,,mary1 ,,the ,,help ,,of ,,christians ,,mary1 ,,help ,,of ,,christians ,,and ,,the ,fourteen ,saints ,invoked as ,holy ,helpers ,instructions1 ,legends1 ,novenas and ,prayers ,,with ,thoughts of the ,saints for ,every ,day in the ,year ,,compiled ,,by ,,rev4 ,,bonaventure ,,hammer1 ,o4,f4,m4 ,,to ,,which ,,is ,,added ,,an ,,appendix ,,on ,,the ,reasonableness of ,catholic ,ceremonies and ,practices ,,by ,,rev4 ,,john ,j4 ,,burke --- ,,new ,,york1 ,,cincinnati1 ,,chicago ,,benziger ,,brothers ,,printers ,,to ,,the ,,holy ,,apostolic ,,see ,,publishers ,,of ,,benzinger',s ,,magazine ,imprimi ,permittitur4 ,,fr4 ,,chrysostomus ,,theobald1 ,o4,f4,m41 ,minister ,provincialis4 ,cincinnati1 ,ohio1 die #cj1 ,martii1 #aijh4 ,nihil ,obstat4 ,,remy ,,laport1 ,s4,t4,l41 ,censor ,librorum4 ,imprimatur4 ,,john ,m4 ,,farley1 ,archbishop of ,new ,york4 ,,new ,,york1 ,march #d1 #aiji4 ,,copyright1 #aiji1 ,,by ,,benziger ,,brothers4 ,,preface ,,the contents of the following pages are based on the ,catholic doctrine of the veneration and invocation of the saints1 and of the efficacy of the prayer of intercession4 ,the legends of the individual ,holy ,helpers were compiled from authors whose writings have the approval of the ,church4 ,in compliance with the decrees of ,pope ,urban ,,viii of #afbe1 #afca1 and #afcd1 the compiler formally declares that he submits everything contained in this little book to the infallible judgment of the ,church1 and that he claims no other than human credibility for the facts1 legends1 and miracles related1 except where the ,church has otherwise decided4 ,,the ,,compiler4 ,contents ,,preface ,,part ,i ,the ,veneration and ,invocation of ,saints and the ,efficacy of ,prayer ,,chapter ,i ,,the ,,veneration ,,and ,,invocation ,,of ,,saints ,,chapter ,,ii ,,efficacy ,,of ,,the ,,intercession ,,of ,,the ,,saints ,,chapter ,,iii ,,for ,,what ,,the ,,intercession ,,of ,,the ,,saints ,,may ,,and ,,should ,,be ,,invoked ,,chapter ,,iv ,,the ,,qualities ,,of ,,prayer ,,part ,,ii ,mary1 the ,help of ,christians ,novenas in ,preparation for the ,principal ,feasts of the ,blessed ,virgin ,,rules ,,for ,,the ,,proper ,,observance ,,of ,,novenas ,,on ,,the ,,manner ,,of ,,reading ,,the ,,meditations ,,and ,,observing ,,the ,,practices ,,introduction ,,mary1 ,,the ,,help ,,of ,,christians ,i4 ,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,the ,,immaculate ,,conception ,,of ,,the ,,blessed ,,virgin ,,mary ,,first ,,day4--,,the ,,predestination ,,of ,,the ,,blessed ,,virgin ,,mary ,,second ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,immaculate ,,conception ,,third ,,day4--,,mary1 ,,the ,,victrix ,,of ,,satan ,,fourth ,,day4--,,mary ,,without ,,actual ,,sin ,,fifth ,,day4--,,mary1 ,,full ,,of ,,grace ,,sixth ,,day4--,,mary1 ,,our ,,refuge ,,seventh ,,day4--,,mary1 ,,the ,,mother ,,of ,,chastity ,,eighth ,,day4--,,the ,,image ,,of ,,the ,,immaculate ,,conception ,,ninth ,,day4--,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,the ,,immaculate ,,conception ,,ii4 ,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,the ,,nativity ,,of ,,the ,,blessed ,,virgin ,,mary ,,first ,,day4--,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,mary ,,second ,,day4--,,mary1 ,,the ,,elect ,,of ,,god ,,third ,,day4--,,mary1 ,,the ,,child ,,of ,,royalty ,,fourth ,,day4--,,mary1 ,,the ,,child ,,of ,,pious ,,parents ,,fifth ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,supernatural ,,prerogatives ,,sixth ,,day4--,,mary1 ,,the ,,joy ,,of ,,the ,,most ,,holy ,,trinity ,,seventh ,,day4--,,the ,,angels ,,rejoice ,,at ,,mary',s ,,birth ,,eighth ,,day4--,,the ,,joy ,,of ,,the ,,just ,,in ,,limbo ,,at ,,mary',s ,,birth ,,ninth ,,day4--,,the ,,holy ,,name ,,of ,,mary ,,iii4 ,,novena ,,for ,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,the ,,annunciation ,,of ,,the ,,blessed ,,virgin ,,mary ,,first ,,day4--,,the ,,annunciation ,,second ,,day4--,,the ,,import ,,of ,,the ,,angel',s ,,salutation ,,third ,,day4--,,the ,,effect ,,of ,,the ,,angel',s ,,salutation ,,fourth ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,question ,,fifth ,,day4--,,the ,,solution ,,sixth ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,consent ,,seventh ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,fortitude ,,in ,,suffering ,,eighth ,,day4--,,mary1 ,,the ,,mother ,,of ,,god ,,ninth ,,day4--,,mary ,,our ,,mother ,,iv4 ,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,the ,,seven ,,sorrows ,,of ,,mary ,,first ,,day4--,,devotion ,,to ,,the ,,seven ,,sorrows ,,of ,,mary ,,second ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,first ,,sorrow3 ,,simeon',s ,,prophecy ,,in ,,the ,,temple ,,third ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,second ,,sorrow3 ,,the ,,flight ,,into ,,egypt ,,fourth ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,third ,,sorrow3 ,,jesus ,,lost ,,in ,,jerusalem ,,fifth ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,fourth ,,sorrow3 ,,she ,,meets ,,jesus ,,carrying ,,his ,,cross ,,sixth ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,fifth ,,sorrow3 ,,beneath ,,the ,,cross ,,seventh ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,sixth ,,sorrow3 ,,the ,,taking ,,down ,,of ,,jesus' ,,body ,,from ,,the ,,cross ,,eighth ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,seventh ,,sorrow3 ,,jesus ,,is ,,buried ,,ninth ,,day4--,,why ,,mary ,,had ,,to ,,suffer ,v4 ,,novena ,,for ,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,the ,,assumption ,,of ,,the ,,blessed ,,virgin ,,mary ,,first ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,death ,,was ,,without ,,pain ,,second ,,day4--,,at ,,mary',s ,,tomb ,,third ,,day4--,,the ,,empty ,,tomb ,,fourth ,,day4--,,reasons ,,for ,,the ,,bodily ,,assumption ,,of ,,mary ,,into ,,heaven ,,fifth ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,glorious ,,entrance ,,into ,,heaven ,,sixth ,,day4--,,mary ,,crowned ,,in ,,heaven ,,seventh ,,day4--,,mary',s ,,bliss ,,in ,,heaven ,,eighth ,,day4--,,mary1 ,,the ,,queen ,,of ,,mercy ,,ninth ,,day4--,,mary ,,in ,,heaven ,,the ,,help ,,of ,,christians ,,on ,,earth ,,part ,,iii ,the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers ,,chapter ,i ,,the ,,fourteen ,,holy ,,helpers ,,chapter ,,ii ,,legends ,,the ,,legends ,,of ,,the ,,fourteen ,,holy ,,helpers ,i4--,,st4 ,,george1 ,,martyr ,,ii4--,,st4 ,,blase1 ,,bishop ,,and ,,martyr ,,iii4--,,st4 ,,erasmus1 ,,bishop ,,and ,,martyr ,,iv4--,,st4 ,,pantaleon1 ,,physician ,,and ,,martyr ,v4--,,st4 ,,vitus1 ,,martyr ,,vi4--,,st4 ,,christophorus1 ,,martyr ,,vii4--,,st4 ,,dionysius1 ,,bishop ,,and ,,martyr ,,viii4--,,st4 ,,cyriacus1 ,,deacon ,,and ,,martyr ,,ix4--,,st4 ,,achatius1 ,,martyr ,x4--,,st4 ,,eustachius1 ,,martyr ,,xi4--,,st4 ,,giles1 ,,hermit ,,and ,,abbot ,,xii4--,,st4 ,,margaret1 ,,virgin ,,and ,,martyr ,,xiii4--,,st4 ,,catherine1 ,,virgin ,,and ,,martyr ,,xiv4--,,st4 ,,barbara1 ,,virgin ,,and ,,martyr ,,part ,,iv ,i4 ,novenas to the ,holy ,helpers ,,novena ,,to ,,each ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,helpers ,i4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,george ,,ii4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,blase ,,iii4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,erasmus ,,iv4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,pantaleon ,v4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,vitus ,,vi4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,christophorus ,,vii4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,dionysius ,,viii4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,cyriacus ,,ix4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,achatius ,x4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,eustachius ,,xi4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,giles ,,xii4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,margaret ,,xiii4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,catherine ,,xiv4--,,novena ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,barbara ,,novena ,,to ,,all ,,the ,,holy ,,helpers ,,first ,,day4--,,the ,,devotion ,,to ,,the ,,fourteen ,,holy ,,helpers ,,second ,,day4--,,the ,,destiny ,,of ,,man ,,third ,,day4--,,the ,,virtue ,,of ,,faith ,,fourth ,,day4--,,the ,,virtue ,,of ,,hope ,,fifth ,,day4--,,the ,,love ,,of ,,god ,,sixth ,,day4--,,the ,,virtue ,,of ,,charity ,,seventh ,,day4--,,human ,,respect ,,eighth ,,day4--,,prayer ,,ninth ,,day4--,,perseverance ,,ii4 ,prayers and ,petitions ,,prayers ,,of ,,petition ,,and ,,intercession ,i4--,,three ,,invocations ,,ii4--,,prayer ,,in ,,illness ,,iii4--,,prayer ,,for ,,the ,,sick ,,iv4--,,prayer ,,of ,,parents ,,for ,,their ,,children ,v4--,,prayer ,,of ,,children ,,for ,,their ,,parents ,,vi4--,,prayer ,,for ,,married ,,people ,,part ,v ,general ,devotions ,,morning ,,prayers ,,evening ,,prayers ,,prayers ,,at ,,holy ,,mass ,,prayers ,,after ,,mass ,,prayers ,,for ,,confession ,before ,confession ,after ,confession ,,prayers ,,for ,,holy ,,communion ,before ,communion ,after ,communion ,,visit ,,to ,,the ,,blessed ,,sacrament ,,prayer ,,to ,,the ,,sacred ,,heart ,,of ,,jesus ,,prayers ,,to ,,jesus ,,suffering ,,the ,,stations ,,of ,,the ,,cross ,,prayer ,,to ,,our ,,suffering ,,redeemer ,,prayer ,,to ,,the ,,blessed ,,virgin ,,mary ,,prayer ,,for ,,all ,,things ,,necessary ,,to ,,salvation ,,the ,,four ,,approved ,,litanies ,,litany ,,of ,,the ,,most ,,holy ,,name ,,of ,,jesus ,,litany ,,of ,,the ,,sacred ,,heart ,,of ,,jesus ,,litany ,,of ,,loreto1 ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,the ,,blessed ,,virgin ,,mary ,,litany ,,of ,,all ,,saints ,,part ,,vi ,thoughts and ,counsels of the ,saints for ,every ,day of the ,year ,,january ,,february ,,march ,,april ,,may ,,june ,,july ,,august ,,september ,,october ,,november ,,december ,,part ,,vii ,reasonableness of ,catholic ,ceremonies and ,practices ,,the ,,ceremonies ,,of ,,the ,,catholic ,,church ,i4--,ceremonies ,necessary to ,divine ,worship ,,ii4--,vestments ,used by the ,priest at ,mass ,,iii4--,ceremonies of the ,mass ,,the ,,practices ,,of ,,the ,,catholic ,,church ,i4--,vespers and ,benediction ,,ii4--,devotion to the ,blessed ,sacrament ,,iii4--,holy ,communion ,,iv4--,confirmation ,v4--,honoring the ,blessed ,virgin ,,vi4--,confession of ,sin ,,vii4--,granting ,indulgences ,,viii4--,the ,last ,sacraments ,,ix4--,praying for the ,dead ,x4--,praying to the ,saints ,,xi4--,crucifixes1 ,relics1 and ,images ,,xii4--,some ,sacramentals--,the ,books ,used by the ,priest1 the ,sign of the ,cross1 ,holy ,water1 ,blessed ,candles1 ,palm and ,ashes1 ,holy ,oils1 ,scapulars1 ,medals1 ,agnus ,dei1 ,prayers1 ,litanies1 ,rosary1 ,angelus1 ,stations1 ,funeral ,service1 and ,various ,blessings ,,xiii4--,the ,celebration of ,feasts ,,xiv4--,infant ,baptism ,,xv4--,the ,marriage ,tie--,one and ,indissoluble ,,xvi4--,respect ,shown to ,ecclesiastical ,superiors ,,xvii4--,celibacy ,,xviii4--,conclusion ,,part ,i ,the ,veneration and ,invocation of ,saints1 and the ,efficacy of ,prayer ,remember your prelates who have spoken the word of ,god to you2 whose faith follow1 considering the end of their conversation 7,heb4 xiii4 #g74 ,wherefore ,i beseech you1 be ye followers of me1 as ,i am also of ,christ 7#a ,cor4 iv4 #af74 ,illustration3 ,presentation of ,mary in the temple4 ,,chapter ,i ,the ,veneration and ,invocation of ,saints ,,in ,,the ,creed of the ,council of ,trent1 which the ,catholic ,church places before the faithful as the ,rule of ,faith1 we read3 ,i firmly believe that the saints reigning with ,christ are to be venerated and invoked4 ,the ,church therefore teaches1 first1 that it is right and pleasing to ,god to venerate the saints and to invoke their intercession2 and second1 that it is useful and profitable to eternal salvation for us to do so4 ,the veneration of the saints is useful and profitable to us4 ,men conspicuous in life for knowledge1 bravery1 or other noble qualities and unusual merits are honored after death4 ,why1 then1 should ,catholics not be permitted to honor the heroes of their faith1 who excelled in the practice of supernatural virtue and are in special grace and favor with ,god8 ,that this veneration is profitable to us is evident from the fact that the example of the saints incites us to imitate them to the best of our ability4 ,the veneration of the saints is not only in full accord with the demands of reason1 but we are1 moreover1 enjoined explicitly by ,holy ,scripture to venerate the memory of the holy patriarchs and prophets3 ,let us now praise men of renown1 and our fathers in their generation 7,ecclus4 xliv4 #a74 ,and their names continue for ever1 the glory of the holy men remaining unto their children 7,ecclus4 xlvi4 #ae74 ,reason and ,holy ,scripture1 then1 are in favor of the veneration of the saints4 ,we find it practised1 therefore1 also in the early ,church4 ,she was convinced from the very beginning of its propriety and utility4 ,as early as the first century the memorial day of the martyrs' death was observed by the ,christians4 ,they assembled at the tombs of the sainted victims of pagan cruelty and celebrated their memory by offering up the ,holy ,sacrifice over their relics4 ,we know this not only from the testimony of the earliest ecclesiastical writers1 as ,origen1 ,tertullian1 and ,st4 ,cyprian1 but also from the history of ,st4 ,ignatius the ,martyr 7d4 #ajg71 and of ,st4 ,polycarp of ,smyrna 7d4 #aff74 ,over one hundred panegyrics of various saints written by ,st4 ,augustine are still extant4 ,and why should it not be right and useful to invoke the intercession of the saints8 ,everybody deems it proper to ask a pious friend for his prayers4 ,st4 ,paul the ,apostle recommended himself to the prayers of the faithful 7,rom4 xv4 #cj71 and ,god ,himself commanded the friends of ,job to ask ,him for ,his intercession that their sin might not be imputed to them 7,job xlii4 #h74 ,how1 then1 can it be wrong or superfluous to invoke the intercession of the saints in heaven8 ,the saints are willing to invoke ,god's bounty in our favor1 for they love us4 ,they are able to obtain it for us1 because ,god always accepts their prayer with complacency4 ,that they really hear our prayer and intercede with ,god for us is clearly shown by many examples in ,holy ,scripture4 ,and if1 according to the testimony of ,st4 ,james 7v4 #af71 the prayer of the just man here on earth availeth much with ,god1 how much more powerful1 then1 must be the prayer of the saints1 who are united with ,god in heaven in perfect love and are1 so to say1 partakers of ,his infinite goodness and omnipotence8 ,a most striking proof of the efficacy of the prayers of the saints is the numerous miracles wrought and the many favors obtained at all times through their intercession4 ,among these miracles are a great number whose authenticity was declared by the ,church after the most scrupulous and strict investigation1 as the acts of canonization prove4 ,that the invocation of the saints was a practice of the early ,church is proved by the numerous inscriptions on the tombs of the ,roman catacombs preserved to this day4 ,we read there1 for instance1 on the tomb of ,sabbatius1 a martyr1 ,sabbatius1 ,o pious soul1 pray and intercede for your brethren and associates6 ,on another tomb is inscribed1 ,allicius1 thy spirit is blessed2 pray for thy parents6 ,and again1 ,jovianus1 live in ,god1 and pray for us6 ,we have also the testimony of one of the greatest thinkers and ,protestant philosophers1 ,leibnitz1 for the claim that the veneration and invocation of the saints is founded in reason1 on ,holy ,scripture1 and on the tradition of the ,church4 ,he writes3 ,because we justly expect great advantage by uniting our prayers with those of our brethren here on earth1 ,i can not understand how it can be called a crime if a person invokes the intercession of a glorified soul1 or an angel4 ,if it be really idolatry or a detestable cult to invoke the saints and the angels to intercede for us with ,god1 ,i do not comprehend how ,basil1 ,gregory ,nazianzen1 ,ambrose1 and others1 who were hitherto considered saints1 can be absolved from idolatry or superstition4 ,to continue in such a practice would indeed not be a small defect in the ,fathers1 such as is inherent in human nature--it would be an enormous public crime4 ,for if the ,church1 even in those early times1 was infected with such abominable errors1 let any one judge for himself what the ,christian faith would eventually come to4 ,would not ,gamaliel's proposition1 to judge whether ,christ's religion be divine or human from its effects1 result in its disfavor8 ,but whilst the ,catholic ,church practises and recommends the veneration and invocation of the saints1 she does not teach us to honor and invoke them as we do ,god1 nor to pray to them as we do to ,him4 ,she makes a great distinction4 ,the veneration of the saints differs from the worship of ,god in the following3 #a4 ,we adore ,god as our supreme ,lord4 ,we honor the saints as ,his faithful servants and friends4 #b4 ,we adore ,god for ,his own sake4 ,we honor the saints for the gifts and prerogatives with which ,god endowed them4 ,therefore there is a difference between the prayer to ,god and the invocation of the saints4 ,we pray to ,god asking ,him to help us by ,his omnipotence3 we pray to the saints to help us by their intercession with ,god4 ,our veneration of the saints should consist1 primarily1 in the imitation of their virtues4 ,it is truly profitable only when we are intent upon following their example2 for only by imitating their virtues shall we share their eternal bliss in heaven4 ,a veneration which contents itself with honoring the saints without imitating their virtues is similar to a tree that produces leaves and blossoms but bears no fruit4 ,the saints themselves desire that we should follow their example4 ,each of them1 so to say1 exhorts us with ,st4 ,paul1 ,be ye followers of me1 as ,i also am of ,christ 7#a ,cor4 iv4 #af74 ,there is no age1 no sex1 no station in life for which the ,catholic ,church has not saints1 whose example teaches us to avoid sin and to observe faithfully the commandments of ,god and the ,church at this or that age1 or in this or that station4 ,therefore the principal object of our invocation of the saints ought to be the obtaining of their help in following their example4 ,thus we shall move them to come to our aid all the more readily4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,efficacy of the ,intercession of the ,saints ,,nothing is more consoling and comforting than the assurance that in the saints of heaven we have powerful protectors and advocates with ,god4 ,through their intercession they obtain for us from ,him the grace to lead a virtuous life and to gain heaven4 ,however1 is there any reasonable doubt that the saints are able to render us such a service8 ,in virtue of the communion of saints1 which comprises the ,church militant on earth1 the ,church suffering in purgatory1 and the ,church triumphant in heaven1 all members of the ,church are members of one body1 whose head is ,christ4 ,hence the saints are united with us in spirit1 though separated from us in body4 ,united with ,christ1 they are imbued with a superior knowledge1 and through ,him1 the ,all-,knowing1 they know everything that concerns us1 and for which we have recourse to them in prayer4 ,our confidence in the intercessory power of the saints is founded on their relation to ,god and to us4 ,as friends of ,god they have influence with ,him now1 even more than during their sojourn on earth1 because their intercessory power is one of their glorious prerogatives in heaven4 ,their love of ,god and their charity for their fellow-men1 and the zeal for the salvation of souls resulting therefrom1 together with their conformity with ,christ1 induces them to use their influence readily in our favor4 ,because ,god dispenses ,his gifts according to ,his own adorable will1 it may please ,him to grant a certain favor at the particular intercession of a certain saint2 hence it is not superstition to invoke ,his aid in such cases4 ,moreover1 we justly place our confidence in saints whom we have selected to be our special patrons1 or who were given us as such by ecclesiastical authority4 ,by the intercession of the saints the mediatorship of ,christ is not set aside or restricted4 ,the power of intercession1 the intercession itself1 and its invocation are an effect of the grace of ,christ2 therefore ,he remains our only mediator4 ,god remains ,our ,lord and ,father1 although men share in ,his lordship and paternity2 for all power and authority comes from ,god1 who is pleased to operate in ,his creatures through other creatures4 ,hence1 only a dependent mediatorship can be ascribed to the saints4 ,whoever admits that the living can pray for each other can not denounce the intercession of the saints as an usurpation of the mediatorship of ,christ4 ,the saints are not the authors and dispensers of grace and heavenly gifts1 but they are able to obtain them for us from ,god4 ,the saints1 moreover1 do not only pray for mankind in general1 but for their clients in particular4 ,as co-reigners with ,christ1 the denizens of heaven have knowledge of the conditions and events of ,his kingdom2 hence the saints may pray for us individually2 therefore it is permissible and profitable for us to invoke them4 ,it is obvious that the knowledge of individual occurrences does not mar the bliss of the saints4 ,how they gain this knowledge is not clear to the spiritual authors2 but most of them incline to the view that they attain it by direct divine mediation4 ,god reveals our condition and our invocation to the saints4 ,can we doubt the willingness of the saints to aid us by their intercession8 ,according to ,st4 ,paul1 charity is the greatest of all virtues4 ,if1 then1 the saints1 whilst on earth loved their fellow-men1 cared for and prayed for them1 how much more will they do so now1 when their charity is perfected8 ,they1 too1 were pilgrims on earth1 who had to suffer the adversities and miseries of life and therefore know by experience how sorely in need of divine assistance we poor mortals are4 ,persons who have themselves experienced trials have more compassion for the adversities of others4 ,therefore it is certain that the saints have compassion on us1 that they wish our prayers to be heard and bring them before the throne of ,god4 ,the saints1 says ,st4 ,augustine1 being secure of their eternal welfare1 are intent upon ours4 ,holy ,scripture establishes this beyond doubt1 saying that the saints bring the prayers of the faithful before the throne of ,god 7,apoc4 v4 #h74 ,or is there any one that doubts the efficacy of the saints' prayer with ,god8 ,at any rate1 we must concede that their prayer is more effectual than ours2 for they are confirmed in justice1 and therefore friends and favorites of ,god1 whilst we are sinners1 of whom ,holy ,scripture says1 ,the ,lord is far from the wicked1 and ,he will hear the prayers of the just 7,prov4 xv4 #bi74 ,on this subject1 let us hear ,st4 ,basil in his panegyric on the ,forty ,martyrs3 ,you often wanted to find an intercessor3 here you have forty who intercede unanimously for you4 ,are you in distress8 ,have recourse to the holy martyrs4 ,rejoicing1 do the same4 ,the former that you may find relief1 the latter that you may continue to prosper4 ,these saints hear the mother praying for her children1 the wife invoking aid for her sick or absent husband4 ,o brave and victorious band1 protectors of mankind1 generous intercessors when invoked1 be our advocates with ,god6 ,there is no doubt1 then1 that during our earthly pilgrimage the saints are our intercessors with ,god4 ,true1 we know that there is ,one who guides our destinies and whose providence watches over all2 but who would not choose1 also1 to have a friend already abiding with ,god1 sharing ,his bliss and confirmed for ever in ,his grace1 and who therefore is in a position to aid us1 and certainly will do so if we invoke ,him8 ,the following is an example illustrating the power of the saints' intercession with ,god3 ,basilides was one of the guards that led ,st4 ,potamiana to a martyr's death4 ,whilst the rest of the soldiers and the crowd of spectators insulted the holy virgin1 he treated her with great respect and protected her from the assaults of the rabble4 ,the martyr thanked him for his kindness1 and promised to pray for him when she came into ,god's presence4 ,a few days after her death the grace of ,god touched ,basilides' heart1 and he professed himself a ,christian4 ,his comrades at first imagined that he was jesting4 ,but when he persevered in the confession of the ,faith1 he was brought before the judge1 who sentenced him to be beheaded next day4 ,taken to prison1 he was baptized1 and at the appointed time1 executed4 ,what else but the intercession of the saint whom he had befriended obtained for this heathen the grace of the ,faith and martyrdom8 ,convinced of the power of the intercession of the saints1 ,origen writes3 ,i will fall on my knees1 and because ,i am unworthy to pray to ,god on account of my sins1 ,i will invoke all the saints to come to my aid4 ,o ye saints of ,god1 ,i1 filled with sadness1 sighing and weeping1 implore you2 intercede for me1 a miserable sinner1 with the ,lord of mercies6 ,,chapter ,,iii ,for ,what the ,intercession of the ,saints ,may and ,should be ,invoked ,,it ,,is obvious that there are objects to attain which we ought not to pray4 ,we shall try to specify them as follows3 #a4 ,we may not pray for things that are evil or injurious in themselves1 or injurious on account of circumstances4 ,amongst these are comprised all those that are opposed to the salvation of the person praying1 or of some one else4 ,it is contrary to the very idea of prayer that ,god should grant to ,his creature anything evil1 anything that is in itself1 and not only by abuse1 harmful4 ,prayer1 according to the rules of morality1 must have for its object only the attainment of whatever is good and profitable1 and only then is it heard by ,god4 #b4 ,things completely indifferent are not comprised in the efficacy of prayer4 ,hence prayer imploring for temporal goods is heard only inasmuch as they relate to the salvation of souls4 ,reason1 as well as faith1 teaches us that ,god orders all ,his actions first for the promotion of ,his glory1 and secondly for the salvation of souls4 ,matters1 therefore1 that are either in general1 or on account of circumstances1 positively indifferent1 must be excluded from the general plan of ,god's providence when there is question of ,his positive agency1 and not simply of ,his permission4 ,it is obvious that temporal goods1 such as health1 wealth1 etc41 are classed with things indifferent1 in as far as they are not connected with the moral order4 ,thus considered1 the various goods of the temporal order do1 or at least may1 under certain conditions1 co-operate unto man's salvation1 and then they belong to the supernatural order4 ,as such1 the efficacy of prayer in their regard must be judged according to the principles applying to the latter4 #c4 ,all those things which any one can obtain himself without extraordinary effort1 are not comprised within the scope of prayer4 ,this restriction results from the very nature of prayer4 ,obviously1 prayer is not the only means by which man can obtain those things which1 on the one hand1 he momentarily does not possess1 and which1 on the other hand1 are necessary or advantageous for his supernatural life4 ,as a rule1 man can1 by labor and application1 procure his sustenance4 ,persons unable to work can have recourse to the charity of their fellow-men1 and will1 as a rule1 find the necessary assistance4 ,in regard to salvation1 it must first be ascertained whether in many or at least in some cases1 the faithful co-operation with the graces which ,god gives to all men is not sufficient4 ,considered from this view1 we may1 and even must1 in a certain sense say3 ,when there is question of attaining specified goods and specified graces1 prayer is often not the primary1 but only the secondary and subordinate means4 ,from this premise follows that ,god in ,his wise providence does not have regard for our prayer when we easily can help ourselves1 either by our own exertion and industry1 or by the faithful cooperation with graces already received1 or by the reception of the holy sacraments4 ,this self-evident idea is expressed in ,holy ,scripture as follows1 ,because of the cold the sluggard would not plow2 he shall beg therefore in the summer1 and it shall not be given him 7,prov4 xx4 #d74 ,for this reason formal miracles are1 as a rule1 not to be expected from the efficacy of prayer4 ,god ordained the world and its course in such a manner1 that mankind in general and each individual in particular can be provided1 without the intervention of a miracle1 with all things necessary for their temporal and eternal welfare4 ,theologians1 therefore1 teach that to ask ,god for a miracle1 generally1 is the same as to tempt ,him4 ,this rule1 however1 admits of exceptions4 ,and if we may1 in exceptional cases1 ask for miracles1 we may1 logically1 expect them2 for miracles in general are not excluded from the plan of divine ,providence4 ,they are rather an essential part of the existing order of ,god's government of the world4 ,at most we may say3 ,as miracles of their nature belong among the extraordinary manifestations of ,providence1 they are not obtained by the prayer of each and every one1 but only in exceptional cases4 ,however1 if we consider how feeble and helpless man's nature is1 even with the assistance of divine grace1 we may not apply the above principles too strictly4 ,this1 for the following reason3 ,cases in which we can not help ourselves with the aid of the grace given us are rare4 ,therefore ,god gives us1 in reward of our confident prayer1 not only that which is strictly necessary1 but also that which is profitable and conducive to our welfare4 ,this being so1 the logical deduction is1 that ,god is willing to hear our prayer not only when we1 of ourselves1 are totally incapable of helping ourselves1 but also when great difficulties beset us in this our self-help4 ,hence1 in a certain sense1 we may maintain that in the work of our salvation prayer and its efficacy must be considered1 together with the sacraments1 as one of the chief means1 and not as a mere accessory4 ,illustration3 ,the ,annunciation ,this limitation of the main principle is founded on the generality of the divine promises concerning the hearing of prayer1 and on the great goodness and bounty of ,god in which these promises originated4 ,when man1 making use of all the means placed at his disposal1 can not help himself1 a cry for help is sent to ,heaven is not presumptuous or unreasonable1 and therefore the hope of being heard is not unfounded or in vain4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,the ,qualities of ,prayer ,,for greater convenience of explanation1 we condense the various qualities of prayer taught by theologians as conditions of its efficacy into the following four3 7#a7 ,devotion2 7#b7 ,confidence2 7#c7 ,perseverance2 7#d7 ,resignation to the will of ,god4 ,treating of prayer1 some theological authors demand1 above all1 the intention of praying4 ,this intention is indeed so necessary that it does not belong to the qualities or attributes of prayer1 but to its very essence4 ,for whosoever has not the intention or will to pray may recite a formula of prayer with the greatest attention1 yet does not really and truly pray4 ,again1 the teachers of the spiritual life tell us that prayer must be in the name of ,jesus4 ,this being a condition insisted upon by our divine ,lord ,himself1 it also belongs to the essence of prayer4 ,it means that we offer up our prayer to ,god in the name of ,jesus ,his ,son1 that is1 with reference to ,him and in the firm confidence that we shall be heard on ,his account and because of ,his promises4 ,again1 to pray in the name of ,jesus means to pray according to ,his manner and in ,his spirit4 ,we now proceed to explain the qualities of true prayer3 #a4 ,devotion4--,what is meant by devotion in prayer8 ,devotion in prayer means3 7a7 that our prayer must be attentive2 that is1 the person praying must direct his thoughts as uninterruptedly as possible to his prayer1 viz41 to the formula he uses to state the object of his desires1 and above all to ,god1 to whom his prayer is directed4 7b7 ,the person praying must know and acknowledge his own needs1 and that of himself he has no claims whatsoever on ,god1 and thus engender in himself sentiments of true humility1 7c7 ,these sentiments must1 moreover1 embrace reverence for ,god and the acknowledgment of dependence on ,him1 thus giving to prayer the character of piety1 7d7 ,all this must culminate in full abandonment to ,god1 the ,giver of all good things4 ,this abandonment is an essential part of our divine cult4 ,as to the question whether devotion1 and what grade of it1 is necessary in prayer1 and whether prayer without it loses its entire efficacy1 and especially its imploring efficiency1 it is evident that prayer without devotion is ineffective2 it is simulation4 ,an example of this1 that is1 of a man pretending to pray and not praying in reality1 is given us in the parable of the ,pharisee and the ,publican 7,luke xviii4 #aj-ab74 ,to determine accurately what grade of devotion1 that is1 what degree of attention1 humility1 and piety is necessary to render prayer from a formality into a reality1 is possible only when all the circumstances1 dispositions1 and qualities of mind of the person praying can be taken into account4 ,suffice it to remark that when all the other conditions1 together with the intention of praying1 combine1 strict but reliable theologians declare that the true essence of prayer is compatible with a less degree of attention and recollection4 #b4 ,confidence4--,there is no doubt but that strong confidence1 or the firm hope of being heard1 contributes much to the perfection of prayer and renders it especially effective4 ,therefore confidence1 like devotion or attention1 must be reckoned among the essential qualities or attributes of prayer4 ,for it is inconceivable that a rational being should resolve on presenting a petition when he has not the least hope of its being granted4 ,in this case his petition would be entirely useless1 and therefore irrational4 ,again1 it is inconceivable that ,god should have regard for a prayer or the petition of a man who has absolutely no confidence in ,his mercy4 ,a prayer without confidence is hypocrisy1 rather than true and sincere supplication4 ,if we address a petition to ,god without the confidence that ,he can and will grant it1 ,he must rather feel offended than honored thereby4 ,how1 then1 shall ,he feel moved to grant us new benefits8 ,if we nevertheless receive them1 it is the effect of ,his bountiful goodness1 and not the result of our sham prayer4 ,therefore1 to be effective1 our prayer must be inspired by confidence4 ,the apostle ,st4 ,james inculcates this1 saying3 ,but let him ask in faith1 nothing wavering2 for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea1 which is moved and carried about by the wind4 ,therefore let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the ,lord 7,james i4 #f-g74 ,by these words the apostle designates not a common and ordinary confidence1 but one firm and steadfast4 ,at the same time he speaks in general2 that is1 his words have reference not only to extraordinary petitions1 but to everything for which we are accustomed to pray4 ,moreover1 the explicit and positive promises made by ,christ in regard to prayer manifestly have the purpose of inspiring the person praying with firm confidence and the sure hope of being heard4 ,if1 then1 our prayer be wanting in this quality1 we do not pray in the spirit of ,christ1 nor in the terms in which we ought to pray1 and can not claim the fulfilment of ,his promises4 #c4 ,perseverance4--,to understand properly in how far perseverance is a quality of prayer1 we must1 above all1 know what may be the objects of our prayer4 ,of these there are three classes4 ,to the first class belong those cases in which a person needs divine help at the present moment or at least at a time definitely near1 and seeks it through prayer4 ,such a petition would be1 for instance1 to obtain the necessary and effective aid of divine grace for overcoming an existing transient temptation1 or the conversion of a certain sinner approaching death4 ,to the second class belongs the avoidance of temporal evils1 or of continuous temptations1 or the conversion of a certain sinner now in good health4 ,to the third class belong such benefits which can be granted only for a later period1 perhaps at the hour of death4 ,the grace of final perseverance is the foremost among these4 ,having stated the preliminary conditions1 the answer to the question of perseverance in prayer is3 a4 ,inasmuch as our prayer is directed toward the attainment of benefits of the first class1 that is1 of graces which we need immediately1 perseverance can obviously not be an essential condition of our prayer4 ,either we can not attain our object by prayer1 or a transient prayer which has the other necessary qualities must suffice for its attainment4 ,the first supposition is contrary to the divine promises2 therefore the alternative must stand4 b4 ,when there is question of benefits and graces of the second and third class1 we must concede that perseverance or continuance in prayer is neither impossible1 nor is it unreasonable4 ,god is willing to grant us ,his almighty help1 but at the same time ,he desires that we1 being convinced of its necessity1 implore it all the more eagerly1 and thereby become more worthy to receive it when ,he shall be pleased to grant our petitions4 ,therefore #d4 ,resignation to the will of ,god is a necessary condition for the efficacy of our prayer4 ,this quality of our prayer needs no lengthy explanation2 its application to prayer is self-evident4 ,finally the petition for a certain benefit1 in order to be reasonable and permissible1 must include the following two attributes3 7a7 ,the object prayed for must not be harmful1 but profitable2 7b7 it must not be opposed to the will of ,god4 ,conclusions4--,careful observation will convince us that prayer is often wanting in one or more of the above qualities4 ,often that which one seeks to obtain by prayer is not promotive of ,god's glory and of the salvation of souls1 even considered from a human point of view1 much less in the designs of ,providence4 ,in cases where the object of prayer in itself presents no difficulties1 it is often defective for want of devotion or perseverance4 ,but oftenest our prayer is wanting in confidence and trust1 which want originates in the feeble faith of the person praying1 or in too little reliance on the promises of ,christ and in the merits of ,his redemption4 ,thus there is nothing to surprise us if we are not heard4 ,again1 we must never forget that very many1 and generally the most precious gifts of divine grace are bestowed secretly4 ,remember the many and great benefits conferred daily and hourly by ,god on mankind1 universally and individually4 ,considering them1 it is presumption to maintain that in a special case the prayer of the ,church1 or of a community1 or of an individual1 was not granted4 ,the opposite is fully proved by the goodness1 bounty1 and mercy which ,god shows so profusely to us4 ,we must1 moreover1 never lose sight of the principle that the promises made to prayer concern directly only the supernatural order of salvation4 ,to the goods of the temporal order they are applicable only relatively4 ,if we1 therefore1 experience that our prayers relative to temporal things remain unheard1 we must1 instead of doubting the divine promises1 be firmly convinced that the attainment of the object for which we prayed was1 under the circumstances1 not conducive to our real welfare4 ,we must1 moreover1 be convinced that ,god1 in order not to leave our petition ungranted1 conferred on us some other real benefit4 ,finally1 when the refusal of our prayer is clearly and unmistakably established1 the reasons for this may be the following3 7a7 ,perhaps the person praying was wanting in effort1 or in cooperation with graces formerly received1 a deficiency which can not be repaired by prayer alone4 7b7 ,or the prayer itself is wanting in one or the other necessary qualities1 especially in confidence4 7c7 ,god does not intend to refuse the desired grace1 but1 for reasons of ,his own1 delays it 7d7 ,god gives us in place of what we asked some other grace more salutary to us4 ,,part ,,ii ,mary1 the ,help of ,christians ,novenas in ,preparation for the ,principal ,feasts of the ,blessed ,virgin ,holy ,mary1 aid the miserable1 assist the desponding1 strengthen the weak1 pray for the people1 plead for the clergy1 intercede for the devout female sex4 ,let all who have recourse to thee experience the efficacy of thy help6--,,holy ,,church4 ,rules for the ,proper ,observance of ,novenas ,by ,st4 ,alphonsus ,liguori #a4 ,,the soul must be in the state of grace2 for the devotion of a sinful heart pleases neither ,god nor the saints4 #b4 ,we must persevere1 that is1 the prayers for each day of the novena must never be omitted4 #c4 ,if possible1 we should visit a church every day1 and there implore the favor we desire4 #d4 ,every day we ought to perform certain specified acts of exterior self-denial and interior mortification1 in order to prepare us thereby for the reception of grace4 #e4 ,it is most important that we receive holy communion when making a novena4 ,therefore prepare yourself well for it4 #f4 ,after obtaining the desired grace for which the novena was made1 do not omit to return thanks to ,god and to the saint through whose intercession your prayers were heard4 ,on the ,manner of ,reading the ,meditations and ,observing the ,practices ,,holy ,,scripture says1 ,before prayer prepare thy soul2 and be not as a man that tempteth ,god 7,eccles4 xviii4 #bc74 ,therefore place yourself in the presence of ,god1 invoke the assistance of the ,holy ,ghost1 and make a most sincere act of contrition for your sins4 ,offer up to ,god your will1 your intellect1 and your memory1 so that your prayer may be pleasing to ,god and serve to promote your spiritual welfare4 ,then read the meditation slowly1 reflecting on each point of the thought or mystery treated1 and consider what you can learn from it1 and for what grace you ought to implore ,god4 ,this is the principal object to be attained by mental prayer4 ,never rise from your prayer without having formed some special resolution for practical observance4 ,the practices at the end of each consideration in the following novenas will aid you to do so4 ,finally1 ask for grace to carry out effectively your good purposes1 and thank ,god for enlightening your mind during the meditation4 ,introduction ,mary1 the ,help of ,christians ,,no ,,catholic denies that ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ is the only mediator through whose merits we became reconciled to ,god4 ,nevertheless1 it is a doctrine of our faith that ,god willingly grants us grace if the saints1 and especially the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 the queen of saints1 intercede for us4 ,if the saints1 during their life on earth1 were so potent with ,god that through their prayers the blind obtained sight1 the deaf hearing1 and the dumb speech1 that the sick of all conditions were healed1 the dead restored to life1 and the most obstinate sinners converted2 if thousands of other miracles in the order of nature and of grace were performed through their intercession2 what1 then1 will not she obtain for us from ,god1 whose virtue and merits transcend those of all the saints1 and who did more for the greater honor and glory of ,god than they all8 ,mary is the queen of saints not only because she is the ,mother of the ,most ,high1 but also because her sanctity is more perfect than theirs1 and she therefore thrones above them all in heaven4 ,hence the favor with which ,god regards her1 and consequently the power of her intercession with ,him is so much the greater4 ,if ,mary's sanctity thus impressively illustrates the potency of her intercession1 the contemplation of her dignity as the ,mother of ,god does still more so4 ,mary brought forth ,him who is the ,almighty4 ,she calls ,him her ,son1 who by the word of ,his omnipotence created from out of nothing the whole world with all its beauties1 and who can call into being countless millions of other worlds4 ,she calls ,him her ,son1 whose throne is heaven and whose footstool is the earth1 who governs all nature with almighty power and reveals ,his name to mankind through the most astounding miracles4 ,in a word1 ,mary calls ,him her ,son1 whose omnipotence fills heaven and earth2 and this great1 almighty ,god1 who honors her as ,his ,mother and has wrought in her such great things1 will ,he not heed her word of intercession1 and hear her pleading for those who have recourse to her8 ,on earth ,he was subject to her4 ,her intercession moved ,him to exercise ,his omnipotent power at the wedding feast at ,cana2 and now1 when ,he has glorified and raised her up so high ,he would let her invoke ,him in vain8 ,no1 it is inconceivable that ,god should not hear the prayers of ,his ,mother6 ,illustration3 ,the ,blessed ,virgin visits ,st4 ,elizabeth ,the holy ,fathers and ,doctors of the ,church vie with each other in proclaiming the power of ,mary's intercession with the ,heart of her divine ,son4 ,some say that having been subject to her on earth1 ,he desires to be so in heaven1 inasmuch as to refuse her nothing she asks4 ,hence ,st4 ,bernard calls her the ,intercessory ,omnipotence4 ,indeed1 when all the angels and saints in heaven join in supplication to ,god1 their prayers are but those of servants2 but when ,mary prays her intercession is that of ,his ,mother4 ,therefore we can not sufficiently thank ,god for having given us in ,mary so powerful an advocate4 ,st4 ,bernard aptly says3 ,the angel announces1 'thou hast found grace before ,god4' ,o supreme happiness6 ,mary shall always find grace4 ,and what else could we wish8 ,if we seek grace1 let us seek it through ,mary2 for what she seeks1 she finds4 ,never can she plead ineffectually4 ,god1 then1 who in ,his infinite mercy has been pleased to provide for all our needs1 desires through ,mary to console us1 to comfort us1 to remove all distrust1 to strengthen our hope4 ,how consoling to him who calls upon ,god in sore distress1 or implores ,his pardon for sins committed1 is the thought that at the throne of divine ,mercy he has in ,mary an advocate as mighty as she is gracious1 who supplements his great unworthiness by her sublime dignity1 and who makes good the defects of his prayer by her intercession6 ,therefore ,st4 ,bonaventure exclaims3 ,verily1 great is ,our ,lord's mercy6 ,that we1 through fear of our divine ,judge1 depart not forever from ,him1 ,he gave us ,his own ,mother for our advocate and mediatrix of grace4 ,i4 ,novena in ,honor of the ,immaculate ,conception of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary ,,indulgences ,,to ,,all the faithful who by themselves or with others1 in church or at home1 with at least contrite heart and devotion1 shall make this novena3 7#a7 #cjj days indulgence for each of the nine days2 7#b7 a plenary indulgence on one day of the novena or of the eight days following it4 7,pius ,,ix1 ,january #e1 #ahdi47 ,conditions3 ,confession1 communion1 and prayer1 according to the intentions of the ,holy ,father4 ,remark4--,whenever1 in the following pages1 an indulgence is said to be granted under the usual conditions1 these conditions are the same as above4 ,note4--,the above indulgences may also be gained for making the novena at any other time of the year1 and are not attached to any prescribed formula of prayer4 ,the same applies to all other novenas in honor of the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,,first ,,day ,predestination of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary ,,preparatory ,,prayer ,,in ,,thy conception1 ,o ,virgin ,mary1 thou wast immaculate2 pray for us to the ,father1 whose ,son ,jesus1 conceived in thy womb by the ,holy ,ghost1 thou didst bring forth4 ,indulgence4 #bjj days1 every time4 7,pius ,,vi1 ,november #ba1 #agic47 ,,meditation ,,holy ,church1 our ,mother1 purposely gathered into the season of ,advent everything which might contribute to assist us in preparing for the coming of the ,redeemer4 ,purity of heart is the most necessary and helpful requirement for receiving ,god worthily1 and for participating in the fruits of our ,redemption through ,christ4 ,to remind us of this1 ,holy ,church celebrates the feast of the ,immaculate ,conception of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 this primary feast of purity1 in ,advent4 ,the ,church1 moreover1 intends to remind us that the coming of ,christ1 our promised ,redeemer1 depended on the consent of the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,the ,redeemer could not appear before she was born of whom ,he was to be born4 ,the aurora must precede the rising sun4 ,thus also ,mary1 the spiritual aurora1 had to be conceived and born before the appearance of the ,sun of ,justice in this world4 ,,practice ,,in ,,mary appeared the woman who was to crush the serpent's head1 who was to repair by her willing co-operation with ,god's designs the damage wrought by the disobedience of our first parents1 and who was to become our mother and mighty advocate with ,god4 ,the designs of ,god concerning ,mary were fully accomplished4 ,god also has designs concerning us4 ,our life was planned by ,him from all eternity1 and we were destined to co-operate with ,him harmoniously and conscientiously in working out our salvation4 ,have we corresponded with ,god's designs8 ,did we not oppose them by yielding to our evil inclinations and passions8 ,what a disparity between ,god's intentions concerning us and our own co-operation1 between ,his merciful designs and our cowardly resistance to them6 ,,prayer ,,of ,,the ,,church ,o ,,god1 who through the immaculate conception of the ,virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place for ,thy divine ,son2 grant that1 as in view of ,thy ,son ,thou didst preserve her from all taint1 so ,thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us that cleansed from all sin by her intercession we too may arrive at ,thine eternal glory4 ,through the same ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,behold1 ,virgin immaculate1 at thy sacred feet ,i bow1 while my heart overflows with joy in union with thine own1 because from eternity thou wast the ,mother-elect of the eternal ,word1 and was preserved stainless from the taint of ,adam's sin4 ,forever praised1 forever blessed be the ,most ,holy ,trinity1 who in thy conception poured out upon thy soul the riches of that matchless privilege4 ,i humbly pray thee1 most gracious ,mother1 obtain for me the grace to overcome the bitter results of original sin4 ,make me victorious over them1 that ,i may never cease to love my ,god4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation ,o ,mary1 conceived without sin1 pray for us who have recourse to thee6 ,indulgence4 #ajj days1 once a day4 7,leo ,,xiii1 ,march #be1 #ahhd47 ,,second ,,day ,mary's ,immaculate ,conception ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,according to the definition of ,pope ,pius ,,ix1 the immaculate conception of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary is that privilege by which she was preserved1 in view of the merits of our ,saviour ,jesus ,christ1 from original sin in the first moment of her conception4 ,by solemnly proclaiming the dogma of ,mary's immaculate conception1 the ,church confirmed anew the fundamental principles of ,christianity which in our times are so frequently attacked1 derided1 or forgotten4 ,god reserved the solemn proclamation of this dogma1 which seemingly has no practical bearing on the ,christian life1 for our age1 to recall to our mind the doctrines resulting from it4 ,,practice ,,the most important of these doctrines is that of original sin1 which to-day is rejected by many as a debasement of human nature1 and is forgotten by others as having no practical influence on our moral state4 ,by the promulgation of the doctrine of the immaculate conception of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 the ,church solemnly declares and defines as an article of faith1 that the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary is conceived without the stain of original sin by a special privilege and grace of ,god4 ,if1 then1 ,mary's sinlessness is an exception1 the general rule remains in force1 and all other human beings enter this world in the state of original sin4 ,thus1 by the proclamation of the dogma of the immaculate conception1 the ,church combats human pride and sensuality1 the foremost vices of the age4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,mary1 unsullied lily of heavenly purity1 ,i rejoice with thee1 because at thy conception's earliest dawn thou wast full of grace and endowed with the perfect use of reason4 ,i thank and adore the ever-blessed ,trinity1 who gave thee such high gifts4 ,i am overwhelmed with shame in thy presence1 to see myself so poor in grace4 ,o thou who wast filled with heavenly grace1 impart some portion of it to my soul1 and make me share the treasures of thy immaculate conception4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,third ,,day ,mary1 the ,victrix of ,satan ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,the immaculate conception of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary inaugurated the fulfilment of the divine promise made to our first parents in paradise in the words addressed to the serpent3 ,i shall put enmities between thee and the woman1 and thy seed and her seed2 she shall crush thy head 7,gen4 iii4 #ae74 ,mary is the woman in whom ,satan never had a part4 ,her intimate connection with ,god was announced by the angel3 ,hail1 full of grace2 the ,lord is with thee4 ,now was fulfilled the saying of the ,psalmist1 ,the ,most ,high hath sanctified ,his own tabernacle4 ,god is in the midst thereof1 it shall not be moved3 ,god will help it in the morning early 7,ps4 xlv4 #e-f74 ,mary was chosen to be the glorious tabernacle of the ,son of ,god in the morning early1 that is1 in the first moment of her existence4 ,god called her into being that she might assume the exalted dignity of the ,mother of ,his ,son1 and therefore granted her the singular privilege of exemption from original sin4 ,in her were fulfilled ,solomon's prophetic words of praise1 ,thou art all fair1 ,o my love1 and there is not a spot in thee 7,cant4 iv4 #g74 ,it was in view of her ,son's merits applied to her beforehand that ,god thus produced in her the image of the new man regenerated in the ,holy ,ghost4 ,,practice ,,the spirit of darkness holds mankind enslaved1 but one human being escapes him4 ,a destructive fire lays waste the whole earth1 but one tree remains unscathed4 ,a terrible tyrant conquers the whole world1 but one fortified city repels his assaults4 ,this human being retaining liberty1 this tree escaping destruction1 this city repelling the enemy's attack is the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary4 ,will the almighty and merciful ,god1 who has accomplished such great things in ,mary1 who has selected her for ,his ,mother1 not listen to her prayers when she intercedes for us8 ,st4 ,william of ,paris exclaims3 ,no other created being can obtain for us so many and so great graces from ,god as ,his ,mother4 ,by the all-powerful might of her intercession ,he honors her not only as ,his handmaid1 but also as ,his ,mother4 ,therefore we ought not be surprised when the holy ,fathers maintain that a single sigh of ,mary is more effective with ,god than the combined intercession of all the angels and saints4 ,if1 then1 ,mary's power is so great1 she will surely hear us when we invoke her help in our combat with ,satan4 ,having conquered him herself1 she will also help us to conquer him4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,mary1 thou mystical rose of purity1 my heart rejoices with thine at the glorious triumph which thou didst gain over the infernal serpent by thy immaculate conception1 and because thou wast conceived without stain of original sin4 ,i thank and praise with my whole heart the ever-blessed ,trinity1 who granted thee this glorious privilege2 and ,i pray thee to obtain for me strength to overcome all the wiles of the infernal foe1 and never to stain my soul with sin4 ,be thou mine aid2 make me1 by thy protection1 victorious over the common foe of our eternal welfare4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,fourth ,,day ,mary without ,actual ,sin ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,mary conceived without sin is the most blessed daughter of the eternal ,father1 the real and true ,mother of the divine ,son1 the elect spouse of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,but in the world1 in what condition do we behold her8 ,she dwells not in a splendid palace2 she is not surrounded by a retinue of servants ready at every moment to do her bidding2 she is not exempt from trials and suffering4 ,on the contrary1 she is poor2 she lives in obscurity1 and suffered so much on earth that1 without shedding her blood1 she merits to be styled the queen of martyrs4 ,her heart was transfixed with the sword of sorrow4 ,mary is not exempt from tribulations and adversity2 but one thing ,god does not permit to touch her1 i4e41 sin4 ,hence ,holy ,church applies to her the words1 ,thou art all fair1 ,o my love1 and there is not a spot in thee 7,cant4 iv4 #g74 ,,practice ,,though we were not preserved from sin like ,mary1 yet ,god in ,his ineffable goodness and mercy granted us the grace to be cleansed from sin and to be clothed with the garment of sanctifying grace in ,baptism4 ,no treasure of the world can be compared with this prerogative4 ,but as we bear this grace in a fragile vase1 we must be most careful to protect and preserve it in ourselves and others from all danger4 ,let the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary be our example4 ,well knowing the inestimable value of the grace conferred upon her1 she guarded it with the greatest care4 ,although exempt from concupiscence and full of grace1 she was so distrustful of herself as if she were in continual danger4 ,how much more1 then1 must we use precaution to preserve in ourselves and in others this treasure of grace1 since we feel in ourselves constantly the law of the flesh1 which resists the law of the spirit1 and urges us on to evil1 whilst the world and the devil never weary in placing snares for us in order to accomplish our ruin4 ,therefore let us have recourse to ,mary1 and invoking her aid bravely resist all temptations4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,mirror of holy purity1 ,mary1 ,virgin immaculate1 great is my joy while ,i consider that1 from thy immaculate conception1 the most sublime and perfect virtues were infused into thy soul1 and with them all the gifts of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,i thank and praise the ,most ,holy ,trinity1 who bestowed on thee these high privileges4 ,i pray thee1 gentle ,mother1 obtain for me grace to practise virtue1 and to make me worthy to become partaker of the gifts and graces of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,fifth ,,day ,mary1 ,full of ,grace ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,satan',s relation to ,god as ,his child was severed by sin4 ,the beautiful image of ,god imprinted on man's soul was disfigured by it4 ,but with the immaculate conception of ,mary1 a being full of grace1 an object of ,god's supreme complacency entered this world4 ,after the lapse of four thousand years ,god1 in ,his wisdom1 power1 and love1 for the first time again created a human being in that state in which ,he had originally created our first parents4 ,mary1 from the first moment of her existence was1 in virtue of the sanctifying grace infused into her soul1 most intimately united with ,god1 and endowed with the most precious gifts of heaven4 ,because she was predestined to become the ,mother of the ,redeemer of mankind1 it was befitting that she should unite in herself all the gifts becoming to such an ineffable dignity4 ,hence she surpassed in grace and holiness all other created beings1 and was consecrated a worthy temple of the incarnate ,word4 ,therefore she was saluted by the angel as full of grace1 and the ,church1 in our behalf1 addresses the ,almighty3 ,o ,god1 who through the immaculate conception of the ,virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place for ,thy divine ,son2 grant1 that1 as in view of the death of that ,son ,thou didst preserve her from all taint1 so ,thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us that1 cleansed from all sin by her intercession1 we too may arrive at ,thine eternal glory4 ,,practice ,,the world considers men according to their rank and station1 their wealth and knowledge4 ,god recognizes in them but one difference1 that caused by the presence or absence of sanctifying grace in their soul4 ,a soul in the state of sanctifying grace is ,god's friend2 without it1 ,his enemy4 ,a man dying in the state of sanctifying grace is sure of eternal bliss4 ,therefore we ought to prize this grace above all else1 and do everything in our power to preserve it4 ,st4 ,leo exhorts us1 ,recognize1 ,o man1 thy dignity6 ,as thou hast received divine grace1 beware of returning to your former sinful condition by a wicked life4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,mary1 bright moon of purity1 ,i rejoice with thee1 because the mystery of thy immaculate conception was the beginning of salvation for the race of man and the joy of the whole world4 ,i thank and bless the ever-blessed ,trinity1 who thus did magnify and glorify thee2 and ,i beg of thee to obtain for me the grace so to profit by thy dear ,son's death and passion1 that ,his precious blood may not have been shed in vain for me upon the cross1 but that1 after a holy life1 ,i may reach heaven in safety4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,sixth ,,day ,mary1 ,our ,refuge ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,we ,,carry the precious treasure of sanctifying grace in a frail vessel4 ,our inclination to evil remains with us1 and continues to impel us to that which is forbidden4 ,on whom shall we call for aid8 ,call on ,mary6 ,she is conceived without sin4 ,she1 the lily among thorns1 who never lost ,god's friendship1 is our advocate4 ,let her1 who was found worthy to become the ,mother of our ,redeemer1 inspire you with trust and confidence4 ,the ,church invokes her as the refuge of sinners1 and under no other title does she show her love for us more convincingly and her power with ,god more efficiently4 ,illustration3 ,the ,adoration of the ,shepherds ,,practice ,,we ,,may trust confidently in ,mary's intercession and aid in all temptations and trials1 if we but have recourse to her4 ,therefore ,st4 ,john ,damascene writes3 ,come to my aid1 ,o ,mother of my ,redeemer6 ,thou art my help1 my consolation in life4 ,come to my aid1 and ,i shall escape unscorched from the fire of temptation2 amongst a thousand ,i shall remain unharmed2 ,i shall brave the storms of assault unwrecked4 ,thy name is my shield1 thy help my armor1 thy protection my defense4 ,with thee ,i boldly attack the enemy and drive him off in confusion2 through thee ,i shall achieve a triumphant victory4 ,in all temptations1 therefore1 let us have recourse to ,mary and through her intercession we shall overcome them4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,mary immaculate1 most brilliant star of purity1 ,i rejoice with thee because thy immaculate conception has bestowed upon the angels in paradise the greatest joy4 ,i thank and bless the ever-blessed ,trinity1 who enriched thee with this high privilege4 ,o let me1 too1 one day enter into this heavenly joy1 in the company of angels1 that ,i may praise and bless thee1 world without end4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,seventh ,,day ,mary1 the ,mother of ,chastity ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,holy ,scripture and the ,fathers agree in the statement that the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary made the vow of perpetual virginity4 ,for when the ,archangel ,gabriel brought ,god's message to the immaculate spouse of ,st4 ,joseph1 that she was to become the ,mother of the ,most ,high1 she asked1 ,how shall this be done1 because ,i know not man8 7,luke i4 #cd47 ,indeed1 ,mary would not have been1 in the full and most excellent sense of the word1 the ,virgin of virgins1 had she not from her own free choice vowed her virginity to ,god4 ,during the whole ,christian era there have been heroic souls who made the vow of perpetual chastity1 consecrating themselves to ,god4 ,trusting in the powerful protection of the immaculate ,virgin1 they persevered in their resolve to bear this priceless treasure before ,god's throne despite the dangers of the world1 the temptations of concupiscence1 and the assaults of hell1 and with the help of the queen of virgins they achieved a triumphant victory4 ,,practice ,,since the fall of ,adam our senses are in rebellion against the law of ,god4 ,i see another law in my members1 fighting against the law of my mind1 and captivating me in the law of sin 7,rom4 vii4 #bc74 ,chastity is the virtue which causes us the greatest struggles4 ,st4 ,augustine says3 ,the fiercest of all combats is the one for the preservation of chastity1 and we must engage in it every day4 ,fierce as this combat is1 the aid which ,mary gives her children to achieve victory is all-powerful4 ,she sustains them by her maternal love and protection4 ,those who lead a chaste life receive the ,divine ,spirit1 are happy in this life1 and will receive a special crown in heaven4 ,among the means for the preservation of chastity1 the following are specially recommended3 ,the assiduous and constant practice of self-denial2 the frequentation of the sacraments2 the daily invocation of ,mary for her aid and protection2 scrupulous avoidance of the occasions of sin4 ,st4 ,chrysostom writes3 ,he errs who believes that he can overcome his sensual propensities and preserve chastity by his own efforts4 ,god's mercy must extinguish nature's ardor4 ,have recourse to the intercession of the immaculate ,virgin and rest assured that you will obtain this mercy4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,mary immaculate1 rising morn of purity1 ,i rejoice with thee1 gazing in wonder upon thy soul confirmed in grace from the very first moment of thy conception1 and rendered inaccessible to sin4 ,i thank and magnify the ever-blessed ,trinity1 who chose thee from all our race for this special privilege4 ,holy ,virgin1 obtain for me utter and constant hatred of all sin above every other evil1 and let me rather die than ever again fall into sin4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,eighth ,,day ,the ,image of the ,immaculate ,conception ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,christian art represents the ,immaculate ,conception as follows3 ,the ,blessed ,virgin appears standing on a globe1 about which is coiled a serpent holding an apple in its mouth4 ,one of ,mary's feet rests upon the serpent1 the other is placed on the moon4 ,her eyes are raised toward heaven2 her hands are either joined in prayer1 or she holds a lily in her right1 and places the left on her breast4 ,her dress is white2 her ample mantle is of blue color4 ,a crown of twelve stars encircles her head4 ,these emblems typify in a most striking manner ,mary's power and glory4 ,and a great sign appeared in heaven4 ,a woman clothed with the sun1 and the moon under her feet1 and on her head a crown of twelve stars 7,apoc4 xii4 #a74 ,,practice ,,the representation of the ,immaculate ,conception is very instructive4 7#a7 ,mary appears standing on the globe4 ,this signifies that being human1 she belongs to the earth1 and yet is exalted above the world and sin2 also1 that she trampled under foot earthly possessions1 vanities1 and joys4 7#b7 ,a serpent is coiled about the globe1 bearing an apple in its mouth4 ,this reminds us of the fall of our first parents1 and of the consequences of their sin4 7#c7 ,mary's foot rests on the serpent1 indicating that she never was under ,satan's dominion1 but was preserved from sin in the first moment of her existence4 7#d7 ,mary stands on the moon4 ,the moon1 on account of its changes1 is an emblem of inconstancy4 ,we see it at ,mary's feet1 to be reminded that we ought to be constant in faith and virtue4 7#e7 ,mary wears a crown1 to indicate that she is a queen4 ,the crown is composed of twelve stars3 she is the queen of heaven4 7#f7 ,mary's dress is white1 to denote her spotless purity and innocence4 7#g7 ,she folds her hands in prayer1 reminding us to imitate her example4 7#h7 ,or she holds a lily in her right hand1 to indicate her virginity and chastity1 and the sweet odor of her virtues4 7#i7 ,mary's mantle is blue1 which color is emblematic of humility4 ,its folds are ample1 to remind us that all who have recourse to her find a secure refuge in all dangers and necessities4 ,therefore let us invoke her intercession in the words of ,holy ,church3 ,we fly to thy patronage1 ,o holy ,mother of ,god4 ,despise not our petitions1 and deliver us from all danger1 ,o ever glorious and blessed ,virgin6 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,o ,,spotless sun6 ,o ,virgin ,mary6 ,i congratulate thee4 ,i rejoice with thee because in thy conception ,god gave thee grace greater and more boundless than ,he ever shed on all ,his angels and all the saints1 together with all their merits4 ,i am thankful and ,i marvel at the surpassing beneficence of the ever-blessed ,trinity1 who conferred on thee this privilege4 ,o make me correspond with the grace of ,god and never abuse it4 ,change this heart of mine2 make me now begin to amend my life4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,ninth ,,day ,the ,feast of the ,immaculate ,conception ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,early in the ,christian era the feast of ,mary's immaculate conception was observed in several countries4 ,st4 ,anselm1 ,bishop of ,canterbury1 introduced it in ,england4 ,a great number of ,popes favored the doctrine of ,mary's absolute sinlessness1 and the adversaries of the ,immaculate ,conception