Proper to be said on Fasting Days, and other Penitential Times.

Anthem

Remember not, O Lord, our offences, nor those of our parents; neither take thou vengeance on our sins.

The Sixth Psalm.

The Psalmist prays to be healed from sickness, and implores pardon for his sins. After obtaining his request, he exults over his enemies.

O Lord, rebuke me not in thy indignation; nor chastise me in thy wrath.

Take pity on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, O Lord, for all my bones are shaken.

And my soul is troubled exceedingly: but thou, O Lord, how long?

Return, O Lord, and deliver my soul: O save me for thy mercies' sake.

For in death there is none that is mindful of thee: and who shall confess to thee in hell?

I have tired myself with my groanings: every night I will wash my bed, I will water my couch with my tears.

My eye is disturbed with rage: I am grown old amidst all mine enemies.

Depart from me, all ye that work iniquity: for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.

The Lord hath heard my petition: the Lord hath received my prayer.

Let all my enemies be ashamed, and very much troubled: let them be turned back and put to shame very speedily.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

The Thirty-first Psalm.

The Psalmist declares all those happy, whose sins are forgiven; and, from his own example, and that of the saints, exhorts all to seek this beatitude, and to avoid brutal obstinacy. Rewards and punishments are proposed.

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 soul there is no guile.

Because I was silent, my bones grew old: whilst I cried all the day.

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: I am turned in my anguish, whilst the thorn is fastened.

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 impiety of my sin.

For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee in a seasonable time.

Yet in the deluge of many waters they shall not approach him.

Thou art my refuge from the tribulation which hath surrounded me: my joy, deliver me from them that encompass 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, that have no understanding.

With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws who do not approach thee.

Many are the scourges of the sinner: but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord.

Be joyful in the Lord, and rejoice ye just: and glory all ye upright of heart. Glory, &c.

The Thirty-seventh Psalm.

The Psalmist, in sickness, and neglected by his friends, begs of God to pardon his sins, and to assist and heal him.

O Lord, rebuke me not 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 in my bones, because of my sins.

For mine iniquities are gone over my head: and, as a weighty burden, are become heavy upon me.

My sores are putrefied and corrupted, because of my foolishness.

I am become miserable, and am bowed down even to the end: I walked sorrowful all the day.

For my loins are filled with illusions: and there is no health in my flesh.

I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: I roared in the groaning of my heart.

O Lord, my desire is before thee: and my sighing is not hidden from thee.

My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me: and the light of mine eyes itself is not with me.

My friends and my neighbours have drawn near, and stood up 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 one deaf, did not hear: and as one dumb, that opened not 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 mine enemies rejoice over me: and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me.

For I am prepared for scourges, and my sorrow is always in my sight.

For I will declare my iniquity: and I will think of my sin.

But my enemies live, and are become stronger than I: and they are multiplied who hate me unjustly.

And they that return evil for good have detracted me, because I followed goodness.

Forsake me not, O Lord, my God: depart not thou from me.

Come unto my aid, O Lord, the God of my salvation. Glory, &c.

The Fiftieth Psalm.

The Psalmist begs pardon for the sins of adultery and murder, not through the Mosaic sacrifices, but through Christ, who was to come and establish his church, and by his sacrifice appease the injured justice of God.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy: and according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my iniquity.

Wash me yet more and more from my iniquity: and cleanse me from my sin.

Because I know my iniquity: and my sin is always before me.

Against thee only have I sinned, and 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 hath my mother conceived me.

For behold thou hast loved truth: the secret and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made known to me.

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that are humble shall rejoice.

Turn away thy face from my sins: and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew an upright 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 confirm me with a perfect spirit.

I will teach thy ways to the unjust: and sinners shall be converted to thee.

Deliver me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice.

Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise.

For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, verily I had 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 sacrifices of justice, oblations, and whole-burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thine altar.

Glory, &c.

The Hundred-and-First Psalm.

The Psalmist begs for mercy upon Sion, that he will raise out of it his church, to which kings and people may come and praise God.—A prayer of the poor man, when he was anxious, and poured out his supplications before the Lord.

O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto thee.

Turn not away thy face from me: in what day soever I am in tribulation, 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 hones are withered like fuel for the fire.

I am smitten, and my heart is withered like grass: because I forgot to eat my bread.

Through the voice of my groaning, by bones have cleaved to my flesh.

I am become like a pelican of the wilderness: I am become like a night raven in the house.

I have watched, and am become as solitary as a sparrow upon the house-top.

My enemies upbraided me all the day long: and they that praised me swore against me.

For I did eat ashes like bread: and mingled my drink with my tears.

Because of thy wrath and indignation: for having lifted me up, thou hast cast me down.

My days have declined like a shadow: and I am withered like grass.

But thou, O Lord, remainest for ever: and thy memory is from generation to generation.

Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion: for the time to have mercy on it 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.

For the Lord hath built up Sion: and he shall be seen in his glory.

He hath regard to the prayer of the humble: and he hath not despised their petition.

Let these things be written unto another generation: and a people to be created shall praise the Lord.

Because he hath looked forth from his high sanctuary: the Lord from heaven hath looked down upon the earth;

That he might hear the groans of them that are in fetters: that he might unbind the children of them that are slain.

That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion: and his praise in Jerusalem.

In the assembling of the people together in one; and kings to serve the Lord.

He answered me 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 from generation unto generation.

In the beginning, O Lord, thou didst found the earth: and the heavens are the works of thy hands.

They shall perish, but thou remainest: and they shall all grow old as a garment.

And as a vestment 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, &c.

The Hundred-and-Twenty-Ninth Psalm.

The Psalmist earnestly begs pardon, foretelling redemption through Christ.

From the depths I have cried unto thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice.

Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my petition.

If thou wilt observe iniquities, O Lord! Lord, who will endure it?

For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and on account of thy law I have expected 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, &c.

The Hundred-and-Forty-Second Psalm.

The Psalmist prays that God would not regard him according to his merits, but look upon his miseries, and deliver him from them, and also from his enemies.

O Lord hear my prayer; give ear to my petition 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 humbled my life to the earth.

He hath made me dwell in darkness, as those who have been dead of old: my spirit is in anguish upon me, and my heart is troubled within me.

I remember the days of old, I meditated on all thy works: on the works of thy hands did I meditate.

I stretched forth my hands to thee: unto thee my soul is as earth without water.

Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away.

Turn not away thy face from me: lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning: for I have hoped in thee.

Make the way known to me wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee.

Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord: to thee have I fled: teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God.

Thy good spirit shall conduct me into the way of righteousness; for thy name's sake, O Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy justice.

Thou wilt bring forth my soul out of tribulation: and in thy mercy thou wilt destroy mine enemies.

And thou wilt destroy all those that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant. Glory, &c.

Anthem.

Remember not, O Lord, our offences, nor those of our parents: and take not revenge of our sins.

The Litany Of The Saints.

Psalm lxix.

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 forthwith be turned backward, and blush for shame, that desire evils to me.

Let them be turned backward, and blush, and be put to shame, who say to me, It is well! it is well!

Let all that seek thee be glad, and rejoice in thee: and let those who love thy salvation, say always, Our 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.

V. Glory be to the Father, &c.

R. As it was, &c.

V. Save thy servants:

R. Who put their trust in thee, my God.

V. Be to us, O Lord, a tower of strength:

R. Against the face of the enemy.

V. Let not the enemy prevail against us:

R. Nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt us.

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.N.]

R. May the Lord preserve him, and prolong his life, and make him happy on earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.

V. Let us pray for our benefactors:

R. Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy name's sake, to render eternal life to all those who do us good.

V. Let us pray for the faithful departed:

R. Give them, O Lord, eternal rest: and let perpetual light shine unto them.

V. May they rest in peace. R. Amen.

V. For our absent brethren:

R. Save thy servants, O my God, who put their trust in thee.

V. Send them help, O Lord, from thy sanctuary;

R. And from Sion protect them.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer:

R. And let my supplication come unto thee.

V. May the Lord be with you:

R. And with thy spirit.

Let Us Pray.

O God, whose property it 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, mercifully be absolved.

Hear, we beseech thee, O Lord, the prayers of thy suppliants, and pardon our sins, who confess them to thee; that of thy bounty thou mayest grant us pardon and peace.

Out of thy clemency, O Lord, show us thy unspeakable mercy; that so thou mayest both acquit us of our sins, and deliver us from the punishment we deserve for them.

O God, who by sin art offended, and by repentance 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 the things that are agreeable to thy will, and perform them with all his strength.

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, that we may serve thee with a chaste body, and please thee with a clean heart.

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 by pious supplications they may obtain the pardon they have always desired.

Model, 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 always begin 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 they for whom we have purposed to offer our prayers, whether this present world still detains them in the flesh, or the next world hath already received them, divested of their bodies, may, by the clemency of thine own goodness, and the intercession of thy saints, obtain pardon and full remission of all their sins; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.

R. Amen.

V. May the Lord be with you:

R. And with thy spirit.

V. May the almighty and merciful Lord graciously hear us:

R. Amen,

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

R. Amen.

Motives

Which should excite us to support the Crosses of this Life with cheerfulness, and to persevere till death in the practice of Virtue.

Since all things co-operate for the good of those who love God, and as God knows how to produce good out of evil, for whom should he do it, if not for those who give themselves up to him without reserve? Nay, he even makes their past sins contribute towards their good, as is evident in the cases of David, St. Peter, and Mary Magdalen.

When God lays the filth and deformity of sin before our eyes, it is in order that we should be captivated with the beauty of virtue; if he cast us flat on the earth, as he did St. Paul, it is with a view to raise us up again to a higher pitch of glory.

If God were not actually our Father, he never would have commanded us to say, "Our Father, who art in heaven." What then have the children of such a father to fear? Without his permission not a single hair of our heads can fall to the ground? Since, therefore, we are the children of almighty God, is it not the most unaccountable folly in us, to be over solicitous about any other concern than that of persevering till death, in his love and service? The test of our love towards God, is the observance of his commandments; and its recompense, no less than the possession of himself. "If any one love me," saith Jesus Christ, (John, xiv. 23.) "he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

"When I sent you without scrip or staff," saith Christ to his apostles, "did you want any thing?" They answered, "No." Have we not suffered afflictions when as yet we had little or no confidence in God, and did we perish under these afflictions? No. How, then, can we entertain thoughts of despondency, or betray a want of courage in adversity? For if God hath hitherto protected us, notwithstanding the little or no reliance we had on his providence, can it be supposed that he will forsake us, when, placing our whole confidence in him, we put on the determined resolution of dedicating the remainder of our lives to his love and service? Ah! no, he assuredly will not. Why, then, should we perplex ourselves with apprehensions of future evils, which perhaps will never befall us? or on the supposition they did, will not God enable us by his grace to support them with Christian fortitude? He commanded St. Peter to walk to him on the water; Peter, terrified by the blustering of the wind and the turbulence of the waves, and under the dreadful apprehension of immediately sinking to the bottom, calls out to his divine Master for assistance. When God, in like manner, ordains that you should walk on the boisterous waves of adversity, take courage and fear not; for be assured, he is actually present, and will stretch forth his hand to your assistance, as he did to St. Peter.

Our condition in this short and fleeting life, is an object of little consequence, provided that in the end we are admitted to the eternal enjoyment of God and his glory. Do we not, at every step we tread, approach nearer and nearer to eternity? Nay, have we not our feet, for aught we know to the contrary, on the very brink of it this moment? What, therefore, doth it signify whether our pilgrimage through life be chequered with afflictions or not, provided it terminate in a happy eternity? Can we possibly repine under short-lived sufferings, whilst we await their recompence in never-ending consolations? Ah! whatever has not eternity for its object, is, in reality, nothing but fleeting vanity.

Awake, therefore, O my soul! "Let us cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light." Let us humbly beseech the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who consoleth us in all our afflictions, to inspire us with the same sentiments as the Apostle had when he exclaimed, "Far be it from me, that I should glory in any thing but in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ah! were the cross of our crucified Saviour but deeply implanted in our hearts, the most bitter crosses of this world would then appear as sweet as roses. The heart that is impressed with a lively sense of the crown of thorns which pierced the tender head of our suffering Redeemer, will feel but little or no pain from the trifling scratches of worldly afflictions.

Devotions
For Every Day In The Week.

It was an ancient and pious practice among the faithful to dedicate every day in the week to some particular devotion. Conformably with this custom, a prayer is here given for each of those days, to be said immediately after morning prayers, or at any other time of the day, as each person's leisure from the necessary occupations of his state of life, may permit. But it is to be observed, that the worship of the mystery, or the devotion to the saint we purpose to honour, consists less in the prayer itself, than in the practical instructions which it contains.

Sunday,

Which by way of pre-eminence over the rest of the days of the week, is called the day of the Lord? is happily chosen to render homage, in a more special manner, to the most Holy Trinity, and to thank those three adorable Persons for the inestimable blessings we have received. It would be irreligious therefore, if not impious, to spend this day in idle amusements, or in the management of temporal concerns, whilst we are strictly obliged, both by the precepts of God and his church, to sanctify it, as well as every holy-day of obligation, by assisting at the divine offices, hearing sermons or catechetical discourses, reading pious books, employing ourselves in the exercise of corporal or spiritual works of mercy, and especially in making solid reflections on the most important of all affairs—the affair of our eternal salvation.

A Prayer To The Holy Trinity.

Glory be to the Father, who by his almighty power hath created me, and made me to his own image and likeness. Glory be to the Son, who by his wisdom hath delivered me from hell, and opened for me the gates of heaven. Glory be to the Holy Ghost, who in his mercy hath sanctified me by baptism, and who incessantly worketh my sanctification by the fresh graces I daily receive from his bounty. Glory be to the three adorable Persons of the blessed Trinity, which was as great at the beginning as he now is, or will be for ever and ever.

We adore thee, O holy Trinity! we reverence thee; we thank thee with the humblest sentiments of gratitude, for having been pleased to reveal to us this glorious and incomprehensible mystery. Grant that, by persevering in this faith till death, we may see and glorify in heaven what we believe here below on earth: one God in three divine Persons, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Monday.

Although the three adorable Persons of the blessed Trinity, concur unanimously in the sanctification of our souls, our spiritual regeneration, and all the graces we receive from heaven, are, nevertheless, attributed more especially to the operations of the Holy Ghost; because these favours being the effects of God's love towards us, we acknowledge him as the author of them, who is the love of the Father and the Son.
It is inconceivable what blessed effects this divine Spirit produces in the souls of such persons as oppose no obstacles to his operations. What abundance of light and strength doth he not communicate by his seven gifts, and those fruits and beatitudes which peculiarly flow from his bounty, if, with fidelity and attention, we are docile to his inspirations!
Let us then rejoice at being under the conduct of so wise and beneficent a guide; let us continually study the motions of our hearts; let us follow those which the Holy Spirit produces, and which alone can vanquish every evil inclination excited in us, either by the corruptness of our nature, or the machinations of our spiritual enemy; let us dread nothing so much as to resist, or desire nothing so much as to preserve his grace; or, if we have incurred the misfortune of losing it by sin, let us have immediate recourse to the sacrament of reconciliation, by which we may regain it, and live more attentive to our spiritual welfare in [the] future.

A Prayer To The Holy Ghost.

Author of the sanctification of our souls—Spirit of Love and Truth! I adore thee as the primary source of my eternal happiness; I thank thee as the sovereign dispenser of the benefits I receive from on high; I invoke thee as the beneficent giver of that portion of light and strength, which thou knowest to be necessary for me in the practice of good works. Spirit of Wisdom! enlighten my understanding, fortify my will, purify my heart, regulate all its motions, and grant me an attentive docility to all thy holy inspirations.

Pardon, O Spirit of Grace and Mercy! pardon my continual infidelities, and the unworthy blindness with which I have so often refused to correspond with the most tender and moving inspirations of thy grace. I purpose for the future, with thy assistance, to cease to be rebellious, and to follow the motions of thy grace with so much docility, that I may be enabled to taste those fruits, and enjoy those beatitudes, which are produced in our souls by the influence of thy sacred gifts. Amen.

Tuesday.

We ought to have such profound sentiments of respect, gratitude, love, and confidence, towards our Guardian Angels, as the dignity of their nature, their tender care of us, and the solicitude they conceive for our welfare, require. Let us then incessantly invoke their assistance; let us consult them in all our undertakings; let us frequently beseech them to procure the joint intercession of the heavenly host, their companions in glory, in our behalf; but, above all, let us be particularly docile to their holy inspirations.

A Prayer To Our Guardian Angel.

O holy Angel, whom God, by the effect of his goodness, and the tender regard of my welfare, hath charged with the care of my conduct; who doth assist me in all my wants, and comfort me in all my afflictions; who supporteth me when I am discouraged, and continually obtaineth for me new favours; I return thee profound thanks, and conjure thee, most amiable protector! to continue thy charitable care and defence of me against the malignant attacks of all my enemies. Keep me at a distance from all occasions of sin. Obtain for me the grace of hearkening attentively to thy holy inspirations, and of faithfully reducing them to practice. Protect me in all the temptations and trials of this life, but more especially at the hour of death; and do not quit me till thou hast conducted me into the presence of my Creator, in the mansions of everlasting happiness. Amen.

Wednesday.

The glorious functions wherewith God honoured Saint Joseph in this world, and the rare examples of humility, wisdom, patience, fidelity, obedience, and submission, which he hath given us, should inspire us with the highest idea of his sanctity, and the greatest devotion towards him. Honour him, therefore, but more especially by a faithful imitation of his virtues. Have recourse to him with confidence, and inspire this confidence into others. St. Teresa assures us, that she never asked any favour of God in his name but what she obtained.

A Prayer To St. Joseph.

Illustrious Saint! who art that good and faithful servant, to whom God committed the care of his family; whom he appointed guardian and protector of the life of Jesus Christ, the comfort and support of his holy Mother, and co-partner in his great design of the redemption of mankind; thou who hadst the happiness of living with Jesus and Mary, and of dying in their arms; chaste spouse of the Mother of God; model and patron of pure souls; humble, patient, and reserved; be moved with the confidence we place in thy intercession, and accept with kindness this testimony of our devotion.

We give thanks to God for the signal favours he hath been pleased to confer on thee, and we conjure him by thy intercession, to make us imitate thy virtues. Pray for us, then, O great saint; and by that love which thou hadst for Jesus and Mary, and by the love which Jesus and Mary had for thee, obtain for us the incomparable happiness of living and dying in the love of Jesus and Mary. Amen.

Thursday.

In order to make some return to that boundless love, of which Jesus Christ has given us a testimony in the institution of the blessed Sacrament of the altar, let us unite ourselves to him by holy and frequent communion. Let us often pay him our homage under the sacramental veils. Let us, at least, never omit a Thursday without acquitting ourselves of this consoling duty. Let us sometimes present ourselves in the most profound sentiments of adoration, before him, as did the Shepherds and the Eastern Kings or Magi. Let us, at other times, go to hear and receive his instructions, in imitation of his apostles and disciples. Let us approach him, like Magdalen, to contemplate his admirable perfections, and weep bitterly over our sins. Let us again present ourselves before him, after the example of the sick man in the gospel, to be healed from our spiritual infirmities; or, like the poor, to disclose to him our wants, and demand those comforts and graces which our doubts, or the tribulations and crosses incidental to human life, may require. But on all or every one of these occasions, be careful to present thyself before him with that profound degree of modesty, recollection, respect, fear, love, gratitude and confidence, which a lively faith of his real presence in this most blessed sacrament seldom fails to produce.

A Prayer Before The Blessed Sacrament.

