPLINE.

Ant. /^[OD hath given His angels, etc.

\i> V. Convert us, O God our Saviour.

R. And avert Thy anger from us.
O God, incline unto my aid.
Glory be to the Father, etc. Alleluia.

Hymn.

"ij ND Raphael! of the glorious seven who stand

5^"* Before the throne of Him Who lives and reiens-
Angel of health! the Lord hath filled thy hand

With balm from heaven to soothe or cure our pains

Heal or console the victim of disease,
And guide our steps when doubtful of our ways.

Ant. O holy angels, etc.

V. In the sight of Thy angels, etc.

R. I will adore at Thy holy temple, etc.

Prayer.

O God, Who with unspeakable providence, etc.

COMMENDATION.

OHOLY guardian! at thy feet

This wreath of humble flowers I lay;
O that their odor were as sweet

As he desires, who sings the lay,

Protect me at death s awful hour,
Receive my soul to thy embrace,
Wednesday: Si. Joseph. 585

Rich with the wonders of thy power,

To thank, to praise thee, face to face. Amen.

ANTIPHON TO THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL

SANCTE Michael Arch- *T^ OLY archangel Michael,

angele, defende nos in J o defend us in battle,
praelio, ut non pereamus in that we may not perish in the
tremendo judicio. tremendous judgment.

Indulgence of 100 days. Leo XIII., Aug. 19, 1893.

PRAYER TO ST. RAPHAEL, ARCHANGEL

GLORIOUS archangel, St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, illustrious by
thy gifts of wisdom and grace, guide of travelers by land and sea, consoler of the
unfortunate and refuge of sinners, I entreat thee to help me in all my needs and in
all the trials of this life, as thou didst once assist the young Tobias in his journeying.
And since thou art the "physician of God," I humbly pray thee to heal my soul of its
many infirmities and my body of the ills that, afflict it, if this favor is for my greater
good. I ask, especially, for angelic purity, that I may be made fit to be the living
temple of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days. Leo XIII., June 21, 1890.

PRAYER TO THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL

O BLESSED archangel Gabriel, we beseech thee, do thou intercede for us at the

throne of divine Mercy in our present necessities, that, as thou didst announce to
Mary the mystery of the Incarnation, so through thy prayers and patronage in
heaven we may obtain the benefits of the same, and sing the praise of God for ever
in the land of the living. Amen.

IV
WEDNESDAY

DEVOTIONS IN HONOR OF SAINT JOSEPH

DEVOTION OF THE SEVEN SUNDAYS IN HONOR OF ST. JOSEPH

THE Sovereign Pontiffs who have so gloriously occupied the chair of St. Peter in later
days have enriched with great indulgences this tender devotion, in order to
stimulate the faithful to its practice.
In virtue of a concession of Pope Gregory XVI we may gain an indulgence of 300
days on each of the first six Sun days, and a plenary indulgence on the seventh
Sunday, for saying the prayers of the Seven Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph on any
seven consecutive Sundays of the year.

On February i, 1847, Pope Pius IX, of holy memory, wishing to extend this devotion,
added to the indulgences already granted a plenary indulgence on each Sunday,
applicable to the souls in purgatory.

On March 2d of the same year his Holiness extended this indulgence to those who,
owing to some good cause, being unable to recite the prayers of the Seven Sorrows
and Joys of St. Joseph, say seven Our Fathers, seven Hail Marys, and seven Glorias,
fulfilling the usual conditions for gaining a plenary indulgence, namely, confesncn,
communion, and prayers for our holy mother the Church.

The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VII., Dec. 9, 1819, granted an indulgence of 100 days,
once a day; an indulgence of 300 days, every Wednesday in the year, and on every
day of the two novenas preceding the feasts of St. Joseph, viz., the principal feast,
March 19, and the feast of the patronage, the third Sunday after Easter. A plenary
indulgence, on these two feasts, to all those who, more over, being truly penitent,
shall have gone to confession and communion. A plenary indulgence, once a month,
to all those who shall have said them every day for a month, on the day when,
being truly penitent, they shall go to confession and communion.

DEVOUT EXERCISE IN HONOR OF THE SEVEN SORROWS AND SEVEN JOYS OF ST.
JOSEPH

1. PURE husband of most holy Mary, glorious St. Joseph, great was the travail and
anguish of thy heart when, in sore perplexity, thou didst feel inclined to put away
thy stainless spouse; but unspeakable was thy joy when the angel revealed to thee
the high mystery of the Incarnation.

By this, thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee, comfort our souls now and in their
dying agony with the sweet consolation of a well-spent life, and a death like unto
thine own, in the embrace of Jesus and of Mary.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

2. Thrice happy patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, chosen to be the foster-father of the
Word made man, keen was the pain thou didst feel when thou didst see the infant
Jesus born in abject poverty; but thy pain was suddenly changed into heavenly joy
when upon thee burst the harmony of the angel- choirs, and thou didst behold the
glory of that refulgent night.

By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee, obtain for us that, when the journey of
our life is over, we too may pass to that blessed land where we shall hear the angel-
chants, and enjoy the brightness of celestial glory.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

3. O thou who wast ever most obedient in fulfilling the law of God, glorious St.
Joseph! when, at His circumcision, the infant Saviors precious blood was shed, thy
heart was pierced through and through; but with the name of Jesus came again to
thee new life and heavenly joy.

By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, freed in life from the vile yoke of
sin, we too may die with joy, with the sweet name of Jesus in our hearts and on our
lips.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

4. Faithful saint, who wast admitted to take part in man s redemption, glorious St.
Joseph, Simeon s prophecy of the coming woes of Jesus and of Mary filled thy soul
with agony like death: but thy soul was filled with blessedness when he foretold
salvation and glorious resurrection to innumerable souls.

By this thy sorrow and thy joy, help us with thy prayers to be of those who, by the
merits of Jesus and His virgin Mother, shall be partakers of the glorious resurrection.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

5. Watchful guardian, bosom-friend of the Incarnate Son of God, glorious St. Joseph,
how didst thou toil to nurture and to serve the Son of the Most High, especially in
the flight into Egypt; but far greater was thy joy in having with thee God Himself,
and in seeing Egypt s idols fall to the earth!

By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us to keep aloof from the infernal tyrant,
quitting all dangerous occasions, that all earthly idols may be cast out from our
hearts, and that, employed in the service of Jesus and Mary, we may ever live for
them alone, and with them calmly die.

Our Father, Haii Mary, Glory be to the Father

6. Angel on earth, glorious St. Joseph, while thou didst marvel at seeing the King of
heaven obedient to thy bidding, fear of the tyrant mingled with thy joy when thou
didst bring him back from Egypt; but, reassured by the angel, thou didst dwell at
Nazareth with glad heart, in the sweet company of Jesus and Mary.

By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, with hearts set free from every
hurtful fear, we too may taste the quiet of a tranquil conscience, safely dwelling
with Jesus and with Mary, and one day die within their loving arms.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

7. Pattern of all holiness, glorious St. Joseph, without fault of thine, thou didst lose
the holy Child, Jesus, and for three days, to thy great sorrow, didst seek for him,
until, with joy unspeakable, thou didst find thy Life amid the Doctors in the Temple.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee with all our heart, stand between as
and danger, that we may never lose Jesus by mortal sin; but if, to our shame and
disgrace, we lose him, may we seek him with such ceaseless grief that we may find
him propitious to us, especially at the hour of our death, and thus go to enjoy Him in
heaven, and there with thee sing His divine mercy for ever!

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Ant, Jesus was about thirty years old, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph.

V. Pray for us, blessed Joseph,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray.

O GOD, Who in Thine ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph
to be the husband of Thy most holy Mother: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may
be made worthy to receive him for our intercessor in heaven, whom on earth we
venerate as our holy protector. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

PRAYER OF A RELIGIOUS TO THE GLORIOUS PATRIARCH ST. JOSEPH, FOSTER-FATHER

OF THE ETERNAL WORD, SPOUSE OF THE MOST HOLY VIRGIN, MODEL AND PATRON
OF INTERIOR SOULS

DEAR St. Joseph, man according to the Heart of God! Seraph of love! Thou, whose
heart was always on fire with the pure flames of the most ardent charity, and whose
life was a constant prayer and continual contemplation! Deign to accept me as thy
protg, and to teach me the perfection of the interior life. Teach me how to model
my heart in accordance with the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Direct me in the way of
salvation, and obtain for me that I may, day after day, without interruption, live and
labor for God and my neighbor in the rigorous observance of my vows. From the
height of thy throne, where thou reignest in heaven near Jesus and Mary, cast thy
paternal and compassionate looks upon all Religious, and especially upon those of
our own Order, who are filled with the most profound respect and tender veneration
for thee. Be a father to us all; inspire our Superiors; protect our interests; shield us
from danger and aid us in the spread of God s kingdom on earth. Obtain for all
Religious the graces of which they stand in need, in order to arrive at the sanctity to
which God calls them. Especially obtain for them the spirit of prayer, the gift of
piety, that fervor of which thou art the perfect model. Teach them to pray as thou
thyself hast learned it from Jesus and Mary.

May they be always animated with the same sentiments of humility, purity of
intention, respect, docility, faith, confidence, and love, with which thou thyself wert
inflamed and actuated, when in thy hidden life, in the silence and seclusion of thy
poor house at Nazareth, thou didst offer unceasingly with Jesus and Mary the most
fervent and acceptable prayers to the divine Majesty. Amen.

NOVENA TO SAINT JOSEPH

Feast March 19th. Novena begins March 10th and ends March 18th.
 DEDICATION TO ST. JOSEPH

O GLORIOUS descendant of the King of Judah! Inheritor of the virtues of all the
patriarchs! Just and happy St. Joseph! Listen to my prayer. Thou art my glorious
protector, and shalt ever be, after Jesus and Mary, the object of my most profound
veneration and tender confidence. Thou art the most hidden, though the greatest
saint, and art peculiarly the patron of those who serve God with the greatest purity
and fervor. In union with all those who have ever been most devoted to thee, I now
dedicate myself to thy service, beseeching thee, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Who
vouchsafed to love and obey thee as a son, to become a father to me, and to obtain
for me the filial respect, confidence, and love of a child toward thee. O powerful
advocate of all Christians, whose intercession, as St. Teresa assures us, has never
been found to fail, deign to intercede for me now, and to obtain for me the
particular object of this novena. [Specify it.] Present me, O great saint, to the
Adorable Trinity, with Whom thou hadst so glorious and so intimate a
correspondence. Obtain that I may never efface by sin the sacred image according
to the likeness of which I was created. Beg for me that my divine Redeemer may
enkindle in my heart, and in all hearts, the fire of His love, and infuse therein the
virtues of His adorable infancy, His purity, simplicity, obedience, and humility.
Obtain for me likewise a lively devotion to thy virgin spouse, and protect me so
powerfully in life and death that I may have the happiness of dying as thou didst, in
the friendship of my Creator, and under the immediate protection of the Mother of
God.

For making a novena in honor of St. Joseph, an indulgence of 300 days, on each
day, and a plenary indulgence during the novena or on any one of the eight days
following it. Pius IX. Nov. 28, 1876.

AN OFFERING TO ST. JOSEPH

GREAT St. Joseph, thou generous depositary and dispenser of immortal riches,
behold us prostrate at thy feet, conjuring thee to receive us as thy servants and as
thy children. Next to the sacred hearts of Jesus and Mary, of which thou art the
faithful copy, we acknowledge that there is no heart tenderer, more compassionate,
than thine. What, then, have we to fear, or, rather, for what should we not hope, if
thou dost deign to be our benefactor, our master, our model, our father, and our
intercessor!

Refuse not, then, the favor we ask of thee, O powerful protector! We ask it of thee
by the love thou hast for and Mary. Into, thy hands we commit our souls and bodies,
but above all, the last moment of our lives. May we, after having honored, imitated,
and served thee on earth, eternally sing with thee the mercies of Jesus and Mary.
Amen.

THE LITTLE OFFICE OF SAINT JOSEPH

AT MATINS
HAIL, glory of the patriarchs, steward of Gods holy Church, who didst preserve the
Bread of life and the Wheat of the elect.

V. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips,

R. And my mouth shall announce Thy praise.

V. Incline unto mine aid, O God!

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Hymn

MIGHTY Joseph, son of David!

High and glorious is thy state-
Of Our Lord the foster-father,
Marys spouse immaculate.

The Almighty s faithful servant,

Of the Holy Family
Head and father. Oh! I pray thee,
Be a father unto me.

Ant. He made him master of His house, and ruler over all His possessions. (Psalm
civ)

V. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

MAY we, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy
most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we can not possibly obtain, may through
his intercession be granted to us by Thee, Who livest and reignest God for ever and
ever. Amen.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer,

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. Let us bless the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

V. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
R. Amen.

AT PRIME

HAIL, glory of the patriarchs, steward of Gods holy Church, who didst preserve the
Bread of life and the Wheat of the elect.
V. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips,
R. And my mouth shall announce Thy praise.

V. Incline unto mine aid, O God!

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Hymn

HARKLY was thy bosom troubled

Till the mystery was revealed
Which the Lord had wrought in Mary,
Who in patience all concealed.

But an angel soon from heaven

Bids thy loving doubts to cease:
So may every care and trial
Turn for me to joy and peace.

Ant. Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy spouse, for what is
conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

V. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

MAY we, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy
most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we can not possibly obtain, may through
his intercession be granted to us by Thee, Who livest and reignest God for ever and
ever. Amen.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer,

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. Let us bless the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

V. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace
R. Amen.

AT TIERCE

HAIL glory of the patriarchs

Hymn
WITH the Virgin, young and tender,
In the winter-time forlorn,
Thou to Bethlehem didst journey,
That Our Lord might there be born.

As thy God thou didst adore Him,

While He in the manger lay,
Now is He in heaven exalted
Turn to Him for us and pray!

Ant. Joseph went up out of Galilee from Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.

AT SEXT

HAIL glory of the patriarchs

Hymn

FLEEING at the angels warning,

Far from Herods fury wild,
Long in Egypt didst thou tarry
With the Virgin and the Child.

By thy toil, and pain, and sadness,

In that exile dark and drear,
Help me in the cares and sorrows
Which may be my portion here.

Ant. Arise and take the Child and His Mother, and fly into Egypt, and be there until I
shall tell thee; for it will come to pass that Herod will seek the Child to destroy Him.
(Matt. ii. 13)

AT NONE

HAIL, glory of the patriarchs

Hymn

COME from Egypts land returning

Thou wouldst rest in Galilee,
But to Nazareth art bidden,
That the Child secure may be.

Souls retiring, sweet, and humble,

Thou dost still for Jesus seek:
That my heart may be His garden,
Make it humble, pure, and meek.
Ant. Who arose, and took the Child and His Mother and Came into the land of
Israel... and he dwelt in a city which is called Nazareth. (Matt. ii. 23)

AT VESPERS

HAIL, glory of the patriarchs

Hymn

THOU didst search with loving anguish

For the little Jesus lost;
But, in finding Him, what rapture,
Purchased at that sorrow s cost!

Thee, my light, my life, my Jesus,

May I never lose by sin!
May my heart be pure and simple,
So that Thou mayst rest therein.

Ant. Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee
sorrowing. (Luke ii. 48)

AT COMPLINE

HAIL, glory of the patriarchs

V. Convert us, O Lord, our salvation,

R. And avert Thine anger from us.
V. Incline unto mine aid, O God!
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

Hymn

JESUS, Mary, hung above thee,

On that sad, yet happy day,
When, with their fond arms around thee,
Passed thy gentle soul away.

Oh! When death shall come to take me,

All its terrors Ill defy,
If, with Jesus and with Mary,
Thou, dear Joseph, wilt be nigh.

Ant. In peace in the self-same I will sleep, and I will rest, for Thou, O Lord, singularly
hast settled me in hope. (Psalm iv. 9)

V. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

MAY we, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy
most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we can not possibly obtain, may through
his intercession be granted to us by Thee, who livest and reignest God for ever and
ever. Amen.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer,

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. Let us bless the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

V. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
R. Amen.

COMMENDATION

O glorious saint, my homage

I, thy grateful client, pay.
Hear my prayer and smile upon me,
Guide and guard me on my way.

May I, neath thy kind protection,

Safely reach my journey s close,
And with thee in heaven s bright palace
Through eternity repose!

ACT OF CONSECRATION AND CHOICE OF ST. JOSEPH AS A PATRON

BLESSED Joseph, faithful guardian of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, protector of thy

chaste spouse, the virgin Mother of God, I choose thee this day to be my special
patron and advocate, and I firmly resolve to honor thee all the days of my life.
Therefore I humbly beseech thee to receive me as thy client, to instruct me in every
doubt, to comfort me in every affliction, to obtain for me and for all the knowledge
and love of the Heart of Jesus, and finally to defend and protect me at the hour of
death. Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH

REMEMBER, most pure spouse of Mary ever virgin, my loving protector, St. Joseph,
that never has it been heard that anyone ever invoked thy protection, or besought
aid of thee, without being consoled. In this confidence I come before thee, I
fervently recommend myself to thee. Despise not my prayer, foster-father of our
Redeemer, but do thou in thy pity receive it. Amen.

Indulgence, 300 days, once a day. Pius IX., June 26, 1863.
 PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH FOR THE OCTOBER DEVOTIONS
Ordered by Pope Leo XIII to be said as part of the devotions for the month of
October.

TO thee, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our afflictions, and, after imploring
the help of thy most holy spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that
affection which united thee to the immaculate virgin Mother of God, and by the
fatherly love with which thou didst embrace the Infant Jesus, look down, we beseech
thee, with gracious eyes on the precious inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased
by His blood, and help us in our necessities by thy power and aid. Protect, O most
provident guardian of the Holy Family, the elect children of Jesus Christ; ward off
from us, O most loving father, all plagues of errors and depravity; be propitious to
us from heaven, O most powerful protector, in this our struggle with the powers of
darkness; and as thou didst once rescue the Child Jesus from the greatest peril to
His life, so now defend God s holy Church from the snares of the enemy and all
adversity. Finally, shield every one of us with thy patronage, that, imitating thy
example and strengthened by thy help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death,
and attain to everlasting happiness in heaven. Amen.

An indulgence of 300 days, applicable to the souls in purgatory; seven years and
seven quarantines for each public recital during the month of October. Leo XIII.,
Sept. 21, 1889.

ANOTHER APPROVED VERSION OF THIS FAVORITE PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH,

AS RECITED IN MANY PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES

WE come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of
thy most blessed spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We
humbly beg that, mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the
immaculate virgin Mother of God, and of the fatherly love with which thou didst
cherish the Child Jesus, thou wilt lovingly watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ
purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful intercession help us in our urgent
need. Most powerful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen race of Jesus
Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest of error and corrupting sin.
From thy place in heaven, most powerful protector, graciously come to our aid in
this conflict with the powers of darkness, and as of old thou didst deliver the Child
Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the
snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Have each of us always in thy keeping,
that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live
holily, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of heaven. Amen.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH

O BLESSED St. Joseph! I consecrate myself to thy honor, and give myself to thee,
that thou mayest always be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of
salvation. Obtain for me a great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life.
After thy example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with
the Divine Heart of Jesus and the immaculate heart of Mary! And do thou, O blessed
St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of thy holy death.
Amen.
 Invocation to St. Joseph

Help us, Joseph, in our earthly strife; ever to lead a pure and blameless life.

Indulgence of 300 days. Leo XIII., March 18, 1882.

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH FOR PERSEVERANCE

DEAR St. Joseph, foster-father of our divine Redeemer, and spouse of our holy
Mother Mary, thou didst live with them and toil for them through all the years of the
hidden life, and thou didst die in their arms. By the love thou bearest to them and
the love they bear to thee, pray for us always, and guard us. Obtain for us, O patron
of a happy death, the grace to live and die in God s love and favor, that we may
spend our eternity with Jesus and Mary and with thee, O dear St. Joseph.

NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF MARY MOST HOLY

THE Sovereign Pontiff, Pius IX., Nov. 28, 1876, granted to all the faithful who, with
contrite heart, devoutly make at any time during the year the novena in honor of St.
Joseph, spouse of Mary most holy, with any formula of prayer, pro vided it be
approved by competent ecclesiastical authority, an indulgence of 300 days, once a
day; plenary indulgence on usual conditions.

Ejaculation

St. Joseph, model and patron of those who love the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for
us.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Dec. 19, 1891.

Prayer

REMEMBER, O most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my sweet protector St.
Joseph! that no one ever had recourse to thy protection or implored thy aid without
obtaining relief. Confiding therefore in thy goodness, I come before thee, and
humbly supplicate thee Oh, despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer,
but graciously receive them. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius IX., June 26, 1863.

PRAYERS IN HONOR OF ST. JOSEPH FOR THE AGONIZING

ETERNAL Father, by Thy love for St. Joseph, whom Thou didst select from among all
men to represent Thee upon earth, have mercy on us and on the dying.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Eternal divine Son, by Thy love for St Joseph, who was Thy faithful guardian upon
earth, have mercy upon us and upon the dying.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Eternal divine Spirit, by Thy love for St. Joseph, Who so carefully watched over Mary,
Thy beloved spouse, have mercy on us and on the dying.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day, Leo XIII., May 17, 1884.

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH

MOST powerful patriarch St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, which has
always invoked thee in anxiety and trouble, from the exalted seat of thy glory cast a
loving glance upon the whole Catholic world. Let thy fatherly heart be touched at
the sight of the mystical spouse, and the Vicar of Christ overwhelmed with sorrow
and persecuted by powerful enemies. Oh: by the bitter anguish thou didst
experience upon earth, dry the tears of the venerable Pontiff, defend him. liberate
him, intercede for him with the Giver of peace and charity, that, all adversity being
removed, and all error dissipated, the entire Church may serve God in perfect
liberty: Ut destructis adversitatibus et erroribus universis Ecclesia secura Deo
scrviat libertate. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 4, 1882.

THURSDAY

DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT AND TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

THE THREE THURSDAYS

THE Three Thursdays" is not a phrase to which pious ears are used, as they are
used to "The Nine Fridays." Our readers, especially in Ireland and more especially in
Dublin, are happily familiar with that magnificent exercise of persevering faith and
piety by which so many continually increasing thousands endeavor to gain very
special graces by receiving Holy Communion on the first Friday of nine months
following one another without a single break. By the way, why nine not fewer and
not more? Was that particular number honored by Our Lord s choice for this purpose
in memory of the first nine months of His human life?

But "The Three Thursdays" is only a name by which three special days of the year
are perhaps now for the first time linked together on account of certain Eucharistic
associations which I am going to explain Holy Thursday Ascension Thursday, and
the Feast of Corpus Christi. These are the only religious solemnities that are
attached to the fifth day of the week as such; and they all three two of them
expressly, and one (as we shall presently see) indirectly and by suggestion are
special reminders and memorials of the Blessed Eucharist. Perhaps some devout
souls who are eager to seize on any excuse or device for renewing their fervor will
reproach themselves with having too completely overlooked the Eucharistic claims
of Thursday, and with having scarcely heeded the invitation which its associations
address to the pious faithful to extend practically to all the Thursdays of the year
the liturgical title of Thursday in Holy Week Feria quinta in caena Domini, Thursday
of the Lord s Supper.

The first, then, of the Three Thursdays is Maundy Thursday, for which the faithful
have, with good reason, invented for themselves the name of Holy Thursday,
though it is not called so in the Missal, as Holy Saturday is. This solemn day was not
chosen arbitrarily to do honor to the Blessed Eucharist, but because it was on this
day that Our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled His promise and instituted this memorial of
His love, on the night before He suffered, on the eve of Good Friday.

So, too, the Feast of the Ascension is not an arbitrary feast in the calendar, but is
kept on one fixed and determinate Thursday for this reason: because Our Saviour,
after His Resurrection, lingered on for another forty days in the desert of this world,
as He had spent forty days in the desert at the beginning of His public life; and in
these forty days after Easter Sunday we reach exactly the Thursday of the sixth
week of Paschal time, which is, therefore, the anniversary of Our Lords Ascension
from Mount Olivet, and which we therefore call Ascension Thursday.

The particular date, however, of Corpus Christi, the third of these Three Thursdays
that I am linking together, was not thus fixed beforehand by the circumstances of
the event that it commemorates; but it was chosen deliberately for the following
excellent reasons. This great feast of the Blessed Sacrament was intended to make
amends to the faithful for the restraints placed on their piety on Holy Thursday
itself, when the nearness of Good Friday hindered them from making it a sufficiently
joyful festival. Now, what date should be selected for this Eucharistic consecration,
for the fuller gratifying of our pent-up feelings of joy and gratitude for the institution
of the great banquet of love? There was a certain fitness in choosing some day that
comes as soon as possible after the completion of the yearly cycle of feasts which
commemorate the events of Our Lords life on earth, ending with the establishment
of His Church and the descent of the Holy Ghost. That cycle closes with Pentecost:
what day, therefore, after the octave of Whitsunday, shall be the glorious feast of
reparation and thanksgiving for the Sacrament of the body of Our Lord? The
Thursday of the first week after Whitsuntide is Corpus Christi, not preferred at
random (as we have said several times) to the other days of the week, but out of
homage to that particular day on which this Most Blessed Sacrament was actually
instituted.

Finally, what individual claim can Ascension Thursday advance to be ranked as a

Eucharistic festival, like the two other Thursdays which it comes between? Because
the commemoration of the departure of our divine Redeemer must needs call to our
minds His abiding presence amongst us. He who is gone stays still. Hundreds of
years before the Ascension the Royal Psalmist, who fore saw it, linked this
consolation with his prophecy, or at least piety is delighted at discovering this
hidden meaning in his words: "Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity
captive, Thou hast received gifts in men" (Psalm Ixvii. 19). This was the supreme gift
and love-token which, if it had not been given already, would have been given then,
to console those who were left behind in loneliness on the mountain of the
Ascension. Surely, as all the pathetic words spoken at the Last Supper have a
deeper force, a more poignant significance, if we imagine them repeated by Jesus at
the very last on Mount Olivet, when the final parting had indeed come, as they were
repeated (if not with His lips) with His Heart; so, too, the "memorial of His
marvels,"memoria mirabilium suorum, the memento that He left behind Him, did
not take effect, as it were, or come fully into play, until His visible presence was
actually with drawn. And therefore, when Our Redeemer goes from us on the clouds
of heaven, it is impossible not to try and calm our troubled hearts by reminding
ourselves of the supreme device of His love by means of which, though He has gone
He will be with us still. May we not give this meaning to the warning of the white-
robed angels: Hic Jesus qui assumptus est veniet? He will come: He will Himself be
the greatest of the gifts that He gave to men when ascending on high. Dedit dona
hominibus.

A holy man, whose writings are marked by great sobriety of thought and the
absence of all extravagance, has written: "The presence of Our Lord in the
tabernacle may be said to be the very chief of all the mercies of God to us in our
present state; more precious than the guardianship of the angels of which we think
so little, or the practical benefits which flow from our membership of the Church, or
from the prayers and protection of the saints, or even from the mightiness and
power and vigilant tenderness of the motherly care of Mary herself "

St. Pauls argument about the Incarnation applies with overwhelming force to this
special phase or development of the Incarnation, in which the Word that was made
flesh in order to dwell amongst us visibly has disguised that vesture of flesh under
another form in order to dwell amongst us still, corporally and yet invisibly. St. Paul
asks: "He that spared not even His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how
hath He not also with Him given us all things?" (Rom. vjii., 32). And now we too may
ask: since Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, has deigned to give Himself to us in
so close a union, and to dwell night and day in our midst that He may come often
into our hearts, what greater proof of His love can there be left for Him to give ? And
ought not our gratitude and our love to be as unceasing and, in our poor finite
measure, as intense as His infinite love and bounty? (Father Russell s "Communion
Day.")

DEVOUT EXERCISES FOR ALL THE THURSDAYS IN THE YEAR,

AND ESPECIALLY FOR HOLY THURSDAY AND THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI

THE Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VII., on Feb. 14, 1815, and April 6, 1 8 1 6, granted: a
plenary indulgence to all those who shall perform for one hour, in public or in
private, on Holy Thursday, any devout exercise in honor of the institution of the
Blessed Sacrament, provided that they be truly penitent, and approach the
sacraments of confession and communion on that day, or on any day .during the
following week.

A plenary indulgence, on the same conditions, on the Feast of Corpus Christi. An

indulgence of 300 days for each of the other Thursdays of the year, on performing
the said exercise with at least contrite heart and devotion. All these indulgences
were confirmed by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius IX., June 1 8, .1876.
 EMMANUEL

"His name shall be called Emmanuel, which, being interpreted, is God with us" (Is.
vii. 14; Matt. i. 23).

WHAT would this world of ours be without the Blessed Sacrament? How bleak and
desolate the earth, if it were not for the living humanity of Our Lord present in our
midst! I often think that those who are outside the Church, and debarred from the
bodily presence of Jesus on earth, are somewhat in the plight of the lost souls, who
are debarred from the sight of the divine Essence in the other world. In a sad state,
indeed, are those poor souls who know not that Jesus is on earth, that He is near
them, in the same town with them, next door to them, and passes by them on the
streets. And if they hear it, they will not believe it; just as the Jews did not believe it
when He Himself told them (John vi.) . They do not understand their loss. Jesus is, or
at least should be, our life, our joy, and our great desire. Our disposition here and
now should be to rejoice and exult that He is present in the Blessed Sacrament, to
thank Him all the day long and to find our happiness and consolation in staying
before the altar; having only one further desire, the blessedness of beholding Him
with our eyes face to face. But that is too great a thing for this mortal, temporary
existence, where all is yet dark and imperfect, and we live in the faint twilight of
dawn (for that is what this world is), and not in the full blaze of the heavenly
noonday. That we must long for and pray for to come in the future; then, in heaven
we will behold Him face to face. This desire is expressed in that verse in the
Canticles, where the soul, still seeing in a glass darkly, says to the Beloved, "Show
me, O Thou Whom my soul loveth, where Thou feedest, where Thou liest in the mid-
day" that is, she desires to behold Him face to face, in the full light of heaven. But
now she must be content with the presence of her Beloved in the dark, as it were,
where she cannot see His human form, but, nevertheless, knows well that she has
His humanity here, in the Blessed Sacrament, where He lives and feeds among pure
souls; and so she says again, in the words of the Canticles: My Beloved to me and I
to Him, Who feedeth among the lilies, until the day break and the shadows flee
away."

So we should find our delight in Our Lord s presence with us in the darkness of this
life; and we should be very grateful that He has not left us alone in the darkness. If
we greatly love and desire Him, we will greatly love His sacramental presence, that
is, if we have a vivid, lively faith. And faith and love go together.

Our Lord is not in the Blessed Sacrament as dead or asleep, nor simply there to
receive your love and adoration. But just as the most blessed Virgin had her divine
Son s life, and His holy examples, and actions, and words going on before her eyes,
to her inconceivable advancement in grace and spiritual progress, even so we have
her Sons life and example going on before our eyes, in all their stages, which we
can study to our immense profit and advancement in grace. The life of our dear Lord
in the divine Host is most active. He remains still in the tabernacle, it is true, but
graces are flying forth from His Heart in inconceivable abundance.

From the tabernacle Our Lord works miracles both on souls and bodies, as He did of
old in Galilee and Judea.
Our divine Lord, thus present in this Sacrament of His love, is the central object of
the devotion and worship of the holy Catholic Church. From His Sacred Heart,
present in the tabernacle, go forth streams of grace upon human souls, that lift
them up in prayer and adoration to the throne of God. Ask yourselves whence
comes the sense of awe with which even the least devout of us is filled when we
enter a Catholic church? We feel ourselves, when we know that our divine Lord is
present, in a spirit of prayer that lifts our souls up to God. That is what distinguishes
the hum blest Catholic church from heretical places of worship. It is the house and
the very home of God. The very words we use, "a visit to the Blessed Sacrament,"
reminds us that we go to a living person, and that He is no other than our blessed
Saviour, Who deigns to dwell amongst us that He may draw us to Himself and pour
out His grace upon us.

And how wonderfully is this gracious purpose of His mercy fulfilled! How many
human souls are daily raised by this adorable Presence above the cares and
interests, and sorrows and pleasures of life to the thought of God, and all that His
service imports! If we could only see brought all together the acts of adoration, and
love, and thanksgiving, and resignation, and the outpourings of human hearts that
go to make up the service of God on earth, that are daily and hourly drawn out of
them in every quarter of the world by this Adorable Sacrament, we should then
understand something of the way in which it fulfils the loving design of its
institution.

Before the tabernacle great saints have communed with God upon the heights
which we may never reach; there, too, sinners have come, and, touched by the
grace that goes out from Him, found the contrite and humble heart which He will
never despise. Think of the millions of the ordinary faithful who, day by day, or at
least from time to time, come into the house of God to pray, and even for a moment
catch a glimpse of holy things, arid carry the memory of it like a saving influence
back into their ordinary avocations; think of the countless Religious nuns and monks
to whom this presence is as the air they breathe, the very life and sustenance of
their souls. No one shall ever know all that this Adorable Sacrament is for human
souls; but we do know that in countless ways, ceaselessly, according to the
multitudinous mercies of the Sacred Heart, it is working upon us converting the
sinner, making perfect the saint, keeping the ordinary Christian in the way of God s
commandments, raising all our hearts to that one Heart which is the center and
source of grace and love.

We should, then, try to cultivate in ourselves the spirit of devotion to our blessed
Lord in the Holy Eucharist.

He is with us in the Blessed Sacrament as a consequence of the Resurrection and

Ascension; and His sacramental presence is a constant reminder of those happy
mysteries. He is in the same actual state now, in the tabernacle, that He was in on
the morning of the Resurrection, and when He was parted from His apostles on His
Ascension day. He comes to us from the glory of heaven, fresh from the bosom of
His Father, full of beauty, blessedness, and joy, full of the new wine of His Father s
love, crowned and sceptered, and Sovereign of the kingdom of God, and desiring to
confer all this blessedness, glory, and royalty on all who will open to Him their
hearts. Blessed are we, who have Him with us night and day! In Him we have all we
want; for in the Holy Eucharist He gives us all He ever was, and is, and is to be.
"Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see; for I say to you that many
prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen
them; and to hear the things that you hear, and have not heard them" (Luke x. 23).

LOOKING THROUGH THE LATTICES

BEHOLD He standeth behind our wall." But the barrier between Our Lord in His
veiled presence and our selves is not a drawback, an obstacle to union with Him
inseparable indeed from the present condition of things yet an obstacle for all that.
It is distinctly willed by Him as a necessary part of our trial, a wholesome discipline,
a purification of love. It has in it all the privileges, advantages, blessings, that in this
life belong to pain, and can be won by pain alone. It is a present blessing as well as
a pledge of blessing to come. "Blessed are they that have not seen and have
believed" (John xx.). It is a pledge of that full clear vision, "reserved in heaven for
you, who, by the power of God, are kept by faith unto salvation, ready to be
revealed in the last time. Wherein you shall greatly rejoice, if now for a little time
you must be made sorrowful.... That the trial of your faith (much more precious than
gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the
appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, you love; in Whom also now,
though you see Him not, you believe, and believing shall rejoice with joy
unspeakable" (1 Pet. 1).

"We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face" (1 Cor. xiii.). "I
shall see Him, but not now" (Num. xxiv., 17). How will that face to face vision be the
brighter and the sweeter for the dimness now! How will the joy of that moment,
when we part for ever with faith be intensified by what faith has cost us in the past!

But meanwhile the Beloved is behind the wall. And He is there with all the sympathy
for our difficulty which His perfect knowledge of it enables Him to have. "Jesus
needed not that any man should tell Him for He knew what was in man." He knows
the weariness of praying on against apparently unanswered prayer; against the pain
of physical restlessness, the labor of thought, the irksomeness of concentration, the
perpetual gathering together of the forces that are playing truant in a thousand
fields, recalled for a brief space only to be off again more wayward for their capture.
All this He knows. And our remedy is to remember that He knows it. He Who has
appointed prayer to be the channel of grace, means such prayer as we can bring
Him. He does not ask impossibilities. He does not place us amid distracting work all
day long and expect us to shut it out by an effort of will the moment we kneel down
to pray. Nor even to shut it out by repeated efforts. He would have us turn our
distractions and weariness not so much into matter for self-reproach, or humiliation
even, as into a loving, trustful plea for His pity and His help. This is prayer. Lay the
tired brain, the strained muscles, the aching head lay them all down at His feet
without a word, just for His eye to rest on and His Heart to help and heal.

There are times when physical lassitude, cold or heat, an importunate thought, a
trial with its sting still fresh, baffles every effort to fix the mind on the subject of
prayer, and concentrates the whole attention on what for the moment is all-
absorbing. Times harder still to manage, when mind and heart are so absolutely
vacant and callous that there is no rousing them to action. This reflection will some
times be helpful then What should I have to say were I in the presence of the one I
love best in the world; with whom I am quite at my ease; my friend par excellence;
to whom my trials, difficulties, character, the secrets of my soul are known; that one
in whose concerns and welfare I take the deepest interest; whose plans and views
are mine, discussed again and again together; in whose company time flies and the
hour for parting comes too soon what should I find to say?

Say it, make an effort to say it to Him Who is in the tabernacle yonder.

O Jesus, hidden God, "more friendly than a brother" (Prov. xviii. 24), I believe most
firmly that You are present, a few feet only from where I kneel. You are behind that
little wall, listening for every word of confidence, and love, and thanksgiving, and
praise. Listening when my heart is free to pour itself out to You as the brook to the
river in the days of spring. Listening more tenderly when the stream is ice-bound;
when I kneel before You troubled, wearied, anxious about many things, about many
souls perhaps, yet dry and hard, without a word to say. Make my heart so perfectly
at ease with You, O Lord, that it may be able to turn to You even in its coldness and
inertness; to confide to You naturally all that most intimately concerns it; to be
content with this, when discontented with all else, with self most of all that You
know all men "and need not that any should give testimony of man, for You know
what is in man " (John ii.). Mother Mary Loyola.

HOUR OF ADORATION

ONE of the methods for keeping the Hour of Adoration, recommended and explained
by Pere Eymard in his beautiful work "La Presence Relle," is that which corresponds
to the four ends of sacrifice. The Hour of Adoration is divided into four parts. During
each quarter of an hour we are to honor Our Lord by one of the four ends oF
sacrifice, i.e., by Adoration, Thanksgiving, Reparation, and Supplication.

Meditation or Spiritual Reading and an Act of Spiritual Communion should also form
part of the hour or half -hour of adoration. Litanies, Offices, Chaplets, suitable
prayers and devout acts of various kinds are plentifully supplied in the following and
other parts of this book for the use of the fervent Religious in her visits to Jesus, her
divine Spouse, in the Sacrament of His love.

PRAYERS FOR VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT AND THE HOUR OF ADORATION

ACTS OF ADORATION THANKSGIVING, REPARATION AND SUPPLICATION

IN my moments before the tabernacle, I will try to obey the pious counsels
contained in the Latin distich:

"Crede, dole, spera, grates age, dilige, adora,

Vulnera pande animae, donaque sancta pete."
Believing all that God has in any way to d to us grieving for all my sins, offences,
and negligence hoping in Thee, Lord, Who wilt never let me be confounded thanking
Thee for this supreme gift, and for all the gifts of Thy goodness loving Thee, above
all in this Sacrament of Thy love adoring Thee in this deepest mystery of Thy
condescension:

I lay before Thee all the wounds and wants of my poor soul, and ask for all that I
need and desire. But I need only Thyself, O Lord; I desire none but Thee Thy grace,
and the grace to use well Thy graces, the possession of Thee by grace in this life,
and the possession of Thee for ever in the eternal kingdom of Thy glory. Thus, day
by day, especially during my moments before the tabernacle, I will, with Gods help

"Believe, and grieve, and hope; thank, love, adore,

Show my soul s wounds, and holy gifts implore."

There is no aspect of God s love for us which ought to affect our hearts more
tenderly than the mere fact of His wishing to be loved by us; and there is no
manifestation of that tenderness of the Sacred Heart more touching than the
yearning to be remembered, expressed at many times and in many ways, but
especially in the Eucharistic Do this in commemoration of Me, which becomes at the
altar even more simple and affecting, In Mei memoriam facietis "In memory of Me."
When such infinite and utterly incomprehensible love as his Omnipotence for the
instrument of its behests, how can any poor little creature of God whose sole dignity
is that he has a heart to love Him how can he presume for one moment to discuss
the limits of the possibilities of the divine condescension? Fr. Russell, S.J.

MOMENTS BEFORE THE TABERNACLE

God, my Lord, in Thine own place,

I kneel before Thy sacred face
That face which once for me on high
Hung white in death beneath the sky
And hail Thee King and Lord and Love,
My heaven on earth, my all above.

O Love supreme, O Love divine,

Who stoopest low to make me Thine.
Jesus, God and Master, pent
Within this gracious Sacrament!
I love Thee, praise Thee, thank and bless
Thy Godhead in Thy lowliness.

For me made low! For me the Lord

Of heaven, the uncreated Word
Of God, doth condescend to dwell
By night and day within this cell.
Oh! break, proud heart, such love to see
Revealed in such humility.

My God, my Jesus, Thou hast done

All that Thou canst to make me one
With Thine own self. What need I more?
What grace is left me to implore?
Bought with Thy blood, for me outpoured
Fed with the body of my Lord!

Yet, ah! my Jesus kind and meek

One other grace I still must seek:
That all this love and all this pain
May not be felt and borne in vain,
But that Thy love may win my love
And make me Thine in heaven above.

ACTS OF FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

For the Hour of Adoration and also at Holy Communion

AN ACT OF FAITH
(Father Ramitre, S.J.)

O JESUS, my Lord, my God, and my all! I believe that Thou art in Thy living manhood
as truly present here in the Blessed Sacrament as when Thou didst walk amidst
men, and converse with them. Relying on Thy word, which shall not pass away, I
believe that Thou art here, ever living to make intercession for us. Here is Thy
sacred body, which hung upon the cross; here is Thy soul, which was sorrowful unto
death and agonized in the Garden of Olives on account of my sins; here are those
sacred wounds made by the nails and spear; here are those eyes which looked with
pity and love on the penitent Peter, now gazing into my heart, now raised to plead
for me with the heavenly Father, here are those ears, which heard the cruel cry of
the Jews: " Crucify Him," which listened so compassionately to all the ills of men,
and which now are listening to me. Lord, I believe that here on the altar Thy
wounded Heart is beating for love of me, and I recall Thy blessed words: "My Heart
is so consumed with love for men, that it can no longer restrain the flames of its
charity." Sweet words of Thine, O blessed Saviour! I believe that they are true, and
true as regards myself.

AN ACT OF HOPE AND CONFIDENCE

(Fr. de la Colombiere)

O GOD, I believe most firmly that Thou watchest over all who hope in Thee, and that
we can want for nothing when we rely upon Thee in all things; therefore I am
resolved for the future to have no anxieties, and to cast all my cares upon Thee. "In
peace in the self -same I will sleep and I will rest; for Thou, Lord, singularly hast
settled me in hope."

Men may deprive me of worldly goods and of honors; sickness may take from me
my strength and the means of serving Thee; I may even lose Thy grace by sin; but
my trust shall never leave me. I will preserve it to the last moment of my life, and
the powers of hell shall seek in vain to wrest it from me. "In peace in the self -same I
will sleep and I will rest."

Let others seek happiness in their wealth, in their talents: let them trust to the
purity of their lives, the severity of their mortifications, to the number of their good
works, the fervor of their prayers; as for me, O my God, in my very confidence lies
all my hope. "For Thou, Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope." This confidence
can never be vain. "No one has hoped in the Lord and has been confounded."

I am assured, therefore, of my eternal happiness, for I firmly hope for it, and all my
hope is in Thee. "In Thee, Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded."

I know, alas! I know but too well that I am frail and changeable; I know the power of
temptation against the strongest virtue. I have seen stars fall from heaven, and
pillars of the firmament totter- but these things alarm me not. While I hope in Thee I
am sheltered from all misfortune, and I am sure that my trust shall endure, for I rely
upon Thee to sustain this unfailing hope.

Finally, I know that my confidence can not exceed Thy bounty, and that I shall never
receive less than I have hoped for from Thee. Therefore I hope that Thou wilt sustain
me against my evil inclinations; that Thou wilt protect me against the most furious
assaults of the evil one, and that Thou wilt cause my weakness to triumph over my
most powerful enemies. I hope that Thou wilt never cease to love me, and that I
shall love Thee unceasingly. "In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped let me never be
confounded."

AN ACT OF CHARITY
(St. Margaret Marys Sentiments)

GOOD and merciful Saviour, it is the desire of my heart to return Thee love for love.
My greatest sorrow is that Thou art not loved by men and, in particular, that my own
heart is so cold, so selfish and ungrateful. Deeply sensible of my own weakness and
poverty, I trust that Thy own grace will enable me to offer Thee an act of pure and
sincere love. And I wish to offer Thee this act of love in reparation for the coldness
and neglect that are shown to Thee by Thy creatures in the Sacrament of Thy love.
O Jesus, my sovereign Good, I love Thee, not for the sake of the reward which Thou
hast promised to those who love Thee, but purely for Thyself. I love Thee above all
things that can be loved, above all pleasures, and
in fine above myself and all that is not Thee, protesting in presence of heaven and
earth, that I will live and die purely and simply in Thy holy love, and that if to love
Thee thus I must be persecuted, tormented, and put to death, I am perfectly
satisfied, and I will ever say with St. Paul: Nothing can separate me from the love of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, which I love and will love eternally. O Jesus,
supreme Master of all hearts, I love Thee, I adore Thee, I praise Thee, I thank Thee,
because I am now all Thine own. Rule over me, and transform my soul into the
likeness of Thyself, so that it may bless and glorify Thee for ever in the abode of the
saints. (Adapted)

A PRAYER FOR A VISIT TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

(Including all the Acts Recommended)
Lord and my God, I firmly believe that Thou art really present in the sacred Host. I
adore Thee beneath the sacramental veil which Thou hast mercifully chosen in
order to approach us. Permit me, O dearest Jesus, to render Thee my homage
together with the angels who surround Thy altar-throne. I believe that Thou dwellest
on our altars not only to receive our humble adoration, but also to be the food of our
souls, our sacrifice to the infinite majesty of the heavenly Father, our light in
darkness, our counsel in doubt, our consolation in affliction, our strength in
temptation, our solace in suffering, our joy in persecution, our friend in every need,
our teacher in the school of perfection, our master and our model in striving to
become saints.

I am a poor sinner, but I hope in that boundless mercy which detains Thee a
prisoner of love in the tabernacle. I come to Thee with a contrite heart, and I beg
Thy pardon and mercy. Thou art truly called the "Lover of souls," for Thou hast
sacrificed Thy life for our salvation; Thou hast said: "My delights are to be with the
children of men"; and Thy death-bed gift to us was the Holy Eucharist. I behold the
tabernacle surmounted by a cross, and this reminds me, dear Lord and Saviour, that
the Blessed Sacrament is a memorial of Thy Passion and death. I love that infinite
goodness which induced Thee to institute this Holy Sacrament of the altar, which is
the grandest memorial of all Thy works, and in which Thou dost communicate
Thyself so wonderfully to Thy creatures. I thank Thee for this sublime proof of Thy
love, and ardently wish that I could worthily acknowledge all the blessings that I
have ever received from this fountain of grace and mercy. I sincerely regret that this
precious pledge of Thy love is received by so many Christians with coldness and
indifference. I wish to make amends for mv own ingratitude, and heartfelt
atonement for all those sinful acts of my life, by which I have wounded Thy loving
Sacred Heart. I offer Thee my profound adoration, my reparation, my sorrow and my
love, tc appease and to rejoice, as much as l can, Thy Sacred Heart in this
Sacrament of love for all the acts of irreverence profanation, and sacrilege which, to
my shame, I may even have committed, as well as for all those which have beer
committed by others. I adore Thee, my Lord and my God, with all the strength I
have- I love Thee with the fervor of my whole soul; I acknowledge Thee as my only
Master; I offer Thee all that I have, and all that I am. Jesus! I give Thee my heart
with all its affections; I give Thee my soul with all its powers; I give Thee my body
with all its senses. Jesus! I consecrate myself entirely to Thee; I wish to live and
labor and suffer and die for the love of Thee. I abandon myself to Thee. Give me but
Thy love and Thy grace, then my heart will be satisfied, and I will ask for nothing
more. Thy kingdom come Thy will be done! I desire to adore and love Thee now and
always, not only to supply the defect of those Catholics who do not adore and love
Thee, but also for the conversion of heretics, schismatics, atheists, blasphemers,
Jews, and idolaters. O silent Dweller in the tabernacle, Thou art, indeed, a hidden
God! Here Thou art still the Victim of the cross! As I gaze upon the sacred Host, I
recall that pathetic word of Thine, O Lord, at the Last Supper: "Do this in
commemoration of Me" "Remember Me! Yes, the Blessed Sacrament is a memorial
of the "Man of sorrows," a memorial of the greatest pain a creature on earth ever
endured, a memorial of the most tender, most constant, most unselfish and most
heroic love the world shall ever know the last sweet gift of a Heart that fears to be
forgotten. Oh, yes! Lord, I shall remember Thee. How could I forget Thy love,
dearest Jesus! Mayest Thou be known, adored, and loved by all, and may thanks be
continually given to Thee in the Most Holy and Most Adorable Sacrament. Amen.

PRAYER OF ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI FOR A VISIT TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

LORD Jesus Christ, Who, through the love which Thou bearest to men, dost remain
with them day and night in this Sacrament, full of mercy and of love, expecting,
inviting, and receiving all who come to visit Thee, I believe that Thou art present in
the Sacrament of the altar. From the abyss of my nothingness I adore Thee, and I
thank Thee for all the favors which Thou hast bestowed upon me, particularly for
having given me Thyself in this Sacrament, for having given me for my advocate
Thy most holy Mother, Mary, and for having called me to visit Thee in this church.

I this day salute Thy most loving Heart, and I wish to salute it for three ends: first, in
thanksgiving for this great gift; secondly, in compensation for all the injuries Thou
hast received from Thy enemies in this Sacrament; thirdly, I wish by this visit, to
adore Thee in all places in which Thou art least honored and most abandoned in the
Holy Sacrament. My Jesus, I love Thee with my whole heart. I am sorry for having
hitherto offended Thine infinite goodness. I purpose, with the assistance of Thy
grace, never more to offend Thee; and. at this moment, miserable as I am, I
consecrate my whole being to Thee. I give Thee my entire will, all my affections and
desires, and all that I have. From this day forward, do what Thou wilt with me, and
with whatever belongs to me. I ask and desire only Thy holy love, the gift of final
perseverance, and the perfect accomplishment of Thy will. I recommend to Thee the
souls in purgatory, particularly those who were most devoted to the Blessed
Sacrament and to most holy Mary; and I also recommend to Thee all poor sinners.
Finally, my dear Saviour, I unite all my affections with the affections of Thy most
loving Heart; and, thus united, I offer them to Thy Eternal Father, and I entreat Him,
in Thy name, and for Thy sake, to accept them.

Indulgence of 300 days when said before the Blessed Sacrament. Plenary
indulgence on usual conditions. Pius IX.

Pious Ejaculations

MAY the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored, and loved
with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to
the end of time. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days. Pius IX., Feb. 29, 1868.

O SACRAMENT most holy! O Sacrament divine!

All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Indulgence of too days. Pius VI., May 24, 1776.

MAY the most just, most high, most adorable will of God in all things be done,
praised, and magnified for ever.

Indulgence of 100 days. Pius VII., May 19, 1818.

 Sentiments of a Religious before the Blessed Sacrament

How have I deserved this happy lot?

BEHOLD me in Thy presence, O my Jesus! Hidden in the Sacrament, Thou art the
self-same Jesus Who for me didst sacrifice Thyself on the cross. Thou art He Who
lovest me so much, and Who hast therefore confined Thyself in this prison of love.
Amongst so many who have offended Thee less than I, and who have loved Thee
better than I, Thou hast chosen me, in Thy goodness, to keep Thee company in this
house, where, having drawn me from the midst of the world, Thou hast destined me
always to live united with Thee, and afterwards to have me nigh unto Thee to praise
and to love Thee in Thy eternal kingdom. O Lord! I thank Thee. How have I deserved
this happy lot? Happy indeed am I, O my Jesus! for having left the world; and it is
my great desire to perform the vilest office in Thy house rather than dwell in the
proudest royal palaces of men. Receive me, then, O Lord! to stay with Thee all my
life long; do not chase me away, as I deserve. Be pleased to allow that, among the
many pious souls who serve Thee in this house, I, though I am a miserable sinner,
may serve Thee also. Many years have I lived far from Thee. But now that Thou hast
enlightened me to know the vanity of the world, and my own foolishness, I will not
depart any more from Thy feet, O my Jesus! Thy sacramental presence shall
animate me to fight when I am tempted. Dwelling so near to Thee, I shall be
reminded of the obligation I am under to love Thee, and always have recourse to
Thee in my combats against hell. I will always keep near to Thee. I love Thee, O my
God, hidden in this Sacrament. Thou, for the love of me, remainest always on this
altar. I, for the love of Thee, will always remain in Thy presence as much as I shall
be able. There enclosed Thou always lovest me, and here enclosed I will always love
Thee. Always, then, O my Jesus, my Love, my all, shall we remain together, in time
in this house, and during eternity in paradise. This is my hope, so may it be. Most
holy Mary, obtain for me a great love for the Most Holy Sacrament.

Let us be always united; let us never more be separated.

O MY Jesus, this is what I seek of Thee, and what I will always ask of Thee in Holy
Communion: "Let us be always united; let us never more be separated." I know that
Thou wilt not abandon me. Thou art so good and merciful. But I fear my own
weaknesses, O my blessed Redeemer. "Suffer me not to be separated from Thee by
sin!" As long as I am alive I am in danger from the enemies of my soul.
Oh, through the merits of Thy Passion and death, I beseech Thee let me die, rather
than commit a mortal sin. I repeat it, and pray Thee to grant me the grace always to
repeat: "Suffer me not to be separated from Thee!" O God of my soul, my Lord and
my all, I love Thee, I love Thee alone, and I will always love Thee! I desire but Thy
love and Thy grace. May I be ever faithful to my vows. May I ever live according to
the spirit of our Holy Rule. May I ever follow Thy example of humility, purity,
obedience, poverty, and conformity to the will of our heavenly Father. Mary, dear
Mother, pray for me, that I may love Jesus more and more and praise Him for ever
with Thee in heaven.

AN APPROPRIATE PRAYER TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT FOR THURSDAY

O MOST adorable Jesus, merciful Saviour, Victim of love upon our altars, receive, I
beseech Thee, my profound adoration. T firmly believe that Thou art really present
in the Holy Eucharist where Thou mercifully hidst the splendor of Thy Majesty, lest it
should deter us from approaching Thy sanctuary I believe that Thou art as powerful,
as amiable and as adorable under the sacramental veils as Thou art in heaven. I
believe Thou dwellest on our altars, not alone to receive our adorations, but to listen
to our petitions to remedy our evils to be the strength and nourishment of our souls,
our powerful Helper, our Refuge, and our Sacrifice. I hope in that boundless mercy
which detains Thee among us poor weak sinners. I love that infinite goodness which
induces Thee to communicate Thyself so liberally and so wonderfully to Thy
creatures. I thank Thee for this marvelous proof of Thy love, and ardently wish that I
could worthily acknowledge all the blessings I have ever received from this Fountain
of grace and mercy. I sincerely regret that this precious pledge of Thy love is
received with such coldness and indifference. Alas! I my self have too often
wounded by my ingratitude Thy merciful Heart on this altar, and am more guilty
than others because Thou hast not only granted me abundantly the general
blessings which this Fountain of grace pours on the world, but Thou hast provided
me with the most favorable opportunities of loving and adoring Thee in this august
Mystery. Thou hast placed me close to Thy sanctuary, where I can visit Thee
frequently, and daily assist at the holy sacrifice of the Mass. Ah! my good God! Thou
deservest all the love that my heart is capable of feeling; therefore, I humbly
consecrate to Thee all my affections, and firmly resolve from this moment to
endeavor to imitate the respect, gratitude, and love which always distinguished
those among Thy faithful servants who were specially devoted to the August
Sacrament of the altar. Accept, O divine Jesus the adorable sacrifice of the Mass,
and all the thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings of this day, which I fervently
offer in thanksgiving for the institution of this sublime Mystery; in atonement for all
the insults, irreverence, and sacrileges which have ever been committed against it;
and to implore for myself, for all the faithful, and especially for priests and Religious
a very fervent and fruitful devotion to the Holy Eucharist.

Grant me, through Thy divine Heart, a share in the pure and ardent love of the
angels, who day and night surround the tabernacle, and of all the saints, who loved
Thee most in this sacred Mystery of the altar, that I may serve Thee with purity of
intention, with ardor and perseverance during my life, and enjoy Thee for ever in
the splendor of Thy glory. Amen.

INDULGENCED ACTS OF ADORATION AND ESPECIALLY THANKSGIVING

Adoramus Te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi. We adore Thee, Christ, and we

bless Thee.
Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum. Because by Thy holy cross Thou
hast redeemed the world.

I ADORE Thee, eternal Father, and I give Thee thanks for the infinite love with which
Thou didst deign to send Thy only-begotten Son to redeem me, and to become the
food of my soul. I offer Thee all the acts of adoration and thanksgiving that are
offered to Thee by the angels and saints in heaven, and by the just on earth. I
praise, love, and thank Thee with all the praise, love, and thanksgiving that are
offered to Thee by Thine own Son in the Blessed Sacrament; and I beg Thee to grant
that He may be known, loved, honored, praised, and worthily received by all, in this
Most Divine Sacrament.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

I adore Thee, eternal Son, and I thank Thee for the infinite love which caused Thee
to become man for me, to be born in a stable, to live in poverty, to suffer hunger,
thirst, heat, cold, fatigue, hardships, contempt, persecutions, the scourging, the
crowning with thorns, and a cruel death upon the hard wood of the cross. I thank
Thee, with the Church militant and triumphant, for the infinite love with which Thou
didst institute the Most Blessed Sacrament to be the food of my soul.

I adore Thee in all the consecrated Hosts throughout the whole world, and I return
thanks for those who know Thee not, and who do not thank Thee. Would that I were
able to give my life to make Thee known, loved, and honored by all, in this
Sacrament of love, and to prevent the irreverence and sacrileges that are
committed against Thee! I love Thee, divine Jesus, and I desire to receive Thee with
all the purity, love, and affection of Thy blessed Mother, and with the love and
affection of Thy own most pure Heart. Grant, O most amiable Spouse of my soul, in
coming to me in this Most Holy Sacrament that I may receive all the graces and
blessings which Thou dost come to bestow on us, and let me rather die than receive
Thee unworthily.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

I adore Thee, eternal Holy Ghost, and I give Thee thanks for the infinite love with
which Thou didst work the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation, and for the infinite
love with which Thou didst form the sacred body of Our Lord Jesus Christ out of the
most pure blood of the blessed Virgin Mar}-, become in this Sacrament the food of
my soul. I beg Thee to enlighten my mind, and to purify my heart and the hearts of
all men, that all may know the benefit of Thy love, and receive worthily this Most
Blessed Sacrament.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

TANTUM ERGO

TANTUM ergo Sacramentum

Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio:
Salus, honor, virtus quoque,
Sit et benedictio.
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio.

V. Panem de coelo praestitisti eis.

R. Omne delectamentum in se habentem.

Oremus.

DEUS, qui nobis, sub sacramento mirabili, passionis tuae memoriam reliquisti:
tribue, quaesumus, nos corporis et sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut
redemptionis tuse fructum in nobis jugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis et regnas.

DOWN in adoration falling

Lo! The sacred Host we hail.
Lo! Oer ancient forms de parting,
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defect supplying
Where the feeble senses fail

To the everlasting Father,

And the Son Who reigns on high,
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty

V. Thou gavest them bread from heaven.

R. And therein was sweetness of every kind.

Let us pray.

O GOD, Who, beneath this marvelous Sacrament, hast left us a memorial of Thy
Passion: grant us the grace, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries
of Thy body and blood, that we may ever feel within us the fruit of Thy redemption,
Who livest and reignest, etc.

Plenary indulgence on usual conditions to all who, after confession and communion,
on the first Thursday of the month, shall visit with devotion the Blessed Sacrament;
7 years and 7 quarantines, on all the other Thursdays of the year; 100 days on any
other day of the year, to those who say them with a contrite heart. Pius VI., Oct. 17,
1796.

INDULGENCED CHAPLET OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Consisting of Acts of Thanksgiving, Contrition, and Love

V. Incline unto mine aid, O God!

R. O Lord, make haste to help me!
MOST loving Jesus, my heart leaps for joy in thinking on Thy loving Sacred Heart, all
tenderness and sweetness for sinful man; and, with trust unbounded, it never
doubts Thy ready welcome. Ah me, my sins, how many and how great! With Peter
and Magdalene, in tears, I bewail and abhor them, because they are an offence to
Thee, my sole and chief good. Grant me, O grant me pardon for them all! O may I
die, I beseech Thee, by Thy loving Heart, may I die rather than offend Thee, and
may I live only to correspond to Thy love.

Say the Our Father once, the Glory be to the Father five times; and then:

O sweetest Heart of Jesus! I implore

That I may ever love Thee more and more.

2. My Jesus! I bless Thy most humble Heart; and I give thanks to Thee. Who, in
making it my model, not only dost urge me with much pressing to imitate it, but, at
the cost of so many humiliations, dost Thyself stoop to point me out the path and
smooth for me the way to follow Thee. Foolish and ungrateful that I am, how have I
wandered far away from Thee! Mercy, my Jesus, mercy! Away, hateful pride and
love of worldly honor! With lowly heart I wish to follow Thee, my Jesus, through
humiliations and the cross, and thus to gain peace and salvation. Only be Thou at
hand to strengthen me, and I will ever bless Thy Sacred Heart.

Our Father once, Glory be to the Father five times.

O sweetest Heart of Jesus, etc.

3. My Jesus! I marvel at Thy most patient Heart, and I thank Thee for all those
wondrous examples of unwearied patience which Thou didst leave me to guide me
on my way. It grieves me that I have still to reproach myself with my extravagant
delicacy, shrinking from the slightest pain. Oh, pour, then, into my heart, dear Jesus,
eager and enduring love of suffering and of the cross, of mortification and of
penance, that, following Thee to Calvary, I may with Thee attain the joys of
paradise!

Our Father once, Glory be to the Father five times.

O sweetest Heart of Jesus, etc.

4 Dear Jesus, at the sight of Thy most gentle Heart, I shudder to see how unlike
mine is to Thine, since at a shadow, at a look, at a word of opposition, I fret and
grieve. Oh, then, pardon my excesses, and give me grace that, in every
contradiction, I may follow the example of Thy unchangeable meekness, and so
enjoy an everlasting holy peace.

Our Father once, Glory be to the Father five times.

O sweetest Heart of Jesus, etc.

5. Sing praise to Jesus for His most generous Heart, the Conqueror of death and hell;
yet never wilt thou reach its due with all thy praise. More than ever am I
confounded, looking upon my coward heart, which, through human respect, dreads
even a passing word. Courage, my soul, it shall be so with thee no more. My Jesus, I
pray Thee for such strength that, fighting and conquering on earth, I may one day
rejoice triumphantly with Thee in heaven.

Our Father once, Glory be to the Father five times.

O sweetest Heart of Jesus, etc.

Let us turn to Mary, consecrating ourselves to her more and more, and, trusting in
her maternal heart, let us say to her:

By the precious gifts of thy sweetest heart, obtain for me, great Mother of my God
and my Mother Mary, a true and lasting devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, thy
well-beloved Son, that, united in every thought and affection with that Heart, I may
fulfill all the duties of my state of life with ready heart, serving my Jesus ever more,
but especially on this day.

V. Cor Jesu flagrans amore nostri. V. Heart of Jesus, burning with love of
us,
R. Inflamma cor nostrum amore tui. R. Inflame our hearts with love of
Thee.

Oremus. Let us pray.

ILLO nos igne, qusesumus, Domine, LORD, we beseech Thee, let Thy Holy
Spirit

Indulgence of 300 days every time, and plenary indulgence once a month on usual
conditions. Pius VII., March 20, 1815.

Reparation

AN ACT OF REPARATION OF HONOR TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

O adorable Saviour, in Thy wondrous love for us Thou dost remain in the Blessed
Sacrament of the altar, in order to be the perpetual Sacrifice of the New Law, the
propitiatory Victim for our sins, the life-giving Manna of our souls, our powerful
Mediator, our good Master, our best and kindest Friend.

But, alas, with what ingratitude on our part has Thine infinite goodness been repaid.
Prostrate before Thy veiled majesty, at the foot of the altar, where Thou art as truly
and really present as in heaven, we come to make reparation and offer atonement
for all the injuries and for all the in gratitude inflicted on Thee in the Sacrament of
Thy love.

O divine Jesus, O meek* and humble Jesus, accept our feeble efforts to
compassionate Thy suffering Heart, and to make a fitting reparation to Thy outraged
majesty for all blasphemies, profanations, and sacrileges ever committed; for our
own want of devotion and reverence in Thy sacred presence, for our poor
preparations and thanksgivings at holy communion, and for the little fruit we have
drawn from holy communion through our own fault.

Pardon, O Lord, pardon, we beseech Thee, these and all our offences against Thee.
We are truly sorry for having sinned, because Thou art infinitely good and sin
displeases Thee. Thou wilt not despise a contrite and humble heart. We offer Thee
our poor hearts filled with sentiments of sincere repentance and deep affection. We
offer Thee, in atonement, Thy own bitter sufferings, the sorrows of Thy Blessed
Mother, and the merits of all the saints. By the fervor of our love we desire to make
amends to Thee for the injuries inflicted on Thee by ourselves, by infidels, here tics,
and all negligent Christians. Yes, Jesus, we love Thee now above all things, and we
are resolved to please Thee by doing Thy will and by faithfully discharging the
obligations of our state of life. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is
in heaven!

How happy should we be, O Jesus, could we but make reparation to Thy glory-, by
our respect, by our zeal, aye, even by the shedding of our blood. At least, most
adorable Saviour, grant us the grace to love Thee in the Most Holy Sacrament of the
altar, with the most tender, the most generous, the most perfect, the most constant
love.

O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine,

All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Virgin most holy, by thy holy and immaculate heart, make us enter into the
adorable Heart of thy divine Son, Jesus Christ. O sweet St. Joseph! obtain for us the
gift of prayer and of perpetual union with Jesus and Mary. Amen.

AN ACT OF REPARATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

FOR THE FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

ADORABLE Heart of Jesus, glowing with love for us, and inflamed with zeal -for our
salvation: O Heart! ever sensible of our misery and the wretchedness to which our
sins have reduced us, infinitely rich in mercy to heal the wounds of our souls, behold
us humbly prostrate before thee to express the sorrow that fills our hearts for the
coldness and indifference with which we have so long requited the numberless
benefits that thou hast conferred upon us. With a deep sense of the outrages that
have been heaped upon thee by our sins and the sins of others, we come to make a
solemn reparation of honor to thy most sacred majesty. It was our sins that
overwhelmed Thy Heart with bitterness; it was the weight of our iniquities that
pressed down Thy face to the earth in the Garden of Olives, and caused Thee to
expire in anguish and agony on the cross. But now, repenting and sorrowful, we cast
ourselves at Thy feet, and implore forgiveness. Adorable Heart of Jesus, source of
true contrition and ever merciful to the penitent sinner, impart to our hearts the
spirit of penance, and give to our eyes a fountain of tears, that we may sincerely
bewail our sins now and for the rest of our days. Oh, would that we could blot them
out, even with our blood! Pardon them, O Lord, in Thy mercy, and pardon and
convert to Thee all that have committed irreverences and sacrileges against Thee in
the Sacrament of Thy love, and thus give another proof that Thy mercy is above all
Thy works. Divine Jesus, with Thee there are mercy and plentiful redemption; deliver
us from our sins, accept the sincere desire we now entertain: and our holy
resolution, relying on the assistance of Thy grace, henceforth to be faithful to Thee.
And in order to repair the sins of ingratitude by which we have grieved Thy most
tender and loving Heart, we are resolved in the future ever to love and honor Thee
in the Most Adorable Sacrament of the altar, where Thou art ever present to hear
and grant our petitions, and to be the food and life of our souls. Be Thou, O
compassionate Jesus, our Mediator with Thy heavenly Father, Whom we have so
grievously offended, strengthen our weakness, confirm these, our resolutions of
amendment, and as Thy Sacred Heart is our refuge and our hope when we have
sinned, so may it be the strength and support of our repentance, that nothing in life
or death may ever again separate us from Thee. Amen.

INDULOENCED ACTS IN HONOR OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Reparation and Petitions

I.

Verbum caro factum est, The Word was made flesh,

et habitavit in nobis. and dwelt amongst us.

ETERNAL Word, made man for love of us, humbly prostrate at Thy feet, we adore
Thee with our souls deepest veneration; and to repair our ingratitude for the great
boon of Thy Incarnation, we join our hearts with the hearts of all who love Thee, and
we offer to Thee with them our most humble and loving thanksgiving. Filled with the
thought of the exceeding great humility, goodness, and tenderness which we behold
in Thy divine Heart, we pray Thee to give us Thy grace, that we may imitate these
virtues so dear to Thee.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

II.

Crucifixus etiam pro nobis He was crucified also for

sub Pontio Pilato, passus et us, suffered under Pontius
sepultus est. Pilate, and was buried.

JESUS, loving Saviour, humbly prostrate at Thy feet, we adore Thee with our soul s
deepest veneration; and to give Thee proof of our real sorrow for our want of feeling
for all those outrages and woes which Thy loving Heart made Thee suffer for our
salvation in Thy sorrowful Passion and most bitter death, we join our hearts with the
hearts of all who love Thee, to thank Thee with our whole soul, We marvel at the
boundless patience and the generosity of Thy Sacred Heart; and we pray Thee to fill
our hearts with the spirit of Christian penance, that thereby we may courageously
embrace suffering, and make Thy cross our greatest comfort and our glory.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

III.
Panem de coelo praestitisti Thou didst give them bread
eis. from heaven to eat.

Omne delectamentum in se In whose taste was every

habentem. heavenly sweetness.

JESUS, full of love for us, humbly prostrate at Thy feet, we adore Thee with our soul
s deepest veneration and in reparation for the outrages which Thy Sacred Heart
daily receives in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar, we unite ourselves with the
hearts of all who love Thee, and give Thee tenderest thanks. We love, too, in that
Sacred Heart of Thine, the incomprehensible fire of Thy love for Thy eternal Father;
and we pray Thee to inflame our hearts with burning charity toward Thee and
toward our neighbors.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

IV.

LASTLY, O most loving Jesus, we pray Thee by the sweetness of Thy Sacred Heart,
convert sinners, con sole the suffering, help the dying, succor the souls in purgatory.
Make our hearts one with Thine in the bonds of true peace and charity, save us from
a sudden and unprovided death, and grant us a death holy and peaceful. Amen.

V. Cor Jesu flagrans amore V. Heart of Jesus, burning

nostri. with love of us.

R. Inflamma cor nostrum R. Inflame our hearts with

amore tui. love of Thee.

Or emus. Let us pray.

CONCEDE, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus, ut qui in sanctissimo dilecti Filii tui corde
gloriantes, praecipuam nos charitatis ejus beneficia recolimus, eorum pariter et actu
delectemur fructu. Per eumdem Christum, etc.

GRANT, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who glory in the Most Sacred
Heart of Thy well-beloved Son, and renew in our hearts the remembrance of the
great benefits of His heavenly charity toward us, may rejoice in their operation and
fruit within our souls. Through the same Christ, Our Lord

Prayer

DIVINE Heart of my Jesus! I adore thee with all the powers of my soul; I consecrate
them to thee for ever, with my thoughts, my words, my works, and my whole self. I
purpose to offer to thee, as far as I can, acts of adoration, love, and glory like unto
those which thou offerest to thine eternal Father. Be thou, I beseech thee, the
repairer of my transgressions, the protector of my life, my refuge and asylum in the
hour of my death. By thy sighs, and by that sea of bitterness in which thou wast
plunged for me throughout thy whole mortal life, grant me true contrition for my
sins, contempt of earthly things, a burning desire of eternal glory, trust in thy
boundless merits, and final perseverance in thy grace.

Heart of Jesus, all love! I offer thee these humble prayers for myself and for all who
unite with me in spirit to adore thee; vouchsafe out of thy great goodness to hear
and answer them, chiefly for that one among us who first shall end this mortal life.
Sweet Heart of Jesus! pour into his heart in his death agony thine inward
consolations; take him within thy sacred wounds; cleanse him from all stains in that
furnace of love, that so thou mayest soon open to him the gates of thy eternal
glory, there to intercede with thee for all those who tarry in this land of exile.

Holiest Heart of my most loving Jesus! f or _ myself, a wretched sinner, and for all
who unite with me in adoring thee, I purpose to renew and offer to thee these acts
of adoration and these prayers, at every moment, and to the last instant of my life. I
recommend to Thee, my Jesus, the Church, Thy well-beloved Spouse, and our true
Mother; the souls who are following the path of justice, poor sinners, the afflicted,
the dying, all men on the whole face of the earth. Let not Thy blood be shed in vain
for them; and vouchsafe, lastly, to apply it to the relief of the souls in purgatory,
and, above all, to those who in life were wont to adore Thee devoutly.

Most loving heart of Mary, which, amongst the hearts of all God s creatures, art at
once the purest and the most inflamed with love for Jesus, and the most
compassionate toward us, poor sinners, obtain for us from the Heart of Jesus, Our
Redeemer, all the graces which we ask of thee. Mother of mercies, one throb, a
single beat of thy burning heart, offered by thee to the Heart of Jesus, has power to
console us to the full. Grant us then this favor; and then the Heart of Jesus, through
the filial love He had for thee, and will ever have, will not fail to hear and answer our
request. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day, to all the faithful who shall say these prayers,
with the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory be to the Father, each three times;
plenary indulgence once a month on usual conditions. Pius VII., Feb. 12, 1808; Pius
IX., June 18, 1876.

Reparation and Consecration for Religious

JESUS, my Lord, in Thy presence I rejoice that I am permitted to dwell in this holy
house as one of Thy special friends; I thank Thee for the grace of my sublime
vocation: I rejoice that I am privileged to bear the fetters of the religious vows,
which bind me to Thee. How true are Thy words, divine Master: "My yoke is sweet,
and My burden light." In sacrifice I find the sweetest joy, in Thy love the greatest
consolation, and in Thy service that pea e which the world can not give. With the
Royal Psalmist, I will sing Thy praises:

"The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?

"The Lord is the protector of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

"One thing I have asked of the Lord; this will I seek after, that I may dwell in the
house of the Lord all the days of my life.
"That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit His temple.

