> [[js-cm-16|← The Rosary of the Most Holy Name of Jesus]] | [[the-carmelite-manual-toc|TOC]] | [[js-cm-18|Instructions and Devotions for the Sick →]] # Devotions for Every Day in the Week ## Sunday Devotion to the Adorable Trinity THIS day is set apart by the Almighty himself to be kept holy; that is, to be sanctified by works of piety and particular devotion. You are instructed as to the method of sanctifying the Lord's Day. You know how much those deceive themselves, who fancy that they comply with this precept by hearing Mass; therefore you will be doubly culpable, if you ever yield so far to the bad example you may hereafter receive in this respect, as to make the Sunday a day of particular dissipation, rather than devotion. You should remember, during your life, that the precept of sanctifying the Sunday, beside obliging to assist devoutly at the holy sacrifice of the Mass, requires that the greater part of the day be devoted to works of piety; such as hearing a sermon, and the evening office of the Church, and spending some time in teaching the catechism, or instructing the ignorant, either at home or abroad. Beside those public duties of our holy religion; which should be common to all instructed Christians, your private practice for this day, particularly consecrated to the adorable Trinity, may be thanksgiving for the great blessings you have received from the three divine persons at your baptism, when you were regenerated in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Make a short reflection on the solemn engagements you then entered upon, and which you are now of an age to fulfil. Examine whether you really do what you then promised; whether you renounce the devil, by resisting his temptations; whether you renounce the world, by generously despising its follies; and whether you renounce the flesh, by conquering your sinful inclinations, your passions, or your bad habits; then implore pardon for your failings, resolve to amend them, and renew your baptismal vows in the following form:PRAYER, O BLESSED Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! The source and fountain of all good! I most firmly believe in thee, I most humbly adore thee, and thank thee with a grateful heart, for all the blessings and benefits I have received from thy infinite goodness! I most fervently consecrate and offer to thee an unreserved sacrifice of my whole being. O my God, who hast a right to every day, hour, and moment of my existence, accept as the first fruits of this week the thoughts, words, and actions of this day, which I offer thee in testimony of my sincere desire to satisfy my obligation of keeping it holy; mercifully assist me to spend it in such a manner as may draw down thy blessing on the remainder of the week. Increase in my soul the heavenly virtues of faith, hope, and charity, which I received at baptism, and teach me to make faith the rule of my conduct, that thereby it may avail me to life everlasting. Eternal Father! take possession of my memory; efface from it all images of vanity, and engrave therein the recollection of thy adorable presence: Eternal Son! enlighten my understanding, and conduct me in the path of salvation by the light of faith. Holy Spirit! sanctify my will by the most ardent love; render it submissive under the contradictions of this life, and never permit that by attachment to my own ideas or Judgment, I should forfeit the blessings of peace offered to men of good-will and obedient minds. Holy, adorable, undivided Trinity, by whose power, mercy, and providence I was created, redeemed, regenerated, and preserved to this moment, receive the oblation of my whole being, and take me out of the world rather than permit me to efface thy sacred image in my soul by mortal sin. I adore thee, O Holy Trinity, I worship thee, I most humbly give thee thanks for having revealed to man this glorious, this incomprehensible mystery, and for granting to those who persevere until death in the faithful profession of it, the reward of beholding and enjoying in heaven, what we now believe, and adore upon earth, one God in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen. **Aspiration.-**Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. ## Monday Devotions for the Souls in Purgatory IT is a most pious and meritorious custom, to pray frequently for the souls in purgatory, and to offer up occasionally for those suffering friends of God the holy sacrifice of the Mass, the holy Communion, and other satisfactory works in our power. This devotion, though so well founded, is not as general and lively as it should be. There are many who would make any exertion or personal sacrifice to save a fellow-creature from much less pains than are endured in purgatory, yet who hear with unconcern of that prison of fire, where thousands are tormented; amongst whom are perhaps a parent, a brother, sister, or dear friend of theirs. This is generally owing to the weakness of our faith, and to our little notion of the intolerable pain reserved in the next world for a venial sin, for every slight fault or trivial imperfection which has not been atoned for in this life. You should endeavour from your youth to nourish the most tender compassion for those who are now absolutely incapable of assisting themselves, and who most remain separated from God until the last farthing is paid, either by their own sufferings, or by the interposition of the faithful. Many powerful motives should induce you to be among the most fervent in assisting them: the chief are, that by this spiritual work of mercy you prove your love for God, you benefit your neighbour, and materially serve yourself. You prove your love for God, by interceding for those who are so dear to his Divine Majesty, and whom he so ardently longs to glorify for ever. You next perform an act of the greatest charity towards your suffering fellow-creatures, and by endeavouring to shorten their banishment, confer on them so great a benefit, that you cannot conceive its value, unless you could clearly see, as they do, what it is to be separated from God. Lastly, you essentially serve your own soul, by providing for yourself powerful advocates, who will not forget you when they stand before God. These considerations should suffice to animate you to do all you can for the souls in purgatory. Devote then fervently the prayers, good works, and the various actions of the day, to their relief. Offer up, in particular the holy sacrifice of the Mass for this intention. You should particularly impress on your mind, that sloth or negligence in the prayers or actions which you offer up for those suffering souls would frustrate your own intentions, and make you very unworthy of being heard on behalf of others. On the contrary, so far from benefitting those for whom you pray, you would only expose yourself to a severe purgatory in the same fire which torments them. PRAYER, O God of all holiness-infinitely pure and adorable Being! how great must be thy horror of the least stain of sin, since thou punishest so rigorously in the flames of purgatory the venial faults of those whom thou so tenderly lovest. Ah! mercifully enlighten my understanding, that the torments thou inflictest on the least offence in the other world, may teach me the enormity of sin, and penetrate my heart with compassion for those souls who are now enduring inexpressible pains, for such failings as, perhaps, I too often look on as trivial. My God, though thy justice banishes them from that kingdom, where nothing defiled can enter, yet, surely, thy mercy has not forgotten them; no, thou are too good, too compassionate to abandon the work of thy own hands. Though the season for merit and repentance is now past for them, yet thou hast left them a resource in the prayers of thy servants on earth. Despise not, then, O Lord, the supplication which I, thy unworthy child, now make for those who can no longer implore thy mercy for themselves. Remember, O infinite Goodness, that they are all the work of thy hands, redeemed by the precious blood of thy only Son; consider that they are the objects of thy infinite love, who burn with the most ardent desire to be united to thee. Have mercy on them, then, O infinite mercy! and for thy own sake stretch forth to their relief those sacred hands by which they were formed; apply to them once more the merits of that adorable blood by which they were redeemed. I most humbly offer up, to implore this favour, the adorable sacrifice of the Mass, at which I shall assist this day, or to-morrow, all the Masses which will be celebrated throughout the world, together with the adorable actions, prayers, and infinite merits of Jesus Christ while on earth; to which I most humbly add all my thoughts, words, actions, prayers, and sufferings, during this day. Mercifully accept this oblation, O Lord, on behalf of all who now suffer in purgatory, particularly those for whom thou desirest I should pray-those who are most dear to me-those to whose sufferings I may have been in any respect accessary-those who are most forgotten by others, and who have no one to pray for them. Give them all speedy repose and eternal rest, O merciful Father of all mankind! and give me the grace I stand in need of, for spending this day in such a manner as may, through thy infinite goodness, tend to the great object I dare to have in view, which is the repose of thy dear and suffering children. **Aspiration.-**Give them, O Lord, eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine unto them. ## Tuesday on Devotion to Your Angel Guardian ONE of the greatest proofs which the Almighty has given of his love for his creatures, is his having appointed angels to take charge of them through life-to watch over them-to protect them in danger-to admonish them-to pray for them, and never for an instant abandon them until after death, when those blessed spirits resign their trust into the hands of Him from whom they received it. O, how dear must one soul be to God! how precious must it be in his eyes, since he does not disdain to appoint an angel for its guide and companion! Still, notwithstanding the greatness of the benefit, it is, like most other spiritual blessings, much less valued than it should be. There are many, who never think of the services they receive from the blessed spirit who guards them, and who, on that account, are deprived of many spiritual advantages, which would be the fruit of more devotion to their angel guardians. This devotion is a debt of gratitude due from all Christians; but it is particularly to be recommended to young persons, because the inexperience, thoughtlessness, ignorance of duty, or strong passions, often attendant on youth, expose them to a thousand spiritual and corporal dangers, in which they would be much strengthened and often preserved by a solid devotion to their good angel. Endeavour to excite this devotion in your heart, by reflecting on the many claims this heavenly spirit has to your most tender gratitude and confidence. Call to mind the charity and zeal with which he took charge of your soul, when it was confided to him at your birth; the tender care with which he has since watched over you, bearing patiently with your ingratitude, grieving over your faults, reminding you of your duty, offering your prayers to God, and frequently imploring graces for you; beside other good offices which, surely, merit, on your part, the most lively gratitude to God, and sincere devotion to your heavenly guide. This devotion, to be solid, should consist first, in such profound respect for that pure spirit who constantly beholds you, as will restrain you from acting wrong, though you were quite concealed from human observation, since nothing should be done in the presence of an angel, which you would not do before those whom you most respect. Secondly, it should consist in great confidence in your powerful advocate, recommending all your concerns to his intercession, beseeching him frequently to obtain for you the virtues you most want, the grace to conquer your faults, &c. And, thirdly, it should consist in gratefully thanking him for the benefits daily received through his mediation. Endeavour to acquit yourself of those duties with fervour through life, but particularly on this day, which you specially dedicate to honour your guardian angel. PRAYER, O ANGEL of God! my blessed protector and most amiable guardian! to whose care I have been committed by my Creator from the moment of my birth, unite with me in thanking the Almighty for having given me a friend, an instructor, an advocate, and a guardian in thee. Accept, O most charitable guide! my fervent thanksgiving for all thou hast done for me; particularly for the charity with which thou didst undertake to accompany me through life; for the joy with which thou wert filled, when I was purified in the waters of baptism; and for thy anxious