Sweet Jesus! O amiable Saviour! who, by an effect of thy infinite goodness and love, hast vouchsafed to remain really present amongst us in the adorable Sacrament of the altar; I acknowledge thee for my Sovereign Lord and God; I adore thee with the most profound sentiments of humility; I give thee thanks, from the bottom of my heart, for the numberless instances of thy love and tenderness towards me, a most wretched and miserable sinner, who, for my manifold offences, have rather deserved to be cast into the infernal abyss, and there punished according to the rigour of thy severest justice. Penetrated with grief at the sight of my ingratitude, I come, O God of Majesty! to crave pardon for all the profanations, sacrileges, and impieties which ever have been committed, or may be committed against thee, in this adorable sacrament. And O that I could sufficiently express the grief which I now feel, for having so often appeared before thee with irreverence, and so often approached thee with so little fervour and devotion.

Forget, O Lord, our iniquities, and remember only thy mercies. Accept my sincere desire to honour, and see thee honoured, in this admirable sacrament of thy love. Yes, I ardently desire to bless, praise, and adore thee therein, with as much love and fervour as the saints and angels bless, praise, and adore thee, encircled with the rays of ineffable glory in thy heavenly kingdom. O amiable Jesus! I conjure thee by thy precious body and blood, before which I now prostrate myself, that I may adore thee for the future with such reverence, and receive thee so worthily, as to deserve after death to be admitted into thy divine presence, and with the choirs of celestial spirits, praise and glorify thee for ever and ever. Amen.

Friday.

It is not sufficient that we carefully avoid whatever can renew the passion and death of our divine Redeemer, but we must also endeavour to honour them, by every pious exercise which a tender devotion can inspire. The holy sacrifice of the Mass, offered with this intention; fervent communion; prayer before a crucifix; frequent reflections on the sufferings of our Lord; voluntary acts of penance, such as fasting on Fridays; patience and perseverance under the inevitable troubles and afflictions of this life; or, in other words, carrying our cross, after the example of our divine Redeemer, and with the same intentions; will serve as so many pious practices, by which we may testify the excess of our love, and apply to ourselves the fruit of his passion.

A Prayer To Our Suffering Jesus.

Lamb without spot or blemish!—innocent Victim! whose blood has cancelled the sins of the world, efface mine, and do not permit thy sufferings to become useless to me. Jesus, deserted and forsaken by every body! Jesus, sorrowful and aggrieved! Jesus, agonized, patient, and resigned! help me to bear, with the like resignation, all the afflictions thou mayest be pleased to send me in this life. Jesus, calumniated, despised, and outrageously insulted! teach me to despise the judgments of men, and patiently to suffer the blackest calumnies. Jesus, whose virginal flesh was swollen with blows, mangled with wounds, pierced with thorns, and covered with blood for love of me! teach me to endure, for thy love, the pains and inconveniencies of sickness. Jesus, condemned to suffer the ignominious death of the cross! enable me to shun the praises of men, and to love the most humble situations. Jesus, bending beneath the heavy load of the cross! unite my cross to thine, and enable me to bear it with the like resignation, strength, and meekness. Jesus, elevated on the cross for my sake, and who expiredst thereon for my salvation! raise up my affections to heavenly desires, that living only for thee, and at length expiring in thy divine embraces, I may be for ever occupied in singing, forth thy praises. Amen.

Saturday.

The eminent holiness of Mary, her dignity as Mother of God, the glory she enjoys, and the power she has received on earth and in heaven, her tenderness for mankind, and more especially for such as seek her intercession, or imitate her virtues, are the motives which have inspired all the saints with the most lively and affectionate devotion towards her.
Let us also devote ourselves to her, after their example. "Devotion to the Blessed Virgin," (says St. Bernard,) "is a mark of predestination." The best devotion we can practise with regard to her, and that which is most strenuously recommended by the saints, is a faithful imitation of her excellent virtues; particularly her love of purity and humility, and that heroic patience and fortitude under the severest crosses and afflictions which she suffered, and wherewith almost her whole life was embittered.
Let us therefore celebrate her festival, by preparing ourselves on the eve, and communicating on the day, in her honour. Let us pay to her images and pictures that respect and veneration which the Catholic church, ever guided by the Spirit of Truth, recommends. Let us sometimes recite her office, at other times her litanies or rosary, according as the duties of our state of life may afford us leisure, or our devotion direct. Let us often address her with the utmost respect, attention, and confidence, in the words of that beautiful prayer, composed partly by the Angel Gabriel, partly by St. Elizabeth, and partly by the church, and with the same spirit and sentiments. In fine let us have recourse to her in all our wants and necessities, and omit nothing to procure her assistance at that most critical period, when we stand in most need thereof—the hour of death.

A Prayer To The Blessed Virgin.

Most Holy Virgin! Mother of God; and, by that august quality, worthy of the most profound respect from angels and men, I come to render thee my most humble homage, and to implore thy help and protection. Seated above the heavenly hosts of saints and angels, next to the throne of the Almighty, thou art most powerful, and thy goodness towards mankind equals the power thou hast in heaven.

Thou knowest, O most sacred Virgin, that I have been taught from my infancy to look up to thee as my mother, my patroness, and most powerful advocate; and thou hast vouchsafed from on high, to look down on me as one of thy children. I acknowledge, with the most humble sentiments of gratitude, that it is by the means of thy most powerful intercession I have received such innumerable graces and favours from the Almighty. Why then has not the fervour of my devotion towards thee been equal to thy zeal in succouring me in my necessities? Alas! the sense of my ingratitude overwhelms me with shame and confusion; but accept, O amiable Queen, of my determined resolution to love, honor and serve thee with more fidelity for the future.

Receive, then, O sacred Virgin, the protestation I now make of being hereafter entirely thine. Accept the unshaken confidence which I place in thy clemency and goodness. Obtain for me, most powerful advocate with thy dear Son, my Saviour, (who can refuse thee nothing that is conducive to my salvation,) a lively faith, a firm hope, and a generous, tender, and constant love. Procure for me such a purity of soul and body as nothing can defile or contaminate; such a profound humility as nothing can alter or change; and such patience and submission to the will of heaven, as nothing can perplex or disturb. Lastly, most blessed Virgin, obtain for me such a faithful imitation of thyself, in the practice of every virtue, during life, as may procure for me thy powerful aid and protection at the hour of death. Amen.

The following short ejaculatory Prayer to the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, has been recommended and experienced by many as an excellent preventative against impure temptations.

Through thy sacred virginity and immaculate conception, O most chaste Virgin, obtain for me purity of soul and body; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Pious Reflections
For Every Day In The Month.

Translated from the French of the Rev. F. Bouhours.
The following reflections, on account of their conciseness and simplicity, require neither much time nor application to be read and understood. They do not merely regard the social duties of mankind, like those of Epictetus or Seneca; they are Christian thoughts on the important truths of religion, and the most elevated maxims of the gospel. They are not only adapted for such as, by retirement, are familiarized to the practice of mental prayer; but likewise for those who, from their secular occupations, are as yet but little versed in the use of meditation. Even worldlings are still capable of sometimes elevating their thoughts to heaven; for, in whatever occupations persons may be engaged, they may always find sufficient leisure for a short lecture. If the multiplicity or urgency of the concerns of this life will not afford you sufficient time for regular meditation, you may at least suffer a good thought to take possession of your mind, before the business of the day is entered upon. Such is the design of these short reflections; and the method of using them is as follows:—Every day in each month, after having acquitted yourself of the indispensable duty of morning prayer, place yourself again in the presence of God, and read the Thoughts of the Day; but in order that you may the better comprehend their meaning, read them with deliberation, and the most profound attention. After reading the first article, allow yourself a short interval for reflection before you pass on to the second. Do not rest satisfied with barely conceiving the truth of the maxim you read; but after ruminating seriously upon it, apply it to yourself; and observe the same rule with the second and third articles. But should the urgency of business allow you but sufficient leisure merely to read them, be satisfied, under the assurance that pious thoughts have the same effect on the soul, as a seal has upon melted wax; for, should they enter but ever so slightly into the mind, they will always leave some impression behind. If you cannot find leisure to read these Thoughts in the morning, read them at least in the course of the day, or at night before you go to bed. The Practical Resolutions immediately following the Thoughts, must not be omitted. An act of virtue, or a short reflection, is soon made.
The passages from the holy Scriptures and Fathers, at the close of the Reflections, are, as it were, an abridgment or abstract of the Thoughts of the Day; they collect, as in a focus, their whole strength and sense in a few words. Being short and concise, they are easily remembered; being pithy and affecting, they are happily calculated to rouse, support, and nourish the soul throughout the course of the day. They are as grains of essence, which contain a strong and fragrant odour within a small compass; or as an ingenious piece of mechanism, which can execute a great deal of work in a very little time. Be not content with reading these reflections once over; but read them over and over again, month after month, till by making a lasting impression on the mind, you may reap all the spiritual advantages they are capable of producing; for there is always something new to be found in the truths of religion; they are mines which cannot be too deeply dug into; they are fountains whose sources are inexhaustible; but they are also seeds which produce little or no fruit, unless they take root by being deeply planted in the heart.

First Day.—On Faith.

1. All that Faith teaches is grounded on the authority of the word of God. It is from Christ himself that the church has learned whatever she proposes to the faithful as the object of their belief. When truth itself is the guide, one cannot go astray; and there is nothing more reasonable than to submit reason to faith.

2. Of what use is faith to a Christian, if it be not the rule of his conduct? If it be the most consummate folly to doubt of a doctrine which God has revealed, which so many martyrs have sealed with their blood, and which the devils themselves have so often confessed, is it not downright madness to believe this doctrine, and yet to live as if it were supposed to be false? Not to live conformable to our belief, is to believe just as the damned do.

3. Faith, then, shall henceforth be the sole principle of my actions, and the only rule of my life. Whatever it condemns, I also absolutely condemn. In spite of every natural repugnance, I will oppose the maxims of the gospel to those of the world, as often as the occasion presents itself. What does the world say?—Follow the natural bent of your inclinations, suffer nothing, &c. But what doth Jesus Christ say?—quite the contrary. But who is right—Jesus Christ or the world?

Thank God for being incorporated with his church, and recite the Creed slowly, as a solemn profession of your faith.

"Lord increase my faith." Luke, xvii.

"What doth it avail to believe like a Catholic, and yet to live like a heathen?" Peter Dam.

Second Day.-— On the End of Man.

1. God alone is our last end; he did not create us but for himself. Our hearts tell us that we were made for him; we cannot disown it without belying ourselves.

2. Every one should have what justly belongs to him; let us then give ourselves to God, since it is he that has a right to us. If we be not his children of our own accord, we must be his slaves in spite of us. We must of necessity live under the dominion of his justice or his bounty. Which choice shall we make?

3. Every thing should tend to its proper object, and act according to its nature. If the sun, which is made to shine, refused its light to the world, it would be a monster in the universe; nor is that heart less monstrous, which, being made for God, doth still refuse to belong to him. Do I behave myself as a creature which belongs to God? Are my thoughts and all my actions directed to him? Ah, how little do I do, that may be called truly done for God? What doth all the business in this world avail me, if I forget the only affair for which I am come into it.

Make here a resolution of seeking God alone, and of depriving him of nothing which he has a right to.

"Thou art my Lord and my God." John, xx.

"He requires you entirely, who hath made you entirely." St. Augustine.

Third Day.—Contempt of the World.

1. From the moment we are attached to the world, we cease, in some measure, to be Christians. This profane world, so passionately fond of grandeur, of pleasure, of every thing that can flatter self-love, is the capital enemy of Jesus Christ; their maxims, their commandments, their interests, are quite opposite; they cannot be obeyed at once, we must break off either with one or with the other.

2. We cannot take part with the world, without a breach of the promises we made at our baptism. When we renounced Satan and his pomps, we bound ourselves down, by solemn oath, to trample under foot whatever is greatest in the esteem of worldlings. What perfidy! what sacrilege! to prefer the goods of the earth to those of heaven, and to become idolaters of vanity.

3. The world has nothing worthy of an immortal soul; it has not even wherewith to requite its most devoted servants. Its treasures, its amusements, its honors, may indeed occupy and disturb the heart of man, but they can never satisfy it. They are, in reality, but false goods, vain shadows, and illusions; or, to speak more properly, they are real evils. They make a man wicked; they can never make him happy. The most brilliant fortune is not only frail and dangerous, but is often a source of the most painful uneasiness. There are sighs and sufferings upon the throne, as well as in chains and dungeons.

Beg of God to destroy in you the spirit of the world, and give you strength to despise its allurements.

"The figure of the world passeth away."—1 Corinthians vii.

"Wo to those who adhere to what is transitory; because with those things they themselves must pass away." St. Augustine.

Fourth Day.—Upon Death.

1. A Christian who does not lead the life of a Christian, has great reason to be afraid of death. What a dreadful account must he give after a worldly and sensual life! what bitter regret to have lost the opportunities of saving himself! to die an enemy of God! O dismal death! O dreadful moment, which concludes the pleasures of time, to begin the pains of eternity.

2. What would we, at the hour of death, wish that we had done? Let us do at present what we would then be glad we had done. There is no time to lose: every moment may be the last of our life. The longer we have lived, the nearer we approach to the grave. Our death is not less distant, the more it has been put off.

3. What will our notion of this earth he, when we are forced to quit it? Let us now take advice from death; it is a faithful counsellor; it will not deceive us. What will become of this beauty, this money, this pleasure, this honour? What will be our thoughts of them at the hour of death? In our life-time appearances often deceive us; but at our death we shall see things as they really are. Man, whilst alive, esteems the world; man when dying despises it. But which should we reasonably believe—man living, or man at the point of death? Ah! how trifling will the world appear at the light of that torch which faintly glimmers near the bed of death! But alas! it will then be no longer time to undeceive ourselves.

Think seriously on what you chiefly apprehend were you this moment to die, and regulate it immediately. Accustom yourself from this moment, to perform every action, as if you were to die instantly after it. Above all things, observe this practice in the use of the sacraments.

"Death and I are divided but a single step."
1 Kings, xx.

"There is no to-morrow for a Christian."
Tertullian.

Fifth Day.—On the Last Judgment.

1. I must one day appear before the tribunal of Jesus Christ, to be there judged upon the good or evil I shall have done. There is nothing more formal nor express in the gospel than this truth; I believe it as firmly as if the last trumpet had already sounded to call up all the dead to judgment.

2. What shall we say at the sight of so many bad thoughts, of so many criminal actions, of so many graces despised? O what a terrible day is the day of God's wrath! where the inmost recesses of the heart shall be openly exposed; where every fault shall be strictly examined! If the just themselves shall be hardly found just, what must become of unhappy sinners.

3. What sentence must an impenitent sinner expect from an offended and inexorable God? O tremendous condemnation! Depart ye accursed, &c, Alas! where shall these miserable wretches go, to whom you thus give your malediction? To what part of the world shall they retire when they withdraw from you? Where can there be so miserable a dwelling? To be banished from the presence of God! to be accursed of God! O what a shocking destiny!

Imagine yourself now before the tribunal of Christ. What are you most ashamed of at this very moment? Reflect seriously on it, and remember that all your secret sins shall be exposed at the day of Judgment, if you do not here efface them by a sincere repentance.

"Who shall be able to stand before the face of his wrath?"
Nahum, i.

"Wo even to the praiseworthy life, if without mercy, O God, thou shalt examine it."
St. Augustine.

Sixth Day.—Upon Hell.

1. How great would be our horror, if the shrieks of the damned—if their groans and blasphemies could reach us! They roar like wild beasts; they accuse themselves of their sins; they bewail—they detest them. But it is too late; their tears but add new strength to the fire that torments them. O repentance of the damned! how rigorous art thou! but ah! how fruitless!

2. Never to see God! to be burning in flames for ever! the blood boiling in our veins, the marrow in our bones! to be trampled on by the devils! to have all that is hideous for ever before our eyes! to have rage, anguish, and despair eternally rooted in our heart, without comfort or mitigation! O what a life!

3. These wretches are outrageous at having had so many opportunities of saving themselves, and for having neglected them. The recollection of their past pleasure is one of their most sensible torments. But nothing more keenly gnaws them, than the impossibility of forgetting that God whom by their fault, they have miserably forfeited.

Go down in spirit into hell, and inquire of the damned what is it that has made them fall into it. Question them upon their present state, and learn of them to fear God and your own danger.

"Which of you can dwell with devouring flames."
Isaiah, xxxiii.

"The impious pass from one punishment to another—from the burnings of concupiscence to the flames of hell."
St. Augustine.

Seventh Day.—On the Eternal Torments of the Damned.

1. Can the wrath of God go farther than punishing pleasures which are so soon over, by tortures which will never have an end? To be miserable while ever God is God!—can any misery be like it? Is it not enough that the evils of the damned are extreme? Must they still, besides this, be eternal? To be hurt by the point of a pin, is trifling in itself; yet were this pain to last always, it would become insupportable: What shall it be then, &c.

2. O eternity! when a damned soul shall have shed tears enough to make up all the rivers and seas in the world, did he shed but one tear in every hundred years, he shall not be more advanced, after so many millions of ages, than if he had only just began to suffer. He must begin again, as if he had yet suffered nothing; and when he shall have begun as often as there are grains of sand on the seashore, or atoms in the air, or leaves on the trees, he shall still be as far off from the end of his sufferings as ever.

3. The damned must not only suffer during eternity, but suffer every moment an eternity entire. Eternity is always present to them; it enters into their punishment; their mind is incessantly struck with the endless duration of their torments. O cruel thought! O deplorable condition!—to rage for an eternity!—to burn for an eternity! Ah, that we could conceive this, as those damned souls conceive it.

Make an act of faith upon the duration of the punishments which the justice of God inflicts for mortal sin. We must at least believe, what we are not able to conceive. It is a great misfortune for a Christian not to be persuaded of this eternity, but by his own sad experience.

"Those who do not obey the gospel,
shall suffer eternal punishment."
2 Thessalonians i.

"Momentary is that which delights,
eternal is that which tortures."
St. Chrysostom.

Eighth Day.—On Heaven.

1. Heaven! thou glorious state! no heart can conceive, no tongue can describe what thou art! Exemption from all that is evil; assemblage of all that is good; masterpiece of God's omnipotence; the price of the blood of Jesus; and more than man can desire.

2. To see God clearly, and as he is in his glory; to love God without measure; to possess God without ever fearing to lose him; to be happy in the felicity of God himself; such is the object of my hope. But a day or two of pilgrimage or exile, and then I shall be with him for ever.

3. What matters it how we fare here below, provided we be with Jesus for all eternity? Can I justly complain that a never-ending happiness should cost me so little? The martyrs purchased heaven at the price of their blood, and thought it was given them for nothing. Shall not I then sacrifice my corrupt will for it? O happy eternity! if men only knew what thou art worth.

Excite within yourself a great desire of heaven, and behold the earth with a proportionable contempt. Were you filled with a proper sense of it, nothing here below could allure or disturb you.

"I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear."
Psalm xvi.

"If the labour terrifies, the reward invites."
St. Bernard.

Ninth Day.—On the Presence of God.

1. God at this moment beholds me, as if I were alone in the world; or rather, he is within me as an eye infinitely enlightened, which observes me attentively, and which nothing can escape. He sees me as clearly as he comprehends himself, and with as intense an application, as if he ceased to contemplate himself, in order to study me.

2. Ought I not to be infinitely more ashamed that my sins should appear in his sight, than that they should be exposed to the eyes of the whole world? Would I commit in the presence of a servant, what I dare commit before the King of kings? O what blindness to fear so much the eyes of men, and so little the eyes of God!

3. The most obscure darkness can never conceal me from light itself; the most distant and solitary retreats are always filled with the divine Majesty. Let me shun, as much as I please, the sight and the company of men, I will find God every where.