"For He hath hid me in His tabernacle: in the day of evils, He hath protected me in
the secret place of His tabernacle.

"He hath exalted me upon a rock: and now He hath lifted up my head above my
enemies.

"I have offered a sacrifice of jubilation; I will sing a psalm to the Lord.

"Hear, O Lord, my voice, with which I have cried to Thee: Have mercy on me and
hear me.

"Turn not away Thy face from me: decline not in Thy wrath from Thy servant.

"Be Thou my helper: forsake me not, do not Thou despise me, O God my Saviour.

"For my father and my mother have left me: but the Lord hath taken me up.

"Set me, O Lord, a law in Thy way, and guide me in the right path, because of my
enemies" (Ps. xxvi.)

"Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee: Thou art my God, and I will exalt Thee.

"I will praise Thee, because Thou hast heard me: and art become my salvation.

"O praise ye the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever" (Ps. cxvii.).

"I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God rather than to dwell in the
tabernacles of sinners; for better is one day in Thy courts above thousands." (Ps.
Ixxxiii.).

I place myself unreservedly in Thy hands, O Lord, to do with me what Thou pleasest.
I desire but Thy love and Thy grace; I desire to love and please Thee alone. Glory
and praise to Thee for evermore. How good and kind Thou art to us in the
Sacrament of Thy love! Thou art indeed our hope, our support, our consolation, our
joy, our very life in the daily routine of our duties. And yet even in Religious Houses,
Thou dost sometimes suffer from the coldness and neglect of Thy chosen and highly
favored friends. Pardon us, O Lord, pardon our offences, in Thy mercy. Surely we all
love Thee sincerely and above all things, even though at times, like thoughtless
children, we have given Thee pain. Pardon our carelessness, our want of devotion
and recollection, our irreverences and all our shortcomings at Mass, at Holy
Communion, and in Thy adorable presence. Behold me prostrate before Thee and
desiring to make Thee a worthy reparation for all the indignities that have been
offered Thee in this house.

In my weakness and poverty I have nothing that I can offer Thee by way of
reparation for the offences committed against Thee in the Sacrament of the altar.
But in Thy infinite goodness and love, Thou art content with a contrite and humble
heart. Take my heart, dear Jesus; take all that I am and have; grant that I may love
Thee and please Thee daily more and more, by cultivating the spirit of my vows, by
greater fidelity to my holy Rule, by imitating Thy example of humility and
obedience, and thus arrive at that perfection for which Thou hast destined me.

AN ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

O ADORABLE Heart of Jesus, the tenderest, the most amiable, the most generous of
all hearts, penetrated with gratitude at sight of thy benefits, I come to consecrate
myself wholly and unreservedly to thee! I wish to devote all my energies to
propagating thy worship and winning, if possible, all hearts to thee. Receive my
heart this day, O Jesus! or rather take it and change it, purify it, to render it worthy
of Thee; make it humble, obedient, gentle, patient, faithful, and generous like Thine,
by inflaming it with the fire of Thy love. Hide it in Thy divine Heart with all the
hearts which love Thee, and are consecrated to Thee; never permit me to take my
heart from Thee again. Ah, let me rather die than ever grieve Thy Adorable Heart.
Yes, Heart of Jesus, to always love thee, to honor thee, to serve thee, to ever be
wholly thine is the desire of my heart for life, for death, and for all eternity. Amen.

RENEWAL OF VOWS FOR RELIGIOUS

(By Rev. Father de la Colombiere, S.J.)

MY amiable Redeemer! I give and consecrate myself to Thy Sacred Heart in the
most perfect manner of which I am capable.

I have in a manner nailed myself to Thy cross by the vows of my profession; I renew
them in this divine Heart, in the presence of heaven and earth. I return Thee thanks
for having inspired me to make them.

I own that the yoke of Thy holy service is neither hard nor weighty; I do not find
myself embarrassed with my chains; on the contrary, I would wish to multiply them,
or rivet them yet closer upon me.

I embrace, then, the dear cross of my vocation, even to my death; it shall be all my
pleasure, all my glory and my delight.

God forbid that I should glory, that I should ever rejoice, save in the cross of Jesus
Christ.

God forbid that I should ever have any other treasure than His poverty, any other
delight than His sufferings, any other love than Himself.

No, no, my amiable Lord, never will I separate myself from Thee.

I hope, then, O Lord, that Thou wilt render me steadfast under all temptations,
victorious against the assaults of my enemies, and that Thou wilt stretch out over
me that beneficent hand which has bestowed upon me so many favors, that I may
be ever more and more generous in my love of Thee.

I entreat this of Thee, O my adorable Jesus! by Thy blood, by all Thy wounds, and by
Thy Sacred Heart.
Grant that by the consecration which I make to Thee of all that I am, I may become
this day a new production and a complete victim of Thy love.

ACTS OF HOMAGE TO THE EUCHARISTIC HEART OF JESUS

I. Prayer

HEART of Jesus in the Eucharist, sweet companion of our exile, I adore thee.
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus;
Solitary Heart, humiliated Heart;
Abandoned Heart, forgotten Heart;
Despised Heart, outraged Heart;
Heart unknown by men;
Heart loving our hearts;
Heart desiring to be loved;
Heart patient in waiting for us;
Heart eager to grant our requests;
Heart desirous of being besought;
Heart source of new graces;
Silent Heart, wishing to speak to our souls;
Heart, sweet refuge of the hidden life;
Heart, teaching the secrets of divine union;
Heart of Him Who sleeps yet ever watches;
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Jesus, victim! I wish to console Thee;
To unite myself with Thee;
To immolate myself with Thee;
To annihilate myself before Thee;
To forget myself to think of Thee;
To be forgotten and despised for love .- f Thee
Not to be loved or understood save only by Thee;
I will be silent to listen to Thee
I will leave myself, to lose myself in Thee.
Grant that I may thus quench Thy thirst, the thirst for my salvation and
sanctification, and that, purified, I may offer Thee a pure and true love.

I will no longer weary Thy patience; take me, I give myself to Thee.

I offer Thee all my actions; my mind, that Thou mayest illuminate it; my heart, that
Thou mayest direct it; my will, that Thou mayest render it firm; my misery, that
Thou mayest succor it; my soul and my body, that Thou mayest nourish them.

Eucharistic Heart of my Jesus, Whose blood is the life of my soul, I will no longer
live, but live thou alone in me. Amen.

II. Consecration
JESUS, adorable Saviour, hidden in the Sacrament of Thy love, dwelling amongst us
to sweeten our exile, shall I not exert myself to console Thine? Shall I not offer Thee
my heart, since Thou hast given me Thine? It is true that to give myself to Thee is
for my own advantage; it is to find the inestimable treasure of a loving,
disinterested, faithful Heart, such as I would wish my own to be. Thus I, who can
give nothing, am always receiving. Lord, I can not rival Thee in generosity, but I love
Thee; deign to accept my poor heart, and although it is worth nothing, still it may
become something by Thy grace. Since it loves Thee, do Thou make it good for
something and keep it. Eucharistic Heart of Jesus! I consecrate to thee all the
faculties of my soul, all the powers of my body. I wish to endeavor to know and love
thee ever more and more, and to make thee better known and loved by others. I
wish to labor only for thy glory, and to do only that which thy Father wills. I
consecrate to thee all the moments of my life in a spirit of adoration before thy
royal presence; of thanksgiving for this incomparable gift; in reparation for our cruel
indifference; and in incessant supplication that our prayers offered to thee, with
thee, and in thee, may ascend purified and fruitful to the throne of God s mercy and
for His eternal glory. Amen.

Ejaculation

EUCHARISTIC Heart of Jesus, burning with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of
thee.

ACT OF ATONEMENT

EUCHARISTIC Heart of my God, breathing and palpitating beneath the veils of the
most sacred species,
I adore thee. Moved by a new love in the presence of the immense benefit of the
Divine Eucharist, penetrated with regret at my own ingratitude, I humbly annihilate
myself in the still greater abyss of thy mercies. Thou hast chosen me from my
youth; thou hast not disdained my infirmity; descending into my poor heart, thou
didst come to invite it to a mutual love, giving happiness and peace. And I lost all
because I was unfaithful to Thee, O my Jesus. I allowed my mind to become
distracted and my heart to become cold; I listened to myself and I forgot Thee. Thou
didst wish to be my Guide, my Counselor, the Protector of my life, and I, allowing
my passions to smother this sweet attraction, lost sight of Thee and forgot Thee. In
the salutary pains of trial, in the joys of consolation, in my difficulties and my
necessities, instead of having recourse to Thee, I sought creatures and forgot Thee.
I forgot Thee in the beloved tabernacles wherein Thy love languishes; in the
churches of the city wherein Thou art insulted; in sacrilegious and indifferent hearts,
and in my own guilty one, O Jesus, even before and after having received Thee.
Eucharistic Heart of my Saviour, the delight of my first communion and during the
days of my fidelity, I surrender myself to thee. Come back, come back, and draw me
anew to thyself. Pardon me once more, and I will expiate all by the strength of my
love. Glorious archangel St. Michael, and you, beloved St. John, offer my reparation
to Jesus and be propitious to me. Amen.

Indulgence of 200 days, once a day. Leo XIII., July 18, 1885.

DAILY OFFERING TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

LORD Jesus Christ, in union with that divine intention with which Thou, whilst on
earth, didst give praise to God through Thy most Sacred Heart, and which Thou dost
still everywhere offer to Him in the Holy Eucharist, even to the consummation of the
world, I, in imitation of the most sacred heart of the ever-immaculate Virgin Mary,
do most cheerfully offer to Thee, during this entire day, all my thoughts and
intentions, all my affections and desires, my words and all my works.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Dec. 19, 1885.

EJACULATION TO THE SACRED HEART

MAY the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored, and loved
with grateful affection, at every moment in all the tabernacles of the world even to
the end of time. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days. Pius IX., Feb. 29, 1868.

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
By St. Alphonsus Liguori

MY Jesus, I believe that Thou art truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love
Thee above all things and I desire to possess Thee within my soul. Since I am unable
now to receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I
embrace Thee as being already there, and unite myself wholly to Thee; never, never
permit me to be separated from Thee.

2. Such an act of spiritual communion should be made at every visit to Jesus in the
tabernacle; at holy Mass, when we do not receive the Sacrament; occasionally
during the day or at least at morning and night prayers. The pious adorer should
live in constant union with Jesus.

3. St. Teresa was wont to say to her spiritual daughters: As often as ye hear holy
Mass, although ye be unable to communicate sacramentally, you can make a
spiritual communion, which is of great value." The Council of Trent requires for a
spiritual communion an ardent desire, lively faith, and fervent charity. How often
shall we communicate spiritually? As often as God inspires the holy desire, at any
time, but especially at Mass, at Benediction, and at Visits. No particular form is
required. We may use any form we please. With a contrite and a pure and loving
heart, we may simply say: "Come, dearest Jesus, come into this my poor unhappy
heart; come and satiate my longings; come and sanctify my soul; come, my
sweetest Jesus, come."

We read in the lives of some of the saints how Our Lord, to satisfy their burning
desire to receive the Holy Eucharist, communicated Himself to them in miraculous
ways as by going from the priest s hand to St. Catharine of Sienna, and to blessed
Imelda, or piercing through the breast of St. Juliana Falconieri, or as by the hands of
angels or of His Blessed Mother to St. Bonaventure and St. Stanislaus. In various
ways and by signal miracles, Jesus has manifested His approbation of spiritual
communion.
 ANOTHER PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

MY Saviour and my God! I am not worthy to appear before Thee, for I am a poor
sinner; yet I approach
Thee with confidence in Thy goodness and mercy, for Thou hast said: "Come to Me,
all you that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will refresh you." Thou wilt not despise
a contrite and humble heart. I am truly sorry for my sins, because by them I have
offended Thee, Who art infinitely good. Whatever may have been my foolish
transgressions in the past, I love Thee now above all things, and with all my heart. I
have a great desire, a vehement longing, O divine Spouse of my soul, to receive
Thee in holy communion, and since I can not now receive Thee in the Blessed
Sacrament, I beseech Thee to come to me spiritually and to re fresh my soul with
Thy sweetness.

Come, my Lord, my God, and my all! Come to me, and let me never again be
separated from Thee by sin. Teach me Thy blessed ways; help me with Thy grace to
practice meekness, humility, charity, and all the virtues of Thy Sacred Heart.
Receive me, as one who wishes to follow Thee, and let me live and labor and suffer
and pray in union with Thee, for the glory of God, for the accomplishment of the
heavenly Fathers will, and for the salvation of souls. Jesus! I give Thee my heart
with all its affections, my soul with all its powers, and my body with all its senses.
My divine Master, help me with Thy grace, that I may be ever mindful of Thy
presence, and that I may be faithful to the end in Thy services. Bless me in life and
in death, that I may praise Thee for ever in heaven. Amen.

SIGHS TO JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

O JESUS, sweetest Love, come Thou to me;

Come down in all Thy beauty unto me;
Thou Who didst die for longing love of me;
And never, never more depart from me.

Oh, melts my heart receiving Thee, my Own;

My eyes are dim for lack of Thee, my Own;
My flesh doth hunger, needing Thee, my Own;
My soul doth faint apart from Thee, my Own.

Free me, O beauteous God, from all but Thee;

Sever the chain that holds me back from Thee;
Call me, O tender Love, I cry to Thee;
Thou art my all! O bind me close to Thee.

O suffering Love, that hast so loved me;

O patient Love, that weariest not of me;
Alone, O Love! Thou weariest not of me! ,
Ah! weary not till I am lost in Thee;
Nay, weary not till I am found in Thee.

Say the "Anima Christi."

 FRUIT OF THE VISIT AND SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

1. BEHOLD Christ seated in thy heart as a kind Lord, Who hath made a friend of
thee, His unworthy servant: regard thyself as a guest at His table, or rather as a
hireling, since thou dost love Him when thou receivest consolation, but, when thou
art scourged for thy good, dost grow cold in love.

2. Love Him with thy whole strength, that so, in union with His strength and senses,
thou mayest offer to God all the powers of thy soul, all the senses and members of
thy body, and mayest resolve to use them always in obedience to Him.

3. Ask thy Lord for the virtue of obedience; that thou mayest imitate Him Who for
thy salvation humbled Himself and became "obedient unto death, even to the death
of the cross" (Phil. ii. 8).

"Learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of Heart" (Matt. xi. 29).

Ejaculation

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make my heart like unto Thine.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius IX., Jan. 25, 1868.

V. Blessed and praised every moment;

R. Be the Most Holy and Divine Sacrament.

Let us pray.

O GOD, Who in this wonderful Sacrament hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion;
grant us the grace so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy body and blood, that
we may ever feel within us the fruit of Thy redemption; Who livest and reignest
world without end. Amen.

Supplication

General and Special Prayers

PRAYER FOR THE GLORIFICATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

AND FOR THE WANTS OF THE HOLY CHURCH

FATHER in heaven, Lord of mercy, we praise Thee and thank Thee for the benefits
that have come to us through the Blessed Eucharist. Thy infinite goodness
substituted for the shadowy sacrifices of the Old Law, which could not satisfy Thee,
this supreme Holocaust; and for the manna which of old poured down from heaven
to nourish Thy first people in the desert, Thou givest to us the living flesh, the
precious blood of the God-Man. This, His sacrifice, is daily offered on our altars;
receive it, O Lord, as worthy of Thy greatness, and as the truest witness of Thy
sovereignty; receive it as the solemn thanksgiving for a worlds redemption, and
especially from that Church which Thou hast filled with blessings. Take it, dear Lord,
as the infinite satisfaction which appeases for the sins that have irritated Thy
justice; and, above all, accept it as the most efficacious of all prayers whereby to
obtain from Thy goodness the graces we need to sanctify our souls; for the
exaltation of Thy holy Church, for the spread of Thy Gospel, and for the glory of Thy
most holy name. Behold, O King of heaven and earth! the face of Thy Christ,
immolated on Calvary for our sins; consider this dear object of Thy complacency
disfigured on the cross, annihilated on the altar, hidden in the tabernacle, a Victim
for the salvation of His people; and when Thou, O Lord, lookest upon this august
spectacle, pardon our offences, grant us Thy protection, and receive us into Thy
eternal kingdom. Thou didst perfect with infinite gifts His sacred humanity; for our
sakes Thou didst enrich it with all grace, and didst constitute Him our Teacher, our
High Priest, our Mediator, the firm Rock of our salvation. To Thee He pleads for us, in
Thy name He instructs us, He sacrifices Himself for our redemption. Oh, suffer the
anger of Thy justice to be appeased by His powerful mediation, that it may obtain
for us all the riches of Thy eternal love. Vindicate, O Father, the glory of Thy Son
against sinners, and against the blasphemers of the Adorable Eucharist, as of old
Thou didst declare Thine own. The innocent Lamb of God is as a sign of
contradiction, against which the darts of infidels and heretics, of schismatics, of
impious and wicked Christians, are maliciously cast. Too often He is a father
forgotten by His own children, a monarch slighted by His subjects, a master
abandoned by His disciples, a God dishonored by His creatures. But now grant, O
eternal Father, that this Thy dearly beloved Son, to Whom we owe our all, may
again receive His rights within the Eucharistic species, that all nations, all sects,
returning into the bosom of the holy Catholic Church, may acknowledge Him, that
therein all "minds and hearts may be subject to Him, and that this Divine Sacrament
may receive respect, love, adoration, thanksgiving, and praise throughout the
world.

And for Thy holy Church, which glories in exalting the Blessed Sacrament and in
extending its worship, we pray that the continual presence therein of her divine
Saviour may perfect her; may it increase the faith, the hope, the charity of her living
members; may it revive the faith and zeal of those who slumber, may it multiply her
children, and be her defense against all her enemies. Bless, O my God, with Thy
richest blessings, N., our chief bishop, the vicar of Thy Son here on earth, the visible
head of His universal Church. Bless also the bishops and pastors of Thy Church,
especially N., our prelate; all priests, and in particular the members of the
"Eucharistic League" and of the "Apostleship of Prayer." Bless, O Lord, all Religious
of both sexes, all Orders in Thy Church, all rulers, princes, magistrates, and all Thy
people; grant that Thy Most Holy Sacrament may be to all the fountain of life, the
treasure of grace, the banquet of joy, and the throne of mercy.

With Thy tender benediction, look, O Lord, upon the faithful adorers of this Most
August Sacrament, and deign to hear the vows, the prayers, the sighs, that day and
night they offer for Thy glory, for the increase of love and veneration for the
mystery of the Eucharist.

Finally, O my Lord and my God, I beseech Thee, by the merits of this thrice-holy
Victim, to have mercy on the poor, the afflicted, the sick, and the agonizing. Relieve
them all in their sufferings, console them in their afflictions, help them in their need,
strengthen them in their weakness, animate them in their combats, and to the souls
detained in purgatory, apply the blood of this adorable sacrifice; and, if it be Thy
good pleasure, speedily deliver them from that painful prison, so that they may
come to adore Thee and give Thee glory, with all Thy saints, eternally in heaven.

PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH AND FOR THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES

Composed by Archbishop Carroll

WE pray Thee, O almighty and eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed
Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being
spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the
confession of Thy name.

We pray Thee, Who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge,
sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop N.N., the vicar of Our Lord Jesus
Christ in the government of His Church; our own bishop, N. (or if he not be
consecrated, our bishop-elect); all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the
Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the
functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, through Whom authority is
rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy holy
spirit of counsel and fortitude, the President of the United States, that his
administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy
people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion;
by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and
immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress,
and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government,
so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national
happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may
perpetuate us to the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the Governor of this State, for the members of the
Assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard
our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to
discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to. Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow
citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge
and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved
in union, and in that peace which the world can not give ; and after enjoying the
blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants
departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith, and repose in the sleep of
peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living,
were members of this Congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased;
of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this church, witnessed their
zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and
charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we
beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the
same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

A PRA-YER FOR ALL THINGS NEEDFUL, COMMONLY CALLED THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER

O MY God! I believe in Thee: do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee:
do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more. I am
sorry that I have offended Thee: do Thou increase my sorrow.

I adore Thee as my first beginning; I aspire after Thee as my last end. I give Thee
thanks as my constant Benefactor; I call upon Thee as my sovereign Protector.

Vouchsafe, O my God! to conduct me by Thy wisdom, to restrain me by Thy justice,

to comfort me by Thy mercy, to defend me by Thy power.

To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that
henceforward I may think of Thee, speak of Thee, refer all my actions to Thy greater
glory, and suffer willingly whatever Thou shalt appoint.

Lord, I desire that in all things Thy will may be done, because it is Thy will, and in
the manner that Thou wiliest.

I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body,

and to sanctify my soul.

Give me strength, O my God! to expiate my offences, to overcome my temptations,

to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state of life.

Fill my heart with tender affection for Thy goodness hatred of my faults, love of my
neighbor, and contempt of the world.

May Thy grace help me to be submissive to my superiors condescending to my

inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies.

Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by alms-deeds, anger by

meekness, and tepidity by devotion.

O my God, make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in

affliction, and humble in prosperity.

Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent

in my employments, and constant in my resolutions.

Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation

edifying, and my comportment regular.

Assist me that I may continually labor to overcome nature, to correspond with Thy
grace, to keep Thy commandments, and to work out my salvation.
Make me realize, O my God, the nothingness of this world, the greatness of heaven,
the shortness of time, and the length of eternity.

Grant that I may prepare for death; that I may fear Thy judgments, that I may
escape hell, and in the end obtain heaven; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS TO IMPLORE GRACES FOR OURSELVES,

TOGETHER WITH ACTS OF ADMIRATION OF THE DIVINE GOODNESS

MY Lord and my God, how admirable in Thy goodness, how wonderful in Thy
debasement and condescension art Thou in the Sacrament of Thy love! Thou, my
Redeemer, Christ Jesus, art content to descend from heaven, to place Thyself within
the consecrated Host, and to dwell within the tabernacle, day and night, solely to
exercise Thy love toward me and to communicate to me the abundance of Thy
graces. Oh, what bounty, what mercy! In the Divine Sacrament, wherein dwells the
Author and Giver of all good, I behold the King of glory, Who, with gentle courtesy,
calls me, and invites me, and expects me, that I may go to receive His graces and
be consoled. Courage, then, my soul; come, let us beg for blessings and not be
weary, but be confident that we shall receive them. "Let us go, therefore, with
confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in
seasonable aid" (Heb. iv. 1 6).

If I look into my own heart to discover its needs that they may be supplied, I find
that I am in want of all; for ail fails me, and I have no sound virtue, for vice alone
pre dominates in me. My wants are without end, and Thou, my God, discernest
them far more clearly than I can do. I am blind, and without light, and this is the first
grace I ask of Thee: "Lord, that I may see" (I uke xviii. 41). Illuminate me, O true
eternal Light, Who didst come into the world to enlighten every man; make me to
see and to know my vileness, my poverty, my extreme misery, that knowing myself,
I may learn humility. Want of humility is the great cause of my evil; I esteem myself
too highly, and aspire to be highly esteemed by others; and hence I fall, and fall at
every little occasion, without ever amending my faults All my sins are the effects,
the punishment of my pride. Oh, if I were but humble of heart, as I am under
obligation to be! O my Jesus, Thou Who hast so abased Thyself in the Blessed
Sacrament, almost to nothing, and dost dwell there, hiding within the sacred Host
all Thy glorious gifts, I ask of Thee a true and holy humility, for without this I have
neither capacity nor disposition to receive any of Thy graces, and this alone can fit
me for them.
I ask it of Thee by that stupendous humility which brings Thee to dwell within the
Blessed Sacrament O God of all greatness and of all humility, humble my pride and
give me a humble and contrite heart.

With the grace of humility I also ask of Thee ever to increase in me the graces of
faith, hope, and charity. These virtues are of necessity for my salvation, and yet how
negligently does my heart make acts of them! How often do I allow a long time to
pass without making so much as one act of faith, of hope, or of charity! O my Lord
Jesus Christ! Who, in the Blessed Sacrament, hast deigned to leave us a mystery of
faith, a pledge of hope, a bond of love, give me grace to acquire the good habit of
frequently practicing these virtues during my life, that they may avail me in the
hour of my death. Make me worthy to live and die in Thy faith, with a firm hope of
living and dying in Thy love Give me, O Lord Jesus! an increase of faith, hope, and
charity.

But, besides" all this, O my God! I beseech Thee to give me grace to live in holy
charity with all my neighbors. Thou hast commanded me to love them,, but I am
neglectful in observing this law ; some among them I love from inclination, some
from interest, and scarcely any purely for Thy love. I love him who treats me kindly,
but I do not love him who offends me. Sometimes I intend to love all men, but I
have too much reason to fear that in truth I do not love them with that Christian
charity which is my duty. But Thou, in the institution of the Blessed Sacrament, hast
left me a model, an example of charity; grant that by Thy grace I may imitate Thee.
I resolve now to love all men sincerely and cordially for Thy sake, and particularly
those who in any way have offended or injured me. All that I most desire for myself,
I pray Thee to bestow on them, and to unite this my petition with Thine own prayer
upon the cross, when Thou didst intercede for Thine enemies. Grant, dear Lord, that
I may ever live in charity with all, that I may so live as never by any act of mine to
break the bond of charity; that I may ever love my neighbor as Thou dost love me.
Above all, I humbly beg of Thee the grace to live in all and through all, resigned to
Thy all-holy will. I accept whatever Thy divine providence shall appoint in my life,
and in my death; may Thy will in all things alone be done, not mine, O Lord! I desire
all that Thou wiliest, and because Thou wiliest it; and in all circumstances I unite my
will to Thine. Therefore, O my dear Redeemer, I now and for ever unite my will to
that adorable will which, in the garden, Thou didst, in perfect submission, offer to
Thy eternal Father; and I beseech Thee ever so to retain my will in unison with
Thine, that nothing shall again disjoin them. Thou Thyself hast taught me to say, in
the Pater Noster, "Thy will be done," and daily I repeat it, but too often I say the
words only with my lips; now at least my heart pronounces them for all time, and in
all possible occurrences "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." To-day, and in
all the days of my life, may Thy most holy will be done in me, for me, by me. Teach
me to know Thy holy will, and give me grace to follow it.

PETITION TO OBTAIN GRACES FOR OUR NEIGHBOR, AND PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH,
THE HOLY FATHER, PRELATES AND PRIESTS, SUPERIORS, PARENTS, BENEFACTORS,
AND FRIENDS

NOT for myself alone do I implore graces, O my God, but for all the souls Thou hast
redeemed with Thy most precious blood, and especially for all those who are within
Thy holy Catholic Church, and chiefly for those who are zealous adorers of the Most
Holy Sacrament of the altar For this, dear Lord, I recommend them to Thee with
most tender affection. Give to us all one united, fervent spirit, zealous to prevent
the offences committed against Thee, and ever active to promote devotion to Thy
glory in the Blessed Sacrament.

I commend to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, the holy Catholic Church; extend her
bounds by the extirpation of heresy and the conversion of unbelievers.

I commend to Thee His Holiness, the Pope, Thy vicar on earth, and I beseech Thee
to assist him in discerning and doing all that is most conducive to Thy honor and
glory. I commend to Thee all our bishops and our priests. Clothe them with Thy spirit
Thy meekness, Thy humility, Thy obedience, Thy wisdom, Thy charity, and Thy zeal
for the salvation of souls. Bless them in particular with an ardent devotion to the
Blessed Sacrament. I commend to Thee the members of all Religious Orders that
they may labor earnestly for their own sanctification, for the propagation of the
faith, and for the glorification of the Holy Eucharist.

I commend to Thee all civil authorities, but especially all Catholic heads of
governments, that they may live in peace and that they may be united in zeal and
strength against the enemies of our holy faith. I recommend to Thee all sinners, for
whose salvation Thou didst deign to become incarnate, to remain three-and-thirty
years on earth and at last to die on the cross; and I beseech Thee to bestow upon
them Thy powerful help, that they may repent and be converted, and may enter
and remain in Thy holy grace.
To Thee I commend my parents, my friends, my enemies, my superiors, spiritual
and temporal, and all those to whom I am under obligation, and I beseech Thee to
bless them, to give them grace to make a good use of their temporal goods, that*
so they may obtain eternal happiness: "Ut sic transeamus per bona temporalia ut
non amittamus aeterna." "That we may so pass through temporal blessings, as not
to lose those which are eternal."

Finally, I recommend to Thy clemency the holy souls in purgatory, and especially
those to whom I am most indebted by the bond of charity or of justice; and chiefly I
implore Thee in behalf of those who, during their life, have been most devout to the
Blessed Sacrament; as also those who have most loved the Blessed Virgin. For this I
offer Thee my good Jesus, Thy wounds, Thy agony, Thy death, and all the merits of
Thy most bitter Passion. I know that it is Thy pleasure I should pray for these holy
souls, who are worthy of Thy love. Hear, then, dear Lord, and grant this my prayer
in their behalf, which I present to Thee in the words of Thy holy Church: "Requiem
aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpctua luceat eis." "Eternal rest give unto
them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them."

LITANY IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

LORD have mercy. Lord have mercy.

Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Living Bread, that earnest down from heaven,
Hidden God and Saviour,
Wheat of the elect,
Wine of which virgins are the fruit,
Bread of fatness and royal dainties,
Perpetual Sacrifice,
Clean Oblation,
Lamb without spot,
Most pure Feast,
Food of Angels,
Hidden Manna,
Memorial of the wonders of God,
Super-substantial Bread,
Word made flesh, dwelling in us,
Sacred Host,
Chalice of Benediction,
Mystery of faith,
Most High and Adorable Sacrament,
Most holy of all sacrifices,
True propitiation for the living and the dead,
Heavenly Antidote against the poison of sin,
Most wonderful of all miracles,
Most holy commemoration of the Passion of Christ,
Gift transcending all fulness,
Special Memorial of divine love,
Affluence of divine bounty,
Most august and holy Mystery,
Medicine of immortality,
Tremendous and life-giving Sacrament,
Bread made flesh by the omnipotence of the Word,
Unbloody Sacrifice,
Our Feast at once and our Fellow-guest,
Sweetest Banquet, at which angels minister,
Sacrament of piety,
Bond of charity,
Priest and victim,
Spiritual Sweetness tasted in its proper source,
Refreshment of holy souls,
Viaticum of such as die in the Lord,
Pledge of future glory,
Be merciful. Spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
From an unworthy reception of Thy body and blood,
From the lust of the flesh,
From the lust of the eyes,
From the pride of life,
From every occasion of sin,
Through the desire wherewith Thou didst long to eat this Passover with Thy
disciples,
Through that profound humility wherewith Thou didst wash their feet,
Through that ardent charity whereby Thou didst institute this divine Sacrament,
Through Thy precious blood, which Thou hast left us on our altars,
Through the five wounds of this Thy most holy body, which Thou didst receive for
us, j
We sinners beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve and increase, our faith, reverence, and
devotion toward this admirable Sacrament,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to conduct us, through a true confession of our sins, to
a frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to deliver us from all heresy, perfidy, and blindness of
heart,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to impart to us the precious and heavenly fruits of this
Most Holy Sacrament,
That at the hour of death Thou wouldst strengthen and defend us by this heavenly
viaticum, T
Son of God,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

V. Thou didst give them bread from heaven. Alleluia.

R. Containing in itself all sweetness. Alleluia.

Let us pray.

O GOD, Who in this wonderful Sacrament has left unto us a memorial of Thy
Passion; grant us the grace, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries
of Thy body and blood, that we may ever continue to feel within ourselves the
blessed fruit of Thy redemption. Who livest and reignest God for ever and ever.
Amen.

FORM OF CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Published with the Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Leo XIII., dated May 25, 1899, on
the consecration of mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

MOST sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us, humbly
prostrate before Thy altar. We are Thine and Thine we wish to be; but to be more
surely united with Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself to-day to
Thy most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known Thee; many, too, despising
Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and
draw them to Thy Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who
have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned
Thee: grant that they may quickly return to their Father s house, lest they die of
wretchedness and hunger. Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous
opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth
and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Be
Thou King also of all those who sit in the ancient superstition of the Gentiles, and
refuse not Thou to deliver them out of darkness into the light and kingdom of God.
Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church, assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give
peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with
one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation ; to it be glory and
honor for ever. Amen.

LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

LORD, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Heart of Jesus, Son of the eternal Father,
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother,
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,
Heart of Jesus, sacred temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful,
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke thee,
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium,
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offences,
Heart of Jesus, obedient unto death,
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim for sin,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in thee,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in thee,
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart,

R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray.

O ALMIGHTY and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy dearly beloved Son, and
upon the praise and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners and for those
who seek Thy mercy; be Thou appeased, and grant us pardon in the name of the
same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII., April 2, 1899.

LITTLE OFFICE OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

AT MATINS

V. LORD, open Thou my lips,

R. And my mouth shall sound Thy praise.
V. O God, come to my assistance.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

From Septuagesima till Paschal time, instead of Alleluia is said:

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

V. Heart of Jesus, inflamed with love of us,

R. Inflame our hearts with love of thee.

Hymn

THOU, joy of all the courts of heaven,

Thou, splendor of the Fathers face,
In mercy didst our flesh embrace,
To be for us a victim given.

Our hearts delight, O Jesu, bless

My heart with fires that purify,
Lest it should praise unworthily,
Thy Heart, the throne of holiness.

Sweet, lovable beyond compare,

O Heart, which love has set on fire,
Which languishes with loves desire,
Thy mercy show me; hear my prayer.

Sweeter art thou than honey stored;

O Sacred Heart, to thee are dear
Pure minds, to thee pure hearts draw near.
Be thou by every heart adored. Amen.

Ant. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, most obedient to thy Fathers will, turn our hearts to
thyself that we may ever do those things which are pleasing to thee.

V. My heart is ready, O God of my heart, to do Thy will.

R. My God, I have willed it, that Thy law be ever in the midst of my heart.

Let us pray.

O LORD Jesus, Who hast deigned to open to the Church, Thy spouse, the
unspeakable delights and riches of Thy Heart; grant that we Thy servants may be
worthy to be enriched and refreshed with the heavenly graces springing from this
sweetest source. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

AT LAUDS

V. GOD, come to my assistance.

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

From Septuagesima till Paschal time, instead of Alleluia is said:

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

V. Heart of Jesus, inflamed with love of us,

R. Inflame our hearts with love of thee.

Hymn

O HEART, the Godheads worthy throne,

Thee did the Spirit s power create,
In Mary s womb immaculate,
The Virgin Mother s holy One.

Praised is through thee the Trinity;

Thou art the Fathers bliss; the Son
Hath knit thee with Himself in one;
And rests the Holy Ghost in thee.

In thee the wrecked world safety finds,

And faithful souls their peace secure,
A cloister too, where chaste and pure
Serenely rest their hearts and minds.

Sweeter art thou than honey stored;

O Sacred Heart, to thee are dear
Pure minds, to thee pure hearts draw near.
Be thou by every heart adored. Amen.

Ant. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, thirsting for our salvation, recall us faithless wanderers
to a right mind, that we may not die in our sins.

V. My heart is ready, O God of my heart, to do Thy will.

R. My God, I have willed it, that Thy law be ever in the midst of my heart.

Let us pray.

O LORD Jesus, Who hast deigned to open to the Church, Thy spouse, the
unspeakable delights and riches of Thy Heart, grant that we Thy servants may be
worthy to be enriched and refreshed with the heavenly graces springing from this
sweetest source. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

AT PRIME

V. GOD, come to my assistance.

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

From Septuagesima till Paschal time, instead of Alleluia is said:

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

V. Heart of Jesus, inflamed with love of us,

R. Inflame our hearts with love of thee.

Hymn

HEART, victim of eternal love,

Undying bliss of all the blest,
Of mortal men the strength and rest,
Their one, their highest hope above.

When, with deep wound, love pierced thy side

It welcomed us, and in the gate
It cried: "Come quickly, do not wait;
Behold the way, how fair and wide!"

Since thou hast washed us in that tide

Of blood which gushed from every pore,
Gather and keep us evermore
Deep in the shelter of thy side.

Sweeter art thou than honey stored;

O Sacred Heart, to thee are dear
Pure minds, to thee pure hearts draw near.
Be thou by every, heart adored. Amen.

Ant. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, most perfect pattern of purity, make us to be clean of
heart, that we may be worthy to be found like unto thee.

V. My heart is ready, O God of my heart, to do Thy will.

R. My God, I have willed it, that Thy law be ever in the midst of my heart.

Let us pray

O LORD Jesus, Who hast deigned to open to the Church, Thy spouse, the
unspeakable delights and riches of Thy Heart, grant that we Thy servants may be
worthy to be enriched and refreshed with the heavenly graces springing from this
sweetest source. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

AT TIERCE

V. GOD, come to my assistance.

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

From Septuagesima till Paschal time, instead of Alleluia is said:

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

V. Heart of Jesus, inflamed with love of us,

R. Inflame our hearts with love of thee.

Hymn

MAY that same love, O stricken breast,

Now wound our hearts, which wounded Thine
And fill us with love s sacred wine,
Life-giving nectar of the blest!

In faiths new mystery to our hearts

God gives His flesh to be their food,
And the full chalice of His blood
In His own feast of love imparts.

He Whom all heaven with blissful dread

Adores, now shrouds His majesty
With mystic veil that He may be
To little ones their daily bread.

Sweeter art thou than honey stored;

O Sacred Heart, to thee are dear
Pure minds, to thee pure hearts draw near.
Be thou by every heart adored.- Amen.

Ant. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, most meek with all thine enemies, may thy peace so
reign in us, that from our hearts we may forgive those that persecute and
calumniate us.
V. My heart is ready, O God of my heart, to do Thy will.
R. My God, I have willed it, that Thy law be ever in the midst of my heart.

Let us pray.

O LORD Jesus, Who hast deigned to open to the Church, Thy spouse, the
unspeakable delights and riches of Thy Heart, grant that we Thy servants may be
worthy to be enriched and refreshed with the heavenly graces springing from this
sweetest source. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

AT SEXT

V. GOD, come to my assistance.

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, worldwithout end. Amen. *
Alleluia.

From Septuagesima till Paschal time, instead of Alleluia is said:

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

V. Heart of Jesus, inflamed with love of us,

R. Inflame our hearts with love of thee.

Hymn

GOD will our choicest victims slight

O Heart, unless they rest on thee,
Whose altar wide, all earth and sea
Embracing, towers o er heaven s height.

Here reign enthroned the virtues all,

Whose bright array with faithful care
Must needs watch innocence so fair,
Lest left alone she surely fall.

In this Heart s depths that law of right

Moves, which should rule earths destiny;
And thence for our felicity
Grace pours its stream of love and light.

Sweeter art thou than honey stored;

O Sacred Heart, to thee are dear
Pure minds, to thee pure hearts draw near.
Be thou by every heart adored. Amen.

Ant. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, broken with sorrow for our sins, bestow on us a
humble and contrite heart, that we may bring forth fruits worthy of penance.
V. My heart is ready, O God of my heart, to do Thy will.
R. My God, I have willed it, that Thy law be ever in the midst of my heart.

Let us pray.

O LORD Jesus, Who hast deigned to open to the Church, Thy spouse, the
unspeakable delights and riches of Thy Heart; grant that we Thy servants may be
worthy to be enriched and refreshed with the heavenly graces springing from this
sweetest source Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

AT NONE

V. GOD, come to my assistance.

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia

From Septuagesima till Paschal time, instead of Alleluia is said:

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

V. Heart of Jesus, inflamed with love of us,

R. Inflame our hearts with love of thee.

Hymn

O HEART, the sun s pure ray near thine

Is dark; heaven shrinks near thine abode;
Thou sum of all the works of God,
Of His eternal word the shrine.

Thine acts, O Heart, encompass all

The offerings worthy of the Sire;
Nor is there any least desire
Not thine, on which His blessings fall.

Our sins the wrath of God provoke;

He lifts the thunderbolt, yet sees
Thy throbbings, gentle Heart, and these
Stay and recall His vengeful stroke

Sweeter art thou than honey stored;

O Sacred Heart, to thee are dear
Pure minds, to thee pure hearts draw near.
Be thou by every heart adored. Amen.

Ant. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to which poverty was most dear, place us as a seal
upon thyself, that in thee, as in our only treasure, our hearts may ever wholly be.
V. My heart is ready, O God of my heart, to do Thy will.
R. My God, I have willed it, that Thy law be ever in the midst of my heart.

Let us pray.

O LORD Jesus, Who hast deigned to open to the Church, Thy spouse, the
unspeakable delights and riches of Thy Heart; grant that we, Thy servant s, may be
worthy to be enriched and refreshed with the heavenly graces springing from this
sweetest source. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

AT VESPERS

V. GOD, come to my assistance,

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

From Septuagesima till Paschal time, instead of Alleluia is said:

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

V. Heart of Jesus, inflamed with love of us,

R. Inflame our hearts with love of thee.

Hymn

EQUAL to Gods dread sanctity,

O Victim Heart, thine altar bears
Always, regarding not the years,
Atonement for iniquity.

Filling with plaintive note thy nest,

She feeds, who is thy mystic dove,
Among thy flowers on bread of love
Thy Spouse, O Heart of God, at rest.

Here breathes that stainless lily s breath,

Which decks the virgin s crown so rare,
And here the rose without compare
Grows red to grace the martyr s death.

Sweeter art thou than honey stored;

O Sacred Heart, to thee are dear
Pure minds, to thee pure hearts draw near.
Be thou by every heart adored. Amen.

Ant. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of loving kindness for those who love thee, may
our flesh and our heart be absorbed in thee, that thou mayest be the love of our
heart and our portion forever.
V. My heart is ready, O God of my heart, to do Thy will.
R. My God, I have willed it, that Thy law be ever in the midst of my heart.

Let us pray

O LORD Jesus, Who hast deigned to open to the Church, Thy spouse, the
unspeakable delights and riches of Thy Heart; grant that we, Thy servants, may be
worthy to be enriched and refreshed with the heavenly graces springing from this
sweetest source. W r ho livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

AT COMPLINE

V. GOD, come to my assistance,

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

From Septuagesima till Paschal time, instead of Alleluia is said:

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

V. Heart of Jesus, inflamed with love of us

R. Inflame our hearts with love of thee.

Hymn

ON fire with loves sweet violence,

The Mother s heart pants ceaselessly
All for her Sons His own to be
In mystic self-indifference.

The bonds of love, which naught can part,

The Mothers heart with His unite;
His fires of love do hers ignite
And hers reenter straight His Heart.

Sweeter art thou than honey stored;

O Sacred Heart, to thee are dear
Pure minds, to thee pure hearts draw near.
Be thou by every heart adored. Amen.

Ant O Victim of charity, most loving-Heart of Jesus, immolated for our sins,
neglected and outraged by ungrateful men, change us, quicken us, and set us on
fire.

V. My heart is ready, O God of my heart, to do Thy

R. My God, I have willed it, that Thy law be ever in the midst of my heart.
Let us pray.

O LORD Jesus, Who hast deigned to open to the Church Thy spouse, the
unspeakable delights and riches of Thy Heart: grant that we, Thy servants, may be
worthy to be enriched and refreshed with the heavenly graces springing from this
sweetest source. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Pope Leo XIII granted an indulgence of 200 days for the recitation of this office. This
indulgence can be gained once a day.

THE HOLY HOUR

I. THE Holy Hour is a pious exercise of mental or vocal prayer, in union with the
prayer of Our Lord in the Garden of Olives on Maundy Thursday night. It was taught
as a practice to Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque, by Our Lord Himself, Who
appeared to her while, she was adoring the Blessed Sacrament, and said: "Every
night, between Thursday and Friday, I will make you partaker of that sorrow unto
death which it was My will to suffer in the Garden of Olives To join with Me in the
humble prayer which I then offered to My Father, you shall rise between eleven o
clock and midnight ; you shall prostrate yourself with Me for one hour, with your
face to the ground, both to appease the anger of God by imploring mercy for
sinners, and to sweeten in some w r ay the bitterness I felt when My apostles
abandoned Me, being unable to watch one hour with Me."

In 1829, Father Debrosse, S.J., founded a confraternity in the chapel of the Jesuits at
Paray-le-Monial, for the purpose of spreading this devotion. In virtue of a rescript of
Pius IX, issued in 1875, all the associates of the Apostleship of Prayer can gain the
plenary indulgence for keeping the Holy Hour. The devotion may be practiced either
in public or in private; if in public, then any hour may be named for any day in the
week by the local directors; if in private, then the time is restricted to an hour,
between 2 P.M. of every Thursday and about 6 P.M. on Friday. There are no special
prayers or practices obligatory during the Holy Hour, but it should be offered in
memory of the sacred Passion, and in particular of the prayer and agony of Our
Saviour in the Garden of Gethsemane.

No particular place is prescribed for keeping the Holy Hour; hence even sick persons
can practice this beautiful devotion. To gain the plenary indulgence, the ordinary
conditions of confession, communion, and prayer for the Popes intention are
obligatory. Independently of this, however, the pious exercise of the Holy Hour must
be most meritorious and pleasing to Our Lord. We thereby make reparation to the
Heart of Jesus for the ingratitude of men; participate in Our Saviour s agony; implore
mercy for sinners, and appease the anger of God.*

(Lefevbres "Month of the Sacred Heart," "The Watches of the Sacred Passion," by
the Rev. P. Gallwey, S.J., and parts of Book II and Book III of Thomas a Kempis The
Following of Christ" will serve very well for spiritual reading during the Holy Hour.
Pious souls of every class, by using lather Gallweys most admirable work, will feel
their hearts burning with love of Him Who suffered for love of us all. )
As to vocal prayers for the Holy Hour, there is an abundance and a variety of them
in this book, e.g., the Office of the Sacred Heart; the Litanies; the Acts of
Consecration and Reparation, and the Prayers in reference to the Passion of Our
Lord. The Rosary in honor of the sorrowful mysteries may also be recited.

REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS, AND PRAYERS FOR THE HOLY HOUR

WITH no other time, perhaps, did the Heart of Jesus suffer more than during His
agony in the Garden of Olives. And it is to this sad vigil that He calls us, gently
chiding us as He reproached the sleeping disciples: "Can you not watch one hour
with Me?" Oh, accept His loving invitation! He will not refuse you powerful graces
that will touch and even convert your sinful heart.

Represent to yourself Our Lord Jesus Christ leaving the supper-room where He had
just instituted the Sacrament of His love, and directing His steps toward the lonely
garden where His Passion began, with the sorrow of His Sacred Heart.

Imagine that, by a special favor the good Master chooses you to be a witness of His
agony and a companion in His blessed prayer. Hasten, therefore, with all the fervor
of our soul, to answer His loving call.

"What a favor, O my Jesus! Thou invitest me to witness Thy agony and to realize the
infinite love Thou bearest for sinners I follow Thee, O my Jesus, with readiness, and I
desire to watch and pray with Thee during this hour. Thou knowest my weakness.
Sustain me, therefore O Jesus, for without Thy assistance I shall be more cowardly
than Thy apostles, and shall remain insensible to Thy sorrow and love

I come O my God infinitely holy, to prostrate myself, in union with Thy divine Son,
before Thy supreme majesty, and to annihilate myself in the presence of Thy infinite
greatness. I come to offer Thee His agony and the sorrows of His Heart, to satisfy
Thy justice. I come to weep for my sins and those of all men. Hear my supplications,
and accept my homage, or rather cast Thine eyes on the Heart of Thy beloved Son,
with whom I desire to be united during this prayer.

The First Prostration of Jesus

"He hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows."

BEHOLD your divine Saviour prostrate, His face to the very ground, moaning under
the weight of the iniquities of the whole world. He bore them; He took them on
Himself; He offers to expiate them. Nevertheless, He feels so great a horror for them
that He seems crushed and even annihilated under the weight of sorrow and
humiliation.

Adore profoundly this august and holy Victim. Beg Him to let you share His horror
for sin, and to pierce your heart with holy and bitter sorrow.

Recite with compunction of heart the Confiteor and an act of contrition.

Behold the total abandonment in which our divine Saviour is found. A dread silence
surrounds Him; His apostles are asleep; His Mother is far away; He is alone with His
Father. But the Father, infinitely holy, no longer considers His divine Son as the
object of His eternal complacency. He beholds in Him only the Victim upon Whom
will fall His vengeance against sin.

Repeat several invocations from the Litany of the Holy Name. Pronounce the name
of Jesus with burning love. Oh, at what a dear rate the Son of God purchased this
divine name! Now He suffers that He may indeed become Our Saviour, Our Jesus.

Contemplate your Victim rising with difficulty and going to His disciples. He finds
them asleep. Hear His gentle voice of reproach: "Could you not watch one hour with
Me?" Imagine that on returning to His place, Jesus directs His loving looks toward
you. Cast yourself at His feet and say with loving heart : " O Jesus, I, too, have often
abandoned Thee. I have afflicted Thy Heart by my wanderings, but now I return, to
be faithful to Thee until death."

The Second Prostration

IMAGINE you hear the sweet voice of your divine Saviour, exclaiming: "My soul is
sorrowful even unto death. Two swords pierced the Heart of Jesus the sword of His
love for His Father, and the sword of His love for men. He wished to repair the
outrage done to His Father by sin; and yet sin will still be committed, and the
majesty of the Father will again be insulted. He suffered to save men, to prevent
them from falling into hell; and yet many will despise His goodness, and lose their
souls despite His devotedness and love.

Keep the eyes of your soul fixed with love and compassion on your suffering
Saviour.

Contemplate His sacred head bowed to the earth. Behold the anguish of His
adorable countenance. He sinks under the weight of so great an affliction. His agony
begins. He seems about to die of sorrow.

Let your heart be pierced with the sadness which the Heart of Jesus, and reduced
Him to this deplorable state. His blood flowing in vain for so many cherished souls!
Hi; Fathers goodness outraged by so many sins! Jesus scans the centuries and
beholds me. He sees my little energy in overcoming myself, my infidelities, my
ingratitude. Penetrated with grief for having contributed to the agony of Jesus let us
say from our hearts: Behold, O my Jesus, this ungrateful soul who has been so deaf
to Thy voice, who has, on a thousand occasions, despised the mercies of Thy
adorable Heart. Weep no longer for me, O my amiable Jesus. I return to Thee; I
return for ever. Alas, my soul is loaded with miseries, stained with innumerable sins,
but it belongs to Thee To possess it Thou consentest to suffer so much. O merciful
Saviour, Thou hast said: Come to me, all ye that labor and I will refresh you. Here is
my soul, O Jesus; it will be Thine for evermore. I come to share in Thy sorrow, and to
console Thee by my sincere return.
Animated with the desire of giving greater consolation to the Heart of Jesus, form
acts of love, saying: neighbor as myself, etc. Promise Jesus that you will try to gain
souls to His love, and to recall the straying to the true

Continue to contemplate your adorable Saviour delivered to agonies more cruel

than death. He perseveres in prayer notwithstanding the weariness, fear, and
sorrow that hll His Sacred Heart. Listen with profound respect to the prayer of your
Lord. Let it sink to the depth of your flinty heart. Prostrate before your Saviour, unite
in His sentiments Enter into His Heart, and repeat, with fervor, His divine prayer.
Unreservedly offer yourself with Him to do the will of God.

My adorable Saviour, Thy example teaches me the sure means of arriving at

perfection. Yes, I desire to imitate Thee in Thy divine resignation. On every occasion
I will say: Thy will, O Father, Thy will, and not mine be done.

Jesus goes again to His disciples and finds them still asleep.

He returns, in sadness, to the place of His prayer.

The Third Prostration

OUR Saviour considers with intense anguish the suffering of His Passion, and His
Sacred Heart endures them all. Oh, how great was the love necessary to accept
them! In union with the Victim recall these sufferings, and first, the treacherous kiss
of Judas. Ah, bitterly bewail your own baseness, in communions that were tepid, in
those, perhaps, that were sacrilegious, in which you also gave the perjured kiss.
Make an act of spiritual communion. Say three times, with the deepest contrition:
Lord Jesus, my soul is not worthy to receive Thee. Say only the word and it shall be
healed. Add in union with the angels surrounding the tabernacle: Lamb without
spot, who art daily immolated for the honor of God and the salvation of the world,
be for ever blessed and glorified! O good Shepherd, that Thou mightest remain with
Thy cherished flock, Thou didst not fear to expose Thyself to all the outrages and
profanations of sinners. Be Thou for ever blessed and glorified! Saving Host, chalice
of benediction, disarming the anger of God, be for ever blessed and glorified!

The Heart of Jesus accepts the sentence of scourging. Already He feels the blows.
His body is but one wound. His feet wade in His blood. The pillar to which He is
attached is red with His blood, and shreds of His sacred flesh lie scattered around.
Alas! by what cruel treatment Jesus wishes to expiate our sensuality and sloth, our
vanity, but, above all, our faults against the lily of virtues purity.

Follow the inspirations of your devotions, and form acts of contrition in union with all
holy penitents.

Jesus beholds the cross, the heavy cross prepared for Him to carry to the top of
Calvary, and upon which He is to die, a Victim of divine justice and His infinite love
for men. Oh, how painful, how crushing is the cross! Our sins have made it so heavy
that Jesus can hardly carry it. Thrice on the way to Calvary He will fall, borne to the
earth by its cruel weight. Nevertheless, He receives it and embraces it with holy
ardor. Let us try to fathom this mystery of love. Jesus embraces the cross, because
the cross will be our remedy, our strength, our salvation. Bless a thousand times
your good God, Who has loved you to such excess.

Promise Him that you will never again refuse the precious treasures He offers you
when He deigns to give you a share in His cross.

Repeat with tender and profound gratitude: We adore Thee, O Jesus, and bless Thee
because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Add with love and confidence: O Jesus, I wish to carry the cross with Thee.

Jesus at length contemplates that last hour, which He calls His Hour, so great is His
desire to finish the work of our redemption. Behold this hour of death in all its
bitterness. The Heart of Jesus feels all the sufferings prepared for Him. Stay with
Him in His agony. He is stripped of His clothes; His hands and feet are pierced: He is
raised on the cross, suspended between two thieves. He is insulted, abandoned by
all. Listen to His dying words. Contemplate Him with love. Cry out from your heart:
O Jesus, best of Masters and tenderest of Fathers, my heart feels a profound grief in
considering the cruel sufferings Thou hast endured. Never, never again, shall
anything separate me from Thee! Thou dost wish to shed even the last drop of Thy
blood to expiate my many sins. Thy goodness touches my cold heart. O Jesus, I wish
to be Thine during life till death.

Repeat this prayer several times. Then add five times, in honor of the five wounds:
Jesus, my Saviour, I will love Thee always, I will love Thee for ever.

Recall to mind that Jesus, while thus considering the sufferings of His Passion, feels
them all in His Heart, and that His agony is increased by the crushing thought, God
will again be offended; men will continue to cast themselves into the abyss of
perdition.

How bitter is this chalice presented to our divine Redeemer! His holy humanity is
terrified, and again the cry of distress escapes from His blessed lips: Father, let the
chalice pass from Me.

In this awful moment an angel descends from heaven, and reverently raises Jesus.
In company with this angel, approach your Saviour, and say to Him: "Wilt Thou, dear
Lord, permit this poor soul to perish eternally?" And Jesus, with looks of tender pity
cast upon you, will reply: "No, I will die willingly for you." Words can make no answer
to such an excess of love. Let your heart alone speak to your Victim, with
thanksgiving and gratitude inspired by the goodness of your most amiable Saviour.

And Jesus being in an agony and bloody sweat, prayed the longer. The more our
infinitely compassionate Saviour suffers, the more He prays. Oh, how many and how
great the graces showered upon the earth through the humility, the submission, the
burning zeal which dictate the prayer of the God-Man. Ask with confidence for the
blessings you most need. Pray for your parents, brethren, and friends, for your
superiors, for your Order, for the Church. Pray with Jesus, like Jesus, through Jesus,
and you will obtain all you desire.
Recite five Our Fathers, and Five Hail Marys.

Jesus arises, leaving the place dyed in the blood of His agony, of His martyrdom of
love and superhuman courage, and goes to meet His cruel enemies. Follow Him in
spirit, saying with all the love and energy of your soul : My beloved Jesus, Thou art
going to die for me: I wish to die for Thee.

Jesus, no more during life will my heart be separated from Thee.

Repeat the sacred words of the divine Victim: It is consummated. Apply them to
yourself in saying: My* resolution is taken. I renounce for ever all the sins and evil
habits of my life which have caused so much suffering to my Saviour. I shall never
again refuse anything to Him Who has so loved me as to deliver Himself for me.
"Greater love than this no man hath, that he lay down his life for his friends." (From
Spencer s "The Little Grain of Wheat.")

Resolutions and Amendment

MY sweetest Jesus, I here take the resolution of losing all rather than losing Thy
grace. I am weak, but Thou art strong; Thy strength will render me strong against
my enemies. Under Thy protection, what have I to fear? My sweetest Saviour, do not
allow me to be separated from Thee. Assist me in the dangers in which I may find
myself; may

I never fail in having recourse to Thee! I ardently desire to be faithful to Thee, and
to live for Thee alone, so long as I may still remain on earth. It is for Thee to give me
the strength of which I stand in need.

Increase in me, oh, purest Heart of Jesus, the fear of displeasing thee. I tremble at
tlr. sight of my past infidelities, but thy merits and the multiplied graces thou hast
bestowed on me restore my confidence. Now that I love thee, I hope thou wilt not
abandon me, and of this I feel assured in view of the mercy thou didst extend to me
when I did not think of loving thee. I do not count on my own strength, for by
experience I know how little it is worth. I depend entirely on thy goodness and this is
why I hope never more to be separated from thee.

My divine Redeemer, never will I leave Thee again. Even should all others leave
Thee I will remain faithful to Thee, should it even cost me my life. I solemnly protest
that were there neither paradise nor hell, I would never cease loving Thee, since,
my Love, Thou art always worthy of infinite love.

If I could begin my life anew, I would employ it wholly in loving Thee; but I can not
recall the years I have lost. I give Thee thanks for having borne with me until now,
and not having cast me away from Thee for ever.

Since Thou hast spared me it is but just that I should consecrate the rest of my life
to Thee. May all my thoughts desires, and affections be pleasing to Thee.

My beloved Jesus! I renew my vows; I accept with renewed fervor all the obligations
and all the sacrifices of my state of life, for love of Thee. I will be more devoted than
ever to my Holy Rule, for it is the expression of Thy will. And at my last hour, when
Thy holy image shall be pressed to my dying lips, when all the world shall not be
able to help me then do Thou not abandon me; for Thou art my Redeemer. Receive
me into Thy Sacred Heart, and may my last sigh be a sigh of love, so that I may love
Thee and bless Thee eternally.

ACT OF ATONEMENT

O SACRED Heart of Jesus, humbly prostrate before thee, we come to renew our
consecration, with the resolution of repairing by an increase of love and fidelity
toward thee, all the outrages unceasingly offered thee:

We solemnly promise

V. The more thy mysteries are blasphemed,

R. The more firmly we will believe them, O Sacred Heart of Jesus!

V. The more impiety endeavors to extinguish our hopes of immortality,

R. The more we will trust in Thy Heart, sole hope of mortals!

V. The more hearts resist thy divine attractions,

R. The more we will love thee, O infinitely amiable Heart of Jesus!

V. The more thy divinity is attacked,

R. The more we will adore it, O Divine Heart of Jesus!

V. The more thy holy laws are forgotten and transgressed.

R. The more we will observe them, O most holy Heart of Jesus!

V. The more thy sacraments are despised and abandoned,

R. The more we will receive them with love and respect, O most liberal Heart of
Jesus!

V. The more thy adorable virtues are forgotten,

R. The more we will endeavor to practice them, O Heart! model of every virtue.

V. The more the devil labors to destroy souls,

R. The more we will be inflamed with desire to save them, O Heart of Jesus, zealous
lover of souls!

V. The more pride and sensuality tend to destroy abnegation and love of duty,
R, The more generous we will be in overcoming ourselves, O Heart of Jesus!

Jesus, make us such true apostles of Thy Heart, that reparation to Thee may be our
best reward. Amen.

Good Jesus, Who alone orderest all things well,

I cast myself upon Thine infinite, undeserved love:

I trust Thee with my all myself, and all whom I love, and all that I desire,
My present and my future, my hopes, and my fears,
My time and my eternity, my joys and my sorrows,
Deal with me as Thou wiliest and knowest best,
Only bind me safe to Thine everlasting love!

Prayer

I ADORE thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, the joy, the satisfaction, and the supreme
ruler of all hearts. With the same loving kindness that led thee to take the hand of
St. Thomas and carry it thyself into thy side make my heart seek no joy but in thee,
O Sacred Heart. May my heart be ever subject to thy gentle sway, for out of thee it
will find but labor and tribulation, and all the evils of an unhappy bondage. Amen.

INDULGENCES GRANTED BY POPE PIUS IX FOR A NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE

SACRED HEART OF JESUS

THE Sovereign Pontiff, Pius IX, by a rescript given at Gaeta, Jan. 5, 1849, and by
another rescript of the
S. Congr. of Indulgences, Nov. 26, 1876, enlarging the con cession made by Pius VII.,
Jan. 13, 1818, granted on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, or at one other time during
the year, to all the faithful who shall, with at least contrite heart and devotion, make
a novena in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with any formula of prayer, provided
it be approved by competent ecclesiastical authority, an indulgence of 300 days,
every day.

A plenary indulgence, during the novena, or on one of the eight days immediately
following, provided that, being truly penitent, after confession and communion, they
shall pray devoutly for peace and union among Christian princes, for the extirpation
of heresy, and for the triumph of holy Mother Church.

A FAVORITE NOVENA TO TRHE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Feast, Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi.

Prayer

O Jesus, Who hast said: "Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you," behold me prostrate at Thy feet, animated with a
lively faith and confidence in these promises, dictated by Thy Sacred Heart and
pronounced by Thy adorable lips. I come to ask [here mention the request]. To
whom can I address myself if not to Thee, Whose Heart is an inexhaustible source of
all graces and merits? Where should I seek for graces if not in the treasure which
contains all the riches of Thy clemency and bounty? Where must I knock if it be not
at the door through which God communicates Himself to us and through which we
go to God? To thee, then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse; in thee I find consolation
when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials,
and light in doubt and darkness.
Thou canst bestow on me the grace which I implore. Thou hast only to will it and my
prayer is granted. I acknowledge that I am most unworthy of Thy favors, O Jesus!
But Thou art the God of mercy, and Thou wilt not refuse a contrite heart. Cast upon
me a look of mercy, I conjure Thee, and Thy compassionate Heart will find in my
miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition. O Sacred Heart,
whatever may be thy decision with regard to my request, I will never cease to
adore, love, praise, and serve thee. Deign, my Jesus, to accept this, my act of
perfect submission to the decrees of Thy Adorable Heart, which I sincerely desire
may be fulfilled in and by me and all Thy creatures for ever and ever. Amen.

THE HEART OF JESUS, THE SOURCE OF ALL HAPPINESS

THERE is one thing for which every heart craves, after its own manner. We all long
for happiness that is the one great desire that lives in every soul. Hast Thou not,
sweet Jesus, given us that longing? And when Thou hast given so much, surely Thou
wilt not refuse the accomplishment of this desire also. Tell us, dear Lord, what souls
are happy, and we will learn from their example. Let us look at the faces of those
who serve Thee, and we will see them growing brighter and brighter as they draw
near Thee, and they will tell us: When we love Thee sincerely, then we shall be
happy; when we make Thy will the renter around which we move, then we shall be
happy; when Thy sweet Heart, hidden under the sacramental species, is more
beautiful in our sight than all else, when we shape and mould our lives according to
the example of that Sacred Heart, then peace and joy and happiness will be ours.
Teach us, sweet Heart of Jesus, from thy tabernacle, to serve thee as thou
deservest, to love thee above all things, to work or thee bravely and generously,
solely because of thy love and not for thy gifts. Oh, what happiness may I not
promise myself if I but cling to Thy most generous Heart, and use my best
endeavors to faithfully serve and love Thee. Inflame my heart with the love of Thee.
With St. Ignatius I pray: Lord Jesus, give me but Thy love and Thy grace; more than
this I do not ask." My Jesus, I love Thee with my whole heart and above all things Let
me live but for Thee; let me die in Thy grace.

INVOCATIONS TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

LOVE of the Heart of Jesus, inflame my heart

Charity of the Heart of Jesus, flow into my heart.
Strength of the Heart of Jesus, support my heart.
Mere} of the Heart of Jesus, pardon my heart.
Patience of the Heart of Jesus, grow not weary of my heart
Kingdom of the Heart of Jesus, be in my Heart.
Wisdom of the Heart of Jesus, teach my heart.
Will of the Heart of Jesus, dispose of my heart.
Zeal of the Heart of Jesus, consume my heart
Immaculate Virgin, pray for us to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Adorable Trinity, we thank Thee for all the favors Thou hast conferred on Thy
servant, Blessed Margaret Mary, and through her intercession we hope to obtain the
graces we ask for in this novena.
 PRAYER OF SAINTMARGARET MARY

ETERNAL Father, permit me to offer Thee the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son, Jesus
Christ, as He offers Himself to Thee in sacrifice. Receive this oblation for me,
together with all the desires, sentiments, affections, movements, and acts of this
Sacred Heart. They are all mine, since He immolates Himself for me, and henceforth
I wish to have no desires but His. Receive them in satisfaction for my sins, and in
thanksgiving for all Thy benefits. Receive them, that through His merits Thou mayst
grant me all the graces necessary for me, especially the grace of final
perseverance. Receive them as so many acts of love, adoration, and praise, which I
offer Thy divine majesty, since it is by the Heart of Jesus Thou art worthily honored
and glorified. Amen.

OTHER ACTS AND PRAYERS WHICH CAN BE USED FOR A NOVENA TO THE SACRED
HEART

VEN. DE LA COLOMBIERES PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART

O SACRED Heart of Jesus, do thou teach me an entire forgetfulness of myself, since

there is no other way of entering into thee. Grant that I may do nothing that is not
worthy of thee. Teach me what I ought to do to attain to thy pure love, with the
desire of which thou hast inspired me. I feel in myself a great wish to please thee,
and a great inability to do so without special light and assistance, which I can look
for only from thee. Do Thou accomplish in me, O Lord, Thy will. I oppose it, I know
well; but I would fain not do so. It is for thee, O Divine Heart, to do all; thine alone
shall be the glory of my sanctification if I become a saint. This is as clear to me as
the day. It will be greatly to thy glory; and it is for this alone I desire to be perfect.
Amen.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART

O SACRED Heart of Jesus, filled with infinite love, broken by my ingratitude, pierced
by my sins, yet loving me still, accept the consecration that I make to thee, of all
that lam and all that I have. Take every faculty of my soul and body, and draw me,
day by day, nearer and nearer to thy sacred side, and there, as I can bear the
lesson teach me thy blessed ways! Amen.

ANOTHER ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART

O MOST adorable and sacred Heart of Jesus! I consecrate to thee my soul with all its
faculties, my heart with all its affections, my body with all its senses, now and for all
the days of my life. O most merciful Heart of Jesus, grant that I may never be sullied
by the stain of mortal sin, and that l may avoid, to the best of my power, willful
venial sin. O most loving Heart of Jesus, preserve me in Thy divine fear and love all
the days of my life, protect me at the hour of my death, and grant me the grace to
see God "face to face" in the joys of paradise. Amen.

Adorable Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Immaculate heart of Mary, pray for us!

ACT OF CONSECRATION AND LOVE COMPOSED BY BLESSED MARGARET MARY

ALACOQUE

I, N. N., give and consecrate to the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ my person
and my life, my actions, penances, and sufferings, not wishing to make use of any
part of my being for the future except in honoring, loving, and glorifying that sacred
Heart.

It is my irrevocable will to be entirely His, and to do everything for His love,

renouncing with my whole heart whatever might displease Him.

I take Thee then, O most sacred Heart, as the sole object of my love, as the
protector of my life, as the pledge of my salvation, as the remedy of my frailty and
inconstancy, as the repairer of all the defects of my life, and as my secure refuge in
the hour of death.

Be then, O Heart of goodness, my justification before God the Father, and remove
far from me the thunderbolts of His just wrath. O Heart of love, I place my whole
confidence in Thee. While I fear all things from my malice and frailty, I hope all
things from Thy goodness.

Consume, then, in me whatever can displease or be opposed to Thee, and may Thy
pure love be so deeply impressed upon my heart that it may be impossible that I
should ever be separated from Thee, or forget Thee.

I implore Thee, by all Thy goodness, that my name may be written in Thee, for in
Thee I wish to place all my happiness and all my glory, living and dying in very
bondage to Thee. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII, Jan. 13, 1898; Pius X, May 30, 1908.

A NOVENA FOR A SPECIAL INTENTION

ADORABLE Heart of Jesus! Furnace of love! Ocean of boundless mercy! Consolation

of the afflicted! Refuge of sinners, and hope of the whole world! I kneel before thee
in humble and fervent adoration, while I unite my supplications to the perpetual
homage thou thyself renderest to the Divinity on our altars. Most amiable Heart,
having loved us with an eternal love, supply thyself for my insensibility, and receive
my desire at least of loving thee with all the ardor and sincerity thou so justly
meritest. But remember, O Adorable Heart, that thou hast disclosed thyself to us
not only as an object of our adoration; thou desirest much more to engage our love,
and to become the ground and motive of our tender confidence. For this end thou
wert pierced through with a lance on the cross ; and for this same purpose thou
remainest a daily victim of thine own love on our altars. O infinitely compassionate
Heart of Jesus, which was overwhelmed with sorrow in the Garden of Olives, at the
view of our spiritual and corporal miseries, I come to thee now with all the
confidence thou desirest I should repose in the extent of thy power and the riches of
thy mercy. O my God, convinced that those things which are impossible to human
means are infinitely easy to thee, and relying with a humble, steadfast faith on the
sacred words of truth itself, that whatever we ask the Father in the name of Jesus
should be granted, I now most humbly implore in that adorable name, in virtue of
that promise, and through the abundant mercies of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the
particular favor I petition for this novena. [Specify it.]

O blessed Margaret Mary! St. Gertrude! and all ye glorious servants of Christ, who
while on earth were particularly devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, join your
prayer with mine and obtain from the divine Object of all your devotion the
concession of the favor which I now request. Beg likewise of this adorable Heart,
which has dominion over all hearts, and could in a moment change the most
obdurate, to have compassion on those who are in the dreadful state of mortal sin,
and to open to us all the treasures of its mercy at the hour of our death. Amen.

NOVENA TO BLESSED MARGARET MARY

O BLESSED Margaret Mary, whose wonderful intimacy with Our Lord inspires all thy
clients with confidence, exert, we beseech thee, thy influence with His Divine Heart,
excite its compassion for us in our present necessity, and obtain what we earnestly
ask in this novena. How many graces, how many conversions thy prayers and
penances, when thou didst dwell on earth, drew from that Ocean of love and mercy!
Be not less zealous now, but let us soon feel the effects of thy powerful intercession
with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

CONSECRATION OF RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES

ADORABLE Heart of Jesus, mindful of these words of ineffable love: "Come to Me, all
you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you," in the trials and sorrows of
our times, we, though most unworthy, yet with contrite and humble hearts,
approach thee with confidence as our divine Friend, to consecrate to thee most
solemnly and forever, our house, our selves, and all our possessions. We kneel
before thee in profound adoration, in fervent thanksgiving for the numberless
graces and blessings that have flowed down upon our Community (or family) from
the tabernacle; in reparation also for our own irreverences and the offences of
others against thee in the Sacrament of thy love, and finally in earnest supplication
that our prayers, works, and sufferings, which we now consecrate to thee, may
please thee, and give glory to thy eternal Father. We devote and consecrate our
lives to thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, resolving firmly to love thee more fervently
and constantly, to imitate thy virtues, to do what we can to propagate devotion to
thee, and to labor and suffer in union with thee, for the heavenly Father s glory, our
own sanctification, and the salvation of souls.

May thy blessing descend upon this house and upon those who dwell therein, that
all may become more pleasing to thee by meekness, humility, charity, conformity to
the will of God, self-denial, patience with one another, and in particular by
devotedness to their respective duties.
May all cultivate a life that is hidden in God an -interior life, without selfishness or
egotism, and with a sole view to advancing in the science of the saints, and to
promoting the glory of God. Deign to look down upon us graciously, and to seal our
good resolutions with thy grace, so that they may ever remain firm and
unchangeable.

Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us; immaculate heart of Mary, pray for us; dear St.
Joseph, protect us; guardian angel, defend us; all ye saints, intercede for us." Amen.

THE VENERABLE MOTHER JULIE HILLIART AND HER DEVOTION TO THE SACRED
HEART

MOTHER Julie Hilliart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame, who died at Namur in
1866, had always a great devotion to the Sacred Heart and boundless confidence in
it. It was to this Divine Heart that she owed the cure of a most painful malady that
had afflicted her for more than thirty years. Father Enfantin, a man of great faith,
begged her, one day, to join him in making a novena to the Sacred Heart. On Friday,
June 8, 1804, the very day of the Feast of the Sacred Heart and the fifth day of the
novena the Father went to see Mother Julie. The first tiling he said to her was:
"Mother, if you have faith, take just one step in honor of the Heart of Jesus." Julie
rose and advanced a step, the first she had taken for twenty-two years. "Now
advance another," said the Father; she obeyed. "One more," and again she obeyed.
"That will do," said the missionary; "now, sit down." She sat down saying that she
was cured, as indeed she was. Her heart was inseparably united, as it were, to the
Heart of Jesus, the one object of her thoughts and affections. One day she wrote to
her companions: "How sweet it is to dwell in the Heart of Jesus! Let us never leave
it, dear daughters; let us all live there in love, let us all die there of love." As soon as
she had gathered round her some few helpers in her work, her first thought was to
consecrate herself, together with them, to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the
immaculate heart of Mary. Here is a part of the formula which the venerable
foundress herself wrote for this first consecration:

"Jesus, my King and my God, I consecrate myself to Thy Sacred Heart for time and
for eternity. To this Divine Heart I consecrate all that I am, all that I have, all that I
hope for: my liberty, my soul, and all its powers, my memory, my understanding,
my will, my imagination, my body with all its senses, all my thoughts, my desires,
my words, my actions, my affections, my designs, all my spiritual and corporal
sufferings, all my present merits and those of the future, every moment of my life,
and especially my last sigh. I also bind myself, my Jesus, to foster and to propagate
the devotion to Thy Sacred Heart among the faithful. Mary, Virgin Immaculate, my
Queen and my Mother, I likewise consecrate myself to thy most holy heart. Grant, O
my Jesus, that I may breathe my last sigh in Thine Adorable Heart. May that sigh be
an act of love!

