> [[js-cm-07|← A Profession of Catholic Faith]] | [[the-carmelite-manual-toc|TOC]] | [[js-cm-09|Articles of Faith Explained →]] # A Short Regulation of Life *"The young ones taken with thy Charms, have loved thee; we shall run after the Odours of thy perfumes!"-Cant. i. 3.* O VIRTUE! how amiable, and how worthy of our pursuits thou art! t! thou canst secure heaven unto us, the eternal possession of God, and peace in our hearts here on earth, than which nothing is more deserving our ambition. Let a love for virtue, the desire of serving God according to the end of your creation, and of improving this short time for a blessed eternity, induce you to adopt the following regulation of life for yours. ## Every Day 1\. Faithfully to discharge the duty of morning and evening prayer. 2\. To dedicate some time to the practice of mental prayer. 3\. To assist at the adorable sacrifice of the Mass. 4\. Every day to rise early, in order to be able to perform the above, at least soon enough never to indulge sloth. 5\. To have your fixed and regular hours to attend to the duties of your state; and usefully to fill up your time. 6\. Every day to give some time to spiritual reading; if prevented, to supply it, by the remembrance of past lectures, instructions, and good sentiments. 7\. Never go to bed, without the previous examen of your conscience. If you desire to know more of the manner of sanctifying your daily actions, such as meals, conversation, work, recreations, &c. The lessons laid down in spiritual books, the instructions of a ghostly Father, your own wants, with a great attention and fidelity to God's grace and lights, will inform you. Let the following general rules ever guide you. 1st. The frequent remembrance of God's presence. 2nd.-Purity of intention in all you do, proposing to yourself God's will and pleasure, &c. 3d. To be attentive to your predominant passions or evil inclinations, and to apply yourself to the conquering of them. Think yourself never happier than when you have wherein to overcome yourself, both on the account of honouring God by the homage of some victory, and on account of the opportunity given you of increasing your merits, and augmenting your crown in heaven. ## Every Week HAVE a care to perform some act of charity, corporal or spiritual, in the assistance of your neighbour; also some act of penance. On the Fridays, honour in a particular manner the passion of our Lord; on the Saturdays, our blessed Lady; often recommend yourself to her special protection. At the end of the week make a general examen of your conscience and purpose for the next. ## Every Month APPROACH the Sacraments; wish for the dispositions and opportunity that might enable you to receive them oftener. Prepare yourself with all diligence possible to receive them with fruit. Do not pass over any plenary indulgence;; pay a particular regard to the feasts occurring in the month. Every month make your preparation for death: settle both spiritual and temporal affairs to this end. Pray often for the grace of final perseverancc. ## Every Year MAKE a sort of spiritual retreat of eight days, at least of three; take then a review of the state of your conscience; make a general confession of your sins for the year past, if judged proper; renew your resolutions; lay some new plan for your further advancement; take the advice of your ghostly father, and receive his counsels with humility. "Do this, and thou shalt live."-Luke x. 26. --- ![[maps/bibliography#^biblio-spratt]] > [[js-cm-07|← A Profession of Catholic Faith]] | [[the-carmelite-manual-toc|TOC]] | [[js-cm-09|Articles of Faith Explained →]]