solicitude in watching over the treasure of my innocence; Thou knowest the numberless graces and favours which my Creator has bestowed on me through thee, and the many dangers, both spiritual and temporal, from which thou hast preserved me. Thou knowest how often thou didst deplore my sins, animate me to repentance, and intercede with God for my pardon. Ah! why have I so little merited a continuance of thy zealous efforts for my salvation? Why have I so often stained my soul by sin, and thereby rendered myself unworthy of the presence and protection of an angel-of so pure a spirit as thou art, who never sinned? Still, as my ingratitude and thoughtlessness have not lessened thy charitable interest for my salvation, they shall not diminish my confidence in thy goodness, nor prevent my abandoning myself to thy care, since God himself has entrusted thee with the charge of my soul. Penetrated with sorrow for the little progress I have made in virtue, though blessed with such a master, and sincerely determined to correspond in future with thy exertions for my salvation, I most earnestly entreat thee, O protecting spirit! to continue thy zealous efforts for my eternal interest; to watch over my youth, to direct my inexperience, to fortify my weakness, to shield me from the innumerable dangers of the world, and rather to obtain, by thy powerful prayers, that my life may be shortened, than that I should live to commit a mortal sin. Remember, O most happy spirit; that it was one act of profound humility, and one transport of ardent love for thy Creator, that caused God to establish thee for ever in glory; obtain that those virtues may be early implanted in my soul, and that I may seriously endeavour to acquire the docility, obedience, gentleness, and purity of heart, which should be the favourite virtues of my present years. Conduct me safely through this world of sin and misery; watch over me at the awful hour of my death; perform for my soul the last charitable office of thy mission, by strengthening, encouraging, and supporting me in the agonies of dissolution, and then, as the angel Raphael conducted Tobias safely to his Father, do thou, my good angel and blessed guide, return with me to him who sent thee, that we may mutually bless him, and publish his wonderful works for a happy eternity. Amen. **Aspiration.-**O my dear angel guardian, preserve me from the misfortune of offending God! ## Wednesday Devotion to St. Joseph THIS glorious patriarch has at all times been the peculiar object of the devotion, veneration, and confidence of the greatest saints. He has been looked on in every age as an example of real and exalted sanctity, as the model of humble souls, because he excelled in the heavenly virtue of humility, and as the patron and guide of contemplatives, because his life was one continued prayer. But though the great St. Joseph is the general advocate of all Christians, particularly of those who aspire to perfection, yet he appears much more peculiarly the patron and protector of youth. The Almighty, by selecting him for the various functions be exercised on earth towards his divine Son, has pointed him out to all young persons as the deserving object of their respect and confidence-as their patron, their protector, and model. St. Joseph is the patron of youth, because he was chosen to watch over the childhood of Jesus Christ; to direct, provide for, and protect that divine child in his youth, He is the particular protector of young persons, because the Almighty entrusted to his care the helpless infancy of his divine Son; and Jesus Christ himself so totally abandoned his sacred person to his protection, that he was pleased to depend on him for the preservation of his life from the cruelty of Herod. Lastly. St. Joseph is the model of youth, for the virtues he particularly practised are precisely those which all young persons should imitate, viz. great purity of heart; that is, such horror of sin, as caused him to be called a just man; a great veneration and love for the mother of God, an ardent attachment to the child Jesus, and a continual study and imitation of the obedience, humility, and other virtues which he witnessed in the conduct of his divine charge. Those are the reasons why this saint has been chosen as your particular protector, and the festival of the protection of St. Joseph selected for you as a day of extraordinary devotion. But you need not be told that it will avail you nothing to be among those who are particularly placed under the protection of St. Joseph, if you do not perform all that is necessary for meriting his patronage; therefore, to do your part, you should fervently devote yourself to that glorious saint by the practice of solid devotion towards him; that is, by particularly honouring him during your life as your patron-by respecting him as your father-by sincerely endeavouring to imitate his virtues, particularly his constant view of Jesus Christhis love for the Blessed Virgin-his attachment to prayer-his respect for the presence of Jesushis unbounded obedience. You should likewise firmly confide in his intercession (which St. Teresa says she never found to fail in anything she recommended to his prayers,) and spend, as fervently and piously as you possibly can, this day, which you should every week consecrate to honour St. Joseph, with a view to obtain his powerful protection, not alone while you are young, but throughout your life, and also the grace of a happy death, for which he is specially invoked, on account of having himself expired in the most happy of all circumstances, in the arms of Christ, and under the immediate protection of the Blessed Virgin. PRAYER. O GREAT St. Joseph! careful guardian of Jesus, and spouse of the mother of God; thou art my special patron, and the object of my sincere devotion, respect, and confidence, I rejoice, from the bottom of my heart, in the sublime favours bestowed on thee. I thank the Almighty for having honoured thee with the most glorious commission which was ever given to any creature, for having made thee the guardian of the life of Jesus-the protector of Him who watches over the world-the support and consoler of his most blessed mother. O great favourite of heaven! if thou wert so exalted on earth, how great must thou be in heaven! If this wretched world was rendered a paradise for thee by the constant presence of Jesus, how happy must thou be, now that thou beholdest him in the splendour of his glory! I will, notwithstanding thy dignity and my unworthiness, approach thee with confidence, because I am convinced that the constant view of the eternal God become a child for our love, has filled thy heart with paternal tenderness for all those whom he honoured and instructed by the example of his early life. O glorious model and patron of God's greatest saints! thou dost not disdain to become the particular patron of youth, because the sacred infancy of Christ was the source of thy glory, and the object of thy tender devotion. Receive me then into thy venerable arms, for the love of the divine infant who so often reposed on thy bosom. Take me as thy child, for the sake of him whose submission to thy will, and dependence on thy care so exalted thee. I, on my part, most fervently offer thee my heart, and all my thoughts, words and actions, of this day, which I particularly consecrate to thee, as a small testimony of my respect and filial love. Present me, O blessed saint! to Jesus, and obtain for me a share in the virtues and amiable dispositions of his divine childhood, that I may thereby become less unworthy to call thee my father. Be thou, O glorious guardian of the Word made flesh! my special protector; not alone amidst the many dangers of my youth, but throughout my life. Implore for me a particular devotion to thy virgin spouse, and the grace to imitate so faithfully her virtues and thine, that at the hour of my death, I may be entitled to look up to her and to thee with an humble confidence. When that awful hour of my departure from this world arrives, obtain for me, O glorious St. Joseph! a small share in the profound peace, holy confidence, and ardent love which the actual presence of Jesus and Mary infused into thy soul at thy consoling death, and do not cease to be my dear blessed protector, until I shall have happily joined thee in the kingdom of eternal rest. Amen. Aspiration.O glorious St. Joseph! obtain for me the grace of a holy life and a happy death. ## Thursday. Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament THOUGH the adorable Sacrament of our altar, which is the most precious of all our divine Redeemer's gifts to man-the most convincing proof of his love, and an abundant source of blessings, should be an object of universal devotion, yet very few among those who believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, correspond to the best of their power with the infinite love which he shews to all mankind in this adorable Sacrament. This, as well as most other spiritual evils, is caused by want of reflection; very few seriously reflect what it is to have a God so near them as our God is;-to have Jesus Christ himself reside among them-to be able at all times to visit, to converse with the King of heaven, and to be certain of always finding, in the adorable Sacrament of the Eucharist, a good parent, ready to listen to and enter into all their concerns; a liberal benefactor willing to enrich them, a physician to heal them, a friend to advise them. Jesus Christ is all that, and infinitely more, to the happy few who know how to profit of his infinite mercy in remaining on earth. But how few are they! Do you at least reflect seriously, that if you be not among the small number of those who sincerely feel and endeavour to repay the love of Jesus in the Eucharist, you will be infinitely more culpable, more ungrateful than others, because Jesus Christ has granted you opportunities both for imbibing and practising devotion to the blessed Sacrament, of which the generality are deprived. While many others as deserving as you are, know little more concerning this ineffable mystery than the real presence of Christ on the altar, you are instructed in the end for which the Eucharist is instituted, and have been taught how to correspond with the merciful designs of Jesus Christ. The singular happiness of having so many opportunities of visiting the holy Sacrament, should be to you another strong motive for devotion to this adorable mystery. On this perhaps you seldom reflect; yet it is, notwithstanding, a great blessing, particularly when compared with the circumstances of the numbers who are situated many miles from a church, and who seldom, if ever, enjoy the advantages which you have constantly within your reach. Endeavour to prove your lively gratitude for these favours, and all the blessings you have ever received from the holy Eucharist, by sincere and solid devotion to this adorable Sacrament. This devotion should consist in sentiments of respect, gratitude, and love towards Jesus present on our altars; in recurring with confidence and faith to this fountain of grace in all your necessities; in great recollection, modesty, and silence, whenever you are in the presence of this awful Sacrament; also in consecrating every Thursday to honour the blessed Sacrament; to thank God for so great a gift; to atone for all the irreverences which Jesus has ever suffered in this mystery of love; as likewise to implore graces, general and particular, for yourself and all mankind. PRAYER. O Most adorable Jesus! whom thy own infinite love induces to dwell among us, thy unworthy servants, in the adorable Sacrament of our altars, receive, I beseech thee, my profound adoration. I firmly believe that thou art really present in the holy Eucharist, as powerful, as amiable, and as adorable as thou art in heaven, thou hast mercifully hidden the splendour of thy Majesty, lest it should deter us from approaching thy sanctuary. I believe thou dwellest on our altars, not alone to receive our adorations, but to listen to our petitions-to remedy our evilsto be the strength and nourishment of our souls, our powerful Helper, our Refuge, and our Sacrifice. I hope in that boundless mercy which detains thee among us poor weak sinners. I love that infinite goodness which induces thee to communicate thyself so liberally and so wonderfully to thy creatures. I thank thee for such a convincing proof of thy love, and ardently wish that I could worthily acknowledge all the blessings I have ever received from this fountain of grace and mercy. I sincerely regret that this precious pledge of thy love is received by the generality with such coldness and indifference. Alas! I myself have had too much share, by my ungrateful conduct, in wounding thy merciful heart on this altar, and am more guilty than others, since very few have been so much favoured; thou hast not