ROSARY OF THE SACRED HEART

THERE are various forms of the "Beads of the Sacred Heart," composed of different
sets of indulgenced prayers. There is no need, however, for special beads. By
repeating certain indulgenced ejaculations, according to ones choice, with the
ordinary string of beads, a perfect treasury of indulgences is obtained. As a private
form of devotion, it can be adapted to ones inclination.

Some printed forms of the Sacred Heart Beads are misleading, because they do not
discriminate carefully enough between ejaculations that have an indulgence
attached for each recitation, and such as have an indulgence that can be gained but
once a day.

On the Cross:

SOUL of Christ, sanctify me!

Body of Christ, save me!
Blood of Christ, inebriate me!
Water from the side of Christ, wash me!
Passion of Christ, strengthen me!
O good Jesus, hear me; within Thy wounds, hide me;
permit me not to be separated from Thee;
from the malignant enemy, defend me;
in the hour of death call me and bid me come to Thee,
that with Thy saints, I may praise Thee, for ever and ever. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time. Pius IX., Jan. 9, 1854.

Or say the following :

Eternal Father! I offer Thee the precious blood of Jesus in satisfaction for my sins,
and for the wants of holy Church.

Indulgence of 100 days, each time. Pius VII., Sept. 22, 1817.

Any of the following may be used:

On the large beads after each decade:

O sweetest Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may ever love thee more and more.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time; plenary indulgence, once a month, on the usual
conditions. Pius IX., Nov. 26, 1876.

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make my heart like unto Thine.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius IX., Jan. 25, 1868.

Heart of Jesus, burning with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of thee.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., June 16, 1893.

On the small beads:

Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII., May 21, 1892.

Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation.

The latter invocation to the heart of Mary has attached to it for each recitation 300
hundred days indulgence. Pius IX., Sept. 30, 1852.

At the conclusion:

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time that all three invocations are recited; 100 days,
when only one is recited. Pius VII., April 28, 1807.

Or any of the following:

May the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored, and loved
with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to
the end of time. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., Feb. 29, 1868.

Blessed be the holy and immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of God.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time. Leo XIII., Sept. 10, 1878.

O Mary, who didst come into this world free from stain obtain of God for me that I
may leave it without sin.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., March 27,1863.

St. Joseph, model and patron of those who love the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for
us.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Dec. 19, 1891.

Prayer

O GOD! Who, out of Thy immense love, hast given to the faithful the most Sacred
Heart of Thy Son, Our Lord, as the object of Thy tender affection; grant, we beseech
Thee, that we may so love and honor this pledge of Thy love on earth, as by it to
merit the love both of Thee and Thy gift, and be eternally loved by Thee and this
most blessed Heart in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Through Thy Sacred Heart, O Jesus, overflowing with all sweetness, we recommend
to Thee ourselves and all our concerns, our parents, confessors, relatives, friends,
benefactors, superiors, and enemies; take under Thy protection this house, city, and
country; extend this Thy care to all such as are under any affliction, and to those
who labor in the agony and pangs of death; cast" an eye of compassion on the
obstinate sinner, and more particularly on the poor suffering souls in purgatory, as
also on those who are engaged and united with us in the holy confraternity of
honoring and worshipping Thee. Bless these in particular, O good Jesus, and bless
them according to the extent of Thy infinite power, mercy, and charity. Amen.

PRAYER WHEN SUFFERING

SWEET Jesus, may Thine own patient, loving Heart teach me to love suffering, and
to prize highly every thorn Thou givest me from Thy crown, every splinter of Thy
sacred cross.

O most loving Heart of my Jesus, thou who art the fruitful source of all graces, deign
to inflame my heart with a most perfect love of thee, and of thy dear Mother Mary
an ardent charity for my neighbor, an entire resignation to thy most holy will a
contempt for worldly pleasures, a holy life, and a happy death. Amen.

The following Acts are recited publicly in many churches on the first Friday of the
month. Other Acts in this book may be used also for this occasion.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OP JESUS

ADOR ABLE Heart of Jesus, the most loving, the most generous of all hearts! Heart
ever burning with love upon our altars; deeply penetrated with gratitude and love
for thy numberless blessings, we consecrate ourselves unreservedly to thee. We
give thee our hearts; that the offering may be acceptable, make them meek,
humble, patient and generous, like thine O Jesus, we consecrate to Thee our
thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings. We pledge ourselves to labor unceasingly
to propagate devotion to thy Sacred Heart and gain souls to Thy love. Receive us,
then, as Thy devoted servants, and mayest Thou be henceforth the sole object of
our love, our refuge, and strength during life, our hope and salvation in the hour of
death. Amen.

AN ACT OF REPARATION

DIVINE Jesus, ever present on our altars, we cast ourselves at Thy sacred feet,
penetrated with lively sorrow at the sight of the ingratitude and outrages which
unceasingly afflict Thy Heart.

Look upon us as victims laden with our own sins and the sins of all mankind, that,
by this homage, we may offer Thee an acceptable atonement and solemn
reparation. Have mercy on us, O Jesus, have mercy on us! From the cross Thou didst
forgive Thy executioners; pardon us also; listen to the pleadings of Thy Sacred
Heart, and our sins will be consumed in its love.

We do not merit this grace; but with the fire of Thy love, destroy in us all that may
be displeasing to Thee, and implant in our hearts sentiments worthy of appeasing
Thy justice. Sacred Heart of Jesus, watch over our Sovereign Pon tiff, and thy holy
Church, our Mother. Be thou the salvation of Christians, the safeguard of those who
have recourse to thee, the refuge of sinners. Grant us the grace of devoting
ourselves solely and entirely to thy service; and thus gaining souls to thy love, may
we finally share in the inheritance thou hast reserved for those who love thee.
Amen.

A SHORT ACT OF CONSECRATION

(Recommended to Promoters)

JESUS, Saviour of mankind, Thou hast mercifully revealed to us the wonderful riches
of Thy Heart; in thanksgiving for Thy benefits, especially for the institution of the
Holy Eucharist in reparation for the offences against the Blessed Sacrament in union
with Thy mediation in heaven for us, poor sinners, I consecrate myself entirely to
Thee, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. I promise to aid in spreading
the worship and in promoting the interests of Thy Sacred Heart.

I choose, moreover, the Blessed Virgin Mary for my Queen, my Advocate, and my
Mother, and I am resolved to imitate her virtues, in particular her love for sinners,
and to foster and promote devotion to her Immaculate Conception. I beseech Thee
humbly to accept this promise. Thou hast inspired me to make it; grant me the
grace to fulfil it. Amen.

Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love!

Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation!

THE MONTH OF JUNE

HIS Holiness, Pope Pius IX., by a decree of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, May 8,
1873, granted to all the faithful who, during the month of June, either in public or in
private, shall, with at least contrite heart, say some special prayers, or perform
some pious acts in honor of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, an indulgence of seven
years, once a day; a plenary indulgence, on any one day of the month, provided
that, being truly penitent, after confession and communion, they shall visit some
church or public oratory, and pray there devoutly, for some time, for the intention of
His Holiness.

Acts and prayers in sufficient abundance and variety are found in this book for the
month of June.

FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART

PLENARY indulgence to all the faithful who, being truly penitent, after confession
and communion, shall visit any church or public oratory in which the Feast of the
Sacred Heart is celebrated, and pray there for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.
Pius VII., July 7, 1815.

PIOUS EXERCISE OF THE FRIDAYS IN HONOR OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

TO the faithful who, on Friday after confession and communion, shall meditate for
some time upon the infinite goodness of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and pray
according to the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff, a plenary indulgence, on the
first Friday of every month; an indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines on
all the other Fridays of the year. Leo XIII., Sept. 7, 1897.

INVOKING THE BLESSING OF THE SACRED HEART UPON A FRIEND

MAY the grace and blessing of the Sacred Heart be with you; the peace of the
Sacred Heart encompass you; the merits of the Sacred Heart plead for you; the love
of the Sacred Heart inflame you; the sorrows of the Sacred Heart console you; the
zeal of the Sacred Heart animate you; the virtues of the Sacred Heart shine forth in
every word and work, and may the joys of the beatific vision be your eternal
recompense. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE FAITHFUL IN THEIR AGONY

O CLEMENTISSIME Jesu, MOST merciful Jesus, lover

amator animarum: ob- of souls! I pray Thee,
secro Te per agoniam cordis by the agony of Thy most
tui sanctissimi, et per dolores Sacred Heart, and by the
matris tuae immaculatae, lava sorrows of Thy immaculate
in sanguine tuo peccatores Mother, wash in Thy blood
totius mundi, nunc positos the sinners of the whole world
in agonia et hodie morituros. who are now in their agony,
Amen. and are to die this day. Amen.

V. Cor Jesu in agonia fac- V. Heart of Jesus, once in

tum, miserere morientium. agony, pity the dying.

Indulgence of 100 days each time, to those who shall say it at least three times a
day for a month, at different hours of the day; a plenary indulgence, once a month,
on usual conditions. Pius IX., Feb. 2, 1850.

The devotions in honor of the Sacred Heart are usually given to Friday. All the
suitable Sacred Heart prayers will be found in conjunction with the devotion to the
Blessed Sacrament, beginning page 60 1. See foot-note on page 547.

FRIDAY
DEVOTIONS IN HONOR OF THE PASSION OF OUR LORD

THOUGHTS FROM THE SAINTS

ST. Bonaventure says: "He who desires to go on advancing from virtue to virtue,
from grace to grace, should constantly meditate on the Passion of Jesus Christ.
There is no exercise more profitable for the entire sanctification of the soul than
frequent meditation on the sufferings of Our Lord."

He who frequently reflects on the Passion, cannot live without loving Jesus Christ. As
St. Paul says: "The charity of Christ presseth us" (2 Cor. v. 14).
Such a one will feel himself so constrained by the Saviors ineffable love for him,
that he will not possibly be able to refrain from loving a God so full of love, Who has
suffered so much to win our love. Hence, the Apostle of the Gentiles said that he
desired to know nothing but Jesus, and Jesus crucified. "I judged not myself to know
anything among you but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified" (i Cor. ii. 2). All the saints
have learned the art of loving God from the study of the crucifix. St. Francis of Assisi
found no subject on which he exhorted his brethren with greater eagerness than the
constant remembrance of the Passion of Jesus.

"As for myself," writes St. Alphonsus, "I can never be satiated with meditating on
the Passion of our divine Redeemer. In this subject I find everything. To meditate
well on it teaches the perfect observance of the vows and rules, the love of
contempt and of the trials that are inseparable from the religious life. He will never
effect much who does not carry Jesus Christ crucified in his heart. He who keeps his
Redeemer in view, cannot but love Him truly." Jesus Christ crucified should be our
love, our life, our treasure, our all. With St. Paul, we ought to be able to say: "With
Christ I am nailed to the cross; and I live, now not I, but Christ liveth in me. ... I live
in the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and delivered Himself for me" (Gal. ii.
19, 20).

MEDITATIONS ON THE SORROWFUL PASSION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR

JESUS CHRIST, AND PIOUS EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR EXERCISES FOR EVERY
DAY IN THE MONTH

Mysteries of Christs Passion Exterior Exercises.

Interior Exercises.

1. Jesus takes leave of Not to complain to I wish for nothing

His Mother. anyone about besides Thee,
ones sufferings, my Lord and God.
and not to seek
human consolation.

2. Jesus washes the feet To assume the meaner O Lord, wash and
cleanse
of His disciples. occupations. my impure
heart.
3. Jesus Christ institutes Often make a spiritual O Lord, I am not
the Sacrament Communion worthy that Thou
of the Blessed Eucharist. during the day, and at meals shouldst enter
under
perform some my roof.
mortification.

4. Jesus gives His last Not to speak un- Speak. O Lord, for
admonitions to His necessarily during Thy servant heareath.
apostles before His the day, and be so
Passion. much the more attentive
to the divine inspirations.
5. Jesus prays in the Fervently hasten to Lord, not my
will
Garden of Olives the prescribed exercises but Thine be done!
and sweats blood of devotion.
for our salvation.

6. Jesus is betrayed by Act in a friendly Who will grant, O

Judas with a kiss. manner toward Life of my soul,
those who are disagreeable that I may die for
and opposed to us. Thee?

7. Jesus is arrested To deny our own O my Jesus, like a

and bound like a will. lamb Thou didst
criminal. not open Thy mouth.

8. Jesus is led to Annas Perform at once the Thou, O

God, art my
good resolved upon strength; in Thee I
or commanded. can do all things.

9. Jesus receives a blow Not to excuse ourselves O Lord, I am only

on the cheek from when, though innocent, what I am before
a servant we are blamed or Thee, neither better
punished. nor worse.

10. Jesus is thrice denied by Peter. To complain of no Behold me, O Lord,

one. have mercy on me.

11. Jesus is mocked all To mortify ourselves O my Jesus,

Thou
night long, and is on all occasions canst now say, I am
badly treated and without attracting a worm, and not a
tormented. observation. man.

12. Jesus is brought to To address our O Lord, I

offer myself to Thee
Pilate at early morn. neighbor in a as a
constant holocaust
friendly manner. of Thy love.
13 i

Jesus is led bound

to Herod.

Neither do nor neg

lect anything good
out of human re

O my Jesus, the
more Thou allowest
Thyself to be de

spect.

spised the more I

love Thee.

14

Jesus Christ, the

eternal Wisdom, is
clothed in a white
garment and
mocked.

To say or do some- ,
thing that may
draw contempt on
vis.

O my dearest
Spouse, I will
rather be despised
with Thee, than be
honored without

Thee.

IS

Jesus is broxight
back in great dis

Constantly to pre- My kingdom js not

serve holy patience of this world.

grace from Herod

amid crosses and

to Pilate.

trials.

16
Barabbas, the rob

To say nothing in

O dearest Jesus, my

ber, is preferred to

our own praise.

God and my all.

;sus, the chief

ood.

17

Jesus is most cruelly

scourged.

Carefully to restrain
our eyes in honor
of Jesus stripped.

O Lord, is it possi
ble for me to see
Thee in such tor
ments, and not to

melt into tears?

18

Jesus Christ, the

King of heaven and
earth, is crowned
with thorns.

On this day espe

cially let us yield
to our neighbor in
all things lawful.

O my Jesus, it was
I, who by my pride,
placed this crown
of thorns on Thy
head.

19

Jesus is shown in

this lamentable

Neither desire to
E lease men, nor
My Lord and my
God, in possessing

state to the people.

;ar to displease

Thee I possess all

them.

things.

so ! Jesus is unjustly
condemned to

To explain every
thing in favor of

O Lord, I have de
served death.

i death.
21 Jesus carries His
1 heavy cross.

our neighbor.
In honor of Jesus
carrying His cross
to assist others in

My Lord, grant me
the grace to suffer
something for Thy

their hard work.

sake.

22

Jesus, carrying His

cross, meets His

To practice some
devotion in honor

O dearest Mother,
assist me in every

sorrowful Mother.

of the Mother of

trial, anguish, and

God, and to con

want.
sole the afflicted.

23

At the end of the

way of the cross

Not to eat out of

meal-time, not to

O my Jesus, for Thy

sake change for me

Jesus is allowed
neither refresh

sit down without

necessity, if fa

all earthly sweet

ness into bitterness.

ment nor rest.

tigued.

686 Devotions in Honor of the Passion of Our Lord.

ll

Mysteries of Christ s T? . -r-

Passion. Extenor Exercises.

Interior Exercises.

24 Jesus is stripped of

I His clothes shame

To suffer patiently
the inclemencies of

Forgive me, O m /
Saviour, for hav

fully and amid

the weather.

ing so delicately

, great suffering.
Jesus is nailed to Not to lean against

treated my body.
O Lord, suffer not

the cross.
anything when

Thy great pains to

seated, or when

be in vdin for me.

not observed to

pray with out

stretched arms.

26

Jesus, fearfully in

Most willingly to re

O Lord, how much

sulted and reviled,

turn good for in

more hast Thou

prays for His ene

juries received.

forgiven me, than I

mies.

have forgiven mj

neighbor!

27

Jesus cries out. I

Not to drink out of

May the blood of

thirst ; and is

meals.

Jesus Christ be

given gall and vin

given me to drink

egar to drink.

and to cleanse me

from my sins.

28

Jesus amid great

To obey perfectly

O Jesus, to Thee 1

torments gives up

even in difficult

live: O Jesus, to

His soul.

matters.

Thee I die; O Je

sus, Thine am I in

1 fe and death!

20

The Sacred Heart

To exercise hearty

With the darts of

of Jesus is pierced

and benevolent

Thy love. O Lord,

with a lance.

charity toward our

wound my heart

neighbor.

and remain my

portion for ever.

30
Jesus is taken down

Strive to practice

O my only Good

from the cross and

poverty perfectly.

I willingly embrace

placed in the sep-

holy poverty, since

ulcher.

for my sake, Thou

didst become the

poorest of all.

TI

Mary, the Mother

Strive to practice

Holy Mother, im

of sorrows, is con

true self-denial, and

press thy sufferings

stant in suffering,
and perfectly con

accept all things

with a holy indif

deeply in our hearts.

formed to God s
ference from the

holy will.

hands of God.

From "Helps to a Spiritual Life"

THE VIA CRUCIS OR WAY OF THE CROSS

To gain the many plenary and partial indulgences annexed to the "Way of the
Cross," only two conditions are necessary.

1. To follow the Stations (where they are canonically erected), moving from one to
another without any notable interruption.

2. To meditate on the Passion.

A PREPARATION FOR THE WAY OF THE CROSS

DO we all remember how holy and how easy a manner of honoring our dear
Saviours Passion it is to follow the "Way of the Cross"? How pleasing this is to Our
Lord we may judge from His own words to St. Gertrude: they who handle flour
cannot but be whitened by it, so no one, however imperfect his devotion may be,
can occupy his mind with the Passion, without receiving some benefit. However
grievous the load of a man s sins, he may take comfort in the hope of pardon, if he
offer to God the Father My Passion and death." The Church bestows on those who
perform this devotion all the indulgences formerly granted to those who devoutly
visited the Holy Land, and venerated the very spots on which Our Saviour suffered.

It is very easy to make the Stations. Only one condition is required: to think about
Our Lords sufferings as we visit each of the fourteen Stations in turn. We are not
obliged to remain long at each one. No prayers are enjoined; we have only to think
of Our Lord s sufferings; and when the pictures are before our eyes, this is not
difficult.

And yet, how greatly neglected is this easiest and most profitable devotion, because
men think it too hard for them! Like the beads, it is a devotion particularly suited to
those who can not read.

The Stations begin when Our Lord is condemned to death. If we have in our minds
what He had gone through before that moment, we shall make them more devoutly.
Our Lord had washed His disciples feet; He had prayed, and spoken words of love
to them; He had given them His blessed body and blood. In the Garden of
Gethsemane, the three disciples had fallen asleep. He was offered because He
willed it." Yet His soul shrank in fear and horror from the coming torments, all of
which He clearly saw, from which there was no escape, and in which no one would
stand by Him. An agony of shame and sorrow for all the sins He had taken upon Him
then overwhelmed Him. O blessed contrition of the Son of God, which gives such
value to our poor acts of sorrow! This agony was followed by another, that of
weariness and desolation at the ingratitude of so many who would reject and
despise all He was about to suffer for their love. "My soul is sorrowful unto death."
At length an angel is sent to Him O divine humility of the Son of God, to accept
comfort from His own creature! Next comes the betrayal the kiss of Judas Jesus is
seized and bound, His right hand passes through the half-secured coil of rope and is
stretched out, as of old, to heal the ear of His enemy then it returns to its fetters; He
is now dragged before the judges and is disowned by His disciple Peter. The terrible
scourging follows, and after it the crowning with thorns. What must be the extent of
the evil of sin, which demands so great a satisfaction!

Such was Our Lord s preparation for making the "Way of the Cross."

FIRST STATION

Jesus Christ Condemned to Death.

"God did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all."

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

(This versicle and response are repeated before each station.)

WHILE Pilate condemns Him to death, Jesus in His Heart renews His unshaken
resolution to suffer His Passion and to undergo this cruel death for us. For the love
of me He overcomes all the repugnance of nature. Is my determination to die to
myself, to carry out my good resolutions as strong? He endures so much, and asks
so little. If I refuse that little can I be said to love Him?

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

V. Have mercy upon us, O Lord.

R. Have mercy upon us.

V. May the souls of the faithful, etc.

R. Amen.

Stabat Mater

SECOND STATION

Jesus Receives the Cross.

"The Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all; for the sins of His people He hath
struck Him."

JESUS embraces His cross, takes it on His shoulders, and continues to carry it
generously, cheerfully. When St. Andrew cried out: "O good cross!" he had but a
spark of Our Lords love of the cross. How do I carry my daily cross, the cross of my
state, of my daily duties, of illness, of interior and exterior sufferings?

May the example of our divine Master make us renew our resignation and our love
of the cross; our perseverance in carrying it courageously.

Our Father, etc., as above

THIRD STATION

Jesus falls the First Time under the Weight of the Cross.

Truly He took upon Himself our pains, and He bore our sorrows."

JESUS falls under the weight of the cross. His sufferings are intense, inconceivable.
He is grieved at His fall because it delays His sacrifice. "With desire I have desired"
to accomplish My Passion. But He is not irritated either with Himself or His
executioners; calmly and with resignation He continues His way. Do I rise promptly
after each fall, making my act of contrition, which at once casts out the poison of
sin; and calmly resume my way, renewing my sorrow at the next Examen and at
Confession?

Our Father, etc., as above.

FOURTH STATION

Jesus is Met by His Blessed Mother.

"O all ye that pass by, attend and see if there be sorrow like unto my sorrow."

WHY did Jesus permit this painful meeting? He wished to make Mary a partaker of
His Passion. She was to become my Mother by sharing His sufferings. Oh, how much
my Mother Mary loves me! For my sake she gives up her adorable, her best-beloved
Son to torments and death. What is my love, my devotion toward her? Do I
frequently invoke this loving Mother? Am I faithful in honoring her by the Rosary and
other practices?

Our Father, etc. as above.

FIFTH STATION

The Cross is Laid upon Simon of Cyrene.

"It behooveth us to glory in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ."

OUR Lord can no longer carry His cross alone; yet no one offers to help Him. Simon
of Cyrene is forced to do so and soon his heart is changed; he learns to love the
cross. Jesus wishes to help me to carry my cross, but He desires to be urged to do
so. I must pray, and keep near Him, by my fervor in my spiritual Exercises, Mass,
Holy Communion, by ejaculatory prayers and remembrance of the presence of God

Our Father, etc., as above.

SIXTH STATION

The Face of Jesus is Wiped by Veronica.

"Turn not Thy face from me, O Lord, and withdraw not in anger from Thy servant."

THE pious Veronica braves danger and insults in order to solace the sufferings of
Jesus. He, in return, imprints His sacred features on her veil with sweat and blood.
My divine Saviour wishes me to reproduce His features in my soul; but that it may
be so there must be sweat : labors, efforts, and struggle; blood: mortification, pain,
suffering. Without this my desire of holiness is vain.

Our Father, etc., as above.

SEVENTH STATION

Jesus falls a Second Time.

"I am a worm and no man, the reproach of men and outcast of the people."

JESUS falls a second time, yet in spite of the cruelty of His executioners,
notwithstanding His extreme weakness, and His terror at the approach of death, His
courage does not fail; He rises generously to continue His painful road with even
greater courage. My Saviour, grant that I may profit by this example. A first fall
astonishes me; by a second and a third I am quite overcome. I scarcely rise, and
then how feebly! The enemy whispers to me: "If you rise let it be languidly." But by
His example Jesus says: "Rise energetically." This one point well observed would
assure my progress in holiness.

Our Father, etc., as above.

EIGHTH STATION

The Women of Jerusalem Mourn for Our Lord.

"The crown has fallen from our head; woe unto us, for we have sinned."

HE is followed by a crowd of compassionate women weeping and lamenting.

Touched by their com passion He forgets His own sorrows and says to them:
"Daughters of Jerusalem weep not for Me, but for yourselves and for your children."
The sentiment of compassion is good, but the compassion that leads to action is
better. I must weep over my faults, and, better still, fight against the principal
source of them: my predominant passion. "Behold," says Jesus, "how I trample
under foot pride, sensuality and the passions of the human heart by My excesses of
humiliation and suffering and will you not weep over yourself?" Not to deserve these
reproaches of my Saviour I will assiduously practice the Particular Examen.

Our Father, etc., as above.

NINTH STATION

Jesus falls the Third Time Under the Cross.

"My people, what have I done to thee, or in what have I grieved thee? Answer thou
Me."

JESUS again gives me a lesson how I ought to persevere in rising after my falls.
Rising anew after each full, and notwithstanding His weakness, He reaches the
summit of Calvary. What is it that can help me after my guilty and repeated falls? A
holy obstinacy in always rising again, in never giving up my resolutions; this is true
perseverance assured sanctity. Am I thus resolved never to abandon the struggle?

Our Father, etc., as above

TENTH STATION

Jesus is Stripped of Pits Garments.

"The Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all, and by His stripes we are
healed."

IN this mystery Jesus expiates especially the sensual pleasures and guilty
voluptuousness of mankind. Am I fully determined never to give Him anything to
expiate or to suffer upon this account? "Blessed are the clean of heart" Seeing all
that my Saviour endures, I will be careful never to run any risk of sinning, to avoid
all occasions of danger and not seek to know, to see, read or think of any thing that
would sully my soul. On the contrary I will patiently suffer pain, and be faithful to
the practice of corporal mortification.

Our Father, etc., as above.

ELEVENTH STATION

Jesus is Nailed to the Cross.

"What are these wounds that I see in the midst of Thy hands? They are the wounds
that I have received in the house of those who loved Me! "

JESUS gives Himself up to His executioners who pierced His sacred hands and feet
with cruel nails. "They have pierced My hands and feet; they have numbered all My
bones." "He was crucified even for us" becoming obedient unto death, even unto
the death of the cross. What a sublime lesson of obedience! After the example of
my divine Saviour, am I thus ready to suffer any pain rather than not obey my
Superiors? My Lord does this but do I not sometimes refuse to obey for fear of a
little pain or a trifling inconvenience? Ought I not to be more generous and say:
"Stainless will I live, or rather die"?

Our Father, etc., as above

TWELFTH STATION

Jesus Dies Upon the Cross.

"Christ was made obedient for us unto death, even unto the death of the cross."

Jesus hangs upon the cross He utters the cry of anguish: "My God, My God, why hast
Thou forsaken Me!" "All," then "is consummated" Hanging there, one living mass of
pain, suffering the keenest excess of agony in every power of His holy soul, in every
limb and sense of His sacred body, He has redeemed me like a God. "Because with
the Lord there is mercy, and with Him plentiful Redemption." Who can doubt of
pardon, having such a victim to offer to the Eternal Father, and not exclaim when
tempted to despondency: "Father, into Thy hands I commend, my spirit"? Thus Jesus
accomplishes His work of devotedness and sacrifice. "Behold this Heart," He says,
"which has so loved men!" Can I now spare myself? Ought I not to devote myself
entirely to His interests, to my work, especially that which is hard and difficult, and
even say with His saints: "Still more suffering, O Lord, still more!"

Our Father, etc., as above.

THIRTEENTH STATION

Jesus is Laid in the arms of His Blessed Matter.

"Holy Mother, pierce me through; in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour

crucified."

WHAT anguish must have been that of Mary when the lifeless body of her divine Son
was placed in her arms!

Each wound of His was a sword which pierced her immaculate heart. And yet Mary
is the Queen of heaven and earth, and beloved by God more than all other
creatures together. Suffering is, then, the sign of His love, and I must not refuse to
be treated like my Mother. I must abandon myself with confidence to all the designs
of God s sweet providence and not change into poison, by my impatience, the gifts
God sends me to make me like His Son.

Our Father, etc., as above.

FOURTEENTH STATION

Jesus is Laid in the Scpulcher.

 "Thou wilt not give Thy holy One to see corruption."

IN the holy sepulcher there is no natural life, but only the divine. The sacred wounds
are there, the mangled body, but what peace there is on those features, what
serenity on that brow! So will it be with me when nature is dead in me, and when
my passions are quelled. To attain to this supernatural life I will practice exterior
recollection by silence and modesty of demeanor, and interior recollection by
seeking the things that are above.

Our Father, etc., as above.

Let us pray.

LOOK down, O Lord, we beseech Thee, on this Thy family, for which Our Lord Jesus
Christ did not hesitate to be delivered into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer
the torment of the cross. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Five Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glory for the intention of the Holy Father.

LITANY OF THE PASSION

LORD, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us! Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God, the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God.
Jesus, the Eternal Wisdom,
Jesus, sold for thirty pieces of silver,
Jesus, prostrate on the ground in prayer,
Jesus, strengthened by an angel,
Jesus, in Thine agony bathed in a bloody sweat,
Jesus, betrayed by Judas with a kiss,
Jesus, bound by the soldiers,
Jesus, forsaken by Thy disciples,
Jesus, brought before Annas and Caiphas,
Jesus, struck in the face by a servant,
Jesus, accused by false witnesses,
Jesus, declared guilty of death,
Jesus, spat upon,
Jesus, blindfolded,
Jesus, smitten on the cheek,
Jesus, thrice denied by Peter,
Jesus, delivered up to Pilate,
Jesus, despised and mocked by Herod,
Jesus, clothed in a white garment,
Jesus, rejected for Barabbas,
Jesus, torn with scourges,
Jesus, bruised for our sins,
Jesus, esteemed a leper,
Jesus, covered with a purple robe,
Jesus, crowned with thorns,
Jesus, struck with a reed upon the head,
Jesus, demanded for crucifixion by the Jews,
Jesus, condemned to an ignominious death,
Jesus, given up to the will of Thine enemies,
Jesus, loaded with the heavy weight of the cross,
Jesus, led like a sheep to the slaughter,
Jesus, stripped of Thy garments,
Jesus, fastened with nails to the cross,
Jesus, reviled by the malefactors,
Jesus, promising paradise to the penitent thief,
Jesus, commending St. John to Thy Mother as her son,
Jesus, declaring Thyself forsaken by Thy Father,
Jesus, in Thy thirst given gall and vinegar to drink,
Jesus, testifying that all things written concerning Thee were accomplished,
Jesus, commending Thy spirit into the hands of Thy Father,
Jesus, obedient even to the death of the cross
Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Jesus, made a propitiation for us,
Jesus, taken down from the cross,
Jesus, laid in the sepulcher,
Jesus, rising gloriously from the dead,
Jesus, ascending into heaven,
Jesus, our Advocate with the Father,
Jesus, sending down on Thy disciples the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete,
Jesus, exalting Thy Mother above the choirs of angels,
Jesus, Who shalt come to judge the living and the dead, j
Be merciful. Spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
From all evil,
From all sin,
From anger, hatred, and every evil will,
From war, famine, and pestilence,
From all dangers of mind and body,
From everlasting death,
Through Thy most pure conception,
Through Thy miraculous nativity,
Through Thy humble circumcision,
Through Thy baptism and holy fasting,
Through Thy labors and watchings,
Through Thy cruel scourging and crowning,
Through Thy thirst, and tears, and nakedness,
Through Thy precious death and cross,
Through Thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension,
Through Thy sending forth the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete,
In the day of judgment,
We sinners, Beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst spare us,
That Thou wouldst pardon us,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring us to true penance,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe mercifully to pour into our hearts the grace of the Holy
Spirit,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to defend and propagate Thy holy Church,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve and increase all societies assembled in
Thy holy name,

That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bestow upon us true peace,

That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give us perseverance in grace and in Thy holy
service,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to deliver us from unclean thoughts, the temptations
of the devil, and everlasting damnation,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to unite us to the company of Thy saints,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe graciously to hear us,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Christ, hear us; Christ, graciously hear us.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and eternal God, Who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the
Saviour of the world, and hast willed to be appeased with His blood, grant that we
may so venerate this price of our salvation, and by its might be so defended upon
earth from the evils of this present life that in heaven we may rejoice in its
everlasting fruit. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
world without end. Amen.

PRAYERS COMPOSED BY ST. CLARA OF ASSISI

IN HONOR OF THE FIVE WOUNDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

I
To the Wound in the Right Hand

PRAISE be to Thee, O my Lord Jesus Christ, for the most sacred wound in Thy right
hand. By this adorable wound and by Thy most sacred Passion pardon me all the
sins I have committed against Thee in thought, word, and deed, with my negligence
in Thy service and the sensuality of which I have been guilty, whether in sleeping or
watching. Grant me a devout remembrance of Thy most merciful death, and of Thy
divine wounds; grant me the grace to mortify my body and thus offer Thee a token
of my gratitude, Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary.

II
To the Wound in the Left Hand

PRAISE and glory to Thee, O sweet Jesus Christ, for the most sacred wound in Thy
left hand. By this adorable wound, have mercy on me and deign to root out of my
heart everything displeasing to Thee. Give me victory over Thy perverse enemies,
that with Thy grace I may be able to overcome them. By the merits of Thy most
merciful death save me from all dangers in the present and the future life, and grant
that in heaven I may live gloriously with Thee, Who livest and reignest for ever and
ever Amen
Our Father, Hail Mary.

III
To the Wound in the Right Foot

PRAISE and glory to Thee, O sweet Jesus Christ, for the most sacred wound in Thy
right foot. By this adorable wound grant that I may be able to do penance for my
sins. By Thy most merciful death I devoutly supplicate Thee to keep Thy poor
servant, night and day, united to Thy holy will, averting all disasters from body and
soul. When the day of wrath shall come, receive me in Thy mercy, and conduct, me
to eternal blessedness; Thou Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary.

IV
To the Wound in the Left Foot

PRAISE and glory to Thee, O most merciful Jesus Christ, for the most sacred wound
in Thy left foot. By this adorable wound grant me the grace of a full indulgence that,
with Thy help, I may deserve to avoid the sentence of eternal reprobation. I pray
Thee also, by Thy most holy death, O my merciful Redeemer, that I may before
death receive the Sacrament of Thy body and blood, with the confession of my sins
and perfect penitence, and purity of body and mind. Grant that I may also receive
the sacred unction for my eternal salvation, O Lord, Who livest and reignest for ever
and ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary.

V
To the Wound in the Sacred Side

PRAISE and glory to Thee, O most benign Jesus Christ, for the most sacred wound in
Thy side. By this adorable wound, and by Thy infinite mercy shown in the opening of
Thy side, first to the soldier, Longinus, and now to us all, I beseech Thee that,
having freed me by baptism from original sin, so now, by Thy precious blood, which
is offered and received in all parts of the world, Thou wilt deliver me from all evils,
past, present, and future. By Thy most bitter death, grant me a lively faith, a firm
hope, a perfect charity, that I may love Thee with all my heart, with all my soul, and
with all my strength. Confirm me in doing good; grant me perseverance in Thy
service by which I may ever please Thee. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary.

ADORAMUS Te, WE adore Thee, O

Christe, et Christ, and bless
benedicimus tibi. Thee.

R. Quia per mortem et R. Because by Thy death

sanguinem tuum redemisti and Thy blood Thou hast
mundum. redeemed the world.

Oremus. Let us pray.

OMNIPOTENS sempiterne ALMIGHTY, everlasting

Deus, qui humanum God, Who hast re-
genus per Filii tui deemed the world by the five
Domini nostri Jesu Christi wounds of Thy Son, Our Lord
quinque vulnera redemisti, Jesus Christ, grant us, Thy
praesta supplicibus tuis, ut suppliants, that, daily ven-
qui ejusdem vulnera quotidie rating His holy wounds, we
veneramur, per pretiosum may by His precious blood
ejus sanguinem a morte subi- be delivered from a sudden
tanea et aeterna liberari and eternal death. Through
valeamus. Per eumdem the same Christ our Lord.
Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII.

HOW PLEASING IT IS TO OUR LORD TO PRAY WITH HANDS OUTSTRETCHED IN THE

FORM OF A CROSS

BL. Gertrude said to Our Lord: Teach me, O Thou best Teacher, one way at least in
which we may most especially commemorate Thy holy Passion. Our Lord answered
her thus: "When you pray, spread forth your hands so as to represent to God the
Father the memory of My Passion, in union with that love with which I stretched out
My hands on the cross; and if you do this habitually, without fear of ridicule or
reproach, you will pay Me an honor as great as is shown to a king when he is
solemnly enthroned."

ST. GERTRUDE S OFFERING TO GOD OF THE LIFE AND SUFFERINGS OF OUR LORD

FATHER Dignam, S.J., on the occasion of a retreat, once said to the Sisters: The
Passion is our treasure. You know well that little book of St. Gertrude s in which she
makes that long and beautiful offering to God of the life and sufferings of Our Lord.
There is a shorter form which you might use now and again, especially in Lent, till
the spirit of it sinks deep into your souls and has become, as it was with St.
Gertrude, an habitual thought, and until, like her, you are constantly offering it to
God for yourself and others. If you gain but one grace even, a truer and more
abiding sorrow for sin, your industry during Lent will not have been spent in vain."

This prayer was revealed to St. Gertrude during a marvelous and unusual visitation
of grace, and she was told at the same time that Our Lord would accept it with
singular favor from all who repeated it It became so familiar to the saint that during
her last illness she repeated it continually.

O MOST loving Father, in atonement and satisfaction for all my sins, I offer Thee the
whole Passion of Thy most beloved Son, from the plaintive wail He uttered when laid
upon straw in the manger, through all the helplessness of His infancy, the privations
of His boyhood, the adversities of His youth, the sufferings of His manhood, until
that hour when He bowed His head upon the cross with a loud cry, and gave up the
ghost. And, in atonement and satisfaction for all my negligences, I offer Thee, O
most loving Father, all of the most holy life of Thy Son, perfect in its every thought,
and word, and action, from the hour when He came down from His lofty throne to
the Virgin s womb, and thence came forth into our dreary wilderness, to the hour
when He presented to Thy fatherly regard the glory of His conquering flesh. Amen.

ACT OF RESIGNATION

IT was revealed to St. Gertrude that those who submit and conform themselves
entirely to the divine will, desiring above all things that the adorable will of God may
be most fully done in all that concerns them, whether in body or in soul, touch the
Sacred Heart most sensibly. For such perfect resignation is an acknowledgment of
God s sovereignty, and gives Him as much honor as is given to an earthly king when
the crown of his realm is set on his head.

O MOST holy Father, I, Thy poor and vile creature, entirely renounce my own will,
and offer and resign myself to Thy most holy will and pleasure; above all delights of
this world, I wish and desire that Thy most adorable, most placid will may be
perfectly done in me, by me, in all that concerns me, whether in body or in soul, in
time and in eternity. And to this end I would readily submit all the members of my
body to suffering of any kind and degree.

O my God, wert Thou to give me fullest choice of asking all I wish, and didst Thou
swear to me by Thyself that Thou wouldst grant my petition in all things, I would
neither desire nor ask aught else than that Thy most adorable will may be perfectly
done in me and in even creature of Thine, according to Thy supreme and faultless
good pleasure. Wherefore, in union with that resignation with which Jesus
committed Himself wholly to Thy will in the Garden of Olives, and in union with His
affection and His intention, I say from His Heart and in His words: "Not my will, but
Thine be done, O most holy Father, now and for evermore." Amen.

INDULGENCED PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE PASSION OF OUR LORD

O MY Lord Jesus Christ! Who, to redeem the world, didst vouchsafe to be born
amongst men, to be circumcised, to be rejected, and persecuted by the Jews, to be
betrayed by the traitor, Judas, with a kiss, and as a lamb, gentle and innocent, to be
bound with cords and dragged in scorn before the tribunals of Annas, Caiphas,
Pilate, and Herod; Who didst suffer Thyself to be accused by false witnesses, to be
torn by the scourge and overwhelmed with opprobrium ; to be spat upon, to be
crowned with thorns, buffeted, struck with a reed blindfolded, stripped of Thy
garments; to be nailed to the cross and raised on it between two thieves; to be
given gall and vinegar to drink, and to be pierced with a lance; do Thou, O Lord, by
these Thy most sacred pains, which I. all unworthy, call to mind, and by Thy holy
cross and death, save me (and Thy servant X. in his agony) from the pains of hell,
and vouchsafe to bring me whither Thou didst bring the good thief who was
crucified with Thee. Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.. five times.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius VII., Aug. 25, 1820; plenary indulgence on
any one of the last three days of the month under usual conditions.

SEVEN OFFERINGS OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST

I. ETERNAL Father! I offer Thee the merit of the precious blood of Jesus, Thy well-
beloved Son, my Saviour and my God, for my dear Mother, the holy Church that she
may enlarge her borders and be magnified among all the nations of the earth; for
the safety and well-being of her visible head, the Sovereign Roman Pontiff; for the
cardinals, bishops, and pastors of souls, and for all the ministers of Thy sanctuary.

Then say the Glory be to the Father," and the ejaculation,

"Blessing and thanksgiving be to Jesus, Who with His blood hath saved us!"

II. Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merit of the precious blood of Jesus, Thy well-
beloved Son, my Saviour and my God for peace and union among all Catholic kings
and princes, for the humiliation of the enemies of our holy faith, and for the welfare
of all Christian people.

"Glory be to the Father," and, "Blessing and thanksgiving, etc.

III. Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merit of the precious blood of Jesus, Thy well-
beloved Son, my Saviour and my God, for the repentance of unbelievers, for the
uprooting of heresy, and for the conversion of sinners.

"Glory be to the Father," and, "Blessing and thanksgiving,"

IV. Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merit of the precious blood of Jesus, Thy well-
beloved Son, my Saviour and my God, for all my kindred, friends, and enemies; for
the poor, the sick, and wretched, and for all for whom Thou, my God, knowest that I
ought to pray, or wouldst have me pray.

"Glory be to the Father," and, "Blessing and thanksgiving,"

V. Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merit of the precious blood of Jesus, Thy well-
beloved Son, my Sav our and my God, for all who, this day, are passing to the other
life ; that Thou wouldst save them from the pains of hell, and admit them quickly to
the possession of Thy glory.

"Glory be to the Father," and, "Blessing and thanksgiving," etc.

VI. Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merit of the precious blood of Jesus, Thy well-
beloved Son, my Saviour and my God, for all those who love this great treasure, for
those who ioin with me in adoring it and honoring it, and who strive to spread
devotion to it.

"Glory be to the Father," and, " Blessing and thanksgiving," etc.

VII. Eternal Father! I offer Thee the merit of the precious blood of Jesus, Thy well-
beloved Son, my Saviour and my God, for all my wants, spiritual and temporal, in
aid of the holy souls in purgatory, and chiefly for those who most loved this blood,
the price of our redemption, and who were most devout to the sorrows and pains of
most holy Mary, our dear Mother.

"Glory be to the Father," and, " Blessing and thanksgiving," etc.

Glory be to the blood of Jesus, now and forever, and throughout all ages. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time. Pius VII., Sept. 22, 1817.
Plenary indulgence once a month, under usual conditions.

Ejaculation

ETERNAL Father! I offer Thee the precious blood of Jesus in satisfaction for my sins,
and for the wants of the holy Church.

Indulgence of 100 days, each time. Pius VII., Sept 22, 1817

MONTH OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD

THE month of July is dedicated to the honor of the most precious blood, which was
shed for the redemption of all mankind, and without which shedding, St. Paul tells
us, there is no remission of sin. This great festival was established in a spirit of
thanksgiving by His Holiness Pope Pius IX., while in exile at Gseta, at the request of
the saintly General of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, lerlini. Earlier in
the year, on the Friday after the fourth Sunday in Lent, this devotion has been
commemorated by a special office. Catholic devotion consecrates the month of July
to the precious blood, that blood which was the price of our redemption, and which
still is offered for us in the mystic sacrifice of Calvary daily renewed on our altars in
the Mass, and which becomes the nourishment of our souls and bodies when we
partake worthily of the Sacrament of the altar. The contemplation of the sufferings
of Our Saviour to which we are incited by devotion to the most precious blood,
reminds us, His fo owers, that we are called upon to walk in the footprints of our
suffering Saviour, if we desire to be crowned with Him. As St. Bernard puts it, the
members of a thorn-crowned Head must not shrink from sharing in His pain. And so
from the beginning of the establishment of Christ s Church the true children of a
crucified Saviour have ever had to share in the bitterness of His anguish and oft
times in the agony of His death. For three hundred years after Christ had ascended
into heaven, countless martyrs shed their blood in attestation of their faith and love.
Less fortunate than those glorious confessors, cheerfully pouring out their life s
blood for Christ, God pities our weakness and spares us sufferings under which we
might have succumbed. But still for us, as for them, suffering, patiently borne, must
be the golden key to open the gates of His kingdom. The saying is as true today as
when Jesus first uttered it: "He who does not carry his cross after Me is not worthy of
Me." There is no one that is released from treading in that path of tears that leads to
Him.

For what heart is without sorrow, we may ask? What life is not, at least, occasionally
darkened by it? How many there are who seem to have it as their permanent
portion! Some eyes scarcely ever cease from hidden weeping, and some hearts are
always pierced with the sword of hidden anguish!

Bear your sorrows with patience, for the love of God, for the sake of your soul, and
in union with the sufferings of your Saviour, Jesus Christ. Sufferings are blessings in
the light of faith. They bring us nearer to God. They make us resemble our divine
Master. Do not fear! Sorrow will grow lighter with time or entirely pass away even as
the agony, the scourge, the crown, and the cross gave place to the radiant glory of
the Resurrection!

NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS

From the "Sentinel of the Blessed Sacrament:

I. DEVOUT ASPIRATIONS

GLORY be to Jesus!
Who in bitter pains
Poured for me the life-blood
From His sacred veins.

Grace and life eternal

In that blood I find:
Blest be His compassion,
Infinitely kind!

Blessed through endless ages

Be the precious stream
Which from endless torment
Doth the world redeem.

There the fainting spirit

Drinks of life her fill;
There, as in a fountain,
leaves herself at will.
O the blood of Christ!
It soothes the Father s ire,
Opes the gate of heaven,
Quells eternal fire.

Abels blood for vengeance

Pleaded to the skies;
But the blood of Jesus
For our pardon cries.

Oft as it is sprinkled
On our guilty hearts,
Satan in confusion.
Terror-struck, departs.

Oft as earth exulting

Wafts its praise on high,
Hell with terror tremble?
Heaven is filled with joy.

Lift ye, then, your voices,

Swell the mighty flood;
Louder still and louder,
Praise the precious blood!

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius VII., Oct. 18, 1815

II.

BEHOLD me at Thy feet, Jesus of Nazareth; here I am, the most miserable of
creatures that comes into Thy presence, humbled and penitent. Have mercy on me,
O Lord, according to Thy great mercy. I have sinned, and my sins have been against
Thee. O God of infinite goodness, O Jesus, hear my prayers; grant, loving Father, the
petitions I lay at Thy feet; cast a benign glance upon my soul, Thou Who art the
loving Father of men, the supreme Judge, the King of heaven and earth, the true
Benefactor of the wretched. Come to my help, then, O Jesus of Nazareth: grant the
grace which I ask as I kneel at Thy feet. My soul belongs to Thee, for Thou hast
created and redeemed it with Thy precious blood; let not Thy work be lost; loving
Father, look down upon me and bless me. O God of mercy, have compassion on me;
forgive me who am Thy son; be not stern toward me ; grant me tears of penance ;
forgive me as Thou didst forgive the penitent thief; look down upon me from high
heaven and bless me.

The Apostles Creed once.

Indulgence of 200 days, once a day. Leo XIII., June 26, 1894.

III.
Say the prayers for the Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood of Jesus for the
intentions of your Novena, as ABOVE.

BURY THY SORROW

BURY thy sorrow, hide it with care;

Bury it deeply; the world has its share
Think of it calmly, when curtained by night,
Tell it to Jesus and all will be right;
Tell it to Jesus, He knoweth thy grief;
Tell it to Jesus, He ll send thee relief.
Hearts grown aweary with heavier woe
Drop into darkness; go, comfort them, go
Bury thy sorrow, let others be blest,
Give them the sunshine; tell Jesus the rest.

PRAYERS IN HONOR OF THE HOLY FACE OF OUR LORD

I SALUTE Thee, I adore Thee, and I love Thee, O Jesus, my Saviour, outraged anew
by blasphemers; and I offer Thee, through the heart of Thy blessed Mother, the
worship of all the angels and saints as an incense of sweet odor, most humbly
beseeching Thee, by the virtue of Thy sacred face, to repair and renew in me and in
all men Thy image disfigured by sin Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

PRAYER OF POPE PIUS IX

O MY Jesus, cast upon us a look of mercy; turn Thy face toward each of us, as Thou
didst to Veronica, not that we may see it with our bodily eyes, for this we do not
deserve, but turn it toward our hearts, so that, remembering Thee, we may ever
draw from this fountain of strength the vigor necessary to sustain the combats of
life. Amen.

PRAYERS OF M. DUPONT

O SAVIOUR Jesus, at the sight of Thy most holy face disfigured by suffering, at the
sight of Thy Sacred
Heart so full of love, I cry out with St. Augustine: "Lord Jesus, imprint on my heart
Thy sacred wounds, so that I may read therein sorrow and love; sorrow, to endure
every sorrow for Thee; love, to despise every love for Thee.

Prayer

O ADORABLE face of my Jesus, so mercifully bowed upon the tree of the cross on the
day of Thy Passion, for the salvation of men, now again, incline in Thy pity toward us
poor sinners; cast upon us a look of compassion, and receive us to the kiss of peace.
Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Amen.

Sit nomen Domini benedictum! Amen.

CEREMONIES OF HOLY WEEK

PALM SUNDAY

Where there is only one priest, he says or sings the parts of the service which in
High Mass are sung by the deacon and subdeacon.

THE ceremony of Palm Sunday consists of three parts: First, the celebrant blesses
and distributes palm- leaves (for which, on account of .the difficulty and expense of
obtaining them in sufficient quantity, branches of box, willow, or yew are often
substituted) to all present. Then comes the procession of palms; and thirdly, the
holy Mass is offered, during which the "Passion" according to St. Matthew (being
that evangelist s narrative of the sufferings and death of Our Saviour) is sung.

Now, during this service the Church sets herself to picture to us two very opposite
feelings: joy and gladness at her Master s triumphal entry into Jerusalem; bitter
sorrow at His approaching death. On this day, the first day of the week of the
Passover, the week in which Jesus died, He entered the holy city in triumph. We are
told that His disciples were with Him; that the multitudes cut down branches of
palm-trees, and cried aloud with one voice: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed
is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!" At the same time the cloud of
approaching tribulation was gathering dark and thick over the Church, for in five
days her Master was to be crucified. To express to us, her children, these opposite
emotions, she gives us, first, the blessing of palms, and, in the joyous procession,
depicts the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem; while, in the Mass that follows,
the mournful chant of the Passion shadows forth the coming desolation.

We shall now take each part separately, so that you may understand what the priest
is doing while you follow him in your Holy-Week book. After the Asperges, which is
the same as on other Sundays, except that the Gloria Patri is omitted, as is usual in
Passiontide, the priest begins:

I. The Blessing of the Palms

IT is a rule in the Church s liturgy to bless and sanctify everything that is used in the
service of God or given to the people. The palms are blessed with great solemnity,
and, indeed, we might easily suppose that the Mass had already begun, and was to
be offered up in honor of Our Lord s entry into Jerusalem. After a Collect, the
subdeacon sings the Lesson, which relates how Moses and the children of Israel
encamped in the wilderness under the seventy palm-trees at Elim; the deacon
chants the Gospel, giving St. Matthew s account of this day; a Preface is sung, and
even a Sanctus. After this preparation come the prayers of blessing, in which we are
reminded of God s gracious mercies in the past; how the dove brought the olive-
branch to Noe in the ark; and how God protected the Jews under the palm-trees of
Elim.

Then comes the distribution of the palms. Receive the palm kneeling; kiss it, as a
mark of reverence to the blessing of the Church, and also kiss the priest s hand as
an act of respect to the Church s ministers. During the procession, and while the
Passion is sung, hold your palm in your hand.

II. The Procession

AS soon as the palms are distributed, the clergy and choir leave the sanctuary,
following the cross-bearer and acolytes. The music is bright and joyous, in memory
of the shouts of triumph which hailed Our King; while all carry palms to help us to
realize the procession on this day in the holy city. The procession leaves the Church
still singing, but on its return it finds the doors shut against it. Its progress is
arrested, but its song of joy continues, until at length the subdeacon strikes the
closed doors with the cross he is carrying. The doors are then thrown open, and all
enter singing the praises of Our Saviour-God. By this symbolical act is signified that
the gates of .heaven were shut against all men in punishment for the sin of our first
parents, but that Jesus has opened these gates once more to us by His cross, which
has triumphed over sin and death.

III. The Mass

THE third part of to-day s service is the offering of the holy sacrifice of the Mass.
The parts sung by the choir are expressive of the deepest grief; and, indeed, the
Church retains no trace of the short-lived joy and triumph of the procession of the
palms. St. Matthew s narrative of the Passion, which is sung to-day before the
Gospel, imparts to this Sunday that character of sacred gloom which is known to us
all. For the last five or six hundred years the Church has adopted a special chant for
this narrative of the holy Gospel. It is sung by three deacons (or priests vested as
deacons) and the choir. One deacon takes the part of Chronicler, and sings all the
narrative of the Evangelist. Another deacon, called the Christus, sings in a low and
plaintive voice the words spoken by our dear Lord Himself; the third takes at a high
pitch the words of Pilate, Judas, and Caiphas, while the choir sings the words and
exclamations of the crowd. When the Chronicler relates the death of Our Saviour, all
kneel for a few moments in silent awe and contemplation of the sacrifice that is
consummated. After this the Gospel is sung; but, to express our sorrow, lights are
not carried; at the same time, to express the living hope of Our Master s triumph,
we hold in our hands the palms of victory.

After the Gospel, the Mass continues as usual to the end.

TENEBRAE
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of Holy Week

AS we enter the church we are struck by many signs of mourning at this sacred
time. The sanctuary looks deserted and unfurnished. The tabernacle stands open,
for the Blessed Sacrament has been removed. The veil of the tabernacle, flowers,
and other ornaments are gone. Nothing remains on the altar except the veiled
crucifix and the six candles. In the center of the sanctuary stands the book for the
psalms and lessons. At the Epistle Side stands a large triangular candlestick, holding
fifteen candles of common or unbleached wax.

The Office at which we are now to assist is called Tenebrae (meaning darkness},
because it pictures to us, by the gradual darkening of the church, the more than
natural darkness that overshadowed the world at the death of Jesus Christ. It is the
preparation which the Church gives us that we may assist in proper dispositions at
the sacred function which is to take place next morning. On Wednesday evening we
sing the Tenebrae of Thursday in preparation for the Mass and Office of Thursday.
On Thursday evening we sing by anticipation the Office of Good Friday. On Friday
evening we sing in preparation for the Office and Mass of Easter Eve. In early times
these Offices were begun at midnight, but we are allowed to have them at an earlier
hour in order to enable more of us to be present.

The service consists of Matins and Lauds, and is a portion of the Divine Office which
every priest of the Church is bound to say each day. We have remarked that no
adornment and ornament, nothing but what is essential, is allowed to remain in the
sanctuary during these days of mourning. Church carries this same spirit into her
service of prayer, and leaves nothing in the Office save what is essential to it: the
psalms and lessons. The versicles and hymns, the invitations and responses which
are used at other times, and form, so to speak, the drapery and adornment in which
the psalms and lessons are clothed, are omitted on these days. The Matins consist
of three parts, called Nocturns (night offices). Each nocturn is made up of three
psalms and three lessons. The Lauds consist of five psalms, followed by the Canticle
of Zachary (Benedictus), and the whole Office is closed with the 50th Psalm
(Miserere) and a Collect. The Tenebrae service for Maundy Thursday in the psalms
and lessons brings before us the Passion of Our Saviour, and in an especial way the
treachery of Judas. In the third nocturn, however, the lessons appropriately relate
St. Pauls account of the institution of the Holy Eucharist.

The ceremonies of this service are rich in meaning. At the end of each psalm one of
the candles in the triangular candlestick is extinguished, until, as the Office
proceeds, one only is left alight. By this is shown forth how one by one the disciples
forsook their Master and slunk away. The one candle that remains alight represents
Jesus Christ forsaken and left to "tread the wine-press alone." During the Canticle of
Zachary (Benedictus) the six candles on the altar are put out, and the lights in the
church are gradually lowered, to symbolize the noonday darkness that covered the
earth at the death of its Creator.

At the end of the Benedictus, the single candle that still burns is hidden behind the
altar, while the Miserere is sung amid the gloom. A Collect is then said in a low voice
by the senior priest present, and a confused noise is made, to express the
convulsions of nature when the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the
graves gave up their dead, The candle is then brought from behind the altar, still
alight, to represent that, after His death and burial, our dear Lord came forth
immortal from the tomb. The Office ended, all depart in silence.

MAUNDY THURSDAY
IN spite of the mourning of Holy Week, the Church cannot allow this great day to
pass without some signs of joy. It is the day of the Last Supper of our dear Lord the
day on which He instituted the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist; and in honor
of that great Mystery the Church lays aside her mourning, at least during the
celebration of holy Mass, and bids us deck the altar with our richest ornaments, and
wear vestments of white, the color denoting joy and gladness. We would remind our
readers that the Last Supper took place on the first day of the Azym.es, or the Feast
of the Unleavened Bread, and it is for that reason that we always use unleavened
bread for consecration in holy Mass. Again, to show forth the unity and greatness of
this Supper, the Church allows en this day only one Mass to be offered in each
church, at which the clergy and congregation assist and receive Holy Communion,
the priests wearing stoles, the token of their priesthood. This brings before us in a
forcible way the scene in the upper chamber in Jerusalem, where Our Lord alone
consecrated and then gave Holy Communion to those present. We shall divide our
explanations of the service into three sections:

I. The Mass.

AMID the triumph of this great feast a web of sorrow is interwoven, to show that our
joy is not lasting, for we have not forgotten the Passion of Jesus Christ. The
celebrant intones the Gloria in excelsis, and the bells ring out joyously in answer to
the organ s peals; but after that, both bells and organ are silent until Holy Saturday,
to show the sorrow of the whole world at Our Saviours death. The Collects recall to
us Judas and the good thief; both are guilty, but one is pardoned. The kiss of peace
is omitted, to show our horror of the treacherous kiss of Judas in the garden on this
night.

II. The Procession to the Altar of Repose.

ON Good Friday, as we shall see, the Church suspends the offering of the holy
sacrifice of the Mass, to commemorate in this solemn way the sacrifice that was
offered on that day on Calvary. The priest consecrates two Hosts on Holy Thursday
during the Mass. One of these he receives in Holy Communion; the other he
reverently places in a chalice, and reserves to be consumed on Good Friday. The
Blessed Sacrament could not be reserved with fitting respect at the high altar, on
account of the mournful ceremonies of this holy time; and consequently a chapel or
altar, apart from the high altar, is prepared and adorned with rich hangings, lights,
and flowers; here our blessed Lord remains until Good Friday. When the Mass to-day
is finished, the choir and clergy go in procession to this Chapel of Repose. After the
cross-bearer and acolytes come the choir and clergy, singing the Pange Lingua,
followed by the celebrant and sacred ministers under the canopy. The priest does
not carry the monstrance, as in other processions, but the chalice, containing the
Blessed Sacrament, covered with a veil. When he arrives at the Altar of Repose he
places it in the tabernacle or urn, where it u ill remain until tomorrow s service. Until
then Jesus will not be left alone by day and night loving souls will keep watch there
in humble adoration, making amends for the scorn and insults which Jesus has
suffered for our sins. More especially will they be present during the silent watches
of the night; for this is the night when He suffered the agony in the garden and was
betrayed by Judas, and delivered into the hands of His enemies.
III. Stripping the Altars

THE procession then leaves the Altar of Repose, the sacred ministers go to the
sacristy, and the other clergy and choir go to the sanctuary to recite Vespers, which
are said, not sung. At the end of Vespers the priests enter the sanctuary to strip the
altar, as Jesus was stripped of His garments before the crucifixion. The ornaments
and flowers that were there to denote our joyful commemoration of the institution of
the Blessed Sacrament are taken away the very altar-cloths are stripped off,
because the daily sacrifice is suspended, in token of our grief: "They have parted My
garments among them, and upon My vesture they have cast lots." The holy water is
removed from the porch and none is put there until after the Mass on Holy Saturday

GOOD FRIDAY

WE have come now to the day of the Church s widowhood, and she would have it to
be a day of desolation, as her true children feel it to be. The sanctuary is altogether
bare and unadorned. The altar was stripped of its ornaments yesterday morning,
and nothing remains except the crucifix, now veiled in black, and the six
candlesticks. The sanctuary carpet has been taken away, and even the candles are
not lighted until the latter part of the function. To enable us to enter into the spirit of
this service, and to appreciate fully the meaning of its various, parts, we must bear
in mind that to-day the priest does not offer sacrifice that he does not, so to say,
stand in the place of Jesus Christ and speak in His name and with His power; but
rather as the spokesman and representative of the congregation present: as a
consequence of this, they follow and take part in the various acts of reparation he
performs This is the key-note to the right understanding of the whole function.

The service of today consists of a series of distinct actions. We shall divide our
explanation into four parts: 1. History, containing the Prophecies and the Passion
according to St. John. 2. Supplication, containing public prayer for all sorts and
conditions of men. 3. Reparation, containing the unveiling and adoration of the
cross. 4. The Mass of the Presanctified.

I. The Passion

THE choir and sacred ministers approach the sanctuary in silence. Neither incense
nor lights are carried before them, and the vestments are black, "as when one
mourneth." On the altar there is neither Missal nor altar-cloth. When the sacred
ministers reach the sanctuary, instead of beginning by public prayer, they prostrate
themselves on the ground in silence, while a cloth and the book are laid on the altar.
They then rise, and at once proceed to read the Lessons and Collects, which bring
before us the Paschal Lamb, the type of the Lamb of God, Who is to-day sacrificed
for our sins. These Lessons prepare us for the "Passion," which gives us St. Johns
account of the terrible events of this great day. The Passion is sung, as on Palm
Sunday, by three deacons (or priests), who each take a part, the choir sustaining, as
before, the part of the multitude.

II. The Prayers

THE second part of the service consists of supplication and petition. The idea of the
Church in this action is to make intercession with God on this day for all classes and
conditions of men. While the Church bids us pray at all times for the conversion of
sinners and evil-doers, on this day she makes public and official prayer for those
who are enemies of the cross of Christ." For mercy knows no bounds; and our dying
Saviour has given utterance to the words, Father, forgive them, for they know not
what they do. The celebrant sings eight prayers, each of which is prefaced by a few
words to show its object. Before each prayer the deacon bids us kneel for a
moment, and the subdeacon bids us rise, to show by this bodily action our union in
the petition made by the priest in our name. First comes the prayer for the spouse
of Jesus Christ, the Church of God; then the prayer for the Vicar of Jesus Christ, the
Pope happily reigning; then the prayer for bishops, priests, and other servants of the
Church; then the prayer for catechumens; then the prayer for all in tribulation or
danger; then the prayer for heretics and schismatics; then the prayer for the Jews;
and, lastly, that our charity may embrace all human creatures for whom Jesus shed
His blood, conies the prayer for pagans.
Before the prayer for the Jews, the deacon refrains from bidding us to genuflect,
because they turned this mark of adoration into an insult against Our Lord in His
Passion.

III. The Unveiling of the Cross

THE third action in to-day s service is reparation. The Church will have us make
what reparation we can to Jesus Christ for the ignominy of His Passion by showing
honor and veneration to the cross in memory of His crucifixion today. Accordingly,
the celebrant takes off his chasuble, the symbol of his priestly dignity, in order to be
the first to humble himself on this day of mourning. He receives the veiled cross,
and, standing at the side of the altar, he uncovers a small part, raising it slightly for
people to see, and sings in a low voice: "Behold the wood of the cross, on which
hung the salvation of the world;" and all kneel to pay their homage to the sign of
our redemption. Mounting nearer the altar, he goes through the same ceremony a
second time; and then, coming to the center of the altar, he removes the veil
entirely, and lifting the cross aloft, sings in a high note the same words a third time,
in memory of Our Saviors words: "When I shall have been lifted up, I will draw all
things to Myself." By this uncovering of the cross is represented the gradual
preaching to the Jews and afterwards to the Gentiles the great mystery of the
crucifixion, "to the Jews a stumbling-block and to the Gentiles foolishness."

The celebrant then places the crucifix on the ground, and, in token of his humiliation
and abasement, takes off his shoes, for the place whereon he stands is holy ground,
and goes to kiss the feet of the figure that represents his dying Savior. As he
approaches, he kneels three times, and finally kisses devoutly the symbol of our
redemption. All who are present follow his example, either at this crucifix or at one
of the crosses in the side chapels (according to convenience), taking care to make
three genuflections (not more) , and making the third close to the cross itself, so
that as they kneel they can kiss the figure. During this touching ceremony, the choir
sings in plaintive chants the Reproaches, which bring before us in a dramatic way
the rebukes, loving and gentle, addressed by Our Savior to the Jews. It will help us
much to realize to-day s events if we read these Reproaches, which our dear Lord
addresses now to us.
IV. The Mass of the Presanctified

WE need not delay long over our explanation of the fourth action in todays service
the Mass of the Pre sanctified. The candles on the altar are now lighted in reverence
for the coming presence of Jesus Christ. The clergy go in procession to the Chapel of
Repose, and bring back to the high altar the Blessed Sacrament, which has been
reserved in a chalice since the Mass of yesterday. During the procession the choir
sings the Vexilla Regis. On this day alone throughout the Christian year the Church
suspends the offering of the holy sacrifice of the Mass that our thoughts may be
wholly taken up with the contemplation of the one sacrifice that was consummated
to-day on Calvary. The Blessed Sacrament, which the celebrant receives to-day, was
consecrated (or presanctified) yesterday. Consequently, since there is no actual
sacrifice to-day, this part of the service is called the Mass of the Presanctified. When
the Blessed Sacrament is brought to the altar, the priest incenses it. He then turns
to the people and bids them pray (orate, fratres), and himself prays aloud, singing
the Pater Noster, he holds up for their adoration the sacred body of Our Lord, and
then reverently receives it. To mark our mourning and confusion today, the priest
does not remain at the altar to say any public prayers of thanksgiving or to give a
blessing, as in other Masses; but straightway leaves the sanctuary. As soon as he
departs, the Vespers are recited as yesterday, and the altars are stripped. The
sanctuary is empty, its light is gone, no lamp burns in any part of the church, the
pictures are veiled; the naked cross stands alone to proclaim the mourning of the
spouse for the crucifixion of her Lord. "They shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth
for an only son, and they shall grieve over Him as is the manner to grieve for the
death of the first-born."

HOLY SATURDAY

IT was the practice of the Church from the earliest ages that no Mass was said on
Holy Saturday. For a thousand years after the foundation of the Church it was the
custom to spend this day in prayer and fasting, in watching in spirit with the holy
women at the sepulcher until the morning of the Resurrection. At midnight, on
Friday, the Divine Office for Easter eve was sung; but the service and Mass that we
have now on Holy Saturday really took place on Saturday night, and, extending till
dawn on Sunday morning, was the immediate herald of the Resurrection. As the sun
went down on Easter eve, the bishop and clergy and faithful used to repair to the
church for this office, and its magnificent functions occupied the whole night, until
sunrise on Easter Day. We should bear this in mind if we wish to enter into the spirit
of this service, and if we would understand the many allusions we find in it to the
night. Another point to remember is, that the service of this night was specially
ordained and fitted for the baptism of those converts, or catechumens, who had
been previously found worthy of admission into the Christian Church. This will throw
light upon the meaning of many of its ceremonies and prayers. We shall divide the
service into two sections: the Blessings and the Mass.

I. The Blessings

THE Church, as we remarked on Palm Sunday, blesses and sanctifies everything she
uses in her sacred functions. Holy Saturday is in a special manner a day of
blessings, for it is in a sense the birthday of the Church. The service begins, not in
the sanctuary, but at the very entrance to the Church, where new fire kindled from
a flint is blessed. From this the light is taken for the candles and lamps throughout
the church which were extinguished on Good Friday. This was of first importance in
the early Church, that the faithful might have light for the long night ceremony. Five
grains of incense are then blessed, and the deacon lights a triple candle (in honor of
the Three Persons of the Adorable Trinity), and leads the way through the darkness
to the sanctuary, thrice announcing as he goes Lumen Christi, the Light of Christ.
When the procession reaches the sanctuary, the deacon chants his song of triumph
(Exultet), and solemnly blesses the great Paschal candle. This candle is of unusual
size, standing alone, of a pillar-like form; and in the ages when the service was held
at night, shed a "dim religious light" over the sanctuary during the long vigil. When
lighted, it is the representation both of the pillar of fire which went before the
people of God in their wanderings through the desert, and of the new-born glory of
Jesus risen from the grave. During this grand song of joy the deacon pauses three
times; once to fix in the candle the five grains of incense in the form of a cross,
which, by their number, represent the five wounds, and, by their substance, the
precious spices which the holy women brought to the sepulcher this night to
embalm the body of their dead Lord; a second time he pauses to light the newly
blest candle; and a third time, while the lamps in the church are once more lighted.
After this Exultet come the Twelve Prophecies, which were primarily intended for the
instruction of the catechumens who w-ere to be baptized this night. Then comes the
blessing of the baptismal font. In front of the procession is carried the Paschal
candle, which leads these neophytes to the waters of salvation, even as the pillar of
fire led the children of Israel to the saving waters of the Red Sea. When the
celebrant reaches the baptistery, he sings the blessing of the font. He divides the
water in the form of a cross, and scatters some toward the four quarters of the
world; he breathes upon it, and invokes the grace and power of the Holy Ghost upon
it. He dips the Paschal candle three times into the water. The people are then
sprinkled with this Easter water, and after this the holy chrism and oil of
catechumens is poured into the font to mingle with the baptismal water. This
completes the solemn blessing of the font, and after this, formerly, the
catechumens were baptized and then confirmed. After the blessing of the font the
procession returns to the sanctuary, and the litanies of the saints are sung, during
which the celebrant and sacred ministers He prostrate before the altar. Toward the
end of the litanies the priests rise and go to the sacristy to vest for Mass.

II. The Mass

AS we have pointed out, the foregoing ceremonies formerly took place during the
night of Easter eve, and the Mass at which we are now going to assist is really the
Mass that used to be offered at daybreak on Easter morn, after the long vigil. This
will explain why it is of such a joyous character. The vestments are white, the Gloria
is sung, the bells ring out cheerfully, the organ is heard once more. Pictures and
images are uncovered; flowers again adorn the altar, which is decked in white. The
Collect of the Mass makes intercession for the newly baptized, "the new offspring of
Thy family." After the Epistle, the celebrant intones solemnly three times the
Alleluia, which is taken up by the choir; the Gospel relates to us the visit to the
sepulcher of Mary Magdalen and the other Mary at the dawn of day. The Creed is
not sung, as it used to be reserved for the second Mass which was sung later on
Easter day. The kiss of peace is still omitted, for it was not until evening on the day
of the Resurrection that Jesus stood in the midst of His apostles in the upper
chamber in the holy city and gave them His peace. For the same reason the Agnus
Dei is left out. When this Mass was appointed to be sung on the Saturday morning
(instead of at the dawn of Easter day), it was necessary that it should be followed
by Vespers. As the service is already so long, the Church bids us sing, immediately
after the communion, Vespers containing one psalm and the Magnificat. This now
takes the place of the post communion in other Masses, and when these have been
sung the Mass concludes with the blessing and the last Gospel according to St. John.

EASTER SUNDAY
The Fruits of the Passion

WHEN Easter comes we must not forget the Passion of Jesus. The Church reminds us
of it every day in holy Mass. Jesus Himself appeared in heaven as a lamb that had
been slain. Only we have now to look to the joyful side of the Passion, to its glorious
fruits.

1. The first fruit of the Passion is the exaltation of the Man-Christ Jesus to sit on the
right hand of God. In Him our human nature received divine honors, and these
honors were won by the sufferings of the Passion. "For the joy that was set before
Him He endured the cross, and sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb.
xii. 2).

2. The second fruit of the Passion is the saving from sin and eternal death all those
who choose to avail themselves of the grace offered them. "He shall see a long-
lived seed." Millions, who otherwise would have dwelt forever in the abyss of hell,
are, through the graces won for them by Our Lord in His sacred Passion, the happy
denizens of heaven to all eternity. It is this which will constitute the chief glory of
the sacred humanity.

3. The third fruit of the Passion is the crushing of Satan and all the company of hell
beneath the feet of Jesus. Never was there so glorious a victory under the guise of
defeat, never a more complete or unexpected triumph. He who was in His Passion
an object of derision to devils and wicked men, carne forth, in His Resurrection, King
of kings and Lord of lords, triumphant over sin and death, before Whom every knee
shall bow in heaven and in earth and hell. Thanks be to God for the unspeakable
glory of the Passion of Jesus Christ!

Prayers for Easter

ALL the days of the mortal life of Jesus Christ, previous to that of His Resurrection,
were, according to St. Paul, the days of His humiliation; whereas, Easter Sunday is
properly called the clay of His glory; since it was by His Resurrection that the seal of
heaven was affixed to His doctrine, His other miracles confirmed, His mission
proved, and all His labors crowned. Hence arises the joy of the Church on this, the
greatest of her festivals.

ALLELUIA to the risen Saviour, the King of glory!

Christ is risen from the dead: walk ye in newness life.
If you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above; where Christ is sitting
at the right hand of God. Be mindful of the things that are above not the things that
are upon the earth.

THIS is the day the Lord hath made; come, let us exult and rejoice thereon.
V. Praise the Lord; for He is good; and His mercy endureth forever. Alleluia, alleluia.

Christ Himself is become our Paschal sacrifice. Alleluia.

Do Thou, victorious King, have mercy on us.

Let us pray.

O GOD! Who this day didst open to us the approach to eternity by Thy only Son,
victorious over death ; prosper, by Thy grace, our vows, which Thou didst anticipate
by Thy inspiration. Through the same, etc.

O God! Who by the yearly solemnity of Our Lords Resurrection, fillest our hearts
with gladness, mercifully grant that the temporal feasts which we celebrate, may
lead us to the eternal joys of heaven through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.

HYMN FOR EASTER SUNDAY

O Filii et Filiae

YE sons and daughters of the Lord!

The King of glory, King adored,
This day Himself from death restored.

All in the early morning gray

Went holy women on their way,
To see the tomb where Jesus lay.

Of spices pure a precious store

In their pure hands those women bore,
To anoint the sacred body oer.

Then straightway one in white they see,

Who saith, "Ye seek the Lord; but He
Is risen, and gone to Galilee."

This told they Peter, told they John;

Who forthwith to the tomb are gone
But Peter is by John outrun.

That self-same night, while, out of fear,

The doors were shut, their Lord most dear
To His apostles did appear.

