Prayer-book for Religious/Book 4

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Prayer-book for Religious: a complete manual of prayers and devotions for the use of the members of all religious communities : a practical guide to the particular examen and to the methods of meditation (1904)
by Francis Xavier Lasance

Book 4

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4196837Prayer-book for Religious: a complete manual of prayers and devotions for the use of the members of all religious communities : a practical guide to the particular examen and to the methods of meditation — Book 41904Francis Xavier Lasance

18. A Religious has a right to be the crucified spouse of Jesus crucified.

19. And if, by her conduct, a Religious derives profit from her rights, she will have the right to live and to reign eternally with

Jesus Crucified.

THE RELIGIOUS WHO WILL NEVER BE PERFECT IS:

She who excuses herself.

She who murmurs and finds fault with everything.

She who complains of the food.

She who ridicules others.

She who is indifferent about little things.

She who evades the vigilance of her Superiors.

Two things of which one must never complain: clothes or food.

Two prayers which one should frequently repeat: My God, let me be neither curious nor talkative.

Two actions for which one must be always ready: to communicate, to die.

'TIS WELL.

'Tis well with clear intelligence to see
That he who says, "I, Lord, will follow Thee,"
Says in effect, "I, Lord, will humble be!"
Then of supremest import 'tis to know:
Humility, wherefrom all graces flow,
Without humiliations ne'er can grow.
As, then, humiliations are the rod
To perfect those by whom the path is trod
That leads thro' earthly trials up to God,
Who that is prudent will not welcome scorn,
And joy to see in shreds his honor torn,
If Christ may only thus in him be born?

A PRAYER FOR RETREAT.

"Domine, ut Videam!"

Apart into a desert place
My God, Thou leadest me;
And here I ask one only grace:
O Lord, that I may see!
Nature and earth soft vapors raise,
That dim my inward sight,
Oh, scatter that deceitful haze,
And let me see aright!

It may be pain, it may be shame,
Deep anguish it may be;
Yet, shall my prayer be still the same,
O Lord, that I may see!
Show me Thy law, those precepts wise
My every step should guide;
Then let me view with clearest eyes
My practice side by side.
Show me my vows, and let me long
That triple bond survey,
To see that every link is strong,
And strengthening day by day.
Show me my duties, one by one;
Unshrinking let me see
What was omitted, and what done
For other end than Thee.
Show me myself without disguise,
As clearly, I entreat,
As when death's hand shall ope my eyes
Before Thy judgment-seat!
But, dearest Lord, my weakness pleads,
Let not Thy light stop there;
The vision of my own misdeeds
Were else too hard to bear;
Show me Thyself, Thy tender Heart
In all its love display,
One ray of heavenly light impart
To chase earth's glare away:
The truths of faith, the joys of love,
And virtue's solid bliss,
The glories of the world above,
The hollowness of this;
The sweetness of Thy service, Lord,
The honor and the joy,
Oh! how could anything be hard
In such a proud employ!
All this, and many a lesson more,
Make clear and plain to me;
Oh, I entreat Thee, o'er and o'er,
"My God, that I may see!"

Persevere.

Persevere in thoroughly conquering yourself in the small daily contradictions you receive. Make the bulk of your desires about this; know that God wishes nothing from you at present save that. Busy not yourself, then, in doing anything else; do not sow your desires in another's garden, but cultivate well your own. Do not desire not to be what you are, but desire to be very well what you are. Be faithful in little things; per- fect yourself in your present circumstances, and bear the crosses, little or great, you will surely meet in the daily routine of your duties.

A Bona Mors Litany, and Other Prayers for a Happy Death

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.

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,

All ye holy angels and archangels,

Holy Abraham,

St. John the Baptist,

St. Joseph,

All ye holy patriarchs and prophets,

St. Peter,

St. Paul,

St. Andrew,

St. John,

St. Jude,

Pray for us.

All ye holy apostles and evangelists,

All ye holy disciples of Our Lord,

All ye holy innocents,

St. Stephen,

St. Lawrence,

All ye holy martyrs,

St. Sylvester,

St. Gregory,

St. Augustine,

St. Basil,

St. Ambrose,

St. Francis de Sales,

St. Vincent de Paul,

St. Aloysius,

St. Stanislaus,

All ye holy bishops and confessors,

St. Benedict,

St. Dominic,

St. Francis of Assisi,

St. Ignatius,

St. Philip Neri,

St. Camillus de Lellis,

St. John of God,

Pray for us.

All ye holy monks, hermits, and founders of Religious Orders,

St. Mary Magdalene,

St. Lucy,

St. Scholastica,

St. Teresa,

St. Catharine,

St. Clara,

St. Ursula,

St. Angela Merici,

St. Jane Frances de Chantal,

St. Barbara,

All ye holy virgins and widows,

All ye saints of God, intercede for us.

Be merciful unto us. Spare us, O Lord.

Be merciful unto us. Hear us, O Lord.

From Thine anger,

From the peril of death,

From an evil death,

From the pains of hell,

From all evil,

From the power of the devil,

O Lord,

By Thy nativity,

deliver us.

By Thy cross and Passion,

By Thy death and burial,

By Thy glorious Resurrection,

By the grace of the Holy Ghost the Comforter,

In the day of judgment,

We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou wouldst spare us,

We beseech

That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring us unto true repentance,

Thee,

That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed,

hear us.

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

Let us pray.

We beseech Thy clemency, O Lord, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe so to strengthen Thy servants in Thy grace, that, at the hour of death, the enemy may not prevail over us, and that we may deserve to pass with Thy angels into everlasting life.

Almighty and most gracious God, Who, for Thy thirsting people, didst bring forth from the rock a stream of living water, draw forth from the hardness of our hearts tears of compunction, that we may bewail our sins, and receive forgiveness of them from Thy mercy.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the world, behold us prostrate at Thy feet. With our whole heart we detest our sins of thought, word, and deed, and because we love Thee, and will love Thee above all created things, we steadfastly purpose, by the help of Thy grace, never more to offend Thee, and rather to die than to commit one mortal sin. Amen.

O Jesus, Who, during Thy prayer to the Father in the garden, wast so filled with sorrow and anguish that there came forth from Thee a bloody sweat; have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who wast betrayed by the kiss of a traitor into the hands of the wicked, seized and bound like a thief, and forsaken by Thy disciples; have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who, by the unjust council of the Jews, was sentenced to death, led like a malefactor before Pilate, scorned and derided by impious Herod; have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

O Jesus, Who wast stripped of Thy garments, and most cruelly scourged at the pillar; have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.

Ember Days.

THE Ember Days were instituted — 1. To consecrate by penance each of the four seasons of the year;

2. To pray to God for the preservation of the fruits of the earth, and to give Him thanks for those already received;

3. To beg of God worthy pastors for the Church, and to implore His blessing on those who are promoted to Holy Orders.

Prayer.

WE beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to regard the devotion of Thy people, that mortifying their bodies by fasting, their minds may be refreshed by good works. Through Christ our Lord.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all He hath done for thee.

Receive, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the offerings of our homage, and mercifully sanctify Thy own gifts.

Bless and preserve, O Lord, the fruits of the earth. Enable us, by Thy grace, so to enjoy these and all other temporal blessings, that we may not lose those which are eternal.

Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst institute in Thy Church a sacred hierarchy, to be perpetuated without interruption to the end of the world, by the Sacrament of Holy Orders, hear the prayers which we humbly offer up to Thee, for those who are to be ordained at this time, that, strengthened by Thy grace and directed by Thy Spirit, they may please Thee to Whom they engage themselves, and by word and example, contribute to the salvation of souls, redeemed by Thy blood. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

A Little Book of Novenas.

Novena for Christmas.

1.O GOD and Saviour of our souls, sweet Infant Jesus, Whom the angels and shepherds adored in the stable of Bethlehem on that holy night when Thou wert born of the Virgin Mary, we offer Thee our profound adoration and our most earnest thanksgiving for having become man for our redemption and salvation; grant that we may apply all our powers to fulfil Thy gracious designs, that we may become perfectly renewed in heart and inflamed with Thy holy love.

Pater; Ave; Gloria. Sweet Jesus, be my love.

2. O merciful Redeemer, Who didst vouchsafe to remain in the chaste cloister of Mary's womb, hidden and unknown, though Thou wast the Eternal Word, and the wisdom of the Father; grant that we may learn from Thee to love solitude and silence, and escape the evils that are found in the tumult and distractions of the world; grant us greater purity of mind and of heart; grant that we may glorify Thee, and edify others by our purity and modesty.

Pater; Ave; Gloria, etc.

3. O Infant God, Who, from the moment of Thy conception in holy Mary's womb, didst offer Thyself to Thine eternal Father for the salvation of our souls, vouchsafe to give us a lively sense of the one thing necessary, so that we may labor zealously for others, and work out our own salvation in fear and trembling, yet with confidence in Thy love.

Pater; Ave; Gloria, etc.

4. O sweetest Jesus, Who didst go up to Bethlehem in the womb of Mary, to obey the commands of Caesar, who had ordered all his subjects to be enrolled; grant us grace to obey with alacrity the most arduous commands from those who hold Thy place over us.

Pater; Ave; Gloria, etc.

5. O most adorable Jesus, Who, upon Thy arrival at Bethlehem, wast rejected by all men; grant us to follow Thy example in sufferings and contempt, that we may welcome Thee joyfully into our hearts, when Thou seekest an entrance there, either by holy inspirations or by Thy divine Sacraments.

Pater; Ave; Gloria, etc.

6. O Divine Infant, Who, when excluded from Bethlehem, didst inspire Thy holy Mother to retire to a poor and wretched stable, in which obscure and humble place it was Thy will to be born, in order to confound our pride, and to teach us humility. O grant that henceforward, conforming ourselves to Thy will; we may renounce all pomp and pride, and become truly meek and humble of heart.

Pater; Ave; Gloria, etc.

7. O Divine Word, Who for the love of us, Thy poor creatures, wast pleased to be born under the most lowly roof, to be wrapped in the meanest swaddling-bands, and to hi laid in a vile manger, amongst beasts, and to suffer a thousand evils. O grant that we also may renounce all worldly vanities, and embrace poverty of spirit, and mortification of the flesh, so necessary for our perfection. Grant that we may be thoroughly detached from creatures, and poor in all things save in Thy love and Thy grace. Pater; Ave; Gloria, etc.

8. O divine Saviour, O King of peace, Who wast pleased to make Thy appearance amongst us when the whole world was in peace; vouchsafe to send us Thy peace, so that all our powers being brought into subjection to Thee, Thou mayest at the approaching solemnity be born anew in our souls.

Pater; Ave; Gloria, etc.

9. O divine Saviour, O King of immortal glory, Who, in Thy great mercy, didst come into the world to redeem us and to make us holy; grant that, denying all ungodliness and love of this world, we may live soberly in ourselves, justly toward our neighbor, and piously before Thee, that, so we may be happy with Thee for all eternity.

Pater; Ave; Gloria, etc.

PRAYER TO THE INFANT JESUS.

COME to me, O Divine Saviour! vouchsafe to be born in my heart; grant that, taught by Thine example, and assisted by Thy grace, I may be poor in spirit and humble of heart. Keep me chaste and obedient. I wish to live but for Thee, and to do all things purely for love of Thee.

O my Jesus, my supreme and true Good! what can have attracted Thee from heaven to be born in a cave, if it be not the love that Thou bearest to man? What has drawn Thee from the bosom of Thy Father to lay Thyself down in a manger? What has brought Thee down from Thy throne above the stars, to stretch Thyself on a little straw? What, from the midst of the nine choirs of angels, has placed Thee between two animals? Thou dost inflame the seraphim with holy fire, and lo, Thou art trembling with cold in this stable! Thou dost give motion to the heavens and the sun, and now Thou canst not move without being carried in some one's arms! Thou dost provide both man and beast with food, and dost Thou now require a little milk to sustain Thy life! Thou art the delight of heaven, and yet I hear Thee weep and moan? Tell me who hath reduced Thee to such misery? "Who hath done this? Love hath done it," says St. Bernard; the love that Thou bearest to man hath done it.

O dearest Infant! tell me what Thou camest on earth to do? Tell me whom Thou art seeking? Ah, I understand Thee now; Thou art come in order to die for me, to deliver me from an unhappy eternity. Thou art come to seek me, a lost sheep, in order that I may no more fly from Thee, but love Thee. Ah, my Jesus, my treasure, my life, my love, my all; if I do not love Thee, whom, then, shall I love? Where can I find a father, a friend, a spouse more worthy of love than Thou, and who has loved me more than Thou hast done? I am sorry because I did not love Thee and serve Thee more fervently. Forgive me, O my beloved Redeemer; for I repent of having treated Thee with ingratitude. I am sorry for it with all my heart. Pardon me, and give me Thy grace, that I may never again separate myself from Thee, and that I may love Thee constantly during the years that remain to me in this life. My Love, I give myself entirely to Thee. Dispose of all that I am, and of all that I have according to Thy will. May Thy holy will be done in me and through me. O Mary, thou art my advocate; thou dost obtain by thy prayers whatever thou wilt from thy Son; beg of Him to forgive me my offences, and to grant me holy perseverance unto death. St. Joseph, do thou also pray for me, that I may become daily more pleasing to Jesus.

ADESTE FIDELES.

WITH hearts truly grateful,

Come, all ye faithful,

To Jesus, to Jesus in Bethlehem;

See Christ your Saviour,

Heaven's greatest favor.

Let's hasten to adore Him;

Our God and King.

God to God equal;

Light of Light eternal;

Carried in Virgin's ever spotless womb.

He all preceded,

Begotten not created.

Let's hasten to adore Him, etc.

Angels now praise Him,

Loud their voices raising,

The heavenly mansions with joy now ring.

Praise, honor, glory,

To Him Who is most holy.

Let's hasten to adore Him, etc.

To Jesus, born this day,

Grateful homage repay;

To Him Who all heavenly gifts doth bring.

Word uncreated,

To our flesh united.

Let's hasten to adore Him, etc.

HYMN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY.

(Another Version or the Adeste fideles.)

Oh, come! all ye faithful!

Triumphantly sing !

Come, see in the manger

The angels' dread King!

To Bethlehem hasten!

With joyful accord;

Oh, hasten ! oh, hasten !

To worship the Lord.

True Son of the Father!

He comes from the skies;

The womb of the Virgin

He doth not despise;

To Bethlehem hasten, etc.

Not made but begotten,

The Lord of all might,

True God of true God,

True Light of true Light;

To Bethlehem hasten, etc.

