,our ,monthly ,devotions ,by ,very ,rev4 ,dean ,a4 ,a4 ,lings ,author of 8,our ,favorite ,devotions10 8,our ,favorite ,novenas10 etc4 ,benziger ,brothers ,new ,york1 ,cincinnati1 ,chicago #ahii ,,contents ,preface4 ,january4 ,the ,holy ,infancy4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,second ,day4 ,third ,day4 ,fourth ,day4 ,fifth ,day4 ,sixth ,day4 ,seventh ,day4 ,eighth ,day4 ,ninth ,day4 ,tenth ,day4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,mass in ,commemoration of the ,holy ,infancy of ,jesus ,christ4 ,litany of the ,holy ,name of ,jesus4 ,litany of the ,infant ,jesus4 ,the ,mysteries of the ,sacred ,infancy4 ,communion ,prayers in ,honor of the ,infant ,jesus4 ,february4 ,the ,holy ,family4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,second ,day4 ,third ,day4 ,fourth ,day4 ,fifth ,day4 ,sixth ,day4 ,seventh ,day4 ,eighth ,day4 ,ninth ,day4 ,tenth ,day4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,litany of the ,holy ,family4 ,memorare ,to ,mary4 ,form ,of ,renewing ,the ,baptismal ,vows4 ,act ,of ,consecration4 ,march4 ,st4 ,joseph4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,second ,day4 ,third ,day4 ,fourth ,day4 ,fifth ,day4 ,sixth ,day4 ,seventh ,day4 ,eighth ,day4 ,ninth ,day4 ,tenth ,day4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,efficacious ,prayers4 ,thirty ,days' ,prayer ,to ,st4 ,joseph4 ,choice ,of ,st4 ,joseph ,as ,a ,patron4 ,virginum ,custos4 ,sorrows and ,joys of ,st4 ,joseph4 ,responsory ,to ,st4 ,joseph4 ,litany of ,st4 ,joseph4 ,april4 ,the ,passion3 ,meditations for ,every ,day of ,lent4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,second ,day4 ,third ,day4 ,fourth ,day4 ,fifth ,day4 ,sixth ,day4 ,seventh ,day4 ,eighth ,day4 ,ninth ,day4 ,tenth ,day4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,thirtysecond ,day4 ,thirtythird ,day4 ,thirtyfourth ,day4 ,thirtyfifth ,day4 ,thirtysixth ,day4 ,thirtyseventh ,day4 ,thirtyeighth ,day4 ,thirtyninth ,day4 ,fortieth ,day4 ,a ,method of ,hearing ,mass by ,way of ,meditation4 ,litany of the ,passion of ,our ,lord4 ,a ,prayer to ,jesus ,suffering4 ,prayers to the ,five ,wounds of ,our ,lord4 ,may4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,mary's ,immaculate ,conception4 ,second ,day4 ,mary's ,nativity4 ,third ,day4 ,mary's ,presentation4 ,fourth ,day4 ,the ,annunciation4 ,fifth ,day4 ,the ,visitation4 ,sixth ,day4 ,the ,birth of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,seventh ,day4 ,the ,purification4 ,eighth ,day4 ,simeon's ,prophecy4 ,ninth ,day4 ,the ,flight into ,egypt4 ,tenth ,day4 ,the ,three ,days' ,loss4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,meeting ,jesus with the ,cross4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,the ,crucifixion4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,the ,taking ,down from the ,cross4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,the ,burial of ,jesus4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,help of ,christians4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,our ,lady of ,mercy4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,our ,lady of ,perpetual ,help4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,confidence in ,mary4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,the ,love of ,mary4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,imitation of ,mary4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,faith4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,piety4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,hope4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,humility4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,charity4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,the ,virgin ,mary the ,model of ,advancement in ,virtue4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,patience4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,poverty4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,obedience4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,modesty4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,the ,assumption4 ,mass in ,union with ,mary ,immaculate4 ,litany of the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,june4 ,the ,sacred ,heart4 ,considerations and prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,the ,love of the ,sacred ,heart for ,us4 ,second ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus ,my ,friend4 ,third ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,my ,jesus the ,heart of ,my ,father4 ,fourth ,day4 ,in ,thy ,heart ,i ,shall ,find ,peace4 ,fifth ,day4 ,the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus ,teaching ,charity4 ,sixth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus ,my ,comforter4 ,seventh ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus ,my ,helper in ,trials4 ,eighth ,day4 ,in the ,heart of ,jesus ,i ,shall ,find ,rest4 ,ninth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus an ,ocean of ,love4 ,tenth ,day4 ,the ,ingratitude of ,men to the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,the ,gratitude ,due to the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,in the ,heart of ,jesus is ,found the ,way1 the ,truth1 and the ,life4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,to the ,heart of ,jesus ,alone ,i ,turn4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus ,asks for ,our ,hearts4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus at the ,hour of ,death4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus for all ,eternity4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus ,sorrowful unto ,death4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,o ,heart of ,jesus1 ,thou ,art ,all ,mine and ,i ,am ,all ,thine4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,god is ,charity and ,he ,who ,lives in ,charity ,lives in ,god4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,the ,sacred ,heart is a ,most ,patient ,rewarder4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus will ,glorify us in ,heaven4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus ,opened4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus the ,source of ,all ,happiness4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,the ,love of the ,saints for the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,the ,agony of the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus in the ,tabernacle4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus is ,my ,hope4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,all ,graces ,come from the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus the ,source of ,sanctity4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus in ,holy ,communion4 ,litany of the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus4 ,mass in ,union with the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus4 ,july4 ,the ,precious ,blood4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,second ,day4 ,third ,day4 ,fourth ,day4 ,fifth ,day4 ,sixth ,day4 ,seventh ,day4 ,eighth ,day4 ,ninth ,day4 ,tenth ,day4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,mass in ,honor of the ,precious ,blood4 ,three ,offerings of the ,precious ,blood4 ,seven ,offerings of the ,precious ,blood of ,jesus4 ,daily ,offering4 ,plenary ,indulgences ,for ,members of the ,confraternity of the ,most ,precious ,blood4 ,other ,plenary ,indulgences4 ,indulgences for all the ,faithful1 even ,such as are not ,members4 ,chaplet of the ,precious ,blood4 ,august4 ,the ,holy ,ghost4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,second ,day4 ,third ,day4 ,fourth ,day4 ,fifth ,day4 ,sixth ,day4 ,seventh ,day4 ,eighth ,day4 ,ninth ,day4 ,tenth ,day4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,litany of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,hymns to the ,holy ,ghost4 ,veni1 ,creator ,spiritus4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost4 ,act ,of ,oblation ,to ,the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the ,office of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,novena to the ,holy ,ghost4 ,september4 ,the ,immaculate ,heart of ,mary4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,second ,day4 ,third ,day4 ,fourth ,day4 ,fifth ,day4 ,sixth ,day4 ,seventh ,day4 ,eighth ,day4 ,ninth ,day4 ,tenth ,day4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,exercise in ,honor of the ,sorrowful ,heart of ,mary4 ,rosary or ,chaplet of the ,seven ,dolors4 ,october4 ,the ,angels4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,second ,day4 ,third ,day4 ,fourth ,day4 ,fifth ,day4 ,sixth ,day4 ,seventh ,day4 ,eighth ,day4 ,ninth day4 ,tenth ,day4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,litany of the ,holy ,guardian ,angel4 ,special ,prayers4 ,prayer ,to ,the ,guardian ,angel4 ,prayers ,to ,st4 ,michael1 ,st4 ,gabriel1 ,and ,st4 ,raphael4 ,act ,of ,consecration ,to ,our ,guardian ,angel4 ,prayer ,to ,the ,holy ,angels ,during ,the ,month ,of ,october4 ,november4 ,the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,second ,day4 ,third ,day4 ,fourth ,day4 ,fifth ,day4 ,sixth ,day4 ,seventh ,day4 ,eighth ,day4 ,ninth ,day4 ,tenth ,day4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,mass for the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,the ,litany of the ,saints4 ,the ,seven ,penitential ,psalms4 ,efficacious ,prayers for the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,prayers for ,each ,day for the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,an ,invocation of the ,most ,holy ,trinity for the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,litany of the ,faithful ,departed4 ,psalm ,,cxxix4 ,december4 ,advent4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,second ,day4 ,third ,day4 ,fourth ,day4 ,fifth ,day4 ,sixth ,day4 ,seventh ,day4 ,eighth ,day4 ,ninth ,day4 ,tenth ,day4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,special ,devotions to ,mary1 the ,mother of ,jesus1 during the ,time of ,advent4 ,mass for ,advent4 ,to ,be ,said ,throughout ,advent4 ,litany for ,christmas4 ,crown of the ,twelve ,stars1 ,or ,rosary of the ,immaculate ,conception4 ,the ,salve ,regina4 ,novena ,in ,preparation for the ,feast of the ,immaculate ,conception4 ,novena ,in ,preparation ,for ,christmas4 ,the ,ordinary of the ,mass4 ,vespers for ,sundays4 ,exposition and ,benediction of the ,most ,holy ,sacrament4 ,devotions for ,confession and ,communion4 ,confession4 ,communion4 ,footnotes ,cover ,art ,transcriber's ,note3 ,the above cover image was produced by the submitter at ,distributed ,proofreaders1 and is being placed into the public domain4 ,illustration ,he was wounded for our iniquities1 he was bruised for our sins4--,is4 liii4 #e4 ,nihil ,obstat4 ,,thomas ,l4 ,,kinkead1 ,censor ,librorum4 ,imprimatur4 ,,michael ,,augustine1 ,archbishop of ,new ,york4 ,,new ,,york1 ,may #aj1 #ahii4 ,copyright1 #ahii1 by ,,benziger ,,brothers4 ,,preface4 ,the ,church1 desirous of filling our minds with pious thoughts from the beginning to the end of the year1 has encouraged1 and in some cases designated1 certain devotions to be practised1 and sets aside a whole month in which the prevailing thought ought to be centred on a certain devotion4 ,not that the ,church has by any decree appointed a special devotion for any particular time1 except in the cases of ,advent and ,lent2 but the universal piety of the people has adopted them2 and each month has its particular devotion4 ,the ,church celebrates the feast of the ,sacred ,heart in ,june1 and during this month we may offer our prayers in honor of the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 that our souls may be thoroughly imbued with the beauty of this devotion4 ,the ,church celebrates the feast of the ,holy ,rosary on the first ,sunday of ,october1 and our ,holy ,father ,leo ,,xiii4 has ordered that the ,rosary be recited each day during the month4 ,the feast of the ,guardian ,angel is celebrated on the second of ,october2 thus two devotions are practised during this month4 ,the ,church has arranged some special devotion for each month by which our confidence in ,god is increased1 and our love of holy ,church intensified4 ,what a rich treasure of piety and love for ,god may a good ,catholic not gather from one year of such holy practices6 ,,january4 ,,the ,,holy ,,infancy4 ,the month of the holy infancy of ,our ,lord is ,january4 ,the ,lord was born in ,december as we know1 but so late in the month that we must take the beginning of the new year and consecrate the first part of the year to ,god4 ,we begin with the childhood of ,our ,lord in our devotions1 that we may grow as ,he did in grace before ,god and man4 ,the holy ,infant is laid in our arms this month1 that we may contemplate ,him and learn holy lessons4 ,what are these lessons8 ,the goodness of ,god towards us--the mercy and kindness of the ,child ,jesus for us2 for ,his infancy is infinitely meritorious before ,god1 and all grace comes to us on account of ,christ1 ,who has been an ,infant among us4 ,we should be like children in our confidence in ,god1 ,who has created us and will not make us stand greater trials than we are able to bear4 ,we should not care over much for the things of this world2 we should not depend so much on our own efforts2 but with filial resignation we should say to ,god3 8,you want this done1 and you want one to do it4 ,well1 then1 give me the grace1 the intelligence1 the will1 and ,i will do it in such a manner as will be worthy of ,god40 ,the whole month can be spent in meditating on these virtues2 be assured they are worth being learned1 and will repay you for the trouble of practising them4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,consider the ,holy ,family on this day4 ,they rise early to make preparations to proceed to the ,temple to fulfil the law of ,god given to ,moses1 that every male child of the ,jewish nation should be circumcised4 ,let us accompany them in spirit to the ,temple1 and witness ,god's providence working plainly in behalf of ,his divine ,son4 ,today the ,child ,jesus is circumcised4 ,a painful operation is performed on the body of the pure and holy ,babe which was formed in the womb of the ,virgin ,mary4 ,jesus knew that by this ceremony ,he subjected ,himself to the ,law1 and the observance of all the dictates of a life regulated by it4 ,be you also subject to the law of ,god1 hard though it may be to man's corrupt nature4 ,the life of a ,christian will be a difficult one if you are not good and pious4 ,it will be hard for you to pray1 to fast1 to go to ,mass1 or confession4 ,only by submitting to the law of ,god will you learn to bear your burdens patiently1 willingly1 and joyfully4 ,remember you are not carrying your cross alone1 for the great ,bearer of the cross1 ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 will help you3 ,he ,who has said1 8,my yoke is sweet and ,my burden light40 ,prayer4 ,o ,god1 ,who1 by the fruitful virginity of ,blessed ,mary1 hast bestowed on mankind the rewards of eternal salvation1 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 that we may experience the intercession of her through whom we have had the happiness to receive the ,author of life1 ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,amen4 ,second ,day4 ,jesus underwent the circumcision as an act of redemption4 ,he was carried forth by ,his holy ,mother to begin the way of the cross1 and from that moment until the day of ,his death ,he suffered physical pain4 ,you may here form many thoughts on this period in the life of this holy ,child1 which will console you in your sufferings4 ,be not cast down in your struggle after a livelihood1 be not impatient in poverty and suffering1 for by these ,jesus has redeemed the world4 ,these crosses will one day bring you to heaven4 ,all humanity from childhood has the vicissitudes of nature and fortune to combat4 ,cruel indeed is the fate of some children3 poverty1 neglect1 sickness1 the death of parents1 and other misfortunes1 leave them often in a deplorable state4 ,but there is a ,providence watching over them2 not a sparrow falls from the housetop without the will of the heavenly ,father4 ,at the same time those who have the means should be interested in ,god's poor1 and seek to help them in all their necessities4 ,prayer4 ,o ,jesus1 when ,thou givest me such touching proof of ,thy love1 could ,i remain cold towards ,thee8 ,no6 it is not possible4 ,i will love ,thee1 then1 ,o my ,god1 with a love which nothing will daunt or repel4 ,third ,day4 ,at the presentation of the ,lord in the ,temple were present ,simeon and ,anna2 they were faithful people1 and were permitted to witness the solemn entry of ,our ,lord into the ,temple4 ,they were old and had served the ,lord ,god with faithfulness all their days1 and were now waiting for the coming of the ,messias4 ,on this day their fidelity was partially rewarded4 ,it was certainly a great grace to be allowed to witness the presentation of ,jesus to ,god1 ,his ,father1 and this great reward for a good life was followed afterwards by eternal happiness in heaven4 ,be faithful1 then1 to the teachings of ,god in ,his holy ,church4 ,begin in your youth1 or at least when the grace of ,god visits you4 ,never cease to trust in ,god during your whole life1 so that you1 too1 may be received into the heavenly kingdom as a reward for your fidelity4 ,pray always1 as ,simeon and ,anna did1 who never left the ,temple but remained there in prayer and fasting1 waiting for the consolation of ,israel4 ,prayer4 ,o my ,god1 how ,thou didst love me on the day of ,thy presentation6 ,oh1 how well ,thou dost teach me thereby what love is when it burns the heart6 ,o my ,god6 come and consume me1 come and take possession of my whole being1 so that ,i may belong entirely to ,thee4 ,let ,thy good pleasure dispose of me as ,thou willest4 ,amen4 ,fourth ,day4 ,on the occasion of the circumcision1 the name of ,jesus was given to ,our ,lord4 ,he was called ,jesus1 the ,redeemer3 a name which was given to ,him by ,his ,father and announced to man by an angel4 ,let this holy name be on your lips--it will be to you a light1 guiding you on your way through this valley of darkness4 ,let it be your food1 to strengthen you on your journey to your heavenly home4 ,let it be a watchword at the end of your life1 by which you may open the gates of heaven4 ,the name of ,jesus is a powerful one2 it is the conqueror of death1 the victor over hell4 ,you are a follower of ,jesus1 therefore you ought to show yourself an enthusiastic follower1 and love to repeat that sacred name4 ,the name of ,jesus piously said will strengthen our good resolutions1 and our resistance against temptations4 ,when the end of life approaches1 and the darkness of despair comes over us because we have done so little in the hours of daylight1 when we should have worked1 the merits of ,jesus will give us hope1 for ,he came to this earth to suffer for us1 to give us hope1 and to supply the deficiency of our efforts4 ,prayer4 ,oh1 may the adorable name of ,jesus be the sweet and daily music of my soul and the seal of my heart2 and when1 in the agony and cold sweat of death1 ,i shall give the last look for mercy1 may the parting sigh of my soul be ,jesus4 ,amen1 sweet ,jesus1 ,amen4 ,fifth ,day4 ,the name of ,jesus must not only be on our lips1 but it must also be indelibly engraven in our hearts4 ,you have heard perhaps in the life of that blessed ,dominican1 ,suso1 that he cut over his heart the name of ,jesus4 ,in this name you can overcome all things4 ,in this name you will be rich in grace and strength1 you will be victorious over all temptations and successful in all your labors4 ,why should you not have the name of ,jesus in your heart8 ,st4 ,paul has said3 8,whosoever shall call upon the name of the ,lord1 shall be saved40 ,you remember the exclamation of the great ,apostle1 8,if any man love not ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 let him be anathema40 ,there is great peace and comfort in the name of ,jesus2 it is this which enables pious people to remain faithful for long years in dryness of the spiritual life4 ,it is this which gives us courage to do good actions1 not for an earthly gain1 but for ,jesus1 and the reward of ,his society for all eternity4 ,let us never pronounce it except with confidence1 respect1 love1 and delight4 ,prayer4 ,o sweet ,jesus6 ,o loving ,jesus6 ,o ,jesus1 ,son of the ,virgin ,mary1 full of piety and of love6 ,o sweet ,jesus1 according to ,thy great mercy have mercy on me2 blot out my iniquities1 and look with tenderness upon me1 a miserable sinner invoking ,thy holy name1 ,jesus4 ,amen4 ,sixth ,day4 ,the ,lord has commended ,his holy name to every ,christian as a precious jewel which he is to use to obtain mercy and grace4 8,that whatsoever you shall ask of the ,father in ,my name1 ,he may give it you40 ,we all belong to the army of the ,lord1 stand under ,his banner1 and are supposed to be ever ready to make battle in ,his cause4 ,how often have not you received the body and blood of the ,lord8 ,think1 then1 what efficacy your prayers have when you appear before ,god1 with the sign of the blood of ,jesus on your soul2 you then pray with a power to which nothing is equal1 for not only do you pray1 but ,christ prays in and by you4 ,by this holy name ,god is honored1 as ,he is honored in ,his adorable ,son4 8,god hath given ,him a name which is above all names40--,phil4 ii4 #i4 ,the ,lord is always an intercessor for us--it is ,his office of ,redeemer and ,saviour that has merited this name1 by ,his life on earth and ,his death on the cross4 ,today is the feast of the ,epiphany1 the manifestation of the ,lord ,himself to the ,gentiles4 ,let us thank ,god during the day by frequent outbursts of love1 for our vocation to the faith in the person of the ,magi4 ,prayer4 ,o ,god6 ,who didst this day reveal ,thy onlybegotten ,son to the ,gentiles by the guidance of a star2 grant in ,thy mercy1 that we1 who already know ,thee by faith1 may be brought to contemplate the beauty of ,thy majesty1 through the same ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,seventh ,day4 ,the ,lord has shown ,himself to you also1 as ,he did to the three ,wise ,men from the ,east who represented you on the feast of ,epiphany4 ,you have had mercy shown you on this day because now you have the right to choose the true faith1 and you should be thankful for this grace4 ,you have had a singular privilege extended to you1 which all ,christians do not enjoy to the fulness4 ,there are among us many who have not the consolation of dying in the arms of ,jesus4 ,they cannot claim that ,he said to them1 8,i am the ,resurrection and the ,life40 ,we know that they1 too1 are hastening with us to the ,last ,judgment1 but with what a difference6 ,when a misfortune befalls these men in life they have no peace of mind2 when a humiliation meets them1 the ungentle spirit of nature is aroused in them at being despised4 ,they are unhappy in privations1 impatient in disputes1 and they are selfish4 ,the life of those who think not of ,christ is full of misery1 disappointment1 and dissatisfaction2 they sit in the darkness of heathenism2 but you who have the faith find relief in all your ills4 ,be not one of those who by their sinfulness deserve to be deserted by ,god4 ,prayer4 ,grant1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 in ,thy heavenly mercy1 the prayers of ,thy suppliant people2 that they may perceive where their duty lies1 and be enabled to accomplish whatsoever tasks are necessary for their salvation4 ,amen4 ,eighth ,day4 ,our faith ought to be pure and precious as the gold which the wise kings offered at the throne of ,god4 ,you ought1 then1 to hold fast the faith of ,jesus ,christ1 which is preserved in the ,catholic ,church4 ,learn your faith1 learn the proofs of it2 you will be a more fervent adherent to the chair of ,st4 ,peter and be well instructed in everything that concerns the ,church4 ,you will pray for our ,holy ,father1 the ,pope1 and for holy ,mother ,church in these troublous times4 ,if love is a part of that purity of faith1 read nothing1 listen to nothing which is against your faith2 do not belong to societies that are condemned by the ,church1 for they are enemies of ,god's religion4 ,your faith must be a lively one2 give signs of it in your actions4 ,sweetsmelling as the incense in the hands of the kings must be our faith4 ,every one should see that we are good and stanch ,catholics2 education or riches or social standing should not be an obstacle to our humble practice of our religion4 ,what is there more beautiful than a well educated man practising the ,catholic faith according to the laws of the ,church8 ,unhappily the rich and the learned are sometimes ashamed of the ,church1 leaving it to the poor and ignorant to be good ,catholics4 ,prayer4 ,o my ,god1 ,i thank ,thee for the inestimable gift of faith which ,thou hast bestowed upon me4 ,grant that ,i may always acknowledge this ,thy mercy with thanksgiving2 and this not only in words1 but in making a good use of it4 ,this grace ,i ask through ,thy sweet name1 ,jesus4 ,amen4 ,ninth ,day4 ,in trying to lead a good ,christian life you will often meet with contradictions and persecutions1 even from your associates4 ,but the ,wise ,men included the myrrh of mortification among their gifts4 ,he who wants to lead a life of purity will necessarily meet with many persecutions and crosses1 and only when he has taken up the cross can he follow the divine ,redeemer4 ,the faith of ,christ cannot exist without the bitter herb of mortification4 ,this faith is the power that conquers the world1 and the world's insults4 ,let us then be firm in our faith as the three kings were in all their trials1 for they had many a one to encounter before they found the cave of ,bethlehem4 ,let us show our appreciation then by our zeal and our holy lives4 8,he is my ,god1 and ,i will glorify ,him3 the ,god of my father1 and ,i will exalt ,him40--,exod4 xv4 #b4 ,the holy man ,job will be an example to us as to how we should serve ,god in trials and tribulations4 ,though the ,lord allowed great sufferings to come upon him1 and precisely because he had been good1 still he remained true and firm and would not make a compromise with the devil1 his persecutor4 ,job was thankful for everything that came from the hands of ,god4 ,he praised ,god for it all his days4 ,prayer4 ,o my ,god1 how good it is to serve ,thee thus1 and to give ourselves wholly to ,thee4 ,give to me as ,thou didst to the ,magi the spirit of wisdom1 of prayer1 and of sacrifice1 so that1 following ,thee through all my life1 ,i may reach a happy eternity4 ,amen4 ,tenth ,day4 ,it is a singular fact that the star disappeared at ,jerusalem1 though that was not1 as yet1 the place where the newborn ,king of the ,jews was to be looked for4 ,herod was the temporal king of ,jerusalem2 the high priest and the doctors of the ,law were also there4 ,as this was the seat of the religion of the people of ,god1 here were made many prophecies that were to be accomplished4 ,we should have thought that here also the star would have been seen4 ,jerusalem1 however1 remains in darkness1 the people that were to be the recipients of ,god's promises are passed over1 and the great grace of vocation was given to men who knew nothing of the testament of ,god--to pagans4 ,the star appears to them and illuminates the darkness in which they find themselves1 and calls them to a heavenly light4 ,our ,lord explained this ,himself afterwards1 when ,he said that from the rising to the setting of the sun would come those who would sit at ,his banquet1 while the 8children of the kingdom0 should go out emptyhanded1 for they deserved no better treatment because of their infidelity and presumption4 ,prayer4 ,o ,god1 ,who didst permit the children of ,israel so often to sink under the trials which ,thou didst send them1 and so often to offend by yielding under temptation3 have regard1 ,i beseech ,thee1 to ,thy servant1 and assist me with heavenly strength that ,i may have patience and courage under all the trials of life4 ,amen4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,we are similar in condition to ,jerusalem3 ,we have the promise of ,god1 we have the ,messias in our midst1 on our altars4 ,jerusalem was the gay capital of the ,jewish nation1 and it had no time to attend to the call of ,god4 ,we also will meet the same fate that overtook that unfortunate city1 which knew not the day of its visitation4 ,our ,lord 8came unto ,his own1 and ,his own received ,him not40 ,we are too busy with the things of this world to give a few thoughts to ,god2 we do not realize the precious gifts of ,our ,lord1 or of ,his sacred presence1 and so we will be allowed to go forth emptyhanded2 strangers will take our places in the heavenly kingdom1 while we shall sit in darkness for all eternity4 ,the ,lord will find faithful followers among strangers who have not our knowledge2 they are guided only by a star that does not speak4 ,they follow it and are rewarded2 they follow it because they acknowledge the fact that they stand in need of a leader and guide4 ,prayer4 ,help me1 ,o my ,god1 and defend me from all dangers2 let ,thy heavenly light dart upon my soul amidst all its darkness2 let faith be its guide1 and support it with hope4 ,behold1 ,i now protest that ,i renounce all kinds of suggestions that are injurious to that faith and hope which ,i am bound to have in ,thee4 ,amen4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,mary was found with the ,child by the ,magi2 she it was who received the gifts for the ,lord4 ,there sat ,mary as on a throne1 having the ,infant ,jesus in her lap1 and the ,wise ,men fell down and adored ,him4 ,how kingly seemed to them the poverty of that ,babe6 how right royal that sinless ,mother's lap1 on which ,he was enthroned6 ,we1 too1 have arrived at the stable of ,bethlehem in our meditations4 ,mary is there1 holding out towards us also her divine ,son4 ,through her ,he has become ours in holy communion1 ours when we are faithful servants of this good ,master4 ,mary is always with ,jesus2 we cannot think of the sacred humanity of ,christ without thinking also of the ,mother who gave ,him birth4 ,how far removed is the ,mother from the ,son8 ,let us then bow down in humility and adoration before the ,child who is ,our ,god2 but let us also look up to ,mary4 ,she teaches us ,god as we never could else have learned ,him4 ,the ,child ,jesus seems to understand better than we that the caresses which are poured out to ,him are also intended for us4 ,let us look with gratitude at this good ,mother of ,jesus1 who is to be our ,mother because she has taken us under her protection1 and presents our petitions to the divine ,infant1 her sweet ,son4 ,prayer4 ,o ,mary1 my good ,mother1 ,i cast myself into thy arms3 obtain for me from thy divine ,son the virtues of humility and charity1 great purity of heart1 of body1 and of soul1 final perseverance in good1 the gift of fervor in prayer1 a pious life1 and a happy death4 ,amen4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,mary is present at our visit to ,jesus1 to receive the gifts that we are about to bring to the ,infant at this sacred season1 when we celebrate the feast of ,epiphany4 ,we are going to offer to ,jesus1 through ,mary1 a gift of gold4 ,gold is the most precious and the most sought after possession in the world4 ,whatever we have most precious1 then1 we will give to ,him3 our attachment to our family1 our inclinations1 our prejudices1 our possessions1 we will lay at the feet of ,jesus1 so that ,mary may point them out to this sacred ,babe1 and show ,him how generous we have been to make a sacrifice of the dearest things we have on earth4 ,the man of the world makes supreme efforts to gain gold1 so we will make supreme efforts to bring our whole being1 with all its energies1 as a sacrifice to ,him2 our hearts with all their inclinations will be consecrated to the service of ,jesus ,christ4 ,we will love ,him not only in ,himself1 but in our neighbor2 we will succor ,him in the person of the poor1 and in those even of whom we have to complain2 and that on account of ,his words1 8,as long as you did it to one of these1 ,my least brethren1 you did it to ,me40--,matt4 xxv4 #dj4 ,prayer4 ,o my ,mother1 give me ,jesus as thou didst give ,him to the holy ,wise ,men4 ,obtain for me a fervent heart to desire ,jesus2 a pure and humble heart to receive ,jesus2 a constant heart1 that ,i may never1 by the least wilful sin1 sadden ,his loving ,heart4 ,amen4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,during these days make the sacrifice of your heart a persevering1 loving1 patient sacrifice4 ,you are not going to retain anything of this heart1 you are not going to divide your love4 ,jesus has given ,himself entirely to you2 ,he has been presented to you by the hands of ,mary4 ,he has made you a ,christian1 that you may take advantage of this privilege of enjoying ,him as often as you please4 ,you can be on familiar terms with ,him1 you can unite ,him to your heart in holy communion1 when ,he will enter your soul and be such a gracious1 noble guest4 ,by your ,christian character ,he has privileged you to participate in all the sacraments of the ,church4 ,he confirms you in your ,christianity2 ,he pardons your transgressions when you have fallen1 and when1 with sorrow in your heart1 you wish to rise again2 ,he claims you as ,his at the end of your life by anointing you in your last sickness3 ,he claims you in fact1 body and soul1 for ,his own glory4 ,prayer4 ,most sweet ,infant ,jesus1 ,i acknowledge ,thee my benefactor4 ,i return ,thee thanks for whatever ,i possess1 and ,i heartily beg ,thy grace1 that ,i may make good use of the benefits which through ,thy great mercy ,i enjoy4 ,amen4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,you are going to appear before ,jesus and ,mary during these days with the incense of the ,magi1 which they presented to ,him as a tribute of praise2 they acknowledged ,jesus as their ,god4 ,incense is offered to ,god alone2 it is a prayer in itself1 and ascends with a pleasant odor4 ,you are going to stand before ,jesus offering your incense of prayer and adoration4 ,you have your daily prayers to say2 in fact the whole day should be a prayer1 which should insert itself into all your actions4 ,how noble will not such a day appear to you when you look back on it6 ,oh1 that all your days were like this one1 full of holy joy1 peace and happiness2 such a happiness as you cannot find in earthly pleasure and enjoyment4 ,mary will receive this gift of prayer for her divine ,son1 and point out to ,him the pious ,christian that has brought the same sacrifice as did the kings of the ,east--the incense of prayer4 ,how pleased will be our sweet ,jesus to receive this gift from our hands1 and in exchange ,he will give us the gift of piety1 thus enabling us to love ,god alone and to despise all else4 ,prayer4 ,hail1 most sweet ,jesus1 ,son of ,god and of ,mary1 ,i love ,thee with my whole soul1 and above all things1 because ,thou art infinitely worthy of all love4 ,i firmly resolve by ,thy grace to sin no more1 and henceforth to avoid all occasions of sin4 ,amen4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,mary is found with ,jesus1 too1 in order to accept another gift1 which you must not forget and which the ,magi brought also1 i4e41 the bitter myrrh of mortification4 ,we have seen that we should offer a pure heart to the ,lord and a life full of prayer--but we must also add to these gifts the virtues of selfdenial1 selfabnegation and mortification4 ,mary offered this great gift of generosity in its fulness4 ,she is the ,queen of martyrs1 the sorrowful ,mother4 ,mourn with her over your own ingratitude and the sins of the world2 follow her in the way of the cross of her life2 condole with her4 ,it is a precious gift to ,god to mortify one's self1 and one can find daily opportunities of doing so4 ,as a ,christian you are not to look backward4 ,give the same gifts as the ,magi did2 put some little privation on yourself1 no matter what it may be1 or how insignificant it may appear4 ,god will look upon it with eyes of love1 and in return will enrich you with the spirit of mortification and of sacrifice1 which will make you apostles and martyrs4 ,prayer4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 grant me1 as ,thou didst to the ,magi1 the spirit of wisdom1 of prayer1 and of sacrifice2 so that following their example of steadfast faith1 ,i may one day receive the reward of eternal happiness4 ,amen4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,we read that the ,lord accompanied ,his parents on a visit to the ,temple in ,jerusalem1 and remained there unknown to them1 when they had departed for their own home4 ,it was ,his ,father's house1 and ,he expressed a kind of wonder that ,he was expected to be anywhere else at any time4 ,we might apply this to ourselves as well4 ,god is ,our ,father2 the church is ,our ,father's house1 and we should be found at home4 ,besides1 ,jesus is in the tabernacle2 ,he1 our ,brother1 is in ,his ,father's house1 and the whole family should be gathered there4 ,you should make frequent visits to the church1 and should any one be surprised at your conduct1 and ask you the reason1 you can answer with justice3 8,am ,i not to be about the things that are my ,father's80 ,go to your work1 be in your home1 but also love to pass some time in the presence of the ,lord in the church4 ,the angels are there1 silently praying before their ,god in the tabernacle2 join them in their devout occupation4 ,you like to visit a friend2 no nearer nor dearer friend will you ever find than ,jesus1 your loving ,saviour4 ,prayer4 ,o ,jesus1 ,thou knowest my desire of serving ,thee with the purest intention of living but for ,thee4 ,thou art my hope1 my strength1 and my life4 ,i will seek not so much for consolation as for the grace of a greater love towards ,thee1 my sweet ,saviour1 and for strength to suffer bravely for ,thy greater glory and my own sanctification4 ,amen4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,from your early childhood you have been brought to the church4 ,even before you knew what church meant you trotted along with the other children1 and sat in your pew and knelt with the rest1 not knowing how to pray1 not knowing what you were about4 ,but afterwards you began to understand that you were going to a holy place1 where sacred things were performed3 things that reminded you of heaven1 even while you were still on this earth4 ,when you were made a ,christian by ,baptism1 then you were introduced into the mystic body of the ,church1 and you also received the right to stand in the material temple of the ,lord1 and take your place among the many members of the ,christian people4 ,the ,church has become your home1 a place of happiness and consolation in all your afflictions4 ,but do we use it as such8 ,do we go with all our trials and temptations to our sweet ,lord1 hidden in the tabernacle1 ,who is there waiting and anxious to console us in our miseries8 ,prayer4 ,my dearest ,jesus1 how much hast ,thou not done to oblige me to love ,thee1 and how much hath it cost ,thee to gain to ,thyself my love8 ,pierce my poor soul1 ,o dearest ,jesus1 with the sweet dart of ,thy love1 so that ,i may ever languish with desire of ,thee4 ,amen4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,when the shepherds were told to seek for the ,child ,jesus1 they were sent to look for a child4 ,when we set out to look for the ,redeemer we expect to see something remarkable2 with fear and trembling we approach the spot1 and find only a helpless ,child lying on some straw in a manger4 ,man looks for great and startling works1 and ,god meets him by showing things which1 in his consideration1 are insignificant4 ,we think that ,god should choose great things and ,he chooses small ones4 ,this is the difference between divine and human reasoning1 between the ways of ,god and the ways of man4 ,god has become man in the form of a child1 and human wisdom thinks that now1 over the whole world1 a great clamor1 noise1 and wonderment should be raised2 that all nations should be astounded4 ,instead the ,lord is a child that does not talk1 does nothing wonderful1 even cries like other children1 and so ,he remains1 or rather grows1 gaining by degrees the use of human faculties the same as other children4 ,these are the ways of ,god2 we think we should have ordered all things differently4 ,prayer4 ,o sweet ,babe of ,bethlehem1 ,i adore ,thee in ,thy humility4 ,mayest ,thou be ever reverenced and adored by all creatures4 ,may we with the angels ever adore ,thee1 and may the hearts of all the faithful ever breathe out in ,thy honor a most sweet perfume4 ,amen4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,what a difference6 ,adam was placed in paradise1 a most beautiful garden2 the second ,adam1 ,jesus1 is placed in the manger4 ,the former was but a simple human being1 while this ,one is the true ,god4 ,and why was this difference made8 ,through ,adam's sin paradise1 that beautiful place1 had been desecrated3 ,god1 the ,author of our being1 forgotten4 ,in punishment of this rebellion the second ,adam had to atone for this defection4 ,we had lowered ourselves to the level of the animals1 we had sought our joy among the natural inclinations1 and thither ,our ,lord had to descend in order to find us4 ,paradise is again to be brought to this earth4 ,we1 too1 should show by our faith1 our devotions1 and our magnificent churches1 where our happiness is4 ,we may enjoy this paradise even on earth by doing the will of ,god in all things1 and receiving frequently the body and blood of ,christ1 in the ,holy ,sacrament of the ,altar4 ,prayer4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus1 behold here a poor petitioner who wants ,thy aid2 but such is my unhappiness1 the more ,i want the less able ,i am to ask for relief4 ,have regard1 therefore1 to my distressed condition1 and according to the multitude of ,thy tender mercies have compassion on me4 ,amen4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,the angels announced the glad tidings of the birth of ,christ to the shepherds1 who heard the words and acted on them promptly and with joy1 ignorant though they were4 ,the promise of the coming of a ,redeemer was clearly placed before their minds1 so that they were as prepared for this startling announcement as if they had been waiting for it for many years4 ,so they went with haste and found ,mary and ,joseph and the ,infant4 ,how beautiful is ,our ,lord's attraction to the lowly1 represented in the call of these poor men4 ,such are the men that the ,babe called first4 ,we should allow the glorious truths of the incarnation to sink deeply into our souls1 that we may celebrate the month of the holy childhood with profit to ourselves and to the glory of ,god4 ,we should be interested also in spreading the ,gospel among ,protestants and ,jews1 and by our lives lead bad ,catholics back again to the ,infant ,babe4 ,lay people can sometimes do more good than they imagine1 and in some cases even more than a priest1 because their advice and good example may have an effect where a priest could not reach4 ,prayer4 ,o most sweet ,babe of ,bethlehem6 what praise1 love1 and thanks shall ,i return ,thee for all ,thy mercies8 ,let my body1 soul1 and all that is within me bless ,thee eternally1 and let heaven1 earth1 and all that is within them say ,amen4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,god's glory was the object of the angels who came to announce the birth of ,our ,lord4 ,glory to ,god in the highest6 ,infinite glory accrues to ,god the ,father by sending ,his divine ,son to this earth to become man4 ,we are ,his intelligent creatures1 to whom ,he was sent1 and we must give to ,god a rational worship4 ,when we do not give glory and thanks to ,god1 and are ungrateful1 we rob the ,creator of that recognition which ,he should have from ,his creatures4 ,but the same must be said of all our works2 we must have the glory of ,god before our minds2 we should do nothing but with the express or implicit motive--the honor of ,god4 ,our maxim should be1 8,all for the greater glory of ,god40 ,when the angels reported the birth of the ,lord they did not refer to their own greatness but sang out1 8,god has done this from ,his throne in heaven10 to ,him is due the glorification of ,his creatures2 so also we1 after a good action1 do not think complacently of our own sanctity or excellence1 but say it was the inspiration of ,god1 and ,god's work1 which has been done by us unworthy instruments in ,his hands4 ,mary referred all her glory and graces to ,god3 8,my soul doth magnify the ,lord40 ,prayer4 ,almighty and everlasting ,god6 ,lord of heaven and earth1 ,who dost reveal ,thyself to little ones1 grant us1 we beseech ,thee1 to honor meetly the holy mysteries in the life of ,thy ,son1 the ,child ,jesus1 and to follow ,him humbly in our lives1 so that we may come to the eternal kingdom promised by ,thee to little ones1 through the same ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,again the angels said1 8,peace on earth to men of goodwill40 ,how precious is the peace of the soul6 ,peace is the fruit of a good conscience1 which produces peace with ,god and with one's self4 ,seek to purify your will1 make it conformable to the will of ,god1 for then you enjoy peace more and more2 you will taste the happiness of that peace which surpasses all the joys of the world1 and which the world cannot give4 ,in the contemplation of the joyous feasts which we celebrate1 during this month of the mysteries of the divine infancy of the ,lord1 we will find the happiness of our soul4 ,continue in your adoration of the ,infant ,jesus1 bring ,him the grateful thanks of a pure heart1 pray with earnestness1 with perseverance1 for the mercy of ,god1 which ,he can extend to you in answer to your supplications if you are sincere4 ,remember the words of the angels1 8,glory to ,god in the highest1 and on earth peace to men of goodwill40 ,it is a saying which is worth repeating to yourself4 ,prayer4 ,o most amiable ,jesus1 who for my sake and instruction didst vouchsafe to conceal ,thy eternal wisdom under the weakness of childhood6 ,i most humbly thank ,thee for having shown me in ,thy own sacred person how ,i should sanctify my youth1 and thereby draw a blessing on my future life4 ,amen4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 8,mary kept all these words1 pondering them in her heart40--,luke ii4 #ai4 ,twice do we read that ,mary did this4 ,the ,holy ,ghost certainly wished to attract our attention to this fact1 that we might imitate the action4 ,all that was done and all that was said made a great impression on ,mary's heart4 ,she merited more and more the eulogiums which ,god ,himself bestows on those who hear the word of ,god and keep it4 ,the facts and the words of the incarnation must be the same to us--precious thoughts and gifts which we know how to value and appreciate4 ,at certain times we should give evidence of our belief in the joy of our heart4 ,god's glory must be published externally1 we must not bury it in our hearts only1 for ,mary preserved all these words in her heart so as to make them public at some future time1 for the welfare of the ,church4 ,with greatest devotion and zeal she had heard the revelations of ,god2 with liberality she made manifest the fulness of her heart for the glory of ,god4 ,prayer4 ,o ,wisdom1 ,who didst proceed out of the mouth of the ,most ,high1 reaching from end to end1 with might and with sweetness disposing all things1 come and teach us the way of prudence4 ,amen4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,mary not only kept all these words in her heart1 but she also meditated on them4 ,in fact the meaning of the words1 8kept in her heart10 is that they were ever fresh there2 she kept the eyes of her soul on them1 and thought of them2 she was part of the workings of ,god's providence1 and had no other thought than that the will of ,god should be done in all things1 especially just now1 in this instance of the childhood of ,christ4 ,men and angels had brought her the testimony of their admiration of the wonderful works of ,god2 and ,mary was consoled and confirmed in her willingness to suffer everything for her divine ,infant ,son4 ,to us also the meditation and the consideration of ,god's infinite goodness1 and the facts of revelation1 are the very centrepost around which the ,christian life should move4 ,be not a passive ,christian that is borne along in the crowd2 go a little farther1 and become an intelligent worshipper1 who has reflected well on religious tenets1 and to whom they have given a great deal of consolation and hope of future happiness4 ,prayer4 ,o ,adonai and leader of the house of ,israel6 ,who didst appear to ,moses in the fire of the flaming bush1 and didst give him the ,law of ,sinai3 come and save us with a stretchedforth arm4 ,amen4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,we are often solicitous about temporal affairs3 our eating1 drinking1 clothing1 and that which is dependent on us4 ,we are right in making all necessary efforts1 but we must not forget ,god1 or lose confidence in ,him4 ,the ,magi left their kingdoms1 palaces1 families1 their great comforts of home1 and went on a long journey1 led by the star1 without being clearly told how far their journey was to carry them4 ,they had to travel through unknown lands1 under a burning sun1 exposed to wild beasts1 and the enmity of wandering tribes4 ,still they persevered until they were rewarded by the sight of the ,messias1 the ,redeemer of the world4 ,then 8they rejoiced with exceeding great joy40 ,this is also a lesson to us to quiet our fears4 ,god knows what we have done for ,him1 and a thousandfold will ,he reward our generous actions1 and at the same time our families will be protected and our wants supplied4 8,but seek ye first the kingdom of ,god and ,his justice3 and all these things shall be added unto you40--,luke xii4 #ca4 ,prayer4 ,o ,root of ,jesse6 ,who art a signal to the people1 in ,whose presence kings shall be silent1 and to ,whom the ,gentiles shall pray3 come and deliver us now and delay not4 ,amen4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,the revelation which you have received from ,god ought to enter deeply into your soul4 ,mary's heart was full of grace4 ,you should receive ,god's word into your hearts1 that it may be the nourishment of your souls1 that it may fill you with holy sentiments and desires1 and model you according to the life of ,christ4 ,during these days you have given much thought to the birth of ,our ,lord4 ,be careful in your prayers not to keep it on your lips only1 but let it take deep root in your hearts1 so that ,christ may be born again in your souls4 ,pray to ,mary1 to the angels1 and to the saints1 that they may assist you2 that you may preserve the deposit of faith with fidelity as they preserved it1 for the nourishment of the spirit and the sanctification of your soul1 and of others that may be intrusted to your care4 ,your piety and love of the ,lord should increase with these meditations4 8,thy word is exceedingly refined3 and ,thy servant hath loved it40--,ps4 cxviii4 #adj4 ,prayer4 ,o ,key of ,david and sceptre of the house of ,israel6 ,who openest1 and no man shutteth3 ,who shuttest1 and no man openeth2 come and take out of prison him that is in fetters1 and who sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death4 ,amen4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,the obedience of ,our ,lord to ,his parents is an admirable lesson4 ,jesus ,christ is obedient1 and submits ,his infinite wisdom to the commands of human beings4 ,not only was ,he obedient to ,his heavenly ,father even unto the death of the cross1 but ,he exactly fulfilled all the requirements of the ,fourth ,commandment without a murmur1 without deferring the execution of ,his parents' wishes to a time more suitable to ,himself4 ,st4 ,bernard says that he is obedient who fulfils a command without delay1 and with a cheerful heart4 ,our ,lord fulfilled this law so scrupulously because ,he wished to leave us an example4 ,remember the fact that the ,boy ,jesus was not only obedient to ,his heavenly ,father1 but also to ,his superiors according to the order of things4 ,the ,lord left1 without delay1 the performance of a holy action when ,he was called away from it4 ,our obedience to the ,church and its lawful pastors is also an obligation devolving upon us4 ,children1 obey your parents1 servants1 your masters1 citizens1 the ,state and all constituted public authority4 ,religious fulfil this law of obedience because they make a vow of obedience4 ,prayer4 ,o ,orient brightness of eternal light1 and ,sun of righteousness6 come and enlighten those that sit in darkness1 and in the shadow of death4 ,amen4 ,twentyninth ,day4 8,jesus advanced in wisdom and age1 and grace with ,god and men40--,luke ii4 #eb4 ,from the first instant of ,his sacred life on earth there were hidden in the ,lord all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge4 ,he constantly developed these before the sight of men4 ,the sun has always the same abundance of heat and light1 yet it still increases as the day wears on until it stands in the zenith in all its glory and power1 and as the day wanes it1 as it were1 draws its power to itself4 ,the older ,jesus1 the ,sun of justice1 grew1 the brighter became the light of ,his holy life1 and it illumined more and more the lives of those who observed ,him4 ,the growing older is inevitable2 as time passes we grow older1 but we do not necessarily grow in wisdom before ,god and men4 ,our piety before ,god is not increased1 and we frequently give scandal to men by our impiety4 ,when we were young we loved ,god1 but as we grew older we were so implicated with the things of this life that we lost a great deal of our simplicity4 ,why should this be so8 ,prayer4 ,o ,king of the ,gentiles1 and their desired ,one1 the cornerstone that joins the two walls6 come and save man1 whom ,thou didst form out of dust4 ,amen4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,jesus was filled with grace and truth from the very beginning of ,his life4 ,we have seen ,his glory1 the glory of the only ,son of the ,father1 full of grace and truth4 ,more and more did ,his virtues1 however1 shine forth with ever increasing splendor2 men wondered at this glorious ,being1 loved ,him1 and afterwards followed ,him when ,he began ,his mission4 ,we1 too1 were full of grace at our ,baptism1 and long afterwards1 in our childhood1 we were pleasing in the sight of ,god1 because we were innocent children whom ,god loved4 ,we were then modest1 pious1 obedient1 but in course of time we sought to please men more than ,god4 ,to please men is often to displease ,god4 ,we should have hungered and thirsted after justice1 and this would have kept alive in us the desire to grow in grace1 wisdom and truth4 ,but now let us arouse ourselves1 and even though we are old1 let us strive to become like the divine ,infant4 ,let us1 with the grace of ,god1 renew in ourselves the graces that were in us4 ,let us examine our conscience1 and see whether we have remained faithful to our good resolutions1 if we have ever made them before4 ,it is not too late yet to resolve to do better in the future4 ,prayer4 ,o ,emmanuel1 ,king and ,lawgiver6 the expectation of the ,gentiles and their ,saviour2 come and save us1 ,o ,lord1 ,our ,god4 ,amen4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,on this last day of the devotion of the holy infancy1 let us endeavor to make permanent the pious sentiments that have passed through our souls4 ,we wish to have ,jesus in our hearts1 not only for the present but also for the future4 ,it is not enough to find ,jesus as the shepherds and the ,magi did1 but we should try to keep ourselves always in ,his sacred presence4 ,the means to retain ,jesus are no other than to keep ourselves in grace1 to avoid sin1 to preserve ,his love in our hearts1 and lastly to be watchful1 when temptation assails us1 against sensuality1 pride1 avarice1 and want of charity1 and any other vice4 ,let us remain close to ,our ,lord1 remembering our promises of fidelity1 in a humble confidence that ,he will assist us with ,his grace4 ,let us remember the words of the ,royal ,prophet ,david3 ,that a soul that fears ,god will not be affected by infidelity4 ,let us repeat with the spouse in the ,canticles3 8,i found ,him ,whom my soul loveth3 ,i held ,him3 and ,i will not let ,him go40 ,who will separate me from the love of ,christ8 ,prayer4 ,o ,infant ,jesus6 grant that each moment of our lives1 we may pay homage to that moment in which ,thou didst begin the work of our salvation4 ,amen4 ,mass in ,commemoration of the ,holy ,infancy of ,jesus ,christ4 ,preparatory ,prayer4 ,deign1 ,o almighty ,god1 to give me the grace to remember1 with devotion and love during the holy sacrifice1 the sacred birth1 the ,passion and death of ,thy ,son1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,i offer to ,thee1 ,thy divine ,son by the hands of ,mary1 ,his ,virgin ,mother1 to the honor of ,thy holy name1 and in grateful thanksgiving for the numberless graces and blessings which ,thou hast bestowed upon ,thy poor creature4 ,i offer ,him also for the joy of the heavenly court1 as a victim of propitiation for my sins1 for the living and the dead1 and for my special intention1 which1 with all confidence1 ,i recommend to ,thee4 ,permit me to feel ,thy sacred presence1 to be immersed in ,thy pure light1 and to be comforted by it1 so that ,i may always1 but especially on this day1 serve ,thee faithfully1 and bear the trials which ,thou sendest me with love and courage4 ,in consideration of the tears and the precious blood of ,thy divine ,son1 by ,whom ,i knock at the gates of ,thy mercy and kindness1 grant that all misfortunes of body and soul may be averted from me1 through ,christ ,our ,lord1 ,who is ever praised with ,thee and the ,holy ,ghost1 for all eternity4 ,amen4 ,introit4 ,o my ,god1 ,i should be holy as ,thou art holy1 fountain of all sanctity2 and still ,thou seest in me nothing pure4 ,i am full of iniquity4 ,have mercy on me1 make manifest in me ,thy mercy4 ,i present to ,thee1 in sorrow and humility1 the ,infant ,jesus as my intercessor4 ,look upon ,him1 ,o heavenly ,father1 the brightness of ,thy own glory1 now lying in a crib in a wretched stable4 ,and from that lowly bed ,he raises up ,his little hands1 begging for pardon1 in order that we1 ,his erring brothers and sisters1 may be brought back to ,thy paternal ,heart1 and to ward off the punishment which we so richly deserve4 ,o divine ,redeemer1 despise not our confidence6 ,stretch out ,thy almighty right hand and draw us forth from the floods of our sins1 miseries1 and iniquities1 so that we may gratefully thank ,thee and the ,father for all eternity4 ,amen4 ,gospel4 ,we render ,thee1 ,o loving ,jesus1 our everlasting thanksgiving for having descended from ,thy unspeakable happiness in heaven to this miserable earth1 where ,thou dost wish to console ,thy needy creatures and to teach us by ,thy holy ,gospel the way to heaven4 ,who would not approach ,thee with confidence1 when he sees ,thee1 the infinite ,god1 wrapped in swaddling clothes1 resting on the bosom of the purest and tenderest of ,mothers1 with hands full of graces and a ,heart full of love6 ,even though untold misery should overwhelm our hearts1 and innumerable desires consume our souls1 still we would take confidence from this kindness and love1 and our souls would be filled with happiness and peace4 ,look upon me1 then1 ,o gracious ,infant6 and by that look of kindness may my intellect be enlightened to understand the divine truths2 may my will be inflamed to fulfil ,thy commands and inspirations1 and my memory continually suggest ,thy promises and ,thy goodness4 ,so that on the altar of my heart may be placed a triple sacrifice of faith1 hope1 and charity1 and then ,i can claim from ,thy majesty new graces and benedictions upon myself1 upon those in whom ,i am interested1 and upon all those on whom the light of the ,gospel has not shone1 that we may become vessels to ,thy honor and love1 and may praise ,thy mercies for all eternity4 ,amen4 ,offertory4 ,as ,i kneel in spirit at the crib of ,bethlehem1 and see the divine ,infant offering ,himself to the heavenly ,father for my sins1 so ,i bring1 as an offering with the priest1 my poor heart which thirsts for ,thee4 ,oh1 that ,i could offer ,thee as gifts many virtuous acts6 but bowed down in the dust of my own nothingness1 ,i cannot offer anything more than an empty1 sorrowful heart4 ,look upon it with mercy1 and send upon it the dew of ,thy grace and love1 which will quickly bear fruit of humility and meekness4 ,adorn my soul with the flowers of devotion1 that my whole life may become a song of praise and petition for mercy4 ,amen4 ,sanctus4 ,unfathomable1 ,o ,lord ,god1 are the depths of ,thy mysteries1 and wonderful the inventions of ,thy mercy4 ,faith teaches me that ,he ,who is in the crib1 and weeps and trembles1 is the ,one ,whose thunder rolls in the clouds1 at the sound of ,whose voice cherubim and seraphim veil their faces with their wings4 ,what a manifestation of humility and love do ,i contemplate in this6 ,come1 ,o ,lord1 with ,thy allconquering love1 and enkindle my cold heart and the hearts of all careless ,christians with the flames of love6 ,come to me in the fulness of ,thy graces and blessings1 and stir up my sluggish humor2 enlighten all needy souls with the abundance of ,thy eternal brightness1 that we may now1 and for all eternity1 sing the angelic anthem3 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 is ,our ,god6 ,amen4 ,the ,secret4 ,o kind ,father6 in humility ,i beg of ,thee1 through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 may our sacrifice and prayers please ,thee4 ,bless me1 bless those who are here present at this sacrifice1 and bless also all who are needy and suffering4 ,i pray ,thee especially for the holy ,catholic ,church and her ministers1 that ,thou mayest keep them in peace and harmony2 that ,thou mayest protect and govern them1 and mayest pour into their souls that peace which the divine ,infant brought to this earth--,who alone is the cause of the happiness which we enjoy here below4 ,i wish to join the angels in exclaiming1 8,peace to my soul1 peace to all men of goodwill40 ,consecration4 ,look down1 ,o ,lord ,god the ,father6 on this altar where ,thy divine ,son adores ,thee as ,he did from the stable of ,bethlehem1 and offers ,himself as a spotless lamb as ,he did on ,calvary4 ,we unite our prayers with ,his1 and we beg of ,thy unlimited mercy that ,thou wouldst listen to the pleading of this divine ,heart and of this precious blood1 and grant us what is pleasing to ,thee4 ,grant that we may grow in the odor of sanctity of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and share with ,him eternal happiness in heaven4 ,amen4 ,after ,the ,consecration4 ,o divine ,infant ,jesus1 give me the grace to realize the wonders of ,thy holy love6 ,in all humility ,i consecrate myself to ,thee as a holocaust to ,thy holy condescension4 ,oh1 that ,i were able to adore ,thee with that sincere and heartfelt devotion with which the holy ,virgin1 ,st4 ,joseph1 the pious shepherds1 the ,magi1 and all the fervent adorers of ,thy divine infancy adored ,thee4 ,with all my soul ,i will love ,thee4 ,all the movements of my heart shall be directed towards ,thee2 my soul shall be ,thy dwelling4 ,with ,thy grace ,i will fulfil all the duties of my state in life4 ,change this sinful man into a new being by ,thy almighty love1 by the same love with which ,thou hast changed the bread and wine into ,thy adorable body and blood4 ,may ,thy profound humility restrain the pride of my heart2 may ,thy wonderful purity transform me into a lily of purity for the heavenly garden1 and ,thy love guide me through the storms of this wretched life to the habitation of bliss3 to ,thy throne1 where ever and ever springs forth life without end4 ,amen4 ,commemoration ,of ,the ,dead4 ,remember1 also1 ,o most merciful ,jesus6 all ,thy servants who have departed this life1 marked with the seal of faith and charity1 and who sleep the sleep of peace4 ,let them all feel1 according to their burning desire1 the power of the holy sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,open to them the gates of heaven1 the abode of light and peace1 that they may join the innumerable chorus of angels and saints1 who praise and love ,thee for all eternity4 ,amen4 ,agnus ,dei4 ,o immaculate ,lamb of ,god1 suffering all human tribulations6 teach me to tear myself away from the affections of earthly things1 which still keep me from adhering solely to ,thee4 ,o gracious ,lamb of ,god1 ,who didst descend from heaven to bring grace and light into my needy soul6 let the dew of ,thy kindness descend upon this barren land of my heart1 to enrich it with many virtues4 ,o pure ,lamb of ,god1 ,prince of peace and love6 calm in my soul all disquiet1 and let it be inflamed with the flames of ,thy holy love1 whence all my words and actions derive their merit4 ,amen4 ,communion4 ,o dearest ,jesus1 my ,redeemer6 from the stable of ,bethlehem ,thou callest to me1 8,come to ,me1 all you that labor and are burdened1 and ,i will refresh you40--,matt4 xi4 #bh4 ,pressed and overwhelmed with many trials1 my soul longs for ,thee1 and desires to partake of the heavenly banquet of ,thy flesh and blood1 and to be united to ,thee most intimately4 ,come1 ,o ,lord1 to comfort my languishing spirit6 strengthen my weak resolutions2 change my whole being into something more pleasing to ,thee4 ,what heart is not softened by ,thy loving glance1 and desires not to be one with ,thee8 ,admit my heart to a union with ,thine1 that both may be consumed together4 ,as dry wood easily takes fire from flames1 so may my heart begin to burn brightly1 and whatever is displeasing to ,thee be consumed by ,thy holy love4 ,let me find rest in the enjoyment of ,thy divinity2 and let me have no earthly attachments1 so that when ,i shall be loosed from the ties of this world1 ,i may fly to ,thee1 and rest in ,thy bosom4 ,soul of ,christ1 sanctify me3 ,body of ,christ1 save me3 ,blood of ,christ1 inebriate me3 ,water from the side of ,christ1 wash me4 ,passion of ,christ1 strengthen me3 ,o good ,jesus1 hear me3 ,within ,thy wounds hide me3 ,permit me not to be separated from ,thee4 ,from the malignant enemy defend me3 ,in the hour of my death call me1 ,and bid me come to ,thee1 ,that1 with ,thy saints1 ,i may praise ,thee ,forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,conclusion4 ,accept1 ,o ,blessed ,trinity6 my grateful thanks for the graces which ,thou hast poured upon my soul during this holy sacrifice1 which ,i have attended in honor of the holy infancy4 ,and then1 ,o divine ,infant6 permit me to remain with ,thee whilst ,i am engaged in the duties of my state in life4 ,make me ever mindful of that gratitude which ,i ought to have for ,thy holy love2 let me feel the truth of the words1 8,i have found ,him ,whom my soul loveth02 ,i will never be separated from ,him4 ,amen4 ,litany of the ,holy ,name of ,jesus4 7,form to which an indulgence of three hundred days was granted by ,pope ,pius ,,ix41 who suppressed all other forms47 ,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 the 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 ,jesus1 most powerful1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 most patient1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 most obedient1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 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 the angels1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 king of the 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 merciful4 ,spare us1 ,o ,jesus6 ,be merciful1 ,deliver 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 ,through the mystery of ,thy holy incarnation1 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,jesus6 ,through ,thy nativity1 ,deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,through ,thy infancy1 ,deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,through ,thy most divine life1 ,deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,through ,thy labors1 ,deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,through ,thy agony and ,passion1 ,deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,through ,thy cross and dereliction1 ,deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,through ,thy languors1 ,deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,through ,thy death and burial1 ,deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,through ,thy resurrection1 ,deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,through ,thy ascension1 ,deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,through ,thy joys1 ,deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,through ,thy glory1 ,deliver us1 ,o ,jesus4 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,spare us1 ,o ,jesus6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,jesus6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,jesus6 ,jesus1 hear us4 ,jesus1 graciously hear us6 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,who hast said1 8,ask1 and it shall be given you3 seek1 and you shall find3 knock1 and it shall be opened to you10 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 to us who ask the gift of ,thy divine love1 that we may love ,thee with our whole heart1 in word and work1 and never cease from showing forth ,thy praise4 ,grant1 ,o ,lord1 that we may have a perpetual fear and love of ,thy holy name1 for ,thou never failest to direct and govern those whom ,thou hast instructed in ,thy true and solid love1 through the same ,christ1 ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,litany of the ,infant ,jesus4 7,for ,private ,devotion ,only47 ,lord1 have mercy4 ,lord1 have mercy4 ,christ1 have mercy4 ,christ1 have mercy4 ,lord1 have mercy4 ,lord1 have mercy4 ,infant ,jesus1 hear us4 ,infant ,jesus1 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 ,infant ,jesus1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 very ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 ,son of the living ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 ,son of the ,virgin ,mary1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 begotten before the morning star1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 ,word made flesh1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 wisdom of ,thy ,father1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 purity of ,thy ,mother1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 only ,son of ,thy ,father1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 onlyborn of ,thy ,mother1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 image of ,thy ,father1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 ,creator of ,thy ,mother1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 splendor of ,thy ,father1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 honor of ,thy ,mother1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 equal to ,thy ,father1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 subject to ,thy ,mother1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 joy of ,thy ,father1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 riches of ,thy ,mother1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 gift of ,thy ,father1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 offering of ,thy ,mother1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 precious fruit of a ,virgin1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 ,creator of man1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 power of ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 our ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 our ,brother1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 perfect man from ,thy conception1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 ancient in wisdom from ,thy childhood1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 father of ages1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant of days1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 giving life and nourished at the breast1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 ,eternal ,word1 and making ,thyself dumb1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 weeping in ,thy crib1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 thundering in the heavens1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 terror of hell1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 joy of paradise1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 dreaded by tyrants1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 desired by the ,magi1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 exiled from ,thy people1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 king in exile1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 destroyer of idols1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 vindicator of the glory of ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 strong in weakness1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 powerful in abasement1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 treasure of grace1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 fountain of love1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 author of the blessings of heaven1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 repairer of the evils of earth1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 head of the angels1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 stem of the patriarchs1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 word of the prophets1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 expectation of nations1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 joy of the shepherds1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 light of the ,magi1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 salvation of children1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 hope of the just1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 teacher of doctors1 ,have mercy on us4 ,infant1 firstfruits of the saints1 ,have mercy on us4 ,be merciful1 ,spare us1 ,o ,infant ,jesus6 ,be merciful1 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,infant ,jesus6 ,from the bondage of the children of ,adam1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,from the slavery of the devil1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,from the corruption of the world1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,from the lust of the flesh1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,from the pride of life1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,from an immoderate desire of knowledge1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,from blindness of mind1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,from perversity of will1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,from our sins1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy most pure conception1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy most humble birth1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy tears1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy most painful circumcision1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy most glorious epiphany1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy most devout presentation1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy most innocent conversation in the world1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy most holy life1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy poverty1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy sorrows1 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy labors and trials4 ,infant ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,lamb of ,god4 ,who takest away the sins of the world4 ,spare us4 ,o ,infant ,jesus6 ,lamb of ,god4 ,who takest away the sins of the world4 ,graciously hear us4 ,o ,infant ,jesus6 ,lamb of ,god4 ,who takest away the sins of the world4 ,have mercy on us4 ,o ,infant ,jesus6 ,infant ,jesus1 hear us1 ,infant ,jesus1 graciously hear us6 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,who didst vouchsafe so to annihilate the greatness of ,thy incarnate divinity and most sacred humanity1 as to be born in time1 and become a little child2 grant that we may acknowledge infinite wisdom in the silence of a child1 power in weakness1 majesty in abasement3 so that adoring ,thy humiliations on earth1 we may contemplate ,thy glories in heaven4 ,who with the ,father and the ,holy ,ghost1 livest and reignest1 ,god1 forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,the ,mysteries of the ,sacred ,infancy4 7,for every day of this month and each #beth day of every month during the year47 ,v4 ,incline unto my aid1 ,o ,god4 ,r4 ,o ,lord1 make haste to help me4 ,v4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,r4 ,as it was in1 etc4 ,our ,father1 etc4 #a4 ,the ,incarnation4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 ,who for our salvation didst descend from the bosom of the eternal ,father1 into the womb of the ,virgin ,mary1 where1 conceived by the ,holy ,ghost1 ,thou didst take upon ,thee1 ,o ,incarnate ,word1 the form of a servant1 have mercy upon us4 ,v4 ,have mercy upon us1 ,o ,lord4 ,r4 ,have mercy upon us4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 #b4 ,the ,visitation4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 ,who by means of ,thy ,virgin ,mother didst visit ,st4 ,elizabeth1 and filling ,thy forerunner1 ,st4 ,john the ,baptist1 with the ,holy ,spirit1 didst sanctify him from his mother's womb1 have mercy upon us4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,have mercy1 etc4 #c4 ,the ,expectation of the ,birth4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 ,who for nine months enclosed in the womb1 didst wait for the time of ,thy birth1 and didst meantime inflame the hearts of the ,virgin ,mary and ,st4 ,joseph with most ardent longings1 and didst offer ,thyself to ,god the ,father for the salvation of the world1 have mercy upon us4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,have mercy1 etc4 #d4 ,the ,holy ,nativity4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 born of the ,virgin ,mary in ,bethlehem1 wrapped in poor swaddling99clothes1 and laid in the manger1 glorified by angels1 and visited by shepherds1 have mercy upon us4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,have mercy1 etc4 ,o ,jesu6 born of ,virgin bright1 ,immortal glory be to ,thee2 ,praise to the ,father infinite1 ,and ,holy ,ghost1 eternally4 ,v4 ,christ is at hand4 ,r4 ,o come1 let us worship ,him4 ,our ,father1 etc4 #e4 ,the ,circumcision4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 circumcised when eight days old1 called by the glorious name of ,jesus1 and proclaimed both by ,thy name and by ,thy blood to be the ,saviour of the world1 have mercy upon us4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,have mercy1 etc4 #f4 ,the ,adoration of the ,kings4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 ,who wast manifest to the three kings1 who worshipped ,thee as ,thou didst lie on ,mary's breast1 and offered to ,thee the mysterious presents of gold1 frankincense1 and myrrh1 have mercy upon us4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,have mercy1 etc4 #g4 ,the ,presentation4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 presented in the ,temple by the ,virgin ,mary1 embraced by the holy old man ,simeon1 and revealed to the ,jews by ,anna the prophetess1 have mercy upon us4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,have mercy1 etc4 #h4 ,the ,flight ,into ,egypt4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 ,whom ,herod sought to slay1 carried by ,st4 ,joseph with ,thy ,mother into ,egypt1 saved from death by flight1 and glorified by the blood of the holy innocents1 have mercy upon us4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,have mercy1 etc4 ,o ,jesu6 born of ,virgin bright1 etc4 ,v4 ,christ is at hand4 ,r4 ,o come1 let us worship ,him4 ,our ,father1 etc4 #i4 ,the ,sojourn ,in ,egypt4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 ,who didst dwell as an exile in ,egypt for seven years1 where ,thou didst utter ,thy first words1 and1 loosed from ,thy swathingbands1 didst first begin to walk upon this earth1 and1 in the destruction of the idols1 didst work1 in a hidden manner1 ,thy first miracles1 have mercy upon us4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,have mercy1 etc4 #aj4 ,the ,return ,from ,egypt4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 ,who when ,herod was dead1 wast recalled out of ,egypt into the land of ,israel1 and didst in the journey suffer many fatigues and hardships1 and wast carried back by ,mary and ,joseph to the city of ,nazareth1 have mercy upon us4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,have mercy1 etc4 #aa4 ,the ,life in the ,holy ,house4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 ,who in the holy house of ,nazareth didst dwell most holily1 and didst pass ,thy life in obedience1 poverty1 and toil1 and as ,thou didst increase in years didst manifest to ,god and men signs of wisdom and grace1 have mercy upon us4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,have mercy1 etc4 #ab4 ,the ,disputing ,with ,the ,doctors4 ,o most sweet ,infant ,jesus6 ,who wast taken to ,jerusalem when twelve years old1 wast lost by ,thy parents1 and sought for by them with sorrow1 and after three days wast found1 to their exceeding joy1 with the doctors in the ,temple1 have mercy upon us4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,have mercy1 etc4 ,o ,jesu6 born of ,virgin bright1 etc4 ,v4 ,christ is at hand4 ,r4 ,o come1 let us worship ,him4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,during the year3 ,v4 ,the ,word was made flesh4 ,r4 ,and dwelt amongst us4 ,at ,christmas and during the octave add ,alleluia4 ,at the ,epiphany and during the octave3 ,v4 ,christ hath manifested ,himself unto us4 ,alleluia4 ,r4 ,o come1 let us worship ,him4 ,alleluia4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o almighty and everlasting ,god1 ,lord of heaven and earth6 ,who didst reveal ,thyself to little ones1 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 that whilst we duly celebrate and honor the most holy mysteries of ,thy ,son1 the ,infant ,jesus1 and worthily strive to imitate them1 we may arrive at that heavenly kingdom which ,thou hast promised to little children1 through the same ,jesus ,christ1 ,our ,lord1 ,who liveth and reigneth with ,thee in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,communion ,prayers in ,honor of the ,infant ,jesus4 ,preparation for ,holy ,communion4 #a4 ,i believe most firmly1 my dear ,jesus1 that in the consecrated ,host is contained ,thy humanity and ,thy divinity1 together with ,thy sacred flesh and blood4 ,i believe in this mystery of our faith1 because ,thou1 ,who art infinite wisdom1 hast announced1 8,my flesh is meat indeed1 and ,my blood is drink indeed40 ,i believe as firmly as ,thy holy ,mother ,mary believed in all the sacred truths which ,thou camest to preach4 ,with the heart of ,mary1 ,o divine ,infant ,jesus1 ,i would love ,thee6 ,i would wish to receive ,thee into the shelter of my heart1 as ,mary didst receive ,thee into her arms with devotion and tenderness1 and ,thou didst find a restingplace4 ,cold and dreary was everything about ,thee1 that night of ,thy birth1 but ,thou didst find a warm heart in ,thy holy ,mother4 ,let me embrace ,thee with the same fervor with which ,joseph and ,simeon welcomed ,thee into their arms4 ,give me now1 ,o divine ,infant ,jesus1 through the participation in ,thy body and blood1 the burning love of ,thy holy spirit1 which induced ,thee to become my ,brother4 ,thou didst institute this ,holy ,sacrament that ,i might be united to ,thee and ,thou to me4 ,i am heartily sorry that ,i have1 hitherto1 preferred creatures to ,thee1 and so far have done nothing to deserve ,thy mercy4 ,forgive the sins for which ,i have had only a superficial sorrow1 and which ,i1 perhaps1 have confessed in the same spirit4 ,clothe me with the garb of innocence of ,thy holy childhood2 by ,thy adorable blood purify me1 by ,thy holy spirit enliven me1 that from the present ,i may no longer live1 but ,thou1 my ,jesus1 live in me forever4 ,o ,holy ,ghost1 ,who didst prepare the body of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 by the infusion of sanctity1 to be a worthy habitation of the body of the divine ,infant ,jesus1 prostrate before ,thee ,i beg that ,thy grace may also render my soul and body worthy to receive the body of ,christ1 that ,i may receive ,him with purity and faith1 and may through the reception lay a foundation of sanctity1 which will entitle me to enter the glorious kingdom of heaven4 ,o my good ,jesus1 my whole confidence is in ,thee2 ,thy wounds and ,thy sacred blood encourage me to hope in the ,lord4 ,o ,son of the almighty ,god1 ,son of the ,virgin ,mary1 hear me1 and be merciful unto me4 ,my heart desires to receive ,thee with the same joy and desire with which ,mary conceived ,thee and gave ,thee birth4 ,come1 then1 dear ,lord1 and fashion my heart according to ,thy will2 and1 oh1 holy saints1 devout adorers of the ,infant ,jesus1 ,st4 ,francis1 ,st4 ,anthony1 ,st4 ,stanislaus1 pray that my faith may be strong1 that my hope and confidence in the ,infant ,jesus may increase1 that my love for ,him and ,his good ,mother may burn with an inextinguishable flame4 ,and thou1 my guardian angel1 as well as arch99angels and angels1 cherubim and seraphim1 accompany me to the holy table of the ,lord2 cover me with thy wings1 for ,i am not worthy to receive this heavenly food4 #b4 ,o my ,god1 my ,lord1 is it possible that ,thou lovest me1 a miserable human being1 so tenderly1 that now ,thou dost feed my soul with ,thy precious blood1 with the bread of angels8 ,by this sacred food ,thou dost so firmly unite me to ,thee as to make us one2 ,thy soul unites itself with my soul1 and ,thy body with my poor human nature4 ,rejoice1 then1 ,o my soul1 for no longer can it be said1 8,my tears have been my bread day and night3 whilst it is said to me daily3 ,where is thy ,god80--,ps4 xli4 #d4 ,for my food is the bread of angels and my ,god is not far from me and my ,god is in my soul6 ,o dear ,jesus1 how liberal art ,thou towards him that seeks ,thee6 ,how can ,i make return for this great kindness8 #c4 ,consider1 ,o my soul1 that as often as you receive communion1 you become1 as it were1 like ,mary1 the ,mother of ,god1 and a spouse of ,jesus ,christ3 for in holy communion you may consider that the ,lord comes to you as the little ,child of ,bethlehem4 ,he becomes your ,spouse because ,he loves you1 takes care of you1 and caresses you4 ,o my soul1 with what energy you ought to seek to acquire the virtues of our dear ,mother ,mary4 ,she was adorned with every virtue when the incarnation took place in her1 and she enjoyed the presence of her ,god4 ,put yourself exclusively into the hands of ,god1 and have the same sentiments that ,mary had when she said1 8,behold the handmaid of the ,lord10 or with the spouse in the ,canticles3 8,my ,beloved is a bunch of myrrh which rests in my bosom40 ,and with ,simeon1 the prophet1 exclaim1 8,now ,thou dost dismiss ,thy servant1 ,o ,lord1 according to ,thy word in peace3 ,because my eyes have seen ,thy salvation40 #d4 ,permit me1 my dear ,jesus1 to use ,thy words in the ,gospel3 8,i am come to cast fire on the earth1 and what will ,i but that it be kindled80--,luke xii4 #di4 ,why is it that ,i receive so often1 and approach this fire of divine love1 and am not ignited8 ,let1 then1 this fire of love1 which burns in this ,sacrament1 communicate its flames to me1 that ,i may rise from the things of this world4 ,i will now endeavor to love ,thee above all things and no creature shall hinder me from ,thy love4 ,i will love ,thee with my whole strength4 #e4 ,dear ,infant ,jesus1 ,thy love has conquered my heart6 ,i know now that ,thou givest ,thyself to me as my food1 and as a ransom to free me from the slavery of ,satan4 ,my servitude to the devil1 the flesh1 and the world has been hard1 but being once liberated from these chains1 ,i hate my former cruel masters1 and wish to belong entirely to ,thee4 ,there is no joy or happiness in anything in this world1 but in ,thee1 my ,god1 ,who callest to me3 8,come to ,me all you that labor1 and are burdened1 and ,i will refresh you4 ,take up ,my yoke upon you 444 and you shall find rest to your souls40--,matt4 xi4 #bh1 #bi4 ,yes1 ,i will willingly subject myself to ,thy yoke1 by obedience to ,thy holy commandments1 which ,i will keep with the greatest exactitude4 ,permit me to approach ,thy sacred banquet1 for which ,i am now preparing4 #f4 ,in ,jesus you may find all that you seek1 and all that you need4 ,why1 then1 do you turn to other consolations8 ,seek that only ,good which contains all good4 ,consider ,jesus in the ,blessed ,sacrament1 the greatest ,good1 and stir up in yourself a desire for ,him4 ,he will not despise you1 though you are unworthy of the favor4 ,when ,jesus dwelt on earth1 and travelled through cities1 towns1 and country1 ,he always had compassion on misery1 and rejected none that came seeking relief from the ills of body and soul4 ,and now that same ,jesus is in heaven1 and ,he can refuse no one4 ,the woman who touched the hem of ,his garment was healed of a long standing infirmity4 ,magdalen1 the sinner1 kisses ,his feet1 and her sins are forgiven4 ,the pagan woman of ,chanaan obtains the cure of her daughter4 ,the sisters ,mary and ,martha obtain the resurrection of their brother ,lazarus4 ,those possessed by the devil are freed4 ,my heart will not hesitate1 but will boldly and humbly approach the ,lord and ask the cure of my soul4 ,he gives me ,his sacred body and blood1 and all other needful things will be added unto me4 #g4 ,yes1 my ,god1 my ,lord1 will come to me6 ,i will not fear2 ,i will approach with a joyful heart2 ,i will not lose courage because ,i am sinful1 as ,i know the ,lord invites the sinner4 ,he has eaten and drank with them1 and treated them as ,his friends4 ,he will also eat with me1 and entertain me at ,his own table if ,i am only sorry for my sins4 ,he will give me the kiss of peace and welcome me to ,his house4 ,with ,his own flesh and blood ,he will feed me4 #h4 ,come1 ,o dear ,jesus1 wash my feet as ,thou didst the apostles'4 ,st4 ,peter refused1 but when he was told that unless he complied he would have no part with ,jesus1 he gladly consented4 ,purify me also that ,i may have share with ,thee in ,thy glory4 ,i am full of impurities in body and soul1 my lips are unclean1 because they utter many reprehensible words1 my eyes and ears are impure1 because they see and hear impurities4 ,who can purify me but ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 ,o crucified ,redeemer1 by ,thy sacred blood which flows from the cross8 #i4 ,who shall give me the wings of a dove1 that ,i may fly to ,thee1 my rest1 my peace8 ,give me two wings3 one the firm confidence in ,thy goodness1 that ,thou wilt allow me to claim some of ,thy merits for my salvation2 the other the wing of love1 that ,i may soar beyond this world1 and remain with ,thee4 ,prepare me for ,thy sacred banquet with the virtues which ,thou ,thyself would have in me4 ,teach me how ,i am to serve ,thee4 ,give me a real thirst after ,thy sacred blood1 and a real hunger after ,thy sacred flesh1 that ,i may really desire it4 #aj4 ,o consolation of my soul1 dear ,infant ,jesus1 ,i beg of ,thee to root out of my heart all the sins and vices to which ,i am so much inclined2 spare me not in removing them1 even though it may hurt1 even though ,i may be unwilling4 ,piety1 humility1 sincerity1 modesty1 and love are necessary4 ,then plant these virtues in my soul1 and give me grace to practise them4 #aa4 ,the ,bridegroom is coming6 ,i hear this cry1 and ,i am to go forth to meet ,him4 ,am ,i prepared8 ,have ,i oil in my lamp8 ,bestir yourself then1 ,o my soul3 it is not an angel that is coming1 or a great prophet4 ,no1 it is ,god ,himself ,who is approaching3 the ,son of ,god1 the ,king of glory4 ,rise1 my soul1 and prepare a restingplace in your heart1 where the ,lord may remain4 ,after ,communion4 ,ejaculations ,to ,the ,dear ,infant ,jesus4 ,how great is ,thy love1 sweet ,heart of ,jesus1 ,who hast given ,thyself to me as a celestial food6 ,thou deservest to be loved with an infinite love1 and not with the love of ordinary creatures4 ,o ,jesus1 ,i am heartily sorry for having hitherto loved ,thee so little6 ,why did ,i not love ,thee sooner8 ,would that ,i could redeem that time in which ,i did not love ,thee6 ,where will ,i find hearts that are going to help me to make up for the glory that ,i should have given ,thee up to this time8 ,would that ,i loved ,thee with that tender love with which ,mary loved ,thee4 ,the angels and saints loved ,thee1 my ,jesus2 let me also join them in their love4 ,offering4 ,i offer ,thee my whole being2 let it be unreservedly ,thine4 ,thou hast taken possession of my heart1 ,thou art its ,master2 my whole life shall be used for ,thy greater honor and glory4 ,wherever my influence may reach1 there will ,i carry the name of ,jesus4 ,wherever the word of ,god may be announced1 ,i will glory in ,thy name4 ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 art so full of love1 and still ,thou art so little loved6 ,o would that ,i could enkindle all hearts with the fire of ,thy love6 ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 art the ,master of all hearts2 we belong to ,thee because ,thou hast created us1 and when we rebelled from ,thee and became slaves of ,satan1 ,thou didst redeem us4 ,what greater right have we than to belong to ,thee1 to be subject to ,thee1 and to announce ,thy holy name to all1 so that by our mutual example we may be encouraged to live lives of sanctity8 ,o that all of us would have the love of the ,infant ,jesus in our souls1 and make earnest endeavors to spread ,thy love among all men6 ,when1 ,o ,lord1 will ,i be dissolved1 to live only with ,thee8 ,to ,thee my sighs and desires go up day and night4 ,when will ,i see ,thy blessed countenance8 ,when my time comes to die1 let me die in ,thy love1 so that ,i may love ,thee for all eternity4 ,thy will1 ,o ,jesus1 be done in all things1 and let me delight to walk in ,thy footsteps4 ,do with me what ,thou wilt2 ,i am willing to submit to joy or sorrow1 life or death1 fortune or misfortune4 ,it is all indifferent to me as long as it is ,thy will1 only give me the grace to endure adversity with resignation4 ,it will be a joy to me to fulfil ,thy holy will in all things4 ,thanksgiving ,after ,communion4 ,adoration of ,jesus in the ,blessed ,sacrament1 according to ,st4 ,francis de ,sales4 ,how can ,i1 ,o ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 praise ,thee sufficiently for having visited my soul in ,thy infinite goodness1 by ,thy divinity and ,thy sacred humanity1 with ,thy body and blood8 ,i give ,thee1 my ,lord and my ,god1 a loving welcome1 ,thou ,who art my ,redeemer1 my last end1 my consolation1 my sweetest rest1 my all4 ,a thousand welcomes to ,thee1 my dear ,jesus1 my good shepherd4 ,in the abyss of my nothingness ,i humbly adore ,thee4 ,i adore ,thy sacred flesh and blood1 which ,thou hast given me for my food1 and the pledge of my eternal union with ,thee4 ,i adore ,thy sacred head crowned with thorns2 ,i adore ,thy eyes that have shed so many tears for me2 ,i adore ,thy mouth1 with which ,thou didst teach me eternal truths2 ,i adore ,thy sacred countenance1 which has been beaten for me by cruel soldiers2 ,thy feet1 that have been pierced by the nails and fixed to the tree of the cross2 ,thy arms1 which were outstretched for me1 for a loving embrace2 ,thy side which the lance pierced1 and from which blood and water issued forth1 the witnesses of my redemption2 ,thy ,heart1 which loved me even unto the death of the cross4 ,my dear ,redeemer1 ,i adore ,thy sacred body1 covered with innumerable wounds which ,thou didst suffer for me4 ,i adore ,thy most holy soul1 which was saddened unto death in the ,garden of ,olives that ,i might reach eternal life4 ,my dear ,jesus1 with great love ,i embrace ,thee1 and ,i will remain faithful to ,thee until my last hour4 ,bless these feelings of a good heart3 grant that no storm of temptation may lead me again to be unfaithful as ,i have repeatedly been heretofore4 ,a ,pious ,salutation ,to ,the ,infant ,jesus4 ,hail1 holy and adorable ,infant ,jesus1 source of mercy6 ,thou art the life of the sinner1 unfathomable ocean of divine sweetness1 our hope1 our joy4 ,to ,thee1 born in the dreary stable of ,bethlehem1 we cry1 poor children of ,eve1 to ,thee we send forth our sighs1 to ,thee we send up our lamentations in this valley of tears4 ,turn then1 ,o incarnate love1 ,thine eyes of mercy towards us1 ,o blessed fruit of ,thy ,virgin ,mother4 ,as ,thou didst show ,thyself full of kindness in the stable of ,bethlehem1 so show unto us1 after this miserable life1 ,thy divine mercy1 when ,thou shalt come in the glory of ,thy ,father4 ,o sweet1 ,o loving1 ,o clement ,infant ,jesus6 ,amen4 ,pious ,invocation ,to ,the ,infant ,jesus4 7,father ,elias ,avillon47 ,hail1 ,infant ,jesus1 ,thou fountain of mercy1 ,thou life of the sinner dead in sin1 ,thou unfathomable ocean of divine consolation1 our hope and our joy4 ,hail1 to ,thee1 born in the desolate stable of ,bethlehem1 do we cry1 poor children of ,eve4 ,to ,thee do we sigh and bewail our misery from this valley of tears4 ,turn then1 ,o incarnate love of ,god1 ,thine eyes of mercy upon us1 ,thou blessed fruit of the womb of the ,virgin ,mary4 ,as ,thou didst show poor humanity unbounded mercy from the manger1 so also continue ,thy kindness during our life1 until after this miserable existence we arrive in the glory of heaven1 where we shall meet ,thee1 to praise and glorify ,thee for all eternity4 ,o sweet1 ,o pious1 ,o merciful ,infant ,jesus6 ,amen4 ,a ,prayer ,to ,the ,holy ,name ,of ,jesus4 ,eternal ,god1 ,father in heaven1 daily do we pray that ,thy sacred name be sanctified1 that ,thy kingdom come and ,thy will be done4 ,it is also ,thy holy will that the name of ,thy beloved ,son should be glorified4 ,thou hast given ,him a name at which every knee should bend in heaven1 on earth1 and under the earth4 ,i pray ,thee with all my heart that ,thou give us the grace to pronounce that holy name with the greatest devotion1 and to serve the ,lord with a good and willing heart4 ,engrave this holy name on my heart1 that ,i may never forget it4 ,place it as a sign on my forehead1 that ,i may ever be faithful to it4 ,o holy name of ,jesus6 my heart rejoices when ,i hear thee mentioned4 ,i feel great consolation as often as ,i hear that holy name4 ,angels of heaven1 who are gathered in ecstasy about the throne of ,god1 praise with us on earth the sacred name of ,jesus2 sing its praises worthily1 as we cannot sing it2 invoke it for us also1 that when our feeble powers fail1 thy holiness and zeal will supply our deficiency4 ,thy holy name1 ,o ,jesus1 be praised forever6 ,adoration of the ,child ,jesus in the ,twelve ,mysteries of ,his ,divine ,infancy4 ,dear ,jesus1 divine ,infant of incomparable beauty1 of infinite goodness1 ,i adore ,thee1 because ,thou art my ,redeemer1 and ,i love ,thee4 ,i make a sacrifice to ,thee of all my intellect1 and of my heart1 and ,i thank ,thee for having become a child for my sake4 ,i adore ,thee in all the mysteries of ,thy holy childhood1 and pray ,thee to let me enter into the spirit of it4 ,give me the grace to honor ,thy childhood all my life1 and that ,i may imitate the virtues which ,thou dost inculcate by ,thy example4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o ,god of purity1 at the moment when the ,holy ,ghost formed ,thy sacred body in the bosom of the ,virgin ,mary1 and beg of ,thee the grace to be always pure4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o hidden ,god1 hidden for nine months in the womb of the ,blessed ,virgin1 and ,i desire to honor ,thee by my perfect life4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o ,child of grace1 in ,thy visitation to ,john the ,baptist in order to sanctify him4 ,visit also my soul1 that ,i may live a saintly life and remain faithful to the impulses of ,thy grace4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o ,child ,jesus1 at the moment of ,thy birth1 and ,i desire1 with ,thy help1 that no other fire burn in my heart than that which ,thou camest on this earth to kindle4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o ,spouse covered with wounds1 in the painful mystery of the circumcision4 ,i conjure ,thee by the sacred blood which ,thou didst then shed for the first time for our salvation1 that ,thou wilt give me the virtue of meekness1 with which ,i am to go through life1 for ,thy glory and the edification of my neighbor4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 with the ,magi1 who came from the distant orient to adore ,thee lying in the crib in the stable4 ,give me the grace to be in earnest in the work of my salvation4 ,great ,god1 ,author of all sanctity1 ,i adore ,thee in the ,temple1 where ,thou didst present ,thyself according to the ,law of ,moses1 to be offered to ,thy ,father as ,his firstborn ,son4 ,give me grace to subject myself to every law1 even though it would imply that ,i am a sinner1 which ,i really am4 ,i adore ,thee1 humble ,jesus1 in ,thy flight into ,egypt1 and beg of ,thee to give me the grace1 by this holy mystery of ,thy life1 of perfect humility of heart4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o ,child ,jesus1 in ,thy poverty1 which afflicted ,thee in ,thy stay in ,egypt4 ,give me the grace also to be poor in spirit1 and endure actual poverty with resignation4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o ,child ,jesus1 in ,thy joyful and triumphal return from ,thy exile in ,egypt to ,nazareth2 give me the grace to overcome the enemies of my salvation4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o obedient ,child ,jesus1 in ,thy exact compliance with the commands of ,mary and ,joseph2 give me the grace joyfully to obey my superiors4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o ,child ,jesus1 in the midst of the doctors in the ,temple of ,jerusalem1 when ,thou didst enlighten their minds on the sacred prophecies of the ,old ,testament4 ,give me a ,christian simplicity1 that ,i may believe all that ,thou teachest me through the holy ,catholic ,church4 ,,february4 ,,the ,,holy ,,family4 ,what a beautiful sight is the ,holy ,family dwelling on earth6 ,god could not create anything more beautiful than this ,holy ,family2 ,he reached the limit of possibilities in creation when ,he had accomplished this4 ,it is indeed a great example to us1 and a model which we ought to hold before our eyes during this month1 in order that we may study the foundations of what a holy family ought to be2 what a life that should be1 where the holiest are bound together in ties of most affectionate friendship and relationship4 ,our ,holy ,father ,leo ,,xiii4 has seen the great importance of the ,christian family3 the family established by the laws of the ,church and the country1 where marriages are legalized and solemnized2 where continence and modesty reign2 where children1 under kind and parental subjection1 are brought up to be good men and women1 good for religion and for society4 ,when poverty strikes such a family there is patience and forbearance shown2 when sickness and death come1 there is resignation to the will of ,god4 ,in the ,christian home there is surpassing peace1 and not that crazy restlessness that looks for satisfaction in grasping at possessions1 never satisfied day nor night4 ,i do not think that this devotion has been appointed for this month by any authority1 except the idea that after having adored the divine infancy during the month of ,january1 the devotion to the ,holy ,family may follow as a natural sequence4 ,should any one desire to make this devotion during another month1 it would certainly not be out of the way1 for save only in a few cases has a certain devotion been assigned to a particular time4 ,the devotion to the ,holy ,family is a beautiful and instructive one2 the ,christian family should be built on this great model4 ,the ,holy ,family consisted of ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph2 the father1 ,mother1 and ,child4 ,all other families are made up of the same constituents4 ,those who are actually in a family1 or who intend to choose that mode of life by which they may get to heaven1 will love this devotion and find instruction and consolation in it4 ,one of the greatest works of ,god in this world is the ,holy ,family at ,bethlehem and ,nazareth4 ,he sent down upon the earth ,his only ,son1 ,jesus ,christ2 prepared a most holy ,mother for ,him1 ,mary immaculate1 and selected for ,him a fosterfather and a protector4 ,he held them together in the most tender family ties of father1 ,mother1 and ,child4 ,he kept them in that relation until ,st4 ,joseph died a blessed death1 and the ,lord ,jesus went forth on ,his sacred mission of teaching and redeeming mankind4 ,what a beautiful sight to us poor human beings6 what a glory to ,god was that ,holy ,family1 dwelling in the humble abode of ,nazareth6 ,we find here the model on which we shall reflect for this month of ,february4 ,we will consecrate this month to praising ,god with the members of the ,holy ,family2 we will study the ways by which they were so pleasing to ,god1 and we will draw from these considerations many valuable lessons for our own conduct4 ,our ,holy ,father1 ,pope ,leo ,,xiii41 with an everwatchful eye to the necessities of our time1 has seen the importance of a devotion to the ,holy ,family1 and has recommended it to the faithful1 and with his own authority established a sodality of the ,holy ,family2 he has invested it with many indulgences in order to encourage the faithful in taking the ,holy ,family as their model4 ,here is1 then1 a practical way to teach ourselves the way of salvation by the example of others4 ,it is therefore a most useful practice of piety to become members of the sodality of the ,holy ,family2 you will then place yourselves under its special protection1 and choose ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph for your particular advocates before ,god4 ,look upon the members of the ,holy ,family as the most perfect models for imitation1 whose examples will teach you what to correct and what to avoid1 what to do for your temporal and eternal welfare1 and that of your families4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,in an apostolic brief of ,june #ad1 #ahib1 the ,holy ,father1 ,pope ,leo ,,xiii41 demonstrates how the welfare of the family and of the ,state depends chiefly on education1 and that it is of the utmost importance that a religious spirit be fostered in the ,christian family4 ,from the first family1 ,god so arranged the method and order of such a life as to exhibit to the world a form of a divinely ordered association1 in which all human beings might behold a most complete model of family life1 and of all virtue and holiness4 ,the devotion to the ,holy ,family1 a holy and a powerful institution before ,god and man1 has increased very much within a few years1 and it is worth our while to think of this on the first day of our monthly devotion1 and appreciate it as we ought4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 ,who didst hallow by ,thy surpassing virtues1 and the example of ,thy home life1 the household ,thou didst choose to live in whilst on earth1 mercifully look down upon this family1 whose members1 humbly prostrate before ,thee1 implore ,thy protection4 ,remember that we are ,thine1 bound and consecrated to ,thee by a special devotion4 ,protect us in ,thy mercy1 deliver us from danger1 help us in our necessities1 and impart to us strength to persevere always in the imitation of ,thy ,holy ,family1 so that1 by serving ,thee and loving ,thee faithfully during this mortal life1 we may at length give ,thee eternal praise in heaven4 ,o ,mary1 dearest ,mother1 we implore thy assistance1 knowing that thy divine ,son will hearken to thy petitions2 and do thou1 most glorious patriarch ,st4 ,joseph1 help us with thy powerful patronage1 and place our petitions in ,mary's hands that she may offer them to ,jesus ,christ4 ,amen4 ,second ,day4 ,within our own time the devotion to the ,holy ,family has grown under the fostering care of the ,supreme ,pontiff1 who has authorized the establishment of associations throughout the world1 by which men and women1 married and unmarried1 are gathered into one fold from the standpoint of the family4 ,the ,holy ,father desires that all the faithful of the ,catholic ,church should consider this association as a consecration to the ,christian life1 and that they will feel that they are bound to lead a holy life because their association is established and legalized by ,god4 ,for what is the ,sacrament of ,matrimony but the legalizing of the family before ,god and man8 ,let us consider the family as a special institution of ,god's providence for the preservation of the world1 and the propagating in it of sound principles of learning and religion4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,third ,day4 ,we are to consecrate ourselves to ,god under the union of a family4 ,that is the pretence with which we come before ,god1 to claim ,his kindness and mercy because we belong to a family4 ,we are not isolated creatures1 looking for our selfish ends1 but we are a union of individuals constituted under a certain authority1 which gives us a claim to the respect of ,god and man2 for ,god has said1 8,where there are two or three gathered together in ,my name1 there am ,i in the midst of them40--,matt4 xviii4 #bj4 ,the formula of consecration of a ,christian family has been given us by the ,sovereign ,pontiff himself2 rules1 regulations1 and bylaws have been given to this society under the same authority of the ,holy ,father4 ,the whole ,christian family should be so united among themselves1 that there be but one family under one head1 set over all to rule them by its supreme power4 ,we belong to this ,christian family of the ,church2 let us then unite for the common good of all4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,fourth ,day4 ,the scope of the pious association of the ,holy ,family is that all ,christian families be consecrated to the ,holy ,family of ,nazareth1 placing it before themselves for veneration and imitation2 offering up every day before its image prayers in its honor1 and practising in their lives the sublime virtues which the ,holy ,family offered for imitation to every grade of society4 ,the rich will find a model before them1 the learned and highly educated will know exactly what to do according to the dignity of their position1 the working class1 especially1 will find here the guidance and friendship needed in their temptations and troubles4 ,the ,holy ,family is a poor1 working1 humble family1 as poor as the poorest1 as laborious as the most hardworking1 as humble as the most lowly4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,fifth ,day4 ,the picture of the ,holy ,family should be in every household2 it is a perpetual reminder1 placed in tangible form1 of our dear ,lord1 our blessed ,lady1 and our friend1 ,st4 ,joseph1 who were the members of the ,holy ,family4 ,we often are interested in the pictures of great persons1 and take delight in representations of angels and holy people4 ,what is the secret of this inclination8 ,why1 we can see those whom we wish to imitate1 and grow to know their good and holy lives through their pictures4 ,the ,holy ,father has approved one special picture which is to be the emblem of this association3 ,mary and ,joseph1 holding the youth ,jesus between them by the hand4 ,jesus is not an infant1 for this picture is to bring to mind the fact that ,his parents had to suffer care and anxiety in order to bring ,him to this stage of boyhood1 for which noble duty they were fitted by special providence and by special faithfulness4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,sixth ,day4 8,we have good hopes10 says the ,holy ,father1 concluding his encyclical letter1 8that all to whom the salvation of souls is committed1 especially the bishops1 will make themselves partners and sharers of our zeal in promoting this pious association4 ,for those who recognize and deplore with us the change and corruption of ,christian morals1 the extinction of the love of religion and piety in families1 and the passion for earthly goods1 enkindled beyond measure1 will desire exceedingly to apply suitable remedies for so many grievous evils4 ,since nothing can be more salutary and efficacious for ,christian families than the example of the ,holy ,family1 let care be taken that as many families as possible1 especially those of the working classes1 against which insidious forces are more strongly exercised1 enroll themselves in this association4 ,let the association be on its guard1 lest it swerve from its purpose1 or change its spirit--rather let the practices of piety and the prayers which have been determined on to be preserved intact4 ,may ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 thus besought within the family circle1 be graciously present6 ,may they foster charity1 regulate morals1 incite all that imitate them to virtue1 and alleviate and render more bearable the hardships which oppress mankind60 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,seventh ,day4 ,a plenary indulgence after a sincere confession and a worthy communion1 and praying for the intentions of ,his ,holiness1 may be gained by the members of the association on the following days3 ,first1 on the day of their entrance into the association1 after they have recited the act of consecration4 ,second1 on the day of a general meeting1 when all go to communion in a body1 and renew their promises4 ,third1 on the feasts of the ,nativity 7,christmas71 the ,circumcision1 ,epiphany1 ,easter and ,ascension4 ,fourth1 on the feasts of the ,blessed ,virgin3 ,immaculate ,conception1 ,nativity1 ,annunciation1 ,purification1 ,assumption4 ,fifth1 also on the following days3 feast of ,st4 ,joseph in ,march1 ,patronage of ,st4 ,joseph1 ,third ,sunday after ,easter1 ,espousal of the ,blessed ,virgin on the twenty third of ,january4 ,sixth1 on the feast of the ,holy ,family1 and ,seventh1 at the hour of death4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,eighth ,day4 ,partial indulgences may be gained when visiting a church where the association is established1 provided the members pray for the prosperity of ,christendom1 and for the intention of the ,holy ,father4 ,seven years and seven quarantines may be gained on the feasts of the ,visitation1 ,presentation1 and the ,patronage of the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,the same indulgences may be gained by the family in the reunion in prayer among themselves1 if they pray before a picture of the ,holy ,family4 ,the same also1 whenever the members attend a public meeting of the association4 ,three hundred days' indulgence is granted as often as a member of the association recites1 before a picture of the ,holy ,family1 the prayer 8,o most loving ,jesus10 etc41 etc4 ,the members may gain an indulgence of two hundred days when they make the salutation3 8,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 enlighten us1 aid us1 save us4 ,amen40 ,one hundred days for every new member that is brought to the association1 and sixty days for every good work done in honor of the ,holy ,family4 ,all these indulgences are applicable to the souls in purgatory4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,ninth ,day4 ,the ,catholic ,christian has the true faith which comes to him from ,jesus ,christ1 the ,founder of the true ,church4 ,he ought1 then1 