were bidden to be silent and not publicly assert or defend their view4 ,in #adgg1 ,pope ,sixtus ,,iv prescribed the feast of the ,immaculate ,conception to be observed in the whole ,church1 and made it obligatory on priests to recite the special canonical office and to use the ,mass formula published for the purpose4 ,in #ahdf1 the bishops of the ,united ,states assembled in plenary council in ,baltimore elected the ,blessed ,virgin under the title of her immaculate conception ,patroness of the ,church in their country4 ,finally1 ,pope ,pius ,,ix1 after consulting with the bishops throughout the world1 and having implored the ,holy ,ghost for ,his guidance in prayer and fasting1 promulgated1 on ,december #h1 #ahed1 the dogma which teaches that the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary was in her conception1 by a special grace and through the merits of her divine ,son1 preserved from the stain of original sin4 ,this doctrine was received throughout the world with ineffable joy2 and1 indeed1 no one who loves the ,blessed ,virgin can help rejoicing at this her most glorious privilege4 ,the invocation1 ,queen conceived without the stain of original sin1 was added to the ,litany of ,loreto4 ,in #ahff1 at the ,second ,plenary ,council in ,baltimore1 the feast of the ,immaculate ,conception was raised to the rank of a holyday of obligation for the ,church of the ,united ,states4 ,,practice ,,in ,,the inscrutable designs of ,his providence ,god ordained that the mystery of the immaculate conception of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary should be proclaimed an article of faith as late as the middle of the nineteenth century4 ,but1 then1 its proclamation was attended by circumstances that undeniably proved that the ,holy ,father in pronouncing the dogma had been inspired and guided by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,let us praise ,god and thank ,him for bestowing this glorious privilege on our beloved ,mother1 and let us often invoke her under her favorite title1 the ,immaculate ,conception4 ,st4 ,alphonsus ,liguori tells us that the devotion to this mystery is especially efficacious in overcoming the temptations of impurity4 ,therefore he was accustomed to recommend to his penitents thus tempted to recite three times every day the ,hail ,mary in honor of ,mary immaculate4 ,and the ,venerable ,john of ,avila assures us that he never found any one who practised a true devotion to the ,immaculate ,conception of ,mary1 who did not in a short time obtain the gift of that virtue which renders us so dear to her immaculate heart4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,o ,,living light of holiness1 model of purity1 ,mary immaculate1 virgin and mother6 ,as soon as thou wast conceived thou didst profoundly adore thy ,god1 giving ,him thanks that in thee the ancient curse was revoked1 and blessing came again upon the sinful sons of ,adam4 ,o make this blessing kindle in my heart love for ,god2 and do thou fan this flame of love within me1 that ,i may love ,him constantly and one day in heaven eternally enjoy ,him1 there to thank ,him more and more fervently for all the wondrous privileges conferred on thee1 and to rejoice with thee for thy high crown of glory4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,ii ,novena in ,honor of the ,nativity of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary ,,first ,,day ,the ,birth of ,mary ,,preparatory ,,prayer ,,we ,,fly to thy patronage1 ,o holy ,mother of ,god4 ,despise not our petitions in our necessities1 and deliver us from all dangers1 ,o ever glorious and blessed ,virgin6 ,,meditation ,,mary is born6 ,the dawn announcing the coming salvation of mankind is at hand4 ,the deep significance of ,mary's birth is expressed in the words of the ,church3 ,thy birth1 ,o virgin ,mother of ,god1 has brought joy to the world2 for from thee is to come forth the ,sun of ,justice1 ,christ our ,lord1 to dispel the curse and bring the blessing1 to conquer death and bring us everlasting life4 ,on this day a light broke forth to brighten the paths of men through all time4 ,let us1 then1 rejoice in ,mary's coming4 ,equally expressive and touching are the reflections of that great ,doctor of the ,church1 ,st4 ,augustine3 ,the day has dawned1 the long-wished-for day of the blessed and venerable ,virgin ,mary4 ,well may this earth of ours rejoice and be glad for having been honored and sanctified by the birth of such a virgin4 ,,practice ,,let us1 then1 rejoice in ,mary's coming4 ,let us hail the birth of her who attained the dignity of mother without losing the high privilege of a virgin4 ,let us imitate her holy life1 that she may become our intercessor before the throne of her ,son1 our judge and redeemer4 ,by becoming the ,mother of ,god she became also our ,mother4 ,as ,mother of the ,redeemer she is also the ,mother of the redeemed4 ,richard of ,st4 ,lawrence writes3 ,if we desire grace and help1 let us have recourse to ,mary and we shall obtain what we desire4 ,for1 as ,st4 ,alphonsus remarks3 ,all graces and gifts which ,god has resolved to bestow upon us ,he gives us through the hands of ,mary4 ,,prayer ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,grant to us1 ,thy servants1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 the gift of heavenly grace2 that to those for whom the delivery of the ,blessed ,virgin was the commencement of salvation1 the commemoration of her nativity may give increasing peace4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,most lovely child1 who by thy birth hast comforted the world1 made glad the heavens1 struck terror into hell1 brought help to the fallen1 consolation to the sad1 health to the sick1 joy to all2 we pray thee with all fervent love1 be thou born again in spirit in our souls through thy most holy love4 ,renew our fervor in thy service1 rekindle in our hearts the fire of thy love1 and bid all virtues blossom there1 which may cause us to find more and more fervor in thy gracious eyes4 ,o ,mary1 may we feel the saving power of thy sweetest name6 ,let it ever be our comfort to call on that great name in all our troubles2 let it be our hope in dangers1 our shield in temptation1 and in death our last aspiration4 ,ejaculation ,o ,mary1 who didst come into the world free from stain3 obtain of ,god for me that ,i may leave it without sin6 ,indulgence4 #ajj days1 once a day4 7,pius ,,ix1 ,march #bg1 #ahfc47 ,,second ,,day ,mary1 the ,elect of ,god ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,we ,,find the explanation of the great prerogatives and privileges which ,god bestowed upon the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary by reflecting on her singular and glorious predestination4 ,from all eternity she was predestined to become the ,mother of ,his divine ,son2 therefore1 says ,pope ,pius ,,ix1 ,god loved her above all created beings1 and in ,his special predilection made her the object of ,his divine complacency4 ,with singular appropriateness we may apply to her the words of ,holy ,scripture1 ,i have loved thee with an everlasting love 7,jer4 xxxi4 #c74 ,the eternal ,father regarded ,mary as ,his beloved ,daughter2 the divine ,son honored her as ,his dearest ,mother2 the ,holy ,ghost loved her as ,his spotless ,spouse4 ,and1 says ,st4 ,anselm1 they loved each other with an affection unsurpassed by any other4 ,,practice ,,inspired by the contemplation of ,mary's extraordinary privileges1 ,st4 ,anselm exclaims3 ,thou1 ,o ,mary1 art more exalted than the patriarchs1 greater than the martyrs1 more glorious than the confessors1 purer than the virgins1 and therefore thou1 alone1 canst achieve more than they can without thee4 ,let us1 then1 rejoice that we possess such a powerful advocate in heaven1 and let us place implicit trust in her4 ,but let us also co-operate with the graces and favors which she obtains for us4 ,moreover1 let us remember that we grievously offend ,god and ,mary if we abuse what we obtain through her intercession to gratify our evil inclinations1 and that the graces she obtains for us for our salvation will redound to our ruin if we do not use them for the glory of ,god and the promotion of our soul's welfare4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,we ,,hail thee1 ,mary1 who1 sprung from the royal line of ,david1 didst come forth to the light of heaven with high honor from the womb of holy ,anna1 thy most happy mother4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,third ,,day ,mary1 the ,child of ,royalty ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,according to her lineage1 as traced in two ,gospels1 ,mary numbers among her paternal and maternal ancestors the holiest and most renowned personages of the ,old ,testament4 ,we find amongst them ,abraham1 the friend of ,god1 the father of ,israel and of all the faithful2 then ,david1 the man after ,god's own heart1 the inspired ,royal ,prophet2 and ,solomon1 the wise and mighty king1 and the whole line of the kings of ,juda4 ,on her mother's side she belonged to the tribe of ,levi1 and was descended from its noblest and most prominent family1 that of ,aaron the ,high ,priest1 and was therefore a relative of the ,high ,priests of the ,old ,testament4 ,thus royal and sacerdotal prestige distinguished ,mary's lineage4 ,,practice ,,the ,blessed ,virgin was not proud of her illustrious ancestry1 and not depressed because of the downfall of her family1 but applied herself diligently to adhere to the faith and follow the example of her ancestors4 ,remembering the wicked members of her family1 she learned from them that temporal greatness1 success1 wealth1 and glory are more dangerous to virtue than poverty1 retirement1 and work4 ,let us imitate ,mary's example4 ,even possessed of the most excellent prestiges of the natural order1 of ourselves we are nothing4 ,what hast thou that thou hast not received8 ,and if thou hast received1 why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received8 7#a ,cor4 iv4 #g47 ,therefore do not overestimate yourself2 do not be conceited2 do not strive for praise1 honors1 and high station2 be not boastful or arrogant2 do not presume on your merits2 rather be distrustful of yourself and patiently bear affronts1 neglect1 and humiliations4 ,however poor you may be1 be content with your lot1 remembering the words of the ,apostle3 ,they that will become rich fall into temptation1 and into the snare of the devil1 and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires which draw men into destruction and perdition4 ,for the desire of money is the root of all evils3 which some coveting have erred from the faith1 and have entangled themselves in many sorrows 7#a ,tim4 vi4 #i1 #aj74 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,we ,,hail thee1 ,o ,mary1 heavenly babe1 white dove of purity1 who1 despite the infernal serpent1 was conceived free from the taint of ,adam's sin4 ,with all our hearts we pray thee to vouchsafe in thy goodness to come down again and be born in spirit in our souls1 that1 led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness1 they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,illustration3 ,the ,purification ,,fourth ,,day ,mary1 the ,child of ,pious ,parents ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,tradition tells us that ,mary's parents were called ,joachim and ,anna4 ,the holy ,fathers rival each other in praising the virtue of this holy couple4 ,st4 ,epiphanius writes3 ,joachim and ,anna were pleasing in the sight of ,god because of the holiness of their lives4 ,st4 ,andrew of ,crete remarks3 ,joachim was eminent for the mildness and fortitude of his character4 ,the law of ,god was his rule of life4 ,he was just1 and never relaxed in the fervor of his love of ,god4 ,anna was no less noted for her meekness1 continence1 and chastity4 ,st4 ,jerome relates3 ,the life of this holy couple was simple and just before the ,lord1 edifying and virtuous before men4 ,st4 ,john ,damascene exclaims3 ,o happy1 chaste1 and immaculate couple1 ,joachim and ,ann6 ,you are known1 according to the ,lord's word1 by your fruit4 ,your life was pleasing in the sight of ,god1 and worthy of her who was born of you4 ,,practice ,,it is a great blessing1 and one to be esteemed more highly than wealth and high station1 to have ,god-fearing1 pious parents4 ,for their sake ,god is gracious to the children and lavishes ,his gifts on them4 ,it is certainly a great privilege to be offered up to ,god immediately after birth by the hands of a pious mother4 ,to have1 from childhood up1 the example and guidance of virtuous parents is certainly of the greatest importance4 ,st4 ,chrysostom writes3 ,the parents' example is the book from which the child learns4 ,a pious bishop was wont to say3 ,the good example of the parents is the best catechism and the truest mirror that a family can have4 ,if ,christian parents imitate the example of ,joachim and ,ann the blessing of ,god will rest on them and on their children2 for because her parents were so dear to ,mary1 she will not refuse to join them in their prayers for us4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,we ,,hail thee1 brightest morn1 forerunner of the heavenly ,sun of ,justice1 who didst first bring light to earth4 ,humbly prostrate1 with all our hearts we pray thee to vouchsafe in thy goodness to be born again in spirit in our souls1 that1 led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness1 they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,fifth ,,day ,mary's ,supernatural ,prerogatives ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,mary was the masterpiece of ,god's creation2 her soul was the most perfect ever dwelling in a human body4 ,a pious tradition tells us that she possessed the use of reason much earlier than other children4 ,her intellect was illuminated by supernatural light2 her will was exempt from concupiscence4 ,being preserved from original sin1 she surpassed in holiness1 from the first moment of her existence1 all angels and men4 ,she possessed all virtues in the highest degree1 because of her faithful co-operation with sanctifying grace and with the countless actual graces granted to her4 ,she lived in constant communion with ,god1 undisturbed by evil inclinations from within or temptations from without4 ,,practice ,,through the effects of original sin we have lost the supernatural prerogative of original justice1 and even after receiving sanctifying grace in holy ,baptism we are exposed to many temptations4 ,our life is a constant warfare4 ,we must1 however1 not despair in this struggle1 for if we are true children of ,mary she will come to our aid4 ,in all temptations ,mary is the ,help of ,christians if we have recourse to her4 ,but if we wish her to help us1 we must not expose ourselves unnecessarily to temptation4 ,he that loveth danger shall perish in it 7,ecclus4 iii4 #bg74 ,this sad experience has come to many4 ,let us1 therefore1 avoid the danger and occasion of sin2 and whenever evil approaches us in any shape1 let us call upon ,mary1 and we may rest assured that she will assist us4 ,i shall certainly triumph over my enemies1 exclaims ,st4 ,alphonsus1 if ,i place my trust in thee1 ,o ,mary1 and if thou art my shield and protection against them4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,we ,,hail thee1 ,o chosen one6 who like the untarnished sun didst burst forth into being in the dark night of sin4 ,humbly prostrate at thy feet1 ,o ,mary1 we give thee our homage1 and with all our hearts we pray thee to vouchsafe in thy goodness to be born again in our souls1 that1 led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness1 they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,sixth ,,day ,mary1 the ,joy of the ,most ,holy ,trinity ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,in ,,the child ,mary the eternal ,father beheld ,his unsullied glorious image1 which image had been defaced in all other human beings by original and actual sin4 ,what a joy to ,him to behold this stainless1 immaculate child6 ,and how great must have been the joy of the ,son of ,god at the birth of her who was to be ,his ,mother6 ,from her ,he was to take that sacred body in which ,he was to dwell on earth1 the blood of which ,he was to shed on the cross for our redemption1 and in which ,he was to return to heaven to sit at the right hand of the ,father4 ,he will call her ,mother1 and regard her with all the filial tenderness of a child for his mother4 ,she will love ,him in return with a true mother's affection and devotion4 ,as the ,mother of ,sorrows she will weep over ,his inanimate body taken down from the cross4 ,but like ,himself1 she will leave the tomb1 and reign at ,his side as the queen of heaven4 ,how great1 then1 must have been ,his joy at the birth of this child6 ,the ,holy ,ghost1 too1 rejoiced at ,mary's birth4 ,he infused into her the plenitude of ,his holy love1 for she was destined to become the ,mother of ,god4 ,and how ,mary will love ,god1 from whom she received so many and so great graces1 and whom she is to bear in her arms as her real and true ,son6 ,this1 her divine ,son's love for mankind1 will be imparted also to her4 ,therefore the ,holy ,ghost rejoices at this child1 who received into her heart the fulness of ,his grace1 and shall be the helper of those who have recourse to her4 ,,practice ,,raise your spirit above time and space2 try to contemplate well the mystery of ,mary's predestination4 ,to make us realize the great privileges conferred upon her1 the ,church applies to her the words of ,holy ,scripture1 ,he that shall find me1 shall find life1 and have salvation from the ,lord 7,prov4 viii4 #ce74 ,only when we consider ,mary as the ,mother of ,god1 do we arrive at a right conception of her great dignity4 ,hence ,st4 ,bonaventure exclaims1 ,god might have created a more beautiful world2 ,he might have made heaven more glorious2 but it was impossible for ,him to exalt a creature higher than ,mary in making her ,his ,mother4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,we ,,hail thee1 beauteous moon1 ,o ,mary most holy1 who didst shed light upon a world wrapped in the densest darkness of sin4 ,humbly prostrate at thy feet1 we give thee our homage1 and with all our hearts we pray thee to vouchsafe in thy goodness to be born again in spirit in our souls1 that led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,seventh ,,day ,the ,angels ,rejoice at ,mary's ,birth ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,describing ,god's power and wisdom as shown in creation1 ,holy ,scripture1 according to the explanation of the ,fathers1 introduces ,him as saying1 ,when the morning stars praised me together1 and all the sons of ,god made a joyful melody 7,job xxxviii4 #g71 and by these words intends to convey with what joy the angels praised ,god's omnipotence on beholding the wonders of creation4 ,what1 then1 must have been their joy on beholding this new wonder of divine power and wisdom1 the child ,mary1 destined to be their queen4 ,filled with admiration they exclaimed1 ,who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising1 fair as the moon1 bright as the sun1 terrible as an army set in array8 7,cant4 vi4 #i47 ,and moreover1 if1 as ,our ,lord declares1 the angels rejoice at the conversion of a sinner1 how great must have been their joy at the birth of her who was to be the refuge of sinners and the mother of ,him who was to be the ,redeemer of sinners8 ,again1 the angels rejoiced at ,mary's birth1 because she would fill1 through the salvation of mankind by her divine ,son1 the places made vacant in heaven by the apostate angels4 ,,practice ,,good children rejoice on the birthday of their parents and gratefully remember all the benefits they have received from them4 ,thus should we1 also1 celebrate the nativity of the ,blessed ,virgin by a grateful remembrance of the innumerable graces1 individual and general1 we received through her intercession4 ,in acknowledging ,mary's co-operation with our salvation1 ,holy ,church calls her our mediatrix1 and greets her as the ,cause of our joy1 because1 though we receive grace from ,christ1 it comes to us through her mediation4 ,what cause1 then1 have we not for rejoicing at her birth6 ,again1 greeting ,mary as the cause of our joy1 let us remember the protection she extended to the ,church in times of adversity and persecution2 let us1 furthermore1 remember all the graces which1 according to the holy ,fathers1 are dispensed to us by ,mary's hands4 ,of her plenitude1 says ,st4 ,bonaventure1 we have all received2 the captive liberty1 the sick health1 the sad consolation1 the sinner pardon1 the just grace4 ,therefore the ,church invokes ,mary as the mother of mercy1 the health of the sick1 the comforter of the afflicted1 the refuge of sinners1 the help of ,christians1 in a word1 as the cause of our joy4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,we ,,hail thee1 fair soul of ,mary1 who from all eternity wast ,god's1 and ,god's alone2 sanctuary and living temple of the ,holy ,ghost2 sun without blemish1 because free from original sin4 ,with all our hearts we pray to thee1 ,o ,mary1 to vouchsafe in thy goodness to be born again in spirit in our souls1 that1 led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness1 they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,eighth ,,day ,the ,joy of the ,just in ,limbo at ,mary's ,birth ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,for four thousand years the just in limbo sighed for redemption1 and sent up to ,heaven the plaintive cry1 ,o that ,thou wouldst rend the heavens1 and wouldst come down6 7,is4 xiv4 #a47 ,drop down dew1 ye heavens1 from above1 and let the clouds rain the just2 let the earth be opened and bud forth a ,saviour 7,is4 xlv4 #h74 ,what joy must have filled the souls of the just when they heard the welcome tidings of the birth of ,mary1 the virgin ,mother of the promised ,messias2 how great their consolation at the rising of that dawn which preceded the ,sun of ,justice1 whose splendor was to illuminate the darkness of them that sat in the shadow of death6 ,,practice ,a ,,joy similar to that which filled the captive souls in limbo at ,mary's birth now fills the souls in purgatory when we implore her to come to their relief4 ,contemplating the immense love of the ,most ,holy ,trinity for ,mary1 we may not doubt but that1 by her intercession1 she might at once deliver all the suffering souls from their prison1 if such were in accordance with ,god's will4 ,but ,god's wisdom and providence have decreed otherwise4 ,therefore ,mary does not pray for the release of all souls in purgatory1 but recommends them1 in conformity with ,god's will1 to ,his mercy4 ,st4 ,bernardine of ,sienna applies to ,mary the words of ,holy ,scripture1 ,i have penetrated into the bottom of the deep and have walked in the waves of the sea 7,ecclus4 xxiv4 #h71 and says3 ,she descends into that sea of suffering and soothes the pains of the poor souls4 ,st4 ,denis the ,carthusian remarks1 that when the name of ,mary is mentioned in purgatory1 the souls there imprisoned experience the same relief as when a sick person hears words of consolation on his bed of pain4 ,therefore let us entrust our prayers for the souls in purgatory to ,mary4 ,she will present our petitions to ,god1 and thus presented1 ,he will speedily hear and graciously grant them4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,we ,,hail thee1 strong child1 who didst put to flight all hell and the powers of darkness4 ,we give thee our homage1 and with all our hearts we pray thee to vouchsafe in thy goodness to be born again in spirit in our souls1 that1 led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness1 they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,ninth ,,day ,the ,holy ,name of ,mary ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,meditation ,,st4 ,,alphonsus writes of the name of ,mary3 ,this name was neither invented on earth1 nor imposed by human agency4 ,it came from heaven and was given to the ,mother of ,god by divine command4 ,just as it is a peculiar glory of our ,saviour's name1 that ,god hath given ,him a name which is above all names1 that in the name of ,jesus every knee should bow of those that are in heaven1 on earth1 and under the earth 7,philipp4 ii4 #i71 thus it also behooves that ,mary1 the most perfect1 the most pure1 and most exalted of all created beings1 should receive a most holy1 lovely1 and powerful name4 ,st4 ,methodius declares that the name of ,mary is so rich in grace and blessing1 that no one can pronounce it devoutly without at the same time receiving a spiritual favor4 ,bl4 ,jordan exclaims3 ,let a heart be ever so obdurate1 let a man even despair of ,god's mercy1 if he have recourse to thee1 ,o ,mary1 virgin most clement1 he can not fail to be softened and filled with confidence if he invokes thy name2 for thou wilt inspire him with hope in ,god's mercy1 pardon1 and grace4 ,,practice ,,it ,,is1 then1 meet and just that we should devoutly honor and praise the name of ,mary4 ,let us never mention it except in reverence and devotion4 ,let us invoke ,mary by it in all dangers of body and soul1 mindful of the words of ,st4 ,bernard3 ,o sinner1 when the floods and tempests of this earthly life overwhelm thee so that thou canst not firmly set thy foot1 turn not away thy gaze from the light of this guiding star4 ,when the storms of temptation assail thee1 and the rocks and quicksands of vexation and trial threaten to shatter thy bark of hope1 look up to that bright star in the heavens1 and call on the name of ,mary4 ,when the billows of pride and of ambition1 when the floods of calumny are about to submerge thee1 look up to this star and call on the name of ,mary4 ,when anger1 avarice1 and concupiscence convulse the peace of thy soul1 look up to this star and call on ,mary4 ,when thy sins rise up like hideous monsters before thy troubled vision1 when thy conscience stings thee1 when the terrors of future judgment fill thee with deadly anguish1 when gloom and sadness overpower thee1 when thou findest thyself on the brink of hellish despair1 take courage2 think of ,mary1 and thou wilt find from thy own inward experience how true are the sayings of those who tell thee that the name of the ,blessed ,virgin is ',star of the ,sea1' the name of the ,virgin is ,mary4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,we ,,hail thee1 beloved child ,mary1 adorned with every virtue1 immeasurably above all the saints1 and therefore worthy ,mother of the ,saviour of the world1 who by the operation of the ,holy ,ghost didst bring forth the incarnate ,word4 ,we give thee our homage1 and with all our hearts we pray thee to vouchsafe in thy goodness to be born again in our souls1 that1 led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness1 they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the ,novena74 ,,iii ,novena for the ,feast of the ,annunciation of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary ,,first ,,day ,the ,annunciation ,,preparatory ,,prayer ,,my ,,queen1 my ,mother1 remember ,i am thine own4 ,keep me1 guard me1 as thy property and possession6 ,indulgence4 #dj days1 every time4 7,pius ,,ix1 ,august #e1 #ahea47 ,,meditation ,,at ,,nazareth1 a mountain village in ,judea1 lived poor and in obscurity ,mary1 the virgin selected by ,god to become the ,mother of ,his ,son4 ,on ,march #beth she was in prayer in her chamber1 and perhaps sent up to heaven the yearning petition1 ,drop down dew1 ye heavens1 from above1 and let the clouds rain the just2 let the earth be opened and bud a ,saviour 7,is4 xlv4 #h74 ,behold1 suddenly the chamber is suffused by a heavenly light4 ,the archangel ,gabriel stands reverently before her and says1 ,hail1 full of grace1 the ,lord is with thee4 ,blessed art thou among women4 ,and when ,mary heard the angel's words1 she was troubled at his saying1 and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be 7,luke i4 #bh1 #bi74 ,,practice ,,the angel's salutation comprises two titles of ineffable greatness4 ,mary is called full of grace1 because of her innocence and purity2 she is called blessed among women1 because she is the elect ,mother of ,god4 ,never before was a human being thus greeted4 ,it was ,god ,himself who sent the message to ,mary4 ,a good angel now repaired the harm once done by a bad angel4 ,for ,lucifer1 the fallen angel1 seduced ,eve to sin and thereby caused the ruin of the whole human race2 now another angel1 ,gabriel1 was sent to announce the glad tidings to ,mary1 that she was to conceive the ,redeemer from sin1 who was to accomplish the salvation of mankind4 ,mary was troubled at the angel's words1 and reflected on the meaning of the message4 ,st4 ,ambrose writes3 ,mary was troubled1 not because the angel was a heavenly spirit1 but because he appeared to her in the form of a youth4 ,still more was she troubled at the praises spoken to her4 ,she was innocent and humble1 and therefore reflected on the meaning of the message4 ,she had always considered herself as a poor and unknown virgin2 she deemed herself unworthy of ,god's grace2 therefore she was troubled at the salutation4 ,in that decisive moment she was and remained our model4 ,illustration3 ,the ,flight into ,egypt ,,prayer ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,pour forth1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 ,thy grace into our hearts1 that we unto whom the ,incarnation of ,christ ,thy ,son was made known by the message of an angel1 may1 by ,his passion and cross1 be brought to the glory of the resurrection4 ,through the same ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,with wonder ,i revere thee1 holiest ,virgin ,mary2 for of all ,god's creatures thou wast the humblest on the very day of thy annunciation1 when ,god ,himself exalted ,thee to the sublime dignity of ,his own ,mother4 ,o mightiest ,virgin1 make me1 wretched sinner that ,i am1 know the depths of my own nothingness1 and make me humble myself at last with all my heart1 beneath the feet of all men4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation ,virgin ,mary1 ,mother of ,god1 pray to ,jesus for me6 ,indulgence4 #ej days1 once a day4 7,leo ,,xiii1 ,march #bj1 #ahid47 ,,second ,,day ,the ,import of the ,angel's ,salutation ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,hail1 full of grace6 ,mary was greeted as full of grace by the ,giver of grace ,himself4 ,the angel's salutation meant3 ,the grace of ,god has preserved thee from all sin4 ,neither the stain of original sin1 nor the guilt of actual sin1 ever obscured the mirror of thy soul4 ,by the special favor of ,god the most sublime virtues were infused into thy soul4 ,the ,lord is with thee4 ,from all eternity the ,lord was with ,mary4 ,he was with her not only as ,he is with ,his whole creation1 but ,he was with her in a special manner4 ,the eternal ,father was with her from all eternity as with ,his beloved ,daughter4 ,the divine ,son was with her from all eternity as with ,his chosen ,mother4 ,the ,holy ,ghost was with her from all eternity as with ,his beloved ,spouse4 ,this intimate union never was disrupted4 ,therefore ,mary is ,blessed among women1 and ever was1 and ever shall be the beloved of the ,lord4 ,,practice ,,consider how ,mary receives the angel's message4 ,she is troubled1 she is disturbed at the praise1 at the reverence of the angel4 ,what an example of humility6 ,let us imitate her in this virtue by the acknowledgment before ,god of our weakness1 our unworthiness1 our nothingness1 and by ordering our whole being accordingly4 ,humility renders us pleasing in the sight of ,god and makes us susceptible of ,his grace4 ,hence ,st4 ,augustine writes3 ,god resists the proud and gives ,his grace to the humble4 ,what a terrible punishment for the proud1 what a splendid reward for the humble6 ,the proud man resembles a rock1 the humble man a beautiful valley4 ,the grace of ,god descends from heaven like a gentle rain4 ,it can not penetrate the rock of pride1 and hence the proud man loses ,god's grace and love4 ,but in the valley of humility the waters of divine grace can diffuse themselves and fructify the soul of the humble man1 so that it may bring forth fruit unto eternal life4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,o ,,mary1 holiest ,virgin1 who1 when the archangel ,gabriel hailed thee in thy annunciation1 and thou wast raised by ,god above all choirs of the angels1 didst confess thyself the handmaid of the ,lord2 do thou obtain for me true humility and a truly angelic purity1 and so to live on earth as ever to be worthy of the blessings of ,god4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,third ,,day ,the ,effect of the ,angel's ,salutation ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,the effect of the angel's salutation on ,mary was striking4 ,imbued with sentiments quite different from ours1 she was troubled at the praise addressed to her4 ,meanwhile she is silent and considers within herself what might be the meaning of these words4 ,and now the angel calls her by name1 saying1 ,fear not1 ,mary1 for thou hast found grace with ,god4 ,behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb1 and shalt bring forth a son1 and thou shalt call ,his name ,jesus4 ,he shall be great1 and shall be called the ,son of the ,most ,high1 and the ,lord ,god shall give unto ,him the throne of ,david ,his father3 and ,he shall reign in the house of ,jacob for ever1 and of ,his kingdom there shall be no end 7,luke i4 #cj-cc74 ,,practice ,,let us admire the prudence shining forth in ,mary4 ,after hearing the angel's words of praise she was silent and thought within herself what kind of a salutation this was4 ,she is very careful and prudent4 ,on this her conduct ,st4 ,thomas ,aquinas remarks3 ,mary did not refuse to believe1 nor did she receive the message with credulity4 ,she avoided ,eve's gullibility and the distrust of ,zachary the high priest4 ,and ,st4 ,bernard writes3 ,mary preferred to remain silent in humility1 rather than to speak inconsiderately4 ,let us strive always to speak and act with deliberation4 ,our conversation ought always to be judicious2 for often a word spoken inconsiderately causes bitter regret4 ,st4 ,thomas ,aquinas observes3 ,song was given to a number of creatures1 but human beings alone were endowed with the faculty of speech1 to indicate that in speaking we should use our reason4 ,and ,st4 ,chrysostom says3 ,let us always guard our tongue2 not that it should always be silent1 but that it should speak at the proper time4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,i ,,rejoice with thee1 ,o ,virgin ever blessed1 because by thy humble word of consent thou didst draw down from the bosom of the eternal ,father the divine ,word into thy own pure bosom4 ,o draw1 then1 ever my heart to ,god2 and with ,god bring grace into my heart that ,i may ever sincerely bless thy word of consent1 so mighty and so efficacious4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,fourth ,,day ,mary's ,question ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,well versed as ,mary was in ,holy ,scripture1 she fully understood the words she had heard and knew their great import4 ,she was destined to become the ,mother of the ,most ,high1 the ,son of ,god4 ,but there is an obstacle which prevents her from giving immediate assent4 ,she has solemnly vowed her virginity to ,god4 ,not knowing how the mystery announced to her was to be accomplished1 and intent above all on keeping inviolate her vow1 she interrupts her silence by the short but comprehensive question1 ,how shall this be done1 because ,i know not man8 7,luke i4 #cd47 ,this is the first word of ,mary recorded in the ,gospel4 ,,practice ,,how shall this be done1 because ,i know not man8 ,truly a momentous question1 proceeding from her knowledge of the great excellence and value before ,god of virginity1 which1 before ,mary1 was unknown to the world4 ,let us follow ,mary's example and esteem holy purity and chastity above all things4 ,let us remember how highly ,holy ,scripture extols this virtue4 ,o how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory2 for the memory thereof is immortal1 because it is known both with ,god and with men 7,wis4 iv4 #a74 ,st4 ,athanasius writes3 ,o chastity1 thou precious pearl1 found by few1 even hated by some1 and sought only by those who are worthy of thee6 ,thou art the joy of the prophets1 the ornament of the apostles1 the life of the angels1 the crown of the saints4 ,let us therefore carefully guard this inestimable treasure4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,mary1 mighty ,virgin1 thou who on the day of thy annunciation wast found by the archangel so prompt and ready to do ,god's will1 and to correspond with the desires of the august ,trinity1 who wished for thy consent in order to redeem the world2 obtain for me that1 whatever happens1 good or ill1 ,i may turn to my ,god1 and with resignation say1 ,be it done unto me according to thy word4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,fifth ,,day ,the ,solution ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,the angel explains to ,mary how1 without detriment to her virginity1 she will become a mother4 ,he says1 ,the ,holy ,ghost shall come upon thee1 and the power of the ,most ,high shall overshadow thee4 ,and therefore also the ,holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the ,son of ,god 7,luke i4 #ce74 ,st4 ,bernard remarks3 ,let him who can1 comprehend it4 ,who1 but that most happy ,virgin who was worthy to experience the influence and effect of the power of the ,most ,high and to penetrate this sublime mystery1 can understand how the divine ,light was poured into the ,virgin's womb8 ,the ,most ,holy ,trinity alone co-operated in the sacred act1 and it remains an impenetrable mystery to all1 except to her who was called to so sublime a destiny4 ,,practice ,,mary did not entertain a single doubt concerning the wonders which the angel announced to her about the coming ,messias and ,his kingdom4 ,she believed with simple faith the words of the heavenly messenger4 ,only about that which concerned her personally she asked a question4 ,when the wonderful mystery was explained to her1 she did not ask how this can be done1 but only how it shall be done4 ,and after the angel had declared to her that she shall conceive by the ,holy ,ghost1 she was fully resigned and announced her implicit belief in these humble words3 ,behold the handmaid of the ,lord2 be it done to me according to thy word 7,luke i4 #ch74 ,therefore the ,holy ,ghost ,himself praised her by the mouth of ,elizabeth3 ,blessed art thou that hast believed 7,luke i4 #de74 ,let us remain steadfast in the profession of all articles of faith1 and let us oppose1 like a strong shield1 the words1 ,nothing is impossible with ,god1 to all attacks of unbelievers1 and to all doubts that may arise in our own minds4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,mary most holy1 ,i see that thy obedience united thee so closely to ,god1 that all creation never shall know again union so fair and so perfect4 ,i am overwhelmed with confusion in seeing how my sins have separated me from ,god4 ,help me1 then1 gentle ,mother1 to repent sincerely of my sins1 that ,i may be reunited to thy loving ,jesus4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,sixth ,,day ,mary's ,consent ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,we ,,admire the creative word of ,god1 by which heaven and earth were called into existence4 ,but ,mary's word1 ,be it done to me according to thy word1 is even mightier and more efficacious2 for it commands the obedience even of the almighty ,creator4 ,without this word of humility and obedience the incarnation of our divine ,saviour would not have been accomplished4 ,mary does not say1 ,i accept the proposal1 ,i agree to the proposition1 nor does she use other words of similar import4 ,she simply says1 ,be it done to me according to thy word4 ,it was not her own choice1 nor her own decision1 but a voluntary1 full1 and complete surrender to the will of ,god that the message found in ,mary's soul1 which was expressed in these words4 ,what a source of consolation to her in the subsequent sorrowful and afflicted stages of her life was this complete surrender to ,god's will6 ,it comprised the tranquilizing assurance that ,he to whose designs she submitted1 would endow her with the fortitude and strength necessary to co-operate with them4 ,,practice ,,just as our divine ,lord ,himself became obedient unto death1 thus also ,his incarnation and the motherhood of ,mary were the result of obedience4 ,again1 in contemplating the works that in the course of time were undertaken in the ,church for the glory of ,god and the salvation of man1 we find that only those were really great1 effective1 and enduring1 which had their beginning1 continuation1 and consummation in obedience4 ,rejoice1 then1 if it is your happy lot to walk in the safe path of obedience4 ,avail yourself of every opportunity to submit your will to the will of your ,superiors4 ,they are the representatives of ,god4 ,by obeying them we fulfil ,his will1 not the will of men4 ,st4 ,bonaventure calls obedience the key of heaven4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,holiest ,mary1 if through thy modesty thou wert troubled at the appearance of the archangel ,gabriel in thy dwelling1 ,i am terrified at the sight of my monstrous pride4 ,by thy incomparable humility1 which brought forth ,god for men1 reopened paradise and let the captive souls go free from their prison1 draw me1 ,i pray thee1 out of the deep pit into which my sins have cast me1 and make me save my soul4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,seventh ,,day ,mary's ,fortitude in ,suffering ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,although ,mary's consent was free1 and freely given1 she was clearly convinced and perfectly conscious of the responsibility1 the obligations1 and the duties involved by that consent1 and which she now assumed4 ,great are the duties and tearful the days of a mother who has to raise her ,son1 who is also ,god1 to be sacrificed on the cross4 ,mary assumes with the dignity this responsibility4 ,she consents to conceive the ,son of ,god1 to give birth to ,him1 to nourish ,him1 to educate ,him for the ignominious death of the cross4 ,when she pronounced the words1 ,be it done1 her eyes were fixed on the distant tragedy of ,golgotha1 on the cross towering upon its height4 ,yet she accepts it1 together with the dignity of ,mother of ,god4 ,,practice ,,mary1 in consenting to become the ,mother of ,jesus1 became not only ,his ,mother1 but the ,mother of all mankind4 ,she became1 for all time1 the refuge of sinners1 the health of the sick1 the intercessor with ,god for man2 she consented to exercise a mother's love for suffering and sinful humanity4 ,but alas1 how many of those adopted by ,mary as her children under the cross of her dying ,son are unworthy of her mother love6 ,how many are rebellious children1 who fill her heart with sorrow and anguish6 ,others1 faithless and obdurate1 become a reproach to her4 ,have you1 during your past life1 always been a good child of this loving ,mother8 ,are you to her an honor or a disgrace1 a joy or a sorrow8 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,though my tongue is unhallowed1 yet1 purest ,virgin1 ,i presume to hail thee every day with the angel's salutation1 ,hail ,mary1 full of grace6 ,from my heart1 ,i pray thee1 pour into my soul a little of that mighty grace wherewith the ,holy ,spirit1 overshadowing thee1 filled thee to the full4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,eighth ,,day ,mary1 the ,mother of ,god ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,mary',s true greatness consists in her having been chosen the ,mother of ,god4 ,this sublime dignity1 pre-eminently her own and shared by no other creature1 elevates her to a station inconceivably exalted4 ,mother of ,god6 ,st4 ,peter ,damian thus gives expression to his conception of this dignity3 ,in what words may mortal man be permitted to pronounce the praises of her who brought forth that divine ,word who lives for all eternity8 ,where can a tongue be found holy and pure enough to eulogize her who bore the author of all created things1 whom the elements praise and obey in fear and trembling8 ,when we essay to extol a martyr's constancy1 to recount his heroic acts of virtue1 to describe his devotion to his ,saviour's cause and honor1 we are supplied with words by facts and occurrences that belong to the province of human experience4 ,but when we undertake to describe the glories of the ,blessed ,virgin1 we are on unknown ground1 on a subject transcending all human effort4 ,we fail to find words suitable to portray her sublime prerogatives1 privileges1 and mysteries4 ,,practice ,,st4 ,,anselm1 writing on the motherhood of ,mary1 says3 ,it was eminently just and proper that the creature chosen to be the ,mother of ,god should shine with a luster of purity far beyond anything conceivable in any other creature under heaven4 ,for it was to her that the eternal ,father decreed to give ,his only-begotten ,son1 whom ,he loves as ,himself2 and to give ,him in such a mysterious manner that ,he should be at the same time the ,son of ,god and the ,son of the ,virgin ,mary4 ,she must indeed be purity itself1 whom the ,son of ,god elected as ,his ,mother1 and who was the chosen ,spouse of the ,holy ,ghost1 to be overshadowed by ,him to bring forth the ,second ,person of that ,most ,blessed ,trinity from whom ,he ,himself proceeds4 ,let us honor the virgin ,mother with filial devotion1 gratefully greeting her often in the words of the angel1 ,hail ,mary1 full of grace6 ,let us remember that ,god alone is above ,mary1 and beneath her is all that is not ,god4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,i ,,believe1 holiest ,mary1 that almighty ,god was ever with thee from thy conception1 and is1 by ,his incarnation1 still more closely united to thee4 ,make it thy care1 ,i pray thee1 that ,i may be with that same ,lord ,jesus ever one heart and soul by means of sanctifying grace4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,ninth ,,day ,mary1 ,our ,mother ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,mary could not consent to become the ,mother of the ,redeemer without including in her consent those to be redeemed4 ,she bore one man1 says ,st4 ,antonine1 and thereby has borne all men again4 ,beneath the cross of her divine ,son she has reborne us to life with great pain1 just as ,eve our first mother1 has borne us under the tree of forbidden fruit unto death4 ,that there be no doubt concerning it1 her divine ,son made this declaration in ,his last will4 ,when therefore ,jesus had seen ,his ,mother and the disciple standing whom ,he loved1 ,he saith to ,his ,mother1 ,woman1 behold thy son4 ,after that ,he saith to the disciple1 ,behold thy ,mother 7,john xix4 #bf #bg74 ,she gave up her ,son for the redemption of mankind1 and ,he gave us1 in the person of ,his beloved disciple ,st4 ,john1 to her as her children1 declaring her our ,mother4 ,from that moment we belong to ,mary1 and ,mary belongs to us3 ,behold thy ,mother6 ,illustration3 ,the rest in ,egypt ,,practice ,,mary loves us because she loves ,god1 and because ,god loves us4 ,she loves us as her brethren who share human nature with her4 ,she loves us as her children1 whom she has borne to eternal life4 ,she loves us because we are miserable and helpless4 ,true1 we offended her divine ,son1 but she knows our frailty1 our blindness1 the assaults of the flesh and the devil to which we are exposed2 and by all this she is moved to come to our aid4 ,do not1 however1 imagine that this good and amiable ,mother will hear your call for assistance if you continue to offend her divine ,son with malice prepense4 ,to obtain her aid you must make yourself in a manner worthy of it4 ,this you do by striving to imitate her virtues4 ,or is there anything in her example that we are unable to imitate8 ,true1 we can not attain to her perfection in virtue1 but we can copy it to a certain degree4 ,to follow ,mary's example there is no need of performing miracles1 of having ecstasies1 or of doing any other extraordinary deeds4 ,all that is necessary is to persevere faithfully in the ordinary duties of life1 and to perform them to the best of our ability4 ,behold thy ,mother6 ,these words of our dying ,lord were addressed to the beloved disciple ,st4 ,john1 but were intended for all mankind4 ,even as ,mary never ceases to be the ,mother of ,god1 she never will cease to be our ,mother4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,o ,,holiest ,mary1 bless me1 my heart and my soul1 as thou thyself wast ever blessed of ,god among all women2 for ,i have this sure hope1 dear ,mother1 that if thou bless me while ,i live1 then1 when ,i die1 ,i shall be blessed of ,god in the everlasting glory of heaven4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,iv ,novena in ,honor of the ,seven ,sorrows of ,mary ,,note4--,besides the indulgences granted for every novena in honor of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary by ,pius ,,ix1 ,pope ,leo ,,xiii1 ,january #bg1 #ahhh1 granted that all the faithful may gain1 on the third ,sunday in ,september1 being the second feast of the ,seven ,sorrows of ,mary 7the other is observed on the ,friday before ,palm ,sunday71 a plenary indulgence as often as they visit1 after confession and communion1 a church where the ,archconfraternity of the ,seven ,sorrows is canonically established1 and pray there for the intentions of the ,holy ,father4 ,this indulgence is applicable to the souls in purgatory4 ,,first ,,day ,devotion to the ,seven ,sorrows of ,mary ,,preparatory ,,prayer ,,bid me bear1 ,o ,mother blessed1 ,on my heart the wounds impressed ,suffered by the ,crucified6 ,indulgence4 #cjj days1 once a day4 ,a plenary indulgence1 on any one day1 in each month1 to those who shall have practised this devotion for a month1 saying besides seven ,hail ,marys1 followed each time by the above invocation4 ,conditions3 ,confession1 communion1 and prayer for the intentions of the ,pope4 7,pius ,,ix1 ,june #ah1 #ahgf47 ,,meditation ,,from the dolorous way of ,our ,lord's passion ,holy ,church selected fourteen incidents to place before us for consideration1 which are called the ,stations of the ,cross4 ,in the same manner the pious devotion of the faithful selected seven events in the life of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 and gives itself to their religious contemplation4 ,they are3 7#a7 ,simeon's prophecy in the ,temple2 7#b7 the flight into ,egypt with the divine ,child2 7#c7 the loss of the divine ,child at ,jerusalem2 7#d7 ,mary's meeting with her ,son bearing the cross2 7#e7 ,mary beneath the cross2 7#f7 ,mary receives the body of her ,son from the cross2 7#g7 the placing of ,jesus' body in the tomb4 ,,practice ,,forget not the sorrows of thy mother 7,ecclus4 vii4 #bi74 ,according to this exhortation of ,holy ,scripture it is our duty to remember and meditate often on the sorrows of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary4 ,we ought never to forget that our sins were the cause of the sufferings and death of ,jesus1 and therefore also of the sorrows of ,mary4 ,holy ,church celebrates two feasts in honor of the sorrows of ,mary2 she approved of the ,rosary and of many other devotions in honor of the ,seven ,dolors1 and enriched them with numerous indulgences4 ,let us practise these devotions to enkindle in our hearts a true and ardent love for our sorrowful ,mother4 ,,prayer ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,grant1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that the most blessed ,virgin ,mary1 ,thy ,mother1 may intercede for us before the throne of ,thy mercy1 now and at the hour of our death1 through whose most holy soul1 in the hour of ,thine own passion1 the sword of sorrow passed4 ,through ,thee1 ,jesus ,christ1 ,saviour of the world1 who livest and reignest with the ,father and the ,holy ,ghost1 for ever and ever4 ,amen4 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,ever glorious ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 queen of martyrs1 mother of mercy1 hope1 and comfort of dejected and desolate souls1 through the sorrows that pierced thy tender heart ,i beseech thee take pity on my poverty and necessities1 have compassion on my anxieties and miseries4 ,i ask it through the mercy of thy divine ,son2 ,i ask it through ,his immaculate life1 bitter passion1 and ignominious death on the cross4 ,as ,i am persuaded that ,he honors thee as ,his beloved ,mother1 to whom ,he refuses nothing1 let me experience the efficacy of thy powerful intercession1 according to the tenderness of thy maternal affection1 now and at the hour of my death4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation ,mother of ,sorrows1 queen of martyrs1 pray for us6 ,,second ,,day ,mary's ,first ,sorrow3 ,simeon's ,prophecy in the ,temple ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,forty days after the birth of our divine ,saviour1 ,mary ,his ,mother fulfilled the law of ,moses by offering ,him to ,his divine ,father in the ,temple4 ,and behold there was a man in ,jerusalem named ,simeon1 and this man was just and devout1 waiting for the consolation of ,israel1 and the ,holy ,ghost was in ,him4 ,and he received an answer from the ,holy ,ghost1 that he should not see death before he had seen the ,christ of the ,lord4 ,and he came by the ,spirit into the temple4 ,and when ,his parents brought in the child ,jesus1 to do for ,him according to the custom of the law1 he also took ,him into his arms1 and blessed ,god1 and said3 ,now dost ,thou dismiss ,thy servant1 ,o ,lord1 according to ,thy word1 in peace2 because my eyes have seen ,thy salvation1 which ,thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples4 ,a light to the revelation of the gentiles and the glory of ,thy people ,israel4 ,and ,his father and mother were wondering at these things which were spoken concerning ,him4 ,and ,simeon blessed them1 and said to ,mary ,his ,mother3 ,behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in ,israel1 and for a sign which shall be contradicted2 and thy own soul a sword shall pierce1 that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed 7,luke ii4 #be-ce74 ,,practice ,,mary was familiar with the predictions of the prophets and knew that ignominy1 sorrow1 and suffering would be her divine ,son's portion throughout ,his earthly career4 ,but to have this secret of her anxious soul thus publicly and solemnly declared by ,simeon1 was a sharp thrust of that seven-edged sword which was to pierce her loving heart4 ,in spirit she viewed that boundless1 surging sea of trials1 pain1 and death on which her ,son was to be tossed about1 and was willing to be engulfed in its bitter waters4 ,her affliction would have scarcely been greater had the death sentence of her divine ,son been pronounced then and there and put into execution4 ,what a sorrow1 what an affliction1 what a trial for such a tender ,mother6 ,well might she exclaim with the ,royal ,prophet3 ,my life is wasted with grief1 and my years in sighs 7,ps4 xxx4 #aa74 ,let us often contemplate this sorrow1 and excite our hearts to a tender compassion with the ,mother of ,sorrows4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,i ,,compassionate thee1 sorrowing ,mary1 in the grief thy tender heart underwent when the holy old man ,simeon prophesied to thee4 ,dear ,mother1 by thy heart then so afflicted1 obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of ,god4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,third ,,day ,mary's ,second ,sorrow3 ,the ,flight into ,egypt ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,for the second time the sword of sorrow pierced ,mary's heart when she was commanded to fly into ,egypt with her divine ,child4 ,without manifesting undue perplexity or discontent1 she hastily gathered a few necessaries for the journey1 while ,st4 ,joseph saddled the beast of burden4 ,then taking the infant ,jesus into her arms and pressing ,him to her throbbing heart1 the holy pilgrims set forth into the cold1 starry night1 away to a foreign land1 through the trackless desert1 and into a heathen country4 ,arrived in ,egypt1 the experience of ,bethlehem was renewed2 no one gave them shelter4 ,,practice ,,during this second great sorrow1 what was ,mary's behavior8 ,she was content to fulfil the will of ,god2 she did not ask for reasons1 or complain of the fatigues of the journey1 but preserved her peace of heart amid all the trials of this severe probation4 ,she is poor1 but her poverty does not render her unhappy or querulous4 ,if ,god sends us trials1 we ought not murmur or complain4 ,following the example of ,mary1 let us bear them submissively4 ,if we suffer patiently with ,mary on earth1 we shall enjoy eternal bliss with her in heaven4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,i ,,compassionate thee1 sorrowing ,mary1 for the anxiety which thy most tender heart underwent during thy flight into ,egypt and thy sojourn there4 ,dear ,mother1 by thy heart then so sorrowful1 obtain for me the virtue of liberality1 especially toward the poor1 and the gift of piety4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,fourth ,,day ,mary's ,third ,sorrow3 ,jesus ,lost in ,jerusalem ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,who can describe ,mary's sorrow when1 returning from ,jerusalem1 she missed her divine ,son8 ,with ,st4 ,joseph she retraced her steps in anxious search of ,him whom her soul loved4 ,she went to all her relatives and acquaintances in ,jerusalem1 but heard no tidings of her lost ,child4 ,she passed three long days of anxiety in her search1 and this constitutes her third sorrow4 ,of it1 ,origen writes3 ,on account of the ineffable love of ,mary for her divine ,son1 she suffered more by ,his loss than the martyrs suffered amid the most cruel tortures4 ,,practice ,,in ,,meditating on this sorrow of ,mary1 we ought to remember how indifferent so many ,christians are after having lost ,god by sin4 ,they feel no compunction1 no sorrow at having offended ,him1 and yet they can weep at the loss of a trifle2 they shed copious tears when their will is crossed1 or when they receive a deserved reprimand2 but for the loss of their ,god they have not a tear4 ,they have lost ,him1 perhaps years ago1 and never make the least effort to find ,him4 ,pray to the sorrowful ,mother that she preserve you from such a deplorable fate6 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,i ,,compassionate thee1 sorrowing ,mary1 for the terrors felt by thy anxious heart when thou didst lose thy dear ,son1 ,jesus4 ,dear ,mother1 by thy heart1 then so agitated1 obtain for me the virtue of chastity1 and with it the gift of knowledge4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,fifth ,,day ,mary's ,fourth ,sorrow3 ,she ,meets ,jesus ,carrying ,his ,cross ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,the time was at hand when mankind's redemption was to be accomplished4 ,already the divine ,victim of our sins is bearing the instrument of our salvation4 ,torn by the cruel scourging1 crowned with thorns1 and covered with blood ,he proceeds on ,his way to ,calvary1 and in this pitiful condition meets ,his blessed ,mother4 ,what a spectacle1 what a sight for a ,mother such as ,mary6 ,anxious to look upon her1 and with one fond glance to thank her for her heroic1 unselfish love1 ,he made an effort to change ,his bowed position beneath the cross1 feebly raised ,his head1 and directed toward her one loving glance of ineffable anguish1 mingled with grateful recognition and humble resignation4 ,then the sad procession moves on1 ,mary following her divine ,son on ,his way to death4 ,,practice ,,we1 ,,by our sins1 placed into the hands of the ,jews and executioners the weapons by which ,jesus suffered1 and thus we thrust the sword of sorrow into ,mary's heart4 ,we repeat this1 in a certain sense1 as often as we commit a grievous sin1 because we thereby number ourselves among those whom the ,apostle describes as crucifying again to themselves the ,son of ,god1 and making ,him a mockery 7,heb4 vi4 #f74 ,cardinal ,hugo writes3 ,sinners crucify1 as far as is in them1 ,christ our ,lord1 because they repeat the cause of ,his crucifixion4 ,doing this1 we thrust anew the sword of sorrow into ,mary's heart4 ,let this consideration fill us with hatred for and fear of sin4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,i ,,compassionate thee1 sorrowing ,mary1 for the shock thy mother heart experienced when ,jesus met thee as ,he carried ,his cross4 ,dear ,mother1 by that heart of thine1 then so afflicted1 obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,sixth ,,day ,mary's ,fifth ,sorrow3 ,beneath the ,cross ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,at ,,the crucifixion of ,jesus the soul of ,mary was plunged into a sea of sorrow when she stood three hours under the cross4 ,writhing in excruciating pain1 the ,son of ,god hung upon the tree of disgrace and infamy1 yet ,mary continued to stand at its foot1 tearful1 grieving1 yet persevering1 filled with anguish because she could do nothing to help ,him4 ,another great sorrow befell the heart of ,mary when she slowly withdrew her tearful gaze from the face of ,jesus1 and cast her weeping eyes upon the cold and indifferent world that lay in darkness around and about ,calvary4 ,and yet1 ,when ,jesus therefore had seen ,his ,mother and the disciple standing whom ,he loved1 ,he saith to ,his ,mother1 ,woman1 behold ,thy son4 ,after that ,he saith to the disciple1 ,behold thy ,mother 7,john xix4 #bf1 #bg74 ,,practice ,,these words1 ,behold thy son1 behold thy ,mother1 contain and express the mystery of unbounded love1 which ,jesus has for all mankind1 but more especially for the ,church which is appointed and authorized to lead men to salvation4 ,o blessed1 ,o happy bequest6 ,it was not enough for the love of ,jesus to have restored heaven to us by ,his atoning death2 ,he wished also to give us ,his dearest ,mother4 ,and she has always shown herself as such4 ,to each of us individually she was and is a kind and loving ,mother4 ,give thanks to her1 bless and praise her for having adopted you as her child1 and strive to become worthy of so great a privilege4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,i ,,compassionate thee1 sorrowing ,mary1 for the martyrdom thy generous heart bore so nobly whilst thou didst stand by ,jesus agonizing4 ,dear ,mother1 by thy heart then so cruelly martyred1 obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,seventh ,,day ,mary's ,sixth ,sorrow3 ,the ,taking ,down of ,jesus' ,body from the ,cross ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,who can describe the sorrow and anguish of ,mary's heart when the body of ,jesus was taken from the cross1 when her tearful eyes fell upon ,his disfigured features6 ,the pure and holy and beauteous form of her ,son was a mass of clotted blood and unsightly wounds2 and yet1 disfigured as it was1 there shone in ,his countenance a clear1 calm expression of divine majesty4 ,now ,mary views the wounds of that sacred body2 she looks at the gap made in ,his side by the cruel spear1 and can almost see the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 all bruised and broken for love of man4 ,before her vision passes in detail ,his life and her own4 ,memory presents to her mind every day and hour of their quiet1 happy life at ,nazareth4 ,is it to be wondered1 then1 that at this bitter moment her sorrow was so great that1 as ,st4 ,anselm observes1 she should have died had she not been sustained by a miracle of divine omnipotence8 ,,practice ,,ought not the contemplation of the sorrows of our blessed ,mother confirm us in patience1 in resignation to the will of ,god in our trials and sufferings8 ,if the ,son of ,god said of ,himself3 ,ought not ,christ to have suffered these things1 and so to enter into ,his glory8 7,luke xxiv4 #bf72 if the most pure and holy ,mother of ,god1 despite her great prerogatives and merits1 had to suffer a sorrow so ineffable1 do not murmur if the word of ,christ is addressed also to you3 ,and he that taketh not up his cross and followeth ,me1 is not worthy of ,me 7,matt4 x4 #ch74 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,i ,,compassionate thee1 sorrowing ,mary1 for the pain thou didst suffer when the body of thy divine ,son1 taken down all torn and bloody from the cross1 was placed in thy arms4 ,dear ,mother1 by thy heart pierced through1 obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,illustration3 ,on the ,way to ,jerusalem ,,eighth ,,day ,mary's ,seventh ,sorrow3 ,jesus is ,buried ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,the sacrifice for the redemption of the world was accomplished4 ,and ,joseph1 taking the body1 wrapt it up in a clean linen cloth1 and laid it in his own new monument1 which he had hewed out in a rock4 ,and he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument1 and went his way 7,matt4 xxvii4 #ei74 ,mary also took part in the burial of her beloved ,son1 though the evangelists do not mention her name amongst those who were present on that mournful occasion4 ,never1 most assuredly1 was human soul visited by such woe and desolation1 as that which overwhelmed hers as she cast a last glance on the precious remains of her dead ,son4 ,,practice ,,let us learn of the sorrowful ,mother at the tomb of her divine ,son submission to ,god's holy will in all things1 but especially when ,he takes from us one of our dear ones4 ,again1 the contemplation of the sufferings of ,mary should fortify us in patience1 whenever ,god is pleased to visit us with a light and small cross of affliction1 or even with a sorrow that causes our heart to bleed4 ,it should inspire us with a filial confidence in ,mary1 who thus suffered for us and gave her divine ,son for our salvation4 ,we can and ought to prove our love for her1 not by sentimental feelings of affection1 but by a sincere hatred of sin and great fervor in the service of her divine ,son4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,i ,,compassionate thee1 sorrowing ,mary1 for the anguish felt by thy loving heart when ,jesus' body was laid in the sepulcher4 ,dear ,mother1 by all the bitterness of desolation thou didst know1 obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,ninth ,,day ,reasons ,why ,mary ,had to ,suffer ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,the reasons why ,god permitted ,mary to suffer so much may be briefly stated as follows3 ,he did so from ,his love for ,mary and from ,his love for us4 ,he did so from ,his love for ,mary1 because by suffering she merited greater glory in heaven4 ,as ,mother of the ,crucified she persevered beneath the cross1 and now she thrones in heaven as the glorious ,mother of the risen ,redeemer4 ,because she shared in ,his suffering1 she now shares ,his glory4 ,again1 ,god permitted ,mary to suffer because ,he loved us4 ,if she had not experienced such bitter sorrow1 we would not have recourse to her1 for whosoever has not suffered himself can not have sympathy with the sufferings of others4 ,mary knows the pangs of sorrow by experience1 and therefore knows also how to console and help us4 ,,practice ,,because she herself drained the most bitter cup of sorrow1 ,mary is always willing to help those who invoke her aid4 ,but above all she is inclined to help repentant sinners1 because she knows how great the price of their redemption was1 paid by the blood of her divine ,son4 ,she is able to help us1 because1 after ,god1 she is most powerful2 she is most willing to help us1 because she loves us1 whom ,god so has loved as to give ,his only-begotten ,son 7,john iii4 #af74 ,let us1 therefore1 have recourse to her in all our needs1 and we shall experience the power of her help in life and death4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,i ,,compassionate thee1 sorrowing ,mary1 for all thy sorrows4 ,i beseech thee1 dear ,mother1 by thy heart pierced through by them1 obtain for me full abandonment to the will of ,god in everything and perseverance to the end4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,v ,novena for the ,feast of the ,assumption of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary ,,first ,,day ,mary's ,death was without ,pain ,,preparatory ,,prayer ,o ,,mary1 ,virgin most blessed and ,mother of ,our ,lord and ,redeemer ,jesus ,christ1 through thy mercy ,i beseech thee to come to my aid1 and to inspire me with such confidence in thy power1 that ,i may have recourse to thee1 pray to thee1 and implore thy aid in all needs of soul and body4 ,,meditation ,,mary1 the virgin ,mother of ,god1 was conceived without original sin4 ,she never dimmed the luster of sanctifying grace which beautified her soul by actual sin4 ,nevertheless she had to pass through the dark portal of death before she was assumed1 body and soul1 into heaven4 ,she had not been endowed with the privilege of immortality with which ,god had invested our first parents in paradise4 ,it was meet that she should be like unto her divine ,son in everything1 even in death4 ,but as she had drained the bitter cup of suffering during her whole life1 and especially when standing beneath the cross1 her death was to be free from pain and suffering4 ,she quietly passed away yielding up her spirit in a yearning desire to be united forever with her divine ,son in heaven4 ,,practice ,,if ,,you have dispossessed your heart of all unruly attachment to the goods and enjoyments of this earth1 you1 too1 may hope for a happy and tranquil transition from this land of exile to your home in heaven4 ,therefore1 if you are still attached to the transitory things of this life1 disengage your heart from them now4 ,the voluntary renouncement of earthly goods alone is meritorious before ,god4 ,the separation from them enforced by the strong hand of death is of no supernatural value4 ,,prayer ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,we ,,beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 pardon the shortcomings of ,thy servants2 that we who1 by our own works1 are not able to please ,thee1 may be saved by the intercession of the ,mother of ,thy ,son1 ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,amen4 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,o ,,most benign ,mother ,mary6 ,i rejoice that by thy happy and tranquil death the yearning of thy heart was appeased1 and thy life1 so rich in merit and sacrifice1 received its crown4 ,i