Hark! to the angels!

All singing in heaven,

"To God in the highest

High glory be given."

To Bethlehem hasten, etc.

To Thee, then, O Jesu!

This day of Thy birth,

Be glory and honor

Through heaven and earth

True Godhead Incarnate!

Omnipotent Word!

Oh, hasten! oh, hasten!

To worship the Lord.

Another Novena to the Holy Child Jesus.

IN PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS.

First Day.

To the adorable interior of the holy Infant—His spirit, designs, thoughts, and intentions.

ENTER into the sanctuary, the divine interior of the holy Infant Jesus, and learn to form yours according to it. All divine, noble, humble, simple, generous, recollected, and detached from the world, His every thought and intention are solely directed to His Father's glory. There you will find no idle thoughts and projects — no vanities or self-seeking — no suspicious thoughts contrary to charity.

Prayer.

ADORABLE interior of the Infant Jesus! I revere You from my heart. How do You confound our pride and human wisdom! Ah, teach me, divine Jesus, after Your example, to despise the world, and not to seek the eyes of others in my devotion. You, O my God! humbly conceal the treasures of grace and wisdom contained in Your divine mind, taking on Yourself the appearance of weakness, ignorance, and incapacity. Oh, heal my pride; remove my blindness and ignorance of interior things — dissipate my darkness — destroy my worldly notions — and render my thoughts, views, desires, and sentiments like to Yours. Amen

Each day say to Mary and Joseph:

O BLESSED parents of the Infant Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, if we came to solicit you to obtain for us worldly prosperity, joys, honors, and comforts, our sighs could never reach the cradle of a God, poor, humble even to annihilation, forgotten, suffering, weak, and lying in a manger; but these are not our desires or petitions. No; we humbly and earnestly implore you to beg for us, at the crib of your Infant Son, that, like Him. and as His true and faithful followers, we may love to live in true humility — disengagement from creatures — contempt of the world and its vanities — constant recollection of the holy presence of God — fervor and fidelity in all our duties — and in the practice of the tenderest charity to all persons. May we never blush at the humility of the crib, nor at the poverty and simplicity of Bethlehem. May we ever rejoice at our happy lot as true spouses of Jesus Christ : ever in tender charity look with a compassionate eye on those who live but for this world, and continually pray that all may come to bless, to praise, and to love the Saviour Who comes to redeem them.

Infant Jesus, poor and simple, grant our petition!

Infant Jesus, humble and obedient, grant our petition!

Infant Jesus, silent and recollected, grant our petition!

Infant Jesus, inflamed with love for us, grant our petition!

Holy Mother of the Infant Jesus, pray for us!

Blessed St. Joseph, pray for us!

All ye saints, devoted to the Holy Infancy of Jesus, pray for us!

Second Day.

To the Sacred Heart of the Infant Jesus.

THIS day adore the Sacred Heart of your Infant Saviour — that Heart so full of tenderness and charity, that Heart so pure and holy, the beloved retreat of all interior and faithful souls.

Prayer.

O BLESSED Heart of the Infant Jesus! I adore and love you as the center of all hearts, and humbly en- treat you to give me grace henceforth to rest and repose in you, as in my true home. May you be my oratory, in which, and through which, I shall offer to the Eternal Father all my requests, that He may receive them more propitiously. May you be my school, wherein I may learn that celestial science so different from worldly wisdom—those pure principles which lead to the interior life. In fine, may you, O Sacred Heart! be my treasury, and may I find abundant riches in your poverty, love, suffering, and fidelity. Amen.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Third Day.

To the sacred mouth of the Infant Jesus.

THIS day adore, love, and reverence the sacred mouth of your Infant Saviour, which now keeps a profound silence; but which will soon be opened to announce the truths of life and salvation, to speak in your behalf to the Eternal Father, and which at the close of life will pronounce your final sentence.

Prayer.

O SACRED mouth of my Infant Saviour, I sincerely adore you. O blessed infantine lips! I love and venerate you. O sweet Jesus! how loudly does Your silence speak to my heart. Ah! attract me to love and practice this holy virtue, as far as my state permits, and let all my words be stamped with the seal of charity. O adorable, Incarnate Word of the Father! Eternal Wisdom silent in the womb of Your Virgin Mother, endow me with that spirit of sweetness, patience, and mildness, of which You are the Model. Teach me how to speak, and how to be silent. May this tongue, on which You so often repose in the Adorable Sacrament, rather cleave to my jaws than ever pronounce an unbecoming word; and may charity, humility, modesty, sweetness, prudence, and simplicity accompany all my words and expressions. Amen.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)close italic

Fourth Day.

To the sacred hands of the Infant Jesus.

THIS day kiss in spirit those pure and liberal hands, now so weak, cold, and trembling, which will be one day instruments of so many great works, healing the sick, curing the blind, and which will, at length, be fastened with huge nails to the cross.

Prayer.

O MOST pure and generous hands of my Infant Saviour! I adore, revere, and love you. O innocent hands! which have been so often raised to heaven in our favor, may I imitate your charity and compassion for the poor and afflicted, in constantly praying for the salvation of my neighbors, as well as for my own. O blessed hands! pierced with huge nails, may I rather die than ever again (by sin) fasten you to the cross. O most holy Infant! grant me continually to hold fast Your blessed hands, that I may securely walk through the slippery paths of this life, always moving according to Your holy will, and with submission to my spiritual guides. Amen.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Fifth Day.

To the pure and benign eyes of the Infant Jesus.

THIS day adore and love the pure and benignant eyes of your Infant Saviour, those eyes which beam purity, love, and sweetness; those eyes which have wrought such wonders in souls; those eyes, in fine, which have shed over our miseries abundant tears. O may they impart to us the grace of true contrition for our sins, and compassion for the miseries of others.

Prayer.

O MOST pure and benignant eyes of our Infant Saviour! Eyes beaming love, tenderness, and compassion for us, wretched sinners! Eyes ever intent upon all our works and ways, watching over us with unceasing care, we honor and revere you. O grant me, dear Jesus, in honor of the purity and sanctity of Your holy eyes, carefully to guard mine, to look on and consider but You, and what may lead to Your love and service. "Turn away from me all vanities," take from me the spirit of curiosity, so opposed to the spirit of the Gospel, and grant that I may live under Your all-seeing eye with all possible respect, modesty, and love; continually remembering Your holy presence, and ever lamenting my past and present infidelities with greater love and regret. Amen

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Sixth Day.

To the sacred feet of our Infant Jesus.

THIS day adore those sacred feet, bound for your love in swathing bands, to teach you to love holy obedience, submission to the divine law, and to all the duties of your state.

Prayer.

O MOST holy feet of my Infant Saviour! I adore, love, and venerate you with my whole heart, and embrace you in spirit: especially those parts destined to be pierced on the cross by your executioners. O give me grace to walk faithfully and constantly in the paths of your counsels and commandments, continually exhorting me to greater sanctity and perfection. May I, with your grace, steadily advance in your sacred footsteps, in true contempt of all worldly vanities, in hatred and aversion for worldly maxims, in a faithful discharge of my duties to you, my neighbor, and myself; in a patient endurance of the faults of others, and in profound humility of heart and conduct. Thus shall I be ever in security, for they who follow you walk not in darkness.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Seventh Day.

To the precious blood of the Infant Jesus.

THIS day adore the precious blood of our Infant Saviour, flowing through His sacred veins, and one day to be poured out on Calvary, for the remission of our sins.