to show by his conduct that his faith has made him better than so many others1 who have not had the graces and advantages which came to him4 ,in other words1 it is not enough to believe the truths that ,god has revealed2 it is not enough to belong to the true ,church by the internal adhesion of the mind2 it is indispensably necessary to manifest our faith in exterior works4 ,our faith should so have penetrated our whole being1 that the profession of religion should show itself in all our actions4 ,faith without works is dead1 and at the ,last ,judgment the almighty ,judge will demand of us an account of all our actions1 and then will ,he render to every one the merited reward or punishment4 ,let it be our aim in life to fill the days of our stay on earth with many good actions1 the outcome of our faith1 so that when we stand before the throne of ,god1 we may have many glorious deeds to our credit4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,tenth ,day4 ,a ,christian considers his faith as a gift of heaven1 a priceless treasure far surpassing any earthly wealth1 because it raises man to a true knowledge of ,god and secures for him his eternal salvation4 ,he rejects with horror the maxims of our modern infidels1 who say1 8,one religion is as good as another02 8,hell is only a bugbear02 8,the faith of the heart is enough for salvation10 and many others of the same nature4 ,he rejects them because he knows that ,god is one1 that the truth that comes from ,god is one1 and that therefore faith must be one1 and religion one4 ,he knows that religion cannot be framed according to the whims of man1 but only can come from the authority of ,god in ,his holy revelation4 ,he will not associate with those who hold the above false doctrines2 he will be an enemy of bad books1 which teach errors of faith and which drag those who read them into the mire of immorality1 and he will caution his friends against them4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,the ,catholic ,church was founded by ,jesus ,christ as a perfect society1 with authority to make laws1 with power to punish the guilty1 and to expel rebellious subjects from her midst4 ,this power was given to the ,church by ,christ when ,he said1 8,and whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth1 it shall be bound also in heaven40 ,it is clear that ,christ intended ,his ,church to be our guide in all our actions1 as an authority to teach us what the revelation is concerning our future state4 ,we should1 therefore1 be obedient and faithful children of the ,church4 ,we should be grateful to ,god1 ,who in ,his mercy has established certain fountains of grace1 which are found in the ,church1 and are guarded by her4 ,these fountains of grace are the sacraments1 which point out the holy states of life1 and the true manner of pleasing ,god4 ,we should use the ,sacraments of ,penance and ,holy ,eucharist for the remedy of our faults1 and the strength of our weakness4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,confession is the correction of our faults1 and if we have sinned let us remember we have an advocate in heaven1 to ,whom we wish to return in the sincerity of our hearts4 ,the ,holy ,eucharist is the body and blood of ,christ and communion the partaking of it4 ,we should not1 therefore1 be deterred from frequenting these sacraments by human considerations1 or by the mockery of the people of this world4 ,we should have these words of ,christ deeply engraven in our hearts3 8,except you eat the flesh of the ,son of man1 and drink ,his blood1 you shall not have life in you40--,john vi4 #ed4 ,a devout ,catholic is easily distinguished from the crowd of careless ones1 when we see him humbly and frequently going to confession and to holy communion4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,be also reverent and devout in the house of ,god2 not brought there by vain curiosity1 or by fashion1 but by unfeigned piety1 rendering to ,god an external tribute of dependence and adoration4 ,look upon priests as the ambassadors of ,god1 treat them with respect1 listen to their teaching1 and put it into practice4 ,reverence the bishops as divinely constituted guardians and teachers in the ,church3 especially the see of ,st4 ,peter1 the ,vicar of ,christ1 the ,roman ,pontiff1 the ,father and teacher1 in whom is intrusted the plentitude of power to rule the whole ,catholic family4 ,reverence the infallible authority of the ,pope1 which guides you in matters of faith1 in form of worship1 and morality4 ,accept with docility and obedience the decisions of the ,holy ,see1 and conform to them your opinions and thoughts4 ,do not follow the changeable and novel opinions of our infidel age4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,the true ,christian must not only profess the faith1 but also the laws of ,christ4 ,he is anxious to observe them exactly and to observe them all1 knowing that he is guilty of damnation who violates the law in one important point4 ,this law bids us to love all men as fellow creatures1 to love our relatives1 our country1 but above all1 and before all1 we must love ,god1 the ,author of our being1 the great loving ,father of heaven4 ,the honor of ,god is the very first duty of man1 who as a rational being knows ,god and ,his infinite goodness2 we wish to serve ,him as ,his subjects1 render ,him the homage due to ,his immensity1 a worship which our infinite littleness renders to ,god4 ,never profane the word of ,god yourself1 and prevent curses and oaths in others as far as possible4 ,by acts of praise and benediction let us repair the offences against ,god when we cannot prevent them4 ,at least pray for those who use the name of ,god in vain1 and thus endeavor to ward off from them the eternal punishment due to that wicked practice4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,contribute your share towards the glorification of the name of ,god1 by observing the ,sundays and festivals of the ,church4 ,god has expressly reserved these days to ,himself1 and has pointed them out by the authority of the ,church4 ,in the ,old and in the ,new ,law1 ,god has had days of rest and of religious practices2 and for the observances of these ,he has promised publicly that there should be many rewards4 ,every good1 ,godfearing man will give a just tribute of respect to ,god1 because ,god wills it1 and because he is looking for some benefit from ,god4 ,abstain then from servile works on those days1 no matter what temporal gains may be expected1 and be careful that others1 too1 keep holy the ,sabbath of the ,lord1 particularly those who are intrusted to your care and command4 ,do not have work done on ,sunday1 and allow none to be done about your premises4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,respect your parents1 superiors1 and masters1 and all those who hold positions of trust towards you4 ,they hold the authority of ,god1 and he who despises them despises ,god ,himself4 ,honor and respect those superiors as representatives of ,god1 and obey them in all things that are not against ,his law2 and so we come to that great second commandment1 which is like unto the first3 8,thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself40 ,we should do unto others as we would wish that others should do unto us2 that is1 we should look upon one another as children of one great family1 of which ,god is the heavenly ,father4 8,by this shall all men know that you are ,my disciples1 if you have love one for another10 not showing this love through politeness only1 but through a real1 downright feeling of interest in others1 and without a selfish regard of our own interests4 ,try to perform spiritual and corporal works of mercy for your neighbor4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,in all your intercourse with others respect their persons and property2 do not look for unjust gains2 be faithful to your bargains and contracts2 never look to your own selfish interests solely4 ,never speak ill of anybody1 nor circulate detractions1 nor reveal secrets and defects that might lessen the esteem in which any one is held2 excuse the faults of others1 and find some excuse for the intention with which even an evil action is committed4 ,we are all temples of the ,holy ,ghost1 sanctified and ennobled by the blood of ,christ4 ,we are the dwellings of the ,holy ,trinity1 called to a heavenly inheritance4 ,do not desecrate this sacred temple by impurity2 guard against impure thoughts and immodest desires1 flee from dangerous occasions4 ,avoid foolishly pursuing the luxuries and vanities of the world1 improper company1 and bad conversation4 ,do not enter theatres or places of amusement where your morals are endangered1 and from which you carry nothing but pictures of immoral objects4 ,arm yourself most effectually against the approach of evil by the powerful shield of prayer1 and walk in the presence of ,god4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,so far we have considered the law of ,god practically interpreted in our everyday life2 let us go still further and endeavor to learn the laws of the ,church1 for the ,lord has said3 8,he that heareth you1 heareth ,me2 and he that despiseth you despiseth ,me10 and 8,if he will not hear the ,church let him be to thee as the heathen and publican40 ,on ,sundays and holydays of obligation1 we ought to hear ,mass4 ,we should observe the feasts of the ,church and the restriction from flesh meat on ,fridays and other days of abstinence4 ,remember that these little acts of mortification are a great benefit to us1 since the ,lord has commanded1 8,that we should bring forth fruits worthy of penance40 ,make your ,easter duty1 for the ,church has laid down the law that you should fulfil those duties1 not from routine or human respect1 but with the knowledge of the needs of your soul4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,what an exalted opinion we should have of ,christian piety6 ,it inspires the ,christian man and woman with lofty ideas1 and prepares them for noble undertakings4 ,these lessons of piety should be planted early in the hearts of the young1 that they may take root and grow up to a magnificent fruit of mature virtue4 ,serve ,god as a loving and dutiful child1 cherish a great devotion to the ,blessed ,virgin1 and have recourse to her in all your wants1 being sure that all your petitions will meet with a ready and hearty response4 ,never forget these three truths1 which should be the main considerations of the true ,christian on every occasion3 ,first1 ,that sin is the only evil which should be feared2 ,second1 ,the grace of ,god is the real good for which we should strive with all our heart2 ,third1 ,the salvation of the soul is the allimportant business of our lives1 for which we were created1 and which should be looked after with that care which it deserves4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,the husband1 as head of the family1 owes to his wife fidelity1 love1 and support4 ,fidelity is that constancy of affection which he has promised at his marriage1 and which must be preserved inviolable until death2 it means that purity of soul and body which will not permit itself to be degraded by impurity and adultery4 ,conjugal fidelity is a great and holy duty1 in which matrimony is held sacred4 ,there you find peace1 happiness1 and the blessing of almighty ,god4 ,our ,lord was very stringent upon this point1 for ,he says3 8,whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her1 hath already committed adultery with her in his heart40--,matt4 v4 #bh4 ,whosoever then commits adultery transgresses a most important divine commandment4 ,in the ,old ,law this crime was punished by stoning the guilty person to death1 and in the primitive ,church by a severe public penance of many years' duration4 ,what fidelity does not the husband demand of the wife6 ,with the same strictness is he obliged to be faithful to her whom he has chosen as his life companion4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,the second duty of the husband and wife is conjugal love4 ,the word conjugal means joined together1 because husband and wife are united to bear the same burden4 ,the ,apostle says3 8,husbands1 love your wives1 as ,christ also loved the ,church1 and delivered ,himself up for it40--,ephes4 v4 #be4 ,husband and wife are individuals whom ,god has joined in inseparable companionship4 ,the greatest bond between mankind1 and the sweetest one1 is conjugal love1 of which we are thinking on this day consecrated to the ,holy ,family4 ,keep this great duty before your eyes and never forget it1 for it is easily destroyed4 ,it is from that love1 too1 that should spring your children1 who are to grow up to take your place in the ,church and the ,state4 ,these children you are to bring up in the fear and love of ,god1 faithful to the ,church and their fatherland4 ,a tremendous responsibility6 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,the husband is the main worker in the family1 so that his duty is to provide for his family by his industry and economy4 ,he must look for employment and strive to keep it1 so as to have a neverfailing source of income1 by which his people may live in comparative comfort4 ,there are husbands who will allow their wives and children to work1 while they themselves live idle lives1 which is the fashion of the untutored ,indian4 ,not only must the husband work1 but he must live in economy1 and not throw his money away foolishly in gaming or in drunkenness4 ,the most frequent cause of a husband and father's failure to provide for his family is drunkenness4 ,drunkenness causes woe1 sin1 sorrow and shame4 ,drunkenness besots the mind1 and makes of an intelligent being a brute in his passions1 and a fool in his actions2 it extinguishes the spirit of ,god in him1 all sentiments of religion are lost1 the ,church of ,god is despised and disgraced4 ,drunkenness does as much harm as the greatest vices1 bringing ruin with it whenever indulged in4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,the husband has to share the care of the children and he should look after the instruction of the child4 ,children are a great treasure1 worth more than all the wealth of the world4 ,the ,lord said of them to the apostles3 8,suffer the little children to come unto ,me1 and forbid them not3 for of such is the kingdom of ,god40 ,and why is the ,lord so anxious for the welfare of the innocent child8 ,because it is a weak human being1 unable to help itself1 destined for heaven1 redeemed by the blood of ,jesus1 and a temple of the ,holy ,ghost1 more fitted to be such on account of the purity of its soul4 ,now the care of this child is given to the father and the mother1 under whose care it is to grow up a true ,christian1 an exemplary member of the ,church of ,god2 to live on until it has fulfilled its days and the duties of its state of life1 when1 like yourself1 having come to the fulness of maturity1 it is gathered in to render an account of its life work to almighty ,god4 ,the success of the child's life depends chiefly on the manner in which its parents fulfil their duty4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,in what special duties are you to instruct your children8 ,first of all1 let the young children learn early to pray1 make them think of ,god1 speak to them of ,his love for mankind1 teach them to adore ,him1 because ,he has created them1 to thank ,him for all ,his benefits which flow to them so abundantly1 to ask ,him with confidence for all the graces that they need4 ,correct the children for their faults3 ,lying1 stealing1 cursing1 stubbornness1 disobedience1 fighting1 and cruelty4 ,have an eye very early on their morals1 for little children learn to do wicked things1 by which they lose the love and grace of ,god4 ,be not a tyrant1 but a sensible1 religious father or mother1 and see to it that the children are free from these vices4 ,give them no bad example1 especially by using profanity1 or by getting intoxicated4 ,all this presupposes perpetual vigilance2 remember you will have to render a strict account of these things before ,god4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,having considered the husband's duties1 we must now look at the duty of a wife4 ,the ,scriptures say of the wife3 8,a good wife is a good portion2 she shall be given in the portion of them that fear ,god1 to a man for his good deeds40--,eccles4 xxvi4 #c4 ,there is nothing in the whole world more precious than a good wife4 8,a wise woman buildeth her house3 but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built40--,prov4 xiv4 #a4 ,a wife must love her husband1 and she owes him the most scrupulous fidelity2 if the first duty of the husband is to love his wife1 so also is there a corresponding duty to return that love4 ,she must be patient with him when he comes home murmuring against his fate2 she must make the home agreeable to him by cleanliness and cheerfulness4 ,she must bear the burdens of this life with her husband1 and encourage him1 that he may not be despondent4 ,the wife must be sober1 not given to scolding and faultfinding4 8,let women be subject to their husbands1 as to the ,lord2 because the husband is the head of the wife1 as ,christ is the head of the ,church40--,ephes4 v4 #bb4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,the conscientious observance of the marriage vows is to be a supreme law to the wife4 ,purity must be the virtue principally looked to in marriage1 according to the laws of the ,sacrament of ,matrimony2 the wife's motto must be that of ,susanna of old1 who said3 8,i will rather die than sin before ,god40 ,the wife owes her husband a compliance at least to his wishes2 not exactly an abject obedience1 but that the husband and wife consult with each other1 and that she comply in all lawful and sensible things4 ,this subjection is founded on the ,scriptures4 ,god ,himself said to ,eve1 8,thou shalt be under thy husband's power1 and he shall have dominion over thee0 7,gen4 iii4 #af71 and ,st4 ,paul declares1 8,let women be subject to their husbands as to the ,lord40--,ephes4 v4 #bb4 ,the loving1 true1 and obedient wife exerts an unbounded influence for good over her husband4 ,she will make him great in the eyes of men1 she will make him respectable and presentable in society2 in short1 she will make the married life a truly happy one from beginning to end4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,the wife has a sublime calling to be a mother4 ,what is more beautiful than motherhood8 what is more useful to the newborn humanity than the mother8 ,all the world recognizes her dignity1 and respects her4 ,a ,christian mother will consider the child a gift from ,god1 which though given to her1 still belongs to ,god2 hers is the first care of the newlyborn infant1 her care and love will not relax for all time to come4 ,she is always the mother4 ,have the child presented for ,baptism at the very earliest moment2 if it be in danger of death see that it receives private baptism4 ,then start out in patience and kindness to rear it1 giving it a secular but above all a religious training1 as the child must be prepared to take its place as a good member of society and of the ,church4 ,hence prayers must be taught1 and care must be taken that they are recited with piety and regularity2 the dogmas of the ,church must be impressed on the child4 ,at home it has to learn all that pertains to the spiritual life of the holy ,roman ,catholic ,church1 of which it is a member4 ,secular learning must be imparted1 too1 as much as possible in schools belonging to the ,church1 so that the very best education may be secured for the child4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,the mother must watch over the children1 and be very careful of the company they keep4 ,she must see that prayers are said morning and night1 before and after meals1 that they go regularly to church on ,sundays1 and to school every day4 ,when they are able to go to work1 give them an occupation so that they will not be idle4 ,keep a vigilant eye on your grownup sons and daughters4 ,they are forming acquaintances which perhaps are not good for them2 their associations may not be the best4 ,unrestricted1 unobserved meetings should not be allowed1 for they excite the passions4 ,when the time of their marriage comes1 pray to almighty ,god that they may find such partners as will be a help to them for the rest of their lives1 and lead them on in sanctity to their eternal salvation4 ,as you have been a good mother to your children1 they will respect your memory1 will pray for you when you are gone1 and will imitate your virtues4 ,the memory of a good mother lives forever4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,the principal feast during the month of ,february is the feast of the ,purification of the ,blessed ,virgin1 or ,candlemas4 ,on that day ,mary goes to the ,temple1 because the days of her purification are over4 ,for forty days she was excluded from the ,temple as being impure4 ,mary1 as we know1 was holy and good1 and did not need to subject herself to the ,law of ,moses2 but she was obedient and permitted herself to be regarded as an ordinary woman4 ,there in the ,temple she presented her firstborn ,son to ,god4 ,he belongs to ,god already1 ,he is ,god2 ,he is the victim by whose atonement a permanent reconciliation is effected between ,god and man4 ,the gates of heaven are opened1 and the places made vacant by the fall of the angels are to be filled4 ,mary brings with her the offering of the poor1 a pair of turtledoves as a ransom4 ,god has accepted the sacrifice of ,his divine ,son1 made for ,him by ,his holy ,mother4 ,o holy ,virgin6 do thou also make propitiation to the ,father for us poor sinners1 that we may be acceptable to ,god1 may belong to ,god1 and may spend our lives in ,his service4 ,prayer4 ,o most loving ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,litany of the ,holy ,family4 7,for ,private ,devotion ,only47 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 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 ,god1 the ,son1 ,redeemer of the world1 ,have mercy on us4 ,god1 the ,holy ,ghost1 ,have mercy on us4 ,holy ,trinity1 one ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 worthy subjects of our reverence and love1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 by the voice of the ages called the ,holy ,family1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 names forever blessed1 of the father1 the ,mother1 and the ,child1 who compose the ,holy ,family1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 pure husband1 pure spouse1 and divine ,child1 restorers of the family1 degraded before ,christianity1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 image of the august ,trinity on earth1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 whose chaste union was prepared for by an innocent and virtuous youth1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 tried by great contradictions1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 afflicted in the journey to ,bethlehem1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 repulsed by all1 and forced to take refuge in a stable1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 greeted by the concert of angels1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 visited by the poor shepherds1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 extolled by holy ,simeon1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 persecuted and exiled to a strange land1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 hidden and unknown at ,nazareth1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 faithful to the law of ,god1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 model of the ,christian family1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 in which reign peace and concord1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 whose head is a model of paternal vigilance1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 whose spouse is a model of maternal solicitude1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 whose ,child is a model of obedience and filial piety1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 who led a poor1 laborious1 and penitent life1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 who earned your bread by the sweat of your brow1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 poor in goods of the earth1 but rich in goods of heaven1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 despised by men1 but great in ,god's eyes1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 our support during life and our hope at the hour of our death1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,holy ,family1 patron and protector of our associates1 ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 ,we all have recourse to you4 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,spare us1 ,o ,lord6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,lord6 ,jesus1 hear us4 ,jesus1 graciously hear us4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,god of goodness and mercy1 ,who hast vouchsafed to call us to this pious association of the ,holy ,family1 grant us the grace always to honor and imitate ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph2 that having pleased them on earth we may enjoy their company forever in heaven4 ,through ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,memorare ,to ,mary4 ,remember1 ,o most loving ,virgin ,mary6 that no one ever had recourse to thy protection1 implored thy aid1 or sought thy mediation without obtaining relief4 ,confiding1 therefore1 in thy goodness and mercy1 we cast ourselves at thy sacred feet1 and do most humbly supplicate thee1 ,o ,mother of the ,eternal ,word6 to adopt us as thy children and to take upon thyself the care of our salvation4 ,o let it not be said1 our dearest ,mother1 that we have perished1 where no one ever found but mercy1 grace1 and salvation4 ,amen4 ,form ,of ,renewing ,the ,baptismal ,vows4 ,humbly prostrate before ,thee1 ,o my ,god6 and before the ,holy ,family1 ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph1 ,i return my grateful thanks for the inestimable benefit bestowed upon me1 of being born and educated in the ,catholic ,church1 of which ,i was made a child by ,baptism4 ,i thus received a right to the graces which ,jesus ,christ dispenses through the sacraments1 the happiness of being admitted into the number of the children of the true faith1 and the hope of one day entering paradise4 ,i come to renew and ratify the promises made at my ,baptism4 ,yes1 ,o my ,god6 ,i desire to belong entirely to ,thee1 to serve ,thee all my life1 and strive always for the end for which ,i was created4 ,therefore ,i renounce ,satan and all his works1 sin and its occasions4 ,i renounce the world1 its maxims and vanities4 ,i renounce the flesh and its concupiscences1 all irregular desires1 and whatever may be displeasing to ,thee4 ,i renounce human respect1 which for so long kept me from ,thee4 ,formerly ,i feared the world and its ridicule1 now ,i have but one fear1 that of forgetting my religious duties4 ,i will henceforth faithfully perform them1 ,i will live according to the precepts and maxims of ,jesus ,christ1 ,i will be a good ,christian4 ,o ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph6 make me more and more worthy of the name4 ,through the help of your powerful protection1 may ,i be a respectful child of ,god1 submissive to the ,church1 faithful to my duties1 that ,i may one day have the happiness of thanking and glorifying you in the heavenly country4 ,i am resolved to live according to the precepts and maxims of ,jesus ,christ2 yes1 ,i desire to live a good ,christian life1 that ,i may die the death of the elect4 ,i promise to remain faithful to my obligations as an associate of the ,holy ,family1 and hope to persevere until death4 ,and at that moment what happiness it will be for me to pass from the arms of ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph on earth1 to the arms of the ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost in heaven1 for all eternity4 ,this is my hope4 ,amen4 ,an indulgence of forty days4 ,act ,of ,consecration4 ,o ,jesus1 ,mary1 ,joseph1 ,i1 ,n4 ,n41 in sight of the whole celestial court1 choose you this day for my patrons and protectors4 ,i offer1 and solemnly consecrate to you in this association1 my body and soul1 all ,i have and all ,i am4 ,i promise to live as a good ,christian1 that ,i may die the death of the predestined4 ,what happiness for me to pass one day from the arms of ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph on earth1 to the arms of the ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost in heaven1 for all eternity4 ,this is my hope4 ,amen4 ,,march4 ,,st4 ,,joseph4 ,we can easily imagine that the fosterfather of the ,infant ,jesus must have been a great man in the eyes of ,god4 ,his duties were very important2 they called for such a selfsacrificing character4 ,we wish to imitate his virtues this month2 we wish to praise almighty ,god for all the distinctions which ,he has showered upon ,st4 ,joseph2 we want to belong to ,st4 ,joseph1 to be associated with him in heaven1 and even now while we are still on earth1 for prayer associates us here with those whom we address above4 ,the saints hear our prayers by ,god's favor1 and they reply at once4 ,we need many things1 and so we are going to pray to ,st4 ,joseph1 especially during this month1 for whatever we want4 ,go confidently and make out a list of your necessities1 write them down1 and look over them occasionally to see whether your petitions have been granted4 ,st4 ,joseph is allpowerful before ,god2 whatever we ask of him we are sure to obtain2 this has been the experience of many good ,christians2 it will also be your experience if you sincerely try it4 ,st4 ,joseph sanctified labor1 poverty1 and privations1 by bearing them with patience1 humility1 and resignation to the will of ,god4 ,we have many trials in life to endure1 we have need of these virtues2 let us look to it that we acquire them for our own spiritual comfort4 ,let us bear with patience all these trials2 patience makes things bearable1 for without this virtue we would sink in despair4 ,the feast of ,st4 ,joseph is celebrated on the nineteenth of ,march1 and for this reason the month of ,march is dedicated to honor1 venerate1 and pray to this great friend of ,god4 ,the ,church has in various ways encouraged this devotion4 ,her devout children have taken it up1 so that we find the month of ,march as much dedicated to ,st4 ,joseph as the month of ,may to the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,catholics hold ,st4 ,joseph in high veneration1 and deservedly so1 as we will see in the following meditations on his life4 ,they have great confidence in his power before ,god1 they know that he is a great saint1 and a great favorite with the ,almighty4 ,many examples of virtue has this loved saint given to us3 his love of poverty1 his assiduous labors1 his resignation to the will of ,god in the most trying circumstances1 are practical virtues1 which we may endeavor to acquire for our own spiritual as well as temporal welfare4 ,the affairs of human life are such1 that we often find ourselves having to sustain hard trials1 in which we need precisely those same virtues which made him a great saint4 ,let us then enter upon this month with great joy1 and continue to honor this saint1 that we may love him1 and become particularly devoted to him4 ,let us pray especially for our eternal salvation1 in which he is greatly interested being the patron of a happy death1 and then we will be sharers1 after this life1 in the same glory which he enjoys in heaven4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,after the adoration of the ,lord1 and the veneration of the ,blessed ,virgin1 next in order of importance comes the devotion to ,st4 ,joseph4 ,among all the saints of ,god in heaven1 there is none more powerful1 none has more claim on our confidence and love4 ,almighty ,god encourages us to look up to ,st4 ,joseph1 for to him were intrusted the greatest treasures that the world ever saw1 ,jesus and ,mary4 ,our ,lord from the first moment recognized ,st4 ,joseph as the one who took the place of ,his heavenly ,father1 and ,he obeyed him in all things4 ,mary respected this saintly man as the head of the family1 as her spouse whom ,god had sent to her for her protection4 ,she1 before whom the angels bowed in respect1 willingly served ,st4 ,joseph in the necessities of this life4 ,the ,church of ,god1 the custodian of truth1 revelation1 and tradition1 has encouraged this devotion by many indulgences4 ,st4 ,francis de ,sales said to his confessor on the eve of his death3 8,do you not know1 venerable father1 that ,i belong to ,st4 ,joseph80 ,st4 ,teresa called him her father and master4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 be mindful of me1 pray for me1 watch over me4 ,guardian of the paradise of the new ,adam1 provide for my temporal wants4 ,faithful guardian of the most precious of all treasures1 ,i beseech thee to bring this matter to a happy end1 if it be for the glory of ,god and the good of my soul4 ,amen4 ,second ,day4 ,the devotion to ,st4 ,joseph1 when well understood and faithfully practised1 is undoubtedly a great means of increasing piety4 ,we know well that we honor the saints most by imitating their virtues1 therefore we will endeavor to acquire these virtues which most distinguished our saint1 and the chief virtue of ,st4 ,joseph was piety4 ,we will learn to love ,jesus tenderly2 to do all our actions with the intention of pleasing ,him1 to remain faithful to the teachings of the ,church2 all this is piety4 ,the whole life of ,st4 ,joseph was a life of poverty1 humility1 retirement1 recollection and prayer4 ,when the ,egyptian people were starving1 and clamoring for food1 ,pharao said to them1 8,go to ,joseph10 who had gathered the superfluous grain of seven abundant years1 and kept the keys of the granaries in his possession4 ,so now1 also1 can we say confidently1 8,go to ,joseph10 who holds the keys of the graces and blessings of ,god4 ,we need never fear the poverty which may stare us in the face1 knowing that all our needs will be supplied by him4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,third ,day4 ,when ,mary was chosen to be ,mother of ,god1 the old judgment of ,god was re echoed3 8,it is not good for man to be alone40 ,god gave her a chaste spouse4 ,the honor of the ,son of ,god required that ,he should be born of a virgin1 but ,he needed a man to protect ,him and ,his ,mother4 ,a man worthy of this trust had to be chosen1 and such a one was found in the person of ,st4 ,joseph4 ,he was a man of angelic purity and he would guard the purity of his bride4 ,he was to be the reputed father of ,jesus before the ,jews1 lest ,mary be stoned for having broken her marriage vows2 his purity was to be in every way similar to that of the purest of virgins4 ,all those who were immediately connected with the great work of our salvation1 were to be pure and spotless1 their sanctity was to be unquestioned4 ,it was the will of ,god that the divine origin of ,his adorable ,son should be hid from human eyes1 and ,joseph was chosen to become the cloak with which this mystery was enshrouded4 ,only in the secrecy of his family life did he manifest his adoration of the 8,word made flesh10 and there1 as in a sanctuary1 he adored his ,lord and ,saviour4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,fourth ,day4 ,joseph is that wise and provident servant1 who was set over his family to distribute to it the necessary food at stated times4 ,he is the visible physical means which ,god employed for the work of the salvation of mankind4 ,god chooses1 it is true1 humble instruments to accomplish ,his holy designs1 but at the same time ,he furnishes them with suitable graces1 that ,his work may be gloriously and effectively performed4 ,such a servant was chosen by ,god in the person of ,st4 ,joseph1 who was a humble and saintly man4 ,to him ,he gave ,his graces1 for ,he refuses them to the proud4 ,we too ought to be disinterested and humble in the service of ,god1 using our natural talents to the fullest extent because they belong to ,god1 and have been given to us for the special purpose of performing the duties of our vocation in this world4 ,disinterestedness and humility are the great sources from which all good proceeds4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,fifth ,day4 ,all the saints were filled with the spirit of the ,lord1 and in consequence they esteemed the virtue of humility as the foundation of perfection4 ,st4 ,bernard considered this virtue as the cornerstone of the edifice of faith2 the perfection of ,christian virtues2 the tower of safety1 into which the soul could retire before the insidious attacks of ,satan4 ,and ,st4 ,ambrose calls this virtue the first one1 and the source of all other virtues--all other virtues must be combined with humility to give them value4 ,to no other virtue does ,god give so many graces4 ,just because ,st4 ,joseph thought nothing of himself1 and lowered himself in the eyes of others1 did ,jesus select him as ,his fosterfather4 ,this great virtue of humility appears in all the circumstances of his life4 ,though of the royal house of ,david1 still he did not disdain to labor at the humble trade of a carpenter4 ,he was perfectly resigned to the providence of ,god2 ,god's will was his will1 and he never repined at the trials ,god sent him4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,sixth ,day4 ,joseph consented to become the spouse of the ,blessed ,virgin1 because he knew he could preserve the chastity which he had vowed to keep1 and because he could be the guardian of the virginity of ,mary4 ,little did he suspect that he was to become the spouse of the ,mother of ,god4 ,st4 ,bridget had a vision1 in which the sentiments of ,st4 ,joseph were made known to her by the ,blessed ,virgin herself4 ,she said3 8,when ,joseph1 who was given to me by the ,most ,high as my protector1 knew of the mystery of the incarnation1 which was operated in me by the power of the ,holy ,ghost1 he was filled with astonishment1 and conceived not the least suspicion against my purity4 ,he believed firmly in the prophecies which proclaimed that the ,son of ,god would be born of a ,virgin1 and therefore he considered himself unworthy to serve such an exalted ,mother40 ,st4 ,joseph learned the virtue of humility still more profoundly in his association with ,jesus and ,mary1 for how could it be otherwise when he hourly observed their self abnegation8 ,daily did he see the ,mother of ,god engaged in the most lowly services4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,seventh ,day4 ,what must have been the feelings of the holy patriarch in witnessing the humiliation of the ,son of ,god6 ,what must have been his astonishment1 when the divine wisdom of the ,child ,jesus asked him his counsel1 obeyed him in all things1 and was for many years his fellowlaborer at his humble trade6 ,the ,lord taught him the great lesson3 to be meek and humble of heart4 ,surely we may suppose that ,st4 ,joseph was in a constant ecstasy of adoration as he contemplated the ,son of ,god1 lowered to the condition of a helpless child1 and afterwards by natural growth becoming a man and laboring at such humble employment4 ,how could he have within himself one spark of pride or vanity in the knowledge that he was a descendant of ,king ,david8 ,therefore he humbled himself all the more1 and only considered himself great in the thought that he was allowed to imitate the humiliation of the ,son of ,god4 ,let us learn from ,st4 ,joseph the value of this virtue1 and practise it all our lives4 ,let us often enter the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus to learn from ,him meekness and humility4 ,prayer ,for ,humility4 ,glorious patron1 ,st4 ,joseph1 let me understand the deep feeling with which thou didst witness the humble lives of ,jesus and ,mary4 ,how far am ,i from being able to say that ,i have acquired this virtue6 ,thou seekest only to hide from the gaze of the world the divine gifts with which thou art enriched1 whilst ,i seek to draw the attention of the world on myself1 to shine before the world1 and to be much thought of4 ,o my loving protector1 my patron1 my father1 obtain for me the virtue of humility1 which is the foundation of all perfection4 ,obtain for me the great grace to know myself1 to despise myself1 to look for humiliations from others1 to feel inferior to all1 that in the future ,i may desire no other witness of my actions but ,god1 and no other reward but ,god4 ,amen4 ,eighth ,day4 ,when ,god had created ,adam1 and made him strong and intelligent1 ,he found that one great thing was wanting4 ,adam needed a companion2 he could not content himself in all the superabundance that was around him4 ,then ,god took a rib out of the first man1 and built a woman upon it4 ,the same thing seems true in the case of the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,she was all alone in the spiritual order among men4 ,she was endowed with many graces1 yet in all her abundance she would be desolate1 only ,god said1 let us make her a companion like unto herself1 one who would also be the favorite creature of ,god1 and would be the recipient of many extraordinary graces4 ,he therefore chose a great saint1 and gave him special gifts4 ,a prince of this world does the same thing when he desires to make a lowly subject his companion2 he first makes him a noble1 then enriches him with much wealth in order that the favorite may make a good appearance before the world4 ,god united in ,st4 ,joseph all the virtues and graces of the other saints1 that he might be greater than they4 ,from all eternity it had been ordained that ,st4 ,joseph was to be the fosterfather of ,jesus4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,ninth ,day4 ,great must have been the terror of ,mary when the angel of ,god appeared to her1 and announced that she was to be the ,mother of ,god4 ,she was troubled1 but the angel encouraged her1 saying1 8,fear not1 ,mary40 ,the angel announced the incarnation to ,st4 ,joseph1 and he was greatly troubled2 the angel assured him1 8,fear not1 ,joseph1 ,son of ,david40 ,mary gave life to the ,lord and brought ,him up4 ,joseph1 on his part1 labored day and night to scrape together what was necessary for their existence4 ,both ,mary and ,joseph were equally1 according to their position1 contributing to the rearing of ,jesus4 ,like ,mary1 the ,mother of ,jesus1 ,st4 ,joseph is powerful with her divine ,son4 ,st4 ,joseph is called1 by the ,holy ,ghost1 a just man4 ,he was the first to be exposed to the persecutions of the ,jews for the ,lord4 ,in all things then1 is ,joseph like unto ,mary2 similar also are his virtues1 and like also his eternal reward4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,tenth ,day4 ,we may trace other phases of similarity between the ,blessed ,virgin and ,st4 ,joseph4 ,mary is the ,queen of angels1 high above them1 because she is the ,mother of the ,creator2 she is then allpowerful1 and she can use these heavenly spirits for the glory of ,god4 ,st4 ,joseph is not inferior to the angels in purity2 his mind was always careful to guard against any pollution2 he was a guardian angel to ,jesus1 ,our ,lord4 ,this office made him a great being in the sight of ,jesus ,himself1 for ,he acknowledged ,his guardian angel and was on the most intimate terms with him4 ,st4 ,joseph served ,our ,lord as a throne4 ,the choir of thrones are the angels on whom ,god is carried about in majesty1 and ,jesus was carried about in the arms of ,st4 ,joseph4 ,the seraphims1 in a certain degree1 were inferior to ,st4 ,joseph4 ,the angels have no paternity1 but ,st4 ,joseph is called the father of ,jesus4 ,the angels could then bow down before ,st4 ,joseph1 and acknowledge and call him their superior1 because he had received a commission which no angel had ever yet received1 and because he had a name which had never been given to any of these holy choirs4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,it was the privilege of the father to give a name to the child1 and this privilege ,st4 ,joseph exercised at the circumcision of the ,lord4 ,it was he too who usually performed the painful operation of the circumcision4 ,thus it was that ,st4 ,joseph shed the first drops of the adorable blood which was to redeem mankind4 ,the name of ,jesus had been predestined for the ,saviour1 and given by ,god ,himself2 but ,joseph1 the father on earth1 was commissioned to declare it publicly4 ,o great saint6 you cannot give to this divine ,child a greater dignity than ,he possesses1 for ,he is your ,creator and ,lord2 but you do the next greatest thing1 you give him a name which publishes ,him to the world in ,his character of ,redeemer--this great honor is reserved for you4 ,holy name of ,jesus1 the greatest of all names1 before the mention of which all heaven and earth shall bow their knees in adoration1 be to me a source of heavenly joy1 and a consolation in all the trials of life4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,joseph1 no doubt1 understood all the importance and meaning of the name of ,jesus4 ,he therefore knew all the obligations which this holy name imposed on the divine ,child1 as well as the obligations which it imposed on himself4 ,he understood that ,jesus must be the man of sorrows and derision1 and that he must share ,his destiny4 ,st4 ,joseph always had the image of the crucified ,lord before his eyes4 ,if the faith of the great ,apostle of the world was such that he carried the image of the crucified ,redeemer always before his eyes1 much the more can this be said of our saint1 for he had ,jesus always with him4 ,when he embraced ,his sacred head1 he had before him that head crowned with thorns1 and bowed on ,his breast in ,his last agony2 he could see that little body covered with wounds from the scourging4 ,god treated ,st4 ,joseph as ,his most intimate friend1 and filled him with ,his share of sorrow4 ,do we wish to enter into the glory of the ,lord1 then we1 too1 must suffer patiently4 ,the closer we follow the ,lord1 the more intimate we are with ,him1 the more we will look for sufferings1 and love them because they make us resemble the ,lord more closely4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,st4 ,joseph was a man of faith4 ,we read in ,st4 ,paul1 8the just man lives by faith40 ,it is the foundation of sanctity1 it is the fountain of our spiritual life4 ,all the works of ,st4 ,joseph were done in a spirit of faith4 ,were it not for this spirit of faith1 he would never have consented to become the spouse of the ,blessed ,virgin1 for he desired to preserve his own chastity2 and the spirit of faith taught him how he might do this4 ,when he had entered upon his duties as spouse1 he noticed that the ,virgin was with child1 and he fell into deep sorrow and concern1 until an angel appeared1 dispelling all his doubts3 8,joseph1 son of ,david1 fear not to take unto thee ,mary1 thy wife3 for that which is conceived in her1 is of the ,holy ,ghost2 and she shall bring forth a ,son3 and thou shalt call ,his name ,jesus3 for ,he will save ,his people from their sins40--,matt4 i4 #bj1 #ba4 ,the spirit of faith made him believe in these words1 whether he understood them or not4 ,he subjected his will to the manner in which ,god wished to redeem mankind1 and he was forever afterwards without solicitude4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,then came a new trial to the faith of ,st4 ,joseph4 ,in due course of time the ,lord was born1 a little helpless ,child1 in the humble stable at ,bethlehem3 where ,he was wrapped in swaddlingclothes1 and laid on a little straw in a manger4 ,joseph became the first adorer1 after the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,but it required great faith to recognize in this weak ,infant the ,son of the most high ,god2 still the grace of ,god sustained him1 and he humbly adored4 ,the angel had promised a wonderful ,child4 ,he was to be a powerful being1 ,who would conquer the demons of hell1 and free the people of ,israel4 ,now ,joseph beholds a small1 weak ,infant1 beginning life in poverty and distress4 ,far from being a powerful creature ,he even needs the help of ,mary and ,joseph4 ,st4 ,joseph carried the ,child in his arms1 and yet at the same time acknowledged that the same ,child in heaven was carried about on the shoulders of the holiest angels1 and governed the universe with ,his will4 ,he heard the wailings of the ,child1 but knew that ,he was the joy of paradise4 ,he taught ,him the praises of ,his heavenly ,father1 knowing at the same time that ,he was eternal wisdom4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,joseph is eminently the just man who lives by faith4 ,no sooner is the ,child ,jesus born1 than1 as if an unforeseen accident had happened1 which made it necessary to fly1 as if there were no ,god to protect that ,babe1 an angel appeared to ,joseph in his sleep1 and bids him arise1 and take the ,child and ,his ,mother1 and fly into the land of ,egypt4 ,the enemies of the ,child will be on your heels1 and all depends on your rapid flight1 to save ,him from their hands4 8,fly into ,egypt10 a faroff foreign country4 ,he gets up1 and hastily gathering the few necessary articles1 makes off in the dead of night1 so that the people of ,bethlehem may not know where he has gone4 ,but ,joseph performs his duty in a spirit of faith3 he does not doubt the omnipotence of ,god4 ,he feels that such is the command of ,god1 and he makes no objections1 but goes with alacrity into the poverty and suffering which he knows are inevitable4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,joseph remained in ,egypt until the time of ,herod's death4 ,the angel again appears to him1 and bids him return to ,judea1 as if the divine ,infant were not sure of ,his life until ,his enemies had disappeared4 ,what frailty1 what meekness in this little ,child6 ,can this be a ,god8 ,without the least hesitation1 ,joseph treats the ,child with the same reverence1 and adores ,him1 as if he had seen ,him working miracles4 ,never was such a faith found in ,israel4 ,nowadays we could not find such a faith4 8,from a want of this noble faith10 ,st4 ,teresa says1 8the world is full of sin40 ,ask ,st4 ,joseph to obtain for us a faith similar to his4 ,faith is a gift and a virtue4 ,by this gift our intellect is enlightened1 we know ,god1 and confide in ,him4 ,by the virtue of faith we use this light1 and let it shine on all our actions4 ,let us not be satisfied to bow down our intellect under the influence of the great grace of the gift of faith2 we should regulate all the actions of our life according to the dictates and laws of this faith1 and live according to it4 ,st4 ,joseph can obtain such graces for us1 if we pray to him4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,st4 ,joseph possesses another great virtue3 it is his obedience4 ,from his childhood he observed with conscientious exactitude all the laws of ,god4 ,without a murmur he accompanied ,mary to ,bethlehem in a severe time of the year1 and with ,mary so soon to give birth to the ,child ,jesus1 to fulfil the command of a heathen prince4 ,when the command was given to take up the ,child and flee into ,egypt1 he was ready4 ,but one word is necessary3 he does not consider any plans for flight1 but executes the command without a moment's delay4 ,in many cases he could have alleged causes of inconvenience1 or of his not understanding how it could be accomplished2 he might have asked the angel for an explanation1 saying1 how comes it that a few days ago you announced that this ,jesus is to be the ,redeemer of ,his people1 and now ,he is to fly before ,his enemies8 ,he will not be able to free ,his people afterwards1 when now ,he cannot hold ,his ground4 ,but he subjected his reason to his faith1 and obeyed4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,through our faith ,god leads us to the knowledge of ,his goodness and ,his promises1 that so the desire and hope of enjoying ,god may be born in us4 ,st4 ,joseph's faith and knowledge of ,god effected in him a great confidence2 he had been peculiarly confirmed in hope4 ,it is a fact that our confidence in ,god grows with grace when our hope is strengthened by the infinite merits of ,jesus ,christ1 and when we have great devotion and love for the ,blessed ,virgin2 so we must certainly conclude that ,joseph's love of ,jesus1 ,whom he daily carried in his arms1 should lay a greater foundation of hope than that of any of the saints4 ,the flight into ,egypt is an example of it4 ,his confidence in the providence of ,god is so implicit that he makes no preparation4 ,there is ,jesus1 the ,son of ,god1 ,who is to go with ,him2 there is ,mary1 the ,virgin ,mother of ,god1 who is to be of the party4 ,these are the two strongest pillars of our hope1 and why not to the hope of ,st4 ,joseph8 ,god the ,father will provide4 ,is ,he not the ,god ,who1 with a strong arm1 led the ,israelites out of ,egypt1 and1 after forty years of wandering1 introduced them according to promise into the land flowing with milk and honey8 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,in ,joseph's flight into ,egypt1 he knew that ,jesus was a more powerful protector of a perilous journey than the ,ark of the ,covenant which was carried before the tribes of ,israel1 or the column of smoke that led them during the day and the pillar of fire that protected them at night4 ,he would be the manna1 the inexhaustible food1 in a desert and strange land4 ,accompanied by this treasure1 ,st4 ,joseph is content to suffer for ,jesus1 and under the eyes of ,jesus4 ,we can imagine the sympathy of ,joseph for his charge1 when he relieved the ,blessed ,virgin of her burden1 and had ,him to rest on his bosom4 ,good and faithful ,christian1 in all the trials of life keep ,jesus close to your heart1 and when the world storms and frets1 be faithful to your promises made in ,baptism1 and often repeated during your ,christian life by receiving the sacraments4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,the providence of ,god knows what our destiny is1 and what is the best for us4 ,then let us be resigned to ,his will4 ,all our anxieties would disappear if we were thoroughly convinced of the goodness of ,god in our behalf2 but because we want to do everything without ,god1 not only do we feel anxiety for the future1 but disaster will really overtake us4 ,let us trust in ,providence and give ,him entire control of all that concerns us4 ,in all our necessities let us pray and wait1 until it is ,god's pleasure to step in1 and do away with our troubles1 if it be to ,his greater glory2 or if not1 then let us patiently bear them4 ,we know that ,providence so watches over us1 that not a hair falls from our head without ,his approval4 ,god has ,his reasons for all that ,he does1 and for all the evil that ,he permits1 though we may not be able to see them4 ,in this way the ,christian soul sleeps softly and peacefully in the arms of ,god1 as a child in the arms of its mother4 ,as ,david1 the prophet king1 sang in his psalms3 8,i will sleep and rest in peace because ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 hast founded my hope on ,thy providence4 ,thy mercy shall accompany me all the days of my life40 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,joseph lived in ,egypt for eight years1 among a pagan people1 without repining1 without being distressed at the prolonged stay1 an exile from his own country and relatives4 ,there1 far from the sacred ,temple of ,god1 he remained in seclusion1 serving ,god in his soul4 ,who can tell the suffering he underwent among the barbarians1 amid their shocking practises of religion1 which were abhorrent to him who was so closely united to ,god8 ,good people are in the same condition in the wickedness of the world3 it is a cross to them4 ,but crosses are to be met with everywhere2 you cannot escape4 ,if you get rid of one cross1 another is waiting for you1 and perhaps a far heavier one2 but your consolation should be the knowledge that ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph endured the same sufferings4 ,joseph lived in the ,holy ,family with the greatest recollection4 ,this should also be the case with those who live in the world1 that fiery oven of the trials of ,god2 they should sing the praises of ,god in the very midst of distractions1 and be perfectly recollected1 serving ,god without being led away from the path of duty4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,so greatly did ,jesus love poverty1 that1 not finding it in heaven1 ,he came upon the earth to practise it4 ,all those principally associated with ,our ,lord in the salvation of mankind were obliged to endure poverty4 ,since the ,lord loved poverty so much1 ,st4 ,joseph1 too1 had to practise this virtue4 ,even before ,st4 ,joseph was selected to become the fosterfather of ,our ,lord1 he was poor according to the will of ,god1 but afterwards he learned the virtue still more from the example of ,our ,lord4 ,if one single sentence that he had heard from the ,gospel1 induced ,st4 ,antony1 abbot and patriarch of monks1 to give all his wealth to the poor1 how much more did the example of ,our ,lord act effectively on ,joseph1 so that he renounced all expectation of worldly advancement4 ,often in their communing with each other1 the question of their destitution must have been the topic2 but it was not to find ways and means to avoid it2 on the contrary that they should be patient in the trial4 ,joseph possessed nothing2 hence he witnessed the ,lord in ,his poverty laid in a manger after ,his birth4 ,at the presentation he could make no other offering but that of very poor people1 a pair of pigeons which could be bought for very little money4 ,he also had to undergo many hardships on his journey to ,egypt4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,in ,egypt1 so tradition has it1 ,joseph had to labor for others in order to bring in the means of a livelihood for himself and the ,holy ,family4 ,even then their income was by no means superfluous1 and according to ,st4 ,liguori they often had to suffer actual want4 ,in this manner ,joseph spent eight years in ,egypt4 ,when he was recalled by the voice of the angel1 he settled in ,nazareth2 though his circumstances there were probably better1 they were by no means luxurious4 ,bossuet says3 8,imagine a poor laborer1 who had no other fortune than the labor of his willing hands1 no other means of subsistence but his work4 ,every day he saw the end of his provision1 and he had to begin again on the following day1 like our poor working people4 ,still he was rich in contentment2 he had enough1 because he had nothing which might be coveted by others2 he possessed all because he stood in need of everything2 he was happy1 quiet1 secure1 although he had no place whereon to rest his head4 ,he was continually constrained to labor with the sweat of his brow4 ,he divided all his income with ,jesus and ,mary4 ,was it not a consolation for him to do this8 even according to our weak reason1 guided by religion40 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,when we have contemplated the willing poverty of ,joseph1 the thought naturally comes to us to imitate him in the practise of this virtue4 ,poverty makes us like to the ,lord4 ,our ,lord walks before us with giant strides in the practise of this virtue4 ,the rich1 burdened with the goods of this world1 can hardly follow ,him4 ,let us consider that1 after all1 our happiness is not to be found in the possession of wealth4 ,he is happy1 according to ,st4 ,augustine1 who possesses what he wants1 and who wants nothing beyond what ,god has sent him4 ,the rich are frequently unhappy1 because they are carried along to desire the things which they cannot reach4 ,not only is poverty a source of virtue and of peace2 but also it is a means by which we can make progress in our perfection4 ,for as avarice is the source of all evils1 so also poverty is the power by which all our vices are corrected1 and held in check4 ,this virtue watches over humility3 a virtue so very necessary to our perfection1 and it preserves chastity by reason of the mortification of our senses4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,the interior life of the ,holy ,family in ,nazareth must have been a most beautiful one4 ,they were joined so closely to ,god1 that there was no earthly distraction which could separate them from contemplating and communing with ,him4 ,they formed a kind of trinity on earth1 a representation of the ,trinity in heaven4 ,these three were one1 because they were united by the bond of union1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,the people of ,nazareth did not know the adorable person of the ,lord1 nor the dignity of the ,mother of ,god4 ,they knew ,joseph by sight1 for he had often gone out to look for work1 and necessarily came more in contact with his neighbors4 ,that holy house of ,nazareth was a perfect paradise1 full of peace1 of order1 recollection1 unity1 and happiness4 ,their conversation was about ,god and the best means to comply with ,his holy will4 ,joseph and ,mary adored the ,lord because ,he was ,god2 but they exacted ,his obedience because ,he was their ,son4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,let us think today1 of the social life between ,joseph and ,mary4 ,st4 ,joseph was a very great saint1 and ,mary was unstained by sin3 so pure1 so holy1 that no created being could be compared to her4 ,what can we suppose was the conversation of these heavenly beings8 ,when ,mary visited her cousin1 ,st4 ,elizabeth1 ,john1 in his mother's womb1 leaped for joy4 ,in other words1 the presence of the ,godman in the womb of the ,blessed ,virgin scattered graces about her with godlike profusion1 and certainly ,st4 ,joseph1 too1 was affected by it4 ,with as lively a faith as we have before the tabernacle on the altar1 ,st4 ,joseph must have recognized the presence of the ,lord1 for he was acquainted with the mystery of the incarnation1 as it had been revealed by the mouth of the angel4 ,we are silent1 and sunk in deep devotion in church1 where ,god dwells4 ,was ,st4 ,joseph less impressed than we1 when he recognized ,him ,who was the ,son of ,god1 and ,who was to redeem ,his people ,israel from their sins8 ,how great was their devotion to the hidden ,lord1 how fervent their prayers6 ,still ,st4 ,joseph was the master in that house2 he was the head of the family1 and was obeyed in all his instructions4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,joseph was obedient to the ,law of ,moses2 scrupulously exact in following the instructions of the ,jewish ceremonial1 as all good ,jews were4 ,poor as he was1 and notwithstanding the loss of time it necessarily entailed1 he still went every year1 as was the custom1 to ,jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the ,passover4 ,he did this because it was a law of ,moses4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin and the ,child ,jesus were equally anxious to fulfil the law4 ,and when the feast was over1 all went back to ,nazareth1 but ,jesus remained behind1 and hid ,himself from ,joseph for three days1 making him feel wretched1 because he thought that he had been delinquent in his trust of the divine ,jesus4 ,but ,jesus wants to be looked for1 not with an ordinary desire1 but with a real love1 and the longer we are separated from ,him the more loving should we become1 because our heart is desolate without ,his holy presence4 ,o my ,god1 ,i have sought ,thee all my life6 but ,i have not found ,thee because ,i do not look for ,thee where ,thou art to be found4 ,indeed ,thou art in my heart1 but ,i go out and look for ,thee in distractions where ,thou shalt not be found4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,st4 ,joseph1 as we have seen1 earned his livelihood by the sweat of his brow4 ,when ,jesus grew up and was stronger1 ,he helped ,his father1 and tradition tells us that the ,blessed ,virgin was not idle4 ,she sewed and embroidered in order that they might live4 ,the lot of the laborer is always hard1 and ,st4 ,joseph's life1 beyond the consolations of religion1 was no exception4 ,day after day work was necessary1 and pleasures and recreations few4 ,that ,joseph was of the royal house of ,david was forgotten because he was poor2 had he been rich people would have honored him1 would have given him political prominence4 ,let us also sanctify our labors2 ,joseph's work made him holy1 because it was honest work1 done with a good intention and in the spirit of prayer4 ,prayer and work were the constant employment of ,st4 ,joseph2 this is the way that ,god wishes us to spend our time4 ,he wishes us to pursue an active1 laborious life1 while we keep our eyes on ,him4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,the whole life of ,st4 ,joseph is a perfect model of a ,christian life1 a life which we must necessarily lead in order to go to heaven2 a life of piety and faithful fulfilment of the duties of our station1 and the performance of our daily actions in the best manner4 ,in this way ,st4 ,joseph reached heaven1 and we cannot choose another road4 ,joseph did nothing extraordinary in a worldly sense2 he was no king1 with great command of men2 he was not a literary man2 but he was great1 because he made himself1 with the grace of ,god1 a great saint4 ,he lived a simple life as far as possible1 he strove to perfect himself more and more in the presence of ,jesus1 his daily companion1 and consequently he was always impressed with the omnipresence of ,god1 before ,whom he walked in the simplicity of his heart all the days of his life4 ,he is the best model of obedience to ,jesus and ,mary4 ,in his life we can find a great example of all ,christian virtues4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,as the life of ,st4 ,joseph was such a perfect one1 the seal of approval from almighty ,god was placed upon it by the grace of a happy death4 ,for thirty years ,st4 ,joseph was the head of the ,holy ,family1 and now ,jesus was to go forth on ,his public mission4 ,by the disposition of divine ,providence1 when his course had been completed and the purpose of his life was over1 he was called away to another world to be rewarded for his holy life4 ,what death was ever more precious in the sight of ,god1 than that of ,st4 ,joseph6 ,st4 ,paul exclaimed that the grace of ,god was not ineffectual in him1 and it gave him great joy4 ,but much more did ,joseph cooperate with the graces received1 so that he was sure that every moment of his life was spent for the greater glory of ,god4 ,holy ,scripture describes the death of the just as a peaceful falling asleep in the ,lord4 ,precious in the sight of ,god is the death of ,his holy ones4 ,they can exclaim1 8,i know that my ,redeemer liveth and mine eyes shall behold ,him on the ,last ,day40 ,st4 ,joseph died in peace and happiness in the embrace of ,jesus and ,mary2 his soul was sent forth to the abode of the patriarchs at the bidding of ,jesus1 ,who had created him4 ,what words can describe the consolations that filled this noble breast1 and with what confidence he looked up to his ,redeemer6 ,and so ,st4 ,joseph has become the patron of a happy death4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,on this last day of the month1 let us consider the power of ,st4 ,joseph for our good in heaven1 so that we may draw from it confidence in his willingness to use it for our spiritual and temporal welfare4 ,the general principle is1 the greater the saint the greater friend he is of almighty ,god2 and the greater is the power given him by ,god for the benefit of those who live in this vale of tears4 ,we may with reason assert that after the ,blessed ,virgin1 ,st4 ,joseph is the greatest saint in heaven4 ,he has been distinguished by ,god with the greatest privileges on earth1 which certainly did not cease in heaven but rather increased4 ,the heavenly ,father loved him1 because he represented the paternity of ,his divine ,son on earth4 ,god the ,son loved him because he was the protector of ,his infancy and youth1 and the faithful guardian and spouse of the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,the ,holy ,ghost loved him1 because he complied so faithfully to ,his inspirations4 ,in this predilection for him by the ,holy ,trinity1 lies the secret of his great power4 ,who will say1 if he asks for anything from ,god1 that his prayer will be rejected8 ,let us turn with confidence to the patronage of ,st4 ,joseph1 and entreat him to pray for us in all our necessities4 ,prayer4 ,holy ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of ,mary1 etc41 etc4 ,efficacious ,prayers4 ,thirty ,days' ,prayer ,to ,st4 ,joseph4 ,to ,obtain a ,happy ,death and ,other ,good ,intentions4 ,everblessed and glorious ,joseph1 kind and indulgent father1 and compassionate friend of all in sorrow1 through that bitter grief with which thy heart was saturated1 when thou didst behold the sufferings of the ,infant ,saviour1 and in thy prophetic view didst contemplate ,his most ignominious ,passion and death1 take pity1 ,i beseech thee1 on my poverty and necessities1 counsel me in my doubts1 and console me in all my anxieties4 ,thou art the good father and protector of orphans1 the advocate of the defenceless1 the patron of those who are in need and desolation4 ,do not1 then1 disregard the petition of thy poor child2 my sins have drawn down upon me the just displeasure of my ,god1 and hence ,i am surrounded with sorrows4 ,to thee1 ,o amiable guardian of the poor neglected family of ,nazareth1 do ,i fly for shelter and protection4 ,listen1 then1 ,i entreat of thee1 with a father's solicitude1 to the earnest prayer of thy poor supplicant1 and obtain for me the objects of my petition4 ,i ask it by the infinite mercy of the eternal ,son of ,god1 which induced ,him to assume our nature and be born into this world of sorrow4 ,i ask it by the grief which filled thy heart when1 ignorant of the mystery wrought in thy immaculate spouse1 thou didst fear thou shouldst be separated from her4 ,i ask it by that weariness1 solicitude1 and suffering which thou didst endure when thou soughtest in vain at the inns of ,bethlehem a shelter for the sacred ,virgin and a birthplace for the ,infant ,god1 and when1 being everywhere refused1 thou wert obliged to consent that the ,queen of heaven should give birth to the world's ,redeemer in a wretched stable4 ,i ask it by that most sad and painful duty imposed on thee when1 the divine ,child being eight days old1 thou wert obliged to inflict a deep wound on ,his tender body1 and thus be the first to make flow that sacred blood which was to wash away the sins of the world4 ,i ask it by the sweetness and power of that sacred name1 ,jesus1 which thou didst confer on the adorable ,infant4 ,i ask it by that mortal anguish inflicted on thee by the prophecy of holy ,simeon1 which declared the ,child ,jesus and ,his holy ,mother the future victims of their love and our sins4 ,i ask it through that sorrow and anguish which filled thy soul when the angel declared to thee that the life of the ,child ,jesus was sought by ,his enemies1 from whose impious designs thou wert obliged to fly with ,him and ,his blessed ,mother into ,egypt4 ,i ask it by all the pains1 fatigues1 and toils of that long and perilous pilgrimage4 ,i ask it by all the sorrows thou didst endure when in ,egypt thou wert not able1 even by the sweat of thy brow1 to procure poor food and clothing for thy most poor family4 ,i ask it by all the grief thou didst feel each time the divine ,child asked for a morsel of bread1 and thou hadst it not to give ,him4 ,i ask it by all thy solicitude to preserve the sacred ,child and the immaculate ,mary during thy second journey1 when thou wert ordered to return to thy native country4 ,i ask it by thy peaceful dwelling in ,nazareth1 in which so many joys and sorrows were mingled4 ,i ask it by thy extreme affliction in being deprived three days of the company of the adorable ,child4 ,i ask it by thy joy at finding ,him in the ,temple1 and by the ineffable consolation imparted to thee in the cottage of ,nazareth with the company and society of the little ,jesus4 ,i ask it by that wonderful condescension by which ,he subjected ,himself to thy will4 ,i ask it through that dolorous view1 continually in thy mind1 of all thy ,jesus was to suffer4 ,i ask it by that painful contemplation1 which made thee foresee the divine little hands and feet1 now so active in serving thee1 one day to be pierced with cruel nails2 that head which rested gently on thy bosom1 crowned with sharp thorns2 that delicate body which thou didst tenderly fold in thy mantle and press to thy heart1 stripped and extended on a cross4 ,i ask it by that heroic sacrifice of thy will and best affection by which thou didst offer up to the eternal ,father the last awful moment when the ,man,god was to expire for our salvation4 ,i ask it by that perfect love and conformity with which thou didst receive the divine order to depart from this life1 and from the company of ,jesus and ,mary4 ,i ask it by that exceeding great joy which filled thy soul when the ,redeemer of the world1 triumphant over death and hell1 entered into the possession of ,his kingdom1 and conducted thee also into it with especial honors4 ,i ask it through ,mary's glorious assumption1 and through that interminable bliss1 which with her1 thou wilt eternally derive from the presence of ,god4 ,o good father6 ,i beseech thee by all thy sufferings1 sorrows1 and joys1 to hear me and to obtain the grant of my earnest petitions4 7,here name them or reflect on them47 ,obtain for all those who have asked thy prayers all that is useful to them in the designs of ,god2 and finally1 my dear protector1 be thou with me and all who are dear to me in our last moments1 that we may eternally chant the praises of ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph4 ,amen4 ,choice ,of ,st4 ,joseph ,as ,a ,patron4 ,o blessed ,joseph1 faithful guardian of my ,redeemer1 ,jesus ,christ1 protector of thy chaste spouse1 the ,virgin ,mother of ,god1 ,i choose thee this day to be my special patron and advocate1 and ,i firmly resolve to honor thee from this time forth4 ,therefore ,i humbly beseech thee to receive me as thy client1 to instruct me in every doubt1 to comfort me in every affliction1 to obtain for me and for all the knowledge and love of the ,heart of ,jesus1 and finally to defend and protect me at the hour of death4 ,amen4 ,virginum ,custos4 ,guardian of ,virgins1 and father1 holy ,joseph1 to whose faithful care ,christ ,jesus1 ,innocence itself1 and ,mary1 ,virgin of virgins1 were committed1 ,i pray and beg of thee1 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 ,an indulgence of one hundred days1 once a day4 ,sorrows and ,joys of ,st4 ,joseph4 #a4 ,o glorious ,st4 ,joseph1 most pure spouse of thy most holy ,mary1 even as the trouble and anguish of thy heart was great in the perplexity of abandoning thy most chaste and stainless spouse1 so1 too1 inexplicable was thy delight when by the angel was revealed to thee the sovereign mystery of the incarnation4 ,through this sorrow and this joy of thine1 we pray thee1 now and in our last agony1 to comfort our soul with the joy of a good life1 and of a holy death1 like unto thine between ,jesus and ,mary4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,glory be to the ,father4 #b4 ,o glorious ,st4 ,joseph1 most blessed patriarch1 who wast selected for the office of reputed father of the ,word made man1 the grief which thou didst feel at seeing the ,child ,jesus born in such great poverty was suddenly changed for thee into heavenly exultation at hearing the angelic harmony1 and seeing the glories of that most resplendent night4 ,through this sorrow and this joy of thine1 we beseech thee to obtain for us that1 after the journey of this life is over1 we may pass hence to hear the angelic praises1 and to enjoy the splendors of the glory of heaven4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,glory be to the ,father4 #c4 ,o glorious ,st4 ,joseph1 who didst fulfil most obediently all ,god's commands1 the most precious blood which the ,child ,redeemer shed in the circumcision struck death into thy heart1 but the name of ,jesus revived it1 and filled it full of joy4 ,through this sorrow and this joy of thine1 obtain for us that1 all vices having been taken from us during life1 we may expire in exultation with the most holy name of ,jesus in our hearts and upon our lips4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,glory be to the ,father4 #d4 ,o most glorious ,st4 ,joseph1 most faithful saint1 who wast a partaker in the mysteries of our redemption1 if ,simeon's prophecy of that which ,jesus and ,mary were to suffer caused thee a mortal pang1 it filled thee also with a blessed joy at the salvation and glorious resurrection of innumerable souls1 which he at the same time foretold would thence proceed4 ,through this sorrow and this joy of thine1 obtain for us that we may be of the number of those who1 through the merits of ,jesus1 and at the intercession of the ,virgin ,mother1 are to rise again in glory4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,glory be to the ,father4 #e4 ,o glorious ,st4 ,joseph1 most watchful guardian and familiar attendant of the incarnate ,son of ,god1 how much didst thou suffer in supporting and in serving the ,son of the ,most ,high1 particularly in the flight which thou hadst to make into ,egypt2 but how much again didst thou rejoice at having always with thee that same ,god1 and at seeing the idols of ,egypt fall to the ground4 ,through this sorrow and this joy of thine1 obtain for us that1 by keeping far from us hell's tyrant1 especially by flying from dangerous occasions1 every idol of earthly affection may fall from our hearts2 and that1 wholly occupied in the service of ,jesus and of ,mary1 we may live for them alone1 and die a happy death4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,glory be to the ,father4 #f4 ,o glorious ,st4 ,joseph1 angel of the earth1 who didst marvel at beholding the ,king of heaven subject to thy commands1 if thy consolation at bringing him back from ,egypt was disturbed by the fear of ,archelaus1 yet1 assured by the angel1 thou didst with ,jesus and ,mary dwell in joy at ,nazareth4 ,through this sorrow and this joy of thine1 obtain for us that our heart1 unclouded by hurtful fears1 may enjoy peace of conscience1 and that we may live secure with ,jesus and ,mary1 and with them may also die4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,glory be to the ,father4 #g4 ,o glorious ,st4 ,joseph1 model of all holiness1 when1 without fault of thine1 thou hadst lost the ,child ,jesus1 thou didst seek ,him for three days in the greatest sorrow1 until with joyful heart thou didst possess again thy life1 finding ,him in the ,temple1 among the doctors4 ,through this sorrow and this joy of thine1 with fervent sighs we supplicate thee to interpose in our behalf1 that so it may never befall us to lose ,jesus by mortal sin2 but that1 if unhappily we ever lose ,him1 we may seek ,him again with unwearied sorrow1 until once more we find ,his favor1 especially at the moment of our death1 that so we may pass to the enjoyment of ,him in heaven1 and there1 with thee1 sing ,his divine mercies for all eternity4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,glory be to the ,father4 ,ant4 ,jesus ,himself was beginning about ,his thirtieth year1 being 7as it was supposed7 the son of ,joseph4 ,v4 ,pray for us1 ,o holy ,joseph4 ,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promises of ,christ4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,god1 ,who by ,thy ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose the blessed ,joseph for the spouse of ,thy most holy ,mother2 grant1 we beseech thee1 that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in heaven2 ,who livest and reignest forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,indulgences3 ,one hundred days each time1 three hundred days on ,wednesdays1 three hundred days on each day of the two novenas before ,st4 ,joseph's feast and his patronage2 plenary on those two feasts2 plenary once a month for daily recital2 three hundred days for each ,sunday when recited seven ,sundays running4 ,applicable to the dead4 ,responsory ,to ,st4 ,joseph4 ,ye that would live and die secure1 ,in merit strong1 of mercy sure1 ,choose ,joseph for your heavenly friend ,to guide your steps and bless your end4 ,he was sweet ,mary's consort dear1 ,and ,jesus' sire1 when exiled here2 ,just1 true1 of purity untold1 ,say1 shall he ask and ,god withhold8 ,he worshipp'd at the mangerbed1 ,and then the exile comforted2 ,and sought his ,son1 and joyous found1 ,while on ,his ,father's business bound4 ,he through sweet toil and patient pains ,the world's ,artificer sustains2 ,and ,whom th' angelic legions praise ,obedience to ,his creature pays4 ,and now he waxes old1 and dies2 ,but first beholds with loving eyes1 ,jesus and ,mary1 gracious sight-- ,then sleeps entranced in deep delight4 ,ant4 ,behold the faithful and prudent servant whom the ,lord set over ,his house4 ,v4 ,pray for us1 holy ,joseph4 ,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promises of ,christ4 ,litany of ,st4 ,joseph4 7,for ,private ,devotion ,only47 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ have mercy on us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,jesus 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 ,holy ,mary1 spouse of ,st4 ,joseph1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 confirmed in grace1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 guardian of the ,word ,incarnate1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 favorite of the ,king of heaven1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 ruler of the family of ,jesus1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 spouse of the everblessed ,virgin1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 nursingfather to the ,son of ,god1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 example of humility and obedience1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 mirror of silence and resignation1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 patron of innocence and youth1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 exiled with ,christ in ,egypt1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 intercessor for the afflicted1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 advocate for the humble1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 model of every virtue1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 honored among men1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 union of all ,christian perfection1 ,pray for us4 ,st4 ,joseph1 patron of the dying1 ,pray for us4 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,spare us1 ,o ,lord6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,lord6 ,v4 ,pray for us1 ,o holy ,st4 ,joseph4 ,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promises of ,christ4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,grant1 ,o ,lord1 we beseech ,thee1 by the merits of the spouse of ,thy most holy ,mother1 that what our unworthiness cannot obtain may be given us by his intercession with ,thee1 ,who livest and reignest with ,god the ,father in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,,april4 ,,the ,,passion3 ,,meditations ,,for ,,every ,,day ,,of ,,lent4 ,during the month of ,april we generally celebrate ,holy ,week1 and so this month is dedicated to the ,passion of ,our ,lord4 ,the followers of ,christ should be acquainted with the history of their leader1 ,jesus1 the ,master2 they should know what ,he has endured for ,his followers1 and they should think frequently of ,his sufferings1 especially in ,lent1 when the ,church1 in all her offices1 keeps the commemoration of the ,passion foremost in her mind4 ,there are many things to be done during this month4 ,you ought to recite the stations of the cross privately1 or be present when they are publicly performed2 hear sermons on religious topics1 practise a little fast or abstinence4 ,this last is not so much to do1 yet ,god takes note of it1 and makes a great fuss over it1 like a father that has received an insignificant present from his child4 ,take from any book the meditations on the ,passion1 read them slowly1 and with sympathy2 slowly1 so as to be able to follow the recital and to be able to realize it2 with sympathy1 that you should bring to it a feeling for ,our ,lord1 and show that you are touched with all that ,he endured for you4 ,the ,godman going to a disgraceful death1 after a most apparently unsuccessful life1 should make us feel for the loving ,jesus4 ,st4 ,augustine remarks that nothing is so useful to our advancement in the spiritual life1 as daily to meditate on the ,passion of ,our ,lord4 ,certainly the most appropriate time for these considerations and prayers is during ,lent1 which happens about this time4 ,we shall give forty short considerations for every day in ,lent4 ,they can be begun upon ,ash ,wednesday2 we will then strive to gain spiritual benefit from these considerations1 by perusing them with piety and with a great love for our crucified ,lord4 ,before the time of ,augustine1 ,origen writes that it is impossible for a man to remain in sin1 as long as he often remembers the sufferings of ,our ,lord1 and nothing will so inflame our hearts with love for ,christ4 ,father ,alvarez said that so many ,christians are lost1 because they ignore the treasures that are concealed in the ,passion of ,our ,lord2 and he led his penitents to perfection by enjoining on them frequent contemplation of the ,passion4 ,st4 ,francis de ,sales tells us1 8,that every wound of ,our ,lord is a tongue1 which teaches what the ,lord suffered for us40 ,what flames of love will naturally burn in our hearts1 when we see the love with which ,our ,lord regarded us6 ,happy1 therefore1 the soul who will find leisure for this holy exercise of the mind and heart4 8,you will draw water with joy from the fountains of the ,saviour40 ,the sinner will receive confidence in the mercy of ,god1 and know that his case is not so desperate as long as he has the wounds of the ,lord to plead to the ,father for mercy and forgiveness--for all our transgressions have been laid upon the shoulders of ,jesus4 ,how1 then1 can we have any fear1 says ,st4 ,paul1 that ,god will refuse us ,his graces8 8,he that spared not even ,his own ,son1 but delivered ,him up for us all40 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,before ,our ,lord's suffering took place1 ,he disclosed to ,his disciples the story of the cross4 ,it was good for them to understand and to remember what the sufferings of ,jesus were to be4 ,the prophets of the ,old ,testament had declared that the ,son of man must suffer4 ,daniel1 especially1 describes the ,passion of ,our ,lord very minutely4 ,this was the future that was before ,our ,lord1 and it was well that the disciples should know it and think of it4 ,so it should be with ourselves4 ,we1 too1 are the disciples and followers of ,christ1 and we1 too1 must make the ,passion a subject of serious thought4 ,the ,church has chosen the ,lenten time as the most appropriate for this exercise4 ,she joins penance with this meditation1 as being the most efficacious means of stirring ourselves up to a pious life4 ,let us approach these meditations with a conviction that we are really unworthy to be admitted to the graces of this holy contemplation2 but ,jesus will help us4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 whilst 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 the while ,i contemplate with great love and tender pity ,thy five wounds1 pondering over them within me1 whilst ,i call to mind the words which ,david1 ,thy prophet1 said of ,thee1 my ,jesus3 8,they pierced ,my hands and ,my feet2 they numbered all ,my bones40--,ps4 xxi4 #ag1 #ah4 ,second ,day4 ,it is not hard to understand why the ,lord desires us to think of ,his ,passion4 ,st4 ,francis ,xavier is said to have gone over the ,passion once every month2 but we know1 too1 with what love he was attached to the ,lord1 with what wonderful patience and perseverance he continued to labor4 ,it was the effect of the meditation on the ,passion4 ,we1 too1 should grow in the love of ,our ,lord4 ,but how will we grow1 unless by contemplating all that ,jesus has done for us in ,his ,passion1 until ,he died on the cross8 ,as the ,apostle says1 8,he loved me1 and delivered ,himself up for me40 ,in this way the ,lord wants us to study ,his ,passion1 so that we may learn how intensely ,he loved us2 that although ,he was ,god1 and we poor miserable creatures1 still ,he did not hesitate to sacrifice ,his life in order to redeem us from eternal perdition4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,third ,day4 ,our ,lord desires that we should think of ,his ,passion1 in order that we may imitate ,him in our own sufferings3 for we have many things to endure in this life on account of the original fault of our first parents4 ,you will learn to die with ,christ1 and your sympathetic heart will avoid sin4 ,by the frequent thought of the ,passion the ,lord will have you love the sacrifice of the ,mass1 where in an unbloody manner the ,passion of ,our ,lord is repeated1 and we begin to appreciate it the more the better we understand their relation to each other4 ,the ,lord will have you show sympathy for ,him in ,his sufferings2 for you must remember that it was for you that ,he suffered1 that you caused ,his suffering by your sins4 ,now1 if you have inflicted these punishments on the ,lord1 would it not be an act of horrible ingratitude if you were not to show your sympathy for ,christ8 ,another effect of the contemplation of the ,passion will be that you shall be stirred up to do great things for ,christ4 ,your time of labor will be sanctified1 and your life will be given to the service of ,jesus4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,fourth ,day4 ,we should think often of the ,passion of ,our ,lord1 but not with coldness or repugnance4 ,it is a sad subject1 and not at all pleasing to the human feelings1 but when we have learned to love ,jesus it will be an exercise that will make us very happy4 ,we are dreadfully poor spiritually1 and nowhere will we be able to find more spiritual wealth than in the ,heart of ,jesus in ,his ,passion4 8,there flow living fountains of blessed waters1 there is the bread of life40 ,approach1 then1 with a lively faith to the foot of the cross1 and remain there faithfully2 let the blood of the ,lord flow upon your body and soul1 realize that ,jesus died for you1 see ,mary1 our dear ,mother1 beneath the cross2 ,st4 ,john and ,mary ,magdalen1 with some other faithful followers of ,christ at a short distance from it2 associate yourself with them and study what were their sentiments2 try to bring them home to yourself1 and your heart will surely fill up with love1 gratitude1 and confidence4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,fifth ,day4 ,the feeling of love towards ,our ,lord must be specially aroused4 ,we are supposed to have the faith3 but we need more love1 so that we may understand why ,our ,lord underwent such terrible sufferings for poor humanity4 ,let us look upon the ,lord3 ,he is an innocent1 holy person1 an untiring benefactor1 a true friend1 a wonderful consoler1 a man of peace and of blessings1 the noble ,son of the great ,king1 the ,son of ,god ,himself4 ,this good ,jesus has saved you from eternal damnation4 ,he descended from heaven and did the work of a miserable slave4 ,and the worst and bitterest consideration is that you really1 individually and personally1 are the cause of the sufferings of ,christ4 ,you have struck ,him in the face and spit upon ,him1 you have crucified ,him1 you have mocked and derided ,him1 and cried out1 8,vah2 if ,thou be the ,son of ,god1 come down from the cross40 ,the ,lord1 reflecting upon all ,his sufferings1 declared that all this happened in the house of ,his beloved ones4 ,what did the ,lord do to you1 that you should treat ,him in this manner8 ,now then return ,jesus love for all this1 and ,he will be satisfied4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,sixth ,day4 ,the ,jews now began to consult among themselves how to catch ,jesus by some intrigue or other4 ,our ,lord could have avoided the ,passion2 ,he might have prolonged ,his life1 but ,he wanted to die just then4 ,the machinations of the ,jews could only furnish an occasion for the death of ,our ,lord1 but it was ,his own divine will that regulated time1 place1 and circumstance4 ,judas the disciple makes a contract with the high priests that on a certain night1 when the ,lord would go out to ,gethsemani to pray according to ,his custom1 the high priests would be ready with their guards to bind ,him4 ,for the miserable price of thirty pieces of silver was the ,lord sold1 by a man whom ,he had befriended so much in ,his career of public ministration4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,seventh ,day4 ,let us consider the case of ,judas in another reflection and apply it to ourselves4 ,judas began as well1 perhaps1 as any of the other disciples2 but now he is approaching the dreadful abyss of sin into which he fell1 as we know from the ,gospel4 ,how much the ,lord did for that disciple6 ,by kind words and patience1 ,he made him understand that though ,he knew of his impending fall1 still ,he did not cast him off1 but tried to win him back4 ,when ,judas had eaten the morsel which ,our ,lord had presented to him1 the devil seemed to have entered into him4 ,it was only then that the ,lord gave him up1 and bade him go and do quickly what he had in his mind4 ,now ,his mercy is at an end1 and with terrible severity ,our ,lord speaks of the scandal1 and says it would have been better that ,judas had never been born4 ,all this shows that unless we cooperate with the grace which ,god almighty offers us1 we1 too1 shall fall into sin1 notwithstanding all the good instruction and good example given us4 ,it shows that if we follow our own bent of evil intentions1 we will go from bad to worse in spite of all that ,god has done4 ,there are times of grace that are allimportant for us4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,eighth ,day4 ,when the ,lord sat at the ,last ,supper ,he made all the apostles aware of their future infidelity4 ,simon ,peter spoke for himself rather than for all1 when he said3 8,although all should be scandalized in ,thee1 ,i will not3 ,i am ready to go with ,thee1 both into prison and to death40 ,our ,lord foresaw his frailty and corrected him for his presumption1 though no doubt it was well meant at the time1 and said to him1 8,simon1 ,simon1 behold ,satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat40 ,peter followed the ,lord from afar1 to see what the end would be1 and entering the courtyard of the prison1 he was accosted by a maidservant1 and before her and the bystanders he cursed and blasphemed that he 8did not know the man40 ,as in the case of ,peter1 so ,our ,lord knows our frailty--that we cannot stand by ourselves4 ,we ought to distrust ourselves1 and remember how sinful we have been1 and now that we stand be careful lest we fall4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,ninth ,day4 ,the ,lord called ,his disciples together in order to eat the ,pasch with them for the last time on earth1 and also take a long farewell of them4 ,they would not meet again until after the resurrection4 ,st4 ,john the ,evangelist gives us much of the discourses which the ,lord held with ,his disciples4 8,let not your heart be disturbed10 ,he says1 8at what is going to happen to ,me40 ,the sorrow at parting1 and the dreadful suffering which the ,master was to undergo1 acted in a most depressing manner on their spirits4 ,no wonder they felt so downcast4 ,he was their great friend1 the joy of their heart1 and now ,he is about to leave them4 ,it is related that when ,jesus was a boy1 ,his companions felt such consolation in ,his presence that when any of them were distressed1 they would say1 8,let us go to the ,son of ,mary2 ,he will console us40 ,even now ,jesus is our great joy and consolation2 now that ,he is to be found in the ,blessed ,sacrament1 now that ,he is in heaven at the right hand of the ,father1 to ,him we can always go1 and find refuge in ,his kindness4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,tenth ,day4 ,at the ,last ,supper ,our ,lord continued ,his discourse1 consoling and encouraging ,his disciples by telling them3 8,in ,my ,father's house there are many mansions2 if not1 ,i would have told you3 that ,i go to prepare a place for you40--,john xiv4 #b4 ,lift up your eyes1 ,my beloved disciples1 from this vale of tears to heaven1 where you are to dwell for all eternity4 ,my separation from you will be but short4 ,i will go to heaven1 and where ,i am1 ,my faithful servants shall be4 ,this earth is a desert for the one that loves ,god2 there is no hope of peace and perfect happiness4 ,eternal joys are reserved for us in heaven if we are faithful to ,jesus1 and confide in ,him4 ,though our sins may be many and great1 we will be washed clean in the blood of the ,lamb1 and we may still hope to enter the realms prepared for us by ,christ ,himself4 ,resolve now to be noblehearted in the service of ,god1 and shrink not from work or suffering4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,after the discourse at the ,last ,supper ,jesus takes off ,his outer garments1 girds ,himself with a towel1 pours water into a vessel1 and approaches ,peter to wash his feet4 ,for this purpose the ,lord kneels down and prepares to wash ,peter's feet4 ,peter is really shocked at this selfabasement2 he revolts at the thought that he should allow this to be done to him by his divine ,master1 ,whom he had acknowledged1 and ,whom he knew to be ,god4 ,our ,lord practised this out of humility1 at this solemn moment just before parting from ,his disciples1 to show how important this humility is1 and to make a great impression on all of us4 ,we1 too1 must be humble1 and humiliate ourselves as did ,our ,lord4 ,we cannot practise virtue without humility2 we cannot enter heaven unless we possess this virtue4 ,he washes the feet of the apostles just before the two great acts of ,his life3 the institution of the ,blessed ,sacrament and the beginning of ,his sacred ,passion4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,our ,lord was determined to perform the ceremony of the washing of the feet of ,st4 ,peter and the apostles4 ,he advised ,peter to be obedient1 and to allow the washing to take place1 otherwise he would have no part with ,him4 ,when ,peter heard this he became very much afraid1 and with his usual ardor he cried out3 8,lord1 not only my feet1 but my head1 my whole body40 ,our ,lord answered3 8,he that has his feet washed is entirely cleansed4 ,you are washed clean1 still not all40 ,by this1 reference was made to the condition of ,judas4 ,why does the ,lord make reference to the washing of the feet8 ,because it is the feet that are soiled when we come in contact with the world2 but if our feet do not touch the world1 if our hearts are above the things of this world1 we may be sure that we have not contracted any filth on the soul4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,after the ceremony of the washing of the feet1 ,our ,lord concludes ,his discourse by telling ,his apostles that now ,he will not say much more to them1 for the prince of this world1 ,satan1 is about to approach to claim a share in ,his sacred humanity3 but in that ,he has no part4 ,this ,he tells them1 that the world may acknowledge that the ,son loves ,his ,father1 and that ,he does all that is required of ,him4--,john xiv4 #cj4 ,there are many who love to sit at the table of the ,lord1 to be filled with consolation1 and to enjoy the spiritual luxury of ,his company4 ,but few there are who would follow ,christ to the cross4 ,we must not only love the table of the ,lord1 but we must also be with ,him in ,his ,passion4 ,we should suffer the trials sent to us1 as good followers of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,remain then with the ,lord under all circumstances1 whether it be for consolation or bitterness of suffering4 ,some of the saints understood this so well that they prayed for afflictions4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,and now1 after the ,last ,supper1 the ,lord goes forth with ,his disciples to the ,garden of ,gethsemani1 where ,he is so overcome with fear and sorrow1 that ,he seems to cling to the society of the apostles for consolation4 ,falling down on ,his face1 ,he prays that the chalice might pass1 yet not as ,he would1 but as the ,father willed it4 ,the disciples slept as if they had lost all sympathy for the ,lord4 ,but why is ,our ,saviour so distressed8 ,why is ,he so downcast8 ,the sins and the consequences of sin appear before ,him so vividly1 and ,he is so overwhelmed with them1 that ,he feels ,his soul oppressed unto death4 ,he sees all the misery of humanity1 all the cruelty practised by man1 all the ignorance and degradation of the world2 and for this ,he must suffer1 to bring ,god's mercy again to man4 ,he is to take upon ,himself all the sins of mankind4 ,he is to be degraded to the level of a slave1 to die the same death1 and all for us4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,in the terrible agony of ,our ,lord in the ,garden of ,gethsemani1 the ,lord saw all the sins of mankind4 ,he sees the injustice of man in comparison to the eternal justice of ,god4 ,he beholds their ingratitude to ,his everlasting love1 their obduracy against the sweet mercy of ,god4 ,this leprosy of sin has been laid on the ,lord1 so that1 as the ,psalmist says3 8,the confusion of my face hath covered me40--,ps4 xliii4 #af4 ,he is filled with the confusion of shame1 because sin is so horrible4 ,his soul is overwhelmed with bitterness1 because sin is so full of malice and insult to ,god4 ,thus covered with our shame1 ,he appears before ,his heavenly ,father1 prone on ,his face on the ground4 ,the heavenly ,father does not recognize ,his ,son2 ,jesus prays1 but is not heard4 ,the justice of ,god casts ,him away4 ,he begs the ,father for help1 but ,he will not bend ,his ear to the supplication of ,his ,son4 ,jesus waits for consolation1 but instead receives ,his death sentence4 ,he must drink the cup of sorrow to the very dregs4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,the ,lord bade ,his disciples watch and pray1 but hardly has ,he left them to themselves than they fall asleep4 ,judas is not asleep2 he is actively engaged in getting his company together1 giving them instructions how to proceed1 so that they might elude the power of the ,lord4 ,but the disciples sleep1 and are careless of the ,lord's interests4 ,no wonder that the indifference of the disciples gave ,him an additional pang4 ,we1 too1 are the disciples of the ,lord4 ,why do we sleep while the enemy is sowing the seed of error and irreligion8 ,what effect has the instructions1 the counsels of the divine ,master1 had upon us8 ,they are all forgotten1 and we look to our own comfort and to our pleasures2 we go after the world1 money and honors1 but think little of ,god4 ,let us then watch and pray2 the spirit is indeed willing1 but the flesh is weak4 ,the soul would act otherwise1 if the body had not been allowed an almost limitless freedom while the soul is dying of spiritual starvation4 ,give your soul an opportunity to rise above the low necessities of the body1 and the spirit will then be strong to compel the body to obey4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,when ,our ,lord had prayed and struggled in this mortal agony1 ,he arose and assembled ,his disciples about ,him1 and awaited the coming of the traitor4 ,and as ,he was yet speaking1 behold1 the crowd arrived1 and ,judas1 one of the twelve1 was with them2 coming up to ,jesus1 he kissed ,him1 and the ,lord said3 8,judas1 with a kiss you betray the ,son of man40 ,judas thus betrays the ,lord with the sign of friendship4 ,he comes up to ,him as of old1 when returning from a missionary tour1 he was met by the ,lord with open arms1 and he1 as well as the other disciples1 would tell of their labors1 their successes1 and the good they had done4 ,and now1 as if to throw the ,lord off ,his guard1 he pretends to have the same spirit within his breast4 ,o ,lord ,jesus6 with what kindness didst ,thou not even then receive ,judas1 that he might see that ,thou didst still love him4 ,in our frequent infidelities the ,lord comes to us with the same sweetness and goodness4 ,he would lead us back to our duties and the recognition of our faults4 ,o that we would listen to the words of ,our ,lord6 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,when ,judas had given that traitorous sign1 the kiss of peace1 the disciples all fled4 ,our ,lord had commanded1 8,if therefore you seek ,me1 let these go their way40 ,no sooner had the disciples seen that the ,lord presented ,his hands to be tied1 than they ran off in the greatest hurry4 ,they had forgotten the assurance they had given that they would remain faithful4 ,they whose feet had been washed in all humility by ,our ,lord1 ,who had fed them a short time before with ,his sacred body and blood4 ,we are not far inferior in infidelity to the disciples4 ,in the morning we have gone to communion1 and before the day is over we have fallen into grievous sin4 ,we had made many resolutions at our last confession1 and at the approach of the first temptation we have fallen into the same sins again4 ,we leave1 without much concern1 ,jesus1 the best friend we have in this world4 ,oh1 let us remain faithful to the good ,master of our souls1 ,who1 after this life is over1 promises us eternal rewards4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,then the soldiers came up1 and bound the ,lord's hands as ,he willingly offers them4 ,he makes no opposition whatsoever4 ,he might have continued the exhibition of ,his power by which they fell back three times1 and ,he might have walked away4 ,but the time of the ,passion had come1 and ,he allows the soldiers to have the mastery over ,him4 ,christ has dissolved our bonds1 and ,he is bound ,himself2 in fact1 by that binding ,christ has merited to loosen us from the slavery of ,satan4 ,but ,christ was also bound that we1 too1 may bind ourselves in the law of ,god1 and be faithful to its observance all the days of our life4 ,tie your will to the chains of the ,lord ,jesus2 honor those chains1 yes1 even love them1 as they are the bonds of the union between you and ,him4 ,make up your mind to follow ,christ1 to be united to ,him1 and never desire to be freed from this close friendship4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,the priests1 the high priests and the ,pharisees1 the great enemies of the ,lord1 had held a meeting in expectation of bringing the prisoner for accusation and condemnation4 ,this was the court to which the innocent ,jesus was dragged2 these were all ,his enemies4 ,they all tried to destroy ,him1 and now the opportunity seems to present itself1 and they are going to make the best of it4 ,they are going to condemn ,jesus2 they encourage false witnesses1 that they may make a show1 at least1 of the justice of the condemnation4 ,it is considered necessary to put ,jesus out of the way4 8,it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people1 and that the whole nation perish not40--,john xii4 #ej4 ,in all this ,our ,lord is silent2 not a word does ,jesus utter in selfdefence4 ,how easily could the divine wisdom confound human ingenuity1 the skill of the lawyers1 and the malice of the high priests4 ,but ,jesus held a mysterious silence1 in which we must adore ,him4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,peter1 the great disciple of ,jesus1 he to whom the ,lord had given so much1 whom ,he had brought to ,mount ,thabor1 for whom ,he paid taxes as for ,himself2 this ,peter denied ,his ,master4 ,when ,our ,lord had been apprehended1 ,peter followed from afar1 to see what would be the end of all this tragedy4 ,he went on at some distance from ,our ,lord1 until he reached the courtyard1 where he could see all that was passing4 ,there1 among the soldiers1 servants1 and curiosityseekers1 he stood1 as if he had no interest in the affair except that which would bring any stranger there4 ,they would not have known him1 only for a woman who sat in such a way that the light fell on ,peter's face1 and she immediately declared1 8,this man was with ,him40 ,but ,peter denied that fact2 another and a third asserted that ,peter was with ,christ1 for he was a ,galilean--but ,peter denied the accusation with an oath4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,we ought1 right here1 to think of the reasons of the terrible treason of ,peter4 ,we may suppose that his crime was no smaller than was that of ,judas4 ,we know what was the fate of ,judas--what will be the fate of ,peter8 ,the cause of ,peter's fall was his presumption4 ,he imagined that he was strong enough to go to heaven1 and to lead a good life without watching or praying--of course he would go to prison or death with ,jesus4 ,instead of following the ,lord closely1 right among the soldiers who apprehended ,him1 he followed a long way off1 giving as an excuse that he wished to see the outcome of the affair4 ,he follows1 and places himself in the very occasion of sin4 ,he knew he could not be there long without being detected1 but he resolved to deny1 and even to take false oaths to secure himself4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,when ,peter had thus1 with indescribable meanness1 denied ,our ,lord1 ,jesus turned and gave him a look of compassion4 ,then ,peter recollected the words of ,jesus1 that before the cock would crow he would have denied ,him thrice4 ,great was the sorrow in the heart of ,peter after this look2 he remembered himself1 and filled with shame walked out and wept bitterly4 ,this look which the ,lord gave ,peter was merciful and kind2 so loving that it drew him back again from the sin into which he had fallen2 it encouraged him to look for forgiveness1 and did not drive him to despair4 ,judas too acknowledged his sin1 but he felt no repentance2 he despaired of the great kindness of ,god4 ,instead of throwing himself at the feet of ,jesus1 he committed another crime--that of suicide4 ,to ,peter came a flood of tears4 ,there is no doubt that his sorrow for this great offence lasted all his lifetime2 he could not think of the circumstance but the picture of his infidelity arose before him4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,the infidelity of ,peter should lead us to think of our own condition4 ,how often have we sinned8 how often have we been unfaithful to ,jesus ,christ8 how often have we betrayed ,him8 ,did we ever feel the tears of sorrow gushing from our hearts8 and if we did have sorrow and repentance in the ,sacrament of ,penance1 did we not soon forget it all1 as if our faults were less serious than they really are8 ,often the ,lord looks at us when we are in sin1 often have we felt that ,his eyes were on us1 full of love1 of mercy and goodness2 but we were in sin1 in the occasion of it1 and we would not give it up even though we added more sorrow to that which ,our ,lord was already suffering4 ,set your hope1 however1 in the ,lord2 look up to ,him with pleading eyes1 that ,he may give you the strength1 the will1 and the grace to rise from your fall4 ,say to your sins1 and your companions in sin1 go away from me4 ,yes1 our sins more than any other misfortune should make us despise the world1 with all its sinful allurements4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,pilate put the question to the ,lord1 8,art ,thou the ,king of the ,jews80 ,he wanted to hear from ,christ's own lips whether ,he pretended to the earthly crown of a kingdom1 over which the ,roman power held sway4 ,but ,our ,lord had no kingdom on this earth1 and ,he answered1 8,for this was ,i born1 and for this came ,i into the world1 that ,i should give testimony to the truth40 ,pilate did not want to be convinced of the truth1 and he answered indifferently1 8,what is truth80 ,the ,lord came into this world to spread the truth of the ,gospel2 ,he wished to teach us that truth which makes us truly free4 ,the ,lord wishes to show us the way in which we should walk in order to reach ,him4 ,but the world is not anxious for such enlightenment1 any more than ,pilate4 ,for nineteen hundred years the ,church of ,god has been teaching truth4 ,but the world does not accept the teaching of ,jesus as truth2 the world is too proud to receive this humble teaching4 ,and yet ,our ,lord's voice rings clear1 8,every one that is of the truth1 heareth ,my voice40 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,pilate went out to consult with the ,jews1 the accusers of ,christ1 and he told them that he found no cause of death in ,christ4 ,he admitted that there might be some rebellion which ought to be punished1 and that he would administer a severe punishment and then would set ,him free4 ,see ,our ,lord1 humbly standing before this unjust judge2 see the soldiers1 as soon as the order was given1 tear off ,his garments1 drag ,him over to the column of marble1 and there bind ,him4 ,then they take the stout cords1 on the ends of which are leaden balls with spikes1 and whirling them over their heads1 they let them fall cruelly on ,christ's shoulders4 ,the blood spurts from every wound1 and soon the place about the column is covered with blood4 ,the crime of that flagellation was so great that no human words can express it4 ,in what a dreadful state ,our ,lord was left after it was over--how exhausted6 ,from the soles of ,his feet to the crown of ,his head there was no sound spot in ,him4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,when the ,lord had been scourged1 the soldiers platted a crown of thorns and placed it on ,his head1 pressing it down1 striking the crown with sticks that they might save their hands from wounds1 and then they put a purple garment on ,him4 ,all this was done to mock ,him1 because ,he said ,he was a king3 the crown of royalty ,he bore on ,his head1 and the purple garment which kings generally wore covered ,his body4 ,they carried out their derision still farther2 they bent their knees before ,him1 and having blindfolded ,him1 they struck ,him in the face1 asking ,him to point out who was the one that had given ,him the blow4 ,o loving face of ,jesus6 upon which the angels desired to gaze2 look with pity on poor humanity that dost treat ,thee so cruelly2 look with pity on our inordinate desires to satisfy the demands of our passions4 ,ah1 ,thou knowest who hast heaped these insults upon ,thee6 ,in ,thy omnipresence ,thou seest the sins which we commit4 ,the ,jews1 indeed1 treated ,thee as a mock king1 and like a fool1 whilst poor mankind in its ignorance hast prepared all these torments for ,thee4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,pilate must have witnessed much of this cruelty1 as it was inflicted right in his court1 with his consent1 perhaps even by his orders4 ,what a frightful spectacle it was to look upon this figure of a man1 scourged almost beyond recognition1 with a crown of thorns on ,his head1 bound1 and a cloak thrown over ,his shoulders4 ,pilate thought that this spectacle would render the ,jews merciful1 that the punishment had been sufficient4 ,so he led ,our ,lord over an archway and placed ,him in full view of the assembled multitude1 saying3 8,behold the man60 ,yes1 ,o ,christian heart1 look at the ,lord exhausted after the scourging1 the crown of thorns on ,his head1 clotted blood in ,his face1 burning with a fever heat1 ready to die from loss of blood4 ,o my ,jesus1 what sufferings didst ,thou not endure to satisfy the cruelty of man6 ,thou hast become a spectacle before ,god and the world4 ,but the ,jews were hardened4 ,the sight of ,christ in this condition did not move them4 ,they cried1 8,away with ,him1 away with ,him1 crucify ,him40 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,when the ,jews demanded the death of ,christ so vehemently1 ,pilate had water brought to him1 in which he washed his hands1 as a sign that he was innocent of the great crime of condemning ,our ,lord to the death of the cross4 ,still he condemned ,him1 and wrote the inscription of the cross himself4 ,the ,lord was led out to be crucified4 ,st4 ,catharine of ,emmerich saw in a vision the rapture with which ,jesus received the cross4 ,that ,he knelt down and addressed the wood with loving words4 ,it was the consummation of the ,lord's desires4 ,his whole aim in life was that ,he should die on the cross1 so now ,he stretches out ,his arms to receive that precious burden1 the seat of ,his love1 the instrument of ,his mercy1 and the sign of triumph4 ,dear cross6 no longer are you the wood of disgrace on which malefactors are to die2 you are now the sign of glory4 ,no longer are you the accursed wood1 but the glory of the elect4 ,cross and altar are now the same thing to us2 the altar is our joy and happiness1 so also is the cross4 ,the ,christian who has no love for the cross is to be pitied4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,the ,lord takes the holy cross on ,his shoulders1 at the foot of ,calvary1 and carries it up to the summit4 ,what a journey that was1 full of sorrow and pain6 ,he falls several times2 ,he meets ,his holy ,mother on the way and exchanges some words of consolation with her4 ,he meets the weeping women of ,jerusalem1 and bids them weep over themselves and over their children4 ,simon the ,cyrenean is compelled to help carry the heavy weight of the cross4 ,veronica1 a devout woman1 offers a handkerchief1 that the ,lord may wipe ,his sacred countenance4 ,two malefactors are also to be crucified with the ,saviour4 ,he does not despise their company3 ,he wished to be numbered among the most abject of sinners1 for ,he carries in ,his cross all the sins of mankind4 ,he has to make reparation to the heavenly ,father for them all4 ,at this sight let us no longer grumble at our crosses1 but let us bear them lovingly and cheerfully4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,after terrible exertion in consequence of ,his exhaustion1 loss of blood1 want of food and rest1 ,our ,lord arrives at the summit of ,mount ,calvary1 called ,golgotha1 the place of execution1 the mount of skulls4 ,our ,lord would have died in consequence of the terrible punishment ,he had received1 only the power of ,his heavenly ,father kept ,him alive4 ,arriving on the spot1 ,his clothes are cruelly torn off ,his sacred body1 the wounds are reopened and bleed afresh4 ,he kneels down1 and at the command of ,his executioners ,he extends ,his arms and feet to the places to which they were to be attached4 ,the soldiers take nails and hammers1 and drive nails into the palms of ,his hands1 fixing them to the cross2 then ,his feet are nailed also4 ,when all this has been done they raise the cross to an erect position and set it in the ground4 ,mary1 the ,mother of ,jesus1 is present2 she hears the strokes of the hammer--every sound pierces her heart4 ,o ,mother of sorrows6 make me feel the dreadful crucifixion in my soul2 divide thy sorrows with me4 ,mary ,magdalen1 the penitent woman1 hastens to the foot of the cross4 ,st4 ,john1 the beloved disciple1 is there also4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtysecond ,day4 ,the executioners then sat down before the cross1 and watched ,our ,lord4 ,they played dice for ,his garments2 it was their sinful perquisite to take possession of anything that a dying criminal left4 ,our ,lord was poor and had nothing but ,his garments1 and these were accordingly distributed4 ,our ,lord hung on the cross2 not a word had so far passed ,his lips2 uncomplaining1 sunk in deep prayer1 the sacrifice of the cross was going on for our sins1 the ,lamb of ,god was on the slaughter bench1 pouring forth ,his blood without giving a sign of pain4 ,he hangs between two murderers4 ,he is not distinguished from them in misery1 except that ,he prays and they blaspheme4 ,the ,jews now celebrate their triumph2 they are gathered about in knots1 mocking and laughing4 ,they invite ,him to descend from the cross3 that then they would believe in ,him4 ,jesus still wears the crown of thorns1 and over ,his head1 attached to the wood1 are the words3 8,jesus of ,nazareth1 ,king of the ,jews40 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtythird ,day4 ,the first words which ,our ,lord utters after a long silence1 are words of mercy1 and a prayer for forgiveness3 8,father1 forgive them1 for they know not what they do40 ,jesus prays for ,his enemies1 for ,his executioners1 before ,he speaks a word of comfort to ,his holy ,mother4 ,he looks for no revenge1 casts no threats at them1 does not complain of their inhuman conduct4 ,he only thinks that by ,his prayer ,he may save them4 ,in the meantime the thief on ,his right acknowledges his faults1 defends the ,lord1 and begs for mercy1 which he receives on the spot with a promise of being with ,christ in paradise on that very day4 ,the centurion also acknowledges the divinity of ,christ1 and many who are around the cross strike their breasts1 and are converted4 ,now that the sacrifice had been offered ,jesus sees ,his ,mother at the foot of the cross1 and the disciple whom ,he loved4 ,turning to ,mary ,he said 8,woman1 behold thy son10 and to the disciple1 8behold thy ,mother10 and from that hour ,john1 as a dutiful son1 took ,mary under his protection4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtyfourth ,day4 ,after ,our ,lord had hung on the cross for three hours1 a great darkness came over the whole universe4 ,the sun refused to give light4 ,amid this weird darkness and silence ,our ,lord completes ,his sacrifice4 ,when the world seems to desert you1 and the horror of ,god's vengeance appears to surround you1 take heart1 raise your eyes to ,jesus crucified1 and pray ,him to strengthen you in patience and endurance until the darkness is over1 and you can again find comfort in ,god's mercy4 ,the ,apostle ,paul tells us that ,jesus1 in the days of ,his flesh1 poured forth prayers and supplications with a great cry1 and was heard out of reverence4--,heb4 v4 #g4 ,so the sacrifice of ,christ was accepted1 and the debt which you owed for your sins was expiated on the cross4 ,you need no longer be afraid that your wretchedness will bring on you eternal damnation2 by the merits of this sacred ,passion you have a hope that you may enter into eternal glory4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtyfifth ,day4 8,i thirst40 ,the greatest affliction ,our ,lord had to endure on the cross was the thirst4 ,the fever after loss of blood and the severe and cruel sufferings1 the torments of a whole night1 had dried up the moisture of ,his body4 8,my strength is dried up like a potsherd10 was said of ,him by the ,prophet3 8and ,my tongue hath cleaved to ,my jaws40--,ps4 xxi4 #af4 ,we honor this holy thirst by abstaining during ,lent from all intoxicating drink1 and many souls have received great blessings from ,god for this veneration4 ,it is the intention that ennobles the act1 and the smallest offering accompanied by a good will pleases ,god4 ,our ,lord suffered this thirst to atone for our sins1 that we might not go to hell1 where we would thirst for all eternity4 ,remember ,dives in the ,gospel1 who begged for one drop of water to be placed on his tongue4 ,our ,lord1 dying with thirst1 yearned for the salvation of your soul4 ,this was the thirst symbolized by ,his bodily thirst4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtysixth ,day4 ,at last the hour has come1 in which ,jesus considers that ,he has made reparation to ,his heavenly ,father for all the sins of mankind4 ,the chalice has been drained--all possible humiliation had been heaped upon ,him4 ,jesus cried1 8,it is consummated40 ,all the work of salvation is now at an end4 ,all the sufferings that the ,father has ordained in ,his eternal providence have been undergone4 8,the work which ,thou gavest me1 ,i have performed40 ,the work of grace is accomplished4 ,about the ninth hour1 ,our ,lord cried out1 with a loud voice1 8,my ,god1 ,my ,god1 why hast ,thou forsaken ,me80 ,the ,father had demanded the death of the ,son4 ,he must be exterminated with the most cruel torments2 nothing less than death will satisfy the ,father4 ,he turns to the ,father for one look of kindness1 but ,he receives none1 until that hated human flesh has been punished4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtyseventh ,day4 ,o my dear ,jesus1 ,thou art altogether forsaken2 there is nothing from which ,thou canst gather consolation and support4 ,even in the hour of death ,thou dost enter the portals of the other world without one friendly face before ,thine eyes4 ,yes1 ,thou art forsaken2 ,thy strength1 the assistance of ,thy ,father1 the light of ,thine eyes1 ,thy holy ,mother1 hath no consolation for ,thee4 ,the people that stood around the cross did not know what that great cry meant4 ,only ,jesus knew it4 ,he felt it4 ,how few people understand the language of divine love6 ,who could think that the ,father would desert ,his ,son1 and would not be satisfied but with the most extreme punishment6 ,we should sympathize with ,our ,lord in ,his cruel abandonment1 we who have been the cause of this agony4 ,our ,lord suffers the same feeling of desertion when we do not visit ,him in the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,let it be our joy1 our pastime1 our recreation1 to go to ,him1 and to thank ,him for ,his great love for us4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtyeighth ,day4 ,the last words which ,our ,lord uttered were1 8,father1 into ,thy hands ,i commend ,my spirit40 ,again ,jesus calls ,god ,his ,father4 ,god has accepted the sacrifice1 and has taken ,his divine ,son to ,his bosom1 hence the ,lord calls ,him ,father4 ,the sacred countenance of ,jesus takes on the pallor of death1 the lips are parted and the last breath is gone4 ,his soul has flown to the ,father2 the adorable spirit of ,jesus has entered the realms of eternal bliss1 where ,he is joyfully received4 ,jesus is dead1 but by the infinite merits of ,his death and ,passion ,he has freed us from death4 ,jesus is dead1 but by ,his death we have become children of ,god4 ,jesus is dead1 but we acknowledge ,him to be our good ,lord1 our ,master and our ,king4 ,the death of ,christ is our life1 but we must exterminate sin1 and let the love of ,jesus flame up in our hearts4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtyninth ,day4 8,it is consummated40 ,all the sufferings of ,our ,lord are now over4 ,the depth of humiliation has been reached1 the bitter chalice has been drained1 the soul of ,jesus has left the body1 and the body is dead4 ,how often1 dear ,jesus1 have ,i tried to shake off the cross which ,god has imposed on me6 ,i1 too1 ought to remain fixed to the cross1 until all is over and the soul leaves my body4 ,the fact is that ,i have not the virtue of perseverance1 that sister virtue of patience1 which protects our sanctity4 ,i ought to be able to say with ,our ,lord1 8,the work which ,i was to do is completed40 ,the day will come when ,i1 and the whole world1 will see the mystery of my crosses3 when ,i shall see clearly the purpose for which ,i had to bear them4 ,give me the grace1 gracious ,jesus1 that ,i may welcome that day1 because ,i am conscious that ,i have done my duty4 ,with the consummation of the work will also come my reward4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,fortieth ,day4 ,when ,our ,lord had given up the ghost great events took place1 that struck terror to the hearts of those who witnessed them1 and which were told from mouth to mouth4 ,the great veil of the ,temple1 behind which stood the holy of holies1 was rent4 ,a terrible earthquake shook the earth1 so that the rocks were burst asunder4 ,the graves opened and men buried for years came forth and stalked about the streets of the city4 ,then the centurion1 who stood beneath the cross and witnessed these supernatural manifestations1 exclaimed to those who stood by him that truly this must have been the ,son of ,god4 ,the soldier saw that all was over1 and he had but one duty more to perform before he could go away3 that of piercing the ,heart of ,jesus with the lance4 ,then they took the body of the ,lord from the cross1 and laid it for a moment in the arms of ,mary4 ,preparations were made by ,joseph of ,arimathea and ,nicodemus for the burial2 hurried preparations1 for it was the eve of the ,pasch4 ,they laid the body in the tomb1 whence1 on ,easter ,sunday1 ,jesus rose triumphantly4 ,prayer4 ,look down upon me1 good and gentle ,jesus1 etc41 etc4 ,a ,method of ,hearing ,mass by ,way of ,meditation4 ,before ,the ,service ,begins1 ,while ,waiting ,for ,the ,priest ,to ,come ,in call to mind the ,last ,supper1 in which ,christ instituted the sacrifice of the ,mass1 and gave ,himself to us all to be our food4 ,oughtest thou not to acknowledge and give ,him thanks for this excess of love8 ,affections4 ,jesus1 8having loved ,his own who were in the world1 ,he loved them unto the end40--,john xiii4 #a4 8,for ,thou hast prepared a table before me1 against them that afflict me40--,ps4 xxii4 #e4 8,i will sacrifice to ,thee the sacrifice of praise1 and ,i will call upon the name of the ,lord40--,ps4 cxv4 #ag4 ,when ,the ,priest ,is ,descending ,from ,the ,altar ,before ,commencing ,the ,mass1 consider ,christ after the ,last ,supper going from ,mount ,sion1 where the ,supper had been held1 to the ,garden of ,gethsemani4 8,and ,his disciples also followed ,him40--,luke xxii4 #ci4 ,and wilt thou forsake thy ,god in the time of temptation and trial8 ,affections4 8,in what place soever ,thou shalt be1 my ,lord ,king1 444 there will ,thy servant be40--#b ,kings xv4 #ba4 8,it is good for me to stick close to my ,god3 to put my hope in the ,lord ,god40--,ps4 lxxii4 #bh4 8,lord1 ,i am ready to go with ,thee both into prison and to death40--,luke xxii4 #cc4 ,at ,the ,confession contemplate ,christ praying in ,his agony1 when 8,his sweat became as drops of blood trickling down upon the ground40--,luke xxii4 #dd4 ,thy sins forced out ,his blood2 and wilt thou not grieve on account of them8 ,affections4 8,who will give water to my head1 and a fountain of tears to my eyes8 and ,i will weep day and night40--,jer4 ix4 #a4 8,father1 ,i have sinned against heaven1 and before ,thee4 ,i am not now worthy to be called ,thy son40--,luke xv4 #ba4 8,o ,god1 be merciful to me a sinner40--,luke xviii4 #ac4 ,when ,the ,priest ,kisses ,the ,altar1 ,and ,at ,the ,introit1 consider ,judas betraying ,christ with a kiss4 ,and art not thou also a traitor1 whilst thou rejectest thy ,saviour to embrace some trifling pleasure8 ,affections4 8,impute not to me1 my ,lord1 the iniquity1 nor remember the injuries of ,thy servant40--#b ,kings xix4 #ai4 8,i know my iniquity2 and my sin is always before me40--,ps4 l4 #e4 ,lord1 have mercy upon me1 have mercy upon me4 ,at ,the ,kyrie ,eleison reflect on the threefold denial of ,peter1 who did not repent until the ,lord looked upon him4--,luke xxii4 #fa4 ,how often art thou ashamed of thy ,lord ,jesus1 and deniest ,him before men8 ,when wilt thou repent and return to ,him with contrition8 ,affections4 8,i have sinned against the ,lord40--#b ,kings xii4 #ac4 8,cast me not away from ,thy face40--,ps4 l4 #ac4 8,look ,thou upon me1 and have mercy on me40--,ps4 xxiv4 #af4 ,at ,the ,gloria think of the exultation of the ,jews at the mocking and sufferings of ,christ4 ,and art not thou as one of them1 if thou takest pleasure in wicked things8 ,affections4 8,what shall we answer 444 or what shall we say8444 ,god hath found out the iniquity of ,his servants40--,gen4 xliv4 #af4 8,convert us1 ,o ,god1 ,our ,saviour3 and turn off ,thy anger from us40--,ps4 lxxxiv4 #e4 8,i will be glad and rejoice in ,thee40--,ps4 ix4 #c4 ,at ,the ,collect1 ,epistle1 ,and ,gradual think of all the accusations1 mockeries1 blows1 and spittings1 which ,christ endured in the houses of ,annas and ,caiphas4--,john xviii4 #bb4 ,christ was silent as a lamb before ,his shearers2 but how easily art thou made angry1 and reproachest thine accusers6 ,affections4 8,where is thy fear1 thy fortitude1 thy patience80--,job iv4 #f4 8,thou art my patience1 ,o ,lord40--,ps4 lxx4 #e4 8,set a watch1 ,o ,lord1 before my mouth3 and a door round about my lips4 ,incline not my heart to evil words40--,ps4 cxl4 #c1 #d4 ,at ,the ,gospel meditate how ,christ was hurried from ,caiphas to ,pilate1 questioned concerning ,his teaching1 and rebuked4--,john xviii4 ,dost thou value the precious doctrine of ,jesus8 ,dost thou receive it carefully thyself1 and hand it on to others8 ,affections4 8,direct my steps according to ,thy word3 and let no iniquity have dominion over me40--,ps4 cxviii4 #acc4 8,thy word is a lamp to my feet1 and a light to my paths40--,ps4 cxix4 #aje4 8,i will teach the unjust ,thy ways3 and the wicked shall be converted to ,thee40--,ps4 l4 #ae4 ,at ,the ,credo meditate upon ,christ sent by ,pilate to ,herod1 and by him sent back again to ,pilate 7when he obtained not the signs he expected to see71 clothed in a white garment1 as a silly person not worthy of credit4--,luke xxiii4 ,art thou among those who1 before they will believe1 demand of ,christ that they may see a sign8 ,affections4 8,blessed are they that have not seen1 and have believed40--,john xx4 #bi4 8,i do believe1 ,lord3 help my unbelief40--,mark ix4 #bc4 8,i live in the faith of the ,son of ,god1 ,who loved me1 and delivered ,himself for me40--,gal4 xi4 #bj4 ,at ,the ,offertory meditate upon the resignation of ,christ and ,his offering ,himself to bear all things for the glory of ,his ,father1 and the redemption of mankind4--,ps4 xxxix4 ,art thou prepared to endure adversity and affliction8 ,affections4 8,i am ready for scourges40--,ps4 xxxvii4 #ah4 8,i will take the chalice of salvation3 and ,i will call upon the name of the ,lord40--,ps4 cxv4 #ac4 8,confirm1 ,o ,god1 what ,thou hast wrought in us40--,ps4 lxvii4 #bi4 ,at ,the ,lavabo reflect how ,pilate sought to excuse himself for his most wicked deed by washing his hands4 ,but he did not escape the guilt itself4--,matt4 xxvii4 #bd4 ,how often dost thou seek to conceal thy sins1 and to make excuses for them8 ,so doing thou dost rather increase than diminish them4 ,affections4 8,i will confess against myself my injustice to the ,lord40--,ps4 xxxi4 #f4 8,o ,god1 ,thou knowest my foolishness3 and my offences are not hid from ,thee40--,ps4 lxviii4 #f4 8,man cannot be justified compared with ,god4 ,if he will contend with ,him1 he cannot answer ,him one for a thousand40--,job ix4 #b1 #c4 ,at ,the ,orate ,fratres meditate upon ,christ about to be condemned by ,pilate1 presented to the people crowned with thorns and in a purple robe4--,john xix4 #e4 ,what will be thy state1 ,o man1 when thou shalt stand before ,christ the judge at the ,last ,day8 ,affections4 8,who will grant me this1 that ,thou mayst protect me in hell1 and hide me1 till ,thy wrath pass80--,job xiv4 #ac4 8,i will let go my speech against myself1 ,i will speak in the bitterness of my soul4 ,i will say to ,god3 ,do not condemn me40--,job x4 #a1 #b4 8,for behold ,i was conceived in iniquities3 and in sins did my mother conceive me40--,ps4 l4 #g4 ,at ,the ,preface reflect that the very same ,jews who1 five days before1 saluted ,christ with hosannas1 now cry out1 8,crucify ,him1 crucify ,him40--,john xix4 #f4 ,art thou guilty of similar inconstancy8 ,affections4 8,perfect ,thou my goings in ,thy paths2 that my footsteps be not moved40--,ps4 xvi4 #e4 8,strengthen ,thou me in ,thy words40--,ps4 cxix4 #bh4 8,thy hand shall lead me3 and ,thy right hand shall hold me40--,ps4 cxxxix4 #aj4 ,at ,the ,canon meditate upon ,jesus bearing ,his own cross as ,he went up to ,calvary4--,john xix4 #ag4 ,dost thou not hear the voice of ,christ8 8,if any man will come after ,me1 let him deny himself1 and take up his cross1 and follow ,me40--,matt4 xvi4 #bd4 ,affections4 8,draw me3 we will run after ,thee to the odor of ,thy ointments40--,cant4 i4 #c4 8,god forbid that ,i should glory1 save in the cross of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ40--,gal4 vi4 #ad4 8,let us go forth therefore to ,him without the camp1 bearing ,his reproach40--,heb4 xiii4 #ac4 ,at ,the ,elevation ,of ,the ,host meditate on ,christ nailed to the cross by ,his hands and feet1 set forth as a spectacle to the whole world4--,luke xxiii4 #cc4 ,behold1 ,o man1 thy ,redeemer6 ,with what affection hast thou hitherto embraced ,him1 ,who here1 with extended arms1 invites thee to ,his embrace8 ,affections4 8,my ,beloved to me1 and ,i to ,him40--,cant4 ii4 #af4 8,tell ,him that ,i languish with love40--,ibid4 v4 #h4 8,who then shall separate us from the love of ,christ8 shall tribulation8 or distress1 or famine8444 ,for ,i am sure that neither death1 nor life1 444 nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of ,god1 which is in ,christ ,jesus ,our ,lord40--,rom4 viii4 #ceci4 ,at ,the ,elevation ,of ,the ,chalice reflect how profusely ,christ poured forth ,his blood from ,his five sacred wounds for the washing away of our sins4 ,run to ,him1 ,o sinner1 that thou mayest be cleansed1 and 8draw waters with joy out of the ,saviour's fountains40--,is4 xii4 #c4 ,affections4 8,suffer me1 therefore1 that ,i may lament my sorrow a little1 before ,i go1 and return no more1 to a land that is dark and covered with the mist of death40--,job x4 #bj1 #ba4 8,perhaps darkness shall cover me40--,ps4 cxxxix4 #aa4 ,at ,the ,memento ,for ,the ,dead reflect on the infinite mercy of ,god towards those who fear ,him1 and pray for those holy souls who have departed this life according to ,his justice1 and in the one true faith4 ,affection4 ,o ,jesus1 8enlighten them that sit in darkness1 and in the shadow of death40--,luke i4 #gi4 ,at ,the ,pater ,noster meditate upon the seven words of ,christ uttered by ,him upon the cross3 #a1 ,christ prayed for ,his enemies2 what dost thou do8 #b1 ,the thief1 repenting1 obtained heaven2 learn seriously to repent and do penance1 but delay it not to the last4 #c1 ,christ commends ,his ,mother to ,st4 ,john1 and ,st4 ,john to ,his ,mother2 to whom canst thou better commend thyself8 #d1 ,christ complains that ,he is forsaken2 and dost thou expect consolation as thy right8 #e1 ,christ thirsted for thy salvation2 and dost thou turn away from it with loathing8 #f1 ,christ announced that all ,his torments were finished2 thus shall all thy good and evil in this world be brought to a close4 #g1 ,lastly1 after the example of ,christ1 commend thy spirit into the hands of thy heavenly ,father4--,luke xxiii4 #df4 ,affections4 8,and forgive us our debts1 as we also forgive our debtors40--,matt4 vi4 #ab4 ,make me also to hear1 8,this day thou shalt be with ,me in paradise40--,luke xxiii4 #dc4 ,o ,mary1 8behold thy ,son60--,john xix4 #bf4 8,forsake me not1 ,o ,lord my ,god3 do not ,thou depart from me40--,ps4 xxxvii4 #bb4 8,for ,thee my soul hath thirsted40--,ps4 lxii4 #b4 8,happy is he who hath finished his course1 who hath kept the faith40--#b ,tim4 iv4 #g4 8,into ,thy hands ,i commend my spirit40--,luke xxiii4 #df4 ,at ,the ,division ,of ,the ,sacred ,host reflect upon the separation of ,christ's soul from ,his body4--,matt4 xxvii4 #ej4 ,it is appointed unto men once to die4--,heb4 ix4 #bg4 ,affections4 8,let my soul die the death of the just40--,num4 xxiii4 #aj4 8,whether we live or whether we die1 we are the ,lord's40--,rom4 xiv4 #h4 8,blessed are the dead who die in the ,lord40--,apoc4 xiv4 #ac4 ,at ,the ,agnus ,dei1 when the priest strikes his breast1 reflect how many of those who saw ,christ dying on the cross1 striking their breasts returned4--,luke xxiii4 #dh4 ,and dost not thou strike thy breast in token of true sorrow for thy sins8 ,affections4 ,lord1 ,i strike my breast with the publican1 and say1 8,be merciful to me a sinner40--,luke xviii4 #ac4 8,and now1 ,o ,lord1 think of me1 and take not revenge of my sins1 neither remember my offences1 nor those of my parents40--,tob4 iii4 #c4 8,let ,thy mercies speedily prevent us40--,ps4 lxviii4 #h4 ,at ,the ,communion ,of ,the ,priest meditate upon the burial of ,christ4--,john xix4 #db4 ,he asks from thee thy heart as a sepulchre4 ,affections4 8,my heart is ready1 ,o ,god1 my heart is ready40--,ps4 lvi4 #h4 8,arise1 ,o ,lord1 into ,thy restingplace1 ,thou and the ark of ,thy holiness40--,ps4 cxxxi4 #h4 8,my heart shall rejoice with ,thee40--,prov4 xxiii4 #ae4 ,at ,the ,last ,collect meditate upon ,christ's joyful and glorious resurrection4--,mark xvi4 #f4 8,for you are dead1 and your life is hid with ,christ in ,god40--,colos4 iii4 #c4 ,affections4 8,we look for the ,saviour1 ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,who will reform the body of our lowness1 made like to the body of ,his glory40--,phil4 iii4 #bj1 #ba4 8,when shall ,i come and appear before the face of ,god80--,ps4 xli4 #c4 8,i desire to be dissolved and to be with ,christ40--,phil4 i4 #bc4 ,at ,the ,benediction meditate how ,christ1 ascending into heaven1 blessed ,his disciples4--,mark xvi4 #ai4 8,unto this are you called1 that you may inherit a blessing40--#a ,pet4 iii4 #i4 ,affections4 8,save ,thy people1 ,o ,lord1 and bless ,thy inheritance40--,ps4 xxvii4 #i4 8,may ,god1 our own ,god1 bless us4 ,may ,god bless us40--,ps4 lxvi4 #g1 #h4 8,blessed are they that dwell in ,thy house1 ,o ,lord3 they shall praise ,thee forever and ever40--,ps4 lxxxiii4 #e4 ,prayer at the ,conclusion of ,mass4 ,accept1 ,o ,holy ,trinity1 this sacrifice of the body and blood of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 which ,i have offered to ,thy divine majesty in remembrance of ,his ,passion and death2 and by ,his infinite merits ,i beseech ,thee that all my defects and negligences may be supplied1 for ,he is the propitiation for our sins4 ,amen4 ,litany of the ,passion of ,our ,lord4 7,for ,private ,devotion ,only47 ,jesus ,christ4 ,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 ,jesus1 made man to redeem us1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 ,who1 during ,thy whole life1 didst burn with desire to die for us1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 prostrate in prayer in the ,garden of ,olives1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 agonizing1 and covered with a bloody sweat1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 comforted by an angel1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 betrayed by ,judas with a kiss1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 tied and bound by ,thy enemies1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 abandoned by ,thy disciples1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 arraigned before ,annas and ,caiphas1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 struck on ,thy face by a servant1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 accused by false witnesses1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 declared worthy of death1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 spit upon1 blindfolded and buffeted1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 denied thrice by ,peter1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 delivered in chains to ,pilate1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 despised and mocked by ,herod1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 to whom ,barabbas was preferred1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 cruelly scourged with whips1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 wounded and bruised for our sins1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 clothed in derision with a purple garment1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 crowned with thorns1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 with a reed in ,thy hand instead of a sceptre1 derided and insulted as a mock king1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 most unjustly condemned to the ignominious death of the cross1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 loaded with a heavy cross and carrying it to ,calvary1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 led as an innocent lamb to slaughter1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 nailed to a cross1 and elevated upon it between two thieves1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 ,who hast loved us1 and delivered ,thyself for us1 as an oblation and a sacrifice to ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 ,who didst wash us from our sins in ,thy blood1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 praying for ,thy enemies1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 blasphemed by those who passed by1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 promising paradise to the penitent thief1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 giving ,thy ,mother to ,st4 ,john for his ,mother1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 complaining of being forsaken by ,thy ,father1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 drenched in ,thy thirst with vinegar and gall1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 recommending ,thy spirit into ,thy ,father's hands1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 bowing ,thy head and expiring on the cross1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 ,whose side was opened with a spear1 whence issued forth blood and water1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 taken down from the cross1 wrapped up in a clean linen cloth1 and laid in a new monument1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 ,whose soul after ,thy death descended into hell1 ,have mercy on us4 ,jesus1 ,who1 in judgment1 will demand an account of the profit derived from ,thy ,passion and death1 ,have mercy on us4 ,be merciful1 ,spare us1 ,o ,lord6 ,be merciful1 ,hear us1 ,o ,lord6 ,from all evil1 ,lord ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,from the snares of the devil1 ,lord ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy most bitter ,passion1 ,lord ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,through ,thy infinite merits1 ,lord ,jesus1 deliver us4 ,we sinners1 ,beseech ,thee to hear us4 ,that being dead to sin1 we may live to justice1 ,we beseech ,thee to hear us4 ,that we do not glory but in ,thy holy cross1 ,we beseech ,thee to hear us4 ,that for the love of ,thee the world may be crucified to us1 and we to the world1 ,we beseech ,thee to hear us4 ,that we may always bear about in our body ,thy mortification1 ,we beseech ,thee to hear us4 ,that we may crucify our flesh1 with its vices and concupiscences1 ,we beseech ,thee to hear us4 ,that ,thy sacred blood may cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living ,god1 ,we beseech ,thee to hear us4 ,that being partakers of ,thy sufferings1 we may be also of ,thy glory1 ,we beseech ,thee to hear us4 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,spare us1 ,o ,jesus6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,jesus6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,jesus6 ,christ1 hear us4 ,christ1 graciously hear us4 ,v4 ,o ,lord1 hear our prayer4 ,r4 ,and let our cry come unto ,thee4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,lord ,jesus6 ,who didst shed ,thy precious blood for the remission of our sins1 grant1 we most humbly beseech ,thee1 that in the day of judgment we may merit to hear from ,thy adorable mouth these consoling words3 8,come1 ye blessed of ,my ,father1 possess the kingdom prepared for you40 ,amen4 ,a ,prayer to ,jesus ,suffering4 ,o spotless ,lamb6 ,o innocent ,victim1 ,who1 by ,thy death and blood1 hast effaced the sins of mankind1 blot out my iniquities1 and do not permit that ,thy sufferings should become useless to me4 ,o ,jesus1 abandoned by every one1 sorrowful1 desolate1 and resigned to death6 help me now to receive with resignation like ,thine1 whatever afflictions ,thou shalt please to send me4 ,o ,jesus1 calumniated1 accused1 despised6 teach me to disregard the judgments of men1 and to suffer with patience the most base injuries4 ,o ,jesus1 torn with stripes1 pierced with thorns1 weltering in blood for my sake6 teach me to endure for love of ,thee1 the anguish and inconvenience of illhealth and sickness4 ,o ,jesus1 abandoned to executioners1 shamefully condemned to a cross6 enable me to fly all vainglory1 and embrace the most humbling confusion4 ,o ,jesus1 sinking under the weight of ,thy cross6 ,i unite myself to ,thee1 and my cross also to ,thine4 ,may ,i ever carry it with the same strength and courage which ,thou didst4 ,o ,jesus1 raised upon ,thy cross6 draw me now powerfully to ,thee4 ,thou art expiring for my sake4 ,oh1 let me never live but for ,thine6 that being henceforth crucified with ,thee1 my whole occupation may be to love1 to praise1 and to adore ,thee4 ,amen4 ,prayers to the ,five ,wounds of ,our ,lord4 ,to ,the ,wound ,of ,the ,left ,foot4 ,o my divine ,saviour6 ,i humbly adore the sacred wound of ,thy left foot1 and ,i feelingly compassionate the intense pain it caused ,thee4 ,i thank ,thee for the love with which ,thou didst make ,thy painful journey to ,calvary1 marking every step of the way with ,thy precious blood4 ,i offer to the eternal ,father the love and sufferings of ,thy holy humanity1 in expiation of my crimes1 which ,i detest with sincere and bitter contrition4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,o holy ,mother1 impress deeply on my heart the wounds of my crucified ,jesus4 ,to ,the ,wound ,of ,the ,right ,foot4 ,o my divine ,saviour6 ,i adore the sacred wound of ,thy right foot1 and ,i feelingly compassionate the intense pain it caused ,thee4 ,i thank ,thee for the love with which ,thou didst suffer ,thy sacred feet to be pierced1 and with barbarous cruelty nailed to the cross1 to atone for my wanderings1 and for the guilty indulgence of my disorderly passions4 ,i offer to the eternal ,father the love and sufferings of ,thy holy humanity4 ,i beseech ,him to grant me the grace to weep bitterly for my sins1 and to persevere in virtue to the end of my life1 without ever straying from the obedience due to ,thy holy commandments4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,o holy ,mother1 impress deeply on my heart the wounds of my crucified ,jesus4 ,to ,the ,wound ,of ,the ,left ,hand4 ,o my divine ,saviour6 ,i humbly adore the sacred wound of ,thy left hand1 and ,i feelingly compassionate the intense pain it caused ,thee4 ,i thank ,thee for having thereby1 with so much love1 delivered me from the eternal punishments which my sins deserve4 ,i offer to the eternal ,father the love and sufferings of ,thy holy humanity4 ,i beseech ,him to grant me the grace to profit by the remainder of my life1 that ,i may bring forth fruits worthy of penance1 and thus disarm the divine justice provoked by my repeated sins4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,o holy ,mother1 impress deeply on my heart the wounds of my crucified ,jesus4 ,to ,the ,wound ,of ,the ,right ,hand4 ,o my divine ,saviour6 ,i adore the sacred wound of ,thy right hand1 and ,i feelingly compassionate the intense pain it caused ,thee4 ,i thank ,thee for all the blessings which this bountiful hand has so abundantly bestowed on me1 notwithstanding my ingratitude in refusing to correspond with ,thy gracious designs4 ,i offer to the eternal ,father the love and sufferings of ,thy holy humanity4 ,i beseech ,him to change my heart and affections1 and to render all my actions conformable to ,his holy will4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,o holy ,mother1 impress deeply on my heart the wounds of my crucified ,jesus4 ,to ,the ,wound ,of ,the ,opened ,side4 ,o my divine ,saviour6 ,i humbly adore the sacred wound of ,thy opened side4 ,i am exceedingly moved at this cruel outrage4 ,i thank ,thee for the love with which ,thou didst suffer ,thy side to be pierced and ,thy ,heart opened1 to give us even the last drop of ,thy precious blood that our redemption might be most abundant4 ,i offer to the eternal ,father both this outrage offered to ,thy holy humanity1 and the love with which ,thou art always ready to receive the greatest of sinners1 that my soul may be received into this most loving ,heart and may abide therein forever4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,o holy ,mother1 impress deeply on my heart the wounds of my crucified ,jesus4 ,,may4 ,,the ,,blessed ,,virgin ,,mary4 ,we are now on the eve of the beautiful month of ,mary--this blessed month so ardently looked for by every true ,christian4 ,on its approach we see the altars of our blessed ,mother in churches1 chapels1 and oratories decorated1 and everywhere during this lovely month exercises in honor of the beloved ,mother of ,our ,redeemer are performed with more or less pomp and ceremony4 ,mary is our heavenly ,mother1 and we are her children4 ,what welltrained child but is anxious to express his love and gratitude towards his mother1 in order to make her happy8 ,what mother so worthy of love as ,mary8 ,do you wish to please her8 ,this month gives you an opportunity of so doing4 ,dedicate it to her1 practise daily some little act of devotion in her honor1 and be faithful in making these meditations4 ,then only will you deserve to be called a child of ,mary4 ,o immaculate ,mary1 ,mother of our ,jesus1 and our ,mother6 also obtain that we may give thee most fervent homage during this month1 and by our words and example draw all hearts to thee and thy divine ,son4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,mary's ,immaculate ,conception4 8,thou art all fair1 ,o ,my love1 and there is not a spot in thee40--,cant4 iv4 #g4 ,these words are found in the ,canticles of ,solomon1 and are applied to the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,from all eternity she had been predestined to be the ,mother of ,god1 to give to the almighty ,god that body1 that flesh and blood1 which ,he was to assume for our redemption1 and the creature that ,he selected for ,his ,mother must have been all pure1 all holy1 and free from the slightest taint of sin4 ,a few saints1 such as ,john the ,baptist and the prophet ,jeremias1 were sanctified in their mother's womb4 ,and if these men1 because of their predestination1 were born without sin1 surely it cannot be supposed that ,god did not bestow on ,mary a greater privilege--that ,he exempted her from the necessity of being even for one instant the slave of sin4 ,o ,mother mine1 ,o ,mother of the ,church of ,god1 ,i hail thee6 ,have pity on us1 ,o ,mary conceived without sin1 and obtain for us the grace to struggle against our passions4 ,prayer4 ,o holiest and purest of virgins1 well dost thou merit this title6 ,thou who wast a virgin although a mother1 pray for us4 ,take pity on us1 thy children2 intercede for us with ,jesus1 that ,he may have mercy on us1 and grant us the grace to walk worthy of our vocation1 that we may be ,his through time and eternity4 ,amen4 ,second ,day4 ,mary's ,nativity4 ,the whole earth was filled with gladness at the birth of ,mary1 because of her was to be born ,jesus ,christ1 ,our ,saviour and ,redeemer1 ,who was to deliver us from the slavery of the devil4 ,how heaven must have rejoiced at the birth of such a mother6 ,a nation's joy at the birth of an heir to the throne may give you some faint idea of the joy the angels experienced at ,mary's nativity4 ,this is a day of jubilation for the entire world1 for the just and the sinner1 for time and eternity4 ,hell alone is afraid1 for this is the woman destined to crush the serpent's head4 ,her appearance was the blessed dawn1 announcing the rising of the ,sun of righteousness4 ,made holy at her conception1 the object of ,god's love at her birth1 every step in ,mary's life was marked by new progress in virtue2 no shadow of sin ever tarnished the beauty of her soul4 ,let us then praise our ,mother and ,queen1 and implore her to take pity on us1 whose lives are passed in a constant struggle against the world1 the flesh1 and the devil4 ,let us beg her to aid us in these combats1 and to bring us to our eternal home4 ,prayer4 ,what relief do ,i feel in my miseries1 and what consolation in my sorrow6 what strength do ,i not find in the midst of temptations1 when ,i remember thee1 and call thee to my aid6 ,o my most sweet and holy ,mother ,mary1 my own ,mother1 do thou console me6 ,i see myself loaded with sins and surrounded with enemies1 without virtue1 and cold in my love towards ,god4 ,comfort me1 and let me begin a new life1 a life which will be pleasing to thy divine ,son and to thee4 ,amen4 ,third ,day4 ,mary's ,presentation4 ,who is she that advances as the sun1 beautiful as ,jerusalem8 ,it is ,mary1 the wellbeloved daughter of the ,father1 who repairs to the ,temple of ,jerusalem to consecrate herself to the service of ,god4 ,happy he who gives himself to ,god in his youth1 who offers ,him a heart which has not been wounded by the thorns on life's weary way1 a heart which has not known the state of sin4 ,he has not to struggle against the memories of the past1 which strive to draw him from the service of ,god4 ,how beautiful1 how filled with sweetest instruction for us1 is every passage in the life of our beloved ,mother6 ,let us look at the picture now presented to us of the infant ,queen of saints1 on the day of her early entrance into the ,temple of ,god4 ,let us follow her1 and learn our first lesson from our little ,queen1 so full of grace4 ,see her as she passes up the long flight of stairs1 the little arms folded above the pure young heart1 the upturned face glowing with heavenly joy--a face where lies reflected the light of a soul which never for a moment was shrouded in the gloomy shadow of sin4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord1 ,thou wilt not reject a contrite and humble heart6 ,i come then to ,thee1 ,o my ,father4 ,at the sight of my bruised and bleeding heart ,thou wilt have compassion on ,thy child1 and receive my offering4 ,blooming rose1 ,mother of ,god all beautiful1 ,virgin most sweet1 pray for us1 that we may be worthy to find eternal happiness in eternal light4 ,grant that by thy intercession our sins may be effaced4 ,amen4 ,fourth ,day4 ,the ,annunciation4 ,god sent ,his archangel1 ,st4 ,gabriel1 one of the great ones of ,his kingdom1 to impart to the ,blessed ,virgin1 ,our ,lady1 ,his eternal counsel1 and to ask her consent4 ,the archangel went to ,nazareth1 and before the rising of the sun entered the oratory where the ,blessed ,virgin was1 and beholding in her his ,queen1 he saluted her with such reverence that she was overcome with fear1 not knowing what to think4 ,we know how the heavenly messenger bowed before his ,queen and said1 8,fear not1 ,mary2 the ,lord is with thee1 for thou hast found grace before ,god4 ,behold thou shalt conceive and bring forth a ,son1 and thou shalt call ,his name1 ,jesus40 ,and we know when that young maiden1 bowing her head in her heavenly humility1 consented1 saying1 8,behold the handmaid of the ,lord2 be it done unto me according to ,thy word10 that the ,holy ,ghost overshadowed her1 and 8the ,word was made flesh40 ,truly she is blessed among all women1 blessed among all mothers4 ,by her blessedness all women are raised and ennobled4 ,she is their honor1 their glory1 their model4 ,blessed ,virgin and ,mother1 ever immaculate on earth as now in heaven1 where she leads the army of virgins who follow the ,lamb whithersoever ,he goeth4 ,think of ,mary raised above all women1 and see her wonderful humility4 ,god loved her for it4 ,the one thought of her life1 the one end of her actions1 was truly to be the handmaid of ,god4 ,this is a lesson we all must learn1 namely3 to yield ourselves up to the will of ,him ,whose we are already by so many titles1 wondering how ,he can forget the sins we have committed against ,him1 and how ,he can desire to pour ,his celestial grace into so unworthy a vessel4 ,prayer4 ,may ,thy will1 ,o ,god1 be done in us1 through us1 and by us1 this day and always1 here and everywhere6 ,hail1 glorious ,mother of ,god2 hail1 ,queen of heaven2 hail1 my patroness6 ,to thy tender maternal love ,i commend myself1 in order that all my actions may have for their end three things1 namely1 the glory of thy ,son1 my own salvation1 and my neighbor's good4 ,in every tribulation and sorrow come to my aid and the aid of my friends4 ,amen4 ,fifth ,day4 ,the ,visitation4 ,no sooner had ,mary heard the words of the angel1 announcing that she had been chosen to be the ,mother of the long expected ,messias1 and that her kinswoman ,elizabeth was also with child1 than she rose up and went with haste into the hill country1 and entering into the house of ,zachary1 saluted ,elizabeth4 ,her heart was full of unselfish love for ,god and man1 and the very love of ,god which made her heart burn with joy at the coming of ,jesus1 made it also beat quickly with gladness at the great blessing granted to ,elizabeth4 ,the angel had told ,zachary that his son ,john was to be the immediate precursor of the ,messias1 and ,elizabeth had been constantly thinking of all this1 longing to know when and whence the ,messias should come4 ,lost in these thoughts she sat on the day of ,mary's arrival1 and the instant that sweet voice struck on her ear1 it was made known to her in a wonderful manner that this was the ,mother of the ,messias4 ,rising1 she knelt before her1 crying1 8,blessed art thou among women1 and blessed is the fruit of thy womb4 ,and whence is this to me1 that the ,mother of my ,lord should come to me80 ,for a moment ,mary stood in astonishment--then she realized the greatness of her title of ,mother of ,god1 and while the light of ecstasy transfigured her holy face1 she exclaimed1 8,my soul doth magnify the ,lord1 and my spirit hath rejoiced in ,god my ,saviour4 ,because ,he hath regarded the humility of ,his handmaid3 for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed4 ,because ,he that is mighty hath done great things to me3 and holy is ,his name4 ,and ,his mercy is from generation unto generations to them that fear ,him4 ,he hath shewed might in ,his arm3 ,he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart4 ,he hath put down the mighty from their seat1 and hath exalted the humble4 ,he hath filled the hungry with good things3 and the rich ,he hath sent empty away4 ,he hath received ,israel ,his servant1 being mindful of ,his mercy4 ,as ,he spoke to our fathers1 to ,abraham and to his seed forever40 ,the visit which occasioned this beautiful canticle preaches in every line the great virtue of charity which marked ,our ,lady's life so clearly4 ,the ,holy ,scripture tells us that ,mary remained with ,elizabeth for three months1 when she returned to her own home4 ,prayer4 ,o ,virgin most fair1 worthy of all praise and honor6 ,sanctuary consecrated to ,god1 ,virgin ,mother1 hidden treasure of innocence1 splendor of virginity6 ,thy prayers are favorably received on high4 ,address them for us to ,him1 ,whom in thy virginity thou didst conceive1 ,who is true ,lord and ,god1 the ,author of all creatures4 ,amen4 ,sixth ,day4 ,the ,birth of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,and when the fulness of time was come1 8,god so loved the world as to give ,his onlybegotten ,son10 ,who for us men1 and for our salvation1 came down from heaven1 was incarnate by the ,holy ,ghost of the ,virgin ,mary1 and was made man4 ,the ,emperor ,augustus ordered that a great census should be taken in all the provinces of his empire1 each family being enrolled in the city of its respective tribe4 ,thus1 in obedience to the order1 ,mary came to the city of ,david1 and in all its length and breadth there was not room for her to lay her weary head4 8,he came unto ,his own1 and ,his own received ,him not40 ,gold would doubtless have procured admission to an appropriate shelter1 but ,joseph had no gold4 ,the evening wind fell cold and piercing on the young virgin1 who breathed not a word of complaint though she was scarcely able to support herself4 ,the lonely travellers1 seeing themselves rejected by all the world1 quitted ,bethlehem1 and in a poor ruined stable ,mary brought forth her firstborn ,son1 the promised ,messias1 and laid ,him in a manger4 ,great artists have striven to paint the rapture of ,mary as she laid her ,jesus1 her ,son1 her ,god1 in the manger4 ,who can understand what it was to see ,him1 to adore ,him as her ,god1 to caress ,him as her ,child1 to forget all her fatigue in her wonderful joy8 ,we can adore ,him and watch the movements of our beloved ,mother1 a model and example of resignation on this night of poverty and humiliation4 ,glory and praise to thee1 ,o holy ,mother1 in this thy poverty in ,bethlehem6 ,many a poor mother in sorrow and want will look to thee and find consolation1 knowing thy tender heart will sympathize with her4 ,for what are we that we should be better treated than the ,mother of ,our ,god8 ,prayer4 ,immaculate ,virgin1 ,mother of ,god1 receive my prayer4 ,help me in all my necessities1 intercede for me1 ,o glorious one1 with my ,redeemer1 even with ,him1 thy divine ,son1 ,whom thou didst bear without spot of sin4 ,deliver me from every snare of the enemy1 and from all carnal delights1 that by thy intercession ,i may obtain the pardon of all my sins1 steadfast resistance to all my enemies visible and invisible1 and the amendment of my life4 ,amen4 ,seventh ,day4 ,the ,purification4 ,it was ordered by the ,law of ,moses that all women should1 at a stated time after childbirth1 repair to the ,temple and present themselves to the priest1 in order that they might be purified4 ,could she who had been immaculately conceived1 an immaculate ,virgin and ,mother1 be made more pure8 ,no1 certainly not2 but obedience required that she should comply with the conditions of the ,law1 and obedience was one of ,mary's greatest virtues4 ,should not her example fill us with confusion--we who are apt to murmur against any command that is in the slightest manner distasteful to our feelings8 ,the ,law also commanded that every firstborn son should be offered to ,god in the ,temple1 and then ransomed by some gift1 according to the condition of the parents4 ,mary and ,joseph were poor1 so they took their humble offering of two doves and set out for ,jerusalem1 to present the ,son of ,god in the ,temple4 ,as ,mary walked on1 with her precious ,child clasped in her arms1 how little the passersby suspected ,who this first born ,son was6 ,if they could have only known what ,he was to do for ,his people1 how they would have bowed before ,him and adored ,him1 poor weak ,infant as ,he was6 ,but no1 8,he came unto ,his own1 and ,his own knew ,him not40 8,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 had 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 ,law3 he took ,him into his arms1 and blessed ,god1 and said3 ,now ,thou dost dismiss ,thy servant1 ,o ,lord1 according to ,thy word in peace3 ,because my eyes have seen ,thy salvation1 which ,thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples4 ,a light to the revelation of the ,gentiles1 and the glory of ,thy people1 ,israel40 ,as ,simeon stands thus with the ,babe in his arms1 the ,holy ,ghost shows him the sad1 sad future of the ,child and ,mother4 ,turning to ,mary1 he said3 8,behold this ,child is set for the fall1 and for the resurrection of many in ,israel4444 ,and thy own soul a sword shall pierce40 ,oh1 the awful sorrow that fell on her young heart6 ,for a moment she bowed down under the crushing burden of her coming pain1 but only for a moment2 then she stretches out her arms to receive her ,child1 and murmurs1 8,thy will1 not mine1 be done2 be it done unto me according to ,thy word40 ,what a lesson for us to learn1 we who are restless and impatient under every little trial6 ,what a contrast to our disobedience and pride when ,god wishes to take some loved object from us6 ,oh1 let the example of this most perfect of women sink deeply into our hearts1 and may we learn from her the great virtues of charity1 obedience1 humility1 and purity4 ,prayer4 ,o ,mother of mercy1 forsake us not in our hour of trial and temptation6 ,never allow us to lose courage1 but cheer us with thy aid1 make us patient under suffering1 and render our wills conformable to the will of thy divine ,son4 ,conduct us through the dawn of penance to the fulness of thy light4 ,amen4 ,eighth ,day4 ,simeon's ,prophecy4 ,the holy ,simeon had foretold that ,jesus should be a stumbling block to many4 ,by these words ,mary understood that ,jesus would suffer much persecution from the ,jews1 and her immaculate heart was deluged with sorrow4 ,she saw ,anna come into the ,temple and heard her acknowledge ,jesus as her ,god4 ,she obeyed everything which the ,law ordained1 and then with ,joseph and her ,child returned to the city of ,nazareth1 with the sharp sword of sorrow within her heart4 ,oh1 the constant grief that followed each ray of joy that lighted her soul6 ,how she suffered at every insult offered to her divine ,son--she who loved ,him as no other mother ever loved a child6 ,every look at ,jesus1 every movement that ,he made1 every word ,he spoke1 brought to her mind the prophecy of ,simeon and filled her heart with bitterness4 ,the memory of those words were always before her1 and as time passed on she saw ,gethsemani and ,calvary hourly drawing nearer and nearer4 ,the words of the prophet ,isaias came whispering to her heart1 8,he shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter1 and shall be dumb as a lamb before ,his shearer1 and ,he shall not open ,his mouth40 ,yet ever and anon she murmured1 8,thy will1 not mine1 be done40 ,oh1 what an example of loving resignation to the will of ,god6 ,it is astonishing how shallow all human consolation is4 ,let ,our ,lady teach us how to suffer without seeking consolation4 ,she suffered in silence2 we can make our sorrows in a measure like hers by constantly uniting them to the sorrows of our dearest ,lord4 ,with confidence then we may seek the ,mother of sorrows1 and ask her to be the ,mother of our sorrow1 to help us bear our burdens to the very end--to be like her1 loving and patient with those who cause us pain4 ,it is a consolation to those who mourn to know that our blessed ,lady was a lifelong mourner4 ,so let us take up our sorrow bravely1 and following in the footsteps of our dear ,mother1 walk cheerfully on4 ,prayer4 ,o ,mary1 ,mother of sorrows1 my refuge1 neglect not to pray for me in all my tribulations6 ,first of all in the blood of ,jesus ,christ1 then in thy prayers1 do ,i trust for my eternal salvation4 ,in thee1 ,o ,lady1 have ,i hoped2 ,i will say to thee with ,st4 ,bonaventure1 8,i shall not be confounded forever40 ,obtain for me the grace to love my ,god in this life and in eternity1 and ,i ask for nothing more4 ,amen4 ,ninth ,day4 ,the ,flight into ,egypt4 ,filled with joy and praising ,god1 the ,magi left the stable with the intention of going to ,herod1 so that he might share in the happiness4 ,but an angel appeared to them1 warning them not to return to ,herod1 for he sought to destroy the ,christ1 the newborn ,messias1 so they turned their camels' heads and went another way into their own country4 ,herod did not intend1 however1 to be deprived of his ,victim1 and lest he should miss taking the life of the newborn ,king1 he gave orders that all the children of two years and under in and around ,bethlehem should be killed4 ,while ,herod is thus plotting the ,infant's death1 an angel appears to ,joseph in a dream1 to warn him1 saying1 8,rise1 take the ,child and ,his ,mother and fly into ,egypt3 and be there until ,i shall tell thee4 ,for it will come to pass that ,herod will seek the ,child that he may destroy ,him40 ,joseph and ,mary immediately obeyed the command1 for poverty has but few preparations to make4 ,not a murmur or complaint escaped their lips1 though our hearts can imagine how difficult it must have been for ,mary to leave home again1 and to face the hardships of the wilderness4 ,trembling with apprehension from the dread of ,herod's followers1 and suffering from heat and cold in their severest forms1 they travelled on for many a weary day4 ,but ,god had so ordained it1 and they were ready to do ,his holy will4 ,what a lesson of perfect obedience6 ,they knew that they were carrying ,jesus1 yet they did not look for miracles to lighten their burden4 ,we may reverently follow them on their journey in our meditations4 ,tradition tells us of trees that bowed down their leafy heads to shade with their fanlike plumes the ,mother and her ,child4 ,it also tells us that the images of the heathen gods fell from their pedestals when the true ,god went by4 ,and there1 amid the ,egyptian idolaters1 ,mary1 the frail1 girlish ,mother1 and ,joseph1 so patient and uncomplaining1 with the holy ,babe dwelt for seven years4 ,joseph pursued his trade of carpenter1 and ,mary no doubt contributed her share to the support of the modest household1 while ,jesus grew in beauty day after day4 ,when ,herod died an angel came to ,joseph1 saying1 8,arise1 and return into ,judea1 for they who sought the life of the ,child are dead40 ,this was glad news to ,mary and ,joseph1 and joyfully they returned to commence anew their life in ,nazareth of ,galilee4 ,prayer4 ,hail1 ,mother of mercy1 ,queen of heaven1 thou art our life1 our sweetness1 and our hope6 ,obtain for me the grace of the ,holy ,ghost1 that ,he may dispose of me in all things according to ,his will1 that ,he may direct my body1 elevate my soul1 guide my life1 rule my conduct1 inspire my actions1 maintain within me holy thoughts1 pardon my sins of the past1 correct those of the present1 and preserve me from sin in the future4 ,amen4 ,tenth ,day4 ,the ,three ,days' ,loss4 ,from the time of the return from ,egypt1 history is silent as to the life of the ,holy ,family1 until the time when they went to keep the ,easter festival at ,jerusalem4 ,according to the ,law1 the ,jews were obliged to go up to ,jerusalem to worship ,god three times a year1 unless they were legitimately hindered4 ,the first time was at the ,pasch1 instituted in remembrance of the exodus from ,egypt1 and corresponding to our ,easter2 the second time was the feast of weeks1 which was ,pentecost or ,whitsuntide2 the third was the feast of tabernacles4 ,st4 ,luke1 in his gospel1 gives us this account of the occurrence3 8,when ,jesus was twelve years old1 they went up to ,jerusalem according to the custom of the feast40 ,unknown and unnoticed1 ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph passed into the holy city4 ,mary's heart was filled with joy at the thought that she was leading to the ,temple ,god's only ,son made man4 ,as she looked at the surging crowd around her both within and without the ,temple1 she thought to herself1 8,ah1 if you could but know that this ,boy1 ,whom you think is only the son of a carpenter1 is the ,son of the most high ,god6 ,he is your ,king40 ,but the week of unleavened bread came to a close4 ,thousands as usual had thronged the holy city to worship ,god4 ,after the festival was over1 the custom was that all the women should depart by one gate of the city1 the men by another1 in order to reunite at the haltingplace of the first night4 ,the children might go either with the father or with the mother4 ,thus it was that ,mary and ,joseph travelled on contentedly1 ,mary thinking that ,jesus was with ,joseph1 while ,joseph on his side supposed the ,child to be with ,his ,mother4 ,the night had fallen before the two bands of men and women met2 imagine the consternation of the holy parents when they discovered the absence of their precious charge4 ,they asked among their kinsfolk and acquaintances if ,he were with them1 but ,mary knew it would be all in vain4 ,she knew if ,he were in the company ,he would long since have joined her2 so in all haste1 alone and silent1 ,mary and ,joseph retraced their steps to the holy city4 ,for three days they searched in sorrow for their loved ,child2 they made inquiries everywhere1 but all to no purpose4 ,on the third day they heard of a wonderful ,child ,who sat daily in the ,temple disputing with the doctors4 ,with eager steps ,mary and ,joseph went to the ,temple2 as they came along ,mary's ear has caught the sound of a voice which it is impossible for her to mistake--it is the voice of ,jesus4 ,what a sight greets their eyes as they enter--the great doctors of the ,law sitting around1 and her ,boy in the midst of them answering questions6 8,my ,son1 my ,son10 ,mary cries1 8,why hast ,thou done so to us8 ,behold1 ,thy father and ,i have sought ,thee sorrowing40 ,the ,son of ,god lifted ,his eyes and looked at her1 saying1 8,why have ye sought ,me8 ,did ye not know that ,i must be about ,my ,father's business80 ,nevertheless1 ,he went down to ,nazareth and was subject to them4 ,and ,his ,mother kept all these things in her heart4 ,and ,jesus advanced in age and grace with ,god and man4 ,when we sin we too lose ,jesus1 ,our ,father and ,friend2 but do we1 like ,mary1 search for ,him until we find ,him8 ,we must not wait for ,him to come back to us2 we must go and find out where ,he is4 ,sometimes ,jesus permits us to suffer pain and anguish4 ,when this is so1 think of ,mary1 and how sweetly and patiently she suffered during those three days when she was separated from ,jesus4 ,let us also dwell on the obedience of ,jesus2 the ,son of ,god1 ,our ,creator1 was subject to ,his creature4 ,oh1 my ,god1 give us grace to understand this great mystery and strength to follow it6 ,prayer4 ,what relief do ,i feel in my miseries1 and what consolation in my tribulation2 what strength do ,i not find in the midst of temptations1 when ,i remember and call thee1 ,o my ,mother1 to my aid8 ,o my most sweet and most holy ,mother ,mary1 my own ,mother1 do thou console me6 ,i see myself loaded with sins and surrounded by enemies1 without virtue1 and cold in my love towards ,god4 ,comfort me1 and let me begin a new life1 a life which will be pleasing to thy ,son and to thee4 ,amen4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,meeting ,jesus with the ,cross4 ,we have now come to the morning of ,good ,friday--to ,mary's meeting ,jesus with the cross1 which is one of her seven dolors4 ,it is twentyone years since the three days' loss1 and the heart of ,mary has traversed a world of mysteries since then--always in joy1 yet always with her lifelong sorrow before her4 ,it would be impossible to make any calculations of the sum of love which these years produced in ,mary's heart4 ,but now the time has come when ,mary must give ,jesus up1 to be scourged and to be put to death4 ,the ,passion may be said to begin on the ,thursday in ,holy ,week4 ,the first ,mass took place that night1 ,our ,lord's first unbloody sacrifice1 to be followed on the morrow by the dreadful one of blood4 ,by a miraculous grace ,mary is enabled to go through all the dreadful tortures of that long night of pain4 ,she hears the sound of the scourging1 and sees the cruel soldiers crown ,him with thorns1 bandage ,his eyes1 and dare to bend the knee in mockery before ,him ,who has one day to be their ,judge4 ,she has heard ,pilate say1 8,behold the man10 and the cry of the people1 8,crucify ,him1 crucify ,him60 and when ,pilate said1 8,i am innocent of the blood of this just man2 look you to it10 she heard the dreadful imprecation that was shouted by the demons around her1 8,his blood be upon us1 and upon our children6 ,crucify ,him1 crucify ,him60 ,then they lead ,him away to pronounce the final sentence4 ,the streets are filled with a great concourse of people1 all going in one direction towards ,calvary4 ,what a journey for ,mary1 yet she never shrinks4 ,oh1 how can we1 when we look at our sinless ,mother suffering so patiently1 how can we murmur at the petty trials that ,god sends us8 ,mary1 with ,st4 ,john and ,magdalen1 stands at the corner4 ,she does not even tremble4 ,hark1 that hoarse shouting1 that trampling and hurrying of feet6 ,the procession comes in sight2 the centurion leads the way1 the soldiers dragging ,jesus and ,his heavy cross--then the maddened crowd surge around1 about and behind her4 ,she approaches to embrace ,him1 but the soldiers thrust her rudely back4 ,he staggers1 and falls with a dull1 heavy sound upon the street4 ,o ,god of heaven6 ,he falls1 and ,his sweet ,mother must stand and look on4 ,well may she say1 8,look and see if there be sorrow like unto my sorrow40 ,men crowd around ,him1 and with curses and blows drag ,him up1 and sweep on again on the way to ,calvary1 to finish their impious designs4 ,o my ,mother1 ,i too was one of the agents in that cruel work6 ,surely1 when ,i see all that my most sorrowful ,mother had to undergo1 it will cost me no great effort to have a loving devotion to her4 ,can we look on this sinless1 uncomplaining ,mother1 standing in the streets of ,jerusalem1 gazing on her ,son and her ,god torn and bruised1 crowned with cruel thorns1 bending under the heavy cross which we gave ,him1 and refuse to bear the little crosses which ,he gives us8 ,oh1 no6 ,let us look at our ,mother1 and like her see all the beauty of our ,jesus in the bloodstained countenance of the ,god made man1 and carry most gladly all trials that our loving ,lord may send us4 ,prayer4 ,o most holy ,mary1 in the great battle in which ,i am now engaged with hell1 do thou always help me6 ,and when thou seest me wavering1 and likely to fall1 ,o my ,lady1 do thou extend thy hand and sustain me4 ,mary1 my hope1 my refuge1 my strength1 do thou protect me1 and never allow me to lose the grace of ,god4 ,and on my part1 ,i resolve always and instantly to have recourse to thee in all temptations1 saying1 8,help me1 ,mary1 help me40 ,amen4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,the ,crucifixion4 ,the way of the cross is ended1 and they have come to ,calvary4 ,they have stripped ,jesus of ,his garments1 and have laid ,him on the hard bed of the cross4 ,now commences the dreadful work of nailing ,his blessed hands and feet to the cross4 ,the right hand is nailed to the cross first1 but through some mistake the left hand will not reach2 then a fearful scene takes place4 ,the brutal soldiers pull with all their force1 until1 dislocating the arm1 they succeed in stretching the hand to its place4 ,picture ,mary looking in mute agony on that dreadful scene6 ,his legs are stretched out1 one foot crossed upon the other1 and through them the nail is driven4 ,now the cross is raised on high1 and ,jesus hangs upon it4 ,in the past few moments ,mary has suffered a world of woe4 ,the sacrifice of the ,mother was inseparable from that of the ,son2 it would have cost her much less to have given her own life1 and for this reason she is justly styled the ,queen of martyrs4 ,the first hour of the three long hours of agony has passed2 still ,jesus is silent4 ,the second hour begins4 ,there are fewer persons around the cross2 all is silent1 and then ,his lips move4 ,mary listens with all her heart3 8,father1 forgive them2 they know not what they do40 ,beautiful1 beautiful prayer--true of all sins and of all sinners--8they know not what they do40 ,beautiful prayer also because it discloses the heart of a ,god4 ,for ,god alone could teach such charity as this1 and ,mary1 joining her ,son in ,his prayer1 looks up to heaven and repeats1 8,father1 forgive them2 they know not what they do40 ,the third hour begins1 and ,his first word in this last hour goes through her very soul3 8,i thirst40 ,well might ,he thirst4 ,since the night before nothing has crossed ,his lips1 and ,mary1 ,his ,mother1 is unable to give ,him a drink to cool them1 parched and swollen as they are2 she cannot even reach to wipe away the blood that has congealed there4 ,thus for three long hours she watches ,him in ,his deathagony1 unable to afford ,him the slightest alleviation2 until at last ,he cries out with a loud voice1 8,father1 into ,thy hands ,i commend ,my spirit40 ,and bowing ,his head1 ,jesus dies4 ,such were the sufferings endured by the ,mother of that divine ,son4 ,jesus dies for love of us1 and we live to torture and crucify ,him afresh4 ,what sublime lessons ,mary here gives us1 and how perfectly is she the model of those souls whom ,god permits to be sorely tried in affliction6 ,their trials are great1 but are they to be compared with hers8 ,ah1 do not complain1 but to enable you to endure your sufferings cast your eyes on this sorrowful ,mother1 and ask her to obtain for you grace to imitate her firmness1 her constancy1 and her generosity4 ,after ,jesus on the cross1 the most beautiful book one can study is ,mary at the foot of the cross4 ,prayer4 ,o most tender ,mother1 it was ,i that covered thy divine ,son with wounds1 and put ,him to death6 ,it was ,i that pierced thy heart with the most bitter sword of grief6 ,oh1 by those wounds and by that blood1 by thy sorrows and by thy tears1 ,i conjure thee1 ,o ,mary1 to be my protectress and my advocate4 ,pray for me1 and for all sinners like me1 that so many precious sufferings may not become useless to us4 ,amen4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,the ,taking ,down from the ,cross4 ,the sorrowful day is over4 ,all have gradually dispersed1 and now only ,mary and the other holy women1 with the disciples1 remain at the cross4 ,the bruised and mangled body is lifted down1 and laid on the ,mother's knee4 ,when ,our ,lord dies we are tempted to think that ,our ,lady's dolors ought to have ended there2 but no1 there is still more to be endured4 ,mary embraces the lifeless body1 washes the gaping wounds1 smoothes the tangled hair1 and bathes away the clotted blood that dims its glory4 ,she wraps ,him tenderly in a white linen cloth1 and gives ,him into the reverential arms of ,joseph of ,arimathea and ,nicodemus4 ,both of these were disciples of our blessed ,lord4 ,joseph was a good and just man1 and ,nicodemus was a man learned in the ,scriptures1 who had come to ,jesus by night1 for fear of the ,jews1 and had learned the doctrine of regeneration4 ,joseph had gone to ,pilate and had begged the body of ,jesus1 which had been granted to him4 ,now he takes ,him in his arms1 and with the help of ,nicodemus places ,him in his own tomb4 ,well has our blessed ,lord said1 8,the foxes have holes1 and the birds of the air nests3 but the ,son of ,man hath not where to lay ,his head40 ,mary found nothing strange even in the tremendous sorrows that almost crushed the life out of her4 ,she looks only to ,god's will4 ,no matter how uncommon1 how exacting1 or how apparently unreasonable1 she was always found prepared1 always found with these words on her lips1 8,o ,god1 ,thy will be done40 ,let us look at our lives1 and see if we1 like ,mary1 are ever ready to do ,god's will2 ever looking at ,our ,lord crucified1 and willing to bear all the disappointments1 trials1 and sorrows that ,he may send us4 ,let us look at our immaculate ,mother1 standing patient and resigned at the foot of the cross1 looking on the sufferings of her dearly beloved ,son1 and we will never murmur--no matter how heavy the cross which our good ,god in ,his divine providence may place upon our shoulders4 ,prayer4 ,o ,mary most sorrowful6 words fail to express the gratitude we owe thee1 for the readiness wherewith thou didst consent to come to the rescue of our lost world4 ,but do thou deign to receive our thanks1 faint and inadequate though they may be4 ,may the enjoyment of thy present bliss move thee to intercede with ,god in behalf of us1 thy weeping1 weary children4 ,be propitious to those who flee to thee for aid1 and do thou ever intercede for those whom thy divine ,son redeemed4 ,amen4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,the ,burial of ,jesus4 ,it is now the evening of ,good ,friday1 and ,mary is sitting at the foot of the cross with her dead ,son upon her lap4 ,it is here that mourners for future generations will come to find rest and peace4 ,here the widow1 the orphan1 and the lonely will find how good a thing it is to have their hearts crushed with sorrow1 because here they will find the loving arms of their new ,mother ,mary around them1 and through their grief they will see ,god4 ,but now the time has come when ,mary must give up her treasure4 ,so giving the signal to ,joseph of ,arimathea and ,nicodemus1 they lift the body of the dead ,creator and move towards the garden tomb4 ,mary arranges everything2 she adjusts the windingsheet1 and then takes her last look on the lifeless body of ,jesus4 8,oh1 look and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow60 ,then her adopted son1 ,john1 comes to her1 drawing her away1 for she is halfdead with the grief and anguish of the past night and day4 ,through the same gate by which she had left the city of ,jerusalem in the morning1 she reentered it that night4 ,poor ,jerusalem1 that city of ,god1 how often had ,our ,lord yearned and wept over it1 longing to gather those chosen ones to ,himself6 ,but no1 they had rejected ,him1 and now their cup of iniquity is filled4 ,they have crucified their ,king2 their pavements are stained with ,his blood4 ,mary knows all this1 still there is no room in her heart for bitterness4 ,oh1 what a contrast to our spirit of revenge1 sometimes for even a fancied wrong4 ,we learn from this dolor of ,mary that there is no darkness like the darkness of a world without ,jesus1 and if ,his absence is caused by our own fault1 our own sin1 then it is the greatest of sorrows4 ,o ,mary1 my ,mother1 keep us ever by thy side at the foot of the cross6 so that remembering all that thou hast suffered1 we will gladly accept all the sorrows that may come4 ,amen4 ,prayer4 ,o ,virgin ,mother most sorrowful1 ,i detest my sins because they have offended ,god1 and caused thee so much pain6 ,i am sorry for them1 and will be sorry for them as long as ,i live1 and according to the best of my power will do penance for them4 ,forgive me1 dear ,lord1 for ,thy mercy's sake2 pardon me all that is past1 and be ,thou my keeper for the time to come1 that ,i may nevermore offend ,thee4 ,amen4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,help of ,christians4 8,she hath opened her hand to the needy and stretched out her hand to the poor40--,prov4 xxxi4 #bj4 ,the whole life of our blessed ,mother shows how ever dear to her has been the alleviation of the miseries that surround us4 ,everything in her proves to us how justly the ,church gives to her the title of ,help of ,christians4 ,mary's desire to console us in our miseries is so immense1 so vehement1 that scarcely have we resolved to address ourselves to her mercy than she immediately flies to our relief4 ,if ,mary is already inclined and prompt to aid us1 even when we do not pray to her1 what may we not expect from her when we lay our miseries before her1 to beseech her to deliver us from them8 ,the ,church urges us to apply unceasingly to her1 to observe faithfully the pious practices which are authorized to be observed in her honor4 ,with this view the ,church has established a great number of feasts in the course of the year1 to show her children that they cannot pay too much honor to the ,mother of ,god4 ,happy is he whose love for ,mary is ever growing2 he is enjoying in time one of the choicest blessings of eternity4 ,let us then follow in the spirit of our holy ,church1 and have frequent recourse to the bounties of the divine ,mother4 ,if we would only remember how anxious our dear ,mother is to assist and help us1 how eagerly we would turn to her in all our sorrows and joys4 ,o holy ,virgin1 ,help of ,christians1 come to our aid in the midst of the miseries by which we are surrounded6 ,we entreat thee1 then1 ,o ,mother of goodness1 to supply our insufficiency and to bless our labor4 ,imprint thy love in all hearts1 so that having loved and honored thy ,son upon earth1 we may go to praise ,him eternally in heaven4 ,prayer4 ,most loving ,mother1 no suppliant ever had recourse to thee in vain6 ,whatever our needs1 thy ear is ever open to our cry4 ,thou art the ,help of ,christians6 ,o good and powerful ,mother1 come to our aid1 and deliver us from all our troubles4 ,show thyself our ,mother1 intercede for each one of us that we may lead a ,christian life1 and hereafter reign with ,christ throughout eternity4 ,amen4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,our ,lady of ,mercy4 ,everything in ,mary recalls the august character of mercy4 ,it is her essence1 so to speak2 so that whoever names ,mary names mercy1 as ,mary cannot be without mercy4 ,what could we not say to prove that ,mary is all mercy1 and that everything she does tends to clemency8 ,but it may be that the greatness or the sanctity of this powerful ,queen alarms us1 and makes us fear to present ourselves before her1 we who are so guilty in the sight of ,god4 ,let us take courage1 for the more holy and elevated ,mary is1 the more gentle and affable she shows herself to the sinner4 ,mary welcomes all mankind without exception2 no one leaves her presence with a disconsolate or sorrowful heart4 ,let our confidence in ,mary have no bounds1 since we know that her power equals the extent of her mercy4 ,that good ,mother herself gave ,st4 ,bridget to understand as much when she told her1 8,i am the ,queen of heaven1 and the ,mother of mercy4 ,there is none on earth to whom ,i refuse my pity2 not one who has not obtained some grace through my intercession40 ,who can doubt that it is true to say that many who are now saved would have been lost except for ,mary8 ,if it is true to say that he is happy who loves ,mary1 so it is also true to say that there will be woe for all eternity to him who in this life is able to secure her mercy1 but does not do so1 and thus loses himself by his own fault4 ,flee then to ,mary1 ,o my soul2 beseech her to take pity on thee1 and secure thy salvation1 which cost her ,son so dear1 and which is so priceless to her maternal heart4 ,be assured that all will be well with thee if thou art not lacking in true devotion and love to ,mary4 ,prayer4 ,o blessed ,mother1 thou art the ,mother of ,god1 the ,mother of sinners1 the ,mother of the banished ones6 ,grant1 ,o gracious ,virgin1 that ,i1 thy sinful child1 may not be condemned by thy divine ,son2 but do thou intercede for me1 that ,he1 the divine ,judge1 may at last welcome me1 a poor exile1 into ,his eternal home4 ,amen4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,our ,lady of ,perpetual ,help4 ,it is impossible to study the history of ,jesus and ,mary without perceiving a uniform law of ,providence uniting them in the great events of their lives4 ,unless ,mary had consented to become ,his ,mother1 ,jesus would not have been born4 ,divine grace1 no doubt1 disposed her to give assent1 but the act was not the less one of her own free will4 ,as certain as man has been redeemed by the incarnation and ,passion of ,jesus1 so surely did ,god make the whole depend in the first instance on the cooperation of ,mary4 ,if1 therefore1 you believe that ,jesus ,christ came to us through ,mary1 believe also that the graces which ,he merited for us must come to us through ,his ,mother4 ,if you believe that without her you were not redeemed1 believe also that without her you will not be saved4 ,god wished that ,mary should be looked upon and honored as the perpetual help of sinners1 to obtain their conversion4 ,o ,mother of perpetual help6 thou art the dispenser of all those gifts which ,god granted to us wretched sinners4 ,he has made thee so powerful1 so rich1 and so beautiful1 in order that thou mayest succor us in our misery4 ,in thy hands ,i place my eternal salvation1 and to thee ,i consign my soul4 ,i wish to be remembered among thy devoted servants4 ,prayer4 ,o ,mother of perpetual help1 take me under thy protection and ,i shall be secure6 ,i shall not fear ,jesus ,christ1 my eternal ,judge1 for by one prayer of thine ,he will be appeased4 ,what ,i fear is that in the hour of temptation1 ,i may neglect to have recourse to thee1 and thus be lost4 ,obtain for me1 therefore1 the pardon of my sins1 final perseverance1 and the priceless gift to love ,jesus ,christ and to have recourse to thee1 ,o ,mother of perpetual help4 ,amen4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,confidence in ,mary4 ,let our veneration for ,mary be full of confidence4 ,our first parents had drawn upon us the greatest of miseries1 but through the divine mercy a new ,adam and ,eve have more than repaired our misfortunes4 ,god could have performed the work of redemption by other means2 but ,he preferred the very way by which man had lost his innocence4 ,that is to say1 that as ,satan first deceived the woman1 and through her means deceived all men1 so by a woman ,satan in his turn should be confounded1 and men be saved4 ,of course ,our ,lord is the true mediator between ,god and man1 yet it is also true that after having sinned1 we dare not appear before ,god4 ,his presence fills us with fear1 so we have need of a mediatrix--and this we have in ,mary4 ,if you desire an intercessor with ,god1 have recourse to ,mary1 all pure1 all powerful1 and full of mercy4 ,oh1 then1 all you who are exposed to the temptations of the world1 raise your eyes to this ,star of the sea4 ,call on ,mary1 and you will soon experience the powerful effects of her intercession4 ,conducted by her1 you will securely reach the port of a blessed eternity4 ,prayer4 ,sweet and kind ,virgin1 full of dignity and bounty1 ,virgin sanctified in the womb1 ,virgin powerful as thou art pure1 most glorious ,mother of ,god1 ,mother most chaste1 and ,lady most reverently honored1 ,i pray thee of thy goodness to preserve my body and my soul from all sin1 and take them both into thy holy keeping4 ,amen4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,the ,love of ,mary4 ,o ,mary most amiable1 who can name thee and not be inflamed with love8 ,what ,mother so worthy of love1 so kind and generous to us as ,mary8 ,to her heaven is indebted for the countless number of the elect redeemed by the blood of her dear ,son4 ,as ,mother of ,our ,redeemer1 ,mary regards us as her own possession4 ,she knows how costly was the ransom paid for us1 therefore she never ceases to intercede that none may be lost4 ,how then could we help loving this ,daughter of the ,king1 who interests herself so much in our behalf8 ,if we love ,god we must love ,his holy ,mother4 ,it is our daily task to love ,jesus more and more1 and experience tells us that we never advance more rapidly in love of ,god than when we are accompanied by ,his ,mother4 ,there is no time lost in seeking ,jesus if we go at once to ,mary4 ,she is the short road to ,him1 and speedy and full are the answers to the petitions which her hand presents4 ,o ,mary most admirable1 obtain that we may love thee with all the powers of our soul1 with all the tenderness of our heart1 and with all our strength4 ,prayer4 ,o ,mother most amiable and admirable6 ,o wondrous ,mother1 thou art all lovely and glorious6 ,thou art the most blessed and most perfect of all6 ,kind and gracious ,mother1 pray for us1 win us grace to love thee with a most tender love1 that we may thereby grow in love for ,jesus1 thy ,son4 ,amen4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,imitation of ,mary4 ,all true love consists in the imitation of what we honor4 ,if we love the immaculate ,mary1 if we desire to please her1 endeavor to imitate her virtues1 we must first imitate her in her life of prayer4 ,to lead a life of prayer it is not necessary to spend hours on our knees in the church1 for everyday duties would not admit of that4 ,we find that ,our ,lady always left her prayer to spend an allotted time at work4 ,we should let the thought of ,god be the first object of our waking love1 and the love of ,god be the absorbing feeling of our heart4 ,during the day we should every now and then cast a loving glance towards heaven1 and make acts of love and gratitude4 8,if you imitate and follow ,mary10 says ,st4 ,bernard1 8you cannot wander from the road4 ,our ,blessed ,lady will fill you with great confidence in ,god and in herself1 because you will not be approaching to ,jesus by yourself1 but always by that good ,mother40 ,o ,mary1 ,mother of the divine ,saviour1 ,who from the height of ,his cross1 seeing each one of us in the person of the beloved disciple1 pronounced the memorable words1 8,behold thy son60 8,behold thy ,mother10 obtain that we may love and imitate thee with all the tenderness and strength of our will4 ,prayer4 ,glory and honor be to thee1 ,o ,mary6 ,thy throne is in the highest heavens6 ,be thou our loving ,mother2 from the throne of thy glory cast a glance on us1 who are encircled with so many dangers and trials4 ,pray to thy ,son ,jesus for us1 that we may emulate the purity of the angels1 so that we too may one day enjoy the 8beatific vision10 and praise ,our ,creator throughout eternity4 ,amen4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,faith4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin has left us examples of faith which are full of instruction and consolation4 ,she believed the mystery of the ,trinity1 that she should conceive and bring forth a child2 the words of the angel announced this mystery to her4 ,she believed that the ,son of ,god the ,father was to take the form of man1 thereby making ,himself like unto us4 ,she believed herself to be the ,virgin chosen by ,god in whom this mystery was to be accomplished4 ,the apostles had faith in ,jesus ,christ and acknowledged ,him to be the ,son of ,god1 but in the hour of ,our ,lord's ,passion they abandoned their divine ,master4 ,it was not so with our blessed ,mother2 she followed ,him even to ,calvary4 ,o ,mary1 may we understand well the excellence of this fundamental virtue1 without which it is impossible to please ,god4 ,it is by faith that ,jesus ,christ comes into our hearts4 ,by faith we resist the devil1 and put him to flight4 ,let us then love and value more and more the precious gift of faith1 and endeavor1 after the example of ,mary1 our ,mother1 to be animated by its spirit4 ,but the faith of the ,blessed ,virgin teaches us another lesson3 namely1 that after her example we should make an open profession of our faith1 even though by it we should lose goods1 fortune1 honor1 even life itself4 ,prayer4 ,o ,mary1 thou art the ,queen of heaven and ,mistress of all created things6 ,obtain for us the lively faith that animated thee1 so that we may grow in love1 persevere to the end1 and hereafter1 in company with patriarchs1 prophets1 and all the elect of ,god1 glorify thee1 together with the ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost through all eternity4 ,amen4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,piety4 ,according to universal opinion1 the ,blessed ,virgin dwelt in the ,temple till she was about twelve years of age4 ,during those tender years of her life she passed the greater portion of the night in the contemplation of heavenly things1 giving but a very short time to repose4 ,chosen by the ,lord1 adorned and enriched with ,his most signal favors1 the immaculate ,virgin corresponded thereto with constant and generous fidelity4 ,the devotion of ,mary is worthy of imitation1 especially in this1 that she gave herself up to it from her early youth4 ,alas6 how many souls have perished because they have not followed this example8 ,on the other side how happy those who have imitated the early devotion of the ,blessed ,virgin6 ,oh1 how strong and mighty we are with ,jesus ,christ1 when we are armed with the worthy merits and intercession of the ,mother of ,god6 ,o ,mary1 vessel of singular devotion1 obtain for us that1 after thy example1 we may be entirely devoted to ,god6 ,prayer4 ,most loving ,mother1 no suppliant ever had recourse to thee in vain6 ,whatever our needs1 thy ear is ever open to our cry4 ,thou art the comforter of the afflicted1 ,o good and powerful ,mother4 ,come to our aid and deliver us from all our troubles2 intercede for each one of us that we may lead a ,christian life1 and hereafter reign with ,christ throughout eternity4 ,amen4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,hope4 ,the salvation of the just 7as well of the body as of the soul7 is from the ,lord4 ,he is their help in time of tribulation1 ,he will uphold them lest they fall1 ,he will bring them out of danger1 deliver them from the hands of sinners1 and will save them in the end4 ,and why will ,god bestow such honors on the just8 ,because1 replies the ,psalmist1 they have hoped in ,him1 and put all their confidence in ,him4 ,at the marriage of ,cana1 ,mary saw the sudden failing of the wine1 and her tender charity caused her to have recourse to the omnipotent power of her ,son4 ,our ,lord up to that period had not worked any miracles1 but knowing ,his tender ,heart ,mary hesitated not to have recourse to ,him1 and her hope was not unfounded4 ,let us then1 like ,mary1 expose our wants to ,jesus1 and we shall obtain strength and courage to aid us in the accomplishment of our duties4 ,let us labor by every possible means to obtain this great gift of confidence by frequent prayer1 almsdeeds1 and penitential works1 as well as by great purity of life4 8,whatever you shall ask the ,father in ,my name1 ,i will grant it to you40 ,prayer4 ,mother most amiable6 ,by thy beauty and unsullied purity thou wast ever attractive in the divine sight4 ,entreat ,jesus that ,he would grant us grace to love ,him more and more fervently1 and that by our purity and innocence of life we may spread abroad the sweet odor of ,jesus ,christ1 and daily become more acceptable in ,his sight4 ,amen4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,humility4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin possessed the spirit of humility in a perfect degree4 ,not that she failed to know the gifts which ,god had bestowed upon her2 on the contrary she ever remembered that ,god had drawn her out of nothing1 and she returned ,him incessant thanks for the favors which ,he had given her4 ,this virtue is most essential1 since without it there is no grace for us1 no recompense in heaven2 while with it there is pardon1 every blessing1 and eternal salvation4 ,let us often meditate on these words of our blessed ,mother when she went to visit ,st4 ,elizabeth3 8,the ,lord hath regarded the humility of ,his handmaid40 ,the archangel ,gabriel had saluted her full of grace and blessed among women1 but the holy ,virgin only humbles herself more and more1 confessing aloud that she is but the handmaid of the ,lord4 ,what a contrast to our pride and selfsufficiency6 ,if1 on account of some appearance of good1 we are charged with some duty of importance1 do we not immediately begin to consider ourselves something8 while in reality we are but nothingness1 misery1 and sin4 ,st4 ,basil says there are three things which will establish humility in the heart4 ,first1 a perfect conviction of our own nothingness4 ,second1 the constant consideration of the conduct of the good1 who are better than ourselves4 ,third1 persevering obedience to those to whom we owe submission4 ,prayer4 ,o tender ,mother6 despise not our petitions1 receive our homage1 veneration1 and love4 ,be thou our ,queen2 in thee do we place our whole trust1 for thou art our gracious ,mother4 ,to thee do we commit ourselves1 body1 soul1 and spirit1 with all we have and are4 ,show thyself our ,mother both in life and death1 ,o clement1 ,o loving1 ,o sweet ,virgin ,mary4 ,amen4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,charity4 ,it is truly ,mary1 who1 after her divine ,son1 has given us the most touching example of charity4 ,everywhere she appears full of grace1 of meekness1 consideration1 goodness1 mildness1 and tenderness4 ,her charity was as boundless as her love of ,god4 ,but now that she enjoys the clear vision of her ,beloved1 how great must be the increase of her love towards ,him1 and consequently of her charity towards mankind4 ,all her person1 her looks1 her actions1 her movements1 her whole life breathe nothing but charity4 ,in going to visit her cousin ,elizabeth1 the charity of ,mary was manifested4 ,this charity caused her to leave her home to undertake a long and painful journey under circumstances that unfitted her for fatigue4 ,the same virtue shone forth at the marriage of ,cana1 when she saved the bride and bridegroom the mortification of telling their guests that the wine had given out4 ,her heart was one with her divine ,son1 ,who loved ,his enemies so much that ,he gave ,himself up for their salvation4 ,alas1 how we shrink from forgiving the slightest offence that is offered to us6 ,o my ,mother1 why am ,i not inflamed by at least a spark of the love of ,god6 ,then ,i would not find it so hard to forgive all who have offended me4 ,prayer4 ,with deep humility do we exclaim1 ,pray for us1 ,o holy ,mother of ,god6 ,thou art the ,mother of ,him ,who is ,our ,redeemer and ,our ,god1 but thou art also the ,mother of sinners1 for whom thy divine ,son shed ,his blood4 ,intercede for us with ,jesus1 and beg for grace that we may love ,him with all our heart and all our strength4 ,amen4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,the ,virgin ,mary the ,model of ,advancement in ,virtue4 ,our spiritual advancement consists1 as we have often heard1 in being well persuaded that we are far from the height to which we aspire1 and on that account we should make constant efforts to become better--because not to advance is to go back4 ,persons who are aiming ever so little at perfection are the choice portion of ,god's creation1 and are dear to ,him as the apple of ,his eye4 ,oh1 that we could imitate ,mary1 who1 full of grace from the first moment of her conception1 corresponded thereto with such fidelity that the angels exclaimed1 8,who is she that cometh forth as the morning1 rising fair as the moon1 bright as the sun80 ,the most exact observance1 not only of precepts but of the lightest counsels1 was the fruit of the love that burned in the heart of ,mary1 so that she was never guilty of the least imperfection4 ,ah1 would that ,i too could speed more rapidly onwards in the heavenly road6 ,how many graces would ,god then lavish upon me6 ,o ,mary1 my tender ,mother1 aid me to imitate thee in thy advancement in virtue4 ,o ,mother most sweet1 draw us more and more by the sweet odor of thy virtues to be a perfect disciple1 imitator1 and slave of the ,incarnate ,wisdom1 ,jesus ,christ1 thy ,son4 ,prayer4 ,o ,mary1 by thy example thou didst animate confessors and virgins1 sustaining them in the dangerous struggle with the world1 the flesh and the devil4 ,aid us1 too1 ,o mighty ,queen1 so that we may live as becomes the faithful disciples of thyself and thy divine ,son4 ,amen4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,patience4 ,of the virtue of perfect patience1 the ,blessed ,virgin has left us many bright examples4 ,we have meditated on her dolors and we have seen with what wonderful patience she endured them4 ,how patient and firm she stood at the foot of the cross1 on which her ,son was fastened1 covered with wounds and loaded with ignominy6 ,mary maintained an entire resignation to the divine will1 which she loved more than her own1 but this perfect conformity did not render her less sensible to her martyrdom4 ,she loved to suffer because it was ,god's will that she should do so4 ,we are encouraged1 by the example left us of the invincible patience of ,mary1 to imitate it to the best of our power and according to our degree of grace4 ,we shall follow1 though distantly1 in the footsteps of this perfect model1 if we bear with patience the trials that overtake us1 whether they be loss of fortune1 health1 or reputation4 ,if we feel that we are getting angry let us overcome ourselves by silence2 for then it is that we have the most need to be silent1 because even the most prudent man when roused to anger can with difficulty restrain himself from angry words1 which later he will regret heartily4 ,o my ,mother1 obtain for us from ,jesus the gift of patience1 by means of which we shall acquire all other virtues and be enabled to persevere in holiness to the end of our lives4 ,amen4 ,prayer4 ,o blessed ,mother6 ,look graciously on thy children2 behold how we1 by our sins1 have forfeited all claim to grace4 ,compassionate our misery1 aid us from the abundance of thy fulness1 and entreat thy ,son ,jesus that ,he would grant us grace to be pleasing in ,his sight and thine1 and to remain faithful unto death4 ,amen4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,poverty4 ,true and perfect poverty1 says ,albert the ,great1 consists in voluntary renouncing all temporal things for ,god's sake1 in having but what is absolutely necessary1 and in sometimes retrenching even in that for ,god2 for where there is full provision against necessity1 there is no poverty4 ,throughout her entire life ,mary's perfect love of poverty is manifest4 ,it was evident in the obscure city of ,nazareth where this young virgin espoused to a poor carpenter dwelt1 and afterwards when she set forth with ,joseph for ,bethlehem in obedience to the edict of ,augustus4 ,on her arrival where does she find shelter8 ,there is no place at the inns for one so poor1 so they are obliged to take refuge in a deserted stable1 and there1 exposed to all the inclemencies of the weather1 the ,queen of angels brings forth the ,son of the ,most ,high4 ,let every one1 according to his state in life1 imitate the poverty of the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,those who possess temporal goods should imitate her by despising them1 and by not loving them too much1 by estimating them at their true value1 since they pass away so quickly4 ,those who are poor from necessity should imitate the example of the ,blessed ,virgin1 and freely embrace and be contented with the state in which ,god has placed them4 ,prayer4 ,my most sweet1 most compassionate1 most amiable ,queen6 ,oh1 how great is the confidence with which ,st4 ,bernard inspires me when ,i have recourse to thee6 ,i am a poor sinner1 deserving of a thousand hells2 ,i wish to change my life2 ,i wish to love my ,god1 ,whom ,i have so greatly offended4 ,my ,lady1 dost thou understand me8 ,yes1 ,i trust that thou hast understood me1 and graciously heard my prayer4 ,amen4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,obedience4 ,our ,lord became obedient unto death1 even to the death of the cross1 in order that we might1 after ,his example1 labor to acquire and practise the virtue of obedience4 ,the perfection to which ,mary carried the obedience due to her ,creator has been implied in treating of the love of ,god with which her heart was inflamed2 it was the source of her perfect conformity to the divine will4 ,what an example of obedience does she not give us in the presentation of ,jesus in the ,temple6 ,mary was exempted from the obligation common to all women to go to the ,temple to be purified4 ,nevertheless1 as her divine ,son was pleased to submit to circumcision1 so she would submit to the law of purification4 ,the person who obeys merits very much while doing little1 because obedience springs from the spirit of perfect selfabnegation1 which is the most agreeable holocaust to ,god4 ,thomas ,kempis says1 8,whoever willingly obeys his superiors for ,god's sake1 performs an heroic action as a valiant soldier of ,jesus ,christ1 for he will receive with the martyrs the palm of a glorious immortality40 ,prayer4 ,my most sweet ,lady and ,mother1 ,i am a vile rebel to thy great ,son2 but ,i come repentant to thy mercy that thou mayest obtain pardon for me4 ,from thee ,i hope for every good1 forgiveness1 perseverance1 and heaven4 ,i hope to be one of those1 who1 in the kingdom of the blessed will most praise thy mercies1 ,o ,mary1 for having saved us by thy intercession4 ,amen4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin the ,model of ,modesty4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin was a perfect pattern of modesty2 her exterior senses were in all things under the control of reason1 and subjected to the will of ,god2 gravity and composure marked her every movement4 ,oh1 you who have the happiness of having chosen her for your ,mother1 if you love her as true children1 endeavor with all possible ardor to imitate her modesty4 ,we should particularly try to acquire that moderation of the tongue for which the ,blessed ,virgin was so conspicuous1 and for this reason we should avoid all useless conversations4 ,the ,holy ,ghost ,himself has told us that in much speaking we cannot escape from sin4 ,thus walking in the footsteps of our blessed ,mother in the faithful practice of this virtue1 it will not only preserve us from many falls1 many temptations and dangers1 but it will also be a most powerful means of advantage in the way of sanctity and of edifying and drawing souls to ,god4 ,then will all our exterior conduct1 regulated by interior motives1 tend to the glory of ,god1 the edification of our neighbor1 and our own advantage4 ,prayer4 ,most holy1 immaculate ,virgin1 and my ,mother ,mary1 to thee1 who art the ,mother of my ,lord1 the ,queen of the world1 the advocate1 the hope1 and the refuge of sinners1 ,i have recourse--,i who am the most miserable of all4 ,i thank thee for all the graces which thou hast hitherto granted me1 and especially ,i thank thee for having delivered me from hell1 which ,i have so often deserved4 ,i promise always to serve thee1 and to do all that ,i can that thou mayest also be loved by others4 ,amen4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,the ,assumption4 ,tradition says that after ,mary's sacred remains had been most reverently entombed by the apostles1 songs were heard proceeding from her sepulchre during the space of three days1 and on the third day ,st4 ,thomas came1 imploring to have the slab removed from the tomb that he might gaze for the last time on the beloved features of ,mary4 ,the slab was raised1 but as he bent forward to look upon her1 he started back in amazement2 naught was to be seen save the graveclothes in which the sacred body had been enveloped4 ,the body itself was nowhere to be found4 ,then they knew that ,god had taken her1 body and soul1 to heaven4 ,st4 ,john describes the coronation in these terms3 ,a great sign appeared in the heavens2 a woman clothed with the sun1 and the moon under her feet1 and on her head a crown of twelve stars2 and the ,queen thus crowned took her place near her ,son on a throne prepared from all eternity4 ,o you who fear the justice of ,god6 ,o you who dare not cast yourself at the feet of ,jesus6 remember you have with ,him a powerful advocate1 who is ,mary4 ,o ,mary1 thou blessed1 loving ,mother1 compassionate thy orphan children2 pray for us1 and place us one day near thee in the heavenly ,jerusalem4 ,prayer4 ,o holy virgin ,mary1 who1 in order to inspire us with boundless confidence1 hast been pleased to assume the sweet name of ,mother of perpetual succor1 we implore thee to come to our aid always and everywhere2 in our temptations1 after our falls1 in our difficulties1 in all the miseries of life1 and above all in the sad hour of our death4 ,amen4 ,mass in ,union with ,mary ,immaculate4 ,prayer ,before ,mass4 ,o ,mary immaculate6 ,i come to place myself body and soul under thy special care and protection4 ,take me by the hand1 that thy purity may hide the deformity of my soul1 thy praises and thy love may supply my deficiencies4 ,i also place in thy hands all my hopes1 all my sorrows1 all my cares--my life and the end thereof4 ,as thou didst stand by the cross of thy ,son1 joining thy prayers to ,his for man's redemption1 so wilt thou come to help me now4 ,kindle my devotion1 aid me with thy mighty intercession1 so that ,i may worthily love and praise my ,god1 and participate in the merits of ,jesus1 thy divine ,son4 ,amen4 ,confiteor4 8,o ,father10 will ,i cry with the prodigal1 8,i have sinned against heaven and before ,thee4 ,i am not worthy to be called ,thy child40 ,i have grievously offended ,thee through my whole life1 and therefore am unworthy to lift my eyes to heaven4 ,o ,mary1 my ,mother6 beg of ,god grace for me1 and ,he will hear thee4 ,obtain that ,i may know all my faults and devoutly make a sincere avowal of them1 followed by a true repentance1 so that ,i may obtain pardon for them through the loving mercy of my ,god4 ,amen4 ,introit4 ,behold me1 ,o my ,god1 at ,thy feet2 dispose of me as ,thou pleasest4 ,i devote myself entirely to ,thee1 and since my sins alone can render me displeasing to ,thee1 therefore ,i cry aloud to ,thee for mercy and pardon4 ,amen4 ,kyrie4 ,lord be merciful to me a sinner6 ,o ,father of infinite mercy1 have pity on ,thy child6 ,o ,mary1 powerful advocate1 help of sinners1 aid us by thy supplicating voice1 and the just ,one by excellence will descend as a long expected rain6 ,o ,fountain of love1 grant this mercy to me and to all poor sinners6 ,amen4 ,gloria4 ,glory be to ,god on high1 and on earth peace to men of goodwill6 ,i praise ,thee1 ,i bless ,thee1 ,i adore ,thee6 ,blessed angels1 messengers of ,our ,lord1 who came before our ,king to prepare a place in which ,he should descend1 ,i beseech thee in the name of thy love for ,our ,god1 teach me to love ,him4 ,amen4 ,collect4 ,glorious ,virgin ,mary1 thou who art the true mediatrix between thy sweet ,son and poor repentant sinners1 pray for me1 obtain for me the favorable attention of ,our ,god and ,saviour4 ,and do ,thou1 ,o ,jesus1 enrich my soul with ,thy gifts1 to the full extent of ,thy tender compassion4 ,amen4 ,epistle4 ,o most pure ,mary1 who knowest so well how to penetrate and comprehend ,jesus1 open my soul1 dilate it1 so that it may be replenished with that abundance of gifts which it will receive from heaven through thy intercession4 ,amen4 ,gospel4 ,ah1 to whom shall we go1 ,o ,jesus1 if not to ,thee1 since ,thou hast the words of eternal life8 ,thou1 ,o ,jesus1 my ,lord and my ,god1 art the true light1 for ,whose dawn the saints of the ,old ,law watched with longing eyes1 looking to ,thee for grace and salvation4 ,o ,mary immaculate1 ,virgin always faithful6 lead us to ,jesus1 help us to find ,jesus1 and attach us to ,him forever by the bonds of perfect charity1 which1 uniting us to ,his sacrifice during time1 will associate us to ,his glory in eternity4 ,amen4 ,credo4 ,o my ,god1 ,i firmly believe in one ,god in three divine ,persons1 the ,father1 the ,son1 and the ,holy ,ghost6 ,i believe in ,jesus ,christ1 the true and only ,son of ,god1 ,who was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 and died on the cross for our salvation4 ,i also believe all the sacred truths the ,catholic ,church believes and teaches1 because ,thou hast revealed them1 ,who canst neither deceive nor be deceived4 ,o sweet ,jesus1 give me knowledge and understanding that ,i may live and die in this faith6 ,amen4 ,offertory4 ,accept1 ,o eternal ,father1 this offering which is here made to ,thee by ,thy minister1 in the name of all here present and of ,thy whole ,church4 ,it is yet only bread and wine1 but by a miracle of ,thy power and grace it will shortly become the body and blood of ,thy divine ,son4 ,now the august sacrifice begins1 everything recalls the sorrows of our dear ,jesus2 ,his bitter agony1 accompanied by a most heroic act of perfect submission when ,he consents to expiate every crime4 ,o ,jesus1 ,jesus6 ,it is ,i who have bound ,thee6 it is ,i who have had the misfortune to lead ,thee out to death6 ,from this instant1 ,o ,jesus1 ,i give myself to ,thee6 ,o ,mary1 my powerful protectress1 purify us in the ardors of thy pure love1 and do thou thyself place us on the paten with the bread1 and in the chalice with the wine4 ,amen4 ,lavabo4 ,create a clean heart in me1 ,o ,god1 and renew a right spirit within me6 ,oh1 wash me1 dear ,lord1 from all the stains of sin1 in the blood of the ,lamb1 that ,i may be worthy to be present at these heavenly mysteries4 ,o ,mary immaculate1 may thy sorrows heal the wounds of my soul4 ,amen4 ,preface4 ,let us lift ourselves up to heaven1 ,o my soul1 and render thanks to the ,lord ,our ,god4 ,o ,mary most pure1 aid us to break all the ties that still bind us to earth4 ,oh1 may ,i1 great ,god1 unite my heart and voice with all the heavenly court1 and cry with them3 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 ,lord ,god of hosts6 ,blessed is ,he ,who cometh in the name of the ,lord6 ,heaven and earth are full of ,thy glory6 ,hosanna in the highest2 blessed is ,he that cometh in the name of the ,lord2 hosanna in the highest6 ,canon4 ,we conjure ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 to listen favorably to our humble prayers1 to receive the vows and supplications we offer4 ,we desire to adore1 praise1 and glorify ,thee1 and to give ,thee thanks for ,thy great glory1 joining our hearts and voices with all the blessed in heaven1 and with ,thy whole ,church upon earth4 ,o ,mary1 ,mother of mercy6 ,ask ,jesus to give us the ineffable grace of appreciating1 imitating1 and loving ,him until death--that ,jesus sacrificed by love1 and immolated perpetually for us upon our altars4 ,amen4 ,consecration4 ,the priest has said3 8,this is ,my body2 this is ,my blood20 and ,jesus has descended into his hands4 ,the ,god of heaven and earth obeys a weak creature4 ,o mystery of love6 ,o prodigy of annihilation6 ,o my soul1 gratitude and love ought to be thy language4 ,eternal ,truth1 in ,thee ,i believe1 strengthen ,thou my faith1 that ,i may love ,thee ever more and more1 and hereafter behold ,thee face to face in ,thy celestial kingdom--my ,jesus and my all6 ,amen4 ,elevation ,of ,the ,host4 ,hail1 ,victim of salvation1 eternal ,king1 ,incarnate ,word6 ,sacrificed for me and for all mankind1 ,o ,jesus host1 ,jesus love1 ,jesus ,saviour6 ,holy ,father1 turn ,thy eyes upon me1 or rather look upon ,thy beloved ,son4 ,give me all that ,i ask in ,his name1 and in the name of my immaculate ,mother4 ,amen4 ,elevation ,of ,the ,chalice4 ,holy1 holy blood1 flowing from my ,saviour's ,heart1 do thou cleanse me from all sin4 ,it is ,thyself1 again ,thyself1 sweet and blessed ,jesus ,christ1 ,who art also entire within this chalice4 ,again and again1 ,i adore ,thee1 and beseech ,thee to be my salvation4 ,amen4 ,memento ,of ,the ,living ,and ,the ,dead4 ,and now1 ,o my ,god1 ,i wish to pray for all ,thy holy ,catholic ,church1 and for all ,christians1 religious and secular2 to all give perseverance1 ,o my ,god6 ,remember1 ,o ,jesus1 those souls purchased by ,thy precious blood1 who have died in ,thy peace1 but nevertheless are deprived of ,thy presence4 ,stretch forth unto them ,thy strong right hand1 and bring them into a place of refreshment1 light1 and peace4 ,amen4 ,nobis ,quoque4 ,i most humbly implore ,thy mercy1 ,o ,lord1 for myself also4 ,i beg pardon for all my sins2 ,i desire to detest them1 and to renounce them forever4 ,then1 ,o my ,god1 ,thou wilt accept my gifts1 and we will render to ,jesus all honor1 praise1 and glory4 ,amen4 ,pater ,noster4 ,our ,father1 ,who art in heaven1 hallowed be ,thy name1 ,thy kingdom come1 ,thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven4 ,give us this day our daily bread1 and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us4 ,and lead us not into temptation1 but deliver us from evil4 ,amen4 ,agnus ,dei4 ,o ,lamb of ,god1 sacrificed for my sake1 have mercy on me6 ,o adorable ,victim of my salvation1 look down on me and save me6 ,divine ,mediator1 obtain pardon of ,thy ,father for me a sinner1 and mercifully grant me the sweets of ,thy peace6 ,o ,mary1 conceived without sin1 obtain for me purity of heart1 soul1 and body4 ,amen4 ,communion4 ,in the presence of the true body and the true blood of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,o my ,god1 ,i place myself most humbly and devoutly at the feet of ,thy loving mercy4 ,make me avoid sin in the present1 pardon that which ,i have committed in the past1 and guard me against it in the future4 ,o ,mary1 conceived without sin1 place me in the sanctuary of thy maternal heart1 so that1 like thee1 ,i may preserve in peace1 silence1 and love1 ,him ,whose possession makes all my happiness1 all my delight1 all my hope4 ,amen4 ,benediction4 ,o ,jesus1 ,saviour of my soul1 pour down on me by the hand of ,thy minister ,thy most abundant blessing4 ,illuminate my heart with ,thy clear light1 and grant that nothing may ever separate me from ,thee4 ,amen4 ,last ,gospel4 ,o ,word made flesh ,who didst annihilate ,thyself to give ,thyself to me6 ,thou ,who art the life and light of the world1 enlighten me4 ,how ought ,i not to be affected with the exceeding privilege ,i have enjoyed4 ,o my ,god6 ,i unite myself to ,thee by the ties of love and gratitude2 thus alone can ,i correspond with ,thy mercies4 ,amen4 ,prayer ,after ,mass4 ,and now once more ,i commend myself to ,thee1 ,o my ,god6 ,i commend myself throughout the hours of this day to ,thy keeping1 to the keeping of ,thy holy ,mother and of ,thy holy angels1 and bring before ,thee1 for the same loving care1 my kindred1 my brothers and sisters1 my friends1 my benefactors1 and all ,christian people4 ,amen4 ,litany of the ,blessed ,virgin4 7,an indulgence of three hundred days each time7 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,lord have mercy on us4 ,christ 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 ,god1 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 our ,creator1 ,pray for us4 ,mother of our ,saviour1 ,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 ,vessel of singular 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 world1 ,spare us1 ,o ,lord6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,lord6 ,anthem4 ,we fly to thy patronage1 ,o holy ,mother of ,god6 ,despise not our petitions in our necessities1 but deliver us from all dangers1 ,o ever glorious and ,blessed ,virgin4 ,v4 ,pray for us1 ,o holy ,mother of ,god4 ,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promises of ,christ4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,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 may1 by ,his ,passion and cross1 be brought to the glory of ,his resurrection4 ,through the same ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,may the divine assistance remain always with us4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,and may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of ,god rest in peace4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,,june4 ,,the ,,sacred ,,heart4 ,he who meditates on the life of ,christ1 and is acquainted with it1 instinctively strikes upon this trait in the character of ,jesus3 ,the sweetness of ,his human ,heart4 ,the entire life of our blessed ,lord was one series of most loving acts4 ,we see ,him at one time blessing the little children1 at another bestowing sight on the blind1 loosening the tongue of the dumb1 pouring consolation into the aching heart of the mother who has lost her child1 and pardoning the repentant sinner4 ,is it not a beautiful devotion by which we are drawn to view the loving tenderness of ,his human ,heart1 by which ,he won all to ,his side1 so that not only ,his apostles clung to ,him1 but even the very pagans loved and revered ,him8 ,let us then love and practise this beautiful devotion1 by offering that ,heart the gold of charity and the incense of prayer4 ,let us go with filial confidence to ,him1 ,who has taught us to lisp like an infant1 8,abba1 ,father40 ,let us repay ,him love for love1 and make reparation for the injuries ,he daily receives in that most kind ,heart4 ,jesus in ,his turn will comfort us in all our pains and afflictions4 ,the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus is the source of all charity and love2 and through this devotion we will learn to love our neighbor and to sacrifice ourselves for his benefit4 ,sweet ,heart of ,jesus1 be my love4 ,sweet heart of ,mary1 be my salvation4 ,considerations and prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,the ,love of the ,sacred ,heart for ,us4 ,the love of the ,sacred ,heart for us is at once the tender affection of a brother1 and the infinite love of the ,son of ,god1 with which1 from all eternity1 ,our ,redeemer looked forward eagerly to the salvation of mankind4 ,he saw us doomed to everlasting death1 ,he saw us1 and