only granted me abundantly the general blessings which this fountain of grace pours on the world, but thou hast provided me with the most favourable opportunities of loving and adoring thee in this august mystery. Thou hast placed me in that situation, where I can recur to thee frequently, and daily behold the sacrifice on the altar. Ah! my good God! I am now convinced that thou deservest from me all the love that my heart is capable of feeling; therefore I humbly consecrate to thee all my affections, and firmly resolve from this moment to endeavour to imitate the respect, gratitude, and love, which always distinguished those among thy faithful servants, who were most peculiarly devoted to the august Sacrament of the altar. Accept, O divine Jesus! the adorable sacrifice of the Mass, and all the thoughts, words, and actions, of this day, which I fervently offer in thanksgiving for the institution of this amiable mystery; in atonement for all the insults, irreverences, and sacrileges, which have ever been committed against it; and to implore for myself and all creatures a solid devotion to the holy Eucharist. Mercifully give efficacy to my ardent desire of worthily honouring thee in this adorable mystery, and grant me through thy divine heart, a share in the purity and fervour of the angels who day and night surround thy sanctuary, and of all those who ever loved thee most in this sacred mystery, that I may serve thee with sincerity and perseverance during my life, and be so happy at length as to enjoy thee in the splendour of thy glory for a happy eternity. Amen. Aspiration. O living bread! come down from heaven: be thou my support in this life, and my viaticum to a happy eternity. ## Friday. Devotion to the Passion of Our Lord A GRATEFUL and feeling recollection of our divine Redeemer's passion and death, should not be confined merely to one day in the week; every day, even every hour of our existence, should recall to our minds the torments which Jesus Christ voluntarily endured to save us from suffering eternally; or at least, every day should strengthen our gratitude for so great a benefit as that of our redemption, and our compassion for all that Jesus suffered on our account; but above all, it should increase our horror of sin, that great evil, which required such a remedy. The death of our merciful mediator on Good Friday, has consecrated every Friday, in a particular manner, to the commemoration of his sacred passion; therefore you should, on this day, endeavour most fervently to animate and strengthen in your heart a grateful and solid devotion to the passion of Jesus Christ, avoiding carefully that unfeeling insensibility, which makes so many. look on a crucifix with as little sorrow and confusion, as if they had no share in occasioning the excessive torments of the divine victim it represents. You should early accustom yourself to think frequently of the sufferings of Christ, particularly when you make the sign of the cross, and look on a crucifix or any other representation of the passion. Secondly, you should be particularly exact in hearing Mass daily and devoutly, that being one of the best possible means of honouring the passion, since it is a commemoration and a renewal of the sacrifice of the cross. Thirdly, you should offer the holy sacrifice of the Mass, and all the thoughts, words, and actions, of every Friday, in union with the sufferings of Christ; to thank your Saviour for them, to obtain the conversion of sinners, and to beg of Jesus Christ, through the infinite efficacy of his sacred blood, that your heart may be early impressed with deep and lasting devotion to the passion. This devotion consists chiefly in sincere gratitude for that infinite love which induced Jesus Christ to endure such torments for your sake, as would separately have caused his death, if he had not preserved it by a miracle, to suffer more. Secondly, it consists in heartfelt contrition for the share your sins had in his sufferings, and a sincere, lively horror of sin in general; since those who deliberately offend their Redeemer,` show that they are in the unhappy disposition of crucifying him again, if that were in their power. Lastly, in a fervent imitation of the virtues Christ practised in the course of his passion. As this last point is of most consequence, you should make it your particular practice on every Friday, to consider the profound reverence with which Jesus prays in the garden of olives, that you may imitate it in all your spiritual duties. Reflect on the divine patience with which this meek lamb endures the insults and cruelty of his enemies, and for his sake bear cheerfully with any little trial you may receive. Admire his profound silence, when accused of crimes it was impossible he could commit, and think yourself happy if this day present you an opportunity of suffering a rebuke with gentleness and meekness, whether you have, or have not merited it. Call to mind at your meals the vinegar and gall presented to Jesus on the cross; compassionate the anguish of his afflicted mother, who could not procure her divine Son a less bitter draught; and when you retire to rest, think of the hard bed of the cross on which Jesus expired, and seek refuge in spirit in the adorable wounds of his sacred side. PRAYER. O DIVINE and adorable Jesus! Saviour of mankind, I most humbly adore thee, and beseech thee to penetrate my soul with the most lively gratitude for that infinite love, which brought thee from heaven to suffer and die for me. O do not permit that I should ever be one of the ungrateful number who forget thy sufferings, or think of them with indifference. Ah! where should I be for all eternity, if thou hadst not loved me better than thy own life? Should not thy bitter sufferings fill my heart with compassion and sorrow, since they were occasioned by my sins? Yes, my adorable Saviour! divine victim of my sins! I will, at least, think of thee, who hast never forgotten me. I will live for thee, who didst not refuse to die for me. I now most fervently offer to thee, in union with the oblation of thyself on the cross, the sacrifice of my whole being. I desire to accompany thee, in spirit, through all the stages of thy sufferings, and to commemorate them by the most sincere sentiments of gratitude for thy love, and sorrow for my sins, and those of the world. Adorable Jesus! overwhelmed with sorrow for my sins in the garden of olives! give me the grace of sincere contrition, and perfect conformity to thy holy will; teach me, by thy wonderful patience in the midst of the most cruel insults, the virtue of meekness; let thy profound humiliations, when thou wert crowned with thorns, and clothed with a purple garment, animate me to conquer my pride, and despise sincerely the opinion of the world; associate me to the happy few who followed thee to Mount Calvary, and beheld thee crucified. Thou didst end thy life, O merciful Jesus! in torments and humiliations, deprived of everything this world calls pleasure or consolation; thou art my model. I know that thou art the way, the truth, and the life; that all who would be saved must walk after thee, and all who would reign with thee in heaven, must on earth take up their cross and follow thee. I believe these truths, and conjure thee, through thy sufferings, from the moment of thy birth unto thy death, to strengthen me to bear whatever cross thou mayest send me. Thou hast not yet, it is true, honoured me with a great share in thy sufferings; thou hast spared the weakness of my age and virtue; but I know that if thou lovest me, I shall not pass through this life without sufferings. I am convinced that thou knowest what is best for me, therefore I now accept from thy hand, with resignation to thy holy will, all the trials and sufferings of my future life. I unite them before-hand to thy cross, and beg of thee to strengthen me now so powerfully by the graces thou hast purchased for me through thy death and passion, that I may never expose myself to eternal sufferings hereafter. Aspiration. I adore thee and bless thee, O Christ, because by thy cross thou hast redeemed ## Saturday Devotion to the Blessed Virgin DEVOTION to the ever-glorious Virgin Mary is, in the opinion of some of the greatest saints and doctors, one of the most certain marks of a soul being likely to gain eternal happiness. The reason of this is, that a particular devotion to the mother of God, when rightly understood and reasonably practised, leads to the most perfect service of her divine Son, and at the same time renders the practice of virtue easy, by securing the peculiar protection and special intercession of the Blessed Virgin. She is the mother, the advocate, the refuge, and the hope of all Christians; but to those whom she discerns to be her sincerely devoted children, she is so peculiarly favourable, that her particular clients, such as St. Bernard, St. Teresa, St. Albert, St. John of the Cross, have been distinguished even among the saints by the most sublime gifts of grace. It should scarce be necessary to recommend to you a tender and ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin. She who is the most perfect and most favoured of all creatures, the glory and model of Christians, the tender mother of all who place confidence in her, our powerful advocate before God, should naturally attract respect, love, confidence, and veneration. But as nothing is more common than a false idea of devotion to the Blessed Virgin, (among pious persons, who often think all consists in stated prayers in her honour, and a certain confidence in her intercession,) we should form a just and correct notion of this devotion, that you may not resemble those who honor the Blessed Virgin with their lips, but whose heart and conduct are far from entitling them to call her their mother. To be truly devoted to the Blessed Virgin, you must first honour her with that respectful homage which, though widely different from the honour paid to God, and infinitely inferior thereto, is nevertheless due to Mary, as the blessed mother of your Redeemer, and the most perfect of God's creatures. Secondly, you should confide in her, because she was given you by Jesus Christ for your mother; because she loves you with that pure and tender charity, which a thousand degrees surpasses all the tenderness of your own parents; and also, because she is as able as she is willing to assist you in all circumstances, since no one could have so much interest in heaven, and influence over the heart of Jesus, as his dear and blessed mother. Thirdly, your devotion must consist in imitating her virtues. This is the real test of true devotion to Mary; it is so essential, that without it all the other means you may adopt for honouring the mother of God, will be vain. Dwell on this point, and consider how necessary it is for you to imitate her, who is the model of Christians, and whose virtues you are obliged to practise, if you wish to save your soul.Consider also, how easy it is for you to imitate the Blessed Virgin, since her life was spent in the discharge of those very duties you have, or will have, to perform. She never wrought a miracle; no extraordinary action is recorded of her; the gospel mentions but one verbal lesson that she ever gave to man; all her sanctity consisted in discharging the duties of her state, and performing ordinary actions with more pure intention, more ardent love, more fervour, and altogether more eminent perfection, than any creature who ever existed. Fix your eyes on her then, whom Jesus Christ himself gave you for your mother and model. Young persons should dwell with particular attention on the lessons she teaches them in the early sacrifice she offered of her heart to God in her presentation in the temple. That festival was chosen as a day of special devotion for youth, because it was then that the Blessed Virgin Mary became the model of tender age; inviting all by her example to make an early sacrifice of their hearts to God, and to serve and love him from earliest youth. It was during those years of seclusion from the world, that the glorious Virgin prepared herself, by the most fervent practice of all the virtues of her age and situation, for executing the great designs which the Almighty had formed in her regard. Follow her example, imitate the purity of life, innocence, humility, docility, and obedience, which sanctified the Blessed Virgin in the temple. You have time and opportunity for acquiring the habits of virtue, which your circumstances in life may render necessary. The retired life of the Blessed Virgin, in Nazareth, her silence, her love of labour, her charity, obedience, and cheerful submission to the hardships and inconveniences of her condition in life, ought to animate you to a faithful and cheerful discharge of the domestic duties you may have to fulfil; and in all the crosses and afflictions which