Prayer.

O MOST pure and precious blood of my Infant Saviour! drawn by the Holy Ghost from the virginal veins of your immaculate Mother. O saving blood! shed for our redemption on Calvary, and daily offered on our altars in the adorable sacrifice, our nourishment and strength in the Holy Eucharist, I adore, love, and venerate you, and humbly pray that you may abundantly flow on me, and on all poor sinners, on all my friends, relatives, benefactors, and enemies, May I receive the happy fruits of such a blessing with love, gratitude, and compunction, especially at the holy Mass, and in the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. Through these sacred channels may you constantly flow, to nourish my soul to everlasting life, and to impart to me that purity, innocence, love, and fervor of which you are the source and preservative. Amen.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Eighth Day.

To honor the poverty, obedience, etc., of the Infant Jesus.

THIS day adore and try to imitate the blessed Infant, as the true model of that perfection to which all Religious are bound to aspire; and renew your sacred engagements at the feet of your Infant Saviour with increased fervor.

Prayer.

O MOST holy Infant Jesus! my King, my Master, and Saviour! I adore You in this state of poverty, suffering, and submission, and humbly beg grace to observe faithfully the solemn vows by which I bound myself to renounce the world, with its pomps— the flesh, with its vices — the devil, with his temptations — to lead a life of innocence, prayer, sincere humility, and ardent love of God and my neighbor. O dearest Jesus! may my only treasure henceforth be Your grace — my only pleasure Your service and love — and my only desire the accomplishment of your most holy will. O grant that I may always fulfil it. Amen.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

Ninth Day.

To adore and welcome the Infant Saviour, just coming into the world.

THIS day adore, love, bless, praise, and welcome the little Saviour, Who comes to redeem you — prepare Him a cradle in your hearts, and do not imitate the unfeeling inhabitants of Bethlehem.

Prayer.

ALL hail! most lovely, most holy, most amiable, Infant Jesus, King of my soul! Ah! blessed be the hour in which Your holy Mother will give You to me as my ransom. O most beautiful above the children of men! give me grace to prepare to receive you worthily on the glorious feast of Your nativity. Give me a heart ail glowing with holy desires, love, gratitude, and ardent zeal, to correspond with the designs which bring You on earth. Give me the true spirit of Your holy nativity, a spirit of humility, silence, detachment, docility, meekness, and true and ardent charity. Give me grace daily to advance in devotion to Your blessed Infancy, and faithfully to persevere in the discharge of all my duties, in spite of the allurements of Satan, or the railleries of the world. Bless me then, divine Infant, as You blessed the humble and simple shepherds watching over their flocks; and let me ever remember, that it is to the humble, simple, and faithful You most willingly communicate Your choicest gifts. Amen.

(Prayer as first day, to Mary and Joseph.)

PRAYER TO THE INFANT JESUS.

(Suitable for those in charge of children.)

O ETERNAL God, made an Infant for love of us, to Thee do I offer each little child, whom for Thy love and in honor of Thy holy childhood I will devote my whole strength to instruct and save. Grant that I may ever behold Thee in the children confided to my care: and never, oh, never permit, my Jesus, that any act or word of mine should scandalize Thy little ones.

Give ma a share in Thy humility, Thy charity, and Thy gentleness to all. Grant Thy blessing to my labors and bring me safely to heaven, where surrounded by these little ones whom I taught to love Thee, I may praise Thee and bless Thee for ever.

The Last Day of the Year.

THE end of the year should naturally make you think of the end of your life. This reflection should induce you to place yourself in the state in which you would like to be found at the hour of your death. We ought, said a great saint, to ask of God, through Jesus Christ, the grace to repair all the spiritual losses we have sustained through our negligence. We should beseech Him, in the name and through the merits of this divine Saviour, to enable us to attain that degree of perfection to which He wished to conduct us, if we had corresponded with fidelity. This practice suits particularly the end of the year.

In thanksgiving to almighty God, for the spiritual and temporal blessings bestowed on you, on your parents, on all mankind, during the past year, recite with lively sentiments of gratitude the Te Deum or Magnificat.

And in expiation of your infidelities, recite the Miserere.

AN OFFERING OF THE NEW YEAR.

O MY God! another year is added to the number of those for which I am accountable to Thee. Well may I recount them all in the bitterness of my soul, for they have been filled with infidelities and ingratitude. Thou hast granted them to me to know, to love, and serve Thee, and every one of them brings to my recollection numberless omissions of these essential duties. Have mercy on me, O Lord, have mercy on me, for I have no hope but in Thy mercy. It now offers me this new year to repair the evils and retrieve the losses of those which are past. Grant, O Lord, that it be entirely consecrated to Thy glory, sanctified by Thy love, and wholly employed in Thy service.

A PRAYER TO THE ADORABLE NAME OF JESUS.

{[di|O}} MOST sweet Jesus, how glorious is that name which is given to Thee this day! I rejoice that it is not borne by Thee a mere empty name, the shadow of a name, as others have borne it; but a name full of truth, and of all perfection.

I thank Thee, O good Jesus, for the will which Thou hadst to save us, accepting the office, with the name, of Saviour; fulfil it, O Lord, effectually in me; and seeing Thou art Jesus, Esto mihi Jesus. Be to me Jesus, be my Saviour. Amen.

O blessed Virgin, beseech thy Son to imprint in my heart that esteem and love of this holy name, which He imprinted in thine.

May the adorable name of Jesus be the sweet and daily music of my soul, and the seal of my heart; and, when in the agony and cold sweat of death, I shall give the last look to heaven for mercy, may the parting sigh of my soul be Jesus, sweet Jesus, Amen.

THIRTY-THREE PETITIONS.

Offered through the merits of the sacred humanity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

O GOOD Jesus! Word of the Eternal Father, convert me!

O good Jesus! Son of Mary, make me her child!

O good Jesus! my Master, teach me!

O good Jesus! Prince of peace, give me peace!

O good Jesus! my Refuge, receive me!

O good Jesus! my Pastor, feed my soul!

O good Jesus! Model of patience, comfort me!

O good Jesus! my Redeemer, save me!

O good Jesus! my God and my All, possess me!

O good Jesus! the true Way, direct me!

O good Jesus! eternal Truth, instruct me!

O good Jesus! Life of the blessed, make me live in Thee!

O good Jesus! my Support, strengthen me!

O good Jesus! my Justice, justify me!

O good Jesus! my Mediator, reconcile me to Thy Father!

O good Jesus! Physician of my soul, heal me!

O good Jesus! my Judge, absolve me!

O good Jesus! my King, govern me!

O good Jesus! my Sanctification, sanctify me!

O good Jesus! Abyss of goodness, pardon me!

O good Jesus! living Bread from heaven, satiate me!

O good Jesus! the Father of the prodigal, receive me!

O good Jesus! Joy of my soul, refresh me!

O good Jesus! my Helper, assist me!

O good Jesus! Magnet of love, attract me!

O good Jesus! my Protector, defend me!

O good Jesus! my Hope, sustain me!

O good Jesus! Object of my love, make me love Thee!

O good Jesus! Fountain of life, cleanse me!

O good Jesus! my Propitiation, purify me!

O good Jesus! my last End, let me obtain Thee!

O good Jesus! my Glory, glorify me. Amen.

Prayer.