But Thomas, when of this he heard,

Was doubtful of his brethren s word ;
Wherefore again there comes the Lord.

"Thomas, behold My side," saith He;

"My hands, My feet, My body see,
And doubt not, but believe in Me."

When Thomas saw that wounded side,

The truth no longer he denied;
"Thou art my Lord and God!" he cried.

Oh, blest are they who have not seen

Their Lord, and yet believe in Him!
Eternal life awaiteth them.

Now let us praise the Lord most high,

And strive His name to magnify
On this great day, through earth and sky:

Whose mercy ever runneth oer;

Whom men and angel hosts adore;
To Him be glory evermore.

VII
SATURDAY
PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS IN HONOR OF OUR LADY

Reflections of a Religious on Devotion to our Lady

From "Helps to a Spiritual Life"

BEHOLD thy Son. . . Behold thy Mother" (John xix. 27). These were the last words
that Jesus Christ addressed to any creature before His death; they are His last will.
By them He intrusted all His disciples to His own beloved Mother as her spiritual
children, and gave her to all His disciples as their spiritual Mother. These words have
a special reference to Religious, who are represented by St. John, the beloved
disciple of Our Saviour. He was a virginal soul, who had left all things for Christs
sake Religious vow and practice chastity, have left all things for Christs sake, and
have become His beloved spouses. No one else, then, has a greater claim to Mary
as a Mother.
Religious may then say, Mary, in fact, has been truly our Mother, and the most
tender of mothers, for we may, indeed, say, "All good things came to me together
with her, and innumerable riches through her hands, for she is an infinite treasure to
men; which they that use, become the friends of God" (Wisd. vii. n, 14). We owe
everything to Mary. It is through her that we received all the graces bestowed on us
whilst we were in the world, and particularly the inestimable grace of our vocation.
How many times did she not preserve us from danger, how many times did she not
obtain for us victory over the allurements and temptations of the world! It was she
who obtained for us the strength and heroism requisite to leave the world, to
renounce its pleasures, to give up our own will. We can easily remember how she
helped us when we invoked her, how she consoled and encouraged us in our trials.
But what favors has she not conferred on us since the day on which we were
consecrated and espoused to her divine Son! Without her help we could never have
practiced the virtues required of Religious humility, self-denial, obedience,
meekness, and charity. Without her we could not have overcome our many
temptations, borne our numerous little trials. We could not have persevered until
now in our holy vocation, had we not been assisted by the Mother of perseverance.

And had we been more loving and devoted children to her, had we more promptly
invoked her, more fervently prayed to her, and more faithfully honored her, we
should not have committed so many faults, or be now so full of imperfections and so
devoid of virtue.

We claim Mary as our Mother, and boast of being her children. But to be truly her
children, we should bear some resemblance to her. As she is our spiritual Mother,
her spiritual features, that is, her virtues, should be delineated in us, should be
visible in our conduct. In the first place, we should resemble her in humility.
Although she was the holiest and most perfect and most exalted of creatures, she
excelled all in humility. By her virginity, says the Church, Mary pleased God; but it
was by her humility that she conceived the Son of God. "Without humility," says St.
Bernard, "even Mary s spotless virginity would not have saved her." "Humility," says
St. Teresa, "drew the Son of God from heaven into the womb of a virgin; and it is
only by a similar humility that we can draw Him into our souls."

Secondly, Mary distinguished herself by her love of silence, recollection, retirement,

and prayer. Her union with God was constant and uninterrupted. Prayer was the
food of her soul; it was a second nature to her. Let us strive to imitate her in this,
and especially in making our daily meditation well. Thirdly, Mary was a model of
obedience. Let us consider our Rules as the will of God toward us, and look upon the
orders of our Superiors as the orders of God Himself. Fourthly, Mary was all aglow
with divine love, and zealous for the salvation of mankind. Let us love no one out
God, and allow in our heart no affection unless it is for God or in God, and, at the
same time, let us be ready to sacrifice ourselves for the welfare and salvation of our
neighbor in so far as obedience permits. In fine, Mary is the Queen of martyrs the
Mother of sorrows, for next to Jesus, no one ever suffered so much and so willingly
and patiently as Mary. Let us, like her, accept all sufferings, all trials and crosses,
with patience and resignation, as sent to us by God out of love for us.

Let us ask Mary, our Mother, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the Mother of mercy, the
Mother of perseverance, to help us faithfully to keep our good resolutions, to help us
to imitate her virtues. Let us entreat her; by the love she bears to our Spouse Jesus,
by the love she bears to us her children, to help us to resemble her, to become her
true and worthy children. She who is the most loving of mothers cannot refuse a
prayer so pleasing to her a prayer which she can easily grant us, for she is all-
powerful with her divine Son. He cannot refuse anything to her who bore Him, whom
He loved, honored, and obeyed on earth as His Mother, and whom He has exalted in
heaven above all creatures.
Let us in all our sorrows, in all our trials and sufferings, and especially in all our
temptations and dangers, have recourse to her with the utmost fervor, love, and
confidence, for she, the most powerful and tender of mothers, will obtain for us all
we ask through her. "In all your wants," says the holy Redemptorist, Blessed
Clement Maria Hofbauer, "turn to the Blessed Virgin. She is the Mother of mercy,
and will obtain mercy for you from her Son. Never has the Son refused His Mother a
grace, for He cannot turn away a prayer of His Mother. She has found, and always
will find, grace with God." "He who remembers," says St. Alphonsus, "having, in
temptations against chastity, invoked the name of Mary, and may rest assured of
not having given consent to them."

We should daily honor Mary in a special manner, and pray much and often to her.
We can never honor her too much, whom God has so greatly honored. We ought,
moreover, to do all in our power to inspire others with devotion to her, with a tender
love for her and an unlimited confidence in her intercession. We ought to consider
our devotion to Mary as our protection, as the surest means of salvation and
sanctification, and as a pledge of life everlasting, because she never forsakes those
who are devout to her. "If you persevere until death," says St. Alphonsus, "in true
devotion to Mary, your salvation is assured. "

CONSECRATION TO MARY, OUR MOTHER

For Religious

O MOST holy and immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus, my beloved Spouse,
I now again choose thee as my own Mother. Henceforth I will never cease to love,
cherish, and venerate thee as my own beloved Mother all the days of my life. To
thee will I have recourse in all my trials, sufferings, and temptations, and I shall do
my best to induce others to love and venerate thee, and to invoke thee in all their
wants. O Mary, deign to accept me as thine own most loving child, and make me
faithful to thee. Make me, like thee, humble, meek, patient, charitable, pure,
obedient, and docile to my Rules and Superiors. Deign to obtain for me an
unwavering love for my Spouse, Jesus, and a holy and well-regulated zeal for the
salvation of souls. O Mary, my dearest Mother, do not forsake me, thy child, when I
am assailed by temptation; hasten then at once to my assistance, and do not permit
me ever to prove untrue to my beloved Jesus. Enable me, by thy all-powerful help,
to become, through a constant growth in virtue and holiness, daily more and more
pleasing to Jesus, my heavenly Spouse, and to persevere until death in the love of
Him and of thee, my most tender and beloved Mother Mary. Amen.

PRAYER TO THE HEART OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD AND OUR MOTHER

HEART of Mary, Mother of God, our Mother; heart most amiable; delight of the ever-
adorable Trinity, and worthy of all the veneration and tenderness of angels and of
men; heart most like the Heart of Jesus, whose most perfect image thou art; heart
full of goodness, ever compassionate toward our miseries, vouchsafe to thaw our
icy hearts, and change them to the likeness of the Heart of Jesus. Infuse into them
the love of thy virtues, inflame them with that blessed fire with which thou dost ever
burn. In thee let the holy Church find safe shelter ; be thou its guardian and its ever-
sweet asylum, its tower of strength, impregnable against the assaults of its
enemies. Be thou the road leading to Jesus; be thou the channel whereby we
receive all graces needful for our salvation. Be tliou our help in need, our comfort in
trouble, our strength in temptation, our refuge in persecution, our aid in danger; but
especially in the-last struggle of our life at the moment of our death, when all hell
shall be unchained against us to snatch away our souls, in that dread moment, that
hour so terrible, on which depends our eternity ah, then, most tender Virgin, do thou
make us feel how great is the sweetness of thy Mothers heart, how great thy power
with the Heart of Jesus, opening to us, in the very fount of mercy itself, a safe
refuge, that so one day we too may join with thee in paradise in praising the Heart
of Jesus forever and forever. Amen.

Act of Praise to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary

MAY the Divine Heart of Jesus and the immaculate heart of Mary be known, praised,
blessed, loved, worshipped, and glorified always and in all places. Amen.

Indulgence of 60 days, once a day, to those who shall say this prayer, together with
the act of praise to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the immaculate heart of Mary; a
plenary indulgence, on the Feasts of the Nativity, of the Assumption, and of the
sacred heart of Mary, on usual conditions; and praying for the Popes intentions at a
church, or at any altar in any church dedicated to our blessed Lady; a plenary
indulgence at the hour of death, to those who shall have practiced this pious
exercise every day. Pius VII., Aug. 18, 1807; Feb. 1, 1816.

MEMORARE TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Indulgence of 300 days, each time; plenary indulgence once a month, on usual
conditions. Pius IX., Dec. 11, 1846

PRAYER OF ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

O holy Mary, my Lady, to thy faithful care and special keeping and to the bosom of
thy mercy, today and every day, and particularly at the hour of my death, I
commend my soul and my body; all my hope and consolation, all my trials and
miseries, my life and the end of my life, I commit to thee, that through thy most
holy intercession and by thy merits, all my actions may be directed and ordered
according to thy will and that of thy divine Son. Amen.

Indulgence of 200 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 15, 1890.

NOVENAS IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

ELEVEN NOVENAS IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

THE Sovereign Pontiff, Pius IX., granted to all the faithful who, devoutly and with
contrite heart, shall make at any time during the year any of the following novenas
in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with any formula of prayer, provided it be
approved by competent ecclesiastical authority, an indulgence of 300 days, each
day; a plenary indulgence, either during the course of each novena, or upon one of
the eight days immediately following, on usual conditions.

List of these Novenas.

1. In honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
2. In honor of the Birth of Mary most holy.
3. In honor of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple.
4. In honor of the Annunciation.
5. In honor of the Visitation.
6. In honor of Marys holy Delivery and of the Birth of the Child Jesus.
7. In honor of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
8. In honor of the Dolors of Mary.
9. In honor of the Assumption of Mary.
10. In honor of the Sacred Heart of Mary and of her Patronage.
11. In honor of the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin.

N.B. The prayers in this book are all approved by ecclesiastical authority, and hence
may be used at pleasure in making the above-mentioned novenas.

A very simple and satisfactory method of making a novena in honor of the Blessed
Virgin Mary consists in reciting the following prayers:

1. The Litany of Loreto

2. The Memorare and an act of consecration
3. Three Our Fathers, Hail Marys, and Glorys in thanksgiving to the Blessed Trinity
for the prerogatives and graces bestowed upon the Blessed Virgin Mary. Conclude
with an ejaculation appropriate to the season on the festival commemorated. The
following will suffice for all seasons.

Ejaculation

O DOMINA mea! O ma- O Queen! My Mother!

ter mea ! memento me remember I am thine
esse tuum. own.

Serva me, defende me, ut Keep me, guard me, as

rem et possessionem tuam. thy property and possession.

Indulgence of 40 days, each time. Pius IX., Aug. 5, 1851.

Other Ejaculations

Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation!

Indulgence of 300 days, each time. Pius IX., Sept. 30, 1852; plenary indulgence,
once a month, under usual conditions, to those who shall have said it every day.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us, who have recourse to thee!

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 15, 1884.

Mary, Mother of God, and Mother of mercy, pray for me and for the departed.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Dec. 15, 1883.
 NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ON HER FESTIVALS AND FOR
ANY SPECIAL OCCASIONS
In connection with the Litany of Loreto and the Memorare, the following prayer may
be said occasionally:

O MARY, ever-blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Queen of the angels and of the saints, I
salute thee with the most profound veneration and filial devotion. I renew the
consecration of myself and all I have to thee. I thank thee for thy maternal
protection and for the many blessings that I have received through thy wondrous
mercy and most powerful intercession. In all my necessities I have recourse to thee,
with unbounded confidence. O Help of Christians, O Mother of mercy, I beseech thee
now to hear my prayer and to obtain for me of thy divine Son the favor that I
request in this novena.

Obtain for me, also, dearest Mother, the grace that I may imitate thee and become
more like to thee in the practice of the virtues of humility, obedience, purity,
poverty, submission to the will of God, and charity. Be my protectress in life, guard
and guide me in dangers, direct me in perplexities, lead me in the way of
perfection, and assist me in the hour of my death, that I may come to Jesus, and
with thee enjoy Him, bless Him, and love Him eternally in heaven. Amen.

Other novenas for the festivals of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be found in the latter
part of this book.

MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY

THE FRUIT OF EACH MYSTERY

Joyful Mysteries Spirit of Holy Joy

1. Annunciation Humility
2. Visitation Fraternal Charity
3. Nativity Spirit of Poverty
4. Presentation Obedience
5. Jesus with the Doctors Love of Jesus and of His Holy Services

Sorrowful Mysteries Spirit of Compassion and Contrition

1. Agony Fervor in Prayer

2. Scourging Penance
3. Crowning with Thorns Moral Courage
4. Carriage of the Cross Patience
5. Crucifixion Self-sacrifice for God and our Neighbor

Glorious Mysteries Spirit of Adoration and Faith

1. Resurrection Faith.
2. Ascension Hope.
3. Descent of the Holy Ghost Love and Zeal for Souls.
4. Assumption Filial devotion to Mary.
5. Coronation of B. V. M Perseverance.

Prayer

O GOD, Whose only -begotten Son hath purchased for us the rewards of eternal
salvation through His life, death, and Resurrection, we beseech Thee grant to us,
who are commemorating those mysteries in the holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, the grace to hearken to the lessons they teach us and to obtain the blessings
they promise. Through the same Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

STATEMENT OF INTENTIONS BEFORE RECITING THE ROSARY

In Union with the Precious Blood of Jesus

ETERNAL Father, we offer Thee this Rosary, through the most pure heart of Mary in
union with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, in thanksgiving for all Thy benefits, in
atonement for our sins, for the wants of the holy Church, the interests of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus, for all those graces and blessings that will keep us close to that
loving Heart in life, in death, in time, and for eternity. For the sick, the dying,
conversion of sinners, and souls in purgatory; for those who have asked our prayers
and for whom we are bound to pray; for Superiors, Congregation, and family
intentions, that God may direct all to His greater honor and glory, and for a happy
death for each member.

THE ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES

V. INCLINE unto my aid, O God.

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, etc.
R. As it was in the beginning, etc.

First Mystery
The Annunciation
(To obtain the Virtue of Humility)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how the angel Gabriel saluted our blessed Lady
with the title, Full of Grace, and declared unto her the Incarnation of Our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ.

Our Father, etc., once. Hail Mary, ten times. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer

O HOLY Mary, Queen of virgins, by the most high mystery of the Incarnation of thy
beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, by which our salvation was so happily begun:
obtain for us, by thy intercession, light to know this so great benefit which He hath
bestowed upon us, vouchsafing in it to make Himself our Brother, and thee, His own
most beloved Mother, our Mother also. Amen.

Second Mystery
The Visitation
(Charity)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, understanding
from the angel that her cousin St. Elizabeth had conceived, went with haste into the
mountains of Judea to visit her, and remained with her three months.

Our Father, etc., as above.

Prayer

O HOLY Virgin, most spotless mirror of humility, by that exceeding charity which
moved thee to visit thy holy cousin, St. Elizabeth, obtain for us by thy intercession,
that our hearts may be visited by thy most holy Son, that being freed from all sin,
we may praise Him and give Him thanks for ever. Amen.

Third Mystery
The Nativity
(Poverty of Spirit)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how the blessed Virgin Mary, when the time of
her delivery was come, brought forth Our Redeemer, Christ Jesus, at midnight, and
laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the inns of Bethlehem.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer

O MOST pure Mother of God, by thy virginal and most joyful delivery, by which thou
gavest unto the world thy only Son, Our Saviour; we beseech thee, obtain for us, by
thy intercession, grace to lead so pure and holy a life in this world that we may
worthily sing without ceasing, both day and night, the mercies of thy Son, and His
benefits to us by thee. Amen.

Fourth Mystery
The Presentation
(Obedience)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, on the day of her
purification, presented the Child Jesus in the Temple, where holy Simeon, giving
thanks to God, with great devotion received Him into his arms.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer
O HOLY Virgin, most admirable mistress and pattern of obedience, who didst present
in the Temple the Lord of the Temple, obtain for us, of thy beloved Son, that with
holy Simeon and devout Anna we may praise and glorify Him forever. Amen.

The Fifth Mystery

The Finding in the Temple

(Zeal)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how the blessed Virgin Mary, having lost her
beloved Son in Jerusalem, sought Him for the space of three days, and at length
found Him in the Temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them, being of
the age of twelve years.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer

MOST Blessed Virgin, more than martyr in thy sufferings, and yet the comfort of
such as are afflicted, by that unspeakable joy wherewith thy soul was filled in
rinding thy beloved Son in the Temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with
them, obtain of Him for us so to seek Him and to find Him in the holy Catholic
Church that we may never be separated from Him. Amen.

Salve Regina

HAIL, holy Queen! Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope; to thee
do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears; turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V. Pray for us, holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ,

Let us pray.

O merciful God, the prayer of Thy servants, that we who meet together in the
society of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mother of God, may, through
her intercession, by Thee be delivered from the dangers that continually hang over
us. Amen.

O God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and Resurrection, has
purchased for us the reward of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating
on these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the blessed Virgin Mary we may
imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ
our Lord. Amen.

THE DOLOROUS OR SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

 First Mystery
The Agony in the Garden

(To obtain the Virtue of Resignation)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how Our Lord Jesus Christ was so afflicted for us
in the Garden of Gethsemane, that His body was bathed in a bloody sweat, which
ran trickling down in great drops to the ground.

Our Father, etc., once. Hail Mary, ten times. Glory, etc.

Prayer

MOST holy Virgin, more than martyr, by that ardent prayer which thy beloved Son
poured forth unto His Father in the garden, vouchsafe to intercede for us, that our
passions being reduced to the obedience of reason, we may always and in all things
conform and subject ourselves to the will of God. Amen.

Second Mystery
The Scourging at the Pillar

(Holy Purity)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how Our Lord Jesus Christ was most cruelly
scourged in Pilates house, the stripes He received being innumerable.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer

O MOTHER of God, overflowing fountain of patience, by those stripes thy only and
most beloved Soil vouchsafed to suffer for us, obtain of Him for us grace that we
may know how to mortify our rebellious senses, and cut off all occasions of sinning
with that sword of grief and compassion which pierced thy most tender soul Amen.

Third Mystery
The Crowning with Thorns

(Humility)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how those cruel ministers of Satan platted a
crown of sharp thorns, and most cruelly pressed it on the most sacred head of Our
Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer
O MOTHER of our eternal Prince and King of glory, by those sharp thorns wherewith
His most holy head was pierced, we beseech thee that, through thy intercession, we
may be delivered from all motions of pride, and, in the day of judgment, from that
confusion which our sins deserve. Amen.

Fourth Mystery
The Carrying of the Cross

(Patience)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how Our Lord Jesus Christ, being sentenced to
die, bore with great patience the cross, which was laid upon Him for His greater
torment and ignominy.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer

O HOLY Virgin, example of patience, by the most painful carrying of the cross on
which thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, bore the heavy weight of our sins, obtain for
us of Him, through thy intercession, courage and strength, to follow His footsteps,
and to bear our cross after Him unto the end of our lives. Amen.

Fifth Mystery
The Crucifixion

(Abiding Sorrow for Sin)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how Our Lord Jesus Christ, being come to Mount
Calvary, was stripped of His clothes, and His hands and feet most cruelly nailed to
the cross, in the presence of His most afflicted Mother.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer

O HOLY Mary, Mother of God, as the body of thy beloved Son was for us stretched
on the cross, so may our desires be daily more and more extended in His service,
and our hearts wounded with compassion for His most bitter Passion; and thou, O
most blessed Virgin, graciously vouchsafe, by thy powerful intercession, to help us
to accomplish the work of our salvation.

Hail, Holy Queen, etc.

THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES

First Mystery
The Resurrection

(To Obtain the Virtue of Faith)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how Our Lord Jesus Christ, triumphing gloriously
over death, rose again the third day, immortal and impassible.

Our Father, etc., once; Hail Mary, etc., ten times; Glory, etc.

Prayer

O GLORIOUS Virgin Mary, by that unspeakable joy thou receivedst in the

Resurrection of thine only Son, we beseech thee obtain of Him for us that our hearts
may never go astray after the false joys of this world, but may be ever and wholly
employed in the pursuit of the only true and solid joys of heaven. Amen.

Second Mystery
The Ascension

(Hope)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how Our Lord Jesus Christ, forty days after His
Resurrection, ascended into heaven, attended by angels, in the sight and to the
great admiration of His most holy Mother, His holy apostles and disciples.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer

O MOTHER of God, Comfortress of the afflicted, as thy beloved Son, when He

ascended into heaven; lifted up His hands and blessed His apostles, so vouchsafe,
most holy Mother, to lift up thy pure hands to Him for us, that we may enjoy the
benefits of His blessing, and thine also, on earth and hereafter in heaven. Amen.

Third Mystery
The Descent of the Holy Ghost

(Charity)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how Our Lord Jesus Christ being seated on the
right hand of God, sent, as He had promised, the Holy Ghost upon His apostles,
who, after His Ascension, returning to Jerusalem, continued in prayer and
supplication with the Blessed Virgin Mary, expecting the fulfillment of His promise.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer

O SACRED Virgin, tabernacle of the Holy Ghost, we beseech thee, obtain by thine
intercession, that this most sweet Comforter, Whom thy beloved Son sent down
upon His apostles, filling them thereby with spiritual joy, may teach us in this world
the true way of salvation, and make us walk in the paths of virtue and good works.
Amen,
 Fourth Mystery
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin

(Desire of Heaven)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how the glorious Virgin, languishing upon earth
for many years after the Resurrection of her Son, passed out of this world at length
and was by Him assumed into heaven, accompanied by the holy angels

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer

O MOST prudent Virgin, who entering the heavenly palace didst fill the holy angels
with joy and man with hope, vouchsafe to intercede for us at the hour of our death,
that being delivered from the illusions and temptations of the devil, we may joyfully
and securely pass out of this temporal state to enjoy the happiness of eternal life.
Amen.

Fifth Mystery
The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin

(Confidence in Mary)

LET us contemplate in this mystery how the glorious Virgin Mary was, to the great
jubilee and exultation of the whole court of heaven, and particular glory of all the
saints, crowned by her Son with the brightest diadem of glory.

Our Father, etc., as above

Prayer

O GLORIOUS Queen of all the heavenly citizens, we beseech thee accept this
Rosary, which as a crown of roses we offer at thy feet, and grant, most gracious
Lady, by thy powerful intercession, that our souls may be inflamed with so ardent a
desire of seeing thee so gloriously crowned, that it may never die in us until it shall
be changed into the happy fruition of thy blessed sight. Amen.

Hail, holy Queen, etc., as before.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY

QUEEN of the most holy Rosary, in these days of bold impiety, show forth thy power
by the tokens of thy former victories, and from the throne on which thou sittest as
dispenser of pardon and of graces look down upon the Church of Thy Son, upon His
Vicar, and upon all Orders of ecclesiastics and laymen who are struggling against
the fierce assaults of the enemy; hasten, powerful conqueror of heresies, hasten the
hour of mercy, though the hour of justice is hurried on every day by innumerable
sins. Obtain for me, the least of men, as I kneel in humble supplication before thee,
the grace I need most to live among the just on earth, to reign among the just in
heaven, whilst, in the meantime, together with all the faithful in the world, O Queen
of the most holy Rosary, I salute and hail thee.

Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.

An indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., July 3, 1886.

INVOCATION OF THE NAME OF MARY

To all those who devoutly invoke the name of Mary, an indulgence of 25 days, each
time. Clement XIII., Sept. 5, 1759.

Ejaculation in Honor of the Immaculate Conception

IN conceptione tua, virgo IN thy conception, O Vir-

Maria, immaculata fu- gin Mary! thou wast
isti; ora pro nobis Patrem immaculate. Pray for us to
cujus Filium Jesum de Spiritu the Father, Whose Son Jesus,
Sancto conceptum peperisti. conceived in thy womb by
the Holy Ghost, thou didst
bring forth.

An indulgence of 100 days, each time. Pius VI., Nov. 21, 1793.

LITTLE OFFICE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

CHAPLET IN HONOR OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

Suitable for a Novena

V. DEUS ina djutorium V. INCLINE unto my

meum intende. aid, O God!

R. Domine ad adjuvan- R. O Lord! make haste to

dum me festina. help me.

V. Gloria Patri, etc. V. Glory be to the Father, etc.

R. Sicut erat, etc. R. As it was, etc.

I. IMMACULATE Virgin, who, conceived without sin, didst direct every movement of
thy most pure heart to that God Who was ever the object of thy love, and who was
ever most submissive to His will: obtain for me the grace to hate sin with my whole
heart, and to learn of thee to live in perfect resignation to the will of God.

Our Father, once, Hail Mary, seven times.

Heart transpierced with pain and woe!

Set my heart with love aglow.
II. I MARVEL, Mary, at thy deep humility, through which thy blessed heart was
troubled at the gracious message brought thee by Gabriel, the archangel, that thou
wast chosen Mother of the Son of the Most High, and through which thou didst
proclaim thyself His humble handmaid: wherefore, in great confusion at the sight of
my pride, I ask thee for the grace of a contrite and humble heart, that, knowing my
own misery, I may obtain that crown of glory promised to the truly humble of heart.

Our Father, etc., Heart, etc.

III. O BLESSED Virgin, who, in thy sweetest heart, didst keep as a precious treasure
the words of Jesus, thy Son, and, pondering on the lofty mysteries they contained,
didst learn to live for God alone: how doth my cold heart confound me! O dearest
Mother, get me grace so to meditate within my heart upon Gods holy law, that I
may strive to follow thee in the fervent practice of every Christian virtue.

Our Father, etc., Heart, etc.

IV. GLORIOUS Queen of martyrs, whose sacred heart was pierced in thy Son s hitter
Passion by the sword, whereof the holy old man Simeon had prophesied gain for my
heart true courage and a holy patience to bear the troubles and misfortunes of this
miserable life, that so by crucifying my flesh with its desires, while following the
mortification of the cross, I may, indeed, show myself to be a true son of thine.

Our Father, etc., Heart, etc.

V. O MARY, mystical rose, whose loving heart, burning with the living fire of charity,
did accept us for thy sons at the crosss foot, becoming thus our tender Mother,
make me feel the sweetness of thy maternal heart and thy power with Jesus, that,
when menaced by the perils of this mortal life, and most of all in the dread hour of
death, my heart, united with thine, may love my Jesus then and through all ages.
Amen.

Our Father, etc., Heart, etc.

LET us now turn to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, that He may inflame us with His
holy love.

O Divine Heart of Jesus! to thee I consecrate myself full of deep gratitude for the
many blessings I have received and daily do receive from thy boundless charity
With my whole heart I thank thee for having, in addition to them all, vouchsafed to
give me thy own most holy Mother giving me to her as a son, in the person of the
beloved disciple. Let my heart ever burn with love for thee, finding in thy sweetest
Heart its peace, its refuge, and its happiness.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day; plenary indulgence under usual conditions.
Pius IX., Dec. n, 1874.

LITTLE CHAPLET IN HONOR OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY

IN the name + of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

First set.

Blessed be the holy and immaculate conception of the most blessed Virgin Mary.

Then say the Our Father once, the Hail Mary four times, and the Glory be to the
Father once.

Second set.

Blessed be the holy, etc.: one Our Father, etc. as before.

Third set.

Blessed be the holy, etc., etc., as before.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time; plenary indulgence under usual conditions. Pius
IX., June 22, 1851.

A VISIT TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS

To be made before her altar or image, immediately after performing the Stations, or
at any other time.

O MOST holy Mother, Queen of sorrows, who didst follow thy beloved Son through
all the way of the cross, and whose heart was pierced with a fresh sword of grief at
all the stations of that most sorrowful journey; obtain for us, we beseech thee, O
most loving Mother, a perpetual remembrance of our blessed Saviours cross and
death, and a true and tender devotion to all the mysteries of His most holy Passion;
obtain for us the grace to hate sin, even as He hated it in the agony in the garden;
to endure wrong and insult with all patience, as He endureth them in the judgment-
hall; to be meek and humble in all our trials, as He was before His judges; to love
our enemies even as He loved His murderers, and prayed for them upon the cross;
and to glorify God and do good to our neighbors, even as He did in every mystery of
His sufferings. O Queen of martyrs, who, by the dolors of thy immaculate heart on
Calvary, didst merit to share the Passion of our blessed Redeemer, obtain for us
some portion of thy compassion, that for the love of Jesus crucified, we may be
crucified to the world in this life; and in the life to come, may, by His infinite merits
and thy powerful intercession, reign with Him in glory everlasting. Amen.

PIOUS EXERCISE IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF DOLORS

SANCTA mater istud agas, BID me bear, O Mother blessed!

Crucifixi fige plagas On my heart the wounds impressed
Cordi meo valide. Suffered by the Crucified.

An indulgence of 300 days, once a day, to those who, with contrite heart, shall say
the Hail Mary, seven times, and after each Hail Mary, the stanza, as above. Pius VII,
Dec. 1, 1815.
 PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS

O MARY! I beseech thee by the sorrows thou didst experience in beholding thy
divine Son dying on the cross, procure for me a good death; obtain for me that,
having loved Jesus and thee, my most tender Mother here on earth, I may love you
both and bless you eternally in heaven. Amen.

NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE DOLORS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

MOST holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of martyrs, thou who didst stand beneath the
cross, witnessing the agony of thy expiring Son through the unceasing sufferings of
thy life of sorrow, and the bliss which now more than amply repays thee for thy past
trials, look down with a mother s tenderness and pity on me, who kneel before thee
to venerate thy dolors, and place my requests, with filial confidence, in the
sanctuary of thy wounded heart; present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to
Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred death and Passion, together
with thy sufferings at the foot of the cross, and through the united efficacy of both,
obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I recur in my wants and
miseries if not to thee, O Mother of mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the
chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land
of exile? Sancta Maria, Mater Dolorosa, ora pro me!

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL

MOST glorious Virgin, chosen by the Eternal Counsel to be the Mother of the Eternal
Word made Man, treasure-house of divine graces and advocate of sinners; I, the
most unworthy of thy servants, have recourse to thee, begging of thee to be my
guide and counselor in this vale of tears. Obtain for me, through the most precious
blood of thy Divine Son, forgiveness of my sins, and the salvation of my soul with all
the means necessary to secure it. Obtain for Holy Church triumph over her enemies
and the extension of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ over the whole earth. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Nov. 23, 1880.

PRAYERS IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

I.

O MOTHER of perpetual help, grant that I may ever invoke thy most powerful name,
which is the safe guard of the living and the salvation of the dying. O purest Mary! O
sweetest Mary, let thy name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, O blessed
Lady! to succor me, whenever I call on thee; for, in all my temptations, in all my
needs, I shall never cease to call on thee, ever repeating thy sacred name, Mary,
Mary. O what consolation, what sweetness, what confidence, what emotion fills my
soul when I utter thy sacred name, or even only think of thee! I thank the Lord for
have given thee, for my good, so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not
be content with merely uttering thy name. Let my love for thee prompt me ever to
hail thee, Mother of perpetual help.
II.

O MOTHER of perpetual help! thou art the dispenser of all the gifts which God grants
to us miserable sinners; and for this end He has made thee so powerful, so rich, and
so bountiful, in order that thou mayest succor us in our misery. Thou art the
advocate of the most wretched and abandoned sinners who have recourse to thee:
come to my help; I commend myself to thee. In thy hands I place my eternal
salvation, and to thee I entrust my soul. Count me among thy most devoted
servants; take me under thy protection, and it is enough for me. For, if thou protect
me, I fear nothing; not from my sins, because thou wilt obtain for me the pardon of
them; nor from the devils, because thou art more powerful than all hell together;
nor even from Jesus, my Judge, because by one prayer from thee He will be
appeased. But one thing I fear; that, in the hour of temptation, I may through
negligence fail to have recourse to thee, and thus perish miserably. Obtain for me,
therefore, the pardon of my sins, love for Jesus, final perseverance, and the grace
ever to have recourse to thee, O Mother of perpetual help.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES

O EVER immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners,
Comfort of the afflicted, thou knowest my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; deign
to cast upon me a look of mercy By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, thou wert
pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence thou didst dispense thy favors,
and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual
and corporal. I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence, to implore
thy maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests.
Through gratitude for thy favors, I will endeavor to imitate thy virtues, that I may
one day share thy glory. Amen.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us, who have recourse to thee!

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.

Ejaculation

O thee, O Virgin Mother, who wast never defiled with the slightest stain of original or
actual sin, I commend and entrust the purity of my heart.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., Nov. 26, 1854.

A PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN, MOTHER OF PURE LOVE

O HOLY Virgin, thou art my good Mother, and by excellence, the Mother of pure love.
Thou hast obtained for me many graces during the course of my life ; be pleased to
obtain one favor more, which will crown all the rest this is to love my God to love
Him purely, to love Him ardently, to love Him constantly as long as I shall remain on
earth that I may have the happiness of loving Him eternally with thee in heaven.
Amen.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LIGHT

OUR Lady of light, spouse of the Holy Ghost, I give thee my whole self, soul and
body, all that I have, or may have, to keep for Jesus, that I may be His for evermore.

Our Lady of light, spouse of the Holy Ghost, pray for me.

A FORM OF CONSECRATION TO THE MOTHER OF GOD

(Used by St. Aloysius Gonzaga)

MOST holy Mary, my Lady, to thy faithful care and particular protection and to the
bosom of thy mercy, today and every day, and particularly at the hour of my death,
I commend my soul and my body; all my hope and consolation, all my trials and
miseries, my life and the end of my life, I commit to thee, that through thy most
holy intercession and by thy merits all my actions may be directed and ordered
according to thy will and that of thy divine Son. Amen.

Indulgence of 200 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 15, 1890.

PRAYER SAID IN SOME RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES ON SATURDAY EVENINGS

MOST holy Virgin! Immaculate Queen! Mother of God and our own dear Mother,
Mary! Refuge of sinners! Comfortress of the afflicted, prostrate at thy feet, in the
presence of thy heavenly court, we consecrate ourselves to thy service. We choose
thee for our Mistress and our Queen; accept us as thy servants, and receive the
offering of our bodies and our souls, of our hearts and our minds, of all that we are
and possess. We offer thee this house and community, our friends and relatives,
and all whom we love in this world. Take us all under thy protection, and give us thy
blessing, O most dear Mother. Protect us against temptation, deliver us from
danger, assist us in our infirmities, comfort us in our afflictions, preserve us from
sin, and at the hour of our death, O come, dear Mother, and take our souls and bring
them to paradise, that we may serve thee, and thank thee, and bless thee, and
glorify thy beloved Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ, eternally. Amen.

PRAYER OF A RELIGIOUS TO MARY

If Mary so loves the faithful, how must she not love Religious who have sacrificed
their liberty, their life, their all for the love of Jesus Christ!

MOST amiable, loving, and beloved Queen, I render thee continual thanks, as also to
my Savior, for having taken me out of the world and called me to this Order, where
devotion to thee is singularly held in honor and practiced. Take me into thy service,
O my tender Mother; miserable though I be, yet refuse me not a place among the
many souls thou boldest dear. After God, thou shalt always be my hope and my
love. In all my needs, in all my trials, in all my temptations, it is to thee that I will
always have recourse as my refuge and my consolation. I wish for naught but God
and thee to support me in the struggles and sorrows of life. I renounce all else,
preferring to serve thee rather than to reign over the whole world. For me, to reign
means to serve, love, and bless thee on earth, my sweetest sovereign; for as St.
Anselm says, serving thee is reigning. Mother of perseverance, obtain for me the
grace of being faithful to thee until death, faithful in my vows, faithful in imitating
thy virtues, and thus I hope to arrive one day in thy glorious dwelling: there will I
kneel at thy feet, to praise thee, and thank thee for thy goodness and mercy. Jesus
and Mary! Sweet objects of my love; for you will I labor and suffer; may I serve you
in life, may I bless you, and love you forever.

O dearest Mother, pray for me, that I may one day be united in heaven with thy
divine Son, Who has redeemed me by His precious blood.

When my soul shall leave this world and all its perishable goods, to appear before
the judgment-seat of thy divine Son, then, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary,
intercede with Him for me, that He may be to me a Savior and not a Judge.

Oh, do thou thyself present my soul before the throne of Jesus, that I may see Him
face to face, adore and love Him forever, Whom I now adore here in the Most Holy
Sacrament. Amen.

THE THIRTY DAYS PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

In Honor of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

It is particularly recommended as a proper devotion for every day in Lent, and on all
Fridays throughout the year.

EVER-GLORIOUS and Blessed Virgin, Queen of virgins, Mother of mercy, hope and
comfort of dejected souls, through that sword of sorrow which pierced thy tender
heart, whilst thine only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, suffered death and ignominy on
the cross; through that filial tenderness and pure love He had for thee, grieving in
thy grief, whilst from His cross He recommended thee to the care and protection of
His beloved disciple, St. John: take pity, we beseech thee, on our poverty and
necessities; have compassion on our anxieties; assist and comfort us in all our
infirmities and miseries. Thou art the Mother of mercies, the sweet consolatrix and
refuge of the desolate and afflicted: look, therefore, with pity on us, miserable
children of Eve, and hear our prayer: for since, in just punishment of our sins, we
are encompassed by evils, whither can we fly for more secure shelter than to thy
maternal protection? Attend, therefore, with an ear of pity, we beseech thee, to our
humble and earnest request. We ask it through the mercy of thy dear Son, and
through the love and condescension wherewith He embraced our nature, when, in
compliance with the divine will, thou gavest thy consent, and Whom, after the
expiration of nine months, thou didst bring forth from thy chaste womb to visit this
world, and bless it with His presence. We ask it through the anguish of mind
wherewith thy beloved Son, our dear Savior, was overwhelmed on Mount Olivet,
when He besought His eternal Father to remove from Him, if possible, the bitter
chalice of His future Passion. We ask it through the threefold repetition of His prayer
in the garden, from whence afterwards, with mournful tears, thou didst accompany
Him to the doleful theater of His sufferings and death. We ask it through the welds
and sores of His virginal flesh, occasioned by the cords and whips wherewith He was
bound and scourged when stripped of His seamless garment, for which His
executioners afterwards cast lots. We ask it through the scoffs and ignominies by
which He was insulted, the false accusations and unjust sentence by which He was
condemned to death, and which He bore with heavenly patience. We ask it through
His bitter tears and sweat of blood, His silence and resignation, His sadness and
grief of heart. We ask it through the blood which trickled from His royal and sacred
head, when struck with the scepter of a reed and pierced with His crown of thorns.
We ask it through the torments He endured, when His hands and feet were fastened
with gross nails to the tree of the cross. We ask it through His vehement thirst and
bitter potion of vinegar and gall. We ask it through His dereliction on the cross,
when He exclaimed: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" We ask it
through His mercy extended to the good thief, and through His recommending His
precious soul into the hands of His eternal Father before He expired, saying: "All is
consummated." We ask it through the blood mixed with water which issued from His
sacred side when pierced with a lance, and whence a flood of grace and mercy hath
flowed to us. We ask it through His immaculate life, bitter Passion, and ignominious
death upon the cross, at which nature itself was thrown into convulsions, by the
bursting of rocks, rending of the veil of the Temple, the earthquake, and darkness of
the sun and moon. We ask it through His descent into hell, where He comforted the
saints of the Old Law, and led captivity captive. We ask it through His glorious
victory over death, His triumphant Ascension into heaven, and through the grace of
the Holy Ghost, infused into the hearts of the disciples when He descended on them
in the form of fiery tongues. We ask it through His awful appearance on the last day,
when He shall come to judge the living and the dead, and shall destroy the world by
fire. We ask it through the compassion He bore thee, and the ineffable joy thou didst
feel at thine assumption into heaven, where thou art absorbed in the sweet
contemplation of His divine perfections. O glorious and ever-blessed Virgin, comfort
the hearts of thy supplicants, by obtaining for us. And as we are persuaded that our
divine Savior honors thee as His beloved Mother, to whom He can refuse nothing, so
let us experience the efficacy of thy powerful intercession, according to the
tenderness of thy maternal affection, and the charity of His amiable Heart, which
mercifully granteth the requests, and complieth with the desires of those who love
and fear Him. O most Blessed Virgin, besides the object of our present petition, and
whatever else we may stand in need of, obtain for us of thy dear Son, Our Lord and
Our God, lively faith, firm hope, perfect charity, true contrition, a horror of sin, love
of God and our neighbor, contempt of the world, and patience and resignation
under the trials and difficulties of this life. Obtain for us, also, O sacred Mother of
God, the gift of final perseverance, and the grace to receive the last Sacraments
worthily at the hour of death. Lastly, obtain, we beseech Thee, for our parents,
relatives, our Sisters in Religion, and our benefactors, whether living or dead, life
everlasting. Amen.

PRAYER OF ST. ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI

To the B. V. Mary

MOST holy and immaculate Virgin! O my Mother, thou who art the Mother of my
Lord, the Queen of the world, the Advocate, Hope, and Refuge of sinners! I, the
most wretched among them, now come to thee. I worship thee, great Queen, and
give thee thanks for the many favors thou hast bestowed on me in the past; most of
all do I thank thee for having saved me from hell, which I had so often deserved. I
love thee, Lady most worthy of all love, and, by the love which I bear thee, I promise
ever in the future to serve thee, and to do what in me lies to win others to thy love.
In thee I put all my trust, all my hope of salvation. Receive me as thy servant, and
cover me with the mantle of thy protection, thou who art the Mother of mercy! And
since thou hast so much power with God, deliver me from all temptations, or at
least obtain for me the grace ever to overcome them. From thee I ask a true love of
Jesus Christ, and the grace of a happy death. O my Mother, by thy love for God I
beseech thee to be at all times my helper, but above all at the last moment of my
life. Leave me not until thou seest me safe in heaven, there for endless ages to
bless thee and sing thy praises. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time; plenary indulgence once a month, on the usual
conditions. Pius IX., Sept. 7, 1854.

THREE OFFERINGS IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

I. HOLIEST Virgin, with all my heart I worship thee above all the angels and saints in
paradise as the daughter of the eternal Father, and to thee I consecrate my soul and
all its powers.

Hail Mary, etc.

II. HOLIEST Virgin, with all my heart I worship thee above all the angels and saints in
paradise as the Mother of the only-begotten Son, and to thee I consecrate my body
with all its senses.

Hail Mary, etc.

III. HOLIEST Virgin, with all my heart I worship thee above all the angels and saints
in paradise as the spouse of the Holy Ghost, and to thee I consecrate my heart and
all its affections, praying thee to obtain for me from the ever-blessed Trinity all the
graces which I need for my salvation.

Hail Mary, etc.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time. Leo XII., Oct. 21, 1823.

AN ACT OF CONSECRATION TO OUR QUEEN AND MOTHER

O DOMINA mea! O mater MY Queen! My Mother!

mea! tibi me totum I give myself entirely
offero; atque ut me tibi pro- to thee; and to show my
bem devotum, consecro tibi devotion to thee, I conse-
hodie oculos meos, aures me- crate to thee this day my
as, os meum, cor meum, plane eyes, my ears, my mouth,
me totum. Quoniam itaque my heart, my whole being,
tuus sum, O bona mater, ser- without reserve. Wherefore
va me, defende me, ut rem good Mother, as I am thine
ac possessionem tuam own, keep me, guard me, as
thy property and possession

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX, Aug. 5, 1851.

THE REMEMBER OF OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART

 A Most Efficacious Prayer

(This and the following prayer are from the Visitation Manual.)

REMEMBER, O Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, the unlimited power that thou
possessest over the Heart of thy adorable Son. Full of confidence in thy merits, I
come to implore thy protection. O sovereign Mistress of the Heart of Jesus, of that
Heart which is the inexhaustible source of all graces, and which thou canst open at
thy pleasure, and cause all the treasures of love and mercy, of light and salvation,
that this Heart incloses, to descend upon man, grant me; I conjure thee, the favor I
solicit. No, I cannot bear a refusal, and because thou art my Mother, O Our Lady of
the Sacred Heart, favorably receive my prayer, and vouchsafe to grant my petition.
Amen.

AN ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE MOST HOLY HEART OF MARY

O HEART of Mary, ever Virgin! O heart the holiest, the purest, the most perfect, that
the Almighty hath formed in any creature; O heart, full of all grace and sweetness,
throne of love and mercy, image of the adorable Heart of Jesus, heart that didst love
God more than all the seraphim, that didst procure more glory to the most holy
Trinity than all the saints together, that didst endure for love of us the bitter dolors
at the foot of the cross, and dost so justly merit the reverence, love, and gratitude
of all mankind, I give thee thanks for all the benefits which thou hast obtained for
me from the divine Mercy; I unite myself to all the souls that find their joy and
consolation in loving and honoring thee. O heart most amiable, the delight and
admiration of the angels and the saints, henceforth thou shalt be to me, next to the
Heart of Jesus, the object of my tenderest devotion, my refuge in affliction, my
consolation in sorrow, my place of retreat from the enemies of my salvation, and, at
the hour of my death, the surest anchor of my hope. Amen.

O HOLY Mother of God, glorious Queen of heaven and earth! I choose thee this day
for my Mother, and my Advocate at the throne of thy divine Son. Accept the offering
I here make of my heart. May it be irrevocable. It never can be out of danger whilst
at my disposal; never secure but in thy hands. Obtain for me at present the gift of
true repentance, and such graces as I may afterwards stand in need of, for the
gaining of life everlasting. Amen.

OFFICIUM PARVUM BEATAE MARIAE VIRGINIS

(In Latin and English)

INDULGENCES

INDULGENCES for saying the "Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

To those who shall recite the whole Office of the Blessed Virgin, even to those who
are bound to recite it, an indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines once a
day; a plenary indulgence, once a month, on any day, to those who have recited it
on every day of the month on the usual conditions; indulgence of 300 days, once a
day, to those who shall recite only Matins and Lauds; an indulgence of 50 days for
the reciting of each hour of said Office, as also for the reciting of the Vespers and
Compline apart from the rest of the office. Leo XIII., Nov. 17, 1887; Dec. 8, 1897.

For the hymn Ave Marts Stella, an indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Jan.
27, 1888.

For the "Song of the Blessed Virgin Mary," The Magnificat, an indulgence of 100
days, once a day; an indulgence of seven years and as many quarantines once
every Saturday in the year. Leo XIII., Sept. 20, 1879; Feb. 22, 1888.

During Eastertide Alleluia is not added to the Invitatory, Versicles, or Responses.

The first Office (I.) is to be said from the day following Candlemas until Vespers of
the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent, save that on the Annunciation it is
said as in Advent.

The second Office (II.) is to be said from Vespers of the Saturday before the first
Sunday of Advent until Vespers on Christmas Eve, and on the day of the
Annunciation.

The third Office (III.) is to be said from Vespers on Christmas Eve until Candlemas
inclusive

COMMENTS ON THE RUBRICS OF THE LITTLE OFFICE

THE Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary is of ancient usage in the Church. It was
recited by the clergy and devout laity, and practiced by rule in religious
monasteries, even, from the sixth and seventh centuries, and probably at an earlier
period. There is at least sufficient historical evidence to prove that a liturgical form
of prayer in honor of Our Lady is of very early times.

This Office was instituted by the Church, guided by the Spirit of God, and is divided
into seven canonical hours, according to the following order, set down in the Roman
Breviary: 1st, Vespers; 2d, Compline; 3d, Matins with Lauds; 4th, Prime; 5th, Tierce;
6th, Sext; and 7th, None. These canonical terms should be adopted in naming the
hours.

As a rule, in the recitation of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary the
Antiphons of the Psalms are announced in the manner that is proper to an Office of
simple rite, i.e., the first words (preceding the asterisk) only of the Antiphons are
said before the Psalms, but the entire Antiphon is recited after the Psalms.

There is, however, an exception to this rule, though this fact seems to be commonly
overlooked, and therefore we have printed the Antiphons in full both before and
after the Psalms. Ordinarily, indeed, the Office being of a simple rite, only the first
words of the Antiphons are said before the Psalms.

But on certain occasions the Antiphons are recited as of double rite, i.e., all the
Antiphons to the Psalms and Canticles have to be said in full before and after, as
appears from the following decree of the Roman Congregation, dated February 27,
1883.

This is a reply to some dubia, which were submitted to the Congregation of Sacred
Rites by a Sisterhood in the diocese of Rennes:

The hymn Te Deum must be said in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary from
Christmas until Septuagesima, and from Easter until Advent; but in Advent and from
Septuagesima until Easter, only on the Feasts of the Blessed Virgin.

In Choro, on those days on which feasts of double rite are celebrated, the Antiphons
for Matins, Lauds, and Vespers are to be doubled, i.e., said entire before and after
the Psalms, whenever the Office is recited in full, viz., with three Nocturns. If,
however, only one Nocturn is recited on festa duplicia, the Antiphons must not be
doubled. The Latin text of this decree reads as follows: "In Officio parvo B. M. V.
recitari debet Te Deum a Nativitate Domini usque ad Septuagesimam, et a
Dominica Resurrectionis usque ad Adventum; in Adventu autem et a Septuagesima
usque ad Pascha nonnisi in festis B. M. V.

"In Choro diebus, quibus celebrantur festa duplicia, Antiphonae ad Matutinum,

Laudes et Vesperas duplicanda sunt, si officium recitetur integrum, i.e., cum t-ribus
Nocturnis, non vero si unum tantum Nocturnum recitetur."

CEREMONIAL

LET all things be done decently and according to order," says St. Paul (i Cor. xiv,
40). The use of ceremonial is toward this end, and is inspired by the spirit of
reverence. In the following we offer suggestions, based upon the practices of well-
organized Communities, which have been found to answer.

(1) At the sound of the bell the Community meet at some place outside the chapel,
and form into two ranks, the youngest nearest the entrance, the Superior last. At
the given signal they enter the choir, two and two, and, after genuflecting, proceed
to their respective stalls.

(2) Kneeling, they say silently the introductory prayer.

(3) When the Superior gives the signal (by a tap on the desk) they rise, and bowing
profoundly (so that the tips of fingers may touch the knees), say in silence the A-ve
Maria,

(4) At the signal, all turning eastward (i.e., toward the altar), the Superior, or the
Hebdomadary, that is, the one who for the week conducts the service, begins
Domine labia mea aperies, making a sign of the cross upon the lips; then, Deus in
adjutorium meum intende, making the large sign of the cross.

(5) At the Gloria all turn, facing each other, and bow profoundly.
(6) Then the first Cantor goes into the middle to the Lectern and commences the
Invitatory, to which both sides of the choir respond. The Psalm is said by the Cantor.
On the greater festivals two Cantors should be used.

(7) In the third verse, at the words Venite adoremus, all kneel till the words Nos
autem, when they rise for the repetition of the Invitatory.

(8) The first line of the hymn is given out by the first Cantor and the rest of the
verse is taken up by his side of the choir; then the second choir take up the second
verse, and so on, both choirs joining in and bowing profoundly for the last verse.

(9) The Antiphon is given out by the first Cantor, and also the Psalm up to the
asterisk, then all his side of the choir take it up. At the end the Cantor repeats the
Antiphon, and the second Cantor from the other side begins the second Antiphon
and Psalms.

(10) While the Psalms are being said the choir can recline in their stalls or sit down.

(11) A short pause ought to be made just after the last verse, and all, rising and
bowing profoundly, say the Gloria Patri.

N.B. This always takes place before the Gloria Patri whenever said at the end of a
Psalm.

(12) The Psalms over, all rise; the first Cantor says the Versicle, to which all
respond.

(13) The Superior, or Hebdomadary, says Pater Noster aloud, then all, bowing,
continue it in secret till Et ne nos, which is said by the Superior aloud, and all, rising,
make the answer.

(14) The Superior then gives the absolution.

(15) The Reader goes to the Lectern and after genuflecting turns, bowing toward the
Superior, and says Jube domine. After the blessing, given by the Superior, to which
all reply Amen, the choir sits while the Reader reads the Lesson.

(16) At the end of the Lesson the choir, started by the Cantor, say the Responsory;
but the versicle is said by the Reader, who having said it retires to his place, while
the next one in order comes out to read the second Lesson.

(17) The Superior, or Hebdomadary, ought to read in his place the third Lesson,
during which, if it be the Superior, all stand out of respect.

(18) The Lessons over, the Te Deum is started by the Cantor, all rising and facing
eastward.

(19) At the Te ergo all kneel, facing one another, rising at the next verse.
(20) If Matins is not followed at once by Lauds after the Te Deum the Versicle,
Domine exaudi orationem, with the Prayer from Lauds and the concluding Versicles,
are said. Otherwise

AT LAUDS

i. All turning toward the altar, the Superior or Hebdomadary begins, making the sing
of the cross, Deus in adjutorium. At the Gloria all turn, facing one another, and
bowing, profoundly, say the Gloria Patri.

N.B. This ceremonial is used at all the hours.

(2) The first Cantor starts the first Antiphon and Psalm and repeats the former at the
end, and so with the third and fifth.

(3) The second Antiphon and Psalm are started by the second Cantor, and so with
the fourth.

(4) During the Psalms in this and all other hours the choir recline in their stalls or sit,
as the custom may be. The former for preference.

(5) If it is found that the reciting note is lowered after several Psalms, at the
Laudate it will be well for the first Cantor to raise the pitch when giving out the
Antiphon.

(6) The Psalmody over, all rise and face eastward while the Superior, or the
Hebdomadary, says the Little Chapter, to which all answer, Deo Gratias. Then, all
turning face-ways, the first Cantor gives out the first line of the hymn and all his
side continue it. The second verse is said by the opposite choir, and all bow during
the last verse.

(7) The versicle is said by the Cantor, and all make the Response.

(8) Then he starts the Antiphon and the Benedictus.

(9) At the Canticle, which is to be said more solemnly than the rest of the Office, all
turn eastwards and make the sign of the cross.

N.B. This is done at the three Canticles. The Gloria is said as usual.

(10) After the repetition by the Cantor of the Antiphon, the first Cantors side starts
Kyrie eleison, to which the second Cantors side responds Christe eleison, both sides
joining in the last invocation. Then the Superior, or Hebdomadary, says the
Versicles, to which all respond, and the prayer, during which all except the reciter
bow profoundly, rising to answer Amen. Then follows the Commemoration. All say
the Antiphon; the Cantor follows with the Versicle, to which all respond; the
Superior, or other, recites the prayer.

(11) After the concluding Versicles, all bow while saying together in secret the Pater,
rising for the Dominus det nobis.
(12) All then kneel (except from Saturday Vespers until after Sunday s Compline and
during Paschal time, when all remain standing, but facing eastwards) for the
Antiphon of Our Lady, which being over, after a few moments private prayer, all
retire as they entered. Having arrived at the appointed place (called the statio) the
Superior passes through the ranks and turning, salutes each side, and then all
depart in peace.

THE LITTLE HOURS

(1) These are said in the same way.

(2) The Hymn comes before the Psalms.

VESPERS

(1) All as at Lauds, with the following exception.

(2) In the second Psalm all bow while saying the Sit nomen Domini benedictum.

(3) All kneel for the first verse of the Ave Maris Stella.

COMPLINE

(1) The Converte is said turned eastwards, toward the altar.

(2) The rest of the Office as above.

(3) The Superior gives the final blessing, during which all bow profoundly.

(4) The Antiphon of Our Lady follows at once.

PRAYER TO BE SAID BEFORE DIVINE OFFICE

PRAYER TO BE SAID AFTER DIVINE OFFICE

To those who, after Divine Office, shall on their knees recite with devotion the
following prayer, Pope Leo granted indulgence in respect of those shortcomings and
faults which they may have committed through human frailty, while saying Office.
 BONA MORS DEVOTIONS
Preparation for a Happy Death
Examination of Conscience
Prayers for Extraordinary Occasions
Prayers for the Sick and Dying
Administration of the Last Sacraments
Burial Service

Monthly Retreat or Day of Recollection and

Prayer in Preparation for a Happy Death

BESIDES the annual retreat, many Founders of Religious Orders have prescribed for
the members of their Institutes other short retreats, destined to prepare them for
the greater feasts, and at the same time to enable them to examine into the state
of their souls.

One day in the month is also fixed in most Religious Communities as a day of
special recollection, and of the renewal of fervor and zeal in the service of God, by
the most earnest consideration of Death and Eternity.

In all stages of the spiritual life it is necessary for us to enter often into ourselves; if
we are faithful, in order to persevere; if lukewarm, to reanimate ourselves; if
unobservant, to re-enter upon the duties of exact observance.

We are viatores travelers, journeying on toward our home. Love should spur us on
to walk the steep, narrow, and rugged road that leads to eternal life to the happy
home of the saints. But let us ponder over St. Ignatius prayer, that if love should
fail, the fear of hell might help him not to offend God.

The monthly day of retreat and of pondering exclusively on the end of man, and of
special exercises in preparation for death will be a powerful aid to perseverance and
to the earnest renewal of the Religious Vows.

In all thy works, O man, remember thy last end, and thou wilt never sin.

Consider what death is, what its effects are in regard to us to our body, which it
will reduce to ashes; to our soul, which it will instantaneously submit to the
judgment of infinite justice to those objects to which we have any attachment,
which have lead us in any way or degree to offend our Creator, and of which it will
certainly strip us naked. Father Dignam says:

Let us face the thought: death will certainly come; many religious even
procrastinate; we think that we have more time; when the distractions of teaching
and superintending are over when I can be more to myself, I will begin to live the
spiritual life indeed. Which of us can promise himself any such season of quiet? Who
can count upon another year of life, nay, another day?

Am I ready now? What shall I wish to do if I were this very hour called upon to give
my account for eternity? St. Aloysius said, if he were to be told that he should die at
the end of recreation, he would still go to recreation. Are we able to say the same?
Are all our duties performed equally to the satisfaction of our own conscience? If we
should have to change them in order to prepare for death certainly the necessity is
not less now let us be practical.

"At our judgment" we shall not be asked what sins we have committed, but whether
we have done the known will of God. In how many ways is Gods will made known to
us, and without any doubt? A criminal in the dock listens to the examination of his
case going on, he knows justice has to be done, there is no appeal now. Our time
will then be past: why not do now what we shall one day wish to have done, when it
will be too late?

Reflect well upon the following words:

"The measure of our fidelity upon earth will be the measure of the love which God
will have for us, and we for God, during all eternity."

Thoughts from St. Alphonsus on Death and Eternity

St. Augustine was wont to call the thought of eternity the Great Thought.

St. Teresa used to repeat to her spiritual daughters: "My children, one soul, one
eternity!" She meant to say: My children, we have but one soul, and if that is lost, all
is lost; and once lost, it is lost forever." In a word, upon that last breath which we
draw in dying depends our being either happy for ever, or forever in despair. If the
eternity of the next life, if paradise, if hell, were mere opinions of literary men, and
things of doubtful reality, even then we ought to take even care to live well, and not
run the risk of losing our soul forever. But no; for these things are not doubtful; they
are certainties, they are truths of faith; much more certain than the things which we
see with the eyes of the body.

Let us, then, pray to Our Lord to give us more faith, saying with the apostles: "Lord,
increase our faith!" For, if we are not strong in faith, we may become worse than
Luther or Calvin. On the contrary, one thought of lively faith in the eternity that
awaits us, may make us saints.

St. Gregory says that they who meditate on eternity are neither puffed up by
prosperity, nor cast down by adversity; because as they desire nothing in the world,
so they fear nothing from the world.

When it happens to us to suffer any infirmities or persecutions, let us remember the

hell which we have deserved by our sins. When we do this, every cross will seem to
us light, and we shall thank the Lord, and say: "It is the mercies of the Lord that we
are not consumed" (Lam. iii. 22). Let us say with David, "Unless the Lord had been
my helper, my soul had almost dwelt in hell" (Ps. xciii. 17)

I MUST ONE DAY DIE

IT is a practice very profitable for our eternal salvation, to say often to ourselves: "I
must one day die." The most precious objects which were carried by the anchorites
to their caves were a cross and a skull: the cross to remind them of the love which
Jesus Christ has had for us, and the skull to remind them of the day of their own
death. And thus they persevered in penitential works till the end of their days; and,
dying in poverty in the deserts, they died more happy than kings who die in
palaces.

If, then, we have faith, let us believe that there is a death, a judgment, an eternity;
and endeavor, during the days that yet remain for us, to live only for God. And
therefore let us take care to live as pilgrims on this earth, remembering that we
must speedily leave it. Let us live with death ever before our eyes; and in all the
affairs of this present life let us take care to act as we should act at the point of
death. All things upon earth either leave us, or we have to leave them. Let us listen
to Jesus Christ, Who says: "Lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
the rust nor moth doth consume" (Matt. vi. 20). O Lord, if I have been foolish in the
past, I will not be foolish any longer. Now I give myself wholly to Thee; do Thou
receive me, and help me with Thy grace.

PREPARATION FOR DEATH

DEATH is certain. "It is appointed unto men once to die" (Heb, ix. 27). On the
contrary, the time and the manner of our death are uncertain. Therefore Jesus Christ
exhorts us: "Be you then also ready, for at what hour you think not, the Son of man
will come" (Luke xii. 40). He says: "Be you ready"; therefore, to save our souls, it is
not sufficient to prepare ourselves to die when death seems to be approaching, but
we must then be already prepared. It is accordingly useful for everyone to repeat, at
least once a month, the following acts.

Behold me, O my God, ready to embrace that death which Thou dost destine for
me. From this moment I accept it, and I sacrifice to Thee my life in honor of Thy
divine Majesty, and also in penance for my sins, rejoicing that this my flesh, to
please which I have offended Thee so much, should be devoured by worms, and be
reduced to dust. O my Jesus, I unite the pains and the agony which I must then
suffer to the pains and agony which Thou, my Saviour, didst suffer in Thy death; I
accept death with all the circumstances Thou mayst appoint; I accept the time,
whether it be after many years, or very soon; I accept the manner, whether in bed
or out of it, whether with warning or suddenly, and from that sickness more or less
painful as it may please Thee. In everything I resign myself to Thy holy will. Give me
strength to suffer all with patience.

"What shall I render to the Lord for all the things that He hath rendered to me?" (Ps.
cxv. 12.) I thank Thee, my God, first, for the gift of faith, protesting that I intend to
die a child of the Holy Catholic Church. I thank Thee for not having caused me to die
when I was in sin, and for having so often pardoned me with so much mercy. I thank
Thee for so many lights and graces with which Thou hast sought to draw me to Thy
love. I thank Thee for having called me to the Religious state. I pray Thee to let me
die after receiving Thee in the holy Viaticum, so that, united to Thee, I may go to
present myself at Thy tribunal. I do not deserve to hear from Thy mouth the words:
"Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few
things, I will place thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matt.
xxv. 21).

I do not deserve it, for in nothing have I been perfectly faithful to Thee; but Thy
death gives me hope that I shall be admitted to heaven, to love Thee eternally and
with all my powers.

O my crucified Love, have mercy upon me! Look upon me with that love with which
Thou didst look upon me from the cross, when dying for me. "Remember not the
sins of my youth and my ignorances, O Lord." My sins terrify me, but I am comforted
by that cross on which I see Thee dead for the love of me. "Behold the wood of the
cross, on which hung the salvation of the world." I desire to end my life that I may
cease from offending Thee. Oh, by the blood that was shed for me, do Thou pardon
me all my sins before death comes upon me. O blood of the innocent One, wash
away the stains of the guilty!

My Jesus, I embrace Thy cross, and kiss the wounds of Thy sacred feet, before which
I desire to breathe out my soul. Ah, do not abandon me at the last moment. "We
beseech Thee, therefore, save Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy
precious blood." I love Thee with all my heart, I love Thee more than myself and I
repent with all my soul that I have despised Thee in the past. O Lord, I was lost, but
Thou in Thy goodness hast delivered me from the world; receive, then, my soul from
this moment for the hour when it shall leave the earth. Therefore I pray to Thee with
St. Agatha: "O Lord, Thou
Who hast taken from me the love of this world, receive my soul." "In Thee, O Lord,
have I hoped; I shall not be confounded forever; Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord
the God of truth."

O holy Virgin, succor me at the moment of my death. Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for me, a sinner, now and at the hour of my death; in thee, O Lady, have I
hoped, I shall not be confounded forever. St. Joseph, my protector, obtain for me a
holy death. My guardian angel, St. Michael the archangel, defend me in that last
conflict with hell. My holy patrons, and all ye saints of paradise, succor me in that
last moment. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with me at the hour of my death.

OFFERING OF MASS AND COMMUNION FOR THE MONTHLY RECOLLECTION

IN PREPARATION FOR DEATH

In connection with the Mass in honor of the Passion of Our Lord, the following
prayers may be serviceable.

OFFERING AT THE BEGINNING OF MASS

O MY God, I offer Thee this holy Mass this sublime sacrifice of adoration,
thanksgiving, reparation, and prayer in union with the Passion of Our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, and to obtain the grace of a happy death.
Innumerable are the thanks I owe Thee, my dear Redeemer, for the sacrifice which
Thou hast made of Thyself for me. I offer Thee my life in return; I offer it as a victim
to honor Thee; may it be made worthy of Thy acceptance united with Thy death on
the cross. Since love has made Thee die for me, it is but just that with a good will I
accept of death for love of Thee. Had I a thousand lives, they would be too little to
give Thee. I embrace death with joy; as it will free me from the possibility of
offending Thee, I embrace it with resignation as the punishment due for my sins. I
accept it at the moment, in the place, and in the manner that Thou wiliest; let earth
return to earth, but grant that my soul, created to Thy image and redeemed by Thy
blood, may return unto Thee. I now humbly thank Thee for all Thy benefits, as I
desire to do at the last moment of my life, and when in my agony I shall not be able
to adore, thank, and praise Thee, my God, I desire still to be united to all those who
in heaven and on earth adore, praise, and thank Thee. I offer Thee now, for that
hour, my agonies, fears, and sufferings to be united to the bitter agony and
dolorous sufferings of my dying Savior, for the remission of my sins, for the eternal
glory of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Whose name be forever praised and whose
will be for ever done, in me and by me for all eternity.

MASS FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY

At the Offertory

SINCE death, O my God, is the punishment Thou ordainest for sin, it is with a
humble and submissive heart I accept Thy decree, I accept all the pains, trouble,
and anxieties which are to accompany it, asking only a true spirit of resignation, an
ardent love and desire to suffer all Thou mayest appoint, and sincere and heartfelt
contrition. Had I but once offended Thee, it were still too much; but I have multiplied
my sins above the hairs of my head in every place surrounded by Thy gifts, I have
sinned: no day of my life which is not stained. Oh, that I were capable of an infinite
sorrow to blot out all my sins! Accept, O Lord, in lieu of the grief that is wanting in
me, the sorrow of my Savior in the garden and upon the cross. If, dear Lord, I have
often ceased to be Thy dutiful child, Thou hast never ceased to be my loving Father.
All I can offer in satisfaction for my sins and ingratitude is my life, which I now offer
with all my heart; at this very instant deprive me of it, if Thou wiliest I resign it unto
Thee. Yet, O my God, I am full of fears, my sins being so great and Thy judgments so
terrible; but are not Thy mercies greater than all? Should I not then confide in Thee
with a firm hope? Yes, I cast myself into the abyss of Thy mercies. Had I but this
moment to live I would employ it in loving Thee. I fear not, under the cover of Thy
mercy, insured to me by the blood of Jesus Christ, which He has shed for me, and
which He is again about to offer on this altar.

O dear Lord Jesus Christ, I recommend my soul into Thy hands: Thou hast bought it
with Thy blood; it is Thine; I abandon it to Thy divine will, and to the judgment Thou
shalt pronounce upon it, confidently hoping that Thou wilt save what Thou hast
loved unto death.

After the Elevation

HAIL, Jesus, sacred Victim! Who, in the moment of Thy Incarnation, didst accept the
bitter Passion and death prepared for Thee, I, in union with Thy holy and perfect
sacrifice, accept whatever death Thou hast ordained for me. I desire that the last
act of my liberty may be an act of obedience to Thy divine will, in union with Thy
obedience when, bowing down Thy head, Thou didst render Thy pure soul into the
hands of Thy eternal Father. With Thee, dear Jesus, may I say, All is consummated;"
and may my soul, when freed from its earthly bonds, fly to the bosom of Thy love,
and be received by Thee into the kingdom of Thy glory.

At the Communion

MY Saviour! my Redeemer! my sovereign Love! come, take possession of my heart,

sanctify my soul, and replenish it with Thy graces. Would that I could die now when I
shall have received Thee, that, separated from all earthly things, I might be forever
united to Thee. Jesus, my Jesus, be to me a Jesus, especially in my last hour, and
fortify me in my departure out of this world against Thine enemies and mine; stay
with me, O Lord, stay with me, for it is late, the best part of my life is gone by the
evening comes on, the shadows of night approach. Oh, guide me safely through this
vale of tears be my light amidst the shadows of death, be my hope and strength in
my last struggle, and my reward for all eternity.

Make an act of sincere contrition, a renewal of vows, and receive Jesus Christ as the
viaticum of your soul.

Contrition

O MY God! I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest my sins above
every other evil, because they displease Thee, my God, Who, for Thy infinite
goodness, art so deserving of all my love; and I firmly resolve, by Thy holy grace,
never more to offend Thee, and to amend my life.

CONSIDERATIONS AND RENEWAL OF VOWS

Prayer

BEHOLD me, O my God, prostrate at Thy sacred feet, penetrated with a profound
fear of Thy judgments and sorrow for my sins. Oh, cleanse my poor soul from its
stains, and drown my imperfections in the boundless ocean of Thy mercy. Give me,
O gracious Lord, true humility of spirit, that I may perfectly understand the abyss of
my own nothingness, and rightly comprehend the immensity of Thy goodness.
Dispel my darkness, O all-knowing God, with Thy divine light: conduct my reason in
the right way; confirm me in my good purpose of observing with renewed fervor and
fidelity Thy holy law, my Rule and Vows. I consecrate to Thee the remainder of my
life, and bequeath into Thy hands the spirit which Thou hast made from nothing. I
bequeath it to Jesus Christ, my Savior, Who redeemed it with His precious blood,
and to the Holy Ghost, Who sanctified it at baptism, and espoused it to Himself at
my holy profession, protesting that when in my last agony I shall be unable to
employ my tongue in praying and praising Thy divine Majesty, I desire still in mind
and heart to be firmly united to Thee, offering my agony to be united to the bitter
agony and suffering death of my Jesus, for the remission of my sins, and for His
eternal glory, Whose name be forever glorified, Whose praises be forever
celebrated, and Whose will be for ever done on earth as it is done in heaven.
O incomparable Virgin Mary! Mother of Jesus! Mother of mercy and my Mother! I
humbly and earnestly cry to thee to deliver me by thy prayers from the enemies of
my soul, to obtain for me pardon and remission of my sins, and to assist me in the
agonies of death.

O heavenly spirits, holy angels, and saints, pray for me.

A Renewal Vows

JESUS! divine Spouse of my soul, for me Thou hast just renewed the great sacrifice
of Calvary. What return shall I make to Thee for this excess of love! Ah! I will also
renew with all my heart the sacrifice I had the happiness of offering Thee on the day
of my profession. Again I will drive into my hands and feet the nails of my cherished
vows of obedience, chastity, and poverty. I will consider myself this day as a victim
unceasingly immolated to Thy Divine Heart, and I will accept in a spirit of love all
the sacrifices demanded of me for the faithful observance of my vows and Rules,
too happy to be able, even in a small degree to return Thee love for love sacrifice
for sacrifice. Amen.

HOW TO MAKE OUR MONTHLY RECOLLECTION, TOGETHER

WITH THE PREPARATION FOR DEATH

THE object of this pious exercise, which is usually made on the first or the last
Sunday of every month, is, first, to discover, not only our faults, but their roots and
sources also, and to examine whether we have made any progress in virtue;
secondly, to seek the necessary means of amendment and progress; and thirdly, to
dispose our will to practice conscientiously our good resolutions.

When thou art at leisure, go in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, or else retire
to thy room, kneel, and, according to the directions given in the following chapter,
try to find put the state of thy soul, asking thyself and sincerely answering the
following questions:

1. To what faults and sins am I mostly subject?

2. How have I kept and executed my good resolutions? What is the occasion or
source of my want of fidelity?

3. Have I a good intention in all my actions? Am I not led by human respect? Have I
a particular affection or friendship for some one?

4. Do I punctually, conscientiously, and fervently discharge the duties of my office 5

Keep a correct account of the faults thou now discoverest and compare it with that
of the previous month. Excite a hearty sorrow for these faults, and, at the next
occasion, confess the most important ones, and consult thy confessor concerning
them. At a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and at thy next holy communion offer thy
resolutions to Our Lord, beg for grace to put them into practice, and recommend
thyself to the Blessed Virgin and to the saints of thy Order.

From "Helps to a Spiritual Life": Schneider-Girardey.

MEDITATION ON THE PRESENT STATE OF OUR SOUL

PREPARATORY PRAYER. O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art here present,
and I acknowledge that, because of my sins, I am wholly unworthy to appear in Thy
holy presence. Trusting, nevertheless, in Thy infinite goodness and mercy, I venture
to speak to Thee, to call upon Thy holy name, and to meditate on Thy teachings and
commandments, in order always to know better and fulfill more faithfully Thy holy
will. Enlighten, then, my understanding that I may discover what I should do or omit
in order to promote my salvation, that I may, with my whole heart, repent of my sins
and of my neglect and want of fidelity in Thy service, and resolve to perform all that
Thou requirest of me. Grant me especially the grace to know Jesus Christ, my
Redeemer and Guide, always better and better, so that I may love Him more
ardently, and may, after His example, labor, combat, and suffer with generosity and
self-sacrifice.

First Prelude. Vividly imagine yourself standing before the throne of the divine
Majesty.

Second Prelude. Pray to God for light to appreciate the value of the graces and
benefits hitherto received, and to acknowledge and repent of the malice of your
past faults and sins, and to make appropriate resolutions.