each one of us individually among the number1 unable to atone for our sins4 ,then ,he offered ,himself to satisfy the justice of the ,father4 ,thou didst implore mercy for us1 and it was granted ,thee1 only on condition that ,thou shouldst satisfy for us4 ,and what satisfaction was required6 ,torments the most cruel1 insults the most humiliating1 death on the cross--that was the price at which ,thou wast permitted to redeem us4 ,thou didst accept all1 and wast even ready to suffer more if necessary4 ,ah1 ,lord6 ,what then shall ,i do for ,thee8 ,what return can ,i make for such great love8 ,o generous1 ,o incomprehensible ,friend6 ,how can ,i ever repay the debt ,i owe ,thee1 ,heart of my ,jesus8 ,i abandon my whole being to ,thy sweet love1 to live and die therein4 ,prayer4 ,adorable ,heart of my ,saviour1 ,i adore ,thee1 praise ,thee1 and offer ,thee my whole self4 ,o divine ,jesus1 ,i beseech ,thee to receive me today into ,thy ,sacred ,heart6 ,pour into my heart the light1 help and graces ,i need to conquer my enemies1 and to surmount all obstacles that will hinder my salvation1 and the ,christian perfection required to please ,thee4 ,amen4 ,second ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus ,my ,friend4 ,oh1 what folly1 what delusion can be worse than to set one's heart on anything save ,thee alone1 ,o ,god6 ,how poor is he who seeks not his whole good in ,thy sweet friendship alone6 ,heart of my ,jesus1 wounded for love of me1 permit me to draw nigh to ,thy open side1 and confess to ,thee a thousand times over that ,i love ,thee4 ,o ,heart of ,jesus1 forgive my past foolishness6 ,o beloved and adorable ,redeemer1 who will give water to my head1 and a fountain of tears to my eyes1 that ,i may weep day and night for the contempt shown to ,thy love1 and the ingratitude with which ,thy benefits are repaid6 ,o ye angels1 who crowd the sanctuaries in which dwells the divine ,spouse of our souls1 cease not to pour forth at the foot of ,his altars the most profound homage4 ,one of the usual duties shown by people towards those whom they respect are visits4 ,jesus ,christ is our ,friend1 our ,father4 ,he is in our midst3 we know it1 and yet ,he is the only ,one ,whom we forget4 ,whoever thinks of visiting ,jesus ,christ8 ,we frequent the church and fulfil our other religious duties1 but do we always go through motives of love or gratitude1 and with the expected intention of rendering homage to ,our ,lord8 ,o ,jesus1 could a more cruel wound be inflicted on this loving ,heart8 ,o ,sacred ,heart of my ,jesus1 forgive me1 and vouchsafe me the blessing of remaining forever ,thy child4 ,prayer4 ,prostrate before ,thee1 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 ,i humbly pay ,thee all my homage1 and my profound adoration4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o ,sacred ,heart1 destined from all eternity to be ,god's masterpiece and the prodigy of ,his power1 wisdom and goodness4 ,amen4 ,third ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,my ,jesus the ,heart of ,my ,father4 ,heart of ,jesus1 ,thou art my ,father6 ,all ,i have is from ,thee2 at every step ,i meet with proofs of ,thy infinite love4 ,even when ,i strayed away from ,thee1 ,thou didst entreat me to return1 assuring me of pardon and love4 ,if ,i shed tears of sorrow1 ,thy love wiped them away1 and ,thy sweet voice gave courage to my sinking soul4 ,o my sweet ,jesus1 be forever a ,father to me6 ,what an amount of gratitude do ,i not owe to my ,lord1 when after so much love and care1 ,he reappears among us in the ,sacrament of the ,altar8 ,in thus dwelling among us1 ,he willed to unite ,himself with us1 in a way as intimate as it is incomprehensible2 shutting ,himself up under the appearance of bread1 ,he enters into our hearts and makes ,his own flesh our nourishment4 ,what a source of happiness for me1 ,o my sweet ,jesus6 ,my eyes do not see ,thy divine face1 but my heart feels ,thy comforting presence4 ,when ,i receive ,thee1 ,o ,father1 into my breast1 ,i feel my soul gladdened with the wine of heaven1 8which maketh virgins40 ,and since love causes lovers to resemble each other1 if we love let us form our life on the model of ,jesus4 ,let us therefore1 belong forever to the ,beloved of our souls4 ,let us give ,him our whole heart1 our love1 our affections1 inclinations1 and desires4 ,prayer4 ,allow me1 ,o my ,saviour1 to offer ,thee my heart1 and grant that ,i seek only to please ,thee in all things4 ,from this moment ,i consecrate my heart to ,thee2 take possession of it1 destroy its indifference1 purify its affections1 and give a new life to its inclinations4 ,o sweet ,jesus1 take possession of me and consume me in the flames of ,thy love4 ,amen4 ,fourth ,day4 ,in ,thy ,heart ,i ,shall ,find ,peace4 ,thee1 ,thee alone1 ,o ,heart of my ,god1 will ,i love6 ,heart most pure1 ,heart most holy1 never tiring of my insults1 ever forgiving and forgetting1 and1 if ,i do but love ,thee sincerely1 admitting me as a chosen friend to ,thy sweet company4 8,come unto ,me1 all you that labor1 and are heavily burdened1 and ,i will give you rest40 ,seek not elsewhere for relief in sorrow3 come to the ,heart of ,one ,who loves you4 ,never will you meet with a more generous giver1 never will you meet a kinder friend1 never will you meet one who will bear with you more patiently in your trials and temptations4 ,be comforted1 then1 my heart1 in having this ,god of love1 ,who will not abandon you2 ,who has no sweeter choice than to hearken to your prayers4 ,well1 dear ,lord1 behold how my poor soul is chained down1 what billows of sorrow buffet it and all but wreck it4 ,come then1 ,o ,heart of my ,jesus1 come to me or ,i perish4 ,in ,thee alone do ,i find relief4 ,be ,thou a thousand times blessed1 ,o sweetest ,heart1 for all ,thy mercy6 ,o admirable ,heart1 forgive my guilty wretchedness4 ,henceforth ,thee alone will ,i seek1 ,thee alone will ,i love4 ,i shall serve ,thee and ,thee only till my dying gasp1 in hope of praising and loving ,thee forever more in heaven4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 be ,thou praised and blessed forever as the source of supernatural life1 the nourishment of the soul1 and the sustenance of the spirit6 ,from ,thy fulness all good is poured out upon us4 ,fill my heart1 ,i beseech ,thee1 with the sentiments that inspired ,thy adorable ,heart4 ,amen4 ,fifth ,day4 ,the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus ,teaching ,charity4 ,thy ,heart1 ,o my ,jesus1 is a mystery of charity2 mine is a mystery of malice4 ,i am ashamed and confounded when ,i consider attentively ,thy ,heart1 ,o my ,jesus6 ,thou1 the ,creator and ,master of all things--,thou art meek and lowly of heart1 and ,i1 a poor outcast1 am full of pride and presumption4 ,how often have ,i not outraged ,thy love and despised ,thy law1 and still ,thou art silent and forgivest me6 ,thou art ever ready to welcome back ,thy lost sheep1 no matter how far they have strayed1 nor how deeply they have wounded and insulted ,thy loving ,heart6 ,and can it be that after that ,i would dare violate the charity ,i owe my neighbor8 ,that ,i would1 for a slight offence1 allow proud and revengeful feelings to take possession of my heart8 ,oh1 what a contrast to ,thy gentleness and patience6 ,i cannot forget the least insult received1 whilst ,thou1 ,o my ,god1 at the first sincere prayer for pardon wilt forget all the injuries that ,i have offered ,thee4 ,could ,i then fail to choose ,thy ,heart as a model for my own8 ,but how can this cold heart of mine ever resemble that kindest ,heart of ,thine8 ,thou alone possessest the remedy4 ,behold me then1 ,o sweet ,jesus1 and mercifully regard a misery so profound4 8,my heart is ready1 ,o ,god1 my heart is ready40 ,i will extol ,thee1 ,o ,god my ,king1 and ,i will bless ,thy name forever and ever4 ,prayer4 ,be ,thou praised and blessed forever1 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 ,who in the fervor of ,thy charity1 hast devised a miraculous means of filling hearts with the holy flame of ,thy divine love4 ,impress my heart so deeply with this divine seal1 that nothing may ever enter into it1 or proceed from it1 that is not in conformity with ,thy ,sacred ,heart4 ,amen4 ,sixth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus ,my ,comforter4 ,to whom can ,i more confidently tell my many needs and frailties than to ,him ,who knows them more clearly than ,i do myself8 ,thy voice1 ,o ,jesus1 alone has the power to console and comfort the heart that loves ,thee4 ,they are blind indeed who go in search of consolation and happiness from creatures4 ,why did ,i not fly to ,thee when ,i felt the first onset of this world8 ,i turned hither and thither1 seeking on all sides for aid and comfort1 but ,i turned not my glance to ,thee1 ,who alone canst rescue the soul from sin4 ,heart of ,jesus1 oh1 what manner of love is ,thine6 ,forgive my past foolishness1 and now that ,i return again to ,thee1 give me grace never to leave ,thee4 ,let my soul1 like ,magdalen1 rest at ,thy sacred feet4 ,stay with me1 ,o ,jesus1 stay with me forever4 ,teach me what ,i must needs do to live with ,thee1 and ,i shall trample under foot all the joy and gain this world can offer me4 ,i shall embrace with gladness for ,thy sake all afflictions and all sorrows4 ,but1 ,o my ,god1 shelter beneath the wings of ,thy love every instant of my life1 and encourage and strengthen my poor weak heart4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 ,i adore the admirable impulse which made ,thee all ,thy life a victim of love1 and led ,thee to consummate it by a death of perfect love4 ,grant that by ,thy holy grace1 my heart may become a living sacrifice1 desiring only to be offered up and to offer up all things for ,thy greater glory4 ,amen4 ,seventh ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus ,my ,helper in ,trials4 ,how few are there who love ,god alone for ,his own sake1 and bless ,him alike in sorrow and in joy6 ,why1 ,o my ,god1 do ,i fear to travel on the royal road of the cross--the only road that ,thou hast travelled1 and the shortest and surest way to heaven8 ,do ,i forget that ,thy cross sanctified and redeemed the world1 and formed the bliss of ,thy elect in heaven8 ,why1 then1 do ,i shrink from carrying it with courage8 ,let us remember that our union with ,jesus crucified will be the measure of our union with ,him in glory4 ,that in suffering for ,jesus we show our true love for ,him4 ,oh1 a thousand times blessed are all who clasp the cross to their hearts and follow ,jesus4 ,be not sad1 my soul1 when thou art in pain3 the ,heart of ,jesus was crushed far more than thine4 ,that sweet ,heart of my ,jesus was overwhelmed with sadness at the sight of our sins1 pierced with a thousand deadly shafts1 humiliated1 abandoned by ,his ,father3 finally cruelly wounded on the cross1 shedding ,his blood1 even to the last drop4 ,compare such sorrow with thine1 and yet thou darest complain6 ,jesus1 forgive me1 forgive such a vile wretch1 and crown ,thy mercy and love4 ,prayer4 ,o almighty and eternal ,god1 look upon the ,heart of ,thy wellbeloved ,son1 and the praise and satisfaction ,he offers ,thee in the name of poor sinners4 ,have mercy upon them1 since they ask it through this same ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 ,who liveth and reigneth with ,thee in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 one ,god forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,eighth ,day4 ,in the ,heart of ,jesus ,i ,shall ,find ,rest4 ,o ,heart of my ,jesus1 ,i will cast myself with sweetest confidence into ,thy bosom1 and ,i will rest on ,him ,who is the everlasting rest of the elect in heaven4 ,i will draw nigh unto ,him ,who can sweeten all the bitterness of my weary pilgrimage here4 ,i will rest1 as ,john the beloved disciple did1 on the ,heart of ,jesus1 and tell ,him a hundred times over that peace and comfort cannot be found elsewhere but in that sweet ,heart4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus is the city of refuge1 in which we are safe from the pursuit of the enemy4 ,it is the city of refuge1 which defends us from the wrath of an angry ,judge4 ,give thy heart to ,him1 for ,he has opened ,his ,heart to thee4 ,give not thy heart to the world1 but to ,christ thy ,lord4 ,o ,heart of ,jesus6 ,thou givest to the heart that loves ,thee perfect peace1 great joy of spirit1 and a foretaste of heaven's delight4 ,my ,god1 make me love ,thee1 not coldly but with a passionate love4 ,all for ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 all for ,thee alone--let this be my watchword1 and then only will ,i find true rest and peace4 ,may heaven and earth praise and bless ,thee forever4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 ,i unite my heart to the spirits of the blessed1 that with them it may sing to ,thy glory before the throne of ,god4 ,the ,lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power1 and divinity1 and wisdom1 and strength1 and glory1 and benediction4 ,by ,thy virtue guard my heart1 and preserve it from the stains of its own sinful desires4 ,amen4 ,ninth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus an ,ocean of ,love4 ,o ,heart of ,jesus6 ,thou hast1 in the greatness of ,thy love1 come down to put on the garb of humanity1 and to take into ,thy breast man's heart--to make him a source of ,thy delights3 to soothe the pain that sin inflicts on his wretched soul4 ,o ,god of love1 what then shall ,i do for ,thee ,who hast loved me with such an excess of love8 ,what return can ,i make for such great graces8 ,ah1 yes6 ,i will address ,thee with the sweet name of 8,father10 a ,god so generous and so great1 and how easy will it be for me to love ,thee1 ,o ,jesus1 my best ,friend4 ,in thus dwelling among us ,he willed to unite ,himself with us in a way as intimate as it is incomprehensible4 ,and to bring about this1 ,he instituted the ,sacrament of the ,altar1 and shutting ,himself up under the appearance of bread1 ,he enters into our hearts and makes ,his own flesh our nourishment4 ,this gift of the ,eucharist1 ,o my ,god1 is of all ,thy wonders the very crown4 ,in this banquet of love1 ,thou hearest all our sighs and complaints1 and ,thou forgivest all our sad errors and foolishness4 ,o happy ,christians1 what a source of happiness we possess6 ,let us then give ,him all the love and gratitude ,he has a right to expect from us4 ,let our love be as unlimited as the love ,our ,god has shown unto us4 ,o ,jesus1 how sweet it would be to live for ,thee and ,thee only6 ,prayer4 ,o my good ,jesus1 within ,thy ,heart1 with sweetness overflowing1 ,i place myself2 hide me deep therein that ,i may never stray away4 ,in life my joy1 in death my guide1 be ,thou unto me my bliss in heaven4 ,this ,i ask for every one1 and ,i ask it by ,thy tears1 ,thy sweat1 ,thy sacred blood4 ,amen4 ,tenth ,day4 ,the ,ingratitude of ,men to the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,wherever we cast our eyes we meet with sad proofs of the ingratitude of men to the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,a large portion of the ,christian world is plunged in heresy1 denying ,christ's presence in the mystery of the ,altar1 and not satisfied with refusing to recognize this great benefit they have lifted their sacrilegious hand against the sacred ,host4 ,but1 ,o divine ,jesus1 behold a still more grievous source of sorrow to ,thy ,heart6 ,it is not from ,jews or heretics that ,thou receivest these insults1 but from ,thine own chosen people1 the people who profess to believe in ,thy real presence4 ,jesus is in our midst1 we know it1 and yet ,he is the only ,one ,whom we forget1 the only ,one ,whom we treat with careless indifference4 ,it is thus that ,christians respond to the love of ,our ,lord2 it is thus they repay all ,his benefits4 ,o sweet ,jesus1 pardon my base ingratitude6 ,angels of heaven1 you who know so much better than ,i the full extent of the love of ,jesus' ,heart towards me1 praise ,him for me1 and bless ,him4 ,o my ,god1 grant that ,i may live poor1 unknown1 and hidden in the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 my divine ,master1 forgotten and despised by creatures1 so that ,thou mayest establish ,thy reign of love upon my nothingness4 ,i hope that ,thou wilt mercifully hear my request1 and grant it4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 my ,lord6 ,o noblest1 greatest1 and most generous of all hearts6 ,i adore the divine impulses which led ,thee1 from the moment of ,thy conception1 to love me who was nothing1 who would offend ,thee in so many ways1 and so often misuse ,thy graces4 ,o holy ,friend of hearts1 change my heart1 and make it choose ,thee for its only ,friend4 ,amen4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,the ,gratitude ,due to the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,if it were in my power1 ,i would return ,thee unceasing acts of thanksgiving1 and they would still be too little to praise ,thee for ,thy boundless love4 ,i thank ,thee and bless ,thee for having poured out ,thy most precious blood to wash away my sins4 ,thou didst reserve nothing for ,thyself1 ,thou didst become dry and barren as a grape trodden in the wine press4 ,o ardent love1 that is never extinguished6 would that ,i burned with this fire ,thou hast sent on the earth1 and which ,thou dost so fervently desire to see kindled in souls6 ,o most sweet ,jesus1 open to me1 ,i humbly beseech ,thee1 the door of ,thy ,heart1 the door of love and mercy4 ,there only will my troubled soul find sure refuge1 my crimes pity and forgiveness4 ,to ,thee alone1 ,o ,heart of ,jesus1 ,i have recourse2 assist ,thou me4 ,thou hast sought for me so painfully and so long1 ,o my ,god1 when ,i strayed from ,thy loving care4 ,behold me here now2 ,i give myself to ,thee4 ,with the help of ,thy grace ,i will be faithful to ,thee1 and will keep my soul in spotless purity and deepest humility4 ,o ,heart of my ,god1 prevent me from ever abandoning ,thee again6 ,may my heart be always open and ready to admit ,jesus1 my well beloved4 ,let me cling to ,thy feet1 like ,magdalen1 and give ,thee love for love4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 my ,saviour1 ,i adore ,thee1 shedding tears over my sins4 ,would that ,i had a fountain of tears in my heart1 that ,i might weep as ,i ought for the sorrows ,i have caused ,thee6 ,give me grace to bring forth worthy fruits of penance4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o ,king of hearts1 ,who art the delight of heaven and earth6 ,amen4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,in the ,heart of ,jesus is ,found the ,way1 the ,truth1 and the ,life4 ,o my ,jesus1 ,i have never found truth save in ,thee1 and aside from ,thy paths ,i have never met but vanity and wrong4 ,if ,thou dost not guide me in all things1 ,i shall stray about forever1 and will quickly perish through fatigue and want4 ,speak1 then1 ,o ,lord1 speak to ,thy servant1 and grant him to comprehend ,thy wonderful love4 ,heart of my ,god1 give me to see that ,thou art the only way in which ,i must walk1 if ,i wish to walk aright4 ,what would ever become of me if ,thou wert not my life1 principally in the ,adorable ,sacrament of the ,altar1 where ,thou dwellest actually1 corporally1 and perpetually1 waiting to receive my homage and ever ready to give me all graces and blessings4 ,oh1 how boundless is my need of ,thee1 my ,god2 draw me unto ,thee and dispel the darkness which surrounds me4 ,deign to accept1 ,o ,heart divine1 this poor desire4 ,my ,god1 ,thou art my ,father2 have pity on me according to the greatness of ,thy mercy4 ,i abandon myself to ,thee3 do not reject me2 make me love ,thee and nevermore separate ,thyself from me4 ,prayer4 ,o sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 ,thou art the heavenly light6 ,thou dispellest the darkness of the soul1 and fillest it with sweetness4 ,thou art the ,heart of hearts1 and worthy of the greatest love4 ,thou art the source of that heavenly fire that enlightens and burns4 ,inflame my heart with ,thy divine ardor1 that it may burn with love of ,thee to all eternity4 ,amen4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,to the ,heart of ,jesus ,alone ,i ,turn4 ,we are made for ,god alone1 nor can we find peace elsewhere save in ,god alone4 ,but who can kindle in us ,thy love1 if not ,thou ,thyself1 ,o ,lord8 ,oh1 then1 sweet ,heart of ,jesus1 ,i will not cease to knock at the portal of ,thy ,heart1 with tears and true contrition6 ,let others seek the perishable goods of this world4 ,for my part ,i ask but ,thee alone4 ,forgive my past unfaithfulness1 and unite me so closely to ,thee that ,i may never be able to forsake ,thee4 ,yes1 my ,saviour1 ,i will leave creatures and all earthly pleasures to run after ,thee in the ,sacrament of ,thy love4 ,but ,i am ashamed to appear before ,thee1 ,o my ,jesus1 ,i1 who am so naked and so devoid of all virtues4 ,what then am ,i to do8 ,am ,i to appear no more before ,thee8 ,ah1 no6 this would not please ,thee4 ,thou dwellest in the ,sacrament1 not only to reward ,thy lovers1 but also to provide for the poor out of ,thy riches4 ,i adore ,thee1 then1 ,king of my heart6 ,o ,shepherd1 loving ,thy sheep beyond all bounds1 to this throne of love ,i now approach1 and having nothing else to give ,i offer ,thee my poor heart4 ,mercy1 ,o ,heart of ,god1 ,i implore ,thee a thousand1 thousand times1 and pardon for all my sins2 grant that this may be the day of my entire conversion1 so that ,i may nevermore cease to love ,thee4 ,prayer4 ,heart of my ,jesus1 ,thou knowest what is wanting in me3 ,thou knowest that without ,thee ,i can do nothing4 ,thou knowest my weakness3 have pity on me1 give me humility1 purity of heart1 love1 and conformity to ,thy holy will1 strength against my bad habits1 remission of my sins1 and grace nevermore to commit them4 ,amen4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus ,asks for ,our ,hearts4 8,my child1 give ,me thy heart40 ,oh1 let me print on my memory such a phrase of love6 8,my child60 ,oh1 how sweet it sounds when uttered by the lips of a ,god6 ,he wishes to dwell in our hearts1 not for a certain time1 but forever2 not as a guest only1 but as its ,master and its ,lord4 ,jesus says the heart ,he asks of me is mine3 8,give ,me thy heart10 instead of claiming it as ,his right1 as a matter of strictest obligation1 since all that ,i am and have comes from ,him4 ,oh1 why should it be so difficult for me to yield up my heart to that sweet ,lord ,who so endearingly says1 8,my child1 give ,me thy heart08 ,the name of friend being insufficient to tell all ,thy love1 ,o dear ,jesus1 ,thou dost employ the loving name of child to sweetly compel me to grant ,thy fond request4 ,why is it1 my ,jesus1 that ,thou wishest my love8 ,why dost ,thou1 by every means1 try to gain1 by permission1 that love which is ,thine by every right and title8 ,oh1 how many years ,thou hast followed me1 and ,i ever fled away from ,thee6 ,how hardened my heart was6 ,it is true ,i have often returned to ,thee for a little while1 and ,thou didst welcome me1 and gave me ,thy very self as my food4 ,but too soon ,i fled away from ,thee again4 ,o my dearest ,jesus1 what favors and benefits ,i have abused6 ,pardon me1 sweet ,jesus3 behold me at last here at ,thy feet1 never to leave ,thee more4 ,take my heart1 sweet ,lord1 and clasp it tightly to ,thy ,sacred ,heart even to the hour of my death2 never let me stray from ,thee again4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 with my whole soul ,i adore ,thy impulses of goodness and mercy towards sinners1 the effects of which ,i have most singularly experienced6 ,thy loving kindness is so desirous of mercy1 that it threatens to show no mercy to him who is not merciful4 ,and what mercy can ,i exercise towards my neighbor8 ,what can be compared to those mercies ,i have received1 and every day receive from ,thee8 ,o ,heart of ,jesus1 loving fountain of mercy1 teach me to know and worthily imitate ,thy mercy4 ,amen4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus at the ,hour of ,death4 ,the life of man passes away as a shadow4 ,time passes by as a swift flowing river1 bearing on its bosom1 onward to the grave1 old and young1 rich and poor1 without any distinction4 ,oh1 how happy is he who has laid up treasures in heaven1 who has gathered for himself a hoard of merit before ,god4 ,happy1 a thousand times happy1 is he who in that dread hour can turn to ,god with all confidence1 and feel ,god present in his heart4 ,o my sweet ,jesus1 ,i will cling to the hope that ,thou wilt forget all my past iniquities1 and remember only ,thy love4 ,o merciful ,jesus1 who would not hope from ,thee a mercy without end8 ,it is true ,thou art a ,god of justice and purity1 and ,thou seest in me sins beyond compare4 ,but yet can it be that the same ,god1 ,who every instant of my life yearns to be near me1 ,who begs so pleadingly for my heart3 can it be that ,he will condemn me to hell8 ,oh1 no1 tender ,heart of my ,jesus6 it will never be so if ,i am truly sorry4 ,my sweet ,jesus will never abandon me1 if with a truly repentant heart1 ,i have recourse to ,him4 ,why should ,i fear death when ,i look upon my ,god agonizing in the throes of death8 ,his death was to help me in my dying hour1 so that seeing the pain that ,i have inflicted ,i might bear mine without complaint4 ,o sweet ,heart of ,jesus1 ,i offer ,thee my death4 ,i am willing to suffer all the pains ,thou wishest to send me4 ,let me suffer as much as ,thou pleasest1 only let me die clasped close to ,thy loving ,heart4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 ,i adore the admirable impulses which made ,thee all ,thy life a victim of love1 and led ,thee to consummate it by a death of perfect love4 ,grant that1 by ,thy holy grace1 my heart may become a living sacrifice1 desiring only to be offered up and to offer up all things for ,thy greater glory4 ,amen4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus for all ,eternity4 ,eternity is ,thine1 ,o my ,god1 and ,thou givest it to ,thy elect1 that they may love ,thee without any doubt or fear4 ,life is short3 the last hour may toll for me when ,i least expect it4 ,o thou city of ,god1 when shall ,i behold thy beauty8 ,oh1 the grace and blessing of dying at peace with ,thee1 great ,god2 of closing our eyes in a holy death1 to open them amid the splendors of eternal joy6 ,meanwhile ,thou givest me a pledge of this bliss in the admirable ,sacrament of the ,altar4 ,where can love like ,thine be found8 ,thou givest me ,thy body and blood1 ,thy soul and divinity1 as a pledge of eternal happiness4 ,if then1 ,thou art wholly mine1 can ,i be otherwise than wholly ,thine8 ,a thousand thanks to ,thee1 ,o my sweet ,jesus1 ,who art so loving to me4 ,thou didst call me to ,thy service1 but ,i have responded weakly4 ,i often disappointed and displeased ,thee1 yet1 ,o ,heart of my ,god1 ,thou art all mercy1 and ,thou wilt not turn away ,thy face from ,thy poor child1 who casts herself down before ,thee in contrition and shame4 ,i will clasp ,thy feet and remain there until ,thou wilt once more say 8thou art forgiven3 go in peace40 ,thou art just1 ,o ,lord2 nevertheless be moved to pity me4 ,i promise that ,i will always serve and love ,thee1 and avoid anything that could in any way separate me from ,thee4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 ,i adore ,thy death of complete charity that placed ,thee in the grave4 ,let me enter into the wound of ,thy ,heart1 made by the lance1 and may ,i die there for love of ,thee4 ,o heart of ,mary1 ,mother of the ,heart of ,jesus1 ,i have recourse to thee1 that thou mayest speak to me in its stead4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus and thine are but one1 and what thou dost for me ,he will approve4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus ,sorrowful unto ,death4 ,no one can be a true follower of ,thee1 ,o sweet ,jesus1 who travels by any road save that of ,thy cross4 ,for what trouble1 what trial or affliction can we meet with1 which has not been suffered by ,thee8 ,what were the agonies and pains ,thy ,heart bore for me6 ,i am poor1 but am ,i poorer than ,thou1 ,who hadst not whereon to lay ,thy head8 ,i may be reviled and persecuted1 but what are my persecutions in comparison to ,thine1 ,o my ,jesus8 ,thou wast abandoned in ,thy hour of agony even by ,thy apostles1 and betrayed into the hands of ,thy enemies by one whom ,thou hadst made ,thy friend and companion4 ,thy whole life1 ,o my ,jesus1 was one unbroken series of crosses1 borne sweetly and patiently through love of me4 ,take courage1 then1 my soul1 from the example of our dear ,lord1 and bear with noble strength all the trials and afflictions that may be sent to thee4 ,i will keep my eyes fixed on ,thee1 cursed and buffeted1 insulted and spat upon1 scourged and crowned with thorns1 a heavy cross laid upon ,thy poor1 mangled shoulders1 and ,thy dreadful crucifixion--all for love of me4 ,surely then1 my ,god1 the desire will grow in my heart to be ready and willing to make some return to ,thee4 ,yet without ,thy help1 dear ,jesus1 ,i am utterly helpless to bear the little trials ,thou so lovingly dost send me4 ,thou hast said clearly1 8,if any man will come after ,me1 let him deny himself1 and take up his cross and follow ,me40 ,and again1 8,whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after ,me1 cannot be ,my disciple40 ,i understand then1 dear ,jesus1 that if ,i wish to claim the name of follower of ,thee1 ,i must imitate ,thee in carrying the cross4 ,i throw myself into ,thy loving arms1 my sweet ,jesus2 do with me as ,thou choosest1 only give me strength and courage to abide with ,thee forever4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 ,i adore ,thy impulses of charity1 which made ,thee wish to fill my heart and my soul with ,thine1 my spirit with ,thy spirit1 and to feed my body with ,thy sacred flesh4 ,i adore ,thy divinity1 concealed from my sight under the symbols of ,thy mystery of love1 and ,i beseech ,thee1 of ,thy mercy1 to use my soul1 my mind1 my heart1 and my body as a temple consecrated to ,thy honor4 ,o ,sacred ,heart1 ,i adore ,thee as a victim sacrificed by the ascendancy and power of its own pure love4 ,amen4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,o ,heart of ,jesus1 ,thou ,art ,all ,mine and ,i ,am ,all ,thine4 ,heart of my ,god1 ,thou art for me light1 hope1 heaven1 eternity1 all4 ,i thank ,thee1 sweetest ,jesus1 for all ,thy generosity towards ,thy unworthy creature4 ,i scarcely know myself when ,i feel ,thee so near my heart in holy communion4 ,oh1 let that love of ,thine fill my heart2 do not leave me till ,thou grantest me the comfort ,i hope and claim of ,thee4 ,lord1 were ,i to ask of ,thee temporal things1 ,thou mightest well refuse them1 but ,i ask that which thou ,thyself art pleased with--,thy holy love4 ,i cannot love ,thee unless ,thou grantest me power to do so4 ,heart of my ,jesus1 where shall ,i find ,thee if not where ,thou art really present--in the ,adorable ,eucharist8 ,be ,thou blessed a thousand times1 my ,jesus1 ,who hast provided so sweet a source of comfort for us poor exiles in this vale of tears4 ,i behold ,magdalen approach ,thee1 her heart full of shame1 and ,i behold her leaving ,thee1 her heart full of peace and love4 ,i see ,augustine filled with the malice of sin1 and all at once he becomes one of ,thy brightest saints4 ,is1 then1 ,thy power shortened8 ,no1 no1 ,thou never failest in coming to those who in lowliness of heart cry to ,thee for help4 ,let me1 then1 ,o my sweet ,jesus1 show ,thee all my sorrow and reveal to ,thee all my need4 ,if ,i had loved ,thee as warmly as ,i have loved myself and my sins1 ,i would have been a saint long ago4 ,now once more ,i return to ,thee2 let my hope never be confounded4 ,prayer4 ,be ,thou blessed and praised forever1 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 hidden under the mystical veil of the consecrated ,host6 ,grant that ,i may worthily praise ,thy ardent love4 ,thou art all in all to the saints in heaven4 ,give me ,thy grace1 that to me also ,thy ,sacred ,heart may become all things1 and that ,i may love and adore ,thee in spirit and in truth4 ,amen4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,god is ,charity and ,he ,who ,lives in ,charity ,lives in ,god4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus1 a great saint has said1 is the abode of every virtue1 the source of every blessing2 always filled with love for us1 it is ever ready to receive1 to shelter1 and to comfort us4 ,o you who are bending under the burden of sorrow or want1 or who are forever struggling against temptation1 fly to this sweet ,heart2 there you shall find that ,god is love1 that ,he is ever attentive1 and ever prepared to hear our slightest prayer4 ,oh1 then1 merciful ,heart of my ,jesus1 be with me everywhere1 even when ,i do not ask ,thee1 because then the peril is much greater4 ,stretch out ,thy hand to me and draw me unto ,thee4 ,thou hast told ,magdalen that much was forgiven her because she had loved much2 but was it not ,thyself1 sweet ,jesus1 that gave her such love8 ,give me the same love1 my ,jesus1 and ,i shall love ,thee as much4 ,ah1 my ,jesus1 my heart is no longer mine--,i give it to ,thee without reserve4 ,let it live for ,thee and ,thee only2 keep it1 ,o ,lord1 and guard it as ,thine own4 ,if the angels rejoice over the returning of the repentant prodigal1 wilt ,thou not find greater delight in that prodigal's sincere desire of thanking ,thee and loving ,thee more and more8 ,i resolve that my heart will henceforward bear ,thee company by visiting ,thee in ,thy tabernacles1 and by fidelity to prayer4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 ,who in a wonderful ,sacrament hast left us a memorial of ,thy ,passion and a pledge of ,thy love1 grant us1 ,i beseech ,thee1 grace so to venerate the mysteries of ,thy body and blood1 that we may ever feel within us the fruits of ,thy redemption1 ,who livest and reignest with the ,father1 in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 ,god forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,the ,sacred ,heart is a ,most ,patient ,rewarder4 ,thou1 ,o sweet ,jesus1 possessest all wealth and bounty2 we know that ,thy riches are inexhaustible1 and that ,thy desire to impart them in ,thy generosity is without limit and immeasurable4 ,thy rewards are always far greater than our merits4 ,for a very slight service1 ,thou givest so amply that the greatness and depth of ,thy rewards will be equal to their duration4 ,jesus1 light of my life1 shine on my poor1 wretched soul1 and plant in it the precious fruits of hatred of sin1 deep contrition1 and a firm1 lasting resolution of amendment4 ,make this poor heart of mine gladly embrace and bear all the crosses that ,thou mayest send me as aids to the attainment of my only end--that of abiding safe in ,thy bright home forever1 sweet ,jesus1 with ,thee4 ,however great the sufferings of this life may be1 we can all have recourse to ,god1 and obtain strength and courage in the thought that ,thou1 dear ,lord1 hast been the first of all great sufferers1 and that ,thou wilt never permit our troubles to exceed our limited strength4 ,oh1 how sweetly and lovingly dost ,thou receive the soul who1 notwithstanding temptation and trials1 hast always served ,thee faithfully1 and hast persevered to the end in ,thy service6 ,o my sweet ,love1 aid me by ,thy grace to bear all afflictions with loving patience1 so that ,i may one day receive my everlasting reward4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 which from all time wast inflamed with love for the glory of ,thy heavenly ,father1 and for our salvation1 be ,thou praised and blessed forever6 ,kindle in our hearts that divine fire ,thou hast brought upon the earth1 and grant that we may never1 on our side1 oppose it1 but that by ,thy holy grace it may ever burn there4 ,amen4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus will ,glorify us in ,heaven4 ,my ,jesus1 when will that moment come1 when having followed faithfully the path of crosses and tribulations1 ,i shall hear ,thee say1 8,well done1 good and faithful servant2 because thou hast been faithful over a few things1 ,i shall place thee over many4 ,enter thou into the joy of thy ,lord40 ,oh1 the joy the soul will feel when1 on reaching heaven1 she shall find herself in the company of the angels and saints2 of ,mary1 her good ,mother1 and shall recognize all her friends and relatives6 ,what joy will it not be to find one's self safe in port1 free from all danger1 safe forever in the arms of ,god6 ,the happiness of heaven once insured is ours forever more2 it cannot be lost4 ,there will be no more sorrow nor trouble4 ,thou1 ,o my sweet ,jesus1 wilt wipe away all tears from our eyes1 and with ,thy sweet voice1 ,thou wilt gladden our hearts4 ,my soul1 enter into thyself1 and reflect that thou wert made for this glory if thou wilt only struggle to the end4 ,how foolish then is he1 who for a brief passing moment of pleasure1 would fling away all claim to that glory1 which as ,st4 ,paul says1 8,eye hath not seen nor ear heard1 neither hath it entered into the heart of man what things ,god hath prepared for them that love ,him40 ,take courage1 my soul1 and do not murmur against those trifling tribulations1 which ,god in ,his mercy sends for our own true weal4 ,most loving ,jesus1 give me grace to welcome them1 to embrace them eagerly1 and to bear them according to ,thy good pleasure1 and with sincere resignation to ,thy holy will4 ,o my sweet ,jesus1 grant that ,i may one day reach that joyful kingdom1 there to unite my voice to those of the ever blest ones who1 with ceaseless transports of joy1 cry out before ,thy throne1 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 ,lord ,god of hosts2 heaven and earth are full of the glory of ,thy majesty4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 ,victim of love1 consecrated ,altar where all sacrifices are completed1 ,thou art the glory of the ,holy ,trinity1 the joy of the angels and all the blessed1 and the unfailing hope of mortals4 ,be ,thou the sole ,master of the desires and affections of my heart4 ,o ,heart of ,jesus1 that lovest me so tenderly1 make me love ,thee fervently in this world1 so that ,i may love ,thee eternally in heaven4 ,amen4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus ,opened4 ,jesus1 even after ,his death1 allowed ,his sacred side to be opened by a spearthrust1 in order that we might see with what goodwill ,he had suffered1 and how ardently ,he was inflamed with love of us1 and with desire for our salvation4 ,this opening of the side of ,jesus1 and the wonderful shedding of blood and water1 should fill us with a sweet gladness1 tempered with tears of sorrow for our evil4 ,the only time in which we wounded not ,his ,heart was that time in which we had not yet been furnished by nature with that dangerous weapon1 our natural liberty1 the origin of all our offences against ,god4 ,he could have deprived us of that free will which has been the instrument by which we have offended ,him so often2 but no1 ,he comes unto us with all love1 disclosing to us all the sweetness of ,his kind ,heart4 ,o my ,saviour1 ,thou never ceasest to renew ,thy loving assaults6 ,thou didst wait on me1 yearning to enfold me in ,thy divine embrace4 ,o peerless mercy of my ,jesus' ,heart1 how can ,i ever repay ,thee8 ,heart of my ,jesus1 ,i shall endeavor to prove my love for ,thee by atoning as far as is in my power for the many insults offered ,thee4 ,i shall adore and love ,thee to the utmost of my power1 ,i shall visit ,thee1 hidden as ,thou art in the ,holy ,sacrament of the ,altar1 and delight in holding sweet converse with ,thee4 ,thy side is open wide3 for whom1 if not for poor sinners8 ,o my sweet ,jesus1 ,i can enter therein at will4 ,in ,thy ,sacred ,heart ,i can find true sorrow1 and contrition for all my ingratitude and thanklessness4 ,oh1 give my heart steadiness and fidelity1 that so these resolutions may be effectual and practical4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 ,who with incomparable love didst vouchsafe to be crowned with thorns1 blindfolded1 and struck with a reed1 stripped of ,thy garments1 nailed to the cross1 and lifted up thereon between two thieves3 to have gall and vinegar given ,thee to drink1 to be wounded with a spear3 ,i beseech ,thee1 ,o ,sacred ,heart1 by all these pains1 and by ,thy cross and death1 to deliver me from all that displeases ,thee and in ,thy mercy to lead me whither ,thou didst conduct the penitent thief4 ,who livest and reignest with the ,father and the ,holy ,ghost1 ,god1 forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus the ,source of ,all ,happiness4 ,there is one thing for which every heart craves1 after its own manner4 ,we all long for happiness--that is the one great desire that lives in every soul4 ,hast ,thou not1 sweet ,jesus1 given us that longing8 ,and when ,thou hast given so much surely ,thou wilt not refuse the accomplishment of this desire also4 ,tell us1 dear ,lord1 what souls are happy1 and we will learn from their example4 ,let us look at the faces of those who serve ,thee1 and we will see them growing brighter and brighter as they draw near ,thee1 and they will tell us4 ,when we love ,thee sincerely1 then we shall be happy2 when we make ,thy will the centre around which we move1 then we shall be happy2 when ,thy sweet ,heart1 hidden under the sacramental species1 is more beautiful in our sight than all else1 when we shape and mould our lives according to the example of that ,sacred ,heart1 then peace and joy and happiness will be ours4 ,teach us1 sweet ,heart of ,jesus1 from ,thy tabernacle1 to serve ,thee as ,thou deservest1 to love ,thee above all things1 to work for ,thee bravely and generously1 solely because of ,thy love and not for ,thy gifts4 ,oh1 what happiness may ,i not promise myself if ,i but cling to ,thy most generous ,heart1 and use my best endeavors to faithfully serve1 adore1 and love it4 ,inflame my heart1 ,o ,jesus1 with the fire of love with which ,thine is ever inflamed4 ,with ,st4 ,ignatius ,i will say1 8,jesus1 ,lord1 give to me ,thy love and grace divine1 and ,i shall be rich enough40 ,henceforth ,i accept the remainder of my life and all its events1 whether bitter or sweet1 from ,thee2 fixing my eyes on the tabernacle alone1 ,i will serve ,thee because it is ,thy will ,i should do so4 ,help me1 my ,jesus1 unto the end2 let me find no happiness but in ,thee4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 how blessed is he whose only hope and confidence is in ,thee1 ,who alone canst satisfy the yearnings of his heart6 ,thou art indeed the light of our true heavenly land1 the delights of which surpass all that our human senses can experience4 ,too late have ,i known ,thee1 ,o ancient beauty6 ,too late have ,i loved ,thee6 ,but if ,i have begun so late1 make me now love ,thee perfectly4 ,amen4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,the ,love of the ,saints for the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,what a contrast there is between my conduct and that of ,thy saints--between my indifference and their love towards ,thy sweet ,heart in the ,blessed ,sacrament6 ,st4 ,john ,francis ,regis1 when worn out with labor1 would retire to the church and would there find repose and rest at the feet of ,jesus4 ,st4 ,francis ,xavier used to pass the night and take his repose in the sacristy1 so as to be near ,jesus4 ,leopold1 ,duke of ,austria1 would dismount from his horse1 and falling on his knees would adore his ,saviour as the procession of the ,blessed ,sacrament passed him by4 ,it is true that ,i cannot1 nor does ,jesus expect me to imitate these bright examples2 yet if ,i have the will and the desire ,i can do much4 ,could ,i not often think of ,jesus1 lonely in the ,blessed ,sacrament1 waiting and watching for me1 ,his poor creature1 to visit ,him8 ,could ,i not1 like ,st4 ,alphonsus1 visit the ,blessed ,sacrament every day8 ,could ,i not1 when ,i bend my knee before ,him1 say 8,blessed and praised be the ,adorable ,sacrament of the ,altar80 ,could ,i not refrain from useless talk in church8 ,could ,i not easily assist at ,benediction as often as it takes place in church8 ,all this ,i could do1 ,o loving ,heart of ,jesus1 if ,i only cared for ,thee1 if the love of ,thee had taken full possession of my soul4 ,but ,i am weak1 ,o ,jesus1 and ever prone to thwart ,thy adorable intentions2 still ,i am comforted by the thought that ,thou wilt aid and sustain me4 ,this urges me to pray1 in fullest hope of obtaining all things conducive to my sanctification here1 and my salvation hereafter4 ,perfect my desires1 ,i implore ,thee1 and let the example of ,thy saints stimulate me to love ,thee in the ,blessed ,sacrament more and more4 ,prayer4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 ,thou art the source of the joy and holiness of the saints1 and from ,thy fulness we receive all that we can have or wish for in heaven and on earth4 ,through ,thy charity1 and through that of the heart of ,thy holy ,mother1 ,i beseech ,thee to bestow on me the sweet peace of charity1 and to make my heart ever yielding and obedient to the impulses of ,thy divine grace4 ,amen4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,the ,agony of the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus is filled with terror at the sight of the torments that await ,him4 ,he seems to forget what ,he is and why ,he came into this world4 ,he prostrates ,himself on the ground1 and beseeches ,his ,father to remove from ,him1 if possible1 the chalice of suffering which ,he sees in store for ,him4 ,his agony is so intense that ,he is covered with a sweat of blood1 which oozes out in great drops and trickles down to the ground4 ,o my soul1 hast thou ever beheld a sight like this8 ,only ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,who has loved man1 has suffered like this4 ,o my ,jesus1 my sweet ,jesus1 ,thou hast willingly suffered the divine vengeance which should have fallen on me4 ,what more couldst ,thou have done for me8 ,surely if our hearts are human1 if there is one fibre of pity or gratitude in our souls1 the memory of ,thy agony would never be obliterated4 ,by ,thy presence on the altar1 ,thou has made me acknowledge the enormity of my sins4 ,thou hast compelled me to own that my sins have1 as far as they could1 reacted every scene in ,thy ,passion4 ,and yet do ,i linger under the shadow of ,thy tabernacle8 ,do ,i weep over the wounds ,i have made in ,thy body8 ,oh1 no1 dear ,jesus6 ,i have forgotten ,thee1 and like the ,jews1 with ,thy blood on my hands1 ,i have eaten and made merry4 ,o tender ,heart of ,jesus1 let it be so no more4 ,let my heart be filled with sorrow on account of my iniquities4 ,let my repentance be like ,magdalen's2 then ,i shall be happy and ,i shall be saved1 because ,thou wilt never despise a truly contrite heart4 ,o loving ,jesus1 make my heart so just1 so upright1 and so conformable to ,thy ,heart1 that between ,thee and me there may be nothing to offend ,thee4 ,prayer4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 suffering in the ,garden of ,olives4 ,it is ,i who deserve all the pains ,thou endurest1 for ,i am the cause of them4 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 through ,thy sorrow my soul finds consolation1 and by ,thy agony my death is made sweet4 ,give me a contrite and humble heart1 that can participate in ,thy pains and sorrows4 ,teach me how to offer up the prayer of suffering and patience4 ,amen4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus in the ,tabernacle4 ,the home of ,jesus is the tabernacle4 ,our dear ,lord and ,saviour dwells among the poor as well as among the rich4 ,he lives in the noisy1 crowded city1 as well as in the lonely1 quiet country2 in magnificent cathedrals1 as well as in the poorest churches and the most dilapidated chapels4 ,there ,he remains1 that all may be able to come to ,his dwellingplace1 to lay before ,him all their wants1 to converse with ,him and to obtain from ,him all the graces they need1 whether for soul or body4 ,can we imagine anything more loving or generous8 ,the soul that truly loves ,jesus need not go far to find ,him4 ,he can be found in every church in which the ,blessed ,sacrament is kept1 and there the ,king of kings1 ,our ,lord and ,saviour1 is content to remain1 shut up in a tabernacle of wood1 with no one to keep ,him company4 ,well has ,he been called a 8,prisoner of love40 ,o sweet ,heart of ,jesus1 because ,thou art always with us1 we forget ,thee2 because we are accustomed to ,thy continual presence we heed it no more4 ,because ,thou never leavest us1 we grow tired of ,thee and value ,thee not4 ,o loving ,heart of ,jesus1 what ingratitude6 ,yet surely it ought not to be difficult to visit ,thee and to converse with ,thee4 ,how many afflictions1 how many troubles of mind and body1 are there to tell ,thee2 how many graces and blessings to supplicate2 how many sins and transgressions are there to weep for2 how many acts of love and thanksgiving to be poured forth for all ,thy numberless mercies2 how many petitions ought to ascend for the conversion of those who neither know nor love ,thee6 ,o compassionate ,jesus1 grant that we may ever remember ,thee in ,thy loving ,sacrament1 and let ,thy dear words ever sound in our ears3 8,come to ,me1 all you that labor and are heavily burdened1 and ,i will refresh you40 ,prayer4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 the joy1 the satisfaction1 and the supreme ,ruler of all hearts4 ,with the same loving kindness that led ,thee to take the hand of ,st4 ,thomas1 and carry it ,thyself into ,thy side1 make my heart seek no joy but in ,thee1 ,o ,sacred ,heart4 ,may my heart be ever subject to ,thy gentle sway1 for out of ,thee it will find but labor and tribulation1 and all the consequences of its unhappy bondage4 ,amen4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus is ,my ,hope4 ,in the ,heart of ,jesus we live1 and move1 and have our being4 ,o ,jesus1 ,thy care of me is so wise and gentle1 that nothing can harm me so long as ,i leave myself in ,thy hands4 ,i know the trials which ,thou sendest me are irksome1 that my passions goad me on to rise up against ,thee1 and the demon also whispers in my ear1 8,thou hast ,jesus no longer1 ,he has abandoned thee for aye40 ,but no1 never will ,i lose my hope in ,thee2 ,i shall not be affrighted2 remembering the loving lessons ,thy ,heart has taught me1 ,i will fear no evils4 ,too powerful in the strength1 my ,god1 that comes to me from the assurance that ,thou1 sweet ,love1 rulest my life and art a sharer in all my sorrow4 ,no1 ,i will not fear1 for ,thou art with me4 ,with ,jesus1 my ,god1 by my side1 my hope acquires new strength4 ,i have with me a ,father ,who loves me and ,who is ever intent on blessing me4 ,my eyes behold ,thee not1 yet through the wondrous agency of ,thy grace1 ,thou art near to me at every place and at every moment4 ,be ,thou then1 sweet ,jesus1 my comforter1 my delight1 my crown4 ,my senses will murmur1 it is true1 my passions will arise in rebellion1 but fortified by ,thy grace and strength1 ,i will fight against sin with a fortitude invincible4 ,aid me then1 ,o divine ,heart1 for ,thou art my only hope4 ,let me rest and repose on ,thy bosom and forget my wanderings4 ,let me learn that there and there only1 ,i am in my true home1 where alone ,i can be happy4 ,prayer4 ,o most compassionate ,jesus6 ,thou alone art our salvation1 our life and our resurrection4 ,we implore ,thee1 therefore1 do not forsake us in our needs and afflictions1 but by the agony of ,thy most ,sacred ,heart and by the sorrows of ,thy immaculate ,mother1 succor ,thy servants whom ,thou hast redeemed with ,thy most precious blood4 ,amen4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,all ,graces ,come from the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,all virtues are found in the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,his ,heart is the furnace of divine love1 always burning with the fire of the ,holy ,spirit1 purifying1 kindling1 and transforming into ,himself all who yield themselves to ,him1 or who wish to be ,his4 8,my heart is ready1 ,o ,god1 my heart is ready40 ,i will extol ,thee1 ,o ,god1 my ,king1 and ,i will bless ,thy name forever4 ,since all good flows from ,thy most sweet ,heart1 ,o ,jesus1 ,i should not attribute to myself anything of the good ,i may have done1 nor regard with self satisfaction the gifts of ,god1 but ascribe all to ,him1 and return all to their original source1 which is the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,place all your sins in the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,through that ,heart you should ask for grace and pardon1 and praise and bless ,him for all ,his mercies4 ,i acknowledge1 ,o my ,god1 ,thy supreme dominion over me1 and all created things4 ,i bow down before ,thy infinite sanctity1 perfection and excellence1 which entitle ,thee to the fullest love1 service1 and praise of all ,thy creatures4 ,in ,thy presence ,i protest my detestation of my countless sins1 with which ,i have outraged ,thy love1 and deeply repentant1 ,i implore of ,thee a full pardon4 ,open wide ,thy ,heart of love1 and let stream on my heart all the full sympathy of ,thine4 ,i know ,thou canst not trust me1 as ,i am ever prone to break my word and betray ,thee4 ,hence ,i need all ,thy care1 all ,thy grace to persevere in the good resolutions ,thou formest in my soul4 ,o sweet ,virgin ,mother of my ,jesus1 help me to praise and bless the ,lord for all the benefits ,he has bestowed on me1 and for all those ,he will grant for all eternity4 ,prayer4 ,my sweet ,jesus1 ,i give ,thee my soul1 my body1 and my will1 resigning myself in all and forever to ,thy most holy grace4 ,do with me what ,thou pleasest4 ,make me ever love ,thee in this life and in the next2 do this1 and then dispose of me and of everything ,i have as ,thou wilt4 ,tell me what ,thou askest of me2 for with ,thy grace ,i will execute it1 be it what it may4 ,amen4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus the ,source of ,sanctity4 ,this adorable ,heart offers to us at once the motive1 the example1 and the grace of holiness4 ,what could be more of an incentive to keep ourselves from sin1 than the remembrance of ,our ,lord's ,sacred ,heart1 which was saddened by sin to such an excess as to cause ,his sacred body to sweat drops of blood8 ,what more calculated to inspire us with zeal for our sanctification than the study of this ,heart1 which calls us to it with so much love1 and by so many sacrifices8 ,st4 ,bernardin of ,sienna speaks of this divine ,heart as a furnace of the most ardent love1 capable of setting the whole world on fire4 ,we find in the ,heart of ,jesus the grace of holiness1 for as ,blessed ,margaret ,mary says1 8,nothing is better calculated to raise the soul in a very short time to the loftiest degree of holiness than devotion to this dear ,heart40 ,she also says that those who labor for the salvation of souls will find in this devotion the gift of touching the hardest heart4 ,it is because this divine ,heart is the throne whereon mercy is seated1 that invocations made to it are never in vain4 ,it is the strong tower against which all temptations are powerless4 ,it is the source of all benedictions4 ,oh1 we should love with all our strength the amiable ,heart of ,jesus1 no matter what it may cost us6 ,we should sanctify ourselves at any cost1 and to do this we should love and burn incessantly in the furnace of the pure love of ,god1 which will purify and sanctify us at one and the same time4 ,let us1 then1 abandon ourselves into the hands of ,god1 and we shall soon see that ,he will employ every means to make us perfect4 ,he who loves perfectly makes no resistance4 ,my ,jesus1 take unto ,thee my heart2 ,i give myself wholly to ,thee4 ,may ,i ever be scrupulously faithful and unflinchingly constant in loving ,thee1 this day and every day of my whole life4 ,prayer4 ,o beloved ,one of my soul1 would that ,i had always loved ,thee6 ,alas1 there was a time when ,i not only did not love ,thee1 but despised ,thy grace and ,thy love4 ,i am consoled by the sorrow which ,i feel for it1 and ,i hope for pardon through ,thy promise to forgive him that repents of his sins4 ,to ,thee1 ,o my ,saviour1 do ,i turn all my affections2 help me1 through the merits of ,thy ,passion1 to love ,thee with my whole strength4 ,amen4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus in ,holy ,communion4 ,oh1 how shall ,i dare to approach ,thy heavenly banquet1 that mystery which is the greatest and most stupendous work of even ,thy almighty love8 that banquet of which the noblest and purest spirits are in no sense truly worthy8 ,yet ,i feel myself comforted1 when ,i read in ,thy ,gospel that ,thou sendest forth ,thy servants in quest of the poor1 the blind1 the lame1 and the wretched1 to invite them to ,thy bounteous feast divine4 ,o goodness of ,god6 ,o ,heart of ,jesus1 truly loving art ,thou1 and truly worthy of all love4 ,not only willingly1 but eagerly do ,i accept ,thy sweet and merciful invitation4 ,what a consolation to be allowed to enjoy the loving embraces of the divine ,spouse of my soul6 ,as the hart panteth after the fountains of water1 so my soul panteth after ,thee1 ,o ,god4 ,oh1 come then1 ,heart of my ,jesus1 come to ,thy poor servant4 ,i desire to tell ,thee all my needs1 to protest to ,thee my love1 to clasp ,thee to me4 ,come1 and as ,thou enterest my heart1 let me hear ,thy sweet1 consoling words1 8,peace be to thee40 ,oh1 fortify me with ,thy light and strength1 that ,i may no more lose ,thee or drive ,thee from me4 ,but as long as ,i live1 ,i am in danger--my resolution may become weak and ,i may betray ,thee as ,i have done before4 ,o ,love unbounded1 do ,thou help me2 from ,thee and from ,thy ,heart1 ,i hope all good4 ,let not that hope grow weak at any time1 nor waver for a single instant4 ,this ,i implore of ,thee through the same love which has made ,thee remain with us day and night1 and which has induced ,thee to give ,thyself for our food in the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,prayer4 ,remember1 ,o most loving ,jesus1 that it is unheard of that any one ever had recourse to ,thy ,sacred ,heart1 implored its help without obtaining relief4 ,confiding in ,thy infinite goodness and mercy we cast ourselves before ,thee1 and do most humbly supplicate ,thee to hear our prayers1 and to take upon ,thyself the care of our salvation4 ,show1 divine ,jesus1 that ,thou hast the ,heart of the best of ,fathers4 ,shelter us therein1 and let it not be said that we have perished1 where no one ever found but mercy1 grace and salvation4 ,amen4 ,litany of the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus4 7,for ,private ,devotion ,only47 ,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 ,trinity one ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 hypostatically united with the ,word of ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 sanctuary of the divinity1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 temple of the ,holy ,trinity1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 abyss of wisdom1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 ocean of goodness1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 throne of mercy1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 treasure inexhaustible1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 whose plenitude is diffused in us1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 our peace and reconciliation1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 model of all virtues1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 infinitely amiable and most worthy of being loved1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 fountain of living water springing up to eternal life1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 love of the celestial ,father1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 atonement for our sins1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 full of bitterness for our sakes1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 sad unto death in the ,garden1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 wrung with ignominy1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 wounded from love1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 pierced with a lance1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 drained of ,thy blood on the cross1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 broken with grief on account of our sins1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 still outraged by ungrateful men in the ,most ,holy ,sacrament of love1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 refuge of sinners1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 strength of the weak1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 comfort of the afflicted1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 perseverance of the just1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 salvation of those who hope in ,thee1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 hope of those who die in ,thee1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 sweet support of ,thy adorers1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 delight of all the saints1 ,have mercy on us4 ,heart of ,jesus1 help in our afflictions1 ,have mercy on us4 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,spare us1 ,o ,jesus6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,hear us1 ,o ,jesus6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,jesus6 ,christ1 hear us4 ,christ1 graciously hear us4 ,v4 ,jesus1 meek and humble of ,heart4 ,r4 ,make my heart like unto ,thine4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,lord1 almighty ,father1 eternal ,god1 cast ,thine eyes upon ,thy beloved ,son2 accept1 we beseech ,thee1 the satisfaction ,he offers ,thee2 be appeased by ,his divine homage1 and mercifully protect us1 through the same ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 ,who1 being ,god1 livest and reignest with ,thee in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,amen4 ,mass in ,union with the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus4 ,introibo4 ,o divine ,jesus1 ,thou art the ,victim laden with all the iniquities of the world3 ,thou didst shed bitter tears for them2 ,thou didst expiate them by the most dreadful torments1 and by the most cruel of deaths4 ,i come to mingle my tears with ,thine2 ,i confess to ,thee1 in the presence of ,mary1 ever ,virgin1 and of all the saints1 that ,i have sinned exceedingly2 that it is my ingratitude that pierced ,thy ,heart1 and put ,thee to a cruel death4 ,o ,god1 my ,saviour1 through ,thy tears1 through ,thy agony in the ,garden of ,olives1 through ,thy precious blood and the wound in ,thy ,sacred ,heart1 ,i beseech ,thee to pardon me1 and to grant me the remission of all my sins4 ,amen4 ,introit4 ,let us adore the ,heart of ,jesus1 which has loved us so much2 let us prostrate ourselves before ,him1 and bewail the sins of which we have been guilty4 ,grant us1 ,o ,lord1 a contrite and humble heart2 let the homage of our adoration be as acceptable to ,thee as if we offered ,thee thousands of victims4 ,amen4 ,kyrie4 ,the days of propitiation have arisen upon me2 ,i may call ,thee by ,thy name1 ,o ,god of majesty2 ,i may call ,thee my ,saviour and my ,father4 ,thou art present on our altars1 that ,thou mayest heap ,thy favors upon us4 ,i will draw nigh1 therefore1 with confidence unto the throne of mercy1 and ,i will say unto ,thee3 ,lord1 be merciful to me1 a sinner4 ,amen4 ,gloria4 ,glory be to ,god1 ,whose justice is satisfied by the perpetual sacrifice of so noble a ,victim4 ,peace and happiness on earth to men of goodwill1 who behold a ,god annihilating ,himself daily to save them1 and to feed them with ,his own substance4 ,i praise ,thee1 ,i bless ,thee1 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 and ,i stand amazed at the sight of the wonders of ,thy love4 ,shall ,i suffer them to be of no avail to me through the evil dispositions of my heart8 ,shall ,i reject that peace which ,thou offerest me8 ,shall ,i not labor to acquire that goodwill by which it comes8 ,o my ,god1 allay the strife which is so often excited in my heart1 making the flesh rebel against the spirit4 ,amen4 ,collect4 ,o ,divine ,jesus1 inexhaustible fountain of all good things1 open unto us1 we beseech ,thee1 the interior of ,thy ,heart3 that1 having entered by pious meditation into this august sanctuary of divine love1 we may fix forever there our hearts1 as the place wherein is found the treasure1 rest and happiness of holy souls2 ,who livest and reignest forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,epistle4 8,wisdom hath built herself a house1 she hath hewed her out seven pillars4 ,she hath slain her victims1 mingled her wine1 and set forth her table4 ,she hath sent her maids to invite to the tower1 and to the walls of the city3 ,whosoever is a little one1 let him come to me4 ,and to the unwise she said3 ,come1 eat my bread1 and drink the wine which ,i have mingled for you4 ,forsake childishness1 and live1 and walk by the ways of prudence0 7,prov4 ix4 #af74 ,gospel4 ,praise1 honor1 and glory be to ,thee1 ,o ,jesus1 ,saviour of the world6 ,who1 thirsting for the salvation of souls1 didst endure for them so much labor and fatigue2 ,who for their sakes didst pass entire nights in prayer1 and didst weary ,thyself going from city to city1 from village to village4 ,grant1 ,i implore ,thee1 that ,thy love may also make me prompt and apt in every good work1 and that ,i may never grow tepid in ,thy service4 ,help me to know and practise the holy counsels contained in ,thy ,gospel1 and grant above all that ,i may penetrate the divine wisdom contained in ,thy words3 8,if any man will come after ,me1 let him take up his cross and follow ,me40 ,credo4 ,i believe1 ,o my ,god1 the truths which ,thou hast revealed to ,thy ,church4 ,i desire to live and die in this faith4 ,grant1 ,o ,lord1 that my life may be conformable to my faith2 that my faith may be animated by good works2 that ,i may never be ashamed to declare myself a ,catholic1 and may constantly maintain the interests of ,thy holy religion4 ,o holy ,roman ,catholic ,church1 the persecutions which thou hast endured1 far from weakening my faith1 do but strengthen it the more1 since thy divine ,spouse foretold them4 ,sweet ,heart of ,jesus1 draw close the bonds that bind me to ,thy holy ,church2 put into my heart a spirit of perfect obedience to my lawful pastors4 ,in its bosom ,i became ,thy child1 and in its bosom ,i wish to live and die4 ,amen4 ,offertory4 ,o ,jesus1 we draw near with confidence to ,thy sweet ,heart3 cast upon us1 we beseech ,thee1 a look of pity1 and make our hearts a perpetual offering consecrated to ,thy glory4 ,o ,heart of infinite goodness1 ,i offer ,thee my heart2 vouchsafe to change it1 to bless and sanctify it4 ,o my soul1 how ,jesus ,christ hath loved us6 ,at what a price ,he hath redeemed us6 ,not with gold1 nor with riches1 but by the voluntary shedding of ,his blood4 ,he hath sacrificed ,himself for us3 let us then live only for ,him2 let us sacrifice ourselves together with ,him4 ,but1 ,o my ,god1 my heart is not full enough of love and fervor to be an offering worthy of ,thee4 ,what then shall ,i give ,thee8 ,i will give ,thee ,thy ,son4 ,that ,son1 the most worthy object of ,thy complacency1 will supply my inability4 ,o ,lord1 look not on me1 but on this divine offering4 ,amen4 ,preface4 ,lift up1 ,o ,lord1 do ,thou ,thyself lift up my heart to ,thee4 ,take from it all unholy thoughts1 all earthly affections4 ,lift it wholly up to heaven1 where ,thy ,heart is worthily adored1 and to the altar1 where it is about to manifest itself to me4 ,through ,thy most kind ,heart1 ,i beseech ,thee to draw my heart wholly into ,thine4 ,bury it in ,thine1 so that it may be so absorbed into and united to ,thy ,heart1 that ,i may no longer have any heart but ,thine4 ,suffer me1 then1 to join my feeble voice with the voices of all the heavenly spirits1 and in union with them to say1 in transports of joy and admiration3 ,holy1 holy1 holy is the ,heart of ,jesus6 the worthy object of the divine complacency1 and of the homage of heaven and earth6 ,the whole earth is full of ,thy glory2 let my heart be full also of its love4 ,amen4 ,canon4 ,o ,god infinitely holy1 if my sins provoke ,thee1 and make me hateful in ,thy sight1 look upon the ,lamb without spot1 ,who is going to immolate ,himself to take away the sins of the world1 and beholding ,his merits1 remember not my ingratitude4 ,remember only that ,i have been graciously admitted into the ,heart of ,thy divine ,son4 ,this ,heart infinitely merciful prayed for me on ,calvary1 and will soon renew the sacrifice of itself for me4 ,o my sweet ,jesus1 how many times have ,i sinned against ,thee8 ,how many times have ,i despised the interior graces ,thou hast bestowed upon me8 ,oh1 how earnestly ,i now desire a perfect contrition1 equal to the greatness of the love that ,i have offended4 ,but1 since it is impossible for my sorrow to equal ,thy goodness towards me1 ,i offer the loving contrition of the ,heart of my ,lord ,jesus ,christ to supply my insufficiency4 ,amen4 ,consecration4 ,o my soul1 behold thy ,god1 thy ,saviour1 thy ,judge6 ,my ,god1 ,i adore ,thee6 ,my ,saviour1 ,i love ,thee6 ,my sovereign ,judge1 ,i am sorry for ever having offended ,thee6 ,o ,heart of my ,jesus1 ,whom ,i believe to be here really present1 suffer me not to be separated from ,thee during life4 ,grant that my heart may ever find repose in ,thine1 that ,i may die in ,thy love1 and thus go to contemplate and praise ,thee for all eternity4 ,amen4 ,after ,the ,consecration4 ,the heavens are opened3 the ,holy of holies has descended on the earth3 this altar is now the throne where dwells the majesty of the ,most ,high2 the angels surround ,him1 and with the most lively homage of reverence and love1 make reparation to ,him for the contempt1 the neglect1 and the indifference of men4 ,o divine ,lord1 ,i lay all my petitions at ,thy feet2 vouchsafe to present them to ,thy ,father4 ,i pray for the conversion of sinners1 the perseverance of the just1 and the triumph of our holy religion4 ,o ,jesus1 ,who didst die for all men1 bring back to the fold of ,thy ,church those who are separated from it4 ,enlighten all infidels and heretics1 bless the efforts of those who labor to convert them4 ,have pity on the souls of the faithful departed2 remit to them their debts1 and grant them a place of refreshment1 light1 and peace4 ,i beseech ,thee particularly to have compassion on 7name them74 ,pater ,noster4 ,o my ,father1 if it be permitted that a guilty child call by so tender a name a ,god ,whom he hath so often offended1 grant that ,i may ever labor for the glory of ,thy holy name1 that in all things ,i may do ,thy will1 and sigh unceasingly for ,thy heavenly kingdom4 ,let the forgiveness which ,thou didst grant ,thy murderers be my example in forgiving those who have injured me3 give me superiors1 both spiritual and temporal1 that love ,thee1 and friends that serve ,thee faithfully2 and if ever ,i expose myself to sin1 do ,thou deliver me from the danger1 that ,i may never outrage ,thy loving ,heart4 ,amen4 ,agnus ,dei4 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world6 ,pure and spotless ,victim1 ,who alone canst satisfy the justice of an offended ,god1 vouchsafe to make me a partaker of the merits of ,thy sacrifice6 ,what lessons of humility1 meekness1 charity and patience dost ,thou give me6 ,impress these virtues upon my heart1 that it may be to ,thee a pleasant habitation1 wherein ,thou mayest repose1 as in an abode of peace4 ,amen4 ,communion4 ,o ,christ1 mighty ,lord1 most sweet ,jesus1 my strength and my refuge1 defender of my soul1 ,god of my salvation6 ,o ,thou in ,whom ,i believe and hope1 ,thou ,whom ,i love1 behold ,i draw near to ,thy throne of grace1 ,i knock at the door of ,thy mercy1 and beseech ,thee to open it for me4 ,thou ,who didst promise entrance into paradise to the penitent thief1 bring me1 through the most holy wound of ,thy side1 to the centre of ,thy breast1 and let me drink at the fountain of wisdom that flows from ,thy ,heart4 ,o ,god of infinite mercy1 receive me1 enclose me1 hide me in the bosom of ,thy mercy4 ,amen4 ,after ,communion4 ,i have found ,him ,whom my soul loveth3 ,i possess ,him1 and will nevermore leave ,him4 ,what have ,i to desire in heaven1 and what can ,i henceforth love upon earth1 but ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 the ,god of my heart6 ,o most loving ,jesus1 were it possible1 ,i would fain praise ,thee as perfectly1 love ,thee as ardently1 serve ,thee as faithfully1 please ,thee as completely1 and contribute to ,thy glory as efficiently as do all angels and men collectively and as each one does in particular4 ,o most merciful ,lord1 ,god of holiness1 vouchsafe to cleanse my heart from all selflove and all sinful affections4 ,make it a pleasing abode for ,thee4 ,let it become like unto ,thy ,heart1 that ,thou mayest delight to dwell in it forever4 ,amen4 ,benediction4 ,o loving ,heart of ,jesus1 ,i will not depart till ,thou hast blessed me4 ,bless me in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost6 and let ,thy blessing descend upon all those for whom ,i ought to pray4 ,amen4 ,last ,gospel4 ,o eternal ,word1 ,who wast made man that ,thou mightest make men the children of ,god1 ,i thank ,thee for this unspeakable grace4 ,how great is the blessing ,i enjoy1 not only of hearing the name1 but of being indeed the child of ,god6 ,grant1 ,o my sweet ,jesus1 that ,i may preserve this blessed title1 by faithfully imitating ,thy ,sacred ,heart1 and showing myself always filled with love for ,thy holy law4 ,if ,i remain faithful ,thou assurest me that ,i shall be coheir with ,thee1 and shall enjoy the happiness which ,thou hast purchased for us with ,thy precious blood3 and this ,i hope to obtain through ,thy infinite mercy4 ,amen4 ,after ,mass4 ,soul of ,christ1 sanctify me3 ,body of ,christ1 save me3 ,blood of ,christ1 inebriate me3 ,water from the side of ,christ1 wash me3 ,passion of ,christ1 strengthen me3 ,o good ,jesus1 hear me3 ,within ,thy wounds hide me3 ,permit me not to be separated from ,thee4 ,from the malignant enemy defend me3 ,in the hour of my death call me1 ,and bid me come to ,thee2 ,that1 with ,thy saints1 ,i may praise ,thee ,forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,,july4 ,,the ,,precious ,,blood4 ,our ,lord shed ,his blood for our ransom1 to buy us from the slavery of the devil and of sin4 ,not one drop of blood did ,he reserve for ,himself2 ,he shed it all most generously in our behalf4 ,he was the ,lamb of ,god without blemish1 ,who1 according to ,god's designs for the redemption of mankind1 was to be sacrificed4 ,his blood was to be shed on the cross2 from five great wounds it was to flow upon the earth1 like the sacrifices of the ,old ,testament4 ,these sufferings were precious in the sight of ,god1 the ,father1 and gained for us the remission of our sins1 the ransom from the slavery of ,satan4 ,every drop of this blood was all powerful1 because it represented the sacrifice of a ,godman4 ,how precious are those drops of blood in the chalice on the altar at ,mass1 when the sacred blood of ,christ is offered daily to ,god for our salvation6 ,how we desire to drink that blood1 that we may have life in us1 for the ,lord has said1 8,unless you drink of ,my blood1 you shall not have life in you40 ,how this blood flowed in the ,garden of ,gethsemani1 at the scourging1 at the crowning with thorns1 and at the crucifixion6 ,precious blood of my ,jesus1 ,i adore thee2 pour thyself over my soul that ,i may be washed in the blood of the ,lamb4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,unhappy mankind was bound in the slavery and tyranny of ,satan1 in the shadow of death1 without being able to free itself4 ,jesus1 the ,victor over death and hell1 came into the world to destroy the kingdom of the prince of darkness1 and to set the human race free1 so that it might look up once more to ,god the ,father4 ,this great work1 so beneficial to our souls1 was effected by the shedding of the blood of ,christ at the circumcision1 and the completion of the sacrifice when ,he shed the last drop of ,his blood on the cross4 ,in this sacred blood we have received the power to cooperate with the graces of ,god1 which are to free us2 for certainly we must do something on our part to keep this newlyacquired privilege of children of ,god4 ,let us1 then1 feel in our hearts the necessity of a devotion to the precious blood of ,our ,lord1 the cause of our salvation2 and continue during this month of ,july to adore it1 and to conceive an unbounded confidence in the almighty power of its intercession4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood of ,jesus in satisfaction for my sins1 and for the wants of holy ,church4 ,blessed be the precious blood of ,jesus1 which renders bearable the thorns of earth1 redeems our souls1 purifies them from their iniquities1 and prepares for them an eternal crown4 ,amen4 ,second ,day4 ,when ,constantine had become a ,christian1 he found himself confronted by many enemies of his kingdom1 and of our holy religion4 ,he was told to have confidence in the cross1 because in this sign 8,thou shalt conquer40 ,we1 too1 will conquer by this sacred symbol of our salvation1 stained with the blood of ,our ,lord2 we1 too1 have the enemies of our liberty and religion before us2 we have to fight against the world1 that is full of deceits and vanities2 we have to make war against the flesh1 that rises frequently against the spirit2 we have to fight against the prince of darkness1 that goes about like a roaring lion seeking to tear us to pieces4 ,yes1 my dear ,jesus1 ,i see that my enemies have great power and activity2 give me also the power and activity to oppose my will and intellect against them1 so that ,i may conquer4 ,thou didst come upon the earth for the purpose of giving me this victory2 let me not be conquered and led back into slavery4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,third ,day4 ,we come to understand the value of our soul from the price which was paid for its ransom4 ,when you wish to purchase a precious gem1 you judge of its value from its cost4 ,we must judge of the value of our souls1 then1 by the same standard4 ,it cost the precious blood of ,jesus ,christ to purchase our souls4 ,christ would have given it for the possession of only one soul2 for even one soul is the likeness of ,god4 ,the price that is asked for its possession is nothing less than the life and blood of a ,godman4 ,think1 then1 seriously1 that all the goods of the world1 its riches1 honors1 and comforts1 are not precious enough to buy your soul2 that if you gain these things by the loss of your soul you have gained nothing2 that you have been deceived and cheated1 and that you got the worst of the bargain4 8,for what doth it profit a man1 to gain the whole world and to lose his own soul80 ,you are sprinkled with the blood of the ,lamb of ,god4 ,even one drop of this blood would be sufficient to redeem mankind1 it is so precious in the sight of ,god the ,father1 to ,whom it is offered4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,fourth ,day4 ,o my soul1 where will the thorns1 the nails1 the cross1 the death and blood of your own martyrdom be1 when you are asked how you cooperated with the saving power of the blood of ,christ8 when you have to show what you have done on your part8 ,jesus suffered so much for us1 and we do nothing for ,his love4 ,are you going to heaven without prayer1 without mortification of the flesh and your passions1 without the practise of virtue8 ,the salvation of ,christ1 instead of being a help to you1 will become the source of your damnation4 ,the ,israelites1 crossing the dried bed of the ,red ,sea in their flight from the ,egyptians1 found their liberation1 while the ,egyptians met with their destruction4 ,so also we shall be happily found and brought to heaven if we apply to our souls the blood of ,christ1 while we will find ourselves condemned to eternal perdition if we abuse that adorable gift4 ,o my ,jesus1 let me appreciate the great gift of ,thy precious blood4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,fifth ,day4 ,since ,almighty ,god has done so much for us through the sufferings of ,his divine ,son1 what are our obligations for all that ,christ endured8 ,we should think very much during this month on the great mercy of ,god4 ,we have already meditated on the ,passion of ,christ during ,lent1 and on other occasions have thought of the shedding of the blood of ,christ2 but this month1 especially1 we will try to make a particular devotion of our dear ,lord's precious blood1 and engrave holy sentiments regarding it deeply on our souls4 ,in everything that concerns the spiritual life we feel the power of the blood of ,christ2 and when we are thoroughly imbued with the importance of the precious value of the sacred blood1 and how great were the sufferings of ,our ,lord1 we will begin to have an idea of how stupendous an undertaking our redemption was4 ,our ,lord will visit with special blessings those who love and honor ,his sacred blood4 ,you will feel a new life from this sacred blood coursing through your veins1 and circulating in your heart and brain4 ,it will give a life of spiritual energy4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,sixth ,day4 ,we ought to imitate the virtues of the ,heart of ,jesus1 from which ,his sacred blood flowed2 and this imitation will produce in us a perfect purity4 ,for what purpose has the sacred blood been offered but to cleanse us from sin and to bring us back to the love of ,god8 ,it preserves purity in our soul1 because it gives us the grace of loving ,god1 and gives us strength to say1 8,i feel within me the energy of the divine blood2 and ,i am ready to make every sacrifice with joy1 in return for the one perfect and allsufficient sacrifice which has been made for me40 ,the nearer we are to the ,sacred ,heart1 and to the influences of the sacred blood of ,christ1 the fountain of all grace1 the more holy we become4 ,let us then love the virtues which shine so conspicuously in the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,let us be generous with ,god and gentle and indulgent with others1 as a reflection of the charity of the ,heart of ,jesus4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,seventh ,day4 ,the precious blood obtains the forgiveness of our sins4 ,then with what great eagerness should we seek for this pardon6 ,in what an unhappy state is our soul when stained by sin6 ,by sin death came into the world and into our heart4 ,we were robbed of the grace of ,god1 lost ,his friendship1 and came under the dominion of ,satan1 which is worse than death1 and of which it is true that 8it were better we had not been born40 ,in all this wreck and misfortune there is but one object to which we can turn1 and that is the sacred blood of ,christ as it flows from ,his wounds1 and which ,he offers to the ,almighty to condone for our faults1 and to restore us to the grace of ,god4 ,we do not get immunity from corporal death1 which they say mankind would have enjoyed had it not fallen by the sin of our first parents4 ,we are still afflicted by frailty1 ignorance1 and the inordinate demands of passion2 but we have received the greatest gift1 which cannot be surpassed by any other3 the gift of the sacred blood of ,christ4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,eighth ,day4 ,the only thing that is asked of us is a horror of sin4 ,we renounced ,satan1 sin1 and hell at our baptism1 but we are only too apt to forget the promises made then4 ,during this month we will recall to ourselves our duty1 and impress it deeply upon our souls2 we will avoid sin and look upon it with horror1 for it is a most loathsome object1 hateful to ,god1 and consequently it ought to be hateful to us4 ,sin was punished in the angels1 in ,adam1 and even in ourselves2 we must convince ourselves of this truth4 ,st4 ,paul says1 8,jesus has redeemed us with ,his blood10 and for the destruction of sin has given inexhaustible treasures of grace4 ,o my dear ,jesus1 when ,i remember my sins1 ,i would wish to have the courage to ask ,thee that ,i might die at ,thy feet in punishment for them2 but at least make me really understand that ,i belong to ,god1 to the angels1 that ,i have renounced ,satan1 his demons and darkness1 and that ,i must remain faithful to the part ,i have chosen4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,ninth ,day4 ,if we trust in the efficacy of the precious blood1 we are sure to remain in the state of redemption1 even though severe temptations assail us4 ,the devil will surely attack us2 but let us not be dismayed1 because we are fortified with supernatural strength by the merits of the blood of ,jesus4 ,these temptations will even be a source of glory to us1 for ,st4 ,james says1 8,blessed is the man that endureth temptation3 for when he hath been proved1 he shall receive the crown of life40--,jas4 i4 #ab4 ,the devil trembles before a soul that is protected by ,christ2 he flies because he knows that there he will find no human weakness4 ,remember the ,jewish ,passover1 which was instituted in commemoration of the plague in ,egypt3 every firstborn son was to die on that night1 unless the blood of the ,lamb was sprinkled on the doorposts2 so also will the devil pass the house of our soul1 when he finds the blood of the ,lamb of ,god used as a protection4 ,yes1 my dear ,jesus1 ,i know that when ,i am washed in ,thy divine blood in the ,sacrament of ,penance1 or when strengthened by the drinking of ,thy blood in holy communion1 the tempter flies from me because he knows he will be defeated4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,tenth ,day4 ,sin brings great sorrow and misfortune to a soul4 ,as sin brought all trouble into the world1 so it repeats itself in our souls4 ,have we not heard of the wages of sin8 ,no sooner have we revolted against the law of ,god than all the unruly passions of our souls are let loose4 ,incessant demands are made on our ingenuity to seek for occasions of gratifying our appetites2 ambition1 vanity1 and pride spur us on to every excess4 ,you can well imagine that in such a soul there is no peace nor happiness4 ,god rises in anger against the sinner1 the world even strikes us down2 we have the sign of ,cain on our forehead1 and all nature is at enmity with us4 ,where can you find peace for your soul but in ,jesus1 the ,prince of peace8--,who takes us up and leads us to ,god1 where the past is forgotten and innocence reigns once more in our hearts4 ,let us preserve this peace by a virtuous life1 and by observing the ,commandments of ,god4 ,let us also keep peace with our neighbor2 let us love him because he is our brother1 redeemed by the precious blood of ,christ4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,if our heart is to preserve the true1 interior peace of ,god1 we must approach the ,lord ,jesus with the cross1 and with the blood that falls on us beneath the cross we must wash away the stains of sin4 ,st4 ,francisca of ,rome had a vision in which she saw many chains issuing from the wounds of ,our ,lord's sacred body1 and these went out to a multitude of souls and bound them to the ,redeemer4 ,she understood that in this attachment was the peace1 the happiness1 and the victory of many who otherwise would have perished4 ,let us look for the particular chain intended for us1 as we can thereby bind ourselves to the contemplation of the ,passion1 in which we shall find peace and comfort as long as we remain faithful4 ,heavenly ,father1 ,i offer to ,thee1 for ,thy glory and my salvation1 the blood of ,jesus2 let me appreciate its value in its fulness4 ,thou1 my ,jesus1 seest the many dangers by which ,i am surrounded1 and as ,thou didst at one time command the winds to cease and the waves of the stormy sea to be calm1 so watch over me that ,i may find peace in ,thy service and be attached to ,thee out of love for that peace which ,thou alone canst give4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,our ,lord had a great desire to gain our souls4 ,he made it easy for us to approach ,his sacred wounds1 from whence the blood flowed4 ,he instituted the ,blessed ,sacrament for our nourishment2 speaking of this sacred blood1 ,he said3 8,drink ye all of this2 this is ,my blood2 and if any thirst let him come to ,me and ,i will give him to drink40 ,the sacraments are nothing but channels by which the blood of ,christ is conveyed to our souls4 ,it was the ,passion and sufferings of ,christ that gave the sacraments their efficacy4 ,the water of ,baptism becomes1 as it were1 the blood of ,christ2 the penitential accusation is carried to the presence of the ,lord ,himself1 and by the mouth of the priest ,he speaks the absolution2 the blood of ,christ is in reality in the ,holy ,eucharist4 ,confirmation makes us strong ,christians1 because the blood of ,christ is there1 and the ,spirit of ,god comes to complete the work of ,jesus4 ,what is ,extreme ,unction but the application of the blood of ,christ to the sick1 that they may become strong8 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,st4 ,bernard says of the blood of ,christ3 8that it is like a trumpet that calls for mercy2 it is a voice that speaks more strongly than ,abel's1 not for vengeance but for forgiveness4 ,this blood binds the hands of ,god's justice40 ,we may then hope that the voice of this adorable blood will be raised in our behalf1 as it was used to promise the penitent thief eternal happiness4 ,it was with sincere love that ,jesus ,christ cried to the heavenly ,father for us4 ,he came to this world that ,his blood might always call to ,god for mercy4 ,his blood was spilled over the surface of the earth1 that all mankind might drink of its benefits4 ,satiated by the precious blood we will really hate sin1 we will triumph over our evil passions1 we will substitute virtues in their stead4 ,jesus is the fountain of all graces2 it is ,he that takes such a great interest in us that whatever we do in ,his name will add to our glory1 so that though we may have been poor and despised creatures1 by the blood of ,christ we have been ennobled and made heirs of the kingdom of ,god4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,when ,our ,lord died on the cross one of the soldiers pierced ,his side1 to make sure that ,he was dead4 ,it was a real death1 for we know that blood and water poured from that wound4 ,here we see the water of ,baptism applied to our souls2 in ,baptism we are born again1 we become children of ,god1 our sins are forgiven and we have a right to the reward of heaven4 ,we are no longer outcasts1 nor an accursed race2 we have become children of ,god4 ,and why8 ,because we have become the brothers of ,jesus ,christ1 ,who is a child of ,god1 the ,son of ,god2 it was this ,child that made us children too1 because from ,his sacred side on the cross ,he poured out water and blood over the human race2 the curse was taken away from the race of mankind1 and they may now go to heaven if they will4 ,but have we preserved this life of grace1 this new life of a supernatural order8 ,no1 indeed4 ,there is not a human creature on the earth that has been cleansed by the blood of ,christ1 but has fallen back1 and rebelled against ,god4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,man's life is a struggle for good from the beginning to the end4 ,we are taken out of wickedness by ,baptism1 and we are frequently redeemed by penance4 ,we need a sacrament that will give us perseverance4 8,be thou faithful unto death10 is the watchword that ,st4 ,john cries out to the bishop in the ,apocalypse1 8and ,i will give thee the crown of life40 ,we are never sure of ourselves2 even the sharpest intellect will not be able to say whether he be worthy of ,god's wrath or of ,god's love4 ,therefore ,jesus ,christ has applied the merits of ,his sacred blood to the ,sacrament of ,confirmation1 by which we are to be made strong1 by which human weakness is to be taken away4 ,after receiving this sacrament what noble works we are capable of6 ,in the olden ages martyrs died for ,christ2 mothers saw their children martyred before their eyes1 all for the love of ,jesus1 strengthened by this sacrament4 ,people give up the world and persevere in the heroic practice of virtue by the grace of the precious blood of ,jesus4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,how comes it that although we are endowed with virtue from on high1 nevertheless we sometimes make the blood of ,christ of no avail to us8 ,by ,confirmation we ought to be perfect ,christians1 and still we are far from being such4 ,the reason of our weakness1 is that we are addicted to the things of this world1 and we are very much inclined to follow the demands of our passions4 ,we do not place implicit confidence in the efficacy of the precious blood2 we do not desire to be cured of our maladies2 we do not pray to be freed from our evil inclinations4 ,what great strength did not the saints gather from the precious blood6 ,how strong they were against the devil6 ,how mortified their lives6 ,how sincere in the service of ,god--and all through the power of that sacred blood4 ,how firm the martyrs stood in their testimony for the faith6 how many ,christians persevere in doing good by means of the graces derived from the adoration of the precious blood6 ,if we would be as they were1 we must turn to the suffering ,jesus1 and adjure ,him1 by the blood that ,he shed1 to sustain us also in our struggle against the foes of our salvation4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,in nothing is the beauty of the ,church more noticeable than in her love of devotions4 ,the devotion to the precious blood becomes manifest on many occasions4 ,she has established the feast of the precious blood1 and others more or less intimately united to this sacred practice of piety4 ,full of divine instincts1 her worship grows with all the exuberance of a tropical plant1 covering herself with verdure and blossom2 she makes devotions of joys and of sorrows2 none of the old blossoms fall off--on the contrary new varieties make their appearance4 ,the ,church is more beautiful now than she was three centuries ago1 and three centuries from the present time new glories will have developed themselves4 ,every century has given rise to new devotions1 according to the needs of the ,church4 ,sometimes a holy man looks at the incarnation in a new light1 and a new devotion springs up4 ,the devotion of the ,holy ,childhood has developed itself into devotion to the ,infant of ,prague1 or has taken a more practical turn in the society of the ,holy ,childhood for the redemption of heathen children4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,who were the great worshippers of the precious blood8 ,st4 ,paul wrote in his epistles most beautifully of the precious blood1 and he may be said to be the author of this devotion4 ,it was in this devotion that the power of his apostolate consisted4 ,st4 ,chrysostom1 the great preacher of the ,east1 spoke most touchingly of the precious blood1 and of the sufferings of ,our ,lord4 ,st4 ,augustine1 after his conversion1 attributed all his improvement in the supernatural life to the love that ,jesus bore him4 ,st4 ,gertrude's writings are full of the most beautiful sentiments concerning the precious blood4 ,in modern times1 ,st4 ,catharine of ,sienna1 the prophetess of the precious blood1 singled out this devotion with a special love1 with reference to the needs of her time1 to which1 in her judgment1 sufficient importance had not been given4 ,we read of ,frances of the ,mother of ,god1 a ,carmelite1 that these words of the ,apocalypse were deeply imprinted in her mind3 8,he hath loved us1 and washed away our sins in ,his blood40 ,our ,lord said to her interiorly1 8,i have shed ,my blood for your sins1 and now ,i come in holy communion to wash away the stains which remain40 ,when she had received ,our ,lord she saw her soul all covered with blood4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,in the life of the ,venerable ,ann of ,jesus1 a companion of ,st4 ,teresa1 we read that at communion her mouth was sensibly filled with very sweet blood1 which flowed from the ,host4 ,st4 ,clare of ,rimini's holy and mysterious thirst was appeased only by the blood in the ,host4 ,marcella ,benci used to serve ,st4 ,philip of ,neri's ,mass1 and frequently saw the chalice full of blood4 ,margaret ,beanne the ,carmelite saw habitually the blood of ,jesus in the souls of men2 they were so beautified by it that she could not bear to hear any one censured because of the reverence she felt even for the souls of the wicked1 for she saw them covered with the blood of ,jesus4 ,sister ,benedict of ,egersheim after communion used to feel sensibly ,our ,lord's blood flowing as a torrent down into the abyss of her soul1 and burning away all the remnants of sin1 leaving her a most pure vessel of sanctity4 ,such are some of the examples of the thoughts and experience of the saints in communing with the precious blood1 which made them what they were1 friends of ,god and intimate with ,jesus ,christ1 the ,spouse of their souls4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,there is no surer sign of the growth of a special devotion than when the ,church erects a confraternity in its honor4 ,these confraternities keep the devotion alive1 direct it1 and embody all its practices4 ,there is the archconfraternity of the ,precious ,blood in ,rome1 and this confraternity forms the keystone of all the confraternities throughout the world4 ,popes have enriched it with many indulgences1 and have given to the ,passionists and to the missionaries of the precious blood special blessings4 ,among the people of ,spain we notice particularly the rise and continuance of societies devoted to the honoring of the precious blood4 ,leo ,,xiii4 enriched the societies with many indulgences4 ,pope ,pius ,,ix41 of glorious memory1 authorized the wearing of the red scapular4 ,when he returned from exile he instituted a new feast distinct from the one celebrated in ,lent4 ,so many favors have been granted to it that we receive the impression that it is the special devotion of the ,holy ,see4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,the devotion to the precious blood is especially opportune for our days--these days of infidelity and of atheism4 ,it shows that the redemption is due to the efficacy of the precious blood4 ,it throws out into strong light the most intimate relation of the incarnation2 it meets the false spirituality which we conceive of the sacred humanity of ,christ4 ,it is a revelation of the character of ,god1 as well as of the work of ,jesus2 it brings into our heart the love of the kingdom of ,god1 and thus we begin again to have faith1 the right faith as it is given us by the ,church4 ,we are aroused to the love of ,jesus1 and feel sensibly that ,he is still in the ,church1 and that ,his sacred blood is even now performing wonders4 ,o my soul1 what unthoughtof greatness is in the precious blood of ,jesus6 how charming is the devotion1 and how many souls labor under its benign influence6 ,let me1 ,o my sweet ,jesus1 reverence that precious blood1 and apply it to my soul for an increase of faith in ,god and ,his revelations1 in hope for a happy future1 and in love for ,christ crucified4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,the devotion of the precious blood very materially supports the devotion to the ,passion of ,our ,lord4 ,it furnishes a point of view from which we may regard each separate suffering1 each separate wound1 and mould it into one universal consideration4 ,it is thus a unity of the devotion to the ,passion1 as well as a variety of it1 besides being in itself an additional devotion4 ,the precious blood brings vividness to the meditation on the ,passion4 ,there is no greater devotion than meditation on the ,passion2 the saints have always made it the help and consolation of their progress4 ,what is consideration of the precious blood but a contemplation of the ,passion under another aspect8 ,we bring the entire ,passion under the head of one mystery1 and still we preserve all the details1 so that the ,passion and the precious blood are the favorite contemplations of all devout ,christians4 ,o dear ,jesus crucified1 make me love the cross2 make me desire to stand beneath the cross1 in order to receive on my soul one drop of that precious blood which is being poured out for my redemption4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,the closest alliance1 however1 is between the precious blood and the ,sacred ,heart4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus is the centre of our affection2 it is the source from which the blood of ,christ is drawn1 the wealth of the ,sacred ,heart4 ,it is the blood that warms that ,heart and makes it beat for our sakes1 so that every pulsation is an act of love for the human race4 ,the ,heart of ,jesus teaches us to hate sin2 the precious blood so copiously shed for our redemption inculcates the hatred of sin4 ,we hate sin purely1 manfully1 and strongly2 we do penance1 we mortify ourselves1 we mourn over our sins and the sins of others4 ,all this is taught by the sacred blood of ,our ,lord2 it is surely a valuable lesson which we ought to learn1 since the instruction is given in so forcible a manner1 and is so frequently inculcated4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,there is a virtue which1 in the language of the theologians of the ,church1 is called the angelic virtue3 a virtue most pleasing to ,god4 ,it is chastity4 ,the precious blood makes us chaste according to our state of life2 it makes those pure and virginal who practise this devotion and gives them the grace to preserve purity and to persevere in it4 ,this virtue renders us very pleasing to almighty ,god1 ,who loves pure souls4 8,blessed are the pure of heart1 for they shall see ,god10 and chastity is an expression of the purity of the soul4 ,the devil makes the greatest efforts to deprive us of this great treasure4 ,the greatest and most frequent temptation which we have to endure is certainly that against purity4 ,our body seems to be full of impurity1 our imaginations crowded with thoughts of a defiling character4 ,the virtue of purity endears us to ,mary1 the purest of virgins2 she loves those whom ,god regards with special favor1 and to whom ,he has promised the particular privilege of contemplating ,him for all eternity4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,how beautiful a virtue is true humility6 ,we love and admire it in others1 but we ourselves are far from possessing it4 ,humility is the foundation on which all other virtues are built4 ,pride is a most hateful vice in the sight of ,god1 for ,he would rather receive a humble sinner than a saint inclined to pride4 ,god resists the proud1 and gives ,his grace to the humble4 ,the devotion of the precious blood will secure humility4 ,jesus shed ,his blood amid the greatest humiliations4 ,in the ,garden of ,olives1 bowed to the earth1 ,he poured forth ,his blood in an agony of shame and horror over the sins of men2 ,he was beaten like a slave in the court of ,pilate2 the blood poured from ,his face1 wounded by blows and defiled by spittle1 and from ,his head crowned with thorns4 ,it stained the streets of ,jerusalem on ,his way to ,calvary2 it flowed to the foot of the cross1 as ,he hung and died between two malefactors1 where ,he was considered the most abject of men4 ,let us learn the lesson of humility from the death of ,christ4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,zeal for souls1 zeal for the glory of ,god1 was the motive that induced the ,son of ,god to come down from heaven to suffer and die on the cross4 ,might not we1 also1 do something for the glory of ,god and the good of souls1 if we had a little zeal towards that end8 ,the apostles learned zeal from the ,passion of ,our ,lord4 ,when the ,lord had died on the cross1 they became inflamed with zeal and worked in an apostolic manner that souls might be brought to the kingdom of ,god2 suffering became precious in their sight1 because they endured it for the good of humanity4 ,we that profess the love of the precious blood must also have zeal for the salvation of souls4 ,what can we do8 ,we can pray2 we can offer up our petitions incessantly for some particular individual until we are heard2 we can surround people by such influences that their minds will be changed and brought back to ,god4 ,but frequently we are inactive and inattentive to these means which ,god has given us2 we are not filled with zeal for furthering the devotion to ,christ's precious blood1 and for the salvation of souls4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,as we may do much good by a prudent zeal for the living1 we can still more benefit the souls in purgatory by the application of the merits of the precious blood4 ,those souls are already in the hands of ,god1 undergoing a purification to fit them to enter heaven4 ,they can do nothing for themselves2 they must patiently endure the just punishment that is meted out to them4 ,but the ,church teaches us that we can help them1 and we are encouraged to use the means which ,god has placed in our hands4 ,those who are in purgatory will surely go to heaven1 but we can shorten their purification by prayer4 ,our supplications for the souls in purgatory may be even more productive of good than praying for the living1 for these may resist the goodness of ,god and render themselves unworthy of further graces1 while the souls in purgatory1 being the friends of ,god1 will readily receive the benefit of our prayers4 ,purgatory is an effect of sin1 and sin and its effects are effaced by the blood of ,christ4 ,the ,apostle has said that ,jesus loved us1 and has given ,his blood to wash us4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,the sacred wounds of ,our ,lord are those abundant springs from which flow the kindness and charity of ,god4 ,many saints have had revelations and visions of this in their ecstatic prayers4 ,st4 ,gertrude saw streams of blood issuing from the wounds of ,our ,lord and flowing like rivers through the ,church1 rendering her fruitful in many heroic virtues4 ,how can we have any merit unless we receive it from ,our ,lord8 for without ,him we can do nothing4 ,to do something meritorious1 then1 we should have recourse to ,our ,lord in prayer4 ,our prayers would fall to the ground and be without result1 unless helped by the pleading of the precious blood2 our works of mortification would be useless1 our penance vain attempts for forgiveness1 unless the precious blood made them efficacious4 ,as the sun gives light to the world1 enlightening and fructifying it1 so the precious blood shines on our actions and makes them glow with a supernatural merit4 ,there are some virtues which we may practise to a certain degree1 but how imperfect are the best intentions1 without ,god's love as a motive4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,remember that perseverance is the great grace which we are all striving for4 ,it is not a grace that we can merit at any one time1 for it is only a continuation of fidelity4 ,it is a very important grace2 what does it profit to have gained all possible graces1 and to be filled with consolation1 when in the end we shall not be counted among the elect of ,god8 ,he is1 of course1 interested in your eternal salvation--in other words1 your final perseverance4 ,but we are living in a state of probation here2 it is not possible1 except in some special case of extraordinary grace1 that we could be possibly in any other state than doubt as regards the future4 ,it is natural for those who are on trial to fear that they will not succeed2 there are so many a great deal better than we are that when we compare their excellence with our weak efforts to do right1 we feel so inferior that we are afraid of being rejected4 ,hence it is that we are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling1 lest we may not reach the end for which we have been created4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,final perseverance can be obtained only through our humble faithfulness to ,god and continued prayers4 ,when we pray to the ,lord1 and beg of ,him by ,his precious blood to give us the grace of perseverance1 or when we go to ,god the ,father1 and offer ,him the sacred blood of ,jesus as a sacrifice1 that ,he may give us extraordinary grace to enable us to continue in ,his service1 ,he is not obliged to give it1 but ,he will1 just as a friend who wishes to keep you attached to him gives you many presents and favors4 ,we must also turn to ,mary in this doubtful struggle for eternal happiness4 ,mary1 the ,mother of ,jesus1 has much to do with our salvation2 we should not despise her help4 ,she supplied1 as you may say1 the precious blood to ,our ,lord1 by feeding ,him with the milk of her breast4 ,or1 as ,st4 ,bernard tells us1 mixing the milk of the ,mother with the blood of the ,son1 in order to prepare for us a most delicious drink4 ,mary ceases not to work in heaven for the salvation of souls and for the conversion of poor sinners4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,st4 ,alphonsus1 in speaking of the precious blood1 says3 8,so1 then1 my ,jesus1 in order to save my soul1 ,thou hast prepared a bath of ,thine own blood wherein to cleanse it from the filth of its sins4 ,if4 then1 our souls have been bought by ,thy blood1 #8,for you are bought with a great price' 7#a ,cor4 vi4 #bj71 it is a sign that ,thou lovest them much2 and as ,thou dost love them1 let us pray thus to ,thee3 #8,we therefore pray ,thee to help ,thy servants1 whom ,thou hast redeemed with ,thy precious blood4' ,it is true that by my sins ,i have separated myself from ,thee1 and have knowingly lost ,thee4 ,but remember1 my ,jesus1 that ,thou hast bought me with ,thy blood4 ,ah1 may this blood not have been given in vain for me1 which was shed with so much grief and so much love40 ,we ought to read these words over and over again1 until they penetrate our souls with that devotion to the precious blood which this great saint possessed1 filling all our daily lives with a heavenly sweetness4 ,prayer4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the precious blood1 etc41 etc4 ,mass in ,honor of the ,precious ,blood4 ,introit4 ,when the priest goes up to the altar to say ,mass1 think that the ,lord is about to celebrate the ,last ,supper1 during which ,he instituted the ,holy ,eucharist1 and gave ,his flesh as food1 and ,his blood as drink1 to all the disciples present4 ,with a confident heart ,i am about to hear this holy ,mass1 to offer this holy sacrifice with the priest4 ,i offer it to the ,blessed ,trinity1 as the greatest means to obtain spiritual benefits for myself and those for whom ,i intend to pray1 that we all may receive what is most needful for our body1 but especially for our soul4 ,amen4 ,confiteor4 ,i know1 ,o my ,god1 that ,i am unworthy to be admitted so closely to the ,holy of holies1 or to be here during the celebration of the sacred mysteries3 ,i am unworthy on account of my many sins4 ,o my ,god1 ,i beg pardon for them1 and ,i am sure that ,i will receive forgiveness4 ,i resolve to live a good life so that1 purified1 ,i may look up to the sacred mountain1 where resides the ,god ,who renews my youth4 ,yes1 ,i have sinned against ,thee1 and against heaven4 ,i am not worthy to be called ,thy child4 ,amen4 ,kyrie4 ,when the priest goes up to the altar and kisses it1 remember the infamous kiss of ,judas1 think of your own infidelities1 and cry out nine times with the priest3 ,lord1 have mercy on us1 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,with your whole heart and soul join the choirs of angels in singing a hymn of praise to the ,almighty1 for all the mercies ,he has shown us by the sufferings and death of ,his divine ,son4 ,offer up these sufferings for the benefit of the ,church1 for peace and harmony among nations1 that the world may by the death of ,christ enjoy a peace that will conduce to the acknowledgment of ,god's dominion over all mankind1 that it may enjoy the benefit of the incarnation and death of the ,lord4 ,offertory4 ,i offer to ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 with the priest1 the bread and wine as did ,our ,lord1 ,who wished us to do it in commemoration of ,him4 ,i offer to ,thee the pains which ,he endured at the bitter crowning1 when the thorns were pressed deep into ,his sacred head1 and the precious blood flowed from the wounds thus made1 covering ,his whole face and disfiguring it so that it no longer resembled a human countenance4 ,i offer to ,thee those sighs and secret prayers which ,he offered1 to atone for my wilful distractions in prayer1 my waywardness in thought1 my unbridled imagination1 for my pride and disobedience1 for all my errors1 and for the errors of heretics and schismatics1 that ,thou mayest send them the grace of conversion4 ,amen4 ,gospel4 ,remember1 ,o ,god1 the sufferings of the ,lord when ,he was dragged before ,caiphas and ,pontius ,pilate4 ,i offer myself to the guidance of ,thy providence2 do with me what ,thou wilt for ,thy glory4 ,may ,thy holy ,gospel be always a consolation to me in all my troubles1 and a guide to my conduct1 so that1 leading a good ,christian life during the remainder of my stay in this world1 ,i may direct my steps to heaven4 ,amen4 ,credo4 ,i believe in the teachings of the ,church2 with a full acceptance ,i have accepted ,christianity1 let me remain faithful to it under all circumstances4 ,come to the assistance of my unbelief1 that ,i may firmly profess my faith openly before the world4 ,i believe1 especially1 in the efficacy of the ,passion and the glory of the cross1 a humiliation to the people of the world1 but a source of comfort and salvation to me4 ,i believe in ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 ,who taught me the articles of the creed4 ,i believe in the ,church which ,he has established4 ,i believe in the forgiveness of my sins through the merits of the ,passion and blood of the ,lord4 ,amen4 ,lavabo4 ,remember1 ,o ,god1 for my sake1 the washing of the hands of ,pilate1 as a sign of the innocence of the ,lamb of ,god and ,his freedom from sin4 ,pilate washed his hands as a sign that he was not guilty of the murder of ,christ1 but ,i must acknowledge that ,i have condemned ,jesus to death by my sinfulness4 ,my declaration of justice will not suffice1 but do ,thou declare me pardoned4 ,o my ,god1 let me hear the words1 8,thy sins are forgiven thee40 ,amen4 ,orate ,fratres4 ,i call to mind the scene when ,pilate presented ,jesus to the ,jewish rabble1 all covered with blood1 with a crown of thorns on ,his head1 ,his sacred body torn with the lashes of the scourging1 and enveloped in a purple mantle4 ,pilate says1 8,behold the man60 ,but the ,jews cry out1 and oh1 how their cruel words sound in my ears1 8,crucify ,him1 crucify ,him06 ,look upon our ,jesus1 ,o ,god1 as ,he stands there1 claiming the kindness of some good heart1 and through ,his precious blood have mercy on us4 ,amen4 ,canon4 ,i will now1 ,o my ,god1 with the angels1 bow low before ,thee1 and cry ,holy1 holy1 holy1 ,god of hosts6 ,the angels continually cry thus to ,thee in heaven4 ,i ought to be engaged here on earth in the same occupation4 ,but let me continue to meditate on the sacred ,passion of ,thy ,son and how ,he carried ,his cross4 ,i offer ,thee the way of the cross which ,he made1 and all the suffering which ,he endured during it4 ,he fell three times to the ground1 crushed by its weight2 stains of blood from ,his recent scourging marked ,his path4 ,i see the ,cyrenean unwilling to carry the cross for ,jesus4 ,veronica wipes ,his face1 and the women of ,jerusalem weep over the cruelty that the ,lord had to endure4 ,i offer to ,thee the bitter meeting of ,mary and her beloved ,son4 ,may ,i be encouraged1 through ,christ's ,passion1 to take the cross on my own shoulders1 and