JESUS! O name of Jesus! sweet name! delightful name! consoling name! for what else is Jesus than Saviour! Wherefore, O Jesus, for Thy sweet name's sake, be to me a Jesus, and save me. Suffer me not to be eternally lost, whom Thou didst create out of nothing. O good Jesus! let not my iniquities destroy me, whom Thy bounty made. O sweet Jesus! recognize in me what is Thine, and efface all that is not Thine. O sweet Jesus! show mercy now in the time of mercy, and condemn me not in the day of justice. What profit to Thy precious blood, or what honor will my destruction give Thy holy name, O Jesus! "The dead shall not praise Thee, O Lord Jesus! nor all they that go down to hell." O most amiable Jesus! most meek, most loving Jesus! O Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! admit me to the number of Thy servants! O Jesus, comfort of all who fly to Thee! O sweet Jesus! forgive me my sins! O Jesus! Son of the Virgin Mary, infuse into my soul grace, wisdom, charity, chastity, and humility, that I may love Thee perfectly, praise Thee, serve Thee, and eternally rejoice and glory in Thee, with all who devoutly honor and fervently invoke Thy holy name, O Jesus. Amen.

Novena to the Infant Jesus.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY CHILD.

O CHILD Jesus, I have recourse to Thee; by Thy holy Mother, I implore Thy assistance in this necessity (here mention your request), for I firmly believe that Thy divinity can assist me. I confidently hope to obtain Thy holy grace. I love Thee with my whole heart and my whole soul. I am heartily sorry for my sins, and I entreat of Thee, O good Jesus, to give me strength to overcome my evil passions. I make the resolution of never again offending Thee, and I resolve to suffer everything rather than displease Thee. Henceforth I wish to serve Thee faithfully. For the love of Thee, O divine Child! I will love my neighbor as myself. O Jesus, omnipotent Child, I again implore Thy assistance on this occasion (mention it) . Grant that I may possess Thee eternally, with Mary and Joseph, and adore Thee with the angels and saints in heaven. Amen.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY FAMILY.

To be said before a representation of the Holy Family.

O MOST loving Jesus, Who by Thy sublime and beautiful virtues of humility, obedience, poverty, modesty, charity, patience, and gentleness, and by the example of Thy domestic life, didst bless with peace and happiness the family which Thou didst choose on earth, in Thy clemency look down upon this household, humbly prostrate before Thee and imploring Thy mercy. Remember that this family belongs to Thee; for to Thee we have in a special way dedicated and devoted ourselves. Look upon us in Thy loving-kindness, preserve us from danger; give us help in time of need; and grant us the grace to persevere to the end in the imitation of Thy Holy Family; that having revered Thee and loved Thee faithfully on earth, we may bless and praise Thee eternally in heaven. O Mary, most sweet Mother, to thy intercession we have recourse, knowing that thy Divine Son will hear thy prayers. And do thou, O glorious Patriarch, St. Joseph, assist us by thy powerful mediation, and offer, by the hands of Mary, our prayers to Jesus. Amen.

Novena for the New Year.

O MOST amiable Redeemer! Whose infinite love for man far exceeded Thy corporal strength in the crib of Bethlehem, receive our fervent adorations and most ardent thanksgiving for the first effusion of that adorable blood which Thou didst afterwards shed to the last drop for us on the cross. Oh, how ardently must Thou have desired our salvation, since Thou didst so soon begin to suffer for us! How much must Thou have wished for our confidence, since Thou didst so early assume that name which, above all names, is best calculated to render Thee amiable in our eyes and dear to our hearts. O Jesus! our infant, but most powerful Saviour! we now feel that Thou art Our Redeemer, and therefore most confidently approach Thy crib, to represent to Thee all our wants, and in particular to implore, by Thy adorable infancy, by Thy painful circumcision, and above all by Thy sacred name, which is the joy of heaven, the terror of hell, the consolation of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners, that Thou wouldst grant us the intentions of this novena.

Pardon us, O adorable Jesus, all our negligences, tepidity, and sloth in Thy divine service during the past year, and mercifully deign to accept the oblation which we now make of every day, hour, and moment of the year we commence. Give efficacy by Thy precious blood to the resolutions we now make, of living from this moment in the manner we should wish to have done when time shall be about to close for ever for us. We fervently offer Thee each and every action of this year, in unison with the adorable actions of Thy mortal life: we offer Thee our intentions and every movement of body and soul, (most solemnly renouncing every motive but Thy love) ; the most perfect obedience to Thy holy will, and ardent zeal for Thy glory. O merciful Jesus! by the helplessness of infancy, to which Thou didst descend for our sakes, strengthen our weakness and fortify our resolutions never more to offend Thee. By the silence of childhood, which Thou wouldst not break, though Thou wert the uncreated Word of God, grant us that spirit of silence, recollection, and prayer which will best enable us to acquire the other virtues of our holy state. May the most ardent love so deeply imprint Thy saving name on our hearts that it may be always in our minds, frequently on our lips, that it may be our defence in temptation, our refuge in danger, and at length our certain passport to a happy eternity.

Novena for Epiphany.

1.O HOLY Magi! you were living in continual expectation of the rising of the Star of Jacob, which would announce the birth of the true Sun of justice; obtain for us an increase of faith and charity, and the grace to live in continual hope of beholding one day the light of heavenly glory and eternal joy.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

2. O holy Magi! who at the first appearance of the wondrous star left your native country to go and seek the new-born King of the Jews ; obtain for us the grace of corresponding with alacrity to every divine inspiration.

Glory be, etc.

3. O holy Magi! who regarded neither the severity of the season, nor the inconveniences of the journey, that you might find the new-born Messias; obtain for us the grace not to allow ourselves to be discouraged by any of the difficulties which may meet us in the way of salvation. Glory be, etc.

4. O holy Magi, who, when deserted by the star in the city of Jerusalem, sought humbly, and without human respect, from the rulers of the Church, the place where you might discover the object of your journey; obtain for us grace to have recourse, in faith and humility, in all our doubts and perplexities to the counsel of our superiors, who hold the place of God on earth.

Glory be, etc.

5. O holy Magi, who were gladdened by the reappearance of the star which led you to Bethlehem; obtain for us from God the grace, that, remaining always faithful to Him in afflictions, we may be consoled in time by His grace, and in eternity by His glory.

Glory be, etc.

6. O holy Magi, who, entering full of faith into the stable of Bethlehem, prostrated yourselves on the earth, to adore the new-born King of the Jews, though He was surrounded only by signs of poverty and weakness; obtain from the Lord for us a lively faith in the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the true spirit of poverty, and a Christ-like charity for the poor and suffering.

Glory be, etc.

7. O holy Magi, who offered to Jesus Christ gold, incense, and myrrh, thereby recognizing Him to be at once King, God, and Man; obtain from the Lord for us the grace never to present ourselves before Him with empty hands; but that we may continually offer to Him the gold of charity, the incense of prayer, and the myrrh of penance and mortification.

Glory be, etc.

8. O holy Magi, who, when warned by an angel not to return to Herod, travelled back to your country by another road ; obtain for us from the Lord the grace that, after having found Him by true repentance, we may avoid all danger of losing Him again.

Glory be, etc.

9. O holy Magi, who were the first among the Gentiles called to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and who persevered in the faith till your deaths, obtain for us of the Lord the grace of living always in conformity to the baptismal promises and especially in accordance with our Religious Vows, leading ever a life of faith; that like you we may attain to the beatific vision of that God Who now is the object of our faith.