I. Point. Consider the benefits thou hast received this month (this week), and
especially perseverance in thy vocation, the numerous powerful means of
perfection, thy daily spiritual exercises such as meditation, examens of conscience,
spiritual reading, visit to the Blessed Sacrament, the frequent reception of the
sacraments, the constant watchfulness and direction of thy Superiors, the good
example of thy companions, the many divine inspirations, preservation from
grievous sins, the diminution of the number of venial sins, the greater ease in
overcoming temptations, a more ardent love of thy vocation, increased facility in
overcoming the difficulties and obstacles of perfection. "It is true, the Lord is good,
and His mercy endureth for ever. What shall I render to the Lord for all that He has
rendered to me?"

II. Point. Investigate the present state of thy soul, and especially how thou hast
conducted thyself and what care thou didst bestow on thy ordinary daily exercises.

1. How hast thou behaved toward God? What courage, what desire didst thou feel
and nourish in thyself for the attainment of perfection? How didst thou perform thy
spiritual exercises? Didst thou experience therein greater devotion and consolation
than formerly, or, at least, didst thou show more zeal and endurance? Of didst thou
rather experience desolation and dryness, or even relax in fervor and fidelity? In
keeping thy vows and rules, was thy motive love or fear? Hast thou not failed to
make that progress in perfection which, with God s help, thou couldst have made?
Reflect on some special occasions of so doing which presented themselves to thee.
2. What has been thy conduct toward thy Superiors? Didst thou always endeavor to
consider Jesus Christ Himself in the person of thy Superiors? Didst thou always show
them due respect and love? Didst thou willingly, humbly, and perfectly obey thy
Superiors of inferior rank? And this without murmur, without excuse, without
pretexting difficulties? Wert thou open-hearted and sincere toward thy Superior, or
didst thou act deceitfully toward him?

3. How hast thou conducted thyself toward thy companions in Religion? Didst thou
sincerely love them all and prefer them to thyself? Didst thou not wound fraternal
charity and concord? Hast thou no particular affection for some one? Dost thou
entertain an aversion for some one? Didst thou strive by true humility, simplicity,
patience, discretion, love, and modesty to render thyself amiable before God and
men? Didst thou endeavor to preserve peace of heart? Wast thou considerate in
speech and in intercourse with others?

4. How hast thou fulfilled thy personal duties? Didst thou love poverty as a mother?
Didst thou cheerfully bear its privations? Wast thou always content to get the
poorest in all things? Didst thou desire it? Didst thou exert thyself to preserve purity
of body and soul? Didst thouat once strive to suppress all impure thoughts and
representations? Didst thou carefully watch over thy senses? Didst thou, without or
against the will of thy Superiors, exceed in acts of exterior mortification, or show
thyself negligent therein?

Wast thou diligent and careful in thy daily duties? Didst thou rise in the morning at
the very first sound of the bell? Didst thou then at once raise thy thoughts to God,
to the subject of thy particular examen, of thy meditation? Didst thou endeavor to
preserve recollection of mind? Didst thou say thy morning prayers attentively? Didst
thou make a good meditation? Didst thou assist at holy Mass with reverence and
devotion? Didst thou recite well thy usual prayers? Didst thou observe moderation
at thy meals? Didst thou mortify thy appetite in some small thing? Didst thou pay
attention to the reading at table? How didst thou spend the time of recreation?
Didst thou try to keep up and promote therein spiritual conversation? Didst thou
make thy spiritual reading well? Didst thou carefully make the two examens of
conscience?

After thus examining thyself compare thy present with thy past state. If thou
perceivest that thou hast made some progress, thank God for it, and resolve to be
hence forth as conscientious and to strive to make still greater progress. If,
however, the contrary has been the case, resolve earnestly to amend and to make
up for thy deficiencies.

Finally, beseech our divine Savior and His blessed Mother to deign to preserve thee
in fervor. "The most effective means to persevere in good and to make progress in
the spiritual life," says St. Francis de Sales, "consists in frequently calling to mind
what we promised to God in the days of our primitive fervor after mature
deliberation. If he who, from time to time, renews his good resolutions is not wholly
free from faults, what will become of him who never, or only very seldom, renews
them?"
 Examen on the Rules

"O mors, finis temporis, et initium aeternitatis! quam terribilis es iis quibus
peccatum est jucundum."

1. AM I ready to die? Would I be satisfied at this moment to appear before my

Judge?

2. Since my last examination into the state of my soul, have I acquired any degree
of virtue, conquered any degree of vice? Not to advance is to go back.

3. Do I constantly recall to mind the end of my creation, and the particular end of
my entrance into religion? Why have I become a Religious?

4. In the exercise of the active functions of my institute, do I take care to be

animated by the spirit of the Rule? Do I endeavor to acquire the virtues pointed out
as essential to the perfection of each ? Woe to me if I do the work of God
negligently.

5. How do I perform my spiritual duties, say my Office, etc.? Am I careful in forming

my intention, and in placing myself in the presence of God before I begin?

6. Do I sedulously attend to the exercise of mental prayer, and endeavor to take my

delight and comfort in it?

7. Do I daily assist at Mass with all possible attention and devotion?

8. How do I communicate? Do I endeavor to do so with a lively faith, profound

humility, and utmost purity? What profit do I draw or propose to myself to draw from
each communion?

9. Do I habituate myself to offer the labors and fatigues of my state, and all the
mortifications I undergo, with all my pains of mind and body, in union with all the
sufferings of my crucified Spouse?

10. Is Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist the constant object of my affections
and devotion? Do I often reflect on the infinite charity displayed for us in this
Adorable Sacrament, and, by frequent visits during the day, pay assiduous court to
my divine Spouse?

11. In all my anxieties, fears, and afflictions, in all my temptations, do I seek

comfort and consolation at the foot of the altar?

12. Is the Sacred Heart of Jesus the object of my most tender love, and am I faithful
in endeavoring to atone for the outrages suffered by Him in the Adorable
Sacrament?

13. Have I a warm and affectionate devotion toward the Blessed Virgin? Do I regard
her in a special manner as my Mother and the great model I am obliged to imitate?
Have I unlimited confidence in her, and do I recur to her in all my difficulties and
spiritual wants? Am I studying, by the imitation of her virtues, to render myself
worthy of her protection? Do I endeavor all I can to impress on the minds of others
the greatest respect, veneration, and love for her?

14. Do I endeavor to acquit myself of my ordinary duties prayer, examen, Mass,

Office, lecture, meals, recreations, etc., with all possible care and attention? Have I
the purest intention of pleasing God in all? Do I look on purity of intention as an
essential duty of religion; and do I carefully watch over myself and guard against
the insinuations of self-love, self-complacency, and vain-glory? Do I allow myself to
act through caprice or inclination, or do I try to do all as directed, with regularity and
exactness, referring all with fervor to the divine honor and glory, in union with the
most holy actions and infinite merits of Jesus Christ? Am I faithful in making my
morning offering, and in renewing it during the day? Do I often recall to mind the
means appointed for acquiring this purity of intention 1st, to keep myself in the
presence of God; 2d, to perform each work as if it were the only one I had to do; 3d,
to fulfill the duty of every day as if that day were to be the last of my mortal life?

15. Do I ever indulge idleness? Do I endeavor always and in all places to preserve in
my deportment a gravity becoming a Religious?

16. Do I observe silence in the time and manner prescribed in the Rule? In observing
it exteriorly, do I endeavor to keep my mind recollected and fixed on what may tend
to my perfection?

ON OBSERVANCE OF RULE

HAVE I a great esteem and love for our holy Rules and am I sincerely disposed to be
faithful to them? Do I neglect the minor observances; or have I the same love for
all? Do I fail in them through human respect? Do I practice those that are painful in
a spirit of mortification, or do I try to dispense myself from them, when I can do it
without being observed? Am I exact in all the exercises of the Community, and do I,
at the first sound of the bell, leave what I have in hand to answer its call? Have I
some attachment to particular devotions, rather than for general observances?
Have I the necessary zeal for the maintenance of regularity, and do I give bad
example by my frequent violations of Rule? Am I faithful in following the customs of
the Community, although not marked down in the Rules; and have I been disposed
to seek some relaxation therein, by unnecessary innovation or dispensations?

ON CHARITY

IS charity my favorite virtue as it was that of my divine Master? Do I study to

maintain it among the Sisters? Do I study in conversation, manners, and conduct to
avoid whatever might in the least disturb charity? Am I solicitous to repair the
smallest offence by asking pardon; and when others ask pardon of me, do I grant it
immediately, without contention or reserve? Am I always willing to assist and help
my Sisters, and do I bear with patience their defects, weaknesses, and
imperfections? Do I ever dispute? Do I ever speak of the faults of the Sisters? Do I
carefully avoid all suspicious and rash judgment all jealousy and envy?
Do I sincerely love al: my Sisters? Have I too marked a predilection for some
particular Sister, which causes an attachment in my heart; and do I manifest it in a
manner that does not edify? Am I obliging and accommodating equally to all, when
an opportunity offers to render a service? Do I blame inconsiderately? Do I
disapprove too easily? Do I show some repugnance to any Sister? Do I murmur? Do I
detract? Do I point out the faults of Sisters? Do I exaggerate them? Do I make
complaints imprudently?

ON HUMILITY

AM I particularly attentive to the practice of humility? "Learn of Me," says Jesus,

"because I am meek and humble of Heart."

Have I kept silence in regard to those matters which might gain me applause? Have
I suppressed what might gain esteem for others, especially respecting the practice
of virtue? Have I received humiliation with submission and meekness, with the
conviction that I merited to be humbled, forgotten, and despised? Have I submitted
to others in the spirit of humility, or have I depended too much on my own
prudence? Have I obstinately tried to carry out my own views? Have I acted with the
view of attracting the esteem and applause of others? Have I better fulfilled my
duty, or affected to appear more pious, when seen, than when not observed by
anyone? Was I not more eager for those things which might gain applause, than
what would pass unobserved? Have I, when praised, experienced satisfaction in it?
Have I spoken to my own advantage, or, when others praised me, did I artfully
continue the conversation? Did I think myself better than others, and did I dwell
with complaisance on myself, my talents, my natural qualities, or my supposed
spiritual excellency? In preferring myself to others, did I condemn or despise them
in my heart? Have I spoken too much of myself, or, in depreciating myself, have I
intended to draw on myself the praise of others, or to pass for one that is humble?
Have I too much dreaded lest my faults should be known, or have I concealed or
disguised them with too much care, lest I should be corrected or put in penance?
When corrected, did I excuse myself, and give frivolous reasons, in place of candidly
admitting my faults? In place of profiting by a reprehension, have I thrown the
blame on others? Have I taken correction in bad part, shown too much sensibility,
murmured, or attributed unkind motives to her who made it? Did I, on receiving a
penance, make resistance, or submit to it with bad grace, even by looks or by
murmuring? Have I answered with too much forwardness the Superior, my elders, or
those whom I should respect; and have I spoken with pride to my equals or juniors?
Has self-esteem made me look for special attention; have I felt jealous at others
being preferred to me?

ON OCCUPATIONS

HAVE I shown a repugnance for all employment, and sought that which was more in
accordance with my fancy, or avoided that which was contrary to it? Have I tried to
acquit myself of my charge and my duties in the sight of God, with care, exactness,
and fidelity, for the greater advantage of the Community, to the satisfaction of my
Superiors, and for the consolation of the Sisters? Have I too easily complained of an
employment because it was fatiguing, or because it left me no time for my private
devotions? And have I preferred these private devotions to duties of obligation?
Have I acted in harmony with the companion I have had in the same office; and
have I had for her the respect due to her, if my elder; or have I exercised the proper
meekness and charity toward her, if my junior? Have I not put her virtue to the test
by my caprices, my impatience, my want of condescension, and have I not even left
the most difficult share of the employment to her, in order to avoid trouble?

ON THE VOW OF OBEDIENCE

DO I continually bear in mind that by my vow of obedience I have forever resigned

my will to the direction of my Superior? Do I obey her as holding her authority from
God? Do I comply without hesitation with all the directions of my Superior, whether
in matters of great or little moment, agreeable or disagreeable? Do I ever murmur?
Do I absent myself from the common exercises without leave? Do I obey the call of
the bell as the voice of God and go quickly and joyfully to the Community exercises?
What has been my obedience, interior and exterior, to the Rule, the Constitutions,
and the customs of the house? Have I brought to each action its appropriate spirit?
Have I observed the holy Rules through love, and have I done nothing through
constraint? Have I been subject to all my Superiors alike for the love of God? Have I
fulfilled, not only the orders, but also the desires of my Superiors? Have I obeyed
carefully, without forgetting anything? Promptly, without delay or putting off?
Simply, without discourse or argument? Faithfully, embracing the command in its
full extent, and not in part only? Frankly and cordially, without murmur or excuse?
What has been my obedience with regard to those over me in office, to my
infirmarian, and to the doctor in times of illness? Have I sought my own satisfaction
in my obedience? Am I thoroughly convinced that the essence of the religious state
consists in obedience, based on the love of God, and has my obedience been full
and perfect, purely for God alone? Have I made strong objections, excuses or urgent
and persistent petitions to avoid an order or a charge,? Have I commented in a
frivolous, churlish, or disrespectful manner upon the orders of my Superiors or have
I ridiculed them? Have I obeyed from a supernatural motive, without secondary
intentions, such as self-interest or personal affection and esteem for my Superiors?
Did I show myself vexed and dejected on receiving orders contrary to my tastes and
inclinations? Have I interfered with the affairs of others, and by so doing disturbed
the order of the house? Am I in the habit of renouncing my own will and judgment,
and of bringing them into conformity with those of my Superiors? Do I obey as
willingly, when I imagine I see imperfections in my Superiors? Are my Superiors
obliged to treat me with care, and use words with nice discrimination in order to
induce me to be obedient? Do I submit equally in that which pleases me, as in that
which does not in what is tiresome and inconvenient, as in that which delights me?
Am I indifferent as regards work or rest? Silence or conversation? Consolations or
privations? Have I done anything without permission? Have I asked for leave in
vague terms, in obscure expressions, as though I were afraid of being understood?
Have I returned persistently to the charge, and thus extorted a permission which my
Superiors were unwilling to grant me? (In general, a good Religious requires few
permissions besides those for which the Rule authorizes her to ask.) Have I taken
general permissions, which, as a rule, diminish fervor and nourish self-love? Have I
in any way exceeded the permissions received as regards time, place, or
circumstances? Each time that I have asked a permission, have I been prepared to
receive a refusal with calmness and humility? How have I followed the counsel of
the apostle, to submit myself to all creatures for the love of God?
 ON IMITATION OF JESUS CHRIST

HAVE I imitated the obedience of Jesus in His hidden life at Nazareth? Can it be said
of me: "During the whole of her life she has been subject"? Have I always done, not
as I knew, but as I was told? Have I imitated Jesus in His agony in the garden, by
receiving with submission every kind of interior suffering? Have I sought for
consolation from all with whom I came in contact? Have I imitated Our Lord on
Calvary? Have I delivered myself up generously to be contradicted, humbled, and
crucified? Am I ready to give my very life for obedience, after the example of Pere
Lefevre, who said, "It is not necessary to live, but it is necessary to obey"?

ON THE VOW OF CHASTITY

DO I esteem nothing more precious than this heavenly gift; and do I place that strict
guard upon my senses prescribed by my Rule, lest the enemy should penetrate
through these avenues and tarnish the purity of my soul? Have I always considered
my body as the temple of the Holy Spirit? Do I hold it in honor? Am I careful to
observe due modesty while dressing and undressing? Do I allow myself too much
freedom when alone? Do I give too much liberty to my eyes? Have I cast curious or
culpable glances on dangerous objects, or on such objects which, although
indifferent in themselves, have nevertheless made a bad impression upon me on
former occasions? When in the parlor, have I observed religious gravity, modesty,
and humility? When God has permitted that I should be exercised with regard to this
virtue, have I been humble, distrustful of myself, and with the fullest confidence in
God, have I sought for help at once from Him? "Watch and pray, that you fall not
into temptation. Have I been careful in fighting all too natural affections? Have I
cultivated particular friendships? Have I given way to laziness, or sought my ease
and comfort too much in my manner of lying and sitting and leaning against
supports? How have I observed exterior order and cleanliness? Am I temperate and
polite at table? Have I given too much care to my exterior? Do I pray every day for
the virtue of purity ? Do I live and breathe only for my celestial Spouse? Have I
immolated the remembrances of the world, the legitimate love of my family, of my
friends, etc.? Have I been unable to do without the tender affection of my Superior
or mistress? Have I not sought to be preferred before my companions? Have I not
been troubled and preoccupied when I imagined myself to be less loved? Have I had
frequent recourse to my Superiors, not in order to receive good and useful counsel
from them, but to find satisfaction in an affection with regard to which I was all the
more reassured, because the object seemed to me the more holy? Am I too much
inclined to sentimentality in my spiritual exercises? And to the practice of favorite
devotions? Has my love for God been so disinterested and energetic that it has
known the secret of self-immolation for His glory, the salvation of souls, and my own
perfection? Have I easily condoned that tenderness in myself, which seeks only the
consolations of God, and will not put up with the slightest interior aridity or
suffering? Have I brought myself to act with the same vigor, the same devotedness,
the same evenness of mind, in days of darkness and hours of agony, as in days of
serenity and consolation? Have I known how to appreciate the happiness of total
self-abnegation, in which sentiment and enjoyment have no part: and which
requires, on the part of the soul, an entire donation; and on the part of God, a
perfect liberty and freedom of acting in her, unhindered by self-love? Am I ready to
make any sacrifice in order to render my heart more worthy of that of a spouse of
Jesus, tearing from it without pity everything which is in any way contrary to His
perfect dominion?

Yes, O my God, I love Thee and Thee alone; I love Thee purely for Thyself, and not
for Thy gifts.

One only heart, one only love, for one God alone."

ON THE VOW OF POVERTY

IN what esteem do I hold poverty? How do I observe my vow of poverty? Do I look

upon poverty as one of the most important means of perfection, as the mother and
guardian of virtues? Do I revolve in my mind how tenderly Jesus Christ cherished
holy poverty, and am I endeavoring to keep myself perfectly disengaged from the
things of this world? Am I contented with the food and raiment allowed me? Do I
possess anything superfluous? Do I look upon anything as my own? Is there
anything allowed to my use which I would find it difficult or painful to resign? Do I
consider myself happy in being called to a state of utter poverty? Am I truly pleased
to feel its effects in lodging, food, clothing, sickness? Do I trust implicitly in God, and
have I no fear of poverty? Am I happy when that which is old and worn is given to
me for my use? What are my dispositions with regard to a change of house, of
office, of cell, etc. ? Am I without any preference for anything which may fall to me?
Do I waste my time, which is so precious? Have I received .or given something
without permission? Have I allowed anything to be wasted or spoiled? Do I take care
of the things given me for my use, remembering that they are the property of the
Church, and of Jesus Christ Himself? When in office have I given better things to
some than to others, without the consent, or contrary to the will of the Superior? Do
I try to be really poor in spirit? Is my heart free from all attachment to the things
which are given to me for my use? Should I feel annoyed if the Superiors were to
take from me a book, an employment, a room, a habit, etc.? Have I nothing
superfluous, no comforts which are not conformable to the religious state? Do I
strive to obtain for myself what is most beautiful, most easy, most comfortable? Am
I vexed and impatient when I feel the effects of holy poverty, forgetting what St.
Philip Neri said: "Whoever attaches himself to the things of this world, cannot
sanctify himself"? Do I ask for exemptions without necessity from the general
manner of living? In my illnesses, do I make exactions for having doctors,
medicines, and services, according to my fancy? What is my interior poverty? Is my
heart empty of all? What profit do I derive from spiritual poverty? How do I follow in
the footsteps of Our Lord, by the practice of holy poverty? Oh! if we would be
perfect, let us make the sacrifice of all which remains in our possession, of all that
we are and have, and we shall have "treasure in heaven" (Matt. xix. 20, 21).

ON CONSTANCY IN VIRTUE AND PERSEVERANCE

HAVE I been changeable in my conduct, today undertaking many things, and

tomorrow abandoning everything in discouragement? Have I been guided by
caprice in the practice of virtue, rather than by the Spirit of God and the direction of
confessors and Superiors? Have I contented myself with an inferior degree of virtue,
without aspiring to constant advancement in perfection? Have I not aimed at my
perfection with a painful and scrupulous anxiety, which troubled and discouraged
me, instead of laboring at it with fidelity, patience, and confidence in God? Do I
often recall to mind my promise of perseverance, and, not merely looking on it as a
vow to wear the habit until death, do I endeavor to advance perseveringly and
steadily in the perfection of my state? It will avail me nothing to die a Religious if I
have not lived as a true Religious; and I may tremble with St. Paul, lest, whilst I
instruct others unto justice, I myself may become an outcast. True, they that
instruct others unto justice shall shine like stars for all eternity; but I must not forget
that my own soul is my first interest, my best treasure, my chief care, and in vain
will be all my efforts for others, if I do not cultivate in it the kingdom of God. In vain
shall I have persevered in wearing the habit, if it be not exchanged for a robe of
glory hereafter; in vain shall I have vowed to serve Him until death, if I serve Him
not in spirit and in truth. "He that persevereth to the end, shall be saved." "No man
putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
(Luke ix. 62.)

Reflections

WHAT is death? A complete separation of the soul from the body they must part
after long years of close union.

2. What will become of my body after death? Remember, man, that thou art dust,
and unto dust thou shalt return."

3. What will become of my soul at death? Oh! What will become of my soul? I know
not; all is shrouded in impenetrable mystery I have expired, the voice of prayer has
sunk into silence whilst it was yet whispering over my body my soul had been
judged. Oh! What has become of it? No one knows but God and my own soul.

4. I shall be judged where? In that room, before the Sisters think I have breathed my
last. A fear shall come upon them, for beside them is the tribunal, the Judge, the
accusers, the accused; in an instant the fate of one they have known is sealed for
eternity: she is gone, they know not whither.

5. I shall be judged by whom? The living and eternal God the great, the just, the
equitable Judge! a Judge of justice, no longer merciful ; to Him I must render an
account of thoughts long forgotten, of words lightly spoken, but faithfully registered
by the accusing spirit words perhaps sinful and unatoned for works imperfect, and
shrinking from the all-seeing, all-enlightening light of the Eternal eye -omissions of
duty graces neglected inspirations despised. Oh! What an awful judgment, what an
awful moment even for the good, for who shall be found pure in the light of purity
itself? What a judgment what a moment for the imperfect Religious? Her soul
suddenly enlightened by the brilliant rays of eternity, embraces in a single glance
the whole extent of her obligations, the entire series of graces which she has
received, all the circumstances attendant on her infidelities.

6. Religious have been lost shall I be lost? Shall I hear from the lips of my Judge: Go,
ye accursed, into everlasting fire; that is to say, all our bonds of union are now
dissolved! go far from Me, strayed sheep, I am no longer thy Shepherd: go far from
Me, faithless spouse, I am no longer thine: go far from Me, unnatural child, I am no
longer thy Father; go, for all eternity! Alas, my God! Shall this be my sentence the
sentence of her whom Thou hast chosen from amongst thousands, and called to be
Thy spouse, and to stand with the Lamb upon Mount Sion, and to be of the one
hundred and forty-four thousand having His name and the name of His Father
written on their foreheads?

7. I can be a saint. How? "Abide in Me," saith Our Lord; "I am the vine, you the
branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for
without Me you can do nothing." Confiding, then, in Thee, O my God, if I use the
plenteous means afforded for sanctification, I can be a saint a saint for all eternity,
forever with the saints, where God Himself shall be my God, and shall wipe away
the tears from mine eyes, and death shall be no more, nor mourning; nor crying, nor
sorrow, for the former things have passed away. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
nor hath it entered the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that
love Him. Then, O my soul, serve Him here, and He and His angels shall minister
unto you hereafter; live for Him in time, that you may live and reign with Him for all
eternity.

Fidelity, the Means of Perseverance

FIDELITY in the daily routine of life, as well as on great occasions, is the secret of
attaining to sanctity Our sanctification through Jesus Christ is an edifice formed of
grains of sand and drops of water a glance mortified a word, an ill-timed smile
suppressed; a sentence interrupted; a recollection stifled; a cherished letter read
rapidly, and not read again; a little impulse of nature courageously checked; an
importunity, an annoyance gently endured; sarcasm, a feeling of peevishness
immediately suppressed; a useless expense curtailed; a shade of sadness quietly
dispelled; a too natural joy moderated, by a thought of the God Who dwells in our
heart; a repugnance surmounted; in a word, nothings, trifles imperceptible to
human eyes, but admirably visible to the penetrating eye of Jesus. Behold what we
must attend to! These are the very little and very great fidelities which bring down
into the soul torrents of graces, supernatural lights, sweetness, a lasting and
profound peace, a heavenly serenity of soul, and what we may term the familiar
caresses of our divine Lord.

Lord Jesus! Give me this fidelity which alone can unite me most intimately with
Thee, and make me holy even as Thou art holy. Amen

"O that men were wise, and would consider their latter end!" (Deut. xxxii. 29.)

Eternity Draws Near

YOU must die; be always prepared.

You may die when you least think of it.
You will die, and the moment of death will decide your lot for Eternity.

Consider, meditate, ponder well that terrible word Eternity.

O Eternity, which alone deserves our care and solicitude!
O Eternity, which alone is neglected and forgotten by the generality of mankind!
Who will give to mine eyes a fountain of tears that I may weep over this
forgetfulness of Eternity?
O Eternity, who shall measure thy depth; who shall sound thy boundless abyss?
Millions and millions of ages are nothing, when compared with Eternity!
After millions and millions of years there will still remain a never-ending Eternity.
Everything else passes away; but Eternity never passes away.
Happy the just, who shall reign with God during a whole Eternity.
Woe to unhappy sinners! if they die in mortal sin they shall suffer for all Eternity.
Yes, my soul, after this short life thou must live forever either in a state of endless
happiness or of endless misery.
Thou art now suspended between these two Eternities; one or the other must be thy
final lot.
Canst thou hesitate to choose between an Eternity of happiness or an Eternity of
misery?
What then wilt thou do?
Think of death, which is the gate to Eternity.
Think of judgment, which is to decide thy lot for Eternity.
Think of hell, which is the abode of a miserable Eternity.
Think of heaven, which is the habitation of a happy Eternity.
Continually labor to secure the all-important concern of Eternity.
Repent, watch, pray, suffer patiently all the evils of this lift, and strive courageously
for a happy Eternity.
Lord, spare me not in time, provided Thou spare me for Eternity.

Prayer

MY God, I have cited myself before the tribunal of my own conscience and what do I
read there? O, woe to me, miserable wretch that I am, my sins are multiplied
beyond number! Oh, who will have pity on me, and hide me from the wrath of my
offended God! Shall I dare to hope for pardon, or shall I fly from Thee into the dark
abyss of despair? No, Lord; for hast Thou not said: "In what day soever the sinner
shall call upon Me, I will hear him: and though his sins were as red as scarlet, I will
make them whiter than snow." Oh! In the clefts of the rock I will hide myself in the
wounds of my Jesus I will bury myself; for who hath ever hoped in Him, and was
then confounded? Hear me now, and pardon me for His sake. Art Thou not my
Father, in very truth a Father of mercy? What then shall I do, but cast myself at Thy
feet, and humbly crave Thy mercy? Behold! I come to Thee blind: Thou canst give
me sight-

I come to Thee dead: Thou canst give me life. Convert me unto Thee renew my
spirit enlighten my understanding direct and conform my will restore unto me the
joy of my salvation convert me, and I shall be converted and though I have
multiplied my evil ways, I shall still hope in Thee, that, through the merits of my
Lord Jesus Christ, Thou wilt have mercy on me. Sprinkle me with hyssop (the
precious blood of Jesus), and I shall be made whiter than snow. O Jesus! Be Thou my
help and my protection, and say to my soul, "I am thy salvation." I hope, even in
spite of my manifold offences, I hope, by Thy merits, for nothing less than to be
Thine, all Thine, with Thee in paradise forever.
O Mary, Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, and my own dear Mother, pray to Jesus for
me, that I may be faithful, that I may find salvation.

Here make resolutions of serving God during this life, and promise to do something
for Him in return for His mercies to you: propose to conquer at least one difficulty,
or to practice, on certain occasions, some virtue; place your resolutions in the
Sacred Heart of Jesus present in the tabernacle: should you break them, pay a
special visit to Jesus on the throne of His love, to ask His pardon, and again renew
them. Make a short compact with Our Lord, that everything you do during this
month is to be an act of some virtue, especially such and such actions.

Make compacts also with the ever-blessed Virgin, your guardian angel, and patron
saint.

The Rights of a Religious

RELIGIOUS having an essential duty incumbent upon them of tending toward

perfection have, consequently, in all the rigor of justice, an unquestionable right to
all the means that their Constitutions afford them for attaining this end. These are
the real rights to which they should cling and to which they can lay claim. It is the
duty of Superiors to assure them of their full, constant, and perfect enjoyment. Now,
here are some of the rights which their Constitutions secure them.

1. A Religious has a right to humiliations.

2. A Religious has a right to be reprimanded by her Superiors.

3. A Religious has a right that her Superior exact her entire submission without
giving her the motive of her command.

4. A Religious has a right that the Superior dispose of her time and of her work.

5. A Religious has a right that the Superior dispose of objects she gave her
permission to use.

6. A Religious has a right to be disposed to accept refusals on the part of the

Superior.

7. A Religious has a right to surfer the effects of poverty.

8. A Religious has a right to fraternal correction.

9. A Religious has a right to continual mortification in all things.

10. A Religious has a right to be despised and treated as the last of all the Sisters.

11. A Religious has a right to works the most humbling and repugnant to nature.

12. A Religious has a right to serve her Sisters.

13. A Religious has a right that others be preferred to her.

14. A Religious has a right to the last place.

15. A Religious has a right to be looked upon and to be treated as a useless servant
in the house.

16. A Religious has a right to receive all kinds of public penances, even for faults of
which she is not guilty.

17. A Religious has a right to rejoice when treated as a fool.

18. A Religious has a right to be the crucified spouse of Jesus crucified.

19. And if, by her conduct, a Religious derives profit from her rights, she will have
the right to live and to reign eternally with Jesus Crucified.

THE RELIGIOUS WHO WILL NEVER BE PERFECT IS:

SHE who excuses herself.

She who murmurs and finds fault with everything.
She who complains of the food.
She who ridicules others.
She who is indifferent about little things.
She who evades the vigilance of her Superiors.
Two things of which one must never complain: clothes or food.
Two prayers which one should frequently repeat: My God, let me be neither curious
nor talkative.
Two actions for which one must be always ready: to communicate, to die.

TIS WELL

TIS well with clear intelligence to see

That he who says, "I, Lord, will follow Thee,
Says in effect, "I, Lord, will humble be!"
Then of supremest import tis to know:
Humility, wherefrom all graces flow,
Without humiliations neer can grow.
As, then, humiliations are the rod
To perfect those by whom the path is trod
That leads thro earthly trials up to God,
Who that is prudent will not welcome scorn,
And joy to see in shreds his honor torn,
If Christ may only thus in him be born?

A PRAYER FOR RETREAT

"Domine, ut Videam!"

APART into a desert place

My God, Thou leadest me;
And here I ask one only grace:
O Lord, that I may see!
Nature and earth soft vapors raise,
That dim my inward sight,
Oh, scatter that deceitful haze,
And let me see aright!
It may be pain, it may be shame,
Deep anguish it may be;
Yet, shall my prayer be still the same,
O Lord, that I may see!
Show me Thy law, those precepts wise
My every step should guide;
Then let me view with clearest eyes
My practice side by side.
Show me my vows, and let me long
That triple bond survey,
To see that every link is strong,
And strengthening day by day.
Show me my duties, one by one;
Unshrinking let me see
What was omitted, and what done
For other end than Thee.
Show me myself without disguise,
As clearly, I entreat,
As when deaths hand shall open my eyes
Before Thy judgment-seat!
But, dearest Lord, my weakness pleads,
Let not Thy light stop there;
The vision of my own misdeeds
Were else too hard to bear;
Show me Thyself, Thy tender Heart
In all its love display,
One ray of heavenly light impart
To chase earths glare away:
The truths of faith, the joys of love,
And virtues solid bliss,
The glories of the world above,
The hollowness of this;
The sweetness of Thy service, Lord,
The honor and the joy,
Oh! how could anything be hard
In such a proud employ!
All this, and many a lesson more,
Make clear and plain to me;
Oh, I entreat Thee, oer and oer,
"My God, that I may see!"

Persevere
PERSEVERE in thoroughly conquering yourself in the small daily contradictions you
receive. Make the bulk of your desires about this; know that God wishes nothing
from you at present save that. Busy not yourself, then, in doing anything else; do
not sow your desires in anothers garden, but cultivate well your own. Do not desire
not to be what you are, but desire to be very well what you are. Be faithful in little
things; perfect yourself in your present circumstances, and bear the crosses, little or
great, you will surely meet in the daily routine of your duties.

BONA MORS LITANY AND OTHER PRAYERS FOR A HAPPY DEATH

LORD, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
All ye holy angels and archangels,
Holy Abraham,
St. John the Baptist,
St. Joseph,
All ye holy patriarchs and prophets,
St. Peter,
St. Paul,
St. Andrew,
St. John,
St. Jude,
All ye holy apostles and evangelists,
All ye holy disciples of Our Lord,
All ye holy innocents,
St. Stephen,
St. Lawrence,
All ye holy martyrs,
St. Sylvester,
St. Gregory,
St. Augustine,
St. Basil,
St. Ambrose,
St. Francis de Sales,
St. Vincent de Paul,
St. Aloysius,
St. Stanislaus,
All ye holy bishops and confessors,
St. Benedict,
St. Dominic,
St. Francis of Assisi,
St. Ignatius,
St. Philip Neri,
St. Camillus de Lellis,
St. John of God,
All ye holy monks, hermits, and founders of Religious Orders,
St. Mary Magdalene,
St. Lucy,
St. Scholastica,
St. Teresa,
St. Catharine,
St. Clara,
St. Ursula,
St. Angela Merici,
St. Jane Frances de Chantal,
St. Barbara,
All ye holy virgins and widows,
All ye saints of God, intercede for us.
Be merciful unto us. Spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful unto us. Hear us, O Lord.
From Thine anger, O Lord, deliver us
From the peril of death,
From an evil death,
From the pains of hell, o
From all evil,
From the power of the devil,
By Thy nativity,
By Thy cross and Passion,
By Thy death and burial,
By Thy glorious Resurrection,
By the grace of the Holy Ghost the Comforter,
In the day of judgment,
We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst spare us, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring us unto true repentance,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed,
Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Let us pray.

WE beseech Thy clemency, O Lord, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe so to strengthen

Thy servants in Thy grace, that, at the hour of death, the enemy may not prevail
over us, and that we may deserve to pass with Thy angels into everlasting life.

Almighty and most gracious God, Who, for Thy thirsting people, didst bring forth
from the rock a stream of living water, draw forth from the hardness of our hearts
tears of compunction, that we may bewail our sins, and receive forgiveness of them
from Thy mercy.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the world, behold us prostrate at Thy feet. With
our whole heart we detest our sins of thought, word, and deed, and because we
love Thee, and will love Thee above all created things, we steadfastly purpose, by
the help of Thy grace, never more to offend Thee, and rather to die than to commit
one mortal sin. Amen.

O Jesus, Who, during Thy prayer to the Father in the garden, wast so filled with
sorrow and anguish that there came forth from Thee a bloody sweat; have mercy on
us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who wast betrayed by the kiss of a traitor into the hands of the wicked,
seized and bound like a thief, and forsaken by Thy disciples; have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who, by the unjust council of the Jews, was sentenced to death, led like a
malefactor before Pilate, scorned and derided by impious Herod; have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who wast stripped of Thy garments, and most cruelly scourged at the
pillar; have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who wast crowned with thorns, buffeted, struck with a reed, blindfolded,
clothed with a purple garment, in many ways derided, and overwhelmed with
reproaches: have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who wast less esteemed than the murderer Barabbas, rejected by the Jews,
and unjustly condemned to the death of the cross; have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who wast loaded with a cross, and led to the place of execution as a lamb
to the slaughter; have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who wast numbered among thieves, blasphemed, and derided, made to
drink of gall and vinegar, and crucified in dreadful torment from the sixth to the
ninth hour; have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who didst expire on the cross, Who wast pierced with a lance in presence
of Thy holy Mother, and from Whose side poured forth blood and water; have mercy
on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who wast taken down from the cross, and bathed in the tears of Thy most
sorrowing Virgin Mother; have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who wast covered with bruises, marked with the five wounds, embalmed
with spices, and laid in the sepulcher; have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

V. He hath truly borne our sorrows.

R. And He hath carried our griefs.

Let us pray.

O GOD, Who, for the redemption of the world, didst deign to be born, to be
circumcised, to be rejected by the Jews, and betrayed by Judas with a kiss; to be
bound with fetters, and led like an innocent lamb to the slaughter; to be
ignominiously brought before Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, and Herod; to be accused by
false witnesses, to be scourged, buffeted, and reviled; to be spit upon, to be
crowned with thorns, and struck with a reed; to be blindfolded, to be stripped of Thy
garments, to be nailed to a cross and raised thereon; to be numbered among
thieves, to be made to drink of gall and vinegar, and to be pierced with a lance; do
Thou, O Lord, by these Thy most holy sufferings, which we Thy servants,
commemorate, and by Thy most holy cross and death, deliver us from the pains of
hell, and conduct us, as Thou didst conduct the penitent thief, into Thy paradise.
Who liveth and reigneth, world without end. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, we adore the sacred wound of Thy left foot. We thank Thee for
the pain which Thou didst endure with so much love and charity. We condole with
Thee in Thy sufferings, and with Thy afflicted Mother. We humbly beg pardon for our
sins, which we deplore beyond all imaginable evils. Vouchsafe to convert all sinners,
and to make them understand the enormity of mortal sin.

Jesus, hear us.

Jesus, graciously hear us.

O Lord Jesus Christ, we adore the sacred wound of Thy right foot. We thank Thee for
the pain which Thou didst endure with so much love and charity. We condole with
Thee in Thy sufferings, and with Thy afflicted Mother. Grant us strength against all
temptations, and prompt obedience in the execution of Thy holy will. Comfort, O
Jesus, the poor, the miserable, the afflicted, and all who are tempted or persecuted.
Most just Judge, govern those who administer justice, and assist all those who labor
in the care of souls.
Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.

O Lord Jesus Christ, we adore the sacred wound of Thy left hand. We thank Thee for
the pain which Thou didst endure with so much love and charity. We condole with
Thee in Thy sufferings, and with Thy afflicted Mother. Preserve us from the pains of
hell; grant us patience in all the trials of this life, and conformity in all things to Thy
blessed will. Pardon all our enemies, and all those who bear ill-will against us. Grant
patience to the sick, and restore them to health; support with Thy assisting grace all
who are in their agony, that they may not perish.

Jesus, hear us.

Jesus, graciously hear us

O Lord Jesus Christ, we adore the sacred wound of Thy right hand. We thank Thee
for the pain which Thou didst endure with so much love and charity. We condole
with Thee in Thy sufferings, and with Thy afflicted Mother. Grant us a resolute will to
seek those things which concern our salvation, and the grace of final perseverance.
Grant likewise, O Jesus, peace and relief to the souls in purgatory, and daily
advance toward perfection Thy holy servants in this world, more especially those
who are of this Confraternity.

Jesus, hear us.

Jesus, graciously hear us.

O Lord Jesus Christ, we adore the sacred wound in Thy blessed side. We thank Thee
for the infinite love manifested toward us at the opening of Thy Sacred Heart. Grant
us a pure and perfect charity, that loving all things for Thy sake, and Thee above all
things, we may breathe our last in the purest sentiments of divine love. Protect Thy
holy Catholic Church, direct Thy governing Vicar upon earth, all ecclesiastical
Orders, and all pious persons who are instrumental in the conversion of souls.
Preserve in Thy holy service all Christian kings and princes. Bring back into the way
of salvation all those who have gone astray, whether through malice or ignorance;
and bring under Thy sacred yoke all infidels, heretics, and enemies of Thy holy
name.

Jesus, hear us.

Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let us pray.

O LORD Jesus Christ, by those five wounds which Thy love for us inflicted on Thee,
succor Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood. Amen.

Most merciful Redeemer, we humbly beseech Thee, by Thy unheard-of torments,

and by the grief Thou didst suffer when Thy soul was separated from Thy body, to
secure for us eternal salvation, and to console us at the hour of our death; as Thou
didst console the penitent thief, with the thought that we are certain to be with
Thee in paradise. Amen.
O merciful Redeemer and God of infinite patience, great is our confusion when we
appear in Thy divine presence. We abhor all our sins of thought, word, and deed, not
merely for the fear of punishment, cr for the hope of reward, but for Thy sake, and
because Thou dost infinitely detest them. O God of majesty and mercy, look upon
the sacred marks in Thy hands, feet, and side, which Thou dost still retain in Thy
glorified body, that they may plead in our behalf. Strengthen our weakness, confirm
our resolution of never more offending Thee; rather let us lose everything, even life
itself, than lose Thy favor by mortal sin. Oh, Savior of perishing mankind, Who
openest Thy hand and fillest every creature with benediction, give us now such a
blessing as, when ascending in triumph from the Mountain of Olives, Thou didst
bestow on Thy beloved disciples, that we may live and die in these happy
dispositions. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE FAITHFUL IN THEIR AGONY

O MOST merciful Jesus, Lover of souls: I pray Thee, by the agony of Thy most Sacred
Heart, and by the sorrows of Thy immaculate Mother, cleanse in Thine own blood
the sinners of the whole world who are now in their agony and to die to-day. Amen.

Heart of Jesus, once in agony, pity the dying.

TIME OF SICKNESS

THE VISITATION of sickness gives an opportunity of practicing patience, humility,

and resignation to Gods holy will. We may acquire much merit by accepting and
bearing sickness with proper dispositions. We ought to be on our guard lest our
spiritual enemies lead us to commit such faults as murmuring, repining, impatience,
petulance, selfishness, unkindness and unreasonableness: thus causing us to lose
much if not all, of the merit which we might otherwise gain.

During our sickness we should frequently make acts of faith, hope, charity, and
contrition; also acts of humility, resignation, thanksgiving, and union with Our Lord,
and pray for the graces necessary to bear our sickness for God s glory and our own
sanctification. The prayers of the "Bona Mors," might be used.

In the "Imitation of Christ" may be found some chapters, especially instructive and
useful for the time of sickness. See Book I, chap, xxiii, and Book III, chaps, xlvii-xlix.
While thus disposing ourselves for our end, in case it should be according to God s
good pleasure to call us away, let us strive to remove anxiety from our mind by the
thought that we belong by first title, and by every title to God, and that He will
arrange all things, both for us and for all who are dear to us, according to His infinite
wisdom, love, and goodness. Let us also, in looking to the future, excite ourselves to
fervent Christian hope. Who loves us as God does? He will watch over and take care
of those whom He loves. "The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the
torment of death shall not touch them" (Wis. iii, i).

PRAYER FOR A HAPPY DEATH

By Cardinal Newman
O MY Lord and Savior, support me in my last hour by the strong arms of Thy
Sacraments, and the fragrance of Thy consolations. Let Thy absolving words be said
over me, and the holy oil sign and seal me; and let Thine own body be my food, and
Thy blood my sprinkling; and let Thy Mother Mary come to me, and my angel
whisper peace to me, and Thy glorious saints and my own dear patron smile on me,
that in and through them all I may die as I desire to live, in Thy Church, in Thy faith,
and in Thy love. Amen.

PRAYER IN TIME OF SUFFERING

LORD, I offer and consecrate to Thy glory, all that I have ever suffered, all that I now
suffer, and all that I shall suffer until death; perfect my pains with Thy love, and
grant, O sweet Jesus, that they may be pleasing to Thee. I shall suffer because Thou
wilt have it so Thou Whom I love with my whole heart; therefore I desire whatever
Thou wilt! Amen.

O LORD Jesus Christ, I receive this sickness [or, this affliction], with which Thou art
pleased to visit me, as coming from Thy fatherly hand. It is Thy will, and therefore I
submit "Not my will, but Thine be done." May it be to the honor of Thy holy name,
and for the good of my soul. I here offer myself with an entire submission to all
Thine appointments; to suffer whatever Thou pleasest, as long as Thou pleasest,
and in what manner Thou pleasest; for I am a creature, O Lord, who have often and
most ungratefully offended Thee, and whom Thou mightest justly have visited with
Thy severest punishments. Oh, let Thy justice be tempered with mercy, and let Thy
heavenly grace come to my assistance to support me under this affliction! Confirm
my soul with strength from above, that I may bear with true Christian patience all
the uneasiness, pains, disquiets, and troubles under which I labor; preserve me from
all temptations and murmuring thoughts, that in this time of affliction I may in no
way offend Thee; and grant that this and all other earthly trials may be the means
of preparing my soul for its passage into eternity, that, being purified from all my
sins, I may believe in Thee, hope in Thee, love Thee above all things, and finally,
through Thy infinite merits, be admitted into the company of the blessed in heaven,
there to praise Thee for ever and ever. Amen.

ACT OF RESIGNATION

LORD Jesus, Incarnate Son of God, Who for our salvation didst will to be born in a
stable, to endure poverty, suffering, and sorrow throughout Thy life and finally to die
the bitter death of the cross, I implore Thee, in the hour of my death, to say to Thy
divine Father: O Father, forgive him [her]! Say to Thy beloved Mother: Behold thy
son thy child! Say to my soul: This day shalt thou be with Me in paradise! O my God,
my God, forsake me not at that moment! I thirst! O my God! Truly my soul is athirst
for Thee, the fountain of living water. My life has passed away like unto smoke; yet a
little, and all is consummated. Therefore also, adorable Savior, into Thy hands I
commend my spirit for all eternity. Lord Jesus, receive my soul. Amen.

PRAYER FOR A SICK SISTER

WE most humbly beseech Thee, O almighty and most merciful God, to bless and
comfort our dear Sister afflicted with sickness, and restore her again to health, that
she may praise and glorify Thy holy name; grant her perfect resignation to Thy holy
will, and graciously enable her to suffer without complaining whatever Thou art
pleased to appoint. Compassionate Lord Jesus, look upon her with pity; blessed
Mother of God, and all ye happy saints, intercede for her, that her heart and desires
may remain in perfect and peaceable conformity with the will of God, and that this
trial may serve to purify her, and render her more pleasing in His divine sight.
Amen.

WHEN RECOVERY IS HOPELESS

MY God, look down with mercy and pity on our dear Sister, afflicted with sickness
unto death; give her perfect resignation to Thy divine will, and graciously enable her
to suffer, without complaining, whatever Thou art pleased to appoint.
Compassionate Lord Jesus, support and comfort her. O blessed Mother of God, and
all ye happy saints, intercede for her, that she may gain much merit in passing
through this time of trial and be purified thereby from the smallest stain, so that at
the moment of departure from this vale of tears, she may enter into the doors which
God has prepared for those who love and serve Him, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

PRAYER TO BE SAID DAILY DURING THE TIME OF SICKNESS

LORD, I accept this sickness from Thy hands, and entirely resign myself to Thy
blessed will, whether it be for life or death. Not my will, but Thine be done: Thy will
be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Lord, I submit to all the pains and uneasiness of this my illness; my sins have
deserved infinitely more. Thou art just, O Lord, and Thy judgment is right.

Lord, I offer up to Thee all that I now suffer, or may have yet to suffer, to be united
to the sufferings of my Redeemer, and sanctified by His Passion.

I adore Thee, O my God and my all, as my first beginning and last end; and I desire
to pay Thee the best homage I am able, and to bow down all the powers of my soul
to Thee.

Lord, I desire to praise Thee forever, in sickness as well as in health; I desire to join
my heart and voice with the whole Church of heaven and earth, in blessing Thee
forever.

I give Thee thanks from the bottom of my heart for all the mercies and blessings
bestowed upon me, and Thy whole Church, through Jesus Christ Thy Son; and above
all, for having loved me from all eternity, and redeemed me with His precious blood.
Oh, may that blood not have been shed for me in vain!

Lord, I believe all those heavenly truths which Thou hast revealed, and which Thy
holy Catholic Church believes and teaches. Thou art the sovereign Truth, Who canst
neither deceive nor be deceived; and Thou hast promised the Spirit of truth to guide
Thy Church into all truth. In this faith I resolve, through Thy grace, both to live and
die. O Lord, strengthen and increase my faith.
O my God, all my hopes are in Thee; and through Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, and
through His Passion and death, I hope for mercy, grace, and salvation from Thee. In
Thee, O Lord, have I put my trust; O let me never be confounded!

O sweet Jesus, receive me into Thine arms in this day of my distress; hide me in Thy
wounds, bathe my soul in Thy precious blood.

I love Thee, O my God, with my whole heart and soul, above all things; at least, I
desire so to love Thee. Oh, come now and take full possession of my whole soul, and
teach me to love Thee forever!

I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ.

Oh, when will Thy kingdom come? O Lord, when wilt Thou perfectly reign in all
hearts? When shall sin be no more?

I desire to embrace every neighbor with perfect charity for the love of Thee. I
forgive from my heart all who have in any way offended or injured me, and ask
pardon of all whom I have in any way offended.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the
multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out mine iniquity.

Oh, who will give water to my head, and a fountain of tears to mine eyes, that night
and day I may weep for all my sins! Oh, that I had never sinned!

I am filled with confusion when I look back upon my life; so little have I done to
please Thee, O my God, and so often have I offended Thee!

I place all my confidence in Thy boundless mercy, and in the infinite merits of the
sufferings and death of my divine Redeemer. O Eternal Father, I offer Thee these
saving merits in full satisfaction for all my sins.

Lord, be merciful to me a sinner; sweet Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on
me!

I commend my soul to God my Creator, Who made me out of nothing; to Jesus

Christ my Savior, Who redeemed me with His precious blood; to the Holy Ghost,
Who sanctified me in baptism. Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

I renounce from this moment, and for all eternity, the devil and all his works; and I
abhor all his suggestions and temptations. Oh, suffer not, O Lord, this mortal enemy
of my soul to have any power over me, either now or at my last hour. Let Thy holy
angels defend me from all the powers of darkness.

O Heart of Jesus, full of love and compassion, comfort and console me. Help me to
sanctify my sickness by patience und resignation. Lord, remember me in Thy
kingdom: Receive my soul into Thy embraces.
Holy Mary, pray for me.
Holy Mary, Mother of mercy, do thou defend me from the enemy, and receive me at
the hour of death.
O holy angel of God, who art my guardian, stand by me and assist me.
O all ye blessed angels and saints of God, pray for me, a poor sinner.

"Litany of the Blessed Virgin," "Act of Spiritual Communion," "Bona Mors Litany,
"The Jesus Psalter," "The Rosary," etc.

TO MARY

O DEAREST Lady, sweet Mother mine, watch the hour when my departing soul will
lose its hold on all earthly things, and stand unveiled in the presence of its Creator.
Show thyself my tender Mother then, and offer to the Eternal Father the precious
blood of thy Son Jesus for my poor soul, that it may, thus purified, be pleasing in His
sight. Plead for thy poor child at the moment of her departure from this world, and
say to the heavenly Father: Receive her this day into Thy kingdom! Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH FOR A GOOD DEATH

O BLESSED Joseph, who didst yield thy last breath in the sweet embrace of Jesus
and of Mary, when death shall close my career, come, holy father, with Jesus and
Mary, to aid me, and obtain for me the only solace which I ask at that hour, to die
under their protection. Living and dying, into your sacred hands, Jesus, Mary, and
Joseph, I commend my soul.

COMMUNION OF THE SICK

ANOINTING OF THE SICK AND VIATICUM

SUSPIRIA PRO MORIBUNDIS (ASPIRATIONS FOR THE DYING)

(These may be recited with other prayers from this book by the attendants at the
sick-bed.)

HAVE mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.

In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped: let me never be confounded.
Incline unto mine aid, O God; O Lord, make haste to help me.

O heavenly Father, be merciful to me. O Jesus, have mercy on me. O Holy Ghost, be
merciful to me. O my good God, do not abandon me. O merciful God, assist me;
show me Thy goodness and mercy. Not my will, but Thine be done.

O sweetest Jesus, be gracious to me, be merciful to me, pardon me my sins!

O my Jesus, I believe in Thee, because Thou art infallible truth. In this holy faith I will
live and die.
O my Jesus, all my hopes are in Thee. In Thy goodness, O Lord, I put my trust.
O my Jesus, I love Thee with my whole heart and soul above all things. O my good
God take full possession of my whole soul, and teach me to love Thee forever.

Infinitely good and loving God, I am sorry for having offended Thee by my sins. I will
rather lose everything than offend Thee again. Pardon me, sweet Jesus, and through
Thy painful death blot out all my sins.

Jesus, may Thy blood not have been shed in vain for me.

O my dearest Jesus, how much Thou hast suffered for me! Behold, I willingly suffer
for love of Thee.

I confide in Thy bitter sufferings and death.

I offer up to Thee Thy pains and torments.
I offer to Thee Thy tears and bloody sweat.
I offer to Thee Thy precious blood and bitter death.
O Jesus, strengthen me through Thy Passion and death, and grant me a happy end.

Hide me, dear Jesus, in Thy wounds; bathe my soul in Thy precious blood.

O Fountain of mercy, have mercy on me.

O let nothing in life or death ever separate me from Thee.
O my Jesus, I live for Thee; my Jesus, I die for Thee; my Jesus, I am Thine in life and
in death.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me; Holy Mary, assist me. Mother of God, do not
abandon me!

O dear Mother, O good Mother, O compassionate Mother, help me. Show now that
thou art my Mother.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, assist me at the hour of my death.

O holy Joseph, pray for me, that I may obtain mercy and grace with Jesus. Do not
forsake me in my necessity.

My dear guardian angel, my holy patron, and all ye holy angels and saints, assist
me that I may die happily, and gain my salvation.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you."

Indulgence of 300 days, each time, for all three together. Pius VII , Aug. 26, 1814.

"My Jesus, mercy!"

Indulgence of 100 days, each time. Pius IX, Sept 24, 1846.

"My sweetest Jesus, be not my Judge, but my Savior."

Indulgence of 50 days, each time. Pius IX., Aug. n, 1851.

O Sacred Heart of my Jesus, which suffered the pangs of death, have mercy on me.

O Jesus, my Saviour, into Thy hands I commend my spirit!

RECOMMENDATION OF A SOUL DEPARTING

LORD, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us

Lord, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for her (or him).

All ye angels and archangels, pray for her (or him).
Holy Abel,
All ye choirs of the just,
Holy Abraham,
St. John the Baptist,
St. Joseph,
All ye patriarchs and prophets,
St. Peter,
St. Paul,
St. Andrew,
St. John,
All ye holy apostles and evangelists,
All ye holy disciples of Our Lord,
All ye holy innocents,
St. Stephen,
St. Lawrence,
All ye holy martyrs,
St. Sylvester,
St. Gregory,
St. Augustine,
All ye holy bishops and confessors,
St. Benedict,
St. Francis,
All ye holy monks and hermits,
St. Mary Magdalene,
St. Lucy,
All ye holy virgins and widows,
All ye saints of God, make intercession for her (or him).
Be merciful, spare her (or him), O Lord.
Be merciful, deliver her (or him), O Lord.
Be merciful, receive her (or him), O Lord.
From Thy anger, O Lord, deliver him (her).
From the danger of death,
From an ill end,
From the pains of hell,
From all evil,
From the power of the devil,
Through Thy nativity,
Through Thy cross and Passion,
Through Thy death and burial,
Through Thy glorious Resurrection,
Through Thine admirable Ascension,
Through the grace of the Holy Ghost the Comforter,
In the day of judgment,
We sinners, beseech Thee to hear us.
That Thou spare her, we beseech Thee to hear us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Let us pray.

DEPART then, Christian soul, out of this miserable world, in the name of God the
Father almighty, Who created thee; in the name of God the Son, Who suffered for
thee; in the name of the Holy Ghost, Who sanctified thee; in the name of the angels,
archangels, thrones, dominations, cherubim, and seraphim; in the name of the
patriarchs and prophets, of the holy apostles and evangelists, of the holy martyrs
and confessors, of the holy monks and hermits, of the holy virgins, and of all the
saints of God let thy place be this day in peace, and thy abode in holy Sion; through
Christ our Lord. Amen.

God of clemency! God of goodness! O God, Who, according to the multitude of Thy
mercies, forgivest the sins of such as repent, and graciously remittest the guilt of
their past offences, mercifully regard this Thy servant, N., and grant her a full
discharge from all her sins, who most earnestly begs it of Thee. Purify, O merciful
Father, whatever is corrupt in her through human frailty, or by the snares of the
enemy; make her a true member of the Church, and let her partake of the fruit of
Thy redemption. Have compassion, O Lord, on her sighs, have pity on her tears; and
admit her to the sacrament of Thy reconciliation, who has no hope but in Thee;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I recommend thee, dear sister (or brother) to almighty God, and commit thee to His
mercy, Whose creature Thou art; that, having paid the common debt of nature, thou
mayest surrender thy soul to thy Maker, Who formed thee out of the earth. May,
therefore, the noble company of angels meet thy soul at its departure. May the
court of the apostles receive thee. May the triumphant army of glorious martyrs
conduct thee. May the crowds of joyful confessors encompass thee. May the choir of
blessed virgins go before thee; and may a happy rest be thy portion in the company
of the patriarchs. May Jesus Christ appear to thee with a mild and cheerful
countenance, and give thee a place amongst those who are to dwell in His presence
forever. Mayest thou be a stranger to all who are condemned to darkness, chastised
with flames, or punished with torments. May God command thy wicked enemy, with
all his evil spirits, to depart from thee. May the infernal spirits tremble at thy
approach, encompassed by angels, and retire into the horrid confusion of eternal
night. May thy God arise, and thy enemies be put to flight. May all who hate Him fly
before His face. Let them vanish like smoke, or as wax before the fire; so let sinners
perish in the sight of God. But as to the just, let them rejoice and be happy in His
presence. May all the ministers of hell be filled with confusion and shame, and let
no evil spirit dare to stop thy course to heaven. May Christ Jesus, Who was crucified
for thee, be thy deliverer; may He deliver thee from death, Who for thy sake
vouchsafed to die. May Christ Jesus, the Son of the living God, place thee in His
garden of paradise; and may He, the true Shepherd, own thee for one of His flock.
May He absolve thee from all thy sins, and place thee at His right hand in the
inheritance of the elect. Oh, may it be thy happy lot to behold thy Redeemer face to
face: to be ever in His presence, in the beatific vision of that eternal truth which is
the joy of the blessed. And thus placed amongst those happy spirits, mayest thou
be forever filled with heavenly sweetness. Amen.

Receive Thy servant, O Lord, into that place where she may hope for salvation from
Thy mercy.

R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant from all dangers of hell, and from all pain
and tribulation.

R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Enoch and Elias from
the common death of the world.

R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Noe from the flood.

R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Abraham from the
midst of the Chaldeans.

R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Job from all his
afflictions.

R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Isaac from being
sacrificed by his father

R. Amen.
Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Lot from Sodom, and
the flames of fire.

R. Amen.
Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Moses from the hands
of Pharaoh, King of Egypt.

R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Daniel from the lions
den.

R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver the three children
from the fiery furnace, and from the hands of an unmerciful king.

R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver David from the hands
of v Saul and Goliath.

R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Susanna from her
false accusers.

R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, as Thou didst deliver Peter and Paul out of
prison.

R. Amen.

And as Thou deliveredst that blessed virgin and martyr, St. Thecla, from most cruel
torments, vouchsafe to deliver the soul of this Thy servant, and bring it to the
participation of Thy heavenly joys.

R. Amen.

Let us pray.

WE commend to Thee, O Lord, the soul of this Thy servant, and beseech Thee, O
Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the world, that as in Thy mercy to her Thou becamest
man, so now Thou wouldst vouchsafe to admit her into the number of the blessed.
Remember, O Lord, that she is Thy creature, not made by strange gods, but by
Thee, the only true and living God, for there is no other God but Thee, none that can
work Thy wonders. Let her soul find comfort in Thy sight, and remember not her
former sins, nor any of those excesses into which she has fallen, through the
violence of passion and corruption. For although she hath sinned, yet she has
retained a true faith in Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: she has had a zeal for
Thy honor, and faithfully adored Thee her God, and the Creator of all things.
Remember not, O Lord, the sins of ignorance of her youth, but, according to Thy
great mercy, be mindful of her in Thy eternal glory. Let the heavens be opened to
her, and the angels rejoice with her. May St. Michael the archangel, the chief of the
heavenly host, conduct her. May blesse/1 Peter, the apostle, to whom were given
the keys of the kingdom of heaven, receive her. May holy Paul, the apostle and
chosen vessel of election, assist her. May St. John, the beloved disciple, to whom
was revealed the secrets of heaven, intercede for her. May all the chosen servants
and martyrs of God, who in this world have suffered torments for the sake of Christ,
intercede for her, that, being delivered from this body of corruption, she may be
admitted into the kingdom of heaven, through the assistance and merits of Our Lord
Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world
without end. Amen.

If the dying person continue in her (or his) senses, the following Acts may be made.

An Act of Thanksgiving

MY God! Thou hast created, redeemed, and sanctified me. Thou hast preserved me
in many dangers both of body and soul. Thou hast fed me with Thy most blessed
body and blood. Thou hast shown immense patience in bearing with my repeated
crimes, and often called me to repentance. For these and all other blessings
bestowed on me, a most ungrateful sinner, I offer Thee innumerable thanks.

An Act of Resignation

O MY God! I cheerfully receive the certain summons of my death. It is a greater

happiness to fulfill Thy will than to enjoy ten thousand lives. O happy news of my
departure! I shall soon hear the choirs of angels sing Thy eternal praises. Let death
hasten his pace, that dying I may no more offend Thee, but live with Thee, and love
Thee eternally.

An Act of Contrition

I AM truly and heartily sorry for all my sins, not for the fear of hell, nor for the hope
of reward; but for the love of Thee, my God, my only good! And were I beginning
instead of ending my life, I would not offend Thee for a thousand worlds O my
God, despise not a contrite and humble heart. Amen.

The soul being now departed, the following Responsory is said:

COME to her assistance, all you saints of God; meet her all you angels of God;
receive her soul, and present it now before its Lord. May Jesus Christ receive thee,
and the angels conduct thee to thy place of rest; may they receive thy soul, and
present it now before its Lord.

V. Eternal rest grant her, O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon her.

May the angels present her now before the Lord.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father.

V. And lead us not into temptation

R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Eternal rest grant her, O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine on her.

V. From the gates of hell,

R. Deliver her soul, O Lord.

V. May she rest in peace.

R. Amen.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.

ABSOLVE, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, N., that being dead to
this world, she may live to Thee; and whatever sins she has committed through
human frailty, we beseech Thee in Thy goodness mercifully to pardon. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.

BURIAL SERVICE: ORDER OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS

LITANY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

(For private devotion)

LORD, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on the souls of the faithful departed.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Michael,
All ye angels and archangels,
All ye orders of blessed spirits,
St. Joseph,
All ye holy patriarchs and prophets,
All ye holy apostles and evangelists,
All ye holy martyrs,
All ye holy bishops and confessors,
All ye holy doctors,
All ye holy priests and Levites,
All ye holy monks and hermits,
All ye holy virgins and widows,
All ye saints of God,
Be merciful, spare them, O Lord.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.
From all evil, O Lord, deliver them.
From the rigor of Thy justice,
From the power of the devil,
From long-enduring sorrow,
From cruel flames,
From horrible darkness,
From dreadful weeping and wailing,
Through Thy holy nativity,
Through Thy most sweet name,
Through Thy most profound humiliations,
Through Thine infinite love,
Through Thy bloody sweat,
Through Thy scourging,
Through Thy crowning with thorns,
Through Thy carrying of the cross,
Through Thy most cruel death,
Through Thy five most holy wounds,
In the day of judgment,
We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us.
Thou Who forgavest Magdalen, and didst grant the prayer of the thief, We beseech
Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst be pleased to deliver the souls of our parents, relations, friends,
and benefactors, from the pains of hell,
That Thou wouldst be pleased to have mercy on those of whom no special
remembrance is made on earth,
That Thou wouldst be pleased to grant them all the pardon and remission of their
sins,
That Thou wouldst be pleased to receive them into the company of the blessed,
King of awful majesty,
Son of God,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant unto them rest.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant unto them rest.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant unto them rest
everlasting.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
From the gate of hell, deliver their souls, O Lord.
O Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O GOD, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant unto the souls of Thy
servants departed the remission of all their sins; that, by pious supplications, they
may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Grant this, O God, Who
livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

O eternal God, Who, besides the general precept of charity, hast commanded a
particular respect for parents, kindred, and benefactors; grant, we beseech Thee,
that, as they were the instruments by which Thy providence bestowed on us our
birth, education, and innumerable other blessings, so our prayers may be the
means to obtain for them a speedy release from their excessive sufferings, and
admittance to Thine infinite joys. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

V. May they rest in peace.

R. Amen.

PSALTER OF JESUS
Recited during Lent in Many Convents

PART I

AT the name of Jesus let every knee bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and
under the earth; and let every tongue confess that Our Lord Jesus Christ is in the
glory of God the Father.

First Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, have mercy on us, O God of compassion, and for give the many and great
offences we have committed in Thy sight.

Many have been the follies of our lives and great are the miseries we have deserved
for our ingratitude.

Have mercy on us, dear Jesus, for we are weak; O Lord, heal us who are unable to
help ourselves.

Deliver us from setting our hearts upon any of Thy creatures, which may divert our
eyes from a continual looking up to Thee.

Grant us grace henceforth, for the love of Thee, to hate sin, and, out of a just
esteem of Thee, to despise all worldly vanities.
Have mercy on all sinners, Jesus, we beseech Thee; turn their vices into virtues, and
making them true observers of Thy law, and sincere lovers of Thee; bring them to
bliss in everlasting glory.

Have mercy also on the souls in purgatory, for Thy bitter Passion, we beseech Thee,
and for Thy glorious name, Jesus.

O Blessed Trinity, one eternal God, have mercy on us.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father,

(Have mercy, etc.; O Blessed Trinity, etc.; Our Father, etc., are repeated at the end
of every petition.)

Second Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Help us.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, help us to overcome all temptations to sin, and the malice of our ghostly
enemy.

Help us to spend our time in virtuous actions, and in such labors as are acceptable
to Thee.

To render our hearts enamored of virtue, and inflamed with a strong desire of Thy
glorious presence.

Help us to deserve and keep a good name, by a peaceful and pious living to Thy
honor, O Jesus, our own comfort and the benefit of others.

Have mercy, etc.

Our Father, etc. Hail Hary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Third Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Strengthen us.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, strengthen us in soul and body, to please Thee in executing such works of
mercy as may bring us to everlasting joy and felicity.

Grant us a firm purpose, most merciful Savior, to amend our lives and atone for the
years past.

Those years which we have misspent to Thy displeasure, in vain or wicked thoughts,
words, deeds, and evil customs.
Make our hearts obedient to Thy will, and ready for Thy love, to perform every work
of mercy.

Grant us the gifts of the Holy Ghost, which, through a virtuous life and a devout
frequenting of Thy most holy sacraments, may at length bring us to Thy heavenly
kingdom.

Have mercy, etc.

Our Father, etc Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Fourth Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Comfort us.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, comfort us, and grant us grace to place our chief, our only joy and felicity in
Thee.

Send us heavenly meditations, spiritual sweetness, and fervent desires of Thy glory;
fill our souls with the contemplation of heaven, where we shall everlastingly dwell
with Thee.

Bring often to our remembrance Thine unspeakable goodness, Thy gifts, and the
great mercy which Thou hast shown us.

And when Thou bringest to our minds the sad remembrance of our sins, whereby we
have so ungratefully offended Thee,

Comfort us with the assurance of obtaining Thy grace by the spirit of perfect
repentance, which may cleanse away our guilt, and prepare us for Thy kingdom.

Have mercy, etc.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Fifth Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Make us constant.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, make us constant in faith, hope, and charity; give us perseverance in all
virtues, and a resolution never to offend Thee.

Let the memory of Thy Passion, and of those bitter pains Thou didst suffer for us,
strengthen our patience, and support us in all tribulation and adversity.
Let us always hold fast the doctrines of the Catholic Church, and render us diligent
frequenters of all holy duties.

Let no false delight of this deceitful world blind us, no evil temptation or fraud of the
devil shake our hearts,

Those hearts, which have for ever set up their rest in Thee, and resolved to
undervalue all for Thy eternal reward.

Have mercy, etc.

Our Lord Jesus Christ humbled Himself, being made obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross.

Hear these our petitions, O most merciful Savior, and grant us Thy grace so
frequently to repeat and consider them, that they may prove easy steps whereby
our souls may ascend to the knowledge, love, and performance of our duty to Thee
and our neighbor, through the whole course of our lives.

R. Amen.

Our Father, eta Hail Marv. etc. Creed

PART II

At the name of Jesus, etc.

Sixth Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Enlighten us with spiritual wisdom.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, enlighten us with spiritual wisdom, that we may know Thy goodness, and all
those things which are most acceptable to Thee.

Grant us a clear apprehension of our only good, and discretion to order our lives
according to it.

Grant that we may wisely proceed from virtue to virtue, until at length we arrive at
the clear vision of Thy glorious majesty.

Permit us not, dear Lord, to return to those sins for which we have sorrowed, and
from which we have been cleansed by confession.

Grant us grace to benefit the souls of others, by our good example, and to assist
those by good counsel whom Thou hast confided to our care.

Have mercy, etc.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Seventh Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Grant us grace to fear Thee.
J:sus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, grant us grace inwardly to fear Thee, and to avoid all occasions of offending
Thee.

Let the threats of the torments which are to fall on sinners, the fear of losing Thy
love and Thy heavenly inheritance, always keep us in awe.

Let us not dare to remain in sin, but return soon to repentance, lest, through Thine
anger, the dreadful sentence of endless death and damnation fall upon us.

Let the powerful intercession of Thy blessed Mother, and all Thy saints, but above
all, Thine own merits and mercy, O my Savior, ever be between Thine avenging
justice and our poor souls.

Enable us, O my God, to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, and let the
apprehension of Thy secret judgments render us more humble and diligent
supplicants at the throne of Thy grace.

Have mercy, etc.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Eighth Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Grant us grace to love Thee.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, grant us grace truly to love Thee, for Thine infinite goodness, and those
excessive bounties we have received, and hope for ever to receive, from Thee.

Let the remembrance of Thy goodness and patience conquer the malice and
wretched inclinations of our perverse nature.

Let the consideration of Thy many deliverances, Thy frequent calls, and continual
assistance in the ways of life, make us ashamed of our ingratitude.

And what dost Thou require of us for all Thy mercies, or by them, but to love Thee?
And why dost Thou require it, but because Thou art our only good?

O dear Lord, our whole life shall "be nothing but a desire of Thee, and because we
indeed love Thee, we will most diligently keep Thy commandments.
Have mercy, etc.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Ninth Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Grant us grace to remember our death.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, grant us grace always to remember our death, and the great account we are
then to give ; that so our souls, being always well disposed, may depart out of this
world in Thy grace.

Then by the holy intercession of Thy blessed Mother, and the assistance of the
glorious St. Michael, deliver us from the enemy of our souls: and do thou, our good
angel, we beseech thee help us at that most important hour.

Then, dear Jesus, remember Thy mercy and turn not Thy most amiable face away
from us, because of our offences.

Secure us against the terrors of that day, by causing us to die daily to earthly
things, and to have our conversation continually in heaven.

Let the remembrance of Thy death teach us to esteem our lives, and the memory of
Thy Resurrection encourage us to descend cheerfully into the grave.

Have mercy, etc.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Tenth Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Send us here our purgatory.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, send us here our purgatory, and so prevent the torments of that cleansing fire
which awaits those souls in the next world that have not been sufficiently cleansed
in this.

Vouchsafe to grant us those merciful crosses and afflictions which Thou seest
necessary for taking off our affections from all things here below.

Since none can see Thee who love anything which is not for Thy sake, suffer not our
hearts to find any rest here, but in sighing after Thee.

Too bitter, alas, will be the anguish of a soul which is separated from Thee, which
desires, but cannot come to Thee, being bound with the heavy chains of sin.
Here then, O my Savior, keep us continually mortified to this world, that, being
purified thoroughly by the fire of Thy love, we may immediately pass from hence
into Thine everlasting possession.

Have mercy, etc. Our Lord Jesus, etc.

Hear these, etc. Our Father, etc.

Hail Mary: Creed.

PART III

At the name of Jesus, etc.

Eleventh Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Grant us grace to avoid bad company.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, grant us grace to avoid bad company and to shun the society of the worldly;
but when duty or accident brings us into contact with them, we beseech Thee, by
the sanctity of Thy conversation among sinners, to defend us and preserve us from
being overcome by any temptations to mortal sin.

Cause us, O Blessed Lord, to remember always with dread, that Thou art present
and wilt take an account of all our words and actions, and judge us according to
them.

Repress in us, dear Jesus, all inordinate affection for the pleasures of taste and of
sense, and grant us grace to avoid all such as would excite the fire of these
unhappy appetites.

Thy power defend, Thy wisdom direct, Thy fatherly pity chastise us and make us live
so here among men that we may be fit for the conversation of angels hereafter,

Have mercy on all sinners, Jesus, we beseech Thee, turn their vices into virtues, and
making them true observers of Thy law, and sincere lovers of Thee, bring them to
bliss in everlasting glory.

Have mercy also on the souls in purgatory, for Thy bitter Passion, we beseech Thee,
and for Thy glorious name, Jesus.

O Blessed Trinity, one eternal God, have mercy on us.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Twelfth Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Grant us grace to call on Thee for help.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, grant us grace in all our necessities, to call on Thee for help, faithfully
remembering Thy death and Resurrection for us,

Wilt Thou be deaf to our cries, Who wouldst lay down Thy life for our ransom? Or
canst Thou not save us, Who couldst take it up again for our crown?

Whom have we in heaven but Thee, O dear Jesus, Whose blessed mouth has
pronounced: "Call on Me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee"?

Thou art our sure rock of defense against all sorts of enemies; Thou art our ready
grace able to strengthen us in every good work.

Therefore in all our sufferings, in all our weakness and temptations, we will
confidently call on Thee; hear us, O Jesus, and when Thou hearest, have mercy.

Have mercy, etc.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Thirteenth Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Make us persevere in virtue.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, make us persevere in virtue and a good life, and never relinquish Thy service,
till Thou bringest us to our reward in Thy kingdom. In all pious customs and holy
duties, in our daily and necessary employments, continue and strengthen, O Lord,
both our souls and bodies.

Is our life anything but a pilgrimage on earth toward the New Jerusalem, to which he
that sits down, or turns out of the way, can never arrive? O Jesus, make us always
consider, through how much pain, and how little pleasure. Thou didst press on to a
bitter death, that being the way to a glorious Resurrection.

Make us, O dear Redeemer, seriously weigh those severe words of Thine: "He only
that perseveres to the end shall be saved."