rejoice that after passing from this life1 thou1 ,o most loving ,mother1 wast made the glorious and powerful queen of heaven and dost exercise thy influence as such for the benefit of thy frail1 exiled children on earth4 ,obtain for me1 ,i beseech thee1 a happy death1 that ,i may praise and glorify thy might and kindness forever in heaven4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation ,sweet heart of ,mary be my salvation6 ,indulgence4 7#a7 #ajj days1 every time4 7#b7 ,a plenary indulgence1 once a month1 on any day1 to all who shall have said it every day for a month1 under the usual conditions4 ,,second ,,day ,at ,mary's ,tomb ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,an ,,ancient legend relates that1 led by ,heaven1 all the ,apostles1 except ,st4 ,thomas1 assembled at the ,blessed ,virgin's death-bed4 ,after she had breathed forth her pure spirit1 her sacred remains were prepared for the grave by wrapping the body in new white linen and decking it with flowers4 ,meanwhile the apostles1 assembled in another room1 sang psalms and hymns in praise of their departed ,mother4 ,the apostles1 all the disciples1 and the faithful dwelling in ,jerusalem followed the blessed remains to the grave chanting psalms and hymns4 ,arrived in the valley of ,josaphat1 the body was gently placed in a sepulcher of stone not far from the ,garden of ,olives4 ,after the entombment the apostles and crowds of the faithful lingered near the sacred spot in prayer1 meditation1 and chanting of psalms in which angels' voices were heard to mingle4 ,,practice ,,join in spirit with the apostles and faithful in their prayer and meditation at the grave of our blessed ,mother4 ,contemplate and review her whole life4 ,could a course like hers have terminated more appropriately than with so beautiful1 painless1 and tranquil a passing away8 ,prepare yourself even now for your departure from this life4 ,do not postpone the settlement of your affairs1 spiritual and temporal1 until the last uncertain hours4 ,above all1 remove now1 or as soon as possible1 all doubts1 anxieties1 and irregularities of conscience1 because delay is dangerous and leads to impenitence1 and because in the last hours the powers of hell usually assail the departing soul with all their might4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,,glorious ,virgin1 who for thy consolation didst deserve to die comforted by the sight of thy dear ,son ,jesus1 and in the company of the apostles and angels2 pray for us1 that at that awful moment we1 too1 may be comforted by receiving ,jesus in the most holy ,eucharist1 and may feel thee nigh when we breathe forth our soul4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,third ,,day ,the ,empty ,tomb ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,st4 ,,john ,,damascene writes3 ,st4 ,thomas was not with the other apostles when the ,blessed ,virgin died1 but arrived in ,jerusalem on the third day after that event4 ,ardently desiring to see once more and to venerate the sacred body which had given flesh and blood to his beloved ,master1 the grave was opened for this purpose4 ,the body could nowhere be seen1 and a delicious perfume filled the empty tomb4 ,the apostles then became convinced that as ,god had preserved the body of ,mary free from sin before1 in1 and after the birth of ,his ,son1 ,he was pleased likewise1 after her death1 to preserve that same body from corruption1 and to glorify it in heaven4 ,a council held in ,jerusalem in the year #afgb declared3 ,it is beyond all doubt that the ,blessed ,virgin is not only a great and miraculous sign on earth1 because she bore ,god in the flesh and yet remained a virgin1 but she is also a great and miraculous sign in heaven1 because she was taken up thither with soul and body4 ,for although her sinless body was enclosed in the tomb1 yet1 like the body of ,our ,lord1 it arose on the third day and was carried up to heaven4 ,although the doctrine of the bodily assumption of ,mary into heaven was not defined by the ,church as an article of faith in the strict sense1 yet the learned ,pope ,benedict ,,xiv remarks1 ,it would be presumptuous and blameworthy in any one to call into doubt or to question this beautiful and consoling belief of ages4 ,,practice ,,let us rejoice at the thought of the glorious resurrection of our dear ,mother4 ,let us unite ourselves in spirit with the apostles in heaven and with ,holy ,church to congratulate her on this extraordinary privilege4 ,but let us also rejoice at the thought of our own resurrection4 ,true1 it shall not take place immediately after death1 but it is therefore not the less certain1 and it depends on us to make it glorious and blessed4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,o ,,glorious ,virgin and ,mother of ,god1 ,mary6 ,as thy sacred body after death was preserved from corruption1 and united with thy sinless soul was borne to heaven by the angels2 obtain for me the grace that my life and death be holy1 so that on the ,day of ,judgment ,i may arise to glory everlasting4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,fourth ,,day ,reasons for the ,bodily ,assumption of ,mary into ,heaven ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation #a4 ,,the wages of sin is death4 ,now1 as the ,blessed ,virgin from the first moment of her existence was preserved from all sin1 and even from original sin1 it necessarily follows that death could have no permanent dominion over her1 and that her body would not be permitted to see corruption4 #b4 ,this sinless body had been the medium by which the body of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who was the conqueror of death1 had been formed4 ,how1 then1 could such a highly privileged body1 a pure and virginal body1 be permitted to pass through corruption and decay8 #c4 ,as ,mary had yielded up her sacred person to be a dwelling-place for the ,lord of heaven1 it seems fitting that this same ,lord1 in ,his turn1 should give the kingdom of heaven to her as her resting-place4 ,st4 ,bernard expresses this sentiment as follows3 ,when ,our ,lord came into this world1 ,mary furnished ,him with the noblest dwelling on earth1 the temple of her virginal womb4 ,in return1 the ,lord on this day raises her up to the highest throne in heaven4 ,,practice ,,if ,,you desire to look forward to death without fear1 and to expect your dissolution with confidence1 follow the ,apostle's injunction1 ,therefore1 whilst we have time1 let us work good 7,gal4 vi4 #aj74 ,avoid sin1 perform good works1 be patient in affliction1 and strive to expiate the punishment due to your sins by voluntary acts of penance1 thus reducing your inclination to sin4 ,therefore offer up to ,god every morning1 in a spirit of penitence1 all your labors1 trials1 and sufferings4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,o ,,glorious ,virgin and ,mother of ,god1 ,mary6 ,i beseech thee through the ineffable glory thou didst make for thy departure from this world by a life of retirement1 full of merits and virtue1 dedicated to ,god alone2 obtain for me the grace that1 following thy example1 ,i may detach my heart from this world1 and patiently bear affliction and adversity1 carefully avoid sin1 and always strive to advance in the love of ,god4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,fifth ,,day ,mary's ,glorious ,entrance into ,heaven ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,a ,,joy greater than human heart can conceive fills the heavenly spirits when a soul enters heaven to receive her reward4 ,what jubilant transports1 then1 must those have been with which they hailed the entrance into heavenly bliss of the most pure and holy ,virgin1 the ,mother of the ,son of ,god1 body and soul1 transfigured in glory6 ,and she is1 and shall be1 for all eternity1 their mistress and queen6 ,what an ineffable joy1 too1 for the ,blessed ,virgin1 to behold the countless numbers of angels1 to admire their beauty1 their purity1 their intense love of ,god6 ,but as the feeble light of a candle disappears before the splendor of the sun's rays1 thus are these choirs of angels obscured by the ineffable glory of her divine ,son coming to welcome ,his ,mother4 ,who can describe this affecting meeting8 ,what a superabundant reward for affliction and suffering6 ,what an ocean of joy and bliss1 when the ,son of ,god presented ,his ,mother before the throne of ,his heavenly ,father1 who greeted her as ,his beloved ,daughter6 ,what a joy to behold the ,holy ,ghost1 whose pure ,spouse she had been even on earth6 ,these transports of bliss baffle all attempts at description4 ,,practice ,,though we are unable to have an adequate perception of ,mary's glory in heaven1 by which she is raised above all angels and saints1 yet it is in our power to do one thing2 we can rejoice at the glory of our blessed ,mother1 and join the heavenly spirits and the saints in paying homage to her4 ,let us resolve to do this1 and never to forget that ,mary attained to the largest share of her divine ,son's glory because she was foremost in sharing ,his sufferings4 ,let this encourage us to bear our cross1 to bear it with our ,saviour even to the height of ,calvary1 there to die with ,him4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,o ,,glorious ,virgin and ,mother of ,god1 ,mary6 ,i beseech thee through the preparation with which thou wast glorified by ,god--by the ,father as ,his most beloved ,daughter1 by the ,son as ,his immaculate ,mother1 and by the ,holy ,ghost as ,his most pure ,spouse--in heaven2 obtain for me the grace to share to some extent this thy glory1 and therefore to live so that ,i may deserve it4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,sixth ,,day ,mary ,crowned in ,heaven ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,mary',s glory received its culmination by her coronation as queen of heaven and earth4 ,it was meet that in her should be fulfilled the words of ,holy ,scripture3 ,come from ,libanus1 my ,spouse1 come1 thou shalt be crowned 7,cant4 iv4 #h71 and that her own prophetic words1 ,he hath put down the mighty from their seat1 and hath exalted the humble 7,luke i4 #eb71 should be exemplified in her4 ,for it was reasonable and becoming that she1 who once with ,jesus wore the crown of shame and contempt1 should now share with ,him the crown of immortal glory4 ,it was but fair and just that the immaculate being who was chosen1 above all inhabitants of heaven and earth1 to be the true and worthy ,mother of ,god1 should now be solemnly installed over all creatures in heaven and on earth as the queen of angels and men1 and that to her should be offered homage1 praise1 and honor by the blessed spirits and by the souls of the saints4 ,but the crown which she received is not one made of gold and precious stones2 it is composed of the virtues with which ,mary1 in faithful co-operation with divine grace1 embellished herself2 it consists1 too1 of all the homage and glory which she receives as queen of heaven4 ,the most precious gem in this crown is the filial love and gratitude ,jesus shows toward ,his ,mother in heaven4 ,,practice ,,indeed1 eye hath not seen1 ear hath not heard1 neither has it entered into the heart of man1 what the heavenly ,father has prepared in the mansions of eternal bliss for ,his beloved ,daughter1 the ,son for ,his ,blessed ,mother1 and the ,holy ,ghost for ,his chosen ,spouse4 ,she is now queen of heaven and earth2 of heaven1 for she is the queen of all angels and saints2 of earth1 for as ,mother of ,god she is the ,mother of all mankind1 the mediatrix between the ,redeemer and the redeemed4 ,you1 too1 may contribute a gem toward the crown of your heavenly ,mother by paying her filial homage1 imitating her virtues1 and preserving1 for the love of her1 your innocence and purity of heart4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,illustration3 ,the ,blessed ,virgin and ,st4 ,joseph ,finding ,jesus in the ,temple ,prayer ,o ,,glorious ,virgin and ,mother of ,god1 ,mary6 ,i beseech thee through the everlasting crown of glory with which ,god has crowned thee queen of heaven and earth2 obtain for me through thy mighty intercession the grace to persevere in virtue to the end1 so that finally ,i may attain the crown of bliss prepared by ,god for those that love ,him4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,seventh ,,day ,mary's ,bliss in ,heaven ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,according to ,holy ,scripture and the doctrine of the ,church1 there are in heaven various grades of glory and bliss1 according to the rank and merit of the saints4 ,they probably attain this higher grade of glory and bliss by the increase of their ability to enjoy the happiness of heaven4 ,their intellect is enabled to contemplate more profoundly the incomprehensible essence of ,god2 their power of perception is augmented so that they may more readily recognize and admire the splendor of the angels1 saints1 and heavenly mansions2 their will is enabled to be united1 in a higher degree1 with ,god4 ,from this we may conclude that ,mary's bliss in heaven transcends all human conception4 ,her heavenly glory and reward consists in the perfect adaptation of her whole being to the enjoyment of ,god and of eternal bliss4 ,,practice ,,look up1 ,christian soul1 to this great and brilliant queen of heaven4 ,she is your gentle ,mother and assures you of her help1 and the diadem she wears upon her brow is a proof that she has the power to help you4 ,do not1 therefore1 refuse the hand of this mighty friend in heaven1 for she will lift you from the depths of your misery1 from the rocky shoals of temptation1 and lead you strong and victorious into the presence of her divine ,son4 ,thus you will enter into a new and supernatural life in ,christ1 to share in the grace-laden mysteries of ,his life1 passion1 and triumph4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,o ,,great and glorious queen of heaven1 ,mary6 ,i beseech thee by that exalted throne upon which ,god has raised thee above all angels and saints2 let me one day appear amongst them to join them in their praise of thee4 ,obtain for me the grace that ,i may never cease to honor thee as thou dost deserve to be honored1 and thereby to become worthy of thy mighty protection in life and death4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,eighth ,,day ,mary1 the ,queen of ,mercy ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,mary is1 then1 a queen1 but--what a consolation to know it6--a queen always mild and gentle1 always willing to confer benefits upon us4 ,hence the ,church teaches us to call her the ,mother of mercy4 ,the pious and learned author ,gerson says3 ,god's dominion comprises justice and mercy4 ,he divided it1 retaining the administration of justice for ,himself1 and relinquishing1 in a certain sense1 the dispensation of mercy to ,mary1 by conferring through her hands all graces ,he grants to mankind4 ,how consoling1 then1 the assurance that our merciful ,mother is so mighty and so loving a queen6 ,,practice ,,so ,,great is the tenderness of ,mary's maternal heart that never was it heard that any one who fled to her protection1 implored her help1 and sought her intercession was left unaided4 ,how many prayers1 petitions1 and thanksgivings ascend daily to the throne of this our exalted and merciful protectress6 ,there is not a cry of an afflicted1 struggling1 and suffering soul that she does not graciously hear4 ,join1 therefore1 confidently in the prayer of ,holy ,church1 ,hail1 holy queen1 ,mother of mercy6 ,approach her with filial trust4 ,neglect not to honor her yourself1 and do all in your power to lead others to do her honor4 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,o ,,glorious ,virgin and ,mother of ,god1 ,mary6 ,holy ,church teaches me that despite the glory to which thou wast exalted1 thou didst not forget thy miserable clients1 and that in heaven thy mercy is still greater than it was during thy life on earth4 ,therefore ,i come to thee and trustingly lay at thy feet all my needs1 miseries1 and petitions4 ,my queen1 my ,mother1 turn not thy gracious eyes from me4 ,remember me with thy divine ,son2 cease not to pray for me and take me under thy protection1 so that ,i may finally have the happiness to see and praise thee in thy glory for ever and ever4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,ninth ,,day ,mary in ,heaven1 the ,help of ,christians on ,earth ,preparatory ,prayer 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,mary',s help as ,mother of mercy is not confined to individuals4 ,she is the protectress and helper of the whole ,church4 ,all over the earth1 wherever we cast our glance1 in the records of the history of times long past and those of recent occurrence1 we find testimony of the graces and benefits obtained through her intercession4 ,the feasts celebrated by the ,church throughout the year1 what are they but evidences of gratitude offered to the queen of heaven for the oftentimes miraculous delivery from war1 pestilence1 and other great afflictions8 ,hence she is rightly invoked as the ,help of ,christians4 ,,practice ,,in ,,our days1 too1 storms and dangers threaten the ,church4 ,let us1 therefore1 by calling on ,mary for help1 do our part toward shortening the days of visitation and trial4 ,let us not confine our petitions to her within the narrow limits of our own personal needs1 but let us join in the cry for help ascending to the ,mother of mercy throughout all ,christendom4 ,let us daily1 for ,holy ,church1 send up our petition to ,mary's heavenly throne3 ,help of ,christians1 pray for us6 ,prayer of the ,church 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of approved litanies74 ,prayer ,o ,,glorious ,virgin and ,mother of ,god1 ,mary1 queen of heaven6 ,forget us not4 ,thou art the help of ,christians2 lighten our tribulations1 and help us with motherly intercession at the throne of thy divine ,son4 ,with ,holy ,church ,i join in the petition to thee3 ,holy ,mary1 aid the miserable1 assist the desponding1 strengthen the weak1 pray for the people1 plead for the clergy1 intercede for the devout female sex4 ,let all who have recourse to thee experience the efficacy of thy help6 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,ejaculation 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,part ,,iii ,the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers ,the souls of the just are in the hand of ,god1 and the torment of death shall not touch them4 ,in the sight of the unwise they seemed to die1 and their departure was taken for misery1 and their going away from us for utter destruction2 but they are in peace4 ,and though in the sight of men they suffered torments1 their hope is full of immortality4 ,afflicted in a few things1 in many they shall be well rewarded2 because ,god has tried them and found them worth of ,himself 7,wis4 iii #a-e47 ,,chapter ,i ,the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers ,,among the saints who in ,catholic devotion are invoked with special confidence1 because they have proved themselves efficacious helpers in adversity and difficulties1 there is a group venerated under the collective name of ,holy ,helpers4 ,they are3 #a4 ,st4 ,george1 ,martyr4 #b4 ,st4 ,blase1 ,bishop and ,martyr4 #c4 ,st4 ,pantaleon1 ,martyr4 #d4 ,st4 ,vitus1 ,martyr4 #e4 ,st4 ,erasmus1 ,bishop and ,martyr4 #f4 ,st4 ,christophorus1 ,martyr4 #g4 ,st4 ,dionysius1 ,bishop and ,martyr4 #h4 ,st4 ,cyriacus1 ,martyr4 #i4 ,st4 ,achatius1 ,martyr4 #aj4 ,st4 ,eustachius1 ,martyr4 #aa4 ,st4 ,giles1 ,abbot4 #ab4 ,st4 ,catherine1 ,virgin and ,martyr4 #ac4 ,st4 ,margaret1 ,virgin and ,martyr4 #ad4 ,st4 ,barbara1 ,virgin and ,martyr4 ,the reason why these saints are invoked as a group is said to have been an epidemic which devastated ,europe from #acdf to #acdi4 ,it was called the ,plague1 or ,black ,death1 and among its symptoms were the turning black of the tongue1 parching of the throat1 violent headache1 fever1 and boils on the abdomen4 ,the malady attacked its victims suddenly1 bereft them of reason1 and caused death in a few hours1 so that many died without the last sacraments4 ,fear caused many attacks and disrupted social and family ties4 ,to all appearances1 the disease was incurable4 ,during this period of general affliction the people in pious confidence turned toward ,heaven1 and had recourse to the intercession of the saints1 praying to be spared an attack1 or to be cured when stricken4 ,among the saints invoked since the earliest times of the ,church as special patrons in certain diseases were3 ,st4 ,christopher and ,st4 ,giles against the plague1 ,st4 ,dionysius against headache1 ,st4 ,blase against ills of the throat1 ,st4 ,catherine against those of the tongue1 ,st4 ,erasmus against those of the abdomen1 ,st4 ,barbara against fever1 ,st4 ,vitus against epilepsy4 ,st4 ,pantaleon was the patron of physicians1 ,st4 ,cyriacus was had recourse to in temptations1 especially in those at the hour of death2 ,st4 ,achatius was invoked in death agony2 ,sts4 ,christopher1 ,barbara1 and ,catherine were appealed to for protection against a sudden and unprovided death2 the aid of ,st4 ,giles was implored for making a good confession2 ,st4 ,eustachius was patron in all kinds of difficulties1 and1 because peculiar circumstances separated him for a time from his family1 he was invoked also in family troubles4 ,domestic animals1 too1 being attacked by the plague1 ,sts4 ,george1 ,erasmus1 ,pantaleon1 and ,vitus were invoked for their protection4 ,it appears from the invocation of these saints1 so widespread in olden times during the plague and other epidemics1 that their being grouped as the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers originated in a like visitation4 ,the fourteen saints venerated as the ,holy ,helpers are represented with the symbols of their martyrdom1 or with the insignia of their state of life2 also1 as a group of children4 ,the latter representation is accounted for as follows3 ,the abbey of ,langheim1 in the diocese of ,bamberg1 ,bavaria1 owned a farm on which the monks kept their flocks4 ,the sheep were tended by shepherds1 who led them along the hillsides1 where they grazed quietly during the day1 and were driven home in the evening4 ,on the evening of ,september #bb1 #adde1 a young shepherd1 ,herman ,leicht1 who was gathering his flock for the homeward drive1 heard what seemed to him to be the cry of a child1 and looking about1 saw a child sitting in a field near by4 ,surprised1 and wondering how the child came there1 he was about to approach1 when it disappeared4 ,feeling rather disturbed1 the boy returned to his flock4 ,after reaching it1 he turned to look back to the place where he had seen the apparition4 ,there the child sat again1 this time in a circle of light1 and between two burning candles4 ,terrified at this second apparition1 he made the sign of the cross4 ,the child smiled1 as if to encourage him1 and he was about to approach it again1 when it vanished a second time4 ,greatly perplexed1 he drove his flock home and informed his parents of the occurrence4 ,but they called the apparition a delusion and told him not to mention it to any one4 ,nevertheless1 feeling uneasy1 and desiring an explanation1 he went to the monastery and related his experience to one of the ,fathers1 who advised him to ask the child1 if it ever should appear to him again1 what it wanted4 ,nearly a year later1 ,june #bh1 #addf1 the eve of the feast of ,sts4 ,peter and ,paul1 the child again appeared to the boy in the same place as before and about sunset2 but this time it was surrounded by thirteen other children1 all in a halo of glory4 ,he boldly approached the group and asked the child he had formerly seen in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 what it desired4 ,the child replied3 ,we are the ,fourteen ,helpers1 and desire that a chapel be built for us4 ,be thou our servant1 and we shall serve thee4 ,then the group of children disappeared1 and the shepherd boy was filled with heavenly consolation4 ,the following ,sunday1 after he had driven his flock to the pasture1 it seemed to him that he saw two lighted candles descending from the sky to the place where he had seen the apparition4 ,a woman who was passing at the time declared that she also saw them4 ,the boy hastened to the monastery and told about the two apparitions4 ,the abbot1 ,frederic ,,iv1 and the rest of the community1 were not inclined to believe in the apparition1 and ascribed it to the boy's visionary fancy4 ,but when1 in the course of time1 several extraordinary favors were granted to people who prayed at the place of the apparition1 the monks built a chapel there4 ,it was begun in #addg1 and finished and dedicated next year under the invocation of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary and the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers4 ,the bishop granted an indulgence for the day of the anniversary of the dedication1 the ,papal ,nuncio1 ,cardinal ,joannes1 granted another1 and ,pope ,nicholas ,v a third4 ,these indulgences1 and a number of other spiritual privileges granted to the chapel1 attracted a great many visitors1 so that it became a place of pious pilgrimage4 ,elector ,frederic ,,iii1 in fulfilment of a vow made when beset with difficulties1 visited the chapel in #adhe4 ,emperor ,ferdinand also visited it and left1 as a votive offering1 his gold pectoral chain on the altar4 ,devotion to the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers continued to spread4 ,in #agdc1 a magnificent church1 to replace the old chapel1 was begun1 and completed in #aggb4 ,churches and altars in honor of these saints are found in ,italy1 ,austria1 ,tyrol1 ,hungary1 ,bohemia1 ,switzerland1 and other countries of ,europe4 ,in the ,united ,states of ,america two churches are dedicated under the invocation of the ,holy ,helpers3 one in ,baltimore1 ,md41 the other in ,gardenville1 ,n4 ,y4 ,wherever and whenever invoked1 these saints have proved themselves willing helpers in all difficulties1 vicissitudes1 and trials of their faithful clients4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,legends ,,before proceeding to relate the lives of the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers1 we deem it opportune to define the term usually applied to the narrative of the lives of the saints4 ,the histories of the saints are called ,legends4 ,this word is derived from the ,latin1 and signifies something that is to be read1 a passage the reading of which is prescribed4 ,the legends of the saints are the lives of the holy martyrs and confessors of the ,faith4 ,some of them occur in the ,roman ,breviary which the ,catholic clergy is obliged to read every day4 ,joseph von ,goerres1 an illustrious champion of the ,church during the first half of the nineteenth century1 writes as follows concerning legends3 ,the histories of the lives of the saints were gathered from the earliest times4 ,a collection of such histories is found in ',the ,golden ,legend4' ,the ,passionales1 too1 containing the life of a saint for every day in the year1 belong to this sort of literature4 ,in ,germany these histories were at first translations from the ,latin2 later1 they were written in the native idiom1 and1 in style1 were of a charming simplicity4 ,at that time1 when the upper classes did not yet judge themselves too highly cultivated to share in the ,faith1 and not too privileged to join in the sentiments and affections of the people1 and were therefore more in harmony with the lower ranks of society1 these legends were in general circulation among all classes3 among the wealthy in manuscript1 among the poor orally and in the form in which they had become acquainted with them in church and elsewhere4 ,in early times the science of criticism was unknown2 therefore little care was exercised in separating the poetic additions from the authentic legends1 especially as the ,church had not yet spoken on the subject4 ,faith was yet of that robust sort which is not affected by miraculous occurrences4 ,nearly all ,europe then still accepted the adage now current only in ,spain1 ',it is better sometimes to believe what can not be established as truth1 than to lose a single truth by want of faith4' ,but later the science of criticism came into its rights4 ,the ,church established canonical rules1 according to which a strict investigation of all the facts submitted to her judgment was to be made1 and rejected everything that could not stand the most rigid examination4 ,illustration3 ,mary1 the ,mother of ,sorrows ,then ,art devoted itself to that legendary lore which the ,church1 declaring it outside of her domain1 permitted to be embellished at will4 ,thus poetic legends were multiplied1 their authors being more or less convinced that the reader would be able to distinguish truth from poetical embellishment4 ,the common people continued to make little distinction and did not permit criticism to influence their ancient beliefs4 ,they regarded these legends as they regard the pictures of the saints2 not as portraits of the persons depicted--for in the very next church the same saint might be represented in a quite different manner-- but as illustrations1 more or less apt1 whose object was to attract the attention by their artistic character and thus to draw the mind to the contemplation of their original1 and by it to ,god1 and thereby serve the purpose of edification4 ,if we are not devoid of all sentiments of piety1 the history of the combats and victories of the saints and martyrs1 and the narrative of the miracles wrought through their intercession before and after their death1 will always be a source of joy and consolation to us1 and will tend to animate us with similar fortitude and love of virtue4 ,the legends of the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers are replete with the most glorious examples of heroic firmness and invincible courage in the profession of the ,faith1 which ought to incite us to imitate their fidelity in the performance of the ,christian and social duties4 ,if they1 with the aid of ,god's grace1 achieved such victories1 why should not we1 by the same aid1 be able to accomplish the little desired of us8 ,god rewarded ,his victorious champions with eternal bliss2 the same crown is prepared for us1 if we but render ourselves worthy of it4 ,god placed the seal of miracles on the intrepid confession of ,his servants2 and a mind imbued with the spirit of faith sees nothing extraordinary therein1 because our divine ,saviour ,himself said1 ,amen1 amen ,i say to you1 he that believeth in ,me1 the works that ,i do1 he also shall do1 and greater than these shall he do 7,john xiv4 #ab74 ,in all the miraculous events wrought in and by the saints appears only the victorious omnipotent power of ,jesus ,christ1 and the living faith in which ,his servants operated in virtue of this power4 ,to obliterate the miracles that appear in the lives of the saints1 or even to enfeeble their import by the manner of relating them1 would rob these legends of their intrinsic value4 ,if our age is no longer robust enough to acknowledge the effects of divine omnipotence and grace1 it does not follow that they must be disavowed or denied4 ,the ,legends of the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers ,i4 ,st4 ,george1 ,martyr ,,legend ,,st4 ,,george is honored throughout ,christendom as one of the most illustrious martyrs of ,jesus ,christ4 ,in the reign of the first ,christian emperors numerous churches were erected in his honor1 and his tomb in ,palestine became a celebrated place of pilgrimage4 ,but his history is involved in great obscurity1 as no early records of his life and martyrdom are at present in existence4 ,the following are the traditions concerning him which have been handed down to us by the ,greek historians1 and which are celebrated in verse by that illustrious saint and poet of the eighth century1 ,st4 ,john ,damascene4 ,st4 ,george is said to have been born in ,cappadocia of noble ,christian parents4 ,after the death of his father1 he traveled with his mother into ,palestine1 of which she was a native4 ,there she possessed a considerable estate1 which fell to him upon her death4 ,being strong and robust in body1 he embraced the profession of a soldier1 and was made a tribune1 or colonel1 in the army4 ,his courage and fidelity attracted the attention of ,emperor ,diocletian1 who bestowed upon him marks of special favor4 ,when that prince declared war against the ,christian religion1 ,st4 ,george laid aside the signs of his rank1 threw up his commission1 and rebuked the emperor for the severity of his bloody edicts4 ,he was immediately cast into prison1 and alternate threats and promises were employed to induce him to apostatize4 ,as he continued firm1 he was put to the torture and tormented with great cruelty4 ,i despise your promises1 he said to the judge1 and do not fear your threats4 ,the emperor's power is of short duration1 and his reign will soon end4 ,it were better for you1 to acknowledge the true ,god and to seek ,his kingdom4 ,thereupon a great block of stone was placed on the breast of the brave young officer1 and thus he was left in prison4 ,next day he was bound upon a wheel set with sharp knives1 and it was put in motion to cut him to pieces4 ,whilst suffering this cruel torture1 he saw a heavenly vision1 which consoled and encouraged him1 saying1 ,george1 fear not2 ,i am with thee4 ,his patience and fortitude under the torments inflicted on him so affected the numerous pagan spectators that many of them were converted to the ,faith and suffered martyrdom for it4 ,on the next day1 ,april #bc1 #cjc1 ,st4 ,george was led through the city and beheaded4 ,this took place at ,lydda1 the city in which1 as we read in the ,acts of the ,apostles 7ix471 ,st4 ,peter healed a man sick with the palsy4 ,st4 ,george is usually represented as a knight tilting against a dragon2 but this is only emblematical of the glorious combat in which he encountered and overthrew the devil1 winning for himself thereby a martyr's crown4 ,,lesson ,,we ,,too1 like ,st4 ,george1 often have opportunity to confess our faith in ,christ4 ,we confess it by patiently bearing adversity1 by suppressing our evil inclinations1 by suffering injustice without retaliating evil for evil1 by using every opportunity of performing deeds of charity1 by devoting ourselves unremittingly to our daily duties1 by carefully guarding our tongue1 etc4 ,examine yourself whether you have not often denied your ,faith1 if not in words1 through your works4 ,prayer of the ,church ,o ,,god1 who dost rejoice us by the merits and intercession of ,thy blessed martyr ,george2 graciously grant that we1 who through him implore ,thee for ,thy bounty1 may receive thereby the gift of ,thy grace4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,ii ,st4 ,blase1 ,bishop and ,martyr ,,legend ,,st4 ,,blase was born at ,sebaste1 ,armenia4 ,he became a physician1 but at the same time devoted himself zealously to the practice of his ,christian duties4 ,his virtuous conduct gained for him the esteem of the ,christian clergy and people to such a degree1 that he was elected bishop of his native city4 ,henceforth he devoted himself to ward off the dangers of soul from the faithful1 as he had hitherto been intent on healing their bodily ills4 ,to all1 he was a shining example of virtue4 ,during the reign of ,emperor ,licinius a cruel persecution of ,christians broke out4 ,the persecutors directed their fury principally against the bishops1 well knowing that when the shepherd is stricken the flock is dispersed4 ,listening to the entreaties of the faithful1 and mindful of the words of ,our ,lord1 ,when they shall persecute you in this city1 flee into another 7,matt4 x4 #bc71 ,st4 ,blase hid himself in a cave4 ,but one day the prefect ,agricola instituted a chase1 and his party discovered the holy bishop and brought him before their master4 ,st4 ,blase remained steadfast in the ,faith1 and by its able confession and defense attracted the attention of the attendants at his trial4 ,the cruel tyrant had him bound and tortured with iron combs4 ,after suffering these torments with great patience and meekness1 the saint was cast into prison4 ,he was kept there a long time1 because the prefect hoped to exhaust his powers of endurance1 and to bring him to sacrifice to the idols4 ,his jailer permitted the holy bishop to receive visitors in his prison1 and many sick and suffering availed themselves of this privilege4 ,he cured some of them and gave good advice to others4 ,one day a mother brought to him her boy1 who1 while eating1 had swallowed a fishbone1 which remained in his throat1 and1 causing great pain1 threatened suffocation4 ,st4 ,blase prayed and made the sign of the cross over the boy1 and behold1 he was cured4 ,for this reason the saint is invoked in throat troubles4 ,at length the holy bishop was again brought before the judge and commanded to sacrifice to the idols4 ,but he said3 ,thou art blind1 because thou art not illuminated by the true light4 ,how can a man sacrifice to idols1 when he adores the true ,god alone8 ,i do not fear thy threats4 ,do with me according to thy pleasure4 ,my body is in thy power1 but ,god alone has power over my soul4 ,thou seekest salvation with the idols2 ,i hope and trust to receive it from the only true and living ,god whom ,i adore4 ,then the prefect sentenced him to death4 ,st4 ,blase was beheaded1 suffering death for the ,faith ,february #c1 #caf4 ,,lesson ,,st4 ,,blase gave us a glorious example of fortitude in the confession of the ,faith4 ,according to the teaching of ,st4 ,paul1 confession of the ,faith is necessary for our salvation4 ,he says1 ,for if thou confess with thy mouth the ,lord ,jesus1 and believe in thy heart that ,god hath raised ,him up from the dead1 thou shalt be saved4 ,for with the heart we believe unto justice1 but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation 7,rom4 x4 #i1 #aj74 ,we are1 therefore1 not permitted to be silent1 much less to agree1 when our ,faith1 and whatever is connected therewith1 as the sacraments1 ceremonies1 priests1 etc41 are ridiculed and reviled4 ,parents especially must be most careful in speaking of these subjects before their children and servants1 and do so only with due reverence4 ,on the contrary1 we must confess our ,faith1 and if necessary1 defend it against all attacks4 ,often one serious word will suffice to silence a calumniator of the ,faith and cause him to blush4 ,we must confess our ,faith not only in the bosom of our family1 but also in public4 ,we must let our fellow-men know that we are true ,catholics1 who adhere to our ,faith from conviction1 without regard to what others say of us1 or how they judge us1 remembering the words of ,our ,lord1 ,every one1 therefore1 that shall confess me before men1 ,i will also confess him before my ,father who is in heaven 7,matt4 x4 #cb74 ,it was remarked above that ,st4 ,blase is the patron invoked in throat troubles4 ,therefore the ,church1 on his feast1 ,february #c1 gives a special blessing1 at which she prays over those receiving it3 ,by the intercession of ,st4 ,blase1 bishop and martyr1 may ,god deliver thee from all ills of the throat and from all other ills2 in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,amen4 ,do not neglect to receive this blessing1 if you have the opportunity4 ,the blessings of the ,church are powerful and effective1 for she is ,god's representative on earth4 ,therefore her blessing is ,god's blessing1 and is always effective1 except we ourselves place an obstacle in its way4 ,prayer of the ,church ,o ,,god1 who dost rejoice us through the memory of ,thy blessed bishop and martyr ,blase3 graciously grant us1 that we1 who honor his memory1 may experience his protection4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,iii ,st4 ,erasmus1 ,bishop and ,martyr ,,legend ,,the pious historians of the early ,christian times state1 as a rule1 only what the saints did and suffered for the ,faith1 and how they died4 ,they deemed the martyrs' glorious combat and their victorious entrance into heaven more instructive1 and therefore more important1 than a lengthy description of their lives4 ,hence we know little of the native place and the youth of ,st4 ,erasmus1 except that at the beginning of the fourth century of the ,christian era he was bishop of ,antioch in ,asia ,minor1 the city where the name of ,christian first came into use4 ,when a long and cruel persecution broke out under the ,emperor ,diocletian1 ,st4 ,erasmus hid himself in the mountains of the ,libanon1 and led there1 for some years1 an austere life of penance and fasting4 ,finally he was discovered and dragged before the judge4 ,at first1 persuasions and kindness were employed to induce him to deny the ,faith1 but when these efforts failed recourse was had to the most cruel torments4 ,he was scourged1 and finally cast into a caldron filled with boiling oil1 sulphur1 and pitch4 ,in this seething mass ,god preserved him from harm1 and by this miracle many spectators were converted to the ,faith4 ,still more enraged thereat1 the judge ordered the holy bishop to be thrown into prison and kept there in chains till he died of starvation4 ,but ,god delivered him1 as ,he had once delivered ,st4 ,peter4 ,one night an angel appeared to him and said3 ,erasmus1 follow me6 ,thou shalt convert a great many4 ,thus far he had led numbers to the ,faith by suffering1 now he was to convert multitudes as a missionary4 ,delivered from prison by the power of ,god1 he went forth into many lands and preached the ,faith4 ,mighty in word and deed1 he wrought many miracles and converted great numbers of heathens4 ,at length he came to ,italy1 where ,emperor ,maximin persecuted the ,christians as fiercely as did ,diocletian in the ,east4 ,as soon as ,maximin heard of ,erasmus and the conversions effected by his preaching and miracles1 he ordered the slaughter of three hundred of the converts4 ,erasmus himself was most cruelly tortured1 but to no purpose4 ,he remained firm4 ,then cast into prison1 he was again liberated by an angel4 ,at last the hour of deliverance came to this valiant and apostolic confessor and martyr of ,christ4 ,he heard a heavenly voice1 saying3 ,erasmus1 come now to the heavenly city and rest in the place which ,god has prepared for thee with the holy martyrs and prophets4 ,enjoy now the fruit of thy labor4 ,by thee ,i was honored in heaven and on earth4 ,erasmus1 looking toward heaven1 saw a splendid crown1 and the apostles and prophets welcoming him4 ,he bowed his head1 saying3 ,receive1 ,o ,lord1 the soul of thy servant6 and peacefully breathed forth his spirit on ,june #b1 #cjh4 ,,lesson ,,the tortures which ,st4 ,erasmus suffered for the ,faith seem almost incredible1 and the events related of him are truly wonderful4 ,martyrdom and miracles illustrated the doctrine he preached2 he converted multitudes and gained the crown of heaven4 ,perhaps you say that in our times there are no longer any martyrs1 at least not in civilized countries4 ,are you quite sure of it8 ,st4 ,augustine writes3 ,peace also has its martyrs4 ,it is certainly not easy to suffer torments like the martyrs and to receive finally the death-dealing blow of the sword4 ,but is it not also a martyrdom to suffer for years the pains of a lingering illness8 ,again1 how difficult the combat with the world1 the flesh1 and the powers of hell6 ,how carefully must we watch and pray to gain the victory6 ,this is our martyrdom4 ,let us imitate the example of the holy martyrs in bearing the trials and sufferings of life1 and we shall receive1 as they did1 the crown of heaven4 ,prayer of the ,church ,o ,,god1 who dost give us joy through the memory of ,thy holy martyrs1 graciously grant that we may be inflamed by their example1 in whose merits we rejoice4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,iv ,st4 ,pantaleon1 ,physician and ,martyr ,,legend ,,st4 ,,pantaleon was physician to ,emperor ,maximin and a ,christian1 but he fell through a temptation which is sometimes more dangerous than the most severe trials by the fiercest torments4 ,this temptation was the bad example of the impious1 idolatrous courtiers with whom the young physician associated4 ,he was seduced by them and abandoned the ,faith4 ,but the grace of ,god called him1 and he obeyed4 ,hermolaus1 a zealous priest1 by prudent exhortation awakened ,pantaleon's conscience to a sense of his guilt1 and brought him back into the fold of the ,church4 ,henceforth he devoted himself ardently to the advancement of the spiritual and temporal welfare of his fellow-citizens4 ,first of all he sought to convert his father1 who was still a heathen1 and had the consolation to see him die a ,christian4 ,he divided the ample fortune which he inherited amongst the poor and the sick4 ,as a physician1 he was intent on healing his patients both by physical and by spiritual means4 ,christians he confirmed in the practice and confession of the ,faith1 and the heathens he sought to convert4 ,many suffering from incurable diseases were restored to health by his prayer and the invocation of the holy name of ,jesus4 ,his presence was everywhere fraught with blessings and consolation4 ,st4 ,pantaleon yearned to prove his fidelity to the ,faith by shedding his blood for it1 and the opportunity came to him when his heathen associates in the healing art denounced him to the emperor as a zealous propagator of ,christianity4 ,he was brought up before the emperor's tribunal and ordered to sacrifice to the idols4 ,he replied3 ,the ,god whom ,i adore is ,jesus ,christ4 ,he created heaven and earth1 ,he raised the dead to life1 made the blind see and healed the sick1 all through the power of ,his word4 ,your idols are dead1 they can not do anything4 ,order a sick person to be brought here1 one declared incurable4 ,your priests shall invoke their idols for him and ,i shall call on the only true ,god1 and we shall see who is able to help him4 ,the proposal was accepted4 ,a man sick with the palsy was brought1 who could neither walk nor stand without help4 ,the heathen priests prayed for him1 but in vain4 ,then ,pantaleon prayed1 took the sick man by the hand1 and said3 ,in the name of ,jesus1 the ,son of ,god1 ,i command thee to rise and be well4 ,and the palsied man rose1 restored to perfect health4 ,by this miracle a great number of those present were converted4 ,but the emperor and the idolatrous priests were all the more enraged4 ,maximin now attempted to gain ,pantaleon by blandishments and promises to deny the ,faith1 but without success4 ,then he had recourse to threats1 and as they too availed nothing1 he proceeded to have them put into execution4 ,the brave confessor of the ,faith was tortured in every conceivable manner4 ,finally he was nailed to a tree1 and then beheaded4 ,the priest ,hermolaus and the brothers ,hermippos and ,hermocrates suffered death with him1 in the year #cjh4 ,,lesson ,,happy are they who1 whatever may be their station or calling in life1 are intent on bringing those with whom they come into contact under the influence of religion4 ,but1 alas1 too many do just the reverse4 ,they permit themselves to be led astray by bad example1 and set aside the claims of the ,church as too severe and exacting4 ,how do you act in this regard8 ,do you shun the company of the wicked8 ,a proverb says3 ,tell me in whose company you are found1 and ,i will tell you who you are4 ,bad company insensibly undermines faith and morals1 overcomes the fear of evil and the aversion to it and weakens the will4 ,he that loveth danger shall perish in it 7,ecclus4 iii4 #bg74 ,as soon as ,st4 ,pantaleon came to a sense of his apostasy1 he repented and returned to the practice of the ,faith4 ,he did this despite the knowledge that he thereby incurred hatred and persecution4 ,the true ,christian will ever follow the dictates of conscience and please ,god1 whether he thereby incur the displeasure of men or not4 ,if1 to please men1 we become remiss in the service of ,god1 we show that we fear and love ,him less than men4 ,what a lamentable folly6 ,of whom have we to expect greater benefits or to fear greater evils--from ,god or man8 ,do not act thus unwisely2 rather imitate ,st4 ,pantaleon1 and live for ,god and ,his service4 ,prayer of the church ,,almighty ,god1 grant us through the intercession of ,thy blessed martyr ,pantaleon to be delivered and preserved from all ills of the body1 and from evil thoughts and influences in spirit4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,illustration3 ,our ,lord in the ,lap of ,his ,blessed ,mother ,v ,st ,vitus1 ,martyr ,,legend ,,st4 ,,vitus belonged to a noble pagan family of ,sicily1 and was born about the year #bia1 at ,mazurra4 ,his father1 ,hylas1 placed him in early childhood in charge of a ,christian couple named ,modestus and ,crescentia1 who raised him in the ,christian faith1 and had him baptized4 ,he grew in years and in virtue1 till1 at the age of twelve1 he was claimed by his father1 who1 to his great anger1 found him a fervent ,christian4 ,convinced1 after many unsuccessful attempts1 that stripes and other chastisements would not induce him to renounce the ,faith1 his father delivered the brave boy up to ,valerian1 the governor1 who in vain employed every artifice to shake his constancy4 ,finally he commanded ,vitus to be scourged1 but when two soldiers were about to execute this order their hands and those of ,valerian were suddenly lamed4 ,the governor ascribed this to sorcery1 yet he invoked ,vitus' help1 and behold1 when the ,christian boy made the sign of the cross over the lamed members1 they were healed4 ,then ,valerian sent him back to his father1 telling him to leave no means untried to induce his son to sacrifice to the idols4 ,hylas now tried blandishments1 pleasures1 and amusements to influence the brave boy4 ,he even sent a corrupt woman to tempt him1 and for that purpose locked them both together in one room4 ,but ,vitus1 who had remained firm amid tortures1 resisted also the allurements of sensuality4 ,closing his eyes1 he knelt in prayer1 and behold1 an angel appeared1 filling the room with heavenly splendor1 and stood at the youth's side4 ,terrified1 the woman fled4 ,but even this miracle did not change the obstinate father4 ,finally ,vitus escaped1 and with ,modestus and ,crescentia fled to ,italy4 ,they landed safe in ,naples1 and there proclaimed ,christ wherever they had an opportunity4 ,their fervor and many miracles which they wrought attracted the attention of ,emperor ,diocletian to them4 ,he ordered them to be brought before his tribunal1 which being done1 he at first treated them kindly1 employing blandishments and making promises to induce them to renounce ,christ4 ,when this had no effect1 they were cruelly tormented1 but with no other result than confirming them in their constancy4 ,enraged1 the emperor condemned them to be thrown to the wild beasts4 ,but the lions and tigers forgot their ferocity and cowered at their feet4 ,now ,diocletian1 whose fury knew no bounds1 ordered them to be cast into a caldron of molten lead and boiling pitch4 ,they prayed1 ,o ,god1 deliver us through the power of ,thy name6 and behold1 they remained unharmed4 ,then the emperor condemned them to the rack1 on which they expired1 in the year #cjc4 ,,lesson ,,the heroic spirit of martyrdom exhibited by ,st4 ,vitus was owing to the early impressions of piety which he received through the teaching and example of his virtuous foster-parents4 ,the choice of teachers1 nurses1 and servants who have the care of children is of the greatest importance on account of the influence they exert on them4 ,the pagan ,romans were most solicitous that no slave whose speech was not perfectly elegant and graceful should have access to children4 ,shall a ,christian be less careful as to their virtue8 ,it is a fatal mistake to imagine that children are too young to be infected with the contagion of vice4 ,no age is more impressionable than childhood2 no one observes more closely than the young1 and nothing is so easily acquired by them as a spirit of vanity1 pride1 revenge1 obstinacy1 sloth1 etc41 and nothing is harder to overcome4 ,what a happiness for a child to be formed to virtue from infancy1 and to be instilled from a tender age with the spirit of piety1 simplicity1 meekness1 and mercy6 ,such a foundation being well laid1 the soul will easily1 and sometimes without experiencing severe conflicts1 rise to the height of ,christian perfection4 ,prayer of the ,church ,,we ,,beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 to graciously grant us through the intercession of ,thy blessed martyrs ,vitus1 ,modestus1 and ,crescentia1 that we may not proudly exalt ourselves1 but serve ,thee in humility and simplicity1 so as to avoid evil and to do right for ,thy sake4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,vi ,st4 ,christophorus1 ,martyr ,,legend ,,an ,,ancient tradition concerning ,st4 ,christophorus relates3 ,he was born in the land of ,canaan1 and was named ,reprobus1 that is ,reprobate1 for he was a barbarous heathen4 ,in stature and strength he was a giant4 ,thinking no one his like in bodily vigor1 he resolved to go forth in search of the mightiest master and serve him4 ,in his wanderings1 he met with a king who was praised as the most valorous man on earth4 ,to him he offered his services and was accepted4 ,the king was proud of his giant and kept him near his person4 ,one day a minstrel visited the king's castle1 and among the ballads he sung before the court was one on the power of ,satan4 ,at the mention of this name the king blessed himself1 making the sign of the cross4 ,reprobus1 wondering1 asked him why he did that4 ,the king replied3 ,when ,i make this sign1 ,satan has no power over me4 ,reprobus rejoined3 ,so thou fearest the power of ,satan8 ,then he is mightier than thou1 and ,i shall seek and serve him4 ,setting forth to seek ,satan1 he came into a wilderness4 ,one dark night he met a band of wild fellows riding through the forest4 ,it was ,satan and his escort4 ,reprobus bravely accosted him1 saying he wished to serve him4 ,he was accepted4 ,but soon he was convinced that his new master was not the mightiest on earth4 ,for one day1 whilst approaching a crucifix by the wayside1 ,satan quickly took to flight1 and ,reprobus asked him for the reason4 ,satan replied3 ,that is the image of my greatest enemy1 who conquered me on the cross4 ,from him ,i always flee4 ,when ,reprobus heard this1 he left the devil1 and went in search of ,christ4 ,in his wanderings1 he one day came to a hut hidden in the forest4 ,at its door sat a venerable old man4 ,reprobus addressed him1 and in the course of the conversation that ensued the old man told him that he was a hermit1 and had left the world to serve ,christ1 the ,lord of heaven and earth4 ,thou art my man1 cried ,reprobus2 ,christ is ,he whom ,i seek1 for ,he is the strongest and the mightiest4 ,tell me where ,i can find ,him4 ,the hermit then began instructing the giant about ,god and the ,redeemer1 and concluded by saying3 ,he who would serve ,christ must offer himself entirely to ,him1 and do and suffer everything for ,his sake4 ,his reward for this will be immense and will last forever4 ,reprobus now asked the hermit to allow him to remain1 and to continue to instruct him4 ,the hermit consented4 ,when ,reprobus was fully instructed1 he baptized him4 ,after his baptism1 a great change came over the giant4 ,no longer proud of his great size and strength1 he became meek and humble1 and asked the hermit to assign to him some task by which he might serve ,god1 his master4 ,for1 said he1 ,i can not pray and fast2 therefore ,i must serve ,god in some other way4 ,the hermit led him to a broad and swift river nearby1 and said3 ,here build thyself a hut1 and when wanderers wish to cross the river1 carry them over for the love of ,christ4 ,for there was no bridge across the river4 ,henceforth1 day and night1 whenever he was called1 ,reprobus faithfully performed the task assigned to him4 ,one night he heard a child calling to be carried across the river4 ,quickly he rose1 placed the child on his stout shoulder1 took his staff and walked into the mighty current4 ,arrived in midstream1 the water rose higher and higher1 and the child became heavier and heavier4 ,o child1 he cried1 how heavy thou art6 ,it seems ,i bear the weight of the world on my shoulder4 ,and the child replied1 ,right thou art4 ,thou bearest not only the world1 but the ,creator of heaven and earth4 ,i am ,jesus ,christ1 thy ,king and ,lord1 and henceforth thou shalt be called ,christophorus1 that is1 ,christ-bearer4 ,arrived on yonder shore1 plant thy staff in the ground1 and in token of my power and might tomorrow it shall bear leaves and blossoms4 ,and the child disappeared4 ,on reaching the other shore1 ,christophorus stuck his staff into the ground1 and behold1 it budded forth leaves and blossoms4 ,then1 kneeling1 he promised the ,lord to serve ,him ever faithfully4 ,he kept his promise1 and thenceforth became a zealous preacher of the ,gospel1 converting many to the ,faith4 ,on his missionary peregrinations he came also to ,lycia1 where1 after his first sermon1 eighteen thousand heathens requested baptism4 ,when ,emperor ,decius heard of this1 he sent a company of four hundred soldiers to capture ,christophorus4 ,to these he preached so convincingly1 that they all asked for baptism4 ,decius became enraged thereat and had him cast into prison4 ,there he first treated him with great kindness1 and surrounded him with every luxury to tempt him to sin1 but in vain4 ,then he ordered him to be tortured in the most cruel manner1 until he should deny the ,faith4 ,he was scourged1 placed on plates of hot iron1 boiling oil was poured over and fire was lighted under him4 ,when all these torments did not accomplish their purpose1 the soldiers were ordered to shoot him with arrows4 ,this1 too1 having no effect1 he was beheaded1 on ,july #be1 #bed4 ,two great saints refer to the wonderful achievements of ,st4 ,christophorus4 ,st4 ,ambrose mentions that this saint converted forty-eight thousand souls to ,christ4 ,st4 ,vincent ,ferrer declares1 that when the plague devastated ,valencia1 its destructive course was stayed through the intercession of ,st4 ,christophorus4 ,,lesson ,,the legend of ,st4 ,christophorus conveys a wholesome truth4 ,we ought all to be ,christ-bearers1 by preserving in our hearts faith1 hope1 and charity1 and by receiving ,our ,lord worthily in holy communion4 ,he alone is worthy of our service4 ,in the service that we owe to men1 we ought to serve ,god by doing ,his will4 ,we can not divide our heart1 for ,our ,lord ,himself says1 ,no man can serve two masters 7,matt4 vi4 #bd74 ,if you serve the world1 it deceives you1 for it can not give you what it promises4 ,if you serve sin1 ,satan is your master4 ,he1 too1 deceives his servants1 and leads them to perdition4 ,christ on the cross conquered these two tyrants1 and with ,his help you can also vanquish them4 ,therefore1 give yourself to ,him with all your heart1 and you shall find peace in this world1 and eternal bliss in the next4 ,st4 ,augustine learned this truth by sad experience1 and therefore exclaims3 ,thou hast created us for ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 and our heart is restless till it rests in ,thee4 ,prayer of the church ,,grant us1 almighty ,god1 that whilst we celebrate the memory of ,thy blessed martyr ,st4 ,christophorus1 through his intercession the love of ,thy name may be increased in us4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,vii ,st4 ,dionysius1 ,bishop and ,martyr ,,legend ,,when ,st4 ,paul the ,apostle1 in the year of ,our ,lord #ea1 came to ,athens to preach the ,gospel1 he was summoned to the ,areopagus1 the great council which determined all religious matters4 ,among the members of this illustrious assembly was ,dionysius4 ,his mind had already been prepared to receive the good tidings of the ,gospel by the miraculous darkness which overspread the earth at the moment of ,our ,lord's death on the cross4 ,he was at that time at ,heliopolis1 in ,egypt4 ,on beholding the sun obscured in the midst of its course1 and this without apparent cause1 he is said to have exclaimed3 ,either the ,god of nature is suffering1 or the world is about to be dissolved4 ,when ,st4 ,paul preached before the ,areopagus in ,athens1 ,dionysius easily recognized the truth and readily embraced it4 ,the ,apostle received him among his disciples1 and appointed him bishop of the infant ,church of ,athens4 ,as such he devoted himself with great zeal to the propagation of the ,gospel4 ,he made a journey to ,jerusalem to visit the places hallowed by the footsteps and sufferings of our ,redeemer1 and there met the ,apostles ,st4 ,peter and ,st4 ,james1 the evangelist ,st4 ,luke1 and other holy apostolic men4 ,he also had the happiness to see and converse with the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 and was so overwhelmed by her presence that he declared1 that if he knew not ,jesus to be ,god1 he would consider her divine4 ,the idolatrous priests of ,athens were greatly alarmed at the many conversions resulting from the eloquent preaching of ,dionysius1 and instigated a revolt against him4 ,the holy bishop left ,athens1 and1 going to ,rome1 visited the ,pope1 ,st4 ,clement4 ,he sent him with some other holy men to ,gaul4 ,some of his companions remained to evangelize the cities in the south1 while ,dionysius1 with the priest ,rusticus and the deacon ,eleutherius continued their journey northward as far as ,lutetia1 the modern ,paris1 where the ,gospel had not yet been announced4 ,here for many years he and his companions labored with signal success1 and finally obtained the crown of martyrdom on ,oct4 #i1 #aai4 ,dionysius was beheaded at the advanced age of #aaj years4 ,the spot where the three martyrs ,dionysius1 ,rusticus1 and ,eleutherius suffered martyrdom1 is the well-known hill of ,montmartre4 ,an ancient tradition relates that ,st4 ,dionysius1 after his head was severed from his body1 took it up with his own hands and carried it two thousand paces to the place where1 later1 a church was built in his honor4 ,the bodies of the martyrs were thrown into the river ,seine1 but taken up and honorably interred by a ,christian lady named ,catulla not far from the place where they had been beheaded4 ,the ,christians soon built a chapel on their tomb4 ,st4 ,dionysius was not only a great missionary and bishop1 but also one of the most illustrious writers of the early ,church4 ,some of his works1 which are full of ,catholic doctrine and ,christian wisdom1 are still extant1 and well worthy of a convert and disciple of ,st4 ,paul1 whose spirit they breathe4 ,,lesson ,,the apostolic men like ,st4 ,dionysius1 who converted so many to ,christ1 were filled with ,his spirit1 and acted and lived for ,him alone4 ,they gave their lives to spread ,his religion1 convinced that the welfare of individuals and nations depends upon it4 ,on religion depends the security and stability of all government and of society4 ,human laws are too weak to restrain those who disregard and despise the law of ,god4 ,unless a man's conscience is enlightened by religion and bound by its precepts1 his passions will so far enslave him1 that the impulse of evil inclinations will prompt him to every villainy of which he hopes to derive an advantage1 if he can but accomplish his purpose secretly and with impunity4 ,true religion1 on the contrary1 insures comfort1 peace1 and happiness amid the sharpest trials1 safety in death itself1 and after death the most glorious and eternal reward in ,god4 ,how grateful1 therefore1 must we be to the men who preached the true religion amid so many difficulties1 trials1 and persecutions2 and also to those who preach it now1 animated by the same spirit4 ,and how carefully should we avoid all persons1 books1 and periodicals that revile and calumniate our holy ,faith1 and attempt its subversion6 ,prayer of the ,church ,o ,,god1 who didst confer on ,thy blessed servant ,dionysius the virtue of fortitude in suffering1 and didst join with him ,rusticus and ,eleutherius1 to announce ,thy glory to the heathens1 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 that following them1 we may despise1 for the love of ,thee1 the pleasures of this world1 and that we do not recoil from its adversities4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,viii ,st4 ,cyriacus1 ,deacon and ,martyr ,,legend ,,emperor ,,maximin in token of his gratitude to ,diocletian1 who had ceded the western half of his empire to him1 ordered the building of that magnificent structure in ,rome1 whose ruins are still known as the ,baths of ,diocletian4 ,the ,christians imprisoned for the ,faith were compelled to labor under cruel overseers at this building4 ,a zealous ,christian ,roman1 touched with pity at this moving spectacle1 resolved to employ his means in improving the condition of these poor victims of persecution4 ,among the deacons of the ,roman ,church at that time was one by the name of ,cyriacus1 who was distinguished by his zeal in the performance of all good works4 ,him1 with two companions1 ,largus and ,smaragdus1 the pious ,roman selected for the execution of his plan4 ,cyriacus devoted himself to the work with great ardor4 ,one day1 whilst visiting the laborers to distribute food amongst them1 he observed a decrepit old man1 who was so feeble that he was unable to perform his severe task4 ,filled with pity1 ,cyriacus offered to take his place4 ,the aged prisoner consenting1 the merciful deacon thenceforth worked hard at the building4 ,but after some time he was discovered1 and cast into prison4 ,there he again found opportunity to exercise his zeal4 ,some blind men who had great confidence in the power of his prayer1 came to ask him for help in their affliction1 and he restored their sight4 ,he and his companions spent three years in prison1 and during that time he healed many sick and converted a great number of heathens from the darkness of paganism4 ,then ,emperor ,diocletian's little daughter became possessed by an evil spirit1 and no one was able to deliver her from it4 ,to the idolatrous priests who were called1 the evil spirit declared that he would leave the girl only when commanded to do so by ,cyriacus1 the deacon4 ,he was hastily summoned1 and prayed and made the sign of the cross over the girl1 and the evil spirit departed4 ,the emperor loved his daughter1 therefore he was grateful to the holy deacon1 and presented him with a house1 where he and his companions might serve their ,god unmolested by their enemies4 ,about this time the daughter of the ,persian ,king ,sapor was attacked by a similar malady1 and when he heard what ,cyriacus had done for ,diocletian's daughter1 he wrote to the emperor1 asking him to send the ,christian deacon4 ,it was done1 and ,cyriacus1 on foot1 set out for ,persia4 ,arrived at his destination1 he prayed over the girl and the evil spirit left her4 ,on hearing of this miracle1 four hundred and twenty heathens were converted to the ,faith4 ,these the saint instructed and baptized1 and then set out on his homeward journey4 ,returned to ,rome1 he continued his life of prayer and good works4 ,but when ,diocletian soon afterward left for the ,east1 his co-emperor ,maximin seized the opportunity to give vent to his hatred for the ,christians1 and renewed their persecution4 ,one of the first victims was ,cyriacus4 ,he was loaded with chains and brought before the judge1 who first tried blandishments and promises to induce him to renounce ,christ and to sacrifice to the idols1 but in vain4 ,then the confessor of ,christ was stretched on the rack1 his limbs torn from their sockets1 and he was beaten with clubs4 ,his companions shared the same tortures4 ,finally1 when the emperor and the judge were convinced that nothing would shake the constancy of the holy martyrs1 they were beheaded4 ,they gained the crown of glory on ,march #af1 #cjc4 ,,lesson ,,in ,,the life of ,st4 ,cyriacus two virtues shine forth in a special manner2 his love of ,god and his charity toward his fellow-men4 ,his love of ,god impelled him to sacrifice all1 even his life1 for ,his sake1 thereby fulfilling the commandment3 ,thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god with thy whole heart1 and with thy whole soul1 and with thy whole mind 7,matt4 xxii4 #cg74 ,a greater love of ,god no man can have than giving his life for ,him4 ,st4 ,cyriacus also fulfilled the other commandment1 of which ,our ,lord declared1 ,and the second is like to this3 ,thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself 7,matt4 xxii4 #ci74 ,he helped his fellow-,christians to bear their burdens1 relieved them in their sufferings1 assisted and encouraged them by word and deed1 and edified them by his example4 ,his sole aim was to do good to all men1 mindful of the words of the ,royal ,prophet3 ,blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and the poor 7,ps4 xl4 #b74 ,he was so imbued with the virtue of charity1 that he was disposed even to sacrifice his life for the relief and assistance of others4 ,illustration3 ,the ,holy ,women at the ,tomb4 ,how shall we justify our unfeeling hardness of heart1 by which we seek every trifling pretense to exempt us from the duty of aiding the unfortunate8 ,remember the threat of the apostle1 ,judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy 7,james ii4 #ac74 ,prayer of the ,church ,o ,,god1 who rejoicest us by the remembrance of ,thy blessed martyrs ,cyriacus1 ,largus1 and ,smaragdus2 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 that we1 by celebrating their memory1 may imitate their fortitude in suffering4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,ix ,st4 ,achatius1 ,martyr ,,legend ,,of ,,the saints named ,achatius1 that one is reckoned among the ,holy ,helpers who1 as a ,roman soldier1 died for ,christ4 ,achatius was a native of ,cappadocia and as a youth joined the ,roman army during the reign of ,emperor ,hadrian1 attaining the rank of captain4 ,one day1 when leading his company against the enemy1 he heard a voice saying to him1 ,call on the ,god of ,christians6 ,he obeyed1 was instructed1 and received ,baptism4 ,filled with zeal1 he henceforth sought to convert also the pagan soldiers of the army4 ,when the emperor heard of this1 ,achatius was thrown into prison1 then placed on the rack1 bound to a post and scourged1 because he refused to offer sacrifice to the idols4 ,when all these tortures availed nothing1 he was brought before the tribune ,bibianus4 ,asked by him what was his name and country1 ,achatius replied1 ,my name is ,christian1 because ,i am a