Glory be, etc.

Novena to the Holy Name of Jesus.

O MERCIFUL Jesus! Who didst in Thy early infancy commence Thy office of Saviour by shedding Thy precious blood, and assuming for us that name which is above all names: we thank Thee for such early proofs of Thine infinite love. We venerate Thy sacred name in union with the profound respect of that angel who first announced it to the earth, and unite our affections to the sentiments of tender devotion, which the adorable name of Jesus has, in all ages, enkindled in the hearts of Thy saints. Animated with a firm faith in Thy unerring word, and penetrated with confidence in Thy mercy, we now most humbly remind Thee of the promise Thou hast made, that when two or three should assemble in Thy name, Thou Thyself wouldst be in the midst of them. Come then into the midst of us, most amiable Jesus, for it is in Thy sacred name we are here assembled. Come into our hearts, that Thy Holy Spirit may pray in and by us; and through that adorable name which is the joy of heaven, the terror of hell, the consolation of the afflicted, and the solid ground of our unlimited confidence, mercifully grant us all the petitions of this novena.

O Mary ever Virgin, and blessed Mother of Our Redeemer, who didst participate so sensibly in the sufferings of thy dear Son, when He first shed His sacred blood, and assumed for us the name of Jesus, obtain for us through that adorable name the favors we petition Him. Beg also that He may inflame our hearts with His divine love, and imprint thereon His most sacred name; that it may be always in our minds, frequently on our lips, our refuge and hope during life, and our consolation and support at the hour of death. Amen.

Novena for the Purification of Our Lady.

O ETERNAL God! Whose adorable Majesty was so imperfectly honored by the sacrifices of the Old Law, we rejoice, from the bottom of our hearts, in the homage Thou didst receive from Thy beloved Son, on His presentation in the Temple. Sacrifice and sin-offering had ceased to please Thee ; they were no longer agreeable in Thine eyes — when, behold! He came, in Whom from eternity Thou wert well pleased, to offer Thee that Victim of adoration which Thine infinite Majesty expected — that Sacrifice of expiation which Thy justice required — that Victim of thanksgivings which Thy benefits deserved — and that Host of impetration to which Thy mercy had reserved the most precious favors. But, Lord, the glorious advantage of presenting Thee a Victim worthy of Thy greatness was not confined to that propitious moment. From the rising to the setting of the sun, there is now offered to Thy name a clean oblation. In all parts of the earth, at this moment, that holy, innocent, undented oblation is presented to Thee, which must always ascend before Thee as an odor of sweetness. Oh, permit us, then, to unite an unreserved oblation of our whole being, and a fervent renewal of our vows, to the first oblation which Jesus offered in the Temple, and also to all the Masses now going on throughout the world. We most humbly beg of Thee to accept this Victim, infinitely greater than any favors we could ask, as a powerful motive for granting us the intentions of this novena. O most happy Virgin! from whom the Almighty first received a Victim worthy of Himself, let us not be excluded from a share in the graces which, through thee, have been granted to the world. Since we are so often in possession of that same sacred Victim, which thou didst present to God, obtain for us a share in that ardent love which consumed thy pure soul — in that spirit of sacrifice which accompanied thy oblation — and in that profound humility, which on this solemnity concealed thy glorious privileges from all the world. Do thou thyself give us the Divine Infant in each of our communions, as thou didst to holy Simeon. Obtain that, like him, a lively faith may discover to us Our Lord and Salvation, in the mystery of His humiliation; that our hearts may love Him therein ardently, and that frequent union with Jesus, in the Sacrament of His infinite goodness, may so detach us from the world, that we may never cease to sigh after that kingdom of peace, where we shall never sin, and never cease to love. Amen.

Novena to St. Joseph.

O GLORIOUS descendant of the kings of Juda! inheritor of the virtues of all the patriarchs! just and happy St. Joseph! listen to our prayers. Thou art our glorious protector, and shalt ever be, after Jesus and Mary, the object of our most profound veneration and tender confidence. Thou art a hidden saint, though one of the greatest of saints, and art peculiarly the patron of interior souls.

In union with all those who have ever been most devoted to thee, we now dedicate ourselves to thy service, beseeching thee, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Who vouchsafed to love and obey thee as a Son, to become a father to us, and to obtain for us the filial respect, confidence, and love of children toward thee. O powerful advocate of all Christians! whose intercession, as St. Teresa assures us, has never been found to fail, deign to intercede for us now and to implore for us the particular intentions of the novena. (Specify them.) Present us, O great saint, to the adorable Trinity with Whom thou hadst so glorious and so intimate a correspondence. Obtain that we may never efface by sin the sacred image according to the likeness of which we were created. Beg for us that our divine Redeemer may enkindle in our hearts, and in all hearts, the fire of His love, and infuse therein the virtues of His adorable infancy — His purity, simplicity, obedience, and humility. Obtain for us likewise a lively devotion to thy Virgin spouse, and protect us so powerfully in life and in death that we may have the happiness of dying, as thou didst, in the friendship of Our Creator, and under the immediate protection of the Mother of God.

LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH.

LORD, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, spouse of St. Joseph, pray for us.
St. Joseph, just man,		Pray for us.
St. Joseph, guardian of the Word Incarnate,
St. Joseph, favorite of the King of heaven,
St. Joseph, ruler of the family of Jesus,
St. Joseph, spouse of the ever-blessed Virgin,
St. Joseph, nursing-father to the Son of God,
St. Joseph, example of humility and obedience,
St. Joseph, mirror of silence and resignation,
St. Joseph, patron of innocence and youth,
St. Joseph, exiled with Christ into Egypt,
St. Joseph, intercessor for the afflicted,
St. Joseph, advocate of the humble,
St. Joseph, model of every virtue,
St. Joseph, honored amongst men,
St. Joseph, exponent of all Christian perfections,

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, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, St. Joseph.

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

Let us pray.

ASSIST us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, by the merits of spouse of Thy most holy Mother: that what our unworthiness can not obtain, may be given us by his intercession with Thee, Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Novena for the annunciation of Our Lady.

O ADMIRABLE Virgin! the most exalted yet the most humble among all creatures! we salute thee, in union with the respect and veneration of the angel who was deputed from heaven to hail thee as full of grace, and as the choosen Mother of the Author of grace. O most happy Mother! most pure Virgin! most favored among all women, why can not we join with the generations yet unborn, which will call thee blessed? (Luke i.). Why can not we share in the profound feelings of humiliation which filled thy soul, even in the moment of thy glorious exaltation? O most humble, but most privileged handmaid of the Lord! since thou hast found grace before God, obtain for us that we may persevere in grace to the end of our lives. Since thou hast never felt the anguish which springs from sin, and wert never degraded by a single imperfection, thou hast no cause to fear those tremendous judgments which certainly await us if we continue to lead imperfect, tepid lives in the sanctuary of religion. O powerful Protectress of those who trust in thee! O Refuge of sinners! whose misfortunes thou well knowest how to compassionate! shield us from the anger of thy divine Son; obtain for us that we may be like thee ever docile to holy inspirations and ever ready to say with thee: "Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum": "Be it done unto me according to thy word;" and since it is by thee that Our Lord comes to us, may we, by thee, attain to the enjoyment of His adorable presence in heaven. Amen.