carry it with joy4 ,i offer ,thee the painful carrying of the cross for all poor ,christians who have heavy crosses to bear1 and who are bearing them patiently2 for the sick1 the dying1 the poor orphan child1 the patient mother who labors1 with resignation to ,thy holy will1 for those dependent on her1 and for all who have to suffer on this earth4 ,let me understand1 ,o my ,jesus1 the valuable lesson that ,i deserve to suffer on account of my many sins4 ,amen4 ,elevation ,of ,the ,host ,and ,chalice4 ,i believe1 my ,jesus1 that ,thou art now present on this altar2 that this bread is now ,thy body1 and this wine is now ,thy blood4 ,now1 ,o my ,god1 ,thy beloved ,son has arrived at ,calvary4 ,his garments are torn off1 and ,he is nailed to the cross4 ,he is raised1 and suspended between heaven and earth1 with hands and arms outstretched4 ,there ,he hangs for three hours1 and makes the sacrifice of ,himself to ,thee1 ,his heavenly ,father1 for the salvation of the human race4 ,o heavenly ,father1 look down on this altar and hear the sighs of ,thy pleading ,son6 ,this is the same sacrifice as that on ,calvary3 let this ,mass1 then1 have a great spiritual benefit to all on earth4 ,this precious blood is offered up every day on our altars1 to obtain pardon for our sins1 and new graces for the future4 ,amen4 ,agnus ,dei4 ,i now contemplate ,jesus hanging on the cross1 ,his blood flowing from ,his wounds4 ,i adore ,thee on the cross1 ,i listen to ,thy words as ,thou dost pray for sinners4 ,this holy sacrifice is for them3 ,christ is the willing ,victim that is expiating the sins of mankind2 ,he thirsts for souls on the cross4 ,father ,creator1 why dost ,thou not create new creatures1 and satisfy the thirst of ,thy divine ,son8 ,thou canst force the wicked to a change of heart1 as ,thou didst ,st4 ,paul4 8,create a clean heart in me1 ,o my ,god40 ,but to bring the sacrifice to completion1 after the three hours of agony the voice of ,jesus is heard exclaiming1 8,it is consummated40 ,all is completed2 the sufferings and humiliation of the cross are over4 ,amen4 ,communion4 ,would1 ,o my ,jesus1 that ,i were in a state to go and unite myself to ,thee6 ,at least ,i will unite myself in a spiritual manner4 ,i should always be so full of love towards ,thee as to think ever of ,thee1 and desire to be closely united to ,thee and to have ,thee buried in my heart4 ,let me consider before ,thee1 ,o heavenly ,father1 that the sacrifice of the cross is completed1 that ,thou hast accepted it1 and dost look upon the earth with pity and mercy4 ,still the cruelty of the ,jews is not satisfied4 ,they have one more wound to inflict on the ,lord4 ,a soldier with a lance opens the sacred side of ,our ,lord1 to demonstrate to every one that the ,victim is really dead4 ,o my ,god1 ,i offer ,thee these last marks of the love of the dead ,jesus1 the wound in ,his sacred side1 and the drops of blood and water which issue therefrom4 ,o my ,jesus1 ,thy heart is open for my reception4 ,i will take refuge therein1 away from the temptations of the world4 ,give me the grace not to fall into mortal sin1 as well as to persevere in my resolution to avoid even small sins to the end of my life4 ,i pray for the poor souls in purgatory1 for my parents1 relatives1 sisters and brothers4 ,i recommend to the goodness of ,thy ,sacred ,heart all my benefactors1 all those who need my prayers1 all the poor1 the miserable1 and the wretched4 ,i pray also for my country2 for peace1 prosperity1 and love among all the nations that have gathered here to make this their fatherland4 ,i pray also for the conversion of all to the faith1 that this may be the kingdom of ,god here on earth1 one sheepfold of ,christ1 the ,good ,shepherd4 ,i offer to ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 all the sufferings of ,jesus for these necessities4 ,amen4 ,conclusion ,of ,the ,mass4 ,in order that this day may be most profitable to me1 and to those for whom ,i have offered this ,mass1 ,o heavenly ,father1 ,i join myself in spirit in all the ,masses that are continually being said all over the world4 ,what great graces are given to mankind by this unceasing succession of oblations of the precious body and blood of ,christ6 ,i offer to ,thee1 also1 ,o my ,saviour1 all the pious works which are done by so many faithful ,christians all over the world4 ,i offer all the confessions1 communions1 rosaries1 and all prayers1 as well as all good works of fasting1 almsgiving1 and penances which are done4 ,i wish to gain all the indulgences which are within my reach today1 that ,i may apply them to the souls in purgatory4 ,now that the priest is about to bless the people in ,thy name1 do ,thou bless me1 as well as those for whom ,i have prayed4 ,pour out1 by the hands of the priest1 the blessing of ,thy precious blood with all its merit and innumerable graces1 on the souls in purgatory4 ,purify us from our sins by means of this blessing1 and give us strength and courage to do good works4 ,protect us1 ,thy children and the heirs of ,thy kingdom1 and lead us to eternal happiness in company with all the saints in heaven4 ,amen4 ,thanksgiving ,after ,mass4 ,i thank ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 at the end of this ,mass1 for all the graces which ,i have received during it4 ,the grace of attention to this holy sacrifice1 the grace of faith by which ,i really saw the dying ,jesus offered to ,god the ,father1 and ,his sacred blood applied to the wounds of my soul4 ,i thank ,thee for that love which has made me come here1 and spend some time in the service of ,god4 ,may ,i preserve1 to the end of my life1 the graces which ,i have received1 so that they may bring me to heaven4 ,the love of ,god almighty1 the grace of ,his divine ,son1 and the imparting of the ,holy ,ghost1 be always with me and all the faithful throughout the world4 ,the power of the precious blood1 the treasure of the merits of the ,blessed ,virgin1 and the intercession of all the saints accompany me now to my home1 to my daily work1 and make all that ,i say and do faithful to eternal life4 ,amen4 ,three ,offerings of the ,precious ,blood4 ,in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges with which the most holy ,virgin ,mary1 ,mother of ,god1 was enriched1 more especially those which she received in her immaculate conception4 #a4 ,eternal ,father1 in union with the most holy and immaculate ,virgin1 and in her name1 and in union with1 and in the name of all the blessed in heaven1 and of all the elect upon earth1 ,i offer ,thee the most precious blood of ,jesus ,christ1 in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges with which ,thou hast enriched ,mary1 as ,thy most obedient daughter1 particularly in her immaculate conception4 ,i offer ,thee also this precious blood for the conversion of poor sinners1 for the propagation and exaltation of ,thy holy ,church1 for the safety and prosperity of our chief pastor1 the ,bishop of ,rome1 and according to his intentions4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 #b4 ,eternal and ,incarnate ,word1 in union with the most holy and immaculate ,virgin1 and in her name1 and in union with1 and in the name of all the blessed in heaven1 and of all the elect upon earth1 ,i offer ,thee ,thine own most precious blood1 in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges with which ,thou hast enriched ,mary1 as ,thy most loving ,mother1 particularly in her immaculate conception4 ,i offer ,thee also this precious blood for the conversion of poor sinners1 for the propagation and exaltation of ,thy holy ,church1 for the safety and prosperity of our chief pastor1 the ,bishop of ,rome1 and according to his intentions4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 #c4 ,holy and eternal ,spirit1 in union with the most holy and immaculate ,virgin1 and in her name1 and in union with1 and in the name of all the blessed in heaven1 and of all the elect upon earth1 ,i offer ,thee the most precious blood of ,jesus1 in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges with which ,thou hast enriched ,mary1 as ,thy most faithful spouse1 particularly in her immaculate conception4 ,i offer ,thee also this precious blood for the conversion of poor sinners1 for the propagation and exaltation of ,thy holy ,church1 for the safety and prosperity of our chief pastor1 the ,bishop of ,rome1 and according to his intentions4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,seven ,offerings of the ,precious ,blood of ,jesus4 #a4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the merits of the most precious blood of ,jesus1 ,thy beloved ,son and my divine ,redeemer1 for the propagation and exaltation of my dear ,mother the holy ,church1 for the safety and prosperity of her visible head1 the holy ,roman ,pontiff1 for the cardinals1 bishops and pastors of souls1 and for all the ministers of the sanctuary4 ,v4 ,glory be to the ,father1 and to the ,son1 and to the ,holy ,ghost4 ,r4 ,as it was in the beginning1 is now1 and ever shall be1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,blessed and praised for evermore be ,jesus1 ,who hath saved us with ,his blood4 #b4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the merits of the most precious blood of ,jesus1 ,thy beloved ,son and my divine ,redeemer1 for the peace and concord of kings and ,catholic princes1 for the humiliation of the enemies of the holy faith1 and for the happiness of all ,christian people4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,blessed and praised1 etc4 #c4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the merits of the most precious blood of ,jesus1 ,thy beloved ,son and my divine ,redeemer1 for the repentance of unbelievers1 the extirpation of all heresies and the conversion of sinners4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,blessed and praised1 etc4 #d4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the merits of the most precious blood of ,jesus1 ,thy beloved ,son and my divine ,redeemer1 for all those who shall this day pass to another life1 that ,thou mayest deliver them from the pains of hell and admit them the more readily to the possession of ,thy glory4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,blessed and praised1 etc4 #e4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the merits of the most precious blood of ,jesus1 ,thy beloved ,son and my divine ,redeemer1 for all my relatives1 friends1 and enemies1 for the poor1 the sick1 and those in tribulation1 and for all those for whom ,thou willest ,i should pray1 or knowest that ,i ought to pray4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,blessed and praised1 etc4 #f4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the merits of the most precious blood of ,jesus1 ,thy beloved ,son and my divine ,redeemer1 for all those who are lovers of this treasure of ,his blood1 and for all those who join with me in adoring and honoring it1 and for all those who try to spread the devotion to it4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,blessed and praised1 etc4 #g4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer ,thee the merits of the most precious blood of ,jesus1 ,thy beloved ,son and my divine ,redeemer1 for all my wants1 both spiritual and temporal1 for the holy souls in purgatory1 and particularly for those1 who in their lifetime were most devoted to this price of our redemption1 and to the sorrows and pains of our dear ,mother1 the most holy ,mary4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,blessed and praised1 etc4 ,blessed and exalted be the blood of ,jesus1 now and always1 and through eternity4 ,daily ,offering4 ,o my ,lord and my ,god6 ,i commend myself to ,thy adorable ,heart1 and in ,thy sacred wounds ,i resign myself to ,thy holy will this day and forever4 ,include me1 ,o my ,lord and my ,god1 in all the holy ,masses that have been or will be offered up this day in the whole world4 ,o ,lord1 ,i desire to share in all holy communions1 all holy ,benedictions1 in all indulgences1 in all the merits and prayers of devout hearts now and forever4 ,o my ,lord and my ,god6 ,i offer ,thee all my steps1 all my weariness and labors1 all my cares and antipathies1 all my crosses1 sufferings1 ignominies1 injuries1 persecutions1 and adversities2 these ,i offer ,thee in honor of ,thy holy humanity and of ,thy most bitter ,passion and death2 in the merits of all these ,i include 7here mention the names of those for whom you wish to pray in particular71 all my relatives1 benefactors1 friends1 enemies1 the sick and dying1 those who are in temptation or oppressed2 all that have commended themselves to my prayers1 or for whom ,i have promised to pray2 those to whom ,i have given scandal1 or whom ,i have in any way enticed to sin2 my parents1 sisters1 and brothers1 who have departed this life1 and all the souls of the faithful departed4 ,my crucified ,saviour1 have mercy on the most suffering and abandoned souls in purgatory1 also on me1 a poor sinner2 give me the grace ,i daily need to serve ,thee faithfully until death4 ,i return ,thee thanks1 thousands and millions of thanks1 for all the favors and benefits which ,thou hast heaped on me from the first moment of my existence to the present hour4 ,i pray ,thee to preserve me always in ,thy holy grace1 particularly at the hour of my death4 ,amen4 ,plenary ,indulgences ,for ,members of the ,confraternity of the ,most ,precious ,blood4 ,on the day of registration to those who1 having confessed and communicated1 shall pray according to the intention of the ,supreme ,pontiff4 ,at the hour of death1 after confession and communion2 or if this be impossible1 to such as being contrite1 shall invoke with the lips1 or if unable1 with the heart1 the most sweet name of ,jesus4 ,daily for those1 who1 with confession and communion1 shall make an hour's vocal or mental prayer1 or partly one and partly the other1 in memory of the ,passion of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and the dolors of the most holy ,mary1 praying as above4 ,other ,plenary ,indulgences4 ,for which1 besides the conditions of confession and communion1 a visit is enjoined to any church whatever2 and this visit may1 for any reasonable motive1 be commuted by the confessor of the individual for some other pious work4 ,on the first ,sunday of ,july1 being the feast of the ,precious ,blood2 ,christmas day1 the ,epiphany1 ,easter ,sunday1 the feasts of the ,immaculate ,conception1 ,purification1 ,assumption of the ,blessed ,virgin1 and of the most holy ,rosary2 the feast of the holy apostles ,saints ,peter and ,paul2 and on the commemoration of all the faithful departed4 ,on the feast of the ,circumcision1 on all the ,fridays of ,march1 on the #bhth of ,march1 being the feast of the ,sacred ,blood in ,sta4 ,maria in ,vado at ,ferrara1 on ,holy ,thursday1 on the day of the ,invention of the ,holy ,cross1 on ,ascension day1 ,pentecost1 ,corpus ,christi1 the ,exaltation of the ,holy ,cross1 and the feast of the most holy ,redeemer1 the #bc;d of ,october4 ,on the feast of the ,annunciation1 the ,dolors of the most holy ,mary1 ,good ,friday1 ,our ,lady of ,carmel 7,july #afth71 the ,nativity1 ,seven ,dolors 7third ,sunday of ,september71 and the ,presentation of the ,blessed ,virgin 7,november #bast74 ,on the feasts of ,st4 ,joseph1 ,st4 ,john ,baptist1 ,all ,saints1 ,st4 ,francis ,xavier1 and of ,st4 ,nicholas of ,bari4 ,once a month on any day they may choose4 ,indulgences for all the ,faithful1 even ,such as are not ,members4 ,for such as shall recite the ,chaplet of the ,precious ,blood once in the day1 seven years and as many quarantines2 and if they recite it daily for a month1 a plenary indulgence1 having confessed and communicated1 on the last day of the month1 or any day in the following month4 7,pius ,,vii41 ,oct4 #ah1 #ahae47 ,the same indulgence can be gained by the recital of thirtythree ,our ,fathers1 meditating at the same time on the seven times ,our ,lord shed ,his precious blood2 or1 by such as are uninstructed and incompetent to meditate1 by the simple recital of the thirtythree ,our ,fathers4 7,gregory ,,xvi41 ,july #e1 #ahdc47 ,for the prayer1 8,o most precious blood1 etc410 placed at the end of the ,chaplet1 three hundred days' indulgence1 once a day4 ,chaplet of the ,precious ,blood4 ,this chaplet is composed of seven mysteries1 in which we meditate upon the seven times in which ,jesus ,christ for love of us shed blood from ,his most innocent body2 at each mystery1 except the last1 we are to say five ,our ,fathers and one ,glory be to the ,father1 thus making up the number of thirtythree ,our ,fathers in remembrance of the thirtythree years during which the precious blood of ,jesus flowed in ,his veins1 before it was all poured out for our salvation4 ,the ,chaplet ends with the devout prayer1 8,o most precious blood1 etc40 ,the ,chaplet4 ,v4 ,incline unto my aid1 ,o ,god4 ,r4 ,o ,lord1 make haste to help me4 ,v4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,r4 ,as it was1 etc4 ,first ,mystery4 ,the first time our loving ,saviour shed ,his precious blood for us was on the eighth day after ,his birth1 when ,he was circumcised in order to accomplish the ,law of ,moses4 ,while1 then1 we reflect that ,jesus did this to satisfy the justice of ,god for our dissolute lives1 let us excite ourselves to true sorrow for them1 and promise1 with the help of ,his all powerful grace1 to be henceforth truly chaste in body and in soul4 ,five ,our ,fathers and one ,glory4 ,we beseech ,thee1 therefore1 help ,thy servants whom ,thou hast redeemed with ,thy precious blood4 ,second ,mystery4 ,next in the ,garden of ,olives1 ,jesus shed ,his blood for us in such quantity that it bathed the earth around4 ,this took place at the sight of the ingratitude with which men would meet ,his love4 ,oh1 let us then repent sincerely1 because we have hitherto corresponded so illy with the innumerable benefits of ,our ,god1 and resolve to make good use of ,his graces and holy inspirations4 ,five ,our ,fathers1 etc4 ,we beseech1 etc4 ,third ,mystery4 ,next1 in ,his cruel scourging1 ,jesus shed ,his blood1 when ,his flesh was so torn that rivers of blood flowed from ,his body in every part1 all of which ,he offered1 all the time1 to ,his eternal ,father in payment of our impatience and our delicacy4 ,how is it1 then1 we do not curb our anger and our selflove8 ,henceforth we will indeed try our very best to bear our troubles well1 and1 despising ourselves1 to take peacefully the injuries which men may do us4 ,five ,our ,fathers1 etc4 ,we beseech1 etc4 ,fourth ,mystery4 ,again1 from the sacred head of ,jesus1 blood poured down when it was crowned with thorns1 in punishment of our pride and evil thoughts4 ,shall we1 then1 continue to nurture haughtiness1 foster foul imaginations1 and feed the wayward will in our minds8 ,henceforth let there ever be before our eyes our utter nothingness1 our misery and our weakness2 and with generous hearts let us resist all the wicked suggestions of the devil4 ,five ,our ,fathers1 etc4 ,we beseech1 etc4 ,fifth ,mystery4 ,how much of ,his precious blood did not our loving ,lord pour forth from ,his veins1 when laden with the heavy wood of the cross on the mournful way to ,calvary1 so that the streets and ways of ,jerusalem through which ,he passed were watered with it6 ,this was done in satisfaction for the scandals and the bad examples by which ,his own creatures had led others astray on the way to ruin4 ,who can tell how many of us are of this unhappy number8 ,who knows how many he himself alone has by his own bad example brought down to hell8 ,and have we done anything to remedy this evil8 ,let us henceforth1 at least1 endeavor all we can to save souls by word and by example1 making ourselves a pattern to all of a good and holy life4 ,five ,our ,fathers1 etc4 ,we beseech1 etc4 ,sixth ,mystery4 ,still more copiously the ,redeemer of mankind shed blood in ,his barbarous crucifixion2 when ,his veins being rent and arteries burst1 there rushed forth in a torrent from ,his hands and ,his feet that saving balm of life eternal1 to pay for all the crimes and enormities of the universe4 ,whoever1 after this1 would continue in sin1 and so renew the cruel crucifixion of the ,son of ,god8 ,let us weep bitterly for our bad deeds1 and let us detest them at the feet of the sacred minister of ,god2 let us amend our evil ways1 and henceforth begin a truly ,christian life1 with the thought ever in our hearts of all the blood which our eternal salvation cost the ,saviour of men4 ,five ,our ,fathers1 etc4 ,we beseech1 etc4 ,seventh ,mystery4 ,last of all1 after ,his death1 when ,his sacred side was opened1 and ,his loving ,heart was wounded1 ,jesus shed blood1 and with the blood there came forth water1 to show us how the blood was all poured out to the last drop for our salvation4 ,oh1 the infinite goodness of ,our ,redeemer6 ,who will not love ,thee1 my ,saviour8 ,what heart will not consume itself away for love of ,thee1 ,who hast done all this for our redemption8 ,the tongue wants words to praise ,thee2 let us1 then1 invite all creatures upon earth1 all angels and all saints in paradise1 and most of all1 our dear ,mother ,mary1 to bless1 to praise1 and to celebrate ,thy most precious blood4 ,glory to the blood of ,jesus6 ,glory to the blood of ,jesus6 now and ever throughout all ages4 ,amen4 ,at this last mystery three ,our ,fathers and one ,glory be to the ,father1 etc41 are said to make up the number of thirtythree4 ,we beseech1 etc4 ,then the following ,prayer4 ,o most precious blood of eternal life1 the ransom and redemption of the whole universe6 the drink and bath of our souls1 thou who art ever pleading the cause of men before the throne of ,god's sovereign mercy6 ,i adore thee most profoundly1 and desire1 as far as it is in my power1 to compensate thee for the insults and affronts which thou art continually receiving at the hands of men1 especially of those who rashly dare to blaspheme thee4 ,and who is there that will not bless this blood of infinite value8 ,who is there that will not feel himself inflamed with love for ,jesus1 ,who shed it8 ,what should ,i be if ,i had not been redeemed by this divine blood8 ,what was it that drew thee forth from the veins of my ,lord1 even to the last drop8 ,ah6 it was naught else but love4 ,o boundless love1 that has given us this balsam of salvation6 ,o balsam beyond price1 streaming forth from the wellspring of a boundless love1 grant1 oh1 grant that every heart and tongue may praise1 and magnify1 and bless thee1 now and forever1 even unto the day of eternity4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,thou hast redeemed us1 ,o ,lord1 with ,thy blood4 ,r4 ,and ,thou hast made us a kingdom unto ,our ,god4 ,o almighty and eternal ,god1 ,who hast appointed ,thy onlybegotten ,son to be the ,redeemer of the world1 and hast willed to be appeased by ,his blood1 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 that we may venerate upon earth the price of our salvation1 and be shielded by its might from the evils of this present life1 so that we may enjoy it everlastingly in heaven4 ,who liveth and reigneth with ,thee in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 ,god1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,,august4 ,,the ,,holy ,,ghost4 ,we may during this month take up the devotion to the ,holy ,ghost4 ,this devotion to the ,holy ,spirit should be the chief of all devotions1 because it was the first that was ever celebrated1 and that by no less devout worshippers than the holy apostles and the most holy ,mary in the upper room at ,jerusalem4 ,it is one which is growing in the hearts of the people1 because so much depends for our sanctification on the influence of the graces bestowed on us by ,god the ,holy ,ghost4 ,faith teaches us that the ,holy ,ghost is the love which the ,father and the ,son bear one to the other2 and therefore the gift of love which the ,lord infuses into our souls1 and which is the greatest of all gifts1 is attributed to the ,holy ,ghost4 ,st4 ,paul says1 8,the charity of ,god is poured forth in our hearts by the ,holy ,ghost1 ,who is given to us40--,rom4 v4 #e4 ,the ,holy ,ghost1 ,who proceedeth from the ,father and the ,son is called a fire1 because ,his action in our souls purifies us from sin and fills us with divine love4 ,as the action of fire may be said to be irresistible1 it is right that the ,holy ,ghost be represented by that symbol1 since ,he was to give spirit and wisdom to ,christians1 which all their adversaries should not be able to resist or gainsay4 ,if we observe the commandments of ,god1 the ,holy ,spirit will abide with us to enlighten our minds and strengthen our wills1 and give us grace to follow ,jesus ,christ4 ,the ,holy ,spirit will give us an increase of devotion towards the ,holy ,sacrament of the ,altar1 and the sacrifice of the ,mass1 and will pour the charity of ,god into our hearts4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,be devout to the ,third ,person of the ,blessed ,trinity4 ,his presence is everywhere1 and ,his power is manifested in all things4 ,his office in the ,church is that of lifegiver1 and in our souls ,he is the perfect illumination of the intellect4 ,without this strength the intellect may be cultivated1 but it will be cold and dim4 ,the errors of our mind1 its low vices and fragmentary opinions1 its distorted judgments1 unfounded propositions1 and shallow conception of the nature of things1 are all defects traceable to our carelessness in the devotion to the ,holy ,ghost4 ,a pious person devoted to the worship of the ,holy ,spirit will naturally know ,god's will and follow it4 ,the degree of his explicit knowledge will still depend on natural gifts and their due cultivation2 but with the docility of the heart and the influence of the ,holy ,ghost1 there will dawn on his mind a knowledge which is often superior to that acquired by the intellect alone4 ,before and after your actions seek light from this divine ,teacher1 and in all your daily life continue in the consciousness of your dependence on the ,holy ,ghost4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 and enkindle in them the fire of ,thy love4 ,v4 ,send forth ,thy ,spirit1 and they shall be created4 ,r4 ,and ,thou shalt renew the face of the earth4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,god1 ,who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of ,thy ,holy ,spirit1 grant us in the same ,holy ,spirit to relish what is right1 and ever to rejoice in ,his consolation1 through ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,second ,day4 ,st4 ,edward was one day waiting1 in a school at ,paris1 for the arrival of his scholars4 ,he was about to expound to them the mystery of the ,holy ,trinity4 ,being tired he fell into a slumber1 in which he had a dream4 ,he saw a dove descending towards him2 it bore on its back the sacred ,host1 and laid it on his lips4 ,when he awoke he went to the lectureroom1 and began his discourse2 all who heard him were struck by the sweetness and clearness of his explanations4 ,it was the devotion to the ,holy ,ghost that gave a newness and a charm to all he said1 and impressed itself not only on his hearers1 but also on himself1 so that he became full of the unction and fire of the ,spirit of ,god4 ,we will not be disappointed if we solicit the interest of the ,holy ,ghost in our behalf4 ,in all our work let us look first to this ,light of ,god1 which illumines every soul coming into this world1 and our actions will be for the glory of ,god1 our minds will become energetic through the purification of our motives1 and our whole life will take on a new exterior of humility and perfection4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,third ,day4 ,the ,holy ,ghost is the ,third ,person of the ,blessed ,trinity3 this is one of the dogmas of the ,christian religion2 it is the foundation of our holy faith4 ,in ,god there are three divine persons1 the ,father1 the ,son1 and the ,holy ,ghost4 ,each person1 among created intelligences1 is a distinct and a separate unity1 complete1 entire in itself1 but by its limitation making only one individual4 ,but in ,god the three divine persons have one distinct mode of subsistence1 for each possesses in common the whole divine essence4 ,the substance of ,god belongs to each of the three divine persons4 ,therefore we say that there are three divine persons in ,god1 not three individuals2 for an individual would signify a distinct nature4 ,accordingly1 the ,athanasian creed declares1 8,such as the ,father is1 such is the ,son1 and such is the ,holy ,ghost40 ,the ,father is ,god1 the ,son is ,god1 and the ,holy ,ghost is ,god4 ,yet there are not three ,gods1 but only one ,god4 ,in speaking of the nature of ,god's being1 we find ourselves necessarily beyond the power of reasoning2 we only know that the infinite ,god is one in essence and three in person4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,fourth ,day4 ,the ,holy ,ghost is ,god1 one of the three divine persons1 as is evident from the ,scriptures4 ,the ,holy ,ghost is joined with the ,father and the ,son1 and therefore ,he really exists and is called ,god4 ,all the divine attributes are given ,him3 omnipresence1 omnipotence1 and justice4 ,he is therefore ,god1 and proceeds from the ,father and the ,son2 ,he is the ,spirit of ,god1 and also the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,the ,holy ,ghost proceeds from the ,father and the ,son as the breath of the life of intelligence and love4 8,because you are sons1 ,god hath sent the spirit of ,his ,son into your hearts1 crying3 ,abba1 ,father40--,gal4 iv4 #f4 8,but when ,he1 the ,spirit of truth1 is come1 ,he will teach you all truth2 for ,he shall not speak of ,himself3 but whatsoever things ,he shall hear ,he shall speak3 444 ,he shall glorify ,me3 because ,he shall receive of ,mine1 and shall show it to you4 ,all things whatsoever the ,father hath1 are ,mine4 ,therefore ,i said3 that ,he shall receive of ,mine1 and show it to you40--,john xvi4 #acae4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,fifth ,day4 ,we cannot understand the mystery of the ,blessed ,trinity4 ,we cannot understand the persons of the ,blessed ,trinity1 neither the ,father1 the ,son1 nor the ,holy ,ghost2 they are infinite4 ,still we can think of the ,blessed ,trinity1 and guided by what we know through revelation and theology1 try to go still further and discover more of the glory surrounding it4 ,one person of the ,holy ,trinity is as great as the other2 there is really no first nor second in dignity or power4 ,there is1 however1 a marvellous order in the unity of the ,trinity1 thus expressed in the creed of ,st4 ,athanasius3 8,the ,father is made of none1 neither created nor begotten4 ,the ,son is from the ,father alone1 not made nor created1 but begotten4 ,the ,holy ,ghost is from the ,father and the ,son1 not made nor created nor begotten1 but proceeding40 ,thus the ,holy ,trinity exists from all eternity1 supremely happy in itself1 not needing anything exteriorly to assist in its existence4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,sixth ,day4 ,god begets ,his ,son by knowledge2 the ,son is the knowledge of the ,father1 but the ,spirit proceeds from the ,father and the ,son by way of love4 ,the ,father and the ,son1 by an act of supreme natural love breathe forth the coeternal ,spirit4 ,the ,spirit proceeds from both1 the pledge of their mutual affection1 and the expression of infinite beatitude4 ,the ,father loves the ,son with such an infinite love as to breathe forth a divine ,spirit through ,his ,son4 ,as ,st4 ,bernard says1 the ,spirit is the sacred kiss of the ,father and the ,son in their imperturbable peace1 their firm coherence1 their undivided love1 their indivisible unity4 ,the ,son proceeds from the ,father as the ray from the sun2 the ,holy ,ghost from the ,father and the ,son as the heat from the ray and the sun4 ,the ,son as the word1 the ,holy ,ghost as the breath2 the ,son as the river from the fountain2 the ,holy ,ghost as the lightning from the cloud4 ,these expressions hardly convey what is meant1 because the ray is smaller than the sun2 while in ,god the ray is equal1 the heat is consubstantial with its source4 ,the word says all1 the breath is real1 the fire burns always and is never extinguished4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,seventh ,day4 ,it will be part of the beatitude of the saints to know something of this generation and procession of the ,holy ,ghost2 they will be filled with gladness inexpressible in the sight of ,god4 ,they will see ,god as ,he is2 in their contemplation they will rise higher and higher1 and by their studies know more and more of ,god4 ,as we are charmed with the beauties of knowledge1 the attraction of literature1 so we will feel greater happiness as we study the being of ,god in all its depths4 8,o the depths of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of ,god6 ,how incomprehensible are ,his judgments1 and how unsearchable ,his ways60--,rom4 xi4 #cc4 ,the ,church1 in the office and ,mass of the feast of the most ,holy ,trinity repeats the same words1 as the expression of her awe and adoration in the presence of the infinitely unsearchable ways of ,god in the ,trinity4 ,in adoring this life of ,god1 for life it is indeed1 we are overwhelmed with awe1 and are but able in our astonishment to cry out with the ,church1 8,o ,blessed ,trinity60 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,eighth ,day4 ,the ,holy ,trinity does all the work exterior to itself by the joint power of all2 for the persons of ,god cannot be separated from the one ,god4 ,there are certain things which in our human mind we ascribe more to one person than to the other1 but all the divine persons must necessarily be participants in the work of each4 ,for example1 the creation is ascribed to the ,father1 because it seems to be a parental act to call something into existence1 and so we say ,god the ,father created us4 ,god the ,son redeemed us1 and ,god the ,holy ,ghost sanctifies us4 ,and still we read that in the creation1 8,the ,spirit of the ,lord moved over the waters10 meaning that ,god the ,father was not only or singly engaged in the creation1 but that the other divine persons participated also4 ,the same way1 in the creation of man1 all the divine persons were engaged in this important work of ,god's power4 ,human beings were to know ,god1 and to become the temples of the ,holy ,ghost2 and consequently the ,holy ,ghost had early in the creation to show ,his cooperation4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,ninth ,day4 ,hence1 in the beginning of the world1 ,god created a man1 framing his body out of clay and dust1 but giving him a living soul by breathing upon him4 ,it was the ,spirit of ,god that gave that soul the touch of life and immortality4 ,there is a wonderful similarity between that breathing into man at his creation1 and the time when1 after the resurrection1 the ,lord appeared to the apostles and breathed on them1 saying3 8,receive ye the ,holy ,ghost40 ,st4 ,athanasius says1 8,first by the ,word of ,god1 man was made4 ,and the ,lord breathed into him the ,spirit of life1 and confirmed him with a participation of ,his ,spirit4 ,the same ,god confers ,his ,spirit on ,his disciples1 that we may be renovated in the same ,spirit in ,whom we first were made40 ,no doubt both the natural life1 the life of the body1 and also the supernatural life1 the love of ,god and participation in ,his glory1 were granted by the ,holy ,ghost at the creation4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,tenth ,day4 ,the ,holy ,ghost infuses into our hearts sanctifying grace1 by which we become pleasing to ,god1 and we can call ,him ,our ,father4 ,what a great grace this is--to be pleasing to ,god6 ,we had sinned and had become aliens to ,god's kindness and grace4 ,we did not live a simple1 natural life1 for our existence was sinful after the fall of ,adam and ,eve4 ,but the ,holy ,spirit came again into our hearts1 and we were created new beings4 ,the old scars of sin and condemnation disappeared1 and our present supernatural condition is nobler1 perhaps1 than was the condition of ,adam before his fall4 ,it was this consideration which caused the ,fathers of the ,church1 and the ,church herself1 in her paschal song of the 8,exultet10 to exclaim1 8,o happy fault1 which gave the occasion to almighty ,god to rescue us from eternal death1 and to give us new life1 in the resurrection of the ,lord40 ,great1 then1 is the love of the ,holy ,ghost for us4 ,he wishes to claim us as ,his temples4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,we are1 therefore1 different from ,adam2 since the ,fall our condition has been changed4 ,adam at his creation was constituted in the state of grace1 placed in that blessed condition by the goodness of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the justice which ,adam received was the indwelling of the ,holy ,spirit in the soul1 which illuminated his mind to such a degree that he not only understood the things about him1 but it also gave him a sight of heaven itself1 and the perfections of ,god4 ,hence ,adam1 the pure creature1 grand and noble as he was1 created and gifted by almighty ,god1 was a favored being indeed1 and all mankind after him4 ,for we also are created by ,god1 we have the ,holy ,spirit dwelling in us by ,baptism1 and therefore are children of ,god by a still greater reason than ,adam was4 ,the power of the ,holy ,ghost has thus been displayed in the creation of man1 in the continuation of his existence1 and in all his work up to the present time4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,by ,adam's disobedience his glory and greatness were swept away4 ,the presence of the ,holy ,ghost was forfeited1 and in ,his place reigned ignorance1 weakness1 and passion4 ,man not only ignored ,god1 but fell deeper and deeper into a degrading ignorance until he lived a life not far removed from the brute4 ,man became so weak and unreliable that even if ignorance was removed by education1 his will was subject to the allurements of interest and passion4 ,terrible confusion ensued in the ages after the fall of ,adam and ,eve4 ,but ,god had mercy on the human race1 and promised a ,redeemer1 by ,whom we were to regain salvation4 ,instead of falling a prey to the devil after death1 man had a means of reinstating himself in the mercy and goodness of ,god1 for1 as the ,apostle says in his first epistle to ,timothy3 8,god will have all men to be saved1 and to come to the knowledge of truth40 ,we should appreciate highly this work of our redemption4 ,mankind could do nothing of itself4 ,it deserved to die1 and share with the evil spirits eternal damnation1 but through the mercy of ,god it was not consumed4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,our justification comes from ,christ's redemption1 by the operation of the ,holy ,ghost4 8,but you are washed1 but you are sanctified1 but you are justified in the name of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and the ,spirit of ,our ,god40--#a ,cor4 vi4 #aa4 ,it is still the operation of the ,holy ,ghost which brings comfort to our souls4 ,since the ,fall1 the ,spirit of ,god has assisted every man that came into the world1 so that there never yet was a soul which had not sufficient grace to escape from eternal death1 if it only had fidelity to correspond with it4 ,even heathens may1 according to the mercy of ,god1 find the means ready at hand by which to be saved4 ,every soul is created in the likeness of ,god2 the light of reason shining in the soul is a means of salvation1 the whole world reveals the existence of ,god4 ,every living soul in the order of nature1 then1 has the illumination of ,god's grace1 and by the light of conscience1 which is reason1 can rightly exercise its will in the performance of duty4 8,we hope in the living ,god1 ,who is the ,saviour of all men10 and especially of the faithful4 ,the work of the ,holy ,ghost1 even in the order of nature that is outside of the ,church1 is going on1 giving to all men grace to be saved4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,when the disciples returned to ,jerusalem1 after the ascension of ,our ,lord1 they chose for their habitation the cenacle in which the ,last ,supper had taken place4 ,there they spent the eight days previous to the feast of ,pentecost1 in a retreat of prayer and meditation4 ,there they waited patiently for the realization of the promise made by ,our ,lord1 that the ,paraclete would come4 ,their souls were filled with that peace which the ,lord had given them2 they had learned the lesson of charity and submission1 they had now one heart and one mind4 ,no doubt1 with them in prayer1 were ,mary the ,mother of ,jesus and the pious women who also were to receive the ,holy ,spirit4 ,what a consolation was not the presence of ,mary to the apostles6 ,she was now their ,mother2 ,christ ,himself desired that she should be their comfort4 ,the apostles loved the ,mother of ,jesus1 consulted her about the future of the ,church1 and no doubt learned from her the secrets of divine love that filled her soul1 learned from her the love that ,jesus bore to ,his holy ,church4 ,they honored her with reverence1 because she was the ,mother of ,him ,whom they now knew to be ,god4 ,it was the beginning of the devotion to the ,blessed ,virgin--a devotion which has continued in the ,church ever since with unabated ardor4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,the apostles persevered in prayer in the holy cenacle4 ,they had learned the necessity of prayer from ,our ,lord ,himself4 ,he inculcated it by command and example1 and now they put ,his precepts into execution2 they made prayer the chief preparation for the coming of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,god was present among them1 and heard them1 for they were assembled in the name of ,jesus4 ,these long hours of supplication penetrated heaven and filled the earth with consolation2 bringing upon them the graces and benedictions of ,jesus4 ,they had time to enter into themselves1 and to cure their souls of the weakness of human nature4 ,they had much cause for anxiety4 ,what a battle1 and apparently what a hopeless battle1 was before them6 ,they were to preach to the world2 to conquer and to teach it the maxims of the ,christian religion4 ,they knew that the world was not willing to receive the ,gospel1 and yet they had to observe the injunction of ,our ,lord1 to teach all nations1 and to command them to observe all that ,christ had taught4 ,the apostles were filled with a great love for the salvation of mankind1 and in the cenacle they began to be apostles of prayer1 by which they were to be victorious over all difficulties4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,at length the retreat of the apostles was over2 they were still assembled in that upper room1 the time for the appearance of the ,holy ,spirit had arrived1 the ,third ,person of the ,blessed ,trinity was to come in ,his sevenfold power to dwell in the ,church of ,god forever1 as well as in the hearts of all its faithful members4 ,the ,holy ,ghost came like a mighty wind1 and filled the whole house1 and descended on those present in the form of fiery tongues4 ,how devoutly did they receive the ,holy ,spirit6 ,with what acts of adoration did they greet the visible presence of the great ,comforter1 the ,paraclete1 the ,third ,person of the ,blessed ,trinity6 ,for this they had been waiting and praying1 for this they had remained away from the distractions of the world1 so that they might undisturbed feel the power of ,god in themselves4 ,the ,holy ,ghost came in the form of tongues of fire1 the same fire of which ,our ,lord spoke when ,he exclaimed1 8,i am come to send fire on the earth1 and what is ,my will but that it be kindled80 ,it was the fire of charity--the charity of ,christ1 by which we endeavor to save our souls1 and the souls of others4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,the ,holy ,ghost appeared under the form of tongues of fire1 to show us that out of charity we should raise our voice in the propagation and defence of truth4 ,the inspiration of the ,holy ,spirit obliges us to correct others1 and to lead them gently on in the way of salvation4 ,not only had the apostles this obligation1 but the priest must preach1 the father and the mother instruct their children1 and the master guide those under him4 ,it is this sacred fire that will make the faithful listen with respect to their pastors1 and practise their religion2 children will be induced to be docile to their parents1 and subjects will be respectful to those in authority4 ,this burning fire will purify all men1 for the fire of divine love has a power to consume the gnawing vices of selfishness1 indolence1 and jealousy2 it will burn up the materials on which our passions feed4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,the apostles were certainly in a worthy condition to receive the ,holy ,ghost2 they received ,him in ,his fulness1 and the effects of ,his coming were soon manifest in them4 ,they could no longer contain themselves in silence in that upper chamber2 they were compelled to give utterance to the truth4 ,they received the gifts of the ,holy ,ghost1 gifts which are the result of the enlightenment coming from the ,spirit of ,god4 ,we do not receive the ,holy ,ghost in the form of fiery tongues at ,confirmation1 but we receive the gifts of the ,holy ,ghost3 wisdom1 understanding1 knowledge1 counsel1 piety1 fortitude1 and fear of the ,lord4 ,let us see what these gifts are1 that we may know that we possess them1 and by our study develop them1 that they may not remain idle in our souls4 ,we must stir up the grace that is in us2 we must1 during this month1 pray that these gifts may find opportunities for exercise4 ,the apostles showed in their lives that these gifts were theirs in all perfection4 ,in a lesser or greater degree we may possess them also1 for these virtues should be in every ,christian soul as a result of the visitation of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,the gift of understanding enables us to appreciate the beauty of all revealed truths4 ,it is not like faith1 by which we implicitly accept ,god's revelation1 but it gives us the reasons for making an act of faith2 it will show us that our faith is true1 because it shows us on what foundation the truth rests4 ,even after ,our ,lord's resurrection the disciples showed that they did not understand what they had been told4 ,they did not understand the ,scriptures1 for ,our ,lord had to upbraid the apostles for their incredulity and hardness of heart4 ,did ,he not reproach the two disciples returning to ,emmaus with a slowness of understanding1 because they were still wavering in the faith of the crucified ,jesus8 ,the apostles needed the inspiration of the ,holy ,ghost1 in order to comprehend the ,scriptures and the prophecies made concerning their ,master4 ,the gift of understanding shows us the necessity of virtues in ourselves1 so that we may be willing to study them and to acquire them2 it shows us the goodness of others and makes us appreciate their labors2 it gives us insight into the order of things1 that we may submit ourselves to authority and be docile to the teachings of the ,church4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,the gift of wisdom is a superior discernment of good and evil2 it gives men a real taste and predilection for all that is good and holy1 all that is connected with ,god and divine things2 it turns their eyes to ,god1 and teaches them to look at everything from ,god's point of view4 ,it makes them love prayer1 recollection1 good conversation1 and good reading4 ,this is a great gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 and one that seems to prefigure our predestination1 because it places before our minds so vividly the necessity of doing good in order to go to heaven4 ,how little of this heavenly wisdom do we generally possess6 ,wise enough are we in the ways of the world2 we know how to make money1 and to hoard it up2 but we care little how to gain spiritual treasures4 ,do we not class ourselves with the children of the world by our smartness in gathering earthly goods8 ,our ,lord said the children of the world were wiser in their generation than the children of light4 ,he praises them1 not to have us imitate them1 but to put us on our guard against the false wisdom which is so easily acquired4 ,the apostles1 in the beginning of their election to the apostolic life1 had not that heavenly wisdom1 for they had very worldly ideas about the kingdom which they thought ,jesus was to establish on earth4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,knowledge is the possession of truth4 ,when our mind is well stored with information we are said to have knowledge4 ,the same may be said of spiritual knowledge1 only it refers to spiritual things4 ,we have knowledge1 then1 in a spiritual sense1 when we put together our experiences and draw practical conclusions from them--when we realize that ,god created the world1 and that we were created to save our souls4 ,hence we ought to use the world1 not for our own exclusive enjoyment1 nor for the purpose of amassing wealth1 but for the greater glory of ,god4 ,we know that we were placed on the earth1 intelligent beings1 to praise and serve ,god4 ,it was in virtue of this knowledge that ,st4 ,ignatius declared that all the world around him recalled ,god to him4 ,we too must see ,god in all things1 and never lose sight of the end of our creation2 those who love the world for its own sake cannot love ,god2 we cannot serve ,god and ,mammon2 we know from our own bitter experience that as soon as we love the world1 we have lost the love of ,god1 and without the love of ,god it is impossible to go to heaven4 ,the absence of this spiritual knowledge makes us impatient because we have not all the things we want1 and we resist ,his holy will4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,the gift of counsel contains all that is good in human prudence1 and much more4 ,it leads us always to pause and to turn our thoughts to ,god before we act2 we avoid precipitation1 rashness1 and inconsiderate impulses4 ,it makes us calm and deliberate1 and teaches us never to act in any important matter without seeking guidance from ,god4 ,this gift also shows us that it is ,god's will to run counter to what the world considers prudent4 ,so ,abraham did when he left his home at ,god's command1 and went to the land which ,god chose for him1 where the people of ,god were to live together and he was to be their spiritual as well as their real father4 ,so ,david1 when a poor boy1 went out at ,god's command to fight the giant1 armed only with a stone and sling4 ,judith was moved by the same impulse when she went to the camp of ,holofernes1 and brought his head back into the city4 ,it is also our duty that when we know the will of ,god we do it generously1 no matter what difficulties may beset our paths4 ,the gift of counsel will also put into our mouth that encouragement for others which will help them to lead a life of virtue and patience1 remembering that the trials of life last but a short time4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,the ,holy ,ghost also infuses into our soul the gift of piety--that loyal1 tender1 filial affection towards ,god as ,our ,father4 8,you have received10 says ,st4 ,paul1 8the spirit of adoption of sons1 whereby we cry3 ,abba1 ,father40--,rom4 viii4 #ae4 ,by this sacred gift we forget ourselves and cling only to ,god1 ,who is our support and help4 ,we love ,god1 and serve ,him with alacrity1 because ,he is ,our ,father in heaven4 ,if ,i am a son of ,god1 loyal to my ,father in heaven1 every act of mine1 every thought1 is centred in ,him4 ,such was the intense love of the apostles for ,our ,lord2 from the time when ,he chose them1 the virtue of piety was implanted in them1 though it was only perfected after the death of ,christ4 ,it was after the ascension of ,our ,lord1 when the ,holy ,spirit had fully inspired this virtue in their souls1 that they began to have a filial affection towards ,our ,lord1 a keen attachment of love and affection4 ,do we realize the meaning of the gift of piety8 ,we ought to be anxious to possess this virtue1 because it makes the burden of the service of ,god easy3 8where there is love1 there is no labor40 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,the gift of fortitude is necessary in some degree to one who is anxious to save his soul4 ,all ,christians are called on1 at some time or other1 to endure in the practice of their religion things for which mere human courage will not suffice4 ,those who desire a high place in heaven have a hard struggle before them1 a struggle which would be beyond the power of many of us if we did not rely on the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the gift of fortitude is the power to be strong of soul as the athlete is strong of body2 for as a man hardens and develops his frame by all sorts of physical exercises1 so also should the soul develop the good that is in her--which is the highest good--by spiritual exercises4 ,of her own power she is not able to do great things1 but by the work of ,god the ,holy ,ghost she can do them4 ,we can bear heavy sorrows with patience and resignation2 we can rise out of vices and evil habits by means of fortitude1 when without this virtue we would remain slaves of ,satan4 ,how pusillanimous were the apostles in the beginning of their apostolic career2 there was a disgraceful weakness exhibited at the ,passion of ,our ,lord4 ,peter denied ,our ,lord1 and the rest fled and hid themselves4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,the gift on which we wish to meditate today in honor of the giver1 the ,holy ,ghost1 is the fear of the ,lord4 ,remember that it is said that the fear of the ,lord is the beginning of wisdom2 we need then this holy gift1 that by it we may remain in subjection and reverence to the adorable majesty of ,god4 ,we acknowledge our littleness and leave ourselves entirely in the hands of ,god2 we are afraid of committing sin1 we are cautious1 lest by an act or thought we may offend almighty ,god2 we are careful to submit ourselves to ,his holy will2 we see our faults1 and we lament that we are so full of sin1 when we ought1 with ,his grace1 to improve in ,his service4 ,we must stand in dread of the ,judgment and also of ourselves1 because we fall so readily into sin that we know not whether we are worthy of love or hatred from almighty ,god2 but when we fall it is our own fault1 for we depend too much on ourselves2 we are wicked because we prefer evil to good1 and would rather serve the devil than ,god4 ,let us learn this salutary fear of ,god1 and acquire a delicacy of conscience4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,we have now meditated on the gifts of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,we see how generous the adorable ,spirit is4 ,he is constantly giving ,himself and yet is never exhausted1 so that we are rich indeed by the goodness of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,our mind is enlightened1 and we pray to the ,holy ,spirit to open our hearts and to enkindle in them the fire of divine love4 ,before all our actions we call on the sacred ,spirit to help us1 so that our actions may be done well1 an honor to ,god and a source of merit to ourselves4 ,on the feast of ,pentecost we celebrate other gifts3 as the gift of 8language10 which is the means by which the ,gospel is spread all over the world4 ,again was given by the ,holy ,ghost the gift of 8healing40 ,the first ,christians were able to work miracles4 ,we have lost confidence2 had we the same strong faith many wonders would also happen at our bidding4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,the ,holy ,ghost has also other gifts in store for us1 gifts which are called fruits--as if from this divine tree were growing a variety of different virtues1 diffused from united efforts4 ,there must be some result from this expenditure of power1 and when we are good ,christians we will certainly enjoy these gifts and fruits3 they will grow on the tree of the ,holy ,ghost and will be reproduced in our hearts4 ,these fruits are twelve in number3 ,charity1 joy1 peace1 patience1 benignity1 goodness1 long suffering1 mildness1 faith1 modesty1 continency1 and chastity4 ,charity is a love and kindness towards all mankind2 we love all the members of the human family and we are interested in their welfare2 we are continually searching for means to help them1 and all for the one purpose3 the good of their immortal souls4 ,by this virtue we are moved to share our goods with others1 contenting ourselves with what is necessary4 ,another beautiful fruit of the ,holy ,ghost is eternal joy4 ,our souls are continually rejoicing in ,god1 ,who is our great reward4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,peace is a gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 somewhat similar to joy2 if we have peace nothing can disturb our soul2 even if we are afflicted we are not out of humor1 for we see that it is the will of ,god1 ,who is our kind ,father1 and that everything is for our special benefit4 ,we are at peace with our fellowcreatures1 for we are not actuated by inordinate ambition1 nor by grasping avarice1 so that we are loved by all4 ,patience is a gift of the ,holy ,spirit by which we endure the ills of the flesh without a murmur and with resignation4 ,what a beautiful virtue and gift we have in this4 ,we love the virtue in others1 and we must endeavor to possess it also in ourselves1 so as to be a spectacle of patience to men and angels4 ,with benignity1 goodness1 and mildness1 we meet others and charm them with our kindness2 they are virtues that result from the thorough practice of charity2 it is the combination of these virtues that makes true ,christian politeness4 ,what a beautiful world this would be if every one in it would be imbued with these sentiments4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,faith is a holy gift of trust in ,god1 in ,his holy revelation1 in the ,church1 her precepts and teaching1 her discipline1 and her devotions4 ,we realize and form our conduct on these matters of faith1 so that they become the foundation of our hope and our consolation in trials4 ,god becomes to us a living reality1 not a vague speculation2 and the ,church the representative of ,god on earth1 the spouse of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the just man lives by faith and in the faith2 he is full of the trust1 the justice1 and the mercy of ,god4 ,modesty is a fruit of the possession of the ,holy ,ghost1 because by it we are retired1 unassuming1 caring nothing for the show and allurements of the world4 ,prayer1 meditation1 and pious reading should be our favorite occupations1 in which we would find a great deal of pleasure2 our duties would be well performed1 because we would set our whole mind on them in all the quietness of our soul4 ,continency and chastity are also the result of the presence in our soul of the ,holy ,spirit2 we abhor the pleasures of sensuality1 and keep ourselves pure from all contamination1 according to the state of life which we have chosen or in which we find ourselves4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,the fruits and gifts of the ,holy ,ghost may be easily seen in the effects the apostles experienced at the coming of the ,paraclete4 ,as we noticed1 the apostles were rather worldly in their perceptions of the divine intentions2 they manifested their frailty in many ways during the life of ,christ1 so that they were even publicly rebuked by ,our ,lord4 ,but now they have become apostolic men2 they love poverty1 and are content to work at their humble trade in order not to be a burden on the newly made converts4 ,as ,st4 ,peter asserts1 8,he desired the money of no man40 ,they love sufferings1 from which they had so often shrank before4 ,they understand that to suffer for ,christ was great glory and consolation--they who before had been narrow1 selfish1 and ready to condemn others1 now become full of charity to all the world4 ,into their heart the ,spirit of love has descended1 and their motto becomes charity towards others4 ,the charity of ,christ is the one motive of all they think and do4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,we see another great change in the apostles by means of the presence of the ,holy ,ghost2 they surprise us by the bold stand they take before the ,jewish authorities4 ,we know they were timid and cowardly at the apprehension of ,our ,lord1 and were almost scandalized at ,his death on the cross4 ,now they challenge the ,jews with a freedom of speech that the chief priests are unable to explain2 they face the wrath of the ,jewish council1 the ,sanhedrim2 and undismayed they say3 8,judge for yourselves if it be just in the sight of ,god to hear you1 rather than ,god40 ,if then the apostles become such perfect men by the influence of the ,holy ,ghost1 is it not worth our while also to remain in prayer and meditation on the power of the ,holy ,ghost1 in order that we too may be changed from such weaklings and become strong ,christians8 ,how little have we in us of this ,holy ,spirit1 how unwilling we are to suffer1 how prone to avoid all that is opposed to our natural inclinations6 ,this should be different2 and it can only be different by heeding the inspiration of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,with this intention and for this purpose let us devote some time1 now and then1 to the stirring up within us of the grace of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,prayer4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 etc41 etc4 ,litany of the ,holy ,ghost4 7,for ,private ,devotion ,only47 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,holy ,ghost1 hear us4 ,holy ,ghost1 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 ,ghost1 ,who proceedest from the ,father and the ,son1 ,have mercy on us4 ,holy ,ghost1 coequal with the ,father and the ,son1 ,have mercy on us4 ,promise of the ,father1 most loving and most bounteous1 ,have mercy on us4 ,gift of the most high ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,ray of heavenly light1 ,have mercy on us4 ,author of all good1 ,have mercy on us4 ,source of living water1 ,have mercy on us4 ,consuming fire1 ,have mercy on us4 ,burning love1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spiritual unction1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spirit of truth and of power1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spirit of wisdom and of understanding1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spirit of counsel and of fortitude1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spirit of knowledge and of piety1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spirit of the fear of the ,lord1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spirit of compunction and of penance1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spirit of grace and of prayer1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spirit of charity1 peace1 and joy1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spirit of patience1 longanimity1 and goodness1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spirit of benignity1 mildness and fidelity1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spirit of modesty1 continence1 and chastity1 ,have mercy on us4 ,spirit of adoption of the sons of ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,holy ,ghost1 the ,comforter1 ,have mercy on us4 ,holy ,ghost1 the ,sanctifier1 ,have mercy on us4 ,who in the beginning didst move over the waters1 ,have mercy on us4 ,by ,whose inspiration spake the holy men of ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,who didst overshadow ,mary1 ,have mercy on us4 ,who didst cooperate in the miraculous conception of the ,son of ,god1 ,have mercy on us4 ,who didst descend upon ,him at ,his baptism1 ,have mercy on us4 ,who1 on the day of ,pentecost1 didst appear in fiery tongues upon the disciples of the ,lord1 ,have mercy on us4 ,by ,whom we are also born again1 ,have mercy on us4 ,who dwellest in us1 ,have mercy on us4 ,who governest the ,church1 ,have mercy on us4 ,who fillest the whole world1 ,have mercy on us4 ,holy ,ghost1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst renew the face of the earth1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst shed abroad ,thy light into our hearts1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst write ,thy law in our hearts1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst inflame them with the fire of ,thy love1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst open to us the treasures of ,thy grace1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst teach us to ask for them according to ,thy will1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst enlighten us with ,thy heavenly inspirations1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst keep us to ,thyself by ,thy powerful attractions1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst grant to us the knowledge alone necessary1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst help us to love and bear with each other1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst lead us in the way of ,thy commandments1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst make us obedient to ,thy inspirations1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst teach us to pray1 and ,thyself pray within us1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst clothe us with love and compassion towards our brethren1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst inspire us with a horror of evil1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst direct us in the practice of good1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst give us the grace of all virtues1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst cause us to persevere in justice1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst be ,thyself our everlasting reward1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,spare us1 ,o ,lord6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,lord6 ,holy ,ghost1 hear us1 ,holy ,ghost1 graciously hear us4 ,v4 ,create a clean heart in us1 ,o ,god4 ,r4 ,and renew a right spirit within us4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,grant1 ,o merciful ,father1 that ,thy divine ,spirit may enlighten1 inflame1 and cleanse our hearts2 that ,he may penetrate us with ,his heavenly dew1 and make us fruitful in good works4 ,through ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,hymns to the ,holy ,ghost4 ,veni1 ,creator ,spiritus4 ,come1 ,o ,creator1 ,spirit blest1 ,and in our souls take up ,thy rest2 ,come with ,thy grace and heavenly aid ,to fill the hearts which ,thou hast made4 ,great ,paraclete1 to ,thee we cry1 ,o highest gift of ,god most high1 ,o ,fount of life1 ,o ,fire of love1 ,and sweet anointing from above4 ,thou in thy sevenfold gifts art known2 ,the finger of ,god's hand we own2 ,the promise of the ,father ,thou1 ,who dost the tongue with pow'r endow4 ,our senses kindle from above1 ,and make our hearts o'erflow with love2 ,with patience firm and virtue high ,the weakness of our flesh supply4 ,drive far from us the foe we dread1 ,and grant us ,thy true peace instead2 ,so shall we not1 with ,thee for guide1 ,turn from the path of life aside4 ,oh1 may ,thy grace on us bestow ,the ,father and the ,son to know1 ,and ,thee through endless times confess'd ,of both th' eternal ,spirit blest4 ,all glory1 while the ages run1 ,be to the ,father and the ,son ,who rose from death2 the same to ,thee1 ,o ,holy ,ghost1 eternally6 ,amen4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 send down those beams1 ,which sweetly flow in silent streams ,from ,thy bright throne above4 ,come1 ,thou1 the ,father of the poor1 ,thou bounteous source of all our store2 ,come1 fire our hearts with love4 ,come1 ,thou1 of comforters the best1 ,come1 ,thou1 the soul's delightful guest1 ,the pilgrim's sweet relief4 ,thou art our rest in toil and sweat1 ,refreshment in excessive heat1 ,and solace in our grief4 ,o sacred ,light1 shoot home ,thy darts1 ,oh1 pierce the centre of these hearts1 ,whose faith aspires to ,thee4 ,without ,thy ,godhead nothing can ,have any price or worth in man2 ,nothing can harmless be4 ,lord1 wash our sinful stains away1 ,water from heaven our barren clay2 ,our wounds and bruises heal4 ,to ,thy sweet yoke our stiff necks bend1 ,to inflame our cold hearts ,thy fire send2 ,our wandering feet repel4 ,oh1 grant ,thy faithful1 dearest ,lord1 ,whose only hope is ,thy sure word2 ,the seven gifts of ,thy ,spirit4 ,grant us in life to obey ,thy grace1 ,grant us in death to see ,thy face2 ,and endless joys inherit4 ,amen4 ,act ,of ,oblation ,to ,the ,holy ,ghost4 ,on my knees1 before the great cloud of witnesses1 ,i offer myself1 soul and body1 to ,thee1 eternal ,spirit of ,god4 ,i adore the brightness of ,thy purity2 the unerring keenness of ,thy justice2 and the might of ,thy love4 ,thou art the strength and the light of my soul4 ,in ,thee ,i live and move and am4 ,i desire never to grieve ,thee by unfaithfulness to grace2 and ,i pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against ,thee4 ,make me faithful in every thought3 and grant that ,i may always listen to ,thy voice1 and watch for ,thy light1 and follow ,thy gracious inspirations4 ,i cling to ,thee1 and give myself to ,thee1 and ask ,thee by ,thy compassion to watch over me in my weakness4 ,holding the pierced feet of ,jesus1 and looking at ,his five wounds and trusting to ,his precious blood1 and adoring ,his opened side and stricken ,heart1 ,i implore ,thee1 adorable ,spirit1 helper of my infirmity1 so to keep me in ,thy grace that ,i may never sin against ,thee with the sin which ,thou canst not forgive4 ,give me grace1 ,o ,holy ,ghost1 ,spirit of the ,father and the ,son1 to say to ,thee1 always and everywhere1 speak1 ,lord1 for ,thy servant heareth4 ,amen4 ,the ,office of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,at ,matins4 ,v4 ,the grace of the ,holy ,ghost illuminate our senses and hearts4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,o ,lord1 open ,thou my lips4 ,r4 ,and my mouth shall declare ,thy praise4 ,v4 ,incline unto my aid1 ,o ,god4 ,r4 ,o ,lord1 make haste to help me4 ,glory be to the ,father1 and to the ,son1 and to the ,holy ,ghost4 ,as it was in the beginning1 is now1 and ever shall be1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,hymn4 ,the ,holy ,ghost our souls invest ,with grace that does o'ershade the best ,of ,virgin maids1 when from the spheres ,an angel came to greet her ears4 ,the ,word divine did flesh become1 ,and fruitful made a virgin womb4 ,ant4 ,come1 ,holy ,ghost1 replenish the hearts of ,thy faithful1 and kindle in them the fire of ,thy love4 ,v4 ,send forth ,thy ,spirit1 and they shall be created4 ,r4 ,and ,thou shalt renew the face of the earth4 ,prayer4 ,we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 that the virtue of ,thy ,holy ,spirit may be present within us1 which may both purify our hearts1 and defend us from all adversities2 through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 ,who with ,thee and the same ,holy ,ghost liveth and reigneth4 ,amen4 ,at ,prime4 ,v4 ,the grace of1 etc4 7as before74 ,hymn4 ,christ1 born of ,mary1 that blest ,maid1 ,was crucified1 was dead1 was laid ,within a tomb1 from whence ,he rose1 ,and did ,his person soon disclose ,to ,his disciples1 in whose sight ,he soar'd above the starry height4 ,the anthem1 verse1 response1 and prayer as before4 ,at ,tierce4 ,v4 ,the grace of1 etc4 7as before74 ,hymn4 ,god sent from heaven the ,holy ,ghost ,upon the day of ,pentecost2 ,he did the apostles' minds inspire1 ,inflaming them with tongues of fire4 ,he would not have them orphans left1 ,when of the sight of ,christ bereft4 ,the anthem1 verse1 response1 and prayer as before4 ,at ,sext4 ,v4 ,the grace of1 etc4 7as before74 ,hymn4 ,with sevenfold grace ,god did enrich ,the apostles1 then1 by means of which ,they did both speak and understand ,the language of each distant land4 ,to preach ,christ's faith they then disperse ,themselves throughout the universe4 ,the anthem1 verse1 response1 and prayer as before4 ,at ,none4 ,v4 ,the grace of1 etc4 7as before74 ,hymn4 ,the consoling ,spirit ,he ,entitled was true charity1 ,the gift of ,god1 a fire inflamed1 ,the vivifying fountain named1 ,a spiritual unction1 sevenfold grace1 ,a free gift of celestial race4 ,the anthem1 verse1 response1 and prayer as before4 ,at ,vespers4 ,v4 ,the grace of1 etc4 7as before74 ,hymn4 ,the right hand finger of ,our ,lord1 ,his spiritual power to us afford ,a safe defence against all evil1 ,that harm'd we be not by the devil4 ,protect us1 nourish us1 and bring ,us under shelter of ,thy wing4 ,the anthem1 verse1 response1 and prayer as before4 ,at ,compline4 ,v4 ,the grace of1 etc4 7as before74 ,v4 ,convert us1 ,o ,god ,our ,saviour3 ,r4 ,and avert ,thy anger from us4 ,v4 ,incline unto my aid1 ,o ,god4 ,r4 ,o ,lord1 make haste to help me4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,hymn4 ,vouchsafe1 ,o holy ,paraclete1 ,to pour into our souls ,thy light1 ,and to direct us in our ways1 ,that when to judgment ,god shall raise ,the sleeping world1 ,he bid us stand ,upon ,his right and saving hand4 ,the anthem1 verse1 response1 and prayer as before4 ,commendation4 ,these hours canonical1 to ,thee1 ,o ,holy ,ghost1 addressed be1 ,with piously devoted heart4 ,that to our souls ,thou mayest impart ,thy inspirations1 and that we ,may live in heaven eternally4 ,amen4 ,novena to the ,holy ,ghost4 ,first ,day3 ,fruits ,of ,charity ,and ,joy4 ,veni ,creator4 ,let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most ,holy ,trinity1 and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed ,lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at ,jerusalem1 let us say one ,our ,father and one ,hail ,mary1 to obtain1 by the merits of ,jesus ascended1 the fruits of the ,holy ,ghost--charity and joy4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,o most holy ,spirit1 the ,paraclete1 we adore ,thee with all humility2 and with the most lively affections of our hearts1 we beseech ,thee to assist us in this ,thy novena1 that we may rightly prepare ourselves to receive ,thy heavenly gifts4 ,we cannot1 ,o divine ,spirit1 receive ,thee without ,thine own aid preventing us4 ,without ,thee we cannot please ,thee4 ,do ,thou then1 ,who didst prepare the heart of ,mary to receive the ,word ,incarnate1 vouchsafe so to dispose our hearts that we may happily conceive the blessed flames of ,thy love4 ,amen4 ,o let us fall and worship ,him1 ,the love of ,sire and ,son1 ,the consubstantial breath of ,god1 ,the coeternal ,one6 ,ah6 see1 how like the ,incarnate ,word1 ,his blessed self ,he lowers ,to dwell with us invisibly1 ,and make ,his riches ours4 ,most loving ,spirit6 ,mighty ,god6 ,sweet must ,thy presence be1 ,if loss of ,jesus can be gain1 ,so long as we have ,thee6 ,come1 ,holy ,spirit1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 and kindle in them the fire of ,thy love4 ,v4 ,send forth ,thy spirit1 and they shall be created4 ,r4 ,and ,thou shalt renew the face of the earth4 ,burn1 ,o ,lord1 with the fire of ,thy ,holy ,spirit our reins and our hearts1 that we may serve ,thee with chaste bodies1 and please ,thee with clean hearts2 through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,in the unity of the same4 ,amen4 ,may the blessing of almighty ,god1 the ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost1 descend upon us now1 and abide with us always4 ,amen4 ,second ,day3 ,fruits ,of ,peace ,and ,patience4 ,veni ,creator4 ,let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most ,holy ,trinity1 and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed ,lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at ,jerusalem1 let us say one ,our ,father and one ,hail ,mary1 to obtain1 by the merits of ,jesus ascended1 the fruits of the ,holy ,ghost--peace and patience4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,o sweetest and most dear ,mother ,mary1 behold us at thy feet1 and having kissed them a thousand times with the lips of our hearts1 we humbly implore of thee a favor more needful for us than all else in the world4 ,since thou art the spouse of the ,holy ,ghost1 the dispenser of ,his treasures1 and ,his sweet stewardess1 since thou hast been enriched beyond all other creatures with ,his heavenly gifts1 obtain for us1 as thou didst obtain for the apostles1 ,his coming into our hearts2 and for this end obtain for us the grace to imitate1 so far as in us lies1 the examples of thy humility1 thy purity1 thy charity4 ,amen4 ,o let us fall and worship ,him1 etc4 ,come1 ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,send forth ,thy ,spirit1 etc4 ,o ,god1 to ,whom every heart is open and every will speaketh1 and from ,whom no secrets are hid1 cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the infusion of the ,holy ,ghost1 that we may perfectly love ,thee and worthily praise ,thee2 through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,in the unity of the same4 ,amen4 ,may the blessing1 etc4 ,third ,day3 ,fruits ,of ,benignity ,and ,goodness4 ,veni ,creator4 ,let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most ,holy ,trinity1 and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed ,lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at ,jerusalem1 let us say one ,our ,father and one ,hail ,mary1 to obtain1 by the merits of ,jesus ascended1 the fruits of the ,holy ,ghost--benignity and goodness4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,most holy prince of the apostles1 blessed ,st4 ,peter1 behold us at thy feet1 to implore thy aid in obtaining the ,holy ,spirit4 ,we1 indeed1 have been unfaithful to ,our ,redeemer1 not three times only1 as thou wert1 but thousands and thousands of times2 so that we could not hope that the spotless ,dove would vouchsafe to descend into our poor souls1 stained with so many sins2 yet thine example1 blessed apostle1 gives us boldness4 ,thou didst weep bitterly1 and with thy tears wert so cleaned as to receive all the gifts of the divine ,paraclete4 ,we too desire to bewail our sins with bitterest grief like thine1 while we humbly implore thine intercession to obtain for us1 first of all1 cleanness of heart1 and then the gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 for which we yearn most earnestly4 ,amen4 ,o let us fall and worship ,him1 etc4 ,come1 ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,send forth ,thy ,spirit1 etc4 ,o ,god1 ,who hast taught the hearts of ,thy faithful by the light of the ,holy ,spirit1 grant us by the same ,spirit to think the things that be right1 and ever to rejoice in ,his consolations2 through the same ,jesus ,christ4 ,in the unity of the same4 ,amen4 ,may the blessing1 etc4 ,fourth ,day3 ,fruits ,of ,long,suffering ,and ,mildness4 ,veni ,creator4 ,let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most ,holy ,trinity1 and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed ,lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at ,jerusalem1 let us say one ,our ,father and one ,hail ,mary1 to obtain1 by the merits of ,jesus ascended1 the fruits of the ,holy ,ghost--longsuffering and mildness4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,o blessed and happy apostles of ,our ,lord1 who in the upper room did receive the ,holy ,spirit with such fulness that thou wert sweetly inebriated with divine love1 we congratulate thee with the most humble and lively affection1 and contemplate thy graces with a holy envy4 ,we beseech thee1 by that love which thou dost bear the ,holy ,spirit1 ,who thus filled thee with ,his special benedictions1 obtain for us efficacious aid rightly to practise that brotherly concord1 that continual prayer1 and that tender devotion to ,mary1 whereby we can obtain1 even as thou didst obtain1 the coming of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,amen4 ,o let us fall and worship ,him1 etc4 ,come1 ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,send forth ,thy ,spirit1 etc4 ,may the infusion of the ,holy ,spirit1 ,o ,lord1 purify our hearts1 and by the inward sprinkling of ,his gracious dew make them fertile in all good works2 through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,in the unity of the same4 ,amen4 ,may the blessing1 etc4 ,fifth ,day3 ,fruits ,of ,faith ,and ,modesty4 ,veni ,creator4 ,let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most ,holy ,trinity1 and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed ,lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at ,jerusalem1 let us say one ,our ,father and one ,hail ,mary1 to obtain1 by the merits of ,jesus ascended1 the fruits of the ,holy ,ghost--faith and modesty4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,o eternal ,father1 how shall we ever bless and praise ,thee sufficiently1 or thank ,thy goodness as we ought8 ,a thousand times blessed be ,thine infinite charity1 ,thine infinite providence1 and ,thine infinite mercy1 which moved ,thee to repair our miseries1 and to give unto us a gift wherein is contained all the good that proceedeth from ,thee6 ,thou hast given us also the ,holy ,ghost1 ,who proceedeth from ,thy will as ,thine uncreated love4 ,what can we seek for more8 ,and what shall we give unto ,thee for so great a gift8 ,o ,lord1 vouchsafe1 we beseech ,thee1 of ,thy clemency to take for ,thine own all our understanding1 all our will1 all ourselves1 and that little for all eternity4 ,amen4 ,o let us fall and worship ,him1 etc4 ,come1 ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,send forth ,thy ,spirit1 etc4 ,we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 that the ,paraclete1 ,who proceedeth from ,thee1 may enlighten our minds1 and1 according to the promise of ,thy ,son1 may lead us into all truth2 through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,in the unity of the same4 ,amen4 ,may the blessing1 etc4 ,sixth ,day3 ,fruits ,of ,continence ,and ,chastity4 ,veni ,creator4 ,let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most ,holy ,trinity1 and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed ,lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at ,jerusalem1 let us say one ,our ,father and one ,hail ,mary1 to obtain1 by the merits of ,jesus ascended1 the fruits of the ,holy ,ghost--continence and chastity4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,most holy1 most divine ,spirit1 if there be any souls in the world more needful of ,thine aid than others1 it is surely ours1 blinded by passions1 chilled with obstinate lukewarmness1 and defiled with a thousand imperfections4 ,come1 then1 ,o divine ,spirit6 come and enlighten us2 kindle our fervor1 and destroy in us all that is displeasing in ,thy sight4 ,the greater our miseries are1 so much the more glorious will be ,thy triumph over our perversity4 ,come and create in us new hearts1 which shall have all for ,god1 and nothing for the world4 ,create in us clean hearts1 ,o ,god4 ,amen4 ,o let us fall and worship ,him1 etc4 ,come1 ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,send forth ,thy ,spirit1 etc4 ,grant unto ,thy ,church1 ,o merciful ,god1 that she1 being gathered together in the ,holy ,spirit1 may be in no wise disturbed by the incursions of her enemies2 through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,in the unity of the same4 ,amen4 ,may the blessing1 etc4 ,seventh ,day3 ,descent ,of ,the ,holy ,ghost ,upon ,mary ,at ,the ,annunciation4 ,veni ,creator4 ,let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most ,holy ,trinity1 and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed ,lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at ,jerusalem1 let us say one ,our ,father and one ,hail ,mary in honor of the descent of the ,holy ,ghost upon the everblessed ,mother of ,god at the ,annunciation4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,most divine ,spirit1 the ,paraclete1 we hardly dare to beseech ,thee to come into our souls1 knowing well how sinful and defiled they are4 ,it seems an intolerable boldness to invite ,god--yea1 no less a one than ,god6--to be a guest in a lodging so unclean4 ,yet ,thou vouchsafest graciously to reassure us by that infinite goodness of ,thine1 whereby ,thou dost dispose with ,thy prevenient graces those hearts which ,thou dost condescend to honor with ,thy presence4 ,o blessed ,spirit1 deign to come into us1 and delay not ,thy gracious coming1 while we cease not calling upon ,thee and beseeching ,thee to console us with ,thy longexpected coming4 ,amen4 ,o let us fall and worship ,him1 etc4 ,come1 ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,send forth ,thy ,spirit1 etc4 ,we beseech ,thee of ,thy goodness1 ,o ,lord1 to pour into our minds the ,holy ,spirit1 by ,whose wisdom we were created1 and by ,whose providence we are ruled2 through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,in the unity of the same4 ,amen4 ,may the blessing1 etc4 ,eighth ,day3 ,descent ,of ,the ,holy ,ghost ,upon ,jesus ,at ,the ,jordan4 ,veni ,creator4 ,let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most ,holy ,trinity1 and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed ,lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at ,jerusalem1 let us say one ,our ,father and one ,hail ,mary in honor of the descent of the ,holy ,ghost upon ,jesus at the ,jordan4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,most adorable ,trinity1 we venture with all humility and awe to approach the lofty throne of your exalted majesty2 with our heads prostrated in the dust we adore you1 and give you endless thanks for the immense blessings which you have bestowed on us miserable men4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,o eternal ,father1 and ,thee1 ,o divine ,son1 for the gift which you have given us of the ,holy ,ghost2 for in giving us this ,love1 ,who proceedeth from you1 you have given us your own selves4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,o ,holy ,ghost1 ,who art at once the gift and the giver of all gifts1 and we most earnestly beseech ,thee to give us ,thyself4 ,no other gift but ,thine own self can satisfy our souls1 and having ,thee alone we shall have all things4 ,but what can we give ,thee in exchange for so great benefits8 ,o blessed ,spirit1 vouchsafe of ,thy mercy to accept for all eternity all our thoughts1 all our affections1 and all ourselves4 ,amen4 ,o let us fall and worship ,him1 etc4 ,come1 ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,send forth ,thy ,spirit1 etc4 ,grant1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 that we may burn with that fire of the ,holy ,ghost which ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ sent upon the earth1 and which ,he desired to be vehemently enkindled2 through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,in the unity of the same4 ,amen4 ,may the blessing1 etc4 ,ninth ,day3 ,transfiguration ,and ,ascension ,of ,our ,lord1 ,and ,the ,manifestations ,of ,the ,holy ,ghost4 ,veni ,creator4 ,let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most ,holy ,trinity1 and uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed ,lady and the holy apostles in the upper room at ,jerusalem1 let us say one ,our ,father and one ,hail ,mary in honor of the transfiguration and ascension of our most dear ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ1 and of the ineffable love of the ,holy ,ghost in all ,his manifestations to ,his creatures4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,most holy ,virgin and exalted ,mother of ,god1 who wast above all creatures disposed to receive the ,holy ,ghost1 and who didst receive ,him with greater fulness than all others2 dispose1 we beseech thee1 by thy gracious aid1 our cold hearts for the approaching solemnity of ,pentecost4 ,we fly to thee1 most benignant ,mother of sinners1 that thou mayest obtain for us a lively contrition for our sins2 so that although we cannot receive the ,holy ,ghost1 as innocent1 like thyself1 yet may we receive ,him as true penitents1 together with those ,gentile penitents who received ,him in the upper room4 ,grant this1 most holy ,mother1 not for our merits1 for we have none1 but out of thine own exceeding goodness1 and that great love which thou bearest to the same blessed ,spirit1 ,who hast chosen thee for ,his ,spouse4 ,amen4 ,o let us fall and worship ,him1 etc4 ,come1 ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,v4 and ,r4 ,send forth ,thy ,spirit1 etc4 ,grant1 we beseech ,thee1 almighty ,god1 that the splendor of ,thy brightness may shine upon us2 and that the light of ,thy light may1 by the illumination of the ,holy ,spirit1 confirm the hearts of those who by grace are regenerate2 through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,in the unity of the same4 ,amen4 ,may the blessing of almighty ,god1 ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost1 descend upon us1 and remain with us always4 ,amen4 ,,september4 ,,the ,,immaculate ,,heart ,,of ,,mary4 ,this month is generally devoted to the consideration of the ,heart of ,mary and her ,seven ,dolors4 ,not only should we have a special devotion to the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 but there are good reasons for us to have a devotion to the heart of ,mary1 so full of love for us1 and to her dolors in connection with the redemption of mankind4 ,her life was full of sorrow1 because she was actuated by the same sentiments as ,our ,lord in ,his desire to redeem us from the slavery of ,satan4 ,what heart1 in fact1 has ever been so intimately identified with that of ,jesus as was ,mary's8 ,he died on the cross1 and ,mary stood beneath it1 faithful to the end4 ,our ,lord1 in ,his thirty years' ministry1 labored among the people1 preaching and healing the sick1 and ,mary was certainly in perfect sympathy with ,him in ,his great work4 ,we are struck with the adorable goodness of ,his divine ,heart1 and for the same reason we are attracted to the heart of ,mary4 ,we will1 then1 during this month of ,september1 pray to the heart of our beloved ,mother1 setting before our minds the goodness of that loving heart towards her children in this vale of tears4 ,let us love and honor these two hearts so intimately united2 let us go to ,god the ,father through the ,heart of ,jesus3 and to the divine ,saviour through the heart of ,mary4 ,we can obtain all things from the ,father and the ,holy ,ghost through the ,heart of ,jesus2 and all things from the ,son through the heart of ,his blessed ,mother4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,nowhere in the ,old ,testament1 do we approach ,god more closely than in the book of ,job1 where we see the great prophet of ,god enduring so patiently the many sufferings that ,god has permitted2 and nowhere do we recognize ,him as the great ,father good and kind to ,his children as in the same book4 ,job was a figure of ,christ4 ,there is something very holy in suffering endured in compliance to the will of ,god4 ,today1 then1 we are to begin to think of ,mary's sorrowful heart1 and we will contemplate how the mysterious ways of ,providence1 the love of ,god1 ,his mercy and kindness1 inflicts chastisements on the ,mother of ,his much loved ,son4 ,in the silence of the thirty years of ,christ on earth1 in the silence of the hours of agony on the cross1 and in the silence of ,mary underneath the cross1 we will see the silence of a heart filled with sorrow1 which ,god is imposing on ,his children for the good of mankind4 ,the ,church sets before our minds the seven sorrows of ,mary1 telling us the principal causes of her great grief in the life of ,jesus4 ,prayer4 ,o heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 ,i consecrate to thee my heart6 ,thou shalt be the object of my veneration1 love and confidence2 ,i will pay thee my devotions every day2 ,i will celebrate thy feasts with joy2 ,i will proclaim thy greatness and thy goodness without ceasing4 ,i will neglect no means of obtaining for thee the honor and the homage which are due unto thee4 ,i will bring all the thoughts and affections of my heart into conformity with thine1 and ,i will make it my duty to imitate thy virtues1 especially thy purity and thy humility4 ,vouchsafe1 ,o ,mary1 to open thy heart and receive me therein4 ,amen4 ,second ,day4 ,mary's sole enjoyment in this world was the presence of her divine ,son4 ,one never reads of her enjoying what the world calls recreation4 ,the life of ,mary was full of deep love and holy virtue1 and when trials came she patiently and sweetly endured them for the love of ,god4 ,it was meet1 she knew1 that she should suffer1 for her intimate connection with the ,son of ,god made suffering necessary4 ,the first sword of sorrow which pierced her heart were the words of ,simeon in the ,temple4 ,when the days of her purification were passed1 ,mary1 according to the ,law of ,moses1 came to the ,temple1 bearing in her arms the ,infant ,jesus4 ,the spirit of ,god manifested in ,jesus and ,mary was a spirit of obedience to the ,law of the time in which they lived4 ,in comparison to ,mary1 the angels' purity became dim1 and still she subjected herself to the ceremony of purification4 ,the law presupposed impurity1 but in ,mary we know that there was not the least stain of sin or imperfection4 ,humbly she carried the ,lord to the ,temple2 and humbly1 too1 ,joseph walked by her side1 bearing the two turtle doves for a sacrifice and a ransom for the ,child ,jesus1 which was also according to the ,law4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,third ,day4 ,the aged arms of the feeble old priest embraced the ,child1 and all turned to enter the building4 ,simeon bore the weight of the ,creator of heaven and earth1 yet stood erect1 strengthened and consoled4 ,the advent of that ,child must have given the old man a manifestation of the greatness and the glory of heaven1 and unspeakable joy must have shone forth from his countenance4 ,then old ,simeon remembered the revelation which he had received from the ,holy ,spirit3 that he would not see death until he had held in his arms the anointed of the ,lord2 and now he bears ,him1 a feeble child4 ,he finds it hard to return that precious burden to ,mary1 who stands there with motherly solicitude1 yearning to receive back again her beloved ,child4 ,but the floodgates of thanks to almighty ,god have been opened1 and ,simeon's heart and lips break forth in a most sublime and prophetic song4 ,zachary sang his ,benedictus at the circumcision of ,st4 ,john2 ,mary sang her ,magnificat at ,elizabeth's home1 and now ,simeon pours forth his soul in a sublime prayer3 8,now ,thou dost dismiss ,thy servant1 ,o ,lord1 according to ,thy word in peace3 because my eyes have seen ,thy salvation1 which ,thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples3 a light to the revelation of the ,gentiles1 and the glory of ,thy people ,israel40 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,fourth ,day4 ,but now he changes his words of joy into a sorrowful prophecy2 the aged priest proceeds1 8,behold1 this ,child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in ,israel1 and for a sign which shall be contradicted3 and thy own soul a sword shall pierce that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed40 ,mary was silent1 but a cloud of fear for the future passed over her1 as ,simeon foretold all that was to afflict her4 ,this was her first sorrow3 to be told that her ,child was to be set for the fall and redemption of many4 ,a sea of trouble flooded the soul of ,mary2 it seemed as if ,jesus ,himself was causing that sorrow1 and sent it directly into her heart4 ,but ,mary was brave1 as she was through all her sorrows2 there was no change in her4 ,the ,light of the world had burst out1 in the arms of ,simeon1 and then followed a dreadful darkness4 ,suddenly ,mary found herself far from the joys of ,bethlehem in the darkness of ,golgotha1 but she was just as resigned in her sorrow as she was content in her joy4 ,mary understood now that the life of her divine ,son was to be a constant martyrdom1 and that the end of it would be the death on the cross4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,fifth ,day4 ,this was the great sacrifice that ,mary made of her beloved ,son4 ,she was resigned to the will of ,god1 though she knew the unavoidable future4 ,she had given to ,god a sacrifice in every way equal to ,god2 never had such a sacrifice been made from the beginning of the world4 ,she had surpassed the angels in constant prayer1 she had made a more acceptable offering than the ancient priests of ,god3 because here was offered to ,god1 ,jesus ,christ1 the ,second ,person of the ,blessed ,trinity1 and the equal of ,god the ,father4 ,it was in sympathy with her divine ,son and out of love for mankind that ,mary offered this holy sacrifice4 ,he was her ,son1 and yet1 from this moment1 she was not to possess ,him as her own2 she was only to guard the ,victim for the day of the great sacrifice4 ,mary knew that it was not for her joy and consolation that ,jesus was born2 it was for a higher purpose that ,he came into the world4 ,she resigned all the joy ,his coming brought to her1 and offered ,him a sacrifice to almighty ,god4 ,her heart is full of wounds as she sees the persecutions of the ,jews1 the infidelity and hardness of heart of many4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,sixth ,day4 ,what lessons may we draw from the first sorrow of ,mary--from the prophecy of ,simeon1 which changed her whole future life8 ,the sorrows of ,mary lasted all her lifetime2 she suffered without looking for consolation2 she suffered in the depth of her heart1 supported only by ,god's goodness4 ,mary's griefs were intimately united to the sufferings of ,jesus2 her sorrows were caused by ,his sufferings1 and with these ,mary was in perfect sympathy4 ,it is in this way that we should live1 and suffer our trials and troubles in perfect union with those of ,jesus ,christ1 ,our ,lord and ,saviour4 ,we can make of them a perfect sacrifice to ,god1 simply because they are connected with a little pain4 ,we must consider ourselves happy if ,god chastises us in this world1 because ,he intends to make us better2 we suffer because we have sinned2 sin claims a punishment and we should be satisfied to be punished for our sins1 and to give some atonement for them2 they can hardly be called sacrifices when they are wellmerited punishments4 ,still it is possible1 even while we justly suffer for our sins1 to make our sufferings more meritorious by uniting them to those of ,our ,lord4 ,with joy we can look up to the ,mother of sorrows1 and suffer1 like her1 with patience and resignation4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,seventh ,day4 ,the second sword of sorrow that pierced the heart of ,mary was the flight into ,egypt4 ,simeon was the author and instrument in the hand of ,god of the first sorrow2 ,joseph was the great figure in her second sorrow4 ,it seems to heighten whatever sufferings we may have to undergo when they are caused by those whom we love4 ,this was the case now1 and this sword of sorrow was so much the more cruel as the visitation did not seem to come from ,god1 but from the cruelty of men4 ,in this sorrow the hand of man was raised against the ,lord1 to put ,him out of the way4 ,it was like the crucifixion on ,mount ,calvary1 for ,his death was intended1 and on ,calvary really executed4 ,mary and ,joseph had to make arrangements for the hasty journey to an unknown country1 in order to guard the ,infant ,jesus from the persecutions of ,herod4 ,mary had to go to a country where there was no worship of the true ,god2 there were temples only of impure idolatry4 ,alone1 destitute1 and wandering about1 there was no human consolation in this exile2 she was deprived of the practice of her religion1 her spirit yearned after the courts of the house of ,god1 with the multitude of worshippers gathered there on feast days2 she loved the ceremonies of the old synagogue4 ,in this secret sorrow she passed the days of her exile1 until ,god relieved her by permitting her to return4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,eighth ,day4 ,the most sorrowful feeling produced in the heart of ,mary by her exile in ,egypt1 was caused by the thought of the hatred man had conceived against the ,lord4 ,this adorable ,child carefully concealed every manifestation of ,his divine power4 ,there was never on this earth a more lovable object than this ,child1 and yet man had turned against ,him from the very first moment of ,his birth4 ,it caused her heart great suffering to see that mankind did not appreciate the presence of the ,incarnate ,word2 that it neglected the consideration of ,god's goodness towards it4 ,but how much more does she suffer when she beholds ,him an object of persecution6 ,he is a fugitive from the society of those very people whom ,he comes to save4 ,all this ,mary must have felt2 for she loved her divine ,son with a great natural love1 and watched over ,him with motherly solicitude4 ,she loved ,him also with a divine love1 for she knew ,he was the ,son of ,god1 the ,redeemer of mankind4 ,this second sword of sorrow was not the transient realization of a mystery1 which took place and then was over4 ,no1 it was a lasting sorrow1 spreading itself over her whole life1 for that persecution lasted until ,he died on the cross amid the shouts of an unfeeling people4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,ninth ,day4 ,the flight into ,egypt has ever been a fruitful source of meditation for devout souls2 it is a beautiful but at the same time a sorrowful event in the life of ,christ4 ,we1 the descendants of the heathens1 date ,god's visitation to us from this time1 because ,our ,lord fled from ,his own people and visited those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death4 ,with ,his presence ,he sanctified the heathen country1 and with it all the dark continents of the world where ,god's name was not known4 ,amid these benighted people ,he1 at least for a time1 found a refuge and found peace4 ,the three ,wise ,men had departed for their own country without notifying ,herod of the success of their search for the ,king of ,jerusalem4 ,this stirred up his cruel spirit1 and with a murderous will he tried to destroy the ,child4 ,the streets of ,bethlehem were stained with the blood of the little ones1 but the ,child ,jesus1 as we know1 was not harmed4 ,what a sorrow was caused by the coming of ,christ6 ,mary knew of it1 for the sound of the wailings of desolate mothers had been carried to her ears1 and her heart must have been touched by their cries4 ,but to these children what a happy day it was1 on which they gave their lives for the ,infant ,jesus6 ,it was their baptism of blood2 the world was in sorrow1 but there was joy in heaven4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,tenth ,day4 ,at the command of the angel1 ,mary and ,joseph took the ,child1 and promptly entered upon their journey to ,egypt4 ,without anxiety for the future1 they were in no trepidation at leaving ,bethlehem4 ,mary wrapped the ,child in clothing to protect ,him from the cold and pressed ,him to her bosom2 they then went forth into the starlit night4 ,poverty has not many preparations to make4 ,the secret path which they took in this flight was one indicated by ,providence4 ,they at length arrived on the way that led to the desert1 passed the boundaries of the land of ,palestine1 and wandered then1 quietly on1 until they appeared but moving specks on the wide expanse of the sands4 ,joseph and ,mary cared tenderly for the ,infant ,jesus on their journey4 ,he was the object of their continual love4 ,only scanty provisions had they taken with them1 and water was scarce in such a region4 ,at last they came to the shores of the ,red ,sea1 and saw the waters that rolled between their own country and their destination4 ,the ,holy ,family remained several years in ,egypt1 until the cruel tyrant1 ,herod1 had died4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,the angel of the ,lord again came to ,joseph1 and bade him take the ,child and its ,mother and return to the land of ,israel1 for those who had sought after ,his life were dead4 ,nobody took much notice of their departure2 the ,holy ,family were too insignificant from a human point of view to trouble any one4 ,they made the journey back again through the desert with the same difficulties besetting the way1 until at length their eyes fell on the hills of their own country3 that land which ,god had chosen for ,his people4 ,they would gladly have entered ,jerusalem on their way to ,nazareth1 but ,archelaus1 the son of ,herod1 was reigning there1 and ,joseph considered it prudent to avoid that city4 ,no doubt he had recourse to prayer for enlightenment what to do1 and had received a response from heaven that he should continue without delay his journey to ,galilee2 then their journeyings were to be at an end1 and they could live peaceably and without fear in ,nazareth1 a home chosen by ,god for the sojourn of ,his divine ,son for nearly thirty years4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,in this sorrow of the ,blessed ,virgin1 her flight into ,egypt1 we should call to our mind first of all1 the poverty and destitution of the ,holy ,family in their exile4 ,we would not be her devout and loving children1 nor would we be followers of the ,lord1 unless we showed a sympathy for the sufferings endured during this event of ,our ,lord's life2 unless we impressed them on our minds by pious meditation4 ,this poverty which the ,blessed ,virgin endured was a part of her sorrows1 and we1 her children1 will not forget what she must have felt for ,our ,lord in these reduced circumstances4 ,think of the hot winds of the desert1 and the thirst they could not quench when1 weary and footsore1 they travelled on through that sandy waste4 ,another great concern of ,mary's was1 that the sins of mankind had deprived ,god of ,his glory in the incarnation of ,his divine ,son4 ,good souls feel this very much1 that ,god is not known and honored as ,he ought to be2 still there is no comparison between the feelings of the saints and that of the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,she lived a divine life1 and was intimately concerned in the providence of ,god1 and so felt the ingratitude of man all the more4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,what lesson may we draw from this second sorrow of ,mary in ,egypt8 ,an important one is this1 that sufferings and trials1 if they come from ,god1 are far better for us than great consolations4 ,to be well convinced of this truth we must be thoroughly imbued with a spirit of faith4 ,even pious people rebel when they think they suffer without having deserved it4 ,how many1 instead of profiting by tribulations1 become almost blasphemous in their murmuring against ,god6 ,we may be sure that the little troubles sent us by ,god1 rightly endured1 are better for our spiritual welfare than hours of prayer in which the feeling of consolation has a prominent part2 who knows whether this luxury which our souls enjoy is not the object that we look for1 without regard to our real good or the glory of ,god8 ,we also learn from the flight into ,egypt that we must not question the designs of ,providence in our sufferings4 ,would we find it amiss if ,god had worked miracles so that the ,holy ,family might at least have comfort8 ,but no1 ,he seemed to afflict them without mercy4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,the third sorrow that our blessed ,mother endured was the loss of the ,child ,jesus for three days4 ,according to the ,law1 the ,jews living in the neighborhood of the holy city had to make a pilgrimage three times a year1 in order to celebrate the great feasts4 ,they had to go on the feast of the ,pasch1 which was instituted to commemorate the deliverance from the bondage of ,egypt2 the second feast was that of the weeks1 corresponding to our ,pentecost1 and the third feast was the feast of the tabernacles1 where the devout of the nation thanked ,god for all the mercies shown them during the year4 ,it was at one of these feasts of the ,passover1 or ,pasch1 that ,jesus1 ,mary1 and ,joseph journeyed to ,jerusalem4 ,the ,pasch must have been a feast of peculiar significance to the members of the ,holy ,family1 for they knew what it really meant to them4 ,there was to come a ,pasch at which the principal actor of the feast would be ,jesus1 ,our ,lord4 ,he certainly had that last ,passover before ,his mind1 and no doubt ,st4 ,joseph was also informed of the future4 ,mary1 certainly1 could not be ignorant of that great event in the future life of her divine ,son4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,as they journeyed on to ,jerusalem1 that future ,passover of the sorrowful ,passion must have been pictured vividly in their minds4 ,they saw the boy of twelve years at their side1 and they loved the ,saviour of mankind with a sincere1 adoring love2 more and more did they love their good ,jesus1 ,who was already making a sacrifice of ,himself to ,his heavenly ,father4 ,they remained during the days of the feast in the neighborhood of the ,temple1 fulfilling the duties of their religion2 and when the time came for their departure1 ,mary and ,joseph travelled separately1 ,joseph with the men and ,mary with the women4 ,mary thought that ,jesus was with ,joseph1 and ,joseph thought that ,he was with ,mary4 ,they journeyed a whole day without being aware of ,his absence2 but when evening came and they1 on inquiry1 found that the ,child was not with them1 they were overwhelmed with grief4 ,they returned to ,jerusalem1 and for three days sought ,him through the city2 at length1 on the third day1 they went to the ,temple1 and there they found the divine ,child1 sitting among the doctors1 as the ,scriptures say1 teaching them1 and asking them questions4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,during the days of ,his sojourn in ,jerusalem1 what was the occupation of the ,lord8 ,he prayed long and fervently in that ,temple1 in that ,holy of holies1 in that house which ,his ,father had chosen as ,his dwellingplace on earth4 ,our ,lord's whole occupation was prayer4 ,he prayed for the people of ,god1 that they might acknowledge ,him as the ,redeemer of mankind4 ,the doctors of the ,law were there1 picturing to themselves and to their audience the greatness of the coming ,messias1 from the very ,scriptures which described ,his humiliations and modesty4 ,did ,our ,lord set them right by making them explain the discrepancies which they could not help noticing in the prophecies8 ,the modesty of the ,lord won all hearts1 and so ,his time passed in the service of ,god4 ,mary and ,joseph ran with joy to their beloved ,son1 and the ,mother1 embracing ,him1 remonstrated with ,him1 saying1 8,son1 why hast ,thou done so to us8 ,behold1 ,thy father and ,i have sought ,thee1 sorrowing40 ,then ,he answered1 8,did you not know that ,i must be about ,my ,father's business80 ,he then went home to ,nazareth with them1 there to continue to do the will of ,his ,father4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,the sorrow of this event consisted mainly in the fact that ,mary and ,joseph had lost1 perhaps through their own fault1 the ,child ,jesus4 ,they did not know whether it would be according to divine ,providence that ,he would ever return to them2 they thought that perhaps ,he had gone to the desert1 as had ,st4 ,john4 ,this separation caused ,mary terrible agony4 ,it shows us how hard it is to lose ,jesus1 ,our ,lord1 because ,he is absolutely necessary to us4 ,by sin we lose ,jesus2 by love we regain ,him1 and the danger that we may again lose ,him is enough to make us feel very sad4 ,mary's great suffering in this separation makes us understand the magnitude of the evil of losing ,jesus4 ,but how little do we feel that separation1 especially when it is caused by our sins6 ,it is always our own fault when ,jesus goes away from us4 ,he would not leave us1 only that we force ,him from us1 and the means we use to conquer ,god1 to make ,him capitulate1 is sin4 ,to bring ,him back again we must be active in our search1 regret the evil we have done1 and weep tears of real sorrow4 ,thus we invite our friend ,jesus back again into our soul4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,let us now consider the fourth sword of sorrow which pierced the heart of ,mary4 ,no wonder we venerate in ,mary a goodness of heart so great4 ,we have seen how this noble heart has been moved by the contemplation of the future sorrows of her ,son2 how she was so intimately united with ,him1 that she suffered for our sake as ,he did4 ,and we know that ,our ,lord suffered and died for no other cause than our redemption4 ,in the fourth sorrow we come closer to the ,passion4 ,we are transferred to the time when ,jesus1 after the ,last ,supper1 was apprehended by the cohort1 judged by ,pilate1 and delivered over to the ,jews for crucifixion4 ,the cross was laid on ,his bleeding shoulders1 and1 crushed under its weight1 ,he painfully makes ,his way towards ,calvary in company1 or rather in a procession of curiosity seekers1 of friends and of foes2 the object of derision to some1 of pity to others4 ,on ,his journey ,he meets ,his holy ,mother4 ,the cruel soldiers allow the meeting1 and a temporary rest4 ,a painful scene takes place between the ,mother1 and the ,son ,who is being led to execution4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,mary enjoyed the wonderful grace of being intimately united with ,our ,lord in ,his sufferings4 ,she was present in spirit when ,jesus was in the agony in the ,garden of ,gethsemani4 ,she knew of the betrayal of ,judas2 she felt the ingratitude of that apostle1 and the pain it gave the good ,master4 ,mary sympathized with ,jesus when ,he was scourged and cruelly treated the night of ,his ,passion4 ,she could count the strokes of the scourges2 she saw the soldiers crown ,him with thorns and strike ,him in the face4 ,she knew that ,our ,lord was placed before the people that they might look on ,his miserable condition1 and feel compassion for ,him2 and she heard the voice of ,pilate1 8,behold the man60 ,she heard the mob demand ,his death1 not satisfied by the tortures inflicted upon ,him4 ,into the depths of her soul went the cry1 8,crucify ,him1 crucify ,him6 ,his blood be upon us1 and upon our children40 ,st4 ,john1 the beloved disciple1 came at last to the ,blessed ,virgin1 and brought the news of the condemnation of the ,lord and of ,his immediate crucifixion2 they went out to meet ,him in ,his painful journey to ,calvary4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,we have seen how sufferings of the ,lord were communicated to ,mary4 ,mary's tears are mingled with ,his4 ,have we no share in them8 ,are we not to think of them1 and feel them8 ,we have been the cause of ,mary's sufferings1 because being sinners we brought about the death of ,jesus ,christ4 ,should we not then1 when we have recognized this fact1 make the contemplation a source of shame1 repentance1 and sorrow8 ,we have been the cause of this grief to ,mary1 and certainly we should1 at least1 have a devotion to her sorrowful heart4 ,how can we do this better than by performing all our daily actions for the greater glory of ,god8 ,every day is a step nearer eternity1 and every day we should meet ,jesus1 and work with ,him4 ,when we are in doubt and perplexity ,jesus approaches us of ,his own accord1 as ,he did the disciples on their way to ,emmaus4 ,what crosses shall we meet on our way each day8 ,we know not4 ,but this we know1 that when we meet ,jesus1 we will meet our cross1 for ,he is bearing ,his4 ,how many meet the ,lord1 but turn away from ,him when they see ,him in such a pitiable condition8 ,they would rather be with ,him in ,his joy than in ,his sorrow4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,the world is a mystery4 ,life1 death1 