Have mercy, etc.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Fourteenth Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Grant us grace to fix our minds on Thee.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Jesus, grant us grace to fix our minds on Thee especially in time of prayer, when we
directly converse with Thee.

Stop the fancies of our wandering heads, and the desires of our unstable hearts;
suppress the power of our spiritual enemies who endeavor to draw our minds from
heavenly thoughts to many vain imaginations.

So shall we, with joy and gratitude, look on Thee as our deliverer from all the evils
we have escaped, and as our benefactor for all the good we have received or can
hope for.

We shall see that Thou Thyself art our only good, and that all other things are but
means ordained by Thee, to make us fix our minds on Thee, to make us love Thee
more and more, and, by loving Thee, to be eternally happy.

O beloved of our souls, take up all our thoughts here, that our eyes, abstaining from
all worldly vanities, may become worthy to behold Thee face to face in Thy glory
forever.

Have mercy, etc.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Fifteenth Petition

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Grant us grace to order our lives

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, toward our eternal welfare
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Jesus, grant us grace to order our lives toward our eternal welfare, heartily intending
and wisely designing all the operations of our souls and bodies for obtaining the
reward of Thine infinite bliss and eternal felicity.

For what else is this world but a school to cultivate souls and fit them for the other
world? And how are they to be fitted but by an eager desire of enjoying God, their
only end? Break our froward spirits, O Jesus; make them humble and obedient; grant
us grace to depart hence with contempt of this world and hearts filled with joy at
our going to Thee.

Let the memory of Thy Passion make us cheerfully under go all temptations and
sufferings here for Thy love, whilst our souls breathe after that blissful life and
immortal glory which Thou hast prepared in heaven for Thy servants.

O Jesus, let us frequently and attentively consider, that whatsoever we gain, if we

lose Thee, all is lost; and whatsoever we lose, if we gain Thee, all is gained.

Have mercy on all sinners, Jesus, we beseech Thee, turn their vices into virtues, and
making them true observers of Thy law and sincere lovers of Thee, bring them to
bliss in everlasting glory.
Have mercy also on the souls in purgatory, for Thy bitter Passion we beseech Thee
and for Thy glorious name, Jesus. O Blessed Trinity, etc.

Our Lord Jesus Christ humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death even the
death of the cross (Phil. ii. 8).

Hear these our petitions, O most merciful Savior, and grant us Thy grace so
frequently to repeat and consider them, that they may prove easy steps whereby
our souls may ascend to the knowledge, love, and performance of our duty to Thee
and our neighbor through the whole course of our lives.

R. Amen.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Creed.

DEVOTIONS FOR ADVENT AND EMBER DAYS

From the "Visitation Manual"

ASPIRATIONS

BEHOLD, O Lord, the affliction of Thy people, and send Him Whom Thou art to send.
Send forth the Lamb, the Ruler of the earth, to free us from our chains: that being
delivered from the hands of our enemies, we may serve Thee, O God! in holiness
and justice, all the days of our lives.

Be comforted, be comforted, my people! take courage and fear not; God Himself will
come and save you. All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

ANTIPHONS FROM THE ROMAN BREVIARY FOR ADVENT

THESE Anthems express and represent the ardent desires and, wishes of the
prophets for the coming of Christ, and ought to express the desire we have that
Christ may be born in us by His grace.

O WISDOM, Who didst proceed out of the mouth of the Most High, reaching from
end to end, with might and with sweetness disposing all things: come and teach us
the way of prudence.

O ADONAI, and Leader of the house of Israel, Who didst appear to Moses in the fire
of the flaming bush, and didst give him the law on Sinai, come and save us with an
outstretched arm.

O ROOT of Jesse, Who art a signal to the people; in Whose presence kings shall be
silent, and to Whom the Gentiles shall pray, come and deliver us now, and delay
not.
O KEY of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, Who openest and no man
shutteth; Who shuttest and no man openeth, come and take out of prison him who
is in fetters, and who sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death.

O ORIENT brightness of eternal light, and Sun of righteousness, come and enlighten
those that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

O KING of the Gentiles, and their desired One, the corner stone that joinest the two
walls; come and save man, whom Thou didst form out of slime.

O EMMANUEL, our King and Lawgiver, the expectation of the Gentiles, and their
Saviour, come and save us, O Lord, Our God.

Prayer

THOU art already come, O Lord Jesus Christ, all the earth is filled with Thy mercies,
and the Church throughout the world gives Thee thanks for having been made man
for our salvation; yet, at the same time, she incessantly entreats Thee by her tears,
her sighs, and fervent prayers, to save Thy people, and deliver them from the evils
which they experience. Come, then, O Savior of the world, to rescue my soul from
the imminent dangers to which my past sins and my present weakness daily expose
me. Come, and live in me by Thy grace, in the spirit of Thy sanctity, in the plenitude
of Thy strength, in the perfection of Thy ways, in the truth of Thy virtues, and in the
communion of Thy mysteries. Triumph over all adverse powers in Thy Holy Spirit, for
the glory of Thy Father. Amen.

EMBER DAYS

THE Ember Days were instituted

1. To consecrate by penance each of the four seasons of the year;

2. To pray to God for the preservation of the fruits of the earth, and to give Him
thanks for those already received;
3. To beg of God worthy pastors for the Church, and to implore His blessing on
those who are promoted to Holy Orders.

Prayer

WE beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to regard the devotion of Thy people, that
mortifying their bodies by fasting, their minds may be refreshed by good works.
Through Christ our Lord.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all He hath done for thee.

Receive, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the offerings of our homage, and mercifully
sanctify Thy own gifts.

Bless and preserve, O Lord, the fruits of the earth. Enable us, by Thy grace, so to
enjoy these and all other temporal blessings, that we may not lose those which are
eternal.
Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst institute in Thy Church a sacred hierarchy, to be
perpetuated without interruption to the end of the world, by the Sacrament of Holy
Orders, hear the prayers which we humbly offer up to Thee, for those who are to be
ordained at this time, that, strengthened by Thy grace and directed by Thy Spirit,
they may please Thee to Whom they engage themselves, and by word and
example, contribute to the salvation of souls, redeemed by Thy blood. Who livest
and reignest, world without end. Amen.

A LITTLE BOOK OF NOVENAS

FOR CHRISTMAS

1. O GOD and Saviour of our souls, sweet Infant Jesus, Whom the angels and
shepherds adored in the stable of Bethlehem on that holy night when Thou wert
born of the Virgin Mary, we offer Thee our profound adoration and our most
earnest thanksgiving for having become man for our redemption and salvation;
grant that we may apply all our powers to fulfill Thy gracious designs, that we
may become perfectly renewed in heart and inflamed with Thy holy love.

Pater, Ave, Gloria. Sweet Jesus, be my love.

2. O merciful Redeemer, Who didst vouchsafe to remain in the chaste cloister of

Mary s womb, hidden and unknown, though Thou wast the Eternal Word, and the
wisdom of the Father; grant that we may learn from Thee to love solitude and
silence, and escape the evils that are found in the tumult and distractions of the
world; grant us greater purity of mind and of heart; grant that we may glorify
Thee, and edify others by our purity and modesty.

Pater, Ave, Gloria. Sweet Jesus, be my love.

3. O Infant God, Who, from the moment of Thy conception in holy Mary s womb,
didst offer Thyself to Thine eternal Father for the salvation of our souls,
vouchsafe to give us a lively sense of the one thing necessary, so that we may
labor zealously for others, and work out our own salvation in fear and trembling,
yet with confidence in Thy love

Pater, Ave, Gloria. Sweet Jesus, be my love.

4. O sweetest Jesus, Who didst go up to Bethlehem In the womb of Mary, to obey

the commands of Caesar, who had ordered all his subjects to be enrolled; grant
us grace to obey with alacrity the most arduous commands from those who hold
Thy place over us.

Pater, Ave, Gloria. Sweet Jesus, be my love.

5. O most adorable Jesus, Who, upon Thy arrival at Bethlehem, wast rejected by all
men; grant us to follow Thy example in sufferings and contempt, that we may
 welcome Thee joyfully into our hearts, when Thou seekest an entrance there,
either by holy inspirations or by Thy divine Sacraments.

Pater, Ave, Gloria. Sweet Jesus, be my love.

6. O Divine Infant, Who, when excluded from Bethlehem, didst inspire Thy holy
Mother to retire to a poor and wretched stable, in which obscure and humble
place it was Thy will to be born, in order to confound our pride, and to teach us
humility. O grant that henceforward, conforming ourselves to Thy will, we may
renounce all pomp and pride, and become truly meek and humble of heart.

Pater, Ave, Gloria. Sweet Jesus, be my love.

7. O Divine Word, Who for the love of us, Thy poor creatures, wast pleased to be
born under the most lowly roof, to be wrapped in the meanest swaddling-bands,
and to be laid in a vile manger, amongst beasts, and to suffer a thousand evils.
O grant that we also may renounce all worldly vanities, and embrace poverty of
spirit, and mortification of the flesh, so necessary for our perfection. Grant that
we may be thoroughly detached from creatures, and poor in all things save in
Thy love and Thy grace.

Pater, Ave, Gloria. Sweet Jesus, be my love.

8. O divine Savior, O King of peace, Who wast pleased to make Thy appearance
amongst us when the whole world was in peace; vouchsafe to send us Thy
peace, so that all our powers being brought into subjection to Thee, Thou mayest
at the approaching solemnity be born anew in our souls.

Pater, Ave, Gloria. Sweet Jesus, be my love.

9. O divine Saviour, O King of immortal glory, Who, in Thy great mercy, didst come
into the world to redeem us and to make us holy; grant that, denying all
ungodliness and love of this world, we may live soberly in ourselves, justly
toward our neighbor, and piously before Thee, that so we may be happy with
Thee for all eternity.

Pater, Ave, Gloria. Sweet Jesus, be my love.

PRAYER TO THE INFANT JESUS

COME to me, O Divine Savior, vouchsafe to be born in my heart; grant that, taught
by Thine example, and assisted by Thy grace, I may be poor in spirit and humble of
heart. Keep me chaste and obedient. I wish to live but for Thee, and to do all things
purely for love of Thee.

O my Jesus, my supreme and true Good! what can have attracted Thee from heaven
to be born in a cave, if it be not the love that Thou bearest to man? What has drawn
Thee from the bosom of Thy Father to lay Thyself down in a manger? What has
brought Thee down from Thy throne above the stars, to stretch Thyself on a little
straw? What, from the midst of the nine choirs of angels, has placed Thee between
two animals? Thou dost inflame the seraphim with holy fire, and lo, Thou art
trembling with cold in this stable! Thou dost give motion to the heavens and the
sun, and now Thou canst not move without being carried in some ones arms! Thou
dost provide both man and beast with food, and dost Thou now require a little milk
to sustain Thy life! Thou art the delight of heaven. And yet I hear Thee weep and
moan? Tell me who hath reduced Thee to such misery? "Who hath done this? Love
hath done it," says St. Bernard; the love that Thou bearest to man hath done it.

O dearest Infant, tell me what Thou earnest on earth to do? Tell me whom Thou art
seeking? Ah, I understand Thee now; Thou art come in order to die for me, to deliver
me from an unhappy eternity. Thou art come to seek me, a lost sheep, in order that
I may no more fly from Thee, but love Thee. Ah, my Jesus, my treasure, my life, my
love, my all; if I do not love Thee, whom, then, shall I love ? Where can I find a
father, a friend, a spouse more worthy of love than Thou, and who has loved me
more than Thou hast done? I am sorry because I did not love Thee and serve Thee
more fervently. Forgive me, O my beloved Redeemer; for I repent of having treated
Thee with ingratitude. I am sorry for it with all my heart. Pardon me, and give me
Thy grace, that I may never again separate myself from Thee, and that I may love
Thee constantly during the years that remain to me in this life. My Love, I give
myself entirely to Thee. Dispose of all that I am and of all that I have according to
Thy will. May Thy holy will be done in me and through me. O Mary, thou art my
advocate; thou dost obtain by thy prayers whatever thou wilt from thy Son; beg of
Him to forgive me my offences, and to grant me holy perseverance unto death. St.
Joseph, do thou also pray for me that I may become daily more pleasing to Jesus.

IN PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS

First Day

To the adorable interior of the holy Infant His spirit designs, thoughts, and
intentions.

ENTER into the sanctuary, the divine interior of the holy Infant Jesus, and learn to
form yours according to it. All divine, noble, humble, simple, generous, recollected,
and detached from the world. His every thought and intention are solely directed to
His Father s glory. There you will find no idle thoughts and projects no vanities or
self-seeking no suspicious thoughts contrary to charity.

Prayer

ADORABLE interior of the Infant Jesus, I revere You from my heart. How do You
confound our pride and human wisdom! Ah, teach me, divine Jesus, after Your
example, to despise the world, and not to seek the eyes of others in my devotion.
You, O my God, humbly conceal the treasures of grace and wisdom contained in
Your divine mind, taking on Yourself the appearance of weakness, ignorance, and
incapacity. Oh, heal my pride; remove my blindness and ignorance of interior things
dissipate my darkness destroy my worldly notions and render my thoughts, views,
desires, and sentiments like to Yours. Amen

Each day say to Mary and Joseph:

O BLESSED parents of the Infant Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, if we came to solicit you to
obtain for us worldly prosperity, joys, honors, and comforts, our sighs could never
reach the cradle of a God, poor, humble even to annihilation, forgotten, suffering,
weak, and lying in a manger; but these are not our desires or petitions. No; we
humbly and earnestly implore you to beg for us, at the crib of your Infant Son, that,
like Him and as His true and faithful followers, we may love to live in true humility
dis engagement from creatures contempt of the world and its vanities constant
recollection of the holy presence of God fervor and fidelity in all our duties and in
the practice of the tenderest charity to all persons. May we never blush at the
humility of the crib, nor at the poverty and simplicity of Bethlehem. May we ever
rejoice at our happy lot as true spouses of Jesus Christ: ever in tender charity look
with a compassionate eye on those who live but for this world, and continually pray
that all may come to bless, to praise, and to love the Savior Who comes to redeem
them.

Infant Jesus, poor and simple, grant our petition!

Infant Jesus, humble and obedient, grant our petition!
Infant Jesus, silent and recollected, grant our petition!
Infant Jesus, inflamed with love for us, grant our petition!
Holy Mother of the Infant Jesus, pray for us!
Blessed St. Joseph, pray for us!
All ye saints, devoted to the Holy Infancy of Jesus, pray for us!

Second Day

To the Sacred Heart of the Infant Jesus.

THIS day adore the Sacred Heart of your Infant Savior that Heart so full of
tenderness and charity, that Heart so pure and holy, the beloved retreat of all
interior and faithful souls.

Prayer

O BLESSED Heart of the Infant Jesus! I adore and love you as the center of all
hearts, and humbly en treat you to give me grace henceforth to rest and repose in
you, as in my true home. May you be my oratory, in which, and through which, I
shall offer to the Eternal Father all my requests, that He may receive them more
propitiously May you be my school, wherein I may learn that celestial science so
different from worldly wisdom those pure principles which lead to the interior life. In
fine, may you, O Sacred Heart, be my treasury, and may I find abundant riches in
your poverty, love, suffering, and fidelity. Amen.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Third Day

To the sacred mouth of the Infant Jesus.

THIS day adore, love, and reverence the sacred mouth of your Infant Savior, which
now keeps a profound silence; but which will soon be opened to announce the
truths of life and salvation, to speak in your behalf to the Eternal Father, and which
at the close of life will pronounce your final sentence.

Prayer

O SACRED mouth of my Infant Savior, I sincerely adore you. O blessed infantine lips!
I love and venerate you. O sweet Jesus, how loudly does Your silence speak to my
heart. Ah, attract me to love and practice this holy virtue, as far as my state
permits, and let all mv words be stamped with the seal of charity. O adorable,
Incarnate Word of the Father! Eternal Wisdom silent in the womb of Your Virgin
Mother, endow me with that spirit of sweetness, patience, and mildness, of which
You are the Model. Teach me how to speak, and how to be silent. May this tongue,
on which You so often repose in the Adorable Sacrament, rather cleave to my jaws
than ever pronounce an unbecoming word; and may charity, humility, modesty,
sweetness, prudence, and simplicity accompany all my words and expressions.
Amen.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Fourth Day

To the sacred hands of the Infant Jesus.

THIS day kiss in spirit those pure and liberal hands, now so weak, cold, and
trembling, which will be one day instruments of so many great works, healing the
sick, curing the blind, and which will, at length, be fastened with hugs nails to the
cross.

Prayer

O MOST pure and generous hands of my Infant Savior, I adore, revere, and love you.
O innocent hands which have been so often raised to heaven in our favor, may I
imitate your charity and compassion for the poor and afflicted, in constantly praying
for the salvation of my neighbors, as well as for my own. O blessed hands, pierced
with huge nails, may I rather die than ever again (by sin) fasten you to the cross. O
most holy Infant, grant me continually to hold fast Your blessed hands, that I may
securely walk through the slippery paths of this life, always moving according to
Your holy will, and with submission to my spiritual guides. Amen.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Fifth Day

To the pure and benign eyes of the Infant Jesus.

THIS day adore and love the pure and benignant eyes of your Infant Savior, those
eyes which beam purity, love, and sweetness; those eyes which have wrought such
wonders in souls; those eyes, in fine, which have shed over our miseries abundant
tears. O may they impart to us the grace of true contrition for our sins, and
compassion for the miseries of others.

Prayer

O MOST pure and benignant eyes of our Infant Savior, Eyes beaming love,
tenderness, and compassion for us, wretched sinners! Eyes ever intent upon all our
works and ways, watching over us with unceasing care, we honor and revere you. O
grant me, dear Jesus, in honor of the purity and sanctity of Your holy eyes, carefully
to guard mine, to look on and consider but You, and what may lead to Your love and
service. "Turn away from me all vanities," take from me the spirit of curiosity, so
opposed to the spirit of the Gospel, and grant that I may live under Your all-seeing
eye with all possible respect, modesty, and love, continually remembering Your holy
presence, and ever lamenting my past and present infidelities with greater love and
regret. Amen

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Sixth Day

To the sacred Feet of our Infant Jesus.

THIS day adore those sacred feet, bound for your love in swathing bands, to teach
you to love holy obedience, submission to the divine law, and to all the duties of
your state.

Prayer

O MOST holy Feet of my Infant Savior, I adore, love, and venerate you with my
whole heart, and embrace you in spirit: especially those parts destined to be
pierced on the cross by your executioners. O give me grace to walk faithfully and
constantly in the paths of your counsels and commandments, continually exhorting
me to greater sanctity and perfection. May I, with your grace, steadily advance in
your sacred footsteps, in true contempt of all worldly vanities, in hatred and
aversion for worldly maxims, in a faithful discharge of my duties to you, my
neighbor, and myself; in a patient endurance of the faults of others, and in profound
humility of heart and conduct. Thus shall I be ever in security, for they who follow
you walk not in darkness.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Seventh Day

To the precious blood of the Infant Jesus.

THIS day adore the precious blood of our Infant Savior, flowing through His sacred
veins, and one day to be poured out on Calvary, for the remission of our sins.

Prayer
O MOST pure and precious blood of my Infant Savior, drawn by the Holy Ghost from
the virginal veins of your immaculate Mother. O saving blood! shed for our
redemption on Calvary, and daily offered on our altars in the adorable sacrifice, our
nourishment and strength in the Holy Eucharist, I adore, love, and venerate you,
and humbly pray that you may abundantly flow on me, and on all pool sinners, on
all my friends, relatives, benefactors, and enemies. May I receive the happy fruits of
such a blessing with love, gratitude, and compunction, especially at the holy Mass,
and in the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. Through these sacred
channels may you constantly flow, to nourish my soul to everlasting life, and to
impart to me that purity, innocence, love, and fervor of which you are the source
and preservative. Amen.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Eighth Day

To honor the poverty, obedience, etc., of the Infant Jesus.

THIS day adore and try to imitate the blessed Infant, as the true model of that
perfection to which all Religious are bound to aspire; and renew your sacred
engagements at the feet of your Infant Savior with increased fervor.

Prayer

O MOST holy Infant Jesus, my King, my Master, and Savior, I adore You in this state
of poverty, suffering, and submission, and humbly beg grace to observe faithfully
the solemn vows by which I bound myself to renounce the world, with its pomps the
flesh, with its vices the devil, with his temptations to lead a life of innocence,
prayer, sincere humility, and ardent love of God and my neighbor. O dearest Jesus,
may my only treasure hence forth be Your grace my only pleasure Your service and
love and my only desire the accomplishment of your most holy will. O grant that I
may always fulfill it. Amen.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Ninth Day

To adore and welcome the Infant Savior, just coming into the world.

THIS day adore, love, bless, praise, and welcome the little Savior, Who comes to
redeem you prepare
Him a cradle in your hearts, and do rot imitate the unfeeling inhabitants of
Bethlehem.

Prayer

ALL hail, most lovely, most holy, most amiable Infant Jesus, King of my soul! Ah,
blessed be the hour in which Your holy Mother will give You to me as my ransom. O
most beautiful above the children of men, give me grace to prepare to receive you
worthily on the glorious feast of Your nativity. Give me a heart all glowing with holy
desires, love, gratitude, and ardent zeal, to correspond with the designs which bring
You on earth. Give me the true spirit of Your holy nativity, a spirit of humility,
silence, detachment, docility, meekness, and true and ardent charity. Give me grace
daily to advance in devotion to Your blessed Infancy, and faithfully to persevere in
the discharge of all my duties, in spite of the allurements of Satan, or the railleries
of the world. Bless me then, divine Infant, as You blessed the humble and simple
shepherds watching over their flocks; and let me ever remember, that it is to the
humble, simple, and faithful You most willingly communicate Your choicest gifts.
Amen.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

PRAYER TO THE INFANT JESUS

(Suitable for those in charge of children.)

O ETERNAL God, made an Infant for love of us, to Thee do I offer each little child,
whom for Thy love and in honor of Thy holy childhood I will devote my whole
strength to instruct and save. Grant that I may ever behold Thee in the children
confided to my care: and never, oh, never permit, my Jesus, that any act or word of
mine should scandalize Thy little ones.

Give me a share in Thy humility, Thy charity, and Thy gentleness to all. Grant Thy
blessing to my labors and bring me safely to heaven, where surrounded by these
little ones whom I taught to love Thee, I may praise Thee and bless Thee forever.

THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR

THE end of the year should naturally make you think of the end of your life. This
reflection should induce you to place yourself in the state in which you would like to
be found at the hour of your death. We ought, said a great saint, to ask of God,
through Jesus Christ, the grace to repair all the spiritual losses we have sustained
through our negligence. We should beseech Him, in the name and through the
merits of this divine Savior, to enable us to attain that degree of perfection to which
He wished to conduct us, if we had corresponded with fidelity. This practice suits
particularly the end of the year.

In thanksgiving to almighty God, for the spiritual and temporal blessings bestowed
on you, on your parents, on all mankind, during the past year, recite with lively
sentiments of gratitude the Te Deum or Magnificat.

And in expiation of your infidelities, recite the Miserere.

AN OFFERING OF THE NEW YEAR

O MY God, another year is added to the number of those for which I am accountable
to Thee. Well may I recount them all in the bitterness of my soul, for they have been
filled with infidelities and ingratitude. Thou hast granted them to me to know, to
love, and serve Thee, and every one of them brings to my recollection numberless
omissions of these essential duties. Have mercy on me, O Lord, have mercy on me,
for I have no hope but in Thy mercy. It now offers me this new year to repair the
evils and retrieve the losses of those which are past. Grant, O Lord, that it be
entirely consecrated to Thy glory, sanctified by Thy love, and wholly employed in
Thy service.

A PRAYER TO THE ADORABLE NAME OF JESUS

O MOST sweet Jesus, how glorious is that name which is given to Thee this day! I
rejoice that it is not borne by Thee a mere empty name, the shadow of a name, as
others have borne it; but a name full of truth, and of all perfection.

I thank Thee, O good Jesus, for the will which Thou hadst to save us, accepting the
office, with the name, of Savior; fulfill it, O Lord, effectually in me; and seeing Thou
art Jesus, Esto mihi Jesus. Be to me Jesus, be my Savior. Amen.

O blessed Virgin, beseech thy Son to imprint in my heart that esteem and love of
this holy name, which He imprinted in thine.

May the adorable name of Jesus be the sweet and daily music of my soul, and the
seal of my heart; and, when in the agony and cold sweat of death, I shall give the
last look to heaven for mercy, may the parting sigh of my soul be Jesus, sweet
Jesus. Amen.

THIRTY-THREE PETITIONS

Offered through the merits of the sacred humanity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

O GOOD Jesus! Word of the Eternal Father, convert me!

O good Jesus! Son of Mary, make me her child!
O good Jesus! my Master, teach me!
O good Jesus! Prince of peace, give me peace!
O good Jesus! my Refuge, receive me!
O good Jesus! my Pastor, feed my soul!
O good Jesus! Model of patience, comfort me!
O good Jesus! my Redeemer, save me!
O good Jesus! my God and my All, possess me!
O good Jesus! the true Way, direct me!
O good Jesus! eternal Truth, instruct me!
O good Jesus! Life of the blessed, make me live in Thee!
O good Jesus! my Support, strengthen me!
O good Jesus! my Justice, justify me!
O good Jesus! my Mediator, reconcile me to Thy Father!
O good Jesus! Physician of my soul, heal me!
O good Jesus! my Judge, absolve me!
O good Jesus! my King, govern me!
O good Jesus! my Sanctification, sanctify me!
O good Jesus! Abyss of goodness, pardon me!
O good Jesus! living Bread from heaven, satiate me!
O good Jesus! the Father of the prodigal, receive me!
O good Jesus! Joy of my soul, refresh me!
O good Jesus! my Helper, assist me!
O good Jesus! Magnet of love, attract me!
O good Jesus! my Protector, defend me!
O good Jesus! my Hope, sustain me!
O good Jesus! Object of my love, make me love Thee!
O good Jesus! Fountain of life, cleanse me!
O good Jesus! my Propitiation, purify me!
O good Jesus! my last End, let me obtain Thee!
O good Jesus! my Glory, glorify me. Amen.

Prayer

JESUS, O name of Jesus, sweet name, delightful name, consoling name, for what
else is Jesus than Savior! Wherefore, O Jesus, for Thy sweet names sake, be to me a
Jesus, and save me. Suffer me not to be eternally lost, whom Thou didst create out
of nothing. O good Jesus, let not my iniquities destroy me, whom Thy bounty made.
O sweet Jesus, recognize in me what is Thine, and efface all that is
not Thine. O sweet Jesus! show mercy now in the time of
mercy, and condemn me not in the day of justice. What
profit to Thy precious blood, or what honor will my destruc
tion give Thy holy name, O Jesus! "The dead shall not
praise Thee, O Lord Jesus! nor all they that go down to
hell." O most amiable Jesus! most meek, most loving
Jesus! O Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! admit me to the number of
Thy servants! O Jesus, comfort of all who fly to Thee! O
sweet Jesus! forgive me my sins! O Jesus! Son of the Virgin
Mary, infuse into my soul grace, wisdom, charity, chastity,
and humility, that I may love Thee perfectly, praise Thee,
serve Thee, and eternally rejoice and glory in Thee, with all
who devoutly honor and fervently invoke Thy holy name, O
Jesus. Amen.

Hovcna to tbe Tfntant 3esus.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY CHILD.

O CHILD Jesus, I have recourse to Thee; by Thy holy

Mother, I implore Thy assistance in this necessity
(here mention your request), for I firmly believe that Thy
divinity can assist me. I confidently hope to obtain Thy
holy grace. I love Thee with my whole heart and my whole
soul. I am heartily sorry for my sins, and I entreat of Thee,
O good Jesus, to give me strength to overcome my evil pas
sions. I make the resolution of never again offending Thee,
and I resolve to suffer everything rather than displease Thee.
Henceforth I wish to serve Thee faithfully. For the love
of Thee, O divine Child! I will love my neighbor as myself.
O Jesus, omnipotent Child, I again implore Thy assistance on
this occasion (mention it) . Grant that I may possess Thee
eternally, with Mary and Joseph, and adore Thee with the
angels and saints in heaven. Amen.
ioo2 A Little Book of Novenas.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY FAMILY.

To be said be/ore a representation of the Holy Family.

OMOST loving Jesus, Who by Thy sublime and beautiful

virtues of humility, obedience, poverty, modesty, charity,
patience, and gentleness, and by the example of Thy domestic
life, d dst bless with peace and happiness the family which
Thou didst choose on earth, in Thy clemency look down upon
this household, humbly prostrate before Thee and imploring
Thy mercy. Remember that this family belongs to Thee; for
to Thee we have in a special way dedicated and devoted ourselves
Look upon us in Thy loving-kindness, preserve us from danger;
give us help in time of need; and grant us the grace to persevere
to the end in the imitation of Thy Holy Family; that having
revered Thee and loved Thee faithfully on earth, we may bless
and praise Thee eternally in heaven. O Mary, most sweet
Mother, to thy intercession we have recourse, knowing that thy
Divine Son will hear thy prayers. And do thou, O glorious
Patriarch, St. Joseph, assist us by thy powerful mediation,
and offer, by the hands of Mary, our prayers to Jesus. Amen.

IRovcna tor tbe Tflew

OMOST amiable Redeemer! Whose infinite love for

man far exceeded Thy corporal strength in the crib of
Bethlehem, receive our fervent adorations and most ardent
thanksgiving for the first effusion of that adorable blood
which Thou didst afterwards shed to the last drop for us on
the cross. Oh, how ardently must Thou have desired our sal
vation, since Thou didst so soon begin to suffer for us! How
much must Thou have wished for our confidence, since Thou
didst so early assume that name which, above all names, is
best calculated to render Thee amiable in our eyes and
dear to our hearts. O Jesus! our infant, but most power
ful Saviour! we now feel that Thou art Our Redeemer, and
therefore most confidently approach Thy crib, to represent
to Thee all our wants, and in particular to implore, by Thy
adorable infancy, by Thy painful circumcision, and above all
by Thy sacred name, which is the joy of heaven, the terror of
hell, the consolation of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners,
that Thou wouldst grant us the intentions of this novena.
A Little Book of Novenas. lo j

Pardon us, O adorable Jesus, all our negligences, tepidity,

and sloth in Thy divine service during the past year, and
mercifully deign to accept the oblation which we now make
of every day, hour, and moment of the year we commence.
Give efficacy by Thy precious blood to the resolutions we
now make, of living from this moment in the manner we
should wish to have done when time shall be about to close
lor ever for us. We fervently offer Thee each and even-
action of this year, in unison with the adorable actions of
Thy mortal life: we offer Thee our intentions and every
movement of body and soul, (most solemnly renouncing
every motive but Thy love); the most perfect obedience to
Thy holy will, and ardent zeal for Thy glory. O merciful
jesus! by the helplessness of infancy, to which Thou didst
descend for our sakes, strengthen our weakness and fortify
our resolutions never more to offend Thee. By the silence
of childhood, which Thou wouldst not break, though Thou
wert the uncreated Word of God, grant us that spirit of
silence, recollection, and prayer which will best enable us
to acquire the other virtues of our holy state. May the
most ardent love so deeply imprint Thy saving name on our
hearts that it may be always in our minds, frequently on our
lips, that it may be our defence in temptation, our refuge in
danger, and at length our certain passport to a happy eternity.

IRovena for JEpipban^.

1. (~\ HOLY Magi! you were living in continual expecta-

^-^ tion of the rising of the Star of Jacob, which

would announce the birth of the true Sun of justice; obtain

for us an increase of faith and charity, and the grace to live
in continual hope of beholding one day the light of heavenly
glory and eternal joy.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

2. O holy Magi! who at the first appearance of the won

drous star left your native country to go and seek the new
born King of the Jews; obtain for us the grace of correspond
ing with alacrity to every divine inspiration.

Glory be, etc.

3. O holy Magi! who regarded neither the severity of

the season, nor the inconveniences of the journev that you
IOO4 A Little Be ok of Novenas.

might find the new-born Messias; obtain for us the grace

not to allow ourselves to be discouraged by any of the diffi
culties which may meet us in the way of salvation.
Glory be, etc.

4. O holy Magi, who, when deserted by the star in the city

of Jerusalem, sought humbly, and without human respect,
from the rulers of the Church, the place where you might
discover the object of your journey; obtain for us grace to
have recourse, in faith and humility, in all our doubts and
perplexities to the counsel of our superiors, who hold the
place of God on earth.

Glory be, etc.

5. O holy Magi, who were gladdened by the reappear- r

ance of the star which led you to Bethlehem; obtain for us
from God the grace, that, remaining always faithful to Him
in afflictions, we may be consoled in time by His grace, and
in eternity by His glory.

Glory be, etc.

6. O holy Magi, who, entering full of faith into the stable

of Bethlehem, prostrated yourselves on the earth, to adore
the new-born King of the Jews, though He was surrounded
only by signs of poverty and weakness; obtain from the
Lord for us a lively faith in the real presence of Jesus in the
Blessed Sacrament, the true spirit of poverty, and a Christ-
like charity for the poor and suffering.

Glory be, etc.

7. O holy Magi, who offered to Jesus Christ gold, incense,

and myrrh, thereby recognizing Him to be at once King, God,
and Man; obtain from the Lord for us the grace never to
present ourselves before Him with empty hands; but that
we may continually offer to Him the gold of charity, the
incense of prayer, and the myrrh of penance and mortifi
cation.

Glory be, etc.

8. O holy Magi, who, when warned by an angel not to

return to Herod, travelled back to your country by another
road; obtain for us from the Lord the grace that, after having
Sound Him by true repentance, we may avoid all danger of
losing Him again.

Glory be, etc.

9. O holy Magi, who were the first among the Gentiles

A Little Book of JVovenas. IOO 5

called to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and who persevered

in the faith till your deaths, obtain for us of the Lord the
grace of living always in conformity to the baptismal promises
and especially in accordance with our Religious Vows, lead
ing ever a life of faith; that like you we may attain to the
beatific vision of that God Who now is the object of our faith.
Glory be, etc.

IRovena to tbe t>ol IRame of

O MERCIFUL Jesus! Who didst in Thy early infancy

commence Thy office of Saviour by shedding Thy
precious blood, and assuming for us that name which is
above all names: we thank Thee for such early proofs of
Thine infinite love. We venerate Thy sacred name in union
with the profound respect of that angel who first announced
it to the earth, and unite our affections to the sentiments of
tender devotion, which the adorable name of Jesus has, in
all ages, enkindled in the hearts of Thy saints. Animated
with a firm faith in Thy unerring word, and penetrated with
confidence in Thy mercy, we now most humbly remind Thee
of the promise Thou hast made, that when two or three should
assemble in Thy name, Thou Thyself wouldst be in the
midst of them. Come then into the midst of us, most amiable
Jesus, for it is in Thy sacred name we are here assembled.
Come into our hearts, that Thy Holy Spirit may pray in and
by us; and through that adorable name which is the joy
of heaven, the terror of hell, the consolation of the afflicted,
and the solid ground of our unlimited confidence, mercifully
grant us all the petitions of this novena.

O Mary ever Virgin, and blessed Mother of Our Redeemer,

who didst participate so sensibly in the sufferings of thy dear
Son, when He first shed His sacred blood, and assumed for
us the name of Jesus, obtain for us through that adorable
name the favors we petition Him. Beg also that He may
inflame our hearts with His divine love, and imprint thereon
His most sacred name; that it may be always in our minds,
frequently on our lips, our refuge and hope during life, and
our consolation and support at the hour of death. Amen.

ioo6 A Little Book of y arenas.

Hdvena for tbe purification cf Our

O ETERNAL God: Whose adorable Majesty was >

imperfectly honored by the sacrifices of the Old Law
we rejoice, from the bottom of our hearts, in the homagt
Thou didst receive from Thy beloved Son. on His presenta
tion in the Temple. Sacrifice and sin-offering had ceased tc
please Thee; they were no longer agreeable in Thine eyes
when, behold! He came, in Whom from eternity Thou wen
well pleased, to offer Thee that Victim of adoration which
Thine infinite Majesty expected that Sacrifice of expiation
which Thy justice required that Victim of thanksgiving:-
which Thy benefits deserved and that Host of impetration
to which Thy mercy had reserved the most precious favors
But, Lord, the glorious advantage of presenting Thee a
. worthy of Thy greatness was not confined to that pnh
pitious moment. From the rising to the setting of the sun,
there is now offered to Thy name a clean oblation. In all
pans of the earth, at this moment, that holy, innocent, un-
I oblation is presented to Thee, which must always
ore Thee as an odor of sweetness. Oh, permit us,
then, to unite an unreserved oblation of our whole being,
and a fervent renewal of our vows, to the first oblation which
-ed in the Temple, and also to all the Masses now
on throughout the world. We most humbly beg of
:o accept this Victim, infinitely greater than any
we could ask, as a powerful motive for granting us the inten
tkms of this novenau O most happy Virgin! from whom
the Almighty first recetad at Victim worthy of Himself, it
us not be excluded from a share in the graces which, through
thce, haw been granted to the worid. Since we are so often
^ on of that sane sacred Victim, whkh thou didst
obtain for us a share in that ardent love which
thy pure j*wl in that spirit of sacrifice which

* M wets sunatte far X<wos to tfee Holy Ghost, to the

sfeetv.- ^>i S*cnuw*t, tr

rf Our Lo*vl *d to the Wessl Vin;w Mr mifl befound in

xvtwrw wW.cn *w wstfved x* tfce* special devotions.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1007

accompanied thy oblation and in that profound humility,

which on this solemnity concealed thy glorious privileges
from all the world. Do thou thyself rive us the Divine Infant
in each of our communions, as thou didst to holy Simeon.
Obtain that, like him, a lively faith may discover to us Our
Lord and Salvation, in the mystery of His humiliation; that
our hearts may love Him therein ardently, and that frequent
union with Jesus, in the Sacrament of His infinite goodness,
may so detach us from the world, that we may never cease
to sigh after that kingdom of peace, where we shall never sin,
and never cease to love. Amen.

Bovena to St. Josepb.

O GLORIOUS descendant of the kings )f Juda! inheritor

of the virtues of all the patriarchs! just and happy
St. Joseph! listen to our prayers. Thou art our glorious pro
tector, and shalt ever be, after Jesus and Mary, the object
of our most profound veneration and tender confidence.
Thou art a hidden saint, though one of the greatest of saints,
and art peculiarly the patron of interior souls.

In union with all those who have ever been most devoted
to thee, we now dedicate ourselves to thy service, beseeching
thee, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Who vouchsafed to love
and obey thee as a Son, to become a father to us, and to obtain
for us the filial respect, confidence, and love of children
toward thee. O powerful advocate of all Christians! whose
intercession, as St. Teresa assures us, has never been found
to fail, deign to intercede for us now and to implore for us
the particular intentions of the novena. (Specify them.)
Present us, O great saint, to the adorable Trinity with Whom
thou hadst so glorious and so intimate a correspondence.
Obtain that we may never efface by sin the sacred image
according to the likeness of which we were created. Beg
for us that our divine Redeemer may enkindle in our hearts,
and in all hearts, the fire of His love, and infuse therein the
virtues of His adorable infancy His purity, simplicity,
obedience, and humility. Obtain for us likewise a lively
devotion to thy Virgin spouse, and protect us so powerfully
in life and in death that we may have the happiness of dying,
ioo8 A Little Book of Novenas.

as thou didst, in the friendship of Our Creator, and under the

immediate protection of the Mother of God.

litany of St. Jo0epb.

*~| ord, have mercy. Head of the Holy Family,

, I i Christ, have mercy. Joseph most just,

Lord, have mercy. Joseph most chaste,

Christ, hear us. Joseph most prudent,

Christ, graciously hear us. Joseph most strong,

God, the Father of Heaven, 1 Joseph most obedient,

God the Son, Redeemer of the Joseph most faithful,

world, Mirror of patience,

God, the Holy Ghost, Lover of poverty,

Holy Trinity, one God, Model of artisans,

Holy Mary, pray for us, Glory of home life,

St. Joseph, renowned offspring Guardian of virgins,

of David, 2 Pillar of families,

Light of Patriarchs, Solace of the wretched,

Spouse of the Mother of God, Hope, of the sick,

Chaste guardian of the Virgin, Patron of the dying,
Foster father of the Son of God, Terror of demons,
Diligent protector of Christ, Protector of Holy Church,

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us,

O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously

hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have

mercy on us.
V. He made him the lord of his household.

R. And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray.

God, Who in Thy ineffable providence didst vouchsafe

to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy
Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him for our
intercessor in heaven, whom we venerate as our protector on
earth : Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day.

1 Have mercy on us. 2 Pray for us.

TRovena for tbe Annunciation of ur

O ADMIRABLE Virgin! the most exalted yet the most

humble among all creatures! we salute thee, in union
with the respect and veneration of the angel who was deputed

A Little Book of Novenas. 1009

from heaven to hail thee as full of grace, and as the choosen

Mother of the Author of grace. O most happy Mother!
most pure Virgin! most favored among all women, why
can not we join with the generations yet unborn, which
will call thee blessed? (Luke i.). Why can not we
share in the profound feelings of humiliation which filled
th)< soul, even in the moment of thy glorious exaltation? O
most humble, but most privileged handmaid of the Lord!
since thou hast found grace before God, obtain for us
that we may persevere in grace to the end of our lives.
Since thou hast never felt the anguish which springs from
sin, and wert never degraded by a single imperfection, thou
hast no cause to fear those tremendous judgments which
certainly await us if we continue to lead imperfect, tepid
lives in the sanctuary of religion. O powerful Protectress
of those who trust in thee! O Refuge of sinners! whose mis
fortunes thou well knowest how to compassionate! shield us
from the anger of thy divine Son; obtain for us that we may
be like thee ever docile to holy inspirations and ever ready
to say with thee: "Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum" :
"Be it done unto me according to thy word;" and since it
is by thee that Our Lord comes to us, may we, by thee, attain
to the enjoyment of His adorable presence in heaven. Amen.
St. Gabriel, angel of the Annunciation, pray thou also for
us in our present needs. Amen.

Wovena in tooncr of ur Saviout passion,

ffov Xent.*

i. /"\ JESUS, my Saviour, Who didst sweat blood in

V-J the garden at the sight of the sufferings which
my sins and my ingratitude were to cause Thee: I adore
Thee bathed in Thy blood; I give thanks to Thy Sacred
Heart which suffered so much for me; I hate my sins which
were the cause of Thy sufferings; and I am resolved to die
rather than to afflict Thee again. Grant me grace to under
stand the great evil of sin; that I may resist even unto blbod

* The " Litany of the Passion," and other prayers suitable for
Lent and Novenas in honor of the Sufferings of Our Lord are
given in this book among the Devotions to the Passion. "The
Jesus Psalter " is also recommended for Lent.

ioio A Little Book of Novenas.

the temptations of the world, the devil, and the flesh; and
that I may be conformed in all things to the will of Thy
divine Father, however contrary to my own inclinations.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

2. O my Lord Jesus, Who wast so cruelly maltreated in

the house of Annas and Caiphas; I thank Thee that Thou
didst vouchsafe to suffer for love of me insults so atrocious,
and contempt so shameful. Ah! how often have I insulted
Thee in the person of my neighbor! I humbly ask Thy par
don, and resolve, with Thy holy aid, to suffer whatever may
be done against me with patience and gentleness, and never
to offend Thee again, either in word or work.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

3. O Jesus my King! Who wast so scorned by the Jews that

they preferred to Thee a malefactor, a murderer; I pray Thee
to grant me pardon for having often preferred to Thee some
miserable creature, some base gratification. Grant that
I may rather die than again offend against Thy infinite
Majesty. Be Thou henceforward the King of my heart;
and grant that by the help of Thy grace I may ever love and
serve Thee, until I shall have the happiness to see and enjoy
Thee in the kingdom of Thy glory.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

4. O most pure Jesus, most chaste among men! Whose

innocent flesh was thus torn by the scourging in the house of
Pilate, to purge away the wicked pleasures which we enjoy
in ours; I confess that it was for me Thou didst suffer such
cruel torments. I am confounded when I reflect on the
blows I have caused Thee, and how often I have wounded
Thee by my sensual gratifications. I entreat of Thee by all
Thy sufferings to sanctify my body and my soul, to wash
me and purify me by Thy precious blood from all my filthy
stains. Ah! let not that flesh which was once cleansed in
Thy blood, be again defiled with sin. May I serve Thee to
the end of my life with a clean heart, and may all my actions
be guided by the purest intentions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

5. O Jesus, greatest of all sovereigns, Who wast crowned

with thorns, nd tre-ted with cruel mockery; all derided
and despised as Thou art, I acknowledge Thee for my King.
And since there was no part of Thy sacred body which was

A Little Book of Novenas. ion

not bruised for me, I will no longer delight in indulging

mine, but live in the practice of constant mortification, that
so I may have some resemblance to Thee, my only true and
sovereign good.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

6. O adorable and divine blood, shed for my salvation,

flow over me, to wash me, to purify me, to sanctify me: flow
over sinners, that they may be reclaimed; over the heathen,
that they may be enlightened; over the perfidious Jews,
that they may be softened; over all, that all being united in
the same faith, in the same hope, and in the same charity,
we may reign with Thee and in Thee, in that charity which
shall subsist for ever.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

7. O Jesus, my Redeemer, Who wast for my sake nailed

upon the cross, and didst shed Thy blood lo free me from
ihe slavery of the devil; I thank Thee for the incomparable
love which Thou hast borne me, and the pain which Thou
hast suffered for me. I kiss with the deepest respect Thy
feet and Thy hands; I adore Thy Sacred Heart, which was
opened for love of me; and I resolve, from this time forth,
rather to lay down my life than to crucify Thee again by any
mortal sin. For love of Thee, I crucify myself anew on the
cross of my vows, and resolve to imitate Thy example faith
fully to the end of my life. O good Lord, my blessed Saviour!
I-iy that glorious triumph, which, in Thy death, Thou didst
achieve over sin and hell, and by that throne of glory to which
Thou wast exalted by Thy Eternal Father in heaven: grant
that I also, in the hour of death, may triumph over all my
enemies, and come at last with Thee to the joys of paradise.
Yes, O my Jesus, grant me this grace by the merits of Thine
agony and Thy death on the cross.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

PRAYER BEFORE A PICTURE OF CHRIST CRUCIFIED.*

BEHOLD, O kind and sweetest Jesus, I cast myself

upon my knees in Thy sight, and with the most fer
vent desire of my soul I pray and beseech Thee, to impress

* A plenary indulgence, applicable to the souls in purgatory,

is granted to all, who with due dispositions recite this prayer

ioi2 A Little Book of Novenas.

upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity,

with true repentance for my sins and a most firm desire of
amendment, whilst with deep affection and grief of soul I
consider within myself and mentally contemplate Thy five
most precious wounds; having before my eyes that which
the prophet David said of Thee, O good Jesus: "They have
pierced my hands and my feet, they have numbered all my
bones."

TRovena for JEaater. 1fn Ibonor of tbe (Blorious

"Resurrection of our XorD.

JESUS, Who didst confound all Thine enemies by

clothing in glory and splendor that body which had
been the victim of the cruelty of man, give me grace to die to
myself that I may rise again with Thee, and after Thy like
ness lead a new, divine, immortal life: new, by change of con
duct, divine by the generosity and purity of my love, immor
tal by perseverance in well doing. Work in my heart, O
Lord, this happy change; make me pass from .death to life,
from darkness to light, from a life full of imperfections to a
life perfect and worthy of Thee. Make me go on from light
to light, from virtue to virtue, till I come at last to Thee, O
God of virtue, source of all life, and of all light. To thee
also I turn, O holy Virgin, who had the greatest share in
the sufferings and the glory of thy divine Son ; deign to make
me a partaker of that divine joy which thou didst feel on the
blessed day of His Resurrection. Dry my tears and free my
heart from all oppressive sadness. Let Thy risen Son enter
into my heart, as through the closed doors, into the upper
chamber. Let Him say to me, as to the Apostles, "Peace
be to thee;" let Him show to me, as to Thomas, His sacred
wounds; let Him abide with me continually, and never more
depart from me.

TO THE GLORIOUS WOUNDS OF JESUS RISEN.

risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss and adore the glorious

wound of Thy left foot, and pray Thee to give me

before any image or representation of Christ crucified, provided

they confess, and receive holy communion, saying, at the same
time, five Our Fathers, Hail Marys, and Glory for the intentions
of the Sovereign Pontiff.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1013

grace to fly from all occasions of sin, and ever more to walk in
the way of salvation according to the spirit of my holy vows.
Glory be to the Father, etc.

2. My risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss and adore the glorious

wound of Thy right foot, and pray Thee to give me grace to
walk constantly in the way of Christian holiness till I come
to the home of paradise.

Glory, etc.

3. My risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss and adore the glorious

wound of Thy left hand, and pray Thee to deliver me from all
evil, whether of the body or the soul, and most especially from
the unhappy fate of the wicked who shall stand at Thy left hand
at the day of judgment.

Glory, etc.

4. My risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss and adore the glorious

wound of Thy right hand, and pray Thee to bless my soul there
with, and after death to open to me the gates of paradise.

Glory, etc.

5. My risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss and adore the glorious

wound of Thy side, and pray Thee to kindle in my heart the fire
of Thy love here, that I may hereafter love Thee eternally in
heaven.

Glory be, etc.

To Mary.

4 T~^ASTLY, I pray thee, O most holy Virgin Mary, by thy

J * great joy on seeing thy risen and glorified Son, to obtain
for us the grace to rise also after our death to the eternal glory
of paradise. Hail Mary (three times).

iRovena foe Pentecost.*

O JESUS! triumphant Conqueror ot sin and death! Who

hast taken possession of that seat of bliss purchased
by Thy blood, remember Thy tender promise that Thou
wouldst not leave us orphans. Send down upon us and upon
Thy whole Church that Spirit of light, of truth, and of love
Who alone can bring to our minds, and imprint on our hearts,
the divine lessons of humility, poverty, obedience, and con
tempt of the world which Thou hast taught us during Thy
mortal life. But, alas! if Thine apostles themselves were
rendered unworthy of receiving the plenitude of Thy Spirit,
by too natural an attachment to Thy adorable humanity,

* Consult the section on "Devotions in Honor of the Holy

Ghost" for appropriate prayers for the Feast of Pentecost.

ioi4 -fi Little Book of Xovet>as.

which was so lovely, so amiable, so deserving of their tenderest

love, how can we hope for His descent into our hearts, which
are defiled. by a thousand imperfect and sinful inclinations?
O my God, if Thou desirest to give us Thy divine Spirit, pre
pare Thyself His dwelling in our souls; unite our hearts and
affections to the ardent sighs and perfect dispositions with
which Thy blessed Mother and apostles awaited His coming.
And Thou, O adorable Spirit! Who breathest where Thou
wilt, deign to descend on us, who are here assembled in Thy
name, and on all the members of Thy Church, to which Thou
wilt teach all truth to the end of time. O Spirit of purity!
Spirit of peace! Whom the foulest stains of sin can not resist,
purify our souls, and infuse therein that peace which the
world can not give. Oh, rend the heavens and come down,
consoling Spirit! that, strengthened and encouraged by
Thee, we may faithfully comply with the duties of our holy
state, embrace the cross, in whatever shape it is presented,
and study to accomplish the divine will with the utmost per
fection.

HYMN TO THE HOLY GHOST.

OO ME. Holy Ghost, send down tho?e beams

Which sweetly flow in silent streams

From Thy bright throne above;

O come, Thou Father of the poor.
O come, Thou Source of all our store;

Come fill our hearts with love.

O Thou, of Comforters the best,
O Thou, the soul s delightful guest,

The pilgrim s sweet relief;

Thou art true rest in toil and sweat,
Refreshment in the excess of heat,

And Solace in our grief.

Thrice blessed light, shoot home Thy darts,
And pierce the centers of those hearts

Whose faith aspires to Thee;

Without Thy Godhead, nothing can
Have any price or worth in man,

Nothing can harmless be.

Lord, wash our sinful stains away.
Water from heaven our barren clay,

Our wounds and bruises heal;

To Thv sweet voke our stiff necks bow;

A Little Book of Novenas. 1015

Warm with Thy fire our hearts of snow,

Our wand ring feet repel.

Grant to Thy faithful, dearest Lord,
Whose only hope is Thy sure Word,

The seven gifts of the Spirit:

Grant us in life Thy helping grace,
Grant us at death to see Thy face,
And endless joys inherit. Amen.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle
in them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

OGOD, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the

light of the Holy Spirit: grant that we may, by the gift
of the same Spirit, be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His
consolation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Draper for tbe dfoontb of dRag.

OMOST august and blessed Virgin Mary! Holy Mother

of God! glorious Queen of heaven and earth! power
ful protectress of those who love thee, and unfailing advocate
of all who invoke thee! look down, we beseech thee, from
thy throne of glory on thy devoted children; accept the
solemn offering we present thee of this month, specially
dedicated to thee, and receive our ardent, humble desire,
that by our love and fervor we may worthily honor thee,
who, next to God, art deserving of all honor. Receive us,
O Mother of mercy, among thy best beloved children; ex
tend to us thy maternal tenderness and solicitude; obtain
for us a place in the Heart of Jesus and a special share in the
gifts of His grace. Oh, deign, we beseech thee, to recognize
our claims on thy protection, to watch over our spiritual
and temporal interests, as well as those of all who are dear
to us; to infuse into our souls the spirit of Christ and to
teach us thyself to become meek, humble, charitable, patient,
and submissive to the will of God.

May our hearts burn with the love of thy divine Son, and
of thee, His blessed Mother, not for a month alone, but for
time and eternity; may we thirst for the promotion of His
honor and thine, and contribute as far as we can to its exten
sion. Receive us, O Mary, the Refuge of sinners; grant us

I/.\
ii mother s blessim- ;0id :< in,.|!i,i . >.n< n,.\\ .111.! at tlic

hour of our death, Ann n

Uovenn for tforinitf vlbrittt.

O \MIAIU.K Jesus! Who hast given Ul, m il .i.l,.ible

Kuchaiisl. " - in luring n pi-.M-l ,>l rinnr mlimlr lnvr,

permit vis to thank Thee, in the name ,>i all I In II..IIHH ..

tor the blessings included in this one pmi. u. pin We
adore Thee, O hidden Deity! and must wnlfntlv \\ish we
aulil otTer Thee such love us would utone for out 1 own olTenees*,
and those committed l>y nil munkind, gninst thh m" i

.uui.iMr nn-;ti-rv. Hut, mv Clod, if nil tVtllmrs ttv SO .1. f| lv

ni.li-htnl to Tny mercy Jor this Adorol>le Sucnuui m. h..\v

much more sensibly Mould we feel our obligations, itnce.
by Thy sjx cinl prrdileetion, we have leen chosen to d\\rll
under the same i- i \vnli Ihyself, to M-- I h. , ,l : iily olTeird
on our altars, nnd to receive so in .|in-mlv Thy pKCioui Uwly
and blood, Convinced by these 1 hy tender mercies, that
our confidence in Thy goodness can not le tt>o ^mtt, we come
11 i\v to implore of Thee, by that inl mite love which iiulu.iil
Thee to institute this Adofuble Sacrament, and by all the
graces which have ever flowed from this source of every
blessing, to grant us the favor we ask in this novena,

We firmly |>ur|x>se to become more fervent and <lr

voted adorers of this Sacrament of love, and to take Thy
Kucharistic life lor the rule and model of ours, (Jive lilt
grace to honor Thy silence on our altar, by the spirit of recol
lection and prayer; Thy poverty, obedience, and adorable
sanctity, by detachment from all things remimi.iii.Mi nl
self will, and horror of sin; alxn-e all, we beseech 1 ln-e.
O living Bread of eternal life! to remove all obstacles to our
more fruitfully and worthily receiving Thee; and to giiml <n
so tender a devotion to this amiable mystery thai our lir.uts
and thoughts may ever be turned to i hee, present <>" ut
altars, and every action of our lives be directed to the per
fect accomplishment ol Thy holy will. Amen,

* For other unit able prayers and noveims dimr.^ il. M,.nih
of May see the section on "Devotion* In Honor of tin
Virgin Mary."

A //;V/, B00A " \. : . well, I" /

i, -I ti>. ii,.-mt of tbc fiicr5 1>rt,

O.\i< ! M .I.K Jesus! Who hast discovered to u* Thy

most Sacred Heart, that we may form some M i
the extent of Thy love, semi forth Thy light ttl Thy grace
into our hearts, that we may value an we ought K> predotil a
favor, We adore thee, O Infinitely amiable Heart, am)
beseech thee to receive our adoration*. In union with those
thou thyself rendered (o the Divinity on our altars, in
union with the perfect homage of nil thy saints, and In par*
llcular, in union with the unceasing adorations of the heavenly
spirits, who crowd thy sanctuary during this glorious solcm
nily, and honor the presence of thy amialile Heart on our
altars, Yet it is not for those wire and ardent spirits that
thou I m M. i with love in the Holy Eucharist, it is for us, it
Is for all creatures, even for those who are most unmindful
<>f all thy mercies,

Hut though all ihr world should forget Thee, O divine

Victim of charity, surely we, at. least, should return Thee
love for love, since Thou hast loved us with an eternal
charity, and selected us long l>efore our existence, as the
favorites of Thy Divine Heart, the objects of its ten=
derest affection and peculiar favors, Penetrated with the
conlidrnc.e whi h should arise from the recollection i >n
Thou hast already done for us, and art willing to do for
those who trust m thee, we humbly represent our present
necessities to Thee, O adorable Heart, the Fountain of all
grace, the Orean of mercy and exhaust less Source of eon*
sola I ion and strength! We most fervently entreat thee to
infuse Into our hearts the dispositions thou requirest, and
then, for thine own sake, to grant the earnest petitions of
tin: uovena,

i i "U art, O Furnace of love, a public Victim, Thy

men irs and graces are offered to all wno will onlv ask, that
they may receive; but Thy tenderest comtssion seems
l iliiirly dlrerted ii all unhappy sinners,

I i them Thou wert overwhelmed with sorrow In the

<. ; ii.ini of Olives, and wounded on the cross; for them we
>" i particularly pray, and most earnestly entreat the grace
"I < inversion,

I ourselves, and every meml^r of this (Jomnn

ioi8 A Litile Book of Novenas.

we beg the true spirit of our holy state, whatever particular

graces Thou knowest to be most necessary for each of us;
but particularly that ardent charity and sincere humility
which seem to have been the favorite virtues of Thine adorable
Heart.

Animate us with Thy zeai for the salvation of those com

mitted to our care; model their young hearts on Thine, and
, ssist us all to learn o Thee, Who art meek and humble of
Heart, that thereby we may find rest to our souls in this life
and everlasting repose in a happy eternity.

IRovena for tbe festival of tbe Dictation.

1. /~\ MARY! by that purity of intention through

^-^ which you quitted your home and proceeded

to visit your cousin Elizabeth: obtain for us, we pray, the

grace of seeking, simply, in all that we do, the sole glory of
God.
Hail Mary, etc.

2. By that care with which you journeyed to the mountains

of Judea; obtain for us, we pray, the grace to walk continu
ally in the way of holiness, and that we may never be driven
back by any obstacles which our enemies may oppose against
us.

Hail Mary, etc.

3. By the profound humility which made you, O Mary!

the first to salute your cousin Elizabeth; obtain for us, we
pray, the grace to turn to our profit whatever occasions may
be offered us for the practice of this virtue, so beautiful and
so necessary for our salvation.

Hail Mary, etc.

4. By that extreme joy which you infused into the soul

of Elizabeth when you tenderly embraced her; obtain for
us, we pray, the grace to continue until death in the profession
of our vows and in the exercise of piety and charity, that we
may attain to the fulness of heavenly happiness.

Hail Mary, etc.

5. By that extraordinary favor which you, O Mary! ob

tained for John, that he should be sanctified in his mother s
womb before he saw the light; obtain for us, we pray, the
grace of preserving ourselves free from all stain till death.

Hail Mary, etc.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1019

6. By the most humble confession which you made, O Mary!

of that marvelous work which almighty God had performed
in you, by which you became the object of the benediction
to all mankind; obtain for us the grace always to acknowl
edge th_ blessings which we receive from the Lord, and to
employ them to His honor and glory.

Hail Mary, etc.

7. By that ardent charity which you, O Mary! practiced

during the hree months in which you dwelt in the house oi
Elizabeth; obtain for us, we pray the grace to be always
ready to assist with affection all the necessities of our neigh
bors.

Hail Mary, t tc.

8. By the model which you, O Mary! exhibited of every

virtue in your daily intercourse with your relations, Elizabeth,
and her holy spouse, Zacharias; obtain for us, we pray, that
we may have grace to give continual edification to our neigh
bors by all our words and actions.

Hail Mary, etc.

9. By that admirable detachment from your nearest rela

tives, O Mary! which you exhibited when, having com
pleted all the duties which you had undertaken in the house
of Elizabeth you returned immediately to your home in
Nazareth; obtain for us, we pray, that we may be enabled
always to live so detached from the things of the world as
never to mingle in the affairs of men, except when summoned
by necessity or charity, that our hearts may be fixed on God
alone, from Whom we hope for peace in this life, and eternal
blessedness in the kingdom of heaven.
Hail Mary, etc.

IRovena for tbe assumption.

O GLORIOUS Queen of all the heavenly host! whose

.acred body, the immaculate temple of the divinity,
is now assumed into heaven, we unite our voices to the choirs
of angels who celebrate thy triumph. Winter is now past
for thee, O fervent follower of thy aucified Son. In this
world, like Him, thou hadst not any parts in its perishable
possessions; but now all the treasures of heaven are thine;
they are thine to enjoy, and thine to distribute; for thy
intercession is now an infinite treasure to man, by which they

io2o A Little Book of Novenas.

that use it become the friends of God. Thou wert buried

in obscurity in this valley of tears, but now thou art elevated,
O Mother of God, to the highest pinnacle of glory! Should
not thy triumphant exaltation encourage us to despise this
world, and aspire after the next? For, O amiable Virgin! How
short were thy sufferings on earth, yet for all eternity thou
shalt be admired in the holy assembly; among the elect thou
shalt have praise, and among the blessed thou shalt be blessed.
Look down then with compassion on us poor banished
children of Eve; draw our hearts after thee, by filial con
fidence and vigorous exertions, to imitate thy virtues: above
all, obtain for us true humility, which neither seeks nor
values any earthly distinction; poverty of spirit purity of
heart that thirst after the strong and living God, which can
never be satisfied until His glory appears and such ardent
love of our Divine Spouse, as may cause us to despise the
whole world, and incessantly sigh after those eternal joys,
of _which it is written: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things
God hath prepared for them That love Him." (Cor. II, 9.)

IRovena for tbe Bativitg of tbe JBleesefc Dtrgiu /ifoarg.

OMARY, the channel of God s tenderest mercies to man!

thou wert promised from the beginning of the world
to crush the serpent - head, to bring forth the Redeemer of
mankind. In thy sacred birth appears the dawn of that
glorious day of grace for which all nations ardently sighed.
O blessed infant, already thou beginnest to accomplish
the predictions of the prophets, and to satisfy the longing
desires of the just; already thou hast conceived in thy heart,
by the most perfect love, that adorable Being, Who was
afterwards to be born of thee! O happy Virgin! who, on
entering the world, didst become a victim of charity, per
fectly and unreseivedly submissive to the will of God, may
I, even at the last hour of my life, be enriched with a share
of the dispositions with which thy soul was adorned in thy
earliest infancy. Thou art the dignified descendant of
kings, patriarchs, and prophets, yet thy birth so little cor
responds with thy rank, that even the commencement of
thy life makes thee like to Him, Whom thou wert destined

A Little Book of Novenas. 1021

to resemble in all things. Inspire me, then, by thy example

and intercession, with that spirit of renunciation, detach
ment from the world, and self-contempt, which I promised
at my baptism, but which I solemnly engaged to practice
at my religious profession. Thou knowest the weakness
and perverse inclinations which I brought into the world,
and which, unhappily, have gained strength with increasing
years. I conjure thee, O immaculate Virgin! by the purity
and sanctity of thy nativity, by the riches of grace and virtue
which the weakness of childhood then concealed in thee,
to obtain for me strength to fulfil the duties of my exalted
state, to co-operate with the graces of heaven, and to advance
daily and even hourly toward that perfection to which I
am bound to aspire.
R. Amen.

flovena to ur Ha&g of flfcejcg.

IMMACULATE and ever-glorious Mary! Mother of

mercy! ever gracious, ever bountiful, behold, we thy
suppliants, prostrate before thee in all humility, most earnestly
implore thee to be our protectress and advocate with God,
to obtain for us those graces and blessings which may best
conduce to His greater glory and our own sanctification.
More particularly we beseech thine intercession in behalf
of this Institute, for the exercise of those works of mercy
and charity, which Jesus Christ, the Almighty Son of God,
did so love when on earth.

Defend it, O Blessed Lady, against its enemies. May

it extend and prosper; and may the worship of God, thine
honor, and the welfare of His servants, be promoted wherever
it is established throughout the world.
May the unity of charity prevail in all our Communities,
and all scandals be unheard of amongst us. May those
whom thy Divine Son has made His spouses by calling them
from their homes and kindred to dispense His mercies to
their fellow-creatures, possess the true spirit of their divine
vocation.

May they in all things seek to be united to Him and to

thee, to advance in all perfection by the observance of their
Holy Rule and their vows; to deny themselves and be con
formable to God s holy will.

IO22 A Little Book of Xovcnas.

Obtain for them an ardent and ever- ncreasing zeal for

the functions of the Institute. May their zeal be blessed
by God, and efficacious for the welfare of the suffering, the
erring, and the ignorant. Preserve them from all il usions,
and sustain them amidst temptations. Beseech Our Lord
to add to their numbers subjects capable of glorifying Him,
by efficaciously laboring for their own sanctification in the
service of the poor; and so enlighten and direct all the
Superiors of the Institute, that they may neither admit nor
retain any save those to whom He has granted a due voca
tion.

May the blessing of God and thy protection be with all

whom the Sisters protect and instruct. Comfort and de-
l nd our parents, relative , and friends, and bring them to
the enjoyment of eternal life with all our benefactors.

That thou canst obtain for us these benefits we know, O

holy Mother of God; and we have filial confidence that thou
wilt be favorable to us, because thou art the Mother of
mercy, our Mother, and patroness. Amen.

for tbe ffeast of tbc (Suarfcian Bncjels.

OPURE and happy spirits, whom the Almighty selected

to become the angels and guardians of men! I most
humbly prostrate b. fore you, to thank you for the charity
and zeal with which you execute this commi.s ion. Alas!
how many pass a long life, without ever thanking that invisible
friend to whom they a thousand times owed its preservation!
O charitable guardians of those souls for whom Christ died!
O burning spirits, who can not avoid loving those whom
Jesus eternally loved! permit us to address you on behalf
of all .hose committed to your care, and to implore for them
all in general a grateful sense of your many favors, and also
the grace to profit by your charitable assistance. O angels
of those happy infants who as yet are without spot before
God, preserve their innocence we earnestly conjure you.
Angels of youth who are exposed to so many dangers, con
duct them safely to the bosom of God, as Tobias was con
ducted back to his father. Angels of those who employ
themselves in the instruction of youth, animate them with
your zeal and love; teach them to emulate your puritv and
ever to keep God in view, as you do, that they may worthily

A Littie Book of Novenas. 1023

and successfully cooperate with the invisible guardians of

those who are in their care. O angels of the clergy, who
have the eternal Gospel to preach to those who abide on
earth, present their words, their actions, and their intentions
to God, and purify them in that fire of love which consumes
you. Angels of those who are destined to follow the Lamb
whithersoever He goeth, obtain for them the true spirit of their
holy state, particularly the spirit of silence, recollection, and
prayer, that in life and death they may be worthy to be
united to their heavenly Spouse. O angels of all those
who, throughout the world, are deprived of religious in
struction, open for them some source of salvation, raise up
some one to break for them the Bread of the Word; and you,
O guardian angels of sinners, charitable guides of those un
happy mortals, whose perseverance in sin would embitter
even your unutterable joys were you not established in the
peace of God, O join us, we ardently beseech you, in imploring
their conversion. Angels of all those who at this moment
struggle in the agonies of death, strengthen, encourage, and
defend them against the attacks of their infernal enemy.
O faithful guides! holy spirits! ardent adorers of the Divinity!
guardian angels of all creatures! protect us all; teach us to
love, to pray, to combat on earth, and rather obtain for us
an instant death, than permit us to commit one mortal sin.
R. Amen.

IRovena to tbe patron Saint of tbe IRcliflfous rDer to

wbicb ne Belongs.

O ILLUSTRIOUS and blessed saint (N.), our glorious

patron ! favored friend and servant of God! we, thy
devoted children, prostrate ourselves before thee, and salute
thee as our beloved Father, the faithful guardian and advo
cate of our Order.

We return thee thanks for the many blessings we have

hitherto received through thine intercession, and for thy
continual care and protection of this Community; and with
all the fervor of our hearts we desire to testify our love and
gratitude toward thee. We praise and magnify God for
the innumerable favors He bestowed on thee during thy
mortal life; for those precious gifts and graces wherewith
He enriched and adorned thy pure soul even from thine

1024 A Little Book of Novenas.

earliest years: and for those eminent virtues by which thou

didst glorify Him and become so bright a model to thy people.
We rejoice with thee, O most beloved and blessed saint,
for that glory and bliss to which thou art now exalted in
recompense of thine heroic virtues and many sufferings,
and which thou wilt for ever enjoy in the bosom of God. Oh,
then, since thou art so happy, take pity on us thy children,
who claim thy powerful intercession with lively confidence.
Remember the many miseries and dangers to which we are
still exposed; speak to God in our behalf; implore for each
one of us all the graces we ask, both for ourselves and those
who are dear to us, and especially the favor we petition for
in this novena. (Here mention it.)

Deign also, we conjure thee, O blessed saint, to beseech

the Holy Spirit to infuse into our soul those virtues which
will render us most pleasing to God and conformable to our
divine Spouse humility, meekness, patience, charity, and
obedience fervent and constant devotion to the mysteries
of His life, Passion, and death; tender love of His Blessed
Mother; confidence in her protection and zeal for her honor;
the spirit of prayer and recollection; sincere esteem and
affection for our state; fidelity to each observance, together
with the true spirit of our Holy Rule, and a generous and
perfect love of God and of His holy will above all things.

Take also under thy special patronage, O glorious saint,

the children confided to our care; watch over them unceas
ingly, and obtain for them a solid piety and a great horror
of sin.

Intercede also for our suffering poor and assist us in all

our undertakings, that we may ever promote the greater
glory of God here, and that we may bless Him and love Him
eternally with thee. Amen.

TRovena for tbe ffeaet of tbe presentation of tbe

JSlesseD Dirgin dlbare.

INCOMPARABLE Virgin, destined from all eternity

to become the living temple of the most High! per
mit thy devoted clients to remind thee of that entire, fervent,
and most perfect oblation, which thou didst offer of thyself
on the day of thy Presentation in the Temple.

O sac ed model of those who are called to leave all and

A Lit lie Book of Novenas. I02 5

ollow Christ! thou art that Virgin by excellence, whos.

nnocence and sanctity were never defiled.

To thee, then, it peculiarly belongs, not only to follow the

Lamb whithersoever He goeth, but also to lead many virgins
in thy train. Oh, receive us into the happy number of those
whom thy glorious example has urged to the heroic practice
of religious perfection; obtain for us a share in the disposi
tions of thy heart, when, though a child in years, thou wast
already far advanced in eminent holiness, and, forgetting
thy people and thy father s house, didst enter the Temple,
to live to God, and for Him alone. We beseech thee, by
the singular graces bestowed on thee then, to employ thy
powerful interest in our behalf, and to obtain for us the inten
tions of this no vena.

Remember, O most holy Virgin! that thine early flight

from the world, thy spirit of sacrifice and heroic perfection,
even in childhood, were graces which entitle thee not only to
our veneration, but to our tender confidence. Listen, then,
to the petitions we now make, and obtain for us the true
spirit of the interior life, that the Heart of Jesus may be our
sanctuary, where we abide secure from all dangers. Teach us
to commemorate thy consecration of thyself to God on the
day of thy Presentation by a fervent renewal of our vows;
that, after thine example, we may leave all in heart and will,
and find all in Christ, and thus love God above all things
most ardently, and all creatures, for His sake; that His ador
able will may be ours, and that every exertion of our mind
and body may be happily consecrated to the promotion of
His greater glory. Amen.

flovena for tbe Hmmaculate Conception.

OMOST pure and immaculate Virgin! the most privileged
of all creatures! the only one amongst the descendants
of Adam who wert never for an instant an enemy of thy Crea
tor! O most perfect image of the holiness of God, Mary, con
ceived without sin! remember, we conjure thee, the ends
for which thou wert enriched with graces which no mortal
before or since has ever enjoyed. Remember thou wert
miraculously preserved from even the shadow of sin, not
only that thou mightest become the Mother of God, but also
the Mother, the Refuge, and Advocate of man; penetrated

IO26

A Little Book of Novenas.

therefore, with the most lively confidence in th never- failing

mediation, we most humbly implore thine intercession that
we may obtain the intentions of this novena. . . . Thou
k newest, O Mary, how often our hearts are (he sanctuaries of
God, who abhors iniquity. Obtain for us, then, that angelic
purity which was thine earliest and favorite virtue, that
purity of heart which will attach us to God alone, and that
purity of intention which will consecrate every thought,
word, and action to His greater glory. Obtain also for us a
constant spirit of prayer, silence, and self-denial, that we
may recover by penance that innocence which we have lost
by sin, and at length attain safely to that blessed abode of
the saints, where nothing denied can enter.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have re-

cours.- to thee.

Recite the "Litany of the Blessed Virgin," or the following

hvmn :

V.

pulchra
Maria.
R. Tota pulchra es, Maria.
V. Et macula originalis non
est in te.

R. Et macula originalis non

est in te.

V. Tu gloria Jerusalem.

R. Tu lastitia Israel.
V. Tu honorificentia populi
nostri.

R. Tu advocata peccatorum.

V. O Maria.

R. O Maria.

V. Virgo prudentissima.

R. Mater clementissima.

V. Ora pro nobis.

R. Intercede pro nobis ad

Dominum Jesum Christum.

V. In conceptione rua, Virgo

Immaculata fuisti.

R. Ora pro nobis Patrem

cujus Filium peperisti.

HYMN.

es,

V. /^HOU art all fair,

Vi* O Mary.

R. Thou art all fair, O Mary.

V. And the original stain is
not in thee.
R. And the original stain is
not in thee.

V. Thou art the glory of

Jerusalem.

R. Thou art the joy of Israel.

V. Thou our people s special

honor.