Put yourself in the presence of God, and see whether there may be any thing in you that may offend his eyes. The most powerful remedy against sin, is to say frequently within yourself, "God is looking at me:" there needs no more to restrain you in the greatest violence of temptation.

"All things are clear and open to his eyes."
Hebrews, iv.

"If you be determined to commit sin, seek first a place where God will not see you, and then do what you please."
St. Augustine.

Tenth Day.—Care of our Salvation.

1. The affair of Salvation is, properly speaking, the only business of man; every other concern, when compared with it, should be accounted as nothing. The enterprises of kings, their negotiations, &c, are as the amusements and the triflings of children. The important and the only affair, therefore, is to serve God, and thereby save our souls: the whole good—the whole perfection of man consists in this. It would be irrational, and therefore degrading to man, to neglect an affair whose consequences are so great, whose success is so uncertain, and whose loss is irreparable. What blindness! what folly! to think only of living, and not to think of living well! to apply so much time to making our fortune, and so little to the saving of our soul! "What doth it avail a man to gain the whole world, if he lose his own soul?"

2. All creatures are made but for our salvation; they become useless when not employed for that great end: so that from the moment a man ceases to labour for his salvation, the sun also should cease to shine, the planets should stop in their course, the earth should no longer support him, the angels should abandon him; he should fall back into his original nothing. He is unworthy of life, when he liveth not for God.

3. However, the greater part of mankind think less of saving themselves than of any thing else. Every other business is carefully attended to, except the affair of salvation. All other concerns are turned to account. This sum of money must be put out to interest; this field must be tilled; these lands must be let at a more considerable rent. All other losses are bewailed, except the one without resource. Great expenses are incurred for the body, and nothing at all is done for the soul: from the manner in which we live, it should seem that our soul does not really belong to us, but that it is the soul of our most mortal enemy, or the soul of some brute; or rather, that we have a soul just merely to destroy it.

Make now a firm resolution to save your soul, let it cost you what pains it will: be of the same sentiment with a certain pontiff, who, when a king had asked something of him, which could not be granted without sin, replied: "If I had two souls, I would give one of them to thee. O Prince, but as I have only one, I do not choose to forfeit it."

"Moreover, one thing is necessary."
Luke, x.

"Where there is the loss of salvation,
there surely there can be no gain."
St. Euch.

Eleventh Day.—On Horror for Sin.

1. How great a loss is the loss of God! Men think themselves unfortunate when they lose all their possession at law, or by bankruptcy, or by some other accident. What is it, then, to lose an infinite God! Unhappy the soul which loses its God by sin; but far more unhappy the soul who considers this loss as nothing.

2. O sin! how common art thou among men! but how little at the same time art thou known to them! Playing and amusing themselves, they become the execration of God. And what play—what amusement is this? God, who is all love, detests sin with infinite hatred: should any thing, therefore, be so shocking in our eyes as this hellish monster.

3. A soul in the state of grace, is beautiful beyond expression! it is a brilliant image of God himself; the Holy Ghost animates it. But when mortal sin is allowed to infect it, its beauty is lost, its light is extinguished, the Divine Spirit departs, the devil takes possession; all then is darkness, filth, and deformity. If a God-man dying was a dreadful spectacle, mortal sin is yet more dreadful; for Christ died but to atone for sin, and sin can daily frustrate all his merits; he is crucified over and over; his blood is trampled upon by ungrateful sinners.

O detest at this moment all your sins. Lament from your heart the loss of God's grace; there is no loss so much to be lamented; it is the only loss which sorrow can repair.

"What advantage had you in those things at which you are now blushing?"
Romans vi.

"Wo to that daring soul, which hoped that having retired from you, she might still find something better."
St. Augustine.

Twelfth Day.—On Repentance.

1. "Repent, and believe the Gospel." Our Lord here joins faith and repentance together, in order to teach us, that the rigours of penance, and the profession of Christianity, are inseparable. During his mortal life he was a penitent God, ever occupied in expiating our sins, to appease the justice of his eternal Father. Surely, we should follow his example. If the Holy of Holies fasted, prayed, and wept, what should not be done by such vile wretches as we are?

2. Sin must necessarily be punished, either by him who commits, or by God, against whom it is committed. If sinners do not punish themselves in time, the Divine Justice will punish them in eternity. The flames of hell must punish what the waters of penance have not effaced. Is it not, therefore, better to weep for a few days, than to burn for eternity.

3. To be reconciled with God, it is not enough to prostrate ourselves before a priest, cover our heads with ashes, and our whole bodies with hair-cloth. If we have not a sincere sorrow for our sins, if we do not entirely renounce our criminal attachments, we are impostors, and not penitents. Prayers, alms, fastings, and macerations of the flesh, are but the outside of repentance; the hatred of sin is its very spirit and essence.

Implore God's mercy for having hitherto led a life so opposite to the Gospel: and beg of him the grace to live for the future as the first Christians did, in the constant practice of penance.

"Unless you do penance, you shall all perish alike."
Luke, xiii.

"To penitents, I say, To what purpose is it that you be humbled, if with this you be not changed?"
St. Augustine.

Thirteenth Day.—On Delay of Conversion.

1. By deferring so long to give myself up to God, it should seem as if I intended to escape out of his hand. Is it then a misfortune to belong to him? To-morrow! to-morrow!—Why not to-day? why not at this very moment? Will my chains be more easily broken to-morrow? will my heart be less hard?—No, certainly. Time, that weakens every thing else, adds new strength to bad habits. By putting off the remedy, the complaint becomes incurable.

2. What is it that prevents our obeying the voice that calls us to repentance? What is it that terrifies us? That there is great difficulty in changing our lives, must certainly be granted; but what should not a Christian do, who adores a crucified God, and who looks up to heaven? If we have any thing to fear, it should be the abuse of God's graces.

3. There is time to come; but can I call it mine? Is it a possession I am master of? God waits for me, it is true—the scriptures tell me so—but still they do not tell me how long I am to live. He that promised pardon to those who repent, has not promised another day to those who continue in their vices. Perhaps I shall have time, and perhaps I shall not. Must not I have lost my senses, to trust my salvation to a mere perhaps?

Reflect now upon the time you have been deferring your conversion to God, and tremble at the sight of your danger.

"I said: now I have begun."
Psalm lxxix.

"We cannot be too cautious, where eternity is at stake."
St. Gregory.

Fourteenth Day,—On Human Respect.

1. What will the world say? Let it say what it will: should the talk of fools hinder you from being wise? But what will my acquaintance say? They will say, that you fear God more than you fear man; the greatest libertines will secretly admire you, and acknowledge within themselves that you are doing right. But what matters it, after all, what people may say of you, provided you do your duty, and that God be satisfied?

2. O what cowardice, to blush at the gospel? To wear the livery of a prince is held honourable: is it then shameful to wear that of Jesus Christ? The lowest mechanics make open profession of the trades they follow; and yet Christians, in the church, blush at being thought Christians! The Son of God will deny before his Father in heaven, the Christian that shall have denied him before men.

3. What then? Is there any thing in Jesus that you should be ashamed of? Is his name infamous? Is it a disgrace to follow his maxims and example? You are not ashamed, perhaps, of being a libertine, a drunkard, a blasphemer; you may probably even glory in it; and yet you blush at being a good man. But let people say what they will, the man that is most esteemed is he who serves God with most fidelity, and who openly professes himself to be a follower of Christ.

Ask yourself seriously whether this phantom of the world doth not frighten you, and prevent your fulfilling the obligations which the Christian religion imposes.

"I do not blush at the gospel."
Romans i.

"Why should you fear or be ashamed,
when armed with the sign of the cross?"
St. Aug.

Fifteenth Day.—Diffidence in Ourselves.

1. We have nothing to fear so much as ourselves. Our own weakness is more alarming than the united powers of hell. A thought, a word, a single look is enough to overcome us. Angels have rebelled, Adam hath fallen, Solomon hath bowed to idols, Peter hath denied his Master. When cedars have yielded, how shall osiers stand?

2. Our own heart is our most dangerous enemy; our senses and our passions are always conspiring against us; we are vanquished almost without a struggle. Let us then never be so weak or foolish as to trust to ourselves. Many whom torments could not shake, have wretchedly perished in a slight temptation: they were victorious over tyrants, but vanquished by concupiscence.

3. There is no man, of how exemplary soever a conduct, that should not tremble at the justice of God, because he cannot be certain whether he be worthy of love or hatred. To the all-seeing eye of Infinite Perfection, the very angels themselves shall not appear without blemish. Sanctity may be lost in a single moment, and the saint may be transformed into an odious reprobate. We should all, therefore, cry out with St. Philip of Neri: "Watch me, O Lord, this day, for abandoned to myself I shall surely betray thee."

Beware of the occasions of sin; the most dangerous are often what you are least afraid of.

"Let him who thinks he stands,
take heed lest he fall."
1 Corinthians iv.

"Though you be in a place of safety,
do not on that account think yourself secure."
St. Bernard.

Sixteenth Day.—Use of Divine Grace.

1. Whatever grace we have, was dearly purchased: our Saviour gave his blood for it. Wherefore to reject a pious thought, to resist an holy inspiration, is, in fact, to trample on the merits of Christ, and to frustrate, as much as we can, the ends he proposed to himself in dying for us.

2. We are accountable to God, not only for the graces we have received, but also for those which he intended to confer on us, provided we ourselves had not put an obstacle to them. His sun shines, but we shut our windows against it. Are we the less indebted to him for its light?—No; for we may, if we please, make use of it.

3. Many years, perhaps, has God been inviting us in vain; soliciting, reprehending, and threatening us, to no manner of purpose. But let us remember, that he is a creditor who will not thus be put off, and that the longer our debt is unpaid, the more strictly will he require the interest. There is possibly a measure of sins which may force him at last to abandon us.

Thank the Almighty now for all his gifts and graces. Beg pardon for having been unfaithful to him, and resolve to correspond with docility, to all the suggestions of his grace for the future.

"From him to whom much hath been given,
much will be required."
Luke, xii.

"Grace is followed by judgment."
St. Basil.

Seventeenth Day.—Good Use of Time.

1. The loss of time is one of the greatest misfortunes in the world. This life is so short! all its moments so precious! yet we live as if it were never to end, or as if we had nothing to fear hereafter.

2. Alas! if a damned soul had but one single moment of the time we now squander away, what good use would he make of it! Every instant of our life we may purchase a happy eternity. The opportunity of enriching or amusing ourselves we never miss; but the means of salvation appear to us indifferent.

3. The day that is best employed, is not always the one that has most forwarded our temporal affairs, but that which has added most to our merits, and which God has been best pleased with. Let us always so regulate our time, that God and our salvation may be our constant objects.

Renew the resolution you have taken to serve God faithfully; and be firmly persuaded, that the time which is not employed for God, is no more than so much time lost for ever.

"God hath given to no person time for sinning."
Ecclesiastes xv.

"You have leisure to become a philosopher;
you have none to become a Christian."
St. Paul.

Eighteenth Day.—Use of the Sacraments.

1. The sacraments are the channels of divine grace; through them the merits of Christ abundantly flow into our souls. We must therefore take care to approach them worthily; for otherwise his merits will not avail us, nor will our salvation of course be possible.

2. The abuse of the sacraments is an evil of the first magnitude. They were instituted as the means of life; but, when perverted, lead to eternal death. There is no medium; they must be either our food or our poison. How dreadful then must it be to reflect, that after so many confessions we should be so little improved, that after repeated communions we should still follow the same sinful course!

3. The unworthy communicant receives his own condemnation, and becomes, as it were, incorporated with his own ruin. What answer can he give when called to account for his baseness? How shall he hope to escape, when arraigned for such daring profanations?

Examine yourself carefully upon the use you have made of the sacraments, and receive them for the future, as if death were immediately approaching.

"Let a man prove himself."
1 Corinthians.

"There are bad Christians, who are called by the name of faithful, and who are not such; by whom the sacraments of Christ are dishonoured and profaned."
St. Augustine.

Nineteenth Day.—On the Mass.

1. A sacrifice is an exterior or visible offering made by a lawful minister to God alone, in testimony of his supreme dominion. Our absolute dependance on God, and the homage we owe him, render sacrifice essential to religion. Hence, from the beginning of the world it has been always offered: Abel, Noah, Melchisedech, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, have sacrificed to the Almighty; and a variety of sacrifices were prescribed in the written law of Moses.

2. All these however, were only weak figures of the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross; for sin was too great an evil, its guilt was of too black a die to be ever removed by the blood of sheep and oxen. No other atonement could possibly compensate for its enormity, than the excruciating sufferings of a God; therefore did he come. "In the head of the book it was written of him, that he should do the will of his Father." By the one oblation of himself he paid off all our debts, closed up the abyss of separation, cancelled the hand-writing of sin that lay against us, and the sanctified he perfected for ever.

3. Was not this enough? Most undoubtedly it was; nay, one drop of his blood was fully adequate to all these purposes. Why then is the same sacrifice daily renewed in the Mass? Why is he still immolated upon our altars? Why is his body mystically drained of his blood, by the separate consecrations of the two species? Because his love for us would have it so; he would leave us a standing memorial of his death; he would daily apply to our souls the infinite merits thereof, just as he prays for us still, though his prayer on the cross was already heard for us; he would, as a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech, continue to the end of time the same unbloody sacrifice; he was willing that his faithful on earth, united not only in spirit, but in outward ties of religion, should ever have this sacrifice before them, as the strongest bond of love, and the most perfect act of adoration.

Make a resolution to hear Mass every day, and to hear it with the devotion which so august a sacrifice requires. For this purpose go to the church as you would to Mount Calvary; adore Jesus Christ in his state of humiliation: pay him your homage with fervour at the foot of the altar. It is shameful in us and most displeasing to him, that he should be so much deserted in the midst of our churches, and that his court should be so empty, whilst earthly kings have their levees crowded.

"In every place there is a sacrifice,
and a pure victim is offered to my name."
Malic. i.

"He will then be our victim indeed,
when we sacrifice ourselves to him."
St. Gregory.

Twentieth Day.—On Alms Deeds.

1. We minister to Christ when we relieve the poor. He abides in the Eucharist to receive our adoration, and to become our nourishment; he abides in the poor to excite our compassion, and to be fed by us in our turn. Happy the man who gives alms to Jesus! but wretched is he who refuses to assist him. Shall we feed our dog, and let Christ famish with hunger!

2. What we give to the great ones of the earth may, in a great measure, be considered as forfeited: but what we present to God is always attended with advantage. He gives it back with interest. He repays with liberality the crumbs that are given for his sake; his rewards are laid up even for a cup of cold water. Play, luxury, and debauch, have ruined innumerable families, but alms have impoverished no one.

3. Men at the day of judgment shall be accountable for their alms; but what answer can the unfeeling rich ones make when the poor shall accuse them, when Jesus Christ himself shall reproach them with their insensibility? "Go, ye accursed, into eternal fire: I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat; I was naked, and you did not clothe me," &c. A heart that is hard to the poor, is the heart of a reprobate; but on the contrary, a soul that is truly charitable, is a soul predestined. What can our Judge say against us, when he shall see our clothes upon himself, when he shall see our bread and our money in his own hands? We shall approach his awful tribunal with confidence, provided the poor be our advocates.

Consider seriously how you behave to the poor; whether you treat them as members of Jesus Christ, by doing them all the good in your power.

"He gives at interest to the Lord,
who has pity on the poor."
Proverbs xix.

"Give unto all, lest he whom you refuse should be Jesus Christ."
St. Augustine.

Twenty-first Day—On Bad Example.

1. Bad example has damned more souls than the preaching and good example of all the saints together have been the means of saving.

2. Were the gates of hell to be laid open, scarcely would any one be found that would not say, it is such or such-a-one that has damned me. O what a reproach! We are commanded to love our enemies: why then should we destroy souls which have never done us an injury? A man who has been unfortunate enough to ruin souls redeemed by the blood of a God, hath much reason to fear for his salvation. What can we reasonably hope from Jesus Christ, after having torn from him what he hath so dearly purchased? O fathers and mothers, who do not live as Christians ought to live, it were far better for your children that they had never been born! You have given them life only to put them to death; that dreadful death which is eternal! When they shall require of you the heaven they have lost, what will you he able to answer them?

3. Let us clothe ourselves with Jesus Christ, according to the words of the apostle; let his conduct, his virtue, and his spirit shine forth in us, so that he may be remembered when we are seen. We contribute not less to our neighbour's salvation by an edifying life, than we do to his damnation by a scandalous one.

Be very careful to do nothing that may scandalize your neighbour; and humbly beg pardon of God for the sins you have occasioned.

"Wo be to the man by whom scandal cometh."
St. Matt. xviii.

"The scandalous sinner must answer for the crimes which his bad example hath caused to be committed."
Salvian.

Twenty-second Day.—On Mortification.

1. We are not Christians merely to be rich and to live at our ease. It was not necessary to institute Christianity for that purpose: the world might have been left as it was, under the empire of passion and opinion. The life of a Christian is a crucified life: unless the cross be embraced, faith must be renounced.

2. What doth the gospel say? "Blessed are those who weep: wo be to you, O rich, who have your consolation in this world!" Such is the language of the Holy Ghost. But it is now looked on as nonsense to believe that felicity consists in tears, and that the rich are unhappy.

3. The Son of God was to die on the cross, that he might take possession of his glory; the saints have arrived at heaven by the path of sufferings. Shall we then imagine that what the Son of God and the saints have so dearly purchased, shall be given to us for nothing? No; the cross is the distinctive mark and portion of the elect: a soul which suffers nothing, and is resolved to suffer nothing, bears the strongest character of a reprobate. We must of necessity suffer in this world or in the next.

Adore Christ crucified, and beg of him the grace to participate now in his suffering life, that you may be one day a partaker in his life of glory.

"Whoever doth not carry his cross is not worthy of me."
Luke, xiv.

"What a shame to be a delicate member of a head crowned with thorns."
St. Bernard.

Twenty-third Day.—On Conformity to the Will of God.

1. The greatest happiness of a rational creature is, to will that which his Creator willeth. It is in this, precisely, that real sanctity consists. The saints are saints only because their will corresponded with the will of God. Whatever virtue we may possess, if we have not that of conformity to the divine will, we are not truly virtuous.

2. A soul that is not satisfied with the will of God, seems to doubt, in some measure, of his authority. To desire that what he ordains and permits in this world should go on otherwise than it does, is to desire that God should not be master. Every thing that happens to us, happens by his order; and is it not just to acquiesce in whatever is ordained by infinite wisdom?

3. All things but sin fall out by God's appointment. Though his arm be raised to strike, we are sure that his hand is conducted by his heart. What have we to fear from a heart that loves us? We will then desire nothing but what he pleases; we will not complain of losses, sickness, trouble, &c. The name and the nature of these things are changed as they pass through the hands of God. What the world calls misfortunes, affliction, dishonour, is an advantage, a grace, and a favour from heaven, when considered in the order of providence.

Renounce your own will, and beg of God that his maybe accomplished in you.

"Be it so, Father, because it is thy will."
Matthew xi.

"He is pleasing to God,
to whom God is pleasing."
St. Augustine.

Twenty-fourth Day.—Confidence in God.

1. God is the greatest parent of mankind; our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us to call him Father. Not a hair can even drop from our heads without his knowledge. His providence reaches from end to end, disposing all things sweetly. What madness, therefore, to doubt of his protection, or to be slow in trusting ourself to his guidance!

2. The insects are an object of his care; how much more we who are created to his image, and redeemed by the blood of his only-begotten Son! If God feed the infidels, who know him not; if he heaps favours on the impious, by whom he is blasphemed, what will he not do for Christians who honour and love him?