St. Gabriel, angel of the Annunciation, pray thou also for us in our present needs. Amen.

Novena in Honor of Our Saviour's Passion. For Lent.

I.O JESUS, my Saviour, Who didst sweat blood in the garden at the sight of the sufferings which my sins and my ingratitude were to cause Thee: I adore Thee bathed in Thy blood; I give thanks to Thy Sacred Heart which suffered so much for me, I hate my sins which were the cause of Thy sufferings; and I am resolved to die rather than to afflict Thee again. Grant me grace to understand the great evil of sin; that I may resist even unto blood the temptations of the world, the devil, and the flesh; and that I may be conformed in all things to the will of Thy divine Father, however contrary to my own inclinations.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

2. O my Lord Jesus, Who wast so cruelly maltreated in the house of Annas and Caiphas; I thank Thee that Thou didst vouchsafe to suffer for love of me insults so atrocious, and contempt so shameful. Ah! how often have I insulted Thee in the person of my neighbor! I humbly ask Thy pardon, and resolve, with Thy holy aid, to suffer whatever may be done against me with patience and gentleness, and never to offend Thee again, either in word or work.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

3. O Jesus my King! Who wast so scorned by the Jews that they preferred to Thee a malefactor, a murderer; I pray Thee to grant me pardon for having often preferred to Thee some miserable creature, some base gratification. Grant that I may rather die than again offend against Thy infinite Majesty. Be Thou henceforward the King of my heart; and grant that by the help of Thy grace I may ever love and serve Thee, until I shall have the happiness to see and enjoy Thee in the kingdom of Thy glory.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

4. O most pure Jesus, most chaste among men! Whose innocent flesh was thus torn by the scourging in the house of Pilate, to purge away the wicked pleasures which we enjoy in ours; I confess that it was for me Thou didst suffer such cruel torments. I am confounded when I reflect on the blows I have caused Thee, and how often I have wounded Thee by my sensual gratifications. I entreat of Thee by all Thy sufferings to sanctify my body and my soul, to wash me and purify me by Thy precious blood from all my filthy stains. Ah! let not that flesh which was once cleansed in Thy blood, be again defiled with sin. May I serve Thee to the end of my life with a clean heart, and may all my actions be guided by the purest intentions.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

5. O Jesus, greatest of all sovereigns, Who wast crowned with thorns, rnd treated with cruel mockery; all derided and despised as Thou art, I acknowledge Thee for my King. And since there was no part of Thy sacred body which was not bruised for me, I will no longer delight in indulging mine, but live in the practice of constant mortification, that so I may have some resemblance to Thee, my only true and sovereign good.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

6. O adorable and divine blood, shed for my salvation, flow over me, to wash me, to purify me, to sanctify me: flow over sinners, that they may be reclaimed; over the heathen, that they may be enlightened; over the perfidious Jews, that they may be softened; over all, that all being united in the same faith, in the same hope, and in the same charity, we may reign with Thee and in Thee, in that charity which shall subsist for ever.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

7. O Jesus, my Redeemer, Who wast for my sake nailed upon the cross, and didst shed Thy blood to free me from the slavery of the devil; I thank Thee for the incomparable love which Thou hast borne me, and the pain which Thou hast suffered for me. I kiss with the deepest respect Thy feet and Thy hands; I adore Thy Sacred Heart, which was opened for love of me; and I resolve, from this time forth, rather to lay down my life than to crucify Thee again by any mortal sin. For love of Thee, I crucify myself anew on the cross of my vows, and resolve to imitate Thy example faithfully to the end of my life. O good Lord, my blessed Saviour! By that glorious triumph, which, in Thy death, Thou didst achieve over sin and hell, and by that throne of glory to which Thou wast exalted by Thy Eternal Father in heaven: grant that I also, in the hour of death, may triumph over all my enemies, and come at last with Thee to the joys of paradise. Yes, O my Jesus, grant me this grace by the merits of Thine agony and Thy death on the cross.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc.

PRAYER BEFORE A PICTURE OF CHRIST CRUCIFIED.

BEHOLD, O kind and sweetest Jesus, I cast myself upon my knees in Thy sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul I pray and beseech Thee, to impress upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, with true repentance for my sins and a most firm desire of amendment, whilst with deep affection and grief of soul I consider within myself and mentally contemplate Thy five most precious wounds; having before my eyes that which the prophet David said of Thee, O good Jesus: "They have pierced my hands and my feet, they have numbered all my bones."

Novena for Easter. In Honor of the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord.

O JESUS, Who didst confound all Thine enemies by clothing in glory and splendor that body which had been the victim of the cruelty of man, give me grace to die to myself that I may rise again with Thee, and after Thy likeness lead a new, divine, immortal life : new, by change of conduct, divine by the generosity and purity of my love, immortal by perseverance in well doing. Work in my heart, O Lord, this happy change; make me pass from death to life, from darkness to light, from a life full of imperfections to a life perfect and worthy of Thee. Make me go on from light to light, from virtue to virtue, till I come at last to Thee, O God of virtue, source of all life, and of all light. To thee also I turn, O holy Virgin, who had the greatest share in the sufferings and the glory of thy divine Son; deign to make me a partaker of that divine joy which thou didst feel on the blessed day of His Resurrection. Dry my tears and free my heart from all oppressive sadness. Let Thy risen Son enter into my heart, as through the closed doors, into the upper chamber. Let Him say to me, as to the Apostles, "Peace be to thee;" let Him show to me, as to Thomas, His sacred wounds; let Him abide with me continually, and never more depart from me.

TO THE GLORIOUS WOUNDS OF JESUS RISEN.

I.MY risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss and adore the glorious wound of Thy left foot, and pray Thee to give me grace to fly from all occasions of sin, and ever more to walk in the way of salvation according to the spirit of my holy vows.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

2. My risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss and adore the glorious wound of Thy right foot, and pray Thee to give me grace to walk constantly in the way of Christian holiness till I come to the home of paradise.

Glory, etc.

3. My risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss and adore the glorious wound of Thy left hand, and pray Thee to deliver me from all evil, whether of the body or the soul, and most especially from the unhappy fate of the wicked who shall stand at Thy left hand at the day of judgment.

Glory, etc.

4. My risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss and adore the glorious wound of Thy right hand, and pray Thee to bless my soul there- with, and after death to open to me the gates of paradise.

Glory, etc.

5. My risen Jesus, I devoutly kiss and adore the glorious wound of Thy side, and pray Thee to kindle in my heart the fire of Thy love here, that I may hereafter love Thee eternally in heaven.

Glory be, etc.

To Mary.

LASTLY, I pray thee, O most holy Virgin Mary, by thy great joy on seeing thy risen and glorified Son, to obtain for us the grace to rise also after our death to the eternal glory of paradise. Hail Mary (three times).

Novena for Pentecost.