must be expected in this life, the heroic constancy of your blessed model at the foot of the cross, will encourage and strengthen you. How happy will you be, if you early adopt and steadily persevere in this perfect method of honouring her, who, after God, deserves most the honour, veneration, respect, and gratitude of all creatures! How confidently may you then call her your mother, and confide in her as such during your whole life. But more especially, what strong claims will this devotion to Mary give you to her powerful protection at the dreadful hour of death. As real devotion to the Blessed Virgin is one of the most precious graces you could receive from God, and one that will require many sacrifices, and constant efforts to overcome your faults, you should frequently and earnestly beg of Jesus Christ to inflame your heart with an ardent love for her whom he so much loved, and to give you grace to imitate her heroic virtues. Offer for this intention, as well as in thanksgiving for all the favours bestowed upon Mary, the holy sacrifice of the Mass, and all your thoughts, words, and actions on Saturdays. Let it be a day of particular fervour, and above all be careful to avoid every deliberate fault on this day, since you would grieve and offend the Blessed Virgin more by one wilful offence of her divine Son, tharn you could honour her by all your practices of devotion. PRAYER. O EVER-GLORIOUS Virgin Mary! most perfect and amiable of all creatures! I humbly cast myself at thy feet, and beseech thee to accept the sincere protestations of respect and veneration, which I now fervently present to thee. I reverence thee, O sacred Virgin! as the mother of. my Redeemer, and I fervently offer thee all the homage which is due to thee in that august quality. I confide in thee, I love thee as the merciful advocate and tender mother of all Christians; most earnestly desiring that I could collect in my heart alone, all the tender and respectful sentiments which ever animated thy most devoted servants. But to supply for my deficiencies I offer thee the filial tenderness with which Jesus Christ loved thee, and the respect, and obedience with which, as thy dear Son, he, deigned to honour thee. O mother of mercy! who wert never known to reject any one that had recourse to thee, receive me as thy child, for the sake of Him who confided me to thy care in his agony on the cross. Permit me to choose thee for my glorious patroness, my dear mother, and the object, next to God, of my respect, gratitude, and love. Ah! do not refuse to receive me under thy maternal care, and to grant me a place in thy amiable heart. Let me have the honour and happiness of being ranked among thy most devoted children; that by loving and serving thee, I may learn to serve and love God perfectly; and by endeavouring to imitate thee, I may imitate Jesus Christ, whose most perfect image thou art. Accept then the oblation I now make to thee of my heart, that thou mayest present it to Jesus Christ, in union with the early sacrifice thou didst make of thy pure heart in the temple. Omercifully deign, most powerful Virgin, to obtain for me grace to make an early and perfect sacrifice of my heart and whole being to Him, for whose love and service alone I was created. Teach me, by thy early flight from the world, to dread and despise the world, and to profit of the advantage of my present situation, that thereby I may be prepared to meet the temptations and dangers to which I may be exposed. Obtain for me an abundant share in the heavenly dispositions of thy holy heart, and beseech thy dear Son to impart to me, in particular, a lively horror of sin, purity of heart and mind, devotion towards thee, a love of retirement, fidelity in discharging the duties of my state, an ardent love for God, and that spirit of angelic modesty, which always distinguished thee, and marked thee out even exteriorly as the temple of the divinity. To obtain these great graces, and in thanksgiving for the favours bestowed on thee, my blessed model, I fervently offer the holy sacrifice of the Mass, and the thoughts, words, actions, and various duties of this day. I conjure thee, by the maternal tenderness with which thou didst guard the sacred infancy of thy divine Son, to watch over me this day and every moment of my life; to be a mother, a refuge, and a guide to me in all the difficulties, temptations, and dangers I may hereafter be exposed to, and when the dreadful hour of my death comes, O holy Mary, mother of God, pray for me, support me, defend me, and plead for me so powerfully with God, that I may die in the friendship of my Creator, and reap for all eternity the happy fruits of having been sincerely devoted to thee. Amen. Aspiration. O clement, O pious, O sweet Virgin Mary! pray for me now, and at the hour of my death. # Meditations for Each Sunday of the Month ## Meditation for the First Sunday. Of the End for Which God Created Man ### Point I CONSIDER, that the end for which you were created was to love God your Creator, with the whole extent of your heart, of your soul, and of your strength, and to labour for the increase of his glory, who gave you your being, and created your soul immortal, and capable of enjoying him for eternity. Cast back your thoughts to a hundred years past. What were you then, and who would have missed you if you never had been? Yet, you were so happy as to dwell in the heart and thoughts of God from eternity, and he disposed all created things for your use. He framed you in your mother's womb, created your soul a perfect picture of his divine nature, and has ever since protected you. Nay, not content with that, he has designed you a future inheritance above. What obligations are you not under to him for preferring you to so many that would have served him better? It was no ways necessary that God should create you, and place you in this world; but since he has been pleased to do so, it is necessary that you should love, obey, and serve him. Allpowerful God as he is, he cannot discharge you from that obligation, how then can you dispense with it yourself? Our Lord made all things for himself, nor could he make them for any other end. You have received all from him, you are, consequently, all his. Have you not lived hitherto as if you belonged only to yourself, and subsisted by yourself, making your own honour, pleasure, and interest, your end; as if you had been placed in this world only to sport, play, eat, drink, and seek your own satisfaction and interest? Whereas, he created you that you might serve and worship him here, and so attain to that everlasting life he has designed for you hereafter. Admire God's infinite patience in having suffered with you so long, without sinking you into hell for such ungrateful proceedings. ### Point II CONSIDER that God, having given you a being, is pleased to preserve the same, which is still a greater favour than the first; for, as St. Augustine says, each moment of preservation is, as it were, a new creation; because if God did, not preserve us, we should cease to be. Our creation was but the work of a moment, but this is continual, without interruption, in which his power appears no less than his love. If, then, we are so strictly obliged to be wholly his, because he gave us our being, how much more are we so for his continual concurrence to preserve the same? and how much are we obliged to love and serve him for it? Were this not commanded, us, justice requires it of us; for what more: just than to serve him from whom we have received all that we possess? And the very end for which God preserves our being is, that serving him here in this life, we may for ever enjoy him in the next: he himself will be our reward! Admire the prodigies of God's love, that will so bountifully, reward our complying with this duty, that his greatness will, for all eternity, be employed in making us great; his wisdom in contenting our knowledge, and his goodness in replenishing our hearts with joy, love, and bliss. How justly are they punished with an eternity of misery, who make so slight of this as to prefer some sordid pleasure and satisfaction before it. Hell is even too small a punishment for them. ### Point III CONSIDER yet a far greater favour, for which you are still more obliged to God than for your creation and preservation, namely, your redemption. If, then, you owe all you are, and all you are able to do, for your creation and preservation, what do you owe, and what should you render to God for your redemption? To create you cost him but one word-but to redeem you cost him the very last drop of his blood, which he shed after so cruel and painful a manner, that the very thought and apprehension of it cast him into a bloody sweat. The love God has shown in our redemption, is inconceivable; so that it may be truly said, that his divine Majesty, all-powerful as he is, could do no more for man than what he has done, by becoming man and dying for us; by which he has not only delivered us from eternal damnation, but also purchased for us a right and title to the kingdom of heaven; endowing us with grace, and leaving us the sacrament of penance, as a means to recover it whenever we have unhappily lost it by sin. And to strengthen us in good, he gives himself as food for our souls; and that we may have an offering worthy of the greatness of his Father, which might easily satisfy for our sins, and obtain all we stand in need of, he is present in the holy Eucharist, in order that, by assisting at Mass, we may offer him for the said ends. What could God do more for us than he has done? If, after all, we are so ungrateful as not to comply with our duty to him, which is to decline evil and do good, we truly deserve eternal punishment. ### Reflections and Resolutions REFLECT and see if you have employed the life and being you have received for the end which God bestowed it upon you; which was, that you might serve him here, and enjoy him for eternity hereafter; or if, on the contrary, you have not made pleasure and gratification your end. If you have, be confounded at your ingratitude, and admire God's patience in suffering with you so long, and not taking away the life you have so ill employed. Look back with fear upon your past years. How long have you been in this world, and what have you done for God that you may deserve this reward? You will soon come to the end of your life, without, perhaps, having made one step towards the end for which you were created. What terror will this your negligence be to you at your death? Be convinced, that if you comply not with the end for which God created you, whatever good qualifications you may have, you are really worth nothing; for we truly are but what we are in God's sight; and if we are not right in his eyes, we are but a burden to the earth, and only fit, as barren trees, to be cast into the fire. Your happiness in this life as well as in the next, depends upon your performing your duty to God. St. Augustine says, speaking of himself, "Whilst I was ill with you, my God, I was ill with myself; and whilst I made war against you, I was in trouble; for you have ordained it, and so it is that every inordinate passion is its own punishment." You require services from your inferiors, yet refuse to serve God. How unjust is not this? You owe all unto God, and he has infinitely more right to dispose of you, and all that belongs to you, than a carver has to dispose of the statue he has made, which he may either destroy or preserve, without rendering an account to anyyour Redeemer having bought you, and given for you a price of far more value than the life of all men together. Therefore St. Paul says, we are rno more our own, but belong to Christ; insomuch that we cannot lawfully serve any but him, no more than a slave, who can do nothing for himself or any other, but must do all for his master. If the Jews would not permit the money that Jesus was sold for, to be put into the treasury, because it was the price of the blood and life of a man, how then can we employ ourselves, who are the price of that blood, in any other use than for him that shed it for us? Let us then resolve, for the future, to live for him who died for us. What more reasonable? He is unworthy of life that refuses this; and not only deserves hell, but that a greater hell should be created for him. ## Meditation for the Second Sunday. Of Death First Prelude. - Imagine yourself looking at a dying person in agony. Second Prelude. Ask the grace to know what passes at that hour, that you may square your life by it. ### Point I THE DEATH OF A SINNER. BEHOLD him agonizing between two eternities? oppressed with pains, unquiet in conscience, full of anguish, tempted by the devil, terrified with the certain appearance of death, and the uncertainty of what will follow after it. All his joys and pleasures at an end; his designs brokens he must leave