3. Our affairs are much better off when in his hands, than they can be in our own: let us therefore leave them all at his disposal. He is at the same time our Father and our Creator. The tenderness he has for his children obliges him to take care of them. He has promised us his protection; he will then be as good as his word. Sooner shall the heavens and the earth he destroyed, than that man should perish, who places his confidence in God.

Examine your heart, and see whether your confidence be worthy of the goodness of God, and the merits of Jesus Christ.

"Thou art my God: my lot is in thy hands."
Psalm xxx.

"Throw yourself upon him,
he will not withdraw to let you fall."
St. Augustine.

Twenty-fifth Day.—On the Love of God.

1. God has loved us to such a degree, as to give us his only Son: had he any thing better he would have given it us. Is it not buying our love too dearly, to purchase it at so dear a rate? A trifling bounty from a fellow-creature is entitled to our love; why, then, shall we not love a bounty that is infinite? Why doth its being infinite render it less amiable?

2. God has strictly enjoined me to love him. Is a commandment rigorous, which orders us to love what is infinitely worthy of our affections? He commands us to love him with all our hearts. Is a heart so small as mine, too much for a God so great? But in saying all, he admits of no exception. Whatever share I give him, if I give him not all, I give him nothing.

3. If eternity could have an end, the torments of the damned in hell, even to the day of judgment, would not be too much to obtain this heavenly love. There is not one of these miserable souls that would not think itself happy, provided that, after ages of sufferings, it could love that infinite beauty. We can love God if we please: every moment invites us to it. Not to do so while it can be done, is a monstrous insensibility.

Disclaim every love but that of God alone, and endeavour to love him above all things.

"If I have not charity, I am nothing."
1 Corinthians xiii.

Twenty-sixth Day.—Love of Jesus Christ.

1. Nothing was ever purchased at so dear a rate as my soul. A divine life was given to redeem it. I deserved hell: justice cried out for punishment; but Christ would listen only to the emotions of his heart: it pleaded in my behalf, and I obtained forgiveness. If I return him not life for life, the least I can do is to return him love for love.

2. The dog that I feed, watches, caresses, and attends me: Jesus has given his blood for me, and continues to give me himself; yet I am still insensible. Learn, then, ungrateful soul! learn, I say, thy duty from a brute! thy dog is thy teacher and thy judge. If his example reform not thy heart, thou art more brutal than he.

3. We can feel for our friends; we are not insensible of the good they do us; we pique ourselves upon gratitude. Shall we then be ungrateful only to Christ? Shall he alone find us hard-hearted? Had we ever a friend that sacrificed himself for us?

Beg the love of Jesus from Jesus himself. Without his grace we shall never be able to love him.

"If any one love not the Lord Jesus,
let him be accursed."
1 Corinthians vi.

"If I belong to him entirely for having created me, what shall I add for having been redeemed, and redeemed in so excellent a manner?"
St. Bernard.

Twenty-seventh Day.—Love of our Neighbour.

1. If we love not our neighbour, we cannot love God. Whatever good we do, is to no purpose, if we do not love our brethren. Even martyrdom itself will not avail us, without charity.

2. "This is my commandment," said Jesus, "that you love one another, as I have loved you." Had mankind nothing else than Christ's love to endear them, they are objects of esteem for that very reason. Since our Saviour has loved them, shall we refuse to do so?

3. Do we love all men as Christ has loved them? Do we thirst for their salvation as he did? Do we do by them as we would be done by?

Excite yourself to love those whom our Lord Jesus Christ has loved so tenderly: firmly purpose to promote their salvation, and never to do what may offend against charity.

"He that loveth his neighbour hath fulfilled the law."
Romans xiii.

"By charity alone, the children of God are distinguished from the children of Satan."
St. Augustine.

Twenty-eighth Day.—Love of our Enemies.

1. So essential is charity to the Christian religion, that we are obliged to love even our enemies; Christ hath given the commandment, and set the example. God orders it, and shall we find it hard to obey? A God forgives his very executioners, and shall we refuse to pardon a brother?

2. "He that will not forgive, shall not be forgiven." God will not pardon us, but on the condition that we pardon others. If we seek revenge, we call down God's anger upon us. We must either love our enemies, or hate ourselves.

3. It should seem that two Christians who hate each other, are not really professors of the same religion; for how can they approach the same altar, eat the same food, believe the same heaven, and hope to be together eternally? Mutual hatred is allowed but to devils: it belongs to them alone. There is not a more formal sign of reprobation, than that of refusing to pardon an enemy; and a soul in such a disposition may be looked on as marked for hell.

Examine your heart at the sight of the crucifix; and if you feel a hatred for any person, take sentiments of charity from the wounds of Jesus.

"He that hates his brother is a murderer."
1 John, iii. 15.

"You a Christian, and yet desire to be revenged! But Christ hath not yet taken vengeance."
St. Augustine.

Twenty-ninth Day.—Imitation of Christ.

1. The Son of God, when he united his divinity to our human nature, became the model of Christians. He is the head of the predestined; we are therefore bound to resemble him.

2. The manners of the world are carefully studied; but the life of Jesus Christ is hardly thought upon. Courtiers form themselves upon their prince; philosophers have been imitated even in their faults. Did we ever seriously strive to imitate Jesus? Have we taken any pains to follow his example, or to copy after the virtues of his holy life?

3. What shall we say for ourselves at the awful tribunal of Divine Justice, when we shall be compared to our model; when the life of Jesus shall be opposed to our life; his humility to our pride; his wounds to our delicacy; his sweetness to our anger and impatience, &c.? Ah! what a monster is a Christian without Christianity! baptized, and a slave of the devil! under the banners of the cross, yet a follower of the flesh and the world! We must then renounce our baptism, or conform to the life of our Saviour.

See whether you bear any resemblance to the Son of God, and whether you may be truly considered as a disciple of a crucified Jesus.

"Master, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest."
Matthew viii.

"Without cause am I a Christian,
if I follow not Christ."
St. Bernard.

Thirtieth Day.—On Fervour in the Service of God.

1. Let us have as much zeal for God as he has for us. He acts exteriorly, but for the perfection of our souls. All the desires of his heart, all the cares of his providence, all the tenderness of his mercy, are referred to this. O what a subject of confusion for tepid souls!

2. Were we to judge of God by our own indifference, it might be said that he does not deserve our services, and that his rewards are very trifling. What idea can be had of a master whose servants attend him carelessly, and without the smallest affection? We dishonour God, we cry down his services, as often as we perform negligently what he requires of us. Wo be to the man who does the work of God without attention!

3. An action done for God, how trifling soever it may be, is of far greater value than the most renowned exploits of heroes. If we pique ourselves upon so much courage in labouring for vanity, what should be done when we are employed for eternity? What! the servants of the devil spare no pains; they do not complain of what they go through; they are ever indefatigable. Is Jesus Christ then less considerable than the devil? Is paradise less valuable than hell? Hell then shall be, as it were, our instructor: we are to love God as much as the damned hate him; we are to serve God as much as the world serves the devil. Is this too much?

Examine your conduct with respect to the service of God; consider the actions in which you are most remiss, and excite yourself to perform them henceforth with a fervour worthy of your master.

"Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."
Romans.

"Let the ardour you formerly had for the world be now entertained for him that created it."
St Augustine.

Thirty-first Day.—On Devotion to the Mother of God.

1. A more pure, more excellent, or more amiable being than this glorious Virgin, was never yet created. God having from all eternity destined her to be the mother of his Son, it was proper she should be embellished with every created excellence, and that her dignity and influence in heaven should far surpass the dignity and influence of all the other saints. Most justly then is she entitled to our veneration, respect, and confidence.

2. Let us put ourselves under her protection: let us recommend ourselves to her prayers. How great soever our wickedness, or how numerous soever our faults may have been, let us always have recourse to her, and hope, through her prayers, for the grace of our conversion. Her charity is so great, her interest is so powerful, that she must always plead successfully for the repenting sinner.

3. But let us never forget, that to honour her properly, is to imitate her virtues; that to persevere in sin, upon the hopes of her future intercession, is equally absurd, impious, and detestable. Her hatred of this error should be always before our eyes. Her purity, her mildness, her patience, should be ever present to us.

"Hail, full of grace."
Luke, i.

"O name! under which no one should despair."
St. Augustine.

Concluding Reflection.

1. As Christians, it would be very profitable for us to reflect, every morning, that we have on that day a God to glorify, a Saviour to imitate, our souls to save, our bodies to mortify, virtues to acquire, sins to satisfy for, heaven to seek after, hell to fly, eternity to meditate on, time to improve, temptations to overcome, the devil to resist, our neighbour to edify, our passions to subdue, the world to guard against, and perhaps death and judgment to undergo. Reflect seriously on all these important truths, and they will not only incite you to begin the day well, but also, in the course thereof, to make the affair of your eternal salvation your principal study.

2. As it is also a duty of the last consequence to conclude the day properly, nothing can prove a more powerful incitement thereto, than the serious consideration of the many spiritual and temporal blessings which God hath bestowed on you; the various evils from which his providence hath hitherto preserved you; and the absolute uncertainty whether you shall ever unclose your eyes to behold the next morning. Thousands who had as good a right to expect it as you, were nevertheless disappointed. The very bed on which you lie is a memento mori, or kind of sepulchre; and sleep, the image of death. What unaccountable rashness then must it be, for a sinner to compose himself to sleep in a state of mortal sin, without first endeavouring to appease the wrath of God by an act of contrition, or some other spiritual exercise of piety and devotion; since that very night, perhaps, his soul may be required of him!

3. Let us then guard against this danger, by a faithful discharge of every Christian duty; let us frequently exclaim, with the prophet: "Enlighten mine eyes, O Lord, that I may never sleep in death, lest the enemy at any time may say, I have prevailed against him."

"He that desires to make any progress in the service of God, must begin every day with fresh ardour; he must, as much as possible, keep himself in the presence of God, and in all his actions, have no other object in view but that of promoting the divine honour." St. C. Borromeus.

Which may be used with great spiritual profit by Religious Societies, or Private Families, assembled together in common prayer at night, or at any other time most convenient; on Sundays, Holidays, &c.

The Method.

Thirteen Paters and Aves are annexed to these meditations, in honor of Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles. The meditations to be read by the head of the family or community, to which the assistants should hearken with the most devout attention. The prayers to be recited partly by the head, and partly by the assistants.

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

Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for evermore. Amen.

V. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips,

R. And my tongue shall declare thy praise.

V. O God, incline unto mine aid.

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

R. As it was in the beginning, &c. Amen.

Let Us Pray.

Direct, O Lord, we beseech thee, our actions by thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by thy gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from thee, and may by thee be happily ended, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us recite the Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, &c. Give us this day, &c.

Let us recite the Angelical Salutation.

Hail Mary, &c. Holy Mary, &c.

Let us recite and devoutly meditate on the different articles of the Creed.

First Article.

"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth."—Let us attentively consider, in this first article of our creed, the infinite power, wisdom, and goodness, which our almighty and sovereign Lord God has displayed in the creation of the heavens and of the earth, and of all things visible and invisible therein contained. He drew us out of the abyss of nothing, and made all things for our use and service. He gave us rational and immortal souls, stamped with his own image and likeness, and capable of knowing, loving, and serving him on earth, and of enjoying him for all eternity in the kingdom of heaven. This is the noble, the blessed, and the glorious end for which he has vouchsafed to create us; and should it not be our chief study and care to answer this happy end, by dedicating ourselves to him for time and eternity, and by employing all our senses, and all the faculties of our souls, in his love and service, and for his greater honour and glory? With this intention let us say: "Our Father," &c. "Give us this day," &c. "Hail Mary," &c. "Holy Mary," &c.

Second Article.

"And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord."—Let us now meditate on the great benefit of our redemption, and the boundless mercy of the only-begotten and eternal Son of God; who, when four thousand years had elapsed after the creation and fall of our first parents from their original innocence, out of pure love and compassion, came down from heaven, to reconcile us to his eternal Father, and to purchase mercy, grace, and salvation for us, by the effusion of the last drop of his precious blood. Thus he became our Jesus, our Christ, our Redeemer, our Saviour, our High Priest, our Mediator, our King, our Lord, and our Sovereign Master. He claims and challenges us, therefore, as his sole right and property. We belong to him by every title that dominion or jurisdiction can confer. We are his by creation, his by preservation, his by the title of his all-ruling providence. We are his in a very special and particular manner, by virtue of our redemption. As Christians we derive our name from him, and are his members and temples, dedicated and consecrated to him by the solemn vows and covenant of our baptism.

Let us then offer all our thoughts, words, and actions, to his honour and glory, and let us employ our whole lives in loving and serving him faithfully; saying, for this end, the prayers which himself and his church have taught us: "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Third Article.

"Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the Virgin Mary."—We are now to meditate on the wonderful mystery of the incarnation and temporal nativity of the Son of God. When the fulness of time appointed for the redemption of mankind was come, the second Person of the blessed Trinity assumed our flesh in the womb of his blessed Mother; that the divine and human nature being thus united in his person, he might be capable of satisfying divine justice for the injury which God had received by sin. He became man for our salvation, not in the ordinary way, but after a supernatural and incomprehensible manner, by the operation of the Holy Ghost. But although the incarnation, considered particularly as a work of divine mercy, goodness and love, be particularly attributed to the Holy Ghost, and although the three Persons of the blessed Trinity, essentially possessing the same undivided powers, have equally concurred therein, yet this wonderful work was effected only by the second Person: his sacred body was formed of the most pure blood of his Virgin Mother, without the least violation of her virginal integrity, and a most perfect soul was created to animate his body. Being thus miraculously conceived, he was also, after the space of nine months, miraculously born in a stable at Bethlehem, under the reign of Augustus CÆsar. As man, being at the same time true God, he subjected himself to all our infirmities and miseries, sin only excepted, of which he was incapable. At so early a period as at his very first entrance into the world, he was pleased to suffer for us, and to give us, in his tender infancy, the most perfect example of poverty, humility, and mortification; that he might thereby manifest to us the infinite riches of his mercy and goodness, and teach us to despise the sinful vanities of the world. He discovered himself to the shepherds by a choir of angels from heaven, to shew that he came to be the Saviour of the Jews. He manifested himself also to the Eastern Magi by a star from heaven, to shew that he was likewise come to be the Saviour of the Gentiles. He continued to live in a poor, private, and retired manner, till he was thirty years of age, when he began to preach the gospel, to cast out devils, to cure the dumb, the deaf, the lame, and blind, and to work the most stupendous miracles, in favour of a people the most ungrateful on the face of the earth. Let us not imitate them; let us rather embrace our divine Redeemer with all the affections of our souls, and ever retain a most grateful sense of the innumerable benefits he has conferred on us; devoutly saying: "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Fourth Article.

"Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried."—Let us here meditate on the dolorous mysteries of our dear Redeemer's passion, crucifixion, death and burial. To show the greatness of his love for us, and the plenteous redemption which he brought us, he was pleased to suffer every kind of torment with which human nature could be afflicted. "What was sufficient for our salvation," says St. Bernard, "was not sufficient for his charity." When he could have saved us with a single drop of his blood, he redeemed us with a deluge thereof, after a painful life of thirty-three years. His passion began in the garden of Gethsemani, at the foot of Mount Olivet, near Jerusalem, and ended only on Mount Calvary; Tiberius being then emperor of Rome, and Pontius Pilate governor, or president, of Judea. He suffered in his soul, and in his body, in his senses, and in all his members, from the sole of his foot, to the crown of his head. He was buffet ted and spit upon; he was mocked and insulted; he was scourged; he was crowned with thorns; and at length his hands and feet were pierced and fastened with gross nails to an ignominious cross; and after hanging alive thereon, between two thieves, in the most excruciating pain, for the space of three long hours, he expired, and gave up his blessed soul into the hands of his eternal Father. After his death, his sacred body being taken off the cross on Good-Friday, in the afternoon, and being embalmed, according to the custom of the Jews, by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, it was wrapped up in linen cloth, and laid in a new monument, hewn out of a rock, near Mount Calvary. O let us not then repay the boundless love of our crucified Redeemer with sin and ingratitude, but let us rather make the best return we are able, of love and gratitude to him, who suffered so much for our sake; devoutly saying, "Our Father," &c. "Hail, Mary," &c.

Fifth Article.

"He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead."—Here let us meditate how our blessed Saviour's soul, when separated from his body, descended into hell, or the dreary prison, where the souls of the holy patriarchs and saints of the Old Testament were detained, until he had paid the price of their redemption, and opened for them the gates of heaven, which had remained shut against mankind from the fall [of] Adam until that time. We may judge how the presence and sight of their so long wished-for Redeemer turned their gloomy prison into a paradise of delights, and occasioned unspeakable joy to the holy souls to whom he came to preach the gospel of redemption, release from their tedious captivity, and carry up with him to heaven at his ascension, as the first fruits of his victorious triumph over sin and death. Having comforted them by these happy tidings, his blessed soul, after remaining part of three days subject to the laws of death, returned from this prison to the sepulchre, and being re-united to his body, he arose early on the morning of the third day from the bowels of the earth, by his own divine power, and was the first who from death rose to a glorious and immortal life. His resurrection is a perfect model for us to copy after. Let us endeavour to imitate it by a spiritual resurrection from the death of sin, to a new life of grace, so as to continue for ever to live with him, and to return no more to the death of mortal sin. For this end, let us implore his divine assistance; saying with devotion, "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Sixth Article.

"He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty."—Let us here meditate how our divine Redeemer, after accomplishing the great work of our redemption, ascended triumphantly from the top of Mount Olivet into the kingdom of heaven, on the fortieth day after his glorious resurrection, in the presence of his apostles and disciples, till a cloud at length interposed and took him out of their sight. He then withdrew his visible presence from the world; raised human nature above the choirs of saints and angels, to the highest seat in the kingdom of heaven, where, in full possession of the glory of his eternal Father, he pleads for us with the powerful eloquence of his sacred wounds, which he incessantly represent to him, in quality of our High Priest, Mediator, and Advocate. O what a comfortable reflection, to think that we have such an affectionate friend in the court of heaven! O what encouragement to raise our hopes! what inducement to follow him with our hearts, and ascend after him in spirit and affection! For this end let us beseech him to break the chains of our sins, and the fetters of our passions, which so unhappily tie down our affections to the earth; devoutly saying, "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Seventh Article.

"From whence he shall come to judge both the quick and the dead." Here let us meditate on our blessed Redeemer's return at the end of the world, with great pomp and majesty, in quality of Sovereign Judge of the living and the dead. As soon as the last trumpet shall sound, and the angel repeat these words in the four corners of the earth: "Arise ye dead, and come to judgment!" the whole race of mankind, both the good and the wicked, are to appear before his awful tribunal, in sight of Mount Calvary, in order to give a strict account of all their thoughts, words, and actions; for, besides the particular judgment which is passed on every soul immediately after death, the justice of God requires that a general judgment should also take place, in order that the children of Adam should be assembled together, and receive their sentence; either of eternal salvation or eternal reprobation. O let us make a timely provision for this woful day, in order that we may then meet with a favourable judgment, and be entitled to receive the happy sentence of the elect; saying for this end, "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Eighth Article.

"I believe in the Holy Ghost."—Let us now meditate on the great work of our sanctification, which is particularly attributed to the Holy Ghost, the third person of the ever blessed Trinity; because he is the love of the Father and the Son, and because it is from God's love to us that all sanctity, all grace, all justification and virtue flow. For which reason the apostle says, "the charity of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us." We first receive the Holy Ghost, and are made his living temples at the font of baptism, and afterwards we receive him in a more perfect manner in the sacrament of confirmation, &c. O what a happiness it is to possess this divine and heavenly guest in our souls! and how solicitous should we be to invite him into our hearts, to engage him to stay with us, and to make our souls his dwelling-place for time and eternity! Let us devoutly implore this greatest of blessings; saying, "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Ninth Article.