R. Thou the Advocate of

sinners.

V. O Mary.

R. O Mary.

V. Virgin prudent above all.

R. Mother most tender.

V. Pray thou for us.

R. Intercede for us with

Jesus Christ our Lord.

V. In thy conception, Holy

Virgin, thou wast immaculate.

R. Pray for us to the Father,

Whose Son thou didst bring
forth.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1027

Let us pray.

OGOD, Who by the Virgin s immaculate conception didst

prepare a worthy dwelling for Thy Son, we beseech
Thee, that Thou, Who, by the death of that same Son of Thine,
foreseen by Thee, didst preserve her from every stain, wouldst
grant that by her intercession we also may be purified, and so
come to Thee.

Then tlie following:

OGOD, the Shepherd and Ruler of all the faithful, look

mercifully down on Thy servant, our Holy Father, Pope
N., whom Thou hast chosen to be the shepherd of Thy Church.

Grant, we beseech Thee, that he may both by word and

example benefit those over whom he governs, that, together with
the flock entrusted to his care, he may come to life everlasting.

O God, our refuge and our strength, listen to the holy prayers
of Thy Church, Who art Thyself the Author of holiness, and
grant that we may obtain what we ask for with faith and con
fidence through Christ our Lord. Amen.

to St. Bugustinc.

(Feast August 28th.)

O GLORIOUS St. Augustine, our dear holy father,

vouchsafe me your blessing; look down upon me with
compassion, and ob ain for me to be a worthy child of yours.
Make me say with a love like that with w ich your seraphic
heart burned for Jes . s: " Too late have I known Thee, too
late have I loved Thee," so that I may repair my past sinfui
life by the most ardent, generous love for my divine Spouse,
"for many sins are forgiven those who love much." Ask
for me a share in your profound humility, that I may ever
be little and humble in my own eyes, preferring to be made
little account of, in oider to resemble Him, who underwent
such deep humiliations for the love of me. Obtain also for
me, my beloved holy father, an unbounded courage and con
fidence, and that the sight of my faults may humble, but
not deject me. Make me unchangeably patient and kind
to all; at the hour of death, may you own me for your child.
and may I, in your dear company, praise almighty God for
all eternity. Amen.

1028 A Little Book of Novenas.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. MONICA.

r\ GOD, the Comforter of the sorrowful, and the salvation

of those that hope in Thee, who didst mercifully accept
the pious tears of blessed Monica for the conversion of her
son Augustine, grant us, by the intercession of both, to deplore
our sins, and to find Thy pardon and Thy grace through
Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER TO THE SAINTS OF OUR ORDER.

/"\ GLORIOUS saints of our Order, I heartily con-

*~* gratulate you upon the glory you now enjoy.
You who are assured of eternal bliss, take us under your
protection, so that we may one day rejoice in your holy
company. Beg almighty God to bestow upon us your
spirit of fidelity and devotedness to duty that we may
always be faithful in little things as well as in great.
Amen.

THE CITY OF THE SAINTS.

Hymn to the Saints and, Martyrs of Religious Orders.

Question. *TTjROM your blissful thrones of glory,

r J_l Look on us, O ye elect;
Tell us what repays your combats
Tell us what we may expect.

Answer. Our delights no words can utter,

Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard;

Nor can mortals feel the pleasure
That for us God hath reserved.

Q. Ye bright martyr-throng, whose courage

.Never quailed amid the strife,
What is now to be your portion
After giving up your life ?

A. We with waving palms all standing,

And with banners bright unfurled,
Sing for ever Alleluia
To the Saviour of the world.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1029

Q. Famous Doctors, ye whose voices

Have resounded here below,
By what new and wondrous doctrines
Are your minds enlightened now?

A. From the everlasting fountain

Of the unerring truth of God,
We are learning untold secrets
Ever in our blest abode.

Q. Ye whose unabated penance

Made the desert so renown d,
Hermits tell us, for your rigors,
What delights ye now have found?

A. For the pleasures we relinquished,

For our homes and friends below,
^ J>* s delicious pour in torrents,
Fill our hearts and overflow.

Q. Ye, the Virgins, whose betrothals

Bound you to a heavenly Spouse,
With what favors does He own you,
Faithful to your threefold vows ?

A. Happy brides, in spotless garments,

Close beside Our Lord we throng;
\Vhere th*e Lamb goes, there we follow,
While we sing "the unknown song."

Q, As we gaze upon your glory

Saints of God, in heaven s own light,

Teach us how we, too, may join you,
How to win those crowns so bright.

A. Would you come where we have entered,

Fight with all your strength and power;
Would you live the life eternal,
Die to self at every hour.

Q, Ah! we shrink from pain and sorrow,

We are frightened when we hear;
We must live in constant struggles,
We must die to all that s dear.

A. If the path be rough and thorny,

At the end all pain shall cease;
If the battle be a fierce one,
There shall be eternal peace.*

* From the Hymn-Book of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

1030 A Little Book of Xovenas.

IHovena to St. ffienefcict, abbot.*

1. *T^Y that extraordinary love which you, O great

<*-* Patriarch St. Benedict, evinced for retirement

and mortification when you concealed yourself at the age

of fifteen in the wilderness, where you were not content to
feed solely on roots and to sleep on the bare ground, but
also tormented your body with a rough hair shirt which you
wore till your death: obtain for us all the grace to abhor all
the pomps and vanities of the seductive world, and to apply
ourselves continually to the abnegation of our own will and
the mortification of the flesh.
Glory be, etc.

2. By the heroic intrepidity with which you, O great Patri

arch St. Benedict, despised all the artifices of the devil, who
attempted to drive you from your solitude, and by the com
plete victory which you obtained over your evil imaginations
by casting yourself naked amidst thorns and briars: obtain
for us all the grac to ris? superior to all the assaults of the
infernal enemy, and to be always ready to endure any evil
rather than to stain our souls with a single sin.

Glory be, etc.

3. By the generosity with which you, O great Patriarch

St. Benedict, pardoned your subjects, who, after having
chosen you superior, began to persecute you in the most
unworthy manner, even attempting to poison you: obtain
for us all the grace to suffer in peace the persecutions and
contempt with which it shall please God to visit us during
the few days of this our mortal life.

Glory be, etc.

4. By that truly apostolic zeal with which you, O great

Patriarch St. Benedict, broke the idols in pieces, pulled
down the temples, burnt the woods which retained the
inhabitants of Monte Cassino in the darkness of paganism,
and established the faith of Jesus Christ, through the whole
neighborhood, by the erection of your monastery; by that
ardent love of God and your neighbor which led you to lay
the foundation of that great Order which has given to the
Church hundreds of saints, and so many distinguished labor-

* Feast on March 2ist.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1031

ers in literature and science, obtain for us the grace to em

ploy our powers for the good of our neighbor. Glory be, etc.
5. By that supernatural light, by which you, great Patri
arch St. Benedict, revealed to your religious brethren the
time at which you would pass to eternity, obtain or us all
the grace to be always Hike you, humble, mortified, and
fervent, and that we may receive from God the lights needful
to guide us in the way of sanctity, and may continually and
diligently seek our eternal salvation.

PRAYER FOR A HAPPY DEATH IN HONOR OF ST. BENEDICT.

OHOLY father St. Benedict, blessed by God, both in grace

and in name, who, whilst standing in prayer with thy
hands raised up to heaven, didst most happily yield thy angelic
spirit into the hands of thy Creator, and hast promised zealously
to defend against all the snares of the enemy, in the last struggle
of death, those who shall daily commemorate thy glorious depart
ure, and thy heavenly joys; protect me, I beseech thee this
day, and every day, by thy paternal blessing, that I may never
be separated from our blessed Lord, from thyself and the com
pany of all the blessed. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. SCHOLASTICA.

V A J J E beseech thee, St. Scholastica, do thou, who couldst not

vXA* be sated or wearied with the words of grace which flowed
from the lips of thy brother, the great Patriarch St. Benedict;
do thou, whose pure soul, on its departure from its mortal habi
tation, was seen soaring toward heaven in the likeness of a
dove, as if to give testimony that thy life had been enriched
with the fullest gifts of the Holy Spirit, obtain for us from God
the gift of prayer and of contemplation, and of listening with
zeal and docility to all instructions; come to our aid in the
pursuit of all the virtues that should adorn a good Religious,
and be our defence against all our enemies, "that we may stand
in the evil day and be in all things perfect," through Jesus Christ
Our Lord. Amen.

Devotions to St. Jfrancis of B00i8i.

PIOUS PRACTICE OF THE FIVE SUNDAYS IN HONOR OF THE

SACRED STIGMATA.

all the faithful who, upon the five Sundays which imme-
diately precede the feast of the sacred Stigmata of St.
Francis of Assisi, or upon any other five consecutive Sundays

1032 A Little Book of Novenas.

during the year, shall exercise themselves either in pious medi

tation, or in vocal prayer, or in any other work of Christian piety,
in honor of the said sacred Stigmata, a plenary indulgence, once
a year, on each of the five Sundays, on usual conditions. Leo
XIII., Nov. 21, 1885.

(Feast o) Stigmata, Sept. ijth.)

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH IN HONOR OF THE SACRED STIGMATA OF

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI.

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who, when the world was growing

cold, in order to inflame our hearts with the fire of Thy
love, didst in the body of the most blessed Francis renew the
marks of Thy Passion, grant graciously that, by his merits and
prayers, we may ever bear our cross in imitation of Thee, and
bring forth worthy fruits of penance, Who livest and reignest
for ever. Amen.

Bovena to St. tf rancts of Sssfsi.*

1. f\ GLORIOUS St. Francis, who voluntarily re-

^-^ nounced all the comforts and riches of your

home to follow more perfectly the life of poverty and abne

gation of Jesus Christ: obtain for us, we pray, a generous
contempt of all things in this world, that we may secure the
true and eternal things of heaven.
Glory be, etc.

2. O glorious St. Francis, who, during the whole course

of your life, continually wept over the Passion of the Re
deemer, and labored most zealously for the salvation of souls:
obtain for us, we pray, the grace of weeping continually over
those sins by which we have crucified afresh Our Lord Jesus
Christ, that we may attain to be of the number of those who
shall eternally bless His supreme mercy.

Glory be, etc.

3. O glorious St. Francis, who, loving above all things suf

fering and the cross, didst merit to bear in your body the miracu
lous stigmata, by which you became a living image of Jesus
Christ crucified: obtain for us, we pray, the grace to bear
in our bodies the mort : fications of Christ, that we may merit
one day to receive the solid and unfailing consolations which
are infallibly promised to all those that now weep.

Glory be, etc.

* Feast on October 4th.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1033

Bovena to St. Clara,*

1. *Tt> Y that spirit of penance which made you take delight

-*~^ in the most rigorous fasts, in the most rigid

poverty, and in the most severe mortifications in divesting

yourself of all your wealth, and enduring the greatest suffer
ings that you might live for Jesus Christ alone: obtain fot
us, O admirable St. Clara, the grace to prefer at all times
abjection to glory, poverty, to riches, and mortifications to
pleasures, that we may become not in name only, but in deed,
true disciples of Jesus Christ
Glory be, etc.

2. By that ardent charity and lively faith which were

your characteristics, and by the wonderful miracles which
you performed for the sake of charity: obtain for us all, O
admirable St. Clara, that we may at all times put our trust
in God alone, and thus be made worthy to receive from Hu
bountiful Providence all that we may need for soul and body.

Glory be, etc.

3. By that especial devotion which you had to Jesus Christ

in the Blessed Sacrament, and which caused you to be ravished
into ecstasies in His presence, by the fervent prayer which
your society made before the sacramental Host, when you
were forced to make a precipitate flight before the barbarous
Saracens; obtain for us, O admirable St. Clara, the grace to
take our delight in frequenting the sacraments, assisting at
the holy mysteries, and in paying the most fervent devotion
to the Most Blessed Eucharist: that we may receive consola
tion during the present life, and attain to the possession of
eternal beatitude in heaven.

Glory be, etc.

IHovena to St. H>ominic.f

i. /""V GLORIOUS St. Dominic, who were from your

^-^ earliest infancy the admiration of all the world,

by the continual practice of prayer, fasting, vigils, and all

kinds of austerity, as well as by the most zealous custody

* Feast on August i2th.

t Feast on August 4th.

1034 A Little Book of Novenas.

of all your senses, and the most active charity to your neigh
bor, depriving yourself of all your wealth that you might
supply the necessities of the poor: obtain for us the grace
to apply ourselves continually to exercises of piety, penance,
and charity, and, by the sanctification of our own souls, to
promote the salvation of our neighbor.
Glory be, etc.

2. O glorious St. Dominic, who by the new Order which

you instituted, became the support of the Church in the most
stormy times: obtain for us, we pray, the grace to be at all
times zealous for the glory of the Church, that, regarding her
interests as our own, we may never spare ourselves in defend
ing her, but endeavor to make her glorious and triumphant
throughout the whole world.

Glory be, etc.

3. O glorious St. Dominic, who received from the hands

of the Blessed Virgin herself, and spread, at her command,
through the whole world, the efficacious devotion of the
Rosary, which, from the beginning, operated innumerable
miracles: obtain, we pray, that we may be always most
devout to Mary, especially in her Rosary, which she estab
lished to confound heresy, arouse faith, drive away scandals,
promote virtue, merit the divine mercy, and to support and
defend the holy Church.

Glory be, etc.

4. O glorious St. Dominic, who never felt the smallest

sentiment of vanity, either at the increase of your Order or
at the important victories you obtained over heretics, nor at
all the miracles which God deigned to work by your means:
obtain for us, we pray, the grace to tread faithfully in the
way of humility, that we may at length share in the eternal
reward to which you have attained.

Glory be, etc.

5. O glorious St. Dominic, whose characteristics were,

besides humility and apostolic zeal, an eminent spirit of
prayer and the constant recollection of thy soul in God,
obtain for us the grace that we may love prayer, and walk
constantly in the presence of God, so that we may attain to
eternal union with Him in heaven.

Glory be, etc.

A Litlle Book of Novenas. 1035

TWovena to St. Catbarine ot Sienna.*

1. ">f T. Catharine, fairest and most glorious of the

.K 7 daughters of St. Dominic, by that spirit of prayer,

which was your delight from your infancy, obtain for us

the love and practice of prayer, and the grace so to converse
with God as to become daily more pleasing to Him.
Glory be, etc.

2. By that especial love which you, O great saint, bore to

the virtue of purity, consecrating yourself at eight years of
age to the Lord by an irrevocable vow, and afterwards by
cutting off your hair, by sighs and tears, rejecting the most
honorable and advantageous offers of marriage: obtain for
us, we pray you, the grace to be always pure in mind and
heart, and to detest and abhor everything which could offend
in the smallest degree against a virtue so sublime, which
raises men to the rank of angels, and makes them most be
loved by God.

Glory be, etc.

3. liy that spirit of retirement which made you, O great

sa nt, desire to behold no one but your Jesus, who when you
were distracted by continual employment in your family, taught
you to build a solitude in your heart and keep it at all times
filled with thoughts of heaven: obtain for us, we pray, the
grace so to love solitude and retirement, however the world
may invite us to share its p easures and its pomps, that GUI
hearts may always turn to God amidst the most dissipating
cares which may come upon us in our state of life.

Glory be, etc.

4. By the spirit of penance which taught you to inflict

upon yourself, even in your earliest years, the most painful
mortifications: obtain for us the grace to bear w th patience
whatever afflictions God may be pleased to order for our
good, and to mortify voluntarily all the perverse inclinations
of our hearts, and all the unruly desires of our senses, that we
may become, in some measure, like our crucified model, Jesus.

Glory be, etc.

5. By that heroic charity which led you, O great saint, to

attend and minister with your own hands to the poor sick

* Feast on April 3oth.

1036 A Little Book of. Novenas.

who had been abandoned by all others in disgust, and for

which you were repaid only by insult, rudeness, and perse
cution: obtain of the Lord for us the grace to be, at all times,
equally ready to assist our neighbor in his necessities, and
to pardon him generously when he returns only insults for
the benefits we confer on him, that we may merit the blessed
ness promised in this life and the next to meekness and true
mercy.

Glory be, etc.

6. By that wonderful constancy with which, by redoubling

your prayers, your austerities, and your zeal, O great saint,
you dispersed the powers of hell, which, arrayed against you,
persecuted you for so long a time with frightful images and
violent temptations, and for which you received as a reward
from your divine Spouse the privilege of speaking familiarly
with His saints and His most blessed Mother Mary, and also
were favored wich ecstasies, visions, and revelations, and
the most intimate communications with His divine Majesty:
obtain for us, we pray you, the grace to be equally powerful
against the assaults of our spiritual enemies, and that we
may, in reward of our fidelity, increase in divine love, and
obtain an inseparable union with our true Good.
Glory be, etc.

7. By that supernatural light with which you, O great

saint, were miraculously enabled to counsel the Roman Pon
tiff, who came in person to consult you, when you obtained
for him a reconciliation with his adversaries, and his return
to Rome: obtain for us of the Lord the grace to know, in
all our doubts, that which is most conformable to the will of
God, and most conducive to the salvation of souls, that in ail
our actions we may promote the honor of God and the wel
fare of our neighbor.

Glory be, etc.

8. By that especial devotion which you, O great saint,

had to Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, Who some
times communicated you with His own hands: obtain for us,
we pray you, the grace to feel toward the Blessed Sacrament
;he most fervent devotion, that we may rejoice to converse
with Jesus and receive Him into our bosoms, for His honor
and glory, and for the salvatiop of our own souls.

Glory be, etc.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1037

9. By the extraordinary love which you had for suffering

for which you were accounted worthy to share in the mosl
bitter pains of your crucified Spouse; and, through which,
though reduced to the extremest weakness, you became a
spectacle of admiration to all around you by the serenirj
and joy with which you endured the most frightful torments:
obtain for us, of the Lord, grace to receive with Christian
resignation and holy joy all the crosses with which God shall
be pleased to visit us, so that, after bearing the mortification
of Christ in our bodies, we may, with you, share in the fulness
of His blessedness for all eternity.

Glory be, etc.

TRovena to St. jfrancis De Sales.*

f~\ GREAT prelate, most blessed saint, model of bishops,

^-^ the glory of the Church! thou wast and ever shalt be
revered on earth as a man according to God s own heart,
and a most perfect imitator of our adorable model, Jesus
Christ. Thou wast the champion of the faith whose zeal
extirpated heresy; the ardent victim of charity and docile
disciple of that heavenly spirit Who spoke by thy pen, and
rendered thy inspired doctrine the treasure of the Church.
O good and faithful servant! thou hast now entered into the
joy of thy Lord; the divine and holy object of thy love on
earth is now thy reward exceedingly great in heaven. O
amiable saint, whose tender, compassionate charity was
always the refuge of the miserable, despise not our supplica
tions. Since thy conduct on earth toward all thy fellow-
creatures, particularly the weakest, marked thee out, Hke
thy beloved Master, as the friend of sinners, show thyself
such to us, thy daughters, by obtaining for us the intentions
of this novena. Receive us, O great Master of solid perfec
tion! into the number of those whom thou didst form accord
ing to the true spirit of the religious state. Teach us
those heavenly virtues which thy blessed life, no less than
thy word, so constantly inculcated. Thou wast one of the
most humble of men, though gifted with all that could exalt
thee before God and the world: O plant in our hearts that

* Feast on January 29th. These prayers to St. Francis de

Sales and to St. Jane Frances are from the "Visitation Manual."

1038 A Little Book of Novenas.

root of every virtue. Thou wast an angel of peace, wnost

presence alone gave consolation to the most afflicted hearts,
and whose heavenly meekness succeeded in gaining the most
obdurate sinners; obtain then for us, also, that peace of God
which surpasseth all understanding; a condescending meek
ness in our conduct toward our neighbor. But principally
teach us thy own favorite lesson of perfect conformity to the
will of God, that we may repose tranquilly in the arms of
His adorable Providence; that we may cast all our solicitude
on God, so as "to ask for nothing and refuse nothing;" at
least to ask for nothing more earnestly than the treasure
of His divine love, and refuse nothing so resolutely as the
misfortune of consenting to sin. Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. FRANCIS.

O GLORIOUS St. Francis, model of the interior life, and

full of zeal for the salvation of souls! obtain for me the
grace to employ all my faculties, not for my own sanctification
alone, but for that of my neighbor also; that continually spread
ing abroad the sweet odor of Jesus Christ by my words and
works, I may attain with thee the blessedness promised to the
merciful: " Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy; "
and that I may one day have a share in the glory which thou
didst enjoy in paradise with the angels and saints, where those
that edify and instruct to justice shall shine as stars for all
eternity. (Dan. xii. 3.)

PRAYER FOR THE ORDER OF THE VISITATION .

To ask for the True Spirit of St. Francis de Sales for his -whole
Order.

, qusesumus, Do- ^TIR up, we beseech Thee,

mine, in tota Congre- ^U O Lord, in all Thy

gatione tua Spiritum, cui Congregation, the Spirit which

beatus Franciscus Confessor animated the Blessed Francis,

tuus atque Pontifex servivit; Thy confessor and pontiff;

ut eodem nos repletae, studea- that, being filled with the

mus amare quod amavit, et same, we may endeavor to love

opere exercere quod docuit. what he loved, and to practice

Per Christum Dominum no- what he taught. Through

strum. Amen. Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Lit He Book of Novenas. IO 39

PBAYER TO OBTAIN THE PROTECTION OF ST. FRANCIS

DE SALES.

GREAT St. Francis, glorious apostle of Jesus Christ,

seraph of the earth, who didst breathe but for the glory
of God; perfect imitator of thy meek and humble Saviour,
and devoted child of the holy Mother of God! deign to receive
me among the number of thy special clients; be henceforth
my advocate, my counselor, my friend, and my father.
Thy prayers, even on earth, were the instruments of innumer
able miracles of grace; Oh, vouchsafe to offer one for me,
now that their efficacy is so greatly increased in heaven.
May my entire conversion now add another to the already
countless triumphs of thy charity. Teach me, like thee,
to see God in my fellow-creatures; and for His sake, to make
myself all to all, weeping with them that weep, rejoicing
with them that rejoice. May the example of thy wondrous
meekness sink into my soul and excite my earnest, persever
ing efforts to imitate it. Strengthen me, by thy prayers, to
pursue the difficult practice of interior mortification, without
which I can not hope to possess my soul in peace and
patience. Oh! enkindle in my heart one spark of the heavenly
fire of charity which glowed in thine. Teach me, like thee,
to seek and find my happiness in God, and to feel that it
is good to live, lo labor, and rejoice in Him alone. Shield
me against the many perils which beset my path: watch
over my immortal interests, and obtain that my soul may
die the death of the just, and my last end be like unto
thine. Ameri.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH.

OGOP, Who wast pleased to give blessed Francis. Thy

confessor and bishop, success in the salvation of
souls, mercifully grant that being plentifully enriched with
the sweetness of Thy charity, by following his directions
and by the help of his merits, we may obtain life everlasting,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1040 A Little Book of Novenas.

IRovena anfc praters to St. Jane ^Frances Oe Gbantal.*

O GLORIOUS saint, blessed Jane Frances, who, by thy

fervent prayer, attention to the Divine Presence, and
purity of intention in thy actions, didst attain on earth an
intimate union with God, be now our advocate, our mother,
our guide in the path of virtue and perfection. Plead our
cause near Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, to whom thou wast so
tenderly devoted, and whose holy virtues thou didst so
closely imitate. Obtain for us, O amiable and compas
sionate saint! the virtues thou seest most necessary for us;
an ardent love of Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament, a tender
and filial confidence in His blessed Mother, and, like thee,
a constant remembrance of His sacred Passion and death.
Obtain also, we pray thee, that our particular intention in
this novena may be fulfilled.

V. St. Jane Frances, pray for us,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of
Christ.

Let us pray.

O ALMIGHTY and merciful God, Who didst grant blessed

St. Jane Frances, so inflamed with the love of Thee, a
wonderful degree of fortitude through all the paths of life,
and wast pleased through her to adorn Thy Church with a
new Religious Order; grant, by her merits and prayers, that
we, who, sensible of our weakness, confide in Thy strength, may
overcome all adversities with the help of Thy heavenly grace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER TO IMPLORE FIDELITY TO DIVINE GRACE.

OGRE AT St. Jane Frances! who, to follow the inspirations

of the Holy Spirit, when thou wert called to the religious
state, didst despise all the ties of nature and of blood; obtain for
us also the grace to correspond faithfully with all divine impulses,
and to sacrifice to God whatever is most dear and precious to us.

FOR PERFECT CONFORMITY.

OGRE AT St. Jane Frances, who didst execute, with the

utmost exactness, thy singular and difficult vow to do
always what thou didst recognize as most perfect; obtain for

* Feast on August 2ist.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1041

us ihe grace always to aspire to the acquisition of the most sub

lime sanctity, and never to omit any means which we know
may conduce to this end.

fflovcna in Ibonor of St. \Dfncent 2>e paul.*

all the faithful who make, at any time during the year,
the novena in honor of St. Vincent de Paul, with any
formula of prayer, provided it be approved by competent ecclesi
astical authority, an indulgence of 300 days, each day; a plenary
indulgence, during the course of the novena, on usual conditions.
Pius IX., Nov. 23, 1876.

PRAYER TO ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

O GLORIOUS St. Vincent, heavenly patron of all associa
tions of charity and father of all the miserable; who
during thy life never didst reject any one who had recourse to thee,
ah! behold by how many evils we are afflicted, and come to our
assistance. Obtain from Our Lord help for the poor; relief
for the sick; consolation for the afflicted; protection for the
abandoned; charity for the rich; conversion for sinners; zeal
for priests; peace for the Church; tranquillity for the people;
salvation for all. Let all experience the effects of thy merciful
intercession, that, succored by thee in the miseries of this life,
they may be united with thee above, where there will be neither
sorrow, nor weeping, nor pain; but eternal joy and happiness.
Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., June 23, 1885.

ANOTHER PRAYER TO ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

OGOD, Who, for the sanctincation of souls, and for the

salvation of the poor especially, hast raised up, by our
spiritual father, the blessed Vincent, a new family in Thy Church,,
grant, we beseech Thee, through his intercession, the favor
that we now request (mention it), and the grace that we may
imitate his virtues, and that, animated by his spirit, we may
love what he loved and practice what he taught, through Our
Lord Jesus Christ, Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost,
liveth and reigneth, God, world without end. Amen.

Pray for us, St. Vincent; take us under thy fatherly protec
tion, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

* Feast on July

1042 A Little Book of Novenas.

Rovena to St. Ignatius

GLORIOUS St. Ignatius, who, on reading the

lives of saints, resolved to imitate them, renoun
cing for "ever all worldly honors, and seeking nothing but
the greater glory of God: obtain for us also an efficacious
resolution to practice all divine virtues, and like you, free
from all earthly love, to desire nothing but to see Our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ glorified throughout the whole
world.
Glory be, etc.

2. O glorious St. Ignatius, who, after your conversion

to the Lord, macerated your body with vigils, fasts, disci
plines, hair-shirts, and other similar austerities; obtain
for us also the grace to look upon our body as our enemy,
and by continual mortification at length to cancel the heavy
debt to the divine Justice which we by our sins have con
tracted.

Glory be, etc.

3. O glorious St. Ignatius, who, when tempted to moderate

your fervor, and to change your manner of life, instead of
listening to the suggestions of the enemy, redoubled your
austerities, for which you merited to receive a visit from the
most holy Virgin Mary; obtain for us the grace to persevere
until death in the practice of penance, in the mortification of
our senses, and in the subjugation of our will, so as to maike
it perfectly conformable to the will of God and the will of
our Superiors, and thus to attain, through thy intercession
and the merits of obedience, to the beatific vision and
the company of the angels and saints in the kingdom of
heaven.

Glory be, etc.

4. O glorious St. Ignatius, who, resolving. to imitate with

perfection the poverty, the humility, and the patience of
Jesus Christ, renounced all the comforts of your home,
lived on alms, and suffered joyfully the most unjust persecu
tions: obtain for us the grace of living so detached from
all the things of the world, and of enduring so tranquilly

* Feast on July 3ist.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1043

all its persecutions, that we may be indeed faithful disciples

and true imitators of Jesus Christ.
Glory be, etc.

5. O glorious St. Ignatius, who through your Spiritual

Exercises, and the instrumentality of your Society, have
converted innumerable souls to God, and in a great measure
repaired the ruin caused by heresy and evil customs: obtain
for us the grace to be always ready to make any sacrifice to
convert souls to God, and to promote the glory of His Church;
that we also may at length share in that blessedness
which is promised to those who hunger and thirst after
justice.

Glory be, etc.

6. O glorious St. Ignatius, chosen in the designs of God

from eternity to be the founder of the Society of Jesus and
the father of innumerable saints, vouchsafe to protect me,
to direct me, to pray for me, and to guide my petitions, that
I may ask and do only what is according to your maxim:
"Ad majorem Dei gloriam:" "For the greater honor and
glory of God." Obtain for me, also, and for all poor sinners
light and salvation through the sacred wounds of Jesus
Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Glory be, etc.

PRAYER TO ST. ANGELA MERICI, FOUNDRESS OF THE URSULINE

ORDER.*

/TVOST blessed St. Angela, who art now in possession of

^Lf, that eternal crown which is promised to those who instruct
others unto justice, permit me to have recourse to thee, as to
my glorious patroness, and to choose thee for my special advo
cate before the throne of God. In union with all those happy
souls who, under God, are indebted to thee for the glory they
now enjoy in heaven, I thank God for having raised thee up to
provide for thousands the great blessings of religious instruction.
How grateful should I be for the happiness of being ranked
among the number of those who are thy spiritual daughters,
and who, under thy direction and in imitation of thy zeal and
charity and of all thy other beautiful virtues, sanctify their own
souls and labor unceasingly for the spread of God s kingdom.
O glorious patroness and mother of the weakest portion of

* Feast on May 3ist.

1044 A Little Book of Novenas.

Christ s flock, do not abandon thy charge, now that thou seest
more clearly than ever the dangers to which we are exposed.
I entreat thee, by that lively zeal for God s glory which caused
thee to devote thy life to the instruction of the ignorant, to adopt
me as thy child, and to obtain for me the grace to profit of the
blessings which the Almighty has bestowed on me through thee.
Procure for me by thy prayers a docile heart a lively horror
of sin sincere love of God and my neighbor and so great a
share in that tender compassion for the poor which distinguished
thee, that I may never neglect an opportunity of affording them
any spiritual or corporal assistance in my power. Teach me, by
thy example, to practice works of mercy, that like thee I may
find mercy, and join thee for all eternity in praising and blessing
the infinite goodness and mercies of God. Amen.

COLLECT OF ST. ANGELA MERICI.

(From the Missal.}

GOD, Who didst bring to pass that, through the

Blessed Angela, a new company of sacred virgins
should nourish in Thy Church; grant that through her
intercession we may live after the ways of the angels in our
lives, and that, renouncing all earthly joys, we may be
found worthy to enjoy those pleasures that are eternal.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wovena to St. THr0ula.*

1. *T7>y that most tender love which you always bore

J& to Jesus Christ, and which led you, though born

a princess, and educated at your father s court, and sought

in marriage by the most renowned princes of Europe, to
renounce all earthly delight and consecrate your virginity
to God: O ask for us, glorious St. Ursula, that we may
never sully the purity which is suitable to our state of life,
and never deviate, either through menaces or allurements,
from any good resolutions.
Glory be, etc.

2. By that magnanimous resolution which you infused

into your companions, of preferring their espousals with
Jesus Christ to a union with the most distinguished person
ages in the world; by the joy which you felt when the ship

* Feast on October 2ist

A Little Book of Novenas. 1045

in which you were sailing was forced to take shelter in a
barbarous land, preferring to fall into the hands of bar
barians than into the hands of those who were waiting for
you and your companions to make you their spouses; inter
cede for us, O glorious St. Ursula, that we may recognize
the hand of God in all the evils which happen to us on earth,
and use all our powers to assist our neighbors in the way
of salvation.

Glory be, etc.

3. By that admirable courage with which you and your

companions united in sacrificing your blood and your lives
sooner than fail in the fidelity you had vowed to Jesus, your
Spouse; and by the infinite blessings which have flowed
from the various Orders, instituted under your protection
and your name, to instruct youth in the most solid piety:
intercede for us all, O most glorious St. Ursula, that we
may always be ready to suffer any torments rather than
violate the dictates of our consciences, and so to live as
always to merit your particular patronage on earth and a
share of your glories in heaven.

Glory be, etc.

to St. Ji3crnarD.*

f*DMIRABLE St. Bernard, who, after having been

the delight of your parents by the innocence of
your manners, became the model of Religious by the austerity
of your penances and the fervor of your piety; and who had
also the happiness of drawing with you, to a life of holiness,
your whole family and an infinite number of distinguished
persons: obtain for us, of the Lord, the grace that we may
correspond to the divine inspirations, and live up to the
perfection of our state.

Glory be, etc.

2. Admirable St. Bernard, who, advancing in sanctity

as you progressed in learning, practiced the most severe
mortification of your senses, and conceived the deepest
hatred for every kind of sin: obtain for us, of the Lord, the

* Feast on August 20th.

1046 A Little Book of Novenas.

grace, by the practice of penance, always to mortify our

unruly passions.
Glory be, etc.

3. Admirable St. Bernard, who, after founding many

monasteries, and filling them with fervent and holy monks
effected the greatest good by your counsel and advice; so
that not only kings and princes, but bishops and popes
applied to you to heal public discords and distresses: obtain
for us, of the Lord, the grace to labor continually for His
glory, and to walk so faithfully in the way of His precepts,
that we may at all times merit His aid.

Glory be, etc.

4. Admirable St. Bernard, who, passing like an apostle

through all the kingdoms of the West, carried to ail peace
and joy, deciding the most difficult questions, concluding the
most complicated affairs, assisting at counsels, confuting
errors, converting the most hardened sinners: obtain for us,
of the Lord, the grace, that by our lives we may shed the
odor of Jesus around, and have, like you, a lively faith and
an ardent love for the Most Holy Eucharist, the greatest
and the most precious treasure of Christianity.

Glory be, etc.

5. Admirable St. Bernard, who, notwithstanding your

numberless occupations, your continual journeys, and
your delicate health, never ceased your meditations, your
prayers, and your penances; who, not content to announce
the word of God by your voice, also composed most valuable
works, for which you have merited the glorious titles of
Doctor and Father of the Church; and who, by your beautiful
writings for her glory, promoted devotion to Mary: obtain
for us, of the Lord, the grace of perseverance till death, in
all the practices of piety and penance suitable to our state,
and always to breathe the most fervent devotion to our Mother
Mary.

Glory be, etc.

PRAYER TO ST. ANSELM.*

OTRUE light of the world and salt of the earth, glorious

St. Anselm, obtain for us of the Lord that our souls
may be always seasoned with the blessed salt of the eternal

* Feast on April 2ist.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1047

truth, that, delivered from the corruptions of sin, we may

relish, in future, nothing but the sweetness of divine love:
obtain for us also a great fervor in the pursuit of perfection
according to the spirit of our vows, and furthermore a devo
tion like yours to our blessed Lady, whose feast of the Im
maculate Conception you aided to establish in the West.
Enable us to follow the light of your heavenly doctrine,
that we may always walk in the light; and, as you were
made by God a Doctor and Master upon earth, deign to be
our advocate and protector in heaven, Let us be, not your
disciples only, but your imitators also: so that, following
faithfully your instruction, we may one day merit to be your
companions in paradise.
Pater, Ave, Gloria.

PRAYER TO ST. ALPHONSUS Dli LIGUORI.*

glorious and most loving protector, St. Alphonsus,

thou who didst toil and suffer so much to secure to
men the fruit of redemption, behold the wretchedness of
my poor soul, and take pity on me. Through the powerful
influence of intercession, which thou enjoyest with Jesus
and Mary, obtain for me forgiveness of my past sins with
true repentance for them, a great horror of sin, and strength
always to resist temptations. I entreat thee to commu
nicate to me a spark of that burning charity with which
thy heart was ever inflamed, and help me to imitate thee in
this, that the only standard and rule of my life may be to
please God in all. Obtain for me, also, a fervent and unfail
ing love of Jesus and a tender and filial devotion to Mary,
with the grace to pray always and to persevere in the ser
vice of God till the hour of my death, so that I may finally be
united with thee in praising God and Mary most holy for
all eternity. Amen.

Indulgence of 200 days, once a day. Leo XIII., June 18, 1887.

PRAYER OF ST. ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI TO ST. TERESA,

O SERAPHIC Virgin, St. Teresa, beloved spouse of the

Crucified, thou who didst burn with such ardent love whilst
on earth for thy God and mine, and who art now inflamed with
an even purer and greater love in heaven; who didst always
Jong to see Him loved by all men, obtain for me also, I beseech
thee, a spark of that holy flame which may make me forget the

* Feast on August 2d.

1048 A Little Book of Novenas.

world and creatures and self; and may all my thoughts, all
my desires and all my affections be occupied always in carrying
out, in all things, whether pleasant or painful, the will of the
Supreme Good, Who deserves to be infinitely obeyed and loved.
Obtain for me this grace, thou who findest so great favor with
God, that I may be wholly inflamed, as thou art, with divine
love, ftmen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., April 22, 1898.

IRovena to St, Gbarles 3Borromeo.

GLORIOUS St. Charles, by the joy which you

found from tender infancy in the practices oi
piety, obtain for me, I pray, a constant and tender affection
lor all religious exercises.
Glory be, etc.

2. O glorious St. Charles, model for ecclesiastics, by

your generous detachment from all worldly concerns and
by your zeal for the glory of God, and the relief of the poor,
obtain for me, I pray, the grace to apply myself, like you,
faithfully to all the duties which belong to the holy state
to which it has pleased God to call me.

Glory be, etc.

3. O glorious St. Charles, whose care it was to observe

in the most minute details and most perfectly the discipline
of holy Church, obtain for me, I pray, the grace ever to love
tenderly and observe exactly our holy Rule and Customs.

4. O glorious St. Charles, who always prepared for death

by the sanctity of your life, and accepted it with holy joy
when it overtook you in the midst of your most glorious
career: obtain for me, I pray, the grace always to accept,
with Christian resignation, all that is painful to the senses
which it shall please the Lord to send me; and that my
life may be a continual preparation for death; so that when
I arrive at my great passage, instead of feeling the terror of
the sinner, I may enjoy the peace of the just, a prelude to
eternal blessedness with the elect in heaven.

Glory be, etc.

* Feast on November 4th.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1049

PRAYER TO ST. ANN.

jf f\ ITH a heart full of sincere filial veneration, I prostrate

vxA* myself before thee, O blessed St. Ann. Thou art that
beloved and privileged creature who, because of thy extraordinary
virtue and sanctity, didst deserve of God that chief of graces
of giving life to the treasury of grace, the blessed among women,
the Mother of the Incarnate Lord, the blessed Virgin Mary.

Ah! in consideration of such exalted favors deign. O most

tender saint, to receive me among the number of thy truly de
voted servants, for such I protest myself to be and wish to remain
for the rest of my life. Surround me with thy efficacious patronage
and obtain for me, from God, the imitation of those virtues with
which thou wert so profusely adorned. Obtain for me a knowl
edge of my sins and sorrow for them; an ardent love for Jesus
and Mary; a faithful and constant observance of the duties
of my state of life. Save me from all dangers in life and assist
me at the hour of my death, that I may safely reach paradise,
there to praise, with thee, most happy mother, the Word of
God made man in the womb of thy most pure daughter, the
blessed Virgin Mary. Amen.

Three Our Fathers, Hail Marys, Glory be to the Father.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 20,

1886.

tTbe IRovena of (Brace in Ibonor ot St. jfrancis f avfer,

Epostle of tbe flnoies.

HIS novena in honor of St. Francis Xavier is called the

Novena o) Grace because so many graces and marvelous
blessings have been bestowed by God upon numerous souls
who have made it, in response to the intercession of St. Francis
Xavier, the great Apostle of the Indies. We learn from a leaflet
issued by the press of the Apostleship of Prayer, that the origin
of this novena, which is celebrated in many parishes of the
Jesuit Fathers, annually from the 4th to the i2th of March, is
due to the saint himself, who appeared to Father Marcello
Mastrilli, S.J., at Naples, in December, 1633, when he lay
mortally wounded in the head by a blow from an iron hammer,
which had fallen one hundred feet out of the hand of a workman.
All hope of his recovery had been abandoned. The prayers of
the Church for those who are at the point of death were being
said for the suffering priest, who had already received the last
sacraments, when suddenly St. Francis appeared at his side,
in the garb of a pilgrim, staff in hand, and radiant with heavenl}

1050 A Little Book of Novenas.

light. "Will you go to heaven or to India?" the saint asked

having in view a promise recently made by the dying man to
go to India if his life would be prolonged. The good Father
replied: I have no will save the will of God " "Very well "
came the saint s answer; "Renew your vow. Be of good chee r
You shall be made well." He recovered his health.

St. Francis Xavier then promised his aid to all who would
make a novena from the 4th to the i2th of March, and receu-
tne sacraments. The efficacy of this novena is not restricted
to the days mentioned. It may be made in preparation for the
teast of the saint, which is the 3d of December.

PRAYERS FOR THE NOVENA OF GRACE.

St. Francis Xavier s Prayer for Unbelievers.

CfTERNAL God, Creator of all things, remember that

^-l the souls of unbelievers have been created by Thyself
and formed to Thine own image and likeness. Behold, O
Lord, how, to Thy dishonor, hell is being filled with them
Remember Lord, that Jesus Christ, Thy only Son, shed
His most precious blood, and suffered a most cruel death
for their salvation. I beseech Thee, O my God, do not
permit that Thy beloved Son be any longer despised by
unbelievers, but rather, being appeased by the prayers and
supplications of the saints, and of the Church, the most
blessed spouse of Thy divine Son, vouchsafe to be mindful
of Thy mercy, and, forgetting their idolatry and infidelity,
bring them to know Him Whom Thou didst send, Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, Who is our life and resurrection,
through Whom we are redeemed and saved, to Whom be
all glory for ever. Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. FRANCIS XAVIER.

/~) MOST lovable and charitable saint, in union with

thee I adore the divine Majesty. My heart is filled
with joy at the remembrance of the marvelous favors with
which God blessed thy life on earth, and of the great glory
that came to thee after death. In union with thee I praise
God, and offer Him my humble tribute of thanksgiving.

A Little Book of Xovenas. IO Si

I implore thee to obtain for me, through thy powerful inter

cession, the greatest of all blessings that of living and
dying in the state of grace. I also beg of thee to secure
for me the special favor I ask in this novena [mention your
request]. May the will of God be done. If what I am
praying for is not for God s glory or for the good of my
soul, I beseech thee to obtain for me what is most conducive
to both.

V. Pray for us, St. Francis Xavier;

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of

Christ.

Let us pray.

OGOD, Who hast vouchsafed, by the preaching and

miracles of St. Francis Xavier, to join unto Thy
Church the nations of the Indies; grant, we beseech Thee,
that we, who celebrate his glorious merits, may also imitate
his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ANOTHER PRAYER TO ST. FRANCIS XAVIER.

O FERVENT apostle, indefatigable laborer in the vine

yard of the Lord, glorious St. Francis Xavier, who,
urged by a burning zeal for the salvation of souls, didst expose
thyself to extreme dangers, and didst welcome the most appalling
labors and sacrifices, vouchsafe also to take charge of my per
fection.

Obtain that I may imitate thy perfect detachment from crea

tures, thy confidence in God, thy abandonment to the divine
will, thy humility, obedience, and charity, thy generosity in the
practice of virtue, and thy zeal for souls. Enkindle in my heart
the sacred fire with which thy great soul was always inflamed,
that I may labor earnestly to make Jesus Christ reign in all
hearts, and that, having had the happiness of walking in thy
footsteps here below, I may one day enjoy with thee the bliss
of heaven. Amen.

St. jfrancis Javier, ne of tbe Eminent patrona

of tbe &po8tle0btp of Draper, an& of 1Reli0iou0 f
in tbeir z:eal for tbe SpreaD of tbe

of <5oo.

HRANCIS XAVIER, a young Spanish gentleman, in the

dangerous days of the Reformation, was making a name
for himself as a professor of philosophy in the University of

1052 A Little Book of Novenas.

Paris. He had seemingly no higher aim, when St. Ignatius

of Loyola won him to heavenly thoughts. Then, and for ever
after, Francis gave himself unreservedly to gain souls to God.
After a brief Apostolate amongst his countrymen in Rome,
he was sent by St. Ignatius to the Indies, where, for twelve
years, like another St. Paul, he was to wear himself out bear
ing the Gospel to Hindustan, to Malacca, and to Japan. Though
vested with the dignity of Nuncio Apostolic, and Superior over
his religious brethren, heonly used his authority to take for
Jumsejf the largest share~of the toi^s and dangejg^of the workT
Thwarted by the jealousy, covetousness, and Carelessness oi*
those who should have helped and encouraged him, neither
their opposition nor the difficulties of every sort which he en
countered could make him slacken his labors for souls. He
was ever preaching, baptizing, hearing confessions, discussing
with the learned, instructing the ignorant; and yet all this was
done with the greatest pains, as the elaborate instructions and
the long letters which he has left behind prove.

The vast kingdom of China appealed to his charity, and he

was resolved to risk his life to force an entry when God took
him to Himself, and he died, like Moses, in sight of the land
of promise.

This great saint was born in Navarre, at the castle of Xavier,

eight leagues from Pampelona, in 1506, and he died, under
the circumstances related, in 1552. His feast is celebrated
on the third of December. As Butler tells us, " He was so abso
lute a master of his passions that he knew not what it was to
have the least motion of anger and impatience, and in all events
was perfectly resigned to the divine will, from whence proceeded
an admirable tranquillity of soul, a perpetual cheerfulness in
the midst of physical pains and other troubles, and equality of
countenance. By humility the saint was always ready to follow
the advice of others, and attributed all blessings to their prayers,
which he most earnestly solicited. The union of his soul with
God by holy prayer raised him above the world. Engulfed in
deep meditations, he was sometimes found suspended in the
air, with beams of glory round his countenance, as many ocular
witnesses deposed."

Some are specially called to work for souls, but there is no

one who can not help much in their salvation. Holy example,
earnest prayer, the offerings of our actions and sufferings in
their behalf all this needs only the spirit which animated
St. Francis Xavier, the desire to give glory to God, the love of
God, and the love of our neighbor.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1053

A PRAYER TO THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL.

O BLESSED apostles Peter and Paul! I take you this day

for my special protectors and advocates with God. In
all humility I rejoice with thee, blessed Peter, prince of the
apostles, because thou art the rock whereon God hath built
His Church; and I rejoice with thee, too, blessed Paul, because
thou wert chosen of God for a vessel of election and preacher
of the truth throughout the world. Ask for me, I pray you
both, lively faith, firm hope, and perfect charity; entire detach
ment from myself, contempt of the world, patience in adversity,
humility in prosperity, attention in prayer, purity of heart,
right intention in my works, diligence in the fulfilment of all
the duties of my state of life, constancy in my good resolutions,
resignation to the holy will of God, perseverance in His grace
even unto death that, by your joint intercession and your
glorious merits, I may overcome the temptations of the world,
the flesh, and the devil, and be made worthy to stand before
the face of the chief and eternal Pastor of souls, Jesus Christ,
to enjoy Him and to love Him for all eternity, Who, with the
Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth \vorld without
end. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mar}-, Glory be to the Father.

Indulgence of too days, once a day. Pius VI., July 28, 1778.

PRAYER TO ST. PATRICK.

O BLESSED apostle of Ireland, glorious St. Patrick, look down

upon thy children who have received through thy zealous
preaching the priceless gift of faith, and hear the prayers with
which we address thee for protection. Watch over us with a
father s care, and help us always by thy powerful intercession,
that we may ever cling to the faith which, under God s in
spiration and guidance, thou didst preach to our forefathers, and
that we may ever live according to the teaching of that holy
faith. Watch over our pastors, and bless all their works for
the salvation of their flocks. Defend our dear country from
all the assaults and snares of Satan, and from all irreligion and
vice, and obtain for us the grace to sanctify our lives by the
practice of piety and of all the Christian virtues, that we may
merit to be associated with thee and all glorious saints of our
dear native land in the kingdom of our heavenly Father. Amen.

(From the Missal.)

O God, Who didst vouchsafe to send the blessed Patrick,

Thy confessor and bishop, to declare Thy glory to the nations,
grant, through his merits and intercession, that what Thou

1054 A Little Book of Sovenas,

commandest us to do, we may by Thy mercy be able co ac

complish. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

IRovena for tbe tfeast of Bll Saints.*

1. f*\ QUEEN of All Saints, O most powerful mediatrix

V-r between God and man! O supreme arbitress

of grace, holy Mary, vouchsafe to look upon us with Thine

eyes of mercy: obtain for us that we may follow thee in
the path of virtue, and merit the favor of thy most powerful
intercession, by which we may attain to a share of thy glory
in paradise.

Three Hail Marys.

2. O heavenly spirits, who from the beginning of the

world encircled the throne of the Most High, and who are
cpntinually employed in singing His praises, in executing
His commands, and who burn in the fire of His love: obtain
for us the grace to place all our happiness in obeying the
divine laws, and in faithfully performing the duties of our
calling, that so we may one day attain to the possession of
those thrones which were made void by the rebellion of
your companions.

Three Glorys.

3. O most faithful patriarchs, most holy prophets, most

zealous apostles, most invincible martyrs, most righteous
confessors, most chaste matrons, most pure virgins, who now
reign with Christ in heaven, from the bright seats of your
blessedness cast your eyes of pity upon us, unhappy exiles
in this vale of tears. O happy spirits, pray for us. Obtain
for us all grace to walk faithfully in your footsteps, to follow
courageously your example, and to copy your virtues in
our lives; and that, meditating upon your victories, we
may attain to a participation of your immortal glory.

Three Glorys.

TWovena to St. Bntbong of paoua.t

i. fSLORIOUS St. Anthony, who from thy earliest

*&) years wast consecrated to the service of God,

and didst practice the greatest austerities; who, devoured with

* Feast on November ist.

| Feast on June i3th.

A Little Book of Novenas. 1055

zeal for justice, didst cause thyself to be conveyed to the coast

of Africa that thou mightest preach the Gospel to the Saracens:
obtain for us the grace to apply ourselves continually to
the service of God, to our personal mortification, and the
salvation of our brethren, that we may thus become true
disciples and faithful imitators of Jesus Christ.
Glory be, etc.

2. Glorious St. Anthony, thou didst hide thy rare talents with
the greatest care and didst suffer patiently the contempt of
men: obtain for us grace to despise the esteem and the
honors of the world, and always increase in merit before God.

Glory be, etc.

3. Glorious St. Anthony, who by thy sanctity and thy elo

quence didst triumph over the hardest hearts: obtain for us
grace so faithfully to follow the divine call, that we may
attain the blessedness promised to those who faithfully
keep the divine word.

Glory be, etc.

4. Glorious St. Anthony, who wast so frequently glorified

by the most wonderful miracles: obtain for us grace so to
live, as to merit from the Most High His choicest favors.

Glory be, etc.

5. Glorious St. Anthony, who from the tender devotion

which thou didst always show to Jesus, didst merit to receive
the holy Infant in thy arms, and also to be visited and con
soled by Him in thy agony: obtain for us grace to walk in
holiness and justice all the days of our life, and to enjoy at
our death the consolations of the just, and the glory of the
blessed in eternity.

Glory be, etc.

INDULGENCED PRACTICES AND PRAYERS IN HONOR OF

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA.

O the faithful who shall say thirteen Paters, Aves, and

Glorias in honor of St. Anthony of Padua, an indulgence
of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., June 9, 1896.

PIOUS PRACTICE OF THE THIRTEEN TUESDAYS, OR OF THE THIR

TEEN SUNDAYS IN HONOR OF ST. ANTHONY.

the faithful who, on thirteen successive Tuesdays or

as many successive Sundays, once only, at any time during
the year, shall spend some time in pious meditation, or vocal

1056 A Little Book of Xovenas.

prayers, or any other works of piety, to the glory of God and in

honor of St. Anthony of Padua, on the usual conditions; a plenary
indulgence on each of the said Tuesdays or Sundays. Leo XIII.,
March i, 1898.
PRAYER IN ANY NECESSITY TO ST. ANTHONY.

"E salute thee, St Anthony, lily of purity, ornament and

glory of Christianity. We salute thee, great saint,
cherub of wisdom and seraph of divine love. We rejoice at
the favors Our Lord has so liberally bestowed on thee. In
humility and confidence we entreat thee to help us, for we know
that God has given thee charity and pity, as well as power.

Oh! then behold our distress, our anxiety, our fears concern
ing (here name your request). We ask thee by the love thou
didst feel toward the amiable little Jesus, when He covered
thee with His caresses: Oh! tell Him now of our wants. Oh!
remember how complete thy bliss was when thou didst hold Him
to thy breast, didst press thy cheek to His, and didst listen to
His sweet voice.

We salute thee in spirit, O glorious favorite of God, and bow

our guilty heads before thee in humble reverence, while we raise
our sad hearts full of hope toward heaven and thee; for He
who placed Himself in thy arms will now fill thy hands with
all we ask of thee.

Give us, then, what we desire, angel of love, and we will

make known the wondrous efficacy of thy intercession, for the
honor and glory of God.

ASPIRATIONS TO ST. ANTHONY.

T. Anthony, whom the Infant Jesus so much loved and

honored, grant us what we ask of thee.

St. Anthony, powerful in word and work, grant us (here men
tion intention).

St. Anthony, attentive to those who invoke thee, grant us

the aid of thy powerful intercession for the grace of holy purity,
meekness, and obedience.

St. Anthony, pray for our priests, relatives, and benefactors

and for all in authority in Church and State.

PRAYER IN AFFLICTION AND ANXIETY BEFORE A STATUE OF

ST. ANTHONY.

OGOOD and loving Jesus, safe refuge of my needy soul!

here at Thy feet I implore Thee, by the love which
St. Anthony bore Thee, and by the love of Thy Sacred Heart,
which induced Thee to appear to him in the form of a gracious
Miscellaneous rrarers. 1057

little child, in order to caress and comfort him: come to me

in my present need and sore affliction. Come as my loving
Father and God, and relieve me in my necessities. In Tlue
alone do I place all my hope and confidence.

O my dear patron, St. Anthony! intercede for me before

the throne of God and help me in my necessities, so that, like
so many others whom thou hast aided, I may be able to exclaim
with a joyful heart: Blessed be God, Who truly lives and reigns
in His servant, St. Anthony! Amen.

/HMscellaneous praters.

PRAYER TO ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, PATRON OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.

O ANGELIC Doctor, St. Thomas, prince of theologians

and guide of philosophers, shining ornament of the
Christian world and light of the Church, heavenly patron of
all Catholic schools, who hast imbibed wisdom without guile,
and dost impart it without envy, implore for us the Son of God,
Who is wisdom itself, that, receiving within us the Spirit of
wisdom, we may understand what thou hast taught and imitate
what thou hast done, and that, being made partakers of the
wisdom and virtue in which thou, whilst on earth, didst ever
shine, as the sun, we may at last enjoy with thee eternally in
heaven their sweetest fruits, extolling the divine wisdom through
endless ages. Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST.

O ANGELIC St. John! Jesus loved thee so much that He

permitted thee to repose on His sacred bosom at the
Last Supper; O favorite disciple of our divine Master, whom
He appointed the son and protector of His most holy Mother,
pray for us: obtain for us a special, a most fervent devotion to
Our Lord in the Most Holy Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin
Mary: obtain for us, also, the lights and graces we may need,
perfect conformity to the divine will, and perseverance in the
following of Christ and the imitation of Mary. Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. MARY MAGDALEN.

O GLORIOUS St. Magdalen, model of penitents, obtain

for me the grace of perseverance in the practices of self-
denial according to the spirit of my vows; pray to. God for me
that I may appear before Jesus, Our Lord and Master, at the
moment of my death, with my lamp filled with the oil of faith
and hope, and burning with the pure flame of charity, and thus
merit to be received with thee into His eternal kingdom. Amen.

1058 Miscellaneous Pra\ers.

IDevout Bjerclse of tbe Sij Sundaes in Donor of

St. aioystue <5oii3aga.

A plenary indulgence on each of the six Sundays which are

wont to be kept in honor of this saint, either immediately before
his feast, on June 21, or at any other time of the year. In order
to gain this plenary indulgence, it is requisite that the six Sun
days should be kept consecutively; and that, on each of them,
the faithful, being truly penitent, after confession and communion
should employ themselves in pious meditations or vocal prayers,
or other works of Christian piety, in honor of the saint. Clement
XII., Dec. n, 1739; Jan. 7, 1740.

A PRAYER TO ST. ALOYSITJS.

O BLESSED Aloysius, adorned with angelic graces, I, thy

most unworthy suppliant, recommend specially to thee
the chastity of my soul and body, praying thee by thy angelic
purity to plead for me with Jesus Christ, the immaculate Lamb,
and His most holy Mother, the Virgin of virgins, that they would
vouchsafe to keep me from all grievous sin. O never let me
be defiled with any stain of impurity; but when thou dost see
me in temptation, or in danger of falling, then remove far from
my heart all bad thoughts and unclean desires, and awaken
in me the memory of eternity to come and Jesus crucified; im
press deeply in my heart a sense of the holy fear of God; and
thus, kindling in me the fire of divine love, enable me so to
follow thy footsteps here on earth, that, in heaven with thee, I
may be made worthy to enjoy the vision of Our God for ever
Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius VII., March 6, 1802.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA.

OST. ALOYSIUS, so renowned for thy purity of heart, thy

humility and obedience, thy social "devotion to the Most
Holy Sacrament, and thy tender love for the Blessed Virgin
Mary, I consecrate myself to thee, beseeching thee to number
me among thy fervent clients. Obtain that I may perfectly
imitate all thy virtues, especially thy purity and perseverance.
elp me with thy prayers that I may never cease to love mv
God and sing His praises. Assist me by a special protection
the hour of my death, that I may present myself pure and
stainless to the sovereign Judge and enjoy with thee eternal
happiness. Amen.

Miscellaneous P ravers, IO 59

A PRAYER TO ST. AI-OYSIUS.

O GLORIOUS St. Aloysius! He Who possessed thy whole

heart and Whose perfections engrossed every thought
of thine, is the same God Who dwells upon our altars in the
Most Holy Sacrament.

Happy as thou wert in loving Him on earth, most blessed

as thou art in beholding Him in heaven, I know, nevertheless,
that thou hast nothing brighter to love, nothing higher to adore,
nothing holier to revere, than that which is my own Treasure
on the altar. Oh, obtain for me faith like thine, to comprehend
and value the gift of God; light like thine, to see and know
the mercy of my hidden Saviour; love like thine to love with
all the affection of my nature the infinite tenderness of Him
Who conceals His glory and His Majesty, that He may dwell
at all times among His miserable children. Oh, pray that my
happiness, like thine, may be in union with my divine Redeemer;
that I may seek on the altar my light, my peace, my comfort,
and my joy on earth; and that, imitating thy preparation for
the holy communion, it may be to me, as it was to thce, the
source of all grace and all strength here below, as well as the
pledge of my eternal union with my God and Saviour in the
everlasting kingdom of His glory.

PRAYER TO ST. STANISLAUS KOSTKA.

O AMIABLE St. Stanislaus, how admirable is the union

I behold in thee of perfect contempt of all that the world
esteems, and most ardent love of the things of eternity! Thou
risest with pure affections, as upon the wings of a dove, above
the ordinary plane of mortals, and thou livest among men as
a seraph. Sweet it is simply to contemplate thee! But what
happiness it would be if I could partake of the holy desires and
ardent love of thy pure heart. Deign to obtain for me this
favor through thy intercession. Amen.

PRAYER ASKING FOR GOOD PRIESTS.

E harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Lord, W T ho

art Master of the harvest, send laborers into Thy harvest.
Cause to enter through Jesus Christ, Who is the door of the
sheepfold, those whom Thou hast destined to be, under Him,
the pastors of the flock which He purchased by His blood.
Form and prepare by Thy grace those whom Thou hast
deemed worthy to put in Thy ministry; and having tried
them before confiding to them Thy Gospel, make them to an
nounce it neither through motives of vanity nor in words of

1060 Miscellaneous Pravers.

flattery to please men, but to please Thee only, Who dost behold
and fathom the depths of hearts. Render them faithful to
the grace of their ordination. Make them attentive and de
voted to their duties, and let their advancement in virtue be
known to all, that they may save both themselves and those
who hear them.

PRAYER TO ST. JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE.*

OGOD, we beseech Thee, do Thou, Who didst inspire

and encourage St. John Baptist de la Salle to establish
in Thy Church a new family, to labor at imparting a Christian
education to the poor, and to confirm youth in the way of truth
and justice, grant that, through his intercession and by the
power of his example, we may be employed zealously for Thy
glory, and for the salvation of souls, and thus deserve to be
his companions in the glory of heaven. Amen.

COLLECT OF ST. AGNES, f

*LMIGHTY and everlasting God, Who choosest the weak

> things of the world to confound the strong; mercifully
grant that we, who keep the solemn feast of Thy virgin and
martyr, the blessed Agnes, may feel the benefit of her intercession
with Thee.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. WALBURGA.J

OGOD, Who, in bestowing Thy innumerable graces upon

mankind, hast vouchsafed to perform many wonderful
works even through the weaker sex; mercifully grant that we
may experience the protection of blessed Walburga, Thy virgin,
who has given us not only an example of a most chaste and
holy life, but has also rejoiced us by many glorious miracles.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Walburga, pray for us in our present necessities; pray

that we may sanctify our souls through the imitation of thy
virtues.

N.B. The Collects or Commemorations of Founders of

Religious Orders will be found at the end of the Office of the
Blessed Virgin Mary.

* Feast on May 22d.

t Feast on January 2.1 st.

1 Feast on May i3th.

^Miscellaneous Praters. 1061

?RAYER IN HONOR OF THE HOLY ARCHANGEL MICHAEL.

OLY archangel Michael, glorious chief and champion of

the heavenly host, conqueror of the rebel angels, valiant
guardian of the souls of men, protector of the Church of God,
our worthy leader; vouchsafe to free us from every ill, aid us,
who have recourse to thee with full confidence, in all our neces
sities, and by thy incomparable guidance and protection enable
us to make progress every day in the faithful service of our
divine Spouse and blessed Master, Jesus Christ. Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. RAPHAEL, ARCHANGEL, PROTECTOR OF TRAVELERS.

fLORIOUS archangel, Raphael, great prince of the heavenly

court, illustrious by thy gifts of wisdom and grace, guide
of travelers by land and sea, consoler of the unfortunate and
refuge of sinners, I entreat thee to help me in all my needs and
in all the trials of this life, as thou didst once assist the young
Tobias in his journeying. And since thou art the "physician
of God," I humbly pray thee to heal my soul of its many infirm
ities and my body of the ills that afflict it, if this favor is for
my greater good. I ask, especially, for angelic purity, that I
may be made fit to be the living temple of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., June 21, 1890

PRAYER FOR A DECEASED POPE.

OGOD, Who wert pleased, in Thine ineffable providence,

to number among the chief priests of the Church Thy
servant, Pope N.; grant, we beseech Thee, that, having repre
sented Thy only-begotten Son on earth, he may be associated
with Thy holy pontiffs in eternal glory. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE ELECTION OF A POPE.

lTH humble hearts, we pray to Thee, O Lord, that^

in Thy goodness, Thou wouldst grant to the Holy
Roman Church a Sovereign Pontiff who shall be ever pleasing
in Thy sight, on account of his tender solicitude for us, and
ever reverenced by Thy people, on account of his salutary rule,
unto the glory of Thy name. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.

PRAYER IN TIME OF WAR.

OGOD, Who crushest wars, and fightest for Thy soldiers

who put their trust in Thee, by the power of Thy defence;
help, we beseech Thee, Thy servants, who implore Thy mercy,
that the fierceness of the enemy being brought low, we may
praise Thee with unceasing thanks.

1062 Indulgence^ P ravers.

PRAYER FOR PEACE.

OGOD, from Whom all holy desires, right counsels, and

just works proceed; give to Thy servants that peace
which the world can not give, so that our hearts being inclined
to obey Thy commandments and the fear of our enemies being
removed, our times, by Thy merciful protection, may be peaceful.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Indulgences Inspirations anD Sbort praters.

OLY, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts; the earth is full

of Thy glory: glory be to the Father; glory be to
the Son; glory be to the Holy Ghost.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day; an indulgence of too days,

three times every Sunday, as well as on the feast of the most holy
Trinity, and during its octave. Clement XIV., June 6, 1769.

May the most just, most high, and most amiable will of
God be done in all things; may it be praised and magnified
for ever.

Indulgence 100 days, once a day. Pius VII., May 19, 1818.

My God, my only good, Thou art all for me; grant that I
may be all for Thee!

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 13,

1902.

6TERNAL Father, we offer Thee the blood, the Passion,

and the death of Jesus Christ, the sorrows of Mary
most holy, and of St. Joseph, in satisfaction for our sins
in aid of the holy souls in purgatory, for the needs of holy
Mother Church, and for the conversion of sinners.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., April 30, 1860.

My God and my all!

Indulgence of 50 days, each time. Leo XIII., May 4, 1888.

My God, grant that I may love Thee, and the only reward
of my love be to love Thee always more and more.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 15.

1800.

Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, come into our hearts; give

to all peoples the brightness of Thy light, that they may be
well-pleasing to Thee in unity of faith.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day.-^Leo XIII., July 31, i ^ j;

Indulgenced Prayers.

My Jesus, mercy!

Indulgence of 100 days, for each recital. Pius IX., Sept. 24,
1846.

My sweetest Jesus, be not my judge, but my Saviour.

Indulgence of 50 days, for each recital. Pius IX., Aug. n.
1851.

Jesus, my God, I love Thee above all things.

Indulgence of 50 days, each time. Pius IX., May 7, 1854.

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! (Luke xviii. 38.;

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Feb. 27, i88

OMY Jesus, Thou knowest well that I love Thee ; but I

do not love Thee enough ; Oh, grant that I may love
Thee more. O love that burnest ever and never failest, my
God, Thou Who art charity itself, enkindle in my heart
that divine fire which consumes the saints and transforms
them into Thee. Amen.

Indulgence of 50 days, twice a day. Leo XJIL, Feb. 6, 1893.

RANT us, Lord Jesus, always to follow the example of

Thy holy family, that at the hour of our death Thy
glorious Virgin Mother with blessed Joseph may come to
meet us, and so we may deserve to be received by Thee into
Thy everlasting dwelling-place.

Indulgence of 200 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 25,

1897.

Sweetest Jesus, grant me an increase of faith, hope and

charity, a contrite and humble heart.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Sept. 13, 1893.

O Sacrament most holy ! O Sacrament div ; ae !

All praise and all thanksgiving be every me ttient Thine.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius VI., May 24, 1776.

E where Thy boundless love has reached, my loving

Jesus! Thou, of Thy flesh and precious blood, hast
made ready for me a banquet whereby to give me all Thyself.
Who drove Thee to this excess of love for me? Thy Heart,
Thy loving Heart. O adorable Heart of Jesus, burning
furnace of divine love! within thy sacred wound take thou
my soul; in order that, in that school of charity, I may
learn to love that God Who has given me such wondrous
proofs of His great love. Amen.
Indulgence of 100 day once a day. Pius VII. Feb. 9, 1818.

1064 [ndulgencud Prayers.

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood of Jesus,

in satisfaction for my sins, and for the wants of holy Church.

Indulgence of 100 days, for each recital. Pius VII., Sept. 22,
1817.

AN OFFERING TO THE SACRED HEART.

loving Jesus! I (N.N.) give Thee my heart, and I

consecrate myself wholly to Thee, out of the grateful
love I bear Thee, and as a reparation for all my unfaithful
ness; and with Thy aid I purpose never to sin again.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day, if recited before a picture

of the Sacred Heart. Pius VII., June 9, 1807.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., Sept. 23, 1860.

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make my heart like

unto Thine!

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pius IX., Jan. 25, 1868.

May the Heart of Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament

be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at
every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to
the end of time. Amen.
Indulgence of 100 days, each time. Pius X, Sept. 15, 1905.

O sweetest Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may ever

love Thee more and more.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time. Pius IX., Nov. 26, 1876.

Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII., May 21, 1892.

Heart of Jesus, burning with love for us, inflame our hearts
with love of thee.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., June 16, 1893.
Mary!

Indulgence of 25 days, each time. Clement XIII., Sept. 5,

I759-

In thy conception, O Virgin Mary, thou wast immaculate!

Pray for us to the Father, Whose Son Jesus, conceived in
thy womb by the Holy Ghost, thou didst bring forth.

Indulgence of 100 days, each time. Pius VI., Nov. 21, 1793.

My queen! my Mother! Remember I am -thine own.

Keep me, guard me, as thy property and possession.
Indulgence of 40 days, each time, when tempted. Pius IX.,
Aug. 5, 1851.

Indulgence^ Prayers. 1065

Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation!

Indulgence of 300 days, each time. Pius IX., Sept. 30, 1852.

O Mary, who didst come into this world free from stain!
obtain of God for me that I may leave it without sin.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX., March 27, 1863.

Virgin Mother of God, Mary, pray to Jesus for me.

Indulgence of 50 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 29, 1894.

Holy Virgin Mary Immaculate, Mother of God and our

Mother, speak thou for us to the Heart of Jesus, Who is
thy Son, and our Brother.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII^ Dec. 20, 1890.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my

soul.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe out my soul

in peace with you!

Indulgence of 300 days, each time, for all three. Pius VII.,
Aug. 26, 1814.

To thee, O Virgin Mother, never touched by stain of sin,

actual or venial, I recommend and confide the purity of
my heart.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have

recourse to thee.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 15,

1884.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., June 25, 1902.

Angel of God, my guardian dear,

To whom His love commits me here,
Ever this day be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
Indulgence of 100 days, each time. Pius VI., Oct. 2, 1795.

Help us, Joseph, in our earthly strife,

E er to lead a pure and blameless life.
Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII., March 18,
1882.

Holy Archangel Michael, defend us in battle, that we may

not perish in the tremendous judgment.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Aug. 19, 1893.

lo66 Prayers for Various Occasions.

St. Joseph, model and patron of those who love the Sacrea
Heart of Jesus, pray for us.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII., Dec. 19, 1891.

St. Joseph, reputed father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and

true Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, pray for us.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Leo XIII., May 15, 1891.

PRAYER WHICH ST. THOMAS AQUINAS WAS ACCUSTOMED TO

RECITE EVERY DAY BEFORE THE IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST.

OONCEDE mihi, miseri- f^tf RANT me grace, O mer-

cors Deus, quae tibi *r ciful God, to desire

placita sunt ardenter con- ardently all that is pleas-

cupiscere, prudenter inves- ing to Thee, to examine it

tigare, veraciter agnoscere prudently, to acknowledge it

et perfecte adimplere, ad truthfully, and to accom-

laudem et gloriam nominis plish it perfectly, for the

tui. Amen. praise and glory of Thy name.

Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days to all the faithful who, before studying

or reading, shall recite this prayer. Leo XIII., June 21, 1879.

FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY.

EQUIEM Jeter- V. ^fTERNAL rest give

nam dona eis, V^ to them, O Lord;

Domine ;

R. Et lux perpetua luceat R. And let perpetual light

eis. shine upon them.

Indulgence, applicable to the poor souls alone, 50 days each

time. Leo XIII., March 22, 1902.

a&Ntlonal ipragers for Various Occasions.

PRAYERS OF A RELIGIOUS IN PRESENCE OF THE BLESSED

SACRAMENT.

Before the Adoration.

OMY divine Saviour, behold me prostrate at Thy feet

to adore Thy Sacred Heart, and repair the outrages
which it incessantly receives. It is Thy voice which calls
me, and may my obedience supply for my unworthiness;
for who am I, O my God! that I should fulfil on earth the
sublime function of the angels in heaven. It is to them,
and to all Thy saints, that I unite myself, O Lord, at this

Prayers for 1 an ous Occasions. 1067

moment, to adore and bless Thee, and to repeat from the
bottom of my heart, praised, adored, and glorified be for
ever the Sacred Heart of Jesus; I adore it as united t<>
the Divinity; I love it as the principle and source of all
Thy love for me; I honor it as the most amiable, the best,
and the mildest of all hearts; I consecrate myself to adore
it perpetually (by uniting myself to all those upon earth
who are employed in this holy exercise), that I may con
tinue to adore it for all eternity in heaven. Amen.

After the Adoration.

I RETURN Thee thanks, O my God! for permitting me

to remain in Thy presence; I beseech Thee to pardon
whatever negligence the want of a lively faith has caused.
Do I not deserve the reproach Thou madest to Thy apostles
"Could you not watch one hour with Me? " (Matt. xxvi. 40).
A heart consecrated to Thee should have profited better
of these precious moments. I thank Thee, O my God!
for the graces Thou hast granted me, notwithstanding mv
unworthiness.

I leave thee with regret, O Heart of my Saviour; where

can I be better than with thee? But I return to where
thy divine will calls me; do not permit any interior or
exterior dissipation to contradict the homages which I
have offered, and which others are about to continue in my
stead. I unite myself, O my God! to all that they shall
say; I offer it to Thee to supply for all that was wanting to
my fervor. I desire to atone, O divine Jesus, for all the
crimes which dishonor Thy temples and altars, and foi
the ingratitude with which Thy love is repaid. In the
bitterness of my soul I call to mind the profanations of the
Jews, of heretics who have pierced and trampled the sac
ramental species under foot, the sacrileges of bad Christians,
who have received them on an impure tongue, and into a
criminal heart. With sorrow I recall my own tepidity and
negligence in the participation of Thy Divine Sacrament.
It is in these sentiments I depart from Thy sanctuary. The
hope of speedily returning to Thy altar consoles me under
the necessity of quitting Thy sacred presence.

Heavenly spirits, who adore with me the God of glory

really present in this sanctuary, present to Him this public
act of my regret and love.

O heart of Mary, which I also honor with my whole soul,

heart most conformable to that of Jesus! O tender heart
of my dear Mother, I conjure thee to present to thy divine
Son our homages, vows,., and petitions. Amen.
io68 Prayers for Vatious Occasions.

ADORO TE DEVOTE.

*TC=^ IDDEN God, devoutly I adore Thee,

,-I-b Truly present underneath these veils:
All my heart subdues itself before Thee,
Since it all before Thee faints and fails.

Not to sight, or taste, or touch be credit,

Hearing only do we trust secure;

I believe, for God the Son hath said it-

Word of truth that ever shall endure.

On the cross was veiled Thy Godhead s splendor

Here Thy manhood lieth hidden too ;

Unto both alike my faith I render,

And, as sued the contrite thief, I sue.

