Chapter VII: Front Matter (7)

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.

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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._

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Mentations On The Apostles' Creed,

_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.

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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.

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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.

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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. {214} 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. {215} 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. {216} 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. {217} 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. {218} 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. {219} 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. {220} 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. {221} 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. {222} 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. {223} 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. {228} 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. {229} 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.

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The Litany.

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, whose holy providence governs all things, _Have mercy on us._ God the Son, Redeemer of human kind, _Have mercy on us._ God the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us._ Holy Trinity, one God, unchangeable Providence, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, that governs all things in heaven and earth, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, that gives, preserves, and governs our life, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, the eternal love of man below and angels above, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, ever conformable to the influence of the tender heart of Jesus, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, that created, directs, and governs all things, with weight, measure, and wisdom, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, our hope, life, and salvation, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, defence and comfort of the afflicted, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, guide and support of souls in all dangers, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, that provides us with, and imparts to us, all natural and supernatural gifts, _Have mercy on us._

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Divine Providence, inexhaustible treasury Of the riches of heaven, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, protector and defence of the just, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, safe retreat and sanctuary to the miserable, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, our resource in all wants, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, our anchor in storms, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, our security in danger, our way and secure haven, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, remedy in all evils, food to the hungry, and fountain of refreshing water to the thirsty, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, raiment to the naked, strength to the weak, protector and mother to widows and orphans, _Have mercy on us._ Divine Providence, refuge of sinners, _Have mercy on us._ Providence of God, who rules all things, infinitely deserving of our homage and adoration: _Spare us, O Lord,_ Providence of God, which protects and conserves all things, infinitely worthy of our homage and adoration: _Hear us, O Lord._ Providence of God, which created and knows our weakness, infinitely above our homage, and adoration: _Have mercy on us, O Lord._ V. We praise and adore thee, Divine Providence.

R. We resign ourselves to thy just and holy designs.

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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.

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The Litany Of St. Winefrid.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Lord have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of mankind, 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._ O blessed _St. Winefrid_, _Pray for us._ O humble and mild virgin, _Pray for us._ O glorious spouse of Christ, _Pray for us._ O devout and charitable Virgin, _Pray for us._ O sweet comforter of the afflicted, _Pray for us._ O singular example of chastity, _Pray for us._ O radient star, _Pray for us._ O fairest flower of the British nation, _Pray for us._

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O admirable and elected vessel, _Pray for us._ O mirror of chastity, _Pray for us._ O mirror of devotion, _Pray for us._ O mirror of piety, _Pray for us._ O bright lamp of sanctity, _Pray for us._ O golden image of angelic purity, _Pray for us._ O hope and safety of distressed pilgrims, _Pray for us._ That we may be delivered from all iniquity, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may be delivered from all disordered passions of the mind, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may be delivered from the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may be delivered from all occasions of sin, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may be delivered from plague, famine and war, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may be delivered from the wrath of God, and eternal damnation, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we and all sinners may have true contrition, and full remission of our sins, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That all schismatics, heretics, and infidels, may be converted to the holy catholic and apostolic faith, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may always hate sin, and overcome all temptations, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may despise all worldly vanities and delights, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we all may ever fear God, and fulfil his holy will, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may have both spiritual and corporal health, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may devoutly desire chastity and purity of life, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._

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That we may fervently love humility and mildness, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may delight in pious prayer, fasting, and charitable alms, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may discreetly and fervently continue in the exercise of godliness, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may cheerfully and constantly suffer for the love of Christ, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That the souls in purgatory, and all afflicted persons may obtain heavenly consolations, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That our benefactors, and all that labour to save souls, may be blessed with abundance of grace and everlasting life, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That we may enjoy true peace and endless felicity, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That God, of his abundant mercy, may vouchsafe to bless this our pilgrimage, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That by thy pious intercession, it may be to the perfect health of our souls and bodies, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._ That thou wilt vouchsafe to grant our requests, _O holy virgin and mother, pray for us._

O blessed St. Winefrid, pray for us.

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: _Spare us, O Lord._ Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: _Hear us, O Lord._ Lamb of God, that 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.