"The holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints."—We are now to meditate on the infinite goodness and mercy of God, who, by a special grace, has vouchsafed to call us to the light of his true and saving faith, and to include us within the pale and bosom of his One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, in preference to so many thousands in different parts of the world, left in ignorance, or buried in the darkness of error and infidelity. This grace of our vocation is so signal a blessing, that it calls upon us for our most grateful acknowledgments, and will render us more culpable at the last day than pagans or infidels, if, instead of living up to our holy profession, we dishonour it by the immorality of our lives. On the contrary, if we square our actions according to our belief; if we show the purity of our religion by the purity of our morals, and live as becomes worthy members of the Catholic Church, we shall assuredly be made partakers of all spiritual blessings and treasures thereof, and benefit by all the prayers, sacrifices, and good works, which are wrought therein by our fellow-members; for as there subsists a common union between all the parts of the human body, there subsists, in like manner, a common or general union in spirituals between all the parts of Christ's mystical body, the holy Catholic Church. O what an inestimable blessing then must it be, to live and die in the communion of his church! and, on the contrary, what a grievous loss and misfortune to be cut off therefrom by excommunication, like rotten and dead members separated from a natural body by amputation! Let us beware of incurring the like misfortune, and beseech the Almighty to grant us grace to be always obedient hearers of the pastors of his church, those spiritual guides to whom he has committed the care of our souls; saying for this end, "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Tenth Article.

"The Forgiveness of Sins."—Here let us also meditate on a second signal advantage which may be obtained within the pale of the holy Catholic Church. Besides the mutual communication in spirituals, and participation in good works, that subsists between all the parts of the church in their three different states, viz. the saints in heaven, the souls in purgatory, and the true believers on earth, who compose the church triumphant, sufferant, and militant; the apostles also teach us, in this article of their creed, that there is a power left by Jesus Christ to his church, to forgive the sins of such as truly repent, and properly apply for absolution. Original sin has been already remitted by the sacrament of baptism, and the actual sins committed after baptism are pardoned in the sacrament of penance, when duly administered by the pastors of the church, and received with the proper dispositions on the part of the repenting sinner. Let us therefore beseech the Father of mercies to grant us these dispositions; saying, "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Eleventh Article.

"The Resurrection of the Flesh."—Let us here meditate on a third signal privilege reserved in the next life for the living members of the holy Catholic Church. On the last day there will be a general resurrection of the dead; and the whole human race, which at the fall of our first parents had been sentenced to return to their original dust, shall arise again to receive their final and irrevocable doom. As soon as the angel, by the sound of his trumpet, proclaims the awful summons, "Arise ye dead, and come to judgment!" the bodies of all the children of Adam, re-animated by their respective souls, shall instantaneously, in the "twinkling of an eye," issue forth out of their several graves and sepulchres, never more to be separated for an endless eternity. But, alas! how very different will be the manner of the resurrection of the reprobate from that of the elect! for whereas the bodies of the former shall arise in a condition suitable to their deserts, that is, foul, hideous, heavy, inactive, and only fit to be the fuel of everlasting flames, (immortal indeed they shall be, but to no other end than to endure immortal torments,) so those of the latter shall arise glorious, beautiful, immortal, and impassible, brighter than the stars, and more resplendent than the sun. This glorious state of immortality is infallibly reserved for the bodies of such Christians as in this life have been as it were consecrated by receiving the holy sacraments, and particularly the Eucharist; since Christ himself expressly declares, "He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." O let us then frequently approach this heavenly banquet, with the proper dispositions, that thereby our bodies and souls being preserved pure from the corruption of sin, may both arise together at the last day to a happy immortality. That this may be our happy lot, let us with the most fervent devotion, say, "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Twelfth Article.

"Life everlasting."—This is the fourth and final blessing attainable within the pale of the holy Catholic Church, and reserved for the children of light in the next world. It is the last end of man, the ultimate reward that awaits true faith, animated by charity and good works, and it essentially consists in the clear vision and fruition of God. O let us lead such lives here on earth, that we may hereafter live with Jesus Christ in the glory of his eternal Father, for ever and ever: and that this may be our happy case, let us devoutly say, "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

The Salve Regina.

Hail, happy Queen! thou mercy's parent hail!
Life, hope, and comfort of this earthly vale;
To thee we eve's wretched children cry;
In sighs and tears to thee we suppliants fly.
Rise, glorious advocate, exert thy love,
And let our vows thine eyes of pity move.
O sweet, O pious maid! for us obtain—
For us who long have in our exile lain—
To see thy Jesus, and with him to reign.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

V. Pray for us, O ye holy apostles, and all ye saints of God,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray.

We beseech thee, O Lord, that by the intercession of the blessed and glorious Virgin Mary, of thy holy apostles, and of all thy saints, thou wouldst vouchsafe to protect and defend us from the snares of the enemy, and conduct us unto life everlasting. Amen.

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 a tender affection 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 ever be 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 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, and know his will, and have grace readily to put it into execution. Amen.

A 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 there be 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 judgment 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 whatever pains I may suffer in childbearing, and offer them up to thee now beforehand 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.

The Litany Of Divine Providence.

A short Instruction to the Devout Reader.

That we may be equally disposed and subordinate to the designs and directions of Divine Providence, as well in adversity as in prosperity, and receive with equal gratitude its decrees and appointments, is the end of the ensuing devotion or litany. Three particulars we ought to keep in view:
1. That we bow our heads with the greatest submission, humility, and resignation to the will of God, manifested to us in the order of his Divine Providence.
2. That we place a full confidence and reliance in his favourable intentions in our regard.
3. That our behaviour be such as to draw on us his favour and protection, and that we may be thoroughly grateful and acknowledging for blessings conferred on us through his Divine Providence.

The Litany.

Let Us Pray.

Eternal God, whose eyes are over all thy works, especially intent on thy servants, vouchsafe to turn away from us whatever is hurtful, and grant us whatever is advantageous, that through thy favour, and under the benign influence of thy special providence, we may securely pass through the transitory dangers and difficulties of this life, and happily arrive at the eternal joys of the other: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Anth. By thy immaculate conception, and most spotless virginity, O ever holy Mother of Christ, comfort of the afflicted, be propitious to us, both now and in the hour of our death.

V. In all our anguish and tribulation,

R. We fly to thee, O Mother of Mercy.

A Prayer

Remember, O most pious and tender Virgin, that it is a thing unheard of in all ages, that any one was abandoned by you, who ran to you for succour, who implored your help, and begged your intercession. Animated with this confidence, I, a wretched sinner, place myself in sighs and groans before you, to entreat you to adopt me for your child for ever, and to take my eternal salvation into your own care. Do not, O Mother of the Divine Word, despise my petition, but listen to me and hear me with a mother's tenderness. Amen.

Great St. Joseph, admirable model of resignation, obtain for me from my dear Saviour, who, to enforce your example, would submit himself to be governed by you during the thirty years of his hidden life, obtain for me from God the grace to imitate him, and to resign myself perfectly to that so sure and so amiable Providence, which, preserving me from ever going astray, may procure me an unalterable peace in this life, and eternal happiness in the next. Amen.

The Litany Of St. Winefrid.

+

Let Us Pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast adorned Saint Winefrid with the reward of virginity; grant, we beseech thee, by her pious intercession, that we may set aside the delights of the world, and obtain with her the throne of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son, who with thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost for ever. Amen.

Another Prayer.

Almighty and everlasting God, grant we humbly beseech thee, that blessed St. Winefrid, by her pious intercession, may obtain for us such spiritual and temporal benefits as are expedient to thy holy service and our eternal salvation: through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

A Hymn Of St. Winefrid.

A Prayer To St. Winefrid.

O blessed Winefrid! O pure Virgin, and glorious martyr, so especially elected, so divinely graced, and wonderfully restored from death to life! O singular hope of all that fly unto thee with full confidence and humility. Though unworthy, yet we thy devoted pilgrims make our addresses to thee! O sanctuary of piety, look upon us with patient eyes, receive our petitions, accept our offerings, and present our supplications to the throne of mercy, that through thy powerful intercession God will be pleased to bless this our pilgrimage, and grant us our requests and desires: through Jesus Christ, his Son, who with God the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Another Prayer To St. Winefrid.

O blessed Winefrid! O glorious Virgin and Martyr, who hast admirably beautified with the purple of thy blood the rare purity of thy innocent life, whom God has so specially chosen, so highly privileged, and so wonderfully restored to life again, gracing thee with the honour of a living martyr, causing a fountain miraculously to spring, bearing a perpetual memory of thy name, for the relief of all diseased and distressed pilgrims who shall devoutly beg thy powerful intercession. O blessed Winefrid, hear my prayers, and receive my humble supplications, or any poor devoted pilgrim's, and obtain that by thy pious intercession, God, of his infinite mercy, will be pleased to grant us a full pardon and remission of our sins, and a blessing to this our pilgrimage, and that we may increase and persevere in God's grace, and enjoy him eternally in heaven. This we beg of thee, O blessed Virgin and Martyr, for Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour's sake. Amen.

The Golden Litany,

Briefly Commemorating Our Blessed Redeemer's Life
And Passion.

Let Us Pray.

Vouchsafe, O Almighty and most merciful Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, to have compassion, not only on us, but also on all such as shall present the foregoing petitions to the throne of thy mercy, in commemoration of thy sacred life and most bitter passion. We beseech thee also, for thine own dear sake, that thou wouldst grant to us, our friends and benefactors, and to all those for whom we intend or are bound to pray, the pardon of all past offences, and preservation from future failings; that loving thee, serving thee, and obeying thee, with the utmost fervour, fidelity and perseverance, during the remainder of our earthly pilgrimage, we may be at length admitted to the eternal enjoyment of thy beatific presence in thy heavenly paradise. Amen.

May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, descend upon us, and dwell with us for evermore. Amen.

The Prayers Of St. Bridget.

To Be Said In Honour Of The Sacred Wounds Of Our Blessed Saviour.

1. O most sweet Lord Jesus Christ, eternal sweetness of those who love thee, joy above any desire, firm hope of the hopeless, solace of the sorrowful, and most merciful lover of all penitent sinners; who hast said, thy delight is to be with the sons of men, for the love of whom thou didst assume human nature in the fulness of time. Remember, most sweet Lord Jesus, all those sharp sorrows which then pierced thy sacred soul, from the first instant of thy incarnation, until the time of thy solitary passion, pre-ordained from all eternity. Remember, O most amiable Saviour, all those bitter anguishes thou didst suffer, when at thy last supper thou didst wash the feet of thy disciples, didst feed them with the sacred banquet of thy precious body and blood, and most sweetly comforting them, didst foretell them thy ensuing passion; after which, going to Mount Olivet, thou saidst, "My soul is sorrowful unto death." Remember, I beseech thee, O most sweet Saviour, that bitter grief and anguish which thy sacred soul did suffer, when praying three several times to thy heavenly Father, thou didst sweat water and blood; thou wert betrayed by thy own disciple, apprehended by thy chosen people, accused by false witnesses, unjustly judged by three judges, and in thy elected city, in the paschal solemnity, in the flourishing age of thy youth, wrongfully condemned, bound, beaten, spurned, spit upon, despoiled of thy garments, and clothed with others in scorn; wert blind-folded, buffeted, spit upon again, bound naked to a pillar, most cruelly scourged, crowned with thorns, struck with a reed, and afflicted with innumerable other torments, pains, and injuries. O my Lord Jesus, by the memory and merit of all those bitter pains and anguishes before thy last expiration on the cross, vouchsafe to grant me before my death, true contrition, entire confession, a flowing fountain of tears, full satisfaction, and a plenary remission of all my sins. Amen.

O most gracious Lord Jesus, be propitious to me a sinner. Pater Noster. Ave Maria.

2. O most sweet Lord Jesus, true liberty of angels, and paradise of delights, remember, I beseech thee, that grief and sorrow which thou didst suffer when thy cruel enemies, like fierce lions, with furious and dreadful looks, compassing thee round about, did tear off thy hair, spit upon thy sacred face, scratched, beat, buffeted thee, and with all manner of unheard-of-injuries, outrages, and torments, didst most cruelly and basely blaspheme, scorn, and affront thee. O most sweet Lord Jesus, by all those most barbarous and inhuman outrages which thou didst suffer, vouchsafe to deliver me from all my enemies, visible and invisible; that, protected under the shadow of thy wings, I may safely arrive at the port of eternal glory. Amen.

O most gracious Lord Jesus Christ, be propitious to me a sinner. Pater Noster. Ave Maria.

3. O most sweet Lord Jesus, omnipotent creator and fabricator of the world, and repairer of mankind, who containest both heaven and earth in thy hand, and whose immensity no bounds can limit; remember, I beseech thee, the bitter pains and anguishes which thou didst endure, when the perfidious Jews pierced thy delicate and tender hands and feet with most rough and blunt nails, stretching them forth so violently with cords to the holes which they made in the cross. Thus they heaped dolors upon dolors, most cruelly disjointing all thy bones, breaking all thy veins, and renewing all thy sacred wounds. O most sweet Jesus, by the memory of all these thy pains and torments upon the cross, vouchsafe to give me thy fear and love, with perfect charity towards my neighbour. Amen. O most pious Lord Jesus, &c. &c.

4. O most sweet Lord Jesus, heavenly physician of human nature, and eternal king, remember, I beseech thee, all those bitter pains and torments which thou didst endure in thy sacred members, who, being hoisted up upon the cross, with all thy precious body rent and torn, not having from the crown of thy head to the sole of thy foot any part left unhurt; so that no dolor could be compared to thine; at which time, being unmindful of thy own torments, thou didst mercifully pray to thy heavenly Father for thy cruel enemies, saying: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." O most meek and merciful Lord Jesus, by this thy admirable benignity, goodness, love, and mercy, and by all thy bitter pains and torments, grant that the memory of thy dolorous passion may be a most powerful protection of my soul and body, against all deceits, temptations, and molestations of the devil, my cruel enemy. Amen.

O most merciful Lord Jesus, &c.

5. O most sweet Jesus Christ, mirror of eternal brightness, and wisdom of the omnipotent Father, remember the bitter grief and sorrow thy sacred soul did feel, when beholding, in the clear mirror of thy divine presence, the predestination of thy elect, who through the merits of thy most salutary passion were to be saved; and the reprobation of the wicked, who for their ingratitude were to be damned; and the abyss of thy immense mercy, by which thou didst commiserate and shed tears for us, miserable, lost, and forlorn sinners; and chiefly by that mercy which thou didst show to the thief upon the cross, saying to him, "This day thou shalt be with me in paradise;" I beseech thee, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my Lord and my God, to show the like mercy unto me, now and at the hour of my death. Amen.

O most sweet Lord Jesus, &c.

6. O most sweet Lord Jesus, omnipotent king and most amiable friend, remember the bitter grief and sorrow thy sacred soul did suffer, when, being forsaken of all thy friends, and acquaintances, thou didst hang naked, rent, and torn upon the cross; not having any to comfort or compassionate thee, only the blessed and glorious Virgin Mary, thy mother; who standing under the cross in the bitterness of her soul, accompanied thee in all thy torments; unto whom thou didst commend thy beloved disciple, St. John, in thy place, saying unto her, "Woman, behold thy son;" and after, to thy disciple, "Son, behold thy mother." O most sweet Lord Jesus, by that sword of sorrow which did then transpierce her sacred soul, and by the tender love and compassion wherewith thou didst behold the sad distresses of thy sorrowful mother, have pity and compassion on me, I beseech thee, my dearest Lord, and mercifully help, comfort, succour, and assist me in all my tribulations, adversities, necessities, sorrows, and sufferings, both spiritual and corporal. Amen.

O most blessed Lord Jesus, &c.

7. O most sweet and blessed Lord Jesus, crown of joy, treasure of felicity, sweet source of consolation, and unexhausted fountain of mercy; who, hanging on the cross, out of the most inflamed desire thou hadst for the salvation of our souls, saidst, I thirst;—viz. for the redemption of mankind. O dearest Lord, by this, thy ardent charity, inflame our hearts with thy holy love, kindle our desire to accomplish diligently all good works, and wholly to extinguish the heat of all evil concupiscence and worldly affections in us. Amen.

O most sweet Lord Jesus, &c.

8. O most sweet Lord Jesus, the true light of those who believe in thee, suavity of hearts, and sovereign solace of all faithful souls, by that bitter gall and vinegar thou didst taste upon the cross at the hour of thy death, grant us, miserable sinners, grace worthily to receive at all times, particularly at the hour of our death, thy most precious body and blood; that by the virtue of this divine banquet, and all other salutary sacraments, we may be preserved from all evils, sin, and punishments, and replenished with all joy, and securely appear in thy divine presence. Amen.

O most sweet Lord Jesus, &c.

9. O most sweet Lord Jesus, source of all regal virtue, and all mental jubilee, remember, I beseech thee, those excessive pains and anguishes thou didst endure for us upon the cross, when, through the bitterness of death, and the impious blasphemies, derisions, scorns, and reproaches of the Jews, with a loud voice and weeping eyes, thou didst cry to thy heavenly Father, with this sad complaint: "Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?" that is to say, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" O most sweet Lord Jesus, by this thy bitter torment, sorrow, grief, and anguish, vouchsafe, I beseech thee, to have pity on me, and to succour me in all my sorrows, sufferings, and tribulations, and particularly at the hour of my death. O then, my dearest Lord and my God, succour me, and forsake me not, I beseech thee. Amen.

O most gracious Lord Jesus, &c.

10. O most sacred Lord Jesus, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and ending of all things, and mirror of all virtue, remember how, from the crown of thy head to the sole of thy feet, thou wert immerged in the deluge of thy dolorous passion, for the love of us, vile sinners. O most sweet Lord Jesus, by the length, breadth, greatness, and multitude of thy sacred wounds, take from me the love of the world, and teach me by a true and perfect charity, always to keep thy holy law and commandments. Amen.

O most wise Lord Jesus, &c.

11. O most sweet Lord Jesus, sovereign goodness, eternal beatitude of thy saints, and most profound abyss of mercy, by the deep wounds which did not only transpierce thy sacred flesh, but even thy bowels, and the marrow of thy bones, be merciful to me a miserable sinner, who now am drowned in my sins and iniquities, and hide me in thy sacred wounds from the face of thy wrath, until thy indignation be passed and appeased. Amen.

O most potent Lord Jesus, &c.

12. O most sweet Lord Jesus, mirror of verity, pledge of unity and bond of charity! remember the innumerable multitude of all those painful wounds wherewith thou wert covered from head to foot, all thy holy body most cruelly rent and torn by impious Jews, and dyed with thy most precious blood; all which most dreadful dolors thou didst endure for us vile sinners. O most gracious Lord, engrave those thy dolors deeply in my heart, and write them there with thy precious blood, that in them I may always read thy love and dolors; so that the memory of thy painful passion may daily be renewed in me, and my love increase towards thee, and I remain perpetually thankful to thy immense charity, to the last period of my life, until I come to enjoy thee, my only dear Lord, and most desired treasure, abounding with all joy and felicity: which through thy goodness be pleased to grant, O most sweet Lord Jesus. Amen.

O most noble Lord Jesus, &c.

13. O most sweet Lord Jesus, most victorious lion, most invincible, triumphant, and immortal king! remember, I beseech thee, all the bitter pains and anguishes thou didst endure, when all the forces of thy heart and body failing, bowing down thy sacred head, thou saidst: "It is consummated." O dearest Lord, by these thy deadly dolors, have mercy on me at my last passage, when my heart and soul shall be in anguish and anxiety. Amen.