time1 good1 evil and miseries1 are mysteries to us4 ,the crucifix is the solution of them all4 ,it is a consoling contemplation when we are in trouble4 ,when we have sinned it brings tears of repentance to our eyes1 and gives us the hope of salvation2 it is a source of love2 it is a light in darkness2 it is a solemn exhortation without words4 ,o blessed cross1 cause of the fifth sorrow to ,mary6 help us to have a joy in the cross in this life1 that we may be led by it to a happy eternity4 ,the way of the cross is now ended2 the summit of ,mount ,calvary is reached about midday4 ,the city of ,david is close by and the crown of glory of this city is now to be taken away4 ,but the life of ,christ is to crown it by its end1 making it a still holier city than it ever has been4 ,the soldiers tear the garments off the body of ,jesus1 and prepare for the execution by nailing ,him to the cross4 ,mary hears the strokes of the hammer as the nails are driven through ,his hands and feet into the wood4 ,every stroke is a dreadful wound inflicted on her sorrowing heart2 who should feel it more than this ,mother witnessing the execution of her ,son8 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,the first hour of the three during which the ,lord hung on the cross was passed in silent endurance2 in prayer1 in offering the sacrifice of ,his life for all mankind4 ,then darkness begins to gather4 ,mary approaches the cross1 and stands near the suffering ,saviour4 ,the executioners mock ,him1 they cast lots for ,his garments2 their cruel words and their coarse jokes fall on ,mary's ears and fill her soul with pain4 ,mary was to see and feel everything1 as well as the ,lord4 ,the whole hour passed1 and ,jesus was silent2 the second hour began its martyrdom and we hear the voice of ,christ1 8,father1 forgive them1 for they know not what they do10 a prayer which soothed the heart of ,mary1 for it was the voice of mercy4 ,the third hour ,jesus began to grow weaker2 the loss of blood produced a great thirst1 and ,he cried out1 8,i thirst40 ,and ,mary knew that ,jesus thirsted for souls2 and that she could help this thirst by her prayers4 ,thus during those three hours ,mary stood beneath the cross2 it was the fifth sword of sorrow that pierced her soul4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,at this time ,mary became our ,mother1 for ,jesus recommended us to her in the person of ,st4 ,john2 it was ,his last will and testament2 it was the end of thirty years' communication between ,mother and ,son4 ,mary1 like ,jesus1 had at heart the salvation of mankind1 and now she feels authorized to have an interest in all humanity4 ,she takes all under her protection2 new sources of inexhaustible love were opened in her heart4 ,our ,lord gave her the grace to love humankind as ,he loved them4 ,another circumstance to be considered in the sword of sorrow which ,mary endured beneath the cross was her silence4 ,she did not faint1 nor cry out in despair4 ,she was perfectly resigned to the will of ,god4 ,what ,god demanded of her she performed without a murmur1 and so she stood at her sorrowful post1 determined to do ,his holy will as she had done it all her life2 the more ,god asked of her1 the more she was willing to give4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,there is a great lesson in this sorrow of ,mary3 that we must learn how to bear our crosses in this life4 ,we must not throw them away2 we must not come down from ,calvary until we are crucified1 and then we and the cross are inseparable4 ,calvary is a place where much impatience is manifested2 many go up well enough1 and carry their cross with perseverance1 but when it comes to lie down on that cross1 and be nailed to it1 they go away again1 forgetting their duty1 though it was duty that brought them that far2 they are only halfcrucified souls4 ,we do not rob them of the merit of what they have done1 but they might have done more4 ,they have lost their courage because they did not observe the silence that ,jesus preserved in ,his crucifixion2 they were too much distracted2 silence is the atmosphere of the cross4 ,we shall contemplate two individuals on ,calvary3 ,jesus and ,mary4 ,they teach us how to die4 ,jesus would certainly have spared ,his ,mother the scenes of ,his sufferings unless it were good for her to witness them4 ,she is to be with ,jesus in ,his hour of death2 she is also to be with us in our last hour4 ,then we too will thirst1 and our soul will yearn for strength1 which we will draw from the last sacraments and from ,mary's presence4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,we can never understand the crucifixion unless we study it under ,mary's guidance1 because she is part of it and it cannot be represented without her4 ,oh1 let us have a filial pity for her in her sorrows2 let us feel a sympathy for her1 especially as she stands beneath the cross4 ,let us pray to this sorrowful ,mother1 and imitate her in the very important lesson there taught3 that is1 to pray for the poor departing souls4 ,every moment1 throughout the world1 several souls pass from this life2 it is their last opportunity to make their peace with ,god4 ,let us have the devotion1 which is so charitable1 to pray for the departing souls and recommend them to the mercy of ,god4 ,if our prayers may be effective for a special grace in their regard1 why should we not pray with fervor and for the love of ,god8 ,send ,mary to them2 she is continually saving souls4 ,we also should be zealous to save them by frequently praying to ,god for this intention4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,the sixth sorrow in the life of the ,blessed ,virgin was the taking down of ,our ,lord from the cross4 ,we read in the ,scriptures1 8,they shall look upon ,him ,whom they have pierced40 ,joseph of ,arimathea and ,nicodemus boldly1 as is said1 went to ,pilate1 and demanded the body of ,christ1 that they might give ,him a decent burial4 ,they drew the nails from the wounds of the hands and feet of ,our ,lord1 and respectfully took ,him down from the cross and placed ,him in the arms of ,mary4 ,with great respect did these men and their servants approach the cross and handle the body4 ,who can describe their feelings during the pious work in which they were engaged8 ,it was like the respect and adoration we show to the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,each instrument of the ,passion1 still moist with the blood of ,jesus1 was laid near the sorrowful ,mother1 who kissed them and preserved them4 ,who had a better right to them8 ,they were the first and holiest relics which the ,church venerated4 ,now the body has been lowered far enough1 that ,st4 ,john may let ,his head rest on his shoulder4 ,mary knelt1 and stretching out her arms she received the precious weight of ,his body on her breast4 ,at last she held ,him again1 ,whom as an ,infant she had fondled in her arms6 ,o ,mary1 now thou lookest upon the beautiful but disfigured face of thy ,jesus6 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,we must admire in ,mary her wonderful steadfastness in her terrible sorrows4 ,she might have allowed herself to be so overwhelmed with grief and despair that she would break out into shrieks and lamentations to relieve her heart2 but she was a silent1 kind1 sweet sufferer4 ,the saints have always loved the ,passion of ,our ,lord1 and have become familiar with it4 ,mary was familiar with it2 she had suffered just this very torture1 long before receiving the body of her beloved ,son in her arms after the crucifixion4 ,she knew it was the will of ,god1 and that was the only thing she regarded4 ,she was resigned to its operations4 ,we too must think of the ,passion of ,our ,lord1 and meditate upon it until we grow as familiar with it1 and love it1 as did the saints4 ,why should we do so8 ,because we have sinned1 and by sin have caused all these sufferings to ,our ,lord and to ,his blessed ,mother1 ,mary4 ,she was innocent of the sufferings of her ,son2 she had never committed a fault4 ,we1 who are guilty of sin1 ought to do penance1 ought to suffer1 and be resigned to both4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,the burial of ,our ,lord was the source of the seventh sorrow of ,mary4 ,when the tomb had been prepared1 the sheets spread out1 and the ointments placed1 ,joseph1 ,nicodemus1 ,john1 ,magdalen1 and ,mary1 the ,mother1 in the depth of the night wended their way slowly from the height of ,calvary1 to the burial place of ,joseph1 which was just outside the walls of the city4 ,everything at the burial proceeded with great care and caution and in silence1 the scene lit up by the dim light of a solitary torch4 ,there lay the body1 pale in death2 the eyes closed1 the lips set4 ,all bent down in adoration before that adorable body4 ,joseph1 then1 with the help of the others1 rolled the stone to the mouth of the tomb1 and silently went to the city4 ,mary and ,john again visited the place of crucifixion1 and gathered up the nails and crown of thorns2 they also1 that ,friday night1 went into the city of ,jerusalem4 ,the guard of soldiers sent by ,pilate were already at the tomb1 and sealed the stone so that the least interference might be detected4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,what was particularly sorrowful1 in this seventh affliction1 was the great sense of desertion that ,mary felt1 as if left by ,god2 her good and adorable ,son gone from her sight and buried4 ,the days of the ,passion1 the death and the burial1 must have so exhausted the life of the good ,virgin that now she was near giving up the spirit4 ,every suffering that she had to endure seemed to culminate in this supreme moment4 ,it is the last sword of ,simeon's prophecy4 ,no one can describe the sufferings of ,mary1 and no one can describe the sanctity with which she bore up in all these trials4 ,but1 ,o ,simeon1 thou didst assert that having seen the ,lord1 thou wert now ready to leave this world4 ,but this last sorrow did not announce the end to ,mary2 she was to suffer on for years4 ,there seems to be nothing human or frail in ,mary's sufferings4 ,her character grows upon us1 in nobility most exalted1 and in patience never wavering4 ,man shows his feebleness at some time1 but ,mary seemed to grow stronger1 purer1 and more beautiful4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,what lessons are we to learn from this seventh sorrow of ,mary1 the culmination of all her troubles and trials8 ,one is that we should love ,god and be faithful to ,him1 with a more unselfish attachment4 ,mary left the tomb in which ,our ,lord was hidden from her sight without a murmur1 resigned to the will of ,god4 ,she might have persuaded herself that she should remain there1 but ,god desired it otherwise1 and she departed from the place which held her all4 ,it is hard1 but true1 that ,god's will must be done in everything4 ,another lesson from the contemplation of the sorrow caused by the separation from ,our ,lord was the bitterness of the separation4 ,oh1 how bitter it is to be away from ,jesus6 ,is there anything to make up for that loss8 ,terrible is the darkness of the hour when ,christ is absent4 ,it is a hell upon earth4 ,and thus we have made a history of the life of ,mary1 and have followed her through her wearisome pain1 until now we leave her ripe for heaven4 ,the time has come in which ,god will call her to an eternity of honor and glory4 ,prayer4 ,o ,heart of ,mary1 ,i offer1 etc41 etc4 ,exercise in ,honor of the ,sorrowful ,heart of ,mary4 ,v4 ,incline unto my aid1 ,o ,god4 ,r4 ,o ,lord1 make haste to help me4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 #a4 ,o most sorrowful ,mary1 ,i compassionate the grief of thy tender heart at the prophecy of the holy old man ,simeon4 ,o beloved ,mother1 through that afflicted heart obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of ,god4 ,hail ,mary4 #b4 ,o most sorrowful ,mary1 ,i compassionate those afflictions which thy most sensitive heart endured during the flight into ,egypt and the dwelling there4 ,o beloved ,mother1 by thy deeply troubled heart obtain for me the virtue of liberality1 especially towards the poor1 and the true gift of piety4 ,hail ,mary4 #c4 ,o most sorrowful ,mary1 ,i compassionate that intense distress which thy anxious heart experienced in the loss of thy dearest ,jesus4 ,o beloved ,mother1 by that deeply troubled heart obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge4 ,hail ,mary4 #d4 ,o most sorrowful ,mary1 ,i compassionate the consternation which thy maternal heart experienced when thou didst meet ,jesus bearing ,his cross4 ,o beloved ,mother1 by that deeply troubled heart obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude4 ,hail ,mary4 #e4 ,o most sorrowful ,mary1 ,i compassionate that martyrdom which thy generous heart endured in witnessing the last agony of ,jesus4 ,o beloved ,mother1 by that martyred heart obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel4 ,hail ,mary4 #f4 ,o most sorrowful ,mary1 ,i compassionate that wound which thy mournful heart endured from the lance which tore the side of ,jesus and wounded ,his most loving ,heart4 ,o beloved ,mother1 by thy pierced heart obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding4 ,hail ,mary4 #g4 ,o most sorrowful ,mary1 ,i compassionate the convulsion which thy most loving heart experienced at the burial of ,jesus4 ,o beloved ,mother1 by this extreme grief of thy sacred heart obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom4 ,hail ,mary4 ,v4 ,pray for us1 ,o most sorrowful ,virgin4 ,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promises of ,christ4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,grant1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 ,thy ,mother1 may intercede for us with ,thy clemency1 now and at the hour of our death1 who at the hour of ,thy ,passion was pierced in her most holy soul by the sword of sorrow2 grant this1 ,o ,jesus ,christ1 ,saviour of the world1 ,who1 with the ,father and the ,holy ,ghost1 liveth and reigneth1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,a perpetual indulgence of three hundred days1 applicable to the dead1 to all ,christians every time they shall recite the above exercise in honor of the sorrowful heart of the most holy ,virgin4 ,rosary or ,chaplet of the ,seven ,dolors4 ,act ,of ,contrition4 ,o my ,lord1 ,thou ,who alone art most worthy of my love1 behold me standing before ,thy divine presence utterly overwhelmed by the many grievous injuries ,i have done ,thee4 ,i ask ,thy pardon for them with my whole heart1 repenting of them purely for love of ,thee1 and1 at the thought of ,thy great goodness1 hating and loathing them above all other evils of this life4 ,as ,i would rather have died a thousand times than have offended ,thee1 so now ,i am most firmly resolved to lose my life rather than offend ,thee again4 ,my crucified ,jesus1 ,i firmly purpose to cleanse my soul as soon as possible by ,thy most precious blood in the ,sacrament of ,penance4 ,and thou1 most tender ,virgin1 ,mother of mercy and ,refuge of sinners1 do thou obtain for me the pardon of sin by virtue of thy bitter pains2 whilst praying according to the mind of so many holy ,pontiffs in order to obtain the indulgences granted to this1 thy holy ,rosary1 ,i hope thereby to obtain remission of all pains due to my sins4 ,amen4 ,first ,dolor3 ,the prophecy of ,simeon4 ,one ,our ,father and seven ,hail ,marys4 ,second ,dolor3 ,the flight into ,egypt4 ,one ,our ,father and seven ,hail ,marys4 ,third ,dolor3 ,the loss of ,jesus4 ,one ,our ,father and seven ,hail ,marys4 ,fourth ,dolor3 ,her meeting ,jesus carrying ,his cross4 ,one ,our ,father and seven ,hail ,marys4 ,fifth ,dolor3 ,her standing beneath the cross on ,calvary4 ,one ,our ,father and seven ,hail ,marys4 ,sixth ,dolor3 ,her receiving on her lap the sacred body of ,jesus4 ,one ,our ,father and seven ,hail ,marys4 ,seventh ,dolor3 ,her witnessing the burial of the sacred body of ,her ,son4 ,one ,our ,father and seven ,hail ,marys4 ,in honor of the tears shed by ,our ,lady in these dolors1 three ,hail ,marys4 ,v4 ,pray for us1 ,o most sorrowful ,virgin4 ,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promises of ,christ4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,grant1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that the ,blessed ,virgin1 ,thy ,mother1 may intercede for us with ,thy clemency1 now and at the hour of our death1 who in the hour of ,thy ,passion was pierced in her most holy soul by the sword of sorrow2 grant this1 ,o ,jesus ,christ1 ,saviour of the world1 who with the ,father and the ,holy ,ghost1 liveth and reigneth1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,,october4 ,,the ,,angels4 ,both in the ,old and in the ,new ,testaments the ,holy ,scriptures teach us that the angels exist and protect us3 many examples are cited and facts related1 from which we may conclude that this is so4 ,true1 we do not see the angels1 and rare are the actual manifestations of their power1 or their existence2 hence some people deny that order of spirits4 ,but by a merciful dispensation of divine ,providence1 we know that the angels are active among us1 that they shield us from evil1 and draw heavenly favors upon us4 ,they are ever ready to serve ,god2 there are also spirits who care for each individual on earth--guardian angels4 ,suarez is of opinion that ,our ,lord1 in ,his adorable humanity1 had a number of angels to wait on ,him4 ,our guardian angel does his work not less effectively1 for ,our ,lord tells us to be in dread of scandalizing a child1 because of his angel who is always at his side4 ,at the time of the birth of ,our ,lord a multitude of the heavenly choir sang1 8,glory to ,god on high1 and peace to men of goodwill40 ,during this month we celebrate the feast of the angel guardian2 it has been considered so important that the whole month is set aside to the devotion of the angels4 ,the ,church encourages us in this devotion1 for in the breviary she has authorized a votive office in honor of these heavenly spirits1 on every ,monday when there is no special festival to be celebrated1 so that we may be continually reminded of the great truth that our guardian angel is always at our side4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,the name angel means a messenger2 this name is given to these spirits because they have been used by almighty ,god for that duty2 they have been sent by ,god to disclose ,his will to man4 ,god could1 of course1 do ,his will by ,his own power4 ,he needs no angel1 but for that matter ,he needs no creature4 ,still1 in ,his infinite kindness1 ,he called rational creatures into existence1 and has given them a most honorable employment4 ,their ordinary work is like what our own will be1 or like that of the saints now in heaven3 8to see1 love1 bless1 and enjoy ,god forever by a blessed immortality40 ,penetrate1 then1 in your mind1 the eternity of time1 when ,god in ,his love created pure rational creatures1 who had a spirit like ,his own1 intelligence unencumbered with a body1 and having no necessities4 ,he placed them near ,his throne in heaven1 and now they announce in their celestial adornments the omnipotence1 love1 and wisdom of their almighty ,creator4 ,they sing perpetually of the sanctity of ,god1 and render ,him glory4 8,holy1 holy1 holy1 is the ,lord ,god of armies40 ,hence the ,council of ,lateran teaches authoritatively1 8,god created together1 at the beginning of time1 out of nothing1 both classes of creatures1 spiritual and corporal1 the angelic and material1 and then the human40 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 my guardian dear1 ,to whom ,his love commits me here4 ,ever this day be at my side1 ,to light1 to guard1 to rule1 and guide4 ,second ,day4 ,god1 says the great preacher ,bossuet1 wished to create spirits like ,himself1 pure and immaterial1 living by intelligence and love4 ,spirits that would know and love ,him as ,he knows ,himself and loves ,himself1 and who would be happy in simply knowing and loving this first great ,being4 ,for that very reason they bear on their natures a divine character1 after ,god's image and likeness4 ,o ,god1 who can doubt that ,thou could create spirits without a body8 or is there need of a body that one might understand1 love and be happy8 ,thou1 ,o ,god1 ,who art ,thyself a pure spirit1 art ,thou not incorporal and immaterial8 ,are not intelligence and love spiritual and immaterial operations1 which can be exercised without a body8 ,the creation of the angels1 then1 was a manifestation of ,god's omnipotence1 as it is also omnipotence to call human individuals into existence1 and to give them knowledge1 so that they can serve and glorify ,god4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,third ,day4 ,the angels are part of the universal creation outside of ,god1 and were created in the beginning of time4 ,st4 ,thomas1 the great theologian1 says 8,the angels are a part of the universal creation1 and form a regular grade in that creation40 ,now no part can be perfect when separated from its belongings1 and we are sure ,god's works are perfect2 but the angelic world would have stood by itself1 separated and isolated from the rest of creation1 if it had been made before the sensible world4 ,the number of angels is very great4 ,god did not stint ,himself in giving lavishly of ,his benefits4 ,these pure spirits inhabit space1 and move about in choirs of immense numbers4 8,thousands upon thousands ministered to ,him1 and ten thousand times a hundred thousand stood before ,him40--,dan4 vii4 #aj4 ,these figures certainly point to an almost infinite number4 ,count if you can the sands on the seashore1 the stars in the firmament1 and when you think you have reached a definite calculation1 you are far below the real existing number4 ,god pours out lavishly the abundance of ,his omnipotence and love4 ,prodigality is a characteristic of all the divine works4 ,we cannot meditate on the countless multitude of the angels without astonishment4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,fourth ,day4 ,god has not made all the angels alike4 ,we know from the ,scriptures that there are distinctions which we do not exactly understand4 ,some are angels1 others archangels1 others dominations1 virtues1 etc4 ,st4 ,jerome writes1 8,among the invisible creatures there is a manifold and an indefinite diversity40 ,it is natural to suppose that not only did ,god exert ,his omnipotence in the production of myriads of beautiful spirits1 not only did ,he make them the most perfect of their kind for the purpose for which they were intended1 but that ,he also diversified them4 ,god almighty not only gave these intellectual beings existence1 but ,he also gave them a knowledge by which1 with their own intelligence1 they could rise to a most exalted contemplation of ,his infinity4 ,what glory do not these intelligent beings bring to ,god's throne6 ,what beautiful homage do they not pour forth in ,his presence6 ,what exultation there must be in their study of ,god1 constantly discovering something new and unnoticed1 going deeper and deeper into the depths of the wonders of ,god6 ,let us also rejoice with the angels1 and love to study the adorable perfections of ,god3 let us be fond of reading of and hearing about ,god4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,fifth ,day4 ,the angels speak to one another1 and their conversation is concerning holy things4 ,the ,scriptures tell us that the seraphim cry 8one to another1 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 the ,lord ,god of hosts40--,isa4 vi4 #c4 ,the angels also speak to ,god in prayer and adoration2 they praise ,his power1 they extol ,his majesty1 they beseech ,his clemency1 they consult ,his wisdom4 ,and they can also speak to men1 as the archangel ,gabriel did to ,mary4 ,faber tells us1 in wonderful words1 what he thought of the power of the angels3 8,cast your eye over that outspread ocean1 whose shores lie so faintly and far off in the almost infinite distance4 ,it gleams like restless silver1 quivering with life1 and yet such multitudinous life6 ,it flashes the light with intolerable magnificence4 ,its unity is numberless1 its life is purest light4 ,into the bosom of its vastness the glory of ,god shines down1 and the universe is illuminated with its refulgence4 ,it is an ocean of life4 ,who can count the sum of being that is there8 ,who but ,god can fathom its unsearchable caverns8 ,what created eye but is dazzled with the blazing splendor of its capacious surface8 ,grand storms of voiceless praise hang over it forever1 whose very silence thrills the soul of the human saints40 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,sixth ,day4 ,the power of the angels is immense4 ,the ,scriptures tell us that they destroyed ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 by raining fire and brimstone upon them4 ,they destroyed the army of ,sennacherib1 when every soldier felt the keen edge of the angel's sword2 they strangled the firstborn of the ,egyptian people in one night4 ,the devil1 by permission from ,god1 raised storms that tore down the houses in which ,job's sons and daughters were feasting1 burying all in the ruins4 ,he afflicted ,job with a most filthy disease1 and robbed him of all his possessions to try to make him revolt against ,god4 ,when ,our ,lord freed those who were possessed by the devil1 the evil spirit asked to be permitted to enter a herd of swine1 and when it had received the permission the swine rushed headlong down the hill into the sea and were destroyed4 ,if then1 the power of these spirits is so great for evil1 the angels are more powerful for good4 ,we will be friends with our good angels whom ,god has sent to perform favors for us--favors both temporal and spiritual2 we will hate the devil1 and with the help of ,god's grace resist his power4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,seventh ,day4 ,the angelic world is most beautiful4 ,st4 ,augustine says in his 8,city of ,god10 8,the angelic world in its natural dignity surpasses all other things the ,lord has made4 ,consider this intelligence by which they know so many things so perfectly1 the great power by which they can do good to their fellowcreatures1 the brightness of those wonderful spirits shining like the glorious luminaries of our universe1 the wonderful gifts which almighty ,god furnished them1 and we have a picture of such harmonious glory that all the beauty of the world1 all the magnificent actions of the human kind1 dwindle into insignificance before this great creation of angelic spirits40 ,in ,ezechiel we read of the admirable beauty of the devil that had fallen3 8,thou wast the seal of resemblance1 full of wisdom1 and perfect in beauty4 ,thou wast in the pleasures of the paradise of ,god3 every precious stone was thy covering 444 gold the work of thy beauty3 444 ,thou wast a cherub stretching out thy wings and covering1 and ,i set thee in the holy mountain of ,god1 thou hast walked in the midst of the stones of fire4 ,thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day of thy creation1 until iniquity was found in thee40--,ezech4 #abae4 ,and ,isaias the prophet exclaimed with regret at the fall of ,lucifer1 8,how art thou fallen from heaven1 ,o ,lucifer1 who didst arise as the morning40 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,eighth ,day4 ,faber speaks in the following terms of the rational creatures of ,god1 including men and angels3 8,god became a ,king by becoming a ,creator4 ,thus ,he gained an empire over which ,his insatiable love might rule40 ,nature is very beautiful1 whether we think of angelic or human nature4 ,created nature is a shadow of the uncreated nature1 so real and so bright that we cannot think of it without exceeding reverence4 ,yet ,god created neither men nor angels in a state of nature4 ,this is1 to my mind1 the most wonderful and most suggestive thing which we know about ,god4 ,he would have no reasonable nature1 even from the very first1 which should not be partaker of ,his divine nature4 ,this is the very meaning of the state of grace4 ,he would not have it to breathe for one instant in a merely natural way4 ,the very act of creation was full of fondness1 of paternal jealousy4 ,o that majesty of ,god1 which seems clothed with such wonderful tranquillity in the eternity before the creation6 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,ninth day4 ,not only do the angels praise almighty ,god1 pray to ,him1 and converse with ,him1 but they do it much more effectually than we do because of their greater purity1 and because they know ,god better than we do4 ,hence the question might be asked1 what do the angels know of ,god1 and of religion as it is among us8 ,the answer is that they know what we know1 and much more2 still there are some things too great because too infinite1 even for the intelligence of angels4 ,can the angels understand ,god8 ,no1 indeed4 ,god is infinite1 and no finite mind can comprehend ,him4 ,they know that ,god is one1 because even we1 in our inferior intelligence1 know that there can be but one ,god2 they know too1 that there are three divine persons1 but it will ever remain a mystery to them as well as to us1 because it is a truth of such infinite dimensions2 but they understand it much more distinctly than we do4 ,it is probable that the angels knew the mystery of the incarnation by divine revelation1 and they believed in it4 ,st4 ,thomas and other theologians are of opinion that the bad angels fell because they would not submit to the belief in the hypostatic union4 ,it was therefore fitting1 for the glory and honor of the ,son of ,god1 ,who was to be made flesh1 that the angels should know this mystery4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,tenth ,day4 ,father ,faber speaks thus of their knowledge of the precious blood during their term of probation3 8,the angels wonder more than man at the goodness of ,god in sending us ,his divine ,son to die for us1 because they understand it better4 ,from the very first ,he invited the angels to adore it4 ,he made their adoration a double exercise of humility--of humility towards ,himself1 and of humility towards us1 their fellowcreatures4 ,it was the test to which ,he put their loyalty4 ,he showed them ,his beloved ,son1 the ,second ,person of the ,blessed ,trinity1 in ,his sacred humanity1 united to a nature lower than theirs1 and in that lower nature crowned their ,king and ,head1 to be worshipped by them with absolute and unconditional adoration4 ,the ,son of a human ,mother was to be their head1 and that daughter of ,eve to be herself their ,queen4 ,he showed them in that blood the source of all their graces40 ,the precious blood was as the dew of the whole kingdom of the angels4 ,well1 then1 may the angels claim to sing the song of the ,lamb3 to ,whose outpoured human life they also owed so much4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,the angels merited the crown of a happy eternity in union with ,god3 8,for he also1 that striveth for the mastery1 is not crowned except he striveth lawfully40--,tim4 ii4 #e4 ,such is the law of ,god1 not only for men but for angels also4 ,pope ,gelasius says1 8,that the angels were so constituted as to merit an increase of eternal glory1 is sufficiently indicated by the fact that they stood in need of nothing more1 that none of them could have committed evil40 ,and ,st4 ,prosper says of their trial1 8,it was the action of the will of the holy angels1 that while their companions with their own free will rebelled1 they themselves remained faithful in the dignity wherein ,god had placed them2 and hence it came to pass by a divine and most just judgment1 that what was only up to that a holy desire of remaining with ,god1 became thereafter a voluntary and a most blessed necessity of remaining with ,him forever40 ,we too should strive continually to merit our crown in heaven2 we are placed on trial here on this earth1 a place of pilgrimage1 and we should remain faithful to the conditions of that trial until our journey is over4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,almighty ,god loved ,his angels1 and made them ,his friends and favorites4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin is placed above them all1 as the ,church on the day of her assumption proclaims3 8,she is exalted above the choirs of angels in the heavenly kingdom40 ,here we have to adore the liberality of almighty ,god1 and the mysterious and adorable way in which ,he distributes ,his gifts4 ,he fashions the angels in a natural order1 and endows them with greater natural perfections than others4 ,next ,he raises them in the first instant of creation to the supernatural order by the gift of sanctifying grace4 ,then comes the time of probation1 and ,he confirms the good forever in glory1 bestows on them the beatific vision1 happiness1 enlightenment1 and splendor according to their acts1 but still more in proportion to the natural powers1 dignity1 and excellence of ,his own divine hand4 ,here indeed is the potter and the potter's clay spoken of by ,st4 ,paul4 ,to man ,god acts differently3 8,but the foolish things of the world hath ,god chosen that ,he may confound the wise3 and the weak things of the world hath ,god chosen1 that ,he may confound the strong 444 that no flesh should glory in ,his sight40--#b ,cor4 i4 #bgbi4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,oh1 what a glory1 what a happiness and consolation1 were granted to the angels when they had done the will of ,god6 ,god received ,his faithful followers with goodness and love1 and introduced them into ,his place of glory1 and there ,he manifested ,himself to them and will do so for all eternity4 ,and so the beautiful life of the angels in heaven may furnish us with ample materials for meditation4 ,our ,lord calls our attention to them when ,he bids us pray that we may do ,his will on earth1 as do the angels in heaven4 ,faber says1 8,grace is a better portion than nature for loving ,god2 by grace ,god can communicate ,himself to us supernaturally1 by it ,he gets more love from us1 and makes us more able to love ,him4 ,o that we had the hearts to know the meaning of this6 ,surely ,his love of us should be our measure of love for ,him4 ,well might ,st4 ,francis run about the woods crying out1 #8,oh1 ,god is not known6 ,god is not loved6' 0 ,the angels will ever remain in heaven1 loving and honoring ,god1 in supreme happiness1 in the infinite light of ,god ,himself4 ,let us also1 as some saints have done1 offer to ,god the love of the first choir of seraphim in reparation for all the outrages going on in the world4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,we have seen the great reward the good angels received for remaining faithful to ,god4 ,what did the bad angels lose by their infidelity8 ,it was to them a final impenitence1 which means the loss of the power of ever turning to ,god2 which will in its turn be an eternal regret at the loss of ,god4 ,listen to the sentence of the reprobate3 8,depart from ,me1 ye accursed1 into everlasting flames1 which was prepared for ,satan and his angels40 ,in ,holy ,scripture we often read of the worm that gnaws and dies not2 by this is meant the continual anguish and grief of a soul which has lost ,god--a passionate regret that will seize on it1 and never leave it1 because the loss is an everlasting one4 ,god spoke1 and the depths of hell sprang into existence4 ,bossuet says that the curse of ,god against the reprobate contains within itself an imprecation against the unhappy soul1 which tears out from the minutest fibres of its being all the capacity it once had to receive enjoyment from bliss1 as well as the power to perform the least good action capable of meriting any mercy4 ,this example of the fall of the angels should strike terror into our hearts1 and should incite us to pray to the good angels1 especially to our guardian angel1 so that we may ever remain faithful to the service of ,god4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,it is an inexhaustible subject1 the marvels which theology teaches of the holy angels2 who can properly describe the power of these pure spirits1 the greatness of their intelligence1 the fire of their holy love8 ,their graces1 their powers1 their gifts1 their operations1 their works1 are so diversified that it is with difficulty the mind of man can conceive them and intelligibly speak of them4 ,in several places in the ,scriptures we read of the choirs of angels1 archangels1 principalities1 powers1 virtues1 dominations1 thrones1 cherubim1 seraphim4 ,dionysius teaches that there are three orders of angels--three superior1 three inferior and three middle3 the superior1 cherubim1 seraphim1 and thrones2 the middle1 dominations1 principalities1 and powers2 the inferior1 virtues1 archangels and angels4 ,these names are given to them1 not for their own sake but for ours2 and the individual orders are called from the gifts of grace which they possess4 ,o that we realized that our future eternity is to be with the angels in heaven2 that our glory depends on our life here2 greater glory for greater work6 ,we should strive to deserve a great place in heaven for the glory of ,god4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,the angels are engaged in praising and loving ,god2 what this really includes who can tell8--or it means a variety of occupation and the greatest liberty of using their free will for the glory of ,god4 ,the angels occupy themselves according to the meaning of their names4 ,god1 in ,his relations to ,himself1 is represented by seraphim1 cherubim and thrones--angels that are devoted to ,his service particularly2 who rejoice not so much in doing their own will1 as they are happy in the close association with the splendor of ,god in heaven4 ,a seraph is a great1 pure angel1 who shines and burns in honor of ,god4 ,he represents the love of ,god2 that great love for ,his creatures which is forever active in our behalf4 ,the seraphs are put in the highest place1 as created representations of that wonderful attribute1 the charity of ,god for ,himself4 ,the cherubim are placed second2 they represent knowledge and wisdom3 8,he was the true light1 which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world40 ,this is ,jesus1 the ,second ,person of the ,blessed ,trinity1 represented by the cherubim4 ,the thrones represent ,god in ,his majesty1 sitting on ,his throne of glory in heaven4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,thus we may say that the seraphim represents the ,holy ,ghost2 the cherubim1 the ,word1 the ,son of ,god2 the thrones1 the ,father4 ,these choirs of angels are in the immediate presence of ,god4 ,they are before ,his throne1 and they see ,him day and night in ,his temple3 8and ,he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell over them40 ,m4 ,olier says3 8,the seraphim proceed from ,god1 as flames proceed from a furnace1 and their circle surround ,him as with a fiery blaze40 ,the cherubim are the rays of the divine wisdom1 and are1 so to say1 the eyes of ,god1 under which ,he seems to regard ,himself1 and all the external world4 ,the thrones are the image of ,his sanctity4 ,this hierarchy expresses the three great perfections which we adore in ,god1 namely3 ,his love1 ,his knowledge1 and ,his holiness4 ,these typify also those beautiful operations of grace whereby ,god draws to ,himself intelligent beings2 by detaching them from creatures and attaching them to ,himself1 enlightening them interiorly by ,his heavenly wisdom1 so that they freely follow the guidance of ,god1 and making ,his throne in their hearts1 in their affections1 abides there forever4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,let us consider today the angels of the second choir4 ,they are the dominations1 principalities and powers4 ,again their names are given to them for the virtues they represent1 and not from their angelic nature4 ,the three choirs of the first hierarchy were typical of the essential acts of ,god4 ,the three of the second represent the external acts of ,god4 ,the dominations represent the power of ,god4 ,he is the absolute ,lord of the universe2 ,he is the ,creator1 the ,maker1 and therefore the possessor of all that is4 ,the principalities govern the world1 under ,god1 and according to ,his divine providence4 8,by ,me kings reign1 and lawgivers decree just things40 ,hence the duty of this choir of angels is to praise ,god for the wisdom displayed in ,his ruling and legislating of the external creation4 ,the angels of power put the laws of ,god into execution4 ,they reward and punish2 they are the representatives of executive power4 ,they praise ,god in the power manifested in the carrying out of the laws impressed on the material and spiritual world4 ,should we not learn from these angels to praise the ,almighty in all ,he has done8 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,the third choir of the hierarchy of the angels are the virtues1 archangels1 and angels4 ,the virtues are the first of these1 and represent the acts of ,god towards individuals4 ,those works of ,god which surpass the power of man1 such as miracles1 or inward movements of grace1 are performed by the virtues of the ,most ,high2 they hold an intermediate station between heaven and earth4 ,archangels are the great messengers1 whom ,god has sent to ,his intelligent creation4 ,the name is given because the goodness and kindness of ,god have distinguished them from the myriads of other angels1 and given them an office1 that of bearing to men the words of ,god2 they also carry the prayers of the faithful on earth1 and lay them before ,god's throne in heaven2 and they are sent to conduct souls to the portals of heavenly bliss4 ,the archangels have the duty of protecting the ,church2 those who occupy high positions in the ,church or ,state are said to be under the guidance of an archangel4 ,in this manner the higher grade of archangels represents the higher degree of providence shown by ,god towards individuals4 ,let us unite ourselves with the choir of the archangels and praise ,god in them--those glorious spirits1 that have so perfectly conveyed ,god's messages to men4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,it is a belief which we may prove from the ,scriptures1 which is corroborated by many facts in the history of the world1 and by the belief of ancient people1 that ,god governs the world1 even the natural world1 through the agency of spirits2 to each of whom ,he was pleased to depute certain offices4 ,he made use of the good angels to maintain order in general1 to watch over empires1 to protect men1 to carry ,his blessings to them1 and to be the executives of ,his justice4 ,everywhere ,scripture recalls this wonderful ministry of the angels2 and there is not an epoch of time in which such a tradition did not exist4 ,we read in the ,gospel that ,our ,lord ,himself was tempted by the devil1 the fallen angel4 ,our blessed ,lord teaches us that little children are dearer to ,him than they are to their own mothers1 and ,he has appointed angels to be their guardians4 ,so great is a human soul in the eyes of ,god4 ,we have to struggle not alone against flesh and blood1 but against principalities and powers1 against those who have dominion in this world1 and against evil spirits scattered in the air4 ,but in this struggle we shall be assisted by the good spirits1 whom ,god commissions to look after ,his beloved creatures4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,in the book of the ,apocalypse1 we read of the activity of the angels4 ,we see them coming from heaven to earth2 they bring down from almighty ,god orders for salvation as well as for punishment2 hence the angels are called ministering spirits1 sent for the ministry of our salvation4 ,especially may we conceive that in the service of the ,church the angels are particularly active--that there are angels who intervene in the oblation1 and bear it to the sublime altar of ,jesus ,christ1 angels who are called angels of prayer1 and who present before ,god the petitions of the faithful4 ,st4 ,michael is the defender of the ,church4 ,the ancient ,jewish people were protected by ,st4 ,michael1 also4 ,other nations had their superior spirits1 which are mentioned in the ,scriptures as protectors2 for the prophet ,daniel speaks of the prince of the ,greeks1 the prince of the ,persians1 angels who preside spiritually and invisibly over these nations4 ,are we not also important as a nation1 in the designs of ,god8 ,whom has ,god appointed over the affairs of our country8 ,we know there is such a spirit2 let us pray to him even without knowing him1 for we are sure that our prayers will reach the one appointed by ,god to protect us4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,to each man an angel is appointed for his care3 this we can prove from the ,scriptures4 8,their angels in heaven always see the face of ,my ,father ,who is in heaven40--,matt4 xviii4 #aj4 ,st4 ,paul says1 8,are they not all ministering spirits1 sent to minister for them1 who shall receive the inheritance of salvation80--,heb4 i4 #ad4 ,fallen man needed some help1 and almighty ,god entrusted him to the care of the angels4 ,even ,god's power1 ,god's wisdom1 and ,god's mercy demand it4 ,first of all1 the power of ,god demanded that the angels should not only serve ,him1 but serve ,his glory in ,his creatures4 ,god's wisdom demanded that each human being coming into the world should receive a guardian2 for the devil has great power over us1 and we would not be able to battle against the devil or the flesh without help4 ,god desires to preserve ,his work3 hence ,god's mercy moves ,him in favor of the fallen or those in danger of a fall1 like unto a mother full of tenderness for her children4 ,god gave ,his only ,son for the redemption of mankind2 precious1 indeed1 then1 is this human soul1 if worthy to be purchased by the blood of the ,lamb2 certainly precious enough1 too1 to be guarded with care by a superior intelligence4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,not only the just1 but also sinners1 have guardian angels4 ,indeed it would appear that sinners and infidels need them more1 for the sinner is so wayward1 and yet ,god in ,his kindness wishes to bring him back to good ways1 and so the gentle persuasion of a guiding spirit is necessary4 ,the ,scriptures do not limit the attendance of the guardian angels to those only who are in a state of grace2 therefore it is likely that even after sin the ministering angel remains4 ,while we are good we hardly need the presence of a good spirit2 it is when we have turned to evil that we need that precious guide4 ,the belief that a guardian angel attends us ought to impress itself deeply on our minds2 we are never alone1 we are taken care of by the ministers of ,god ,our ,father1 and we have nothing to fear4 ,even though the world has turned against us1 and we are surrounded by trouble on all sides1 we are sure that this angel will bring comfort to us4 ,children should be taught from their early childhood that a guardian angel attends them2 it will have a very good effect in shaping their lives4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,the guardian angels have certain duties to perform1 and we can put them down in this wise4 ,first1 the angel guardian defends us from all evil4 ,he can put thoughts into our minds which will put us on our guard against sin4 ,second1 the angels oppose the cunning of the devil1 who wants to destroy us4 ,the devil argues in a very crafty manner1 and unless we are strengthened by the love and the goodness of ,god we would be led astray by the devil's superior intelligence4 ,but our guardian angel brings light to the mind1 and holds the soul in the desire of good4 ,third1 they offer our prayers to almighty ,god1 as we read in the ,apocalypse1 8,there was given to the angel much incense1 444 and the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints1 ascended up before ,god1 from the hand of the angel40 ,our angel intercedes for us with ,god with a personal and special interest1 and we1 on account of our great sinfulness1 need an angel to help us to obtain grace and mercy from almighty ,god4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,we do most assuredly deserve punishment from ,god1 because we do not behave ourselves as we should2 like a naughty child1 who1 notwithstanding good advice and most tender interest1 will go wrong1 be obstinate and sulky4 ,the good mother chastises the child in the same manner the spirit of ,god shows his disapprobation1 in a gentle manner1 for the angel of light would not resort to force1 as the demon does in his attacks4 ,we ought to be glad that we have a spirit of wisdom about us that will tell us of our sins2 that excites the qualms of conscience1 and will give us no rest until we make our peace with ,god4 ,we often turn a deaf ear to the entreaties of the good spirit2 we trample our conscience under foot and abuse it1 bring up reasons to combat its correction3 we argue with ourselves in obstinacy1 and being left alone1 who will gain the victory8 ,the devil and our evil inclinations will gain the day assuredly4 ,docility to the interior voice is a necessary quality for a good life2 to listen to ,god and spiritual influences ought to be1 to say the least1 the very natural consequence of a rational soul1 tending to ,god with all its power4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,the influence of the angels in bringing us to heaven should be marvellous for that purpose4 ,they have been assigned to our service1 to bring our wandering spirits back to ,god4 ,what a glorious conquest when an angel can snatch a soul from eternal perdition by his prayers and exertions6 ,if the devil is active to gain us1 would it not be against reason that the good angel would stand back and remain inactive8 ,the last hours of a man1 his judgment1 and entrance into heaven1 are the moments of the great and final duties of the guardian spirits2 and if the soul be detained in purgatory1 then the duty of the angel will be to offer the prayers of friends1 relatives and of the ,church to almighty ,god for the good of that soul4 ,and perhaps by the kind possibility of the mercy of ,god1 the angel will descend into the fires of purgatory and will speak consoling1 comforting1 and encouraging words to the soul whose greatest torment is the separation from ,god for a time1 until its purgation is complete4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god4 etc41 etc4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,st4 ,bonaventure has written extensively on the holy angels1 and has meditated on their ways4 ,it was a useful practice to him and helped to sanctify him4 ,he gives us twelve effects consequent to the duty of taking care of us1 which these angel guardians manifest and perform4 ,first1 they accuse of sin1 as we read in ,judges ii4 #a4 ,second1 they absolve from the debt of sin by inspiring sorrow in the soul1 and a firm purpose of amendment4 ,third1 they remove the obstacles that stand in the way of doing good2 for the angels strangled the firstborn of the ,egyptians1 who opposed the going away of the ,israelites4 ,fourth1 they drive away demons1 as is related in the twelfth chapter1 of ,tobias4 ,fifth1 they teach us in matters of religion4 ,sixth1 they reveal the secrets of ,god to us4 8,can ,i hide from ,abraham what ,i am about to do80--,gen4 xviii4 #ag4 ,seventh1 they console us4 ,eighth1 they strengthen us in the way of ,god4 ,ninth1 they convey and bring back1 as we read in ,tobias1 8,i will conduct him thither and bring him back to thee40 ,tenth1 they overthrow our enemies4--,is4 xxxvii4 ,eleventh1 they mitigate the violence of temptations4 ,twelfth1 they pray for us1 and bear our prayers to ,god4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,during this month we have thought of the nature of the angels1 and their work for human kind2 now let us reflect on what we ought to do in return for these attentions4 ,ought we let them pass1 accept them as a matter of course1 and pay no attention to them8 ,many do this4 ,yet we owe them something--how much1 is left almost to our own generosity4 ,we certainly owe them friendship2 they are our friends1 and are solicitous for our welfare4 ,if ,i have a friend that does a great deal for me1 supplies my wants1 and satisfies every wish of mine1 ,i am certainly proud of his friendship1 and ,i will seek every opportunity to be in his company4 ,so should we treat our truest friends--our guardian angels4 ,we should also reverence the angels1 because they are greater beings than we are2 they are the favorites and friends of ,god4 ,then we must have a devotion to them4 ,this devotion we are endeavoring to practice during the month of ,october4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,what goodness does not ,god evince in giving us angels to watch over us6 ,the princes of earth choose the most learned to train the heirs to the crown2 and ,god gives us guides full of wisdom1 science1 and purity4 ,he has deputed the princes of ,his court to watch over us4 ,what high ideas we should conceive of our dignity1 then1 and how we should realize that we are called to great sanctity6 ,even a mother's love cannot equal the angels'1 and when we go to heaven we will be astonished on reviewing their services4 ,st4 ,bernard exclaims1 8,o excess of goodness and love6 ,o admirable condescension6 ,he has given ,his angels charge over us40 ,the great ,god of heaven and earth has sent those elevated dignitaries of ,his heavenly court to watch over us1 poor miserable sinners4 ,why does ,he do this8 ,what can be ,his object in so caring for us8 ,it is to ,his goodness alone we owe all4 ,let us prove ourselves grateful1 then1 to ,him and to ,his holy angels1 and may we one day join them in their songs of praise and gladness6 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,st4 ,bernard teaches that we ought to honor and respect our angels on account of their excellence2 to love them for their care of us1 and to have recourse to them in all our necessities4 ,however weak or miserable we may be1 or however terrible the dangers that surround us1 we should not fear under the protection of such guardians4 ,there is no better way of securing the protection of the angels than by avoiding all sin1 but particularly mortal sin2 for when we are at enmity with ,god they are ready to exterminate us at ,his command4 ,but they will ever prove faithful friends to the servants of ,god4 ,how can the angels help loving and aiding those whom they know are dear to ,god8 ,our guardian angels often ward off accidents that would cut us off unprepared2 after interceding for us to prevent ,god from calling us out of life1 they try to make us bring forth worthy fruits of penance4 ,o holy angels1 ,i entreat you to extend your special care to me during the rest of my life1 that ,i may live in ,god's friendship and die in ,his love4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtyfirst ,day4 ,when the figure of this world shall have passed away1 the angels will come and call us to judgment2 every human being will then rise again1 and hasten to the valley of ,jehosaphat4 ,the good will go to the right side1 the wicked to the left1 the separation made by the angels4 ,then will the ,lord appear in the glory of heaven1 surrounded by ,his angels1 and the judgment will take place4 ,happy shall we be if we are judged to be as pure as the angels1 and will ascend with them to paradise1 ever to be associated with them4 ,then will come our exceeding great reward2 we shall see ,god face to face for all eternity4 ,we shall form choirs for the praise of the ,almighty1 alternating with the angels4 ,we shall know ,god1 love ,him1 rejoice in ,him1 and praise ,him4 ,then1 for the first time1 we shall love ,god above all things1 our joy shall be without measure because we shall have a particular joy for everything that is in ,god4 ,we will praise ,god with all our heart1 with all our strength1 with all our power1 with all our faculties4 8,happy are they that live in ,thy house1 ,o ,lord1 for they will praise ,thee forever and ever40 ,here youth never grows old2 here there is life that knows no end1 beauty that never fades1 love that never cools1 joy that never ceases4 ,let us then1 while on earth1 lead the life of angels1 be as pure as they1 as obedient to ,god's will as they1 and pray to them daily that they help us to this muchdesired perfection4 ,prayer4 ,o angel of ,god1 etc41 etc4 ,litany of the ,holy ,guardian ,angel4 7,for ,private ,devotion ,only47 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 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 angels1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my guardian1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my prince1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my monitor1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my counsellor1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my defender1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my steward1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my friend1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my negotiator1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my intercessor1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my patron1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my director1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my ruler1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my protector1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my comforter1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my teacher1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my shepherd1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my witness1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my helper1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my watcher1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my conductor1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my preserver1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my instructor1 ,pray for us4 ,holy ,angel1 my enlightener1 ,pray for us4 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,spare us1 ,o ,lord6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,lord6 ,christ1 hear us4 ,christ1 graciously hear us4 ,v4 ,pray for us1 ,o holy guardian angel1 ,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promises of ,christ4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,almighty1 everlasting ,god1 ,who in the counsel of ,thy ineffable goodness hast appointed to all the faithful from their mother's womb1 a special guardian angel of their body and soul2 grant that ,i may love and honor him whom ,thou hast so mercifully given me1 that protected by the bounty of ,thy grace1 and by his assistance1 ,i may merit to behold1 with him and all the angelic host1 the glory of ,thy countenance in the heavenly country4 ,who livest and reignest world without end4 ,amen4 ,special ,prayers4 ,prayer ,to ,the ,guardian ,angel4 ,angel of ,god1 who art my guardian1 enlighten1 guard1 direct1 and govern me1 who have been committed to thee by the supernal clemency4 ,amen4 ,prayers ,to ,st4 ,michael1 ,st4 ,gabriel1 ,and ,st4 ,raphael4 ,glorious ,st4 ,michael6 prince of the heavenly host1 protector of the universal ,church1 defend us against all our enemies1 visible and invisible4 ,do not permit that we should ever fall under their tyranny4 ,st4 ,gabriel6 thou who art justly called the strength of ,god1 since thou hast been chosen to announce to many the mystery of the incarnation1 in which the ,almighty has displayed the power of ,his arms1 make us know the treasure contained in the person of the ,son of ,god1 and be our protector with ,his august ,mother4 ,st4 ,raphael6 charitable guide of travellers1 thou who1 by divine virtue1 dost effect miraculous cures1 deign to guide us in the pilgrimage of this life1 and heal the maladies of our souls and bodies4 ,all ye orders of blessed spirits1 be our defenders and protectors during our life and at the hour of our death4 ,amen4 ,act ,of ,consecration ,to ,our ,guardian ,angel4 ,angel of ,god6 prince of heaven1 watchful guardian1 faithful guide1 charitable pastor1 ,i rejoice that ,god has created thee with so many perfections2 that ,he has sanctified thee by ,his grace1 and crowned thee with glory1 after having persevered in ,his service4 ,may ,god be praised forever for all ,he has done for thee6 ,be thou blessed for all the good thou hast procured me and my companions4 ,i abandon to thee my body1 soul1 memory1 understanding1 will1 inclination1 and senses4 ,govern all1 dispose of all1 purify1 enlighten1 perfect all4 ,beg ,our ,lord to shed upon me and my companions ,his abundant benedictions2 that1 persevering until death in ,his grace1 we may deserve to possess ,him eternally with thee in glory4 ,amen4 ,prayer ,to ,the ,holy ,angels ,during ,the ,month ,of ,october4 ,o pure and happy spirits1 whom the ,almighty selected to become the angels and guardians of men6 we most humbly prostrate ourselves before you1 to thank you for the charity and zeal with which you execute this commission4 ,alas6 how many pass a long life without ever thanking that invisible friend to whom they a thousand times owe its preservation6 ,o charitable guardians of those souls for whom ,christ died6 ,o burning spirits1 who cannot but love those whom ,jesus eternally loved1 permit us to address you in behalf of all those committed to your care1 and to implore for them all1 in general1 a grateful sense of your many favors1 and the grace to profit by your charitable assistance4 ,o angels of those happy infants1 who are as yet without spot before ,god1 preserve their innocence1 we earnestly conjure you4 ,angels of youth1 who are exposed to so many dangers1 conduct them in safety to the bosom of ,god1 as ,tobias was conducted back to his father4 ,angels of those who are employed in the instruction of youth1 animate them with your zeal and love2 teach them to emulate your purity and incessant view of ,god1 that they may worthily and successfully co operate with the invisible guardians of their young charges4 ,o angels of the clergy1 who have the eternal ,gospel to preach1 present their words1 their actions1 and their intentions to ,god1 and purify them in that fire of love which consumes you4 ,angels of infidels1 whom the true faith has never enlightened1 intercede for them2 that1 practising what they know1 they may at length discover the hidden secrets of the kingdom of ,god4 ,o angels of all those who1 throughout the world1 are deprived of religious instruction1 open for them some source of salvation2 raise up some one to break for them the bread of the ,word4 ,and you1 ,o guardian angels of sinners1 charitable guides of those unhappy mortals1 whose persistence in sin would embitter even your unutterable joys were you not established in the peace of ,god1 oh1 join us1 we ardently beseech you1 in imploring their conversion4 ,angels of all those who at this moment struggle in the agonies of death1 strengthen1 encourage and defend them against the attacks of their infernal enemies4 ,o faithful guides1 holy spirits1 ardent adorers of the ,divinity1 guardian angels of all creatures6 protect us all1 teach us to love1 to pray1 to combat on earth1 and rather obtain for us instant death than permit us to commit one mortal sin4 ,amen4 ,,november4 ,,the ,,souls ,,in ,,purgatory4 ,a truly ,christian soul will1 during this month1 think with love of the faithful departed4 ,there is nothing more pleasing to ,god1 or more profitable to ourselves1 than the practice of praying for the souls in purgatory1 that ,he may relieve their sufferings and speedily admit them to ,his glory4 ,we see our friends dropping from the ranks of the living1 and entering that state which is so mysterious4 ,the ,church tells us that we can help them on their way to heaven by our prayers1 if they have been detained in purgatory to atone to ,god's justice for their transgressions4 ,st4 ,alphonsus says1 8,it is a duty1 for ,christian charity commands us to relieve our neighbors who stand in need of our assistance2 but who among all our neighbors have so great need of our help as these holy prisoners1 deprived for a time of the sight of ,god80 ,many indulgences1 both plenary and partial1 are applicable to them2 let us gain them1 so that the mercy of ,god may be moved in their favor4 ,let us also remember the poor souls who have no one to pray for them4 ,and in return these blessed souls will not neglect to obtain for us many graces from ,god1 particularly the grace of eternal life4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,often meditate on the sufferings of the souls in purgatory4 ,the thought will inspire you with the proper and holy fear of ,god's justice1 which requires expiation in purgatory for sins unatoned for in this life4 ,it will also move you to have compassion on the poor souls1 and to relieve them by your good works4 ,the souls in purgatory endure dreadful punishments2 it is the opinion of theologians that they suffer the pains of fire4 ,they also suffer the pain of loss1 which is more severe than that of sense4 ,you should ask yourselves3 ,shall we suffer these dreadful pains in purgatory1 or shall we escape them8 ,let us take warning from the unhappy souls who are to be miserable for eternity1 and cultivate a salutary fear of ,god's justice and so avoid sin4 ,let the happiness of the saints encourage us to lead virtuous lives1 and confide in the mercy and goodness of ,god4 ,standing between the eternity of happiness and the eternity of misery1 we must make our choice4 ,through ,god's grace and the intercession of the ,blessed ,virgin and the members of the heavenly court1 let us resolve1 in future1 to avoid not only mortal but also venial sin4 ,let us resolve also to atone for our past sins1 and pay the debt which we owe to ,god's justice1 so that when our souls are separated from our bodies we may go at once to enjoy ,god in heaven4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 the souls of all the faithful departed from the bonds of their sins2 and by the assistance of ,thy grace may they escape the sentence of condemnation1 and enjoy the bliss of eternal light4 ,amen4 ,second ,day4 ,we are told that few of those who save their souls1 except children who have not lost their baptismal innocence1 go to heaven without passing through purgatory4 ,how many are surprised by death in venial sin6 how many who receive forgiveness for the guilt of mortal sin still owe some temporal debt for it6 how few leave this life without some stain on their souls6 ,yet every stain must be wiped away1 every farthing of the debt paid1 before the soul can leave the prison of purgatory4 ,we have no time to lose1 death may be at our doors4 ,why not now use the means of avoiding purgatory8 ,why do we count a suffering in the future which in the present we would be in no way ready to accept1 but would employ every effort to escape8 ,how soon must we leave this world never to return6 ,how soon will day and night have no meaning for us6 ,our bodies1 mouldered into dust1 will come to life again only at the sound of the last trumpet1 and then only for judgment4 ,friends who love us1 possessions on which we have set our hearts1 will be taken from us4 ,we will leave as we came1 alone4 ,why1 then1 attach ourselves to those things in such a way as to bring upon us the displeasure of ,god1 and the sufferings which ,his displeasure entails8 ,better far to live here with the thought of the bitterness which goes with wrongdoing and a sense of security for the future1 than thoughtlessly to incur the punishment which is to be found in purgatory4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,third ,day4 ,the earth is only a vast cemetery4 ,our ancestors are mixed up with its clay1 whether they lie beneath the surface or have had their ashes scattered to the four winds4 ,how soon were they forgotten6 ,of all the generations which have gone before us how few individuals are known6 ,of some history tells the noble deeds1 of others the dark ones4 ,the really wise and great men of every age are the virtuous1 now the friends of ,god4 ,their names come down to us in benediction4 ,history may record the names of the wicked1 but their memory is held in execration4 ,what matters it to all those who are dead whether men speak of them or not8 ,the one thing of importance is how ,god has regarded their lives4 ,we too will soon be forgotten4 ,the birds that will sing near our graves will be listened to and admired by the visitor to the cemetery1 but we will not receive even a passing thought4 ,even those for whom our hearts throbbed with anxiety1 those for whose happiness we strove with so much labor1 will scarcely think of us4 ,we will have been gathered to the dead1 our term of activity will have passed1 our day will have ended1 and with it all interest in us will also end4 ,we will be one of the millions laid away in the cemetery4 ,has this thought no meaning for us8 ,it ought to suggest the importance of giving more attention to that which ,god had in view in creating us4 ,not ambitious of what men may think of us1 but ambitious of securing that which we alone can obtain for ourselves1 happiness in the life to come4 ,then will our lonely and forgotten condition matter very little4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,fourth ,day4 ,you have1 perhaps1 stood at the grave1 and seen the earth cover the remains of a dear one4 ,it may have been the remains of the most beloved one you ever knew4 ,oh1 how you stood in need of consolation6 ,there were moments when you felt as if your heart must break4 ,yet when faith came to your aid1 and you remembered that the separation was only for a time1 that the moment of reunion would come1 and you would again see the dear one1 only purified1 glorified1 and free from all the blemishes life on earth entails1 there was an awakening1 a consolation1 a strengthening1 which no other thought could bring4 ,with this new feeling came the resolve to help the one gone by such gifts as your love would dictate and your faith direct4 ,what if that dear one was condemned to tarry in a place of purgation8 ,what if you by your good works and prayers could assist1 but instead spent your time in fruitless lament and regrets8 ,then it was that you felt all your old love quicken1 and the eagerness which had led you to care for the loved one in life1 received a new incentive4 ,you recollected that the time in which he could help himself had passed1 and he had to rely entirely on the good services of his friends--that the hand of ,god was to lay heavy upon him until the full measure of expiation had been paid4 ,there is comfort in the reflection that we can still be of service to those we loved in life2 we can be charitable to them1 and improve ourselves by the practice of that charity4 ,the true ,christian mourns his friends1 but he mourns over them1 not with a vain hope1 but with a prayerful appeal to the throne of mercy4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,fifth ,day4 ,the doctrine of purgatory implies two truths4 ,first1 that after a mortal sin is forgiven in the ,sacrament of ,penance1 and the eternal punishment due to it is remitted1 there still remains some debt of temporal punishment to pay1 either in this life--by deeds of penance--or in the next in purgatory4 ,second1 even venial sins are a stain which prevent the soul from entering into heaven4 ,these stains1 therefore1 must first be wiped off1 if the soul is to enter the abode of all holiness4 ,now1 purgatory is the place where the souls predestined to eternal glory are detained for a time1 and this period is fixed by ,god's justice for the purpose of expiation and purification1 until they are quite worthy of the everlasting bliss prepared for them4 ,until the end of the world1 until the last ,day of ,judgment1 there will be an intermediate place between heaven and hell4 ,heaven is the place where only the just and holy are admitted4 ,hell is the dungeon into whose depths are plunged the souls of the impious and unrepenting4 ,but purgatory lies between the two1 and is meant to receive for a time those souls of the just who will require some further purification4 ,and ,i am hurrying to one or the other place4 ,which shall it be8 ,whichever it is it will be of my own making and choice4 ,god is now giving me time and opportunities sufficient to gain the one and avoid the other4 ,let me reflect whither my course is leading me4 ,let me do it now--tomorrow may be too late4 ,god has given me only one life in which to accomplish my salvation4 ,according to the eternal decree that life will end at the appointed time4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,sixth ,day4 ,the ,church is the mystical body of ,jesus ,christ1 of which ,he is the ,head1 and all the faithful are the members4 ,it is divided into three parts3 the ,church ,militant on earth1 consisting of the faithful who are still fighting for their faith and struggling for their salvation2 the ,church ,triumphant1 consisting of the saints in heaven2 and finally1 the ,church ,suffering1 consisting of the souls in purgatory4 ,all the dead1 then1 who die in the ,lord1 belong to the great mysterious body of ,christ1 either as members glorified already1 or as still awaiting the glory to come4 ,but all are united among themselves and form one great communion of saints4 ,therefore when we consider what faith teaches us concerning the ,church ,suffering1 or purgatory1 we cannot help exclaiming3 8,o faith6 how beautiful thou art6 ,how touching is the communion of saints60 ,we children of the ,church ,militant stretch forth one hand towards our brethren of the ,church ,triumphant for help and protection2 and with the other extended we supplicate by our prayers1 our alms1 and patient sufferings1 that the time of probation for our brethren of the ,church ,suffering may be shortened4 ,we feel they entreat us to alleviate their torments1 and their gratitude for our good services will incline them to help us in our infirmities and weakness4 ,how often does this thought occupy our attention8 ,it should engage us frequently4 ,as we are now so once were the souls in purgatory2 as they are now so we hope to be--for once in purgatory it means that heaven is within our reach4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,seventh ,day4 ,the ,bible1 in its very first pages1 shows us that a custom of praying for the dead existed among the people of the earliest centuries4 ,this implies the existence of purgatory1 because it stands to reason that we do not pray either for the saints in heaven or for the damned in hell4 ,for1 says ,st4 ,thomas ,aquinas1 those prayers would be useless and in vain1 if there were no purgatory1 because prayers cannot be offered up for those who have already arrived at their end1 but only for those who have not yet reached their final destiny4 ,when ,jacob and ,joseph were about to depart from this world they earnestly besought those who stood around their deathbeds1 especially their own children1 to convey their mortal remains to ,palestine4 ,for those pious patriarchs well knew that their descendants there would offer sacrifices of expiation1 and they hoped these offerings would gain for them the longedfor peace and rest4 ,on the announcement of the death of ,saul all the inhabitants of ,jabes imposed upon themselves a seven days' fast4 ,the inspired poetking takes part1 not only in the sorrow1 but also in the sacrifices4 ,he himself sings in touching1 elevated strain1 the doctrine of purgatory1 when describing the inexpressible joy and delight of those souls who have happily passed through the fire and water of tribulation1 and have arrived at the ardently longedfor joy and refreshment of the ,lord4 ,the prophet ,micheas says3 8,i shall arise1 when ,i sit in darkness1 the ,lord is my light4 ,i will bear the wrath of the ,lord because ,i have sinned against ,him1 until ,he judge my cause and execute judgment for me3 ,he will bring me forth into the light1 ,i shall behold ,his justice40 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,eighth ,day4 ,instructed by holy and exalted prophets1 the people of ,israel1 from the earliest times1 made sacrifices and offerings for the dead1 and thereby clearly showed their belief in purgatory4 ,the records of all the past centuries referring to the subject clearly show that not the smallest doubt can be entertained on this point4 ,when the star of the ,jewish civilization began to fade1 the heroic line of the ,machabees gathered all their force once more together1 in order to inaugurate a new epoch of power and glory4 ,in the description of their noble and heroic actions we come across the unmistakable proof of their universal tradition and belief4 ,judas1 the mighty hero1 having lost a great number of soldiers in battle1 did not confine himself to merely giving them an honorable burial4 ,he commanded a collection to be made1 and sent the sum to ,jerusalem for a sacrifice to be offered for the fallen heroes4 ,holy ,scripture concludes the narrative with the words3 8,it is therefore a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead1 that they may be loosed from their sins0--that is from all temporal punishment due to those sins4 ,this thought is justly called holy1 because it springs from a holy source1 that of faith and charity4 ,it is called wholesome1 in the first place to the poor souls themselves1 because it comforts and encourages them in their sufferings1 in the next place to those who pray for them1 because they increase their own merits thereby1 and gain new1 faithful friends in heaven4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,ninth ,day4 ,the ,holy ,scriptures imply1 in the narration of the action of the great leader ,judas1 the existence of purgatory1 or some such place of purification in the next world1 where the souls of the departed can be assisted by our prayers and sacrifices1 and be cleansed from their sins4 ,certainly it would have been impossible1 in such heavy time of war1 to gather from the people such large sums of money1 or to all at once introduce an innovation in religious practice of that kind1 if this belief in purgatory had not been long and firmly implanted in their hearts4 ,all the passages from the ,old ,testament clearly prove the truth of the ,catholic doctrine1 which teaches us that there exists a place for the purification of such souls as die in a state of grace1 but have not yet fully expiated all their sins2 and that those souls can be delivered by the prayers and good works of the faithful4 ,the son of ,sirach bears witness to the same when he says3 8,a gift hath grace in the sight of all the living1 and restrain not grace from the dead10 which means that we should pay our dead the last respects and offer up sacrifices for them4 ,this passage supports the general belief of the ,jews1 that we can assist the departed by good works4 ,the ,jews even now believe in the existence of some place of purification1 and are in the habit of praying for their dead4 ,the ,jewish belief in purgatory rested on a very firm foundation4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,tenth ,day4 ,in the fulness of time the divine ,saviour ,jesus ,christ appeared on earth4 ,while disowning in ,his teaching all the false theories and erroneous traditions of ,scribes and ,pharisees1 while condemning with the greatest precision their errors on the subject of death and resurrection1 ,he never uttered one syllable against the general belief in purgatory1 or against the public practice of praying for the dead4 ,on the contrary ,he left it just as it existed under the ,old ,law4 ,could the ,son of ,god1 ,who had come down to make known the will of ,his ,father1 have acted thus if this were not a holy1 just1 and pious custom8 ,the ,redeemer did not find it necessary to give lengthy proofs of the existence of this place of punishment4 ,it was enough to simply remind the people of it4 ,for1 in truth1 ,he addressed a people who had never entertained the smallest doubt on the subject4 ,in one of ,his sermons ,he unmistakably alludes to purgatory1 where ,he speaks of a prison from which no one can be delivered except on the payment of the full debt4 ,what other prison but purgatory can here be meant8 ,heaven cannot be meant1 and out of hell there is no redemption4 ,the ,gospels have preserved another saying of the ,son of ,god which presupposes the existence of purgatory3 8,and whosoever shall speak a word against the ,son of man1 it shall be forgiven him2 but he that shall speak against the ,holy ,ghost1 it shall not be forgiven him1 neither in this world nor in the world to come40 ,there are1 then1 sins which can be atoned for in the next world4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,with regard to the doctrine of purgatory the apostles taught as their divine ,master did4 ,st4 ,paul says3 8,for other foundation no man can lay but that which is laid1 which is ,christ ,jesus4 ,now if any man build upon this foundation1 gold1 silver1 precious stones1 wood1 hay1 stubble1 every man's work shall be manifest2 for the day of the ,lord shall declare it1 because it shall be revealed in fire1 and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is4 ,if any man's work abide1 which he hath built thereon1 he shall receive a reward4 ,if any man's work burn he shall suffer loss3 but he himself shall be saved1 but so as by fire40--#a ,cor4 iii4 #ab4 ,he who appears before the ,judgment ,seat of ,god with works still stained and imperfect1 will reach indeed his happy end1 but not before those stains and imperfections have been cleared away by a process which is like unto the crucible of fire4 ,the fire which the ,apostle speaks of cannot be the fire of tribulation1 or the sufferings of this life2 for he speaks of a fire which burns on the ,judgment ,day2 that is1 after this life4 ,again1 it cannot mean the mere ordeal of the ,judgment1 because here the soul is not only tried1 but also burns and suffers from the burning4 ,nor can it mean the fire of hell1 because he who burns in the fire will come out of it and be saved1 which cannot be said of those in hell4 ,the ,apostle could only have had the fire of purgatory in view--that fire which burns for the purification of souls not quite spotless1 and which will continue until the ,day of ,general ,judgment4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,tradition excludes every doubt1 even the least shadow of doubt1 as to the existence of purgatory4 ,we have testimony from a whole army of renowned writers of the ,church3 ,sts4 ,augustine1 ,chrysostom1 ,epiphanius1 ,jerome1 ,cyril1 ,gregory1 up to ,tertullian who lived in the second century4 ,the tradition is contained not only in the writings of the ,holy ,fathers1 but also in the practice of the ,church reaching down to the apostolic age1 according to which prayers and sacrifices were at all times offered up to ,god for the souls of the departed4 ,tertullian speaks of the sacrifices for the dead as of an apostolic tradition1 and ,st4 ,john ,damascene says1 in his sermon on the dead3 8,the apostles and disciples of our divine ,saviour1 who had seen the eternal ,word with their own eyes1 and had converted the multitudes of the living world1 taught that in the awful1 immaculate and lifegiving mysteries of the ,eucharist1 remembrance should be made of those who died in the ,lord40 ,in confirmation of it he alleges the testimony of ,st4 ,john ,chrysostom in these words3 8,that ,john1 who on account of his eloquence was called the goldenmouthed1 teaches that not inconsiderately or accidentally was it ordained by those wise disciples of ,god and transmitted to the ,church1 that the priest should offer prayers for the dead in the celebration of the awful divine mysteries40 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,we will now hear from the great ,st4 ,augustine1 ,bishop of ,hippo4 ,i am quoting from his treatise on the care for the dead4 ,mark how beautifully he writes3 8,we read in the book of ,machabees that there were sacrifices offered up for the dead1 but even if there had been no mention made of the subject in the pages of the ,old ,testament1 the authority of the ,church would be sufficient as manifested in her practice1 according to which the priest at the altar makes commemoration of the faithful departed40 ,by her funeral rites1 offices and commemorations of the dead1 as well as her ancient ,ordos1 the ,catholic ,church has at all times clearly and definitely testified to1 and declared her belief in1 the existence of purgatory4 ,further1 she has solemnly declared it an article of faith in several ,councils--as1 for instance1 in the ,general ,council of ,trent1 which defines that there is a purgatory1 and that the faithful can come to the assistance of the souls suffering therein by their prayers1 and oblations of the most holy sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,and it even threatens with excommunication from the ,church all those who maintain that every penitent sinner1 having received justification1 is forgiven as to his guilt and eternal punishment in such a way that there remains no temporal punishment to be expiated in purgatory4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,what a touching proof we have of the faith in the intercession of the living for the dead1 in the story of the life of ,st4 ,monica1 the mother of ,st4 ,augustine6 ,as her son stood by the bedside of his dying mother1 and with difficulty tried to restrain his tears1 ,monica said to him3 8,only one thing ,i beg of thee2 remember me always at the altar of ,god1 wherever thou dost chance to be40 ,st4 ,augustine1 therefore1 often offered up the holy sacrifice for his mother1 and in his 8,confessions0 he entreats ,god in the following touching prayer3 8,o ,god1 grant that all ,thy servants1 who are my brothers and to whom ,i have dedicated this book1 grant that all who read these prayers may1 in their prayers before ,thy altar1 think of ,thy handmaid1 my dearest mother1 and pray for her in loving remembrance40 ,when ,st4 ,paul says that at the mention of the sacred name of ,jesus every knee shall bend in heaven1 on earth and under the earth1 by this last expression 8under the earth10 according to the general opinion of the ,holy ,fathers of the ,church1 he pointed to that temporal1 intermediate place1 wherein imperfect souls must abide until they are purified from all stain of sin1 but even yet1 while still there1 are united in common adoration with the saints who are in the full enjoyment of heaven1 as well as with all the ,christians of the ,church ,militant on earth4 ,but ,st4 ,paul teaches us no less by example to offer up prayers and petitions to ,god almighty for the souls of those who have died in the ,lord4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,we may1 without great difficulty1 infer the existence of purgatory from the truths known by faith4 ,our faith teaches us that in the ,sacrament of ,penance our sins are forgiven1 together with the eternal punishment due to them4 ,the temporal punishment due to them is not always forgiven1 however1 and consequently it remains to be endured either in this world or in the next4 ,call to mind the examples of ,david1 ,moses1 ,peter and ,mary ,magdalene4 ,they were all forgiven their sins and the eternal punishment due to them1 and yet how much did those dear servants of ,god bewail their offences during their whole lives and expiate the temporal punishment due to them6 ,again there is another argument and ground on which our reason demands the existence of a purgatory4 ,it may be that a soul just departed this life is free from all mortal sin--even free from all temporal punishment due to grievous sin1 but perhaps not free from certain light and venial sins1 which1 though not destroying the grace of ,god in the soul1 still darken and stain its full splendor4 ,it may be that all those venial sins are atoned for and wiped away by the patiently borne agony of death1 but how often it happens that the ,christian is suddenly surprised by death in different forms1 and when least expecting it4 ,it would be contrary to ,god's mercy and justice to cast that soul into hell1 or to receive it at once into heaven4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,the doctrine that sinners1 even after the guilt and eternal punishment due to sin are remitted1 have still1 as a rule1 to satisfy the justice of ,god in some way1 has been acknowledged by the ,church both in deed and by express word4 ,by deed1 because of her severe penitential discipline in the early days of the ,church1 because of the works of penance enjoined in the confessional1 and the granting at all times of indulgences4 ,by express word because of the definition of the ,council of ,trent4 ,now if according to the certain doctrine of faith1 some temporal satisfaction remains to be made after the remission of sin and eternal punishment1 what1 we ask1 will become of those souls who are suddenly called away before they have done such penance as their sins required--before they have given full satisfaction8 ,into heaven1 where nothing impure can enter1 they cannot be received until the full debt is paid4 ,into hell they cannot be cast1 because they died in a state of grace and are friends and children of ,god4 ,therefore1 reason says1 there must be a place where those just and holy1 though not yet thoroughly cleansed souls1 must linger till purified completely1 and fully worthy of ,god's sacred presence4 ,were it otherwise our reason would be darkened and troubled by doubts1 either as to the justice or as to the infinite mercy of ,god4 ,reason tells us that there is a state of virtue not good enough for heaven1 and a state of vice not bad enough for hell4 ,common sense tells us that there is a difference between sin and sin1 and that consequently there must be a difference in the punishment4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,the souls in purgatory suffer4 ,they are sent there to suffer4 ,they are detained there to suffer4 ,the time of action is gone2 the time of passive suffering has come4 ,their whole existence1 or life1 is1 as it were1 taken up with suffering4 ,what are they suffering8 ,of what kind and character are their sufferings8 ,the pains of purgatory are just the same as the torments of hell1 with the exception of eternity and despair4 ,the difference between the two is1 that the pains of purgatory come to an end1 and are not severed from the sweet hope of eternal happiness4 ,like the pains of hell1 so also the pains of purgatory are of two kinds4 ,they are the pain of loss and the pain of sense4 ,these two kinds of pain correspond to the twofold disorder contained in every sin4 ,for every sin is first of all an aversion or turning away from ,god1 the highest and uncreated good--either a complete aversion as in the case of mortal sin1 or a partial aversion as in the case of venial sin4 ,second1 every sin is a conversion to1 or a turning towards1 a created1 real or apparent good as our highest good1 which is1 of course1 a disorderly conversion4 ,now this twofold inordinateness must be expiated by a twofold corresponding punishment4 ,for wherein a man sins1 says the ,scripture1 therein is he punished4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,man sins1 and thus turns away from ,god2 the punishment1 therefore1 must be an eternal or temporary deprivation of ,god1 the highest good of man4 ,he sins1 and thus turns towards a created good1 and derives pleasure and satisfaction from it2 the punishment1 therefore1 for this illicit1 sensual pleasure1 is the pain of sense1 the pain inflicted by created things4 ,now fire is a pain of sense2 and it is a doctrine sufficiently warranted by ,scripture and tradition1 that the fire of purgatory is a real fire1 by which the souls are chastised and purified4 ,the ,holy ,fathers explain that the greatest imaginable sufferings here on earth1 the most dreadful martyrdom of the holy confessors of ,christ1 the worst pains of the most terrible illness1 can bear no comparison with the torments and pains suffered by the poor souls in purgatory4 ,well known is the exclamation of ,st4 ,augustine1 8,here burn1 here cut1 here crucify1 but spare me in eternity1 ,o ,god60 ,the sufferings of this life can be soothed by consolation1 can be softened by many distractions2 now and again there is a respite granted to the greatest sufferer1 and time heals many woes4 ,but the sufferings of purgatory continue without any alleviation or interruption4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,according to the writings of the ,fathers1 the pain of loss is the greatest of all the pains of purgatory4 ,together with the bitter remembrance of having done evil and omitted to do good1 is the consciousness of being deprived of the beatific vision1 than which there can be no greater pain4 ,st4 ,alphonsus says3 8,far greater than the pains of the senses are the pains of loss arising from the deprivation of the presence of ,god40 ,because the poor souls are inflamed with not only the natural1 but the supernatural love of ,god1 they are almost violently drawn towards ,him1 their supreme good2 and because they have the consciousness of being debarred from perfect union with ,god by their own sins and imperfections1 they feel such exceeding great pain that it would kill them were it possible for them to die4 8,therefore10 says ,st4 ,chrysostom1 8is this pain of loss greater than that of sense1 and the greatest of all pains4 ,a thousand fires of hell could not produce greater pain than that which is caused by the fully realized loss of ,god40 ,here on earth1 while confined in their bodies of sin1 their souls could not enjoy the beatific vision2 but once delivered from their mortal bodies1 the time is come when they are able to see ,god1 ,who would be their everlasting joy were it not for their own fault4 ,it is this pain of separation that makes the pain of purgatory a cleansing fire in the fullest sense of the word4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,in this valley of tears the sighs of holy persons are full of pain and sorrow1 of pining after ,god and heaven4 ,how painful must have been this burning love and yearning desire in such souls as ,st4 ,paul's1 ,st4 ,augustine's and ,st4 ,teresa's6 ,yet what was their suffering compared to the consuming fire of yearning in the souls of purgatory8 ,for1 however much we may pine after ,god1 our only good1 still while on earth we have many things that comfort us and deaden our pain4 ,the very burden of our body1 the distracting events of life1 the possibility of great age1 or larger store of merit1 all these things are so many means of comfort to us4 ,but the poor souls in purgatory have none of these consolations2 there is nothing to assuage their pain of yearning and unfulfilled desire4 ,more than the panting hart do they thirst after the fountain of eternal light and life4 ,this unspeakable thirst is1 in their case1 all pure pain1 unmingled with any soothing alloy4 ,oh1 what a burning sea of sorrow those poor souls are plunged into6 ,flames within1 flames without1 flames all around them6 ,were it not that ,god's omnipotent hand upheld them1 their spirit would almost be consumed by those flames of fire4 ,as you have noticed ,i have left you to draw from the proofs1 as also from the description of the flames of purgatory1 your own pious deductions and resolutions4 ,but now ,i ask is there a doctrine in the ,church which calls for more serious and pious consideration than this belief in purgatory1 for your own spiritual benefit1 and then for the help you can afford those whom ,god's justice has condemned there8 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,it has always been a doctrine of the ,church1 no less than a practice1 that by our prayers and good works we can help the souls in purgatory4 ,for the ,church not only taught the doctrine1 but from the earliest times encouraged the faithful to offer up the holy sacrifice for them4 ,it was at the great ,council of ,trent that the doctrine became an article of faith4 ,we are united to them in the communion of saints4 ,this community is like the members of one body4 ,as in the body all the members help each other1 so in the communion of saints all have a share in the common goods1 as the ,psalmist says1 8,i am a partaker with all them that fear ,thee40 ,if ,christ could make vicarious atonement to ,his heavenly ,father for our sins1 and the eternal punishment due to them1 then1 also1 the members of the community founded by ,him can1 through ,his power and merits1 assist and make satisfaction for one another as regards the temporal punishment due to their sins4 ,so that1 as the ,apostle says1 the abundance of one may supply the want of the other1 so that there may be an equality4 ,the souls in purgatory1 then1 since they are souls departed in the love of ,god1 belong with us to that great brotherhood1 the communion of saints4 ,so we can come to their assistance1 and by our efforts help to discharge the debt they are still owing to ,god's justice4 ,or united to them by the bonds of love1 we form as it were one person4 ,we pass the value of our good works to them1 and our heavenly ,father looks upon the price we pay for them as if paid by themselves4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,let us consider more particularly by what means we can assist the poor souls4 ,we can greatly and powerfully assist them1 and the holy ,council of ,trent expressly points out the means we should use4 ,it says particularly that the faithful can help the poor souls detained in purgatory by their prayers1 and by the most holy sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,this1 as you will perhaps observe1 has been said several times already in this book4 ,true1 but it is in order that ,i may point out the conditions which are required to make those means effective that ,i again speak of them now4 ,what is necessary1 primarily1 is that we have the intention of helping the poor souls1 otherwise our good works are all put down to our own account1 or if we do not stand in need of them1 they are put into what is called the treasury of the ,church1 and then they are beyond our disposition4 ,it is not1 however1 necessary to make a new intention before every action4 ,it is sufficient to make once for all an intention of doing certain things for the sake of the suffering souls1 and then not withdrawing it again4 ,still it is advisable to renew it now and again1 as for instance at morning prayers or at ,mass4 ,it is necessary to be in a state of grace if we wish to help the souls by our good works or by our own personal prayers1 penance1 indulgences1 and so forth4 ,he who is in a state of sin cannot make satisfaction for himself2 how then can he do so for others8 ,how can he who is a captive redeem himself1 or give freedom to others8 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,the giving of alms for the benefit of the souls in purgatory1 is one of the means over which the ,fathers of the ,church grew eloquent4 ,nor indeed is it necessary to make use of the sayings of the early ,fathers1 for we can find abundant proof of the efficacy of alms related in the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,the angel ,raphael said to ,tobias3 8,alms delivereth from death1 and the same is that which purgeth away sins1 and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting40 ,elsewhere we find3 8,water quencheth a flaming fire1 and alms resisteth sin40 ,but let us listen to the ,fathers of the ,church4 ,st4 ,leo writes3 8,alms atone for sin1 destroy death1 and extinguish the flames of eternal fire40 ,st4 ,chrysostom calls almsgiving 8a heavenly ladder1 leading to ,god's right hand1 and a sure refuge for those who give as well as for those who receive40 ,st4 ,paulinus praises a ,roman nobleman1 who on the death of his beloved wife assembled all the poor and destitute of the city in ,st4 ,peter's ,church1 and distributed food among them in order to comfort and help her whose loss he bewailed4 ,and ,st4 ,hieronymus1 speaking of the same nobleman1 says that while other husbands adorn their wife's graves with violets1 roses and lilies1 this one pours the balm of alms over the sacred dust and venerable remains of his beloved wife4 ,the petition for alms from the worthy poor is like the knocking at your door of a poor soul in purgatory4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,what a beautiful ,catholic practice is this of giving of the goods which the good ,god has entrusted to us1 for the benefit of the poor souls6 ,could we not also set aside something for such a noble purpose8 ,the alms we give to the poor souls in purgatory may be likened to so many checks signed by names dear to ,god1 and which when presented ,he will not dishonor4 ,when it is difficult for us to give money in alms1 we can at least give other things of less value--even things that are no longer of use to us4 ,how many things there are in our homes that are not of the least use to us1 which if given in alms for the suffering souls might be of the greatest benefit to us as well as to them6 ,we give them in alms to the poor and forsaken ones on earth1 that they may benefit them as well as the poor forsaken souls in purgatory4 ,perhaps you have a list of debtors1 and perhaps in that list there are many from whom you never expect to recover anything4 ,why not make a promise1 in case of the recovery of certain sums1 to give half to the deserving poor for the benefit of the suffering souls in purgatory8 ,it is not impossible that the guardian angel of purgatory may help to restore to us money otherwise lost4 ,remember it is not the wealthy alone who can give alms for this purpose1 but the poor as well2 at least they can give their goodwill4 ,do you remember that the angels sang at the birth of the ,redeemer3 8,peace on earth to men of goodwill08 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfifth ,day4 ,we have the authority of ,holy ,scripture for the efficacy of prayers3 8,it is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead40 ,it is holy because it is most pleasing to ,god2 it is wholesome because we have reason to believe that through the infinite mercy and compassion of ,his ,sacred ,heart1 ,our ,lord accepts prayers offered in atonement for the sins of those suffering in purgatory4 ,if the prayers we offer for temporal goods are often heard and granted1 how much more so when we offer them for spiritual goods1 for the souls tenderly loved by ,god8 ,well might ,st4 ,augustine say3 8,one cannot conceive a holier or more wholesome practice than praying for the dead40 ,the 8,imitation of ,christ0 has the following3 8,full of love and charity1 we must remember in our prayers the souls of the faithful departed1 but particularly the souls of our parents1 friends and relations1 and those who have been our benefactors on earth4 ,for that is a work of real love and charity4 ,as we entertain the most earnest hopes that we shall be remembered when we shall have departed this life1 we ought to make every effort in our power to assist them to arrive speedily at their promised abode of bliss1 and by our prayers shorten the weary days of their pilgrimage in purgatory4 ,and we must remember that every one who actively assists in the deliverance of these poor souls1 gains for himself the greatest advantages4 ,by offering his prayers for their eternal repose1 he by no means loses the fruits of those prayers1 for they are remembered to him1 and are before him when his time comes to die4 ,and moreover one is rewarded even in this life for such prayers40 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysixth ,day4 ,the holy sacrifice of the ,mass is the surest and most effectual means we possess for procuring the eternal repose and happiness of the departed4 8,the sacrament of love1 the revelation of unity1 and the bond of friendship10 says ,st4 ,augustine4 8,we pray for all who have departed this life1 with the most confident conviction that the prayers at the altar are the most profitable to them10 says ,st4 ,cyril4 ,and again3 8,supposing a king who was offended by a subject has banished him from his kingdom1 and the friends of the outlaw wish to restore him to the king's favor1 and for that purpose form a deputation to the royal personage1 and presenting a costly gift1 venture to plead for pardon for the offender2 would not the king comply with their request1 and either grant the pardon1 or mitigate the punishment to some extent8 ,well1 in like manner we1 although sinners1 plead for pardon from the ,king of heaven and earth for our banished friends1 and with much surer hopes of success1 for the gift we offer is not an earthly crown1 but is the body and blood of ,his own wellbeloved ,son1 ,who has bled for the sins of the whole world40 ,the holy sacrifice is1 ,i again repeat1 the most effectual and the most powerful means we have for assisting the suffering souls in purgatory4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyseventh ,day4 ,let me now suggest how you may act and pray during the holy sacrifice4 ,at the ,confiteor let us imagine the souls in the depths of purgatory2 place ourselves in the midst of them and hearken to their entreaties for help4 ,at the ,elevation let us say3 8,o my ,god1 in memory of the painful death ,thou didst endure1 have compassion on these poor souls for whom ,i pray4 ,o my ,god1 behold ,thy precious blood1 which was shed for their deliverance4 ,oh1 let the saving fruits of this precious blood come to the poor souls1 let its cleansing streams flow into purgatory4 ,remember with what great love ,thou didst shed it for ,thy elect1 so many of whom are now languishing in the fiery dungeon40 ,we can fix our eyes on the crucifix placed over the altar2 it will help us to make our supplications more direct4 ,the thorn crowned head will remind us of our superiors1 spiritual and temporal1 perhaps in purgatory4 ,the wounded right hand our parents1 friends and benefactors4 ,the left hand the souls of those who have wished to do us harm in life4 ,nor would it be amiss1 while contemplating the wound in ,our ,saviour's side1 to recommend one's own soul4 ,at the ,communion when we see the sacred ,host in the hands of the priest1 let us consider that it is the body of ,him ,who commanded us to pray for the dead4 ,for it is ,he ,who said3 8,if you ask the ,father anything in ,my name ,he will give it to you40 ,let us remind ,him of ,his words1 and implore ,him by ,his love4 ,this is a favorable moment to have our prayers heard4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyeighth ,day4 ,the ,catholic doctrine of the intercession of the saints must not be lost sight of in this series of thoughts on the ,november devotion4 ,in our wants1 personal wants1 spiritual and temporal1 we1 true to our ,catholic instinct1 first address ourselves to our ,mother ,mary for help4 ,we must not forget her in the matter of the poor souls4 ,mary's loving heart is not less loving for the souls in purgatory than it was for the same souls while in life4 ,how can she abandon them8 ,she never abandons a sinner on earth4 ,for a stronger reason she does not forget the souls of the just4 ,mary loves them still1 for her love is eternal4 ,she is the ,mother of ,him ,who said1 8,i was in prison and ye visited ,me20 of ,him ,who descended into hell4 ,therefore it is an opinion well worthy of acceptance and respect1 founded on trustworthy revelations and authentic declarations1 that the ,blessed ,virgin assists in a most special manner the souls in purgatory4 ,they are souls and are poor1 and therefore the ,blessed ,virgin loves them4 ,they are souls and are suffering2 souls are the magnet of ,mary's heart4 ,priceless is the value of a soul1 and no one has better shown it than ,our ,lord ,himself4 ,satan1 by offering ,him the whole world1 could not prevail upon ,him to fall down2 but by trying to rob ,him of souls he caused ,him to bow down even to the earth under the weight of the cross4 ,but1 after ,jesus1 who could better know the value of a soul than ,mary1 who comes next to ,him in the work ,he did for souls8 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyninth ,day4 ,mary stood by when her ,son died for the redemption of souls4 ,but through her whole holy life she had constantly before her mind the work ,he had come to accomplish4 ,now she sees those souls red with the divine blood by which they were purchased4 ,she lives in the joys of heaven1 to which all souls are likewise destined4 ,her ,son gave ,his life for the souls of men2 but she as ,mother gave her ,son for that purpose4 ,therefore the love of her heart embraces also purgatory2 and therefore she is also the loving ,mother of the souls in purgatory4 ,the woman in the ,gospel who so eagerly and persistently sought after her lost groat1 is but a faint symbol of the love of ,mary for the souls which she has lost--though only for a time--which she sees separated from heaven1 from her ,son1 and from herself1 and suffering in the flames of fire4 ,she burns with love for those poor souls1 well remembering the words of her divine ,son1 when ,he said that even a cup of water given in ,his name would be rewarded with the joy of heaven4 ,and if ,jesus1 while hanging on the cross1 cried out1 8,i thirst10 which1 according to the opinion of the ,holy ,fathers1 meant 8,i thirst for souls10 can we suppose that ,mary will not satisfy ,his desire1 and still ,his thirst8 8,those who love and truly serve this most gentle ,mother can indeed be called fortunate1 for not alone here on earth1 but also hereafter in purgatory1 will she be their helper and comforter40 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,thirtieth ,day4 ,all the great servants of ,god had a great devotion to the souls in purgatory1 as we have seen4 ,but as ,our ,lady is ,queen of the heavenly host1 we cannot better conclude the treatment of the month than by giving the last consideration to her4 ,mary loves the poor souls in purgatory1 because she has gone through a fire of tribulation--not in punishment for her sins1 for she had none--but that she might have more compassion for us1 and be more fully entitled to the name by which she is so well known1 8,comforter of the afflicted40 ,for this reason her life was a sea of sorrow2 for this reason she endured tribulation1 poverty1 exile1 and persecution4 ,for this reason she suffered tortures of mind and soul1 in the three days' loss of her ,child1 and in the more tragic separation on the cross4 ,all these sufferings were a real purgatory to her4 ,let us therefore venerate ,mary1 and beg of her even now1 while we still sojourn in this valley of tears1 to daily increase our ardor and give us perseverance in good works1 to obtain for us a happy death4 ,but the best means to obtain this grace is to imitate the love of the ,blessed ,virgin for the poor souls4 ,let us try and be zealous in the cause of the poor souls1 and often have recourse to this ,mother of mercy for the same purpose4 ,in the recitation of the holy ,rosary we have a spiritual bunch of roses1 which we can often offer to her for the faithful departed4 ,let us scatter these spiritual roses plentifully over the graves of our departed parents and friends4 ,mary1 the ,mother of poor souls1 will find them fragrant1 and not only accept our offering but also protect and guard us when our turn comes to die4 ,prayer4 ,release1 ,o ,lord1 etc41 etc4 ,mass for the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,before ,mass4 ,o merciful ,lord1 we offer ,thee the precious blood of the spotless ,lamb1 in behalf of the suffering souls in purgatory1 whose sole desire is to see and glorify ,thee in heaven4 ,open to them1 ,o ,lord1 the infinite treasures of ,thy merits2 apply to them the fruits of ,thy ,passion and death1 and through the adorable sacrifice of the ,mass1 release them from the debt due to ,thy sovereign justice4 ,amen4 ,confiteor4 ,we confess our sins1 ,o merciful ,god1 in humility and sorrow of heart1 and we acknowledge that in ,thy sight no one living is justified4 ,woe to us1 if ,thou judge us according to ,thy justice4 ,to appease ,thy anger1 ,o ,lord1 we recur to the unbloody sacrifice of ,him ,who was nailed to the cross for our salvation1 and who ceases not to intercede for us in heaven4 ,o ,god of all clemency6 forgive us our sins1 we entreat ,thee1 and forgive also the sins committed by our deceased brethren1 in the days of their mortal pilgrimage4 ,let ,thy mercy prevail over ,thy justice1 and let the voice of the blood of ,jesus plead more loudly for pardon than the voice of our iniquities cries for vengeance4 ,amen4 ,introit4 ,eternal rest give unto them1 ,o ,lord1 and let perpetual light shine upon them4 8,to ,thee is due the hymn1 ,o ,god1 in ,sion1 and to ,thee shall the vow be paid in ,jerusalem40 ,oh1 hear my prayer3 to ,thee shall all flesh come4 ,amen4 ,kyrie4 ,o ,jesus1 show that ,thou art the ,god of mercy1 and take pity on the suffering souls who sigh and weep for the day of their deliverance4 ,oh1 admit them without delay into ,thy bosom6 ,collect4 ,o ,god1 the ,creator and ,redeemer of all the faithful1 give to the souls of ,thy servants departed the remission of all their sins2 that through pious supplications they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired4 ,amen4 ,epistle4 8,and we will not have you ignorant1 brethren1 concerning them that are asleep1 that you be not sorrowful1 even as others who have no hope4 ,for if we believe that ,jesus died and rose again3 even so them who have slept through ,jesus1 will ,god bring with ,him4 ,for this we say unto you in the word of the ,lord1 that we who are alive1 who remain unto the coming of the ,lord1 shall not prevent them who have slept4 ,for the ,lord ,himself shall come down from heaven with commandment1 and with the voice of an archangel1 and with the trumpet of ,god3 and the dead who are in ,christ1 shall rise first4 ,then we who are alive1 who are left1 shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet ,christ1 into the air1 and so shall we be always with the ,lord4 ,wherefore comfort ye one another with these words40--#a ,thess4 #abag4 ,gradual4 8,the sorrows of death have compassed me3 and the perils of hell have found me4 ,i met with trouble and sorrow3 and ,i called on the name of the ,lord4 ,o ,lord1 deliver my soul3 ,the ,lord is merciful and just1 and now ,our ,god showeth mercy4 ,the ,lord is the keeper of little ones3 ,i was humbled1 and ,he delivered me40--,ps4 cxiv4 #cf4 ,eternal rest give unto them1 ,o ,lord1 and let perpetual light shine upon them4 ,amen4 ,gospel4 8,martha1 therefore1 said to ,jesus3 ,lord1 if ,thou hadst been here1 my brother had not died4 ,but now also ,i know that whatsoever ,thou wilt ask of ,god1 ,god will give it ,thee4 ,jesus saith to her3 ,thy brother shall rise again4 ,martha saith to ,him3 ,i know that he shall rise again in the resurrection1 at the last day4 ,jesus said to her3 ,i am the ,resurrection and the ,life3 he that believeth in ,me1 although he be dead1 shall live3 ,and every one that liveth1 and believeth in ,me1 shall not die forever4 ,believest thou this8 ,she saith to ,him3 ,yea1 ,lord1 ,i have believed that ,thou art ,christ1 the ,son of the living ,god1 ,who art come into this world40--,john xi4 #babg4 ,offertory4 ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,king of glory1 deliver the souls of the faithful departed from the flames of hell1 and from the deep pit4 ,deliver them from the lion's mouth1 lest hell swallow them2 lest they fall into darkness4 ,and let the standardbearer1 ,st4 ,michael1 bring them into holy light1 which ,thou didst promise of old to ,abraham and his posterity4 ,we offer ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 a sacrifice of praise and prayer3 accept them in behalf of the souls we commemorate this day1 and let them pass from death to life1 which ,thou didst promise of old to ,abraham and ,his posterity4 ,remember1 ,o ,lord1 ,thy compassion1 and ,thy tender mercies1 which are from the beginning4 ,for ourselves also we pray3 8,one favor ,i have asked of ,thee1 and this ,i will seek2 that ,i may dwell in ,thy house