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Lord have mercy on us.

Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.

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.

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A Hymn Of St. Winefrid.

As the fragrant rose in pleasing spring,
To God's own Son a spouse most dear,
A martyr rare of Christ our King,
St. Winefrid did flourish here.

Descended great of British race,
In faith was firm, in hope secure,
With holy works and soul of grace,
From worldly filth preserved pure.

Caradock this sacred maiden slew,
Because she did resist his lust;
But heaven's immediate vengeance flew,
And doomed his soul for ever curst.

Stained with spots of reeking blood,
Where Caradock's sword sever'd the head,
A healing stream immediate flow'd,
Perpetual token of the deed.

Here God supreme doth wonders work,
The blind to see, the dumb to speak;
Diseases which in bodies lurk,
Are cur'd where faith is not too weak.

O glorious Virgin Winefrid,
To us the raging sea appease;
And free us so from Satan's dread,
That he on us may never seize.

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.

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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.

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The Golden Litany,

Briefly Commemorating Our Blessed Redeemer's Life

And Passion.

Lord, have mercy upon us! _Christ, have mercy upon us!_ Lord, have mercy upon us!

God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, _Have mercy upon us._

God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
_Have mercy upon us._

God, the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of mankind,
_Have mercy upon us._

O sacred Trinity of Persons, in unity of essence,
_Have mercy upon us._

O blessed Jesus, true God and true man,
_Have mercy upon us._

Through thy power in creating heaven and earth, and all things therein contained, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy goodness in making man to thine own image and likeness, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy mercy in redeeming man after his fall,
_Have mercy upon us._

Through thy unspeakable love, in making choice of the blessed Virgin Mary for thy Mother, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the ineffable mystery of thine Incarnation, whereby thou didst vouchsafe to unite thy divine person to our frail nature, _Have mercy upon us._

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Through thy immaculate Conception, and nine months imprisonment within the sacred body of the blessed Virgin Mary, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy blessed nativity in the poor stable at Bethlehem,
_Have mercy upon us._

Through the hunger, cold, and the other inconveniencies thou didst endure in thy tender body, when laid in the crib between an ox and an ass, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy painful circumcision, on the eighth day after thy birth, when thou didst first shed thy precious blood for our sake, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the adorable name of Jesus, which was then given thee, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the mystical offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which the wise men presented thee, whom by a miraculous star thou didst summon out of the East, to adore thee in thine infancy, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the oblation thou didst make of thyself to thine eternal Father, when in the temple thou wert acknowledged by Simeon and Anne, and ransomed with a pair of doves by thy poor Virgin Mother, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy flight into Egypt to avoid the cruelty of king Herod, and all thou didst there suffer with thy blessed Mother and St. Joseph, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy return from thence to Nazareth, and the obedience thou didst there pay to thy parents, _Have mercy upon us._

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Through thy being lost by thy parents in Jerusalem, where thou wert again found by them, after three days' search, sitting in the temple in the midst of the doctors, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the sacred and hidden life thou didst lead in Nazareth, with holy Mary and Joseph, from the twelfth to the thirtieth year of thine age, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy humble reception of baptism in the river Jordan by the hands of St. John, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy forty days' fast in the desert, where thou didst obtain repeated victories over the three temptations of the devil, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy first miracle of changing water into wine at the marriage feast of Cana, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the zeal which thou didst show for the honour of thy eternal Father, in casting the buyers and sellers out of the temple, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy condescending to discourse with the Samaritan woman sitting at the fountain. _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy excessive charity in healing the young man of Capharnaum, Simon Peter's mother-in-law, and a multitude of other infirm persons, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the power thou didst manifest in appeasing the tempest at sea, walking on the water, and enabling St. Peter to do so likewise, _Have mercy upon us._