O most noble Lord Jesus, &c.

14. O most sweet Lord Jesus, only begotten Son of the eternal Father, figure of his substance, and splendour of his glory! remember that most earnest recommendation wherewith thou didst commend thy sacred, sweet soul, to thy omnipotent Father, upon the cross, saying: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." At which time thou didst hang naked on the cross, with thy most holy body all over wounded, rent, and torn, pouring forth streams of thy most precious blood; with thy face pale and wan, thy head crowned with thorns, thy arms extended, thy hands nailed, thy veins bleeding, thy bowels of mercy opened, thy eyes weeping and obscured, thy voice failing, thy breast thirsting, and wholly heart-broken. O my most merciful Lord, unto all these cruel pains and torments didst thou deliver thy most sacred, innocent, tender, pure, and precious body for the redemption of us most wretched, vile, and miserable sinners, and in this manner, renderest thy sweet soul to thy celestial Father; by which most precious and innocent death of thine, and by the virtue of thy holy cross, I beseech thee, O Father of mercy and omnipotent King of saints, to give me grace to resist the world, the flesh, and the devil; that being dead to all terrestrial things, I may live to thee alone, and have the happiness to be received by thee at my last passage, when this my miserable exile shall be ended. Amen.

O most pious Lord Jesus, &c.

15. O most sweet Lord Jesus, most flourishing, true, and fruitful vine, remember the super-abundant effusion of thy precious blood, which thou didst pour forth so plentifully from all parts of thy holy body, like a cluster of pressed grapes; when thou thyself alone didst tread the vine-press on the cross, and out of thy pierced side didst give us water and wine to drink, not leaving so much as one drop, being like a bundle of pure and precious myrrh: thou wert suspended on high upon the cross, at which time the liquor of thy bowels dried up, the marrow of thy bones consumed, and thy most delicate and tender body wholly fainted and failed.

O most sweet Lord Jesus, by this most liberal effusion of thy precious blood, by thy bitter death and passion, and all thy sacred wounds, vouchsafe to wound my heart with that tender love, wherewith the holy heart of thy most blessed mother was wounded under the cross, that tears of love and penance may be my bread day and night; and convert me wholly to thee, that my heart may be thy perpetual habitation, my conversation pleasing and acceptable to thy divine Majesty, and the end of my life so laudable, that having finished this mortal pilgrimage, I may be admitted into immortal glory, to praise and glorify thee my sovereign Lord, in the sweet society of thy holy angels and saints, to all eternity. Amen.

O most gracious Lord Jesus, be propitious to me a sinner. Pater Noster. Ave Maria.

Conclusion.

O most sweet Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, vouchsafe to receive these prayers, in union with that most excellent love wherewith thou didst suffer all the wounds of thy most precious body; and be merciful to me thy poor, unworthy servant, and all sinners, with all faithful souls, both living and dead; graciously granting to us all mercy, grace, remission of sins, and life everlasting. Amen.

That the Associates of the Sacred Heart may discharge the obligations required of them, they should daily repeat one Pater, one Ave, and the Creed, with the following aspiration: Adorable Heart of Jesus, grant that I may increase in thy love. They should also spend one hour in the year, at their own choosing, in the presence of the blessed Sacrament, in making acts of reparation, &c.

Act Of Consecration.

To thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus; I devote and offer up my life, thoughts, words, actions, pains, and sufferings. To thee I consecrate my soul and body, with all the faculties and senses thereof, so that no part of my being may any longer be employed, but in loving, serving, honouring, and glorifying thee. Be thou, O most Sacred Heart! the sole object of my love, the protector of my life, the pledge of my salvation, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be thou also, O most bountiful Heart! my justification at the throne of God, and screen me from his anger, which I have so justly merited. In thee I place all my confidence, and convinced, as I am, of my own weakness, I rely entirely on thy compassionate mercy. Annihilate in me all that is displeasing and offensive to thy pure eye. Imprint thyself like a divine seal on my heart, that I may ever remember my obligations, and never be separated from thee. May my name also I beseech thee, by thy tender goodness, ever be fixed and engraved in thee, O Book of Life! and may I ever be a victim consecrated to thy glory, ever burning with the flames of thy pure love, and entirely penetrated with it for all eternity! In this I place all my happiness; this is all my desire, to live and die in no other quality, but that of thy devoted servant. Amen.

The Litany Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus.

Let Us Pray.

O God, who out of thy immense love, hast given to the faithful the most sacred Heart of thy Son, our Lord, as the object of thy tender affection; grant, we beseech thee, that we may so love and honour this pledge of thy love on earth, as by it to merit the love both of thee and thy gift, and to be eternally loved by thee and this most blessed Heart in heaven: through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Through thy sacred Heart, O Jesus, overflowing with all sweetness, we recommend to thee ourselves, and all our concerns, our friends, benefactors, parents, and relations, our superiors, and enemies; take under thy protection this house, city, and kingdom; extend thy care to all such as lie under any affliction, and to those who labour in the agony and pangs of death; cast an eye of compassion on the obstinate sinner, and more particularly on the poor suffering souls in purgatory; as also on those who are engaged and united with us in the holy confederacy of honouring and worshipping thee. Bless these in particular, O divine Jesus! and bless them according to the extent of thy infinite goodness, mercy, and charity. Amen.

A Reparation Of Honour To The Sacred Heart.

To be made on the Feast itself, or at any other time, in presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

O most amiable and adorable Heart of Jesus! centre of all hearts, glowing with charity, and inflamed with zeal for the interest of thy Father and the salvation of mankind; O Heart, ever sensible of our misery, and ever ready to redress our evils; the real victim of love in the holy Eucharist, and a propitiatory sacrifice for sin on the altar of the cross! seeing that the generality of Christians make no other return for these thy mercies, than contempt for thy favours, forgetfulness of their own obligations, and ingratitude to the best of benefactors; is it not just that we thy servants, penetrated with the deepest sense of such indignities, should, as far as in our power, make a due and satisfactory reparation of honour to thy most sacred Majesty? Prostrate, therefore, in body, and humbled in mind, before heaven and earth, we solemnly declare our utter detestation and abhorrence of such conduct. Inexpressible, we know, was the bitterness which the multitude of our sins brought on thy tender heart; insufferable the weight of our iniquities, which pressed thy face to the earth in the garden of Olives; and insurmountable thy anguish, when expiring with love, grief, and agony, on Mount Calvary, in thy last breath thou wouldst reclaim sinners to their duty and repentance. This we know, O dear Redeemer! and would most willingly redress these thy sufferings by our own, or share with thee in thine!

O merciful Jesus! ever present on our altars, and with a heart open to receive all who labour and are burdened! O adorable heart of Jesus, source of true contrition, impart to our hearts the true spirit of penance, and to our eyes a fountain of tears, that we may bewail our sins, and the sins of the world. Pardon, divine Jesus! all the injuries and outrages done to thee in the course of thy holy life and bitter passion. Pardon all the impieties, irreverences, and sacrileges, which have been committed against thee in the holy sacrament of the Eucharist, since its first institution:—graciously receive the small tribute of our sincere repentance, as an agreeable offering in thy sight, and in requital for the benefits we daily receive from thy altar, where thou art a living and continual sacrifice, and in union with that bloody holocaust thou didst present to thy eternal Father, on Mount Calvary.

Sweet Jesus! give thy blessing to the ardent desire we now entertain, and the holy resolution we have taken, of ever loving and adoring thee, with our whole mind and with our whole heart, in the sacrament of thy love; thus to repair, by a true conversion of heart, and a zeal for thy glory, our past negligence and infidelities. Be thou, O adorable Heart! who knowest the clay of which we are formed, be thou our mediator with thy heavenly Father, whom we have so grievously offended; strengthen our weakness, confirm our resolution, and with thy charity, humility, meekness, and patience, cover the multitude of our iniquities. Be thou our support, our refuge, and our strength, that nothing henceforward in life or death may separate us from thee. Amen.

Devotions For The Sick.

Instruction.

The state of sickness and sufferings is to be regarded as a fatherly visitation, whereby God knocks at the door of our hearts, to put us in mind of our mortality. It is a call from heaven, a timely warning to prepare for eternity, by spending the remainder of our life in the love and service of our Creator. It is the touchstone of patience, the school, or rather the harvest of penance, resignation, and every Christian virtue. It is the test of our love, by which we may judge whether we acquit ourselves of duties that are agreeable to nature, in conformity to the will of God, or only do them because they are agreeable to our own will. We know not what we are until we are tried. It costs us nothing to say, "We love thee, O God, above all things;" or to show the courage of martyrs at a distance, when we have nothing to cross or thwart our inclinations; but that love is sincere which stands the proof.
If we loved God sincerely, we would on all occasions embrace, desire, and find no happiness but in the accomplishment of his holy will. We would be prepared to bear whatever crosses and calamities he is pleased to send us, with a patient resignation. We would rejoice in them as the greatest blessings, and the sources of immortal crowns. We would regard them as precious talents, to be improved by the increase of our love and affection for God, and the exercise of the most heroic virtues of self-denial, patience, humility, &c.

To be dejected and impatient under sickness and trials, to indulge murmurs and complaints, to repine and call ourselves wretched and unhappy, &c, are signs that an inordinate self-love reigns in our hearts, and that we seek our own inclinations more than the will of God, who has bequeathed the cross to his elect, as their portion and inheritance in this world. It is in vain that we take the name of Christians, or pretend to follow Christ, unless we also carry our cross after his example. It is in vain for us to expect to be glorified with Jesus, unless we also suffer with Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us on the cross, that he might unite us, by it, eternally to himself. We cannot arrive at heaven by any other road. If we courageously embrace our cross, God will be our comfort and support, as he was the comfort and support of the holy martyrs under the most severe trials. He will not forsake us, unless we first forsake him by sin.
Too nice and anxious a care of health, is also an evident sign of inordinate self-love, and hatred of mortification. Nevertheless, as a man is not master of his own life or health, he is bound to take a moderate and reasonable care not to throw either of them away, nor neglect the essential prescriptions of physicians in the simple and ordinary remedies and succours of medicine. But he who trusts more in the art of physicians than in the Lord, deserves to be disappointed, like Asa, king of Juda, who became the victim of death, because he placed more confidence in his physicians than in God. Wherefore a Christian in his sickness should, in the first place, consider God as his chief physician, make his peace with him, and seek the health of his soul, by having recourse to the holy sacraments in due time, whilst he is in a condition to receive them with the proper dispositions. If he be in debt, or has any restitution or satisfaction to make, he should take care to have these obligations discharged to the best of his power. He should settle his temporal affairs without delay, that he may wholly apply his thoughts afterwards, without any disturbance, to the care of his immortal soul. He ought to beg of God to extinguish in him all self-love, and to dispose of him as he pleases. He ought to excite in his soul devout acts of faith, hope, charity, contrition, patience, resignation, &c. He should endeavour to sanctify his sufferings, by receiving them from the hand of God, by bearing them in the spirit of penance, by offering them in satisfaction for his sins, and by uniting them with the sufferings of his blessed Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.—"Omnia si pardas, animam servare memento." "Although you should lose everything else, be careful to save your soul."

A Prayer In The Beginning Of Sickness.

O my God, I accept this sickness with which thou art pleased to visit me, as a favour from, thy heavenly hand. I accept all its circumstances and consequences, in satisfaction for my sins. Thou hast given me health and strength, O Lord, and thou hast taken them away: may thy holy name, O Lord, be blessed for ever. I bow down my whole soul to adore thee in all thy appointments. I resign myself entirely into the hands of thy providence, and acknowledge that thou dost treat me with too much indulgence. I know I deserve greater evils than those I now endure, and that I merit, by my sins, pains infinitely greater than even the pains of hell, where I would long since have been, had not thy pure mercy interposed between my soul and thy justice. Alas! how many are now suffering there for crimes less than mine? My pains are nothing in comparison to theirs. I have no reason to complain. O may thy holy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I offer myself, with an entire submission, to suffer whatever thou pleasest, as long as thou pleasest, and in what manner thou pleasest. May this sickness be to the honour of thy holy name, and to the good of my soul. But, O Lord, have regard to my weakness, and deal not with me according to my sins; but according to the multitude of thy tender mercies have compassion on me. Confirm my soul with strength from above, that I may be patient under all uneasiness, pain, disquietudes, and difficulties of my illness. Grant that I may cheerfully submit to them, as a just punishment of my manifold offences, and duly offer them in conjunction with the sufferings and death of my blessed Redeemer on the cross, through whose merits I look for mercy, and hope to possess eternal life. Have pity on me, O most loving father! clothe me with thy grace, and receive me into the arms of thy mercy. Create a clean heart within me, O God, and renew an upright spirit within my bowels; cast out from thence whatever profanes or defiles thy temple; destroy and root out what is displeasing to thee, and lay in me the foundation of a new life, either for this world or the world to come. I am heartily sorry that I ever offended thy infinite goodness, in thought, word, deed, or omission. I most humbly implore thy pardon for all my sins, I now propose not to offend thee any more, and to avoid every thing that may be to me an occasion of sin. I resolve to make restitution and satisfaction for the injuries I have committed. For the love of thee, I sincerely forgive all those who have injured me or done me wrong; I beseech thee to pardon them and grant them the same blessing that I desire for my own soul. With the utmost humility I also heartily beg pardon of all those to whom I have given any offence, whether by ill example, by words, deeds, or any other way, deliberately or unknowingly. Thou seest, O Lord, how frail I am, and that I am nothing but dust and ashes; preserve me from all temptations, and be thou my defence against all the assaults of the evil spirit, that in this sickness I may no way offend thee: and if this is to be my last, I beg of thee so to direct me by thy grace, that I may not neglect the necessary means of salvation, nor be deprived of any of those powerful helps which thou hast in thy mercy ordained for the good of my soul. Prepare it, O Lord, for its passage into eternity; that being perfectly cleansed from all my iniquities, I may be admitted one day into the kingdom of thy glory, there to love and praise thee for ever, in the company of thy blessed angels and saints. Amen.

"Lord, thy thorns are my roses, and thy suffering my paradise."
St. Felix.

"Tears of devotion are sweeter than the joys of theatres."
St. Augustine.

A Prayer Before Receiving The Viaticum.

O my blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ, I firmly believe thou art really present in this venerable sacrament, which I am now about to receive by way of viaticum. I believe it contains thy sacred body and blood, accompanied with thy soul and divinity. I desire to receive this heavenly banquet for thy honour and glory, and the good of my soul, that I may be happily united to thee. I desire to commemorate thy sufferings as thou hast commanded. But how shall I dare to approach thee?—so wretched a worm, to so infinite a majesty! so filthy a sinner, to so infinite purity and sanctity! It is therefore in thy mercy that I place my whole trust; and since thou art pleased to invite thyself into so poor, so wretched so mean a cottage as this of my breast, vouchsafe, I beseech thee, to grant me those graces, and that reverence, humility, and devotion, which may prepare a fit abode for thy reception. Cleanse my soul from every foul stain of sin, clothe it with the nuptial garment of charity, and adorn it with all virtues. I come to thee, like Magdalen, that I may be delivered from all my evils, and that I may embrace thee, my only good. I detest with my whole heart, all the sins of my past life, because they have offended thy goodness. I desire to lay them all down here at thy feet, to be cancelled by thy precious blood. I am sorry for them, and will be sorry for them as long as I live. I will bewail them in the bitterness of my soul. They are many and grievous, it is true; yet they are nothing when compared to thy boundless mercy, and to the infinite ransom of thy precious blood. Forgive me, then, sweet Jesus, for thy mercy's sake; have pity on me and save me, since thou forsakest none that place their hope in thee. I love thee, my God, with my whole heart and soul, and above all things in heaven and on earth! at least I earnestly desire so to love thee, and consecrate myself eternally to thee. O come and take full possession of my heart for ever; I offer it to thee without reserve; O come and inflame it with the celestial fire of thy divine love, and let nothing in life or death ever again separate me from thee. O sweet Jesus, prepare me for a worthy reception of the blessing thou art now about to bestow on me. I adore and worship thee, humbled in mind and body, and confess myself to be nothing but dust and ashes in thy presence. It is my confidence in thy goodness that makes me presume to approach thee, for I cannot but acknowledge myself infinitely unworthy. Domine non sum dignus, &c.

For a Prayer after receiving the Viaticum, see page 128.

A Prayer Before Extreme Unction.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who, in the abundance of thy mercy, hast provided powerful resources for relief in all our necessities, grant me grace to have recourse to them with such worthy dispositions that my soul may partake of all those great advantages and salutary effects which thou hast appointed in their institution. Thou hast instituted the sacrament of Extreme Unction for the benefit of the sick, who, in the extremity of life, stand in need of more graces, more helps, and more consolation, than ever. I now desire to receive this heavenly medicine, for the ends for which it has been instituted. I am willing to be anointed, as thou hast commanded by thy apostle St James. Grant, I beseech thee, that this holy Unction may produce in me all its happy fruits, by healing my soul from the ulcers of sin, by fortifying me against all temptations, by supporting me in the hour of anguish and distress, and by preparing me for a happy passage out of this life, or whatever may be thy holy will. Shouldst thou foresee that my health may be conducive to thy greater glory, and expedient for my eternal salvation, let this be the means to restore it. I absolutely submit myself to thy divine will and pleasure. I wish not to live but to serve thee. Dispose of me as thou knowest best; do with me as thou pleasest. All I desire is the accomplishment of thy most holy will. Give me health or sickness, life or death; give me whatsoever thou pleasest: not my will, O Lord, but thine be done: it is a greater happiness to fulfil thy will, than to enjoy ten thousand lives. O how happy should I be, if the destruction of my body could repair the injury I have offered to thy divine Majesty! My eyes, alas! have seen vanities; my ears have been open to detractions, to profane and unprofitable discourses; my tongue has many ways offended thee, both in speaking and tasting; my hands have contributed to my follies; my feet have often gone astray in the paths of vanity and sin. By this holy anointing, and the prayers of thy church, pardon me, O Jesus, all the sins I have ever committed by these my five senses. Let those avenues through which sin has made its way into my soul, be now shut to the world; let my eyes be open to thee alone, my Jesus; let my ears be now attentive to thy commands, and to thy call; let my tongue be solely employed in crying out for mercy; let my prayers ascend like incense in thy sight; let my hands be lifted up to heaven for pardon; let my feet walk in thy ways; and let my heart be the living temple of the Holy Ghost. Into thy hands, O dear Jesus, I commend my spirit. In thee I will live, in thee I will die, in thee I will abide, and in thee I hope to possess eternal rest and heavenly joy for ever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer After Extreme Unction.

O my God, thou hast created, redeemed, and sanctified me; thou hast preserved me in many dangers both of soul and body; thou hast nourished me with the adorable sacrament of thy body and blood, and granted me the grace to receive the rights of thy church, preferably to so many others, who are carried off by a sudden death, without being favoured with those succours and graces which thou hast bestowed upon me, a most ungrateful sinner. For these and all thy other blessings, I offer thee innumerable thanks. O that I had as many tongues and hearts as there are stars in the heavens, atoms in the air, and creatures in the universe; how willingly would I employ them all in praising, loving, and glorifying thee! To thee I resign my heart: receive it as a holocaust. Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit: receive me, O dear Jesus, in thy mercy; receive me into thy loving arms, which were stretched forth on the cross for my redemption; receive me into the embraces of thy infinite charity. I do not desire to be freed from my pains; thou knowest what is best for me: do but take from me all murmuring, and give me patience to suffer whatever thou willest, and as long as thou pleasest. Should it be thy divine pleasure to inflict on my weak body and languishing soul greater punishments than I now suffer, my heart is ready, O Lord, my heart is ready to accept them, and to suffer in whatever manner and measure may be most conformable to thy will. This one grace I most earnestly beg of thee, my God—that I may die the death of the just, and be admitted, after the sufferings and tribulations of this transitory and sinful life, into the kingdom of thy glory, there to see and enjoy thee, in the company of the blessed, for a never-ending eternity. Amen.