follower of ,christ2 men call me ,achatius4 ,my country is ,cappadocia4 ,there my parents lived2 there ,i was converted to the ,christian faith1 and was so inspired by the combats and sufferings of the ,christian martyrs that ,i am resolved to shed my blood for ,christ to attain heaven4 ,then ,bibianus ordered him to be beaten with leaden clubs1 after which he was loaded with chains and returned to the prison4 ,after ,achatius had been in prison seven days1 ,bibianus was called to ,byzantium1 and ordered all prisoners to be transported there4 ,on the journey ,achatius suffered greatly1 for his entire body was covered with wounds1 his chains were galling1 the guards were cruel and the roads were bad4 ,he thought himself dying4 ,praying to ,god1 a voice from the clouds answered him1 ,achatius1 be firm6 ,the soldiers of the guard were terrified and asked each other1 ,what is this8 ,how can the clouds have a voice8 ,many prisoners were converted4 ,next day some of the converts saw a number of men in shining armor speaking to ,achatius1 washing his wounds and healing them1 so that not even a scar remained4 ,arrived in ,byzantium the saint was again cast into prison1 and after seven days dragged before the judge4 ,when neither promises nor the most cruel torments shook the constancy of the brave confessor of the ,faith1 the judge sent him to ,flaccius1 the proconsul of ,thracia1 who imprisoned him for five days1 and meanwhile read the records of his former trials4 ,then he ordered him to be beheaded4 ,achatius suffered death for ,christ on ,may #h1 #caa4 ,,lesson ,,achatius manfully and without fear confessed the ,faith amid persecutions and sufferings4 ,we1 too1 are often placed in circumstances where the profession of our ,faith and the practice of the virtues inculcated by it cause us trials4 ,but so deplorable are the effects of sensuality1 avarice1 and ambition1 and such is the laxity and spiritual callousness of many ,christians1 that there is real cause for every one to be filled with alarm for the safety of his soul4 ,it is not the crowd we are to follow1 but the precepts of the ,gospel4 ,therefore we ought to strive to give a good example by our faithful compliance with the demands of religion4 ,for ,our ,lord ,himself exhorts us3 ,so let your light shine before men1 that they may see your good works1 and glorify your ,father1 who is in heaven 7,matt4 v4 #af74 ,prayer of the ,church ,o ,,god1 who dost give us joy through the remembrance of ,thy blessed martyrs1 ,achatius and his companions2 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 that we may be inflamed by the example of those for whose merits we rejoice4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,x ,st4 ,eustachius1 ,martyr ,,legend ,,at ,,the beginning of the second century1 during the reign of ,emperor ,trajan1 there lived in ,rome a famous general by the name of ,placidus1 who was distinguished among his fellow-citizens for his wealth and military prowess4 ,it happened one day1 that while following the chase he became separated from his companions1 and was pursuing with eagerness a stag of extraordinary size1 when suddenly it turned toward him1 and he beheld raised aloft between its antlers the image of ,jesus ,christ suspended on the cross4 ,at the same time our blessed ,saviour addressed him in loving words1 inviting him henceforth to follow ,him by embracing the ,christian faith1 and to make eternal life in future the object of his pursuit4 ,faithful to the grace which he had received1 ,placidus on his return home communicated the heavenly vision to his wife ,tatiana1 who informed him that she too had been favored with a heavenly apparition4 ,together they went immediately to the ,pope1 related their experience1 and after due instruction received ,baptism4 ,at the sacred font ,placidus received the name of ,eustachius1 and his wife was called ,theopista1 while his sons were baptized by the names of ,agapitus and ,theopistus4 ,upon returning to the spot where he first received the call1 ,eustachius was favored with another communication from ,our ,lord1 announcing to him that he was destined to endure many and great afflictions for the sake of ,christ4 ,it was not long before his faith and patience were put to a severe trial4 ,stripped of all his possessions and forced to flee from the fury of the persecution1 he was reduced to extreme distress1 and in the course of his wanderings was by a series of calamitous events separated from his wife and children1 of whom he lost all trace4 ,for many years he dwelt in a remote spot1 following the occupation of a farm laborer1 until he was found by the messengers of the emperor1 who was sadly in need of the skill of his former general1 because a fierce war had broken out1 in which the ,romans sustained severe losses4 ,being again invested with the command of the imperial troops1 ,eustachius set out for the seat of war1 and achieved a decisive victory4 ,in the course of his march he had the happiness1 by a singular providence of ,god1 to recover his wife and children1 with whom he returned to ,rome4 ,his entrance into the city was attended with great rejoicings1 and many were the congratulations which he received on his extraordinary good fortune4 ,but soon afterward a solemn sacrifice of thanksgiving to the pagan deities was proclaimed1 in which he was ordered by the emperor to take a part4 ,upon his refusal1 after every effort had been made to shake his constancy1 he was condemned to be exposed to the lions in the public amphitheater along with his wife and children4 ,finally1 as the savage animals1 laying aside their natural ferocity1 refused to injure the confessors of ,christ1 ,eustachius and his family were by order of the emperor enclosed in the body of an immense brazen bull1 which was heated by means of a great fire enkindled beneath4 ,the last moments of these heroic martyrs was spent in chanting the divine praises1 in the midst of which their happy souls passed to the enjoyment of everlasting bliss4 ,their bodies1 miraculously preserved uninjured1 were buried with great devotion by the faithful ,christians1 and were afterward transferred to a magnificent church erected in their honor4 ,,lesson ,,how inspiring1 to see a great man preferring justice1 truth1 and religion to the favor of the mighty1 readily quitting estate1 friends1 country1 and even sacrificing life1 rather than consent to do violence to his conscience2 and to see him1 at the same time1 meek1 humble1 patient in suffering1 forgiving sincerely and loving his unjust and treacherous persecutors6 ,passion and revenge often beget anger and triumph over virtue and integrity4 ,ambition and the desire of wealth may1 for a time1 urge men on to brave danger1 but finally they reduce them to the most abject slavery1 and result in grievous crimes and misery4 ,religion alone is the source of charity1 magnanimity1 and true courage4 ,it so enlightens the mind1 as to place a man above the vicissitudes of the world2 it renders him steadfast and calm in adversity1 preserves him from error1 teaches him to bear injustice and calumny in a tranquil spirit1 and gives him that ineffable peace and joy which springs from the conviction that ,god's will is always most just and holy and that ,he protects1 aids1 and rewards ,his servants4 ,does religion exert this powerful influence on us8 ,do we show it in our actions and conduct8 ,our courage and constancy must be apparent not only when we encounter danger and opposition1 but also when our evil propensity urges us to yield to temptations that present sin to us in the guise of pleasure4 ,prayer of the ,church ,o ,,god1 who dost permit us to celebrate the remembrance of ,thy blessed martyrs1 ,eustachius and companions1 grant us1 that we may enjoy their company in eternal bliss4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,xi ,st4 ,giles1 ,hermit and ,abbot ,,legend ,,athens1 in ,greece1 was the native city of ,st4 ,giles4 ,he was of noble parentage1 and devoted himself from early youth to piety and learning4 ,after the death of his parents he distributed his rich inheritance to the poor1 and to escape the applause of men for his charity left his country to bury himself in obscurity4 ,he sailed for ,france1 and on his arrival there retired to a deserted country near the mouth of the river ,rhone4 ,later he made his abode near the river ,gard1 and finally buried himself in a forest in the diocese of ,nimes4 ,in this solitude he passed many years1 living on wild herbs and roots1 with water for his drink4 ,it is related that for some time a hind came daily to be milked by him1 thus furnishing him additional sustenance4 ,here he lived1 disengaged from earthly cares1 conversing only with ,god1 and engaged in the contemplation of heavenly things4 ,one day the king instituted a great hunt in the forest where ,giles lived1 and encountered the hind4 ,giving chase1 the royal hunter was led to the saint's hut1 where the panting animal had sought refuge4 ,the king inquired who he was1 and was greatly edified at the holiness of his life4 ,the fame of the saintly hermit now spread far and wide1 and was much increased by the many miracles wrought through his intercession4 ,the king tried to persuade him to leave his solitude1 but prevailed upon him only in so far1 that ,giles accepted several disciples and founded a monastery in which the rule of ,st4 ,benedict was observed1 and of which he was chosen the abbot4 ,he governed his community wisely and well1 and at the earnest solicitation of his monks was ordained priest4 ,the fame of ,st4 ,giles' sanctity induced the ,frankish ,king1 ,charles ,martel to call him to his court to relieve him of a great trouble of conscience4 ,the saint made the journey1 and told the king that he would find relief and comfort only by the sincere confession of a sin which he had hitherto concealed4 ,the king followed his advice1 found interior peace and dismissed ,giles with many tokens of gratitude4 ,on his homeward journey the saint raised the recently deceased son of a nobleman to life4 ,after a short stay in his monastery ,st4 ,giles went to ,rome1 to obtain from the ,pope the confirmation of some privileges and the apostolic blessing for his community4 ,the ,pope granted his wishes1 and presented him1 besides1 with two grand and beautifully carved doors of cedar wood for his church4 ,st4 ,giles died at a ripe old age on ,september #a1 #gbe4 ,many miracles were wrought at his tomb4 ,,lesson ,,st4 ,,giles left his native country and retired into solitude to escape the notice and applause of the world1 and served ,god as a recluse4 ,to lead such a life1 there must be a special call from ,god4 ,it is not suited to all1 and even inconsistent with the duties of most men4 ,but all are capable of disengaging their affections from the inordinate attachment to creatures1 and of attaining to a pure and holy love of ,god4 ,by making the service of ,god the motive of their thoughts and actions1 they will sanctify their whole life4 ,in whatever conditions of life we may be placed1 we have opportunities of subduing our evil inclinations and mortifying ourselves by frequent self-denials1 of watching over our hearts and purifying our senses by recollection and prayer4 ,thus each one1 in his station of life1 may become a saint1 by making his calling an exercise of virtue and his every act a step higher to perfection and eternal glory4 ,prayer of the ,church ,o ,,lord1 we beseech ,thee to let us find grace through the intercession of thy blessed confessor ,giles2 that what we can not obtain through our merits be given us through his intercession4 ,through ,christ our ,lord ,amen4 ,,xii ,st4 ,margaret1 ,virgin and ,martyr ,,legend ,,st4 ,,margaret was the daughter of a pagan priest at ,antioch4 ,she lost her mother in infancy and was placed in the care of a nurse in the country1 who was a ,christian1 and whose first care was to have her little charge baptized and to give the child a ,christian education4 ,margaret grew up a modest1 pious virgin1 and when she returned to her father he was charmed with the grace and virtue of his daughter4 ,he regretted only one thing2 she took no part in the worship of the idols4 ,when she told him the reason he was greatly displeased1 for she stated that she was a ,christian1 and that nothing should separate her from the love of ,christ4 ,her father tried every means to change her mind1 and when all his endeavors failed became enraged and drove her forth from his house4 ,margaret returned to her nurse and became her servant1 doing all kinds of menial work1 and at the same time perfecting herself in virtue4 ,about this time ,emperor ,diocletian began to persecute the ,christians4 ,one day ,alybrius1 the prefect of the city1 saw ,margaret1 and fell in love with her4 ,he sent a messenger to ask her in marriage4 ,the pious virgin was filled with consternation at the proposal and replied to the messenger3 ,i can not be espoused to your master1 because ,i am the spouse of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,i am promised to ,him1 and to ,him ,i wish to belong4 ,when the prefect heard this1 he became furious with rage1 and gave orders to have the virgin brought to him by force4 ,when she appeared before him he thus addressed her3 ,what is your name and condition8 ,she replied3 ,i am called ,margaret1 and belong to a noble family4 ,i adore ,christ and serve ,him4 ,the prefect now advised her to abandon the worship of a crucified ,god4 ,margaret asked him1 ,how do you know that we worship a crucified ,god8 ,the prefect replied3 ,from the books of the ,christians4 ,margaret continued3 ,why did you not read further on8 ,the books of the ,christians would have told you that the ,crucified rose on the third day1 and that ,he ascended into heaven4 ,is it love of truth to believe in the abasement of ,christ and to reject ,his glorification1 when both are related in the selfsame book8 ,at this reproof the prefect became angry and ordered the tender virgin to be cruelly scourged1 placed on the rack1 and torn with iron combs4 ,then she was cast into prison4 ,there ,margaret fervently thanked ,god for the victory she had achieved and implored ,his help for the combat yet in store for her4 ,suddenly there appeared to her the arch-enemy of mankind in the shape of a furious dragon1 threatening to swallow her4 ,the brave virgin feared him not1 but made the sign of the cross1 and the monster vanished4 ,then her desolate prison cell became suffused with heavenly light1 and her heart was filled with divine consolation4 ,at the same time her terrible wounds were suddenly healed1 and not the least scar was left4 ,next day ,margaret was again brought before the prefect4 ,surprised at her complete recovery from the effects of his cruelty1 he remarked that no doubt it was due to the power of the pagan gods1 and exhorted her to show her gratitude to them by sacrificing to the idols4 ,margaret maintained that she had been healed by the power of ,christ alone and declared that she despised the heathen gods4 ,at this1 the rage of ,alybrius knew no bounds4 ,he ordered lighted torches to be applied to ,margaret's body1 and then had her cast into icy water to intensify her torture4 ,but scarcely had this been done when a violent earthquake occurred4 ,her bonds were severed and she rose unscathed from the water1 without a mark of the burns caused by the flaming torches4 ,on witnessing this miracle1 a great number of spectators were converted to the ,faith4 ,finally the prefect ordered ,margaret to be beheaded4 ,her glorious martyrdom and death occurred about the year #bge4 ,,lesson ,,the history of the virgin martyr ,st4 ,margaret teaches us that we can and ought to serve ,god even in youth4 ,in the ,old ,law ,god commanded all the first-born and the first-fruits to be offered to ,him4 ,thou shalt not delay to pay thy tithes and first-fruits4 ,thou shalt give the first-born of thy sons to ,me 7,ex4 xxii4 #bi74 ,certainly our whole life ought to be dedicated to the service of ,god2 but from the above command we are to understand that ,god especially desires our service during the early years of our life4 ,they are our first-fruits4 ,st4 ,augustine calls the years of youth the blossoms1 the most beautiful flowers of life1 and ,st4 ,thomas ,aquinas writes3 ,what the young give to ,god in their early years1 they give of the bloom1 of the full vigor and beauty of life4 ,youth is the age beset with countless temptations4 ,safety is found only in the service of ,god1 by obedience1 humility1 and docility4 ,this is not so difficult as it appears1 and ,our ,lord ,himself invites you to ,his service1 saying3 ,my son1 give ,me thy heart 7,prov4 xxiii4 #bf71 and1 ,taste and see that the ,lord is sweet 7,ps4 xxxiii4 #i74 ,prayer of the ,church ,,we ,,beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 grant us ,thy favor through the intercession of ,thy blessed virgin and martyr ,margaret1 who pleased ,thee by the merit of her purity and by the confession of ,thy might4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,xiii ,st ,catherine1 ,virgin and ,martyr ,,legend ,,st4 ,,catherine was a native of ,alexandria1 ,egypt1 a city then famous for its schools of philosophy4 ,she was a daughter of ,costis1 half-brother of ,constantine1 and of ,sabinella1 queen of ,egypt4 ,her wisdom and acquirements were remarkable1 the philosophy of ,plato being her favorite study4 ,while ,catherine was yet young her father died1 leaving her heiress to the kingdom4 ,her love of study and retirement displeased her subjects1 who desired her to marry1 asserting that her gifts of noble birth1 wealth1 beauty1 and knowledge should be transmitted to her children4 ,the princess replied that the husband whom she would wed must be even more richly endowed than herself4 ,his blood must be the noblest1 his rank must surpass her own1 his beauty without comparison1 his benignity great enough to forgive all offences4 ,the people of ,alexandria were disheartened1 for they knew of no such prince2 but ,catherine remained persistent in her determination to wed none other4 ,now1 it happened that a certain hermit who lived near ,alexandria had a vision in which he saw the ,blessed ,virgin1 who sent him to tell ,catherine that her divine ,son was the ,spouse whom she desired4 ,he alone possessed all1 and more1 than the requirements she demanded4 ,the holy man gave ,catherine a picture of ,jesus and ,mary2 and when the princess had gazed upon the face of ,christ she loved ,him so that she could think of naught else1 and the studies in which she had been wont to take delight became distasteful to her4 ,illustration3 ,the ,descent of the ,holy ,ghost on the ,blessed ,virgin and the ,apostles4 ,one night ,catherine dreamed that she accompanied the hermit to a sanctuary1 whence angels came to meet her4 ,she fell on her face before them1 but one of the angelic band bade her1 ,rise dear sister ,catherine1 for the ,king of glory delighteth to honor thee4 ,she rose and followed the angels to the presence of the queen of heaven1 who was surrounded by angels and saints and was beautiful beyond description4 ,the queen welcomed her and led her to her divine ,son1 ,our ,lord4 ,but ,he turned from her1 saying3 ,she is not fair and beautiful enough for me4 ,catherine awoke at these words and wept bitterly until morning4 ,she then sent for the hermit and inquired what would make her worthy of the heavenly ,bridegroom4 ,the saintly recluse instructed her in the true ,faith and1 with her mother1 she was baptized4 ,that night1 in a dream1 the ,blessed ,virgin and her divine ,son again appeared to her4 ,mary presented her to ,jesus1 saying3 ,behold1 she has been regenerated in the water of ,baptism4 ,then ,christ smiled on her and plighted ,his troth to her by putting a ring on her finger4 ,when she awoke the ring was still there1 and thenceforth ,catherine despised all earthly things and longed only for the hour when she should go to her heavenly ,bridegroom4 ,after the death of ,sabinella1 ,emperor ,maximin came to ,alexandria and declared a persecution against the ,christians4 ,catherine appeared in the temple and held an argument with the tyrant1 utterly confounding him4 ,the emperor ordained that fifty of the most learned men of the empire be brought to dispute with her2 but1 sustained by the power of ,god1 ,catherine not only vanquished them in argument1 but converted them to the true ,faith4 ,in his fury ,maximin commanded that the new ,christians be burned2 and ,catherine comforted them1 since they could not be baptized1 by telling them that their blood should be their baptism and the flames their crown of glory4 ,the emperor then tried other means to overcome the virtue of the noble princess2 but1 failing to do this1 he ordered her to be cast into a dungeon and starved to death4 ,twelve days later1 when the dungeon was opened1 a bright light and fragrant perfume filled it1 and ,catherine1 who had been nourished by angels1 came forth radiant and beautiful4 ,on seeing this miracle1 the empress and many noble ,alexandrians declared themselves ,christians1 and suffered death at the command of the emperor4 ,catherine was not spared1 for ,maximin made a further attempt to win her4 ,he offered to make her mistress of the world if she would but listen to him1 and when she still spurned his proposals1 he ordered her to the torture4 ,she was bound to four spiked wheels which revolved in different directions1 that she might be torn into many pieces4 ,but an angel consumed the wheels by fire1 and the fragments flying around killed the executioners and many of the spectators4 ,the tyrant then ordered her to be scourged and beheaded4 ,the sentence was carried into effect on ,november #be1 #cjg4 ,a pious legend1 recognized by the ,church1 says that angels bore ,catherine's body to ,mount ,sinai1 and buried it there4 ,,lesson ,,st4 ,,catherine1 for her erudition and the spirit of piety by which she sanctified it1 was chosen the model and patroness of ,christian philosophers4 ,learning1 next to virtue1 is the noblest quality and ornament of the human mind4 ,profane science teaches many useful truths1 but when compared with the importance of the study of the science of the saints1 they are of value only inasmuch as when made subservient to the latter4 ,the study of the saints was to live in the spirit of ,christ4 ,this science is taught by the ,church1 and acquired by listening to her instructions1 by pious reading and meditation4 ,be intent on learning this science1 and order your life according to its rules4 ,it is the one thing necessary1 for it is the foundation of all wisdom and true happiness4 ,the fear of the ,lord is the beginning of wisdom 7,ps4 cx4 #aj74 ,prayer of the ,church ,o ,,god1 who didst give the law to ,moses on the summit of ,mount ,sinai1 and by the holy angels didst miraculously transfer there the body of blessed ,catherine1 virgin and martyr2 grant us1 we beseech ,thee1 to come1 through her intercession1 to the mountain which is ,christ4 ,through the same ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,xiv ,st4 ,barbara1 ,virgin and ,martyr ,,legend ,,nicomedia1 a city in ,asia ,minor1 was ,st4 ,barbara's birthplace4 ,her father ,dioscurus was a pagan4 ,fearing that his only child might learn to know and love the doctrines of ,christianity1 he shut her up in a tower1 apart from all intercourse with others4 ,nevertheless ,barbara became a ,christian4 ,she passed her time in study1 and from her lonely tower she used to watch the heavens in their wondrous beauty4 ,she soon became convinced that the heavens were telling the glory of ,god1 a ,god greater than the idols she had been taught to worship4 ,her desire to know that ,god was in itself a prayer which ,he answered in ,his own wise way4 ,the fame of ,origen1 that famous ,christian teacher in ,alexandria1 reached even the remote tower1 and ,barbara sent a trusty servant with the request that he would make known to her the truth4 ,origen sent her one of his disciples1 disguised as a physician1 who instructed and baptized her4 ,she practised her new religion discreetly while waiting for a favorable opportunity of acquainting her father with her conversion4 ,this opportunity came in a short time4 ,some workmen were sent by ,dioscurus to make another room in the tower1 and when they had made two windows she directed them to make a third4 ,when her father saw this additional window1 he asked the reason for it4 ,she replied1 ,know1 my father1 that the soul receives light through three windows1 the ,father1 the ,son1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 and the three are one4 ,the father became so angry at this discovery of her having become a ,christian1 that he would have killed his daughter with his sword1 had she not fled to the top of the tower4 ,he followed her1 and finally had her in his power4 ,first he wreaked his vengeance on her in blows1 then clutching her by the hair he dragged her away and thrust her into a hut to prevent her escape4 ,next he tried every means to induce her to renounce her faith2 threats1 severe punishments1 and starvation had no effect on the constancy of the ,christian maiden4 ,finding himself powerless to shake his daughter's constancy1 ,dioscurus delivered her to the proconsul ,marcian1 who had her scourged and tortured1 but without causing her to deny the ,faith4 ,during her sufferings1 her father stood by1 exulting in the torments of his child4 ,next night1 after she had been taken back to prison1 ,our ,lord appeared to her and healed her wounds4 ,when ,barbara appeared again before him1 ,marcian was greatly astonished to find no trace of the cruelties that had been perpetrated on her body4 ,again she resisted his importunities to deny the ,faith1 and when he saw that all his efforts were in vain1 he pronounced the sentence of death4 ,barbara was to be beheaded4 ,her unnatural father claimed the privilege to execute it with his own hands1 and with one blow severed his daughter's head from her body1 on ,december #d1 #bcg4 ,at the moment of the saint's death a great tempest arose and ,dioscurus was killed by lightning4 ,marcian1 too1 was overtaken by the same fate4 ,,lesson ,,since early times ,st4 ,barbara is invoked as the patroness against lightning and explosions1 and is called upon by those who desire the sacraments of the dying in their last illness1 and many are the instances of the efficacy of her intercession4 ,we all wish for a happy and blessed death4 ,to attain it1 we must make the preparation for it the great object of our life2 we must learn to die to the world and to ourselves1 and strive after perfection in virtue4 ,there is no greater comfort in adversity1 no more powerful incentive to withdrawing our affections from this world1 than to remember the blessing of a happy death4 ,well prepared1 death may strike us in any form whatsoever1 and however suddenly1 it will find us ready4 ,we can be guilty of no greater folly than to delay our preparation for death1 repentance1 the reception of the sacraments1 and the amendment of our life1 from day to day1 from the time of health to the time of illness1 and in illness to the very last moments1 thinking that even then we can obtain pardon4 ,st4 ,augustine observes3 ,it is very dangerous to postpone the performance of a duty on which our whole eternity depends to the most inconvenient time1 the last hour4 ,and ,st4 ,bernard remarks3 ,in ,holy ,scripture we find one single instance of one who received pardon at the last moment4 ,he was the thief crucified with ,jesus4 ,he is alone1 that you despair not2 he is alone1 also1 that you sin not by presumption on ,god's mercy4 ,if you1 therefore1 wish for a happy death1 prepare for it in time4 ,prayer of the ,church ,o ,,god1 who among the wonders of ,thy might didst grant the victory of martyrdom also to the weaker sex1 graciously grant us that we1 by recalling the memory of ,thy blessed virgin and martyr ,barbara1 through her example may be led to ,thee4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,part ,,iv ,i ,novenas to the ,holy ,helpers ,,ii ,prayers and ,petitions ,in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to ,god 7,philipp4 iv4 #f74 ,god is wonderful in ,his saints4 ,the ,god of ,israel is ,he who will give power and strength to ,his people2 blessed be ,god 7,ps4 lxvii4 #cf74 ,novena to ,each of the ,holy ,helpers ,,preparatory ,,prayer ,for ,each of the ,following ,novenas ,,almighty and eternal ,god6 ,with lively faith and reverently worshiping ,thy divine ,majesty1 ,i prostrate myself before ,thee and invoke with filial trust ,thy supreme bounty and mercy4 ,illumine the darkness of my intellect with a ray of ,thy heavenly light and inflame my heart with the fire of ,thy divine love1 that ,i may contemplate the great virtues and merits of the saint in whose honor ,i make this novena1 and following his example imitate1 like him1 the life of ,thy divine ,son4 ,moreover1 ,i beseech ,thee to grant graciously1 through the merits and intercession of this powerful ,helper1 the petition which through him ,i humbly place before ,thee1 devoutly saying1 ,thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven4 ,vouchsafe graciously to hear it1 if it redounds to ,thy greater glory and to the salvation of my soul4 ,amen4 ,i ,novena in ,honor of ,st4 ,george ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,george ,o ,,god1 who didst grant to ,st4 ,george strength and constancy in the various torments which he sustained for our holy faith2 we beseech ,thee to preserve1 through his intercession1 our faith from wavering and doubt1 so that we may serve ,thee with a sincere heart faithfully unto death4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,george ,,faithful servant of ,god and invincible martyr1 ,st4 ,george2 favored by ,god with the gift of faith1 and inflamed with an ardent love of ,christ1 thou didst fight valiantly against the dragon of pride1 falsehood1 and deceit4 ,neither pain nor torture1 sword nor death could part thee from the love of ,christ4 ,i fervently implore thee for the sake of this love to help me by thy intercession to overcome the temptations that surround me1 and to bear bravely the trials that oppress me1 so that ,i may patiently carry the cross which is placed upon me2 and let neither distress nor difficulties separate me from the love of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,valiant champion of the ,faith1 assist me in the combat against evil1 that ,i may win the crown promised to them that persevere unto the end4 ,prayer ,,my ,,lord and my ,god6 ,i offer up to ,thee my petition in union with the bitter passion and death of ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 together with the merits of ,his immaculate and blessed ,mother1 ,mary ever virgin1 and of all the saints1 particularly with those of the holy ,helper in whose honor ,i make this novena4 ,look down upon me1 merciful ,lord6 ,grant me ,thy grace and ,thy love1 and graciously hear my prayer4 ,amen4 ,,ii ,novena in ,honor of ,st4 ,blase ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,blase ,o ,,god1 deliver us through the intercession of ,thy holy bishop and martyr ,blase1 from all evil of soul and body1 especially from all ills of the throat2 and grant us the grace to make a good confession in the confident hope of obtaining ,thy pardon1 and ever to praise with worthy lips ,thy most holy name4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,blase ,,st4 ,,blase1 gracious benefactor of mankind and faithful servant of ,god1 who for the love of our ,saviour didst suffer so many tortures with patience and resignation2 ,i invoke thy powerful intercession4 ,preserve me from all evils of soul and body4 ,because of thy great merits ,god endowed thee with the special grace to help those that suffer from ills of the throat2 relieve and preserve me from them1 so that ,i may always be able to fulfil my duties1 and with the aid of ,god's grace perform good works4 ,i invoke thy help as special physician of souls1 that ,i may confess my sins sincerely in the holy sacrament of ,penance and obtain their forgiveness4 ,i recommend to thy merciful intercession also those who unfortunately concealed a sin in confession4 ,obtain for them the grace to accuse themselves sincerely and contritely of the sin they concealed1 of the sacrilegious confessions and communions they made1 and of all the sins they committed since then1 so that they may receive pardon1 the grace of ,god1 and the remission of the eternal punishment4 ,amen4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,,iii ,novena in ,honor of ,st ,erasmus ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,erasmus ,o ,,god1 grant us through the intercession of ,thy dauntless bishop and martyr ,erasmus1 who so valiantly confessed the ,faith1 that we may learn the doctrine of this faith1 practise its precepts1 and thereby be made worthy to attain its promises4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,erasmus ,,holy martyr ,erasmus1 who didst willingly and bravely bear the trials and sufferings of life1 and by thy charity didst console many fellow-sufferers2 ,i implore thee to remember me in my needs and to intercede for me with ,god4 ,staunch confessor of the ,faith1 victorious vanquisher of all tortures1 pray to ,jesus for me and ask ,him to grant me the grace to live and die in the ,faith through which thou didst obtain the crown of glory4 ,amen4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,,iv ,novena to ,st4 ,pantaleon ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,pantaleon ,o ,,god1 who didst give to ,st4 ,pantaleon the grace of exercising charity toward his fellow-men by distributing his goods to the poor1 and hast made him a special patron of the sick1 grant1 that we1 too1 show our charity by works of mercy2 and through the intercession of this ,thy servant preserve us from sickness4 ,but if it be ,thy will that illness should afflict us1 give us the grace to bear it patiently1 and let it promote our soul's salvation4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,pantaleon ,,st4 ,,pantaleon1 who during life didst have great pity for the sick and with the help of ,god didst often relieve and cure them2 ,i invoke thy intercession with ,god1 that ,i may obtain the grace to serve ,him in good health by cheerfully fulfilling the duties of my state of life4 ,but if it be ,his holy will to visit me with illness1 pain1 and suffering1 do thou aid me with thy powerful prayer to submit humbly to ,his chastisements1 to accept sickness in the spirit of penance and to bear it patiently according to ,his holy will4 ,amen4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,image3 ,the ,blessed ,virgin ,receives ,holy ,communion from ,st4 ,john4 ,v ,novena in ,honor of ,st4 ,vitus ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,vitus ,,grant us1 ,o ,god1 through the intercession of ,st4 ,vitus1 a due estimation of the value of our soul and of its redemption by the precious blood of ,thy ,son ,jesus ,christ2 so that1 for its salvation1 we bear all trials with fortitude4 ,give this ,thy youthful servant and heroic martyr as a guide and protector to ,christian youths1 that following his example they may after a victorious combat receive the crown of justice in heaven4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,vitus ,,st4 ,,vitus1 glorious martyr of ,christ2 in thy youth thou wast exposed to violent and dangerous temptations1 but in the fear of ,god and for the love of ,jesus thou didst victoriously overcome them4 ,o amiable1 holy youth1 ,i implore thee by the love of ,jesus1 assist me with thy powerful intercession to overcome the temptations to evil1 to avoid every occasion of sin1 and thus to preserve spotless the robe of innocence and sanctifying grace1 and to bring it unstained to the judgment-seat of ,jesus ,christ1 that ,i may forever enjoy the beatific vision of ,god which is promised to the pure of heart4 ,amen4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,,vi ,novena in ,honor of ,st4 ,christophorus ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,christophorus ,o ,,god1 who didst make ,st4 ,christophorus a true ,christ-bearer1 who converted multitudes to the ,christian faith1 and who didst give him the grace to suffer for ,thy sake the most cruel torments2 through the intercession of this saint we implore ,thee to protect us from sin1 the only real evil4 ,preserve us1 also1 against harmful elementary forces1 such as earthquake1 lightning1 fire1 and flood4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,christophorus ,,great ,st4 ,christophorus1 seeking the strongest and mightiest master thou didst find him in ,jesus ,christ1 the almighty ,god of heaven and earth1 and didst faithfully serve ,him with all thy power to the end of thy life1 gaining for ,him countless souls and finally shedding thy blood for ,him2 obtain for me the grace to bear ,christ always in my heart1 as thou didst once bear ,him on thy shoulder1 so that ,i thereby may be strengthened to overcome victoriously all temptations and resist all enticements of the world1 the devil1 and the flesh1 and that the powers of darkness may not prevail against me4 ,amen4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,,vii ,novena in ,honor of ,st4 ,dionysius ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,dionysius ,o ,,god1 who didst confer ,thy saving faith on the people of ,france through ,thy holy bishop and martyr ,dionysius1 and didst glorify him before and after his martyrdom by many miracles2 grant us through his intercession that the ,faith practised and preached by him be our light on the way of life1 so that we may be preserved from all anxieties of conscience1 and if by human frailty we have sinned1 we may return to ,thee speedily by true penance4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,dionysius ,,glorious servant of ,god1 ,st4 ,dionysius1 with intense love thou didst devote thyself to ,christ after learning to know ,him through the apostle ,st4 ,paul1 and didst preach ,his saving name to the nations1 to bring whom to ,his knowledge and love thou didst not shrink from martyrdom2 implore for me a continual growth in the knowledge and love of ,jesus1 so that my restless heart may experience that peace which ,he alone can give4 ,help me by thy powerful intercession with ,god to serve ,him with a willing heart1 to devote myself with abiding love to ,his service1 and thereby to attain the eternal bliss of heaven4 ,amen4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,,viii ,novena in ,honor of ,st4 ,cyriacus ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,cyriacus ,o ,,god1 who didst grant to ,st4 ,cyriacus the grace of heroic charity and trustful resignation to ,thy holy will2 bestow upon us1 through his intercession1 the grace to walk before ,thee in self-denying charity and to know and fulfil ,thy will in all things4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,cyriacus ,,st4 ,,cyriacus1 great servant of ,god1 loving ,christ with all thy heart1 thou didst for ,his sake also love thy fellow-men1 and didst serve them even at the peril of thy life1 for which charity ,god rewarded thee with the power to overcome ,satan1 the arch-enemy1 and to deliver the poor obsessed from his dreadful tyranny2 implore for me of ,god an effective1 real1 and true charity4 ,show thy power over ,satan also in me2 deliver me from his influence when he tries to tempt me4 ,help me to repel his assaults and to gain the victory over him in life and in death4 ,amen4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,,ix ,novena in ,honor of ,st4 ,achatius ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,achatius ,o ,,god1 who didst fortify ,thy holy martyr ,achatius with constancy and trustful reliance on ,thee in death2 grant us through his intercession at the hour of our death to be free from all anxiety and victorious in our last combat with the enemy4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,achatius ,,valiant martyr of ,christ1 ,st4 ,achatius1 who preached ,christ faithfully before kings and judges1 and didst gain the victory over the enemies of ,god2 help me through thy powerful intercession to resist and gain the victory over all the enemies of my salvation1 over the world and its allurements1 over the concupiscence of the flesh1 and over the temptations of ,satan4 ,i implore thee particularly to assist me in my agony1 when the powers of hell rise against me to rob my soul4 ,then do thou come to my aid and repel the assaults of the enemy1 so that ,i surrender my soul into the hands of my ,redeemer in faith1 hope1 and charity1 and confiding in ,his infinite merits4 ,through the same ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,x ,novena in ,honor of ,st4 ,eustachius ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,eustachius ,o ,,god1 who didst lead ,thy holy martyr ,eustachius safely through many trials and dangers to the glorious crown of martyrdom2 enlighten and strengthen us through his intercession1 that we persevere in ,thy love amid the trials of this life1 and by resignation to ,thy holy will come forth from the darkness of this earth into the light of ,thy eternal glory4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,eustachius ,,heroic servant of ,god1 ,st4 ,eustachius1 cast from the height of earthly glory and power into the deepest misery1 thou wast engaged for a long time in the labor of a menial servant1 eating the bitter bread of destitution2 but never didst thou murmur against the severe probation to which ,god subjected thee4 ,i implore thee to aid me with thy powerful intercession1 that in all conditions ,i may resign myself to the holy will of ,god1 and particularly that ,i may bear poverty and its consequences with patience1 trusting in ,god's providence1 completely resigned to the decrees of ,him who humbles and exalts1 chastises and heals1 sends trials and consolations1 and who has promised to those who follow ,him in the spirit of poverty ,his beatific vision throughout all eternity4 ,amen4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,,xi ,novena in ,honor of ,st4 ,giles ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,giles ,o ,,god1 we beseech ,thee to grant us through the merits and intercession of ,st4 ,giles to flee from the vanity and praise of this world1 to avoid carefully all occasions of sin1 to cleanse our hearts from all wickedness by a sincere confession1 to leave this world in ,thy love and rich in good works1 and to find ,thee gracious on the day of judgment4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,giles ,,zealous follower of ,christ1 ,st4 ,giles2 from early youth thou didst take to heart the words of our ,saviour3 ,learn of ,me1 because ,i am meek and humble of heart4 ,therefore thou didst flee from the praise and honors of the world1 and wast rewarded with the grace to preserve thy heart from all sin and to persevere in a holy life to a ripe old age4 ,i1 on my part1 through pride1 self-confidence1 and negligence1 yielded to my evil inclinations1 and thereby sinned grievously and often1 offending my ,god and ,lord1 my ,creator and ,redeemer1 my most loving ,father4 ,therefore ,i implore thee to help me through thy mighty intercession to be enlightened by the ,holy ,ghost1 that ,i may know the malice1 grievousness1 and multitude of my sins1 confess them humbly1 fully1 and contritely1 and receive pardon1 tranquillity of heart1 and peace of conscience from ,god4 ,amen4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,,xii ,novena in ,honor of ,st4 ,margaret ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,margaret ,o ,,god1 grant us through the intercession of thy holy virgin and martyr ,margaret1 undauntedly to confess the ,faith1 carefully to observe the chastity of our state of life1 and to overcome the temptations of the world1 the devil1 and the flesh1 and thereby escape the punishments of eternal damnation4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,margaret ,,st4 ,,margaret1 holy virgin and martyr1 thou didst faithfully preserve the robe of holy innocence and purity1 valiantly resisting all the blandishments and allurements of the world for the love of thy divine ,spouse1 ,jesus ,christ2 help me to overcome all temptations against the choicest of all virtues1 holy purity1 and to remain steadfast in the love of ,christ1 in order to preserve this great gift of ,god4 ,implore for me the grace of perseverance in prayer1 distrust of myself1 and flight from the occasions of sin1 and finally the grace of a good death1 so that in heaven ,i may follow the ,lamb whithersoever ,he goeth4 ,amen4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,,xiii ,novena in ,honor of ,st4 ,catherine ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,catherine ,o ,,god1 who didst distinguish ,thy holy virgin and martyr ,catherine by the gift of great wisdom and virtue1 and a victorious combat with the enemies of the ,faith2 grant us1 we beseech ,thee1 through her intercession1 constancy in the ,faith and the wisdom of the saints1 that we may devote all the powers of our mind and heart to ,thy service4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,catherine ,,st4 ,,catherine1 glorious virgin and martyr1 resplendent in the luster of wisdom and purity2 thy wisdom refuted the adversaries of divine truth and covered them with confusion2 thy immaculate purity made thee a spouse of ,christ1 so that after thy glorious martyrdom angels carried thy body to ,mount ,sinai4 ,implore for me progress in the science of the saints and the virtue of holy purity1 that vanquishing the enemies of my soul1 ,i may be victorious in my last combat and after death be conducted by the angels into the eternal beatitude of heaven4 ,amen4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,,xiv ,novena in ,honor of ,st4 ,barbara ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of ,part ,,iv74 ,,prayer ,,in ,,honor ,,of ,,st4 ,,barbara ,o ,,god1 who didst adorn ,thy holy virgin and martyr ,barbara with extraordinary fortitude in the confession of the ,faith1 and didst console her in the most atrocious torments2 grant us through her intercession perseverance in the fulfilment of ,thy law and the grace of being fortified before our end with the holy sacraments1 and of a happy death4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,st4 ,,barbara ,,intrepid virgin and martyr1 ,st4 ,barbara1 through thy intercession come to my aid in all needs of my soul4 ,obtain for me the grace to be preserved from a sudden and unprovided death2 assist me in my agony1 when my senses are benumbed and ,i am in the throes of death4 ,then1 ,o powerful patroness of the dying1 come to my aid6 ,repel from me all the assaults and temptations of the evil one1 and obtain for me the grace to receive before death the holy sacraments1 that ,i breathe forth my soul confirmed in faith1 hope1 and charity1 and be worthy to enter eternal glory4 ,amen4 ,st4 ,barbara1 at my last end ,obtain for me the ,sacrament2 ,assist one in that direst need ,when ,i my ,god and ,judge must meet3 ,that robed in sanctifying grace ,my soul may stand before ,his face4 ,prayer 7located in ,st4 ,george's novena74 ,novena to ,all the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers ,,preparatory ,,prayer 7,by ,st ,alphonsus ,liguori47 ,,great princes of heaven1 ,holy ,helpers1 who sacrificed to ,god all your earthly possessions1 wealth1 preferment1 and even life1 and who now are crowned in heaven in the secure enjoyment of eternal bliss and glory2 have compassion on me1 a poor sinner in this vale of tears1 and obtain for me from ,god1 for whom you gave up all things and who loves you as ,his servants1 the strength to bear patiently all the trials of this life1 to overcome all temptations1 and to persevere in ,god's service to the end1 that one day ,i too may be received into your company1 to praise and glorify ,him1 the supreme ,lord1 whose beatific vision you enjoy1 and whom you praise and glorify for ever4 ,amen4 ,,first ,,day ,the ,devotion to the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,the practice of honoring and invoking the saints to obtain1 through their intercession1 help in the various needs of body and soul1 is as old as the ,church4 ,at what period1 however1 the custom of having recourse to the fourteen saints called ,holy ,helpers originated1 is unknown4 ,nevertheless it is certain that each one of them was invoked for his intercession with ,god since his entrance into heaven4 ,prayer is the ,christian's resource in every difficulty3 and difficulties and trials are never wanting on earth4 ,because the needs of mankind on earth are various1 the faithful selected certain saints as intercessors in certain cases of distress1 and obtained relief2 hence these saints came to be regarded as special patrons in such trials1 and were called ,holy ,helpers4 ,,practice ,,make this novena with full confidence in the power of the intercession of the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers4 ,during their earthly life they devoted their whole energy to the spreading of ,god's kingdom and the relief and succor of their fellow-men4 ,much more efficiently can they do so now when they are in the enjoyment of eternal happiness1 and can supplicate for us at the very throne of ,god4 ,the saints can help us through their intercession4 ,god hears their prayers and ,he wrought miracles to confirm us in this belief1 even whilst ,his servants sojourned here on earth4 ,they desire and are willing to help us4 ,st4 ,bernard says3 ,in heaven hearts do not grow cold2 they are rather rendered more affectionate and tender4 ,by receiving the crown of justice the saints were not hardened against the sufferings of their brethren on earth4 ,therefore1 in calling on them1 have full confidence in their power and ability to come to your aid4 ,prayer ,,we ,,beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 to hear the prayer which we send up to ,thee in honor of ,thy glorified servants1 the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers3 and as we can not rely upon our own justice1 grant our petition through the intercession of those whose merits have made them especially dear to ,thee4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,image3 ,death of the ,blessed ,virgin ,,litany ,,of ,,the ,,fourteen ,,holy ,,helpers ,,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 hear us4 ,christ1 graciously hear us4 ,god the ,father of heaven1 have mercy on us4 ,god the ,son1 ,redeemer of the world1 have mercy on us4 ,god the ,holy ,ghost1 have mercy on us4 ,holy ,trinity1 one ,god1 have mercy on us4 ,holy ,mary1 queen of martyrs1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 helper in all needs1 pray for us4 ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,george1 valiant martyr of ,christ1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,blase1 zealous bishop and benefactor of the poor1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,erasmus1 mighty protector of the oppressed1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,pantaleon1 miraculous exemplar of charity1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,vitus1 special protector of chastity1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,christophorus1 mighty intercessor in dangers1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,dionysius1 shining mirror of faith and confidence1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,cyriacus1 terror of hell1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,achatius1 helpful advocate in death1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,eustachius1 exemplar of patience in adversity1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,giles1 despiser of the world1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,margaret1 valiant champion of the ,faith1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,catherine1 victorious defender of the ,faith and of purity1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,barbara1 mighty patroness of the dying1 pray for us4 ,all ye ,holy ,helpers1 pray for us4 ,all ye saints of ,god1 pray for us4 ,in temptations against faith1 pray for us4 ,in adversity and trials1 pray for us4 ,in anxiety and want1 pray for us4 ,in every combat1 pray for us4 ,in every temptation1 pray for us4 ,in sickness1 pray for us4 ,in all needs1 pray for us4 ,in fear and terror1 pray for us4 ,in dangers of salvation1 pray for us4 ,in dangers of honor1 pray for us4 ,in dangers of reputation1 pray for us4 ,in dangers of property1 pray for us4 ,in dangers by fire and water1 pray for us4 ,be merciful1 spare us1 ,o ,lord6 ,be merciful1 graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord6 ,from all sin1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,from ,thy wrath1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,from the scourge of earthquake1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,from plague1 famine1 and war1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,from lightning and storms1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,from a sudden and unprovided death1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,from eternal damnation1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,through the mystery of ,thy holy incarnation1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,through ,thy birth and ,thy life1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,through ,thy cross and passion1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,through ,thy death and burial1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,through the merits of ,thy blessed ,mother ,mary1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,through the merits of the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord4 ,on the ,day of ,judgment1 deliver us1 ,o ,lord6 ,we sinners1 beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou spare us1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou pardon us1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou convert us to true penance1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou give and preserve the fruits of the earth1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou protect and propagate ,thy holy ,church1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou preserve peace and concord among the nations1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou give eternal rest to the souls of the departed1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou come to our aid through the intercession of the ,holy ,helpers1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,george ,thou preserve us in the ,faith1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,blase ,thou confirm us in hope1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,erasmus ,thou enkindle in us ,thy holy love1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,pantaleon ,thou give us charity for our neighbor1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,vitus ,thou teach us the value of our soul1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,christophorus ,thou preserve us from sin1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,dionysius ,thou give us tranquillity of conscience1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,cyriacus ,thou grant us resignation to ,thy holy will1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,eustachius ,thou give us patience in adversity1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,achatius ,thou grant us a happy death1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,giles ,thou grant us a merciful judgment1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,margaret ,thou preserve us from hell1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,catherine ,thou shorten our purgatory1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of ,st4 ,barbara ,thou receive us in heaven1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that through the intercession of all the ,holy ,helpers ,thou wilt grant our prayers1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world1 spare us1 ,o ,lord4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world1 graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world1 have mercy on us1 ,o ,lord4 ,v4 ,pray for us1 ye ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers4 ,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promise of ,christ4 ,let us ,pray ,,almighty and eternal ,god1 who hast bestowed extraordinary graces and gifts on ,thy saints ,george1 ,blase1 ,erasmus1 ,pantaleon1 ,vitus1 ,christophorus1 ,dionysius1 ,cyriacus1 ,eustachius1 ,achatius1 ,giles1 ,margaret1 ,catherine1 and ,barbara1 and hast illustrated them by miracles2 we beseech ,thee to graciously hear the petitions of all who invoke their intercession4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,o ,god1 who didst miraculously fortify the ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers in the confession of the ,faith2 grant us1 we beseech ,thee1 to imitate their fortitude in overcoming all temptations against it1 and protect us through their intercession in all dangers of soul and body1 so that we may serve ,thee in purity of heart and chastity of body4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,invocation ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,helpers ,,fourteen ,holy ,helpers1 who served ,god in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of ,his beatific vision in heaven2 because you persevered till death you gained the crown of eternal life4 ,remember the dangers that surround us in this vale of tears1 and intercede for us in all our needs and adversities4 ,amen4 ,fourteen ,holy ,helpers1 select friends of ,god1 ,i honor you as mighty intercessors1 and come with filial confidence to you in my needs1 for the relief of which ,i have undertaken to make this novena4 ,help me by your intercession to placate ,god's wrath1 which ,i have provoked by my sins1 and aid me in amending my life and doing penance4 ,obtain for me the grace to serve ,god with a willing heart1 to be resigned to ,his holy will1 to be patient in adversity and to persevere unto the end1 so that1 having finished my earthly course1 ,i may join you in heaven1 there to praise for ever ,god1 who is wonderful in ,his saints4 ,amen4 ,,second ,,day ,the ,destiny of ,man ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,the ,holy ,helpers faithfully co-operated with ,god's designs concerning their eternal destiny4 ,no obstacle could prevail on them to stray from the path of duty4 ,always and everywhere they fulfilled the will of ,god4 ,you1 too1 have an eternal destiny4 ,you are not your own master1 but belong to ,god1 whose servant and property you are4 ,therefore you must obey ,him1 and not your own inclinations2 you must do ,his will1 and not your own4 ,god had the right of requiring our submission to ,him without giving us a reward1 because ,he is ,our ,lord2 nevertheless ,he promised to give us ,himself in reward for our faithful service4 ,ought this not be sufficient inducement for us to serve ,him zealously and gratefully8 ,remember1 moreover1 that you shall be unhappy both in this and in the next world if you do not give yourself entirely to ,god1 for whom you were created4 ,st4 ,augustine says3 ,thou hast created us for ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 and our heart remains restless till it rests in ,thee4 ,,practice ,,thank ,god for the undeserved grace of creation and redemption4 ,make an act of contrition for having served ,him so negligently4 ,promise amendment1 and invoke the aid of ,god's grace through the intercession of the ,holy ,helpers4 ,prayer ,o ,,god1 who according to the decrees of ,thy providence hast created man for eternal bliss2 grant1 through the intercession of the ,holy ,helpers1 that ,i may attain to my destiny by being united with ,thee in this life and loving and praising ,thee for ever in heaven4 ,amen4 ,litany and ,prayers 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,third ,,day ,the ,virtue of ,faith ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,the ,holy ,helpers were so thoroughly imbued with the virtue of divine faith1 that they believed its sacred truths with perfect abandonment of their intellect1 will1 liberty1 and whole being4 ,they wavered not amid the severest torments1 but remained firm until death in the confession of ,christ4 ,our time is noted for assaults on the ,faith and on the ,church that teaches it4 ,the ,church1 the depository of divine revelation1 is blasphemed in her doctrine1 in her precepts1 in her sacraments1 in her ministers1 in her cult1 in her entire essence4 ,were you never ashamed of your ,catholic name8 ,what cowardliness1 what timidity1 what downright malice6 ,,practice ,,revive your faith by the consideration of the example of the ,holy ,helpers4 ,do not1 from human respect1 neglect the sanctification of the ,lord's ,day1 the observance of days of fast and abstinence1 the reception of the holy sacraments1 the profession of your belief in the real presence of ,our ,lord in the ,blessed ,sacrament1 etc4 ,meditate frequently on the words of ,christ3 ,he that shall deny ,me before men1 ,i will also deny him before ,my ,father who is in heaven 7,matt4 x4 #cc74 ,prayer ,o ,,god1 ,i beseech ,thee1 through the faith of the ,holy ,helpers1 grant me the grace to treasure in my heart the doctrines of our holy faith1 to believe them firmly1 to confess them bravely1 and to live according to their precepts1 that through that same faith ,i may become worthy to be admitted to ,thy beatific vision in heaven4 ,amen4 ,litany and ,prayers 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,fourth ,,day ,the ,virtue of ,hope ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,hope confoundeth not 7,rom4 v4 #f74 ,according to the commentators these words of ,holy ,scripture are to be understood in the sense that our works must be in conformity with that which is the object of our hope2 that is1 we must live in such a manner that we really merit the reward of heaven4 ,we sin against hope also by presumption in ,god's mercy1 by despair1 and by over-confidence in our own righteousness4 ,according to ,holy ,scripture we can not1 of our own efficacy1 perform a good act1 but can do all in ,him that strengthens us4 ,all these truths are exemplified in the lives of the ,holy ,helpers4 ,their hope was based on the firm foundation of faith1 and consequently1 like it1 firm1 constant1 and unwavering4 ,,practice ,,like the ,holy ,helpers1 hope to obtain from ,god all things necessary to salvation1 for the ,lord is good to them that hope in ,him1 to the soul that seeketh ,him 7,lam4 iii4 #be74 ,live so that ,he can fulfil ,his promises4 ,place no obstacle to ,his bounty and might by a sinful life4 ,prayer ,,eternal ,god of love and mercy1 ,i thank ,thee for all the benefits ,thou hast conferred upon me1 and hope to obtain1 through the intercession of the ,holy ,helpers1 all the graces necessary for my salvation4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,litany and ,prayers 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,fifth ,,day ,the ,love of ,god ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,the love of ,god which inflamed the ,holy ,helpers showed forth in their whole life1 and particularly at their death4 ,we1 too1 ought to be inflamed with such love1 for without it faith1 wisdom1 the gift of tongues1 and good works in general1 avail nothing2 for the love of ,god must inspire them all4 ,and we know that to them that love ,god1 all things work together unto good 7,rom4 viii4 #bh74 ,such1 and such alone1 will receive the crown of life4 ,did not ,god love us first8 ,to redeem us from sin and eternal death ,he spared not ,his only begotten1 divine ,son4 ,all goods of life and fortune are gifts of ,his love1 evidences of ,his infinite love4 ,and we find it difficult to return this love8 ,how ungrateful not to love ,god with your whole heart6 ,,practice ,,imitate the ,holy ,helpers in their ardent love of ,god4 ,implore their intercession to obtain it4 ,meditate often on ,god's love for you1 and your heart will be enflamed with love for ,him4 ,prayer ,o ,,god of mercy and love1 ,i thank ,thee from all my heart for the countless graces which ,thy infinite love has bestowed on me4 ,by the ardent love which the ,holy ,helpers had for ,thee1 ,i implore ,thee to enkindle in my heart the flame of ,thy love1 so that ,i may remain in ,thee and ,thou in me4 ,amen4 ,litany and ,prayers 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,sixth ,,day ,the ,virtue of ,charity ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,charity is one of the fundamental virtues of the ,christian religion4 ,the moral doctrine preached by ,christ is comprised in the words3 ,thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god with thy whole heart1 and with thy whole soul1 and with thy whole mind4 ,this is the greatest and the first commandment4 ,and the second is like to this4 ,thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself4 ,on these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets 7,matt4 xxii4 #cg-dj74 ,as in everything else1 the ,holy ,helpers are our exemplars also in charity4 ,charity consists in wishing well to our fellow-men1 rejoicing with the glad and sympathizing with the sad1 doing good to all1 excusing their faults whenever possible1 disclosing them only when necessary1 being friendly1 indulgent1 meek1 and helpful toward them4 ,we love our neighbor if we succor the poor and distressed1 if we harbor no envy for the rich1 if we esteem the just for their virtue1 and hate--not the sinner--but sin4 ,we love our neighbor if we are not content with harboring these sentiments in our heart1 but show them by our actions4 ,,practice ,,endeavor to exercise this charity according to the spirit of ,christ4 ,the love of your neighbor must not be a sentimental affection2 it must not originate in casual qualities of character or rank1 in inclination1 etc41 but must have the love of ,god for its motive4 ,we must exercise charity toward all because ,god wills it1 and in the manner in which ,he wills it4 ,thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself4 ,prayer ,o ,,god of charity1 who dost will that ,i love my neighbor for ,thy sake1 grant me the grace1 through the intercession of the ,holy ,helpers1 to be animated with that spirit of charity which embraces all and excludes none1 which is patient1 kind1 envieth not1 dealeth not perversely1 is not puffed up1 is not ambitious1 seeketh not her own1 is not provoked to anger1 thinketh no evil1 rejoiceth not in iniquity1 but rejoiceth with the truth1 beareth all things1 believeth all things1 endureth all things1 and never falleth away 7#a ,cor4 xiii4 #d-h74 ,amen4 ,litany and ,prayers 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,seventh ,,day ,human ,respect ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,by ,,the conscientious fulfilment of the duties of their state of life the ,holy ,helpers show us that the will of ,god alone was the motive of all their actions4 ,human respect1 regard for the opinion of others1 did not influence them4 ,the cowardly fear1 ,what will people say8 was the ruin of many a soul4 ,the enemy of mankind is ever intent upon preventing us from doing good through human respect4 ,he insinuates that virtue and piety are out of date and ridiculed4 ,from human respect many a person boasts of that which ought to make him blush2 he thinks it discreditable to be less remiss in his religious obligations than others4 ,ought the opinion and ridicule of the world influence us to prevent our pleasing ,god8 ,st4 ,paul says3 ,if ,i yet pleased men1 ,i should not be the servant of ,christ 7,gal4 i4 #aj74 ,our ,lord ,himself tells us1 ,he that shall deny ,me before men1 ,i will also deny him before ,my ,father who is in heaven 7,matt4 x4 #cc74 ,,practice ,,our ,lord says3 ,so let your light shine before men1 that they may see your good works and glorify your ,father who is in heaven 7,matt4 v4 #af74 ,do not stray from the path of duty on account of human respect2 do not let yourself be influenced by the judgments of the world4 ,prayer ,,merciful ,god1 who gavest the ,holy ,helpers the grace to fulfil ,thy will regardless of human respect2 grant that we may obtain through their intercession and merits the courage to despise the opinion of men1 and ever serve ,thee with a fearless heart4 ,amen4 ,litany and ,prayers 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,eighth ,,day ,prayer ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of the novena74 ,,meditation ,,the ,holy ,helpers1 well knowing the efficacy of prayer1 assiduously devoted themselves to it4 ,from it they drew that wonderful strength which sustained them in their combat for the ,faith4 ,prayer is the elevation of the mind to ,god1 intercourse with ,him by acts of adoration1 praise1 thanksgiving1 and petition4 ,st4 ,chrysostom says of prayer3 ,without prayer it is impossible to lead a good life2 for no one can practise virtue except he humbly implores ,god for it1 who alone can give him the necessary strength4 ,who ceases to love and practise prayer1 no longer possesses the gifts of the ,spirit4 ,but he that perseveres in the service of ,god1 and deems it an irreparable loss to miss constant prayer1 possesses every virtue and is a friend of ,god4 ,,practice ,,offer yourself at the beginning of each day to ,god1 and thereby you will belong to ,him throughout its whole course4 ,renew your consecration to ,him frequently during the day by short acts of virtue and especially by a good intention1 thus rendering all your work a prayer1 and you will attain perfection4 ,prayer ,o ,,god1 ,i implore ,thee through the merits and intercession of the ,holy ,helpers1 to grant me the spirit of prayer1 that following their example ,i may walk in ,thy presence and ever enjoy the consolation of intercourse with ,thee4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,litany and ,prayers 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,ninth ,,day ,perseverance ,preparatory ,prayer 7located at the start of the novena74 ,,meditation ,a ,,victorious death was the reward of the ,holy ,helpers' perseverance in the service of ,god4 ,during this novena you have1 no doubt1 formed many good resolutions1 exclaiming with the ,royal ,prophet1 ,and ,i said1 now ,i have begun 7,ps4 lxxvi4 #aa74 ,but it happens that many1 despite their good will1 become remiss in the pursuit of virtue4 ,satan is assiduously trying to accomplish their ruin1 representing to them and exaggerating the difficulties to be encountered on the