Though I look not on Thy wounds, with Thomas*

Thee my Lord, and Thee my God I call ;

Make me more and more believe Thy promise,

Hope in Thee and love Thee over all.

O memorial of my Saviour dying,

Living Bread that givest life to man;

May my soul, its life from Thee supplying,

Taste Thy sweetness, as on earth it can.

Deign, O Jesus, pelican of heaven,

Me, a sinner, in Thy blood to lave,

To a single drop of which is given

All the world from all its sin to save.

Contemplating, Lord, Thy hidden presence,

Grant me what I thirst for and implore,

In the revelation of Thine essence,

To behold Thy glory evermore.

ECCE PANIS ANGELORUM.

* *O! upon the altar lies,
J 1 Hidden deep from human eyes,
Angels Bread from paradise,

Made the food of mortal man:

Children s meat to dogs denied;
In old types f oresignified ;
In the manna from the skies,
In Isaac, and the paschal lamb.

Prayers for Various Occasions. 1069

Jesu! Shepherd of the sheep!

Thy true flock in safety keep.
Living Bread! Thy life supply;
Strengthen us, or else we die;

Fill us with celestial grace:

Thou, Who feedest us below!
Source of all we have or know!
Grant that with Thy saints above,
Sitting at the feast of love,

We may see Thee face to face.

AVE, VERUM CORPUS NATUM.

AIL to thee! true body, sprung

From the Virgin Mary s womb!

The same that on the cross was hung,
And bore for man the bitter doom!

Thou Whose side was pierced, and flowed

Both with water and with blood;

Suffer us to taste of Thee,

In our life s last agony.

Son of Mary, Jesus blest 1

Sweetest, gentlest, holiest.

ADOREMUS.

Adoremus in seternum Prostrate in awe and love,

Sanctissimum Sacramentum ! let us adore

This Holy Sacrament for

evermore.

JESU DULCIS MEMORIA.

J7ESU! the very thought of Thee

J With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
.And in Thy presence rest.

Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,

Nor can the memory find,

A sweeter sound than Thy blest name,

O Saviour of mankind!

O hope of every contrite heart,

O joy of all the meek,

To those who fall, how kind Thou art!

How good to those who seek!

io/o Prayers for Various Occasions.

But what to those who find? ah! this

Nor tongue nor pen can show:

The love of Jesus, what it is,

None but His lovers know.

Jesu! our only joy be Thou,

As Thou our prize wilt be;

Jesu! be Thou our glory now,

And through eternity.

JESU DECUS ANGEUCUM.

OJESU! Thou the beauty art

Of angel worlds above;
Thy name is music to the heart, ,
Enchanting it with love.

Celestial sweetness unalloy d!

Who eat Thee hunger still;
Who drink of Thee still feel a void,

Which naught but Thou can fill.

O my sweet Jesu! hear the sighs

Which unto Thee I send;

To Thee mine inmost spirit cries,

My being s hope and end!

Stay with us, Lord, and with Thy light

Illume the soul s abyss;

Scatter the darkness of our night,

And fill the world with bliss.

O Jesu! spotless Virgin flower!

Our life and joy! to Thee

Be praise, beatitude, and power,

Through all eternity.

ST. TERESA S BOOK-MARK.

" I P ET nothing disturb thee,

^M \ Let nothing affright thee.

All things are passing;

God only is changeless.

Patience gains all things.

Who hath God wanteth nothing

Alone God sufiicet!:

Prayers for Various Occasions. 1071

I always find almost all the wisdom I need in St. Teresa s

book-mark. It is a volume in itself. My great comfort in
distressing circumstances is that "all things are passing. "-
Father JOSEPH FARRELL, Author of Lectures by a Certain
Professor.

praters for {Travelers.

E Breviary contains prayers for travelers that have

received the consecration of the Church and of cen
turies the "Itinerary," which priests seldom fail to recite
for themselves and their companions as often as they begin
a journey. As it may seem rather long for general use, we
give an abridgment for the use of those who may wish to
know and learn it:

Y the almighty and merciful Lord direct us on our

journey; may He make it prosper and maintain us
in peace.

May the Archangel Raphael accompany us along the way,

and may we return to our homes in peace, joy, and health.

Lord, have mercy on us! Jesus Christ, have mercy on us!

Lord, have mercy on us!

Prayer.

O God, Who didst cause the children of Israel to traverse

the Red Sea dryshod; Thou Who didst point out by a star
to the Magi the road that led them to Thee; grant us, we
beseech Thee, a prosperous journey and propitious weather;
so that, under the guidance of Thy holy angels, we may
safely reach that journey s end, and later the haven of eternal
salvation.

Hear, O Lord, the prayers of Thy servants. Bless their

journeyings. Thou who art everywhere present, shower
everywhere upon them the effects of Thy mercy; so that,
insured by Thy protection against all dangers, they may
return to offer Thee their thanksgiving. Through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

Those who have a special confidence in St. Joseph may make

use of the following prayer which solicits also supernatural
graces, and especially that of traveling always in the way of the
Commandments, so as ultimately to reach the celestial terminus.

O blessed St. Joseph, who didst accompany Jesus and

Mary in all their journeys, and who hast therefore merited
to be called the patron of all travelers, accompany us in
this journey that we are about to undertake. Be our guide
1072 Pravers for Various Occasions.

and our protector ; watch over us ; preserve us from all acci

dents and dangers to soul and body; support us in our
fatigue, and aid us to sanctify it by offering it to God. Make
us ever mindful that we are strangers, sojourners here below ;
that heaven is our true home; and help us to persevere on
the straight road that leads thereunto. We beseech thee
especially to protect and aid us in the last great voyage
from time to eternity, so that, under Thy guidance, we
may reach the realm of happiness and glory, there to re
pose eternally with thee in the company of Jesus and Mary.
Amen.

Still another prayer for travelers, asking in a special manner

for the protection of the guardian angels, was composed by the
saintly Mgr. Dupanloup. It reads:

O almighty and merciful God, Who hast commissioned

Thy angels to guide and protect us, command them to be our
assiduous companions from our setting out until our return ; to
clothe us with their invisible protection ; to keep from us all
danger of collision, of fire, of explosion, of falls and bruises;
and finally, having preserved us from all evil, and especially
from sin, to guide us to our heavenly home. Through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Another not less beautiful prayer runs thus :

My holy angel guardian, ask the Lord to bless the journey

which I undertake, that it may profit the health of my soul
and body; that I may reach its end; and that, returning
safe and sound, I may find all at home in good health. Do
thou guard, guide, and preserve us. Amen.

The following couplet was a favorite ejaculation of Columbus:

Jesus cum Maria Jesus and Mary, we pray,

Sit nobis in via. Be with us ever on our way.

One should not fail at least to make the sign of the cross on
beginning a journey. The neglect or performance of such acts
of piety may make all the difference between having our names
figure on the list of "killed and wounded" in some railway
catastrophe, and having them appear as those of passengers
" saved by a miracle." (Ave Maria Press.)

PRAYER BEFORE VISITING THE SICK.

*Tr* OFFER to Thee, O my heavenly Spouse! all the ser-
JL vices which I shall render to the poor until the last
moment of my life. That my actions may be more accept
able, I unite them to Thy infinite merits; vouchsafe to

Prayers for Carwu-f Occasions. IO 73

accept of them, and to purify all my motives; I consecrate

all to Thee, and humbly implore Thy assistance to over
come every obstacle which self-love, predilection, vanity,
disgust, sloth, or tepidity may oppose to the fulfilment of
my duties. I wish to renew my consecration to serve and
assist them for the future with the same faith and ardor as if I
saw Thee really present. Give me, O Lord, strength and
courage to accomplish my desire. Amen.

PRAYER BEFORE SCHOOL.*

OU, O Lord, art my strength and my patience, my

light and my counsel; Thou confidest unto me the
children whom I am appointed to instruct. O leave me not
a single moment to myself, but give me, for their guidance
and my own sanctification, the spirit of wisdom and of
understanding, of counsel and of fortitude, of knowledge and
of piety; and above all, the spirit of Thy holy fear, and an
ardent zeal for Thy greater glory. I unite my labors to
those of my divine Redeemer, and I beseech the immaculate
heart of Mary, the Refuge of sinners, and all the holy angels
and saints, to assist me this day in the performance of all
my duties. Amen.

PRAYERS TO BE SAID ALOUD BEFORE GIVING INSTRUCTION.

*T)REVENT, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our actions bv

r -l _ Thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by Thy
gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours
may begin always from Thee, and by Thee be happily
ended, to Thy greater honor and glory. Through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen. (Say one Hail Mary.)

PETITION FOR HELP.

(May be said privately before giving instructions.}

O DIVINE Jesus! I go in Thy name and for Thy love.

Give me Thy Spirit, and teach me how to instruct
these children according to Thy most holy will. Amen.
PRAYER BEFORE GOING TO THE PARLOR.

O my God! that my whole deportment may

be such as becomes a spouse of Jesus Christ. Close
my heart against the spirit of the world, and against every

* "Religious who instruct children should themselves be

images of the sanctity of God, and mirrors of His perfection."
(Mother F. R. Drane).

1074 Prayers for Various Occasions*

sentiment that would be in the least displeasing to Thee.

Teach me Thyself what I ought to say. "Set a watch, O
Lord, before my mouth, and a door round about my lips "
(Ps. cxl. 3), so that I may be prudent and charitable in
conversation, and likewise edifying from the desire of ad
vancing Thy honor and glory. Amen.

PRAYER.

(Which may be said on returning from School, Mission, In

structions, or any other duty.)

CCEPT, my dear Lord and Master, the duty I have

just performed. Pardon the faults I have com
mitted in doing it. I hope, with the assistance of Thy grace,
to be more faithful in future. If it be Thy holy will, dear
Lord, give success to my humble efforts to serve Thee, and
grant that they may be always for the greater glory of Thy
holy name. Amen.

Or the following may be said:

LOW me not, O Lord, to spoil Thy work, but let

Thy Sacred Heart teach me to do it in the way most
pleasing to Thee.

Iprager for Sisters in IRetreat.

LMlGHTY and most merciful God, we earnestly beg

Thy grace and blessing for the Sisters in retreat
Assist them, we humbly beseech Thee, to accomplish Thy
holy will, direct them particularly in what they are about
to undertake, and teach them to act in the manner most
pleasing to Thy divine Majesty. Enlighten them by Thy
wisdom, support them by Thy power, and by Thy infinite
goodness direct all their exertions on this occasion to Thy
greater glory and their own eternal salvation. Amen.

Blessed Mother of God, and all ye happy angels and

saints, intercede for them, that they may obtain the grace
and protection of Jesus Christ, their divine Master.

Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this habitation, and

drive far from it the snares of the enemy: let Thy holy angels
dwell therein to preserve us in peace, and may Thy blessing
be always upon us, through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

OFFERING TO ST. JOSEPH SAID DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH.

O BLESSED St. Joseph! we consecrate ourselves to

thy honor, and give ourselves to thee, that thou
mayest always be our father, our protector, and our guide

P ravers for Various Occasions. 1075

in the way of salvation. Obtain for us a great purity of

heart, and a fervent love of the interior life. After thy ex
ample, may we do all our actions for the greater glory of
God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus, and with
the immaculate heart of Mary, and do thou, O blessed St.
Joseph, pray for us, that we may share in the peace and
joy of thy holy death. Amen.

PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART SAID DAILY DURING THE

MONTH OF JUNE.

adore, praise, and love thee, O Sacred Heart of

our loving Jesus; and full of grief at the thought
of so many offences which hitherto have been, and still are
committed against thee in the Most Holy Sacrament of
the altar, we offer thee the most amiable heart of Thy most
beloved Mother, with the merits of the saints in satisfaction
thereof.

O sweet Jesus, enclose in Thy Sacred Heart, we implore

Thee, all the members of this Community; and grant that
faithfully observing our holy Rule and our vows, and com
plying fervently with the duties of our holy state, we may
be daily more and more inflamed with divine love, and
praise Thee with unceasing gratitude in eternity. Amen.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO OUR LADY, SAID AFTER THE LITANY

ON SATURDAYS IN SOME RELIGIOUS HOUSES.

/T\OST Holy Virgin! Immaculate Queen! Mother of God!

vl^/ and our own dear Mother, Mary! Refuge of sinners!
Comfortress of the afflicted! Prostrate at thy feet in the
presence of thy heavenly court, we consecrate ourselves to
thy service. We choose thee for our Mistress and our
Queen; accept us for thy servants, and receive the offering
of our bodies and souls, of our hearts and minds, of all that
we are and posesss. We offer thee this House and Com
munity, our friends and relatives, and all who are entrusted
to us.

Take us all under thy protection and give us thy blessing,

O most dear Mother. Protect us against temptation,
deliver us from danger, assist us in our infirmities, comfort
us in our afflictions, preserve us from sin, and at the hour
of our death, O come, dear Mother, and take our souls and
bring them to paradise, that, in union with thee, we may
praise God for ever. Amen.

1076 P ravers for Various Occasions.

FORM OF CONSECRATING A CHILD TO THE SACRED HEART

MOST Sacred and Adorable Heart of Jesus, we con

secrate to thee this child (here name the child), hu
soul with all its faculties, his heart with all its affections, hit
body with its senses, now and for all the days of his life.
O most merciful Heart of Jesus! grant that this child may
never sully by mortal sin the white robe of his baptismal
innocence. O most loving Heart of Jesus, preserve this
child in Thy divine fear and love all the days of his life, pro
tect him at the hour of his death, and grant him the grace
to see his God "face to face" in the joys of paradise. Amen.

SHORT ACT OF CONSECRATION.

Thee, O Jesus, I consecrate my heart. In Thy Sacred

Heart I wish to live. In Thy Sacred Heart I wish to die.
Inflame my heart with the fire of Thy love, and enlighten
me with Thy wisdom and Thy knowledge.

Oh, let Thy loving Heart be to me my strength in temp

tation and my consolation in the day of tribulation and
sorrow. Grant me grace, dear Jesus, ever to taste the sweet
ness of Thy Sacred Heart, not only during my lifetime, but,
above all, at the hour of my death. Amen.

PRAYER TO MARY TO OBTAIN THE SPIRIT OF OBEDIENCE.

O DEAREST Mother, obtain for us, thy children, the

grace ever to bear in mind that by the vow of Obe
dience we have for ever renounced our own will and re
signed it to the direction of our Superiors: Pray that we
may be docile to all their directions, whether in matters
of great or little moment, agreeable or disagreeable: that
we may never murmur, but with humility and spiritual joy
carry the sweet yoke of thy divine Son Jesus. Amen.

FORM OF DEDICATING A CHILD TO MARY.

OHOL/Y Mary, Mother of God, and our dear Mother

also, behold we have come to dedicate this child
(here name the child) to thy maternal care. We choose
thee this day for her Mother, Patroness, and Advocate; and
we beseech thee to take her under thy powerful protection.

O most tender and loving Mother, we most earnestly

entreat thee, through the infinite merits of Thy divine Son
Jesus, that thou wilt watch over this child and obtain for
lier the grace of guarding faithfully all her thoughts, desires,

Prayers for Various Occasions. IO 77

words, and actions, so that she may never displease thy

divine Son, nor thee, His blessed Mother; but that all the
faculties and powers of her soul, all the senses and members
of her body her whole being may be offered a holocaust
of praise and honor to the divine Majesty during her whole
life, and at the hour of her death. And in that awful hour,
come, O holy Mother, to assist thy child, protect her from
her infernal enemies, and conduct her soul out of this miser
able world to see and enjoy God, and to love and bless thee,
in the company of the blessed in heaven. Amen.

Recite three Hail Marys, and "O Mary, conceived without

sin," etc.
DAILY PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO CARRY AN AGNUS DEI.*

77ESUS, my Saviour, true Lamb of God, that takest away

J the sins of the world, by Thy infinite mercy I beseech
Thee to pardon my iniquities. By Thy sacred Passion, I
beseech Thee, preserve me this day from sin and shield me
from all evil. To Thy honor and glory, I carry about with
me this blessed Agnus Dei, as a protection to my soul and
to my body, and as an incentive to the practice of the virtues
which Thou hast inculcated, especially of meekness, humility,
purity, and charity.

In memory of that sacrifice of love which Thou didst

offer for me and all mankind on Calvary, I consecrate my
w r hole being to Thee.

Thou didst die on the cross for love of me; let me die to
self for love of Thee! Keep me in Thy love and in Thy
grace to the end of my life, that I may bless Thee forever
with the saints in heaven.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY, MOTHER OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE.

O IMMACULATE Virgin Mary, Mother of Divine Providence,

take possession of my soul with all the fulness of thy favor
and protection. Govern thou my life, and direct it along the
way of virtue to the fulfilment of the divine will. Do thou
obtain for me the pardon of my sins; be my refuge, my protection,
my defense, _ my guide in the pilgrimage of this life; console
me in afflictions, sustain me in dangers, and in the storms of
adversity afford me the security of thy guardianship. Obtain

* Agnus Dei : A cake of blessed wax. The figure of a Iamb

is stamped on the wax which remains from the Paschal candles,
and which is solemnly blessed by the Pope on the Thursday after
Easter, in the first and seventh years of his Pontificate. (Vide
Catholic Dictionary.)

1078 Prayers for Various Occasions.

for me, O Mary, the renewal of my heart within me, so that

it may become the holy dwelling place of thy divine Son Jesus;
remove far from me, weak and miserable as I am, every kind
of sin, negligence, sloth, timidity and human respect; entirely
expel from me pride, vain-glory, self-love, and all other earthly
affections which hinder the efficacy of thy patronage. O sweetest
Mother of Providence, turn thy maternal regard upon me,
and if through frailty or malice I have provoked the menaces
of the eternal Judge and embittered the motst Sacred Heart
of my loving Jesus, do thou throw over me the mantle of thy
protection, and I shall be safe. Thou art the watchful Mother,
the Virgin of forgiveness^and my hope on earth; oh, grant that I
may have thee for the Mother of Glory in heaven. Ave Maria
thrice. Ind. of 200 days, once a day. Leo XIII, Feb. 27, 1886.
PETITION TO ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

OMOST blessed and glorious St. Vincent de Paul! the

model of evangelical perfection, permit us to join
our thanksgivings for the favors bestowed on thee, to the
transports which will eternally overflow thy pure soul. We
thank the Almighty for having crowned thy profound humility
and indefatigable zeal with eternal glory, and we beseech
thee, by that tender charity which on earth would have
made thee sacrifice a thousand lives to save one soul, to
obtain for us that simplicity, mortification, and humility,
that ardent zeal for the salvation of others, and constant
union with God, which were thy favorite virtues, and which
are the essence of our holy vocation. Ask for us, O blessed
saint, the helps and cooperations of which we are in need,
for promoting God s glory and for aiding the poor of Christ,
whom thou didst love so exceedingly while on earth.
Obtain for every member of our Community those virtues
which are required for our own perfection, while we labor for
the good of others. Offer up thy prayers also for our par
ticular intention [N. N.] Accept, O great saint, our united
homage, which is far short or that which thy virtues deserve,
and teach us to become, like thee, all things to all, that we may
gdin all for Christ. Amen.

St. Vincent exhorted the Sisters of Charity often to say:

PESTROY in me, O Lord, all that is displeasing to Thee,

and grant that I may no longer be so full of myself.
Grant that in each of my actions I may have no other desire
than that of pleasing Thee.

Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers. 1079

LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT, OR THE PILLAR OF THE CLOUD.*

*"| jFAD, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom

- A Lead thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home.

Lead thou me on!

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene, one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor pray d that Thou

Shouldst lead me on.

I loved to choose and see my path, but now

Lead Thou me on!

I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,

Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still

Will lead me on.

O er moor and fen, o er crag and torrent, till

The night is gone;

And with the morn those angel faces smile

Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

JErtracts, /ifcajims, an& jpragers,

PRAYER TO IMPLORE DIVINE LIGHT.

(Before any difficult or important undertaking.)

"Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and

lean not upon thy own prudence."

"In all thy ways think on Him, and He will direct thy
steps "

"Be not wise in thy own conceit; fear God and depart
from evil." (Prov. iii.)

O ADORABLE Jesus! I come to Thee before I com

mence this undertaking to implore Thy divine assist
ance, and to consecrate this work to Thee. Thou know-
est, O Lord, that of myself I can do nothing; assist me,
therefore, I beseech Thee, to accomplish the will of
God that divine will which was so dear to Thee as to be
Thy food whilst Thou wert on earth. Direct me particu-
* By Cardinal Newman.

io8o Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims and Prayers.

larly in this affair I am about to undertake, and teach me

to act in a manner pleasing to Thy divine Majesty or,
rather, do Thou Thyself deign to act in and by me; govern
me by Thy wisdom; support me by Thy power; and by
Thy infinite goodness direct all my exertions on this and
every other occasion, to Thy greater glory and my own
salvation.

"Always act on principle; never on feelings."

"Take no notice of feelings; they usually lead us wrong."

EXTRACT.

For those in charge of Children.

*TJ*CCUSTOM yourself to suffer in order to obtain grace for

cJr-1-, yourselves and the children who are in your charge.
This suffering will come both from them and from yourselves,
and will make you always practice virtue in some way or
another for their sake.

To succeed in training children you must strive to be self-

possessed at all times, to be even in temper, and equitable
in dealing justly with all. Virtue must be rather insinuated
by example than daily enforced by punishment or constant
admonition.

Lead children to love God; let them learn from your ex

ample to sacrifice pleasure to duty. (Henriette D Ossemlle.)

Y my life, my sweet Jesus, be spent in the peaceful

endeavor of trying to lead Thy "little ones" to
know and to love Thee, and when I am weary and sick at
heart and I long for rest and repose, may I ever find it in
Thy sacramental presence, in the pure joy of the Holy
Eucharist. Amen.

What will afford you most consolation when you are on

your bed of death? This question if rightly pondered will
influence your whole life!

"O! how sweet it is to die after having had a constant

and ardent devotion to the Sacred Heart of Him Who is to
judge us."

END OF RELIGIOUS LIFE.

HE end for which you have entered religion is to become

a new creature, and to become entirely transformed
into Christ crucified. The cross and humiliations of Jesus
must be your only aim. You are elected to be the spouse
of Christ crucified, to follow Him in hunger and thirst and
poverty nay, even to death, for I hold out no other induce-

Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers. 1081

ment to you but the cross of Christ, my beloved Spouse.

If His cross and His love will not content you, I have nothing
nore to offer."

" Is any cross too heavy,

Or any task too hard
That Jesus lays upon thee,
And Jesus will reward?"

PRAYER TO JESUS CRUCIFIED.

O SWEET Jesus, mayest Thou be ever crucified in

my heart by nails of love, Who for love of me wast
crucified with nails of iron to the hard wood of the cross.

I will draw near to my suffering Saviour; I will be sorrow

ful with my sorrowful Jesus, broken-hearted with my broken
hearted Jesus, and, above all, I will try to console Him,
by promising in future to love Him more ardently, and to imi
tate Him more closely. Amen.

EXTRACT.

QAINTAIN always the sense and posture of heart of

a novice under training; and this very sense will
be a great protection to your spirit, and will keep you open
to correction and formation.

As novices you considered yourselves as aiming and striv

ing at being what you were not as yet : a Religious who
maintains this posture of soul with this sentiment is the
only true disciple of religion the only one who gains new
iigh; an;l makes new progress. (Bishop Ullathorne.)
MY LESSOR.

ONLY to rest where He puts me ;

Only to do His will;
Only to be what He made me,
Though I be nothing still.

Never a look beyond me,

Out of a little sphere

If I could fill another,

God would not keep me here.

Only to take what He gives me,

Meek as a little child ;

Questioning naught of the reason

Joyful, or reconciled.

1082 Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayer^

Only to do what He bids me,

Patiently, gladly to-day,

Taking no thought for the morrow

Leaning on Him all the way.

Only to look to Him ever ;

Only to sit at His feet;

All that He sayeth, to do it

Then shall my life be complete,

ENCOURAGEMENT.

"~| JGOK up continually to our predecessors, who are

,J i now in heaven, reaping the reward of all their vic
tories.

"Have courage, and act as if e.ery day were to be your

last. Time is short : eternity for ever and ever, in joy or woe.
. . . And this all depends on ourselves, our own free will!"

SACRIFICE OF FREE WILL.

"T* BESEECH Thee, O eternal Father, in the name of
--, Thy Son Jesus, to take into Thy hands the free will
which Thou hast bestowed upon me, and of which I now
divest myself. I abandon it entirely and unreservedly to
Thy holy disposal, in order that it may please Thee. And I
beseech Thee, by the precious blood of Thy Son, that it
may never be left at my disposal, to do anything contrary
to Thy most holy will.

"Act like a man, and take courage and do.

Fear not and be not dismayed, for the
Lord thy God will not leave thee."

(Fr. Bitckner, O.P.)

ACT OF CONTRITION FOR RELIGIOUS

God, I come to Thee to beg contrition for my sins

for all my sins. Give me, I entreat Thee, true sorrow
for every one of them, in particular for all the negligences
Thou hast seen in the observance of my holy vows, and the
little effort I have made to live in the spirit of my vocation.
Filled with shame and sorrow, I come to renew my vows
at Thy sacred feet, and I humbly implore of Thy infinite
goodness and mercy that Thou wilt vouchsafe to admit this
holocaust as an odor of sweetness, and that as Thou hast

Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers. 1083

already inspired me with the desire to offer it, so Thou wilt

also bestow plentiful grace on me to fulfil it. Amen.

PEACE IN UNION WITH GOD.

/^[l VE to each thing, no mailer what, the perfection it reason-

XzJ ably requires, or that in the circumstances you can give
it; then suppose your part done, dismiss the whole affair from
your mind, and go on to the next. . . . Avoid re-examina
tions springing from dissatisfaction with self. . . . Once
the duty done, a5 it presents itself at the time, go on without
worry. This is a kind of exterior hold upon God keep it
firm.

The interior one is all-important. That consists in receiv

ing every variety of apparent accident people s virtues and
vices, and the rough and smooth of events believe all as
direct agencies intended for your sanctification, ordered and
shaped and sent for the purpose of union. In fact, even your
imperfections, when you think of them, you may well say
were permitted for the same purpose; and to speak more
strongly, but not incorrectly you may even be thankful for
them, as the occasion of contrition and new resolve. . . .

At once begin the formation of the soul on these principles,

and keep everything else outside I mean everything that
flings the smallest shadow on peace.

Extracts from /toasters in tbe Spiritual Xife.*

E Religious who does not make progress in

perfection, goes backward. What was thy object

in entering religion? Know thyself. Overcome thyself.

Thy business is to please God in all things. His love and

His grace are sufficient for thee. He serves not God who

seeks consolation in the Religious state.

2. He who loves poverty possesses all things. Of worldly

things choose the worst and of heavenly things the best.

He is not poor, who does not wish to feel the effects of

poverty. Aim at the spirit of poverty. To have the name
of being poor, and, at the same time, to enjoy the comforts
of wealth, is to deceive men.

3. He is not chaste who does not flee the occasions of

impurity.

Why dost thou wish to see that which has no value in thy
eyes? Modesty of the eyes preserves from many sins and is

* From the writings of Father Schneider, S.J.

1084 Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers.

the mother of piety. "Chaste and gentle make us," so the

Church sings to Our Lady. Woe to the Religious who is ill-
tempered among the pious. It is better to bear an injury in
silence and without murmur, than to fast on several days till
evening.

4. That Religious is not obedient, who, whilst exteriorly

submitting graciously to orders, contradicts and murmurs
interiorly, and criticises the Superior.

The devil plays hand-ball with a vain and unmortified

Religious. No one is more happy under the sun than the
Religious who loves God, his Superior, and his cell, or the
silence and solitude of the cloister.

5. The supposition that in another convent, under another

vSuperior, among other companions, in another employment,
in other circumstances, one would make greater progress
and be better satisfied, has already deceived many. Some
in a few years have tried every kind of change consecutively,
without becoming better, more happy, or more contented.
God has placed us where we are; let us remain where we
now are until it shall please Him to call us away. Where
in the world is there a rose without thorns?

6. That Religious is not yet dead to the world who is

greatly concerned or anxious about his relatives and friends
in the world.

7. The Religious who strives after perfection should

willingly and fervently embrace all that is painful, burdet*
some, and disagreeable, all that requires combats, self -restraint ,
and self-denial. He should, indeed, prefer these to all that
is agreeable to the sensual man. He should never hearken
to the seductive voice of nature, but always follow the inspira
tions of grace leading to life eternal.

8. I shall be a true child of my Order as long as I am

candid and sincere toward my Superior.

I will never bother myself about offices that may be later

intrusted to me, but will abandon myself to God s designs
and put my trust in Him alone.

9. I will follow the Community and avoid all singularity.

10. I will be as careful of the honor of my Order as any one

can be of his own.

11. Beware of being a burden and a cross to thy Superiors

or to any one else, but strive to give pleasure to all.

12. In my Institute I will consider myself as a beggar

admitted out of charity.

13. What doth it avail me to live long in my Order if I

do not attain its object and end?
14. In the convent I am not the master, but the servant

Miscellaneous Extracts , Maxims, and Prayers. 1085

of all, and in this should my honor and glory consist. For

how should I wish to rule, since Jesus Christ came, not to
be served, but to serve us, and the Blessed Virgin called
herself only the handmaid of the Lord.

15. If thou wishest to know whether thou lovest thy

vocation, examine whether thou lovest mortification. Thy
vocation is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and how canst
thou be His disciple, if thou dost not wish to be crucified
with Him?

1 6. I will spare no effort to maintain a constant peace

and interior joy.

17. The renunciation of self-love is a mortification, by

virtue of which thou actest not as thou likest either inte
riorly or exteriorly, but only according to the good pleasure
of God and of thy Superiors.

1 8. Meekness is a sure sign of innocence preserved or

recovered.

19. Precipitateness and restlessness do not contribute to

the success of a good work. To desire its success is good, but
it should be without anxiety.

20. God occupies Himself with me, as if I were alone in the

world. It is also meet that I should occupy myself with
Him, as if besides Him there were nobody and nothing in
the universe.

21. Meditate often on the Passion of Jesus Christ, thy

King. He endured torments only to win thee and thy heart.

22. Be truly humble, and thou wilt never think that any
injustice is done to thee. He has only the appearance of
humility who, though he humbles himself, can not bear to be
humbled by others. If thou wishest to learn and know
something very useful, learn and love to be unknown and to
be considered as nothing.

23. Do not complain of pains, sufferings, and adversity

before casting a glance at thy crucifix and thinking on the
twofold eternity. He makes the greatest progress in Religious
life and virtue who manfully strives to overcome whatever
he finds most difficult and disagreeable.

24. Incense emits no odor nor ascends upward, unless it

burns; and it is in suffering that we prove our love of God
and our fidelity to Him. The road to the Mount of Olives is
steep indeed; but the Mount of Olives is also the Mount of
the Ascension. Those who suffer with Jesus Christ will be
also glorified with Him.

25. When we have once so far progressed as no longer to

seek any human consolation, we then begin to relish spiritual
and heavenly things.

io86 Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers.

26. We should not imagine we are able to please every

body.

27. We should expect a just return, not from men, but

from God alone.

28. We should observe in our neighbor only his virtues and

advantages, and in ourselves only our faults and imper
fections.

29. He who severely judges his own deeds, finds no reason

to condemn others, but is inclined rather to excuse them.

30. If thou wishest to live in great tranquillity and true

peace, thy most ardent desires should be to see God in the
next life, thy greatest fear to lose Him, thy most bitter pain
not yet to enjoy Him, and thy greatest joy all that can lead
thee to Him.

31. Free thy heart from all that is created and seek God
alone, and thou shalt find Him.

32. Severity toward ourselves should render us more

meek, indulgent, and affable toward others. If our neigh
bor s act has one hundred sides, we should always look at it
from its most favorable side. When the sinfulness of an act
no longer admits of vindication, we should at least seek to
excuse it and admit that the intention was good. But if this
is impossible, we should at least make allowance for the vio
lence of the temptation, for the ignorance, impulsiveness, or
human frailty of the one who committed the fault.
33. We should flee nothing more carefully than sloth,
sadness, and dangerous familiarities.

34. To bear cheerfully, gratefully, and lovingly the daily

little inconveniences that are inseparable from our vocation,
is a constant and most profitable exercise of mortification.

35. I will consider and employ each day as if it were my last;

one day shall surely be my last; but which one?

36. Thy spiritual progress is in proportion to thy self-

denial.

37. Attend to thyself. What others do is no concern of

thine. Follow Jesus Christ.

38. Thou art as great and as good as thou art before God
neither more nor less.

39. Beware lest, on account of thy negligence, God take

away from thee the tenderness of thy conscience, and leave
it insensible in thee.

40. With the utmost fervor I will venerate the Most

Blessed Sacrament, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph,
and my guardian angel.

41. I will often during the day raise my heart to God by

short and fervent aspirations and the renewal of a pure
intention.

Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers. 1087

42. I will most carefully abstain from judging others and

mingling in their concerns. What I can not excuse I will com
passionate, considering my own weakness and sinfulness, and
saying a Hail Mary for the amendment of the culprit.

43. I will always speak to every one in a friendly, respect

ful, and humble manner.

44. My soul, what doth it profit thee to be loved by men,

if, like Pilate, thou losest the friendship of Jesus Christ, on
account of that love or popularity ?

45. He who diligently considers Our Lord s life and Pas

sion will find in abundance therein all that is useful and neces
sary for his spiritual life.

46. I will carefully consider what I have to do, and not

what others are doing.

47. Accustom thyself to excuse others out of true charity,

and to be thoughtful of their welfare in all things.

48. Be but little in thine own eyes, and desire to be also

thus considered; and w r hen thou art so treated, be not sad,
but rejoice. All for Jesus.

* 49. To plod on perseveringly and faithfully when we

are under a dark cloud, and can not see our way, no, not one
step before us, still to toil on in trust and love, this is to
give glory to God and joy to the Sacred Heart.

50. When you go to your holy communion to-morrow,

think that you see the divine Child looking through and
through you with His clear pellucid gaze and asking you
the question, "Will you be true?" Are you resolved to
combat resolutely the visible faults all can see and be scan
dalized by, instead of the half-dozen imaginary ones with
which you love so much to torture yourselves? And I
should love, I should dearly love you to return His glance
with one as limpid and as true, saying, "O Lord, no one
knows better than I how blind and weak I am, but I wish
to know, I wish to see, what Thou desirest of me, and will try
with all my heart, regardless of all obstacles, to accomplish
it." He wishes you to be real. Be real.

51. Jesus is our Lover and a jealous One. We must

be blind if we dare look at Him with a heart attached to
anything but Himself. He is our King, and as such, claims
undisputed possession of our All. Sacrifice and struggle!
this is the consummation of the life of a good Religious.

52. If you don t reverence Silence, you will lose prayer,

recollection, holy inspirations. Get the habit of talking to
God about everything.

* From the writings of Father Dignam, S.J.

io88 Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers.

53. Remember God loves offerings made in joy, and the

cream of our offerings is to show joy when tried. If contra
dictions and annoyances come, let us try to offer a fervent,
ioyful act of thanksgiving that God has given us an oppor
tunity of practicing virtue.

54. The praises of men pass. Let us seek only to glorify

God in our work, taking cheerfully success or failure as He
chooses to send it. Work, then, only for the eternal salva
tion of your charges that by Him they may be saved, while
you remain hidden and unknown.

55. Every time we lift ourselves up, either before others

or only in our own minds, we frighten Jesus away. He has
so keen an eye and so sensitive a heart that He can not
bring Himself to find a home in a soul possessed by self and
pride.

56. Here is a test of your honesty. We know we can not

trust ourselves to crush self. Are we willing that others
should do the business for us, or do we resist? If we take
little slights, neglects, contempts well, patiently, nay,
even willingly, looking on each as a treasure God gives us to
bring us nearer to Him, to destroy His enemy our own
self-love then we are really aiming at His love.

57. The spirit of St. Francis of Sales the "omnia omnibus

factus sum" of St. Paul, by which, by cruelty to self, you
become sweet to everybody is but little understood; but
you must understand it, and put your whole heart into the
work

58. Duty without piety is meat without salt, but piety

without duty is salt without meat. Let pious gluttons
look to it.

59. God speaks still, as He spoke to our fathers in primi

tive times when there were neither directors nor direction.
Spirituality then consisted in doing the will of God. Each
hour brings a duty to be done with fidelity. Attention to
this made saints, and makes saints still.

60. Life is a series of steps, each one bringing us nearer

to the awful moment when we shall kneel at Qur Lord s
feet, and look up inquiringly into His eyes.

61. The life that has been spent in industry and striving,
and which is yet a failure, is the nearest approach to that
of Christ, for what was His life, viewed only with external
eyes, but a great failure?
62. St. Joseph did not suffer martyrdom. What made
him the greatest of saints and promoters? (i) God s will
was enough to make him happy. He had no other desires.
Poverty, monotony, labor, labor without praise, was sweet

Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers. 1089

to him if it was God s will. (2) Hence he was meek and

obedient without asking why. (3) Zeal with little oppor
tunity came out in prayer. A perfect promoter was St.
Joseph.

63. To have a smile for all is a great means of doing good.

But only those who try know how hard it is. We shall
succeed better if we learn to smile at God; for He, dear
Lord, loves to see us smile at Him, and, like His creatures,
He is pleased with our cheerfulness.

64. The vows are the irrevocable acceptance of all the

blessedness of my creatureship, of all that God desires in
creating me, that I should be to Him and He to me. They
put me out that He may reign. Poverty means that I know
that while He gives, I, and His gift no less, belong to Him
and must. That having received it as a mendicant I am
just the same mendicant when in possession, and that this
is as true of His caresses as of the food I eat.

65. Chastity means that the God-Man loves me all, longs

to possess me all, whom He made ; loves the body of which He
took the likeness for me, and delights in the consecration of
it to Himself, and in its immolation by the imitation of His
poverty, labor, and austerity.

66. Obedience I do not think will ever be perfect till we

sincerely think each one better than ourselves, and this
practically and in the individual. We talk about reverencing
God in Superiors. We can not do it until we are, as I say,
sincere about reverencing God in every one else. Obedience
js the presence of God.

67. Always pray at holy communion to overcome your

predominant passion or any weakness which disedifies
others; let it be verified that the idols fall down before Our
Lord in the Egypt of your heart.

68. After a fall the first thing is to say: " Bonum est mihi "
then, "Peccavi" "Domine, miserere mei": then, "Cor
contritum non despicies": and lastly: "Dixi nunc coepi."
69. It is not success but courage that is wanted. It is
the looking up to Our Lord after every fall and saying spon
taneously: "Failed again. I ll try again." This touches
Him. He is conquered at last.

70. "Cultivate sweetness," says that most perfect of pro

moters, St. Francis of Sales. " I do not say be soft and
easy, but be gentle and sweet." So we may notice that the
saint saw all the difference between the two.

71. Some of us, alas, are less ashamed to be selfish than

to be thought so. Let us be brave and resolute; we shall
obtain the priceless grace to be truly unselfish through

logo Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers.

Mary s Heart. Say to her lovingly: "O Queen of the

Apostleship of Prayer, make us unselfish; make us worthy
promoters of the Sacred Heart."

72. Mother most pure, Mother most holy and most kind,
may the love of Jesus and of thee grow in our hearts to
gether; may that love make us hate sin and the world,
strengthen us to deny ourselves, confirm our faith, hope,
and charity, and bring Thee, sweet Mother, to our death
beds to console our last hour.

73. Devotion to the Sacred Heart means to be convinced

of His personal love for me, to return it by personal love,
and so (for this is the nature of personal love) to be glad when
He is honored to be sorry when He is dishonored to
make Him what reparation I can for the injuries done to
Him by men.

74. To brood over our sufferings is poison to the soul, so

also is pondering over the faults of others. Count as a fault
each time you think of any one s faults without thinking of
their good qualities and praising God for them. We were
created to praise.

75. How peaceful will be the death of one who has never
allowed himself to judge or say an unkind word! He will
find at his judgment the Sacred Heart to be an open taber
nacle where he will rest for ever.

76. It was as she (Our Lady of Sorrows) watched the last

sufferings of her Beloved, that she learnt that immense
compassion, that boundless pity which made her the Mother
of the Apostles, the Refuge of sinners, the Promoter of the
Sacred Heart s love for souls. If we make her sorrows our
own, compassion will grow in our hearts, and make us like
to her.

77. Make it the fixed purpose of your life to make all,

others happy as far as it is in your power, and so (for that
will be necessary) to put self out of view altogether. This
then ought to be the first thought on awaking: "Dear
Mother, for Thy honor I will take care that everybody who
speaks to me to-day shall go away happier." This thought
to be the first thought in your examen at night: "How
many have I failed to make happy to-day?"

78. Simplicity of intention, setting our hearts on accom

plishing God s will alone, and minding neither reputation,
popularity, comfort nor success this is the only way to gain
peace.

79. If we look back on our lives we shall find that the

heaviest cross that was ever laid upon us, which seemed at
the time to crush us to the very earth, was in reality the

Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers. 1091

beginning of God s mercy for us and the turning point in

our lives.

80. If Jesus Christ is to be born in our hearts it can only

be accomplished through death to self. It is not by one
good act that self is destroyed it is by reiterated efforts, a
long and slow death after many wounds.

* 81. The right and wrong of things turns exactly on

the intention.

82. Perfection means aiming at the highest.

83. The time of adversity is the time to turn to God

quickly; the sooner I turn to Him, the happier I shall be
Why should I bear pain alone, if God is willing to share it
with me. God will always sympathize with us if Ht
does not always give consolation, He always gives strength.

84. We must take everything to God not only big things.

but little ones too each occurrence, each little disappoint
ment, whether in the natural or supernatural order all has
to go to God, and humility takes us there. How happy
adversity is when it is the instrument that takes us to God!
Whatever happened to our blessed Saviour was an in
ducement to Kim to turn to His heavenly Father He
never wearied in that it was the passion of His life.

85. God is strong enough and loving enough to take us

entirely into His own hands If God has taken away success,
regard it as a blessed piece of destitution.

86. How are we going to feel when judged favorably, or

unfavorably? some people seem to live by the judgment
of others. Are we living that we may stand well in the
judgment of others? Human respect is the most entangling
thing will it be an answer to almighty God? Is the esteem
of others the end we are setting before ourselves? It is a
wrong standard we must do our actions so that Our Father
who is in heaven may be pleased. The people who are truly
free are those who have no human respect and go straight to
God.

87. There is no love that increases so fast as that which

costs.

88. If we concentrate all our attention on one thing it will

all be well; much better to have all our eneigies concen
trated than dissipated.

89. When anything goes against the grain it ought to be

done more briskly.

90. Our Lord avails Himself of His power to humble

* From the writings of Father Morris, S.J.

1 092 Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers.

Himself to the utmost. No one entered the holy house of

Nazareth without seeing that He was the last. He acted
as one who had no rights, except to be the lowest of the low,
though He was the Highest of the high.

* 91. Believe me, my dear friends, believe an experience

ripened by thirty years in the sacred ministry. I do here
affirm that all deceptions, all spiritual deficiencies, all mis
eries, all falls, all faults, and even the most serious wander
ings out of the right path, all proceed from this single source
a want of constancy in prayer. Live the life of prayer; learn
to bring everything, to change everything into prayer pains-
and trials, and temptations of all kinds.

Pray in the calm, pray in the storm ;

Pray on awaking, and pray during the daytime;

Going and coming, pray;

Tired out and distracted, pray;

Whatsoever your repugnance may be, pray;

Pray, that you may learn to pray.

"Teach us, O Lord, how to pray."

"But I can not pray." That is heresy. Yes, you can

always pray. If you feel a disgust, nay, a horror of prayer,
pray on, pray in spite of yourself, against yourself. Beg
for the courage in prayer which our agonizing Saviour merited
for you by His pangs in Gethsemane and upon Calvary.
Pray, for prayer is the strength which saves, the courage
which perseveres, the mystic bridge, cast over the abyss,
which joins the soul to God.

t 92. You must be brave and carry your cross cheerfully,

and leave yourself entirely in the hands of our dear Lord
Often when you go to see Him, say the prayer of our holy
Father: "Sume, Domine, et suscipe"; and the ejaculation:
"In labore requies, in aestu temperies, in lletu solatium."

93. If I feel inclined to be irritable, let me .turn to my

foster-father, St. Joseph. With so many cares he was so
patient, and gentle.

94. Our dear Lord will not ^ outdone in generosity, and

we poor sinners will meet with equal generosity if, like Mag-
dalen, we approach Him in the same humble, sorrowing,
loving, and generous dispositions.

95. Our dear Lord was crowned with thorns to make

amends for our disobedience and independence. Ah! get a
great horror of the spirit of independence. Learn submission,

* From the writings of Father de Ravignan, S.J.

j From the writings of Father James Clare, S.J.

Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers. 1093

and try to comfort our dear Lord by being humble and

obedient.

Jesus appointed as the place of the Ascension the Mount

of Olives, not Thabor, to teach us that the way to heaven is
by suffering and the cross.

His Blessed Heart is a very ocean of mercy. Peter and

Thomas and Magdalen found it so. Then courage, my soul!
I too shall find it so.

96. Let us not forget that everything which Our Lord

permits is intended for our real good, either directly or indi
rectly, and consequently let us drink the chalice, for it is
mixed and presented to us by Our Father. We must not
think of reward, but we must work for love.

97. Who can tell the sea of sorrow that burst upon that
maiden of fifteen! Now she understands the prophecies.
She sees Calvary before her, and murmurs: "I am in the
hands of God; be it done unto me according to His word."
Mary had to make a great sacrifice, and with a great heart
she did it. When Our Lord asks us to make a sacrifice, we
must try to imitate our Mother. "Of myself I can not; but
I will lean upon Thee, O my God, and I will do it, come what
will." Let our constant prayer be "Fiat voluntas tua," not
in a spirit of repugnance or compulsion, but cheerfully, con-
fidingly, and in a spirit of love.

98. There is life and energy in the tabernacle, but there

is no outward show or bustle. Let us try to learn from the
Blessed Sacrament the right way to work with energy and
constancy, and great peace.

Outside the tabernacle, what is there that is worthy of

our love? It is well for us, dear children, to take our stand
by the tabernacle, and wrench our souls from all else.

99. As to being misjudged, no doubt it is hard to suppress

our wounded feelings; but when we put ourselves alone
with our dearest elder Brother, and think how misjudged
He was for our sake, and how cheerfully He bore it, and
picture Him asking us to keep Him company, we soon nerve
ourselves, not only to bear the suffering, but to be glad to do
it for love of Him. Don t be afraid, dear child, that God
will ask too much of you. He always asks for something
that our nature will rebel against, but the pain of giving it
lasts but a moment, and the pleasure is eternal. St. Igna
tius says: "Labor to make ourselves indifferent," not "be
indifferent," because Rome was not built in a day, and we
shall not become indifferent in a day. Let us not decline
to accept any trials which God may send us, no matter how
repugnant to our nature, even though they may cause our

IOQ4 Miscellaneous Extracts, Maxims, and Prayers.

hearts to break. Jesus has drunk the chalice for us, let us
drink it for Him. Be thorough in the service of your good
God.

100. How then should we employ our time? (i) We

should keep steadily to our spiritual duties; (2) Fulfil the
duties of our state of life ; (3) Do what we owe to our station ;
(4) Fill up our spare time well ; (5) Do even our least actions
in a spirit of faith and love. You will never feel any sacrifice
if you love. Look at the intensity of love and the loyalty of
the saints; these ought to be a stimulus for us. In all cir
cumstances let our prayer be: "Non mea voluntas, sed Tua
fiat." It will bring us strength and consolation, and will
render us cheerful and ready to bear every hardship.

Glory is only to be earned by the cross.

OMY sweet Jesus, my Lord, my Redeemer, my ever

devoted Brother, who for me and for my benefit
never ceasest to expend Thyself, into Thy hands I resign
the whole of my liberty, that I may be in future Thy bond
slave; I consecrate to Thee my mind, my heart, my will,
and every sense of my body. Please to take full possession
of me, body and soul, and do with me whatever Thou wilt.
Only one thing I beg in return: give me grace never to
relax in my love for Thee, and then I shall live happy and
die content. So be it, my Jesus!

Eternal Father, Who through Thy beloved Son dost

teach us ever to pray "Thy kingdom come," grant us, O
Lord, through His most Sacred Heart the grace of final
perseverance in Thy love, that having with entire devotion
promoted the glory of that Sacred Heart on earth, we may
share the more intimate favors of its love for all eternity.
Amen.
EJACULATION.

ACRED Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time. Pius X, May 4, 1906.

1097

Draper: " ifflost Jicar ILorb $e&u* Cfjrisrt."

dear Lord Jesus Christ, Who, being made an infant

for us, wast willing to be born in a cave, to free us from
the darkness of sin, to draw us to Thyself, and to inflame us
with Thy holy love; we adore Thee as our Creator and Redeemer,
we accept and choose Thee for our King and Lord, and
for tribute we offer Thee all the affections of our poor hearts.
Dear Jesus, Our Lord and God, deign to accept this offering,
and. that it may be worthy of Thine acceptance, pardon us our
faults, enlighten us, and inflame us with that holy fire which
Thou earnest to bring into the world and enkindle in men s
hearts. May our souls thus become a perpetual sacrifice in
Thy honor. Grant that we may ever seek Thy greater glory
here on earth, so that we may one day come to rejoice in Thy
infinite loveliness in heaven. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII, Jan. 18, 1894.

Draper to STesusf tit &ebeemer; &n Set of Reparation for

JiJlaspfjemtesf ttereb Against tfje

JESUS, Son of the living God, my Saviour and Redeemer,

behold us prostrate at Thy feet. We beg pardon, and
make this act of reparation for all the blasphemies uttered
against Thy holy Name, for all the outrages committed against
Thee in the most holy Sacrament of the Altar, for all irreverence
shown to Thy most blessed and immaculate Mother, and for
all the calumnies spoken against Thy spouse, our holy .Mother,
the Catholic Church. O Jesus, Who didst say: Whatever you
shall ask the Father in My Name, that I will do, we pray and
beseech Thee for our brethren who are living in danger of sin,
that Thou wouldst preserve them from the seductions of apostasy.
Save them who stand over the abyss; give them light and
knowledge of the truth, power and strength in the conflict
against evil, and perseverance in faith and active charity.

1096 Appendix.

And therefore, most merciful Jesus, do we pray to the Father

in Thy name, with Whom Thou livest and reignest in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day.

INVOCATIONS.

Jesus and Mary.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time.

Saviour of the world, have mercy on us.

Indulgence of 50 days, once a day.

in $?onor of ttje #Iast #?alp, t!ie Jttosit SUiorable jBtame

of jefiusf.

OGOOD Jesus! O most tender Jesus! O most sweet Jesus!

O Jesus, Son of Mary the Virgin, full of mercy and kindness!
O sweet Jesus, according to Thy great mercy, have pity on me!
O most merciful Jesus, I entreat Thee by that precious blood
of Thine which Thou didst will to pour forth for sinners, to
wash away all my iniquities, and to look upon me,, poor and
unworthy as I am, asking humbly pardon of Thee, and invoking
this holy name of Jesus. O name of Jesus, sweet name! Name
of Jesus, name of joy! Name of Jesus, name of strength! Nay,
.what meaneth the name of Jesus but Saviour? Wherefore,
O Jesus, by Thine own holy name, be to me Jesus, and save
me. Suffer me not to be lost me, whom Thou didst create
out of nothing. O good Jesus, let not my iniquity destroy what
Thy almighty goodness made. O sweet Jesus, recognize what
is Thine own, and wipe away from me what is not of Thee!
O most kind Jesus, have pity on me while it is the time of pity,
and condemn me not when it is the time of judgment. The dead
shall not praise Thee, Lord Jesus, nor all those who go down
into hell. O most loving Jesus! O Jesus, most longed for by
Thine own! O most gentle Jesus! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let me
enter into the number of Thine elect. O Jesus, salvation of
those who believe in Thee; Jesus, consolation of those who
fly to Thee. Jesus, Son of Mary the Virgin, pour intofme grace,
wisdom, charity, chastity, and humility, that I may be able
perfectly to love Thee, to praise Thee, to enjoy Thee, to serve
Thee, and to glory in Thee, together with all those who invoke
Thy name, which is Jesus. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX, Nov. 26, 1876.

Appendix. 1097

Draper, " 29ibtne 5esu*."

Jesus, incarnate Son of God, Who for our salva-

tion didst vouchsafe to be born in a stable, to pass
Thy life in poverty, trials, and misery, and to die amid the suffer
ings of the cross, I entreat Thee, say to Thy divine Father at
the hour of my death : Father, forgive him! say to Thy beloved
Mother: Behold thy son! say to my soul: This day thou shalt
be with Me in Paradise. My God, my God, forsake me not in
that hour.. I thirst; yes, my God, my soul thirsts after Thee,
Who art the fountain of living waters. My life passes like a
shadow; yet a little while and all will be consummated. Where
fore, O my adorable Saviour! from this moment, for all eternity,
into Thy hands I commend my spirit. Lord Jesus, receive my
soul. Amen.

His Holiness, Pope Pius IX, by a decree of the Sacred Con

gregation of Indulgences, June 10, 1856, confirmed an indulgence
of three hundred days, to be gained by all the faithful every time
that they shall say this prayer with contrite heart and devotion.

Snbulacncct) 3cts in $onor of tljt ftUesscb Sacrament.

Reverent Genuflection and Devout Invocation Before the Blessed

Sacrament.

1. " uJOR reciting in any language the invocation, "Jesus,

J I my God, I adore Thee here present in the sacrament

of Thy love," whilst devoutly genuflecting before the Blessed

Sacrament enclosed in the tabernacle, one hundred days indul
gence, each time.

2. For reciting the same invocation whilst adoring with a

double genuflection the Blessed Sacrament solemnly exposed,
three hundred days, each time.

3. For making an exterior act of reverence in passing by a

church or oratory where the Blessed Sacrament is kept, one
hundred days each time.

Pius X (S. Cong. Indul., July 13, 1908).

3ct of Reparation to <>ur llorb Jesus Cljrtst.

IN THE MOST ADORABLE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR.*

(Official Act for Members of the Tabernacle Society.)]

*T*N THE Name of the Father, etc.

JL Most adorable Saviour, by the most wonderful prodigy

of Thy love for us, Thou dost remain hidden in the most blessed

* Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII, by a rescript of the S.

Cong, of Indulgences, Dec. 20, 1879, has vouchsafed to grant

1098 Appendix.

Sacrament of the Altar, in order to be the perpetual sacrifice

of the New Law, the innocent victim for our sins, the celestial
food of our souls, our kind physician, our good master, our power
ful mediator, and our loving father. But, alas, with what
ingratitude on our part Thine infinite kindness is repaid!

Prostrate before Thine altar, where Thou art as really present

as in the highest heavens, we come to make reparation for all
the injuries and for all the ingratitude inflicted on Thy loving
Heart in this sacrament.

O divine Jesus, grant us to make a fitting reparation for all

blasphemies, all profanations, and all sacrileges ever committed,
for the want of devotion and neglect of reparation for holy
communion, for the little fruit we have drawn from it.

Pardon, O Lord, pardon, for so many Christians, who know

Thee not and who offend Thee; for so many heretics who insult
Thee, for so many impious men and apostates who persecute
Thee. By the fervor of our love we would wish to make amends
to Thee for all their contempt and for all their sacrileges.

How happy should we be, O Jesus, could we but make repa

ration to Thy glory by our respect, by our zeal, aye even by
the shedding of our blood. At least, most adorable Saviour,
grant us the grace to love Thee in the most holy Sacrament
of the Altar, with the most tender, the most generous, the most
perfect, the most constant love.

Virgin most holy, by thy holy and immaculate heart, make

us enter into the adorable Heart of thy divine Son, Jesus
Christ.

From " Rules of the Arch- Association of Perpetual Adoration

of the Blessed Sacrament and Work for Poor Churches," estab
lished at Rome, Via Nomentana, No. 4.

feacreb Sjeart of 3fegus(, Qtfjp iUnsbom Come!

Hfcoremus in Heternum
Sanctissimum Sacramentum!

once a day to associates of the Arch-Association of Perpetual

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Work for Poor Churches,
who recite with contrite heart the act of reparation, an indul
gence of 100 days, applicable to the souls in purgatory.

Appendix. 1099

(Ejaculation: " Sacrament Jflotft

SACRAMENT most holy!

O sacrament divine!
All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine!

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius VII, Dec. 7, 1819.

!3 Draper for the $)olv &our or for g(m> Visit to the

Sacrament.

EJACULATION.

JESUS, in the Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us.

PRAYER.
JESUS, humbly kneeling in Thy presence and united
with all the faithful on earth and all the saints in heaven,
I adore Thee, true God and true man, here present in the Holy
Eucharist. Grateful even to the very depths of my soul, I
love Thee with my whole heart, O Jesus, Who art infinitely
perfect and infinitely amiable. Enrich me with Thy grace,
so that I shall never in any way offend Thee; and, thus strength
ened here on earth by Thy eucharistic presence, may I merit
to enjoy with Mary Thy eternal and blessed presence in heaven.
Amen.

An indulgence of too days each time this ejaculation is said,

and an indulgence of 300 days on any day of the year may be
gained by all the faithful who devoutly recite this prayer in the
presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Acta Apostolica? Sedis,
April, 1909. Vide " The Ecclesiastical Review Year-Book "
for 1911, p. 134.

(Ejaculation Klijile Hooking on tfje S-acreb

"T^OMINUS meus, et Deus (T)Y LORD and my God.

t*~* meus. ^ >l >

These words are to be said with faith, piety, and love, while look
ing upon the Blessed Sacrament, either during the Elevation in
the Mass, or when exposed on the altar.

Indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines, every time.

noo Appendix.

Da tip Set of (Dblation to trie ^acreb l^eart of 3Tesus.

LORD Jesus Christ, in union with that divine inten-

tion with which Thou didst on earth offer praises to God
through Thy sacred Heart, and now dost continue to offer
them in all places in the Sacrament of the Eucharist,, and wilt
do so to the end of the world, I most willingly offer Thee, through
out this entire day, without the smallest exception, all my
intentions and thoughts, all my affections and desires, all my
words and actions, that they may be conformed to the most
sacred heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary ever immaculate.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII, Dec. 19, 1885.
EJACULATIONS.

AY the Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere.

Indulgence of too days, once a day. Pius IX, Sept. 23, i860.

In Set of Reparation in &onor of tlje JSlesseb Sacrament.

, my God, my Saviour, true God and true man, in that

lowly homage with which the Faith itself inspires me

with my whole heart I adore and love Thee in the most august
Sacrament of the Altar, in reparation for all the acts of irreverence,
profanation, and sacrilege, which I myself may ever have been
so unhappy as to have committed, as well as for all such like acts
that ever have been done by others, or that may be done in
ages yet to come. I adore Thee, my God, not indeed as Thou
deservest, nor as much as I am bound to adore, but as far as I
am able; and I would that I could adore Thee with all the
perfection of which a reasonable creature is capable. Meantime
I purpose now and ever to adore Thee, not only for those Catholics
who adore and love Thee not, but also for the conversion of all
bad Christians, and of all heretics, schismatics, Mohammedans,
Jews and idolaters. Jesus, my God, mayest Thou be ever
known, adored, loved, and praised every moment, in the most
holy and divine sacrament. Amen.

I ADORE Thee every moment, living bread of heaven,

great sacrament!

Jesus, treasure of Mary s heart, I pray Thee send Thy bless

ing on my soul.

Holiest Jesu! loving Saviour! I give Thee my heart.

Indulgence of 200 days, every time. Pius VII, Jan. 21, 1815.

Appendix. 1101

NOTE. His Holiness, Pope Pius IX, granted an indulgence

of 300 days, each time, to all the faithful who shall visit the
Most Blessed Sacrament and recite the Our Father, the Hail
Mary, and the Glory be to the Father, each five times, and
another Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father,
for the intention of the Pope.

Set of Consecration anb Reparation to tfje #tost >>acreb

of

Together with Prayers for the Church and for the Propagation of
the Faith.

3ST sacred Heart of Jesus! I adore Thee; I offer to

Thee all that I am and all that I possess; I consecrate
to Thee my soul with all its faculties, my body with all its senses,
my heart with all its affections, desiring in all things to honor,
love, and glorify Thee; in thanksgiving for the numberless
benefits that I have received from Thee, especially in the Holy
Eucharist; in atonement for my own sins as well as in repara
tion for all the offenses that are committed against Thee in the
sacrament of Thy love, and, finally, in humble supplication,
that I may henceforth be faithful to Thee, that I may please
Thee in thought, word, and deed, that I may suffer in patience
and in perfect resignation to Thy holy will, that I may become
like to Thee in meekness and humility, that I may persevere in
Thy love and Thy grace to the end of my life, and that I may
praise Thee and bless Thee with the saints and angels in eternity.
We beseech Thee, also, O good Jesus, by Thy sacred Heart,
overflowing with sweetness and mercy, to bless our Holy Father,
the Pope, and our Holy Mother, the Church; to take under
Thy special protection this congregation, our homes, our country,
our rulers, our legislators, our bishops, our priests, and all
Religious Orders. We recommend to Thee all our concerns,
our friends, relatives, benefactors, and all those who have asked
us to pray for them; those who are sick and those who are
dying, and all who are under any affliction. Cast an eye of
compassion on obstinate sinners and heretics and unbelievers.

Give eternal rest to the faithful departed.

Bless in particular the apostolic labors of those who are

engaged in giving missions and retreats, in propagating the
Faith in heathen lands, in spreading Thy kingdom on earth,
and in fostering devotion to Thy most sacred Heart and to the
Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.

no2 Appendix.
fJraper for tfje propagation of Jfaitfj anb $3ietp.

jTERNAL Father, bj r Thy infinite mercy and by the infinite

^4, merits of Thy divine Son Jesus, make Thyself known
and loved by all souls, since it is Ihy will that all should be
saved.

Gloria Patri.

Through the sacred mysteries of human redemption send,

O Lord, laborers into Thy harvest, and spare Thy people.

Eternal Word incarnate, Redeemer of the human race, con

vert all souls to Thyself, since for them Thou wast obedient
even to the death of the Cross.

Gloria Patri.

Through the merits and intercession of Thy most holy Mother,

and of all the angels and saints, send, O Lord, laborers into Thy
harvest, and spare Thy people.

O Holy Spirit of God, by the -infinite merits of the Passion

and Death of Jesus Christ, diffuse Thy most ardent and all-
powerful charity in all hearts, that there may be one Fold and
one Shepherd throughout the world, and that all may come
to sing Thy divine mercies in Heaven forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri.

Indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines, once a day.

Leo XIII, Jan. 23, 1894.

Draper: " Jiear Sfejms, ^regent in tfjc Jilessscb Sacrament."

fVEAR Jesus, present in the Sacrament of the Akar, be for

** " ever thanked and praised. Love, worthy of all celestial
and terrestrial love! Who, out of infinite love for me, ungrateful
sinner, didst assume our human nature, didst shed Thy most
precious blood in the cruel scourging, and didst expire on a
shameful cross for our eternal welfare! Now, illumined with
lively faith, with the outpouring of my whole soul and the
fervor of my heart, I humbly beseech Thee, through the infinite
merits of Thy painful sufferings, give me strength and courage
to destroy every evil passion which sways my heart, to bless
Thee in my greatest afflictions, to glorify Thee by the exact
fulfilment of all my duties, supremely to hate all sin, and thus
to become a saint.
Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Pius IX, Jan. i, 1866.

et

EJACULATIONS.
I.

UCHARISTIC Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time.

Appendix. 1103

II.

jjIVINE Heart of Jesus, convert sinners, save the dying,

**- * set free the holy souls in purgatory.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time.

Draper to tfce tbine artb Jflost Compassionate ?eart.

O DIVINE Heart of Jesus, grant, we beseech Thee, eternal

rest to the souls in purgatory, the final grace to those
who shall die to-day, true repentance to sinners, the light of the
Faith to pagans, and Thy blessing to me and mine. To Thee,
O most compassionate Heart of Jesus, I commend all these
souls, and I offer to Thee on their behalf all Thy merits, together
with the merits of Thy most holy mother and of all the saints
and angels, and all the sacrifices of the holy Mass, communions,
prayers, and good works, which shall be accomplished to-day
throughout the Christian world.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII, March 13,

1901.

Draper to tfje J^olp Spirit.

/~\HOLY SPIRIT, divine Spirit of light and love, I consecrate

^-J to Thee my understanding, heart, and will, my whole
being for time and for eternity. May my understanding be
always submissive to Thy heavenly inspirations, and to the
teaching of the Catholic Church, of which Thou art the infallible
guide; may my heart be ever inflamed with love of God and
of my neighbor; may my will be ever conformed to the divine
will, and may my whole life be a faithful imitation of the life
and virtues of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Whom
with the Father and Thee be honor and glory for ever. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day.

Draper to tfje &olp (gijost.

VENI, Sancte Spiritus, re- f^OME, O Holy Ghost,

pie tuorum corda fide- ^-\ fill the hearts of Thy

Hum, et tui amoris in eis ignem faithful, and enkindle in them

accende. the fire of Thy love.

V. Emitte Spiritum tuum V. Send forth Thy Spirit

et creabuntur. and they shall be created.

R. Et renovabis faciem terrae. R. And Thou shalt renew

the face of the earth.

1 104 Appendix.

Oremus. Let us pray.

fc T\EUS, qui corda fidelium (~\ GOD, Who hast taught

r* * sancti Spiritus illu- V-J the hearts of the faithful

stratione docuisti, da nobis in by the light of the Holy Spirit,

eodem Spiritu rerta sapere, et de grant that by the gift of the

ejus semper consolatione gau- same Spirit we may be always

dere. Per Christum Dominum truly wise, and ever rejoice

nostrum. in His consolations, through

Christ our Lord.

R. Amen. R. Amen.
Draper of i&t. Qthomag &qutnag.

Which He Was Accustomed to Recite Every Day before the Image

of Jesus Christ.

aONCEDE mihi, miseri- /TYRANT me grace, O mer-

cors Deus, quae tibi placita *&* ciful God, to desire

sunt ardenter concupiscere, pru- ardently all that is pleasing

denter investigare, veraciter to Thee, to examine it prudently,

agnoscere et perfecte adimplere, to acknowledge it truthfully,

ad laudem et gloriam nominis and to accomplish it perfectly,

tui. Amen. for the praise and glory of

Thy name. Amen.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIII, by a rescript of the Sacred Con

gregation of Indulgences, June 21, 1879, granted an indulgence
of 300 days to the faithful who, before studying or reading,
shall, with at least contrite heart and devotion, recite this prayer.

Draper to ftUesscb Julia Itftlliart.

Foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame of

Namur.

O BLESSED Julia, admirable example of holiness, with

humble confidence we implore thy powerful protection.
Obtain for us the forgiveness of our sins and the grace hence
forth to despise the things of earth and to turn all our affections
to the things of heaven. Cast into our hearts a spark of that
divine fire which consumed thine own heart with love of God
and zeal for the salvation of souls. Teach us the hymn of praise
which was continually on thy lips: " Ah! How good is the
good God!" Obtain for us also, O blessed Mother, conformity
to the holy will of God and the grace of final perseverance, so
that we may deserve to share with thee the eternal glory of heaven.
Amen.

Appendix. 1105

PRAYER IN HONOR OF BLESSED JULIA.

(From the Missal.)

OGOD, Who didst will that the unconquered love of Thy

holy cross should inspire Blessed Julia to enrich Thy
Church with a new family for the education of the daughters
of the poor: grant, through her intercession, that steadfast
endurance of suffering may obtain for us everlasting joy. Who
livest and reignest one God, world without end. Amen.

to .HHessco ftlabdcme Sophie

Foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

BLESSED Madeleine Sophie, wonderfully chosen by God

to make the divine Heart of Jesus known and loved,
and ever faithful to that apostolate, accept this day our con
fidence and prayers in proof of our allegiance. Guide us in
the path of meekness and humility: set our hearts on fire with
that zeal with which thine own heart was devoured: protect
us, that we may deserve to see our names written in that most
sacred Heart, and to make in it alone our home for time and
for eternity. Amen.

PRAYER IN HONOR OI BLESSED MADELEINE SOPHIE.

(From the Missal.)

JESUS CHRIST, Who didst wonderfully grace

Blessed Madeleine Sophie with humility and love after
the model of Thy sacred Heart, and didst will that a new com
pany of virgins should flower forth through her: make us cling
ever to Thy most sacred Heart, and by our imitation of the
same find our joy in becoming Thy companions: Who livest and
reignest one God, forever and ever. Amen.

annotation.

SACRED Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me, according

to Thy great mercy, and do with me, and in me, what
ever Thou wilt. I abandon myself to Thee, with full confidence
that Thou wilt never abandon me. BLESSED M. S. BARAT.

Draper to &>t. ^Barbara, ^Ttrgin, for a 3&appp Beatf).

GOD, Who didst choose St. Barbara to bring consolation

to the living and the dying; grant that through her interces
sion we may live always in Thy divine love, and place all our
Appendix.

hopes in the merits of the most sorrowful passion of Thy Son-

so that a sinner s death may never overtake us, but that armed
with the sacraments of Penance, the Holy Eucharist, and Extreme
Lnction we may be able to pass without fear to everlasting
glory. We implore this of Thee through the same Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII, March 21

1879.

Draper to &t. angela jHertct, jfounbrestf of tfje fcfrsuline

rber.

MjOST blessed St. Angela, who art now in possession of that

eternal crown which is promised to those who instruct
others unto justice, permit me to have recourse to thee, as to
my glorious patroness, and to choose thee for my special advo
cate before the throne of God. In union with all those happy
souls who, under God, are indebted to thee for the glory thev
now enjoy in heaven, I thank God for having raised thee up to
provide for thousands the great blessings of religious instruction

Glorious patroness, I entreat thee, by that lively zeal for

liod s glory which caused thee to devote thy life to the in
Jtrucfaon of the ignorant, to adopt me as thy child, and to
obtain for me the grace to profit by thy example, to sanctify
my own soul by faithfully performing all my duties for the
love of Jesus, and to do what I can by means of prayer and mortifi
cation for the salvation of other souls. Procure for me through thv
intercession, a docile heart-a lively horror of sin-sincere love

God and my neighbor and so great a share in that tender

compassion for the poor which distinguished thee, that I mav
never neglect an opportunity of affording them any spiritual
3r corporal assistance in my power. Teach me, by thy example
to practise works of mercy, that like thee I may find mercy
and join thee for all eternity in praising and blessing the infinite
goodness and mercy of God. Amen.

COLLECT OF ST. ANGELA MERICI.

(From the Missal.)

GOD, Who didst will that, through blessed Angela, a new

company of sacred virgins should flourish in Thy Church-

grant that through her intercession we may live a life guileS

that of the angels and by detaching our hearts from the love

of the things of earth be accounted worthy of eternal happiness.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Appendix. 1107

Draper in &onor of At. >cl)olastua.

(From the Missal.)

GOD, Who to show forth the way of the innocent didst

cause the soul of blessed Scholastica, Thy virgin, to soar
upward to heaven in the likeness of a dove: grant that, helped
by her merits and prayers, our lives upon earth may be so guileless,
that we, too, may become worthy to enter into the joys of that
life which is everlasting. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

to &>t. Stone Jfrances be Cfmntal.

GLORIOUS saint, blessed Jane Frances, who by thy fervent

prayer, attention to the divine Presence, and purity of
intention in thy actions, didst attain on earth an intimate union
with God, be now our advocate, our mother, our guide in the path
of virtue and perfection. Plead our cause near Jesus, Mary, and
Joseph, to whom thou wast so tenderly devoted, and whose holy
virtues thou didst so closely imitate. Obtain for us, O amiable
and compassionate saint, the virtues thou seest most necessary
for us; an ardent love of Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament, a
tender and filial confidence in His blessed Mother, and, like
thee, a constant remembrance of His sacred passion and death.
Obtain also, we pray thee, that our particular intention in this
novena may be fulfilled.

V. St. Jane Frances, pray for us.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray,
IGHTY and merciful God, Who didst grant blessed
St. Jane Frances, so inflamed with the love of Thee, a
wonderful degree of fortitude through all the paths of life, and
wast pleased through her to adorn Thy Church with a new
Religious order; grant, by her merits and prayers, that we, who,
sensible of our weakness, confide in Thy strength, may overcome
all adversities with the help of Thy heavenly grace, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER TO IMPLORE FIDELITY TO DIVINE GRACE.

GREAT St. Jane Frances! who, to follow the inspirations

of the Holy Spirit, when thou wert called to the religious
state, didst despise all the ties of nature and of blood; obtain

no8 Appendix.

for us also the grace to correspond faithfully with all divine

impulses, and to sacrifice to God whatever is most dear and
precious to us.

fjraper for (greater Eobe of STetfu*.

OMY Jesus, Thou knowest well that I love Thee; but I

do not love Thee enough; O grant that I may love Thee
more. O love that burnest ever and never failest, my God,
Thou Who art charity itself, enkindle in my heart that divine
fire which consumes the saints and transforms them into Thee.
Amen.

An indulgence of 50 days, twice a day. Leo XIII, Feb. 6

1893.

&t. (Teresa s

Let nothing disturb thee,

Nothing affright thee;
All things are passing,
God never changeth;
Patient endurance
Attaineth to all things;
Who God possesseth,
In nothing is wanting;
Alone God sufficeth.
[Longfellow s Translation.]

Ejaculations.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time.

Mary, our hope, have pity on us.

Indulgence of 300 days, every time.

Draper to >t. QCeresa, Virgin.

By St. Alphonsus.

O SERAPHIC virgin, St. Teresa, beloved spouse of the Cruci

fied, thou who didst burn with such great love of God while
on earth, and now burnest with a still purer and brighter flame

Appendix. nog

in heaven; thou who didst so greatly desire to see Him loved

by all men, obtain for me too, I pray thee, a spark of that holy
fire, whereby I may oppose the world, creatures, and myself-
and grant that all my thoughts, desires, and affections may be
ever employed in pursuing, whether in the midst of joys or of
sufferings, the will of the supreme Good, Who deserves our
unbounded love and obedience. Oh, obtain for me this grace
thou who art so powerful with God, that, like thee, I may be
all on fire with divine love. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. Leo XIII, April 22, 1898.

3 iBUBfrt Draper tip &t. aipfjonsug Uteuort.

3ESUS CHRIST, my God, I adore Thee and I thank Thee

for all the (graces Thou hast bestowed on me this day I
offer to Thee my sleep and every moment of this night and I
beseech Thee to keep me free from sin. To secure this I place
myselt within Thy sacred side and under the protecting mantle
of Our Lady, my Mother. May Thy holy angels help me and
keep me m peace, and may Thy blessing be upon me.

Indulgence of 60 days, once a day. Leo XIII, June 30, 1893.