Purgatorian Consoler/Night Prayers
Night Prayers.
In the name of the ✝ Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle 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.
PRAYER.
God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of Thy holy spirit, grant us, by the same spirit, to have a right judgment in all things, and everymore to rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
ACT OF THANKSGIVING.
I thank Thee, Lord, for all the graces and benefits which Thou hast bestowed upon me, especially for having given me Jesus Christ for my redeemer, the Blessed Virgin for my mother and for having called me to be a child of the
only one true Catholic Church. Ask yourself then seriously and carefully the following questions, by way of an
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE.
Have I not sinned this day —
In thought? By willingly entertaining some unchaste, uncharitable, or covetous thoughts ?
In word? By using immodest language — uttering oaths— curses — lies — passionate, slanderous, profane, or irreverent words ? Have I given scandal so ?
In action? By being idle ? — slow or impatient about my work ? Have I not been in evil or dangerous company ? Done any immodest action ? Been too free in my manners ? Been rude, cross, or disobedient towards my parents or superiors ? Been unkind, insolent, malicious, cruel or unjust towards my neighbor ? Have I given any bad example to my children, my servants, my neighbors ?
By omission? Have I refused or neglected to do any act of charity ? Been watchful over my children, and others depending upon me, and careful for their salvation ? Have I omitted my prayers, my penance, or some other duty ?
Finally, examine whether you have kept the resolution you made in the morning. If not, consider well what was the cause
of your fall, and seek out the means to preserve you from falling in future. For be assured, that your whole Christian perfection depends upon this diligent examination of conscience. Having finished this examination, make the following acts of Faith, Hope, Charity and Contrition:
ACT OF FAITH.[1]
O my God ! Who art the infallible Truth ! I believe every thing which the Holy Church commands me to believe, because Thou hast revealed it to her. I believe that Thou art the Creator of heaven and earth, that Thou dost reward the just in paradise, and punish the wicked eternally in hell. I believe that Thou art one divine essence in three persons, namely ; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I believe the carnation and the death of Jesus Christ. In a word, I believe all that the Holy Church believes. I thank Thee for having made me a Christian, and a Catholic, and I protest that I will live and die in this holy faith.
ACT OF HOPE.
O my God ! I confide in Thy promises, because Thou art faithful, powerful, and merciful, and hope, through the merits of Jesus Christ, for the pardon of my sins, final perseverance, and the everlasting glory of paradise.
ACT OF CHARITY.
O my God ! I love Thee with all my heart, and above all things, because Thou art infinitely good, and worthy of infinite love, and for love of Thee I love my neighbor as myself.
ACT OF CONTRITION.
O my God ! I am heartily sorry for all my sins, because by them I have lost heaven and deserved hell, but more than all because I have offended Thee, my God, Who are infinitely good, and worthy of all my love ; but now I am firmly resolved, by the help of Thy grace, never to sin against Thee any more, and to avoid all the occasions of sin.
Then say for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed: One Our Father and one Hail Mary, with
V. Eternal rest give to them, Lord.
R. And let everlasting light enlighten them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
Go to bed now, with holy thoughts, or repeating with your lips some short fervent ejaculations of love, and continue thus until you Jail asleep. If you awake in the night, lift up your -thoughts immediately to God, that no evil imaginations may enter your mind, and if they should, say promptly:
O Jesus ! O Mary ! No, no, let me die rather than do, or wish, or even think of such a thing ! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
- ↑ According to a concession of Pope Benedict XIV., granted in December, 1754, an indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines (280 days) may be gained by devoutly repeating these acts. If recited daily for a month, with confession and communion made in the course of the same month, a plenary indulgence is gained.