Short Acts Of Virtue In Time Of Sickness.

I acknowledge, O Lord, that I am a sinner; accept, therefore, of what I now suffer, in atonement for my sins. Help me to receive with submission and resignation, whatever afflictions thou shalt please to send me.

I am content to suffer here, provided thou dost spare me hereafter. I know that it is by many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of heaven. I know that those who would be glorified with Jesus, must also suffer with Jesus. I am convinced, that the sufferings of this present time are not to be set in competition with the eternal glory which shall be revealed in us. I believe that the present momentary and light tribulation worketh in us, above measure, an eternal weight of glory.

I offer myself, and all that I have, or am, to thee. Do with me, my God, whatever thou pleasest. Shall I not drink the cup which my Father hath given me? Not my will, but thine be done.

O sweetness of my heart, and love of my soul! take off my heart and thought from this world, that all my comfort may be in thee. O when will thy kingdom come? O Lord, when wilt thou perfectly reign in all hearts? when shall sin be no more? Wound my heart with thy love, that it may relish nothing that is earthly. O that I had never offended so good a God! O that I had never sinned! Happy those souls that have always preserved their baptismal innocence.

O my God, all my hopes are in thee.—Through Jesus Christ my Redeemer, I hope for mercy, grace, and salvation.

O sweet and adorable Jesus! O spotless Lamb! O innocent victim! who by thy passion and death hath effaced the sins of mankind, blot out my iniquities, and do not permit that thy sufferings should become useless to me.

Look, O God, on this poor piece of clay, and help me in my distress. O my Jesus! I love thee; I love thee above all things, and desire to love thee alone, because thou alone art worthy of my love.

I cast myself into the arms of thy holy love. I abandon myself entirely to thy blessed will. My unworthiness humbles and confounds me; but the sight of thy wounds, O Jesus, proclaims aloud how great thy mercy is, and how far it exceeds my misery.

O boundless love of my Jesus! inflame my heart with thy heavenly fire. Consume in me all earthly affections, and confirm my soul in thy holy love for ever.

O Jesus, torn with stripes, pierced with thorns, and weltering in blood, for my sake! teach me to endure for the love of thee, the anguish and inconvenience of my infirmities and sickness.

O Jesus, raised upon the cross, attract me now most powerfully to thyself, that my whole occupation may be to love, praise, and adore thee for ever. Hail, sacred wounds of the hands and feet of Jesus! Hail precious streams of blood, that flowed from those painful wounds! Infinite praise, honour, and glory be to thee, my amiable Redeemer, for suffering such pains for the love of me. Ah, how does it pierce my heart with sorrow, to contemplate thee, and to consider the torments thou didst suffer for my salvation.

Hail, sacred wound of the side of Jesus! hail, blessed passage to the sacred heart of my divine Redeemer! O that I could contemplate thee with the love of a Magdalen, and melt into tears of sweet devotion in honor of thee! By the sacred wounds of thy hands, of thy feet, and of thy side; by the precious streams that flowed from them; by thy blessed heart, burning with love for me; I beg and beseech thee never to forsake me, but to grant me whatever thou seest necessary for the sanctification of my soul.

Glory be to the Father, who by his power hath brought me forth from nothing, and made me to his own image and likeness. Glory be to the Son, who by his wisdom hath delivered me from hell, and opened for me the gates of Heaven. Glory be to the Holy Ghost, who by his mercy hath sanctified me in baptism, and still continues to sanctify me by the graces which I daily receive. Glory be the three adorable persons of the blessed Trinity. O may I behold and glorify eternally in heaven, what I believe, adore, and worship on earth—one God and three Persons, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

"Here we have no permanent city:
but we seek that which is to come."
Hebrews xiii. 14.

"While we are in the body we are strangers from the Lord."
2 Corinthians v. 6.

"Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
Romans xiv. 8.

A Prayer Of Thanksgiving,
Upon The Recovery Of
A Person From The Bed Of Sickness.

Almighty and everlasting God, I here acknowledge thy blessing in the recovery of my health, and return thee my most hearty thanks for it. I beg thy grace for the making a better use of it than hitherto I have done; that I may correct all the errors of my past life, that I may improve in virtue, be an example to others, and dedicate that health to thee, which is now thy special gift; that thus living to thee, I may be ever prepared for my last hour: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; may he be praised and glorified for ever.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits.

Blessed be the Lord, God of our fathers; let praise and glory be given to him for ever.

I will praise thee, O my God, while I live; I will glorify thy holy name while I have my being.

O magnify the Lord with me, all ye holy angels: praise him, all ye saints.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall be ever in my mouth.

Give glory to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth, now, and for ever.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise. Glory, &c.

Preparation for Death

Instruction

The last moments of a Christian are not only the most precious of his life, but to him of the greatest importance, as on them depends his eternal lot. It is then Satan uses his utmost efforts to accomplish the ruin of a soul. His snares and batteries are more subtle and violent at the extremity, than at any other period, of life; for it is then, as the apostle says, (Revelation xii.) "he cometh down, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time." Hence it becomes the indispensable duty of every soldier of Jesus Christ, frequently to exercise himself in acts of faith, hope, charity, confidence, fortitude, and perseverance; that by the familiar use of these spiritual weapons during life, he may be enabled to encounter the mortal enemy of his soul in his last conflict, and defeat all his malicious designs.
When the disorder of a sick person has the appearance of danger, every spiritual help should be offered him before he loses the use of his senses; for which reason it would be very unfriendly to flatter him with the hopes of recovery, or to be negligent in exhorting him to make the best use of the little time which perhaps he has to live, in preparing for his voyage to eternity; and since a truly penitential spirit is the best security to a Christian in life or death, he ought to be urged to secure it to himself by the most perfect acts of compunction, resignation, faith, hope, and divine love. For this purpose he should keep himself as much as possible in the divine presence, and in the blessed company of Jesus Christ, the perfect model of suffering Christians. He should converse frequently with him, cast himself in spirit at his feet, like Magdalen; bewail his sins in the bitterness of his soul, and cry out for mercy while there is yet time for mercy. He should place a crucifix, or picture of his crucified Redeemer, before his eyes; think often upon his passion, his agony in the garden and on the cross; consider him nailed and fastened on that bed of sorrow, without moving either hand or foot, or having any other pillow to support his head but a crown of thorns. He should fly to his bleeding wounds, there to bathe his soul, and find a cure for all his disorders. He should be excited by these considerations to make a voluntary sacrifice of himself to the Divine Will; bear all his pains with patience; accept of death as the just punishment due to his sins; and offer it up in union with the death of Jesus Christ, that being united thereto, it may become precious in the sight of the Lord. He should frequently raise his thoughts above this world, and fix them on heaven—making it the object of his contemplation, and the centre of all his desires. He should consider what a happy thing it is to see and enjoy God eternally; and that the longer he remains here below, the more he lies exposed to the danger of offending him. Far, therefore, from being disturbed at the thoughts of quitting a wicked, treacherous, and deceitful world, he should rather endeavour to enter into the sentiments of St. Paul, who "longed to be dissolved, and to be with Jesus Christ." Instead of being sorry or unwilling to be disengaged from a frail body, subject to a thousand infirmities, he should rather, like King David, thirst after the happy hour that is to put him in possession of that eternal kingdom of glory, for the enjoyment of which he was created.
In effect, if the seafaring man long for his arrival in the port of his destination; if the military man wish for an and of the campaign, and long for the day that is to restore him to his friends, crowned with laurels, and enriched with spoils and trophies; if the wearied traveller pant after his native soil, and wish for the end of his journey; if the captive long to be freed from his chains; if the farmer, after the toils and fatigues of the winter, rejoice at the bright prospect of the approaching harvest; why should not a Christian long for the end of the laborious winter of this life, in order to reap the sweet fruits of his past labours? Why should he not be charmed with the well-grounded hope of entering into the joys of his Lord, and finding the gates of heaven open to receive his soul? Why should he not wish to be rescued out of the stormy sea of this world, and arrive safely in the harbour of eternal life? Why should he not long for the end of the spiritual warfare wherein he is constantly engaged, in order to receive that never-fading crown of glory, which is reserved in the kingdom of heaven for such as conquer? Why should he not welcome the happy hour of his death, which is to restore him to his native country, fix him in his proper habitation, secure him from the embarrassments and snares of this mortal life, and translate him to the glorious society of the holy apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and an innumerable host of heavenly citizens, who await him, and long to congratulate his happy arrival? "Which amongst us," says St. Cyprian, "who for a long time had been a sojourner in a foreign country would not anxiously desire to return to his native soil? What person would not wish for a prosperous gale of wind to waft him with expedition to his favourite home, that he might the sooner embrace his friends and relations?" Heaven is our native country; here we are but strangers, captives, and pilgrims. Here we have no permanent city; but there we shall be at home in our Fathers house. Here we are exiles and travellers, hastening to the end of our journey. This world is a tempestuous ocean, full of rocks and quicksands, wherein we are constantly tossed to and fro by storms and hurricanes, tortured between hopes and fears, and every moment exposed to the danger of being shipwrecked. "O how happy are they," continues St. Cyprian, "who, after being delivered from these storms and hurricanes, have happily arrived at the haven of everlasting bliss!" How happy are they who are removed from the dangers of sin, and freed from the assaults of the devil, and the conflict of their passions! How happy are they who are withdrawn from the miseries of this perishable life, and have put on a glorious immortality! Who would not rejoice to obtain everlasting rest, out of the reach of danger? Who would not cheerfully quit this sinful Babylon, to spend an eternity in the presence of God, and live for ever with Jesus Christ, in the company of millions of saints and angels! O blessed be that Divine Providence, that infinite goodness, which has provided a better world to receive us, and there promises us eternal life: Hence hath St. Teresa exclaimed: "O death, I know not who can fear thee, since it is by thee that we find life."
Too great a love of life betrays a want of that lively faith and confidence, which, by fortifying the mind of a Christian, enables him to stare death in the face, and despise that king of terrors. It is now more than ever incumbent on us to comply with the obligation we lie under, of suppressing inordinate self-love in our hearts, and of doing, not our own, but the will of our heavenly Father; for how inconsistent would it be to desire that his will may be done on earth, as it is in heaven, if upon summoning us to quit this world, we are reluctant and unwilling to obey his call? With what propriety can we say, thy kingdom come, whilst we evidently betray a desire of remaining here in a state of bondage to our passions and subjection to the devil, rather than accept the invitation to go and live with Jesus Christ, in the kingdom which he has purchased for us at the expense of his sacred blood. To die well or ill, is all that should give us trouble. We know for certain that death is the only way to eternal happiness; that the cross is the ladder by which we should ascend to heaven; and that through many sufferings and tribulations we must endeavour to enter into it. Christ himself died before he entered into his glory. We cannot arrive at heaven by any other road. It is the only gate to life everlasting. It is a passage from a valley of tears to a region of unspeakable bliss. It is a deliverance from a continual warfare, in which we are surrounded with a thousand dangers of perishing. It is a happy exemption from the temptation of the devil, the world, and the flesh, which are our capital enemies. Animated therefore, with a bright prospect of eternal happiness at our departure, we should consider the pangs of death as nothing else but the breaking down of that partition which stands betwixt the soul and the sight of its sovereign good.
"The body is a tottering edifice, which must necessarily fall, that the soul may be at rest. It is like the scaffolding which architects make use of to erect a palace; but which they take away after the building is finished."—Clement XIV.—Picture of Man.

Short Acts Of Virtue,

Which may be leisurely and distinctly suggested to sick persons in time of danger, yet so as not to fatigue them with too much reading.

O my God, I firmly believe whatever thy holy Catholic Church believes and teaches, and with the assistance of thy divine grace, I will die in this belief. Increase, O Lord, and strengthen my faith.

In thee, O Lord, I place my whole confidence. I hope to possess eternal life through thy infinite mercy and the merits of my Saviour Christ Jesus. O let me not be confounded for ever. My God! I love thee with my whole heart and soul, above all things, because thou art infinitely good and worthy of all love.

I love my neighbour, nay, and even my enemies, for the love of thee. O my God, it grieves me to the soul for having so ill-served so good a master. O that my heart could break asunder with sorrow for having offended thee by the sins of my past life! O that I had never offended so good a God! O unhappy day that I neglected to love thee! Too late, too late have I begun to love thee. I confess mine iniquities are many and grievous; but they cannot lessen my confidence in thy mercies, which are infinitely greater than my sins.

I most humbly ask pardon for them. I detest them because they displease thee. O God, be merciful to me a sinner. O grant me a true and sincere contrition, and let not the enemy of my soul have any power over me, either now or at my last hour.

Pardon me, O Jesus. Hear me, O Jesus. Save me, O Jesus. I renounce from this moment, and for all eternity, the devil and all his works. I abhor all his suggestions and temptations. I will, by no means, give admittance or consent to them.

Grant me, O Lord, the most precious gift of final perseverance, that whenever my hour comes, I may die in thy grace. I beg pardon of all those whom I have any way offended, and I sincerely forgive all those who have any way offended or injured me, or who wish me any kind of evil whatsoever.

I recommend my soul to God my Creator, who made me out of nothing; to Jesus Christ my Saviour, who redeemed me with his blood; to the Holy Ghost, who sanctified me in the water of baptism.

Praise, honour, and glory, be to thy name for ever, O my God, for all the graces and benefits which I have received from thy bounty during the whole course of my life.

May thy providence be ever blessed and praised for all the sufferings I have endured: O receive them in satisfaction for my sins. I offer up to thee, O my crucified Redeemer, all that I now suffer, or may have yet to suffer, to be united to, and to be sanctified by thy passion.

I am content to suffer here, in hopes that my momentary pains and sufferings will be soon changed into an eternity of happiness and comfort.

Let the flesh suffer and perish, so that the spirit may be safe. Scourge and afflict my body; and spare my soul for all eternity. Here wound me, here burn me, here cut me asunder; but spare me at my last hour.

My whole confidence, either of living or dying well, is grounded on the infinite merits of my Redeemer's death and passion, and the blood he hath shed for my sins.

Receive, O eternal Father, his precious merits, in full satisfaction for all my offences. O let me never be separated from thee.

Wound my heart with thy love, that it may relish nothing that is earthly. Take off my thoughts from this mortal life, that all my comfort may be placed in thee alone.

Dispose of my soul that it may be prepared at thy call to go forth and meet thee, and become thy habitation for ever.

To thee I resign my heart, and bequeath my soul. O do not cast me off amongst the reprobate; but make me fit to appear in thy sight.

O happy hour! when shall I behold thee? O sweet Jesus! when shall I appear before thy face? When shall I be disengaged from this earthly habitation, that I may come to the enjoyment of thee? When shall I be released from this prison, this miserable Babylon, this place of banishment, that I may bless thy name, and join with thy angels and saints in thy everlasting praise?

When shall I lay down this cumbrous weight of flesh, and be delivered from this body of death, which I have loved too well?

Thou hast in thy justice decreed that I should die. I most humbly submit to the sentence, and readily accept it in the spirit of penance, in order to honour thee by the sacrifice of my life, and to give a proof of my obedience to thy orders.

I am content to die for thy glory, and to testify that I love thee better than myself.

I am content to die, that I may no longer offend thee, but that I may love thee, possess thee, praise thee, bless thee, and glorify thee for ever in heaven. I am content to die, to expiate by my death and suffering, all the sins which I have committed since I came into the world.

I am ready and willing to be deprived of every thing I have loved upon earth. I renounce all the vanities of the world, and now willingly bid farewell to this vale of tears and miseries.

Heaven is my happier home. Paradise is much more pleasant and agreeable, and death is the path that leads to it.

O happy news of my departure! I hope I shall soon hear the choirs of angels sing forth the immortal praise of my God. To dwell one day in his holy palace, in the company of the blessed, is better than to be a thousand years in the tabernacle of sinners.

Let slow death then hasten on, that dying I may be no longer exposed to the dangerous occasions of sin, but that I may see and enjoy thee, my God, in paradise, and love thee eternally in the regions of bliss and immortality.

O heavenly Jerusalem! O beautiful city of God, my happy home! when shall I arrive in thy sacred tabernacles?

Take courage, my soul. The hour approacheth. Eternity comes on. Thy miseries and sorrows will soon have an end.

Thou art going to the nuptials of the Lamb. Thou art going to the land of the living. Thou art going to a kingdom where the God of all glory displays his grandeur with the greatest magnificence.

O welcome the approaching hour of death, which is to remove thee to a better life, and to translate thee from misery to felicity, from death to immortality.

Jesus Christ was crucified and died for thee. Be ready then to die for him, that thou mayest enjoy him in the kingdom of heaven, which he has promised to those who put their trust and confidence in him. [Here the assistants may show a crucifix to the sick person.] Contemplate him expiring on the painful bed of the cross, without any other pillow to support his head but a crown of thorns. Behold his merciful arms extended to embrace thee. See his sacred side laid open to grant thee admittance to his heart. See his blessed head laid down to give the kiss of peace. See at how dear a rate he has purchased thy salvation. See what he suffered for thy sake. Embrace him with the most tender affection, and with a firm confidence that thou wilt soon see him in heaven, whom thou now beholdest fastened on a cross. Yes, my divine Redeemer, I embrace thee with all the affections of my soul. I depend on thy merits, and take shelter in thy bleeding wounds. I trust thou wilt not suffer me to be for ever miserable, for thou art infinitely good and merciful. Since I have thy blood to plead in my behalf, why should I fear? why should I tremble at the thoughts of death, when I consider that thou hast satisfied for my sins, paid my debts, and laid down thy life for my salvation?

I am not afraid of hell, though I have deserved it, because my dear Jesus has purchased heaven for me.

I hope in his mercy; and all the artifices of the infernal spirits shall never induce me to relinquish my hope.

In spite of them all, I will sing eternal praises to thee, O blessed Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; I will adore thy mercies, and will possess and love thee for ever.

I will now say what, perhaps, I shall not be able to say at my dying moments:—"O Father of mercies, and God of all consolation, into thy most merciful hands I commend my soul, both for time and eternity."

Now, instead of then, when perhaps I may be deprived of the use of speech and reason, I offer thee, O Lord, my heart, my life, my agony, my pains, my anguish, my distress, and my death, to be united to the blood, sweat and agony of my dear Saviour Jesus Christ.

Now, as well as at the time of my departure, I renounce Satan, and declare my abhorrence of whatever evil thoughts he shall then suggest to me.

O God of my heart, my portion, and my inheritance for ever! I desire to love thee, as the angels of heaven love thee. O how good hast thou been to me, and how ungrateful have I been to thee! I grieve from the bottom of my heart that I ever offended thee, who art infinitely amiable. Forgive me, dear Jesus! forgive me, O Father of mercies.

O my God and my all! my soul doth thirst after thee. When shall I come and appear before thee, O thou fountain of mercy! O who will deliver me from this body of death! I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ; for Christ is my life, and to die will be my gain.

How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord God of Hosts! I love the beauty of thy house, and the place of thy glorious abode. "The eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, what things God hath prepared for those who love him."

What have I more to do with the world? And in heaven, what can I desire but thee only, O Lord? Now dost thou dismiss thy servant in peace.

I am weary of this life. I willingly take my leave of this world, and of all terrestrial objects.

Nothing, O good Jesus! nothing more shall ever separate me from thee.

O holy Mary, mother of God, who didst assist at the death of thy beloved son Jesus, obtain for me the grace of a happy death.