O JESUS! triumphant Conqueror of sin and death! Who hast taken possession of that seat of bliss purchased by Thy blood, remember Thy tender promise that Thou wouldst not leave us orphans. Send down upon us and upon Thy whole Church that Spirit of light, of truth, and of love Who alone can bring to our minds, and imprint on our hearts, the divine lessons of humility, poverty, obedience, and con- tempt of the world which Thou hast taught us during Thy mortal life. But, alas! if Thine apostles themselves were rendered unworthy of receiving the plenitude of Thy Spirit, by too natural an attachment to Thy adorable humanity, which was so lovely, so amiable, so deserving of their tenderest love, how can we hope for His descent into our hearts, which are defiled by a thousand imperfect and sinful inclinations? O my God, if Thou desirest to give us Thy divine Spirit, prepare Thyself His dwelling in our souls; unite our hearts and affections to the ardent sighs and perfect dispositions with which Thy blessed Mother and apostles awaited His coming. And Thou, O adorable Spirit! Who breathest where Thou wilt, deign to descend on us, who are here assembled in Thy name, and on all the members of Thy Church, to which Thou wilt teach all truth to the end of time. O Spirit of purity! Spirit of peace! Whom the foulest stains of sin can not resist, purify our souls, and infuse therein that peace which the world can not give. Oh, rend the heavens and come down, consoling Spirit! that, strengthened and encouraged by Thee, we may faithfully comply with the duties of our holy state, embrace the cross, in whatever shape it is presented, and study to accomplish the divine will with the utmost perfection.

HYMN TO THE HOLY GHOST.

COME, Holy Ghost, send down those beams
Which sweetly flow in silent streams
From Thy bright throne above;
O come, Thou Father of the poor.
O come, Thou Source of all our store;
  Come fill our hearts with love.
O Thou, of Comforters the best,
O Thou, the soul's delightful guest,
The pilgrim's sweet relief;
Thou art true rest in toil and sweat,
Refreshment in the excess of heat,
  And Solace in our grief.
Thrice blessed light, shoot home Thy darts,
And pierce the centers of those hearts
  Whose faith aspires to Thee;
Without Thy Godhead, nothing can
Have any price or worth in man,
  Nothing can harmless be.
Lord, wash our sinful stains away,
Water from heaven our barren clay,
  Our wounds and bruises heal;
To Thy sweet yoke our stiff necks bow;

Warm with Thy fire our hearts of snow,
  Our wand'ring feet repel.
Grant to Thy faithful, dearest Lord,
Whose only hope is Thy sure Word,
  The seven gifts of the Spirit:
Grant us in life Thy helping grace,
Grant us at death to see Thy face,
  And endless joys inherit. Amen.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O GOD, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit: grant that we may, by the gift of the same Spirit, be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Month of May.

O MOST august and blessed Virgin Mary! Holy Mother of God! glorious Queen of heaven and earth! powerful protectress of those who love thee, and unfailing advocate of all who invoke thee! look down, we beseech thee, from thy throne of glory on thy devoted children; accept the solemn offering we present thee of this month, specially dedicated to thee, and receive our ardent, humble desire, that by our love and fervor we may worthily honor thee, who, next to God, art deserving of all honor. Receive us, O Mother of mercy, among thy best beloved children; extend to us thy maternal tenderness and solicitude; obtain for us a place in the Heart of Jesus and a special share in the gifts of His grace. Oh, deign, we beseech thee, to recognize our claims on thy protection, to watch over our spiritual and temporal interests, as well as those of all who are dear to us; to infuse into our souls the spirit of Christ and to teach us thyself to become meek, humble, charitable, patient, and submissive to the will of God.

May our hearts burn with the love of thy divine Son, and of thee, His blessed Mother, not for a month alone, but for time and eternity; may we thirst for the promotion of His honor and thine, and contribute as far as we can to its extension. Receive us, O Mary, the Refuge of sinners; grant us a mother's blessing and a mother's care now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Novena for Corpus Christi.

O AMIABLE Jesus! Who hast given us, in the adorable Eucharist, so convincing a proof of Thine infinite love, permit us to thank Thee, in the name of all Thy creatures, for the blessings included in this one precious gift. We adore Thee, O hidden Deity! and most ardently wish we could offer Thee such love as would atone for our own offences, and those committed by all mankind, against this most amiable mystery. But, my God, if all creatures are so deeply indebted to Thy mercy for this Adorable Sacrament, how much more sensibly should we feel our obligations, since, by Thy special predilection, we have been chosen to dwell under the same roof with Thyself, to see Thee daily offered on our altars, and to receive so frequently Thy precious body and blood. Convinced by these Thy lender mercies, that our confidence in Thy goodness can not be too great, we come now to implore of Thee, by that infinite love which induced Thee to institute this Adorable Sacrament, and by all the graces which have ever flowed from this source of every blessing, to grant us the favor we ask in this novena.

We firmly purpose to become more fervent and devoted adorers of this Sacrament of love, and to take Thy Eucharistic life for the rule and model of ours. Give us grace to honor Thy silence on our altar, by the spirit of recollection and prayer; Thy poverty, obedience, and adorable sanctity, by detachment from all things — renunciation of self-will, and horror of sin; above all, we beseech Thee, O living Bread of eternal life! to remove all obstacles to our more fruitfully and worthily receiving Thee; and to grant us so tender a devotion to this amiable mystery that our hearts and thoughts may ever be turned to Thee, present on our altars, and every action of our lives be directed to the perfect accomplishment of Thy holy wilt Amen.

Novena for the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

O ADORABLE Jesus! Who hast discovered to us Thy most Sacred Heart, that we may form some idea of the extent of Thy love, send forth Thy light and Thy grace into our hearts, that we may value as we ought so precious a favor. We adore thee, O infinitely amiable Heart, and beseech thee to receive our adorations, in union with those thou thyself renderest to the Divinity on our altars, in union with the perfect homage of all thy saints, and in particular, in union with the unceasing adorations of the heavenly spirits, who crowd thy sanctuary during this glorious solemnity, and honor the presence of thy amiable Heart on our altars. Yet it is not for those pure and ardent spirits that thou burnest with love in the Holy Eucharist, it is for us, it is for all creatures, even for those who are most unmindful of all thy mercies.

But though all the world should forget Thee, O divine Victim of charity, surely we, at least, should return Thee love for love, since Thou hast loved us with an eternal charity, and selected us long before our existence, as the favorites of Thy Divine Heart, the objects of its tenderest affection and peculiar favors. Penetrated with the confidence which should arise from the recollection of all Thou hast already done for us, and art willing to do for those who trust in thee, we humbly represent our present necessities to Thee, O adorable Heart, the Fountain of all grace, the Ocean of mercy and exhaustless Source of consolation and strength! We most fervently entreat thee to infuse into our hearts the dispositions thou requirest, and then, for thine own sake, to grant the earnest petitions of this novena.

Thou art, O Furnace of love, a public Victim. Thy mercies and graces are offered to all who will only ask, that they may receive; but Thy tenderest compassion seems peculiarly directed to all unhappy sinners.

For them Thou wert overwhelmed with sorrow in the Garden of Olives, and wounded on the cross; for them we most particularly pray, and most earnestly entreat the grace of conversion.

For ourselves, and every member of this Community, Page:Prayerbookforrel00lasa 0.djvu/1074 Page:Prayerbookforrel00lasa 0.djvu/1075 Page:Prayerbookforrel00lasa 0.djvu/1076 Page:Prayerbookforrel00lasa 0.djvu/1077 Page:Prayerbookforrel00lasa 0.djvu/1078 Page:Prayerbookforrel00lasa 0.djvu/1079 Page:Prayerbookforrel00lasa 0.djvu/1080

Prayer-book for Religious/Book 4

THE RELIGIOUS WHO WILL NEVER BE PERFECT IS:

'TIS WELL.

A PRAYER FOR RETREAT.

A Bona Mors Litany, and Other Prayers for a Happy Death

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