Chapter V: Front Matter (5)

When I reflect, O Lord, on the many favours thou hast conferred on me, I am overwhelmed with confusion, and feel my heart penetrated with such deep sentiments of gratitude, as cannot be expressed. I find myself, as it were, encompassed on all sides, and pressed by thy goodness. It is thou thyself, O Lord, that lovest me, in all those creatures from whom I receive any benefit or advantage. My parents, from whom I received my existence, or my friends, who have given me such proofs of their tenderness, are but the instruments of thy providence, and the channels of thy mercies in my behalf. Thou art not only the God of the universe, but thou art also, in a particular way, my God! So interested art thou in all that relates to me, that thy attention seems as if it were entirely fixed on me alone. Thou hast given me all thou hast made, all that I am, and all that thou art thyself, cannot I, therefore, with as much reason as David, call thee "the God of my salvation and my mercy; my refuge and my support; my treasure and my inheritance?" Nay, more, dost thou not at present vouchsafe to become my _very subsistence_, by not only giving thyself to fortify my weakness, and as a pledge of eternal life, but also that I may be nourished with thy _very flesh and blood?_ How great, therefore, must my ingratitude be, if I do not make a cordial return for such infinite love. O my God, suffer me sooner to forget myself, than to be ever unmindful of this great favour. Although I have been treacherous, fearful, and a prevaricator, yet I shall never be guilty of _ingratitude_, since I should blush at this vice even in my commerce with men. {140} But still, what return can I make thee, being of myself insolvent, indigent, and miserable? Behold! the treasure is at hand; the gift I have now received from thee enables me to repay thee for all thy other benefits: the sacrifice of all that I am or have, is not worthy to be presented to thee; but in offering thee thyself, I consider my debts as abundantly discharged. May thy infinite merits be for ever exalted for having given me such excellent means of repaying _to the full_, the infinite obligations I owe thee.--"What return shall I make to the Lord for all those things which he has given unto me?"--_Psalm_ cxv. "He hath made a memorial of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: he hath given food to them that fear him."--_Psalm_ xc.

Do not limit the devotion of this day to the foregoing prayers,
but rather consider it as entirely consecrated to Jesus Christ;
that by this means you may literally accomplish the precept of
the Holy Ghost: "Let no part of a good day escape without
profit."--_Ecclesiastes_ xiv. Recollect frequently this great
action, and read some pious book, to nourish and enliven a
spirit of devotion. Remark (or, if convenient write down) some
of those tender sentiments and good resolutions with which you
were affected at the time of communion; the recollection of
them will serve as a bulwark to guard you against the attacks
of tepidity or dryness. But, above all, endeavour to regulate
your conduct for the time to come, in such a manner as to be
enabled to say, with St. Paul: "I live, not I, but Christ Jesus
liveth in me." In a word, let _your Redeemer only_, for
the future, _think, speak,_ and _act_ in you; and let
nothing remain in you that is unworthy of him, for no scandal
can be more injurious to our holy religion, than for Catholics,
after communicating, to lead disedifying and unchristian lives.

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The Seven Penitential Psalms.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Lord have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us. Christ hear us. Christ graciously hear us. God the Father of heaven, _have mercy on us._