path of virtue4 ,they hesitate1 falter1 and finally turn back4 ,this is the most unfortunate happening that can occur4 ,of the condition of such a one ,our ,lord ,himself says3 ,when the unclean spirit is gone out of a man1 he walketh through places without water1 seeking rest2 and not finding1 he saith3 ',i will return into my house whence ,i came out4' ,and when he is come1 he findeth it swept and garnished4 ,then he goeth and taketh with him seven spirits more wicked than himself1 and entering in they dwell there4 ,and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first 7,luke xi4 #bd-bf74 ,are these words not a sufficient warning to encourage us to persevere in our good resolves8 ,image3 ,assumption of the ,blessed ,virgin into ,heaven4 ,,practice ,,in concluding this novena1 survey again the depth of that incomprehensible eternity which is awaiting you4 ,contemplate in spirit the endless chain of centuries following each other there in reward or in punishment4 ,does this thought not banish all the difficulties of perseverance8 ,prayer ,o ,,god1 whose mercies are infinite and whose goodness is without limit1 ,i beseech ,thee through the merits and intercession of the ,holy ,helpers1 grant me the grace of perseverance in ,thy love and service to the end4 ,thou1 who dost dispense so many favors through the ,holy ,helpers1 despise not my prayer1 but graciously hear and grant it4 ,amen4 ,litany and ,prayers 7located on the first day of the novena74 ,,concluding ,,prayer ,o ,,faithful servants of ,god and powerful protectors of man1 ,holy ,helpers6 ,since ,our ,lord appointed you the heavenly advocates for our needs on earth1 ,i confidently turn to you for help in my distress4 ,countless numbers praise you for aiding them with counsel in doubt1 with consolation in anxiety1 with health in illness1 with safety in danger1 with delivery from prison1 and with help and assistance in all tribulations4 ,therefore ,i1 too1 have recourse to you1 and implore you not to refuse me your aid4 ,give thanks to ,god for me for all the graces ,he granted me during this novena4 ,i ascribe them to your great merits and powerful intercession4 ,i thank you all together1 and each one in particular1 for your interest in my favor before the throne of ,god4 ,i commend myself to your continued protection1 that ,i may one day be united with you in heaven1 there to thank the ,giver of all good things and to praise ,him for all eternity4 ,amen4 ,prayers of ,petition and ,intercession ,i4 ,three ,invocations #a4 ,,great friends of ,god1 ,holy ,helpers1 humbly saluting and venerating you1 ,i implore your help and intercession4 ,bring my prayers before the throne of the ,most ,holy ,trinity1 so that ,i may experience in all the difficulties and trials of life the mercy of the eternal ,father1 the love of the incarnate divine ,son1 and the assistance of the ,holy ,ghost2 that despondency may not depress me when ,god's wise decree imposes on my shoulders a heavy burden4 ,above all1 ,i implore your assistance at the hour of death4 ,help me then to gain the victory over the temptations and assaults of ,satan1 and to leave this world hopefully trusting in ,god's mercy1 to join you in heaven1 there to praise ,him for ever and ever4 ,amen4 #b4 ,with confiding trust ,i turn to you1 ,holy ,helpers1 who were selected by ,god before many other saints to be the special intercessors and advocates of the distressed4 ,obtain for me strength and courage to struggle and suffer on earth for the glory of ,god1 for the propagation of our holy faith1 and for my own perfection4 ,you are fruitful branches of the true and living vine1 ,jesus ,christ1 for whom you heroically suffered hunger and thirst1 persecution and ignominy1 afflictions and adversity1 tortures and death4 ,here on earth you were true disciples and dauntless martyrs of ,christ4 ,assist me to follow your example and to suffer for ,his sake1 so that ,i may not be parted from ,him as a useless member1 but persevere in ,his service despite all trials and tribulations of life4 ,knowing my inconstancy and weakness1 ,i have recourse to you1 ,o glorious members of the ,church triumphant1 and implore you to support my feeble prayers1 and to bear them before the throne of the ,almighty1 who1 for your sake1 will hear them4 ,amen4 #c4 ,great friends and servants of ,god1 ,holy ,helpers6 ,humbly saluting and venerating you1 ,i implore your help and intercession4 ,god has promised and granted that whosoever invokes your aid shall be relieved in his needs and succored at the hour of death4 ,therefore ,i have recourse to you and confidently implore your aid4 ,i am surrounded by difficulties and my soul is oppressed with grief4 ,burdened with sins1 the fear of ,god's rigorous judgment appalls me1 whilst ,satan ceases not to exert all his power to accomplish my eternal ruin4 ,therefore ,i implore your assistance1 powerful ,holy ,helpers1 in my dire distress4 ,by the penitential life you led1 by the cruel tortures you suffered1 and by your holy death ,i entreat you to pray for me4 ,obtain for me the remission of my sins and perseverance to the end in ,god's grace4 ,assist me in my agony and protect me against the wily assaults of ,satan1 that through your help ,i may die a happy death and enter a blissful eternity4 ,amen4 ,,ii4 ,prayer in ,illness ,,compassionate ,holy ,helpers1 who restored health to so many through the power of the name of ,jesus2 behold me suffering from bodily illness and from wounds of the soul4 ,implore the kind1 merciful ,good ,samaritan1 your and my ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 to heal the wounds of my soul by washing them in ,his most precious blood1 and to quicken my spirit by ,his sanctifying grace4 ,if it1 then1 be ,god's holy will and for the welfare of my soul1 let me experience the powerful effect of your intercession1 that1 restored to health1 ,i may serve ,god with greater fervor1 and promote your veneration together with so many who experienced your help in illness and suffering4 ,amen4 ,,iii4 ,prayer for the ,sick ,,merciful ,holy ,helpers1 look benignly upon me1 who implore your intercession for a sick person4 ,our ,lord and ,redeemer ,jesus ,christ1 who ,himself went about healing and doing good1 appointed you the special protectors and intercessors of the sick1 and restored to bodily and spiritual health many for whom you prayed4 ,encouraged thereby to invoke you1 ,i implore you to offer up to ,his sacred ,heart all the pains and torments ,he suffered during ,his bitter passion4 ,offer up to ,him also your own sufferings for ,god's glory1 which you underwent during life1 and in death2 offer up to ,him all the anguish and distress suffered by the sick person for whom ,i invoke your intercession4 ,ask ,him to restore him to health of body1 and to infuse into his soul the grace of salvation1 so that he may devote his life with renewed vigor to the service of ,god and to the fulfilment of his duties1 and thereby gather rich merits for eternity4 ,but if ,god1 in the designs of ,his providence1 should otherwise dispose1 implore for the sick person patience in his illness1 resignation to the divine will1 and the grace of a happy death4 ,assist him in his agony1 and conduct his soul to the throne of the ,almighty4 ,amen4 ,,iv4 ,prayer of ,parents for ,their ,children ,,holy ,helpers1 assist me to give thanks to ,god for blessing me with children4 ,having received them from ,him1 it is my duty to train them for ,his service4 ,therefore ,i commend them to your special protection4 ,guard them from sin1 help them to know and fulfil their duties1 preserve them from all harm of body and soul2 pray for them that they may be and remain children of ,god4 ,for me1 obtain the grace always to take good care of them1 to edify them by good example1 to punish their faults wisely1 to preserve their innocence1 and to instruct them unto piety1 so that they and ,i may together enjoy the eternal happiness of heaven4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,prayer of ,children for ,their ,parents ,,holy ,helpers1 mighty intercessors with ,god in all necessities2 ,god strictly commanded that children should love1 honor1 and obey their parents4 ,our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ ,himself gave them the example of submission and obedience by being subject to ,his mother and foster-father4 ,i commend myself to your powerful intercession and implore you to obtain for me the grace to follow ,his example4 ,for my parents ,i implore protection from all evil of body and soul1 a long and prosperous life1 and a happy death4 ,reward them for all the care1 anxiety1 labor1 and trouble which they underwent patiently for my sake with the eternal crown of heavenly glory4 ,amen4 ,,vi4 ,prayer of ,married ,people ,,holy ,helpers1 powerful intercessors at the throne of ,god1 by whose providence we were indissolubly joined in holy wedlock through the sacramental bonds of matrimony2 obtain for us1 through your intercession1 the grace to dwell together in mutual love and peace1 and to fulfil faithfully the duties of our state of life2 that following the example of the saints and elect who lived in wedlock1 we may merit ,god's grace and blessing by a virtuous life here on earth1 and united in heaven praise and bless ,him for ever4 ,amen4 ,,part ,v ,general ,devotions ,the ,lord is nigh unto all them that call upon ,him1 to all that call upon ,him in truth4 ,he will do the will of them that fear ,him1 and ,he will bear their prayer and save them 7,ps4 cxliv4 #ah1 #ai74 ,rejoicing in hope1 patient in tribulation1 instant in prayer 7,rom4 xii4 #ab74 ,morning ,prayers ,on awaking1 sign yourself with the sign of the cross1 saying3 ,,in ,,the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,amen4 ,i rise in the name of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who redeemed me by ,his precious blood4 ,bless1 guide1 and protect me from all evil1 ,o ,lord6 ,strengthen me to all good and lead me to eternal life4 ,amen4 ,after dressing1 kneel and say3 ,my ,lord and my ,god6 ,i prostrate myself before the throne of ,thy divine ,majesty1 and give ,thee infinite thanks1 ,o ,lord1 that ,i have passed this night safely and have not died in my sins1 but was preserved by ,thy bounty for ,thy further service4 ,i offer up to ,thee all that ,i shall do and suffer to-day1 and unite it with the prayers1 labors1 and sufferings of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ and of ,his blessed ,mother ,mary4 ,,offering ,,take1 ,o ,lord1 and receive all my liberty1 my memory1 my understanding1 and my whole will4 ,thou hast given me all that ,i am and all that ,i possess2 ,i surrender it all to ,thee that ,thou mayest dispose of it according to ,thy will4 ,give me only ,thy love and ,thy grace2 with these ,i will be rich enough1 and will have no more to desire4 ,indulgence4 #cjj days1 once a day4 7,leo ,,xiii1 ,may #bf1 #ahhc47 ,acts of ,faith1 ,hope1 and ,charity ,,my ,,lord and ,god6 ,i most firmly believe all that ,thou hast revealed and all that ,thy holy ,church believes and teaches1 because ,thou1 who art infallible ,truth1 hast so revealed and commanded4 ,my ,lord and ,god6 ,because ,thou art almighty1 infinitely good and merciful1 ,i hope that by the merits of the passion and death of ,jesus ,christ1 our ,saviour1 ,thou wilt grant me eternal life1 which ,thou hast promised to all who shall do the works of a good ,christian1 as ,i purpose to do by ,thy help4 ,my ,lord and ,god6 ,because ,thou art the highest and most perfect good1 ,i love ,thee with my whole heart1 and above all things2 and rather than offend ,thee1 ,i am ready to lose all things else2 and for ,thy love1 ,i love and desire to love my neighbor as myself4 ,indulgence4 7#a7 ,a plenary indulgence1 once a month1 for devoutly making these acts daily2 under the usual conditions4 7#b7 ,a plenary indulgence at the hour of death1 under the same conditions4 7#c7 ,seven years and seven quarantines1 every time4 7,benedict ,,xiv1 ,january #bh1 #agbh47 ,the same ,pope declared that it is not necessary to use any set formula1 but that any form of words may be used1 provided it expresses the particular motive of each of the three theological virtues4 ,to the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,,my ,,queen1 my ,mother6 ,i give myself entirely to thee2 and to show my devotion to thee ,i consecrate to thee this day my eyes1 my ears1 my mouth1 my heart1 my whole being1 without reserve4 ,wherefore1 good ,mother1 as ,i am thine own1 keep me1 guard me1 as thy property and possession4 ,indulgence4 7#a7 #ajj days1 once a day4 7#b7 ,a plenary indulgence1 once a month1 for saying it every day2 under the usual conditions4 7,pius ,,ix1 ,aug4 #e1 #ahea47 ,to the ,angel ,guardian ,,angel of ,god1 my guardian dear1 ,to whom ,his love committed me here1 ,ever this day be at my side1 ,to light and guard1 to rule and guide6 ,amen4 ,indulgence4 7#a7 #ajj days1 every time4 7#b7 ,a plenary indulgence on the feast of the holy ,guardian ,angels1 for saying it morning and evening throughout the year2 under the usual conditions4 7#c7 ,a plenary indulgence at the hour of death1 for saying it often during life4 7,pius ,,vi1 ,oct #b1 #agie1 and ,june #aa1 #agif47 7#d7 ,a plenary indulgence1 once a month1 for saying it daily2 under the usual conditions4 7,pius ,,vii1 ,may #ae1 #ahba47 ,evening ,prayers ,,eternal and merciful ,god6 ,i adore ,thee and give ,thee thanks for all the graces and benefits which ,thou hast conferred upon me during my whole life1 and particularly during this day4 ,may the saints and elect1 especially the ,holy ,helpers1 praise and thank ,thee for me4 ,enlighten me now through ,thy holy ,spirit1 and let me know whether and how ,i have offended ,thee to-day in thought1 word1 deed1 and omission of duty4 ,examine your conscience4 ,an ,act of ,contrition ,o ,,my ,god6 ,i am deeply sorry for all my sins1 for those ,i committed to-day1 and for those of my whole life1 because thereby ,i offended ,thy supreme and most loving goodness4 ,pardon me for the sake of ,jesus1 ,thy ,son1 who shed ,his most precious blood on the cross for our sins4 ,with the help of ,thy grace1 ,i firmly resolve to amend my life1 and rather to die than again offend ,thee by a mortal sin4 ,,petition ,,protect me and mine and all men during this night1 and through the intercession of the blessed ,virgin ,mary and of the ,holy ,helpers preserve us from all dangers of body and soul4 ,keep away from us sickness1 fire1 and calamities of every kind4 ,protect us against the assaults of the wicked and of ,satan4 ,into ,thy hands ,i commend my body and soul2 let me rest in ,thy most holy wounds4 ,visit1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 this habitation1 and repel from it all the snares of the enemy2 let ,thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace1 and may ,thy blessings be upon us for ever4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,to the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus 7,prayer of ,st ,alphonsus47 ,,adorable ,heart of my ,jesus1 ,heart created expressly for the love of men6 ,until now ,i have shown toward ,thee only ingratitude4 ,pardon me1 ,o my ,jesus6 ,heart of my ,jesus1 abyss of love and of mercy1 how is it possible that ,i do not die of sorrow when ,i reflect on ,thy goodness to me and my ingratitude to ,thee8 ,thou1 my ,creator1 after having created me1 hast given ,thy blood and ,thy life for me2 and1 not content with this1 ,thou hast invented a means of offering ,thyself up every day for me in the ,holy ,eucharist1 exposing ,thyself to a thousand insults and outrages4 ,o ,jesus1 do ,thou wound my heart with a great contrition for my sins1 and a lively love for ,thee4 ,through ,thy tears and ,thy blood give me the grace of perseverance in ,thy fervent love until ,i breathe my last sigh4 ,amen4 ,to the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary ,,remember1 ,o most gracious ,virgin ,mary1 that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection1 implored thy help1 and sought thy intercession1 was left unaided4 ,inspired with this confidence1 ,i fly unto thee1 ,o ,virgin of virgins1 my ,mother6 ,to thee ,i come2 before thee ,i stand1 sinful and sorrowful4 ,o ,mother of the ,word incarnate1 despise not my petitions1 but in thy mercy hear and answer me4 ,amen4 ,indulgence4 7#a7 #cjj days1 every time1 7#b7 ,a plenary indulgence1 once a month1 for having said it daily2 under the usual conditions4 7,pius ,,ix1 ,december #aa1 #ahdf47 ,litany of ,loreto 7located in the list of litanies74 ,to ,st4 ,joseph ,,guardian of virgins and father1 holy ,joseph1 to whose faithful care ,christ ,jesus1 very innocence1 and ,mary1 ,virgin of virgins1 were committed2 ,i pray and beg of thee by these dear pledges1 ,jesus and ,mary1 free me from all uncleanness1 and make me with spotless mind1 pure heart1 and chaste body1 ever most chastely to serve ,jesus and ,mary all the days of my life4 ,amen4 ,indulgence4 #ajj days1 once a day4 7,pius ,,ix1 ,feb4 #d1 #ahgg47 ,illustration3 ,the ,crowning of the ,blessed ,virgin in ,heaven4 ,before ,retiring 7,prayer of ,st4 ,alphonsus47 ,,my ,,lord and ,god ,jesus ,christ6 ,i adore ,thee and give ,thee thanks for all the graces which ,thou hast granted me to-day4 ,i offer up to ,thee my rest and every moment of this night1 and implore ,thee to preserve me from all sin4 ,therefore ,i place myself into the wound of ,thy sacred side1 and beneath the protecting mantle of my ,mother ,mary4 ,may ,thy holy angels assist me and watch over my peace1 and may ,thy holy blessing remain with me4 ,indulgence4 #fj days1 once a day1 also for the souls in purgatory4 7,leo ,,xiii1 ,june #cj1 #ahih47 ,,invocation ,,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 ,i give you my heart and my soul4 ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 assist me in my last agony4 ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 may ,i breathe forth my soul in peace with you4 ,indulgence4 #ajj days for the recital of any one of these invocations1 #cjj days for all three4 7,pius ,,vii1 ,aug4 #bf1 #ahad47 ,prayers at ,holy ,mass ,preparatory ,prayer ,,almighty and eternal ,god6 ,i appear in ,thy presence to assist at the most holy sacrifice of the body and blood of ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 my ,redeemer1 and to offer it up jointly with the priest and the faithful here present1 in grateful remembrance of ,his passion and death1 for the promotion of ,thy glory1 and for my salvation4 ,together with all the holy ,masses that are celebrated throughout the world1 ,i offer up this august sacrifice for the following intentions3 ,to adore ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 as ,thou dost deserve to be adored2 to give ,thee due thanks for the innumerable benefits which ,i owe to ,thy bounty2 to make reparation for the many offenses ,i have committed2 to appease ,thy just anger1 and to invoke ,thy infinite mercy for me1 for ,thy holy ,church1 for the whole world1 and for the souls in purgatory4 ,amen4 ,at the ,beginning of ,mass ,o ,,heavenly ,father6 ,hear the prayer of ,thy holy ,church invoking ,thy divine ,majesty in the name of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 to come to the aid of ,thy children in all their needs4 ,turn not from us ,thy gracious eyes1 but deliver us from all evil1 so that we may live to please ,thee1 die in ,thy love1 and enter the kingdom of glory4 ,amen4 ,at the ,gospel ,,almighty ,god1 ,thou source of all truth1 holiness1 and justice2 having spoken in the ,old ,law by the mouth of ,thy prophets1 ,thou spokest in the fulness of time through ,thy divine ,son ,jesus ,christ1 and speakest now through ,thy holy ,church1 appointed by ,thee the ,teacher of truth4 ,we thank ,thee for the saving doctrines entrusted to her for our good1 and implore ,thy grace to practise them and to please ,thee by all our actions4 ,at the ,credo ,say the ,apostles' ,creed4 ,at the ,offering ,,almighty and eternal ,god6 ,look graciously on the forms of bread and wine offered up to ,thee on the altar by the priest1 imploring ,thee to bless and sanctify them for the eucharistic sacrifice of the ,new ,law4 ,with this sacrifice1 ,o my ,god1 ,i offer up to ,thee my heart with all its affections1 desires1 and inclinations4 ,sanctify my thoughts1 words1 and deeds1 that they may become a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to ,thee4 ,at the ,preface ,,to ,,thee1 ,o ,lord1 ,i raise my heart in gratitude for all ,thy mercies4 ,for truly meet and just1 right and salutary is it for us to give ,thee always and everywhere praise and thanks1 ,o holy ,lord1 almighty ,father and eternal ,god1 through ,christ our ,lord2 through whom the angels and archangels1 the cherubs and the seraphs praise ,thy majesty and adore ,thy might4 ,with them ,i unite my voice1 joining in their hymns of praise1 and saying3 ,at the ,sanctus ,,holy1 holy1 holy1 ,lord1 ,god of hosts4 ,heaven and earth are filled with ,thy glory4 ,hosanna in the highest4 ,blessed is ,he that cometh in the name of the ,lord4 ,hosanna in the highest4 ,at the ,canon ,o ,,god6 ,let my prayer be acceptable to ,thee1 and graciously hear the intercession which ,i make confiding in the virtue of this holy sacrifice4 ,i commend to ,thy mercy our holy ,father1 ,n41 our bishop1 ,n41 and all bishops and priests of ,thy holy ,church4 ,let ,thy kingdom be spread more and more all over the earth2 grant peace and concord to the nations2 protect our country2 preserve peace and love in all families4 ,remember graciously my parents1 brothers1 sisters1 and relatives1 my benefactors1 my enemies1 and all for whom ,i am in justice or charity bound to pray4 ,at the ,elevation ,,hail1 thou body of my ,saviour1 conceived by the ,holy ,ghost1 born of ,mary the immaculate ,virgin6 ,with profound humility ,i adore ,thee4 ,lord1 have mercy on me6 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood of ,jesus1 in satisfaction for my sins1 and for the wants of holy ,church4 ,indulgence4 #ajj days1 every time4 7,pius ,,vii1 ,sept4 #bb1 #ahag47 ,after the ,elevation ,,most amiable ,jesus6 ,thou art now present on the altar1 ,god and man1 really1 truly1 and essentially4 ,divine victim for our sins1 have mercy on us6 ,be our mediator with ,thy ,father2 avert from us the punishment we have deserved for our sins1 deliver us from all dangers that threaten us1 and from all evil4 ,promote the welfare of ,thy ,church1 and remember in ,thy mercy those who have gone before us with the sign of faith and rest in peace4 7,remember the departed for whom you intend to pray47 ,to these1 ,o ,lord1 and to all that sleep in ,christ1 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 a place of refreshment1 light1 and peace4 ,also to us sinners1 ,thy servants1 confiding in the multitude of ,thy mercies1 grant some part and fellowship with ,thy saints1 through whose intercession we invoke ,thy favor1 and into whose company we beseech ,thee to admit us1 not in consideration of our merit1 but of ,thy own pardon4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,at the ,pater ,noster ,,instructed by ,thy saving precepts and following ,thy divine directions1 we presume to say3 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,at the ,agnus ,dei ,,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world1 have mercy on us4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world1 have mercy on us4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world1 give us peace4 ,at ,communion ,,lord1 ,i am not worthy that ,thou shouldst enter under my roof2 say but the word1 and my soul shall be healed4 7,three times47 ,spiritual ,communion ,o ,,jesus1 ,i firmly believe that ,thou art truly present in the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,i see ,thee therein full of love1 willing to pardon us1 anxious to be united with us4 ,i wish most earnestly to respond to this ,thy desire and love4 ,i detest all the sins by which ,i have ever displeased ,thee4 ,pardon me1 ,o ,lord6 ,i desire to receive ,thee into my heart1 and since ,i now can not receive ,thee sacramentally1 come at least spiritually to me4 ,i embrace ,thee1 ,i unite myself with ,thee as if ,thou wert really present in my heart4 ,with all my love ,i cling to ,thee4 ,preserve me from sin1 that ,i may never be separated from ,thee1 but remain united with ,thee for ever4 ,indulgence4 #fj days1 once a day4 ,also for the suffering souls4 7,leo ,,xiii1 ,june #cj1 #ahic47 ,at the ,blessing ,,bless me1 ,o ,lord1 by the hand of ,thy priest1 and let the power of this blessing remain upon me for ever4 ,in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,amen4 ,at the ,last ,gospel ,o ,,jesus1 incarnate ,word of the eternal ,father1 ,thou true light which enlightens the world6 ,i give thanks to ,thee at all times for having dwelt among us1 the only-begotten ,son of the ,father1 full of grace and truth4 ,amen4 ,prayers after ,mass ,hail ,mary1 etc4 7,three times47 ,salve ,regina ,,hail1 holy queen1 ,mother of mercy1 our life1 our sweetness1 and our hope6 ,to thee do we cry1 poor banished children of ,eve2 to thee do we send up our sighs1 mourning and weeping in this vale of tears4 ,turn then1 most gracious advocate1 thine eyes of mercy toward us1 and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb1 ,jesus4 ,o clement1 ,o loving1 ,o sweet ,virgin ,mary6 ,v4 ,pray for us1 ,o holy ,mother of ,god4 ,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promises of ,christ4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,,god1 our refuge and our strength6 ,look down with favor upon ,thy people crying to ,thee2 and through the intercession of the glorious and immaculate ,virgin ,mary1 ,mother of ,god1 of her spouse1 blessed ,joseph1 of thy holy apostles ,peter and ,paul1 and all ,thy saints1 mercifully and graciously hear the prayers which we pour forth to ,thee for the conversion of sinners and for the liberty and exaltation of holy mother ,church4 ,through ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,st4 ,michael the archangel1 defend us in battle2 be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil4 ,command him1 ,o ,god1 we humbly beseech ,thee1 and do thou1 ,o prince of the heavenly hosts1 by the divine power1 cast into hell ,satan and the other evil spirits who roam through the world seeking the ruin of souls4 ,amen4 ,indulgence4 #cjj days4 7,leo ,,xiii1 ,september #be1 #ahhh47 ,prayers for ,confession ,before ,confession ,,merciful ,god6 ,i give infinite thanks to ,thee for the many and great graces ,thou hast bestowed upon me during my whole life4 ,would that ,i had never been ungrateful to ,thee1 that ,i never had offended ,thee4 ,but ,i have sinned exceedingly and often1 and have done so again since my last confession4 ,therefore ,i come to ,thee1 imploring ,thee in profoundest humility to give me ,thy light and ,thy grace1 that ,i may know and acknowledge all my sins1 faults1 and transgressions1 be truly sorry for them1 sincerely confess them1 do penance1 and amend my life2 for ,thy greater glory and for the salvation of my soul4 ,examine your conscience4 ,,supreme ,god and ,lord6 ,a poor sinner1 ,i cast myself at the throne of ,thy divine ,majesty1 and contritely confess that ,i have sinned in thought1 word1 and deed1 and through the omission of my duties4 ,i am heartily sorry that ,i was ungrateful to ,thee and have deserved to be punished in this life and in the life to come4 ,above all ,i am sorry because by my sins ,i have offended ,thee1 my supreme and infinite ,god1 who art worthy to be loved and honored above all else for ,thy supreme goodness and mercy4 ,i detest and abhor my sins above all other evils1 and wish ,i had never committed them4 ,humbly ,i implore ,thy pardon1 and confidently hope to obtain it through the merits of the blood of ,jesus ,christ shed for us poor sinners1 and through those of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 of the ,holy ,helpers1 and of all the saints4 ,i firmly purpose to amend my life1 to avoid all occasions of sin1 to use the means for conquering my passions1 and to practise virtue by ordering my life according to ,thy divine will and pleasure1 and rather to die than to offend ,thee again1 my ,god and ,lord4 ,i am now ready to make reparation to ,thy divine ,justice for all the offenses of which ,i have been guilty against ,thee1 as far as is in my power4 ,therefore ,i will confess my sins sincerely1 contritely1 fully1 and perform the penance imposed upon me4 ,before entering the confessional4 ,the ,lord be in my heart and on my lips that ,i may worthily and competently confess my sins4 ,after ,confession ,o ,,god of infinite mercy6 ,i give ,thee due thanks1 and praise ,thee for having admitted me to the confession of my sins and for having1 through ,thy minister1 granted me absolution for them4 ,i implore ,thee by the merits of ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 of ,mary1 ,his most blessed ,mother1 of the ,holy ,helpers1 and of all the saints1 to accept my confession1 and in ,thy infinite mercy to condone and amend all the defects and faults ,i committed in making it1 and to ratify in heaven the absolution ,i received on earth4 ,o my ,jesus6 ,how blind ,i was in not knowing ,thee and preferring transitory beauty and earthly attractions to ,thy grace and love1 and thereby offending ,thee6 ,now ,i acknowledge my fault1 and am convinced that it is my duty and privilege to love ,thee above all things4 ,too late ,i have learned it1 but ,i shall zealously strive to make reparation for my past neglect4 ,therefore ,i renounce the pleasures1 vanities1 and joys of this deceitful world1 and abhor sin and all that leads to it4 ,in the future nothing shall ever part me from ,thy love4 ,from this moment on ,i am resolved nevermore to offend ,thee4 ,confirm1 ,o ,jesus1 this my resolution1 and with ,thy almighty power strengthen my frailty4 ,seal my purpose of amendment with the bestowal of ,thy grace1 and preserve me in ,thy grace and love unto the end4 ,amen4 ,prayers for ,holy ,communion ,,before ,,communion ,an ,act of ,faith ,,my ,,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ6 ,i firmly believe that ,thou art really present in the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,i believe it contains ,thy body and blood1 ,thy soul and divinity4 ,i acknowledge these truths1 ,i believe these wonders4 ,i adore ,thy power which has wrought them2 ,i praise ,thy infinite goodness which has prepared them for me4 ,i will praise ,thee1 my ,god1 with my whole heart1 and will recount all ,thy admirable works2 ,i will rejoice in ,thee1 and bless ,thy holy name 7,ps4 ix4 #b1 #c74 ,in this faith1 and with this acknowledgment1 ,i presume to approach this adorable banquet1 wherein ,thou bestowest on me the divine food of ,thy body and blood to nourish my soul4 ,grant1 ,o ,jesus1 that ,i may approach ,thee with such a sense of reverence and humility as is due to ,thy divine ,majesty4 ,who am ,i1 ,o ,god1 that ,thou shouldst work such wonders for my sake8 ,grant1 ,o ,lord1 that ,i be not altogether unworthy of them1 and that ,i may now receive ,thee with a pure heart1 a clean conscience1 and a sincere and lively faith4 ,pardon my sins1 which have rendered me most unworthy to approach ,thee4 ,i detest them from the bottom of my heart1 because they are displeasing to ,thee1 my ,god4 ,i renounce them for ever1 and promise to be faithful to ,thee4 ,an ,act of ,hope ,,in ,,thee1 sweet ,jesus1 ,i place all my hope1 because ,thou alone art my salvation1 my strength1 my refuge1 and the foundation of all my happiness4 ,were it not for the confidence ,i place in ,thy merits1 and in the precious blood ,thou didst shed for my redemption1 ,i would not presume to partake of this banquet4 ,encouraged1 therefore1 by ,thy goodness1 ,i come to ,thee as one sick to his physician1 as a condemned criminal to his powerful intercessor4 ,heal me as my physician1 and as my powerful advocate deliver me from the sentence of sin and death4 ,it is in ,thy mercy that ,i put all my trust4 ,have pity1 therefore1 ,o ,jesus1 on me1 and save me1 for ,thou forsakest none that place their hope in ,thee4 ,an ,act of ,love ,o ,,divine ,redeemer1 how strong was the force of ,thy love1 that1 being about to depart from this world to ,thy eternal ,father1 ,thou didst provide for us this divine banquet1 enriched with all heavenly sweetness6 ,it was through an excess of ,thy love that ,thou hast left us ,thy body and blood for the food and nourishment of our souls2 that1 as ,thou didst unite ,thyself to our humanity1 so we might be partakers of ,thy divinity4 ,i desire to love ,thee1 my ,jesus1 who art my only comfort in this place of banishment1 the only hope of my infirm soul1 my happiness above all ,i can enjoy in this life4 ,i love ,thee1 my ,god1 with my whole heart1 with my whole soul1 and with all my mind and strength4 ,i wish that1 as every moment is an increase of my life1 so it may also be of my love toward ,thee4 ,i desire1 with all the affections and powers of my soul1 that1 as the inmost thanks are due to ,thee1 so they may be returned to ,thee by all the faithful1 for this divine food1 which is our refreshment1 support1 strength1 armor1 and defense in all our miseries2 and that my love may never cease1 inflame my heart with the fire of heaven1 that it may continue burning till1 nature and corruption being consumed1 ,i may at length be transformed into ,thee4 ,come1 ,o ,lord1 hasten to release me from the bonds of sin1 and prepare me for the blessing ,thou art now about to bestow on me4 ,an ,act of ,desire ,,my ,,lord and ,saviour1 ,jesus ,christ6 ,as the heart panteth after the fountains of waters so my soul panteth after ,thee1 ,o ,god6 7,ps4 xlii4 #a74 ,tired with my own evil ways1 ,i now return to ,thee1 to taste ,thy banquet1 that my soul may be refreshed4 ,i henceforth despise all human consolations1 that ,i may be comforted by ,thee1 my only good1 my ,god and ,saviour1 whom ,i love above all things and desire to entertain within my heart with as much devotion and affection as is conceived by ,thy chosen servants1 who now sit at ,thy table in celestial bliss4 ,and however ,i may have been wanting hitherto in my duty1 ,i now for ever renounce my folly and weakness1 and from my heart request that for the future my joy1 my relief1 my treasure1 and rest may be entirely centered in ,thee4 ,may ,i never desire anything besides ,thee1 and may all things seem contemptible and as nothing without ,thee1 ,o my ,god6 ,an ,act of ,fear ,o ,,my ,god and ,saviour1 it is with fear and trembling that ,i approach ,thy banquet1 having nothing to confide in but ,thy goodness and mercy1 being of myself a sinner1 destitute of all virtue4 ,my soul and body are defiled with many crimes1 my thoughts and tongue have been under no restraint4 ,i have frequently resolved to amend1 and yet where do ,i remain but in the midst of sin and vice8 ,how little pains do ,i take to recover from this misery and return to ,thee1 to whom ,i have repeatedly promised to be faithful6 ,these thoughts cause me to fear that what ,thou hast mercifully ordained for my salvation1 ,i should now receive to my judgment and condemnation4 ,in this wretched condition ,i hasten to ,thee2 to ,thee ,i expose all my wounds1 to ,thee ,i disclose my depravity4 ,look1 therefore1 on me with the eyes of compassion1 and have mercy on me1 ,o ,lord and ,saviour6 ,illustration3 ,the ,mother of ,our ,saviour4 ,an ,act of ,humility ,o ,,immense1 almighty1 and incomprehensible ,god1 who am ,i1 that ,thou shouldst vouchsafe to come to be my food1 and to take ,thy habitation within my soul8 ,the consideration of ,thy greatness and my unworthiness penetrates me with awe and confusion4 ,with the utmost sincerity ,i can only declare the extent of my misery1 and admire that infinite goodness which induces ,thee to visit personally the lowest and basest of ,thy creatures4 ,receive1 then1 ,thy unworthy servant into the compassionate arms of ,thy mercy4 ,cast all my sins out of ,thy sight1 and with the tenderness of a loving father extend ,thy arms to receive me2 and let me effectually experience the truth of ,thy prophet's words3 ,a sacrifice to ,god is an afflicted spirit2 a contrite and humble heart1 ,o ,god1 ,thou wilt not despise 7,ps4 l4 #ai74 ,,immediately ,,before ,,communion ,,lord1 ,i am not worthy that ,thou shouldst enter under my roof3 say but the word1 and my soul shall be healed4 ,the body of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ preserve my soul to life everlasting4 ,,after ,,communion ,an ,act of ,thanksgiving ,o ,,jesus1 my ,god and ,saviour6 ,i return ,thee thanks for having1 out of ,thy pure mercy1 without any desert of mine1 been pleased to feed my soul with ,thine own most sacred body and blood4 ,suffer me sooner to be forgetful of myself than to be ever unmindful of this great favor4 ,although ,i have hitherto been ungrateful1 with the help of ,thy grace ,i shall be so no more4 ,but what return can ,i make ,thee1 being of myself insolvent1 indigent1 and miserable8 ,the sacrifice of all that ,i am or have is not worthy to be presented to ,thee2 but1 behold ,i offer ,thee ,thyself1 and consider all my debts as abundantly discharged4 ,may ,thy infinite mercy be for ever exalted for having given me such an excellent means of repaying ,thee to the full4 ,o that ,i could ever remember ,thee1 think of ,thee1 ever love ,thee alone6 ,imprint the memory of what ,thou didst for me so deeply in my heart1 that ,i spend my whole life in thanking ,thee for all ,thy benefits1 but especially for this banquet of ,thy love4 ,amen4 ,an ,act of ,adoration ,,under the sacred veil of ,thy eucharistic presence1 where ,thy love of man conceals the splendor of ,thy majesty1 ,i most humbly adore ,thee1 ,o almighty ,god6 ,the grandeur of the heavens is as nothing in ,thy sight2 they shall perish1 but ,thou shalt remain for ever4 ,the earth ,thou hast poised in ,thy hand4 ,the ocean is before ,thee but as a drop of water4 ,all nature bows and trembles in ,thy presence4 ,how1 then1 shall ,i extol ,thee1 immortal ,king of glory8 ,what homage can ,i give in proportion to ,thy greatness8 ,thou art the perfect image of ,thy ,father's substance4 ,thou art the splendor of ,his glory4 ,thou art ,his almighty ,word1 supporting all things4 ,thee ,he has seated at ,his right hand4 ,thy throne1 ,o ,god1 is for ever and ever2 a scepter of justice is the scepter of ,thy reign4 ,i bow before ,thy sacred ,majesty4 ,i acknowledge with the sincerest gratitude that ,thou art my redeemer1 my creator1 the supreme arbiter of my eternal destiny4 ,i desire to humble myself as profoundly for ,thy sake as ,thou art humbled for my love in the center of my soul1 and to consecrate to the glory of ,thy name the whole extent of my being4 ,amen4 ,an ,act of ,oblation ,o ,,my ,saviour6 ,what pledge can ,i give as an earnest of the gratitude ,i owe to ,thee8 ,i have nothing worthy of ,thee1 and if ,i had1 ,i have nothing but what is ,thine on several accounts4 ,but such is ,thy goodness as to be content to accept from us what is already ,thine4 ,wherefore1 behold1 ,i offer to ,thee my body and soul1 which are both now sanctified by the honor of ,thy divine presence4 ,i consecrate them to ,thee for ever1 since ,thou hast chosen them for ,thy temple2 my body to be continually employed in ,thy service1 and nevermore to become an instrument of sin2 my soul to know ,thee1 to love ,thee and be evermore faithful to ,thee4 ,and as ,i am now resolved to serve ,thee with body and soul1 ,i will take pains to correct their evil inclinations4 ,i will declare war against myself1 renounce my wonted pleasures1 my delights1 my passions1 my anger1 my self-love1 my pride1 my own will1 and1 in fine1 whatever may offend ,thee4 ,offering and ,petition ,,almighty ,god1 ,i offer ,thee this holy communion in union with the superabundant merits of ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy beloved ,son1 and the infinite love of ,his adorable ,heart2 in union with the ,blessed ,virgin and the ardent love of her immaculate heart2 in union with the ,holy ,helpers and all the happy souls who enjoy ,thy glorious vision in heaven1 and with all the just on earth4 ,o my ,god and ,saviour1 ,jesus ,christ1 present in me in the eucharistic species2 fill me with that lively faith1 profound humility1 tender confidence1 pure conscience1 and ardent love1 with which so many happy souls are inflamed in partaking of this sacred banquet1 and supply by ,thy mercy all my deficiencies4 ,i offer my communion to render ,thee the honor and glory which are due to ,thy infinite majesty2 to satisfy ,thy justice1 which ,i have provoked by my sins2 to thank ,thee for the innumerable benefits which ,i have received from ,thy bounty2 and to obtain from ,thy infinite mercy the graces necessary for me2 particularly the grace to subdue my predominant passion and to acquire the virtue in which ,i am most deficient2 but especially the grace of a happy death4 ,i likewise offer my communion1 ,o merciful ,father1 in memory of the passion and death of ,thy dear ,son1 my divine ,redeemer1 to love ,him with more ardor and perfection2 to participate in the merits of ,his labors and sufferings2 to acquire ,his spirit2 to imitate ,his virtues2 to model my life on ,his1 and to make ,his adorable ,heart a public reparation for all the sacrilegious communions1 irreverences1 and profanations which are committed against ,him in this sacrament of ,his love4 ,i offer it to thank ,thee1 ,o ,god1 for all the graces ,thou hast bestowed on mankind1 particularly for all those ,thou hast conferred on ,thy blessed ,mother1 on all the angels and saints1 especially on my guardian angel1 on my holy patron1 and on the ,holy ,helpers4 ,i offer it1 likewise1 for the triumph of our holy religion1 for the exaltation of the ,catholic ,church1 for the conversion of infidels1 heretics1 schismatics1 and all those who are in the unhappy state of sin4 ,also for the needs of my relatives1 friends1 benefactors1 and enemies2 for the perseverance of the just1 the comfort of the afflicted1 and the deliverance of the souls in purgatory2 in a word1 for all those for whom ,i am bound to pray2 and ,i desire to enter into the intentions requisite for gaining the indulgences granted by the ,church to-day for worthy communicants4 ,,invocations ,,soul of ,christ1 sanctify me6 ,body of ,christ1 save me6 ,blood of ,christ1 inebriate me6 ,water from the side of ,christ1 wash me6 ,passion of ,christ1 strengthen me6 ,o good ,jesus1 hear me6 ,within ,thy wounds1 hide me6 ,permit me not to be separated from ,thee6 ,from the malignant enemy defend me6 ,in the hour of my death call me6 ,and bid me come to ,thee1 ,that1 with ,thy saints1 ,i may praise ,thee ,for ever and ever4 ,amen4 ,indulgence1 7#a7 #cjj days1 every time4 7#b7 #g years1 once a day1 after receiving communion4 7#c7 ,a plenary indulgence1 once a month1 to all who have the pious custom of saying it at least once a day for a month2 under the usual conditions4 7,pius ,,ix1 ,january #i1 #ahed47 ,prayer to ,jesus ,crucified ,illustration3 ,a crucifix ,,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 while before ,thy face ,i humbly kneel1 and with burning soul pray and beseech ,thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith1 hope1 and charity1 true contrition for my sins1 and a firm purpose of amendment2 while ,i contemplate with great love and tender pity ,thy five wounds1 pondering over them within me1 and calling to mind the words which ,david ,thy prophet said of ,thee1 my ,jesus3 ,they pierced my hands and my feet2 they numbered all my bones 7,ps4 xxi4 #ag1 #ah74 ,indulgence4 ,a plenary indulgence1 under the usual conditions1 if said before an image or picture of the crucified ,redeemer1 after holy communion4 7,pius ,,ix1 ,july #ca1 #aheh47 ,visit to the ,blessed ,sacrament 7,prayer of ,st4 ,alphonsus47 ,,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who through the love which ,thou bearest to man1 dost remain with them day and night in this sacrament1 full of mercy and love1 expecting1 inviting1 and receiving all who come to visit ,thee2 ,i believe that ,thou art present in the ,sacrament of the ,altar4 ,from the abyss of my nothingness ,i adore ,thee1 and ,i thank ,thee for all the favors which ,thou hast bestowed upon me1 particularly for having given me ,thyself in this sacrament1 for having given me for my advocate ,thy most holy ,mother ,mary1 and for having called me to visit ,thee in this church4 ,i this day salute ,thy most loving ,heart1 and ,i wish to salute it for three ends3 first1 in thanksgiving for this great gift2 second1 in compensation for all the injuries ,thou hast received from ,thy enemies in this sacrament2 third1 ,i wish by this visit to adore ,thee in all places in which ,thou art least honored and most abandoned in this holy sacrament4 ,my ,jesus1 ,i love ,thee with my whole heart4 ,i am sorry for having hitherto offended ,thy infinite goodness4 ,i purpose1 with the assistance of ,thy grace1 nevermore to offend ,thee2 and at this moment1 miserable as ,i am1 ,i consecrate my whole being to ,thee4 ,i give ,thee my entire will1 all my affections and desires1 and all that ,i have4 ,from this day forward1 do what ,thou wilt with me and with whatsoever belongs to me4 ,i ask and desire only ,thy holy love1 the gift of final perseverance1 and the perfect accomplishment of ,thy will4 ,i recommend to ,thee the souls in purgatory1 particularly those who were most devoted to the ,blessed ,sacrament and to most holy ,mary2 and ,i also recommend to ,thee all poor sinners4 ,finally1 my dear ,saviour1 ,i unite all my affections with the affections of ,thy most loving ,heart2 and thus united ,i offer them to ,thy eternal ,father1 and ,i entreat ,him1 in ,thy name and for ,thy sake1 to accept them4 ,indulgence4 7#a7 #cjj days1 every time this prayer is said before the ,blessed ,sacrament4 7#b7 ,a plenary indulgence1 once a month1 for saying it every day for a month2 under the usual conditions4 7,pius ,,ix1 ,sept4 #g1 #ahed47 ,an ,act of ,oblation to the ,sacred ,heart ,,divine ,heart of my ,jesus6 ,i adore ,thee with all the powers of my soul1 which ,i consecrate to ,thee for ever1 with my thoughts1 my words1 my works1 and my whole self4 ,i purpose to offer to ,thee1 as far as ,i can1 acts of adoration1 love1 and glory1 like unto those which ,thou offerest to ,thy eternal ,father4 ,be ,thou1 ,i beseech ,thee1 the repairer of my transgressions1 the protector of my life1 my refuge and asylum in the hour of death4 ,by ,thy sighs1 and by that sea of bitterness in which ,thou wast plunged for me throughout ,thy whole mortal life1 grant me true contrition for my sins1 contempt of earthly things1 a burning desire of eternal glory1 trust in ,thy infinite merits1 and final perseverance in ,thy grace4 ,heart of ,jesus1 all love6 ,i offer ,thee these humble prayers for myself and for all who unite with me in spirit to adore ,thee4 ,vouchsafe out of ,thy great goodness to hear and answer them1 chiefly for that one among us who will first end this mortal life4 ,sweet ,heart of ,jesus6 pour into his heart1 in his death agony1 ,thine inward consolations2 receive him within ,thy sacred wound2 cleanse him from all stains in that furnace of love1 so that ,thou mayest soon open to him the gates of ,thy eternal glory1 there to intercede with ,thee for all those who tarry yet in this land of exile4 ,most holy ,heart of my most loving ,jesus6 ,for myself1 a wretched sinner1 and for all who unite with me in adoring ,thee1 ,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 life4 ,i recommend to ,thee1 my ,jesus1 our holy ,church1 ,thy well-beloved spouse and our true mother2 the souls who are following the path of justice1 poor sinners1 the afflicted1 the dying1 all men on the face of the entire earth4 ,let not ,thy blood be shed in vain for them2 and vouchsafe1 lastly1 to apply it for the relief of the souls in purgatory1 and above all1 for those who in life were foremost in their devotion to ,thee4 ,most loving heart of ,mary1 which1 amongst the hearts of all ,god's creatures1 is at once the purest and the most inflamed with love for ,jesus1 and the most compassionate toward us poor sinners1 obtain for us from the ,heart of ,jesus1 our ,redeemer1 all graces which we ask of thee4 ,mother of mercies1 one throb1 a single beat of thy burning heart1 offered by thee to the ,heart of ,jesus1 has power to console us to the full4 ,grant us1 then1 this favor4 ,and then the ,heart of ,jesus1 through the filial love ,he had for thee1 and will ever have1 will not fail to hear and answer our request4 ,amen4 ,,daily ,,offering ,o ,,lord ,jesus ,christ6 ,in union with that divine intention1 with which ,thou1 whilst on earth1 didst give praise to ,god through ,thy most sacred ,heart1 and which ,thou dost still everywhere offer to ,him in the ,holy ,eucharist1 even to the consummation of the world2 ,i1 in imitation of the most sacred heart of the ever-immaculate ,virgin ,mary1 do most cheerfully offer to ,thee1 during this entire day1 all my thoughts and intentions1 all my affections and desires1 my words and all my works4 ,indulgence4 #ajj days1 once a day4 7,leo ,,xiii1 ,dec4 #ai1 #ahhe47 ,ejaculation ,jesus1 meek and humble of heart1 make my heart like unto ,thine6 ,indulgence4 #cjj days1 once a day4 7,pius ,,ix1 ,january #be1 #aheh47 ,,prayers ,,to ,,jesus ,,suffering ,the ,stations of the ,cross ,,preparatory ,,prayer ,,most merciful ,jesus6 ,with a contrite heart and penitent spirit ,i bow down in profound humility before ,thy divine majesty4 ,i adore ,thee as my supreme ,lord and master2 ,i believe in ,thee1 ,i hope in ,thee1 ,i love ,thee above all things4 ,i am heartily sorry for having offended ,thee1 my supreme and only good4 ,i resolve to amend my life2 and though ,i am unworthy to obtain mercy1 yet the sight of ,thy holy cross1 on which ,thou didst die1 inspires me with hope and consolation4 ,i will therefore meditate on ,thy sufferings1 and visit the stations of ,thy passion in company with ,thy sorrowful ,mother and my guardian angel1 with the intention of promoting ,thy glory and saving my soul4 ,i desire to gain all the indulgences granted for this exercise1 for myself and for the suffering souls in purgatory4 ,o merciful ,redeemer1 who hast said2 ,and ,i1 if ,i be lifted up from the earth1 will draw all things to myself1 draw my heart and my love to ,thee1 that ,i may perform this devotion as perfectly as possible1 and that ,i may live and die in union with ,thee4 ,amen4 ,before ,every ,station ,we adore ,thee1 ,o ,christ1 and praise ,thee3 ,because by ,thy holy cross ,thou hast redeemed the world4 ,after ,every ,station ,lord ,jesus1 crucified3 ,have mercy on us4 ,first ,station ,,jesus ,,is ,,condemned ,,to ,,death ,,jesus1 most innocent1 who neither did nor could commit sin1 was condemned to death1 and1 moreover1 to the ignominious death of the cross4 ,to remain a friend of ,caesar1 ,pilate delivered ,him to ,his enemies4 ,a fearful crime--to condemn innocence to death1 and to offend ,god1 in order not to displease men4 ,prayer ,o ,,innocent ,jesus1 having sinned ,i am guilty of eternal death1 but ,thou dost willingly accept the unjust sentence of death1 that ,i might live4 ,for whom1 then1 shall ,i henceforth live1 if not for ,thee1 my ,lord8 ,should ,i desire to please men1 ,i could not be ,thy servant4 ,let me1 therefore1 rather displease men and all the world than not please ,thee1 ,o ,jesus4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,second ,station ,,jesus ,,carries ,,his ,,cross ,,on ,,beholding the cross1 our divine ,saviour most willingly stretched out ,his bleeding arms1 lovingly embraced it1 tenderly kissed it1 and placing it on ,his bruised shoulder1 despite ,his exhaustion joyfully carried it4 ,prayer ,o ,,my ,jesus1 ,i can not be ,thy friend and follower if ,i refuse to carry the cross4 ,o dearly beloved cross1 ,i embrace thee1 ,i kiss thee1 ,i rejoice to receive thee from the hands of ,god4 ,far be it from me to glory in anything save in the cross of my ,lord and ,redeemer4 ,by it the world shall be crucified to me1 and ,i to the world1 that ,i may be ,thine for ever4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail1 ,mary1 etc ,third ,station ,,jesus ,,falls ,,the ,,first ,,time ,,our dear ,saviour carrying the cross was so weakened by its heavy weight as to fall exhausted to the ground4 ,our sins and misdeeds were the heavy burden which oppressed ,him2 the cross was to ,him light and sweet1 but our sins were galling and insupportable4 ,prayer ,o ,,my ,jesus6 ,thou didst bear my burden and the heavy weight of my sins4 ,should ,i1 then1 not bear in union with ,thee my easy burden of suffering and accept the sweet yoke of ,thy commandments8 ,thy yoke is sweet and ,thy burden light2 ,i therefore willingly accept it4 ,i will take up ,thy cross and follow ,thee4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc1 ,fourth ,station ,,jesus ,,meets ,,his ,,afflicted ,,mother ,,how painful and how sad it must have been for ,mary1 the sorrowful ,mother1 to behold her beloved ,son laden with the burden of the cross6 ,what unspeakable pangs her most tender heart experienced6 ,how earnestly she yearned to die instead of1 or at least with1 ,jesus6 ,implore this sorrowful ,mother that she assist you in the hour of your death4 ,prayer ,o ,,jesus1 ,o ,mary6 ,i am the cause of the great and manifold pains which pierce your loving hearts4 ,o that my heart also would feel and experience at least some of your sufferings6 ,o ,mother of sorrows1 let me participate in the sufferings which thou and thy ,son endured for me1 and let me experience thy sorrow1 that1 afflicted with thee1 ,i may enjoy thy assistance in the hour of my death4 ,illustration3 ,the ,immaculate ,conception4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,fifth ,station ,,simon ,,of ,,cyrene ,,helps ,,jesus ,,to ,,carry ,,the ,,cross ,,simon of ,cyrene was compelled to help ,jesus carry ,his cross1 and ,jesus accepted ,his assistance4 ,how willingly ,he would permit you also to carry the cross6 ,he calls you1 but you hear ,him not2 ,he invites you1 but you decline4 ,what a reproach1 to bear the cross reluctantly6 ,prayer ,o ,,jesus6 ,whosoever does not take up ,his cross and follow ,thee is not worthy of ,thee4 ,behold1 ,i join ,thee in the way of ,thy cross2 ,i will be ,thy assistant1 following ,thy footsteps1 that ,i may come to ,thee in eternal life4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,sixth ,station ,,veronica ,,wipes ,,the ,,face ,,of ,,jesus ,,impelled by devotion and compassion1 ,veronica presents her veil to ,jesus to wipe ,his disfigured face4 ,and ,jesus imprints on it ,his holy countenance2 a great recompense for so slight a service4 ,what return do you make to your ,saviour for ,his great and manifold benefits8 ,prayer ,,most merciful ,jesus6 ,what return shall ,i make for all the benefits ,thou didst bestow on me8 ,behold1 ,i consecrate myself entirely to ,thy service4 ,i offer and consecrate to ,thee my heart4 ,imprint upon it ,thy sacred image1 never to be effaced again by sin4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,seventh ,station ,,jesus ,,falls ,,the ,,second ,,time ,,jesus1 suffering under the weight of ,his cross1 again falls to the ground2 but ,his cruel executioners do not permit ,him to rest a moment4 ,pushing and striking ,him1 they urge ,him onward4 ,it is the frequent repetition of our sins which oppresses ,jesus4 ,witnessing this1 how can ,i continue to sin8 ,prayer ,o ,,jesus1 son of ,david1 have mercy on me6 ,offer me ,thy helping hand1 and aid me that ,i may not fall again into my former sins4 ,from this very moment ,i will earnestly strive to reform2 nevermore will ,i sin4 ,do ,thou1 ,o sole support of the weak1 by ,thy grace1 without which ,i can do nothing1 strengthen me to carry out faithfully this my resolution4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,eighth ,station ,,the ,,daughters ,,of ,,jerusalem ,,weep ,,over ,,jesus ,,these devoted women1 moved by compassion1 weep over the suffering ,saviour4 ,but ,he turns to them1 saying1 ,weep not for ,me1 who am innocent1 but weep for yourselves and for your children4 ,weep thou also2 for there is nothing more pleasing to ,our ,lord1 and nothing more profitable for thyself1 than tears shed from contrition for thy sins4 ,prayer ,o ,,jesus1 who shall give to my eyes a torrent of tears1 that day and night ,i may weep for my sins8 ,i beseech ,thee through ,thy bloody tears to move my heart by ,thy divine grace1 so that from my eyes tears may flow abundantly1 and ,i may weep all days over ,thy sufferings1 and still more over their cause1 my sins4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail1 ,mary1 etc4 ,ninth ,station ,,jesus ,,falls ,,the ,,third ,,time ,,jesus1 arriving exhausted at the foot of ,calvary1 falls for the third time to the ground4 ,his love for us is not exhausted1 not diminished4 ,what a fearfully oppressive burden our sins must be to cause ,jesus to fall so often6 ,had ,he1 however1 not taken them upon ,himself1 they would have plunged us into the abyss of hell4 ,prayer ,,most merciful ,jesus6 ,i return ,thee infinite thanks for not permitting me to continue in sin1 and to fall1 as ,i have so often deserved1 into the depths of hell4 ,enkindle in me an earnest desire of amendment4 ,let me never again relapse1 but vouchsafe me ,thy grace to persevere to the end of my life4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,tenth ,station ,,jesus ,,is ,,stripped ,,of ,,his ,,garments ,,after arriving on ,calvary1 our ,saviour was cruelly despoiled of ,his garments4 ,how painful must this have been1 because they adhered to ,his wounded and torn body1 and with them parts of ,his bloody skin were removed6 ,all the wounds of ,jesus are renewed4 ,he is despoiled of ,his garments that ,he might die possessed of nothing4 ,how happy shall ,i die after laying aside my former self with all evil inclinations and desires6 ,prayer ,,induce me1 ,o ,jesus6 to lay aside my former self1 and to be renewed according to ,thy will and desire4 ,i will not spare myself1 however painful this should be for me2 despoiled of things temporal1 of my own will1 ,i desire to die1 in order to live for ,thee for ever4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,eleventh ,station ,,jesus ,,is ,,nailed ,,to ,,the ,,cross ,,jesus1 being stripped of ,his garments1 was violently thrown upon the cross1 and ,his hands and feet were most cruelly nailed thereto4 ,in such excruciating torments ,he remained silent1 because it thus pleased ,his heavenly ,father4 ,he suffered patiently because ,he suffered for us4 ,how do ,i act in suffering and affliction8 ,how fretful and impatient1 how full of complaints ,i am6 ,prayer ,o ,,jesus1 gracious ,lamb of ,god6 ,i renounce for ever my impatience4 ,crucify1 ,o ,lord1 my flesh and its concupiscences4 ,scorch1 scathe1 and punish me in this world2 do but spare me in the next6 ,i commit my destiny to ,thee1 resigning myself to ,thy holy will2 may it be done in all things4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,twelfth ,station ,,jesus ,,is ,,raised ,,upon ,,the ,,cross1 ,,and ,,dies ,,behold ,jesus crucified6 ,behold the wounds ,he received for the love of you6 ,his whole appearance betokens love4 ,his head is bent to kiss you2 ,his arms are extended to embrace you2 ,his ,heart is open to receive you4 ,o superabundance of love6 ,jesus1 the ,son of ,god dies that man may live and be delivered from everlasting death4 ,prayer ,o ,,most amiable ,jesus6 ,who will grant me that ,i may die for love of ,thee8 ,i will at least endeavor to die to the world4 ,how must ,i regard the world and its vanities1 when ,i behold ,thee hanging on the cross1 covered with wounds8 ,o ,jesus1 receive me into ,thy wounded ,heart2 ,i belong entirely to ,thee2 for ,thee alone do ,i desire to live and to die4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc ,thirteenth ,station ,,jesus ,,is ,,taken ,,down ,,from ,,the ,,cross1 ,,and ,,placed ,,in ,,the ,,arms ,,of ,,his ,,mother ,,jesus did not descend from the cross1 but remained on it till after ,his death4 ,and when taken down from it1 ,he1 in death as in life1 rested on the bosom of ,his ,mother4 ,persevere in your resolutions of reform1 and do not part from the cross2 he that persevereth to the end shall be saved4 ,consider1 moreover1 how pure the heart should be that receives the body and blood of ,christ in the adorable ,sacrament of the ,altar4 ,prayer ,o ,,lord ,jesus6 ,thy lifeless body1 mangled and torn1 found a worthy resting-place on the bosom of ,thy virgin ,mother4 ,have ,i not compelled ,thee often to dwell in my heart1 full of sin and impurity as it was8 ,create in me a new heart1 that ,i may worthily receive ,thy most sacred body in holy communion1 and that ,thou mayest remain in me1 and ,i in ,thee1 for all eternity4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc ,fourteenth ,station ,,jesus ,,is ,,laid ,,in ,,the ,,sepulcher ,,the body of ,jesus is laid in a stranger's tomb4 ,he who in this world had not whereupon to rest ,his head1 would not even have a grave of ,his own1 because ,he was not of this world4 ,you1 who are so attached to the world1 henceforth despise it1 that you may not perish with it4 ,prayer ,o ,,jesus1 ,thou hast set me apart from the world2 what1 then1 shall ,i seek therein8 ,thou hast created me for heaven2 what1 then1 have ,i to do with the world8 ,depart from me1 deceitful world1 with ,thy vanities6 ,henceforth ,i will follow the way of the cross traced out for me by my ,redeemer1 and journey onward to my heavenly home1 there to dwell for ever and ever4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,,conclusion ,,almighty and eternal ,god1 merciful ,father1 who hast given to the human race ,thy beloved ,son as an example of humility1 obedience1 and patience1 to precede us on the way of life1 bearing the cross2 graciously grant1 that we1 inflamed by ,his infinite love1 may take up the sweet yoke of ,his ,gospel1 together with the mortification of the cross1 following ,him as ,his true disciples1 so that we shall one day rise gloriously with ,him1 and joyfully hear the final sentence3 ,come1 ye blessed of my ,father1 and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you from the beginning1 where ,thou reignest with the ,father and the ,holy ,ghost1 and where we hope to reign with ,thee throughout all eternity4 ,amen4 ,prayer to ,our ,suffering ,redeemer ,o ,,my ,lord ,jesus ,christ6 ,who1 to redeem the world1 didst vouchsafe to be born amongst men1 to be circumcised1 to be rejected and persecuted by the ,jews1 to be betrayed by the traitor ,judas with a kiss1 and as a lamb1 gentle and innocent1 to be bound with cords and dragged1 in scorn1 before the tribunals of ,annas1 ,caiphas1 ,pilate1 and ,herod2 who didst suffer ,thyself to be accused by false witnesses1 to be torn by the scourge and overwhelmed with ignominy2 to be spit upon1 to be crowned with thorns1 buffeted1 struck with a reed1 blindfolded1 stripped of ,thy garments2 to be nailed to the cross and raised on it between two thieves2 to be given gall and vinegar to drink1 and to be pierced with a lance2 do ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 by these ,thy most sacred pains1 which ,i1 all unworthy1 call to mind1 and by ,thy holy cross and death1 save me from the pains of hell1 and vouchsafe to bring me whither ,thou didst bring the good thief who was crucified with ,thee1 who with the ,father and the ,holy ,ghost1 livest and reignest ,god1 for ever and ever4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,glory be to the ,father1 etc41 five times4 ,indulgence4 7#a7 #cjj days1 once a day4 7#b7 ,a plenary indulgence1 under the usual conditions1 on any one of the last three days of the month1 after saying this prayer daily for a month4 7,pius ,,vii1 ,august #be1 #ahbj47 ,prayer to the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary 7,by ,st4 ,alphonsus47 ,,most holy and immaculate virgin1 ,o my ,mother1 thou who art the ,mother of my ,lord1 the queen of the world1 the advocate1 hope1 and refuge of sinners6 ,i1 the most wretched among them1 come now to thee4 ,i venerate thee1 great queen1 and give thee thanks for the many favors thou hast bestowed on me in the past4 ,most of all do ,i thank thee for having saved me from hell1 which ,i so often deserved4 ,i love thee1 ,lady most worthy of love1 and by the love which ,i bear thee ,i promise ever in the future to serve thee1 and to do what in me lies to win others to thy love4 ,in thee ,i put all my trust1 all my hope of salvation4 ,receive me as thy servant1 and cover me with the mantle of thy protection1 thou who art the ,mother of mercy6 ,and since thou hast so much power with ,god1 deliver me from all temptations1 or at least obtain for me the grace ever to overcome them4 ,from thee ,i ask a true love of ,jesus ,christ1 and the grace of a happy death4 ,o my ,mother1 by thy love for ,god ,i beseech thee to be at all times my helper1 but above all at the last moment of my life4 ,leave me not until thou seest me safely in heaven1 there for endless ages to bless thee and sing thy praises4 ,amen4 ,indulgence1 7#a7 #cjj days1 every time4 7#b7 ,a plenary indulgence1 once a month1 for having said it daily during the month2 under the usual conditions4 7,pius ,,ix1 ,sept4 #g1 #ahed47 ,prayer for ,all ,things ,necessary for ,salvation ,o ,,my ,god6 ,i believe in ,thee2 do ,thou strengthen my faith4 ,all my hopes are in ,thee2 do ,thou secure them4 ,i love ,thee with my whole heart2 teach me to love ,thee more and more4 ,i am sorry that ,i have offended ,thee2 do ,thou increase my sorrow4 ,i adore ,thee as my first beginning2 ,i aspire after ,thee as my last end4 ,i give ,thee thanks as my constant benefactor2 ,i call upon ,thee as my sovereign protector4 ,vouchsafe1 ,o my ,god1 to conduct me by ,thy wisdom1 to restrain me by ,thy justice1 to comfort me by ,thy mercy1 to defend me by ,thy power4 ,to ,thee ,i desire to consecrate all my thoughts1 my actions1 and my sufferings1 that ,i henceforward may think only of ,thee1 speak only of ,thee1 and ever refer all my actions to ,thy greater glory1 and suffer willingly whatever ,thou shalt appoint4 ,o ,lord1 ,i desire that in all things ,thy will be done1 because it is ,thy will1 and in the manner that ,thou willest4 ,i beg of ,thee to enlighten my understanding1 to inflame my will1 to purify my body1 and to sanctify my soul4 ,give me strength1 ,o my ,god1 to expiate my offenses1 to overcome my temptations1 to subdue my passions1 to acquire the virtues proper for my state4 ,fill my heart with tender affection for ,thy goodness1 a hatred of my faults1 a love for my neighbor1 and a contempt for the world4 ,let me always be submissive to my superiors1 condescending to my inferiors1 faithful to my friends1 and charitable to my enemies4 ,assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification1 avarice by almsdeeds1 anger by meekness1 and tepidity by zeal4 ,o my ,god1 make me prudent in my undertakings1 courageous in dangers1 patient in affliction1 and humble in prosperity4 ,grant that ,i may be ever attentive at my prayers1 temperate at my meals1 diligent in my employments1 and constant in my resolutions4 ,let my conscience be ever upright and pure1 my exterior modest1 my conversation edifying1 my comportment regular4 ,assist me1 that ,i may continually labor to overcome nature1 correspond with ,thy grace1 keep ,thy commandments1 and work out my salvation4 ,discover to me1 ,o my ,god1 the nothingness of this world1 the greatness of heaven1 the shortness of time1 the length of eternity4 ,grant that ,i may be prepared for death1 fear ,thy judgments1 escape hell1 and1 in the end1 obtain heaven4 ,all that ,i have asked for myself ,i confidently ask for others2 for my family1 my relations1 my benefactors1 my friends1 and also for my enemies4 ,i ask it for the whole ,church1 for all the orders of which it is composed2 more especially for our ,holy ,father1 the ,pope2 for our bishop1 for our pastors1 and for all who are in authority2 also for all those for whom ,thou desirest that ,i should pray4 ,give them1 ,o ,lord1 all that ,thou knowest to be conducive to ,thy glory and necessary for their salvation4 ,strengthen the just in virtue1 convert sinners1 enlighten infidels1 heretics1 and schismatics2 console the afflicted1 give to the faithful departed rest and eternal life2 that together we may praise1 love1 and bless ,thee for all eternity4 ,amen4 ,the ,four ,approved ,litanies ,litany of the ,most ,holy ,name of ,jesus ,,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 hear us4 ,jesus1 graciously hear us4 ,god the ,father of heaven1 have mercy on us4 ,god the ,son1 ,redeemer of the world1 have mercy on us4 ,god the ,holy ,ghost1 have mercy on us4 ,holy ,trinity1 one ,god1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 ,son of the living ,god1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 splendor of the ,father1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 brightness of eternal light1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 king of glory1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 sun of justice1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 ,son of the ,virgin ,mary1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus amiable1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus admirable1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 powerful ,god1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 ,father of the world to come1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 angel of the great council1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus most powerful1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus most patient1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus most obedient1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus meek and humble of heart1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 lover of chastity1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 lover of us1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 ,god of peace1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 author of life1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 model of all virtues1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 zealous for souls1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 our ,god1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 our refuge1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 father of the poor1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 treasure of the faithful1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 good shepherd1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 true