all the days of my life4 ,that ,i may see ,thy beauty1 and dwell forever in ,thy temple4 ,amen40 ,secret4 ,have mercy1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 on the souls of ,thy servants name them1 for whom we offer this ,victim of praise1 humbly beseeching ,thy majesty1 that by this sacrifice they may arrive at rest eternal1 through ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,preface4 ,it is truly just1 and reasonable1 and salutary1 to return ,thee thanks at all times1 and in all places1 ,o almighty ,father1 eternal ,god4 ,through ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord1 and through ,his merits1 we hope for a glorious resurrection2 so that if the sentence of death alarm and deject1 the promise of immortality consoles and animates us2 for to ,thy faithful servants death is only a passage from this life to a better4 ,therefore we unite with all the blessed citizens of the heavenly country in singing a hymn to ,thy glory1 and saying without ceasing3 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 ,lord ,god of ,sabaoth3 heaven and earth are full of ,thy glory4 ,blessed is ,he that cometh in the name of the ,lord2 ,his blood pleads for pardon1 and ,his voice rises ever to the throne of mercy in behalf of ,his miserable creatures4 ,amen4 ,canon4 ,o ,father almighty1 ,whose kind providence extendeth to all creation1 cast an eye of pity on the souls that ardently love ,thee1 and whose greatest suffering is to be separated from ,thee4 ,remember1 ,o ,lord1 that they are the work of ,thy hands1 and that they have been purchased by the infinite merits of ,thy ,son1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,oh1 will not the sound of that sweet name move ,thee to pity and forgiveness8 ,we offer in their behalf1 the precious blood which streamed from the sacred side of our dying ,redeemer on the cross2 we offer ,thee the powerful intercession of the most blessed ,mother of ,jesus and ,queen of martyrs2 we offer ,thee the prayers of ,st4 ,joseph1 ,st4 ,peter1 ,st4 ,paul1 and all the saints1 together with the earnest supplications of ,thy ,church on earth2 and we beseech ,thee to take pity on the souls ,thou lovest so tenderly4 ,show them ,thy glory1 receive them into ,thy heart1 and inundate them with that torrent of bliss1 of which ,thou art the inexhaustible fountain4 ,amen4 ,elevation4 ,o sacred ,host6 ,victim of man's salvation6 be propitious to us and hear our prayers4 ,precious blood of ,jesus1 shed to wash away the sins of mankind1 sanctify our soul1 and plead for mercy for the souls in purgatory6 ,amen4 ,pater ,noster4 ,o divine ,jesus6 at ,whose name every knee doth bend1 in heaven1 on earth1 and in hell6 ,sovereign ,judge of the living and the dead6 may ,thy name be honored by the deliverance of the souls for whom we pray4 ,may the gates of heaven be open to receive them1 and may ,thy will1 which desires the salvation of all men1 be this day perfectly done in their regard4 ,grant that1 after having been fed on the bread of sorrow1 they may be fed with the living bread of heaven in the possession of ,thyself4 ,we implore ,thy forgiveness of the sins of our parents1 friends1 and benefactors1 particularly of the sins to which we unhappily have been accessory4 ,preserve us from those avenging flames1 which we have but too well merited by our repeated abuse of grace1 our tepidity in ,thy service1 and our negligence in resisting temptation4 ,deliver us from sin1 the greatest of all evils1 and enable us to feel and understand that it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living ,god4 ,amen4 ,agnus ,dei4 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who by death didst trample on the devil1 about to seize his helpless prey1 have mercy on the souls in purgatory6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who wast offered as a sacrifice of expiation1 that by ,thy death we might be rescued from the slavery of sin1 have mercy on the souls in purgatory6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who wast immolated for love of us that we might pass from the region of malediction to the true land of promise1 grant eternal rest to the souls in purgatory6 ,amen4 ,communion4 ,may eternal light shine on them1 ,o ,lord1 together with ,thy saints forever1 for ,thou art merciful4 ,grant them1 ,o ,lord1 eternal rest1 and let perpetual light shine upon them4 ,amen4 ,post,communion4 ,o ,god1 ,who willest that while we pray for the souls in purgatory1 we should at the same time remember the most essential of our duties1 grant us through ,thy infinite merits and unbounded charity1 the pardon of our past negligences4 ,we will not defer the allimportant duty of penance1 lest it soon be too late to discharge our debts to ,thee4 ,we will fervently and perseveringly pray for the souls in purgatory1 and apply to them also the fruits of our almsdeeds and exercises of mortification4 ,o bountiful ,god6 bless these resolutions1 and strengthen us to observe them faithfully4 ,amen4 ,last ,gospel4 8,i know that my ,redeemer liveth1 and in the ,last ,day ,i shall rise out of the earth3 and ,i shall be clothed again with my skin1 and in my flesh ,i shall see my ,god4 ,whom ,i myself shall see1 and my eyes shall behold1 and not another4 ,this my hope is laid up in my bosom40--,job xix4 #bebg4 ,after having sat in darkness1 and dwelt amidst the shades of death1 we shall rise to the contemplation of eternal life forever6 8,in ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 have ,i hoped3 let me never be confounded60 ,amen4 ,the ,litany of the ,saints4 ,ant4 ,remember not1 ,o ,lord1 our offences1 nor those of our parents2 neither take ,thou vengeance of our sins4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 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 ,saint ,michael1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,gabriel1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,raphael1 ,pray for us4 ,all ye holy angels and archangels1 ,pray for us4 ,all ye holy orders of blessed spirits1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,john ,baptist1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,joseph1 ,pray for us4 ,all ye holy patriarchs and prophets1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,peter1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,paul1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,andrew1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,james1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,john1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,thomas1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,james1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,philip1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,bartholomew1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,matthew1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,simon1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,thaddeus1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,matthias1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,barnabas1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,luke1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,mark1 ,pray for us4 ,all ye holy apostles and evangelists1 ,pray for us4 ,all ye holy disciples of the ,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 ,gervase and ,protase1 ,pray for us4 ,all ye holy martyrs1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,sylvester1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,gregory1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,ambrose1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,augustine1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,jerome1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,martin1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,nicholas1 ,pray for us4 ,all ye holy bishops and confessors1 ,pray for us4 ,all ye holy doctors1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,anthony1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,benedict1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,bernard1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,dominic1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,francis1 ,pray for us4 ,all ye holy priests and ,levites1 ,pray for us4 ,all ye holy monks and hermits1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,mary ,magdalen1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,agatha1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,lucy1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,agnes1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,cecilia1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,catharine1 ,pray for us4 ,saint ,anastasia1 ,pray for us4 ,all ye holy virgins and widows1 ,pray for us4 ,all ye holy men and women1 saints of ,god1 ,make intercession for us4 ,be merciful1 ,spare us1 ,o ,lord4 ,be merciful1 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord4 ,from all dangers that threaten us1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from all evil1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from all sin1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from ,thy wrath1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from all dangers that threaten us1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from the scourge of earthquakes1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from sudden and unlookedfor death1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from the snares of the devil1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from anger1 hatred1 and every evil will1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from the spirit of fornication1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,from lightning and tempest1 ,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 ,thine admirable ascension1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,through the coming of the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,paraclete1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,in the day of judgment1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,we sinners1 ,beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst spare us1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst pardon us1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst bring us to true penance1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst vouchsafe to govern and preserve ,thy holy ,church1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve our ,apostolic ,prelate1 and all orders of the ,church in holy religion1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst vouchsafe to humble the enemies of holy ,church1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to ,christian kings and princes1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to all ,christian people1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us in ,thy holy service1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst deliver our souls and the souls of our brethren1 relations1 and benefactors1 from eternal damnation1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that ,thou wouldst 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 world1 ,spare us1 ,o ,lord6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,have mercy on us6 ,christ1 hear us4 ,christ1 graciously hear us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,christ1 have mercy on us4 ,lord1 have mercy on us4 ,our ,father 7secretly74 ,v4 ,and lead us not into temptation1 ,r4 ,but deliver us from evil4 ,psalm ,,lxix4 ,deus in ,adjutorium4 ,o ,god1 come to my assistance3 ,o ,lord1 make haste to help me4 ,let them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul4 ,let them be turned backward1 and blush for shame that desire evils unto me4 ,let them be straightway turned backward1 blushing for shame1 that say to me3 ',tis well1 'tis well4 ,let all that seek ,thee be joyful and 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 me4 ,thou art my helper and my deliverer3 ,o ,lord1 make no long delay4 ,glory be1 etc4 ,v4 ,save ,thy servants1 ,r4 ,who hope in ,thee1 ,o my ,god4 ,v4 ,be unto us1 ,o ,lord1 a tower of strength4 ,r4 ,from the face of the enemy4 ,v4 ,let not the enemy prevail against us4 ,r4 ,nor the son of iniquity approach to hurt us4 ,v4 ,o ,lord1 deal not with us according to our sins4 ,r4 ,neither requite us according to our iniquities4 ,v4 ,let us pray for our ,sovereign ,pontiff ,n44 ,r4 ,the ,lord preserve him and give him life1 and make him blessed upon the earth1 and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies4 ,v4 ,let us pray for our benefactors4 ,r4 ,vouchsafe1 ,o ,lord1 for ,thy name's sake1 to reward with eternal life all them that do us good4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,let us pray for the faithful departed4 ,r4 ,eternal rest give unto them1 ,o ,lord2 and let perpetual light shine upon them4 ,v4 ,let them rest in peace4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,for our absent brethren4 ,r4 ,save ,thy servants1 who hope in ,thee1 ,o my ,god4 ,v4 ,send them help1 ,o ,lord1 from the sanctuary4 ,r4 ,and defend them out of ,sion4 ,v4 ,o ,lord1 hear my prayer4 ,r4 ,and let my cry come unto ,thee4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,god1 ,whose property is always to have mercy and to spare1 receive our humble petition1 that we1 and all ,thy servants who are bound by the chain of sin1 may1 by the compassion of ,thy goodness1 mercifully be absolved4 ,graciously hear1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 the prayers of ,thy suppliants1 and forgive the sins of them that confess to ,thee2 that1 in ,thy bounty1 ,thou mayest grant us both pardon and peace4 ,show forth upon us1 ,o ,lord1 in ,thy mercy1 ,thy unspeakable loving kindness2 that ,thou mayest both loose us from all our sins and deliver us from the punishments which we deserve for them4 ,o ,god1 ,who by sin art offended1 and by penance pacified1 mercifully regard the prayers of ,thy people making supplication to ,thee1 and turn away the scourges of ,thine anger1 which we deserve for our sins4 ,almighty1 everlasting ,god1 have mercy upon ,thy servant ,n41 our ,sovereign ,pontiff1 and direct him1 according to ,thy clemency1 into the way of everlasting salvation2 that by ,thy grace he may both desire those things that are pleasing to ,thee and perform them with all his strength4 ,o ,god1 from ,whom all holy desires1 all right counsels1 and all just works do come1 give unto ,thy servants that peace which the world cannot give2 that our hearts being devoted to ,thy commandments1 and the fear of our enemies being taken away1 our times1 by ,thy protection1 may be peaceful4 ,inflame1 ,o ,lord1 our reins and heart with the fire of the ,holy ,ghost2 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 sins2 that through pious supplications they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired4 ,prompt1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 our actions by ,thy inspirations1 and further them with ,thy continual help2 that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from ,thee1 and through ,thee be likewise ended4 ,almighty1 everlasting ,god1 ,who hast dominion over the living and the dead1 and art merciful to all whom ,thou foreknowest will be ,thine by faith and works3 we humbly beseech ,thee that they for whom we intend to pour forth our prayers1 whether this present world still detain them in the flesh1 or the world to come hath already received them stripped of their mortal bodies1 may1 by the grace of ,thy loving kindness1 and by the intercession of all the saints1 obtain the remission of all their sins4 ,through ,thy ,son ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord1 ,who liveth and reigneth with ,thee1 in the unity of the ,holy ,spirit1 ,god1 forever and ever4 ,r4 ,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 ,and may the souls of the faithful departed1 through the mercy of ,god1 rest in peace4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,the ,seven ,penitential ,psalms4 ,ant4 ,remember not1 ,o ,lord1 our offences1 nor those of our parents1 and take not revenge on our sins4 ,psalm ,,vi4 ,domine ne in furore4 ,o ,lord1 rebuke me not in ,thy indignation1 nor chastise me in ,thy wrath4 ,have mercy on me1 ,o ,lord1 for ,i am weak3 heal me1 ,o ,lord1 for my bones are troubled4 ,and my soul is troubled exceedingly3 but ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 how long8 ,turn to me1 ,o ,lord1 and deliver my soul3 ,oh1 save me for ,thy mercy's sake4 ,for there is no one in death that is mindful of ,thee3 and who shall confess to ,thee in hell8 ,i have labored in my groanings1 every night ,i will wash my bed3 ,i will water my couch with my tears4 ,my eye is troubled through indignation3 ,i have grown old amongst all my enemies4 ,depart from me1 all ye workers of iniquity3 for the ,lord hath heard the voice of my weeping4 ,the ,lord hath heard my supplication3 the ,lord hath received my prayer4 ,let all my enemies be ashamed1 and be very much troubled3 let them be turned back1 and be ashamed very speedily4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,psalm ,,xxxi4 ,beati quorum4 ,blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven1 and whose sins are covered4 ,blessed is the man to whom the ,lord hath not imputed sin1 and in whose spirit there is no guile4 ,because ,i was silent my bones grew old1 whilst ,i cried out all the day long4 ,for day and night ,thy hand was heavy upon me3 ,i am turned in my anguish whilst the thorn is fastened4 ,i have acknowledged my sin to ,thee1 and my injustice ,i have not concealed4 ,i said ,i will confess against myself my injustice to the ,lord2 and ,thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin4 ,for this shall every one that is holy pray to ,thee in a seasonable time4 ,and yet in a flood of many waters1 they shall not come nigh unto ,him4 ,thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me3 my joy1 deliver me from them that surround me4 ,i will give thee understanding1 and ,i will instruct thee in this way in which thou shalt go3 ,i will fix ,my eyes upon thee4 ,do not become like the horse and the mule1 which have no understanding4 ,with bit and bridle bind fast their jaws1 who come not near unto ,thee4 ,many are the scourges of the sinner1 but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the ,lord4 ,be glad in the ,lord and rejoice1 ye just3 and glory1 all ye right of heart4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,psalm ,,xxxvii4 ,domine ne in furore4 ,rebuke me not1 ,o ,lord1 in ,thy indignation2 nor chastise me in ,thy wrath4 ,for ,thy arrows are fastened in me3 and ,thy hand hath been strong upon me4 ,there is no health in my flesh1 because of ,thy wrath3 there is no peace in my bones1 because of my sins4 ,for my iniquities are gone over my head3 and1 as a heavy burden1 are become heavy upon me4 ,my sores are putrefied and corrupted1 because of my foolishness4 ,i am become miserable1 and am bowed down1 even to the end2 ,i walked sorrowfully all the day long4 ,for my loins are filled with illusions2 and there is no health in my flesh4 ,i am afflicted and humbled exceedingly3 ,i roared with the groaning of my heart4 ,lord1 all my desire is before ,thee1 and my groaning is not hidden from ,thee4 ,my heart is troubled1 my strength hath left me1 and the light of my eyes itself is not with me4 ,my friends and my neighbors have drawn near1 and stood against me4 ,and they that were near me stood afar off3 and they that sought my soul used violence4 ,and they that sought evils to me spoke vain things1 and studied deceits all the day long4 ,but ,i1 as a deaf man1 heard not3 and as a dumb man not opening his mouth4 ,and ,i became as a man that heareth not3 and that hath no reproofs in his mouth4 ,for in ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 have ,i hoped3 ,thou wilt hear me1 ,o ,lord1 my ,god4 ,for ,i said3 ,lest1 at any time1 my enemies rejoice over me2 and whilst my feet are moved1 they speak great things against me4 ,for ,i am ready for scourges3 and my sorrow is continually before me4 ,for ,i will declare my iniquity3 and ,i will think for my sin4 ,but my enemies live1 and are stronger than ,i3 and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied4 ,they that render evil for good have detracted me1 because ,i followed goodness4 ,forsake me not1 ,o ,lord1 my ,god3 do not ,thou depart from me4 ,attend unto my help1 ,o ,lord1 the ,god of my salvation4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,psalm ,l4 ,miserere4 ,have mercy on me1 ,o ,god1 according to ,thy great mercy4 ,and according to the multitude of ,thy tender mercies1 blot out my iniquity4 ,wash me yet more from my iniquity1 and cleanse me from my sin4 ,for ,i know my iniquity1 and my sin is always before me4 ,to ,thee only have ,i sinned1 and have done evil before ,thee3 that ,thou mayest be justified in ,thy words1 and mayest overcome when ,thou art judged4 ,for1 behold1 ,i was conceived in iniquities2 and in sins did my mother conceive me4 ,for1 behold1 ,thou hast loved truth3 the uncertain and hidden things of ,thy wisdom ,thou hast made manifest to me4 ,thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop and ,i shall be cleansed3 ,thou shalt wash me1 and ,i shall be whiter than snow4 ,to my hearing ,thou shalt give joy and gladness2 and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice4 ,turn away ,thy face from my sins1 and blot out all my iniquities4 ,create a clean heart in me1 ,o ,god3 and renew a right spirit within my bowels4 ,cast me not away from ,thy face2 and take not ,thy ,holy ,spirit from me4 ,restore unto me the joy of ,thy salvation1 and strengthen me with a perfect spirit4 ,i will teach the unjust ,thy ways3 and the wicked shall be converted to ,thee4 ,deliver me from blood1 ,o ,god1 ,thou ,god of my salvation3 and my tongue shall extol ,thy justice4 ,o ,lord1 ,thou wilt open my lips3 and my mouth shall declare ,thy praise4 ,for if ,thou hadst desired sacrifice1 ,i would indeed have given it3 with burntofferings ,thou wilt not be delighted4 ,a sacrifice to ,god is an afflicted spirit3 a contrite and humbled heart1 ,o ,god1 ,thou wilt not despise4 ,deal favorably1 ,o ,lord1 in ,thy goodwill with ,sion3 that the walls of ,jerusalem may be built up4 ,then shalt ,thou accept the sacrifice of justice1 oblations and whole burntofferings3 then shall they lay calves upon ,thy altar4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,psalm ,,ci4 ,domine exaudi4 ,hear1 ,o ,lord1 my prayer3 and let my cry come to ,thee4 ,turn not away ,thy face from me3 in the day when ,i am in trouble incline ,thy ear to me4 ,in what day soever ,i shall call upon ,thee1 hear me speedily4 ,for my days are vanished like smoke3 and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire4 ,i am smitten as grass1 and my heart is withered1 because ,i forgot to eat my bread4 ,through the voice of my groaning1 my bone hath cleaved to my flesh4 ,i am become like to a pelican of the wilderness3 ,i am like a nightraven in the house4 ,i have watched1 and become as a sparrow1 all alone on the housetop4 ,all the day long my enemies reproached me3 and they that praised me did swear against me4 ,for ,i did eat ashes like bread1 and mingled my drink with weeping4 ,because of ,thy anger and indignation3 for having lifted me up1 ,thou hast thrown me down4 ,my days have declined like a shadow1 and ,i am withered like grass4 ,but ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 endurest forever3 and ,thy memorial for all generations4 ,thou shalt arise and have mercy on ,sion3 for it is time to have mercy on it1 for the time is come4 ,for the stones thereof have pleased ,thy servants3 and they shall have pity on the earth thereof4 ,and the ,gentiles shall fear ,thy name1 ,o ,lord1 and all the kings of the earth ,thy glory4 ,for the ,lord hath built up ,sion3 and ,he shall be seen in ,his glory4 ,he hath had regard to the prayer of the humble3 and ,he hath not despised their petition4 ,let these things be written unto another generation3 and the people that shall be created shall praise the ,lord4 ,because ,he has looked forth from ,his high sanctuary3 from heaven the ,lord hath looked upon the earth4 ,that ,he might hear the groans of them that are in fetters3 that ,he might release the children of the slain4 ,that they might declare the name of the ,lord in ,sion1 and ,his praise in ,jerusalem4 ,when the people assemble together1 and the kings1 to serve the ,lord4 ,he answered ,him in the way of his strength3 ,declare unto me the fewness of my days4 ,call me not away in the midst of my days3 ,thy years are unto generation and generation4 ,in the beginning1 ,o ,lord1 ,thou foundest the earth2 and the heavens are the works of ,thy hands4 ,they shall perish1 but ,thou remainest3 and all of them shall grow old like a garment3 ,and as a vesture ,thou shalt change them1 and they shall be changed4 ,but ,thou art always the selfsame1 and ,thy years shall not fail4 ,the children of ,thy servants shall continue3 and their seed shall be directed forever4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,psalm ,,cxxix4 ,de profundis4 ,out of the depths ,i have cried to ,thee1 ,o ,lord3 ,lord1 hear my voice4 ,let ,thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication4 ,if ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 wilt mark iniquities1 ,lord1 who shall stand8 ,for with ,thee there is merciful forgiveness2 and by reason of ,thy law ,i have waited for ,thee1 ,o ,lord6 ,my soul hath relied on ,his word3 my soul hath hoped in the ,lord4 ,from the morning watch even until night1 let ,israel hope in the ,lord4 ,because with the ,lord there is mercy3 and with ,him plentiful redemption4 ,and ,he shall redeem ,israel from all his iniquities4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,psalm ,,cxlii4 ,domine exaudi4 ,hear1 ,o ,lord1 my prayer3 give ear to my supplication in ,thy truth3 hear me in ,thy justice4 ,and enter not into judgment with ,thy servant3 for in ,thy sight no man living shall be justified4 ,for the enemy hath persecuted my soul3 he hath brought down my life to the earth4 ,he hath made me to dwell in the darkness as those that have been dead of old3 and my spirit is in anguish within me3 my heart within me is troubled4 ,i remembered the days of old1 ,i meditated on all ,thy works3 ,i meditated upon the works of ,thy hands4 ,i stretched forth my hands to ,thee3 my soul is as earth without water unto ,thee4 ,hear me speedily1 ,o ,lord3 my spirit hath fainted away4 ,turn not away ,thy face from me1 lest ,i be like unto them that go down into the pit4 ,cause me to hear ,thy mercy in the morning3 for in ,thee have ,i hoped4 ,make the way known to me1 wherein ,i should walk3 for ,i have lifted up my soul to ,thee4 ,deliver me from my enemies1 ,o ,lord2 to ,thee have ,i fled3 teach me to do ,thy will1 for ,thou art my ,god4 ,thy good ,spirit shall lead me into the right land3 and for ,thy name's sake1 ,o ,lord1 ,thou wilt quicken me in ,thy justice4 ,thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble3 and in ,thy mercy ,thou wilt destroy my enemies4 ,and ,thou wilt cut off all them that afflict my soul3 for ,i am ,thy servant4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,ant4 ,remember not1 ,o ,lord1 our offences1 nor those of our parents1 and take not revenge of our sins4 ,efficacious ,prayers for the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,a ,daily ,exercise ,for ,the ,relief ,of ,the ,poor ,souls4 ,o most loving ,god1 ,father of mercies1 ,god of infinite goodness1 behold me humbly prostrate before ,thy throne2 ,i pray and beseech ,thee to have pity on the holy souls that are in the pains of purgatory4 ,cast on them a look of mercy1 free them from their pains1 and put them in possession of the inheritance of heaven4 ,remember that they are the work of ,thy hands1 redeemed by the most precious blood of ,thy divine ,son ,jesus3 deal with them according to ,thine infinite mercy4 ,hear1 ,o ,lord1 the prayer ,i make to ,thee with all confidence1 through the merits of the ,passion and death of ,thy most dear ,son ,jesus1 that they may be consoled1 and may enjoy without delay that immortal glory which ,thou hast prepared for ,thine elect4 ,o merciful ,lord1 have pity upon them1 according to our trust in ,thee4 ,amen4 ,prayers4 #a4 ,o most sweet ,jesus1 through the sweat of blood which ,thou didst suffer in the ,garden of ,gethsemani1 have pity upon the holy souls in purgatory1 and in particular upon the one which was most devout to the most ,holy ,trinity4 ,have pity upon them1 ,o ,jesus1 have pity upon them4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,eternal rest1 etc4 ,o turn to ,jesus1 ,mother6 turn1 ,and call ,him by ,his tenderest names2 ,pray for the holy souls that burn ,this hour amid the cleansing flames4 #b4 ,o most sweet ,jesus1 through the torments which ,thou didst suffer in ,thy most cruel scourging1 have pity upon those dear souls1 and particularly upon the one which was the most devout to ,thy most amiable ,heart4 ,have pity upon them1 ,o ,jesus1 have pity upon them4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,eternal rest1 etc4 ,o turn to ,jesus1 etc4 #c4 ,o most sweet ,jesus1 through the pangs which ,thou didst suffer in ,thy most painful crowning with thorns1 have pity upon those dear souls1 and particularly upon the one which was most devout to the immaculate heart of ,mary4 ,have pity upon them1 ,o ,jesus1 have pity upon them4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,eternal rest1 etc4 ,o turn to ,jesus1 etc4 #d4 ,o most sweet ,jesus1 through the afflictions which ,thou didst suffer in carrying the cross to ,calvary1 have pity upon those dear souls1 and particularly upon the one which is nearest to its departure from that most painful prison4 ,have pity upon them1 ,o ,jesus1 have pity upon them4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,eternal rest1 etc4 ,o turn to ,jesus1 etc4 #e4 ,o most sweet ,jesus1 through the tortures which ,thou didst suffer in ,thy most cruel crucifixion1 have pity upon those dear souls1 and especially upon that one which ,thou knowest to be of them all the most destitute of special suffrages4 ,have pity upon them1 ,o ,jesus1 have pity upon them4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,eternal rest1 etc4 ,o turn to ,jesus1 etc4 #f4 ,o most sweet ,jesus1 through the pains which ,thou didst suffer in the most bitter agony which ,thou didst undergo upon the cross1 have pity upon those dear souls1 and particularly upon the one which among them all would be the last to depart out of such excruciating pains4 ,have pity upon them1 ,o ,jesus1 have pity upon them4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,eternal rest1 etc4 ,o turn to ,jesus1 etc4 #g4 ,o most sweet ,jesus1 through that intense anguish which ,thou didst suffer1 when ,thou didst breathe out ,thy blessed soul1 have pity upon those dear souls1 and particularly upon the one which has the greatest claims on me for help4 ,have pity upon them1 ,o ,jesus1 have pity upon them4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 and ,eternal rest1 etc4 ,o ,mary1 let thy ,son no more ,his lingering spouses thus expect3 ,god's children to their ,god restore1 ,and to the ,spirit ,his elect4 ,they are the children of thy tears2 ,then hasten1 ,mother1 to their aid2 ,in pity think each hour appears ,an age while glory is delayed4 ,pray1 then1 as thou hast ever prayed2 ,angels and souls1 all look to thee2 ,god waits thy prayers1 for ,he hath made ,those prayers ,his law of charity4 ,o turn to ,jesus1 ,mother6 turn1 ,and call ,him by ,his tenderest names2 ,pray for the holy souls that burn ,this hour amid the cleansing flames4 ,supplication ,to ,the ,most ,holy ,mary4 ,to thee1 ,o most holy ,virgin ,mary1 my ,mother1 ,i turn in supplication1 and through that sword which pierced thy heart1 when thou didst behold thy beloved ,son ,jesus ,christ bow down ,his head and give up the ghost1 ,i pray and implore thee1 with the greatest confidence1 to succor the poor holy souls in purgatory1 and particularly those of which an especial commemoration has been made4 ,o ,mother of sorrows1 ,o ,queen of martyrs1 for the love of ,jesus ,who died for us upon the cross1 do thou with thy powerful prayers give succor also unto us1 who are in danger not only of falling into purgatory1 but even of losing ourselves forever4 ,o ,mary1 our dear ,mother1 ,mother of grace1 ,mother of mercy1 have pity upon us4 ,ejaculation to be repeated every day during the ,octave4 ,o eternal ,father1 through the most precious blood of ,jesus1 and through the most bitter dolors of ,mary1 have pity and mercy upon the holy souls in purgatory4 ,amen4 ,prayers for ,each ,day for the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,for ,sunday4 ,o ,lord ,god almighty1 ,i pray ,thee1 by the precious blood which ,thy divine ,son ,jesus shed in the ,garden2 set free the souls in purgatory1 and1 among them all1 especially the one which is most friendless1 and conduct it to ,thy glory1 where it may praise ,thee and bless ,thee for eternity4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,psalm1 ,de ,profundis4 ,prayer4 ,o ,god1 the ,creator and ,redeemer of all the faithful1 grant to the souls of ,thy servants departed the remission of all their sins1 that through pious supplications they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired2 ,who livest and reignest with ,god the ,father in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 ,god1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,eternal rest give to them1 ,o ,lord4 ,r4 ,and let perpetual light shine upon them4 ,v4 ,may they rest in peace4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,monday4 ,o ,lord ,god almighty1 ,i pray ,thee1 through the precious blood which ,thy divine ,son ,jesus shed in ,his cruel scourging2 set free the souls in purgatory1 and1 among them all1 especially the one which is nearest to its entry into ,thy glory1 in order that it may speedily begin to praise ,thee and to bless ,thee for eternity4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,psalm1 ,de ,profundis4 ,o ,god1 the ,creator1 etc41 etc4 ,tuesday4 ,o ,lord ,god almighty1 ,i supplicate ,thee1 through the precious blood which ,thy divine ,son ,jesus shed in ,his bitter crowning with thorns2 set free the souls in purgatory1 and in particular1 among them all1 the one which would have to be the last to depart from such grievous pains1 to the end that it may not delay so long to praise ,thee in ,thy glory1 and to bless ,thee forever4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,psalm1 ,de ,profundis4 ,o ,god1 the ,creator1 etc41 etc4 ,wednesday4 ,o ,lord ,god almighty1 ,i pray ,thee1 through the precious blood which ,thy divine ,son ,jesus shed through the streets of ,jerusalem1 in carrying the cross on ,his sacred shoulders2 set free the souls in purgatory1 and especially the one which is the richest in merits before ,thee1 in order that in the sublime height of glory which it expects1 it may loudly praise ,thee and bless ,thee forever4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,psalm1 ,de ,profundis4 ,o ,god1 the ,creator1 etc41 etc4 ,thursday4 ,o ,lord ,god almighty1 ,i supplicate ,thee1 through the precious body and blood of ,thy divine ,son ,jesus1 which ,he ,himself on the eve of ,his ,passion gave erewhile for meat and drink to ,his dear apostles1 and left to all ,his ,church as a perpetual sacrifice and lifegiving food for ,his faithful2 set free the souls in purgatory1 and most of all the one most devout to this mystery of infinite love2 in order that it may praise ,thee for it with ,thy divine ,son1 and with the ,holy ,ghost in ,thy glory forever4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,psalm1 ,de ,profundis4 ,o ,god1 the ,creator1 etc41 etc4 ,friday4 ,o ,lord ,god almighty1 ,i pray ,thee1 through the precious blood which ,thy divine ,son ,jesus shed on this day on the altar of the cross1 especially from ,his most holy hands and feet2 set free the souls in purgatory1 and especially the one for which ,i ought most to pray to ,thee2 in order that it may not be owing to my fault that ,thou dost not quickly take it to praise ,thee in ,thy glory1 and to bless ,thee forever4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,psalm1 ,de ,profundis4 ,o ,god1 the ,creator1 etc41 etc4 ,saturday4 ,o ,lord ,god almighty1 ,i supplicate ,thee1 through the precious blood which poured forth from the side of ,thy divine ,son ,jesus1 in the sight and to the exceeding suffering of ,his most holy ,mother2 set free the souls in purgatory1 and especially1 among them all1 the one which was most devout to this great ,queen2 in order that it may speedily come to ,thy glory to praise ,thee in her1 and her in ,thee for all eternity4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary4 ,psalm1 ,de ,profundis4 ,o ,god1 the ,creator1 etc41 etc4 ,indulgence of a hundred days each time2 applicable to the dead4 ,an ,invocation of the ,most ,holy ,trinity for the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,o ,god of all goodness1 ,father of mercies1 ,who1 at the prayers and fastings of ,thy faithful people1 didst vouchsafe to send ,thy angels to break asunder the fetters of ,thy holy apostle ,peter1 and to open the doors of his prison2 hear even also on this day the prayers and supplications of ,thy ,church1 and send ,thy angel to the souls for whom we pray1 that1 the doors of their prison being opened wide1 they may be happily received into the bosom of ,thy mercy4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc41 etc4 ,o ,son of ,god1 ,saviour of souls1 ,who didst refresh the three children in the burning fiery furnace1 pour down upon the souls that cry to ,thee from the flames1 ,thy heavenly dew4 ,thy precious blood alone can quench the flames of purgatory2 oh1 let it now flow down upon these suffering souls1 and do ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 have mercy upon them4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc41 etc4 ,o ,spirit of love1 have compassion on the cruel torment which these souls endure1 that are filled with the purest charity1 and1 aspiring without ceasing towards their ,god1 cry aloud in their distress1 8,i thirst3 ,i thirst after my ,god60 and yet cannot attain unto the object of their love1 nor receive the least drop of that torrent of pure delights4 ,o ,holy ,spirit1 grant that1 having felt the fiercest pangs of love1 they may taste its heavenly delights in a blessed eternity4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 ,hail ,mary1 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc41 etc4 ,prayer that may be used by ,surviving ,friends4 ,grant1 ,o ,lord1 we beseech ,thee1 that while we lament the departure of ,thy servant1 we may always remember that we are most certainly to follow him her4 ,give us grace to prepare for that last hour by a good and holy life1 that we may not be taken unprepared by sudden death1 but may be ever on the watch1 that1 when ,thou shalt call1 we may go forth to meet the ,bridegroom1 and enter with ,him into glory everlasting4 ,through the same ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,o most wise and merciful ,lord1 ,who hast ordained this life as a passage to the future1 confining our repentance to the time of our pilgrimage here1 and reserving for hereafter the state of punishment and reward2 vouchsafe to us who are yet alive1 and have still the opportunity of reconciliation with ,thee1 the grace so to watch over all our actions1 and to correct every slightest wandering from the true way to heaven1 that we may not be surprised with our sins uncancelled or our duties unfulfilled2 but when our bodies shall go down into the grave1 our souls may ascend to ,thee1 and dwell with ,thee forever in the mansions of eternal bliss4 ,through ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord and only ,saviour4 ,amen4 ,litany of the ,faithful ,departed4 7,for ,private ,devotion ,only47 ,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 the suffering souls4 ,god the ,son1 ,redeemer of the world1 ,have mercy on the suffering souls4 ,god the ,holy ,ghost1 ,have mercy on the suffering souls4 ,holy ,trinity1 one ,god1 ,have mercy on the suffering souls4 ,holy ,mary1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,holy ,mother of ,god1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,holy ,virgin of virgins1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,michael1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,all ye holy angels and archangels1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,all ye choirs of celestial spirits1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,john the ,baptist1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,joseph1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,all ye holy patriarchs and prophets1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,peter1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,paul1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,john1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,all ye holy apostles and evangelists1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,stephen1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,laurence1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,all ye holy martyrs1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,gregory1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,ambrose1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,augustine1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,jerome1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,all ye holy pontiffs and confessors1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,all ye holy doctors1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,all ye holy priests and ,levites1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,all ye holy monks and hermits1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,mary ,magdalen1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,catharine1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,st4 ,barbara1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,all ye holy virgins and widows1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,all ye saints of ,god1 ,pray for the suffering souls4 ,be merciful unto them1 ,pardon them1 ,o ,lord4 ,be merciful unto them1 ,hear us1 ,o ,lord4 ,from all evil1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,from ,thy wrath1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,from the rigor of ,thy justice1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,from the gnawing worm of conscience1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,from fearful darkness1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,from their mourning and tears1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy incarnation1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy nativity1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thine own sweet name1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy baptism and holy fasting1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy most profound humility1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy perfect submission1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy infinite love1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy anguish and torment1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy bloody sweat1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy bonds and chains1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy crown of thorns1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy ignominious death1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy sacred wounds1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy cross and bitter ,passion1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thy glorious resurrection1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by ,thine admirable ascension1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,by the coming of the ,paraclete1 ,o ,lord1 deliver them4 ,in the day of judgment1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,sinners as we are1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,thou ,who didst absolve the adulteress1 and pardon the good thief1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,thou ,who savest by ,thy grace1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,thou ,who hast the keys of death and of hell1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that it may please ,thee to deliver our parents1 friends1 and benefactors from tormenting flames1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that it may please ,thee to deliver all the faithful departed1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that it may please ,thee to have mercy on all those who have none in this world to remember or pray for them1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that it may please ,thee to have mercy on all1 and to deliver them from their pains1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that it may please ,thee to fulfil their desires1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,that it may please ,thee to admit them amongst ,thine elect1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,king of dreadful majesty1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,son of ,god1 ,we beseech ,thee1 hear us4 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,give them rest6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,give them rest6 ,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,give them eternal rest6 ,jesus ,christ1 hear us4 ,jesus ,christ1 graciously hear us4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,v4 ,from the gate of hell4 ,r4 ,o ,lord1 preserve their souls4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,god1 the ,creator and ,redeemer of all the faithful1 give to the souls of ,thy servants departed the remission of all their sins1 to the end that they may obtain1 by the humble supplications of ,thy ,church1 that pardon which they have always desired of ,thy mercy4 ,thou ,who1 being ,god1 livest and reignest forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,give them1 ,o ,lord1 eternal rest4 ,r4 ,and let perpetual light shine upon them4 ,v4 ,may they rest in peace4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,psalm ,,cxxix4 ,de ,profundis4 ,out of the depths ,i have cried unto ,thee1 ,o ,lord3 ,lord1 hear my voice4 ,let ,thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication4 ,if ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 wilt mark iniquities3 ,lord1 who shall stand8 ,for with ,thee there is merciful forgiveness3 and by reason of ,thy law ,i have waited for ,thee1 ,o ,lord4 ,my soul hath relied on ,his word3 my soul hath hoped in the ,lord4 ,from the morning watch even until night3 let ,israel hope in the ,lord4 ,for with the ,lord there is mercy3 and with ,him plentiful redemption4 ,and ,he shall redeem ,israel from all his iniquities4 ,v4 ,eternal rest give unto them1 ,o ,lord4 ,r4 ,and let perpetual light shine upon them4 ,v4 ,may they rest in peace4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,an indulgence of fifty days can be gained thrice in the same day by all the faithful who shall devoutly recite the ,de ,profundis1 with the versicles and responses4 ,plenary indulgence once a year1 after confession and communion4 ,,december4 ,,advent4 ,christ ,jesus1 ,whom we are going to seek this month1 has two thrones3 one of grace and one of justice4 ,while we live we can always approach the throne of grace4 ,this throne is placed for our refuge1 and the pardon of our sins4 ,ask and you shall receive2 if your sins are as black as jet1 they shall be made white as snow4 ,when we approach the throne of ,god's mercy1 love and grace1 we must come deeply penetrated with the knowledge1 8,without ,me you can do nothing40--,john xv4 #e4 ,we have not the grace1 nor the strength1 nor the willingness1 nor the intelligence to do good of ourselves without the help of ,jesus4 ,let us then go with confidence to the throne of grace1 that we may obtain mercy and find grace4 ,let us have great confidence in ,god's mercy2 let us feel1 in the depths of our hearts1 a conviction that the only source whence a poor sinner can expect effectual help is from ,god's love4 8,although ,he should kill me ,i will trust in ,him40 ,we need aid1 and we will get that help without fail4 ,the ,church shows her wisdom by not showing us the manger during ,advent2 for one entire month she tells us1 8,prepare yourselves that you may be fit to approach the ,infant ,jesus at the time of ,his birth4 ,you must prepare your heart by meditation1 by a lively faith1 a fervent love1 a true humility1 a sweetness of character1 and a spirit of penance and recollection40 ,on ,christmas day the ,lord is not born corporally1 as ,he was at ,bethlehem2 but ,he will be born spiritually in our hearts1 if they have been well prepared for ,his reception4 ,considerations and ,prayers for ,every ,day4 ,first ,day4 ,advent is the season in which we are taught to look forward to the coming of ,our ,lord into the world at ,christmas1 and also to ,his second coming at the end of time1 to judge the living and the dead4 ,his first coming was to seek and to save that which was lost2 the second will be to gather in the fruits of ,his labors1 the souls that are saved4 ,the sacred time of ,advent is therefore a preparation for ,christmas1 established by the ,church1 and at the same time it leads us to look for the coming of ,christ at the end1 and to conform our lives to the life of ,christ1 so that when we meet ,him on the ,last ,day it will not be in fear and trembling1 but with joy1 because we have been selected to return with ,him to heaven4 ,we will1 then1 with alacrity enter into this employment during this month1 knowing that if we have prepared well for ,his first coming1 we shall be in a fit state to receive ,him at ,his second advent4 ,the time of ,advent1 according to the ,church1 is a time of penance1 not so great as ,lent1 but the spirit should be the same4 ,every morning1 if possible1 attend ,mass in honor of the coming of ,christ1 and on ,fridays impose a slight penance on yourself4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 vouchsafe to reduce ,thy incarnated divinity and most divine humanity to the humiliating state of birth and infancy3 grant that we1 acknowledging ,thy infinite wisdom in ,thy infancy1 ,thy power in ,thy weakness1 and ,thy majesty in ,thy littleness1 may adore ,thee1 a little one on earth1 and behold ,thee great in heaven4 ,who livest and reignest with ,god the ,father1 in unity with the ,holy ,ghost1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,second ,day4 ,of all the miracles in the world1 never was there one to be compared to that of the coming of the ,son of ,god on earth1 in the humble form of a child4 ,it was a miracle so entirely above our reasoning1 that unless we knew it by faith established by revelation1 we would say it was impossible and believe it as little as many of the unbelieving ,jews did4 ,that the infinite ,god should take the form of a poor creature3 that ,god should so unite ,himself to that creature of ,his1 as to assume its lowliness1 clad in the dust and clay of the earth1 is a very great miracle4 ,it was1 however1 the infinite power of the ,almighty that did this4 8,for us men1 and for our salvation1 ,he came down from heaven4 ,he humbled ,himself1 and became obedient unto death1 even to the death of the cross40 ,who can now refuse to believe in the love of ,god for ,his creatures8 ,men looking at life in a certain light1 have doubted ,god's goodness to humanity2 but let them once contemplate the world from our point of view and they will necessarily admit that ,he loved us to excess1 and that ,he still continues to love us4 ,oh1 shall we not then return ,him love for love8 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,third ,day4 ,what was it that induced ,god to work such a miracle in behalf of mankind1 as to send ,his onlybegotten ,son to this world8 ,it was man's sin4 ,from all eternity the ,blessed ,trinity had decreed that in consequence of sin there was a necessity of redemption2 that the eternal ,word should be born into the world1 if man was not to be left to the fate of everlasting perdition4 ,man could not redeem himself2 an angel could not give sufficient satisfaction2 none but ,god ,himself could offer atonement for man4 ,hence1 ,god1 in ,his great goodness and mercy1 resolved to do this work of redemption4 ,he provides a remedy for all the sins and follies of men1 even before they are committed4 ,we do the harm1 and ,god has to undo it4 ,has ,he not often thus averted from me the consequences due to my evil deeds8 ,what have ,i done in my life but wickedness1 and very little good8 ,my life has been so filled with iniquity1 that shame fills my heart when ,i think of the past4 ,i have not only to bear the sins of ,adam and ,eve1 but ,i have to atone for my own sins4 ,so great have these sins been1 that the ,son of ,god had to descend very low to reach our level4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,fourth ,day4 ,the ,fathers of the ,church1 and the ,church herself1 exclaim1 8,o happy fault1 that caused the ,word to be made flesh1 and to dwell among us6 ,o happy transgression1 which earned a ,redeemer such as this60 ,we gained more than we lost4 ,adam and ,eve were perfect for a time in the sight of ,god1 but when they fell1 they lost all4 ,then came the redemption1 and we were admitted into the ,church of ,god1 a fountain so full of graces1 by means of the sacraments4 ,our places were secured in heaven by the blood of the ,lamb4 ,what a great gift was that blood of ,jesus ,christ1 poured over our soul6 ,what a glorious wound was that which was cured by so adorable a power6 ,we have hope once more1 again we breathe freely in the bright trust of being children of ,god1 and heirs of the kingdom of heaven4 ,so that from the time of ,adam and ,eve1 there had been a hope in the human breast that ,god would come to redeem mankind4 ,adam and all his children were ever looking and praying for ,his coming2 and now during ,advent we are preparing for the coming of ,him ,who is to rejoice every heart4 8,come quickly1 ,o ,lord ,jesus40 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,fifth ,day4 ,the children of ,adam had to lament the deadly effects of the evil they had committed4 ,as generation followed generation1 thicker grew the darkness in the minds and hearts of the people1 and farther and farther away did they wander from that eternal ,light1 which was to guide them to heaven4 ,thus it is that sin goes on1 spreading its painful consequences throughout the world1 even long after the evildoer is dead and gone4 ,gradually the world lost all regard for virtue1 or for ,god1 until it became so wicked that unless the ,redeemer appeared when ,he did1 mankind would have been plunged into absolute barbarism1 and worked its own destruction4 ,if ,i had lived then1 what kind of a human being would ,i have been8--who even now1 while enjoying the light of civilization and the freedom with which ,god has enriched me1 am such a poor specimen of a ,christian4 ,i who have been made by ,god1 for ,god1 and in the image of ,god4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,sixth ,day4 ,our life is a circle4 ,we came from ,god1 and to ,god we must return4 ,if we have deserted ,him we must go back1 if our life is to be a success in the end4 ,we can never find repose or lasting satisfaction in anything but ,god4 ,until we make ,him the end and aim of our life1 we shall feel that we are wandering about in the dark4 ,this was the case with the world1 which had gone from its ,creator2 deeper and deeper it sank in the mire of iniquity4 ,we must do as ,christ bids us1 8,seek ye first the kingdom of ,god40 ,we seek ,him by a thorough preparation for ,his coming1 for ,he will come to meet us1 and will be ready to receive us and take us back into ,his affection4 ,god comes to us repeatedly in life2 but we do not know ,his fulness4 ,yet it is a sad loss that we are so blind4 ,it is the only real misery in life1 that we are meeting ,god every day1 and do not know ,him when we meet ,him4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,seventh ,day4 ,at length1 on the distant horizon1 can be discerned the dawn of the ,sun that has been so long desired to enlighten the world4 ,the happy ,mother of the ,messias was to be born before ,he could come4 ,this is the eve of the feast of the ,immaculate ,conception2 the earth has now a pledge that the coming of the ,messias will no longer be delayed1 the ,son of man is near at hand4 ,the conception of ,mary takes place under the direct providence of ,god2 she receives the breath of life from ,god1 without any stain of sin4 ,the feast of the ,blessed ,virgin's ,immaculate ,conception is the most solemn of all those which the ,church celebrates during the holy season of ,advent4 ,we will1 then1 honor the feast of the ,blessed ,virgin with joy4 ,the intention of the feast is not only to celebrate the anniversary of the happy moment in which began1 in the womb of the pious ,ann1 the life of the ever glorious ,virgin ,mary3 but also to honor the sublime privilege by which ,mary was preserved from the stain of original sin--which1 by the curse of ,god on our first parents1 darkened the souls of all the descendants of ,adam and ,eve at the very first moment of their conception4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,eighth ,day4 ,the faith of the ,catholic ,church on the conception of ,mary1 is this3 that1 at the very instant when ,god united the soul of ,mary1 which ,he had created with a special regard to the ,mother of ,his divine ,son1 to the body which it was to animate1 this ever blessed soul not only did not contract the stain of that curse which defiles every human soul1 but was filled with an immeasurable grace1 which rendered it from that moment the mirror of sanctity of ,god ,himself1 as far as this is possible to a creature4 ,it was due to ,his own infinite sanctity that ,god should suspend1 in this instance1 the law which ,his divine justice had passed upon all the children of ,adam4 ,the relations which ,mary was to bear to the divinity could not be reconciled with her undergoing the humiliations of man's punishment4 ,she was not only the ,daughter of the eternal ,father3 she was destined also to become the very ,mother of the ,son1 and the ,bride of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,nothing defiled could be permitted to enter1 even for the shortest time1 that sacred structure4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,ninth ,day4 ,st4 ,anselm1 a ,doctor of the ,church1 tells us1 in his time1 when the doctrine of the ,immaculate ,conception had not yet been declared1 that1 8,it was just that this holy ,virgin should be adorned with the greatest purity which can be conceived1 after that of ,god ,himself1 since ,god the ,father was to give her as her ,child that onlybegotten ,son1 ,whom ,he loved as ,himself1 as being begotten to ,him from ,his own bosom1 and this in such a manner that the selfsame ,son of ,god was by nature the ,son of both ,god the ,father1 and of this ,blessed ,virgin4 ,this same ,son chose her to be substantially ,his ,mother3 and the ,holy ,ghost willed that in her womb ,he would operate the conception and birth of ,him from ,whom ,he ,himself proceeded40 ,when we remember that ,mary is the 8,mother of ,god10 so far from being surprised at the privileges which we see the ,church giving her1 we approve of all4 ,that the ,almighty would shower down upon her the choicest graces of heaven1 and by special privileges distinguish her from all the children of ,god1 seems only just4 ,mary was so surrounded and strengthened by grace that she never committed the least sin during her life4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,tenth ,day4 ,the closeness of the tie between ,mother and ,son gave ,mary all the privileges and distinctions which she enjoys4 ,this closeness was to unite the ,son of ,god with ,mary1 and was to elicit from ,him the most tender love and the most filial reverence4 ,all this had been present to the thought of ,god from all eternity1 and the conclusion forces itself upon our mind1 that therefore the divine ,word had1 for ,his future ,mother1 a love infinitely greater than that which ,he bore for all other creatures4 ,mary's honor was infinitely dear to ,him1 because she was to be ,his ,mother1 chosen to be so by ,his eternal and merciful decrees4 ,the ,son's love protected the ,mother4 ,she1 indeed1 in her sublime humility1 willingly submitted to whatever the rest of ,god's creatures had brought on themselves1 and obeyed every tittle of those laws which were never meant for her4 8,o ,mary1 ,o marvellous1 mystical creature6 ,o resplendent mote1 lost almost to view in the upper light of the supernal fountains6 ,who can sufficiently abase himself before thee1 and weep for the want of love to love thee rightly1 thou whom the ,word so loved eternally80 7,faber47 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,eleventh ,day4 ,mary was conceived without sin1 because the eternal ,father would not do less for the second ,eve than ,he had done for the first2 yet the latter was created1 as was also the first ,adam1 in the state of original justice1 which she forfeited by her disobedience4 ,the ,son of ,god would not permit that ,mary1 from whom ,he was to take the nature of man1 should be deprived of that gift which ,he had given to ,eve4 ,the ,holy ,ghost1 ,who was to overshadow ,mary1 and through whose operation she was to become the ,mother of the ,incarnate ,word1 would not permit that foul stain of sin in which we are all conceived to rest even for an instant on ,his ,bride4 ,all men were to contract the sin of ,adam4 ,the sentence was universal1 the condemnation went out against all the race2 but ,god's own ,mother could not be included4 ,god1 ,who is the ,author of that law2 ,god1 ,who was free to make it as ,he willed1 had power to save her from its effects2 ,his omnipotence could exempt her1 and it was nothing more than proper1 even according to our frail reason1 that she was exempted4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,twelfth ,day4 ,certainly ,god's omnipotence came into active operation when ,he created the soul of ,mary4 ,when ,adam and ,eve stood before ,him in the garden of paradise1 the ,lord said to the woman1 8,why hast thou done this80 ,she replied1 8,the serpent deceived me1 and ,i did eat40 ,then ,god was angry1 and turning to the serpent ,he said1 8,i will put enmity between thy seed and her seed2 she shall crush thy head40 ,thus was salvation promised to the human race1 under the form of a victory over ,satan1 and it is to be gained by the woman4 ,the second ,eve is to be worthy of the second ,adam1 conquering ,satan and sin4 ,the human race is one day to be avenged1 not only by ,god made man1 but also by the woman miraculously exempted from every sin1 in whom the primeval creation1 which was in justice and holiness1 will thus reappear1 as though original sin had never been committed4 ,raise up your hands then1 ye children of ,adam1 and shake off your chains4 ,on this day of the ,immaculate ,conception the humiliation which weighed you down so heavily is annihilated4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,thirteenth ,day4 ,the dignity of the human race is well portrayed when we see that ,god so blessed its members4 ,the ,lord loves the human race1 and was pleased to be called the ,son of man4 ,he still loves this guilty earth1 since ,he has deigned to enlighten it with one of the brightest rays of ,his ,mother's glory4 ,how the world ought to exult on this feast of the ,immaculate ,conception6 ,the present generation will never forget the enthusiasm with which the entire universe received the tidings of the definition of the dogma4 ,it was an event of mysterious importance1 which thus marks this second half of our century1 and we shall look forward to the future with confidence4 ,for the ,holy ,ghost bids us tremble for the days when truths are diminished among the children of men4 ,he would consequently have us look on these times as blessed by ,god1 in which we receive an increase of truth1 and an increase both in light and authority4 ,the ,church always professed belief in the ,immaculate ,conception2 it is not a new doctrine4 ,she had always kept the #hth of ,december as the feast of the conception of ,mary4 ,now we add1 8,immaculate0 ,conception4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,fourteenth ,day4 ,there have been no new doctrines added to the dogmas of the ,church4 ,people are sometimes scandalized when they hear1 from ,protestant and infidel sources1 that the ,church is continually adding to her faith without any warrant from ,god4 ,such1 however1 is not a fact4 ,the present living ,church can add nothing to the revelation of ,our ,lord and ,saviour1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,st4 ,bernard and the ,angelic ,doctor1 ,st4 ,thomas1 both teach that the ,church cannot celebrate the feast of what is not holy4 ,from time immemorial the feast of the ,immaculate ,conception has been celebrated2 it was considered holy then1 and is now no new doctrine4 ,the nativity of the same holy ,virgin is kept as a solemnity in the ,church1 because ,mary was born full of grace4 ,therefore1 had the first moment of ,mary's existence been one of sin1 as that of all the other children of ,adam1 it never could have been made the subject of reverence by the ,church4 ,o ,mary1 thou bright ray of hope1 penetrate our hearts1 that we may rejoice in thy motherhood2 thou art the dearest1 purest1 holiest ,mother1 whom we love most tenderly4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,fifteenth ,day4 ,how thy gentle light gladdens our weary eyes1 sweet ,mother6 ,generations had followed generations on this earth of ours2 men looked up to heaven through their tears1 hoping to see on the horizon the ,star which they had been told should disperse the gloomy horrors of the world's darkness4 ,o thou fair ,morning ,star1 which dost shed thy blessed rays on the sea1 and dost bring calm after long stormy night1 prepare our eyes1 that they may behold the divine ,sun which will soon follow in thy path1 and give to the world ,his reign of light4 ,to see ,jesus in truth our hearts must be pure2 purify them1 then1 ,o ,mother1 especially during this sacred time of ,advent1 that we1 the children of the ,church1 reflecting on the jealous care wherewith ,god preserved thee from every stain of sin1 because thou wast to be the ,mother of ,his divine ,son1 might prepare to receive this same ,jesus by the most perfect renouncing of every sin1 and every attachment to it4 ,cease not to bless and protect all these that honor thy great privilege of being conceived without sin4 ,may this feast fit us for the birth of ,jesus in ,bethlehem4 ,thou art all beautiful1 ,o ,mary1 and there is no stain of sin in thee4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,sixteenth ,day4 ,the ,church cries out a welcome to the advent of ,christ1 during this time2 making us feel as if we sat in darkness1 as if we were as degraded as was man before the coming of the ,messias3 8,o ,wisdom10 she cries out1 8,who camest forth from the mouth of the ,most ,high1 reaching in ,thy strength from end to end1 and sweetly disposing all things1 come teach us the way of prudence40 ,the first title given to ,jesus is that of ,wisdom1 the eternal ,wisdom of ,god1 and the source of all wisdom to men for all time4 ,the eternal ,word disposes all things sweetly3 everything that happens in heaven and on earth is arranged by ,him1 not unkindly1 nor harshly1 but sweetly4 ,we invite ,him to come and teach us the ways of prudence1 because where there is prudence all must be well4 ,teach me1 ,o ,jesus1 the lesson of prudence1 which will guide me safely to the kingdom of heaven4 ,the prophet ,micheas says of the ,child to be born in ,bethlehem3 8,his going forth is from the beginning from the days of eternity40 ,o divine ,wisdom1 how strong art ,thou1 in thus reaching ,thine ends by means which are infallible though hidden6 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,seventeenth ,day4 ,o ,adonai and ,leader of the house of ,israel1 ,who didst appear to ,moses in the fire of the flaming bush1 and didst give him the ,law on ,sinai1 come and save us with a stretched forth arm6 ,o sovereign1 almighty ,lord1 come to redeem us6 ,heretofore ,thou didst show ,thyself to ,moses in a fiery bush1 ,thou didst give ,thy ,law to ,thy people amidst thunder and lightning on ,mount ,sinai2 come and redeem us now in the goodness of ,thy ,heart1 in kindness and love4 ,thy chaste ,mother1 having heard the emperor's edict1 which obliges her and ,joseph1 her spouse1 to repair to ,bethlehem1 prepares everything needful for ,thy divine birth4 ,she makes ready the humble swaddlingclothes which are to cover and protect ,thee from the cold of that midnight hour4 ,thus it is that ,thou willest to deliver us from the slavery of pride1 and to show man that ,thy divine arm is never stronger than when he thinks it powerless4 ,everything is prepared for ,thy reception1 except our hearts1 which still await ,thy holy grace1 which is to change them1 and make them fit temples for ,thy abode4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,eighteenth ,day4 ,the expectation of the birth of ,our ,lord is a fact which is celebrated throughout the ,church4 ,the expectation of the world is now at its greatest tension4 ,nobody knows whether the event of the birth of ,christ is going to take place today1 or tomorrow2 but soon it will be accomplished4 ,everything is in readiness2 the earth groans for need of the ,lord1 the holy people pray that they may see the great day2 we1 too1 on this feast1 will pray for the coming of the ,lord4 ,we wish with all our hearts that the ,messias would come4 ,most just indeed it is1 ,o holy ,mother of ,god1 that we should unite in that ardent desire thou hadst to see ,him1 ,who had been concealed for nine months in thy chaste womb2 to know the features of the ,son of the heavenly ,father2 to come to that blissful hour of ,his birth1 which will give glory to ,god in the highest1 and on earth1 peace to men of goodwill4 ,yes1 dear ,mother1 the time is fast approaching1 though not fast enough to satisfy thy desires and ours4 ,make us1 ,o ,mary1 redouble our attention to this great mystery2 complete our preparation by thy powerful prayers for us1 that when ,his hour has come1 ,jesus may find no obstacle to ,his entry into our hearts4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,nineteenth ,day4 ,o ,root of ,jesse1 ,who standest as the standard of the people1 before ,whom kings shall not open their lips2 to ,whom the nations shall pray1 come and deliver us3 tarry now no more4 ,at length1 ,o ,son of ,jesse1 ,thou art approaching the city of ,thy ancestors6 ,the ark of the ,lord has arisen1 and is journeying with the ,god that is in her to the place of rest4 8,how beautiful are thy steps1 ,o thou daughter of the ,prince10 now that thou art bringing to the cities of ,juda their salvation6 ,the angels escort thee1 heaven delights in thee1 and earth thrills with joy to bear thus upon itself1 its ,creator and its ,queen4 ,blessed is the womb of the ,virgin ,mary1 which bore the invisible ,god2 there did ,he deign to dwell1 ,whom even thrones cannot hold1 and she bore ,him as a light weight4 ,our hearts1 ,o ,mary1 are with thee4 ,like thy royal ancestor1 ,david1 8we will enter not into the dwelling1 our house1 nor go up to bed whereon we lie1 nor give sleep to our eyes1 nor rest to our temples10 until we have found the place in our hearts for the ,lord ,whom thou bearest1 a tabernacle for this ,god of ,jacob4 ,then will be silenced the enemies of thy name1 and nations will offer thee their prayers4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,twentieth ,day4 ,o ,key of ,david and ,sceptre of the house of ,israel6 ,who openest and no man shutteth2 ,who shuttest and no man openeth2 come and lead the captive from prison1 sitting in darkness1 and in the shadow of death4 ,o ,gabriel6 blest messenger of heaven1 thou camest through closed doors1 and didst announce the word 8,thou shalt conceive and bear a ,son1 and ,he shall be called ,emmanuel06 ,o ,jesus1 ,son of ,david1 heir to his throne and his power1 ,thou art now passing over1 on ,thy way to ,bethlehem1 the land that once was the kingdom of ,thy ancestors1 but now is tributary to the ,gentiles4 ,not an inch of this ground about ,bethlehem1 historic for many centuries1 but has witnessed the miracles of the justice and mercy of ,jehovah1 ,thy ,father1 to the people of that ,old ,covenant which is so soon to end4 ,before long1 when ,thou hast come from beneath the virginal cloud which now hides ,thee1 ,thou wilt pass along this same road1 doing good1 healing all manner of sickness and every infirmity2 and yet having not whereon to lay ,thy head4 ,thou art now about to come forth1 ,thou art now to shine in the midst of this world's darkness4 ,open the gates then1 with this all powerful ,key of ,david4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfirst ,day4 ,orient ,splendor of eternal light1 and ,sun of justice6 ,come and enlighten them that sit in darkness1 and in the shadow of death4 ,o ,jesus1 bright light from heaven1 the brightness of ,god ,himself1 the ,splendor of the early ,sun3 we welcome ,thee4 ,we need ,thy light1 for we sit in darkness3 all are in darkness who commit sin1 and the world is full of sin4 ,jesus1 the great ,sun1 must rise over this darkness1 that it may be dissipated1 and a new life may be infused into it2 then the angel of darkness will fly away2 then will grow the life of light4 ,nothing prospers in darkness2 man sleeps and does not work1 plants fade and die2 so that1 ,o ,light of the splendid ,orient1 arise in our hearts6 ,we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,god1 to remove from us all that resists ,thee1 so that with a believing heart we may in such a manner bring forth the branches of ,thy gifts bestowed on us1 that the root of humility may never dry up within us4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,twentysecond ,day4 ,o ,king of nations and their desired ,one1 the cornerstone that joinest the two walls6 ,come and save man1 whom ,thou didst form out of slime4 ,o ,king of peace6 ,thou wast born before all ages6 come by the golden gate2 visit those whom ,thou hast redeemed1 and lead them back to the place from whence they fell by sin4 ,the journey of ,our ,lord to ,bethlehem is nearly over1 and our blessed ,mother is engrossed entirely in the expectation of the coming of her divine ,son4 ,she adores ,his majesty2 she gives thanks for ,his mercy2 she rejoices that she has been chosen for the sublime ministry of motherhood towards the ,son of ,god4 ,mary longs for that happy day when her eyes will look upon ,him1 and yet she fears that moment1 too4 ,how will she be able to serve her ,god in ,his human life8 ,how will she dare to raise ,him up in her arms--the ,king of nations1 and she but a humble ,virgin8 ,when she reflects that the hour is approaching in which she is to see the ,light of the world1 her heart almost fails her1 for on the one hand she knows that she bears her ,god1 and on the other she is full of love because she is ,his ,mother4 ,come1 then1 speedily we beseech ,thee1 come and save us6 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,twentythird ,day4 ,o ,emmanuel1 ,our ,king and ,lawgiver1 the expectation of the ,gentiles and their ,saviour1 come and save us1 ,o ,lord1 ,our ,god6 ,o ,jerusalem1 city of the great ,god6 lift up thine eyes round about1 and see thy ,lord1 for ,he is coming to loose thee from thy chains4 ,as ,mary and ,joseph passed ,jerusalem they surely did not omit to visit the ,temple of the ,lord4 ,this was the first visit which ,our ,lord paid to ,his ,father's house4 ,then was fulfilled for the first time the prophecy of ,aggeus4 8,great shall be the glory of this last house1 more than of the first40 ,now was standing in this second ,temple the ,ark of the ,new ,covenant1 greater by far than the ,ark of ,moses4 ,the angels that lived in the ,temple were roused to special prayer on that occasion4 ,mary and ,joseph1 when their devotions were ended1 hastened on their way in order that they might seek suitable shelter1 but they were to be disappointed everywhere4 ,thus ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 comes into the world4 ,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 ,who didst1 for the love of us1 etc41 etc4 ,twentyfourth ,day4 ,mary and ,joseph arrived in ,bethlehem4 ,they knocked at several doors for admittance or for information1 but were invariably turned away2 for great was the crowd that was going the same way4 ,the rich had their houses engaged2 the poor had to look for shelter in any place4 ,joseph1 mindful of ,mary1 his spouse1 was much concerned for her comfort1 and he did the best he could4 ,after great industry he at last found a cave where she might have shelter from the open sky1 and the darkness and chilliness of the night4 ,this holy eve is indeed full of grace and hope1 and we ought to spend it in spiritual communion and joy4 ,let us enter into the spirit of the ,church1 and prepare ourselves in all the joy of our hearts to meet the ,saviour ,who is about to be born to us4 ,let us dispose our hearts with great simplicity1 for tomorrow we shall see the glory of ,god4 ,let us delight in the thought that before we lie down again to rest1 we shall see the promised ,redeemer born in the solemn midnight3 8,sanctify yourselves today1 and be prepared1 because in the morning you shall see the majesty of ,god among you40 ,prayer4 ,o ,god1 ,who makest us to rejoice in the yearly expectation of the feast of the redemption3 grant that we1 who joyfully receive ,thy onlybegotten ,son as a ,redeemer1 may behold without fear the same ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 coming as our ,judge3 ,who livest and reignest world without end4 ,amen4 ,special ,devotions to ,mary1 the ,mother of ,jesus1 during the ,time of ,advent4 ,the devotion of the forty ,hail ,marys1 which ,st4 ,catharine of ,bologna introduced1 has been enriched by ,pope ,pius ,,vii4 ,an indulgence of forty days is granted to the faithful who recite it during the month of ,december4 ,daily ,prayer4 ,o ,mary1 great ,mother of ,our ,god1 and merciful intercessor for us poor sinners6 we throw ourselves humbly at thy feet1 and we beg thee by the sacred blood of ,thy divine ,son1 which ,he has shed for us1 and by the prayers of ,st4 ,catharine of ,bologna1 that thou wilt infuse into our hearts the true spirit of devotion in this little exercise and give us the grace to imitate the virtues of that saint1 under whose protection we say this prayer4 ,think not of our unworthiness and our ingratitude1 but let us feel the depth of thy great love for us2 and in the contemplation of the love with which thou didst consider thy servant ,catharine1 obtain for us from ,god the remission of our sins1 that we have a cause to expect the grace of ,god for our salvation4 ,amen4 ,prayer ,for ,each ,day4 ,let us now take this devotion of this saint of ,god1 ,catharine1 and every day during this month before ,christmas1 say a prayer in preparation for the coming of ,christ1 by reciting forty ,hail ,marys in honor of the great ,mother of ,god1 who was so well prepared to receive the ,lord at ,his birth4 ,we will have sorrow for our sins1 for that will purify our souls1 which is a necessary quality for the reception of the ,lord at ,his coming4 ,the ,first ,ten ,hail ,marys4 ,after each ,hail ,mary say3 8,blessed be the hour1 ,o ,mary1 in which thou becamest the ,mother of ,jesus1 the ,son of ,god40 ,then consider the great mystery of the incarnation of the ,son of ,god1 the greatest miracle of ,god's mercy1 also the great dignity of ,mary in the ,christian world and in heaven1 because she became the ,mother of ,god and yet remained a ,virgin4 ,the ,second ,ten ,hail ,marys4 ,after each ,hail ,mary say3 8,blessed be the hour1 ,o ,mary1 in which thou didst give birth to ,jesus1 the ,son of ,god40 ,then consider the humility of ,mary1 the ,queen of heaven1 who was content with the will of ,god and became the ,mother of ,god in a lowly stable4 ,the ,third ,ten ,hail ,marys4 ,after each ,hail ,mary say3 8,blessed be the hour1 ,o ,mary1 in which thou didst nourish and care for the ,child ,jesus40 ,then consider the solicitude of ,mary1 with which she looked after the ,child ,jesus in all the temporal necessities of a newly born infant1 when1 according to ,his own will1 ,he was not able to help ,himself4 ,she loved that ,child1 and spent upon it her tenderest care4 ,the ,fourth ,ten ,hail ,marys4 ,after each ,hail ,mary say3 8,blessed be the hour1 ,o ,mary1 in which thou didst screen ,jesus1 the ,son of ,god1 from the persecution of ,herod40 ,consider here that as soon as ,jesus was born ,he became the object of the persecution of men4 ,herod sought to murder ,him1 and ,mary had to take the ,child and flee into ,egypt4 ,daily ,prayer ,after ,these ,devotions4 ,praised be ,god1 that we have undertaken this devotion according to the instruction of ,st4 ,catharine4 ,we beg of thee1 ,mary1 ,mother of the expected ,child1 and ,queen of angels1 that thou deignest to obtain for us especially two graces4 ,first1 to really bewail our sins and our past infidelities1 and second to attain after our death eternal salvation4 ,we will cry out from the bottom of our heart according to the example of ,catharine3 8,turn then1 ,mary1 thine eyes of mercy towards us1 and after this1 our exile1 show us the blessed fruit of thy womb1 ,jesus4 ,o blessed1 ,o pious1 ,o sweet ,virgin ,mary60 ,then recite the ,litany of the ,blessed ,virgin47#a7 ,v4 ,make us worthy to praise thee1 ,o ,blessed ,virgin1 ,mother of my ,god4 ,r4 ,that ,i may have power against my enemies4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,god1 ,who1 after the announcement of the angel1 didst create a body for ,thy divine ,son in the bosom of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 grant us the grace that we1 who acknowledge her great privilege1 may be assisted by her intercession4 ,we pray ,thee1 ,o ,god almighty1 that ,thou mayest purify our hearts and consciences by ,thy heavenly visitation1 that ,thy divine ,son ,jesus ,christ1 when ,he shall come with all the saints1 may find a fitting habitation prepared for ,him4 ,who livest and reignest1 one ,god1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,mass for ,advent4 ,in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,amen4 ,introibo4 ,o ,jesus1 the true and infinite sacrifice1 ,i adore ,thee in the ,blessed ,sacrament1 and ,i make an offering of ,thy sacred body1 which ,thou didst deliver for us unto death on the cross1 and ,thy sacred blood1 which ,thou didst shed for our sins1 in union with the priest who is about to say ,mass4 ,eternal and merciful ,father1 the ,father of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 as well as ,our ,father6 ,with the priest ,i offer ,thee a pure1 holy1 immaculate sacrifice1 the sacred bread of eternal life1 the chalice of salvation1 the body and blood of ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son4 ,deign to accept it1 and be merciful to me a sinner4 ,in the spirit of humility and with a contrite heart1 ,i acknowledge1 ,o my ,god1 that ,i have sinned often and grievously in thought1 word1 and deed1 through my most grievous fault4 ,i know ,i have been guilty1 and ,i beg pardon of ,thee1 ,o heavenly ,father1 through ,thy infinite mercy1 through the infinite merits of ,jesus ,christ1 and through the intercession of all the saints4 ,amen4 ,the ,priest ,ascends ,the ,altar4 ,o ye saints whose relics are kept on the altar1 and all ye saints and servants of ,god in heaven1 let me unite with thee in praising1 loving and adoring ,our ,god in the ,sacrament of the ,altar6 ,pray for all those who are assembled here2 pray that we may be heard and that we ourselves cry out1 8,lord1 have mercy on us6 ,christ1 have mercy on us6 ,lord1 have mercy on us60 ,amen4 ,gloria4 ,glory to ,god in the highest6 ,glory1 praise1 and adoration to the ,most ,high1 the one true ,god1 as it was in the beginning1 is now1 and ever shall be for all eternity4 ,lord ,god1 upon ,thee ,i place all my trust4 ,save me from every danger1 and keep me from every evil4 ,the eyes of all are upon ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 and ,thou givest them food2 ,thou fillest all that there is with ,thy benediction4 ,i praise thee1 also1 ,o ,mary1 ,mother of ,god1 and thank thee for all that ,i owe thee4 ,who is it ,whom we adore in the ,blessed ,sacrament but ,jesus1 thy ,son1 ,who took flesh and blood from thee6 ,what a joy must not thy heart experience when thou seest so many devout worshippers surrounding the throne of the majesty of ,jesus1 hidden in the consecrated bread on our altars6 ,do thou also1 ,o dear ,mother1 sing with us the praises of that ,jesus1 for ,whose coming we are preparing during ,advent4 ,amen4 ,collects4 ,give us1 ,o ,god1 the grace daily to feel the advent of ,our ,lord upon our altars1 as we expect ,him to be born in our hearts at ,christmastime4 ,grant that we may also be prepared to meet ,him1 the ,judge1 at the end of time1 and may find ,him propitious2 through the same ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,o ,god1 ,who didst leave with us1 under the consecrated species1 a memory of ,thy sufferings1 give us the grace that by our ardent faith we may adore ,thee in this ,holy ,sacrament1 and become worthy fruits of ,thy holy ,passion and death4 ,amen4 ,epistle4 ,accept1 ,o ,god1 this holy sacrifice in thanksgiving for the institution of the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,for in possessing the ,blessed ,sacrament we possess heaven and earth1 our cares are taken away1 and we have ,jesus1 ,who cries continually to us3 8,come to ,me1 all you who are heavily laden1 and ,i will refresh you40 ,my dear ,jesus1 make me worthy to praise ,thee with all the angels and elect in ,thy kingdom4 ,let me serve ,thee worthily here on this earth1 so that ,i may one day share ,thy glory in heaven4 ,amen4 ,gospel4 ,jesus1 divine ,physician of our souls6 how can we sufficiently thank ,thee for having become man1 and for having dwelt among men8 ,to perpetuate ,thy coming1 ,thou hast remained on our altars in the ,holy ,sacrament4 ,thou hast preached the ,gospel to us poor creatures1 and hast made us acquainted with the secrets of heaven4 ,oh1 that we would always listen to ,thy ,word1 and apply it to our life1 regulating all our actions on the principles of divine wisdom manifested therein6 ,let ,thy holy ,gospel and ,thy holy teaching be a light to our lives in the darkness in which we walk1 on account of our prejudices1 passions1 and evil inclinations1 and when we take this light for our guide1 we are sure that we will come happily to the end for which we were created4 ,amen4 ,credo4 ,i believe in one ,god1 and in three divine persons in that ,godhead4 ,i believe in one ,god1 the ,father almighty1 ,maker of heaven and earth1 and of all things visible and invisible4 ,and in one ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the only begotten ,son of ,god1 born of the ,father before all ages4 ,god of ,god1 ,light of light1 true ,god of true ,god1 begotten1 not made2 consubstantial with the ,father by ,whom all things were made1 ,who for us men1 and for our salvation1 came down from heaven and was incarnate by the ,holy ,ghost of the ,virgin ,mary and was made man6 ,he was crucified also for us1 suffered under ,pontius ,pilate1 and was buried4 ,the third day ,he rose again according to the ,scriptures1 and ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of the ,father3 and ,he is to come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead3 of ,his kingdom there shall be no end4 ,and ,i believe in the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,lord and ,giver of life1 ,who proceedeth from the ,father and the ,son3 ,who together with the ,father and the ,son is adored and glorified3 ,who spoke by the prophets4 ,and one holy ,catholic and ,apostolic ,church4 ,i confess one ,baptism for the remission of sins1 and ,i expect the resurrection of the dead1 and the life of the world to come4 ,amen4 ,offertory4 ,i adore ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 and in union with the priest1 offer ,thee this sacrifice for ,thy honor and glory1 in thanksgiving for all the benefits conferred upon myself and upon the world2 and in satisfaction for my many sins1 and the sins of other men4 ,accept1 ,o ,lord1 of this holocaust1 which is no other than ,thy divine ,son1 at once made ,priest and ,victim1 offering and offered1 and apply ,his saving merits to my needy soul4 ,be comforted1 ,o my heart1 ,jesus sacrifices ,himself for thee4 ,amen4 ,lavabo4 ,o my ,jesus1 would that ,i could take ,thee to witness of the holiness of my life and the innocence of my heart6 ,but it is in ,thy mercy only that ,i place all my hope2 my consolation is in meditating on ,thy promises to the penitent heart1 and ,thy faithfulness in performing them4 ,confounded at all that ,i have committed to this day1 and encouraged by the favors ,thou hast bestowed upon me1 ,i can but promise to correspond better with ,thy graces than ,i have hitherto done4 ,i will purify myself more and more with the tears of penance2 ,i will bless ,thee as ,i do this day1 and ,i will sing of the wonders of ,thy power and of ,thy mercy4 ,amen4 ,orate ,fratres4 ,the creature can offer nothing to the ,creator that can be worthy of ,his acceptance4 ,i unite myself1 therefore1 to the sacrifice of ,jesus ,christ1 ,who alone can merit anything in my behalf4 ,i desire nothing but through ,him and with ,him4 ,i have no wish beyond ,him4 ,o ,god of mercy1 ,i seek nothing but ,thy love6 ,graciously accept of the sacrifice of my heart and my whole self and may it1 like the sacrifice of ,jesus1 be pleasing to ,thee and unite us to ,him4 ,amen4 ,preface4 ,lift up1 ,o ,lord1 do ,thou ,thyself lift up my heart to ,thee6 ,take from it all unholy thoughts1 all earthly affections6 ,lift it wholly up to heaven1 where ,thou art worthily adored1 and to the altar1 where ,thou art about to manifest ,thyself to me4 ,my life is but one continual succession of ,thy mercies2 let it be one continual succession of thanksgivings4 ,and as ,thou art now about to renew the greatest of all sacrifices1 is it not meet that ,i should burst forth into expressions of heartfelt gratitude8 ,suffer me1 then1 to join my feeble voice with the voices of all the heavenly spirits1 and in union with them1 say1 in a transport of joy and admiration3 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 ,lord ,god of ,sabaoth2 heaven and earth are full of ,thy glory4 ,hosanna in the highest6 ,blessed is ,he that cometh in the name of the ,lord6 ,hosanna in the highest6 ,amen4 ,consecration4 ,bow down your body and soul in solemn adoration2 make an act of faith in the real presence of your ,saviour's body and blood1 soul and divinity1 under the sacramental veils4 ,offer your whole self to ,him1 and through ,him to ,his ,father2 beg that your heart and soul may be happily changed into ,him4 ,elevation ,of ,the ,host4 7,here the bell is rung thrice47 ,hail1 true body1 born of the ,virgin ,mary1 which didst truly suffer and was immolated on the cross for man1 ,whose side was pierced1 and from which flowed water and blood2 may we have a foretaste of ,thee in the last agony of death4 ,o kind1 ,o loving ,one1 ,jesus1 ,son of ,mary1 have mercy on me6 ,amen4 ,elevation ,of ,the ,chalice4 ,saviour of the world1 save us1 for by ,thy cross and by ,thy blood ,thou hast redeemed us6 ,help us1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,our ,god6 ,amen4 ,have mercy on me1 dear ,jesus1 and grant that ,thy blood may not be shed in vain for me1 ,i humbly beseech ,thee4 ,amen4 ,pater ,noster4 ,our ,father1 ,who reignest in heaven1 come and reign in my soul2 come and sanctify it by ,thy presence2 come and subject it to ,thy holy will1 and render it obedient to the inspirations of ,thy grace4 ,extinguish in my heart every feeling of hatred and revenge2 forgive me1 as ,i forgive4 ,grant me such wisdom and such strength that ,i may triumph over all temptations4 ,deliver me from all those evils which oppress me1 and under which ,i groan1 being burdened4 ,i come to ,thee as a child to his father to be fed2 as a subject to his prince to be protected2 as one afflicted to his only succor1 to be consoled and comforted4 ,amen4 ,agnus ,dei4 ,in saying to ,thy apostles1 8,peace ,i leave to you1 ,my peace ,i give to you10 ,thou hast promised1 ,o ,lord1 to all ,thy ,church1 that peace which the world cannot give--peace with ,thee1 and peace with ourselves4 ,let nothing1 ,o ,lord1 ever interrupt this holy peace2 let nothing separate us from ,thee1 to ,whom we heartily desire to be united1 through the ,blessed ,sacrament of peace and reconciliation4 ,let this food of angels strengthen us in every ,christian duty1 so that we nevermore yield under temptations1 or fall into common weaknesses4 ,domine1 ,non ,sum ,dignus4 ,god can only be worthy of receiving ,god2 how1 then1 can a soul so sinful as mine merit so great a happiness6 ,but ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 regardest not ,thy greatness1 but ,thy mercy4 ,thou willest that ,i come to ,thee1 as one sick to a physician who can heal him2 as one poor to his rich lord who can assist4 ,o ,god of love1 behold at ,thy feet the poorest1 the most infirm of ,thy creatures4 ,unite me to ,thyself1 and ,i shall become rich and whole in ,thy sight4 ,work1 ,i beseech ,thee1 this miracle1 worthy of ,thy omnipotence and charity4 ,act ,of ,spiritual ,communion4 ,for ,those ,who do not ,intend to ,communicate4 ,o my most loving ,saviour1 since ,i cannot have the happiness of receiving ,thee this day1 suffer me to gather up the precious crumbs that fall from ,thy table1 and to unite myself to ,thy divine ,heart by faith1 hope1 and charity4 ,i confess ,i do not deserve the children's bread2 but ,i venture humbly to declare that1 away from ,thee1 my soul is dried up with thirst1 and my heart cast down with faintness4 ,come1 then1 into me1 ,o my divine ,jesus6 come into my mind1 to illuminate it with ,thy light2 come into my heart1 to enkindle in it the fire of ,thy love1 and to unite it so intimately with ,thine own1 that it may be no more ,i that live1 but ,thou that livest in me and reignest in me forever4 ,last ,gospel4 ,o eternal ,word1 speak to my soul1 which adores ,thee in profound silence6 ,thou ,who art the great ,creator of all things1 abandon not1 ,i beseech ,thee1 ,thine own creature6 be ,thou my life1 my light1 and my all6 ,o ,light eternal6 enlighten me as to this present life1 and in the life to come4 ,reign in me as in ,thine own inheritance2 for ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 hast made me2 ,thou hast redeemed me4 ,may ,i ever be ,thine6 ,after ,mass4 ,accept1 ,o most gracious ,god1 this1 our service2 whatever1 by ,thy grace1 we may have performed with diligence1 in ,thy clemency regard2 and what we have done with negligence1 mercifully pardon1 through ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,may the blessing of almighty ,god1 ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost1 descend upon us now1 and remain with us forever4 ,amen4 ,to ,be ,said ,throughout ,advent4 ,ant4 ,the ,holy ,ghost shall come down upon thee1 ,o ,mary3 fear not3 thou shalt bear within thy womb the ,son of ,god4 ,alleluia4 ,v4 ,o ,lord1 hear my prayer4 ,r4 ,and let my cry come unto ,thee4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,god1 ,who wast pleased that ,thy ,word should take flesh in the womb of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 and didst make it known unto her by the message of an angel2 grant that we1 ,thy suppliants1 who truly believe her to be the ,mother of ,god1 may through her intercession find help with ,thee4 ,through the same ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,litany for ,christmas4 7,for ,private ,devotion ,only47 ,glory be to ,god on high4 ,and peace on earth to men of good will4 ,we praise ,thee4 ,we bless ,thee4 ,we adore ,thee4 ,we glorify ,thee2 we give ,thee thanks for ,thy great glory4 ,lord ,god1 heavenly ,king1 ,father almighty4 ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the onlybegotten ,son4 ,lord ,god1 ,lamb of ,god1 ,son of the ,father1 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,have mercy on us4 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 ,hear our prayers4 ,who sitteth at the right hand of the ,father1 ,have mercy on us4 ,for ,thou only art holy1 ,thou only art ,our ,lord4 ,thou only1 ,o ,jesus ,christ1 art most high1 together with the ,holy ,ghost1 in the glory of ,god the ,father4 ,amen4 ,blessed ,jesus1 true ,god and man1 born in the form of a helpless infant4 ,praise and glory be to ,thee forever4 ,blessed ,jesus1 ,who1 having the heavens for ,thy throne1 didst yet choose a poor stable for ,thine abode4 ,praise and glory be to ,thee forever4 ,blessed ,jesus1 ,who1 being ,god incomprehensible1 wast pleased1 in love to us1 to be wrapped up in swaddlingclothes and laid in a manger4 ,praise and glory be to ,thee forever4 ,blessed be the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 because ,he hath visited and wrought the redemption of ,his people4 ,and hath raised up a horn of salvation to us in the house of ,david ,his servant4 ,as ,he spoke by the mouth of ,his holy prophets1 who are from the beginning4 ,salvation from our enemies1 and from the hand of all that hate us4 ,to perform mercy to our fathers1 and to remember ,his holy testament4 ,the oath1 which ,he swore to ,abraham our father1 that ,he would grant to us4 ,that being delivered from the hand of our enemies1 we may serve ,him without fear4 ,in holiness and justice before ,him all our days4 ,through the bowels of the mercy of ,our ,god1 in which the ,orient from on high hath visited us4 ,to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death2 to direct our feet into the way of peace4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o eternal ,god1 ,father almighty1 ,who in compassion to lost man didst send ,thine only ,son to become ,his ,redeemer from that unhappy state2 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 that we1 who are here assembled to acknowledge the mercy of this time1 may find the benefit of it in our souls1 in the pardon of all our sins4 ,through the same ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 etc4 ,crown of the ,twelve ,stars1 ,or ,rosary of the ,immaculate ,conception4 ,let us praise and bless the most ,holy ,trinity1 for having shown to us the ,virgin ,mary clothed with the sun1 with the moon beneath her feet1 and with a mysterious crown of twelve stars upon her head4 ,r4 ,forever and forever4 ,amen4 ,let us praise and bless the divine ,father1 for having chosen her as ,his daughter4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,praised be the divine ,father1 for having predestined her to be the ,mother of ,his divine ,son4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,praised be the divine ,father1 for having preserved her from all sin in her conception4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,praised be the divine ,father1 for having adorned her with the highest gifts in her nativity4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,praised be the divine ,father1 for having given her ,st4 ,joseph as a most pure spouse and companion4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,let us praise and bless the divine ,son1 for having chosen her for ,his ,mother4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,praised be the divine ,son1 for having become incarnate in her womb1 and for having remained there nine months4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,praised be the divine ,son1 for having been born of her1 and for having given her the milk wherewith to nourish ,him4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,praised be the divine ,son1 for having been pleased in ,his childhood to be educated by her4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,praised be the divine ,son1 for having revealed to her the mysteries of the redemption of the world4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,let us praise and bless the ,holy ,ghost1 for having taken her for ,his spouse4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,our ,father1 etc4 ,praised be the ,holy ,ghost1 for having revealed to her for the first time ,his name of ,holy ,ghost4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,praised be the ,holy ,ghost1 through ,whose operation she was at once ,virgin and ,mother4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,praised be the ,holy ,ghost1 through ,whose power she became the living temple of the most ,holy ,trinity4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 etc4 ,praised be the ,holy ,ghost1 by ,whom she was exalted in heaven above all creatures4 ,r4 ,amen4 ,hail ,mary1 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,for the holy ,catholic ,church1 for the propagation of the faith1 for peace among ,christian princes1 and for the extirpation of heresies1 let us say ,the ,salve ,regina4 ,hail1 holy ,queen1 ,mother of mercy1 our life1 our sweetness1 and our hope4 ,to thee do we cry1 poor banished children of ,eve2 to thee do we send up our sighs1 mourning and weeping in this valley of tears4 ,turn1 then1 most gracious advocate1 thine eye of mercy towards us1 and after this our exile1 show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb1 ,jesus2 ,o clement1 ,o pious1 ,o sweet ,virgin ,mary4 ,v4 ,pray for us1 ,o holy ,mother of ,god4 ,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promises of ,christ4 ,novena ,in ,preparation for the ,feast of the ,immaculate ,conception47#b7 ,an indulgence of three hundred days each day2 plenary once on the feast1 or during the octave4 ,applicable to the dead4 7,pius ,,vii474 ,to be ,said ,every ,day4 ,come1 ,o ,holy ,spirit1 fill the hearts of ,thy faithful1 and kindle within them the fire of ,thy love4 ,v4 ,send forth ,thy ,spirit1 and they shall be created4 ,r4 ,and ,thou shalt renew the face of the earth4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,god1 ,who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of ,thy ,holy ,spirit1 grant to us in the same spirit to relish what is right1 and ever to rejoice in ,his consolation4 ,prevent our actions1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 by ,thy inspiration1 and further them by ,thy continual help3 that every prayer and work of ours may begin from ,thee1 and by ,thee be happily ended1 through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,who liveth and reigneth with ,thee in the unity of the same spirit1 ,god1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,preparatory ,prayer4 7,to be ,said ,every ,day47 ,o most pure ,virgin1 conceived without sin1 and from that very first instant entirely beautiful and without spot1 ,o glorious ,mary1 full of grace1 and ,mother of my ,god1 ,queen of angels and of men1 ,i humbly worship thee as ,mother of my ,saviour4 ,inasmuch as ,god has taught me by the esteem ,he has for thee1 and by ,his respect and submission towards thee1 what honors and homage ,i ought to render thee1 deign1 ,i beseech thee1 to accept this novena which ,i consecrate to thee4 ,thou art the secure refuge of penitent sinners1 and ,i therefore may rightly have recourse to thee2 thou art the ,mother of mercy1 and therefore thou canst not but be melted into tenderness by my miseries2 thou1 after ,jesus ,christ1 art all my hope2 thou canst not1 then1 but be pleased with the tender confidence which ,i have in thee4 ,make me worthy to be called thy child1 that ,i may be able to say with confidence1 ,show thyself to be a ,mother4 ,following this prayer on each day1 nine ,hail ,marys and a ,glory be to the ,father are to be said1 and then the following3 ,first ,day4 ,behold me at thy most holy feet1 ,o immaculate ,virgin4 ,i rejoice with thee exceedingly that from all eternity thou hast been chosen to be the ,mother of the eternal ,word1 and been preserved from original sin4 ,i thank and bless the most ,holy ,trinity for having enriched thee with these privileges in thy conception2 and ,i humbly implore thee to obtain for me grace to overcome those sad effects which original sin has wrought in me4 ,ah1 do thou enable me to conquer them1 and nevermore to cease to love my ,god4 ,here is to be recited the ,litany of the ,blessed ,virgin1 or the following3 ,hymn4 ,v4 ,thou art all fair1 ,o ,mary4 ,r4 ,thou art all fair1 ,o ,mary4 ,v4 ,and the original stain is not in thee4 ,r4 ,and the original stain is not in thee4 ,v4 ,thou art the glory of ,jerusalem4 ,r4 ,thou art the joy of ,israel4 ,v4 ,thou our people's special honor4 ,r4 ,thou the advocate of sinners4 ,v4 ,o ,mary4 ,r4 ,o ,mary4 ,v4 ,virgin prudent above all4 ,r4 ,mother too most merciful4 ,v4 ,pray thou for us4 ,r4 ,intercede for us with ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,v4 ,in thy conception1 holy ,virgin1 thou wast immaculate4 ,r4 ,pray for us to the ,father1 ,whose ,son thou didst bring forth4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,god1 ,who by the ,virgin's immaculate conception didst prepare a worthy dwelling for ,thy ,son1 we beseech ,thee1 that ,thou1 ,who1 by the death of that same ,son of ,thine1 foreseen by ,thee1 didst preserve her from every stain1 wouldst grant that by her intercession we also may be purified1 and so come to ,thee4 ,second ,day4 ,come1 ,o ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,o most pure ,virgin1 etc4 ,o ,mary1 immaculate lily of purity1 ,i congratulate thee that from the very first instant of thy conception thou wast filled with grace1 and also that the perfect use of reason was conferred upon thee4 ,i thank and adore the most ,holy ,trinity for having imparted to thee graces so sublime2 and ,i am utterly confounded before thee to see myself so poor in grace4 ,do thou1 who wast so entirely filled with heavenly grace1 give some portion of it to my soul1 and make me a partaker of the treasures of thy immaculate conception4 ,here the ,litany or ,hymn is to be said4 ,third ,day4 ,come1 ,o ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,o most pure ,virgin1 etc4 ,o ,mary1 mystical rose of purity1 ,i rejoice with thee that thou didst gloriously triumph in thy immaculate conception over the infernal serpent1 and that thou wast conceived without stain of original sin4 ,i thank and praise with all my heart the most ,holy ,trinity for having granted to thee such a privilege2 and ,i implore thee to obtain for me courage to overcome every device of the infernal enemy1 and not to stain my soul with sin4 ,ah1 do thou always assist me2 and let me1 under thy protection1 ever triumph over the common enemies of our eternal salvation4 ,here the ,litany or the ,hymn is to be said4 ,fourth ,day4 ,come1 ,o ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,o most pure ,virgin1 etc4 ,o immaculate ,virgin ,mary1 mirror of purity1 ,i rejoice with the utmost joy to see that the most sublime and perfect virtues have been from thy first conception infused into thee1 and with them all the gifts of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,i thank and praise the most ,holy ,trinity for having favored thee with these privileges2 and ,i implore thee1 ,o gracious ,mother1 to obtain for me the practice of virtues1 and to render me thus worthy to receive the gifts and the grace of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,here the ,litany or the ,hymn is to be said4 ,fifth ,day4 ,come1 ,o ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,o most pure ,virgin1 etc4 ,o ,mary1 bright moon of purity1 ,i congratulate thee1 inasmuch as the mystery of thy immaculate conception was the beginning of the salvation of all the human race and the joy of the whole world4 ,i thank and bless the most ,holy ,trinity for having so exalted and glorified thy person2 and ,i implore thee to obtain for me grace to know how to profit by the ,passion and death of thy ,jesus1 and that the blood shed upon the cross may not be unavailing for me1 but that ,i may live holily and be saved4 ,here the ,litany or the ,hymn is to be said4 ,sixth ,day4 ,come1 ,o ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,o most pure ,virgin1 etc4 ,o immaculate ,mary1 most resplendent star of purity1 ,i rejoice with thee that thy immaculate conception has brought a most exceeding joy to all the angels of paradise4 ,i thank and bless the most ,holy ,trinity for having enriched thee with so beautiful a privilege4 ,ah1 grant that ,i may enter one day into a participation of that joy1 and may be able1 in the company of the angels1 to praise and bless thee for eternity4 ,here the ,litany or the ,hymn is to be said4 ,seventh ,day4 ,come1 ,o ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,o most pure ,virgin1 etc4 ,o immaculate ,mary1 rising morn of purity1 ,i rejoice with thee1 and am glad that in the moment of thy conception thou wast confirmed in grace and made incapable of sin4 ,i thank and extol the most ,holy ,trinity for having distinguished thee alone with this special privilege4 ,ah1 obtain for me1 ,o holy ,virgin1 an entire and constant abhorrence of sin above every other evil1 and that ,i may sooner die than commit it any more4 ,here the ,litany or the ,hymn is to be said4 ,eighth ,day4 ,come1 ,o ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,o most pure ,virgin1 etc4 ,o ,virgin ,mary1 sun without spot1 ,i congratulate thee1 and rejoice that in thy conception a greater and more abundant grace was bestowed upon thee than all the angels and saints possessed in the fulness of their merits4 ,i thank and admire the sovereign goodness of the most ,holy ,trinity in having enriched thee with this privilege4 ,ah1 enable me to correspond to divine grace1 and nevermore abuse it6 ,change my heart1 and let me from this moment begin to amend my life4 ,here the ,litany or the ,hymn is to be said4 ,ninth ,day4 ,come1 ,o ,holy ,spirit1 etc4 ,o most pure ,virgin1 etc4 ,o immaculate ,virgin and ,mother ,mary1 living light of holiness and model of purity1 thou1 when scarcely yet conceived1 didst profoundly adore ,god and thank ,him1 because by thy means1 the ancient curse being taken away1 the fulness of blessing was coming upon the children of ,adam4 ,ah1 let this blessing enkindle in my heart a love of ,god6 ,do thou inflame it1 that ,i may love ,him constantly1 and then enjoy ,him eternally in paradise1 where ,i may be able to thank ,him more ardently for the singular privileges granted to thee1 and behold thee also crowned as thou art with such exceeding glory4 ,here the ,litany or the ,hymn is to be said4 ,novena ,in ,preparation ,for ,christmas47#c7 #a4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer to ,thy honor and glory1 and for my own salvation1 and for the salvation of all the world1 the mystery of the birth of our divine ,saviour4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 #b4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer to ,thy honor and glory1 and for my eternal salvation1 the sufferings of the most holy ,virgin and of ,st4 ,joseph in that long and weary journey from ,nazareth to ,bethlehem2 ,i offer ,thee their anxiety of heart when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves1 when the ,saviour of the world was to be born4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 #c4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer to ,thy honor and glory1 and for my eternal salvation1 the stable where ,jesus was born1 the hard straw which served ,him for a bed1 the cold ,he suffered1 the swaddlingclothes which bound ,him1 the tears ,he shed1 and ,his tender infant cries4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 #d4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer to ,thy honor and glory1 and for my eternal salvation1 the pain which the holy ,child ,jesus felt in ,his tender infant body when ,he submitted it to the keen knife of circumcision2 ,i offer ,thee that precious blood which then first ,he shed for the salvation of the whole race of man4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 #e4 ,eternal ,father1 ,i offer to ,thy honor and glory1 and for my eternal salvation1 the humility1 mortification1 patience1 charity1 all the virtues of the ,child ,jesus2 and ,i thank ,thee1 and ,i love ,thee1 and ,i bless ,thee without end1 for this ineffable mystery of the incarnation of the divine ,word4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,v4 ,the ,word was made flesh4 ,r4 ,and dwelt among us4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o ,god1 ,whose onlybegotten ,son was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh2 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 that through ,him our souls may be inwardly renewed1 ,whom our eyes have seen externally like unto ourselves2 ,who livest and reignest with ,thee forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,an indulgence of one year1 to be gained each day of this novena1 which may be made either in public or private1 nine days previous to the twentyfifth day of any month2 provided that the faithful assist at it with a contrite heart 7,pius ,,ix474 ,,the ,,ordinary ,,of ,,the ,,mass4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,this section was printed in two columns1 with ,latin on the left and ,english on the right4 ,in this ebook1 the ,latin and ,english are rendered in successive paragraphs4 ,the ,asperges4 ,while the priest sprinkles holy water1 the following ,anthems are sung3 ,ant4 ,asperges me1 ,domine1 hyssopo1 et mundabor3 lavabis me1 et super nivem dealbabor4 ,ant4 ,thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop1 ,o ,lord1 and ,i shall be cleansed3 ,thou shalt wash me1 and ,i shall be made whiter than snow4 ,ps4 ,miserere mei1 ,deus1 secundum magnam misericordiam tuam4 7,ps4 ,have mercy on me1 ,o ,god1 according to ,thy great mercy47 ,v4 ,gloria ,patri1 etc4 7,v4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc47 ,ant4 ,asperges me1 etc4 7,ant4 ,thou shalt sprinkle1 etc47 ,the priest1 returning to the foot of the altar1 says3 ,v4 ,ostende nobis1 ,domine1 misericordiam tuam4 7,v4 ,show us1 ,o ,lord1 ,thy mercy47 ,r4 ,et salutare tuum da nobis4 7,r4 ,and grant us ,thy salvation47 ,v4 ,domine1 exaudi orationem meam4 7,v4 ,o ,lord1 hear my prayer47 ,r4 ,et clamor meus ad te veniat4 7,r4 ,and let my cry come unto ,thee47 ,v4 ,dominus vobiscum4 7,v4 ,the ,lord be with you47 ,r4 ,et cum spiritu tuo4 7,r4 ,and with thy spirit47 ,oremus4 7,let ,us ,pray47 ,exaudi nos1 ,domine sancte1 ,pater omnipotens1 terne ,deus3 et mittere digneris sanctum angelum tuum de clis1 qui custodiat1 foveat1 protegat1 visitet1 atque defendat omnes habitantes in hoc habitaculo4 ,per ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 7,graciously hear us1 ,o ,lord1 ,father almighty1 eternal ,god3 and vouchsafe to send ,thy holy angel from heaven1 who may keep1 cherish1 protect1 visit1 and defend all who dwell in this habitation4 ,through ,christ ,our ,lord47 ,r4 ,amen4 ,the ,vidi ,aquam4 ,from ,easter to ,whit,sunday1 inclusively1 instead of the foregoing ,antiphon the following is sung1 and ,alleluia is added to the versicles and responses4 ,ant4 ,vidi aquam egredientem de templo1 a latere dextro4 ,alleluia6 ,et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua ista1 salvi facti sunt1 et dicent3 ,alleluia4 7,ant4 ,i saw water coming forth from the temple1 on the right side4 ,alleluia4 ,and all those to whom this water came were saved1 and shall say3 ,alleluia47 ,ps4 ,confitemini ,domino1 quoniam bonus3 quoniam in sculum misericordia ejus4 7,ps4 ,give praise to the ,lord1 for ,he is good3 for ,his mercy endureth forever47 ,v4 ,gloria ,patri1 