Glorious St. Michael, prince of the heavenly host, intercede for me at the hour of my death, that I may depart this world in the grace and favour of my Creator.

O holy Angel Guardian, to whose care God in his mercy has committed me, stand by me at that dreadful hour; protect me against all the powers of darkness: defend me from all my enemies; and conduct my soul to the mansions of eternal repose.

O all ye blessed angels and saints of God, assist me by your intercession, in this last and dreadful passage.

O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, be thou then to me a powerful redeemer and advocate with the Father.

Let those hands which were nailed to the cross, plead in my behalf, and open to me the gates of heaven.

Be thou a Jesus to me, and save my soul at that awful period. Hide me in thy wounds, and protect me under the shadow of thy wings.

O good Shepherd of souls! do not forsake me, but conduct my soul into eternal rest.

Suffer thy passion and death to stand betwix my soul and thy justice; and let these comfortable words sound then in my ears: "This day thou shalt be with me in paradise."

O sweet Comforter of desolate and distressed souls let me then experience the multitude of thy tender mercies, when my soul shall be in conflict with the pangs of death.

Be mindful of thy poor creature, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.

Remember thou hast bought my soul at a dear rate. O let not thy precious blood be lost on me, or spilt in vain.

O let not my soul perish, which cost thee so great a price.

Thou hast promised, that whosoever shall invoke thy name with faith and confidence, shall be saved: I invoke thy sacred name, O Jesus, with my whole heart, and with all possible respect and devotion: do not then suffer me to be lost for ever.

Help me, O God my Saviour; and for the glory of thy blessed name, deliver me. Look with an eye of pity on this poor piece of clay, and succour me in my distress.

I beseech thee, by thy sufferings on the cross, especially at that hour when thy blessed soul left thy sacred body, to have mercy on my soul at the time of its departure from mine.

Call me to thyself, and receive me into the number of thine elect, that I may praise thee without end.

O Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on me.

Give me thy blessing, O most loving Jesus. Lord Jesus, receive my soul.

Receive me Lord Jesus, in thy mercy! receive my soul in peace.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

Post hominem vermis; post vermem foetor et horror: Sic in non hominem vertitur omnis homo.

A Prayer By St. Liguori.

Ah, my Redeemer, how have I been able hitherto to live in such forgetfulness of you? You were prepared to grant me all the graces which I should ask of you; you only waited for me to ask them. But I have thought only of indulging my senses, and have been indifferent about the privation and loss of your love and of your graces. Lord, forget all my ingratitude, and have mercy on me. Pardon me all the displeasure I have given you, and grant me perseverance. O God of my soul, give me the grace always to ask your aid not to offend you. Do not permit me to be, as I have hitherto been, negligent in the performance of this duty. Grant me light and strength always to recommend myself to you, and particularly when my enemies tempt me to offend you again.

Grant, O my God, this grace through the merits of Jesus Christ, and through the love which you bear to him. O Lord, I have offended you enough. I wish to love you during the remainder of my life. Give me your love; and may this love remind me to ask your aid whenever I shall be in danger of losing you by sin. Mary, my hope after Jesus, through your intercession I hope for the grace to recommend myself, in all my temptations, to you and to your Son. Hear me, O my queen, through the love which you bear to Jesus Christ.

A Devout Prayer Of St. Augustine
On The Sufferings Of Christ.

O God! who for the redemption of the world didst vouchsafe to be born—to be circumcised—to be rejected by the Jews—to be betrayed with a kiss—to be bound like a malefactor, and like an innocent lamb to be led to the slaughter—to be ignominiously brought before Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, and Herod—to be accused by false witnesses—scourged with whips—buffeted—defiled with spittle—crowned with thorns—stripped of thy clothes—fastened to the cross, placed between two thieves—to have vinegar and gall given thee to drink—to have thy side pierced through with a spear! Thou, O Lord, by these most grievous pains, which I, though unworthy, do commemorate, and by thy most sacred passion and death, free me from the pains of hell, and conduct me whither thy mercy did conduct the good thief crucified with thee: who, together with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest for ever.

A Prayer Of St. Jerome In Time Of Agony.

Merciful Jesus, thou art my strength, my refuge, and my deliverer; in thee I have believed and hoped; in thee have I loved. Call me now, I beseech thee, and I will answer.—Stretch forth thy hand of mercy to the work of thy hands, and let me not perish, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.

It is now time for dust to return to dust, and my spirit to thee who gavest it. Open then, Lord, the gate of life, and receive me; receive me most merciful Lord, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, who receivedst the thief on the cross, and now prepare my soul for hearing the same promise of mercy which he did. I am sick, O Lord, and my life is withering away; therefore I come to thee my physician. Heal me then, my God, and I shall be healed: let me not be confounded; because I put my trust in thee. In thee have I hoped; let me not be cast off for ever.

But what am I, most merciful Lord, that I should speak thus boldly to thee?—I am a sinner, grown up in sin, a rotten carcass, a vessel of corruption, and food for worms. But spare me still, my God; for what victory is there in overthrowing me, who am but as dust before the wind? Forgive me all my sins, and deliver me from my distress.

Arise and help me, Lord; arise and let thy mercy plead for me. Let my prayer ascend before thee, and stretch forth thy hand to help me; for behold I am covered with sin, and have done evil in thy sight, and there is none can heal me but thou, my God. If thou hadst not paid my ransom, by dying on the cross, should not I have been for ever miserable? Remember then, O merciful Jesus, that I have a share in that price that was paid. It was for me also, though most unworthy, thy blood was shed; let me, therefore, have a part in this mercy.

I confess I have many times offended against thee, and therefore am not worthy to be called thy child; but turn away thy face, I beseech thee, from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Deal not with me according to what I deserve, nor chastise me according to my iniquities; but help me, O God, my Saviour, and for the glory of thy name deliver me. Now at this hour show mercy to me, and whenever I depart receive me into the number of thy family, that I may be one of those who are to praise thee for ever.

Prayers To Be Recited By The Assistants
When The Dying Person Loses The Use Of Speech.

Lord Jesus Christ, we beseech thee, by thy bitter agony and prayer in the garden, that thou wouldst be pleased to be an advocate with thy eternal Father, in behalf of this thy servant: lay before him (her) all those drops of blood which in thy anguish of spirit flowed from thy body, and offer them for the remission of all his (her) sins: that in this hour of extremity, he (she) may be discharged from that hand-writing of sin which stands against him (her), and from that punishment which he (she) fears to be too justly due to his (her) sins. "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Lord Jesus Christ! who for our salvation was pleased to suffer death on the cross, we beseech thee to offer up all the anguish and pains thou didst then endure, and most especially at the hour of thy death, in behalf of this thy servant, that they may be accepted in his (her) favour, for the good of his (her) soul, for the obtaining of a happy hour, and for the release from that punishment which he (she) has deserved for his (her) sins. "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Lord Jesus Christ! who hadst such a boundless love for man as to induce thee to become man for his salvation, we beseech thee to let this thy infinite charity and goodness towards mankind, so plead in behalf of this thy poor servant, that by thy powerful mediation, his (her) soul, at the moment of its departure from the body, being freed from the bonds of sin, may find a free admittance through the gates that lead to the mansions of eternal bliss. "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Lord Jesus Christ! who by thy precious blood hast redeemed us, we beseech thee to imprint deep in the soul of this thy servant the memory of thy most sacred wounds, that having them perpetually in his (her) sight, he (she) may be encouraged to suffer with patience and resolution, and be armed against all the pangs of death. Thus let him (her) cheerfully submit to all the difficulties of his (her) condition, and begin, even here, to be united to thee with a love that shall never end.

Grant him (her) now to partake of the fruit of thy holy incarnation, of thy bitter passion, of thy glorious resurrection, and admirable ascension.

Grant that he (she) may be sensible of the effects of thy holy mysteries and sacraments, and of all the prayers which are offered by the whole church.

Remember, O Lord, that thou wast once in the straits of death; and in this extremity, after crying out to thy eternal Father, and commending thy spirit to him, didst expire. Behold now this thy servant in his (her) anguish crying aloud to thee; stand thou by him (her), defend and comfort him (her) in this his (her) distress, and receive his (her) soul into thy merciful embraces.

Remember, O Jesus, that thy arms were stretched forth, thy side opened, and thy sacred head bowed down from the cross; have regard now, we beseech thee, to the soul of this thy servant, which, departing out of this world, seeks refuge in thee; receive it into thy arms, clasp it to thy breast, and there let it hide itself, secured from the attacks of all its enemies, till the anger of God pass over. Into thy hands we commend his (her) spirit, which has been created and redeemed by thee, despise not, we beseech thee, the work of thy hands.

O Christ Jesus, who was crucified for our redemption, we beseech thee, by that love which brought thee from heaven, to have compassion on the soul of thy servant; forgive him (her) all his (her) sins, and by the merits of thy bitter passion, satisfy for all his (her) failings, and supply his (her) defects; let him (her) now experience the multitude of thy tender mercies, and be sensible how good thou, O Lord, art. Dispose now his (her) soul by thy grace, that he (she) may be prepared at thy call to go forth to meet thee, his (her) heavenly bridegroom. Grant him (her), we beseech thee, true patience and perfect resignation in his (her) pains and anguish. Give him (her) full discharge from all his (her) sins; confirm his (her) faith; strengthen his (her) hope, and perfect his (her) charity; that departing hence, his (her) soul may be received into thy mercy. O dear Redeemer, by that distress which thou didst suffer on the cross, when thou criedst out to thy eternal Father, we pray thee to show mercy to this thy servant in his (her) extremity; hear the sighs and desires of his (her) heart; and since he (she) is now deprived of the faculty of speech, speak thou for him (her) we beseech thee, who art the eternal Word, and to whom the Father will refuse nothing.

By thy victory over death, and the infinite merits of thy passion, we beseech thee, on behalf of this thy servant, to have no other thoughts but of peace, of mercy and comfort, and not of affliction. Bear him (her) up against all distrust and despair; deliver him (her) from his (her) necessities, and be his (her) comforter in his (her) distress. Let those hands which were once nailed to the cross, now plead for him (her) and obtaining his (her) pardon, conduct him (her) into thy eternal rest. Amen.

The Recommendation Of A Soul Departing.

Depart then, O Christian soul, out of this miserable world, in the name of God the Father Almighty, who created thee; in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who suffered for thee; in the name of the Holy Ghost, who sanctified thee; in the name of the angels, archangels, thrones, dominations, cherubim, and seraphim; in the name of the patriarchs and prophets, of the holy apostles, and evangelists, of the holy martyrs and confessors, of the holy monks and hermits, of the holy virgins, and of all the saints of God: let thy place be this day in peace, and thy abode in holy Sion: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

God of clemency! God of goodness! O God, who according to the multitude of thy mercies, forgivest the sins of such as repent, and graciously remittest the guilt of their past offences, mercifully regard this thy servant (N.) and grant him (her) a full discharge from all his (her) sins, who most earnestly begs it of thee. Renew, O merciful Father, whatever is corrupt in him (her) through human frailty, or by the snares of the enemy; make him (her) a true member of thy church, and let him (her) partake of the fruit of thy redemption. Have compassion, O Lord, on his (her) sighs, have pity on his (her) tears, and admit him (her) to the sacrament of thy reconciliation, who has no hope but in thee: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I recommend thee, dear brother (sister,) to Almighty God, and commit thee to his mercy, whose creature thou art; that having paid the common debt, by surrendering thy soul, thou mayest return to thy Maker, who formed thee out of the earth. May, therefore, the noble company of angels meet thy soul at its departure. May the court of the apostles receive thee. May the triumphant army of glorious martyrs conduct thee. May the crowds of joyful confessors encompass thee. May the choir of blessed virgins go before thee; and may a happy rest be thy portion in the company of the patriarchs. May Jesus Christ appear to thee with a mild and cheerful countenance, and give thee a place among those who are to be in his presence for ever. Mayest thou be a stranger to all who are condemned to darkness, chastised with flames, or punished with torments. May God command thy wicked enemy, with all his evil spirits, to depart from thee. May the infernal spirits tremble at thy approach encompassed by angels, and retire into the horrid confusion of eternal night. May thy God arise, and thy enemies be put to flight. May all who hate him fly before his face. Let them vanish like smoke, or as wax before the fire; so let sinners perish in the sight of God. But as to the just, let them rejoice and be happy in his presence. May all the ministers of hell be filled with confusion and shame, and let no evil spirit dare to stop thy course to heaven. May Christ Jesus, who was crucified for thee, be thy deliverer. May he deliver thee from death, who for thy sake vouchsafed to die. May Christ Jesus, the Son of the living God, place thee in his garden of Paradise; and may he, the true shepherd, own thee for one of his flock. May he absolve thee from all thy sins, and place thee at his right hand in the inheritance of his elect. O may it be thy happy lot to behold thy Redeemer face to face; to be ever in his presence, in the beatific vision of that eternal truth, which is the joy of the blessed. And thus placed among those happy spirits, mayest thou be for ever filled with heavenly sweetness. Amen.

Receive thy servant, O Lord, into that place where he (she) may hope for salvation from thy mercy.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant from all dangers of hell, and from all pain and tribulation.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Enoch and Elias from the common death of the world.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Noah in the flood.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Abraham from the midst of the Chaldeans.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Job from all his afflictions.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Isaac from being sacrificed by his father.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Lot from Sodom and the the flames of fire.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Moses from the hands of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Daniel from the lions' den.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst the three children from the fiery furnace, and from the hands of that unmerciful king.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Susannah from her false accusers.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst David from the hands of Saul and Goliah.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Peter and Paul out of prison.—R. Amen.

And as thou deliveredst the blessed virgin and martyr, St. Thecla, from most cruel torments, vouchsafe to deliver the soul of this thy servant, and bring it to the participation of thy heavenly joys.—R. Amen.

Let Us Pray.

We commend to thee, O Lord, the soul of this thy servant; and beseech thee, O Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the world, that as in thy mercy to him (her) thou becamest man, so now thou mayest vouchsafe to admit him (her) into the number of the blessed. Remember, O Lord, that he (she) is thy creature, not made by strange gods, but by thee, the only true and living God; for there is no other God but thee, and none can work thy wonders. Let his (her) soul find comfort in thy sight, and remember not his (her) former sins, nor any of those excesses which he (she) has fallen into through the violence of passion and corruption. For although he (she) hath sinned, yet he (she) has still retained a true faith in thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; he (she) has had a zeal for thy honour, and faithfully adores thee his (her) God and Creator of all things.

Remember not, O Lord, the sins or ignorance of his (her) youth; but according to thy great mercy be mindful of him (her) in thy eternal glory. Let the heavens be opened to him (her,) and the angels rejoice with him (her). May St. Michael the archangel, the chief of the heavenly host, conduct him (her). May blessed Peter, thy apostle, to whom were given the keys of the kingdom of heaven, receive him (her.) May holy Paul thy apostle, and chosen vessel of election, assist him (her.) May St. John, thy beloved disciple, to whom were revealed the secrets of heaven, intercede for him (her.) May all thy holy apostles, to whom was given the power of binding and loosening, pray for him (her.) May all the chosen servants and martyrs of God, who in this world have suffered torments for thy sake, O Christ, intercede for him (her,) that being delivered from this body of corruption, he (she) may be admitted into the kingdom of heaven; through the assistance and merits of thee, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

[Should the sick person still continue in distress of agony, it may be proper for the assistants to continue on in prayer, saying Psalms xxi. cxviii.]

Litany For A Happy Death;

Composed by a young Lady who was converted to the Catholic Faith, and afterwards died at eighteen, in the odour of sanctity.

Let Us Pray.

O God, who hast doomed all men to die, but hast concealed from all the hour of their death, grant that I may pass my days in the practice of holiness and justice, and that I may deserve to quit this world in the peace of a good conscience, and in the embraces of thy love: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Soul Being Now Departed,
The Following Responsory is Said:

Come to his (her) assistance, all you saints of God; meet him (her) all you angels of God; receive his (her) soul, and present it now before its Lord. May Jesus Christ receive thee, and the angels conduct thee to thy place of rest; may they receive thy soul, and present it now before its Lord.

V. Eternal rest grant him (her,) O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine unto him (her.)

May the angels present him (her) now before the Lord.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father, &c.

V. And lead us not into temptation;

R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Eternal rest grant him (her,) O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine unto him, (her.)

V. From the gates of hell;

R. Deliver his (her) soul, O Lord.

V. May he (she) rest in peace;

R. Amen.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer;

R. And let my cry come unto thee.

Let Us Pray.

Unto thee, Lord, we commend the soul of thy servant (N.) that being dead to this world, he (she) may live to thee; and whatever sins he (she) has committed through human frailty, we beseech thee, in thy goodness, mercifully to pardon: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

[Then, for a conclusion, may be added the following prayer for the assistants, which may be also said at the burial.]

Grant, O Lord, that while we here lament the departure of thy servant, we may ever remember that we are most certainly to follow him (her). Give us grace to prepare for that last hour by a good life, that we may not be surprised by a sudden death, but be ever watching when thou shalt call, that so with the spouse we may enter into eternal glory: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer For All That Are Buried
In A Church Or Church-yard.

O God, by whose mercy the souls of all the faithful find rest, grant to all thy servants, here or elsewhere, that have slept in Christ, the full remission of all their sins; that being acquitted as well from the guilt as the temporal punishment due to them, they may be speedily admitted into thy heavenly kingdom, and there rejoice with thee for all eternity: through, &c.

Exequies, Or Sacred Rites Over The Tomb.

[Solemnity performed after High Mass for the Dead, and which may be privately recited after the Office.]

Responsory.

Libera me, Domine, de morte Æterna, in die illa tremenda: *Quando coeli movendi sunt, et terra: *Dum veneris judicare sÆculum per ignem.

V. Tremens factus sum ego, et timeo dum discussio venerit, atque ventura ira.

R. Quando coeli movendi sunt et terra.

V. Dies illa, dies irÆ, calamitatis, et miseriÆ: dies magna, et amara valde.

R. Dum veneris judicare sÆculum per ignem.

Requiem Æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.

R. Libera me, Domine, de morte Æterna, in die illa tremenda, quando coeli movendi sunt et terra, dum veneris judicare sÆculum per ignem.

Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, eleison.
Kyrie, eleison.

Pater noster, [secreto.]

V. Et nos inducas in tentationem.

R. Sed libera nos a malo.

V. A porta inferi.

R. Erue, Domine, animam ejus [animas eorum.]

Exequies, Or Sacred Rites Over The Tomb.

[Solemnity performed after High Mass for the Dead, and which may be privately recited after the Office.]

Responsory.

Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death on that dreadful day: *When the heavens and earth shall be moved: *Whilst thou wilt come to judge the world by fire.

V. I am seized with trembling and dread, when I reflect on the rigorous examination, and the vengeful wrath of that day.

R. When the heavens and earth shall be moved.

V. That day shall be a day of wrath, calamity, and misery: the great day of extreme bitterness and terror.

R. Whilst thou wilt come to judge the world by fire.

Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and may the perpetual light of glory shine upon them.

R. Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death on that dreadful day, when the heavens and earth shall be moved, whilst thou wilt come to judge the world by fire.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father, [in silence.]

V. And lead us not into temptation.

R. But deliver us from evil.

V. From the gates of hell.

R. Deliver his soul, [their souls,] O Lord.

V. Requiescat (requiescant) in pace.

R. Amen.

V. Domine, exaudi, orationem meam.

R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.

Oremus.

Prayer On The Commemoration Of All Souls.

Fidelium, Deus, omnium conditor et redemptor, animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum: ut indulgentiam quam semper optaverunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur. Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia sÆcula sÆculorum. Amen.