light1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 eternal wisdom1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 infinite goodness1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 our way and our life1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 joy of angels1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 king of patriarchs1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 master of the apostles1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 teacher of the evangelists1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 strength of martyrs1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 light of confessors1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 purity of virgins1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 crown of all saints1 have mercy on us4 ,be merciful1 spare us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,be merciful1 graciously hear us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,from all evil1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,from all sin1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,from ,thy wrath1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,from the snares of the devil1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,from the spirit of fornication1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,from eternal death1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,from the neglect of ,thy inspirations1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by the mystery of ,thy holy incarnation1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by ,thy nativity1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by ,thy infancy1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by ,thy most divine life1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by ,thy labors1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by ,thy agony and passion1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by ,thy cross and dereliction1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by ,thy languors1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by ,thy death and burial1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by ,thy resurrection1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by ,thy ascension1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by ,thy joys1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,by ,thy glory1 deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world3 ,spare us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world3 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world3 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,jesus1 hear us4 ,jesus1 graciously hear us4 ,let us pray ,o ,,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who hast said3 ,ask1 and ye shall receive2 seek1 and ye shall find2 knock1 and it shall be opened unto you3 mercifully attend to our supplications1 and grant us the gift of ,thy divine charity1 that we may ever love ,thee with our whole hearts1 and never desist from ,thy praise4 ,give us1 ,o ,lord1 a perpetual fear and love of ,thy holy name1 for ,thou never ceasest to direct and govern by ,thy grace those whom ,thou instructest in the solidity of ,thy love2 who livest and reignest world without end4 ,amen4 ,indulgence4 #cjj days1 once a day4 7,leo ,,xiii1 ,january #af1 #ahhf47 ,illustration3 ,the ,children's ,offering4 ,litany of the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus 7,approved by ,pope ,leo ,,xiii1 ,april #b1 #ahii47 ,,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 hear us4 ,christ1 graciously hear us4 ,god1 the ,father of heaven1 have mercy on us4 ,god the ,son1 ,redeemer of the world1 have mercy on us4 ,god the ,holy ,ghost1 have mercy on us4 ,holy ,trinity1 one ,god1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 ,son of the eternal ,father1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 formed by the ,holy ,ghost in the womb of the ,virgin ,mother1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 substantially united to the ,word of ,god1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 of infinite majesty1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 sacred temple of ,god1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 tabernacle of the ,most ,high1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 house of ,god and gate of heaven1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 burning furnace of charity1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 abode of justice and love1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 full of goodness and love1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 abyss of all virtues1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 most worthy of all praise1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 king and center of all hearts1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 in whom dwells the fulness of divinity1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 in whom the ,father was well pleased1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 of whose fulness we have all received1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 desire of the everlasting hills1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 patient and most merciful1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 enriching all who invoke ,thee1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 fountain of life and holiness1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 propitiation for our sins1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 loaded down with opprobrium1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 bruised for our offences1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 obedient unto death1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 pierced with a lance1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 source of all consolation1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 our life and resurrection1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 our peace and reconciliation1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 victim for sin1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 salvation of those who trust in thee1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 hope of those who die in ,thee1 have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 delight of all the saints1 have mercy on us4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world3 ,spare us1 ,o ,lord4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world3 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world3 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,lord4 ,v4 ,jesus1 meek and humble of ,heart3 ,r4 ,make our hearts like unto ,thine4 ,let us pray ,o ,,almighty and eternal ,god6 ,look upon the ,heart of ,thy dearly beloved ,son1 and upon the praise and satisfaction ,he offers ,thee in the name of sinners and of those who seek ,thy mercy2 be ,thou appeased1 and grant us pardon in the name of the same ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son2 who liveth and reigneth with ,thee1 in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,indulgence4 #cjj days4 7,leo ,,xiii1 ,april #b1 #ahii47 ,the ,litany of ,loreto ,in ,honor of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary ,,lord1 have mercy on us1 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us1 ,christ1 hear us4 ,christ1 graciously hear us4 ,god the ,father of heaven1 have mercy on us4 ,god the ,son1 ,redeemer of the world1 have mercy on us4 ,god the ,holy ,ghost1 have mercy on us4 ,holy ,trinity1 one ,god1 have mercy on us4 ,holy ,mary1 pray for us4 ,holy ,mother of ,god1 pray for us4 ,holy ,virgin of virgins1 pray for us4 ,mother of ,christ1 pray for us4 ,mother of divine grace1 pray for us4 ,mother most pure1 pray for us4 ,mother most chaste1 pray for us4 ,mother inviolate1 pray for us4 ,mother undefiled1 pray for us4 ,mother most amiable1 pray for us4 ,mother most admirable1 pray for us4 ,mother of good counsel1 pray for us4 ,mother of our ,creator1 pray for us4 ,mother of our ,redeemer1 pray for us4 ,virgin most prudent1 pray for us4 ,virgin most venerable1 pray for us4 ,virgin most renowned1 pray for us4 ,virgin most powerful1 pray for us4 ,virgin most merciful1 pray for us4 ,virgin most faithful1 pray for us4 ,mirror of justice1 pray for us4 ,seat of wisdom1 pray for us4 ,cause of our joy1 pray for us4 ,spiritual vessel1 pray for us4 ,vessel of honor1 pray for us4 ,singular vessel of devotion1 pray for us4 ,mystical rose1 pray for us4 ,tower of ,david1 pray for us4 ,tower of ivory1 pray for us4 ,house of gold1 pray for us4 ,ark of the covenant1 pray for us4 ,gate of heaven1 pray for us4 ,morning star1 pray for us4 ,health of the sick1 pray for us4 ,refuge of sinners1 pray for us4 ,comforter of the afflicted1 pray for us4 ,help of ,christians1 pray for us4 ,queen of angels1 pray for us4 ,queen of patriarchs1 pray for us4 ,queen of prophets1 pray for us4 ,queen of apostles1 pray for us4 ,queen of martyrs1 pray for us4 ,queen of confessors1 pray for us4 ,queen of virgins1 pray for us4 ,queen of all saints1 pray for us4 ,queen conceived without original sin1 pray for us4 ,queen of the most holy rosary1 pray for us4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world3 ,spare us1 ,o ,lord4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world3 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world3 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,lord4 ,v4 ,pray for us1 ,o holy ,mother of ,god3 ,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promises of ,christ4 ,let us pray ,,pour forth1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 ,thy grace into our hearts1 that we1 to whom the incarnation of ,christ ,thy ,son was made known by the message of an angel1 may by ,his passion and cross be brought to the glory of ,his resurrection4 ,through the same ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,pray for us1 ,o holy ,mother of ,god4 ,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promises of ,christ4 ,let us pray ,,vouchsafe1 ,o ,lord1 that we may be helped by the merits of ,thy most holy ,mother's spouse2 that what of ourselves we can not obtain may be given us through his intercession4 ,who livest and reignest1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,indulgence4 7#a7 #cjj days1 every time4 7#b7 ,a plenary indulgence on the following five feasts of the ,blessed ,virgin3 ,immaculate ,conception1 ,nativity1 ,purification1 ,annunciation1 and ,assumption2 under the usual conditions1 to all who shall have said it daily during the year4 7,pius ,,vii1 ,september #cj1 #ahag47 ,these indulgences are granted for the litany alone2 hence the prayers following it may be omitted4 ,litany of the ,saints ,,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 hear us4 ,christ1 graciously hear us4 ,god the ,father of heaven1 have mercy on us4 ,god the ,son1 ,redeemer of the world1 have mercy on us4 ,god the ,holy ,ghost1 have mercy on us4 ,holy ,trinity1 one ,god1 have mercy on us4 ,holy ,mary1 pray for us4 ,holy ,mother of ,god1 pray for us4 ,holy ,virgin of virgins1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,michael1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,gabriel1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,raphael1 pray for us4 ,all ye holy angels and archangels1 pray for us4 ,all ye holy orders of blessed spirits1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,john ,baptist1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 pray for us4 ,all ye holy patriarchs and prophets1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,peter1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,paul1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,andrew1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,james1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,john1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,thomas1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,james1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,philip1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,bartholomew1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,matthew1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,simon1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,thaddaeus1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,mathias1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,barnabas1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,luke1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,mark1 pray for us4 ,all ye holy apostles and evangelists1 pray for us4 ,all ye holy disciples of ,our ,lord1 pray for us4 ,all ye holy innocents1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,stephen1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,lawrence1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,vincent1 pray for us4 ,,ss4 ,fabian and ,sebastian1 pray for us4 ,,ss4 ,john and ,paul1 pray for us4 ,,ss4 ,cosmas and ,damian1 pray for us4 ,,ss4 ,gervaise and ,protaise1 pray for us4 ,all ye holy martyrs1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,sylvester1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,gregory1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,ambrose1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,augustine1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,jerome1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,martin1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,nicholas1 pray for us4 ,all ye holy bishops and confessors1 pray for us4 ,all ye holy doctors1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,anthony1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,benedict1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,bernard1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,dominic1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,francis1 pray for us4 ,all ye holy priests and levites1 pray for us4 ,all ye holy monks and hermits1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,mary ,magdalen1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,agatha1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,lucy1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,agnes1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,cecilia1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,catherine1 pray for us4 ,st4 ,anastasia1 pray for us4 ,all ye holy virgins and widows1 pray for us4 ,all ye men and women1 saints of ,god3 ,make intercession for us4 ,be merciful3 ,spare us1 ,o ,lord4 ,be merciful3 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord4 ,from all evil1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from all sin1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from a sudden and unprovided death1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from the snares of the devil1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from anger1 hatred1 and ill will1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from the spirit of fornication1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from lightning and tempest1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from the scourge of earthquake1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from pestilence1 famine1 and war1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from everlasting death1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,through the mystery of ,thy holy incarnation1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy coming1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy nativity1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy baptism and holy fasting1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy cross and passion1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy death and burial1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy holy resurrection1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy admirable ascension1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,through the coming of the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,comforter1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,in the ,day of ,judgment1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,we sinners1 ,beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou spare us1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou pardon us1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou vouchsafe to bring us to true penance1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou vouchsafe to govern and preserve ,thy holy ,church1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou vouchsafe to preserve our apostolic prelate and all ecclesiastical orders in holy religion1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou vouchsafe to humble the enemies of ,thy holy ,church1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to ,christian kings and princes1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to all ,christian people1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us in ,thy holy service1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou lift up our minds to heavenly desires1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou render eternal good things to all our benefactors1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou deliver our souls and those of our brethren1 kinsfolk1 and benefactors from eternal damnation1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou vouchsafe eternal rest to all the faithful departed1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou vouchsafe graciously to hear us1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,son of ,god1 we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world3 ,spare us1 ,o ,lord4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world3 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord4 ,lamb of ,god1 who takest away the sins of the world3 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,lord4 ,christ1 hear us4 ,christ1 graciously hear us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,v4 ,and lead us not into temptation4 ,r4 ,but deliver us from evil4 ,,psalm ,,lxix ,,incline unto my aid1 ,o ,god3 ,o ,lord1 make haste to help me4 ,let them be confounded and ashamed3 that seek after my soul4 ,let them be turned backward and blush for shame3 that desire evils unto me4 ,let them be presently turned away blushing for shame1 that say to me3 ,tis well1 'tis well4 ,let all that seek ,thee rejoice and be glad in ,thee3 and let such as love ,thy salvation say always1 ,the ,lord be magnified4 ,but ,i am needy and poor3 ,o ,god1 help ,thou me4 ,thou art my helper and my deliverer3 ,o ,lord1 make no delay4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,v4 ,save ,thy servants3 ,r4 ,trusting in ,thee1 ,o my ,god4 ,v4 ,be unto us1 ,o ,god1 a tower of strength3 ,r4 ,from the face of the enemy4 ,v4 ,let not the enemy prevail against us3 ,r4 ,nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt us4 ,v4 ,o ,lord1 deal not with us according to our sins3 ,r4 ,neither reward us according to our iniquities4 ,v4 ,let us pray for our chief bishop1 ,n4 ,r4 ,the ,lord preserve him1 and give him life1 and make him blessed upon earth1 and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies4 ,v4 ,let us pray for our benefactors3 ,r4 ,vouchsafe1 ,o ,lord1 for ,thy name's sake1 to reward with eternal life all those who have done us good4 ,v4 ,let us pray for the faithful departed3 ,r4 ,eternal rest give to them1 ,o ,lord1 and let perpetual light shine upon them4 ,v4 ,may they rest in peace4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,for our absent brethren3 ,r4 ,o my ,god1 save ,thy servants trusting in ,thee4 ,v4 ,send them help1 ,o ,lord1 from ,thy holy place3 ,r4 ,and from ,sion protect them4 ,v4 ,o ,lord1 hear my prayer3 ,r4 ,and let my cry come unto ,thee4 ,let us pray ,o ,,god1 whose property it is always to have mercy and to spare1 receive our petitions1 that we1 and all ,thy servants who are bound by the chain of sin1 may1 in the compassion of ,thy goodness1 mercifully be absolved4 ,hear1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 the prayer of ,thy suppliants1 and pardon the sins of them that confess to ,thee1 that of ,thy bounty ,thou mayest grant us pardon and peace4 ,out of ,thy clemency1 ,o ,lord1 show ,thy unspeakable mercy to us1 that so ,thou mayest both acquit us of our sins and deliver us from the punishment we deserve for them4 ,o ,god1 who by sin art offended and by penance pacified1 mercifully regard the prayers of ,thy people who make supplication to ,thee1 and turn away the scourges of ,thy anger1 which we deserve for our sins4 ,o almighty and eternal ,god1 have mercy on ,thy servant ,n41 our chief bishop1 and direct him1 according to ,thy clemency1 in the way of everlasting salvation1 that1 by ,thy grace1 he may desire the things that are agreeable to ,thy will1 and perform them with all his strength4 ,o ,god1 from whom all holy desires1 righteous counsels1 and just works do come1 give to ,thy servants that peace which the world can not give2 that1 our hearts being disposed to keep ,thy commandments1 and the fear of enemies being taken away1 the times1 by ,thy protection1 may be peaceable4 ,inflame1 ,o ,lord1 our reins and hearts with the fire of the ,holy ,spirit2 to the end that we may serve ,thee with a chaste body1 and please ,thee with a clean heart4 ,o ,god1 the ,creator and ,redeemer of all the faithful1 give to the souls of ,thy servants departed the remission of all their sins1 that by pious supplications they may obtain the pardon they have always desired4 ,direct1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 our actions by ,thy holy inspirations1 and carry them on by ,thy gracious assistance2 that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from ,thee1 and by ,thee be happily ended4 ,almighty and eternal ,god1 who hast dominion over the living and the dead1 and art merciful to all whom ,thou foreknowest shall be ,thine by faith and good works2 we humbly beseech ,thee that they for whom we have purposed to offer our prayers1 whether this present world still detains them in the flesh1 or the next world has already received them divested of their bodies1 may1 by the clemency of ,thine own goodness and the intercession of ,thy saints1 obtain pardon and full remission of all their sins4 ,through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who liveth and reigneth with ,thee in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,o ,lord1 hear my prayer4 ,r4 ,and let my cry come unto ,thee4 ,v4 ,may the almighty and merciful ,lord graciously hear us4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of ,god rest in peace4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,illustration3 ,mary1 ,help of ,christians4 ,,part ,,vi ,thoughts and ,counsels of the ,saints for ,every ,day of the ,year ,every day will ,i bless ,thee1 and ,i will praise ,thy name forever 7,ps4 cxliv4 #b74 ,thoughts and ,counsels of the ,saints for every ,day in the ,year ,january #a ,,there are two guarantees of a wise rule of conduct3 the thought before action1 and self-command afterward4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #b ,when we receive with an entire and perfect resignation the afflictions which ,god sends us they become for us favors and benefits2 because conformity to the will of ,god is a gain far superior to all temporal advantages4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #c ,all perfection consists in the love of ,god2 and the perfection of divine love consists in the union of our will with that of ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #d ,leave to every one the care of what belongs to him1 and disturb not thyself with what is said or done in the world4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #e ,place before your eyes as models for imitation1 not the weak and cowardly1 but the fervent and courageous4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #f ,prayer is a pasturage1 a field1 wherein all the virtues find their nourishment1 growth1 and strength4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #g ,a single act of resignation to the divine will in what it ordains contrary to our desires1 is of more value than a hundred thousand successes conformable to our will and taste4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #h ,the shortest1 yea1 the only way to reach sanctity1 is to conceive a horror for all that the world loves and values4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #i ,as long as we are in this mortal life1 nothing is more necessary for us than humility4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #aj ,learning without humility has always been pernicious to the ,church2 and as pride precipitated the rebellious angels from heaven1 it frequently causes the loss of learned men4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #aa ,why remain sad and idle8 ,why exhaust thyself in the anguish of melancholy8 ,have courage1 do violence to thyself2 meditate on the passion of ,jesus ,christ1 and thou shalt overcome thy sorrow4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #ab ,here is the difference between the joys of the world and the cross of ,jesus ,christ3 after having tasted the first1 one is disgusted with them2 and on the contrary1 the more one partakes of the cross1 the greater the thirst for it4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ac ,when the sky is free from clouds we can see more clearly the brightness of the sun4 ,in like manner1 when the soul is free from sin and the gloom of passion1 it participates in the divine light4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #ad ,our works are of no value if they be not united to the merits of ,jesus ,christ4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ae ,if we are very determined to mortify ourselves and not to be too much occupied with our corporal health1 we will soon1 by the grace of ,god1 become masters of our bodies4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #af ,in every creature1 however small it be1 we may see a striking image of divine wisdom1 power1 and goodness4--,,ven4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs4 #ag ,time is but a period4 ,it passes like the lightning flash4 ,suffering passes with time2 suffering1 then1 is very short4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #ah ,in order to bear our afflictions with patience1 it is very useful to read the lives and legends of the saints who endured great torments for ,jesus ,christ4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ai ,open thine ears to the voices of nature1 and thou shalt hear them in concert inviting thee to the love of ,god4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #bj ,on the feasts of the saints consider their virtues1 and beseech ,god to deign to adorn you with them4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ba ,when faith grows weak1 all virtues are weakened4 ,when faith is lost1 all virtues are lost--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bb ,a precious crown is reserved in heaven for those who perform all their actions with all the diligence of which they are capable2 for it is not sufficient to do our part well2 it must be done more than well4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #bc ,nothing created has ever been able to fill the heart of man4 ,god alone can fill it infinitely4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #bd ,we should only make use of life to grow in the love of ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #be ,in vain men try4 ,they can never find in creatures sincere affection1 perfect joy1 or true peace4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bf ,god is supreme strength1 fortifying those who place their trust and confidence in ,him4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #bg ,god gives each one of us sufficient grace ever to know ,his holy will1 and to do it fully4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #bh ,shun useless conversation4 ,we lose by it both time and the spirit of devotion4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #bi ,the upright intention is the soul of our actions4 ,it gives them life and makes them good4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #cj ,the truth of faith alone1 deeply graven in the soul1 is sufficient to encourage us to very perfect works2 for it strengthens man and increases his charity4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ca ,it is folly not to think of death4 ,it is greater folly to think of it1 and not prepare for it4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 ,february #a ,,the most perfect and meritorious intention is that by which1 in all our actions1 we have in view only the good pleasure of ,god and the accomplishment of ,his holy will4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #b ,mary's sorrow was less when she saw her only ,son crucified1 than it is now at the sight of men offending ,him by sin4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #c ,there is nothing more unreasonable than to estimate our worth by the opinion of others4 ,today they laud us to the skies1 to-morrow they will cover us with ignominy4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #d ,act as if every day were the last of your life1 and each action the last you perform4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #e ,perfection consists in renouncing ourselves1 in carrying our cross1 and in following ,jesus ,christ4 ,now1 he who renounces himself most perfectly carries his cross the best and follows nearest to ,jesus ,christ is he who never does his own will1 but always that of ,god4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #f ,that which would have easily been remedied at first1 becomes incurable by time and habit--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #g ,among the gifts of grace which the soul receives in holy communion there is one that must be numbered among the highest4 ,it is1 that holy communion does not permit the soul to remain long in sin1 nor to obstinately persevere in it4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #h ,be assured that one great means to find favor when we appear before ,god is to have pardoned the injuries we have received here below4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #i ,woe to him who neglects to recommend himself to ,mary1 and thus closes the channel of grace6--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aj ,it is folly to leave your goods where you can never return1 and to send nothing to that place where you must remain for ever4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #aa ,discretion is necessary in spiritual life4 ,it is its part to restrain the exercises in the way of perfection1 so as to keep us between the two extremes4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ab ,by denying our self-love and our inclinations in little things1 we gradually acquire mortification and victory over ourselves4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ac ,should we fall a thousand times in a day1 a thousand times we must rise again1 always animated with unbounded confidence in the infinite goodness of ,god4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #ad ,god's way in dealing with those whom ,he intends to admit soonest after this life into the possession of ,his everlasting glory1 is to purify them in this world by the greatest afflictions and trials4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ae ,after the flower comes the fruit3 we receive1 as the reward of our fatigues1 an increase of grace in this world1 and in the next the eternal vision of ,god4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #af ,god refuses no one the gift of prayer4 ,by it we obtain the help that we need to overcome disorderly desires and temptations of all kinds4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ag ,to establish ourselves in a virtue it is necessary to form good and practical resolutions to perform certain and determined acts of that virtue1 and we must1 moreover1 be faithful in executing them4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ah ,love ought to consist of deeds more than of words4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ai ,there are many things which seem to us misfortunes and which we call such2 but if we understood the designs of ,god we would call them graces4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bj ,let us abandon everything to the merciful providence of ,god4--,,bl4 ,,albert ,,the ,,great4 #ba ,jesus ,christ1 our great ,model1 suffered much for us2 let us bear our afflictions cheerfully1 seeing that through them we have the happiness of resembling ,him4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bb ,remember that virtue is a very high and rugged mountain1 difficult to ascend1 and requiring much fatigue and exertion before we arrive at the summit to rest4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bc ,labor to conquer yourself4 ,this victory will assure you a brighter crown in heaven than they gain whose disposition is more amiable4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #bd ,we should not examine articles of faith with a curious and subtle spirit4 ,it is sufficient for us to know that the ,church proposes them4 ,we can never be deceived in believing them4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #be ,we should guard against jealousy1 and even the slightest sentiment thereof4 ,this vice is absolutely opposed to a pure and sincere zeal for the glory of ,god1 and is a certain proof of secret and subtle pride4-- ,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bf ,charity requires us always to have compassion on human infirmity4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #bg ,when one does not love prayer1 it is morally impossible for him to resist his passions4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bh ,docility and easy acquiescence with good advice are the signs of a humble heart4--,,ven4 ,,julienne ,,morel4 #bi ,there is nothing richer1 nothing surer1 nothing more agreeable than a good conscience4--,,bl4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs4 ,march #a ,,it ,,seems as if ,god granted to other saints to free us from some particular needfulness2 but ,i know by experience that the glorious ,st4 ,joseph assists us generally in all our necessities4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #b ,a most powerful and efficacious remedy for all evils1 a means of correcting all imperfections1 of triumphing over temptation1 and preserving our hearts in an undisturbed peace1 is conformity with the will of ,god4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #c ,it often happens that when we take less care of our body1 we have better health than when we bestow upon it too much care4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #d ,do nothing1 say nothing before considering if that which you are about to say or do is pleasing to ,god1 profitable to yourself1 and edifying to your neighbor4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #e ,sometimes ,god leaves us for a long time unable to effect any good1 that we may learn to humble ourselves1 and never to glory in our efforts4-- ,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #f ,we easily lose peace of mind1 because we make it depend1 not on the testimony of a good conscience1 but on the judgment of men4--,,bl4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs4 #g ,you may fast regularly1 give alms1 and pray without ceasing1 but as long as you hate your brother1 you will not be numbered among the children of ,god4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #h ,he who at the hour of death finds himself protected by ,st4 ,joseph1 will certainly experience great consolation4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #i ,take care that the worldling does not pursue with greater zeal and anxiety the perishable goods of this world than you do the eternal4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #aj ,we should consider our departed brethren as living members of ,jesus ,christ1 animated by ,his grace1 and certain of participating one day of ,his glory4 ,we should therefore love1 serve1 and assist them as far as is in our power4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #aa ,control thy senses1 guard thy mouth1 bridle thy tongue1 subjugate thy heart1 bear all provocation with charity1 and thou shalt perfectly fulfil the will of ,god4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #ab ,our perfection consists in uniting our will so intimately with ,god's will1 that we will only desire what ,he wills4 ,he who conforms most perfectly to the will of ,god will be the most perfect ,christian4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ac ,humility1 modesty1 sobriety1 purity1 piety1 and prudence1 with meekness1 ornament the soul1 and make us live on earth a truly angelic life4--,,bl4 ,,jordan ,,of ,,saxony4 #ad ,in recalling to mind the life and actions of the saints1 walk in their footsteps as much as possible1 and humble thyself if thou canst not attain to their perfection4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #ae ,when the devil again tempts you to sin1 telling you that ,god is merciful1 remember that the ,lord showeth mercy to them that fear ,him1 but not to them who despise ,him4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #af ,in prayer we should particularly combat our predominant passion or evil inclination4 ,we should devote continual attention to it1 because when it is once conquered we will easily obtain the victory over all our other faults4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ag ,i will carefully consider how1 on the day of judgment1 ,i would wish to have discharged my office or my duty2 and the way ,i would wish to have done it then ,i shall do now4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ah ,it is well to deny ourselves that which is permitted1 in order to avoid more easily that which is not4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #ai ,i have noticed that all persons who have true devotion to ,st4 ,joseph and tender him special honor1 are very much advanced in virtue1 for he takes great care of souls who recommend themselves to him2 and ,i have never asked of him anything which he did not obtain for me4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bj ,he who forgets himself in the service of ,god may be assured that ,god will not forget ,him4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ba ,let all our actions be directed to the end that ,god may be glorified in all things4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #bb ,he who suffers in patience1 suffers less and saves his soul4 ,he who suffers impatiently1 suffers more and loses his soul4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bc ,when we remember or hear that the enemies of the ,church burn and destroy ,god's temples1 we should grieve therefor2 but we should also rejoice much when we see new ones built1 and we should co-operate in their erection as much as we possibly can4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bd ,we should carefully beware of giving ourselves so completely to any employment as to forget to have recourse to ,god from time to time4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #be ,our ,lady1 deign to intercede for us sinners with thy divine ,son1 our ,lord1 and obtain of ,him a blessing for us in our trials and tribulations6--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #bf ,whoever would follow ,jesus ,christ1 must walk in ,his footsteps1 if he would not go astray4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bg ,let us thank ,god for having called us to ,his holy faith4 ,it is a great gift1 and the number of those who thank ,god for it is small4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bh ,the trials of life cease to oppress us if we accept them for the love of ,god4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #bi ,if you wish to take up your abode in the tabernacle of the heavenly kingdom1 you must reach there through your good works1 without which you can not hope to enter4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #cj ,it is a great folly to be willing to violate the friendship of ,god1 rather than the law of human friendship4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ca ,when the afflictions of this life overcome us1 let us encourage ourselves to bear them patiently by the hope of heaven4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 ,april #a ,,to ,,put into practice the teachings of our holy faith1 it is not enough to convince ourselves that they are true2 we must love them4 ,love united to faith makes us practise our religion4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #b ,unite all your works to the merits of ,jesus ,christ1 and then offer them up to the eternal ,father if you desire to make them pleasing to ,him4-- ,,st4 ,,teresa4 #c ,god pardons sin2 but ,he will not pardon the will to sin4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #d ,it is a fault1 not a virtue1 to wish your humility recognized and applauded4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #e ,before engaging in your private devotions1 perform those which obedience and your duty toward your neighbor impose upon you in such a manner as to make an abnegation of self4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #f ,the world is full of inconstancy2 its friendship ceases the moment there is no advantage to be expected from us4--,,bl4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #g ,there is nothing better to display the truth in an excellent light1 than a clear and simple statement of facts4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #h ,be careful and do not lightly condemn the actions of others4 ,we must consider the intention of our neighbor1 which is often good and pure1 although the act itself seems blameworthy4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #i ,he who does not overcome his predominant passion is in great danger of being lost4 ,he who does overcome it will easily conquer all the rest4-- ,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aj ,to conquer himself is the greatest victory that man can gain4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #aa ,a soul which does not practise the exercise of prayer is very like a paralyzed body which1 though possessing feet and hands1 makes no use of them4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ab ,when you do a good action1 have the intention of first pleasing ,god1 and then of giving good example to your neighbor4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ac ,the grace of perseverance is the most important of all2 it crowns all other graces4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ad ,prayer is the only channel through which ,god's great graces and favors may flow into the soul2 and if this be once closed1 ,i know no other way ,he can communicate them4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ae ,to acquire courage it is very useful to read the lives of the saints1 especially of those who1 after living in sin1 attained great sanctity4-- ,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #af ,the truly humble reject all praise for themselves1 and refer it all to ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ag ,prayer should be effective and practical1 since it has for its end the acquisition of solid virtue and the mortification of the passions4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ah ,we do not keep an account of the graces which ,god has given us1 but ,god our ,lord keeps an account of them4 ,he has fixed the measure thereof4-- ,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ai ,the more guilty we are1 the greater must be our confidence in ,mary4 ,therefore1 courage1 timid soul2 let ,mary know all thy misery1 and hasten with joy to the throne of mercy4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bj ,evil is often more hurtful to the doer than to the one against whom it is done4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #ba ,during life despise that which will avail you nothing at the hour of death4--,,st4 ,,anselm4 #bb ,he who fails to reflect before acting1 walks with his eyes shut and advances with danger4 ,he also falls very often1 because the eye of reflection does not enable him to see whither his footsteps lead4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #bc ,sanctity and perfection consist not in fine words1 but in good actions4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bd ,as patience leads to peace1 and study to science1 so are humiliations the path that leads to humility4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #be ,do not disturb yourself with vain curiosity concerning the affairs of others1 nor how they conduct themselves1 unless your position makes it your duty to do so4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #bf ,the deceitful charms of prosperity destroy more souls than all the scourges of adversity4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #bg ,the first degree of humility is the fear of ,god1 which we should constantly have before our eyes4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #bh ,he who cheerfully endures contempt and is happy under crosses and affliction1 partakes of the humility and sufferings of ,our ,lord4--,,st4 ,,mechtildis4 #bi ,he who is resigned to the divine will shall always surmount the difficulties he meets with in the service of ,god4 ,the ,lord will accomplish ,his designs concerning him4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #cj ,consent to suffer a slight temporary pain1 that so thou mayst avoid the eternal pains which sin deserves4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 ,may #a ,,mary was the most perfect among the saints only because she was always perfectly united to the will of ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #b ,after the love which we owe ,jesus ,christ1 we must give the chief place in our heart to the love of ,his ,mother ,mary4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #c ,when we feel our cross weighing upon us1 let us have recourse to ,mary1 whom the ,church calls the ,consoler of the ,afflicted4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #d ,the devotions we practise in honor of the glorious ,virgin ,mary1 however trifling they be1 are very pleasing to her divine ,son1 and ,he rewards them with eternal glory4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #e ,there is nothing which is more profitable and more consoling to the mind than to frequently remember the ,blessed ,virgin4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #f ,blessed are the actions enclosed between two ,hail ,marys4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #g ,let us consider what the glorious ,virgin endured1 and what the holy apostles suffered1 and we shall find that they who were nearest to ,jesus ,christ were the most afflicted4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #h ,the servants of ,mary who are in purgatory receive visits and consolations from her4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #i ,if you persevere until death in true devotion to ,mary1 your salvation is certain4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aj ,he who remembers having invoked the name of ,mary in an impure temptation1 may be sure that he did not yield to it4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aa ,mary being destined to negotiate peace between ,god and man1 it was not proper that she should be an accomplice in the disobedience of ,adam4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ab ,mary having co-operated in our redemption with so much glory to ,god and so much love for us1 ,our ,lord ordained that no one shall obtain salvation except through her intercession4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ac ,he who wishes to find ,jesus will do so only by having recourse to ,mary4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ad ,mary having always lived wholly detached from earthly things and united with ,god1 death1 which united her more closely to ,him1 was extremely sweet and agreeable to her4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ae ,mary being in heaven nearer to ,god and more united to ,him1 knows our miseries better1 compassionates them more1 and can more efficaciously assist us4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #af ,the ,virgin ,mother1 all pure and all white1 will make her servants pure and white4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ag ,to assure our salvation it does not suffice to call ourselves children of ,mary1 therefore let us always have the fear of ,god4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ah ,let us offer ourselves without delay and without reserve to ,mary1 and beg her to offer us herself to ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ai ,such is the compassion1 such the love which ,mary bears us1 that she is never tired of praying for us4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bj ,o ,queen of heaven and earth6 ,the universe would perish before thou couldst refuse aid to one who invokes thee from the depth of his heart4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #ba ,o most blessed ,virgin1 who declarest in thy ,canticle that it is owing to thy humility that ,god hath done great things in thee1 obtain for me the grace to imitate thee1 that is1 to be obedient2 because to obey is to practise humility4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bb ,may the two names so sweet and so powerful1 of ,jesus and ,mary1 be always in our hearts and on our lips6--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bc ,whatsoever we do1 we can never be true children of ,mary1 unless we are humble4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bd ,let us highly esteem devotion to the ,blessed ,virgin1 and let us lose no opportunity of inspiring others with it4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #be ,as a mother feels no disgust in dressing the sores of her child1 so ,mary1 the heavenly infirmarian1 never refuses to care for sinners who have recourse to her4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bf ,each of our days is marked with the protection of ,mary1 who is exceedingly anxious to be our ,mother1 when we desire to be her children4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bg ,when the devil wishes to make himself master of a soul1 he seeks to make it give up devotion to ,mary4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bh ,let us have recourse to ,mary2 for of all creatures she is the highest1 the purest1 the most beautiful1 and the most loving4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bi ,let the name of ,mary be ever on your lips1 let it be indelibly engraven on your heart4 ,if you are under her protection1 you have nothing to fear2 if she is propitious1 you will arrive at the port of salvation4-- ,,st4 ,,bernard4 #cj ,know that of all devotions the most pleasing to ,mary is to have frequent recourse to her1 asking for favors4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ca ,let the servants of ,mary perform every day1 and especially on ,saturday1 some work of charity for her sake4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 ,june #a ,,can ,,we1 amongst all hearts1 find one more amiable than that of ,jesus8 ,it is on ,his ,heart that ,god looks with special complacency--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #b ,one must wage war against his predominant passion1 and not retreat1 until1 with ,god's help1 he has been victorious4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #c ,an act of perfect conformity to the will of ,god unites us more to ,him than a hundred other acts of virtue4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #d ,the love of ,god inspires the love of our neighbor1 and the love of our neighbor serves to keep alive the love of ,god4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #e ,live always in the certainty that whatever happens to you is the result of divine ,providence2 because nothing hard or laborious falls to your lot without the ,lord permitting it4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #f ,whatsoever good work you undertake1 pray earnestly to ,god that ,he will enable you to bring it to a successful termination4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #g ,what is a fruitless repentance1 defiled almost immediately by new faults8--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #h ,you propose to give up everything to ,god2 be sure1 then1 to include yourself among the things to be given up4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #i ,if you can find a place where ,god is not1 go there and sin with impunity4--,,st4 ,,anselm4 #aj ,he can not err who is constantly with the visible ,head which ,jesus ,christ has left to ,his ,church1 as its foundation1 rule1 teacher1 and defender of the ,faith4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aa ,the more numerous the gifts we have received from ,god1 the greater the account we must render to ,him4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #ab ,true penance consists in regretting without ceasing the faults of the past1 and in firmly resolving to never again commit that which is so deplorable4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 ,illustration3 ,the ,sacred ,heart of ,mary4 #ac ,we are not raised the first day to the summit of perfection4 ,it is by climbing1 not by flying1 that we arrive there4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #ad ,what we do for ourselves during life is more certain than all the good we expect others to do for us after death4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #ae ,idleness begets a discontented life4 ,it develops self-love1 which is the cause of all our misery1 and renders us unworthy to receive the favors of divine love4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #af ,have death always before your eyes as a salutary means of returning to ,god4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #ag ,if the devil tempts me by the thought of divine justice1 ,i think of ,god's mercy2 if he tries to fill me with presumption by the thought of ,his mercy1 ,i think of ,his justice4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ah ,in time of temptation continue the good thou hast begun before temptation4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #ai ,in the eyes of the sovereign ,judge the merit of our actions depends on the motives which prompted them4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #bj ,the benefits to be derived from spiritual reading do not merely consist in impressing on the memory the precepts set forth1 but in opening the heart to them1 that they may bear fruit4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #ba ,as clouds obscure the sun1 so bad thoughts darken and destroy the brightness of the soul4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #bb ,to judge rightly of the goodness and perfection of any one's prayer1 it is sufficient to know the disposition he takes to it1 and the fruits he reaps from it4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bc ,to commence many things and not to finish them is no small fault2 we must persevere in whatever we undertake with upright intention and according to ,god's will4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bd ,the perfect champion is he who establishes complete control over his mind by overcoming temptations and the inclination of his nature to sin4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #be ,if the love of ,god is in your heart1 you will understand that to suffer for ,god is a joy to which all earthly pleasures are not to be compared4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #bf ,the world around us is1 as it were1 a book written by the finger of ,god2 every creature is a word on the page4 ,we should apply ourselves well to understand the signification of the volume4--,,ven4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs4 #bg ,a man of prayer is capable of everything4 ,he can say with ,st4 ,paul1 ,i can do all things in ,him who strengthened me4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bh ,whilst here below our actions can never be entirely free from negligence1 frailty1 or defect2 but we must not throw away the wheat because of the chaff4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #bi ,strive always to preserve freedom of spirit1 so that you need do nothing with the view of pleasing the world1 and that no fear of displeasing it will have power to shake your good resolutions4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #cj ,wo to us poor sinners if we had not the ,divine ,sacrifice to appease the ,lord6--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 ,july #a ,,how few there are who avail themselves of the precious blood of ,jesus to purchase their salvation6--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #b ,o ,queen of heaven and earth6 ,thou art the gate of mercy ever open1 never closed4 ,the universe must perish before he who invokes thee from his heart is refused assistance4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #c ,our ,faith will never be true unless it is united to that of ,st4 ,peter and the ,pontiff1 his successors4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #d ,short pleasures and long sufferings are all the world can give4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #e ,learn to be silent sometimes for the edification of others1 that you may learn how to speak sometimes4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #f ,gratitude for graces received is a most efficacious means of obtaining new ones4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #g ,to a useless question we should answer only by silence4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #h ,we should not judge things by their exterior or appearance1 but consider what they are in the sight of ,god1 and whether they be according to ,his good pleasure4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #i ,preserve purity of conscience with care1 and never do anything to sully it or render it less agreeable to ,god4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #aj ,give not thyself too much to any one4 ,he who gives himself too freely is generally the least acceptable4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #aa ,affliction strengthens the vigor of our soul1 whereas happiness weakens it4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #ab ,to acquire purity of the soul1 it is necessary to guard against passing judgment on our neighbor1 or useless remarks on his conduct4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #ac ,turn away the eyes of thy body and those of thy mind from seeing others1 that thou mayest be able to contemplate thyself4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #ad ,the brightest ornaments in the crown of the blessed in heaven are the sufferings which they have borne patiently on earth4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ae ,we are not innocent before ,god if we punish that which we should pardon1 or pardon that which we should punish4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #af ,is there any one in the world who has invoked thee1 ,o ,mary1 without having felt the benefit of thy protection1 which is promised to those who invoke thy mercy8--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #ag ,it is the key of obedience that opens the door of paradise4 ,jesus ,christ has confided that key to ,his vicar1 the ,pope1 ,christ on earth1 whom all are obliged to obey even unto death4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #ah ,it is true that ,god promises forgiveness if we repent1 but what assurance have we of obtaining it to-morrow8--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #ai ,we should offer ourselves and all we have to ,god1 that ,he may dispose of us according to ,his holy will1 so that we may be ever ready to leave all and embrace the afflictions that come upon us4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bj ,no one has a right to mercy who can not himself show mercy4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #ba ,we should reflect on all our actions1 exterior and interior1 and before we commence1 examine well if we are able to finish them4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #bb ,the reason why the lukewarm run so great a risk of being lost is because tepidity conceals from the soul the immense evil which it causes4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bc ,we should learn of ,jesus ,christ to be meek and humble of heart1 and ask ,him unceasingly for these two virtues4 ,we ought1 particularly1 to avoid the two contrary vices which would cause us to destroy with one hand what we seek to raise with the other4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bd ,the sufferings endured for ,god are the greatest proof of our love for ,him4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #be ,it is in vain that we cut off the branches of evil1 if we leave intact the root1 which continually produces new ones4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #bf ,how little is required to be a saint6 ,it suffices to do in all things the will of ,god4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bg ,wouldst thou know what thou art8 ,thou art that to which thy heart turns the most frequently4--,,ven4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs4 #bh ,when you covet that which delights you1 think not only of the sweet moments of enjoyment1 but of the long season of regret which must follow4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #bi ,they who voluntarily commit sin show a contempt for life eternal1 since they willingly risk the loss of their soul4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #cj ,it suffices not to perform good works2 we must do them well1 in imitation of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 of whom it is written1 ,he doeth all things well4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ca ,put not off till to-morrow what you can do today4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 ,august #a ,,christ ,himself guides the bark of ,peter4 ,for this reason it can not perish1 although ,he sometimes seems to sleep4--,,st4 ,,antoninus4 #b ,prayer teaches us the need of laying before ,god all our necessities1 of corresponding with ,his grace1 of banishing vice from our heart and of establishing virtue in it4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #c ,take this to heart3 ,owe no man anything4 ,so shalt thou secure a peaceful sleep1 an easy conscience1 a life without inquietude1 and a death without alarm4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #d ,if you would know whether you have made a good confession1 ask yourself if you have resolved to abandon your sins4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #e ,he who does that which is displeasing to himself has discovered the secret of pleasing ,god4--,,st4 ,,anselm4 #f ,an ordinary action1 performed through obedience and love of ,god1 is more meritorious than extraordinary works done on your own authority--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #g ,vigilance is rendered necessary and indispensable1 not only by the dangers that surround us1 but by the delicacy1 the extreme difficulty of the work we all have to engage in the work of our salvation4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #h ,among the different means that we have of pleasing ,god in all that we do1 one of the most efficacious is to perform each of our actions as though it were to be the last of our life4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #i ,i have to seek only the glory of ,god1 my own sanctification1 and the salvation of my neighbor4 ,i should therefore devote myself to these things1 if necessary1 at the peril of my life4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aj ,idleness is hell's fishhook for catching souls4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #aa ,whoever imagines himself without defect has an excess of pride4 ,god alone is perfect4--,,st4 ,,antoninus4 #ab ,as we take the bitterest medicine to recover or preserve the health of the body1 we should cheerfully endure sufferings1 however repugnant to nature1 and consider them efficacious remedies which ,god employs to purify the soul and conduct it to the perfection to which ,he called it4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ac ,to give up prayer because we are often distracted at it is to allow the devil to gain his cause4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ad ,curb the desire of display1 and do nothing from human respect4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ae ,o ,mary1 vessel of purest gold1 ornamented with pearls and sapphires1 filled with grace and virtue1 thou art the dearest of all creatures to the eyes of eternal ,wisdom4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #af ,we must be careful not to omit our prayers1 confession1 communion1 and other exercises of piety1 even when we find no consolation in them4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #ag ,let us leave to ,god and to truth the care of our justification1 without trying to excuse ourselves1 and peace will truly spring up within us4-- ,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #ah ,read good and useful books1 and abstain from reading those that only gratify curiosity4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ai ,so great is the goodness of ,god in your regard1 that when you ask through ignorance for that which is not beneficial1 ,he does not grant your prayer in this matter1 but gives you something better instead4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #bj ,men can use no better arms to drive away the devil1 than prayer and the sign of the cross4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ba ,he who knows well how to practise the exercise of the presence of ,god1 and who is faithful in following the attraction of this divine virtue1 will soon attain a very high degree of perfection4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bb ,one of the most admirable effects of holy communion is to preserve the soul from sin1 and to help those who fall through weakness to rise again4 ,it is much more profitable1 then1 to approach this divine ,sacrament with love1 respect1 and confidence1 than to remain away through an excess of fear and scrupulosity4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #bc ,let us remember that every act of mortification is a work for heaven4 ,this thought will make all suffering and weariness sweet4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bd ,correction should be given calmly and with discernment1 at seasonable times1 according to the dictates of reason1 and not at the impulse of anger4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #be ,there is nothing more certain1 nothing more agreeable1 nothing richer than a good conscience4--,,ven4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs4 #bf ,god1 to procure ,his glory1 sometimes permits that we should be dishonored and persecuted without reason4 ,he wishes thereby to render us conformable to ,his ,son1 who was calumniated and treated as a seducer1 as an ambitious man1 and as one possessed4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bg ,all that ,god gives us and all that ,he permits in this world have no other end than to sanctify us in ,him4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #bh ,if you can not mortify your body by actual penance1 abstain at least from some lawful pleasure4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bi ,one whose heart is embittered can do nothing but contend and contradict1 finding something to oppose in every remark4--,,ven4 ,,julienne ,,morel4 #cj ,without prayer we have neither light nor strength to advance in the way which leads to ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ca ,i have never gone out to mingle with the world without losing something of myself4--,,bl4 ,,albert ,,the ,,great4 ,september #a ,,he who perseveres with constancy and fervor will1 without fail1 raise himself to a high degree of perfection4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #b ,an upright intention is the soul of our actions4 ,it gives them life1 and makes them good4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #c ,you wish to reform the world3 reform yourself1 otherwise your efforts will be in vain4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #d ,let all thy care be to possess thy soul in peace and tranquillity4 ,let no accident be to thee a cause of ill-humor4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #e ,humility is a fortified town2 it repels all attacks4 ,the sight of it obliges the enemy to turn and flee4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #f ,the world is deceitful and inconstant4 ,when fortune forsakes us1 friendship takes flight4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #g ,perform all your actions in union with the pure intention and perfect love with which ,our ,lord did all things for the glory of ,god and the salvation of the world4--,,st4 ,,mechtildis4 #h ,an air of meekness and a modest speech are pleasing alike to ,god and men4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #i ,the saints owed to their confidence in ,god that unalterable tranquillity of soul1 which procured their perpetual joy and peace1 even in the midst of adversities4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aj ,look not to the qualities thou mayest possess1 which are wanting to others2 but look to those which others possess and which are wanting to thee1 that thou mayest acquire them4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #aa ,your heart is not so narrow that the world can satisfy it entirely2 nothing but ,god can fill it4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ab ,if you