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God the Son, Redeemer of the World, _have mercy on us._ God the Holy Ghost, _have mercy on us._ Holy Trinity, one God, _have mercy on us._ Holy Mary _Pray for us._ Holy Mother of God, _Pray for us._ Holy Virgin of Virgins, _Pray for us._ St. Michael, _Pray for us._ St. Gabriel, _Pray for us._ St. Raphael, _Pray for us._ All ye holy Angels and Archangels, _Pray for us._ All ye holy orders of blessed Spirits, _Pray for us._ St. John Baptist, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, _Pray for us._ All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, _Pray for us._ St. Peter, _Pray for us._ St. Paul, _Pray for us._ St. Andrew, _Pray for us._ St. James, _Pray for us._ St. John, _Pray for us._ St. Thomas, _Pray for us._ St. James, _Pray for us._ St. Philip, _Pray for us._ St Bartholomew, _Pray for us._ St. Matthew, _Pray for us._ St. Simon, _Pray for us._ St. Thaddeus, _Pray for us._ St. Matthias, _Pray for us._ St. Barnaby, _Pray for us._ St. Luke, _Pray for us._ St. Mark, _Pray for us._ All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, _Pray for us._ All ye holy Disciples of our Lord, _Pray for us._ {152} All ye holy Innocents, _Pray for us._ St. Stephen, _Pray for us._ St. Laurence, _Pray for us._ St. Vincent, _Pray for us._ SS. Fabian and Sebastian, _Pray for us._ SS. John and Paul, _Pray for us._ SS. Cosmas and Damian, _Pray for us._ SS. Gervase and Protase, _Pray for us._ All ye holy Martyrs, _Pray for us._ St. Sylvester, _Pray for us._ St. Gregory, _Pray for us._ St. Ambrose, _Pray for us._ St. Augustine, _Pray for us._ St. Jerome, _Pray for us._ St. Martin, _Pray for us._ St. Nicholas, _Pray for us._ All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, _Pray for us._ All ye holy Doctors, _Pray for us._ St. Anthony, _Pray for us._ St. Bennet, _Pray for us._ St. Bernard, _Pray for us._ St. Dominick, _Pray for us._ St Francis, _Pray for us._ All ye holy Priests and Levites, _Pray for us._ All ye holy Monks and Hermits, _Pray for us._ St. Mary Magdalen, _Pray for us._ St. Agatha, _Pray for us._ St. Lucy, _Pray for us._ St. Agnes, _Pray for us._ St. Cecily, _Pray for us._ St. Catherine, _Pray for us._ St. Anastasia, _Pray for us._ All ye holy Virgins and Widows, _Pray for us._ {153} All ye Men and Women, Saints of God, _make intercession for us._ Be merciful to us: _Spare us, O Lord._ Be merciful to us: _Graciously hear us, O Lord._ From all evil, _O Lord, deliver us._ From all sin, _O Lord, deliver us._ From thy wrath, _O Lord, deliver us._ From sudden and unprovided death, _O Lord, deliver us._ From the deceits of the devil, _O Lord, deliver us._ From anger, hatred, and all ill-will, _O Lord, deliver us._ From the spirit of fornication, _O Lord, deliver us._ From lightning and tempest, _O Lord, deliver us._ From everlasting death, _O Lord, deliver us._ Thro' the mystery of thy holy incarnation, _O Lord, deliver us._ Thro' thy coming, _O Lord, deliver us._ Thro' thy nativity, _O Lord, deliver us._ Thro' thy baptism and holy fasting, _O Lord, deliver us._ Thro' thy cross and passion, _O Lord, deliver us._ Thro' thy death and burial, _O Lord, deliver us._ Thro' thy holy resurrection, _O Lord, deliver us._ Thro' thy admirable ascension, _O Lord, deliver us._ Thro' the coming of the Holy Ghost, the comforter, _O Lord, deliver us._ In the day of Judgment, _We sinners beseech thee to hear us._ That thou spare us, _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou pardon us. _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou vouchsafe to bring us to true penance, _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou vouchsafe to govern and preserve thy holy church, _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou vouchsafe to preserve our apostolic prelate, and all ecclesiastical orders in thy holy religion, _We beseech thee to hear us._ {154} That thou vouchsafe to humble the enemies of thy holy church, _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to all Christian people, _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us in thy holy service, _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou lift up our minds to heavenly desires, _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou render eternal good things to all our benefactors, _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou deliver our souls, and those of our brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors, from eternal damnation, _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou vouchsafe to give eternal rest to all the faithful departed, _We beseech thee to hear us._ That thou vouchsafe graciously to hear us, _We beseech thee to hear us._ Son of God, _We beseech thee to hear us._

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: _Spare us, O Lord._ Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: _Hear us, O Lord._ Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: _Have mercy on us!_ Christ hear us. _Christ graciously hear us._ Lord have mercy on us! _Christ have mercy on us!_ Lord have mercy on us!

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Our Father, &c. (_in secret_.) V. And lead us not into temptation. R. But deliver us from evil. Amen.

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._]

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
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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. {167} 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.

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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.

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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. {170} 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. {171} 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.
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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.