all; nothing is left him, but a winding-sheet, grief, and remorse. He has lost all, truly all. Grief and anguish surround him on every side; from the memory of past sins, which then will appear in their true colours, their number and deformity will affright him; the devil will do his utmost to cast him into despair; the severity of God's judgments, der manding an account of every idle word; the loss of so much time spent in vanity, with the neglect of so many helps afforded him by God for his salvation. The pleasures and riches he leaves behind will trouble him, being forced to leave all he loved and delighted in, for all will then be taken from him. "O death," says Ecclesiasticus, "how bitter is thy memory to a man, who has peace in his riches!" That body he has been so tender of shall be the food of vermin, and his soul, neglected for the love of it, shall burn in hell. Which way soever he turns himself, he can see nothing to comfort him, but all to afflict him. What an agony will he have when his soul is to go forth from his body to be judged by that God, whose laws he has so often violated? preferring that of flesh and blood before it; making use of what God gave him, to offend his divine Majesty and damn himself; as also to see his Mindness in preferring earth to heaven-a moment to a whole eternity-the body to the soul. Then he will beg for time to rectify his mistakes, but it shall not be granted. How much does it concern us to use time well while we have it, and to do now what we shall then wish we had done? To those that do so, death will be sweet and comfortable. ### Point II THE DEATH OF THE JUST. THOUGH death is so terrible to a sinner, it is not so to the just, who having used their endeavours to keep and observe God's law, they confide then in his mercies and the merits of Christ, that they shall see and enjoy him for all eternity. Not but they have a fear of death, which is natural to all, but that fear is without anxiety: they willingly submit to, and accept of it, since it is God's will and good pleasure. So making a virtue of necessity, they are content to forsake and leave all things of this world, which at that hour will appear truly vile. What comfort will their fidelity to God, and the observance of his law. then give them? All they have suffered upon that account, and their present pains, patiently borne, will increase their crown and shorten their purgatory. How happy will they be at that hour, having served and suffered for a God, whose perfections are infinite, with whom they hoped to reign for ever, with an infallible security never to lose or be separated from him? Their pains and labours are at an end, but the reward they are going to receive will last for ever. ### Point III OF THE CERTAINTY OF DEATH, AND UNCERTAINTY OF THE TIME AND MANNER. THAT you are to die is most certain. The sentence was pronounced at the beginning of the world: none has ever escaped it, nor can fly from it a moment beyond the time prefixed by God. On the other side, nothing more uncertain than the time, manner, and place. The uncertainty of which ought to keep us always on our guard; for we know not whether it will be soon or late; at sea or on land; by a sudden and violent death, or by a natural one; in the state of grace or of sin, all which is unknown to us; and God will have it so, that we may be always ready. How many hath death unexpectedly stolen away while they were eating, sleeping, laughing, playing? And, therefore, Almighty God warns us to be ready at all hours, since we know not the hour in which the Lord of the house will come; and it concerns us very much not to be found unprepared, for to perish once, is to be lost for ever. If we fail the first time, we can never repair it; and no less than a whole eternity of happiness or misery depends upon it. How can we dare to live in a state that would be our eternal ruin if we died in it? No concern however great, can equal this. How mad and foolish are we, if we neglect the preparations necessary for a happy death? Whatever pains we take on that account, we shall never regret; but if we are wanting in so great a concern, we shall for ever lament it with fruitless and neverending tears. ### Reflections and Resolutions Your death depends upon your life. Such as your life is, such will be your death. The ac tions of our life, paint the picture of our death. How can we love in a moment, what we have not loved during life; or hate at our death, what we have loved all our life? What judgment will you frame at the hour of your death, of all the greatness and vanities of this world? What will you carry with you of those treasures you have got together? "Fool," says. God, "this night will I demand thy soul, and to whom shall all that belong, which thou hast got with so much pains?" If you were now to die, are you ready? Is your soul in a good state? Are your affairs settled and in good order? If you are wise, you will now do, without delay, what you will then wish you had done. To damn yourself for ungrateful children, who will scarce thank you for what you have done for them, and cannot retrieve your soul when once it is lost, is the greatest of follies. To lose your soul for goods or riches which you must leave, and, perhaps, much sooner than you think, is still a greater folly. Put the case: you might enjoy them even for a hundred years; what is that compared to eternity, when scripture says a thousand years is but as one moment? And would you for that put yourself in danger of eternal torments? Resolve, then, that for the future, your chief care shall be to live in such a manner, that when death seizes you, you may reasonably hope to be eternally happy, your conscience not accusing you of any mortal sin; for not to be careful of this, is to run a great risk of your salvation, since' death may come on a sudden, and sickness may deprive you of your senses, or pain hinder you from any serious thought. Prudence also requires of you, that you prevent the time, and do, even now, in regard to your temporal affairs, what you would be glad then to have done; for, besides that, it will be a great ease and comfort to you at that hour to have settled all things, and it will prevent their being disposed of, contrary to your inclination. Provide yourself with motives of hope and confidence, for there is nothing you will stand in greater need of at that hour. Habituate yourself during life, strongly to confide in the mercies of God, and in the merits of Christ: nothing pleases God more, and it is the best means to secure your salvation. You have the word of truth for it, that none ever confided in God and was lost; it is there that the enemy, at that hour, endeavours to make man despair. Daily beg the grace of a happy death, and perform some devotion to our blessed Lady, to obtain that favour for you, since she never intercedes for any one in vain. Endeavour always to say the Ave Maria devoutly, and you will have the comfort at your death, to have as often begged her intercession for a happy one, as you shall have recited it. ### Motives for Confidence in God, and the Practice of It ALMIGHTY God promises those that confide in him, that they shall abound in all graces and blessings; that nothing shall be wanting to them, for that his eyes are fixed upon them that hope in him; that his mercies shall surround them on all sides; that he himself will accompany them, and be their defence in the day of tribulation. He assures them that he bestows his graces, and the effects of his mercy, proportionably to the trust and confidence they put in him; that those that confide in him shall know truth; that is, he will manifest himself to them, and will grant them all they ask with confidence. It seems as if our Lord thought he could never say enough, in many places of the holy scripture, to testify how much this confidence is delightful to him, and how he favours and loves those that confide and entirely abandon themselves to his paternal Providence. Filial confidence of a Christian, offers violence to the mercies of God, for he cannot but assist those that confide in him; he will also favour those that have an humble confidence in his merits, and bestow his kind gifts and graces on them in this world and the next. To strengthen our confidence, he assumes the sweetest names, and answers them with real effects; as friend, advocate, physician, pastor, brother, spouse: and in divers places of holy scripture, he tells us that he has continual care of us, and that he carries us, and will for ever carry us in his bosom, in his heart, and in his bowels; and though a mother should forget the child of her womb, yet he never would forget us; for we are written in his hands, that he may always have us in view. Nay, he assures us that he loves us as his Father loves him, and that he will have us be where he is; that is, rest with him in the bosom of his Father for all eternity. If we have offended him, he promises that if we return to him with repentance, resolving to amend, and to put our trust in his goodness, that he will receive us and forget our offences. After all this, and all he has suffered for us, shall we harbour any doubt? Those that hope not in you, my God, know you not; for you will sooner cease to be God, than cease to be good and merciful. God is not satisfied with only promising to pardon the penitent, but he swears by himself, "As I live," said our Lord, "I will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live." Why, then, my soul, art thou sad, and why dost thou trouble me? Say with the just, "Who ever hoped in God and was lost?" His mercies are far greater than all my sins, and than all the sins of the whole world. The trust and confidence we put in God, makes us become more united to God: of weak, strong; of poor, rich; and of miserable, happy. We ought never to confide more in God, than when all seems most desperate; never to fear less, than when all appears most terrible; nor ever to abandon ourselves more entirely to him, than when we think ourselves most abandoned by him. My God and my hope! I abandon myself to you; I put my trust and confidence totally in you; you cannot permit me to go astray, to fall, or to betray you, whilst I depend and trust in you. No: it is impossible for me to be lost whilst I place my whole confidence in you. To know our sinsand miseries, without knowing God's mercies, is what causes despair; but to be sensible of his infinite mercies when we reflect on our sins and miseries, is what creates confidence and joy. Jesus is not only a God, but also a GodMediator, and a God-Saviour! Jesus would not be a Jesus, if he could take away his mercies. neither would he be a Saviour, if he had not tenderness for sinners. ## Meditation for the Third Sunday. Of Judgment First Prelude.Imagine that your soul, having quit your body, is presented before the tribunal of God, to receive the sentence pronounced for, or against it. Second Prelude.-Beg the grace that this con sideration may move you so to spend the remainder of your life, that you may be able to render a good account on that dreadful day. ### Point I Consider the world as a prison, wherein all mankind as malefactors are detained; and that they are called out one after another, by the supreme Judge, to give an account of all their talents, natural and supernatural, and of the use they have made of them; of the wealth and means God has given them, and of the years they have. passed in this world, which were granted them, for the attaining a happy eternity. This account many are actually giving this very moment, God having called some of your fellow prisoners from this world, to render him a just account of what they owe him. 1st. For their creation: he having given them a being, that they might honour, love, and serve him here, and enjoy him for eternity. 2ndly. For their redemption: by which he has not only freed them from eternal misery, but purchased for them an eternal happiness, with the price of the life and blood of a God-Man; for each drop of which they must be accountable. 3rdly. For their baptism: by which they were made children of God, and received a right to an eternal bliss. 