wish to raise a lofty edifice of perfection1 take humility for a foundation4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #ac ,it ordinarily happens that ,god permits those who judge others1 to fall into the same or even greater faults4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #ad ,raise thy heart and thy love toward the sweet and most holy cross1 which soothes every pain6--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #ae ,often read spiritual books2 then1 like a sheep1 ruminate the food thou hast taken1 by meditation and a desire to practise the holy doctrine found therein4--,,st4 ,,antoninus4 #af ,love others much1 but visit them seldom4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #ag ,god sends us trials and afflictions to exercise us in patience and teach us sympathy with the sorrows of others4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ah ,armed with prayer1 the saints sustained a glorious warfare and vanquished all their enemies4 ,by prayer1 also1 they appeased the wrath of ,god1 and obtained from ,him all they desired4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #ai ,all souls in hell are there because they did not pray4 ,all the saints sanctified themselves by prayer4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bj ,the thought of the presence of ,god renders us familiar with the practice of doing in all things ,his holy will4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ba ,if we consider the number and excellence of the virtues practised by the saints1 we must feel the inefficiency and imperfection of our actions4-- ,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #bb ,prayer without fervor has not sufficient strength to rise to heaven4-- ,,st4 ,,bernard4 #bc ,the path of virtue is painful to nature when left to itself2 but nature1 assisted by grace1 finds it easy and agreeable4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #bd ,always give the preference to actions which appear to you the most agreeable to ,god1 and most contrary to self-love4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #be ,as the branch separated from the roots soon loses all life and verdure1 so it is with good works which are not united with charity4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #bf ,we should constantly thank the ,lord for having granted us the gift of the true faith1 by associating us with the children of the holy ,catholic ,church4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bg ,we should not spare expense1 fatigue1 nor even our life1 when there is a question of accomplishing the holy will of ,god4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bh ,some are unable to fast or give alms2 there are none who can not pray4-- ,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bi ,we meet with contradictions everywhere4 ,if only two persons are together they mutually afford each other opportunities of exercising patience1 and even when one is alone there will still be a necessity for this virtue1 so true it is that our miserable life is full of crosses4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #cj ,we should bear our sufferings in expiation for our sins1 to merit heaven1 and to please ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 ,october #a ,,always give good example3 teach virtue by word and deed4 ,example is more powerful than discourse4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #b ,if thou wouldst glory1 let it be in the ,lord1 by referring everything to ,him1 and giving to ,him all the honor and glory4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #c ,there is nothing more holy1 more eminently perfect1 than resignation to the will of ,god1 which confirms us in an entire detachment from ourselves1 and a perfect indifference for every condition in which we may be placed4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #d ,prayer consists not in many words1 but in the fervor of desire1 which raises the soul to ,god by the knowledge of its own nothingness and the divine goodness4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #e ,let us make up for lost time4 ,let us give to ,god the time that remains to us4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #f ,when thou feelest thyself excited1 shut thy mouth and chain thy tongue4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #g ,if it was necessary that ,christ should suffer and so enter by the cross into the kingdom of ,his ,father1 no friend of ,god should shrink from suffering4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #h ,we should grieve to see no account made of time1 which is so precious2 to see it employed so badly1 so uselessly1 for it can never be recalled4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #i ,every time that some unexpected event befalls us1 be it affliction1 or be it spiritual or corporal consolation1 we should endeavor to receive it with equanimity of spirit1 since all comes from the hand of ,god4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #aj ,there are some who sin through frailty1 or through the force of some violent passion4 ,they desire to break these chains of death2 if their prayer is constant they will be heard4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aa ,thy will be done6 ,this is what the saints had continually on their lips and in their hearts4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ab ,he who would be a disciple of ,jesus ,christ must live in sufferings2 for ,the servant is not greater than the ,master4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #ac ,he who submits himself to ,god in all things is certain that whatever men say or do against him will always turn to his advantage4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ad ,if he be blind who refuses to believe in the truths of the ,catholic faith1 how much blinder is he who believes1 and yet lives as if he did not believe6--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ae ,there is no affliction1 trial1 or labor difficult to endure1 when we consider the torments and sufferings which ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ endured for us4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #af ,outside of ,god nothing is durable4 ,we exchange life for death1 health for sickness1 honor for shame1 riches for poverty4 ,all things change and pass away4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #ag ,if you would keep yourself pure1 shun dangerous occasions4 ,do not trust your own strength4 ,in this matter we can not take too much precaution4-- ,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ah ,after knowing the will of ,god in regard to a work which we undertake1 we should continue courageously1 however difficult it may be4 ,we should follow it to the end with as much constancy as the obstacles we encounter are great4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ai ,in your prayers1 if you would quickly and surely draw upon you the grace of ,god1 pray in a special manner for our ,holy ,church and all those connected with it4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #bj ,prayer is our principal weapon4 ,by it we obtain of ,god the victory over our evil inclinations1 and over all temptations of hell4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ba ,we should never abandon1 on account of the difficulties we encounter1 an enterprise undertaken with due reflection4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bb ,being all members of the same body1 with the same head1 who is ,christ1 it is proper that we should have in common the same joys and sorrows4-- ,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #bc ,we should be cordial and affable with the poor1 and with persons in humble circumstances4 ,we should not treat them in a supercilious manner4 ,haughtiness makes them revolt4 ,on the contrary1 when we are affable with them1 they become more docile and derive more benefit from the advice they receive4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bd ,let not confusion for thy fault overwhelm thee with despair1 as if there were no longer a remedy4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #be ,as all our wickedness consists in turning away from our ,creator1 so all our goodness consists in uniting ourselves with ,him4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bf ,that which we suffer in the accomplishment of a good work1 merits for us the necessary graces to insure its success4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bg ,we ought to have a special devotion to those saints who excelled in humility1 particularly to the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 who declares that the ,lord regarded her on account of her humility4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bh ,he who wishes to find ,jesus should seek ,him1 not in the delights and pleasures of the world1 but in mortification of the senses4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bi ,let us not despise1 judge1 or condemn any one but ourselves2 then our cross will bloom and bear fruit4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #cj ,it is rarely that we fall into error if we are humble and trust to the wisdom of others1 in preference to our own judgment4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #ca ,the best of all prayers is that in which we ask that ,god's holy will be accomplished1 both in ourselves and in others4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 ,november #a ,,we ,,should honor ,god in ,his saints1 and beseech ,him to make us partakers of the graces ,he poured so abundantly upon them4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #b ,we may have a confident hope of our salvation when we apply ourselves to relieve the souls in purgatory1 so afflicted and so dear to ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #c ,the example of the saints is proposed to every one1 so that the great actions shown us may encourage us to undertake smaller things4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #d ,let us read the lives of the saints2 let us consider the penances which they performed1 and blush to be so effeminate and so fearful of mortifying our flesh4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #e ,the greatest pain which the holy souls suffer in purgatory proceeds from their desire to possess ,god4 ,this suffering especially afflicts those who in life had but a feeble desire of heaven4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #f ,death is welcome to one who has always feared ,god and faithfully served ,him4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #g ,true humility consists in being content with all that ,god is pleased to ordain for us1 believing ourselves unworthy to be called ,his servants4-- ,,st4 ,,teresa4 #h ,the best preparation for death is a perfect resignation to the will of ,god1 after the example of ,jesus ,christ1 who1 in ,his prayer in ,gethsemani prepared ,himself with these words1 ,father1 not as ,i will1 but as ,thou wilt4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #i ,the errors of others should serve to keep us from adding any of our own to them4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #aj ,there is more security in self-denial1 mortification1 and other like virtues1 than in an abundance of tears4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #aa ,a resolute will triumphs over everything with the help of ,god1 which is never wanting4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ab ,if humble souls are contradicted1 they remain calm2 if they are calumniated1 they suffer with patience2 if they are little esteemed1 neglected1 or forgotten1 they consider that their due2 if they are weighed down with occupations1 they perform them cheerfully4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ac ,when we have to reply to some one who speaks harshly to us1 we must always do it with gentleness4 ,if we are angry1 it is better to keep silence4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ad ,the two principal dispositions which we should bring to holy communion are detachment from creatures1 and the desire to receive ,our ,lord with a view to loving ,him more in the future4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ae ,in doing penance it is necessary to deprive oneself of as many lawful pleasures as we had the misfortune to indulge in unlawful ones4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #af ,in raising human nature to heaven by ,his ascension1 ,christ has given us the hope of arriving thither ourselves4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #ag ,it is useless to subdue the flesh by abstinence1 unless one gives up his irregular life1 and abandons vices which defile his soul4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #ah ,no prayers are so acceptable to ,god as those which we offer ,him after communion4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ai ,it avails nothing to subdue the body1 if the mind allows itself to be controlled by anger4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #bj ,what is it that renders death terrible8 ,sin4 ,we must therefore fear sin1 not death4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ba ,the ,blessed ,virgin is of all the works of the ,creator the most excellent1 and to find anything in nature more grand one must go to the ,author of nature ,himself4--,,st4 ,,peter ,,damian4 #bb ,if we would advance in virtue1 we must not neglect little things1 for they pave the way to greater4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bc ,when one has fallen into some fault1 what better remedy can there be than to have immediate recourse to the ,most ,blessed ,sacrament8--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bd ,afflictions are the most certain proofs that ,god can give us of ,his love for us4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #be ,is it not a great cruelty for us ,christians1 members of the body of the ,holy ,church1 to attack one another8--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #bf ,the ,church is the pillar and ground of truth1 and her infallibility admits of no doubt4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #bg ,he who truly loves his neighbor and can not efficaciously assist him1 should strive at least to relieve and help him by his prayers4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bh ,we should blush for shame to show so much resentment at what is done or said against us1 knowing that so many injuries and affronts have been offered to our ,redeemer and the saints4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bi ,the reason why so many souls who apply themselves to prayer are not inflamed with ,god's love is1 that they neglect to carefully prepare themselves for it4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #cj ,it is absolutely necessary1 both for our advancement and the salvation of others1 to follow always and in all things the beautiful light of faith4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 ,december #a ,,if ,,we consider all that is imperfect and worldly in us1 we shall find ample reason for abasing ourselves before ,god and man1 before ourselves and our inferiors4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #b ,no one should think or say anything of another which he would not wish thought or said of himself4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #c ,we should study the interests of others as our own1 and be careful to act on all occasions with uprightness and loyalty4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #d ,it is ,god ,himself who receives what we give in charity1 and is it not an incomparable happiness to give ,him what belongs to ,him1 and what we have received from ,his goodness alone8--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #e ,let your constant practice be to offer yourself to ,god1 that ,he may do with you what ,he pleases4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #f ,it is not enough to forbid our own tongue to murmur2 we must also refuse to listen to murmurers4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #g ,we can obtain no reward without merit1 and no merit without patience4-- ,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #h ,no harp sends forth such sweet harmonies as are produced in the afflicted heart by the holy name of ,mary4 ,let us kneel to reverence this holy1 this sublime name of ,mary6--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #i ,the life of a true ,christian should be such that he fears neither death nor any event of his life1 but endures and submits to all things with a good heart4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #aj ,we should abandon ourselves entirely into the hands of ,god1 and believe that ,his providence disposes everything that ,he wishes or permits to happen to us for our greater good4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #aa ,regulate and direct all your actions to ,god1 offering them to ,him and beseeching ,him to grant that they be for ,his honor and glory4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 ,illustration3 ,hail1 ,virgin ,most ,pure6 #ab ,conformity to the will of ,god is an easy and certain means of acquiring a great treasure of graces in this life4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ac ,do not consider what others do1 or how they do it2 for there are but few who really work for their own sanctification4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ad ,to-day ,god invites you to do good2 do it therefore to-day4 ,to-morrow you may not have time1 or ,god may no longer call you to do it4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ae ,to advance in the way of perfection it does not suffice to say a number of weak prayers2 our principal care should be to acquire solid virtues4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #af ,humility is the virtue of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 of ,his blessed ,mother1 and of the greatest saints4 ,it embraces all virtues and1 where it is sincere1 introduces them into the soul4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ag ,it will be a great consolation for us at the hour of death to know that we are to be judged by ,him whom we have loved above all things during life4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ah ,humble submission and obedience to the decrees of the ,sovereign ,pontiffs are good means for distinguishing the loyal from the rebellious children of the ,church4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ai ,the devil attacks us at the time of prayer more frequently than at other times4 ,his object is to make us weary of prayer4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bj ,it is an act as rare as it is precious1 to transact business with many people1 without ever forgetting ,god or oneself4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ba ,god is our light4 ,the farther the soul strays away from ,god1 the deeper it goes into darkness4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bb ,true ,christian prudence makes us submit our intellect to the maxims of the ,gospel without fear of being deceived4 ,it teaches us to judge things as ,jesus ,christ judged them1 and to speak and act as ,he did4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bc ,remember that men change easily1 and that you can not place your trust in them2 therefore attach yourself to ,god alone4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bd ,if we secretly feel a desire to appear greater or better than others1 we must repress it at once4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #be ,the ,king of heaven deigned to be born in a stable1 because ,he came to destroy pride1 the cause of man's ruin4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bf ,to save our souls we must live according to the maxims of the ,gospel1 and not according to those of the world4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bg ,be gentle and kind with every one1 and severe with yourself4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bh ,if you wish to be pleasing to ,god and happy here below1 be in all things united to ,his will4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bi ,in proportion as the love of ,god increases in our soul1 so does also the love of suffering4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #cj ,he who keeps steadily on without pausing1 will reach the end of his path and the summit of perfection4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ca ,the past is no longer yours2 the future is not yet in your power4 ,you have only the present wherein to do good4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 ,,part ,,vii ,reasonableness of ,catholic ,ceremonies and ,practices ,let the children of ,israel make the ,phase in due time 4 4 4 according to all the ceremonies thereof 7,num4 ix #b1 #c74 ,reasonableness of ,catholic ,ceremonies and ,practices ,the priest shall be vested with the tunic 7,lev4 vi4 #aj74 ,and he made1 of violet and purple1 scarlet and fine linen1 the vestments for ,aaron to wear when he ministered in the holy places1 as the ,lord commanded ,moses 7,ex4 xxxix4 #a74 ,in every place there is sacrifice and there is offered to ,my name a clean offering 7,malach4 i4 #aa74 ,and another ,angel came and stood before the altar1 having a golden censer3 and there was given to him much incense1 that he should offer of the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar1 which is before the throne of ,god 7,apoc4 viii4 #c74 ,the ,ceremonies of the ,catholic ,church ,,the ,catholic ,church in the celebration of ,mass and in the administration of the sacraments employs certain forms and rites4 ,these are called ceremonies4 ,by these ceremonies the ,church wishes to appeal to the heart as well as to the intellect1 and to impress the faithful with sentiments of faith and piety4 ,what is more capable of raising the heart and mind of man to ,god than a priest celebrating ,mass8 ,what more inspiring than some of our sacred music8 ,how beneficial and how lasting the impression formed by the ceremonies of the ,church1 the following incident will show3 ,one of our missionaries once went to visit a tribe of ,indians who had been deprived of a priest for nearly half a century4 ,after traveling through the forest for some days he came near their village4 ',twas ,sunday morning4 ,suddenly the silence was broken by a number of voices singing in unison4 ,he stopped to listen4 ,to his great astonishment he distinguished the music of a ,mass1 and of ,catholic hymns well known to him4 ,what could be more touching than this simple1 savage people endeavoring to celebrate the ,lord's ,day as they had been taught by the priest fifty years before8 ,what more elevating than those sacred songs--the ,stabat ,mater1 the ,o ,salutaris1 or the ,te ,deum--uttered by pious lips and resounding through the forest primeval8 ,what better evidence could we have of the beneficial effects of our ceremonies in raising the heart to ,god8 ,and yet few things connected with our holy religion have been more frequently subjected to ridicule than her ceremonies4 ,people scoff at them1 laugh at them1 call them foolish and unreasonable4 ,those people do not stop to consider that by doing so they1 themselves1 are acting most unreasonably4 ,for no reasonable person1 no judge1 will condemn another without hearing both sides of the question4 ,these wiseacres1 however1 flatter themselves that they know all about the ,catholic ,church and her ceremonies without hearing her side of the case4 ,hence the misunderstandings and misrepresentations regarding her that exist among well-meaning people4 ,if people would but learn to speak about that which they knew and understood2 if they would accord to the ,catholic ,church the same treatment as to other institutions2 if they would examine both sides of the question before criticising and ridiculing her teachings and her ceremonies2 if they would but treat her with that openness1 that fairness1 that candor1 that honesty characteristic of the ,american citizen when dealing with other questions--what a vast amount of ignorance1 of prejudice1 of sin would be avoided6 ,we claim that ceremonies used in the worship of ,god are reasonable1 because they were sanctioned by ,god in the ,old ,testament and by ,jesus ,christ and ,his apostles in the ,new ,law4 ,i4 ,ceremonies ,necessary to ,divine ,worship ,,the angels are pure spirits4 ,they have no body4 ,consequently the worship they render ,god is spiritual1 interior4 ,the heavenly bodies are not spiritual1 but entirely material substances4 ,they render ,god a sort of external worship according to the words of the prophet ,daniel1 ,sun and moon bless the ,lord1 4 4 4 stars of heaven bless the ,lord4 ,praise and exalt ,him forever4 ,man has a soul1 a spiritual substance similar to the heavenly bodies4 ,he should1 therefore1 honor ,god by the twofold form of worship1 interior and exterior4 ,god is a spirit2 and they that adore ,him must adore ,him in spirit and in truth 7,john iv4 #bd74 ,from these words of the beloved disciple we are not to conclude that interior worship is prescribed as the only essential1 and exterior worship condemned4 ,true piety must manifest itself externally4 ,man naturally manifests his feelings by outward signs and ceremonies4 ,the ,catholic ,church recognizes that man has a heart to be moved as well as an intellect to be enlightened4 ,she enlightens the intellect by her good books1 sermons1 etc42 and she moves the heart by the grandeur of her ceremonies4 ,if any one doubts that ,god considers ceremonies necessary to divine worship1 let him read the books of ,leviticus and ,exodus4 ,almost the whole of these books treats of the rites and ceremonies used by the then chosen people of ,god in their public worship4 ,the #bfth1 #bgth1 and #bhth chapters of ,exodus prescribe the form of the tabernacle and its appurtenances1 the size of the altar and the oil for the lamps1 and the holy vestments which ,aaron and his sons were to wear during the performance of the public ceremonies4 ,the book of ,leviticus treats more particularly of the sacrifices1 rites1 and ceremonies of the priests and ,levites4 ,and the ,lord called ,moses1 and spoke to him from the tabernacle of the testimony1 saying3 ,speak to the children of ,israel1 and thou shalt say to them3 ,the man among you that shall offer to the ,lord a sacrifice of the cattle1 that is1 offering victims of oxen and sheep1 if his offering be a holocaust and of the herd1 he shall offer a male1 without blemish1 at the door of the tabernacle of the testimony1 to make the ,lord favorable to him4 ,and he shall put his hand upon the head of the victim1 and it shall be acceptable and help to his expiation 7,lev4 i4 #a et seq474 ,after enumerating all the sacrifices and ceremonies1 the sacred writer closes the book of ,leviticus with the words1 ,these are the precepts which the ,lord commanded ,moses for the children of ,israel in ,mount ,sinai1 thus showing that ,he considers ceremonies necessary to divine worship4 ,the religion instituted by ,our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ is more spiritual than that of the ,old ,law4 ,nevertheless ,he did not discard ceremonies4 ,in the ,garden of ,gethsemani ,he fell upon ,his knees in humble supplication4 ,he went in procession to ,jerusalem preceded by a great multitude strewing palm-branches on the road and singing1 ,hosanna to the ,son of ,david4 ,before ,he cured the deaf and dumb man1 ,he put ,his fingers into his ears and touched his tongue with spittle1 and looking up to heaven ,he groaned and said1 ,ephpheta1 which is1 ,be thou opened4 ,at the ,last ,supper ,he invoked a blessing on the bread and wine1 and after the supper ,he chanted a hymn with ,his disciples--ceremonies similar to those used in the ,mass4 ,when ,he imparted the ,holy ,ghost to ,his apostles1 ,he breathed upon them4 ,in a similar way they and their successors communicated the ,holy ,ghost upon others by breathing upon them1 laying their hands upon them and praying over them1 when conferring the sacrament of ,holy ,orders4 ,st4 ,james directs that if any man is sick he shall call in a priest of the ,church1 who shall anoint him with oil1 as is done in the sacrament of ,extreme ,unction4 ,we must1 therefore1 admit that ceremonies used in the worship of ,god are reasonable1 since they are sanctioned by ,god in the ,old ,law and by ,jesus ,christ and ,his apostles in the ,new ,testament4 ,all these acts of ,our ,saviour--the prostration in the ,garden1 the procession to ,jerusalem1 the touching of the deaf man's ears1 the chanting of the hymn1 the laying on of hands1 the anointing of the sick--are but so many ceremonies serving as models of the ceremonies used by the ,catholic ,church in her public worship and in the administration of her sacraments4 ,,ii4 ,vestments ,used by the ,priest at ,mass ,,before entering upon an explanation of the ceremonies of the ,mass1 which is our principal act of public worship1 let us examine the meaning of the vestments worn by the priest during the celebration of that august sacrifice4 ,first1 it is well to remember that these vestments come down to us from the time of the apostles1 and have the weight of antiquity hanging upon them4 ,hence1 if they did not demand our respect as memorials of ,christ1 they are at least deserving of attention on account of their antiquity4 ,the #bhth chapter of ,exodus tells us the sacred vestments ,god wished the priests of the ,old ,law to wear during the public worship4 ,and these shall be the vestments which they shall make3 a rational and an ephod1 a tunic and a straight linen garment1 a mitre and a girdle4 ,they shall make the holy vestments for thy brother ,aaron and his sons1 that they may do the office of priesthood unto ,me4 ,as ,god in the ,old ,law prescribed vestments for the priests1 so the ,church1 guided by ,god1 prescribes sacred vestments to be worn by the priest of the ,new ,law while engaged in the sacred mysteries4 ,the long black garment which the priest wears around the church in all the sacred functions is called a cassock4 ,kings and officers of the army wear a special uniform when performing their public duties2 priests wear cassocks and other special garments when performing their public duties4 ,these vestments are used to excite the minds of the faithful to the contemplation of heavenly things4 ,who1 for example1 can behold the cross on the chasuble the priest wears without thinking of all ,christ suffered for us on the cross8 ,as the priest in celebrating ,mass represents the person of ,christ1 and the ,mass represents ,his passion1 the vestments he wears represent those with which ,christ was clothed at the time of the passion4 ,the first vestment the priest puts on over the cassock is called an amice4 ,it is made of linen1 and reminds us of the veil that covered the face of ,jesus when ,his persecutors struck ,him4 7,luke xxii4 #fd47 ,when the priest puts on the amice he first places it on his head1 thus recalling to mind the crown of thorns that pierced the head of ,jesus4 ,the alb 7from albus1 white7 represents the white garment with which ,christ was vested by ,herod when sent back to ,pilate dressed as a fool4 7,luke xxii4 #aa47 ,white is emblematic of purity4 ,hence the wearer is reminded of that purity of mind and body which he should have who serves the altar of the ,most ,high4 ,the cincture1 or girdle1 as well as the maniple and stole1 represent the cords and bands with which ,christ was bound in the different stages of ,his passion4 ,st4 ,matthew says in the #bb;d verse of the #bgth chapter1 ,they brought ,him bound and delivered ,him to ,pontius ,pilate1 the governor4 ,the chasuble1 or outer vestment the priest wears1 represents the purple garment with which ,christ was clothed as a mock king4 ,and they clothed ,him with purple 7,mark xv4 #ag74 ,upon the back of the chasuble you see a cross4 ,this represents the cross ,christ bore on ,his sacred shoulders to ,calvary1 and upon which ,he was crucified4 ,in these vestments1 that is1 in the chasuble1 stole1 and maniple1 the ,church uses five colors--white1 red1 purple1 green1 and black4 ,white1 which is symbolic of purity and innocence1 is used on the feasts of ,our ,lord1 of the ,blessed ,virgin1 of the angels1 and of the saints that were not martyrs4 ,red1 the symbol of fortitude1 is used on the feast of ,pentecost1 of the ,exaltation of the ,cross1 of the apostles and martyrs4 ,purple1 or violet 7the color of penance71 is used in ,advent and ,lent4 ,green 7the color of hope7 is used on all ,sundays when no special feast is celebrated1 except the ,sundays of ,lent and ,advent4 ,black 7the color of mourning7 is used on ,good ,friday and during the celebration of ,mass for the dead4 ,thus we see that each vestment and color used has a special significance4 ,all are calculated to attract our attention1 elevate our minds to ,god1 and fill us with a desire to do something for ,him ,who has done so much for us--to at least keep ,his commandments4 ,one word about the use of ,latin in the celebration of ,mass will perhaps be appropriate here4 ,history tells us that when ,christianity was established the ,roman ,empire had control of nearly all of ,europe1 ,asia1 and ,africa4 ,wherever the ,roman flag floated to the breeze the ,latin language was spoken1 just as ,english is spoken where the sovereign of ,great ,britain or the ,president of the ,united ,states holds sway4 ,the ,church naturally adopted in her liturgy the language spoken by the people4 ,in the beginning of the fifth century vast hordes of barbarians began to come from the north of ,europe and spread desolation over the fairest portions of the ,roman ,empire4 ,soon the ,empire was broken up4 ,new kingdoms began to be formed1 new languages to be developed4 ,the ,latin finally ceased to be a living language4 ,the ,church retained it in her liturgy1 #ast1 because1 as her doctrine and liturgy are unchangeable1 she wishes the language of her doctrine and liturgy to be unchangeable2 #b;d1 because1 as the ,church is spread over the whole world1 embracing in her fold children of all climes1 nations1 and languages--as she is universal--she must have a universal language2 #c;d1 because the ,catholic clergy are in constant communication with the ,holy ,see1 and this requires a uniform language4 ,besides1 when a priest says ,mass the people1 by their ,english ,missals or other prayer-books1 are able to follow him from beginning to end4 ,the ,mass is a sacrifice4 ,the prayers of the ,mass are offered to ,god4 ,hence when the priest says ,mass he is speaking not to the people1 but to ,god1 to whom all languages are equally intelligible4 ,are not these sufficient reasons for the use of the ,latin language8 ,are not good ,catholics more attentive1 more devout at ,mass than others at their prayer-meetings8 ,the good ,catholic knows that the ,mass represents the passion and death of ,christ2 that the passion and death of ,christ are the sinner's only refuge1 the just man's only hope2 that it can not but be good and wholesome to turn our minds and our hearts toward this subject2 that frequent meditation on ,christ's passion will move us to avoid sin1 which caused it2 and that nothing can more efficaciously cause us to think of ,christ's passion and death than the holy sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,,iii4 ,ceremonies of the ,mass ,,the ,mass is the great sacrifice of the ,new ,law4 ,it was foreshadowed by all the sacrifices ordained by ,god in the ,old ,law4 ,they were shadows2 it is the substance4 ,we learn from ,genesis of the fall of man4 ,universal tradition1 as well as ,scripture1 informs us that the creature formerly became guilty in the eyes of the ,creator4 ,all nations1 all peoples1 endeavored to appease the anger of ,heaven and believed that a victim was necessary for this purpose4 ,hence sacrifices have been offered from the beginning of the human race4 ,cain and ,abel offered victims2 the one the first fruits of the earth1 the other the firstlings of the flock4 ,abraham1 ,isaac1 ,jacob1 and ,melchisedech worshiped this way1 and their worship was acceptable to ,god4 ,everywhere1 even among the heathen1 you find the altar1 the priest1 and the sacrifice4 ,as we learn from ,leviticus and other portions of the ,old ,testament1 ,god ,himself carefully prescribed the quality1 manner1 number1 and place of the various sacrifices which ,he was pleased to accept from the hands of ,his chosen people4 ,from this fact that sacrifice has ever formed a prominent feature in the worship of all people1 we conclude that it belongs to the essentials of religion1 and that ,christians to-day should have an altar of which1 as ,st4 ,paul says1 they can not eat who serve the tabernacle4 ,the sacrifices of the ,old ,law were provisional and prefigured the great sacrifice of the ,new ,law foretold by the prophet ,malachy4 ,this glorious prophecy of ,malachy1 ,from the rising of the sun even to the going down ,my name is great among the ,gentiles2 in every place there is sacrifice1 and there is offered to ,my name a clean offering2 for ,my name is great among the ,gentiles1 saith the ,lord of ,hosts--this glorious prophecy is fulfilled only by the great sacrifice of the ,catholic ,church4 ,we alone can say with ,st4 ,paul1 ,habemus altare ,we have an altar and a true sacrifice4 ,of all the blessings bequeathed by ,jesus ,christ to ,his ,church1 there is none better1 none greater1 none holier than the holy sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,it is the sacrifice of ,his own body and blood offered to the heavenly ,father under the appearances of bread and wine4 ,it was instituted by ,our ,lord at the ,last ,supper1 when ,he took bread and wine in ,his sacred hands and blessed them1 saying1 ,this is ,my body4 4 4 4 ,this is ,my blood4 4 4 4 ,do this for a remembrance of ,me4 ,he instituted the holy ,mass in order to represent and continue the sacrifice of ,calvary4 ,st ,paul says1 in his first epistle to the ,corinthians1 xi4 #bf1 that it was instituted to show the death of the ,lord until ,his second coming4 ,after the consecration1 which the priest effects by saying over the bread and wine the same words which ,jesus ,christ said at the ,last ,supper1 there is no longer bread and wine1 but the true and living ,jesus ,christ1 ,god and man1 hidden under the appearances of bread and wine1 just as in the manger ,he was hidden under the appearance of an infant4 ,the priest offers ,him up to ,his heavenly ,father in the name of the ,catholic ,church1 or rather ,he offers ,himself up1 and we can confidently hope that we will obtain more through prayers at the holy ,mass than through our own unaided prayers4 ,in order to have part in the holy sacrifice of the ,mass a person should follow the actions and prayers of the priest1 especially at the offertory1 consecration1 and communion2 meditate on the passion of ,christ2 say the rosary or the prayers in the prayer-books1 at the same time uniting his intention with the intention of the sacrificing priest4 ,the sacrifice of the ,mass is a true sacrifice1 because it is the oblation of a victim to ,god to represent by its destruction or change ,his supreme dominion over life and death4 ,it is offered to satisfy our four great debts and wants in adoration to ,god on account of ,his omnipotence1 in thanksgiving for ,his benefits1 in atonement for our sins1 and to obtain ,his assistance in difficulties and temptations4 ,the holy ,mass obtains for us all graces and blessings1 temporal and spiritual4 ,since the ,mass is the highest act of public worship1 it is proper that it should be celebrated with fitting sacred ceremonies4 ,every ceremony which the ,church prescribes has its deep significance4 ,all tend to bring before our minds the mystery of the passion4 ,the altar1 which is reached by means of steps1 represents ,mount ,calvary1 upon which ,christ died with ,his arms extended as if to enfold all men as brothers4 ,the crucifix recalls ,jesus dying on the cross4 ,the lighted candles are symbols of the faith and devotion which ought to burn in the hearts of the faithful when present at ,mass4 ,the sacred vestments1 embroidered with the sign of the cross1 indicate that the priest is the minister and visible representative of ,jesus ,christ1 the invisible priest4 ,the sign of the cross made many times by the priest over the host and chalice reminds us that we offer to ,god the divine ,victim of the cross1 and that we ought to unite ourselves to ,him by loving the cross1 by patience and ,christian penance4 ,we genuflect because ,our ,lord is really present4 ,if we know ,he is not present on the altar we bow in honor of the place where ,he sometimes reposes4 ,holy water is used to signify that our souls must be pure if we wish ,god to answer our prayers4 ,incense is used at solemn ,high ,mass and at ,vespers4 ,it is symbolic of prayer1 agreeably to the words of the #adjth psalm3 ,let my prayer1 ,o ,lord1 be directed as incense in ,thy sight4 ,and ,st4 ,john1 describing the heavenly ,jerusalem in the #hth chapter of the ,apocalypse1 says3 ,another angel came1 and stood before the altar1 having a golden censer2 and there was given him much incense1 that he should offer of the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne of ,god4 ,the sacrifice of the ,mass1 then1 is the sacrifice of ,calvary1 since the same ,victim is offered up and by the same ,high ,priest1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,the ,emanuel1 the ,god with us1 the thought of whom made the prophets tremble centuries before ,he came1 that divine ,teacher who loves to dwell with the children of men1 the ,catholic ,church beholds dwelling in the midst of us on our altars4 ,if you have visited some of our ancient cathedrals1 or any of our magnificent modern churches1 and admired the varied ornaments or artistic wonders therein2 if you have ever been present at our religious solemnities and witnessed the gravity of our ceremonies1 the beauty of the chants1 the piety of the adorers2 if you have reflected upon the spirit of sacrifice and self-forgetfulness so common to ,catholicism and so unknown elsewhere--that spirit which moves thousands of the young of both sexes to forsake the world and devote themselves to the care of the sick1 the education of the young1 and to other works of charity--if you have witnessed these things and reflected upon them1 you can not but have asked yourself why are such gorgeous temples built2 why such magnificent works of art as displayed on the altar1 the sacred vessels1 paintings1 and other things in the church8 ,what prompts such sacrifices8 ,and the answer will be1 because the church is the edifice where ,god in the holy ,mass daily renews the prodigies of ,his mercy1 and it can never be worthy of ,his love2 because ,god1 who sacrificed ,himself for us1 is ever with us in the ,blessed ,sacrament of the altar1 to soothe our cares and answer our prayers4 ,yes1 the grand feature of the ,catholic ,church is the holy altar4 ,on the altar is the tabernacle for the residence of the ,lord of ,hosts4 ,there our hidden ,god1 ,jesus in the ,eucharist1 dwells night and day in the midst of ,his people1 saying to them with words of love1 ,come to me all you that are burdened and heavy laden1 and ,i will refresh you4 ,the ,mass1 independent of its sacrificial aspect1 consists of the best prayers ever uttered4 ,the priest begins by making the sign of the cross1 ,in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,this sign is an epitome of the ,christian's belief in the unity and trinity of ,god and in the incarnation and death of ,jesus ,christ4 ,after making the sign of the cross he repeats the #db;d psalm1 ,judge me1 ,o ,god1 and then makes an humble confession of his sins to ,god4 ,he ascends the altar and nine times asks ,god to have mercy on him1 ,kyrie ,eleison2 then follows the beautiful hymn the shepherds heard the angels singing at the birth of the ,saviour1 ,gloria in ,excelsis ,deo4 ,the prayer of the feast1 the epistle and gospel follow1 and then the sermon in the vernacular is usually preached4 ,after the ,nicene ,creed1 ,credo in ,unum ,deum1 the priest makes the offering of bread and wine4 ,he then washes the tips of his fingers1 saying3 ,i will wash my hands among the innocent1 by which he is reminded to be free from stain to offer worthily the ,holy ,sacrifice4 ,the preface1 canon1 and solemn words of consecration follow1 during which the bread and wine are changed by the power of ,jesus ,christ into ,his body and blood4 ,in a short time he comes to the best of all prayers1 the prayer taught us by ,our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ1 the ,our ,father1 ,pater ,noster4 ,the ,agnus ,dei follows1 then the communion1 when he partakes of the consecrated bread and wine1 and afterward gives holy communion to the faithful4 ,he then continues the ,mass1 gives his blessing1 and finishes the ,mass with the beginning of the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john4 ,hence you see that1 besides the great sacrifice which makes it an act worthy of ,god1 the ,mass consists of the best of all prayers4 ,from what has been said it is evident that ceremonies in the worship of ,god are reasonable1 being sanctioned by ,god in the ,old and ,new ,testaments2 that the holy sacrifice of the ,mass is the greatest of all acts of worship2 and that the ,catholic ,church in using ceremonies is but following the example of ,our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ and ,his apostles4 ,st4 ,john in the ,book of ,revelations tells us that before the throne of ,god angels stand with golden censers1 multitudes from all nations follow and adore the ,lamb1 while virgins sing the new song which they alone can utter4 ,so1 too1 before the throne of ,god on earth we swing our censers1 multitudes from all nations prostrate themselves in adoration1 the sweet incense of their praise and prayer ascends to the throne of grace1 their minds are enlightened by ,god's word1 while their hearts are raised to ,god by the grandeur of our ceremonies4 ,the ,son of ,god1 after having taught us by ,his word1 shown us by ,his example1 and merited for us by ,his grace the virtues necessary for salvation1 wished to institute the holy sacrifice of the ,mass1 that ,he might come ,himself in the ,holy ,sacrament and imprint them upon us4 ,of these virtues1 the most important are humility1 purity1 obedience1 patience1 and charity4 ,let us always ask ,god when present at the holy ,mass for a lively faith in ,his ,real ,presence1 an ardent love for ,him in the ,blessed ,sacrament of the altar1 and the grace to imitate ,his humility1 ,his purity1 ,his meekness1 obedience1 patience1 and charity here1 and enjoy ,his presence forever hereafter4 ,the following beautiful words of ,cardinal ,newman show that the ,mass is something more than a mere form of words1 and that ceremonies are reasonable as well as necessary in its celebration3 ,to me nothing is so consoling1 so piercing1 so thrilling1 so overcoming1 as the ,mass said as it is among us4 ,i could attend ,masses forever and not be tired4 ,it is not a mere form of words--it is a great action1 the greatest action that can be on earth4 ,it is not the invocation merely1 but1 if ,i dare use the word1 the evocation of the ,eternal4 ,he becomes present on the altar in flesh and blood1 before ,whom angels bow and devils tremble4 ,this is that awful event which is the scope and the interpretation of every part of the solemnity4 ,words are necessary1 but as means1 not as ends2 they are not mere addresses to the throne of grace1 they are instruments of what is far higher1 of consecration1 of sacrifice4 ,they hurry on as if impatient to fulfil their mission4 ,quickly they go1 for they are awful words of sacrifice2 they are a work too great to delay upon1 as when it was said in the beginning1 ',what thou doest1 do quickly4' ,quickly they pass1 for the ,lord ,jesus goes with them1 as ,he passed along the lake in the days of ,his flesh1 quickly calling first one and then another2 quickly they pass1 because as the lightning which shineth from one part of the heaven unto the other1 so is the coming of the ,son of ,man4 ,quickly they pass1 for they are as the words of ,moses1 when the ,lord came down in the cloud1 calling on the name of the ,lord as ,he passed by1 ',the ,lord1 the ,lord ,god1 merciful and generous1 long suffering1 and abundant in goodness and truth4' ,and as ,moses on the mountain1 so we1 too1 make haste and bow our heads to the earth and adore4 ,so we1 all around1 each in his place1 look for the great ,advent 'waiting for the moving of the water1' each in his place1 with his own heart1 with his own wants1 with his own prayers1 separate but concordant1 watching what is going on1 watching its progress1 uniting in its consummation2 not painfully1 and hopelessly following a hard form of prayer from beginning to end1 but like a concert of musical instruments each different1 but concurring in sweet harmony1 we take our post with ,god's priest1 supporting him1 yet guided by him4 ,there are little children there1 and old men1 and simple laborers1 and students in seminaries1 priests preparing for ,mass1 priests making their thanksgiving1 there are innocent maidens1 and there are penitent sinners2 but out of these many minds rises one ,eucharistic hymn1 and the great action is the measure and the scope of it4 ,the ,practices of the ,catholic ,church ,i4 ,vespers and ,benediction ,remember that thou keep holy the ,sabbath day 7,ex4 xx4 #h74 ,,this commandment teaches us that ,god wills the whole ,sunday to be spent in ,his honor4 ,we should sanctify it by good works1 and by assisting at divine service4 ,on that day servile works and improper amusements are forbidden4 ,a salutary rest and moderate recreation are allowed1 but never at the expense of duties of obligation4 ,after hearing ,mass on ,sunday morning1 which is obligatory on all ,catholics1 there is no better way of sanctifying the remainder of the day than by attending ,vespers and ,benediction4 ,the ,vesper service is a small portion of the divine office1 which priests must recite daily1 for ,god's honor and glory4 ,it consists of five of the psalms of ,david 7,dixit ,dominus1 ,ps4 #aji2 ,confitebor tibi1 ,ps4 #aaj2 ,beatus vir1 ,ps4 #aaa2 ,laudate pueri1 ,ps4 #aab2 ,in exitu ,israel1 ,ps4 #aac1 or ,laudate ,dominum1 ,ps4 #aaf71 a hymn1 the ,magnificat1 or canticle of the ,virgin ,mary1 from the first chapter of ,st4 ,luke1 and some prayers4 ,is it not reasonable thus to praise ,god in psalms and hymns and spiritual canticles8 ,benediction of the ,blessed ,sacrament usually follows ,vespers4 ,the ,catholic ,church teaches that ,jesus ,christ is really present in the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,the reasonableness of this teaching will be seen in the following article4 ,since ,jesus ,christ is present1 ,he ought to be adored by the faithful4 ,faithful adorers frequently visit ,him in the ,blessed ,sacrament and worship ,him in spirit and in truth4 ,hence1 the ,blessed ,sacrament is kept in the ,tabernacle on our altars to soothe our cares1 answer our prayers1 and be ready at any time to be administered to the sick and dying4 ,besides our private devotion to the ,blessed ,sacrament1 the ,church has appointed solemn rites to show publicly our faith and devotion toward the ,real ,presence of ,jesus ,christ4 ,these rites are processions on ,corpus ,christi1 the ,forty ,hours' devotion1 and1 especially1 the rite called ,benediction4 ,when it is time for ,benediction many candles are lighted on the altar4 ,this is done to show our faith in the ,real ,presence of ,jesus ,christ4 ,if ,he were not present1 this display would be unreasonable1 unnecessary1 and meaningless4 ,but the candles we light1 the incense we burn1 the flowers and other ornaments we use to decorate the altar1 and all that we do for ,our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ can not be too much4 ,everything being prepared1 the priest takes the ,blessed ,sacrament out of the tabernacle1 and1 placing it in the ostensorium1 exposes it on an elevated throne1 while the choir sings in honor of the ,blessed ,sacrament the hymn ,o ,salutaris ,hostia1 ,o ,saving ,host4 ,the priest incenses ,our ,lord in the ,blessed ,sacrament1 as1 according to the ,apocalypse1 angels do in heaven4 ,another hymn or a litany follows2 after which is sung the ,tantum ,ergo1 ,down in adoration falling1 followed by a prayer by the priest4 ,then in the midst of a solemn silence 7except that a small bell is tinkled7 the priest takes the monstrance1 or ostensorium1 containing the ,blessed ,sacrament1 and1 turning toward the people1 makes with it the sign of the cross over them1 thus blessing the faithful with the ,most ,holy ,one4 ,this is certainly a most touching and impressive rite even to those who do not believe in it4 ,cardinal ,newman calls it one of the most beautiful1 natural1 and soothing practices of the ,church4 ,no one will deny that this practice1 or rite of the ,church1 is reasonable1 if ,jesus ,christ is really present in the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,that ,he is really present is our belief4 ,this being our belief1 is it not reasonable to light candles as a sign of spiritual joy1 and thus to show our faith in ,him who is the light of the world8 ,he gave us all that we have4 ,he gave us the beautiful world we dwell upon with its variety of scenery--with its snow-capped mountains1 its green-carpeted hills1 and its blooming valleys4 ,he has no need of our gifts2 for the earth is ,his and the fulness thereof4 ,yet as ,he was pleased to receive the gifts of the ,magi and the precious ointment of ,mary1 so1 too1 is ,he pleased to receive our offerings4 ,and is anything too good1 too beautiful1 too precious1 for ,him8 ,can the altar on which ,he dwells be too richly adorned8 ,are the pure candles we light1 the sweet incense we burn1 the choice flowers and costly ornaments with which we decorate the altar1 too much to use in honor of ,our ,lord and our ,god8 ,yes1 the ,catholic practice or rite of ,benediction is dictated by right reason4 ,everything connected with ,benediction is reasonable1 beautiful1 and suggestive of the noblest sentiments of the heart of man4 ,illustration3 ,mary1 ,star of the ,sea4 ,,ii4 ,devotion to the ,blessed ,sacrament ,and whilst they were at supper1 ,jesus took bread1 and blessed1 and broke1 and gave to ,his disciples1 and said3 take ye and eat4 ,this is ,my body 7,matt4 xxvi4 #bf74 ,,perhaps no mystery of revelation has been so universally attacked as the ,real ,presence of ,jesus ,christ in the ,blessed ,sacrament of the ,altar4 ,by the ,real ,presence is meant that ,jesus ,christ is really and truly1 body and blood1 soul and divinity1 present in the ,blessed ,sacrament1 under the form and appearance of bread and wine4 ,this teaching of the ,church is in perfect agreement with ,scripture1 tradition1 and reason4 ,if the reader will take up his ,bible and read carefully the #fth chapter of the ,gospel according to ,st4 ,john2 the #bfth chapter1 #bfth1 #bgth1 and #bhth verses of ,st4 ,matthew2 the #adth chapter1 #bb;d verse of ,st4 ,mark2 the ,first ,epistle of ,st4 ,paul to the ,corinthians1 #ajth chapter1 #afth verse1 as well as other portions of the ,new ,testament1 he will certainly see that the ,catholic teaching and practice concerning the ,real ,presence of ,jesus ,christ in the ,blessed ,sacrament are founded on ,scripture4 ,in this #fth chapter of ,st4 ,john1 we learn that before instituting the ,blessed ,sacrament ,our ,saviour wished to announce or promise it to ,his disciples in order to prepare them for it4 ,he first gave them a figure of the ,blessed ,sacrament in the multiplication of the five loaves of bread by which ,he fed five thousand persons4 ,after this miracle ,he told them that ,he would give them bread superior to that which they had eaten1 and that this bread was ,his own flesh and blood4 ,the bread that ,i will give is ,my flesh1 for the life of the world4 ,it is almost impossible to understand these words of ,our ,lord in any other than a literal sense4 ,he was so understood by those who heard ,him4 ,how can this man give us his flesh to eat8 they said1 and many withdrew from ,him4 ,it is but reasonable to believe that if ,he did not wish to be understood in a literal sense ,he would have told ,his hearers so1 rather than have them leave ,him4 ,this promise of a doctrine so difficult to understand was fulfilled at the ,last ,supper4 ,then ,jesus took bread1 and blessed1 and broke1 and gave to ,his disciples1 and said3 ,take ye and eat4 ,this is ,my body4 ,and taking the chalice ,he gave thanks2 and gave to them1 saying3 ,drink ye all of this4 ,for this is ,my blood of the new testament which shall be shed for many for the remission of sins4 ,do this for a commemoration of ,me4 ,these are substantially the words of ,,ss4 ,matthew1 ,mark1 ,luke1 and of the apostle ,paul4 ,in the #ajth chapter of the ,first ,epistle to the ,corinthians1 ,st4 ,paul says3 ,the chalice of benediction which we bless1 is it not the communion of the blood of ,christ8 ,and the bread which we break1 is it not the partaking of the body of the ,lord8 ,any one of these texts abundantly proves the ,catholic doctrine of the ,real ,presence1 and shows the reasonableness of the ,catholic practice regarding the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,reflect upon them4 ,reflect especially upon the words of ,christ1 ,this is ,my body4 ,think what an insult it is to the divinity and veracity of ,christ to doubt ,his word1 because you can not understand how what appears to be bread is in reality ,his own body and blood4 ,if you remember that ,jesus ,christ is ,god1 that ,he had the power to make this change1 that ,he could confer this power on others1 as the apostles and their successors1 that ,he did so when ,he said3 ,do this in commemoration of ,me1 and that this change at the present time as at the time of the apostles is made by ,his almighty power1 you will have no difficulty in believing it4 ,the belief and practice of the ,catholic ,church of to-day regarding the ,blessed ,sacrament is the same as it was in every age since the time of ,christ4 ,the history of every century tells us this4 ,the ,fathers1 ,doctors1 and ,church writers of every age say the same4 ,if it were not so1 some one ought to be able to find the time when the doctrine was invented1 and the person who invented it4 ,but1 since no one has been able to find the inventor of this doctrine and practice1 the time or place of the invention1 we rightly conclude that they came down to us from the time of ,christ1 and had ,christ for an author4 7,berengarius1 in the eleventh century1 was the first who denied this doctrine47 ,if1 then1 ,christ is the author1 is not the ,catholic practice reasonable8 ,but ,i don't understand the ,catholic doctrine regarding the ,blessed ,sacrament1 some one may say2 therefore it is contrary to reason4 ,dear reader1 did the consummate puerility1 silliness1 foolishness of such an objection ever present itself to you8 ,do you understand the ,blessed ,trinity8 ,and is it contrary to reason8 ,no4 ,although above reason1 it is not against it4 ,do you understand how ,jesus ,christ is both ,god and man8 ,do you understand any mystery8 ,no4 ,if you did it would no longer be a mystery4 ,for a mystery is something above human intelligence4 ,it is something incomprehensible to us1 for it pertains to the divine intelligence4 ,and as well might you attempt to pour the mighty ocean into a small hole on the shore1 as attempt to hold with your limited capacity the illimitable ocean of divinity4 ,the proper office of reason is to examine the evidences of revelation1 and see if ,god has spoken4 ,but it constitutes no part of its office to dispute the word of ,god4 ,that ,god has spoken is evident from the fulfilment of many prophecies and the authority of many miracles4 ,that these prophecies have been fulfilled1 and these miracles performed1 is as certain as is any historical fact4 ,reason teaches us this4 ,it teaches us1 too1 that no one but ,god 7or by the power of ,god7 can prophesy2 no one but ,god can derogate from the order of nature1 by the performance of a miracle4 ,reason teaches us1 then1 that ,god has spoken4 ,when we know ,god speaks1 genuine reason will dictate that we humbly believe ,his holy word4 ,thus will true reason ever act4 ,and when ,god says1 ,this is ,my body1 it will not hesitate to believe4 ,we all believe that at the baptism of ,our ,saviour by ,st4 ,john ,baptist1 the ,holy ,ghost appeared in the form of a dove4 ,now1 is it not as reasonable for ,jesus ,christ1 the second person of the ,blessed ,trinity1 to appear in the form of bread as it was for the ,holy ,ghost1 the third person of the ,trinity1 to appear in the form of a dove8 ,we must therefore admit that the ,catholic doctrine of the ,real ,presence of ,jesus ,christ in the ,blessed ,sacrament is reasonable2 that it has been believed by the ,christian ,church of every age from the time of ,christ until the present time2 and that it is taught by ,,ss4 ,matthew1 ,mark1 ,luke1 and ,john1 and by ,st4 ,paul in clear and unmistakable terms4 ,now1 dear reader1 since ,jesus ,christ is really present1 is not the ,catholic practice regarding the ,blessed ,sacrament reasonable8 ,should we not honor ,our ,lord and ,our ,god8 ,should we not adore ,him as really present in the ,blessed ,sacrament8 ,should we not frequently receive ,him with pure and contrite hearts8 ,should we not1 when we enter the church1 genuflect1 bend the knee in ,his honor8 ,should we not show ,him every mark of respect and devotion8 ,can we do too much in ,his honor8 ,let us1 then1 adore ,our ,lord and ,our ,god1 for we are ,his people and the sheep of ,his pasture4 ,let us return love for love to the great ,king of suffering1 who was born for love of us1 who died for love of us1 and who1 for love of us1 remains ever with us in the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,let us ask that our faith and love may persevere to the end2 that loving and adoring ,him here in the ,blessed ,sacrament of ,his love1 we may be united with ,him forever hereafter4 ,,iii4 ,holy ,communion ,he that eateth this bread shall live forever 7,john vi4 #ei7 ,,holy communion is receiving the body and blood of ,christ in the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,the clergy when saying ,mass1 except on ,good ,friday1 receive under both forms4 ,when not celebrating ,mass1 they receive only the one kind1 the consecrated bread4 ,in the early ages of the ,church communion was given to the people under both forms4 ,the faithful1 however1 could1 if they wished1 dispense with one form and receive under the form of bread4 ,this shows that the ,church always taught that ,christ is entire both under the form of bread and under the form of wine4 ,at one time the faithful received under both forms2 now they receive under one form1 the form of bread4 ,it is merely a matter of discipline1 which the ,church could change1 if circumstances demanded it4 ,whether you receive under one form or both1 you receive whole and entire the body and blood of ,christ4 ,this is clearly taught by ,st4 ,paul in the #aath chapter of the ,first ,epistle to the ,corinthians1 where he says3 ,whosoever shall eat this bread1 or drink the chalice of the ,lord unworthily1 shall be guilty of the body and blood of the ,lord4 ,how could a person eating that bread unworthily be guilty of the body and blood of the ,lord1 unless the body and blood of the ,lord were there under the form of bread8 ,since ,jesus ,christ is whole and entire under the form of bread1 as well as under the form of wine1 the practice of the ,catholic ,church of giving holy communion under one form is reasonable4 ,good ,christians frequently receive their ,lord and their ,god in holy communion4 ,he inspires them with feelings of love1 gratitude1 and adoration4 ,he reminds them to think frequently of their ,creator--to give ,him their first thoughts in the morning and their last in the evening4 ,he gives them strength to restrain their guilty passions4 ,holy ,communion is the seed of immortality4 ,he that eateth this bread shall live forever4 ,,iv4 ,confirmation ,then they laid their hands upon them1 and they received the ,holy ,ghost 7,acts viii4 #ag74 ,,before the coming of the ,holy ,ghost on ,pentecost1 the apostles were weak and vacillating4 ,one of them betrayed his ,master for thirty pieces of silver2 another--the ,prince of the ,apostles1 he whom ,christ afterward made head of ,his ,church--thrice denied his ,lord and his ,god4 ,after the descent of the ,holy ,ghost1 what a change6 ,what a wonderful transformation6 ,they who before had been as timid as the lamb1 as changeable as the chameleon's hue1 became now as bold as the lion1 as firm as ,gibraltar's rock4 ,in a similar way does ,confirmation act on the receiver4 ,confirmation is that sacrament in which1 by the imposition of the bishop's hands1 we receive the ,holy ,ghost to make us strong and perfect ,christians and soldiers of ,jesus ,christ4 ,it is the second in the order of the sacraments1 because the early ,christians were accustomed to receive it immediately after ,baptism4 ,in the #hth chapter of the ,acts of the ,apostles we find the first recorded instance of the administering of ,confirmation by the apostles4 ,here we are told that ,st4 ,peter and ,st4 ,john confirmed the ,samaritans who had been baptized by ,philip4 ,they prayed for them that they might receive the ,holy ,ghost4 4 4 4 ,then they laid their hands upon them1 and they received the ,holy ,ghost4 ,in a similar way does the bishop1 the successor of the apostles1 administer ,confirmation at the present day4 ,first1 he turns toward those to be confirmed and says3 ,may the ,holy ,ghost come down upon you and the power of the ,most ,high keep you from sin4 ,then extending his hands over them he prays that they may receive the ,holy ,ghost4 ,in the #fth verse of the #aith chapter of the ,acts the sacred writer1 after telling about the baptism of the disciples at ,ephesus1 adds3 ,and when ,paul had laid his hands upon them the ,holy ,ghost came on them4 ,in the #fth chapter of the ,epistle to the ,hebrews ,st4 ,paul mentions ,confirmation1 the laying on of hands1 with ,baptism and ,penance1 as among the principal practices of ,christianity4 ,the sacrament of ,confirmation has been administered to the faithful of every age from the time of ,christ until the present4 ,we learn this from the ,fathers and writers of the various ages4 ,among them ,st4 ,clement says3 ,all must make haste to be confirmed by a bishop1 and receive the sevenfold grace of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the practice of administering ,confirmation is founded on tradition1 then1 as well as on ,scripture4 ,is it not reasonable to believe and practise that which the ,christian ,church of every age believed and practised8 ,the apostles of ,christ administered ,confirmation by praying that the faithful may receive the ,holy ,ghost and laying their hands upon them4 ,the successors of the apostles do likewise4 ,who will say that this practice is not reasonable8 ,baptism gives spiritual life2 ,confirmation increases it4 ,baptism makes persons children of ,god2 ,confirmation strengthens them1 causes them to grow1 and makes them strong men and soldiers of ,jesus ,christ4 ,all the morality of life is implied in the sacrament of ,confirmation4 ,it strengthens man1 it gives him courage to confess ,god2 and as sin is the denial of ,god1 whoever has courage to confess ,god will practise virtue4 ,v4 ,honoring the ,blessed ,virgin ,the angel ,gabriel was sent from ,god 4 4 4 to a ,virgin 4 4 4 and the ,virgin's name was ,mary4 ,and the angel being come in said to her3 ,hail1 full of grace1 the ,lord is with thee2 blessed art thou among women 7,luke i4 #bf1 #bh74 ,from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed 7,luke i4 #dh74 ,,these words from ,st4 ,luke show that the ,catholic practice of honoring ,mary is scriptural4 ,we alone fulfil the prophecy1 ,from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed4 ,if ,mary was so pure that the archangel ,gabriel could salute her as full of grace2 if she was so perfect as to be honored1 respected1 and loved by her divine ,son1 ,jesus ,christ1 is it not reasonable that we1 too1 should honor1 respect1 and love her8 ,how we honor the sword of ,washington6 ,what a cluster of tender recollections clings to the staff of ,franklin6 ,is there a loyal ,american citizen who does not think with feelings of love and respect of the mother of our ,revolutionary hero1 or who would not doff his hat at the unveiling of a statue of the sage of ,monticello8 ,and why8 ,is it on account of their intrinsic merit8 ,no4 ,we honor them principally on account of the relation they bear to those three brightest stars in the ,american firmament4 ,so it is with the honor we show to ,mary1 the ,mother of ,god4 ,although she was an example of all virtues1 we honor her principally because it was through her instrumentality ,he was born by whom we achieved not civil liberty1 but the liberty of the children of ,god4 ,she did not draw lightning from heaven1 nor the scepter from kings2 but she brought forth ,him who is the ,lord of heaven and ,king of kings4 ,the principal reason1 then1 why we honor ,mary is because she is the ,mother of ,our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ4 ,this honor consists of love1 respect1 and veneration4 ,we love her with an interior love1 a love proceeding from the heart2 nor should we fear to let this love appear outwardly4 ,when others revile her1 speak disrespectfully of her1 we should shrink from the very idea of acting similarly toward her4 ,we should then remember that she is the ,mother of ,our ,saviour1 and should ask ourselves how we would have acted toward her had we lived in her day and been witnesses of the honor shown her by her divine ,son4 ,by so doing we will show her that love which is her due4 ,our respect1 our veneration for her1 should be affectionate and deep4 ,when we remember that it was her hand that first lifted from the ground and received in maternal embrace the sacred body of ,jesus1 just born and just dead2 when we think how respectfully ,elizabeth greeted her2 when we recall to mind the reverent salutation of the archangel2 when we consider the honor shown her by the apostles and by her own