etc4 7,v4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc47 ,ant4 ,vidi aquam1 etc4 7,ant4 ,i saw water1 etc47 ,the ,holy ,mass4 ,the priest1 standing at the foot of the altar1 bows down1 signs himself with the sign of the cross1 and says3 ,in nomine ,patris1 et ,filii1 et ,spiritus ,sancti4 ,amen4 7,in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 etc47 ,then1 joining his hands1 he says3 ,s4 ,introibo ad altare ,dei4 7,p4 ,i will go in to the altar of ,god47 ,m4 ,ad ,deum1 qui ltificat juventutem meam4 7,r4 ,to ,god1 ,who giveth joy to my youth47 ,in ,masses for the dead and from ,passion ,sunday to ,holy ,saturday the following ,psalm is omitted4 ,psalm ,,xlii4 ,s4 ,judica me1 ,deus1 et discerne causam meam de gente non sancta3 ab homine iniquo et doloso erue me4 7,p4 ,judge me1 ,o ,god1 and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy3 from the unjust and deceitful man deliver me47 ,m4 ,quia tu es1 ,deus1 fortitudo mea1 quare me repulisti8 et quare tristis incedo dum affligit me inimicus8 7,r4 ,since ,thou1 ,o ,god1 art my strength1 why hast ,thou cast me off8 and why do ,i go sorrowful while the enemy afflicteth me87 ,s4 ,emitte lucem tuam et veritatem tuam3 ipsa me deduxerunt et adduxerunt in montem sanctum tuum1 et in tabernacula tua4 7,p4 ,send forth ,thy light and ,thy truth3 they have conducted me1 and brought me to ,thy holy mount1 and into ,thy tabernacles47 ,m4 ,et introibo ad altare ,dei3 ad ,deum1 qui ltificat juventutem meam4 7,r4 ,and ,i will go in to the altar of ,god3 to ,god1 ,who giveth joy to my youth47 ,s4 ,confitebor tibi in cithara1 ,deus1 ,deus meus3 quare tristis es1 anima mea8 et quare conturbas me8 7,p4 ,i will praise ,thee on the harp1 ,o ,god1 my ,god3 why art thou sad1 my soul8 and why dost thou disquiet me87 ,m4 ,spera in ,deo1 quoniam adhuc confitebor illi3 salutare vultus mei1 et ,deus meus4 7,r4 ,hope in ,god1 for ,i will still give praise to ,him1 the salvation of my countenance1 and my ,god47 ,s4 ,gloria ,patri1 et ,filio1 et ,spiritui ,sancto4 7,p4 ,glory be to the ,father1 and to the ,son1 and to the ,holy ,ghost47 ,m4 ,sicut erat in principio1 et nunc et semper1 et in scula sculorum4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,as it was in the beginning1 is now1 and ever shall be1 world without end4 ,amen47 ,s4 ,introibo ad altare ,dei4 7,p4 ,i will go in to the altar of ,god47 ,m4 ,ad ,deum1 qui ltificat juventutem meam4 7,r4 ,to ,god1 ,who giveth joy to my youth47 ,s4 ,adjutorium nostrum in nomine ,domini4 7,p4 ,our help is in the name of the ,lord47 ,m4 ,qui fecit clum et terram4 7,r4 ,who made heaven and earth47 ,s4 ,confiteor1 etc4 7,p4 ,i confess1 etc47 ,m4 ,misereatur tui omnipotens ,deus1 et dimissis peccatis tuis1 perducat te ad vitam ternam4 7,r4 ,may almighty ,god be merciful to thee1 and forgiving thee thy sins1 bring thee to everlasting life47 ,s4 ,amen4 7,p4 ,amen47 ,m4 ,confiteor ,deo omnipotenti1 beat ,mari semper virgini1 beato ,michaeli ,archangelo1 beato ,joanni ,baptist1 sanctis ,apostolis ,petro et ,paulo1 omnibus sanctis1 et tibi1 ,pater1 quia peccavi nimis cogitatione1 verbo et opere3 mea culpa1 mea culpa1 mea maxima culpa4 ,ideo precor beatam ,mariam semper virginem1 beatum ,michaelem archangelum1 beatum ,joannem ,baptistam1 sanctos ,apostolos ,petrum et ,paulum1 omnes sanctos1 et te ,pater1 orare pro me ad ,dominum ,deum nostrum4 7,r4 ,i confess to almighty ,god1 to blessed ,mary1 ever virgin1 to blessed ,michael the archangel1 to blessed ,john the ,baptist1 to the holy apostles ,peter and ,paul1 to all the saints1 and to you1 father1 that ,i have sinned exceedingly in thought1 word1 and deed3 through my fault1 through my fault1 through my most grievous fault4 ,therefore ,i beseech the blessed ,mary1 ever virgin1 blessed ,michael the archangel1 blessed ,john the ,baptist1 the holy apostles ,peter and ,paul1 and all the saints1 and you1 father1 to pray to the ,lord1 ,our ,god1 for me47 ,s4 ,misereatur vestri omnipotens ,deus1 et dimissis peccatis vestris perducat vos ad vitam ternam4 7,p4 ,may the almighty ,god be merciful unto you1 and forgiving you your sins bring you to life everlasting47 ,m4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,s4 ,indulgentiam1 absolutionem1 et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum tribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors ,dominus4 7,p4 ,may the almighty and merciful ,lord grant us pardon1 absolution1 and remission of our sins47 ,m4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,s4 ,deus1 tu conversus vivificabis nos4 7,p4 ,thou1 ,o ,god1 being turned toward us1 wilt enliven us47 ,m4 ,et plebs tua ltabitur in te4 7,r4 ,and ,thy people will rejoice in ,thee47 ,s4 ,ostende nobis1 ,domine1 misericordiam tuam4 7,p4 ,show us1 ,o ,lord1 ,thy mercy47 ,m4 ,et salutare tuum da nobis4 7,r4 ,and grant us ,thy salvation47 ,s4 ,domine1 exaudi orationem meam4 7,p4 ,o ,lord1 hear my prayer47 ,m4 ,et clamor meus ad te veniat4 7,r4 ,and let my cry come to ,thee47 ,s4 ,dominus vobiscum4 7,p4 ,the ,lord be with you47 ,m4 ,et cum spiritu tuo4 7,r4 ,and with thy spirit47 ,the priest first extends and then joins his hands1 saying audibly ,oremus2 and ascending the altar1 he says secretly3 ,aufer a nobis1 qusumus1 ,domine1 iniquitates nostras3 ut ad sancta sanctorum puris mereamur mentibus introire4 ,per ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 ,amen4 7,take away from us our iniquities1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 that we may be worthy to enter with pure minds into the ,holy of holies4 ,through ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen47 ,he then bows over the altar1 and says3 ,oramus te1 ,domine1 per merita sanctorum tuorum1 quorum reliqui hic sunt1 et omnium sanctorum tuorum1 ut indulgere digneris omnia peccata mea4 ,amen4 7,we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 by the merits of ,thy saints whose relics are here1 and of all the saints1 that ,thou wouldst vouchsafe to forgive me all my sins4 ,amen47 ,at solemn ,high ,mass the priest receives the censer from the deacon1 and incenses the altar1 and then returns it to the deacon1 who incenses the priest only4 ,then the priest turns to the book and reads the ,introit1 which varies according to the seasons and feasts4 ,the following ,introit is from the ,mass of the most ,holy ,trinity3 ,benedicta sit sancta ,trinitas1 atque indivisa ,unitas3 confitebimur ei1 quia fecit nobiscum misericordiam suam4 7,blessed be the ,holy ,trinity and undivided ,unity3 we will praise ,him1 because ,he has shown us ,his mercy47 ,ps4 ,domine1 ,dominus noster1 quam admirabile est nomen tuum in universa terra6 7,ps4 ,o ,lord1 ,our ,god1 how wonderful is ,thy name over the utmost boundaries of the earth67 ,v4 ,gloria ,patri1 etc4 ,benedicta1 etc4 7,v4 ,glory be to the ,father1 etc4 ,blessed1 etc47 ,s4 ,kyrie eleison4 7,p4 ,lord1 have mercy on us47 ,m4 ,kyrie eleison4 7,r4 ,lord1 have mercy on us47 ,s4 ,kyrie eleison4 7,p4 ,lord1 have mercy on us47 ,m4 ,christe eleison4 7,r4 ,christ1 have mercy on us47 ,s4 ,christe eleison4 7,p4 ,christ1 have mercy on us47 ,m4 ,christe eleison4 7,r4 ,christ1 have mercy on us47 ,s4 ,kyrie eleison4 7,p4 ,lord1 have mercy on us47 ,m4 ,kyrie eleison4 7,r4 ,lord1 have mercy on us47 ,s4 ,kyrie eleison4 7,p4 ,lord1 have mercy on us47 ,the ,gloria in excelsis is omitted in ,masses for the dead and in certain ,masses during ,advent and ,lent4 ,gloria in excelsis ,deo1 et in terra pax hominibus bon voluntatis4 ,laudamus te4 ,benedicimus te4 ,adoramus te4 ,glorificamus te4 ,gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam3 ,domine ,deus1 ,rex clestis1 ,deus ,pater omnipotens4 ,domine ,fili unigenite1 ,jesu ,christe2 ,domine ,deus1 ,agnus ,dei1 ,filius ,patris3 qui tollis peccata mundi1 miserere nobis4 ,qui tollis peccata mundi1 suscipe deprecationem nostram4 ,qui sedes ad dexteram ,patris1 miserere nobis4 ,quoniam tu solus sanctus3 tu solus ,dominus3 tu solus altissimus1 ,jesu ,christe2 cum ,sancto ,spiritu in gloria ,dei ,patris4 ,amen4 7,glory be to ,god on high1 and on earth peace to men of good will4 ,we praise ,thee4 ,we bless ,thee4 ,we adore ,thee4 ,we glorify ,thee4 ,we give ,thee thanks for ,thy great glory1 ,o ,lord ,god1 heavenly ,king1 ,god the ,father almighty4 ,o ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the onlybegotten ,son2 ,o ,lord ,god1 ,lamb of ,god1 ,son of the ,father4 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 have mercy on us4 ,who takest away the sins of the world1 receive our prayers4 ,who sittest at the right hand of the ,father1 have mercy on us4 ,for ,thou only art holy1 ,thou only art the ,lord1 ,thou only art most high1 ,o ,jesus ,christ1 together with the ,holy ,ghost in the glory of ,god the ,father4 ,amen47 ,v4 ,dominus vobiscum4 7,v4 ,the ,lord be with you47 ,r4 ,et cum spiritu tuo4 7,r4 ,and with thy spirit47 ,then follow the ,collects1 prayers proper for the feast or season4 ,the following is from the ,mass of the most ,holy ,trinity1 as are all the varying prayers and ,scripture texts that occur henceforth in this ,mass4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,o almighty and everlasting ,god1 ,who hast granted ,thy servants1 in the confession of the true faith1 to acknowledge the glory of an eternal ,trinity1 and in the power of majesty to adore a ,unity3 we beseech ,thee that1 by the strength of this faith1 we may be defended from all adversity4 ,through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 ,who liveth and reigneth with ,thee in the union of the ,holy ,ghost1 one ,god1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,preserve us1 ,o ,lord1 we beseech ,thee1 from all dangers of body and soul2 and by the intercession of the glorious and blessed ,mary1 ever virgin4 ,mother of ,god1 of the blessed apostles ,peter and ,paul1 of ,st4 ,joseph1 and all the saints1 grant us1 in ,thy mercy1 health and peace1 that1 adversities and errors being removed1 ,thy ,church may serve ,thee with a pure and undisturbed devotion4 ,through1 etc4 ,epistle4 7,rom4 xi4 #cccf47 ,o the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of ,god6 ,how incomprehensible are ,his judgments1 and how unsearchable ,his ways6 ,for who hath known the mind of the ,lord8 ,or who hath been ,his counsellor8 ,or who hath first given to ,him1 and recompense shall be made him4 ,for of ,him1 and by ,him1 and in ,him are all things4 ,to ,him be glory forever4 ,r4 ,deo gratias6 7,r4 ,thanks be to ,god67 ,gradual4 7,daniel iii47 ,blessed art ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 ,who beholdest the deep1 and sittest on the cherubim4 ,v4 ,blessed art ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 in the firmament of heaven1 and worthy of praise forever4 ,alleluia1 ,alleluia6 ,at solemn ,mass the deacon places the book of ,gospels on the altar1 and the celebrant blesses the incense4 ,the deacon1 with joined hands1 says3 ,munda cor meum1 ac labia mea1 omnipotens ,deus1 qui labia ,isai prophet calculo mundasti ignito3 ita me tua grata miseratione dignare mundare1 ut sanctum ,evangelium tuum digne valeam nuntiare4 ,per ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 ,amen4 7,cleanse my heart and my lips1 ,o almighty ,god1 ,who didst cleanse the lips of the prophet ,isaias with a burning coal3 vouchsafe so to cleanse me by ,thy gracious mercy that ,i may be able worthily to proclaim ,thy holy ,gospel4 ,through ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen47 ,then he takes the book from the altar1 and1 kneeling before the priest1 asks his blessing4 ,the priest answers3 ,dominus sit in corde tuo et in labiis tuis1 ut digne et competenter annunties ,evangelium suum4 ,amen4 7,the ,lord be in thy heart and on thy lips1 that thou mayest worthily and in becoming manner announce ,his ,gospel4 ,amen47 ,v4 ,dominus vobiscum4 7,v4 ,the ,lord be with you47 ,r4 ,et cum spiritu tuo4 7,r4 ,and with thy spirit47 ,initium 7vel sequentia7 sancti ,evangelii secundum ,n4 7,the beginning 7or continuation7 of the holy ,gospel according to ,n47 ,r4 ,gloria tibi1 ,domine4 7,r4 ,glory be to ,thee1 ,o ,lord47 ,gospel4 7,matt4 xxviii47 ,at that time1 ,jesus said to ,his disciples3 ,all power is given to ,me in heaven and on earth4 ,go ye therefore and teach all nations1 baptizing them in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost3 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever ,i have commanded you3 and behold ,i am with you all days1 even to the consummation of the world4 ,r4 ,laus tibi1 ,christe6 7,r4 ,praise be to ,thee1 ,o ,christ67 ,the ,nicene ,creed4 ,credo in unum ,deum1 ,patrem omnipotentem1 factorem cli et terr1 visibilium omnium1 et invisibilium4 ,et in unum ,dominum ,jesum ,christum1 ,filium ,dei unigenitum3 et ex ,patre natum ante omnia scula3 ,deum de ,deo1 lumen de lumine1 ,deum verum de ,deo vero3 genitum non factum1 consubstantialem ,patri1 per quem omnia facta sunt4 ,qui propter nos homines1 et propter nostram salutem descendit de clis4 ,et incarnatus est de ,spiritu ,sancto1 ex ,maria ,virgine3 et homo factus est4 ,crucifixus etiam pro nobis1 sub ,pontio ,pilato passus1 et sepultus est4 ,et resurrexit tertia die1 secundum scripturas2 et ascendit in clum1 sedet ad dexteram ,patris2 et iterum venturus est cum gloria1 judicare vivos et mortuos2 cujus regni non erit finis4 ,et in ,spiritum ,sanctum1 ,dominum et vivificantem1 qui ex ,patre ,filioque procedit2 qui cum ,patre et ,filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur2 qui locutus est per prophetas4 ,et unam sanctam ,catholicam et ,apostolicam ,ecclesiam4 ,confiteor unum ,baptisma in remissionem peccatorum4 ,et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum1 et vitam venturi sculi4 ,amen4 7,i believe in one ,god1 the ,father almighty1 ,maker of heaven and earth1 and of all things visible and invisible4 ,and in one ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the onlybegotten ,son of ,god1 and born of the ,father before all ages3 ,god of ,god1 light of light1 true ,god of true ,god2 begotten1 not made2 consubstantial to the ,father1 by ,whom all things were made4 ,who for us men1 and for our salvation1 came down from heaven1 and became incarnate by the ,holy ,ghost1 of the ,virgin ,mary1 and was made man4 ,he was crucified also for us1 suffered under ,pontius ,pilate1 and was buried4 ,and the third day ,he arose again1 according to the ,scriptures2 and ascended into heaven1 sitteth at the right hand of the ,father2 and ,he is to come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead2 of ,whose kingdom there shall be no end4 ,and in the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,lord and giver of life1 ,who proceedeth from the ,father and the ,son2 ,who together with the ,father and the ,son is adored and glorified2 ,who spoke by the prophets4 ,and one holy ,catholic and ,apostolic ,church4 ,i confess one ,baptism for the remission of sins1 and ,i expect the resurrection of the dead1 and the life of the world to come4 ,amen47 ,turning to the people the priest says3 ,v4 ,dominus vobiscum4 7,v4 ,the ,lord be with you47 ,r4 ,et cum spiritu tuo4 7,r4 ,and with thy spirit47 ,v4 ,oremus4 7,v4 ,let us pray47 ,offertory4 ,blessed be ,god the ,father1 and the onlybegotten ,son of ,god1 as likewise the ,holy ,ghost1 for ,he has shown mercy to us4 ,offering up the ,host1 the priest says3 ,suscipe1 sancte ,pater1 omnipotens1 terne ,deus1 hanc immaculatam ,hostiam1 quam ego indignus famulus tuus offero tibi1 ,deo meo vivo et vero1 pro innumerabilibus peccatis1 et offensionibus et negligentiis meis1 et pro omnibus circumstantibus2 sed et pro omnibus fidelibus ,christianis1 vivis atque defunctis2 ut mihi et illis proficiat ad salutem1 in vitam ternam4 ,amen4 7,accept1 ,o holy ,father1 almighty and eternal ,god1 this unspotted ,host1 which ,i1 ,thy unworthy servant1 offer unto ,thee1 my living and true ,god1 for my innumerable sins1 offences1 and negligences1 and for all here present2 as also for all faithful ,christians1 both living and dead2 that it may avail both me and them unto life everlasting4 ,amen47 ,pouring the water and wine into the chalice1 he says3 ,deus1 qui human substanti dignitatem mirabiliter condidisti1 et mirabilius reformasti3 da nobis per hujus aqu et vini mysterium1 ejus divinitatis esse consortes1 qui humanitatis nostr fieri dignatus est particeps1 ,jesus ,christus1 ,filius tuus1 ,dominus noster3 qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate ,spiritus ,sancti1 ,deus1 per omnia scula sculorum4 ,amen4 7,o ,god1 ,who in creating human nature hast wonderfully dignified it1 and still more wonderfully reformed it3 grant that by the mystery of this water and wine we may be made partakers of ,his divine nature ,who vouchsafed to become partaker of our human nature3 ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 ,our ,lord1 ,who liveth and reigneth with ,thee in the unity1 etc47 ,offering the chalice1 the priest says3 ,offerimus tibi1 ,domine1 calicem salutaris1 tuam deprecantes clementiam1 ut in conspectu divin majestatis tu1 pro nostra et totius mundi salute cum odore suavitatis ascendat4 ,amen4 7,we offer unto ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 the chalice of salvation1 beseeching ,thy clemency that it may ascend before ,thy divine majesty as a sweet odor for our salvation and for that of the whole world4 ,amen47 ,bowing down1 the priest says3 ,in spiritu humilitatis et in animo contrito suscipiamur a te1 ,domine2 et sic fiat sacrificium nostrum in conspectu tuo hodie1 ut placeat tibi1 ,domine ,deus4 7,accept us1 ,o ,lord1 in the spirit of humility and contrition of heart2 and grant that the sacrifice we offer in ,thy sight this day may be pleasing to ,thee1 ,o ,lord ,god47 ,blessing the ,host and chalice1 the priest says3 ,veni1 sanctificator1 omnipotens1 terne ,deus1 et benedic hoc sacrificium tuo sancto nomini prparatum4 7,come1 ,o almighty and eternal ,god1 the sanctifier1 and bless this sacrifice1 prepared for the glory of ,thy holy name47 ,going to the ,epistle side of the altar1 the priest washes his hands1 and recites the following verses of ,psalm ,,xxv4 ,lavabo inter innocentes manus meas2 et circumdabo altare tuum1 ,domine4 7,i will wash my hands among the innocent2 and will compass ,thy altar1 ,o ,lord47 ,ut audiam vocem laudis2 et enarrem universa mirabilia tua4 7,that ,i may hear the voice of ,thy praise1 and tell of all ,thy wondrous works47 ,domine1 dilexi decorem domus tu1 et locum habitationis glori tu4 7,i have loved1 ,o ,lord1 the beauty of ,thy house1 and the place where ,thy glory dwelleth47 ,ne perdas cum impiis ,deus1 animam meam1 et cum viris sanguinum vitam meam4 7,take not away my soul with the wicked1 nor my life with bloody men47 ,in quorum manibus iniquitates sunt3 dextera eorum repleta est muneribus4 7,in whose hands are iniquities2 their right hand is filled with gifts47 ,ego autem in innocentia mea ingressus sum3 redime me1 et miserere mei4 7,but ,i have walked in my innocence3 redeem me1 and have mercy on me47 ,pes meus stetit in directo3 in ecclesiis benedicam te1 ,domine4 7,my foot has stood in the direct way2 in the churches ,i will bless ,thee1 ,o ,lord47 ,gloria ,patri1 etc4 7,glory be to the ,father1 etc47 ,returning and bowing before the middle of the altar1 he says3 ,suscipe1 sancta ,trinitas1 hanc oblationem1 quam tibi offerimus ob memoriam ,passionis1 resurrectionis1 et ascensionis ,jesu ,christi ,domini nostri1 et in honorem beat ,mari semper virginis1 et beati ,joannis ,baptist1 et sanctorum apostolorum ,petri et ,pauli1 et istorum1 et omnium sanctorum2 ut illis proficiat ad honorem1 nobis autem ad salutem2 et illi pro nobis intercedere dignentur in clis1 quorum memoriam agimus in terris4 ,per eundem ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 ,amen4 7,receive1 ,o ,holy ,trinity1 this oblation1 which we make to ,thee in memory of the ,passion1 resurrection1 and ascension of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and in honor of the blessed ,mary1 ever virgin1 of blessed ,john ,baptist1 the holy apostles ,peter and ,paul1 and of all the saints2 that it may be available to their honor and our salvation2 and that they may vouchsafe to intercede for us in heaven whose memory we celebrate on earth4 ,through the same ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen47 ,turning towards the people1 he says3 ,orate1 fratres1 ut meum ac vestrum sacrificium acceptabile fiat apud ,deum ,patrem omnipotentem4 7,brethren1 pray that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to ,god the ,father almighty47 ,r4 ,suscipiat ,dominus sacrificium de manibus tuis ad laudem et gloriam nominis sui1 ad utilitatem quoque nostram1 totiusque ,ecclesi su sanct4 7,r4 ,may the ,lord receive the sacrifice from thy hands1 to the praise and glory of ,his name1 to our benefit1 and to that of all ,his holy ,church47 ,the priest answers in a low voice1 ,amen4 ,he then reads3 ,the ,secret ,prayers4 ,sanctify1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord ,our ,god1 by the invocation of ,thy holy name1 the victim of this oblation2 and by it make us ourselves an eternal offering to ,thee4 ,through1 etc4 ,graciously hear us1 ,o ,god ,our ,saviour1 that by the virtue of this sacrament ,thou mayest defend us from all enemies1 of both soul and body2 grant us grace in this life and glory in the next4 ,who livest and reignest with ,god the ,father1 in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,he concludes by saying aloud3 ,per omnia scula sculorum4 7,world without end47 ,r4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,v4 ,dominus vobiscum4 7,v4 ,the ,lord be with you47 ,r4 ,et cum spiritu tuo4 7,r4 ,and with thy spirit47 ,v4 ,sursum corda4 7,v4 ,lift up your hearts47 ,r4 ,habemus ad ,dominum4 7,r4 ,we have lifted them up to the ,lord47 ,v4 ,gratias agamus ,domino ,deo nostro4 7,v4 ,let us give thanks to the ,lord ,our ,god47 ,r4 ,dignum et justum est4 7,r4 ,it is meet and just47 ,the ,preface4 ,vere dignum et justum est1 quum et salutare1 nos tibi semper1 et ubique gratias agere1 ,domine sancte1 ,pater omnipotens1 terne ,deus4 ,qui cum unigenito ,filio tuo et ,spiritu ,sancto unus es ,deus1 unus es ,dominus3 non in unius singularitate person1 sed in unius trinitate substanti4 ,quod enim de tua gloria1 revelante te1 credimus1 hoc de ,filio tuo1 hoc de ,spiritu ,sancto1 sine differentia discretionis sentimus4 ,ut in confessione ver sempiternque ,deitatis1 et in ,personis proprietas1 et in essentia unitas1 et in majestate adoretur qualitas4 ,quam laudant angeli atque archangeli1 cherubim quoque ac seraphim1 qui non cessant clamare quotidie1 una voce dicentes3 7,it is truly meet and just1 right and available to salvation1 that we should always and in all places give thanks to ,thee1 ,o holy ,lord1 ,father almighty1 eternal ,god4 ,who together with ,thy onlybegotten ,son and the ,holy ,ghost art one ,god and one ,lord3 not in a singularity of one person1 but in a trinity of one substance4 ,for what we believe of ,thy glory1 as ,thou hast revealed the same1 we believe of ,thy ,son and of the ,holy ,ghost1 without any difference or distinction4 ,so that in confession of the true and eternal ,deity we adore a distinction in the persons1 and unity in the essence1 and an equality in the majesty4 ,whom the angels and archangels1 the cherubim also and seraphim1 praise1 and cease not daily to cry out with one voice1 saying37 ,sanctus1 sanctus1 sanctus1 ,dominus ,deus ,sabaoth4 ,pleni sunt cli et terra gloria tua4 ,hosanna in excelsis4 7,holy1 holy1 holy1 ,lord ,god of hosts4 ,heaven and earth are full of ,thy glory4 ,hosanna in the highest47 ,benedictus qui venit in nomine ,domini4 ,hosanna in excelsis4 7,blessed is ,he that cometh in the name of the ,lord4 ,hosanna in the highest47 ,the ,canon of the ,mass4 ,te igitur1 clementissime ,pater1 per ,jesum ,christum ,filium tuum ,dominum nostrum1 supplices rogamus ac petimus1 uti accepta habeas1 et benedicas1 hc dona1 hc munera1 hc sancta sacrificia illibata1 imprimis qu tibi offerimus pro ,ecclesia tua sancta ,catholica1 quam pacificare1 custodire1 adunare1 et regere digneris toto orbe terrarum1 una cum famulo tuo ,papa nostro ,n41 et ,antistite nostro ,n41 et omnibus orthodoxis1 atque ,catholic et ,apostolic fidei cultoribus4 7,we therefore humbly pray and beseech ,thee1 most merciful ,father1 through ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 ,our ,lord1 to accept and bless these gifts1 these presents1 these holy unspotted sacrifices1 which1 in the first place1 we offer ,thee for ,thy holy ,catholic ,church1 to which vouchsafe to grant peace1 as also to preserve1 unite1 and govern it throughout the world2 together with ,thy servant ,n41 our ,pope1 and our bishop ,n41 as also all orthodox believers and professors of the ,catholic and apostolic faith47 ,commemoration of the ,living4 ,memento1 ,domine1 famulorum famularumque tuarum1 ,n4 et ,n4 ,et omnium circumstantium1 quorum tibi fides cognita est et nota devotio1 pro quibus tibi offerimus1 vel qui tibi offerunt hoc sacrificium laudis1 pro se1 suisque omnibus1 pro redemptione animarum suarum1 pro spe salutis et incolumitatis su1 tibique reddunt vota sua1 terno ,deo vivi et vero4 7,remember1 ,o ,lord1 ,thy servants of both sexes1 ,n4 and ,n4 ,and all here present whose faith and devotion are known unto ,thee1 for whom we offer1 or who offer up to ,thee1 this sacrifice of praise1 for themselves1 their families1 and friends1 for the redemption of their souls1 for the health and salvation they hope for1 and for which they now pay their vows to ,thee1 the eternal1 living1 and true ,god47 ,communicantes1 et memoriam venerantes1 imprimis glorios semper ,virginis ,mari1 ,genitricis ,dei et ,domini nostri ,jesu ,christi3 sed et beatorum apostolorum ac martyrum tuorum1 ,petri et ,pauli1 ,andre1 ,jacobi1 ,joannis1 ,thom1 ,jacobi1 ,philippi1 ,bartholomi1 ,matthi1 ,simonis et ,thaddi3 ,lini1 ,cleti1 ,clementis1 ,xysti1 ,cornelii1 ,cypriani1 ,laurentii1 ,chrysogoni1 ,joannis et ,pauli1 ,cosm et ,damiani1 et omnium sanctorum tuorum3 quorum meritis precibusque concedas1 ut in omnibus protectionis tu muniamur auxilio4 ,per eundem ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 ,amen4 7,communicating with1 and honoring in the first place1 the memory of the everglorious ,virgin ,mary1 ,mother of ,our ,lord and ,god1 ,jesus ,christ1 as also of the blessed apostles and martyrs1 ,peter and ,paul1 ,andrew1 ,james1 ,john1 ,thomas1 ,james1 ,philip1 ,bartholomew1 ,matthew1 ,simon1 and ,thaddeus3 ,linus1 ,cletus1 ,clement1 ,xystus1 ,cornelius1 ,cyprian1 ,lawrence1 ,chrysogonus1 ,john and ,paul1 ,cosmas and ,damian1 and of all ,thy saints1 through whose merits and prayers grant that we may be always defended by the help of ,thy protection4 ,through the same ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen47 ,hanc igitur oblationem servitutis nostr1 sed et cunct famili tu1 qusumus1 ,domine1 ut placatus accipias2 diesque nostros in tua pace disponas1 atque ab terna damnatione nos eripi1 et in electorum tuorum jubeas grege numerari4 ,per ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 ,amen4 7,we therefore beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 graciously to accept this oblation of our servitude1 as also of ,thy whole family1 and to dispose of our days in ,thy peace2 preserve us from eternal damnation1 and rank us in the number of ,thine elect4 ,through ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen47 ,quam oblationem tu1 ,deus1 in omnibus1 qusumus1 benedictam1 adscriptam1 ratam1 rationabilem1 acceptabilemque facere digneris3 ut nobis corpus et sanguis fiat dilectissimi ,filii tui ,domini nostri ,jesu ,christi4 7,which oblation to ,thou1 ,o ,god1 vouchsafe in all respects to bless1 approve1 ratify1 and accept1 that it may be made for us the body and blood of ,thy most beloved ,son1 ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord47 ,the ,consecration4 ,qui pridie quam pateretur1 accepit panem in sanctas ac venerabiles manus suas1 et elevatis oculis in clum1 ad te ,deum ,patrem suum omnipotentem1 tibi gratias agens1 benedixit1 fregit1 deditque discipulis suis1 dicens3 ,accipite1 et manducate ex hoc omnes3 ,hoc est enim corpus meum4 ,simili modo postquam cnatum est1 accipiens et hunc prclarum calicem in sanctas ac venerabiles manus suas1 item tibi gratias agens1 benedixit1 deditque discipulis suis1 dicens3 ,accipite1 et bibite ex eo omnes3 ,hic est enim calix sanguinis mei1 novi et terni testamenti3 mysterium fidei3 qui pro vobis et pro multis effundetur in remissionem peccatorum4 ,hc quotiescunque feceritis1 in mei memoriam facietis4 ,after the consecration and elevation the priest proceeds3 ,unde et memores1 ,domine1 nos servi tui1 sed et plebs tua sancta1 ejusdem ,christi ,filii tui ,domini nostri tam beat ,passionis1 necnon et ab inferis resurrectionis1 sed et in clo glorios ascensionis1 offerimus prclar majestati tu1 de tuis donis ac datis1 ,hostiam puram1 ,hostiam sanctam1 ,hostiam immaculatam1 panem sanctum vit tern1 et calicem salutis perpetu4 7,wherefore1 ,o ,lord1 we1 ,thy servants1 as also ,thy holy people1 calling to mind the blessed ,passion of the same ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 ,our ,lord1 ,his resurrection from the dead and admirable ascension into heaven1 offer unto ,thy most excellent majesty1 of ,thy gifts bestowed1 a pure ,host1 a holy ,host1 an unspotted ,host1 the holy bread of eternal life1 and chalice of everlasting salvation47 ,supra qu propitio ac sereno vultu respicere digneris1 et accepta habere1 sicuti accepta habere dignatus es munera pueri tui justi ,abel1 et sacrificium ,patriarch nostri ,abrah1 et quod tibi obtulit summus sacerdos tuus ,melchisedech1 sanctum sacrificium immaculatam1 hostiam4 7,upon which vouchsafe to look with a propitious and serene countenance1 and to accept them1 as ,thou wert graciously pleased to accept the gifts of ,thy just servant ,abel1 and the sacrifice of our patriarch ,abraham1 and that which ,thy high priest ,melchisedech offered to ,thee1 a holy sacrifice and an unspotted victim47 ,supplices te rogamus1 omnipotens ,deus1 jube hc perferri per manus sancti angeli tui in sublime altare tuum1 in conspectu divin majestatis tu1 ut quotquot ex hac altaris participatione1 sacrosanctum ,filii tui corpus et sanguinem sumpserimus1 omni benedictione clesti1 et gratia repleamur4 ,per eundem ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 ,amen4 7,most humbly do we beseech ,thee1 almighty ,god1 to command these things to be carried by the hands of ,thy holy angel to the altar on high1 in sight of ,thy divine majesty1 that as many as shall partake of the most sacred body and blood of ,thy ,son at this altar may be filled with every heavenly grace and blessing4 ,through the same ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen47 ,commemoration of the ,dead4 ,memento etiam1 ,domine1 famulorum famularumque tuarum ,n4 et ,n41 qui nos prcesserunt cum signo fidei1 et dormiunt in somno pacis4 7,be mindful1 ,o ,lord1 of ,thy servants ,n4 and ,n41 who are gone before us with the sign of faith1 and rest in the sleep of peace47 ,here the priest1 with hands joined1 prays for such of the dead as he wishes to pray for in particular4 ,then1 extending his hands1 he continues3 ,ipsis1 ,domine1 et omnibus in ,christo quiescentibus1 locum refrigerii1 lucis et pacis1 ut indulgeas1 deprecamur4 ,per eundem ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 ,amen4 7,to these1 ,o ,lord1 and and to all that sleep in ,christ1 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 a place of refreshment1 light1 and peace4 ,through the same ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen47 ,nobis quoque1 peccatoribus1 famulis tuis1 de multitudine miserationum tuarum sperantibus1 partem aliquam et societatem donare digneris cum tuis sanctis apostolis et martyribus3 cum ,joanne1 ,stephano1 ,matthia1 ,barnaba1 ,ignatio1 ,alexandro1 ,marcellino1 ,petro1 ,felicitate1 ,perpetua1 ,agatha1 ,lucia1 ,agnete1 ,ccilia1 ,anastasia1 et omnibus sanctis tuis3 intra quorum nos consortium1 non stimator meriti1 sed veni1 qusumus1 largitor admitte4 ,per ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 7,also to us sinners1 ,thy servants1 confiding in the multitude of ,thy mercies1 vouchsafe to grant some part and fellowship with ,thy holy apostles and martyrs3 with ,john1 ,stephen1 ,matthias1 ,barnabas1 ,ignatius1 ,alexander1 ,marcellinus1 ,peter1 ,felicitas1 ,perpetua1 ,agatha1 ,lucia1 ,agnes1 ,cecilia1 ,anastasia1 and all ,thy saints2 into whose company we beseech ,thee to admit us1 not in consideration of our merit1 but of ,thy own pardon4 ,through ,christ ,our ,lord47 ,per quem hc omnia1 ,domine1 semper bona creas1 sanctificas1 vivificas1 benedicis et prstas nobis4 7,by ,whom1 ,o ,lord1 ,thou dost always create1 bless1 quicken1 and give us all these good things17 ,per ipsum1 et cum ipso1 et in ipso est tibi1 ,deo ,patri omnipotenti1 in unitate ,spiritus ,sancti1 omnis honor et gloria4 7,by ,him1 and with ,him1 and in ,him1 is to ,thee1 ,god the ,father almighty1 in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 all honor and glory47 ,per omnia scula sculorum4 7,forever and ever47 ,r4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,oremus4 7,let us pray47 ,the ,pater ,noster4 ,prceptis salutaribus moniti et divina institutione formati1 audemus dicere3 7,instructed by ,thy saving precepts1 and following ,thy divine directions1 we presume to say37 ,pater noster1 qui es in clis1 sanctificetur nomen tuum2 adveniat regnum tuum2 fiat voluntas tua sicut in clo et in terra4 ,panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie2 et dimitte nobis debita nostra1 sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris4 ,et ne nos inducas in tentationem4 7,our ,father1 ,who art in heaven1 hallowed be ,thy name2 ,thy kingdom come2 ,thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven4 ,give us this day our daily bread2 and forgive us our trespasses1 as we forgive them that trespass against us4 ,and lead us not into temptation47 ,r4 ,sed libera nos a malo4 7,r4 ,but deliver us from evil47 ,s4 ,amen4 7,p4 ,amen47 ,libera nos1 qusumus1 ,domine1 ab omnibus malis1 prteritis1 prsentibus et futuris3 et intercedente beata et gloriosa semper virgine ,dei ,genitrice ,maria1 cum beatis apostolis tuis ,petro et ,paulo1 atque ,andrea1 et omnibus sanctis1 da propitius pacem in diebus nostris3 ut ope misericordi tu adjuti1 et a peccato simus semper liberi1 et ab omni perturbatione securi4 ,per eundem ,dominum nostrum ,jesum ,christum ,filium tuum1 qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate ,spiritus ,sancti ,deus3 per omnia scula sculorum4 7,deliver us1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 from all evils1 past1 present1 and to come3 and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious ,mary1 ever virgin1 ,mother of ,god1 and of the blessed apostles ,peter and ,paul1 and ,andrew1 and of all the saints1 mercifully grant peace in our days1 that through the assistance of ,thy mercy we may be always free from sin1 and secure from all disturbance4 ,through the same ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 ,our ,lord1 ,who with ,thee and the ,holy ,ghost liveth and reigneth ,god3 world without end47 ,r4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,v4 ,pax ,domini sit semper vobiscum4 7,v4 ,the peace of the ,lord be always with you47 ,r4 ,et cum spiritu tuo4 7,r4 ,and with thy spirit47 ,the priest puts a particle of the ,host into the chalice1 saying3 ,hc commixtio et consecratio corporis et sanguinis ,domini nostri ,jesu ,christi fiat accipientibus nobis in vitam ternam4 ,amen4 7,may this mixture and consecration of the body and blood of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ be to us who receive it effectual to eternal life4 ,amen47 ,the priest strikes his breast three times1 saying3 ,agnus ,dei1 qui tollis peccata mundi3 miserere nobis4 7,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world3 have mercy on us47 ,agnus ,dei1 qui tollis peccata mundi3 miserere nobis4 7,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world3 have mercy on us47 ,agnus ,dei1 qui tollis peccata mundi3 dona nobis pacem4 7,lamb of ,god1 ,who takest away the sins of the world3 give us peace47 ,in ,masses of ,requiem1 instead of ,miserere nobis is said3 ,dona eis requiem1 ,grant them rest2 and instead of ,dona nobis pacem is said3 ,dona eis requiem sempiternam1 ,grant them eternal rest4 ,the priest does not strike his breast1 nor does he say the first of the following prayers3 ,domine ,jesu ,christe1 qui dixisti apostolis tuis3 ,pacem relinquo vobis1 pacem meam do vobis1 ne respicias peccata mea1 sed fidem ,ecclesi tu1 eamque secundum voluntatem tuam pacificare et coadunare digneris4 ,qui vivis et regnas1 ,deus1 per omnia scula sculorum4 ,amen4 7,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,who saidst to ,thy apostles1 ,i leave you peace1 ,i give you ,my peace3 regard not my sins1 but the faith of ,thy ,church1 and grant her that peace and unity which is agreeable to ,thy will4 ,who livest and reignest forever and ever4 ,amen47 ,domine ,jesu ,christe1 ,fili ,dei vivi1 qui ex voluntate ,patris1 cooperante ,spiritu ,sancto1 per mortem tuam mundum vivificasti1 libera me per hoc sacrosanctum corpus et sanguinem tuum ab omnibus iniquitatibus meis1 et universis malis3 et fac me tuis semper inhrere mandatis1 et a te nunquam separari permittas4 ,qui cum eodem ,deo ,patre et ,spiritu ,sancto vivis et regnas1 ,deus1 in scula sculorum4 ,amen4 7,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,son of the living ,god1 ,who1 according to the will of ,thy ,father1 hast by ,thy death1 through the cooperation of the ,holy ,ghost1 given life to the world3 deliver me by this1 ,thy most sacred body and blood from all my iniquities1 and from all evils2 and make me always adhere to ,thy commandments2 and never suffer me to be separated from ,thee4 ,who livest and reignest with ,god the ,father in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 ,god1 forever and ever4 ,amen47 ,perceptio corporis tui1 ,domine ,jesu ,christe1 quod ego indignus sumere prsumo1 non mihi proveniat in judicium et condemnationem1 sed pro tua pietate prosit mihi ad tutamentum mentis et corporis1 et ad medelam percipiendam4 ,qui vivis et regnas cum ,deo ,patre in unitate ,spiritus ,sancti1 ,deus1 per omnia scula sculorum4 ,amen4 7,grant that the participation of ,thy body1 ,o ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 which ,i1 though unworthy1 presume to receive1 may not turn to my judgment and condemnation1 but through ,thy mercy be a safeguard and remedy1 both to soul and body4 ,who livest and reignest with ,god the ,father in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 ,god1 forever and ever4 ,amen47 ,taking the ,host in his hands1 and making a genuflection1 he says3 ,panem clestem accipiam1 et nomen ,domini invocabo4 7,i will take the heavenly bread1 and call on the name of the ,lord47 ,striking his breast with humility and devotion1 the priest says thrice3 ,domine1 non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum2 sed tantum dic verbo1 et sanabitur anima mea4 7,lord1 ,i am not worthy that ,thou shouldst enter under my roof3 say but the word1 and my soul shall be healed47 ,before receiving the sacred ,host he says3 ,corpus ,domini nostri ,jesu ,christi custodiat animam meam in vitam ternam4 ,amen4 7,may the body of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ preserve my soul to life everlasting4 ,amen47 ,after receiving the sacred ,host3 ,quid retribuam ,domino pro omnibus qu retribuit mihi8 ,calicem salutaris accipiam1 et nomen ,domini invocabo4 ,laudans invocabo ,dominum1 et ab inimicis meis salvus ero4 7,what return shall ,i make the ,lord for all ,he has given to me8 ,i will take the chalice of salvation1 and call upon the name of the ,lord4 ,praising1 ,i will call upon the ,lord1 and shall be saved from my enemies47 ,before receiving the sacred blood3 ,sanguis ,domini nostri ,jesu ,christi custodiat animam meam in vitam ternam4 ,amen4 7,may the blood of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ preserve my soul to life everlasting4 ,amen47 ,after receiving the sacred blood3 ,quod ore sumpsimus1 ,domine1 pura mente capiamus2 et de munere temporali fiat nobis remedium sempiternum4 7,grant1 ,o ,lord1 that what we have taken with our mouth we may receive with a pure mind2 that of a temporal gift it may become to us an eternal remedy47 ,at the ablution3 ,corpus tuum1 ,domine1 quod sumpsi1 et sanguis quem potavi1 adhreat visceribus meis3 et prsta1 ut in me non remaneat scelerum macula1 quem pura et sancta refecerunt sacramenta4 ,qui vivis et regnas in scula sculorum4 ,amen4 7,may ,thy body1 ,o ,lord1 which ,i have received1 and ,thy blood1 which ,i drank1 cleave to my bowels2 and grant that no stain of sin may remain in me1 who have been refreshed with pure and holy sacraments4 ,who livest and reignest forever4 ,amen47 ,the ,post ,communion4 ,we bless the ,god of heaven1 and we will praise ,him in the sight of all the living3 because ,he hath shown us ,his mercy4 ,v4 ,dominus vobiscum4 7,v4 ,the ,lord be with you47 ,r4 ,et cum spiritu tuo4 7,r4 ,and with thy spirit47 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,may the receiving of this sacrament1 ,o ,lord1 ,our ,god1 avail to the salvation of body and soul1 together with the confession of an everlasting ,holy ,trinity1 and of the undivided unity thereof4 ,through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 ,who liveth and reigneth with ,thee in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,let ,us ,pray4 ,may the oblation of this divine sacrament1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 both cleanse and defend us2 and by the intercession of the blessed ,mary1 the virgin ,mother of ,god1 of ,st4 ,joseph1 of the blessed apostles ,peter and ,paul1 and of all the saints1 free us from all sin1 and deliver us from all adversity4 ,through the same ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 ,our ,lord1 ,who liveth and reigneth with ,thee in the unity of the ,holy ,ghost1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,v4 ,dominus vobiscum4 7,v4 ,the ,lord be with you47 ,r4 ,et cum spiritu tuo4 7,r4 ,and with thy spirit47 ,v4 ,ite1 missa est4 7,v4 ,go1 you are dismissed47 ,r4 ,deo gratias4 7,r4 ,thanks be to ,god47 ,when the ,gloria in excelsis has been omitted3 ,v4 ,benedicamus ,domino4 7,v4 ,let us praise the ,lord47 ,r4 ,deo gratias4 7,r4 ,thanks be to ,god47 ,in ,masses of ,requiem3 ,v4 ,requiescant in pace4 7,v4 ,may they rest in peace47 ,r4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,before the blessing3 ,placeat tibi sancta ,trinitas1 obsequium servitutis me2 et prsta1 ut sacrificium quod oculis tu majestatis indignus obtuli1 tibi sit acceptabile1 mihique et omnibus pro quibus illud obtuli sit1 te miserante1 propitiabile4 ,per ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 ,amen4 7,let the performance of my homage be pleasing to ,thee1 ,o ,holy ,trinity2 and grant that the sacrifice which ,i1 unworthy as ,i am1 have offered up in the sight of ,thy majesty1 may be acceptable to ,thee1 and by ,thy mercy be a propitiation for me and for all for whom ,i have offered it4 ,through ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen47 ,the blessing1 which is not given in ,masses of ,requiem3 ,benedicat vos omnipotens ,deus1 ,pater1 et ,filius1 et ,spiritus ,sanctus4 7,may almighty ,god1 the ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost1 bless you47 ,r4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,the ,last ,gospel4 ,v4 ,dominus vobiscum4 7,v4 ,the ,lord be with you47 ,r4 ,et cum spiritu tuo4 7,r4 ,and with thy spirit47 ,s4 ,initium sancti ,evangelii secundum ,joannem4 7,p4 ,the beginning of the ,gospel according to ,st4 ,john47 ,r4 ,gloria tibi1 ,domine4 7,r4 ,glory be to ,thee1 ,o ,lord47 ,in principio erat ,verbum1 et ,verbum erat apud ,deum1 et ,deus erat ,verbum4 ,hoc erat in principio apud ,deum4 ,omnia per ipsum facta sunt1 et sine ipso factum est nihil quod factum est4 ,in ipso vita erat1 et vita erat lux hominum2 et lux in tenebris lucet1 et tenebr eam non comprehenderunt4 7,in the beginning was the ,word1 and the ,word was with ,god1 and the ,word was ,god4 ,the same was in the beginning with ,god4 ,all things were made by ,him3 and without ,him was made nothing that was made4 ,in ,him was life1 and the life was the light of men3 and the light shineth in darkness1 and the darkness did not comprehend it47 ,fuit homo missus a ,deo1 cui nomen erat ,joannes4 ,hic venit in testimonium1 ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine1 ut omnes crederent per illum4 ,non erat ille lux2 sed ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine4 ,erat lux vera qu illuminat omnem hominem venientem in hunc mundum4 ,in mundo erat1 et mundus per ipsum factus est1 et mundus eum non cognovit4 ,in propria venit1 et sui eum non receperunt4 ,quotquot autem receperunt eum1 dedit eis potestatem filios ,dei fieri2 his qui credunt in nomine ejus1 qui non ex sanguinibus1 neque ex voluntate carnis1 neque ex voluntate viri1 sed ex ,deo nati sunt4 ,,et ,,verbum ,,caro ,,factum ,,est1 et habitavit in nobis3 et vidimus gloriam ejus1 gloriam quasi unigeniti a ,patre1 plenum grati et veritatis4 7,there was a man sent from ,god1 whose name was ,john4 ,this man came for a witness to give testimony of the light1 that all might believe through him4 ,he was not the light1 but came to give testimony of the light4 ,that was the true light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world4 ,he was in the world1 and the world was made by ,him1 and the world knew ,him not4 ,he came unto ,his own1 and ,his own received ,him not4 ,but as many as received ,him1 to them ,he gave power to be made the sons of ,god2 to them that believe in ,his name1 who are born1 not of blood1 nor of the will of the flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god4 ,,and ,,the ,,word ,,was ,,made ,,flesh1 and dwelt among us2 and we saw ,his glory1 as it were the glory of the onlybegotten of the ,father1 full of grace and truth47 ,r4 ,deo gratias4 7,r4 ,thanks be to ,god47 ,,vespers ,,for ,,sundays4 ,vespers are a part of the ,divine ,offices recited daily by the priests4 ,they consist of five psalms1 a chapter1 a hymn1 the canticle of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 ,magnificat1 and an ,antiphon to the ,blessed ,mother of ,god1 which differs according to the season4 ,although there is no express commandment to assist at ,vespers1 yet every good ,catholic will make it his duty to attend when he can4 ,pater noster1 etc4 ,ave ,maria1 etc4 7,our ,father1 etc4 ,hail ,mary1 etc47 ,p4 ,deus1 in adjutorium meum intende4 7,p4 ,incline unto my aid1 ,o ,god47 ,r4 ,domine1 ad adjuvandum me festina4 7,r4 ,o ,lord1 make haste to help me47 ,v4 ,gloria ,patri1 et ,filio1 99 et ,spiritui ,sancto4 7,v4 ,glory be to the ,father1 and to the ,son1 and to the ,holy ,ghost47 ,r4 ,sicut erat in principio1 et nunc1 et semper1 99 et in scula sculorum4 ,amen4 ,alleluia4 7,r4 ,as it was in the beginning1 is now1 and ever shall be1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,alleluia47 ,in ,lent4 ,laus tibi1 ,domine1 ,rex tern glori4 7,in ,lent4 ,praise be to ,thee1 ,o ,king of eternal glory47 ,psalm ,,cix4 ,dixit ,dominus ,domino meo3 99 sede a dextris meis4 7,the ,lord said to my ,lord3 ,sit ,thou at ,my right hand47 ,donec ponam nimicos tuos 99 scabellum pedum tuorum4 7,until ,i make ,thy enemies3 ,thy footstool47 ,virgam virtutis tu emittet ,dominus ex ,sion3 99 dominare in medio inimicorum tuorum4 7,the ,lord will send forth the sceptre of ,thy power out of ,sion3 rule ,thou in the midst of ,thy enemies47 ,tecum principium in die virtutis tu in splendoribus sanctorum3 99 ex utero ante luciferum genui te4 7,with ,thee is the principality in the day of ,thy strength1 in the brightness of the saints3 from the womb before the day star ,i begot ,thee47 ,juravit ,dominus1 et non pnitebit eum3 99 tu es sacerdos in ternum1 secundum ordinem ,melchisedech4 7,the ,lord hath sworn1 and ,he will not repent3 ,thou art a priest forever according to the order of ,melchisedech47 ,dominus a dextris tuis 99 confregit in die ir su reges4 7,the ,lord1 at ,thy right hand1 hath broken kings in the day of ,his wrath47 ,judicabit in nationibus1 implebit ruinas3 99 conquassabit capita in terra multorum4 7,he shall judge among nations1 ,he shall fill ruins3 ,he shall crush the heads in the land of many47 ,de torrente in via bibet1 99 propterea exaltabit caput4 7,he shall drink of the torrent in the way3 therefore shall ,he lift up the head47 ,gloria ,patri1 etc4 7,glory be to the ,father1 etc47 ,psalm ,,cx4 ,confitebor tibi1 ,domine1 in toto corde meo3 99 in concilio justorum1 et congregatione4 7,i will praise ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 with my whole heart3 in the council of the just1 and in the congregation47 ,magna opera ,domini3 99 exquisita in omnes voluntates ejus4 7,great are the works of the ,lord3 sought out according to all ,his wills47 ,confessio et magnificentia opus ejus1 99 et justitia ejus manet in sculum sculi4 7,his work is praise and magnificence3 and ,his justice continueth forever and ever47 ,memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum1 misericors et miserator ,dominus3 99 escam dedit timentibus se4 7,he hath made a remembrance of ,his wonderful works1 being a merciful and gracious ,lord3 ,he hath given food to them that fear ,him47 ,memor erit in sculum testamenti sui3 99 virtutem operum suorum annuntiabit populo suo3 7,he will be mindful forever of ,his covenant3 ,he will show forth to ,his people the power of ,his works37 ,ut det illis hreditatem ,gentium3 99 opera manuum ejus veritas et judicium4 7,that ,he may give them the inheritance of the ,gentiles3 the works of ,his hands are truth and judgment47 ,fidelia omnia mandata ejus1 confirmata in sculum sculi1 99 facta in veritate et quitate4 7,all ,his commandments are faithful1 confirmed forever and ever3 made in truth and equity47 ,redemptionem misit populo suo3 99 mandavit in ternum testamentum suum4 7,he hath sent redemption to ,his people3 ,he hath commanded ,his covenant forever47 ,sanctum et terribile nomen ejus3 99 initium sapienti timor ,domini4 7,holy and terrible is ,his name3 the fear of the ,lord is the beginning of wisdom47 ,intellectus bonus omnibus facientibus eum3 99 laudatio ejus manet in sculum sculi4 7,a good understanding to all that do it3 ,his praise continueth forever and ever47 ,gloria ,patri1 etc4 7,glory1 etc47 ,psalm ,,cxi4 ,beatus vir qui timet ,dominum3 99 in mandatis ejus volet nimis4 7,blessed is the man that feareth the ,lord3 he shall delight exceedingly in ,his commandments47 ,potens in terra erit semen ejus3 99 generatio rectorum benedicetur4 7,his seed shall be mighty upon earth3 the generation of the righteous shall be blessed47 ,gloria et diviti in domo ejus3 99 et justitia ejus manet in sculum sculi4 7,glory and wealth shall be in his house3 and his justice remaineth forever and ever47 ,exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis3 99 misericors1 et miserator1 et justus4 7,to the righteous a light has sprung up in darkness3 he is merciful1 and compassionate1 and just47 ,jucundus homo qui miseretur et commodat1 disponet sermones suos in judicio3 99 quia in ternum non commovebitur4 7,acceptable is the man that showeth mercy and lendeth2 he shall order his words with judgment3 because he shall not be moved forever47 ,in memoria terna erit justus3 99 ab auditione mala non timebit4 7,the just shall be in everlasting remembrance3 he shall not fear the evil hearing47 ,paratum cor ejus sperare in ,domino1 confirmatum est cor ejus3 99 non commovebitur1 donec despiciat inimicos suos4 7,his heart is ready to hope in the ,lord1 his heart is strengthened3 he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies47 ,dispersit1 dedit pauperibus3 justitia ejus manet in sculum sculi3 99 cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria4 7,he hath distributed1 he hath given to the poor3 his justice remaineth forever and ever1 his horn shall be exalted in glory47 ,peccator videbit1 et irascetur1 dentibus suis fremet et tabescet3 99 desiderium peccatorum peribit4 7,the wicked shall see1 and shall be angry2 he shall gnash with his teeth and pine away3 the desire of the wicked shall perish47 ,gloria ,patri1 etc4 7,glory1 etc47 ,psalm ,,cxii4 ,laudate1 pueri1 ,dominum3 99 laudate nomen ,domini4 7,praise the ,lord1 ye children3 praise ye the name of the ,lord47 ,sit nomen ,domini benedictum1 99 ex hoc nunc et usque in sculum4 7,blessed be the name of the ,lord3 from henceforth1 now1 and forever47 ,a solis ortu usque ad occasum1 99 laudabile nomen ,domini4 7,from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same3 the name of the ,lord is worthy of praise47 ,excelsus super omnes gentes ,dominus3 99 et super clos gloria ejus4 7,the ,lord is high above all nations3 and ,his glory above the heavens47 ,quis sicut ,dominus ,deus noster1 qui in altis habitat3 99 et humilia respicit in clo et in terra8 7,who is like the ,lord our ,god1 ,who dwelleth on high3 and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth87 ,suscitans a terra inopem1 99 et de stercore erigens pauperem2 7,raising up the needy from the earth1 and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill27 ,ut collocet eum cum principibus3 99 cum principibus populi sui4 7,that ,he may place him with princes3 with the princes of ,his people47 ,qui habitare facit sterilem in domo3 99 matrem filiorum ltantem4 7,who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house3 the joyful mother of children47 ,gloria ,patri1 etc4 7,glory1 etc47 ,psalm ,,cxiii4 ,in exitu ,israel de gypto3 99 domus ,jacob de populo barbaro3 7,when ,israel went out of ,egypt1 the house of ,jacob from a barbarous people37 ,facta est ,juda sanctificatio ejus1 99 ,israel potestas ejus4 ,judea was made his sanctuary1 ,israel his dominion4 ,mare vidit1 et fugit3 99 ,jordanis conversus est retrorsum4 7,the sea saw and fled3 ,jordan was turned back47 ,montes exultaverunt ut arietes3 99 et colles sicut agni ovium4 7,the mountains skipped like rams3 and the hills like the lambs of the flock47 ,quid est tibi1 mare1 quod fugisti8 99 et tu1 ,jordanis1 quia conversus es retrorsum8 7,what aileth thee1 ,o thou sea1 that thou didst flee8 and thou1 ,o ,jordan1 that thou wast turned back87 ,montes1 exultastis sicut arietes8 99 et colles sicut agni ovium8 7,ye mountains1 that ye skipped like rams3 and ye hills like the lambs of the flock87 ,a facie ,domini mota est terra3 99 a facie ,dei ,jacob4 7,at the presence of the ,lord the earth was moved3 at the presence of the ,god of ,jacob47 ,qui convertit petram in stagna aquarum3 99 et rupem in fontes aquarum4 7,who turned the rock into pools of water3 and the stony hills into fountains of waters47 ,non nobis1 ,domine1 non nobis3 99 sed nomini tuo da gloriam4 7,not unto us1 ,o ,lord1 not unto us3 but to ,thy name give glory47 ,super misericordia tua1 et veritate tua3 99 ne quando dicant ,gentes3 ubi est ,deus eorum8 7,for ,thy mercy and for ,thy truth's sake3 lest the ,gentiles should say1 ,where is their ,god87 ,deus autem noster in clo3 99 omnia qucumque voluit1 fecit4 ,but ,our ,god is in heaven3 ,he hath done all things whatsoever ,he would4 ,simulacra ,gentium argentum et aurum1 99 opera manuum hominum4 7,the idols of the ,gentiles are silver and gold3 the work of the hands of men47 ,os habent1 et non loquentur3 99 oculos habent1 et non videbunt4 7,they have mouths and speak not3 they have eyes and see not47 ,aures habent1 et non audient3 99 nares habent1 et non odorabunt4 7,they have ears and hear not3 they have noses and smell not47 ,manus habent1 et non palpabunt3 pedes habent1 et non ambulabunt3 99 non clamabunt in gutture suo4 7,they have hands and feel not3 they have feet and walk not1 neither shall they cry out through their throats47 ,similes illis fiant qui faciunt ea3 99 et omnes qui confidunt in eis4 7,let them that make them become like unto them3 and such as trust in them47 ,domus ,israel speravit in ,domino3 99 adjutor eorum et protector eorum est4 7,the house of ,israel hath hoped in the ,lord3 ,he is their helper and their protector47 ,domus ,aaron speravit in ,domino3 99 adjutor eorum et protector eorum est4 7,the house of ,aaron hath hoped in the ,lord3 ,he is their helper and their protector47 ,qui timent ,dominum1 speraverunt in ,domino3 99 adjutor eorum et protector eorum est4 7,they that fear the ,lord have hoped in the ,lord3 ,he is their helper and their protector47 ,dominus memor fuit nostri3 99 et benedixit nobis4 ,the ,lord hath been mindful of us3 and hath blessed us4 ,benedixit domui ,israel3 99 benedixit domui ,aaron4 7,he hath blessed the house of ,israel3 ,he hath blessed the house of ,aaron47 ,benedixit omnibus qui timent ,dominum1 99 pusillis cum majoribus4 7,he hath blessed all that fear the ,lord3 both little and great47 ,adjiciat ,dominus super vos3 99 super vos1 et super filios vestros4 7,may the ,lord add blessings upon you3 upon you and upon your children47 ,benedicti vos a ,domino3 99 qui fecit clum et terram4 7,blessed be you of the ,lord2 ,who made heaven and earth47 ,clum cli ,domino2 99 terram autem dedit filiis hominum4 7,the heaven of heavens is the ,lord's3 but the earth ,he hath given to the children of men47 ,non mortui laudabunt te1 ,domine3 99 neque omnes qui descendunt in infernum4 7,the dead shall not praise ,thee1 ,o ,lord3 nor any of them that go down to hell47 ,sed nos qui vivimus1 benedicimus ,domino3 99 ex hoc nunc1 et usque in sculum4 7,but we that live bless the ,lord3 from this time1 now and forever47 ,gloria ,patri1 etc4 7,glory1 etc47 ,instead of #aac1 ,psalm #aaf is often sung4 ,psalm ,,cxvi4 ,laudate ,dominum1 omnes ,gentes3 99 laudate eum1 omnes populi4 ,praise the ,lord1 all ye nations3 praise ,him1 all ye people4 ,quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia ejus3 99 et veritas ,domini manet in ternum4 7,because ,his mercy is confirmed upon us3 and the truth of the ,lord remaineth forever47 ,gloria ,patri1 etc4 7,glory1 etc47 ,the ,capitulum4 ,benedictus ,deus et ,pater ,domini nostri ,jesu ,christi1 ,pater misericordiarum1 et ,deus totius consolationis1 qui consolatur nos in omni tribulatione nostra4 7,blessed be the ,god and ,father of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the ,father of mercies1 and the ,god of all comfort1 ,who comforteth us in all our tribulations47 ,r4 ,deo gratias4 7,r4 ,thanks be to ,god47 ,here is usually sung a hymn appropriate to the season of the year4 ,hymn ,for ,sunday4 ,lucis ,creator optime1 ,lucem dierum proferens1 ,primordiis lucis nov1 ,mundi parans originem4 7,o great ,creator of the light1 ,who1 from the darksome womb of night1 ,broughtst forth new light at nature's birth1 ,to shine upon the face of earth47 ,qui mane junctum vesperi ,diem vocari prcipis2 ,illabitur tetrum chaos1 ,audi preces cum fletibus4 7,who1 by the morn and evening ray1 ,hast measured time and called it day1 ,whilst sable night involves the spheres1 ,vouchsafe to hear our prayers and tears47 ,ne mens gravata crimine1 ,vit sit exul munere1 ,dum nil perenne cogitat1 ,seseque culpis illigat4 7,lest our frail mind1 with sin defiled1 ,from gifts of life should be exiled1 ,whilst on no heavenly thing she thinks1 ,but twines herself in ,satan's links47 ,cleste pulset ostium3 ,vitale tollat prmium3 ,vitemus omne noxium3 ,purgemus omne pessimum4 7,oh1 may she soar to heaven above1 ,the happy seat of light and love2 ,meantime all sinful actions shun1 ,and purge the foul ones she hath done47 ,prsta1 ,pater piissime1 ,patrique compar unice1 ,cum ,spiritu ,paraclito1 ,regnans per omne sculum4 ,amen4 7,this prayer1 most gracious ,father1 hear1 ,thy equal ,son incline ,his ear1 ,who1 with the ,holy ,ghost and ,thee1 ,doth live and reign eternally4 ,amen47 ,the ,magnificat1 ,or ,canticle of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary4 ,magnificat 99 anima mea ,dominum4 7,my soul doth magnify the ,lord27 ,et exultavit spiritus meus 99 in ,deo salutari meo4 7,and my spirit hath rejoiced in ,god my ,saviour47 ,quia respexit humilitatem ancill su3 99 ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes4 7,because ,he hath regarded the humility of ,his handmaid3 for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed47 ,quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est3 99 et sanctum nomen ejus4 7,for ,he that is mighty hath done great things to me3 and holy is ,his name47 ,et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies1 99 timentibus eum4 7,and ,his mercy is from generation to generation3 to them that fear ,him47 ,fecit potentiam in brachio suo3 99 dispersit superbos mente cordis sui4 7,he hath showed might in ,his arm3 ,he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart47 ,deposuit potentes de sede1 99 et exaltavit humiles4 7,he hath put down the mighty from their seat3 and hath exalted the humble47 ,esurientes implevit bonis3 99 et divites dimisit inanes4 7,he hath filled the hungry with good things3 and the rich ,he hath sent away empty47 ,suscepit ,israel puerum suum3 99 recordatus misericordi su4 7,he hath received ,israel ,his servant3 being mindful of ,his mercy47 ,sicut locutus est ad patres nostros3 99 ,abraham1 et semini ejus in scula4 7,as ,he spoke to our fathers3 to ,abraham1 and to his seed forever47 ,gloria ,patri1 etc4 7,glory1 etc47 ,for the ,magnificat1 ,pope ,leo ,,xiii4 granted an indulgence of #ajj days1 to be gained by reciting it devoutly and with contrite heart once a day4 7,september #bj1 #ahgi47 ,then follows the prayer1 which is different every day4 ,v4 ,dominus vobiscum4 7,v4 ,the ,lord be with you47 ,r4 ,et cum spiritu tuo4 7,r4 ,and with thy spirit47 ,v4 ,benedicamus ,domino4 7,v4 ,let us bless the ,lord47 ,r4 ,deo gratias4 7,r4 ,thanks be to ,god47 ,v4 ,fidelium anim1 per misericordiam ,dei1 requiescant in pace4 7,v4 ,may the souls of the faithful departed1 through the mercy of ,god1 rest in peace47 ,r4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,pater noster1 etc4 7secreto74 7,our ,father 7in secret747 ,v4 ,dominus det nobis suam pacem4 7,v4 ,may the ,lord grant us ,his peace47 ,r4 ,et vitam ternam4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,and life everlasting4 ,amen47 ,then is sung one of the following anthems1 according to the time4 ,from ,advent to the ,purification4 ,alma ,redemptoris ,mater1 qu pervia cli1 ,porta manes1 et stella maris1 succurre cadenti1 ,surgere qui curat populo3 tu qu genuisti1 7,mother of ,jesus1 heaven's open gate1 ,star of the sea1 support the fallen state ,of mortals2 thou whose womb thy ,maker bore17 ,natura mirante1 tuum sanctum genitorem3 ,virgo prius ac posterius3 ,gabrielis ab ore1 ,sumens illud ave1 peccatorum miserere4 7,and yet1 strange thing1 a virgin as before3 ,who didst from ,gabriel's hail this news receive2 ,repenting sinners by thy prayers relieve47 ,in ,advent4 ,v4 ,angelus ,domini nuntiavit ,mari4 7,v4 ,the angel of the ,lord declared unto ,mary47 ,r4 ,et concepit de ,spiritu ,sancto4 7,r4 ,and she conceived of the ,holy ,ghost47 ,oremus4 7,let ,us ,pray47 ,gratiam tuam qusumus1 ,domine1 mentibus nostris infunde1 ut qui1 angelo nuntiante1 ,christi ,filii tui incarnationem cognovimus1 per ,passionem ejus et crucem1 ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur4 ,per eundem ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 7,pour forth1 we beseech ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 ,thy grace into our hearts1 that we1 to whom the incarnation of ,christ1 ,thy ,son1 has been made known by the message of an angel1 may1 by ,his ,passion and cross1 be brought to the glory of ,his resurrection4 ,through the same ,christ ,our ,lord47 ,r4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,after ,advent4 ,v4 ,post partum virgo inviolata permansisti4 7,v4 ,after childbirth thou didst remain a pure virgin47 ,r4 ,dei genitrix1 intercede pro nobis4 7,r4 ,mother of ,god1 intercede for us47 ,oremus4 7,let ,us ,pray47 ,deus1 qui salutis tern beat ,mari virginitate fcunda humano generi prmia prstitisti3 tribue qusumus1 ut ipsam pro nobis intercedere sentiamus1 per quam meruimus ,auctorem vit suscipere1 ,dominum nostrum ,jesum ,christum ,filium tuum4 7,o ,god1 ,who1 by the fruitful virginity of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 hast given to mankind the rewards of eternal salvation3 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 that we may be sensible of the benefits of her intercession1 by whom we have received the ,author of life1 ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son47 ,r4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,from ,the ,purification ,till ,easter4 ,ave1 ,regina clorum6 ,ave1 ,domina angelorum6 ,salve1 radix6 salve1 porta6 ,ex qua mundo lux est orta4 7,hail1 ,mary1 queen of heavenly spheres6 ,hail1 whom the angelic host reveres6 ,hail1 fruitful root6 hail1 sacred gate6 ,whence the world's light derives its date47 ,gaude1 ,virgo gloriosa1 ,super omnes speciosa1 ,vale1 ,o valde decora1 ,et pro nobis ,christum exora4 7,o glorious ,maid1 with beauty blest1 ,may joys eternal fill thy breast6 ,thus1 crowned with beauty and with joy1 ,thy prayers with ,christ for us employ47 ,v4 ,dignare me laudare te1 ,virgo sacrata4 7,v4 ,vouchsafe1 ,o sacred ,virgin1 to accept my praises47 ,r4 ,da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos4 7,r4 ,give me power against thy enemies47 ,oremus4 7,let ,us ,pray47 ,concede1 misericors ,deus1 fragilitati nostr prsidium2 ut qui sanct ,dei genitricis memoriam agimus1 intercessionis ejus auxilio a nostris iniquitatibus resurgamus4 ,per eundem ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 7,grant us1 ,o merciful ,god1 strength against all our weakness2 that we1 who celebrate the memory of the holy ,mother of ,god1 may1 by the help of her intercession1 rise again from our iniquities4 ,through the same ,christ ,our ,lord47 ,r4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,from ,easter ,till ,trinity ,sunday4 ,regina cli1 ltare6 ,alleluia4 7,o ,queen of heaven1 rejoice1 ,alleluia47 ,quia quem meruisti portare1 ,alleluia1 7,for ,he ,whom thou didst deserve to bear1 ,alleluia17 ,resurrexit1 sicut dixit4 ,alleluia4 7,is risen again1 as ,he said4 ,alleluia47 ,ora pro nobis ,deum4 ,alleluia4 7,pray for us to ,god4 ,alleluia47 ,v4 ,gaude et ltare1 ,virgo ,maria4 ,alleluia4 7,v4 ,rejoice and be glad1 ,o ,virgin ,mary4 ,alleluia47 ,r4 ,quia surrexit ,dominus vere4 ,alleluia4 7,r4 ,because ,our ,lord is truly risen4 ,alleluia47 ,oremus4 7,let ,us ,pray47 ,deus qui1 per resurrectionem ,filii tui1 ,domini nostri ,jesu ,christi1 mundum ltificare dignatus es2 prsta1 qusumus1 ut per ejus genitricem ,virginem ,mariam perpetu capiamus gaudia vit4 ,per eundem ,christum1 etc4 7,o ,god1 ,who1 by the resurrection of ,thy ,son1 ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 hast been pleased to fill the world with joy3 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 that by the ,virgin ,mary1 ,his ,mother1 we may receive the joys of eternal life4 ,through1 etc47 ,r4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,from ,trinity ,sunday ,till ,advent4 ,salve1 ,regina1 mater misericordi1 vita1 dulcedo1 et spes nostra salve4 ,ad te clamamus1 exules filii ,hev4 ,ad te suspiramus1 gementes et flentes1 in hac lacrymarum valle4 ,eia ergo1 advocata nostra1 illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte4 ,et ,jesum1 benedictum fructum ventris tui nobis post hoc exilium ostende1 ,o clemens1 ,o pia1 ,o dulcis ,virgo ,maria6 7,hail to the ,queen who reigns above1 ,mother of clemency and love6 ,hail1 thou our hope1 life1 sweetness6 ,we1 ,eve's banished children1 cry to thee4 ,we1 from this wretched vale of tears1 ,send sighs and groans unto thy ears2 ,oh1 then1 sweet advocate1 bestow ,a pitying look on us below6 ,after this exile let us see ,our blessed ,jesus1 born of thee4 ,o merciful1 ,o pious ,maid1 ,o gracious ,mary1 lend thy aid67 ,v4 ,ora pro nobis1 sancta ,dei ,genitrix4 7,v4 ,pray for us1 ,o holy ,mother of ,god47 ,r4 ,ut digni efficiamur promissionibus ,christi4 7,r4 ,that we may be made worthy of the promises of ,christ47 ,oremus4 7,let ,us ,pray47 ,omnipotens1 sempiterne ,deus1 qui glorios ,virginis ,matris ,mari corpus et animam1 ut dignum ,filii tui habitaculum effici mereretur1 ,spiritu ,sancto cooperante prparasti2 da1 ut cujus commemoratione ltamur ejus pin intercessione ab instantibus malis1 et a morte perpetua liberemur4 ,per eundem ,christum ,dominum nostrum4 ,almighty and eternal ,god1 ,who1 by the cooperation of the ,holy ,ghost1 didst prepare the body and the soul of the glorious ,virgin ,mother ,mary1 that she might become a worthy habitation for ,thy ,son3 grant that1 as with joy we celebrate her memory1 so1 by her pious intercession1 we may be delivered from present evils and eternal death4 ,through the same ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,r4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,s4 ,divinum auxilium maneat semper nobiscum4 7,p4 ,may the divine assistance always remain with us47 ,r4 ,amen4 7,r4 ,amen47 ,,exposition ,,and ,,benediction ,,of ,,the ,,most ,,holy ,,sacrament4 ,when the priest opens the tabernacle1 and incenses the ,blessed ,sacrament1 is sung the hymn3 ,o salutaris ,hostia1 ,qu cli pandis ostium2 ,bella premunt hostilia1 ,da robur1 fer auxilium4 ,uni trinoque ,domino ,sit sempiterna gloria1 ,qui vitam sine termino ,nobis donet in patria4 ,amen4 7,o saving ,victim1 opening wide ,the gate of heaven to man below6 ,our foes press on from every side2 ,thine aid supply1 ,thy strength bestow4 ,to ,thy great name be endless praise1 ,immortal ,godhead1 one in three6 ,oh1 grant us endless length of days ,in our true native land with ,thee4 ,amen47 ,then is sung the hymn1 ,tantum ergo ,sacramentum4 ,tantum ergo ,sacramentum ,veneremur cernui3 ,et antiquum documentum ,novo cedat ritui2 ,prstet fides supplementum ,sensuum defectui4 7,down in adoration falling1 ,lo6 the sacred ,host we hail3 ,lo6 o'er ancient forms departing1 ,newer rites of grace prevail2 ,faith for all defects supplying ,where the feeble senses fail47 ,genitori ,genitoque ,laus et jubilatio1 ,salus1 honor1 virtus quoque ,sit et benedictio3 ,procedenti ab utroque ,compar sit laudatio4 7,to the everlasting ,father1 ,and the ,son ,who reigns on high1 ,with the ,holy ,ghost proceeding ,forth from each eternally1 ,be salvation1 honor1 blessing1 ,might and endless majesty67 ,v4 ,panem de clo prstitisti eis4 ,alleluia4 7,v4 ,thou didst give them bread from heaven4 ,alleluia47 ,r4 ,omne delectamentum in se habentem4 ,alleluia4 7,r4 ,containing in itself all sweetness4 ,alleluia47 ,oremus4 7,let ,us ,pray47 ,deus1 qui nobis sub ,sacramento mirabili1 ,passionis tu memoriam reliquisti3 tribue1 qusumus1 ita nos corporis et sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari1 ut redemptionis tu fructum in nobis jugiter sentiamus4 ,qui vivis1 etc4 ,amen4 7,o ,god1 ,who1 under a wonderful sacrament1 hast left us a memorial of ,thy ,passion3 grant us1 we beseech ,thee1 so to venerate the sacred mysteries of ,thy body and blood that we may ever feel within us the fruit of ,thy redemption4 ,who livest1 etc4 ,amen47 ,here the ,benediction is given with the ,blessed ,sacrament1 all bowing down in profound adoration4 ,adoremus in ternum ,sanctissimum ,sacramentum6 7,may we forever adore the ,most ,holy ,sacrament67 ,,devotions ,,for ,,confession ,,and ,,communion4 ,confession4 ,before ,confession4 ,a ,prayer ,for ,sincere ,contrition4 ,i have now1 ,o my ,god6 aided by ,thy grace1 endeavored to discover the number of my transgressions1 and have examined1 to the best of my power1 the state of my conscience4 ,but1 alas6 ,o ,judge of the living and the dead6 how far different is my judgment from ,thine6 ,how many offences are still perhaps hidden from my view1 though perfectly known to ,thee6 ,but1 my ,god6 as ,i am persuaded it is not so much a knowledge of their number1 as sorrow for their deformity1 that ,thou requirest1 ,i now earnestly implore of ,thee to give me that lively1 sincere1 efficacious contrition1 which ,i know is a necessary condition of my pardon4 ,my heart was formed by ,thee1 ,thou alone canst change it2 it is in ,thy hands1 and though most ungrateful1 most insensible1 it is not too obdurate for ,thee to penetrate and soften4 ,one drop of ,thy adorable blood1 one of those precious tears which my offences drew from ,thy eyes1 would suffice to produce in my soul the most lively contrition4 ,ah6 look on me1 eternal ,light6 and my understanding will be enlightened to conceive the enormity of sin2 touch my heart1 and it will be broken with sorrow for having ever offended ,thee4 ,convert me1 and ,i shall be converted2 for my destruction1 my misery1 and my misfortune1 is from myself1 but my salvation must come from ,thee1 ,o my most merciful ,father6 from ,thee1 ,whom ,i have so ungratefully abandoned1 and so grievously offended4 ,act of ,contrition ,for ,those ,who ,are ,guilty of ,mortal ,sin4 ,o infinite majesty of my ,god6 ,i am so full of shame at the sight of the ingratitude and malice of which ,i find myself guilty before ,thee1 that ,i dare not raise my eyes to heaven4 ,i confess1 ,o most gracious and merciful ,lord1 that by the multitude and enormity of my sins ,i have deserved to be abandoned by ,thee1 and condemned to eternal torments4 ,ah1 unhappy being that ,i am1 how can ,i have dared to offend ,thee6 ,can it be1 ,o my ,saviour1 that ,i have trampled under foot ,thy blood1 by which ,i was redeemed2 and that ,i have thus renewed the pains of ,thy ,passion and of ,thy death6 ,ah1 why1 why did ,i not die at once1 rather than displease ,thee6 ,how could ,i dare to offend against ,thee1 ,who art infinite goodness1 wisdom1 and beauty6444 ,thee1 ,who art perfection itself6444 ,thee1 ,who art my ,god1 my ,creator1 my beginning1 my end1 my happiness1 my all6444 ,thee1 from ,whom ,i have received my being1 my life1 and all that ,i am6444 ,thee1 ,who hast guided and protected me with the tenderest love under the shadow of ,thy wings6444 ,thee1 ,who hast adopted me for ,thy child1 and made me heir to ,thy eternal kingdom6444 ,thee1 ,who hast redeemed me by ,thy most precious blood1 and hast so often nourished me with ,thy most sacred body and blood in the ,sacrament of the ,eucharist6 ,and yet1 notwithstanding these1 ,thy great and manifold blessings1 ,i have offended ,thee1 ,o my ,god6 ,i have abandoned ,thee1 to league with ,thy enemies against ,thee4 ,i have preferred a vile gratification to ,thy love4 ,oh1 ingratitude6 ,oh1 delusion6 ,oh1 madness6 ,ah1 when shall ,i detest my sins as much as they deserve6 ,o my sweet and merciful ,lord ,jesus1 of ,whose goodness there is no end1 and of ,whose mercy the treasure is infinite1 have pity on me1 and save my soul6 ,pardon me1 ,o most bountiful ,lord1 pardon me1 ,i entreat ,thee1 by the merit of ,thy bitter ,passion and death6 ,remember not my iniquities1 but regard ,thy infinite mercy4 ,i promise that1 by the help of ,thy grace1 ,i will never fall into them again4 ,from this very moment ,i break all the ties that bind me to the world1 to the flesh1 to the devil1 and to sin4 ,i am from this moment firmly resolved to trample under foot all worldly vanities1 and to consecrate myself entirely to ,thy holy love4 ,oh1 never allow me to fall back into my old habits of sin6 ,never permit that honors1 or interest1 or pleasure1 or pride1 or the love of life1 or the fear of death1 or any other motive1 shall cause me to swerve from ,thy divine commands4 ,grant that ,i may keep them with my whole heart1 though it should cost me the sacrifice of my life1 and of all ,i hold dearest in the world4 ,ah1 what has been my folly and my wickedness in having so often and so grievously offended my ,god1 my heavenly ,father1 my gracious and loving ,redeemer6 ,what ingratitude1 what an excess of malice6 ,at the very moment ,i was receiving with one hand the greatest favors and graces from this my most tender and merciful ,lord1 with the other ,i was plunging a dagger into ,his bosom--,i was crucifying ,him again within my soul6 ,i have sold myself to the devil for a worthless pleasure2 ,i have renounced the kingdom of heaven and all the joys of paradise for a trifling enjoyment2 ,i have signed the decree for my eternal damnation to gratify my pride2 ,i have condemned myself to suffer an eternity of torments and all the agonies of hell1 to indulge an unworthy passion6 ,ah1 who will give to my eyes a fountain of tears1 that ,i may weep and lament over my sins6 ,o my divine ,redeemer1 ,whose love ,i have unhappily despised1 ,whose blood ,i have trodden under foot1 ,whose wounds ,i have reopened1 and ,whose death ,i have renewed by my sins6 ,how can ,i present myself before ,thee after so great an excess of ingratitude and malice6 ,o my gracious ,saviour1 what hadst ,thou done to me that ,i should treat ,thee so cruelly6 ,thou hast reconciled me to ,thy ,father by ,thy death1 and ,i have again drawn down upon myself ,his indignation by repeated sins4 ,thou hast snatched me from the slavery of the devil1 and ,i have again entangled myself in his snares4 ,thou hast healed my wounds1 and ,i have inflicted fresh ones on myself4 ,thou hast delivered me from the eternal flames of hell1 to which ,i was condemned by my sins1 and ,i have cast myself into them again4 ,thou hast obtained heaven for me1 and ,i have sold the right which ,thou didst purchase at the price of ,thy blood1 for a trifling pleasure1 for a corruptible crown4 ,is it possible to conceive folly1 stupidity1 malice1 equal to mine6 ,i confess it here before ,thee1 ,o ,lord2 ,i detest it from the depths of my soul2 and resolve to die a thousand times rather than fall again into it4 ,ah1 wilt ,thou reject a contrite and humble sinner1 when ,thou didst come down from heaven to call sinners to repentance8 ,wilt ,thou refuse to receive this strayed sheep which returns from his wanderings1 after ,thou hast sought him so long1 to bring him back to the fold8 ,wilt ,thou reject this prodigal child1 who comes to throw himself at ,thy feet1 after ,thou hast so much grieved over his loss8 ,wilt ,thou leave me forever to groan under the insupportable weight of sin1 when ,thou didst invite all those who are burdened to cast their load at ,thy feet8 ,thou didst absolve the sinful woman when1 kneeling before ,thee1 she implored ,thy mercy2 ,thou didst remit the sins of the publican when he humbled himself in ,thy ,temple2 ,thou didst pardon the good thief when he acknowledged ,thy power on the cross2 and shall ,i be the only one to whom ,thou wilt refuse grace8 ,no1 my adorable ,saviour1 not so4 ,i trust that1 however unworthy ,i have made myself of pardon1 yet ,thou wilt grant it to me1 and that ,thy precious blood will appease ,thy ,father's wrath against me1 and wash away the stain of my sins4 ,offer it1 then1 to ,him for me1 ,o ,lord1 and apply it so effectually to me that ,i may be entirely cleansed1 and may be judged worthy to enter into the blessed mansions1 where nothing defiled can be admitted4 ,amen4 ,act ,of ,contrition ,for ,venial ,sin4 ,prostrate at ,thy feet1 ,o ,lord1 ,i ask ,thy pardon for all the failings and negligences which my frailty1 my ignorance1 and my malice have caused me to commit against ,thy infinite majesty1 especially for all those which ,i have perpetrated since my last confession4 ,i am confounded1 ,lord1 when ,i remember their number1 and how much ,i have displeased and offended ,thee by them4 ,ah1 how little do ,i love ,thee6 how little do ,i love my neighbor6 ,with what coldness1 with what cowardice have ,i attended to ,thy service6 ,how much on the contrary have ,i yielded to selflove1 and how much ,i still retain of affection for creatures6 ,oh1 how rarely do ,i enter into myself1 and think seriously of ,thee6 ,how filled with distractions are my prayers1 my meditations1 and all my exercises of devotion6 ,how much vanity enters into all my actions6 how much attachment to my own will1 my own ease1 and my own convenience6 ,ah1 ,lord1 draw me1 ,i entreat ,thee1 out of the abyss of my misery1 and purify me from the multitude of my sins4 ,art thou not overwhelmed with shame1 ,o my soul1 at the sight of the many offences which thou hast committed against thy sovereign ,lord8 ,is it thus that thou servest a ,god of infinite majesty8 ,is this what thou hast promised ,him so often1 and to which thou art engaged by the holiness of thy vocation8 ,knowest thou not that the least sin is an offence to the infinite majesty of ,god1 that it contains an infinite malice1 that it is an evil which insults and offends thy most loving ,father1 thy most bountiful ,saviour1 thy most sweet and merciful ,lord8 ,ah1 if thou didst but know what venial sin really is2 if thou didst but comprehend the stain which it produces upon thee1 the deformity1 the wounds it occasions in the eyes of ,god2 the torment which it draws upon it in the other life1 the danger to which it exposes thy salvation1 thou wouldst give a thousand lives1 if thou hadst them1 rather than sully thy conscience with it4 ,thou feelest a difficulty in conceiving a bitter sorrow for thy ordinary faults1 because they are venial2 but this arises from thy want of light4 ,the saints1 to whom ,god communicated in abundance ,his supernatural inspirations1 wept day and night bitterly over their faults1 which were slighter than those thou dost commit daily4 ,it is enough1 ,o my ,god1 that slight as these sins appear1 they have displeased and offended ,thee1 to induce me to conceive an extreme horror for them1 and to make me employ all my efforts to correct them4 ,i love ,thee1 ,o ,god of love2 ,i praise and glorify ,thee1 ,o infinite majesty6 ,o purity of heart1 which cannot endure any attachment or affection to the slightest sin1 how lovely art thou6 ,how happy is he who is possessed of thee1 for thou renderest us favorites of ,god1 thou makest our souls temples of the ,holy ,ghost1 and dost draw down upon us all the graces and blessings of heaven6 ,i will omit no pains that ,i may obtain thee in future4 ,but it is from ,thee alone1 ,o ,lord1 that ,i may hope for this happiness3 ,i am too weak to aspire after it by my own efforts4 ,thou alone canst enrich me with a gift so precious2 grant it to me1 ,i pray ,thee1 ,o my ,god4 ,amen4 ,good ,resolutions4 ,since ,i have had the misfortune to offend ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 and that ,i cannot recall the past1 ,i resolve at least1 with the assistance of ,thy grace1 to repair it by henceforth carefully avoiding all that displeases ,thee4 ,i will shun sin1 with its sources and occasions1 particularly those sins into which my natural frailty most frequently leads me4 ,i will adopt the means suggested by ,thy minister for the correction of my faults1 listening to his words as if spoken by ,thyself4 ,i know1 ,o my ,god1 what ,i should have to apprehend from the severity of ,thy justice1 if ,thy anger had not been appeased by the merits of ,jesus ,christ4 ,i feel that ,thou wilt not reject the prayer of ,thine innocent ,son1 ,whose blood pleads for me1 ,his guilty creature4 ,in this hope1 ,o ,god of goodness6 ,i present myself at ,thy tribunal1 there to accuse myself of my sins1 entirely1 sincerely1 and humbly1 with full confidence that ,thou wilt ratify in heaven the absolution pronounced on earth4 ,holy ,virgin6 ,mother of grace and mercy6 ,refuge of sinners6 intercede for me1 that in this confession ,i may receive full pardon for the past1 and grace to avoid sin in future4 ,my good angel6 who hast been the witness of my transgressions1 help me to rise from my evil habits1 and obtain for me strength against future relapses4 ,amen4 ,after ,confession4 ,prayer ,after ,confession4 ,can ,i persuade myself1 ,o ,lord6 that1 criminal as ,i was a few moments since1 ,i am now1 by the grace of the sacrament1 purified from my sins6 ,god of mercy6 ,who1 by the absolution pronounced by ,thy minister1 hast cleansed me from my iniquities1 and restored me to ,thy favor1 shedding on me ,thy precious blood1 and applying to my soul the virtue of ,thy sacred wounds1 how shall ,i acknowledge the wonders of ,thy love6 ,truly1 ,o ,lord1 are ,thy mercies above all ,thy works6 ,how shall ,i prove my gratitude to ,thee1 ,o divine ,benefactor of my soul6 ,i will offer ,thee this day1 and all the days of my life1 a sacrifice of thanksgiving1 and incessantly extol ,thy divine munificence4 ,i will consecrate my whole existence to ,thee1 shunning sin1 and loving ,thee with my whole heart4 ,oh1 permit not that ,i should again trample on the blood which saved me1 and grieve the ,heart which was broken for me4 ,give efficacy to my desire nevermore to offend ,thee3 fortify my weakness2 preserve me from occasions of sin2 grant me the grace of steady perseverance in my good resolutions4 ,o ,strength of the weak6 in proportion as ,i distrust myself1 so do ,i firmly hope in ,thee2 grant me1 then1 ,thy allpowerful assistance1 on which alone ,i rely4 ,prostrate at ,thy feet1 ,o my ,saviour6 with the penitent ,magdalen1 ,i implore this1 as the greatest of all favors4 ,o ,father of mercies6 ,i know that ,thou art reluctant to destroy the vessel of clay ,thy hands have formed2 strengthen me1 then1 against future relapses4 ,holy ,virgin1 support me by thy powerful protection2 all ye angels and saints1 intercede for my conversion and sanctification4 ,offering of the ,penance ,enjoined at ,confession4 ,before leaving the chapel offer your penance1 or such portion as you can1 prefacing it with the following or some appropriate prayer4 ,o ,god of sanctity6 of myself ,i have no means of satisfying ,thy rigorous justice1 but ,i offer ,thee an abundant satisfaction in the infinite merits of a ,godman4 ,i present ,thee1 ,o my ,god6 the ,sacred ,heart of ,thy ,son1 filled with sadness and pierced with wounds for me1 that ,thy justice may thus be appeased4 ,i unite my sufferings to the bitter pangs of my dying ,saviour4 ,may the abundance of ,his merits1 and the immense charity of ,his ,heart1 supply for the imperfection and insufficiency of my works4 ,o ,lord6 ,who hast severed my chains1 strengthen me with ,thy grace1 that ,i may never resume them2 that ,i may conquer the bad habits which have been so long opposed to ,thy spirit1 and courageously resist the temptations to which ,i have hitherto so easily yielded4 ,amen4 ,aspirations1 ,some ,of ,which ,may ,be ,used ,advantageously ,before ,or ,after ,confession4 ,my ,lord and my ,god1 ,i sincerely acknowledge myself a vile and wretched sinner1 unworthy to appear in ,thy presence2 but do ,thou have mercy on me1 and save me4 ,most loving ,father1 ,i have sinned against heaven1 and before ,thee1 and am unworthy to be called ,thy child2 make me as one of ,thy servants1 and may ,i for the future be ever faithful to ,thee4 ,it truly grieves me1 ,o my ,god1 to have sinned1 and so many times transgressed ,thy law2 but wash me now from my iniquity1 and cleanse me from my sin4 ,i detest my sins1 ,o ,lord3 ,i abhor my wickedness3 ,i confess my ingratitude1 and seek refuge in ,thy mercy4 ,from this moment ,i purpose nevermore to offend ,thee3 oh1 let me suffer all kinds of pain and infamy1 nay1 even death itself1 rather than return to my former course of life1 and live ,thy enemy4 ,o loving ,father1 assist me by ,thy grace1 that ,i may bring forth worthy fruits of penance1 and not suffer my sins to go unpunished4 ,now1 ,o ,lord1 ,i begin to live1 not trusting in my own strength1 or in the resolutions ,i make1 but in the multitude of ,thy mercies4 ,perfect1 ,o ,god1 the work which ,thou hast begun in me4 ,thou hast given me peace and understanding2 but1 wretched sinner that ,i am1 how ungratefully have ,i abused all ,thy gifts6 ,and yet now1 with all the tenderness of a loving ,father1 ,thou recallest me from sin1 and rescuest me from hell and everlasting damnation4 ,alas6 my soul is full of anguish and confusion at the recollection of the many sins whereby ,i have offended ,thee1 my merciful ,redeemer1 made myself a slave to the devil1 and provoked ,thy anger4 ,oh1 that ,i had never transgressed ,thy commandments1 nor fallen into such an abyss of misery and calamity6 ,oh1 that ,i had never sinned6 ,happy those souls who have preserved their innocence3 oh1 that ,i had been so happy6 ,but now ,i am resolved1 with the help of ,thy grace1 to be more watchful over myself1 to amend my failings1 and fulfil ,thy law4 ,look down on me with the eyes of mercy1 ,o ,god1 and blot out my sins4 ,forgive me what is past1 and1 through ,thine infinite goodness1 secure me1 by ,thy grace1 against all my wonted failings for the time to come4 ,my sins surpass in number the sands of the sea1 and ,i confess myself1 ,o ,lord1 unworthy of ,thy mercy2 but ,thy goodness is above all my offences4 ,thou hast declared1 ,o ,lord1 that there is joy in heaven for the conversion of a sinner2 grant me1 then1 the grace of true repentance1 and let heaven rejoice at my amendment4 ,thou willest not the death of a sinner1 but that he be converted and live4 ,grant me1 then1 that spiritual life which ,i need2 for behold1 ,o ,lord1 ,i sincerely desire to live to ,thee4 ,thou didst come1 ,o dear ,redeemer1 not to call the just1 but sinners1 to repentance2 behold a miserable sinner here before ,thee3 oh1 draw me powerfully to ,thyself4 ,have mercy on me1 ,o ,god1 according to ,thy great mercy2 and1 according to the multitude of ,thy tender mercies1 blot out my iniquities4 ,sprinkle me with ,thy precious blood1 and ,i shall be whiter than snow4 ,let not ,thy precious blood1 my dear ,saviour1 be shed for me in vain2 but may it now bring forth in me the fruit of sincere repentance1 and open to me the way to life everlasting4 ,how great is ,thy goodness1 ,o ,lord1 in having so long spared such a worthless servant1 and waited with so much patience for his amendment6 ,what return shall ,i make for ,thy infinite mercies8 ,oh1 let this mercy be added to the rest1 that ,i may nevermore offend ,thee3 this single favor ,i earnestly beg of ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 viz41 that ,i may for the future renounce my own way to follow ,thine4 ,help me1 ,o ,lord my ,god1 and have compassion on my sinful soul4 ,amen4 ,communion4 ,before ,communion4 ,a ,prayer ,which ,may ,be ,said ,some ,days ,before ,communion4 ,o ,lord ,jesus ,christ6 ,whom ,i aspire to receive in a few days within the temple of my soul1 ,i come to implore that ,thou wilt ,thyself prepare ,thy destined abode1 cleansing it from every stain1 and enriching it with ornaments worthy of ,thy presence4 ,grant me an increase of faith1 hope1 and charity2 grant me true contrition1 and profound humility2 grant me to sigh with holy ,simeon for ,thy coming1 and1 like him1 to centre in ,thee alone the ardent affections and fervent desires of my heart4 ,o ,lord6 ,whose throne is surrounded by cherubim and seraphim6 ,whose presence is felt by all creation1 ,whose spotless sanctity the angels themselves contemplate with awe1 ,i acknowledge my extreme unworthiness to receive ,thee2 but animated with lively confidence in ,thy paternal goodness1 ,i conjure ,thee to prepare me ,thyself1 and to supply from the treasury of ,thy abundant mercies for all my deficiencies4 ,o ,thou ,who hast come on earth to save me1 and ,who by ,thy sufferings hast opened heaven to receive me1 grant me grace to profit by all ,thou hast done and endured for my salvation6 ,aspirations ,which ,should ,be ,used ,the ,days ,preceding ,communion4 ,as the wearied hart pines for the refreshing water1 so does my soul thirst for ,thee1 ,o ,lord6 ,my soul sighs for the possession of ,god2 when shall ,i come and appear before ,him8 ,lord1 ,i come to ,thee2 but how shall ,i prepare the way for ,thee8 ,i am not worthy that ,thou shouldst enter under my roof2 say but the word1 and my soul shall be healed4 ,how can ,i receive ,thee into a heart so full of iniquities1 and yet how can ,i abstain from the living ,bread come down from heaven to give life to the world8 ,have pity1 ,i beseech ,thee1 on me1 a sinner2 and deign to prepare ,thyself a dwelling in my heart2 grant that from ,thy adorable body may proceed a virtue to give strength and life to my soul4 ,prepare me for ,thyself1 ,o ,jesus6 and render me worthy of ,thy visit2 look on me1 ,o ,lord6 and inflame me with ,thy love2 that ,i may run after the odor of ,thy perfumes4 ,grant me humility of spirit1 and pure charity1 to render me worthy of participating in the blessed food of heaven4 ,i wish to attract ,thee by my love1 and to enjoy ,thy presence in the centre of my soul4 ,o my ,god6 my life6 my all6 ,i beseech ,thee to come into my heart1 and to unite me to ,thyself forever4 ,act ,of ,faith4 8,behold1 ,he cometh leaping upon the mountains1 skipping over the hills40--,cant4 ii4 #h4 ,ah1 my most amiable ,saviour1 over how many1 what rough and craggy mountains1 hast ,thou had to pass in order to come and unite ,thyself to me by the means of this ,most ,holy ,sacrament6 ,thou1 from being ,god1 hadst to become man2 from being immense1 to become a babe2 from being ,lord1 to become a servant4 ,thou hadst to pass from the bosom of ,thy eternal ,father to the womb of a ,virgin2 from heaven into a stable2 from the throne of glory to the gibbet of a criminal4 ,and on this very morning ,thou wilt come from ,thy seat in heaven to dwell in my bosom4 8,behold ,he standeth behind our wall1 looking through the windows1 looking through the lattices10 ,cant4 ii4 #i4 ,behold1 ,o my soul1 thy loving ,jesus1 burning with the same love with which ,he loved thee when dying for thee on the cross1 is now concealed in the ,most ,blessed ,sacrament under the sacred species3 and what doing8 8,looking through the lattices40 ,as an ardent lover1 desirous to see his love corresponded with1 from the ,host1 as from within closed lattices1 whence ,he sees without being seen1 ,he is looking at you1 who are this morning about to feed upon ,his divine flesh4 ,he observes your thoughts1 what it is that you love1 what you desire1 what you seek for1 and what offerings you are about to make ,him4 ,awake1 then1 my soul1 and prepare to meet thy ,jesus2 and1 in the first place1 by faith say to ,him3 ,so1 then1 my beloved ,redeemer1 in a few moments ,thou art coming to me8 ,o hidden ,god1 unknown to the greater part of men1 ,i believe1 ,i confess1 ,i adore ,thee in the ,most ,holy ,sacrament as my ,lord and ,saviour6 ,and in acknowledgment of this truth ,i would willingly lay down my life4 ,thou comest to enrich me with ,thy graces1 and to unite ,thyself all to me2 how great1 then1 should be my confidence in this ,thy so loving visit6 ,act ,of ,confidence4 ,my soul1 expand thy heart4 ,thy ,jesus can do thee every good1 and1 indeed1 loves thee4 ,hope thou for great things from this thy ,lord1 ,who1 urged by love1 comes all love to thee4 ,yes1 my dear ,jesus1 my hope1 ,i trust in ,thy goodness1 that1 in giving ,thyself to me this morning1 ,thou wilt enkindle in my poor heart the beautiful flame of ,thy pure love1 and a real desire to please ,thee2 so that1 from this day forward1 ,i may never will anything but what ,thou willest4 ,act ,of ,love4 ,ah1 my ,god1 my ,god1 true and only love of my soul1 and what more couldst ,thou have done to be loved by me8 ,to die for me was not enough for ,thee1 my ,lord2 ,thou wast pleased to institute this great ,sacrament in order to give ,thyself all to me1 and thus bind and unite ,thyself heart to heart with so loathsome and ungrateful a creature as ,i am4 ,and what is more1 ,thou ,thyself invitest me to receive ,thee1 and desirest so much that ,i should do so6 ,o boundless love6 incomprehensible love6 infinite love6 a ,god would give ,himself all to me6 ,my soul1 believest thou this8 ,and what doest thou8 what sayest thou8 ,o ,god1 ,o ,god1 ,o infinite amiability1 only worthy object of all loves1 ,i love ,thee with my whole heart1 ,i love ,thee above all things1 ,i love ,thee more than myself1 more than my life6 ,oh1 could ,i but see ,thee loved by all6 ,oh1 could ,i but cause ,thee to be loved by all hearts as much as ,thou deservest6 ,i love ,thee1 ,o most amiable ,god1 and ,i unite my miserable heart in loving ,thee1 to the hearts of the seraphim1 to the heart of the most blessed ,virgin ,mary1 to the ,heart of ,jesus1 ,thy most loving and beloved ,son4 ,so that1 ,o infinite good1 ,i love ,thee with the love with which the saints1 with which ,mary1 with which ,jesus love ,thee4 ,and ,i love ,thee only because ,thou art worthy of it1 and to give ,thee pleasure4 ,depart1 all earthly affections1 which are not for ,god1 depart1 from my heart4 ,mother of fair love1 most holy ,virgin ,mary1 help me to love that ,god ,whom thou dost so ardently desire to see loved6 ,act ,of ,humility4 ,then1 my soul1 thou art even now about to feed on the most sacred flesh of ,jesus6 ,and art thou worthy8 ,my ,god1 and who am ,i1 and ,who art ,thou8 ,i indeed know and confess ,whom ,thou art ,who givest ,thyself to me2 but dost ,thou know what ,i am who am about to receive ,thee8 ,and is it possible1 ,o my ,jesus1 that ,thou ,who art infinite purity desirest to come and reside in this soul of mine1 which has been so many times the dwelling of ,thy enemy1 and soiled with so many sins8 ,i know1 ,o my ,lord1 ,thy great majesty and my misery2 ,i am ashamed to appear before ,thee4 ,reverence would induce me to keep at a distance from ,thee2 but if ,i depart from ,thee1 ,o my life1 whither shall ,i go8 to whom shall ,i have recourse8 and what will become of me8 ,no1 never will ,i depart from ,thee2 nay1 even ,i will ever draw nearer and nearer to ,thee4 ,thou art satisfied that ,i should receive ,thee as food1 ,thou even invitest me to this4 ,i come then1 ,o my amiable ,saviour1 ,i come to receive ,thee this morning1 all humbled and confused at the sight of my defects2 but full of confidence in ,thy tender mercy1 and in the love which ,thou bearest me4 ,act ,of ,contrition4 ,i am indeed grieved1 ,o ,god of my soul1 for not having loved ,thee during the time past2 still worse1 so far from loving ,thee1 and to gratify my own inclinations1 ,i have greatly offended and outraged ,thy infinite goodness3 ,i have turned my back against ,thee1 ,i have despised ,thy grace and friendship2 in fine1 ,o my ,god1 ,i was deliberately in the will to lose ,thee4 ,lord1 ,i am sorry1 and grieve for it with my whole heart4 ,i detest the sins which ,i have committed1 be they great or small1 as the greatest of all my misfortunes1 because ,i have thereby offended ,thee1 ,o infinite goodness4 ,i trust that ,thou hast already forgiven me2 but if ,thou has not yet pardoned me1 oh1 do so before ,i receive ,thee3 wash with ,thy blood this soul of mine1 in which ,thou art so soon about to dwell4 ,act ,of ,desire4 ,and now1 my soul1 the blessed hour is arrived in which ,jesus will come and take up ,his dwelling in thy poor heart4 ,behold the ,king of heaven1 behold thy ,redeemer and ,god1 ,who is even now coming2 prepare thyself to receive ,him with love1 invite ,him with the ardor of thy desire2 come1 ,o my ,jesus1 come to my soul1 which desires ,thee4 ,before ,thou givest ,thyself to me1 ,i desire to give ,thee1 and ,i now give ,thee1 my miserable heart2 do ,thou accept it1 and come quickly to take possession of it4 ,come1 my ,god6 hasten2 delay no longer4 ,my only and infinite good1 my treasure1 my life1 my paradise1 my love1 my all1 my wish is to receive ,thee with the love with which the most holy and loving souls have received ,thee2 with that with which the most blessed ,virgin ,mary received ,thee2 with their communions ,i unite this one of mine4 ,most holy ,virgin and my ,mother ,mary1 behold1 ,i already approach to receive thy ,son4 ,would that ,i had the heart and love with which thou didst communicate6 ,give me this morning thy ,jesus1 as thou didst give ,him to the shepherds and to the kings4 ,i intend to receive ,him from thy most pure hands4 ,tell ,him that ,i am thy servant and thy client2 for ,he will thus look upon me with a more loving eye1 and now that ,he is coming1 will press me more closely to ,himself4 ,after ,communion4 ,act ,of ,welcome4 ,ah1 my ,jesus1 my love1 my infinite good1 my all1 be ever welcome in the poor dwelling of my soul6 ,ah1 my ,lord1 where art ,thou6 to what a place art ,thou come6 ,thou hast entered my heart1 which is far worse than the stable in which ,thou wast born2 it is full of earthly affections1 of selflove1 and of inordinate desires4 ,and how couldst ,thou come to dwell there8 ,i would address ,thee with ,st4 ,peter3 8,depart from me1 for ,i am a sinful man40--,st4 ,luke v4 #h4 ,yes1 depart from me1 ,o ,lord1 for ,i am indeed unworthy to receive a ,god of infinite goodness2 go and find repose in those pure souls who serve ,thee with so much love4 ,but no1 my ,redeemer2 what do ,i say8 ,leave me not2 for if ,thou departest1 ,i am lost4 ,i embrace ,thee1 my life2 ,i cling to ,thee4 ,mad indeed have ,i been in having separated myself from ,thee for the love of creatures2 and in my ingratitude ,i drove ,thee from me4 ,but now ,i will never more separate myself from ,thee1 my treasure2 ,i desire to live and die united to ,thee4 ,most blessed ,virgin ,mary1 seraphim1 and all souls1 do you who love ,god with pure love lend me your affections1 that ,i may worthily attend on my beloved ,lord4 ,loving ,aspirations ,to ,jesus ,in ,the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,they can be used either before or after communion1 or in visiting the ,blessed ,sacrament4 #a4 8,go forth1 ye daughters of ,sion1 and see ,king ,solomon in the diadem wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals40--,cant4 iii4 #aa4 ,o daughters of grace1 ,o ye souls who love ,god1 quit the darkness of earth1 and behold ,jesus1 your ,king1 crowned with a crown of thorns2 the crown of contempt and suffering with which the impious synagogue1 ,his mother1 crowned ,him on the day of ,his espousals1--that is to say1 on the day of ,his death1 by the means of which ,he espoused ,himself on the cross to our souls4 ,go forth again1 my soul1 and behold ,him all full of compassion and love1 now that ,he comes to unite ,himself to ,thee in this ,sacrament of love4 ,has it indeed1 then1 cost ,thee so much1 my beloved ,jesus1 before ,thou couldst come and unite ,thyself to souls in this ,most ,sweet ,sacrament8 ,wast ,thou indeed obliged to suffer so bitter and ignominious a death8 ,oh1 come1 then1 without delay and unite ,thyself to my soul also4 ,it was at one time ,thy enemy by sin2 but now ,thou desirest to espouse it by ,thy grace4 ,come1 ,o ,jesus1 my ,spouse1 for nevermore will ,i betray ,thee2 ,i am determined to be ever faithful to ,thee4 ,as a loving spouse1 my whole thought shall be to find out ,thy pleasure4 ,i am determined to love ,thee without reserve2 ,i desire to be all ,thine1 my ,jesus--all1 all1 all4 #b4 8,a bundle of myrrh is my ,beloved to me2 ,he shall abide between my breasts40--,cant4 i4 #ab4 ,the myrrh plant when pricked sends forth tears1 and a healthful liquor from the wounds4 ,before ,his ,passion1 our ,jesus determined to pour forth ,his divine blood from ,his wounds in so painful a way1 to give it afterwards all to us for our salvation in this bread of life4 ,come1 then1 ,o my beloved bundle of myrrh1 ,o my enamored ,jesus2 ,thou art indeed a subject of grief and pity to me1 when ,i consider ,thee all wounded for me on the cross2 but then1 when ,i receive ,thee in this ,most ,sweet ,sacrament1 ,thou becomest1 indeed1 to me more sweet and delicious than a bunch of the choicest grapes can be to one who is parched with thirst3 8,a cluster of cypress my love is to me1 in the vineyards of ,engaddi40--,cant4 i4 #ac4 ,come1 then1 to my soul1 and revive and satiate me with ,thy holy love4 ,ah1 what sweetness do ,i feel in my soul at the thought1 that ,i have to receive within myself that same ,saviour of mine ,who for my salvation was pleased to be drained of all ,his blood1 and sacrificed on a cross6 8,he shall abide between my breasts40 ,no1 my ,jesus1 nevermore will ,i drive ,thee hence2 and ,thou shalt nevermore have to leave me4 ,i am determined ever to love ,thee1 and to be always united to and closely bound up with ,thee4 ,i will always belong to ,jesus1 and ,jesus will be always mine2 forever1 forever1 forever 8,he shall abide between my breasts40 ,act ,of ,thanksgiving4 ,my ,god and ,lord1 ,i thank ,thee for the grace which ,thou hast this morning bestowed upon me1 of coming to dwell in my soul2 but ,i would wish to thank ,thee in a manner worthy of ,thee and of the great favor which ,thou hast done me4 ,but what do ,i say8 how can such a miserable creature as ,i am ever worthily thank ,thee8 ,father ,segneri says that the feeling most becoming a soul who communicates is that of wondering astonishment at the thought1 and to repeat1 8,a ,god is united to me2 a ,god is mine60 ,david said1 8,what shall ,i render to the ,lord for all the things that ,he hath rendered to me80--,ps4 cxv4 #ab4 ,but ,i6 what return shall ,i make to ,thee1 my ,jesus1 ,who1 after having given me so many of ,thy good things1 hast this morning1 moreover1 given me ,thyself8 ,my soul1 bless1 then1 and thank thy ,god as best thou canst4 ,and thou1 my ,mother ,mary1 my holy advocates1 my guardian angel1 and all ye souls who love ,god1 8,come and hear1 all ye that fear ,god1 and ,i will tell you what great things ,he hath done for my soul40--,ps4 lxv4 #af4 ,come and bless and thank my ,god for me1 admiring and praising the truly great graces which ,he has granted me4 ,act ,of ,oblation4 8,my ,beloved to me1 and ,i to ,him40--,cant4 ii4 #af4 ,should a king go to visit a poor shepherd in his hut1 what can the shepherd offer him other than his whole hut1 such as it is8 ,since1 then1 ,o ,jesus1 my divine ,king1 ,thou hast come to visit the poor house of my soul1 ,i offer and give ,thee this house and my entire self1 together with my liberty and will3 8,my ,beloved to me1 and ,i to ,him40 ,thou hast given ,thyself all to me2 ,i give myself all to ,thee4 ,my ,jesus1 from this day forward ,i will be no longer mine2 ,i will be ,thine1 and all ,thine4 ,may my senses be ,thine1 that they may only serve me to please ,thee4 ,and what greater pleasure1 says ,st4 ,peter of ,alcantara1 can be found than that of pleasing ,thee1 most amiable1 most loving1 most gracious ,god8 ,i at the same time give ,thee all the powers of my soul1 and ,i will that they shall be all ,thine2 my memory ,i will only use to recall to mind ,thy benefits and ,thy love2 my understanding ,i will only use to think of ,thee1 ,who always thinkest of my good2 my will ,i will only use to love ,thee1 my ,god1 my all1 and to will only that which ,thou willest4 ,my most sweet ,lord1 ,i offer1 then1 and consecrate to ,thee this morning all that ,i am and have1--my senses1 my thoughts1 my affections1 my desires1 my pleasures1 my inclinations1 my liberty1 in a word1 ,i place my whole body and soul in ,thy hands4 ,accept1 ,o infinite majesty1 the sacrifice of the hitherto most ungrateful sinner ,thou hast ever had on earth2 but who now offers and gives himself all to ,thee4 ,do with me and dispose of me1 ,o ,lord1 as ,thou pleasest4 ,come1 ,o consuming fire1 ,o divine love6 and consume in me all which is mine1 and which is displeasing in ,thy most pure eyes1 so that from henceforward ,i may be all ,thine1 and may live only to execute1 not ,thy commands and counsels alone1 but all ,thy holy desires and good pleasure also4 ,amen4 ,o most holy ,mary1 do thou present this offering of mine to the most ,blessed ,trinity with thine own hands2 and do thou obtain their acceptance of it1 and that they may grant me the grace to be faithful unto death4 ,amen1 amen1 amen4 ,act ,of ,petition4 ,o my soul1 what art thou doing8 ,the present is no time to be lost3 it is a precious time1 in which thou canst receive all the graces which thou askest4 ,seest thou not the eternal ,father1 ,who is lovingly beholding thee8 for within thee ,he sees ,his beloved ,son1 the dearest object of ,his love4 ,drive1 then1 far from thee all other thoughts2 rekindle thy faith1 enlarge thy heart1 and ask for whatever thou willest4 ,hearest thou not ,jesus ,himself ,who thus addresses thee3 8,what wilt thou that ,i should do to thee80--,st4 ,mark x4 #ea4 ,o soul1 tell me what dost thou desire of ,me8 ,i am come for the express purpose of enriching and gratifying thee2 ask with confidence1 and thou wilt receive all4 ,ah6 my most sweet ,saviour1 since ,thou hast come into my heart in order to grant me graces1 and desirest that ,i should ask ,thee for them1 ,i ask ,thee not for the goods of the earth--riches1 honors1 or pleasures2 but grant me1 ,i beseech ,thee1 intense sorrow for the displeasures ,i have caused ,thee2 impart to me so clear a light1 that ,i may know the vanity of this world1 and how deserving ,thou art of love4 ,change this heart of mine1 detach it from all earthly affections2 give me a heart conformable in all things to ,thy holy will1 that it may seek only for that which is more pleasing to ,thee1 and have no other desire than ,thy holy love3 8,create a clean heart in me1 ,o ,god40--,ps4 l4 #ab4 ,i deserve not this2 but ,thou1 my ,jesus1 deservest it1 since ,thou art come to dwell in my soul3 ,i ask it of ,thee through ,thy merits1 and those of ,thy most holy ,mother1 and by the love which ,thou bearest to ,thy eternal ,father4 ,here pause1 to ask ,jesus for some other particular grace for yourself and for your neighbors4 ,do not forget poor sinners1 or the souls in purgatory4 ,eternal ,father1 ,jesus ,christ ,himself1 ,thy ,son1 has said3 8,amen1 amen1 ,i say to you1 if you ask the ,father anything in ,my name1 ,he will give it you40 ,for the love1 then1 of this ,son1 ,whom ,i now hold within my breast1 do ,thou graciously hear me and grant my petition4 ,my most sweet loves1 ,jesus and ,mary1 may ,i suffer for you1 may ,i die for you2 may ,i be all yours1 and in nothing my own6 ,may the ,most ,blessed ,sacrament ever be thanked and praised6 ,blessed be the holy and immaculate conception of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary6 ,acts ,of ,the ,love ,of ,god4 #a4 ,my ,god1 my sovereign good1 would that ,i had always loved ,thee6 #b4 ,my ,god1 ,i detest the time in which ,i loved ,thee not4 #c4 ,how have ,i lived so long without ,thy holy love6 #d4 ,and ,thou1 my ,god1 how hast ,thou borne with me6 #e4 ,i thank ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 for so much patience4 #f4 ,now ,i desire to love ,thee forever4 #g4 ,i would rather die than cease to love ,thee4 #h4 ,my ,god1 deprive me of life rather than permit that ,i should cease to love ,thee4 #i4 ,the grace ,i ask of thee is1 that ,i may always love ,thee4 #aj4 ,with ,thy love ,i shall be happy4 ,glory be to the ,father4 #a4 ,my ,god1 ,i desire to see ,thee loved by all men4 #b4 ,i should consider it a happiness to give my blood1 in order that all men may love ,thee4 #c4 ,blind are they who love ,thee not4 #d4 ,enlighten them1 ,o my ,god4 #e4 ,not to love ,thee1 ,o sovereign good1 is the only evil to be feared4 #f4 ,never will ,i be of the number of those blind souls who love ,thee not4 #g4 ,thou1 ,o my ,god1 art my joy and all my good4 #h4 ,i desire to be wholly ,thine forever4 #i4 ,who shall ever be able to separate me from ,thy love8 #aj4 ,come1 all created beings2 come1 all of you1 and love my ,god4 ,glory be to the ,father4 #a4 ,my ,god1 would that ,i had a thousand hearts to love ,thee6 #b4 ,would that ,i had the hearts of all men to love ,thee6 #c4 ,how ,i should rejoice were there many worlds1 who might all love ,thee6 #d4 ,i should be happy if ,i could love ,thee with the heart of all possible creatures4 #e4 ,thou1 indeed1 dost merit it1 ,o my ,god6 #f4 ,my heart is too poor and too cold to love ,thee6 #g4 ,o woful insensibility of man1 in regard of this sovereign good6 #h4 ,oh1 the blindness of worldlings1 who know not true love6 #i4 ,o blessed inhabitants of heaven1 who know it and love it6 #aj4 ,o happy necessity1 to love ,god6 ,glory be to the ,father4 #a4 ,o my ,god1 when shall ,i burn with love for ,thee8 #b4 ,oh1 how happy would be my lot6 #c4 ,but since ,i know not how to love ,thee1 ,i can rejoice at this1 that so many others love ,thee with all their hearts4 #d4 ,i rejoice at this particularly1 that the angels and saints love ,thee in heaven4 #e4 ,i unite my feeble heart to their inflamed hearts4 #f4 ,would that ,i could love ,thee as well as those saints who have been most inflamed with love for ,thee6 #g4 ,would that ,i had for ,thee a love similar to that of ,st4 ,mary ,magdalene1 ,st4 ,catharine1 and ,st4 ,teresa6 #h4 ,or such as that of ,st4 ,augustine1 ,st4 ,dominic1 ,st4 ,francis ,xavier1 ,st4 ,philip ,neri1 ,st4 ,aloysius ,gonzaga4 #i4 ,or as that which was entertained for ,thee by the holy apostles2 and particularly by ,st4 ,peter1 ,st4 ,paul1 and the beloved disciple4 #aj4 ,or1 in fine1 as that with which the great patriarch ,st4 ,joseph loved ,thee4 ,glory be to the ,father4 #a4 ,would1 moreover1 that ,i could love ,thee as the ,blessed ,virgin loved ,thee upon earth6 #b4 ,as she loved ,thee1 particularly when she conceived ,thy divine ,son in her virginal womb1 when she brought ,him into the world1 when she nourished ,him with her milk1 and when she saw ,him die4 #c4 ,would that ,i could love ,thee as she loves ,thee now1 and as she will love ,thee forever in heaven6 #d4 ,but to love ,thee as ,thou deservest to be loved1 ,o ,god1 infinitely good1 even this would not suffice4 #e4 ,i should wish1 moreover1 to love ,thee as the divine ,word made man loved ,thee4 #f4 ,as ,he loved ,thee at ,his birth4 #g4 ,as ,he loved ,thee expiring on the cross4 #h4 ,as ,he loves ,thee continually in the tabernacles where ,he lies hid4 #i4 ,as ,he loves and shall love ,thee forever4 #aj4 ,in fine1 my ,god1 ,i wish to love ,thee as ,thou lovest us2 but since that is impossible1 grant that ,i may love ,thee as well as ,i know how1 as much as ,i can1 and as much as ,thou wishest me4 ,amen4 ,glory be to the ,father4 ,then say the following prayer3 ,o ,god1 ,who hast prepared invisible rewards for those who love ,thee1 pour forth some of ,thy love into our hearts1 to the end that1 loving ,thee in all and above all1 we may obtain the accomplishment of ,thy promises1 which surpass all desire2 through ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 etc4 ,you may also add the following3 ,lift up thine eyes1 ,o my soul2 behold and see the power of thy ,king1 the grace of thy ,god1 the love of thy ,saviour1 now that thou art so near to ,him4 ,take now thy rest1 taste and see how fair and how comely is the ,spouse thou hast chosen4 ,see what the delights are of that country towards which thou art sighing4 ,see how fair the splendor of that crown for which thou toilest4 ,see what is the essence and what the infinite grandeur of thy ,god1 ,whom thou hast loved1 ,whom thou hast worshipped1 for ,whom thou hast constantly longed4 ,o ,god of my life1 what praises worthy of ,thee can ,i offer ,thee8 ,truly ,i know not4 ,what shall ,i render unto ,thee1 ,o my wellbeloved1 for all the benefits wherewith ,thou hast overwhelmed me8 ,thou in me1 and ,i in ,thee1 ,o ,jesus1 my one good2 this is the thankoffering ,i set before ,thy glory4 ,i have nothing else beside4 ,my one only offering is what ,i am in ,thee1 my life in ,thee4 ,o ,god1 ,thou sacred object of my love1 expand my heart in ,thee1 enlarge my soul1 and fill me with ,thy glory4 ,oh1 when shall it be said unto my soul3 8,turn again into thy rest1 for the ,lord hath dealt bountifully with thee08 ,when1 oh1 when shall ,i hear that blissful word3 8,come1 enter into the holy place of the rest of thy ,spouse08 ,o ,jesus8 my sweetest peace1 when shall ,i lay me down and take my rest in ,thee1 whilst ,thou showest me all ,thy glory8 ,pius ,,vii41 by a rescript1 ,aug4 #aa1 #ahah1 granted an indulgence of three hundred days to all the faithful who should recite1 with a contrite heart1 a succession of acts of the love of ,god1 arranged in form of a crown1 with five ,glory be to the ,fathers1 etc4 ,by saying them ten times a month for a whole year1 a person may gain a plenary indulgence on any day he may choose2 confession1 communion1 and prayers according to the ,pope's intentions being supposed4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,obvious printer's errors have been corrected4 ,,footnotes #a ,page #bcd4 #b ,this novena is begun on the twentyninth of ,november4 #c ,the novena is begun on the sixteenth day of the month4