4thly. For being called to the true faith, and for having so often pardoned them their sins in the sacrament of penance, and given them his sacred body in the holy Eucharist. See and consider what account you shall be able to give, if God should call you now to render it. ### Point II CONSIDER that the moment the soul forsakes the body, it shall be judged; and that so strictly, even to the least idle word or deliberate thought; and that the judgment then pronounced will be irrevocable-no appeal allowed from the sentence; which is no sooner given than executed, without excuse or delay. Think what will be the fear of a soul standing before its Judge, with the good and bad actions by it, which will accompany it to everlasting reward or punishment; and will be so narrowly looked into, that not a word or thought will escape, nor a quarter of an hour misspent, but what will appear; and according to what each has received he shall be judged; those to whom more has been given, more will be de manded. The matter of our judgment will be all the good and evil we have done, which are seeds that will fructify for eternity, either in eternal happiness or misery. We shall be judged, not only for what we have done, but for what we ought to have done, and have not done, and for what we have occasioned others to do, and for what we might have prevented, and through human respect did not, or have contributed to by our silence, negligence, or bad example. The two books by which we shall be judged, are the Gospel and our own conscience. The first will show us what we ought to have done, and the other what we have done. What confusion will it not be to a soul, to have all its committed evil and omitted good exposed, when it shall be said, "Behold the man and his works?" A comparison shall be made with those that have received far less from Almighty God, and have served him far better. Consider, whilst you have time, whether the good you have done, can bear poise with the evil you have committed. What heroical acts of virtue have you ever practised? What have you ever done or suffered for the increase of God's glory? If so happy as to have done your duty, what joy will it be to have those words addressed to you by the judge: "Come, you blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom, prepared for you from the beginning of the world?" No human heart is capable to conceive the transport of joy which those words will produce. Endeavour, then, to live so as that you may deserve to hear them. ### Point III Our Lord says, "I will search Jerusalem with lamps." And if Jerusalem, that is, the saints, how much more Babylon, that is, sinners? If the just themselves will fear and tremble to appear before Almighty God, what will be the terror of the wicked, knowing themselves guilty of great crimes, when the least deliberate evil thought will be punished? They will even desire the mountains to fall upon them, to hide them from his sight, but nothing shall be able to do it, though they shall never see the beatific vision, for that would make them happy, which they are not to be for one moment, having rendered themselves unworthy of it. If the devil would willingly suffer all the torments of hell to see the face of God for a moment, what will be their rage and despair to think they might have enjoyed it, not for a moment only, but for a whole eternity, and are deprived of it through their own fault? The witnesses that will rise against them, will be their own conscience, holy scripture, good books, sermons, and good example. The devils will show them the sins they have committed, with their circumstances; the good angel will allege his endeavours, and, above all, their having rendered the examples and doctrine, labours, and blood of Christ useless, will be objected against them, and condemn them. Besides their sins of commission, those of omission will stand against them, having neglected the good they ought to have done, and omitted to make use of their gifts and talents, as strength, health, wealth, and time, according to the divine will. The Judge having given the definitive sentence with those dreadful words, "Go, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels," you see them dragged away by the devils, to whom they are delivered to be tormented for eternity. You see them stripped of all their ornaments, groaning under their nakedness, and overwhelmed with infamy. You DOW hear them call on the mountains to fall upon them, and the hills to cover them from the effects of God's just indignation. ### Reflections and Resolutions It is in your power to blot out all your offiences by the tears of penance. You may also, with Moses, resist or overcome the Almighty by the arms of prayer. He is also to be gained by charity, and is so tender as to be moved to pity and mercy by our tears, and appeased and satisfied by penance and change of manners. You may as yet appeal from his justice to his mercy, and oblige him to blot out the sentence of your condemnation; but after death he is neither to be resisted, moved, nor gained. He will then judge in rigour and do justice without mercy. Reflect what a confusion it will be to you to have the whole history of your life exposed, all you have done, and all you have omitted to do, which you ought to have done; all that God has done for you, and all you have done against bim; his goodness to you, and your ingratitude to him. If you are wise, you will prevent this confusion, by humbly accusing yourself of your sins, and satisfying for them by penance: Make use of those following most powerful means for your security:lst. Charity and alms-deeds. 2ndly. Pardon from your heart whoever has offended you. 3rdly. Do not judge nor condemn any, not even in thought, and you shall not be condemned. You have Christ's promise for it. Lastly, never fail daily to beg our blessed Lady to obtain for you a favourable sentence, for she is all-powerful with God. ## Meditation for the Fourth Sunday. Of Hell First Prelude. -Descend in spirit to hell, the prison of God's justice, full of flames, fire, and smoke; and of all sorts of torments that can torment and punish the souls of those that die in mortal sin. Second Prelude. Beg of God such a lively apprehension of those torments, that it may keep you from ever deserving to feel them. ### Point I It is called a furnace which ever burns, and never is extinguished; a prison where the damned' are bound in chains of fire; a land of malediction and of all sorts of misery, where the wretched souls are heaped upon each other like faggots in a great fire; the lake of God's wrath; pond of fire and sulphur, into which are plunged those who have passed their lives in pleasures and delights; a land of darkness, where a ray of light shall never enter; the devil's house, where he rages, and torments the damned in quality of executioner of God's justice. 1 Oh! what a land-what a house-what a dwelling! O my God, how great an evil is sin, that you are obliged to punish it so severely! O my soul, what do we fear, if we fear not hell! To declare more in particular what the damned suffer, we must know that both the soul and the body having sinned, there are torments allotted for each. In hell there are three sorts of pains: the pain of sense, the pain of loss, and the worin of conscience. As to the first, no pain, nor even all the pains, martyrdoms, or cruelties put together, that ever have been, or could possibly be, invented or practised in this world, have any proportion. The greatest fire, or hottest forge, are no more than painted fires in comparison to the infernal flames; our fire being created by God for our use and comfort, but the fire of hell he has created purely to punish and torment those unhappy souls who are surrounded with it. Fire above them, fire beneath them, fire on the right hand, fire on the left; add to this, the other torments proper to each sense or member: the eyes will be afflicted with the horrible and terrifying view of the devils; the ears will be tormented with fearful, horrible howlings, and lamentations of the damned, cursing each other-the taste with bitter tears and raging hunger and thirst, never to be quenched. ### Point II CONSIDER the pain of loss, which will be more terrible and afflicting than all the other pains. It consists in feeling and knowing that they have lost the vision of God, and consequently all good. To lose God, to be eternally separated from God, to be hated by God, is an infinite and terrible evil. And in place of the company and society of angels and saints, they are surrounded with innumerable devils. A prison and a dungeon, in place of a kingdom designed by God, and purchased for them by Jesus Christ with the last drop of his precious blood, which upon easy terms they might have enjoyed for all eternity, yet have lost it by their own fault. Were it but a temporal kingdom lost for a trifle, and miserably exchanged for a dungeon, what cutting grief would it not be to the person who had made such a foolish bargain? This gives a slight idea of the pain of loss, but is nothing in comparison with it. ### Point Iiі CONSIDER the third pain, which is the worm of conscience that continually gnaws them, and will do so for all eternity; not allowing them rest for a moment, but continually representing to them all their crimes and ingratitudes to God, who not only gave them their being, but also died to save them from the misery into which they have plunged themselves, through their own fault, when they might so easily have escaped it. What grief, despair, and rage, will it not cause in them? How they will curse each otherChildren will curse their parents, and parents their children; masters their servants, and set vants their masters, as being in part the cause of the torments they endure; which would be more tolerable if they could but once have an end; but that is their greatest torment, to know that their misery will be endless. O never-ending eternity, how prodigious is your extent! Each moment beginning and never com ing to an end! O eternity which never ends, but lasts for ever. ### Reflections and Resolutions REFLECT on your obligations to God, in not having permitted you to fall into hell, where you should have been long ago, had you been treated according to your deserts, since one mortal sin deserves that punishment; and also for giving you time to see and consider these things, that you may prevent them from happening to you. lizeuv Follow St. Bernard's advice, and descend in spirit to hell while you are living, that you may not feel after your death what is there suffered; where you must have taken your eternal lodging, if God had taken you out of this life after such and such a sin. Accustom yourself, in all troubles or afflictions, to compare them with what you would have suffered in hell, if God's mercies had not kept you from falling into it, and you will find you have no reason to complain, or to think you have any injustice or wrong done to you; for nothing can be so in regard to any one that has but once offended God mortally, since such a one is worthy of all evil, and unworthy of any good, which is the state of the damned. Fear sin above all things, and avoid it with all possible care, since one is sufficient to cause your damnation. Endeavour to satisfy for the sins you have committed, by patiently bearing all the trials that God shall permit to befal you, if you cannot do works of penance. Secondly, by giving alms: no money can you lay out more to your own advantage, and you will be truly blameable and not to be pitied, if you have it in your power and are not charitable. You will befriend yourself more by refusing necessaries to your body, and giving this advantage to your soul, than by a contrary proceeding. Be devout to our blessed Lady, and daily petition her to intercede for you with her Son, that you may never more commit what deserves such severe punishment. ## Meditation for the Fifth Sunday. Of Heaven First Prelude. - Imagine that above the ele mentary heavens, in which the sun, moon, and stars are fixed, is the palace and court of the King of kings, Almighty God, which he has built to entertain his elect in. Second Prelude. Beg his divine Majesty to give you the grace to conceive, in some measure, what he has there prepared for those that love and serve him. ### Point I HEAVEN is the kingdom of God's glory, where the body as well as the soul shall enjoy eternal happiness; and that so great, that our imagination, though capable of framing great and mighty things, yet can frame nothing but what comes infinitely below, or is indeed nothing in comparison of heaven. The Apocalypse describes it a city, the twelve gates of which are of pearl; the walls and foundations all of precious stones; the streets paved with pure gold, shining like crystal. "O Israel," says the prophet, "how great is the house of God, and how vast the place of his pos sessions! My soul covets and faints for the courts of our Lord." The power of God appears in the creation of the world; his mercy, in the redemption; his justice, in the punishment of the wicked; bis greatness and magnificence, in the reward he gives his servants; which is so great, that neither eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor can it ever enter into the heart or mind of man to conceive what God has prepared for his elect. So that though the martyrs have suffered such terrible torments to gain it, and many of God's servants undergone such great austerities for the same effect, yet it is given them for nothing; because all the sufferings of this life have no proportion with