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Through thy efficacious calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John, from their boats, and Matthew from the receipt of custom, to follow thee, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the choice of thy twelve apostles, and the divine sermon thou didst deliver to them on the Mount, in which is exhibited the model of a perfect Christian life, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the mercy thou didst show to the penitent Magdalen, preferring her to the Pharisee, and pardoning her sins, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the sending of the apostles to preach thy gospel to the people, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy miraculous feeding of five thousand persons with five loaves of bread, and four thousand with seven loaves, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy appointment of Peter to be the rock on which thou wouldst build thy church, for his having confessed thee to be Christ the Son of the living God, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy glorious transfiguration on Mount Thabor, in the presence of three of thy disciples, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy instructing us in the virtue and efficacy of prayer, and by giving us a model thereof in the divine "Our Father," &c. _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy inflamed desire to redeem mankind,
_Have mercy upon us._

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Through thy meek and humble entry into Jerusalem on Palm-Sunday, riding upon an ass, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy humility in washing the feet of thy disciples, even those of the traitor Judas, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy ineffable love manifested in the institution of the sacrifice and sacrament of thy precious body and blood, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the prayer thou didst thrice repeat in the Garden of Mount Olivet, when a bloody sweat trickled down thine agonized body, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy condescending to receive a kiss from the mouth of the traitor Judas, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy being apprehended, bound, and brought before the tribunals of Annas and Caiphas, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the blows, buffets, and opprobrious usage thou didst endure the night before thy crucifixion, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy presentation to the pagan judge, Pilate, in the quality of a notorious criminal, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy being sent before Herod, and scornfully treated by that wicked king and his soldiers, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the cruel and contumelious whipping thou didst endure at the pillar, _Have mercy upon us._

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Through the barbarous clamours of the people to have Barrabas, the murderer, released, and the innocent Jesus put to death, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the false accusations, suborned witnesses, slanders, and calumnies, brought against thee by the Jews, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the shameful stripping off thy clothes, and exposing thy naked body to the multitude, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the pressing of a crown of sharp pointed thorns on thy sacred head, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy being clothed in a purple garment, and derided as a mock king, having a reed put into thy hand for a sceptre, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the scoffing salutations, insulting reflections, and scornful adorations, whereby thou wert mocked by the Jews and the soldiers, _Have mercy upon us._

Through their spitting on thy divine face, and striking thy sacred head, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy being exposed to the people in the most lamentable condition, Pilate saying to the multitude: Behold the man! _Have mercy upon us._

Through the horrid clamours and repeated vociferations of the Jews, "Away with him! Crucify him!" _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy meek and patient hearing of the sentence of death pronounced against thee, _Have mercy upon us._

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Through thy bearing thy heavy cross on thy sacred shoulders,
_Have mercy upon us._

Through the painful stretching of thy naked body on the cross as on a rack, and fastening thy hands and feet thereto with gross nails, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the compassion thou hadst for thy sorrowful Mother, and beloved disciple, standing at the foot of thy cross, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy excessive charity in praying for thy persecutors, and murderers, and in promising Paradise to the penitent thief, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the seven last speeches thou didst utter on the cross whilst thou wast suspended thereon for the space of three hours, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the vehement thirst thou didst then suffer, and the gall and vinegar which was given thee to drink, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy last agony, in which thou didst commend thy blessed soul into the hands of thy heavenly Father, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the piercing of thy side with a lance, and the water and blood which issued therefrom, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the descent of thy departed soul into Limbo, to conquer the devils, and set the ancient fathers at liberty, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the taking down of thy dead body from the cross by Joseph, of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, in order to its burial, _Have mercy upon us._

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Through thy glorious resurrection from death to life on the third day, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thy appearing to thy blessed Mother, to Mary Magdalen, to Peter and the other apostles, frequently comforting and confirming them during the space of forty days, _Have mercy upon us._

Through thine admirable ascension into heaven, in the sight of thy sacred Mother and thy disciples, _Have mercy upon us._

Through the miraculous descent of the Holy Ghost on thy apostles in the form of fiery tongues, _Have mercy upon us._

Through all thine actions and sufferings during thy thirty years sojourning amongst men, and by all that is pleasing to thy divine Majesty in heaven and on earth, _Have mercy upon us._

V, Graciously hear our prayers, O Lord.

R. And let our cry come unto thee.

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. {247} 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.