gence, which may be applied to the suffering souls in purgatory, by way of suffrage. In these communions they are to petition for themselves, and others of the confraternity, a happy death: and before they leave the Church, they are to recite, five times, Our Father, and Hail Mary, in honor of the five most sacred wounds of our Redeemer, for those of the congregation, who are in tribulation, who are sick, dying, or have departed.
Let all endeavor to be present at the monthly assembly. "De Bona Morte." Those who are lawfully prevented from attending the solemn devotion of that day, are to recite at home the prayers appointed for public meetings. Such as cannot read, may say their beads, begging that they may attain with the rest to eternal glory. If two or three are in the same family, one of them may recite the aforesaid prayers in an audible voice, the others answering in their respective places. Many, by an act of supererogation, on all Fridays, offer to Jesus Christ crucified and his dolorous Mother the stations of his bitter passion, and the addresses to his five sacred wounds: but this is left to every one's devotion and circumstances.
The rules of the association do not oblige under pain of sin; but if they are wilfully transgressed the persons so offending do not partake in the prayers and good works which are performed by those devoted to our blessed Saviour's passion, in satisfaction for past sins, and obtaining a happy death; and he continues under this privation so long as the prescribed devotion is intermitted: yet, returning to the observance of the rules, he shares proportionably from the time he begins again with fervor. Sick persons are excepted, who in health did their duty, and are resolved to do the same, when restored to their former state.
PRAYERS FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PRIVATE DEVOTIONS.
IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
OPEN, O Lord! our mouths, to bless thy holy name; cleanse our hearts from all vain and distracting thoughts; enlighten our understandings; inflame our will, that we may worthily perform this holy exercise with attention and devotion, and may deserve