divine ,son1 can we help feeling a deep love1 respect1 and veneration for her8 ,you see1 dear reader1 honoring ,mary is scriptural and reasonable4 ,but if we should honor her principally because she is the ,mother of ,god1 we should also honor her because she is the peerless glory1 the matchless jewel of her sex4 ,she constitutes a sole exception to a general law4 ,sin never contaminated1 never touched her fair soul4 ,this is what we mean by the ,immaculate ,conception4 ,god created the first man free from sin4 ,but he transgressed the law of ,god1 and1 by his transgression1 all his posterity are born in sin and conceived in iniquity4 ,for ,st4 ,paul says3 ,by one man sin entered into this world1 and by sin death2 and so death passed upon all men1 in whom all have sinned 7,rom4 v4 #ab74 ,but ,god promised that the woman1 ,mary1 should crush the head of the serpent4 ,now if she was to crush the head of the serpent1 it was fit that she should never be under his power1 that she should be pure1 free from sin of every kind4 ,there have been exceptions to all general laws4 ,at the time of the deluge ,noe was saved4 ,lot was saved from the destruction of ,sodom4 ,in like manner1 the ,blessed ,virgin is an exception to the general law that all sinned in ,adam4 ,isaias and ,st4 ,john ,baptist were sanctified in their mother's womb4 ,was it any more difficult for ,god to sanctify ,mary at the moment of her conception1 at the moment of the union of her soul with her body8 ,god chose ,his own ,mother4 ,if ,he had the power to choose her did ,he not also have the power to preserve her from original sin8 ,and does it not appear to you most fitting that ,god1 the ,holy ,ghost1 should preserve ,his spouse1 and ,god1 the ,son1 ,his ,mother1 from sin of every kind8 ,hail1 full of grace1 the angel said to her4 ,if she was full of grace1 no vacancy was left for sin4 ,grace denotes the absence of sin1 as light denotes the absence of darkness4 ,hence if ,mary was full of grace1 she was never subject to sin2 she was always pure and her conception immaculate4 ,it is but natural1 then1 that we arrive at the belief in the ,immaculate ,conception1 at the belief in the sinlessness1 the spotlessness of the ,blessed ,virgin from the very beginning of her existence4 ,if we honor ,mary principally because the angel honored her1 because ,god honored her1 we honor her1 also1 because of her immaculate conception and total freedom from sin4 ,she was a model of all virtues4 ,is it not reasonable1 then1 to honor ,mary1 to love her1 and to believe that she loves us8 ,if we honor the good and virtuous1 where can we find a nobler example of virtue than ,mary8 ,what a beautiful model ,mary is for ,christians1 and especially for ,christian women6 ,good ,catholic mothers are continually urging upon their daughters the necessity of choosing as a model ,mary1 the true type of female excellence4 ,in ,mary you find all that is tender1 loving1 constant1 and true4 ,in her you find all virtues4 ,in her humility she refused the highest honors2 while in patience she endured more anguish and agony than any other creature on earth4 ,mary is a creature of ,god4 ,as the praise we bestow on a beautiful picture redounds to the glory of the artist1 so the honor we give ,mary redounds to ,god1 since we honor her for ,his sake4 ,let us honor her4 ,that person who honors the ,blessed ,virgin2 who loves1 respects1 and venerates her as the ,mother of ,god2 who takes her as a model and imitates her virtues2 who prays to her in trials and afflictions and asks her intercession with her divine ,son1 does not only act in a reasonable manner1 but such action is certain to make the path through this world smooth and easy and at the same time safe to a life of eternal happiness4 ,,vi4 ,confession of ,sin ,whom when ,he saw ,he said3 ,go1 show yourselves to the priests 7,luke xvii4 #ad74 ,receive ye the ,holy ,ghost2 whose sins ye shall forgive1 they are forgiven them1 and whose sins ye shall retain1 they are retained 7,john xx4 #bc74 ,,the whole of the life of ,our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ may be summed up in these words of the ,acts3 ,he went about doing good4 ,he healed the sick1 gave sight to the blind1 hearing to the deaf1 and raised the dead to life4 ,the healing of the body1 however1 was to ,him a secondary object4 ,the healing of the soul was ,his mission on earth4 ,he frequently called the attention of ,his followers to this4 ,for example1 ,he cured the man of the palsy to prove that as man ,he had the power to forgive sins4 ,another example is when ,he gives us in the cure of the lepers a figure of sin and its cure4 ,leprosy has always been considered a figure of sin4 ,as leprosy covers the body and makes it disgusting and frightful to behold1 so sin covers the soul and makes it hideous in the sight of ,god4 ,the ,old ,law required lepers to separate themselves from society until their cure was certified to by the priests who were appointed for this purpose4 ,our ,lord has been pleased1 in the ,new ,law1 to institute a similar method for the cure of the more fatal leprosy of sin4 ,the spiritual leper1 the sinner1 is to show himself to the priest1 make known the diseased state of his soul1 and submit to the inspection and treatment of the priest1 who is the divinely appointed physician of the soul4 ,but should we not go directly to ,god1 since ,god alone has power to justify us8 ,it is true1 ,god alone can effect our justification2 but ,he has appointed the priest to judge in ,his place and pass sentence in ,his name4 ,to the priests ,he has said3 ,whatsoever you shall bind upon earth shall be bound in heaven1 and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth shall be loosed also in heaven 7,matt4 xviii4 #ah72 and again3 ,whose sins you shall forgive1 they are forgiven1 and whose sins you shall retain1 they are retained 7,john xx4 #bc74 ,these two texts clearly show that auricular confession as practised in the ,catholic ,church was taught by ,christ4 ,for how could the apostles and their successors1 the pastors of the ,church1 know what sins to bind and retain and what sins to loose and forgive unless the sins were confessed to them and they were allowed to judge8 ,no matter how numerous or how great these are1 provided they are confessed with a sincere repentance1 they will be forgiven4 ,and they will be forgiven by the power of the priest4 ,properly speaking1 ,god alone has power to forgive sins4 ,but no one will deny that ,he has power to confer this power on others4 ,he communicated this power to ,his apostles and commanded them1 in turn1 to communicate it to others by means of the ,sacrament of ,holy ,orders4 ,that ,our ,saviour communicated this power to ,his apostles is evident from the words of ,st4 ,john3 ,as the ,father hath sent ,me ,i also send you4 ,receive ye the ,holy ,ghost2 whose sins you shall forgive1 they are forgiven4 ,but sin was to continue till the end of the world4 ,hence the necessity of the means of forgiving sin being coextensive with sin4 ,as the people receive from the priests the ,word of ,god and the cleansing from sin in ,baptism1 so also do they receive from them the cleansing from sin in confession4 ,it is certain that the apostles conferred the power of forgiving sins upon others1 if we find that those whom the apostles ordained this power4 ,but we find this to be the case4 ,from the time of ,christ until the present the writers of every age tell us that confession of sins was practised4 ,st4 ,john1 who lived until the beginning of the second century1 says in the #ast chapter of his ,first ,epistle3 ,if we confess our sins1 ,he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity4 ,st4 ,cyprian1 who wrote in the third century1 says3 ,let each of you confess his faults1 and the pardon imparted by the priest is acceptable before ,god4 ,st4 ,ambrose1 in the fourth century1 wrote3 ,the poison is sin2 the remedy1 the accusation of one's crime4 ,the poison is iniquity3 confession is the remedy4 ,st4 ,augustine1 who lived in the fifth century1 seems to be talking to some people of the present day1 who say they confess in private to ,god1 when he says3 ,let no one say to himself1 ,i do penance to ,god in private1 ,i do it before ,god4 ,is it then in vain that ,christ hath said3 ',whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven'8 ,is it in vain that the keys have been given to the ,church8 ,do we make void the ,gospel8 void the words of ,christ8 ,these first five centuries were the golden age of ,christianity4 ,all admit that the doctrines and practices of those early centuries were pure and undefiled1 as they came from ,christ4 ,but among the practices of the time we find confession4 ,hence it is a reasonable practice1 because conformable to ,christ's teaching4 ,we might continue quotations from writers of every century from the sixth to the nineteenth1 showing that the teaching and practice of confession did not vary through the lapse of ages from the time of ,christ until the present day4 ,but this is unnecessary4 ,the quotations from the first five centuries show that the power of forgiving sin was not only communicated by ,christ to ,his apostles1 but by them to their successors by means of the sacrament of ,holy ,orders4 ,what would be the necessity of this power if they could not exercise it in confession8 ,if1 as some say1 priests invented confession1 some one ought to find out and tell us when and where it was invented1 and why they did not exempt themselves from such a humiliating practice4 ,confession alone1 however1 will be of no avail without contrition4 ,contrition is a sincere sorrow and detestation for sin with a firm determination to sin no more4 ,to the truly humble and sorrowful sinner confession is not a punishment1 but a remedy for a tortured conscience4 ,the most painful secret to be kept by a heart not yet corrupted by disease is the secret of sin and crime4 ,the soul that loves ,god hates sin and desires to separate herself from it4 ,to this desire is associated the desire of expiating it4 ,all1 from the mother who questions her child about wrongdoing to the judge who interrogates the criminal1 recognize in spontaneous confession an expiatory power4 ,confession1 it is true1 is necessarily accompanied by shame and humiliation4 ,this humiliation is diminished by the knowledge that it is of divine origin and that eternal silence is divinely imposed upon him who receives it4 ,priests never divulge what they know from the confessional4 ,they have been ill-treated1 as was ,father ,kohlmann in this country2 have even been tortured and cruelly put to death1 as was ,st4 ,john ,nepomucene1 in order to extort from them knowledge they gained in the confessional1 but without avail4 ,for what they knew through the tribunal of penance1 they knew as ministers of ,god4 ,and as it is better to obey ,god than man1 no minister of state could force them to divulge that which the laws of ,god forbid4 ,only sinners1 who after a thorough preparation1 a sincere sorrow1 and a good confession1 can realize the soothing and beneficial effects of confession1 and feel with ,david1 ,blessed are they whose sins are forgiven4 ,if you have ever noticed such after leaving the confessional you could see joy beaming on their countenances1 as if a heavy burden had been removed4 ,confession quiets the conscience4 ,but this is only one of the benefits it confers upon those who practise going to confession4 ,it has also a salutary influence upon their morals2 for one of its necessary conditions is promise of amendment4 ,the pagans of the first centuries were aware of the guiding and reforming power of the confessional4 ,voltaire1 the leading infidel of the last century1 one who made sport of everything ,christian1 says that there is1 perhaps1 no wiser institution1 and that confession is an excellent thing1 a restraint upon inveterate crime1 a very good practice to prevent the guilty from falling into despair and relapsing into sin1 to influence hearts full of hate to forgive and robbers to make restitution--that the enemies of the ,romish ,church who have opposed so beneficial an institution have taken from man the greatest restraint that can be put upon crime4 ,while his everyday experience forced these words of praise from the arch-infidel1 his hatred of the ,church creeps out in the word ,romish4 ,confession of sin1 as we have seen1 is a reasonable practice1 because it was taught by ,jesus ,christ1 and by ,his apostles and their successors from ,christ's time until the present2 but especially because it has the power of soothing and pacifying the conscience by freeing it from the torture of sin1 the poison of crime4 ,it is not strange1 then1 that it is so dear to virtuous souls4 ,it is offensive only to those whose hearts are so hardened as to blunt the sting of remorse4 ,confession is ,christianity using its moral power to correct and perfect the individual4 ,in the confessional the minister of ,god is continually coming in contact with hearts in which reigns an idol that he overthrows1 a bad practice that he causes to cease1 or some injustice that he has repaired4 ,confession is one of the gates by which ,christianity penetrates the interior man1 wipes away stains1 heals diseases1 and sows therein the seeds of virtue4 ,the lives and experience of millions are witness of the truth of this4 ,is it not1 then1 a reasonable1 a beneficial practice8 ,it is only the malicious or the ignorant who calumniate the practice and the consecrated minister who sits in judgment in the sacred tribunal4 ,those who lay aside their prejudice and study the question soon become convinced of its divine origin4 ,a little study and reflection will show them that confession of sin benefits society by preventing crimes that would destroy government1 cause riots1 and fill prisons2 that it promotes human justice1 makes men better1 nobler1 purer1 higher1 and more ,godlike2 that it soothes the sorrowful heart whose crime might make the despairing suicide2 and that individuals and families who frequently1 intelligently1 and properly approach this fountain of ,god's grace will receive ,his blessing here and a pledge of ,his union hereafter4 ,,vii4 ,granting ,indulgences ,whatsoever you shall bind upon earth shall be bound in heaven1 and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth shall be loosed also in heaven 7,matt xviii4 #ah74 ,,of ,,the many practices of the ,church1 few have been the cause of more controversy than that of granting indulgences4 ,though not the cause1 the granting of an indulgence furnished a pretext for ,luther's apostasy4 ,leo ,x1 who was ,pope at that time1 desiring to complete ,st4 ,peter's at ,rome1 appealed to all ,catholics for financial aid4 ,there was certainly nothing wrong in this4 ,with these alms it was intended that the most magnificent ,christian temple in the world would be completed4 ,majesty1 ,power1 ,glory1 ,strength1 and ,beauty1 all are aisled ,in this eternal ark of worship undefiled4 ,all who contributed toward the completion of ,st4 ,peter's and complied with the necessary conditions were granted an indulgence4 ,the alms were not one of the indispensable conditions4 ,those conditions were a sincere repentance and confession4 ,hence1 those who did not contribute could gain the indulgence4 ,perhaps the ,dominican ,tetzel1 who was chosen to announce the indulgence1 exceeded his powers and made them serve his own ends4 ,his action in the affair was not approved by ,rome4 ,if it is certain that the ,pope did nothing wrong in asking for aid to build that beautiful monument to religion1 it is equally certain that he did nothing wrong1 that he did not exceed the limits of his powers when he granted the indulgence4 ,in order to understand this1 we must have a clear idea of what is meant by an indulgence4 ,you frequently hear it said that it is the forgiveness of sin1 or that it is a permission given to commit sin4 ,it is neither the one nor the other4 ,an indulgence is not the forgiveness of sin4 ,in fact1 an indulgence can not be gained until sin has been forgiven4 ,one of the necessary conditions for gaining an indulgence is confession4 ,neither is an indulgence a license1 a permission to commit sin4 ,no one1 not even ,god ,himself1 could give permission to commit sin4 ,for ,god is all good1 and although all powerful ,he can not sanction that which is evil in itself4 ,it would be contrary to ,his very nature4 ,an indulgence1 then1 is not what it has been painted4 ,having seen what an indulgence is not1 let us see what it is4 ,it is a remission of the whole or a part of the debt of temporal punishment due to sin after the guilt and eternal punishment have been forgiven in the sacrament of ,penance4 ,in the early ages of the ,church notorious sinners1 after being absolved1 were sentenced to long public penances4 ,by sincere sorrow1 an indulgence or remission of some of the time was granted them4 ,public confession and public penances have passed away4 ,these public penances are replaced by pious devotions4 ,upon the performance of certain pious devotions the ,church at times grants an indulgence2 that is1 a remission of such temporal punishment as is equivalent to the canonical penances corresponding to the sins committed4 ,attached to every mortal sin1 besides the guilt1 is the punishment incurred4 ,this punishment is eternal and temporal4 ,that there is this twofold punishment we learn from various places in the ,bible4 ,we have an example in the sin of ,david4 ,god sent the prophet ,nathan to warn him of his guilt4 ,when ,nathan rebuked the king1 he confessed his sin with signs of true contrition4 ,then ,nathan told him that ,god had forgiven his sin1 but that many temporal punishments would follow4 ,when ,god forgave the sin1 the guilt and eternal punishment were taken away2 but temporal punishment remained4 ,other examples could be cited1 but this is sufficient to show that there is a twofold kind of punishment--eternal and temporal4 ,in confession the guilt and eternal punishment are taken away1 but not always the temporal punishment4 ,this temporal punishment is what is taken away in whole by a plenary and in part by a partial indulgence4 ,in a similar manner we have a twofold punishment attached to crime in this world4 ,a man commits a crime4 ,he is sentenced to a term in the penitentiary4 ,after spending his time of punishment he comes back to society1 but finds he has another punishment to undergo in being avoided by his friends and others4 ,the practice of granting indulgences was founded on many passages of ,scripture1 both of the ,old and ,new ,testament4 ,in the #abth chapter of the book of ,numbers we learn that ,mary1 the sister of ,moses1 was forgiven a sin which she had committed4 ,but ,god inflicted upon her the penalty of leprosy4 ,this was a temporal punishment4 ,by the prayer of ,moses an indulgence was granted2 for ,god took away the temporal punishment4 ,our divine ,lord left with ,his ,church the power of granting indulgences1 as we learn from ,his words taken from ,st4 ,matthew3 ,whatsoever you shall loose upon earth shall be loosed also in heaven4 ,this promise implies the power of loosing not only from sin and its eternal punishment1 but also the power of releasing the bond of temporal punishment1 of freeing from everything that would prevent the soul from entering the kingdom of heaven4 ,st4 ,paul granted an indulgence to the incestuous ,corinthian1 as we learn from the #b;d chapter of his ,second ,epistle to the ,corinthians4 ,by the power and authority which he received from ,christ1 he granted the ,corinthian pardon from performing a certain penance4 ,this penance was a temporal punishment4 ,the apostle took away the temporal punishment4 ,that is an indulgence4 ,non-,catholics grant a kind of plenary indulgence to every one by saying that works of penance are unnecessary4 ,the practice of the ,catholic ,church of granting an indulgence only to the deserving is certainly more conformable to ,scripture as well as more reasonable4 ,experience teaches us the utility of indulgences4 ,they encourage the faithful to frequent the sacraments1 to repent1 to do acts of penance1 and perform works of piety1 charity1 and devotion4 ,a practice productive of such beneficial results is reasonable2 it is also reasonable because it is sanctioned by ,scripture and the ,church of every age4 ,for ,god would not sanction it nor could the ,church practise it if it were not conformable to reason4 ,,viii4 ,the ,last ,sacraments ,is any man sick among you8 ,let him bring in the priests of the ,church1 and let them pray over him1 anointing him with oil in the name of the ,lord3 ,and the prayer of faith shall save the sick man1 and the ,lord shall raise him up1 and if he be in sins they shall be forgiven him 7,james v4 #ad1 #ae74 ,,by ,,these words ,st4 ,james admonishes ,christians when sick to do that which ,our ,saviour had previously directed to be done4 ,this you will learn from the #fth chapter of ,st4 ,mark3 ,and the apostles anointed with oil many that were sick4 ,the historians of the first centuries tell us that the early ,christians were as anxious to receive the last sacraments as are the ,catholics of our own day4 ,st4 ,cesarius1 in the fifth century1 writes3 ,as soon as a person falls dangerously sick1 he receives the body and blood of ,jesus ,christ4 ,then his body is anointed1 and thus is fulfilled what stands written3 ',is any man sick among you8 ,let him call in the priests of the ,church1 and let them pray over him1 anointing him with oil4' ,what the ,christians of the first centuries did1 we do2 and we do it by the direction of ,jesus ,christ and of ,st4 ,james4 ,penance1 ,holy ,eucharist1 and ,extreme ,unction are administered to the sick and are known as the last sacraments4 ,the priest first hears the sick person's confession1 then he administers holy communion4 ,afterward he administers the sacrament of ,extreme ,unction--last anointing4 ,this sacrament aids the sick to bear their sufferings with patience4 ,it wipes away sin1 even mortal sin if the person is unable to confess2 and it purifies the soul for its entrance into heaven4 ,the other sacraments assist us in making our lives holy like the life of our divine ,model4 ,this sacrament assists in making our death holy1 like the death of ,jesus4 ,the sacrament of ,baptism met us at our entrance into this world2 the sacrament of ,extreme ,unction will be our guide at our departure to the other world4 ,religion1 which rocked us in the cradle of life1 will lull us to sleep in the cradle of death4 ,go to the bedside of the dying ,catholic and you will see the reasonableness of the practice of calling the priest to administer the last sacraments4 ,after the sacraments have been administered1 peace and joy and contentment are visible on the countenance of the sick person4 ,he clings no more to the things of earth4 ,his thoughts are centered in heaven4 ,the minister of ,god consoles him with the thought of immortality and the resurrection of the body4 ,he soon hears the singing of the angelic choir2 and breathing the sweet names of ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 his soul takes its flight to the regions of eternal bliss4 ,,ix4 ,praying for the ,dead ,it is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead1 that they may be loosed from their sins 7#b ,mach4 xii4 #df74 ,,no ,,one will deny that the practice of praying for the dead is reasonable1 if the dead are benefited by our prayers4 ,that our prayers are beneficial to the departed we will endeavor to show4 ,we are taught by revelation that besides heaven and hell1 a state of everlasting pleasure and a state of eternal pain1 there also exists a middle state of punishment for those who die in venial sin1 or who have not sufficiently satisfied the justice of ,god for mortal sins already forgiven4 ,the people of ,god in the ,old ,law believed1 and ,jesus ,christ and ,his apostles in the ,new ,law taught1 the existence of this middle state4 ,in the ,second ,book of ,machabees1 quoted above1 we read that the pious general ,judas ,machabeus having made a collection1 sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to ,jerusalem for sacrifices to be offered for the dead soldiers1 thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection for if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again1 it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead1 and because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness had great grace laid up for them4 ,it is1 therefore1 a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins4 ,if prayers were not beneficial to the dead1 ,god would not have sanctioned them4 ,this is exactly the practice of the ,catholic ,church4 ,we pray and offer sacrifices for the souls in purgatory1 just as ,judas ,machabeus did4 ,even if the ,books of ,machabees were not inspired1 it is historically true that the ,jews and almost all nations of antiquity believed in the existence of purgatory and the utility of prayers for the souls detained there4 ,this universal consent is the voice of nature and of ,god4 ,hence we see that the practice of praying for the dead is reasonable4 ,this practice is in accordance with the teaching of ,christ4 ,in the #abth chapter1 #cb;d verse1 of ,st4 ,matthew1 ,he says3 ,he that shall speak against the ,holy ,ghost1 it shall not be forgiven him1 neither in this world nor in the world to come4 ,these words teach us that some sins will be pardoned in the life to come4 ,they can not be pardoned in heaven1 since nothing defiled can enter heaven2 nor can they be pardoned in hell1 out of which there is no redemption1 for their worm shall not die1 and their fire shall not be quenched4 ,therefore1 there must be a state in the next world where sins will be forgiven1 and we call that place or state purgatory4 ,and the existence of purgatory implies the necessity of praying for those detained there4 ,the belief in the existence of purgatory and the practice of praying for the faithful departed have existed in the ,church from the time of its foundation4 ,tertullian1 who lived in the second century1 considered it a solemn duty1 whose obligation came down from the apostles1 to offer sacrifices and prayers for the faithful departed4 ,st4 ,augustine says3 ,the whole ,church received from the tradition of the ,fathers to pray for those who died in the communion of the body and blood of ,christ4 ,the dying request of ,st4 ,monica1 the mother of ,st4 ,augustine1 is well known4 ,i request you1 she said1 that wherever you may be1 you will remember me at the altar of the ,lord4 ,and he assures us that he frequently and fervently prayed for her soul4 ,the teaching of the ,church of every age confirms the teaching of the ,old and ,new ,testament regarding purgatory and praying for the dead4 ,to one who believes in heaven and hell1 a place of eternal pleasure and of eternal punishment1 the doctrine of purgatory must appear as a necessity1 and the practice of praying for the dead reasonable4 ,for it is certain that nothing defiled can enter heaven4 ,but it is possible that many die guilty of but slight sins4 ,therefore1 it must be said that these are damned1 which is impious and absurd2 that what is defiled can enter heaven1 which is unscriptural2 or that there is a purgatory1 a state in which such souls are made pure as the driven snow1 so that they can enter into the presence of their ,maker4 ,for an infinitely just ,god can not condemn to the same eternal punishment the child who dies guilty of a slight fault and the hardened murderer4 ,no4 ,he will render to every one according to his works4 ,the doctrine of purgatory1 then1 is reasonable as well as scriptural and traditional4 ,reasonable1 too1 is the practice of praying for the dead1 for they are still members of the ,church4 ,all the members of the ,church1 consisting of the church militant on earth1 the church triumphant in heaven1 and the church suffering in purgatory1 are one family bound together by the bond of charity4 ,the members of the ,church on earth pray to those in heaven1 who love us and pray for us2 and we pray for those in purgatory4 ,they are ,god's friends deprived of heaven for a time4 ,as those in heaven rejoice when one sinner does penance1 so those in purgatory hear us1 see us1 love us1 and are helped by our prayers4 ,we love them and never cease to pray for them and offer the ,holy ,sacrifice for them4 ,even the unbeliever will stand or kneel by the remains of his departed friend and offer a prayer for him1 thus showing that praying for the dead is reasonable and the natural dictate of the human heart4 ,x4 ,praying to the ,saints ,and may the angel that delivereth me from all evils bless these boys 7,gen4 xlviii4 #af74 ,so ,i say to you there shall be joy before the angels of ,god upon one sinner doing penance 7,luke xv4 #aj74 ,for in the resurrection they the saints shall be as the angels of ,god in heaven 7,matt4 xxii4 #aj74 ,,the saints are friends of ,god4 ,they are like the angels in heaven4 ,we honor them1 not as we honor ,god1 but on account of the relation they bear to ,god4 ,they are creatures of ,god1 the work of ,his hands4 ,when we honor them1 we honor ,god2 as when we praise a beautiful painting1 we praise the artist4 ,we do not believe that the saints can help us of themselves4 ,but we ask them to pray for us4 ,we believe that everything comes to us through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,with these words all our prayers end4 ,it is useful1 salutary1 and reasonable to pray to the saints and ask them to pray for us4 ,no doubt all will admit the reasonableness of this practice if the saints can hear and help us4 ,that they hear and help us is evident from many passages of ,scripture4 ,the patriarch ,jacob would not have prayed to the angel to bless his grandchildren ,manasses and ,ephraim 7as we learn he did from ,gen4 xlviii471 unless he knew the angel could do so4 ,we are informed 7,luke xv47 that the angels rejoice when one sinner does penance4 ,we are also informed 7,matt xxii47 that the saints are like the angels--i4e41 have the same happiness and knowledge4 ,hence the saints1 as well as the angels1 can hear us1 can help us1 and are acquainted with our actions1 words1 and thoughts4 ,it is generally conceded that it is reasonable to ask pious persons on earth to pray for us4 ,st4 ,paul1 in his epistles1 frequently asks the ,christians to pray for him4 ,brethren1 he says1 pray for us4 ,it is well known that ,god was pleased to answer the prayer of ,abraham in favor of ,abimelech4 ,more things are wrought by prayer than this world knows of4 ,now1 if we poor sinners here on earth do not pray in vain for one another1 will the saints in heaven1 the friends of ,god1 who rejoice when a sinner does penance1 pray in vain for us8 ,no4 ,we have hosts of friends in heaven to speak a good word for us4 ,and as a child who has disobeyed his parents wisely asks a better brother or sister to intercede with his parents for mercy1 so1 too1 having disobeyed our heavenly ,father by sin1 we have recourse to others better than ourselves1 to our better brothers and sisters1 the ,blessed ,virgin and saints1 to intercede with ,god for us4 ,is not this a reasonable practice8 ,if your mother or sister crosses the sea she will continue to pray for you4 ,and if she crosses the sea of death will she forget you8 ,no4 ,the love she bore you here will continue in heaven4 ,she will pray for you1 and the ,lord will hear the prayers of the just4 ,ask the saints to pray to your ,god and their ,god for you4 ,honor ,god by honoring ,his friends and asking their intercession4 ,and all your friends in heaven will unite in praying to the ,father of us all that one day all who love ,god and ,his friends1 the saints1 may be admitted with them into the company of the ,saint of saints1 ,our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ4 ,,xi4 ,crucifixes1 ,relics1 and ,images ,thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing1 nor the likeness of anything that is in the heaven above1 or in the earth beneath1 nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth4 ,thou shalt not adore them nor serve them 7,ex4 xx4 #d1 #e74 ,,this first commandment teaches us to adore ,god alone4 ,it does not forbid the making of images1 but it forbids the adoring of them1 worshiping them as gods4 ,this would be idolatry4 ,if the making of images were forbidden1 it would be improper to have images or pictures of our friends4 ,it has frequently been said that ,catholics ate idolaters1 because they have in their churches crucifixes1 relics1 and images of the saints1 which they honor4 ,perhaps many of those who accuse us of idolatry1 if asked1 could not tell what idolatry is4 ,idolatry is giving to a creature 7whether a crucifix1 an image1 or any created thing7 that honor which belongs to ,god4 ,the honor we give those sacred things is a relative honor4 ,we honor them on account of the relation they bear to ,god and ,his friends1 the saints4 ,every ,catholic1 even the child1 is taught the difference between the idol of the pagan and a ,catholic image4 ,pagans looked upon their idols as gods4 ,they thought these senseless objects had power1 intelligence1 and other attributes of the ,deity4 ,they worshiped them as gods and thought they could assist them4 ,hence they were image-worshipers or idolaters4 ,catholics know full well that images have no intelligence to understand1 no power to assist them4 ,they do not adore nor serve them4 ,that would be idolatry4 ,it would be breaking the first commandment4 ,they do not say when praying before the crucifix or image of a saint1 ,i adore thee1 ,o ,crucifix2 nor ,help me1 ,o ,image1 ,but they say1 ,i adore thee1 ,o ,god1 whose cruel death is represented by this crucifix1 or ,pray for me1 ,o saint represented by this image4 ,we have images1 pictures1 and relics of ,our ,lord1 ,his ,blessed ,mother1 and the saints1 for the same reason that we have relics and portraits of ,george ,washington1 ,abraham ,lincoln1 or of our relatives and friends4 ,they remind us of the original4 ,who can look upon the crucifix or upon a picture of the ,crucifixion without being reminded of all the sufferings of ,our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ8 ,and who can seriously contemplate those sufferings1 borne for us so patiently1 without being moved to pity and to repentance8 ,such a person will be moved to say with the heart if not with the lips3 ,oh1 my ,god1 ,i am sorry for having offended ,thee and caused ,thee such suffering4 ,grant that ,i may love ,thee with my whole heart and never more offend ,thee4 ,catholics1 as we have seen1 adore ,god alone4 ,they honor the ,blessed ,virgin and saints represented by images4 ,they use these holy pictures and statues to beautify the house of ,god4 ,these pictures are also a source of instruction4 ,they are a profession of our faith4 ,if you enter a house and see on one side of the room a picture of the ,blessed ,virgin1 ,cardinal ,gibbons1 or of ,pope ,leo ,,xiii1 and on the other a picture of ,lincoln1 ,cleveland1 or ,washington1 you will at once know the religious faith as well as the political belief or patriotism of the occupant4 ,by the aid of the relics of the martyrs we are reminded of all they suffered for the faith4 ,by the use of religious pictures1 our devotion is increased and we are stimulated to imitate the virtues of the saints represented4 ,if it is reasonable to have pictures of our martyred ,president and relics of our ,revolutionary heroes that we may be reminded of their patriotism1 it is none the less reasonable to have pictures and relics of ,our ,lord1 the ,blessed ,virgin1 and the saints1 that we may be reminded of their virtues4 ,by imitating their virtues here1 we may be happy with them hereafter4 ,,xii4 ,some ,sacramentals ,pray without ceasing 7#b ,thess4 v4 #ag74 ,every creature is sanctified by the word of ,god and prayer 7#a ,tim4 #d1 #e74 ,,by ,,sacramentals we mean the various prayers1 blessings1 ceremonies and pious practices of the ,church4 ,here mention will be made of some of the most common of the sacramentals that have not already been treated4 ,sacramentals1 like sacraments1 have an outward sign2 the latter1 however1 were instituted by ,christ1 the former by the ,church1 and while the latter always give grace if we place no obstacle in the way1 the former do not give grace1 but excite good thoughts1 increase devotion1 and raise the mind to ,god4 ,the chief sacramentals that have not been mentioned are the books used by the priest in the performance of his sacred duties1 the sign of the cross1 holy water1 blessed candles1 blessed palm and ashes1 holy oils1 scapulars1 medals1 ,agnus ,dei1 prayers1 litanies1 rosary1 the ,angelus1 stations1 the funeral service1 and various blessings4 ,the books used by the priest in the performance of his sacred duties are the ,missal1 which contains the ,masses for the various feasts of the ecclesiastical year2 the ,breviary1 in which is the office recited by the priest every day2 and the ,ritual1 where is to be found the form of administering the different sacraments1 the funeral service1 and the various benedictions4 ,the sacramental of most frequent use in the ,church is the sign of the cross4 ,it is used to remind us of the ,passion and ,death of ,our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ on the cross4 ,the cross is the emblem of the ,christian1 the sign of the ,son of ,man4 ,it is an act of faith in the principal truths of ,christianity4 ,when we say the words1 ,in the name1 we profess our faith in the unity of ,god1 which means that there is but one ,god2 of the ,father and of the ,son and of the ,holy ,ghost1 are a profession of faith in the ,trinity--i4e41 that there are three divine persons in one ,god4 ,the form of the cross which we trace with our right hand from our forehead to our breast1 and then from the left to the right shoulder1 is a profession of faith in the ,incarnation of the ,son of ,god1 who became man and died on the cross for our redemption4 ,tertullian and other writers of the early ages of the ,church tell us that before every action1 before rising or retiring1 before meals1 at every step1 we impress on our forehead the sign of the cross4 ,the ,catholic ,church of to-day1 in accordance with the teachings of ,christ1 ,his apostles1 and their successors of all time1 teaches her children to put their trust in the merits of ,jesus ,christ's sufferings on the cross1 and to do everything in the name of the ,father and of the ,son and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,holy water is water blessed by a priest4 ,during the blessing beautiful prayers are recited4 ,these prayers express the spiritual blessings the ,church wishes to follow all who use it4 ,the ,church uses holy water in all the benedictions and some of her sacraments4 ,it is placed at the doors of her churches1 that all who enter may use it and be reminded of that purity of heart which it symbolizes4 ,holy water is also kept in the houses of ,catholics1 to be used in times of trial and when the priest comes to administer the sacraments4 ,the blessed candles used in the service of the ,church receive their special blessing on ,candlemas ,day4 ,we use these lighted candles at different times to remind us of ,jesus1 who is the ,light of the world4 ,catholics always keep a blessed candle in the house4 ,the ,church puts a lighted candle in our hand at our baptism1 and wishes us to die with one in our hand1 to remind us to hope in ,him who is our ,light and the light of the world4 ,on ,ash ,wednesday ashes are blessed and put on the forehead of the faithful in the form of a cross1 with the words1 ,remember1 man1 that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return1 to remind them that they are only dust and ashes4 ,these are the ashes of burnt palms blessed the ,palm ,sunday of the previous year4 ,these palms are blessed in memory of the triumphal entry of ,jesus into ,jerusalem1 when the people spread palm branches along the way4 ,this palm should remind us to perform faithfully our duty if we wish to enjoy the palm of victory4 ,the holy oils are blessed by the bishop on ,holy ,thursday of each year4 ,they are of three kinds3 oil of the sick1 used in the sacrament of ,extreme ,unction2 oil of the ,catechumens1 used in blessing baptismal water and in the sacrament of ,baptism2 and ,holy ,chrism1 used in the preparation of baptismal water in the ceremonies of ,baptism1 ,confirmation1 and at the consecration of a bishop1 of churches1 altars1 bells and chalices4 ,the olive oil used should remind us of ,our ,saviour's passion in the ,garden of ,olives4 ,agnus ,deis 7blessed by the ,pope71 scapulars1 and medals are small articles worn by ,catholics to remind them of ,our ,lord 7the ,lamb of ,god71 of the ,blessed ,virgin1 and of the saints4 ,they are emblems of the ,christian1 as the starry banner is the emblem of the ,american2 and as the flag of our country shows that we are under the protection of the ,government of the ,united ,states1 so the ,agnus ,dei1 scapulars1 and medals show that we are under the protection of ,jesus ,christ1 ,his ,blessed ,mother1 and ,his saints4 ,prayer is the elevation of our mind and heart to ,god to ask ,him for all blessings1 temporal and spiritual4 ,prayer is necessary to salvation4 ,we are taught in ,st4 ,luke 7xviii47 to pray always and faint not4 ,we should pray with attention and devotion1 with confidence and humility4 ,we are told in the ,lord's ,prayer to pray for others as well as for ourselves1 and ,god's choicest blessings will be granted us through ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,the best of all prayers is the one ,god taught us--the ,lord's ,prayer4 ,other prayers common in the ,church are ,litanies1 ,rosaries1 the ,angelus1 ,stations1 and the ,funeral ,service for the dead4 ,the ,litanies most in use in the ,church are the ,litany of ,all ,saints1 of the ,blessed ,virgin1 of the ,holy ,name of ,jesus4 ,in these ,litanies we ask ,god to have mercy on us and the saints to pray for us2 but we ask everything through ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,few practices of the ,church are more widespread than the ,rosary of the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,it consists of the best of all prayers--the ,apostles' ,creed1 the ,our ,father1 three ,hail ,marys1 and the ,glory be to the ,father2 then the ,our ,father and ten ,hail ,marys repeated five times4 ,this constitutes the beads1 or one-third part of the ,rosary4 ,during the recitation of these prayers the mind should be occupied meditating on the principal mysteries of the life of ,our ,lord4 ,these mysteries are divided into the five joyful mysteries3 the ,annunciation by the angel ,gabriel1 the ,visitation of the ,blessed ,virgin to ,st4 ,elizabeth1 the ,birth of ,our ,lord1 the ,presentation1 and the ,finding in the ,temple2 the five sorrowful mysteries3 the ,agony in the ,garden1 the ,scourging1 the ,crowning with ,thorns1 the ,carrying of the ,cross1 and the ,crucifixion2 and the five glorious mysteries3 the ,resurrection1 the ,ascension1 the ,descent of the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,assumption of the ,blessed ,virgin1 and the ,crowning of the ,blessed ,virgin in heaven4 ,any one of these mysteries furnishes sufficient material to occupy the mind of man for hours4 ,these mysteries contain the whole history of the ,redemption4 ,the prayers and meditations of the ,rosary satisfy the minds of the humblest1 while they are sufficient to occupy the attention of the most exalted and most cultivated4 ,the ,angelus is a beautiful prayer1 said morning1 noon1 and night4 ,in ,catholic countries the bell is rung1 when all cease their occupations1 kneel1 and recite3 ,the angel of the ,lord declared unto ,mary1 and she conceived by the ,holy ,ghost--a ,hail ,mary4 ,behold the handmaid of the ,lord--be it done unto me according to ,thy ,word--a ,hail ,mary4 ,and the ,word was made flesh1 and dwelt amongst us--a ,hail ,mary4 ,the prayer3 ,pour forth1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 ,thy grace into our hearts1 that we1 to whom the ,incarnation of ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 was made known by the message of an angel1 may by ,his passion and cross be brought to the glory of ,his resurrection1 through the same ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,by this beautiful practice we show in a special manner our faith in the ,incarnation of ,our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ4 ,the ,stations of the ,cross are fourteen paintings representing the various stages of the passion and death of ,our ,redeemer4 ,the faithful pass from station to station and meditate upon that feature of the passion represented by each station4 ,tradition tells us that from the beginning pious pilgrims were accustomed to tread the path and bedew with their tears the way sanctified by our ,saviour on that sorrowful journey from ,pilate's tribunal to ,calvary's heights4 ,but ,jerusalem falling into the hands of infidels1 and many being unable to visit those holy places1 permission was obtained to erect in churches fourteen crosses and pictures commemorating these sorrowful acts4 ,from these stations all can meditate upon the sufferings of our ,saviour1 and learn from ,him submission to ,god's holy will1 patience1 charity1 and forgiveness of injuries4 ,the funeral service of the ,catholic ,church is beautiful1 touching1 and instructive4 ,after blessing1 strengthening1 and encouraging us through life with her sacraments2 after fortifying our souls for the last great struggle1 she follows us beyond the grave with her blessings1 her prayers1 and her sacrifices4 ,eternal rest give unto them1 ,o ,lord1 she prays2 and let perpetual light shine upon them4 ,may they rest in peace4 ,there are various other prayers and blessings used by the ,church on special occasions4 ,in fact1 the ,church blesses everything she uses4 ,this blessing of the priest is not such an absurd thing as some imagine it to be2 it is rather a most reasonable practice4 ,it is simply a prayer said by the priest1 asking ,god to send ,his blessing upon the person or thing indicated4 ,people of all denominations say grace before meals1 asking ,god to bless the food they are about to use4 ,this is precisely what the priest does when blessing anything4 ,he uses different forms of prayer ordained by the ,church to implore ,god's blessing upon the water1 candles1 and other things before using them4 ,this blessing of churches1 water1 candles1 and other things has its foundation on ,scripture4 ,we read in the ,old ,testament of the solemn blessing of the ,temple of ,solomon4 ,st4 ,paul tells us that every creature is sanctified by the word of ,god and prayer4 ,churches1 water1 candles1 bells1 books1 persons1 and other things blessed by the ,church are creatures4 ,therefore we are following ,st4 ,paul in blessing them1 for every creature is sanctified by the word of ,god and prayer4 ,we do not claim that those articles that are blessed have any efficacy in themselves2 but we hope and pray that ,god in ,his infinite goodness and mercy may render those blessed articles beneficial to those using them1 may protect them and lead them to ,his blessed abode above1 where all is peace and light and love4 ,,xiii4 ,the ,celebration of ,feasts ,seven days shalt thou celebrate feasts to the ,lord thy ,god1 in the place which the ,lord shalt choose 7,deut4 xvi4 #ae74 ,if he will not hear the ,church1 let him be to thee as the heathen and the publican 7,matt4 xviii4 #ag74 ,,from these texts we learn that besides the ,sunday ,god wishes certain other days to be observed religiously1 and that the ,church has the power of designating these days4 ,as the ,state sets aside certain national holidays in commemoration of its founder or of the ,declaration of ,independence1 so the ,church sets aside these holidays in honor of ,jesus ,christ1 the ,blessed ,virgin1 and the saints4 ,besides the feasts celebrated on ,sundays1 there are in this country but six holidays of obligation4 ,three of these are commemorative of events in the life of ,our ,lord3 ,christmas1 the ,circumcision1 and the ,ascension2 two1 the ,immaculate ,conception and the ,assumption1 in honor of the ,blessed ,virgin2 and one in honor of ,god's saints--the ,feast of ,all ,saints4 ,the ecclesiastical year begins in ,advent4 ,advent is a period of about four weeks of penance and prayer preparatory to the great feast of ,christmas and corresponding to the penitential season of ,lent before ,easter4 ,during the ecclesiastical year1 the first of the feasts of obligation in the order of time is the feast of the ,immaculate ,conception4 ,it is celebrated on the #hth of ,december4 ,on this day we commemorate the fact that ,mary was immaculate when she first came into being in her mother's womb2 that she was always pure2 that sin never touched her fair soul4 ,immaculate ,conception1 as you will see in the article on the ,blessed ,virgin1 means that she was always free from sin4 ,the great feast of ,christmas1 in honor of the birth of ,jesus ,christ1 is celebrated on ,december #beth4 ,this feast is a time of joy and peace to all mankind1 and is celebrated by the ,church with much pomp and ceremony4 ,the festival of the ,circumcision is kept on the first day of the new year4 ,it is commemorative of ,our ,lord's strict observance of the law by submitting to the ,jewish ceremony of circumcision4 ,we solemnly celebrate the day in honor of our merciful ,lord1 who is our model in all things4 ,next in the order of time is the feast of the ,ascension4 ,it is kept forty days after the grand feast of ,easter1 and is in honor of ,our ,lord's glorious ascension into heaven4 ,the ,assumption of the ,blessed ,virgin1 celebrated the #aeth of ,august1 is commemorative of the glorious taking up to heaven of ,mary1 soul and body4 7,this is a pious tradition47 ,all ,saints' ,day is ,november #ast4 ,every day is a saint's day4 ,there is not a day that the ,catholic ,church does not celebrate a feast in honor of some special mystery or saint4 ,but as there are more saints in heaven than could be thus specially honored1 she sets aside this one day every year in honor of all the saints in heaven4 ,there are various other important feasts1 some of which fall on ,sunday2 but these we have mentioned being feasts of obligation to be observed as ,sunday1 it was thought that it would not be uninteresting to give a short explanation of them4 ,on them we honor ,god and ,his special friends4 ,let us always1 by faith1 hope1 and love1 bear ,jesus in our minds and hearts4 ,,xiv4 ,infant ,baptism ,amen1 amen1 ,i say to thee1 unless a man be born again of water and the ,holy ,ghost1 he can not enter into the kingdom of ,god 7,john iii #e74 ,,while most ,christians admit the necessity of ,baptism for adults1 the ,catholic ,church is alone in insisting upon the practice of infant ,baptism4 ,this practice is in accordance with the teaching of ,st4 ,john1 quoted above4 ,it is also in accordance with apostolic teaching and practice4 ,we read in the #afth chapter of the ,acts of the ,apostles that ,st4 ,paul baptized ,lydia and her household1 and that the keeper of the prison was converted and was baptized and presently all his family4 ,among these families it is but reasonable to suppose that there were some infants4 ,infant ,baptism was the practice of the apostles2 it was the practice of the ,christians of the early ,church1 as ,origen tells us4 ,the ,church received the tradition from the apostles to give ,baptism to infants1 and it has been the practice of the ,church from the time of ,christ until the present4 ,st4 ,paul tells us that ,adam's sin was transmitted to all his posterity4 ,wherefore as by one man sin entered into this world1 and by sin death1 and so death passed unto all men in whom all have sinned 7,rom4 v4 #ab74 ,every infant1 according to ,st4 ,paul1 is born to sin--original sin4 ,but as ,baptism takes away original sin1 and as nothing defiled can enter heaven 7,apoc4 xxi471 ,baptism of infants is necessary to open for them the gates of heaven4 ,baptism may be validly administered by dipping1 sprinkling1 or pouring4 ,the method practised in this part of ,christendom is pouring the water on the head of the person to be baptized1 saying at the same time3 ,i baptize thee in the name of the ,father and of the ,son and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the reasonableness of the practice of baptizing infants will be evident if we remember that ,christ taught the necessity of baptism for all when ,he said3 ,unless a man be born again of water and the ,holy ,ghost1 he can not enter into the kingdom of ,god2 and that ,he declared little children capable of entering into the kingdom of ,god when ,he said3 ,suffer little children to come unto ,me and forbid them not1 for of such is the kingdom of heaven4 ,now1 if infants are capable of entering heaven 7and ,christ so declares71 they must be capable of receiving ,baptism1 without which ,christ says no one can enter the kingdom of ,god4 ,while in adults faith and sorrow for sin are required before receiving ,baptism1 no disposition is required in infants4 ,they contracted original sin without their knowledge2 without their knowledge they are freed from it4 ,by ,baptism they are made heirs of the kingdom of heaven4 ,they can be made heirs of property1 of a kingdom on earth without their consent2 why not also of the kingdom of heaven8 ,baptism is the first of the seven sacraments which the ,church confers upon man4 ,it cleanses us from original sin 7actual sin also if the recipient be guilty of any71 makes us ,christians1 children of ,god1 and heirs of heaven4 ,it prepares us for the reception of the other sacraments4 ,by ,baptism we all contracted the obligation of believing and practising the doctrines of ,jesus ,christ as taught us by the true ,church4 ,we fulfil this obligation by leading a truly ,christian life4 ,,xv4 ,the ,marriage ,tie--,one and ,indissoluble ,but ,i say to you that whosoever shall put away his wife1 excepting for the cause of fornication1 maketh her to commit adultery2 and he that shall marry her that is put away committeth adultery 7,matt4 v4 #cc74 ,what1 therefore1 ,god hath joined together1 let no man put asunder 7,matt4 xix4 #e1 #f74 ,,few practices of the ,church have been productive of more good to society than that concerning ,christian marriage4 ,the ,christian family is the foundation of ,christian society1 and ,christian marriage is the basis of the ,christian family4 ,without marriage neither the family nor society could exist4 ,marriage was instituted by ,god before society existed1 and1 as a natural consequence1 it is subject not to the laws of society1 but to the laws of ,god and ,his ,church4 ,the principal law and necessary condition of ,christian marriage is its unity and indissolubility4 ,it is the union of one man with one woman for the purposes intended by the ,creator1 which union is to last as long as both survive4 ,such was marriage in the beginning2 to such it was restored by our ,saviour when ,he made it a sacrament of ,his law and a type of ,his union with ,his ,church4 ,the practice of the ,catholic ,church in not permitting a divorce that will allow either party to marry during the life of the other1 is clearly taught by ,jesus ,christ in the #eth chapter of ,matthew3 ,he who puts away his wife maketh her to commit adultery1 and he that marrieth her committeth adultery4 ,no human power can break the bond of marriage4 ,what ,god hath joined together1 let no man put asunder4 ,it is the work of ,god4 ,let no man dare meddle with it4 ,st4 ,paul teaches the same when he says in the #cith verse of the #gth chapter of the ,first ,epistle to the ,corinthians3 ,a woman is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth2 but if her husband die1 she is at liberty1 let her marry whom she will4 ,the practice of the ,catholic ,church is conformable to this teaching of ,christ1 ,st4 ,paul1 the apostles1 and their successors4 ,in defence of this practice of forbidding divorce1 since marriage is one and indissoluble1 the ,catholic ,church has had many a severe conflict4 ,and had she not fought this battle bravely for the sanctity1 the unity1 and the indissolubility of the marriage tie1 ,europe and ,america would today be in as degraded a condition as are the ,mahometan and other nations where the laws of marriage are disregarded4 ,for divorces are not only contrary to ,christ's teaching concerning the sanctity1 unity1 and indissolubility of the marriage tie1 but are also subversive of society4 ,they sever the marriage tie inasmuch as the law of man can do it4 ,if the marriage tie is loosened1 the family is dissolved2 and if the family is dissolved1 society1 the state1 falls to ruin4 ,divorce destroys conjugal love1 causes unhappiness1 renders the proper education of children impossible1 and often leads to terrible crimes4 ,is it not reasonable as well as scriptural to forbid it8 ,the ,christian husband and wife1 knowing the sanctity1 the unity1 and the indissolubility of the marriage tie1 live in love and peace and honor together2 together they rear the issue of their union1 teaching them to be good children1 good citizens1 and good ,christians2 together1 after a long1 a prosperous1 and a happy union1 they return to dust2 and together they will meet again beyond the confines of the tomb--yes1 they will meet to part no more4 ,,xvi4 ,respect ,shown to ,ecclesiastical ,superiors ,we are ambassadors for ,christ2 ,god1 as it were1 exhorting by us 7#b ,cor4 v4 #bj74 ,as the ,father sent me1 ,i also send you 7,john xx4 #ba74 ,go ye into the whole world and preach the ,gospel to every creature 7,mark xvi4 #ae74 ,,the respect ,catholics have for the bishops and priests of the ,church is often a matter of surprise to those not of the ,faith4 ,they do not understand1 as ,catholics do1 that the priests are ambassadors for ,christ sent to preach the ,gospel to every creature4 ,for ,christ instituted the priesthood to carry on divine worship1 to govern the ,church1 to preach ,his doctrine1 and to administer the sacraments4 ,as in the ,old ,law ,god chose ,his priests from among the family of ,aaron1 so in the ,new ,law ,he chooses them from among those whom ,his apostles and their successors see fit to ordain4 ,priests and other ministers of the ,church receive in the sacrament of ,holy ,orders the power and grace to perform their sacred duties4 ,if we would but consider seriously for a moment the importance of these duties and the great dignity of the minister of ,god1 we would have no difficulty in understanding the reasonableness of the ,catholic practice of showing profound respect to ,god's priesthood4 ,the priest is the minister of ,jesus ,christ1 who chose him that he might obtain for himself the greatest good and in return bestow this good upon his fellow-man4 ,jesus ,christ chose him that he might aid ,him in the work for which ,he came on earth4 ,what a noble mission6 ,what important duties6 ,what a great dignity6 ,to aid ,jesus ,christ in saving souls1 to teach them the truths of salvation1 to loose them from their sins1 to offer the eucharistic sacrifice for them1 to pray for them1 to minister unto them1 and to fill them with ,heaven's choice blessings2 for such a high mission1 for such important duties did ,jesus ,christ choose the priest4 ,if his duties are so important1 his dignity must be correspondingly great4 ,on the banks of the ,lake of ,genesareth the ,great ,teacher chose ,peter as ,his vicar and head of ,his ,church4 ,as the pontiff could not be everywhere1 ,peter and the other apostles imposed hands on others as the needs of the growing ,church demanded4 ,they understood that it was by a living1 teaching ministry this work of salvation was to be carried on4 ,for we find it recorded in the #adth chapter of the ,acts that ,paul and ,barnabas ordained priests in ,lystra and ,iconium4 ,paul also consecrated ,titus ,bishop of ,crete1 for the express purpose of ordaining others4 ,thus we see that as ,christ was sent by the ,father1 the apostles by ,christ1 so1 too1 is the priest invested with the same power for the perfecting of the saints1 for the work of the ministry and for the edification of the body of ,christ 7,eph4 iv4 #ab71 and that no one but a priest divinely called1 rightly ordained1 and legitimately sent has power from ,god to teach ,god's words to the faithful4 ,he is the ambassador of ,god1 commissioned to do ,his work with ,his authority2 the vicar of ,christ continuing the work ,he commenced2 and the organ of the ,holy ,ghost for the sanctification of souls4 ,he is ever imitating his model1 going about doing good4 ,he devotes his life to alleviate the sufferings of men4 ,to spend one's life instructing man is but second in importance to alleviating his sufferings4 ,this the priest is ever doing4 ,he rescued us from barbarism2 saved for us at the risk of his life the ,holy ,scriptures1 the classics of ,greece and ,rome1 and the writings of the ,fathers2 founded the great universities of ,europe2 and is to-day1 as in the past1 the greatest educator in the world4 ,he does all this for love of ,god4 ,do you wonder1 then1 that ,catholics love and revere their priests8 ,nowhere can there be found a body of men or a series of rulers so venerable1 so renowned for wisdom1 justice1 charity1 and holiness1 as the ,popes1 bishops1 and priests of the ,catholic ,church in every age1 from the time of ,christ until the present4 ,,xvii4 ,celibacy ,he who is unmarried careth about the things of the ,lord1 how he may please ,god 7i ,cor4 vii4 #cb74 ,,the ,catholic ,church recognizes matrimony as a holy state4 ,she recommends celibacy to those desiring greater perfection1 and enjoins it on her priests because1 as ,st4 ,paul says1 ,he who is unmarried careth about the things of the ,lord4 ,it is said that the life of the priest is a hard1 lonely one1 and that it is unscriptural4 ,let us see4 ,that his life is one of hardships is certain4 ,his path is by no means one of roses2 it is rather one covered with thorns4 ,the young man knows this well before he enters it4 ,with a full knowledge of its duties and responsibilities1 he willingly enters the priesthood4 ,he knows well that it is a life full of trials and crosses4 ,he knows1 too1 that the whole life of ,jesus ,christ1 from the stable of ,bethlehem to the cross on ,calvary's heights1 was one continuous trial1 cross1 mortification2 and that the life of every follower1 especially every minister1 of ,jesus ,christ should be fashioned after that of his divine model4 ,if any man will come after ,me1 ,he says in the #afth chapter of ,st4 ,matthew1 let him deny himself1 take up his cross and follow ,me4 ,the disciple1 the minister of ,christ1 is not above his ,master2 and it is not becoming that the path of the disciple or minister should be covered with flowers while that of the ,master was strewn with thorns and sprinkled with ,his own precious blood4 ,yes1 the priest's life is one of trials1 crosses1 and hardships4 ,but the more trials he has to bear1 the more crosses he has to carry1 the more hardships he has to endure1 the greater is his resemblance to his model1 ,jesus ,christ2 and if he bears those trials1 crosses1 and hardships1 which he shares with his ,master here1 with a proper spirit1 the more certain he is of sharing with ,him a happy eternity hereafter4 ,but is the life of celibacy unscriptural8 ,no4 ,in fact1 few questions are more clearly defined in ,holy ,scripture than that of religious celibacy4 ,st4 ,paul1 in the #gth chapter of the ,first ,epistle to the ,corinthians1 says3 ,i would have you without solicitude4 ,he who is unmarried careth for the things of the ,lord1 how he may please ,god2 but he who is married careth about the things of the world1 how he may please his wife1 and is divided4 ,and the unmarried woman and virgin thinketh about the things of the ,lord1 how she may be holy in body and spirit4 ,but she that is married thinketh about the things of the world1 how she may please her husband4 ,therefore1 he concludes1 he that giveth his virgin in marriage doth well2 and he who giveth her not doth better4 ,could language be clearer8 ,marriage is good2 celibacy is better4 ,he that is unmarried careth about the things of the ,lord1 how he may please ,god4 ,this teaching of ,st4 ,paul is the teaching of the ,church-- that marriage is honorable1 is good1 but that there is a better1 a holier state for those who are called by the grace of ,god to embrace it4 ,religious celibacy is one of the principal reasons why the ,catholic priest and missionary will risk all dangers1 overcome all obstacles1 face all terrors1 and in time of plague expose himself to death in its most disgusting forms for the good of his fellow-man4 ,all are acquainted with the noble examples of numbers of priests and ,sisters of ,charity who1 at the risk of their own lives1 voluntarily nursed the sick and dying during the yellow-fever scourge in the ,south a few years ago4 ,do you think they would have done so had they families depending upon them8 ,no2 they would have cared for the things of this world4 ,jesus ,christ has said3 ,greater love than this no man hath1 that a man give up his life for his fellow-man4 ,this the good priest is ever doing1 ever ready to do4 ,although death stares him in the face1 he never shrinks from his post of duty1 never abandons his flock while there is a wound to heal1 a soul to save4 ,when his duty calls him1 he is not afraid of death1 because ,st4 ,paul says3 ,he who is without a wife is solicitous about the things of the ,lord4 ,,xviii4 ,conclusion ,if thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments 7,matt4 xix4 #ag74 ,,when ,jesus ,christ died on the cross for us1 ,he did so in order to lead us into life1 to open heaven for all mankind4 ,how important our salvation must be1 then1 for which ,christ shed ,his precious blood4 ,if it is important1 ,he must have taught us how to attain it4 ,this1 too1 ,he did by the words1 keep the commandments4 ,to assist us in keeping the commandments ,he left a representative on earth4 ,his ,church1 whose ministers were to teach all nations1 is this representative4 ,to her ,he said3 ,he that hears you1 hears ,me4 ,the night before ,he died ,he instituted the adorable sacrifice of the ,mass1 saying3 ,this is ,my body 4 4 4 ,this is ,my blood which shall be shed for you4 ,he then gave the apostles and their successors power to do what ,he had just done3 ,do this in commemoration of ,me4 ,he also gave them power to baptize1 to forgive sins1 to bless1 to be dispensers of the mysteries of ,god4 ,he gave them power to confer these powers on others4 ,as the ,father sent ,me i4e41 with the same power ,i also send you4 ,to these apostles and their successors ,he spoke when ,he said that ,he would remain with them until the consummation of the world4 ,to them and the ,church ,he said3 ,he that hears you hears ,me4 ,what the ,church teaches1 then1 ,christ teaches4 ,as1 in the natural order1 man is born1 grows to manhood1 is nourished1 and if sick needs proper food and remedies3 so1 in the supernatural order1 there is a birth1 it is ,baptism2 there is a manly growth1 it is ,confirmation2 there is a nourishing food1 it is the ,holy ,eucharist1 the ,bread of ,life2 there is a medicinal remedy against death1 it is ,penance2 and there is a balm to heal the wounds1 the scars of sin1 it is ,extreme ,unction4 ,these are some of the channels through which ,god's grace flows into our souls to assist us to keep the commandments4 ,the practices of the ,church naturally flow from her teachings4 ,she teaches that there is but one ,god1 the creator and ,lord of heaven and earth and all things2 that man by his reason alone can find out this truth2 that the order1 beauty1 and harmony of the works of nature show ,god's work2 but that there are some truths which the deepest intellect of man can never fathom4 ,hence she teaches that ,god has revealed certain truths2 such as the mysteries of the ,holy ,trinity1 the ,incarnation1 and the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,when we know that ,god has revealed these truths we are acting reasonably not only in believing them1 but also in showing our belief by practices of respect1 adoration1 and love4 ,the ,church teaches that we must not only believe1 but practise our religion4 ,for faith alone will not save us4 ,faith without works is dead4 ,to have these works we must keep the commandments4 ,we must love ,god above all things and our neighbor as ourselves4 ,all the commandments are comprised in this4 ,in fact1 the essence of ,christianity is charity4 ,where will you find charity practised in reality except in the ,catholic ,church8 ,if you wish to see the truth of this1 visit our larger towns and cities1 and you will find hundreds of hospitals1 asylums1 schools1 and other charitable institutions in which are thousands of the children of the ,catholic ,church1 who have left everything to alleviate every ill that flesh is heir to1 and follow the meek and humble ,jesus in ,his mission of love4 ,the ,catholic ,church alone teaches1 as ,jesus taught while on earth1 the duty of penance4 ,if any man will come after ,me1 let him deny himself1 take up his cross and follow ,me4 ,according to ,christ's teaching1 the ,church sets aside the penitential season of ,lent and other times of mortification4 ,the ,church also teaches that we must not only be faithful in the observance of the practices of religion1 but that we must also live in peace and justice and charity with all mankind1 and die with a hope beyond the grave4 ,if we love ,god we will faithfully observe the practices of the ,church2 these practices will assist us in keeping the commandments1 by which we will enter into life4 ,we have seen that the various ceremonies and practices of the ,catholic ,church are dictated by right reason2 that they are the rational deduction from ,christ's teaching2 that they obtain for us divine grace1 excite pious thoughts1 and elevate our minds to ,god2 and that a true ,christian is one who not only believes but also practises the teachings of ,christ and ,his ,church4 ,the observance of these pious practices of the ,church makes us ,christians in fact as well as in name4 ,they assist us to keep the commandment and to live in accordance with our faith4 ,by faithfully observing them1 we show that we are not ashamed to be ,christ's followers4 ,and if we follow ,him1 who is the way1 the truth1 and the life1 we will not walk in darkness2 but will enter by the narrow way into the presence of truth itself1 in the regions of eternal light4 ,,printed ,,by ,,benzinger ,,brothers1 ,,new ,,york