the glory of beaven. We may better understand its worth by the blood which the Son of God has shed to merit it for us; whereas one drop was of an infinite value, and he has shed it all to obtain for us that glory; so that we may say with truth, that none but God could merit it. ### Point II WHO can describe the joy of a soul when it enters heaven and is united to its sovereign Good? O amorous transports! O sweet embraces! Well may it say, "I have found him whom my soul loves; I will not let him go; he is all mine, and I am all his." The comforts and consolations which God will replenish the soul with, and the honour and glory he bestows upon it, can only be comprehended by himself: neither men nor angels can conceive nor express them. What a comfort will it not be to have done and suffered much for God, and to have resisted all the temptations that would have drawn the soul from doing its duty, and, by consequence, Would have deprived the soul of the happiness it enjoys, and will eternally enjoy? Dizely Goo O my soul, let us think what we have done and suffered for heaven, and what we will do for the future.. We see what the saints have done for it and since it is given as a reward, we must merit it: life is granted for that end only. ### Point III CONSIDER that the body will also have its delight, which consists in these three things: the place, the company, the glory; which shall last for all eternity. As to the first, which is the place, it is the celestial Jerusalem; the order, beauty, great ness, and riches thereof, can neither be described nor conceived. Secondly, the company: there will be an innumerable multitude of all nations; tribes, people, and tongues. If it is so agreeable to live and converse with such as are noble, learned, and of agreeable conversation, how much more to have those angelical spirits for com panions, who are endowed with all manner of sciences? Thirdly, their bodies will be glorified by the gifts of subtility, impassibility, agilityand charity: "Their bodies shall shine as suns in the kingdom of their Father." Each sense shall have its delights: the sight shall be delighted with beholding the glorious bodies of the saints, especially that of Christ and his sacred mother; the hearing, with harmonious music, &c.; the heart will be filled with inexplicable pleasures. We shall know the secrets of God's councils, and of his providence, both over us and over others, and how he has loved and does love us. Our will, after an unspeakable manner, will adhere to God, and be, as it were, transformed into him by love; whence it will ever overflow with excess of joy: the vision and possession of God being a bottomless ocean of delights. Though the blessed will each moment enjoy the pleasures they are to enjoy for all eternity, yet, according to some doctors of the church, they will in some sort find new pleasures as they advance in the vast extent of eternity. For, as St. Augustine very well remarks, "they will always be replenished, yet never satiated," because though filled with God, each according to his capacity, yet they are never so satiated, but they will still desire to see and taste those delights more, and will find new satisfactions in them for all eternity. Good God! what an infinite recompense for the little we do for you? St. Augustine says; "that God rewards and punishes like a God, as he is." If he does both according to his power, what must be the reward and punishment? May we never be so unhappy as to lose the first and experiencé the latter. ### Reflections and Resolutions IF we can labour so much for a short, miserable life, what ought we not to do for an eternal one? How unjust it is to desire to have that for nothing, which has cost Christ and his saints so dear? If we patiently suffer the inconveniencies of this life, we shall enjoy the glory of the next. Choose which you will enjoy, for that depends on you; for you must not expect happiness here and hereafter. If you desire true honour, and. to render your name and memory famous, the secure way is to labour to become a saint. The honour God does his saints in heaven, is incomparably greater than all the honour that is rendered them upon earth. If you desire to become a saint, and to partake with them of eternal happiness, you must go the way they have taken, for no other will lead you to it. And this is a certain truth, that you must be either a saint or a devil, and dwell for eternity with the one or the other: there is no medium.. That you may attain to the first, frequent the sacraments, think of, and be grateful to, Christ, for all he has done and suffered to merit that happiness for you; and beg him to apply his sacred merits to you, that so you may acquire it. Have daily recourse to our blessed Lady, to obtain you an entrance into the kingdom of her Son: she never intercedes in vain for any. Lastly, endeavour to bribe the porters of heaven, which St. Justinian says are the poor: give them large alms according to your abilities. # An Universal Prayer AN UNIVERSAL PRAYER, FOR ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO SALVATION. O MY God, I believe in thee, do thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in thee, do thou secure them; I love thee with my whole heart; teach me to love thee daily more and more. I am sorry that I have offended thee; do thou increase my sorrow. I adore thee as my first beginning; I aspire after thee as my last end; I give thee thanks as my constant benefactor; I call upon thee as my sovereign protector. Vouchsafe, O my God, to conduct me by thy wisdom, to restrain me by thy justice, to comfort me by thy mercy, to defend me by thy power. To thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that henceforward I may think of thee, speak of thee, willingly refer all my actions to thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever thou shalt appoint. Lord, I desire that in all things thy will may be done, because it is thy will, and in the manner thou willest. I beg of thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body, and to sanctify my soul. Give me strength, O my God, to expiate my offences, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state. Fill my heart with tender affections for thy goodness, a hatred for my faults, a love for my neighbour, and a contempt for the world. Let me always remember to be submissive to my superiors, condescending to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies. Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by alms-deeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by devotion. O my God, make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in afflictions, and humble in prosperity. Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent in my employments, and constant in my resolutions. Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, and my comportment regular. Assist me, that I may continually labour to overcome nature, to correspond with thy grace, to keep thy commandments, and to work out my salvation. Discover to me, O my God, the nothingness of this world, the greatness of heaven, the shortness of time, and the length of eternity. Grant that I may prepare for death, that I may fear thy judgments, that I may escape hell, and in the end obtain heaven: through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. # A Prayer Before Sermon, Spiritual Reading, Etc O INCOMPREHENSIBLE Creator, true fountain of light, and only author of all knowledge, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to enlighten our understandings with the rays of thy wisdom, and to chase away from our minds all darkness of sin and ignorance. Thou who makest eloquent the tongues of those that want utterance, pour on our lips, and into our hearts, the grace of thy blessing; give us a diligent and obedient spirit, quickness of apprehension, capacity of retaining, and the continual assistance of thy holy grace; that we may apply whatever we hear, read, or meditate on, to thy honour, and the eternal salvation of our own souls: through, &c. Amen. # Prayer for a Pregnant Woman O LORD God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, who hath made us out of nothing, and redeemed us by the precious blood of thine only Son, look down upon thy poor handmaid here prostrate before thee, humbly imploring thy mercy, and begging thy blessing for herself and her child, which thou hast given her to conceive. Preserve I beseech thee, the work of thy hands, and defend both me and the tender fruit of my womb, from all perils and evils; grant me, in due time, a happy delivery, and bring my child safe to the font of baptism; that it may be there happily dedicated to thee, to love and serve thee for ever. But O my God, I have too much reason to fear, lest my great and manifold sins should hinder thee from hearing my prayers, and draw down thy judgments upon me and mine, instead of thy mercies, which I sue for; and therefore I am sensible the first thing I ought to do is, to repent from the bottom of my heart for all my offences, humbly confess them, and continually cry to thee for mercy. I detest, then, all my sins with my whole heart, and desire to lay them all down here at thy feet, to be effaced and destroyed for ever. I renounce and abhor them with my whole soul, because they are infinitely odious to thee, and wish that I could expiate them with tears of blood. I humbly beg thy pardon for them, and am sorry from the bottom of my heart, that. I ever committed them. I here offer myself to make what satisfaction I am able for them, and most willingly accept of whatever pains I may suffer in child-bearing, and offer them up to thee now before-hand for my sins, firmly resolving by thy grace never wilfully to offend thee more. Behold here my poor heart, O Lord, and if it be not such as I here express, I desire at least it should be such; I desire it should be that contrite and humble heart which thou dost never despise. In this disposition of soul, and with a lively confidence in thy mercies, and in the merits of the death and passion of Jesus Christ thy Son, I renew the petition I made before, and once more I beg of thee, for myself, thy grace, protection, and a happy delivery; and for my child, that thou wouldst be pleased to preserve it for baptism, sanctify it for thyself, and make it thine for ever, through the same, &c. Amen. # A Prayer in Any Tribulation TURN not away thy eyes, O most merciful God, from thy people crying out to thee in their affliction: but, for the glory of thy own name, relieve us in our necessities, through Christ our Lord. Amen. # A Prayer for the Choice of a State of Life O ETERNAL God, who art the light of the world, and for whose glory the whole creation is ordained, to thee I submit myself, and my whole life; and that I may live to thy glory, I beseech thee in thy mercy, to direct me in the choice of a state of life, that, having thee for my guide, I may embrace that course which may be most pleasing to thee, and most proper for me to work out my salvation. O queen of heaven, and mother of Jesus, be a mother to me, and obtain for me of thy divine Son, that I may hear his call, know his will, and have grace readily to put it in execution. Amen. # A Prayer for Such as Are at Sea G GOD, who didst lead our forefathers through the Red Sea, and preserve them amidst many tribulations, singing forth praises to thy name;' we humbly beseech thee to protect thy servants at sea from all dangers; and, after a happy voyage, bring them safe to their desired port: through Christ our Lord. Amen. # The Seven Penitential Psalms REMEMBER not, O Lord, our offences, nor those of our parents: neither take thou vengeance of our sins. ## І.-The 6th Psalm O LORD, rebuke me not in thy indignation, nor chastise me in thy wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.. And my soul is troubled exceedingly: but thou, O Lord, how long? Turn to me, O Lord, and deliver my soul: O save me for thy mercy's sake. For there is no one in death, that is mindful of thee; and who shall confess to thee in hell? I have laboured in my groaning, every night I will wash my bed, I will water my couch with my tears. My eye is troubled through indignation: I have grown old amongst all my enemies. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity: for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my application: the Lord hath received my prayer. Let all my enemies be ashamed, and be very much troubled. Let them be turned back and be ashamed very speedily. Glory be to the Father, &c. elizesty Google ## II. The 31st Psalm BLESSED are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no guile. Because I was silent, my bones grew old; whilst I cried out all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: I am turned in my anguish, whilst the thorn is fastened in me. I have acknowledged my sin to thee: and my injustice I have not concealed. I said, I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord; and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin. For this shall every one that is holy, pray to thee in a seasonable time. And yet in a flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me; my joy deliver me from them that surround me. I will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in the way in which thou shalt go; I will fix my eyes upon thee. Do not become like the horse and mule, who have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws who come not near unto thee. Many are the scourges of a sinner; but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice ye just, and glory all ye right of heart. Glory be to the Father, &c. ## III.-the 37th Psalm REBUKE me not, O Lord, in thy indignation; nor chastise me in thy wrath. For thy arrows are fastened in me; and thy hand hath been strong upon me. There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath; there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins. For my iniquities are gone over my head and as a heavy burden are become heavy upon me. My sores are putrified and corrupted, because of my foolishness. I am become miserable, and am bowed down, even to the end: I walked sorrowful all the day long. For my loins are filled with illusions; and there is no health in my flesh. I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: I roared with the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hidden from thee. My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me, and the light of my eyes itself is not with me. My friends and my neighbours have drawn near and stood against me. And they that were near me stood afar off, and they that sought my soul used violence. And they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, and studied deceits all the day long. But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and was as a dumb man, not opening his mouth. And I became as a man that heareth not; and that hath no reproof in his mouth. For in thee, O Lord, have I hoped. Thou wilt hear me, O Lord, my God. For I said, lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me; and, whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me. For I am ready for scourges: and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare my iniquity, and I will think for my sin. But my enemies live, and are stronger than I, and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. They that render évil for good, have detracted me, because I followed goodness. Forsake me not, O Lord, my God; do not depart from me. Attend unto my help, O Lord, the God of my salvation. Glory be to the Father, &c. ## IV. The 50th Psalm HAVE mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy great mercies, blot out my iniquities. Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee, that thou mayest be justified in thy words, and mayest overcome when thou art judged. For behold I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me. For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hysop, and I shall be cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness, and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice. Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within my bowels. Cast me not away from thy face, and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. I will teach the unjust thy ways; and the wicked shall be converted to thee. Deliver me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice. O Lord, thou wilt open my lips; and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou hadst desired sacrifice I would indeed have given it; with burnt-offerings thou wilt not be delighted. A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit; a contrite and humble heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations, and whole-burnt offerings; then shall they lay calves upon thy altar. Glory be to the Father, &c. ## V.-the 101st Psalm HEAB, O Lord, my prayer; and let my cry come to thee. Turn not away thy face from me; in the day when I am in trouble, incline thine ear to me. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me speedily. For my days are vanished like smoke; and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire. I am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered; because I forgot to eat my bread. Through the voice of my groaning my bones have cleaved to my flesh. I am become like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like a night-raven in the house. I have watched, and become as a sparrow, all alone on the house-top. All the day long my enemies reproached me; and they that praised me did swear against me. For I did eat ashes like bread; and mingled my drink with weeping. Because of thy anger and indignation: for having lifted me up thou hast thrown me down. My days have declined like a shadow, and I am withered like grass. But thou, O Lord, endurest for ever; and thy memorial to all generations. Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion, for it is time to have mercy on it, for the time is come. For the stones thereof have pleased thy servants; and they shall have pity on the earth thereof. And the Gentiles shall fear thy name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. He hath had regard to the prayer of the humble; and he hath not despised their petition. Let these things be written unto another generation; and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord. Because he hath looked forth from his high sanctuary; from heaven the Lord hath looked upon the earth. That he might hear the groans of them that are in fetters; that he might release the children of the slain. That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion; and his praise in Jerusalem. When the people assemble together, and kings, to serve the Lord. He answered him in the way of his strength; declare unto me the fewness of my days. Call me not back in the midst of my days; thy years are unto generation and generation. In the beginning, O Lord, thou foundedst the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou remainest: and all of them shall grow old like a garment. And as a vesture thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed. But thou art always the self-same, and thy years shall not fail. The children of thy servants shall continue; and their seed shall be directed for ever. Glory be to the Father, &c. ## VI.-the 129th Psalm FROM the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand it? For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word. My soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch, even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy, and with him plentiful redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Glory be to the Father, &c. ## VII. The 142nd Psalm HEAR, O Lord, my prayer; give ear to my supplication in thy truth: hear me in thy justice. And enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight no man living shall be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life to the earth. He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been dead of old: and my spirit is in anguish with me: my heart within me is troubled. I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all thy works, I mused upon the works of thy hands. I stretched forth my hands to thee: my soul is as earth without water unto thee. Hear me speedily, O Lord, my soul hath fainted away. Turn not away thy face from me, lest I be like to them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning: for in thee have I hoped. Make the way known unto me, wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord; to thee have I fled: teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land: for thy name's sake, O Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy justice. Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble: and in thy mercy thou wilt destroy my enemies. And thou wilt cut off all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant. Glory be to the Father, &c. # Psalm 69 INCLINE unto my aid, O God: O Lord make haste to help me. Let them be confounded and ashamed, that seek my soul. Let them be turned backward, and blush for shame, who desire evils to me. Let them be turned away forthwith, blushing for shame, who say unto me, it is well, it is well. Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee, and let such as love thy salvation, say always, the Lord be magnified. But I am needy and poor, O God help me. Thou art my helper and my deliverer, O Lord make no delay. Glory be to the Father, &c. V. Save thy servants. R. Trusting in thee, O my God. V. Be unto us, O Lord, a tower of strength. R. From the face of the enemy. V. Let not the enemy prevail against us. R. Nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt V. O Lord, deal not with us according to our sins. R. Nor reward us according to our iniquities. V. Let us pray for our chief bishop, N. R. Our Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed on earth, and deliver him not to the will of his enemies. V. Let us pray for our benefactors. R. O Lord, for thy name sake, vouchsafe to render eternal life to all those by whom we have received good. V. Let us pray for the faithful departed. R. Eternal rest give them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine unto them. V. May they rest in peace. R. Amen. V. For our absent brethren. R. O my God, save thy servants trusting in thee. V. Send them help, O Lord, from thy holy place. R. And from Sion protect them. V. O Lord hear my prayer. R. And let my supplication come unto thee. LET US PRAY. O God, whose property is always to have mercy and to spare, receive our petitions, that we and all thy servants who are bound by the chain of sin, may, by the compassion of thy goodness, be mercifully absolved. Hear, we beseech thee, O Lord, the prayers of thy suppliants, and pardon the sins of them that confess to thee, that by thy bounty thou mayest give us pardon and peace. Out of thy clemency, O Lord, shew thy unspeakable mercy to us, that so thou mayest both acquit us of our sins, and deliver us from the punishments which we deserve for them. O God, who by sin art offended and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of thy people, who make supplication to thee, and turn away the scourges of thy anger which we deserve for our sins. O Almighty and eternal God, have mercy on thy servant, N. our chief bishop, and direct him according to thy clemency in the way of everlasting salvation, that by thy grace he may desire such things as are agreeable to thy will, and perform them with all his strength. We beseech thee; O almighty God, that thy servant, our:queen, who through thy mercy hath undertaken the government of those realms, may likewise receive the increase of all virtues, wherewith being adorned, she may avoid the enormity of sin, and being rendered acceptable in thy sight, come at length to thee, who art the way, the truth, and the life. O God, from whom are all holy desires, righteous counsels, and just works, give to thy servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts being disposed to keep thy commandments, and the fear of enemies taken away, the times by thy protection may be peaceable. Inflame, O Lord, our reins and hearts with the fire of thy Holy Spirit, to the end we may serve thee with chaste bodies, and please thee with clean hearts. O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give to the souls of thy servants departed, the remission of all their sins, that through the help of pious supplications, they may obtain the pardon which they have always been desirous of. Prevent, we beseech thee, O Lord, our actions, by thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by thy gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may begin always from thee, and by thee be happily ended. O Almighty and eternal God, who hast dominion over the living and the dead, and art merciful to all whom thou foreknowest shall be thine by faith and good works, we humbly beseech thee, that those for whom we have purposed to offer up our prayers, whether this present world still retains them in the flesh, or the next world hath received them out of their bodies, may by the intercession of thy saints, and the clemency of thy goodness, obtain pardon and full remission of all their sins; through our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. V. O Lord, hear my prayer, R. And let my supplication come unto thee. V. Our Almighty and most merciful Lord graciously hear us. R. Amen. V. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. --- ![[maps/bibliography#^biblio-spratt]] > [[js-cm-16|← The Rosary of the Most Holy Name of Jesus]] | [[the-carmelite-manual-toc|TOC]] | [[js-cm-18|Instructions and Devotions for the Sick →]]