The Path To Heaven/Various Popular Devotions
The Rosary of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary.
St. Dominic, the founder of the order of Friar-Preachers, having recourse to the Blessed Virgin in order to stem the flood of the Albigensian heresy, which was spreading itself like a plague over many countries, but especially over France, instituted, by special revelation from her, in the year 1206, and afterwards effectually promulgated, the devotion of the holy Rosary, which ever since has produced the most marvellous results in the Christian world.
The devotion called the Rosary consists of fifteen ‘‘ Pater nosters” and "Glorias,” and one hundred and fifty “ Ave Marias,” divided into three parts; each containing five “Decades,” or tens; a decade consisting of one ‘‘ Pater,” ten "Aves,” and a “Gloria.” To each of these Decades is assigned one of the principle mysteries of the life of our Saviour, or his blessed Mother, as matter of meditation, whereon the mind is to exercise whilst at prayer, and therefore it is prefixed to every Decade.
The fifteen mysteries, as we have said, are divided into three parts, viz. five joyful, five sorrowful, and five glorious mysteries. Now the method consists in raising corresponding affections in the will during the recital of each Decade, such as the devotion of each one may suggest; for example in the first part, sentiments of joy for the coming of our Redeemer; in the second, of compassion for the sufferings of our Lord, and contrition for our sins which were the occasion of them; in the third, of thanksgiving for the. exaltation and glory of our Saviour and his blessed Mother, hoping, through the merits of bis passion, and her intercession, to be made partakers of their glory. To assist the mind in this exercise, a short meditation and prayer is usually given to be used before and after each Decade, In order to say the Rosary well, ‘we must not be satisfied with merely pronouncing the words of the prayers, or with a vague and general reflection on the mysteries; but endeavour to acquire the habit of reciting them with great attention and reverence, at the same time dwelling
in a vivid manner upon the different mysteries, Page:ThePathToHeaven.djvu/661 Page:ThePathToHeaven.djvu/662 THE LIVING ROSARY.
To enable all to join the more readily in the recitation of the Rosary, an association has been instituted called the “Living Rosary,” the members of which, by reciting daily one decade, enjoy the privileges accorded as above. It is thus arranged : Fifteen persons form themselves in to a circle, and. divide amongst them by lot the fifteen mysteries. Each recites his Our Father and ten Hail Marys daily ; and by this means the entire Rosary is gone through by the circle every day. The association was confirmed by a brief of Gregory XVI.,
January, 1832.
THE FIVE JOYFUL MYSTERIES.
I. The Annunciation,
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the angel Gabriel saluted Our Blessed Lady with the title, “Full of grace,” and declared unto her the Incarnation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Our Father, &c. once; Hail Mary, ten times; Glory, &c., once.
1 By the Archangel’s word of love
That announced thee from above;
By the grace to Mary given;
By thy first descent from heav'n ;
Child of Mary, hear our cry ;
Thou wert helpless once as we ;
Now enthroned in majesty,
Countless angels sing to thee.
The Prayer.
O Holy Mary, Queen of Virgins, by the most high mystery of the Incarnation of thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by which our salvation was so happily begun ; obtain for us, by thy intercession, light to know this so great benefit which he hath bestowed upon us, in vouchsafing to become our brother, and making thee, his own most beloved Mother, to be our Mother also, Amen,
II. The Visitation.
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the Blessed Virgin Mary, understanding from the angel that her cousin St. Elizabeth had conceived, went with haste into the mountains of Judea to visit her, and, remained with her three months.
Our Father, &c. as before.
By that journey made in haste
O'er the desert mountain waste;
By that voice whose heav'nly tone.
Thrill'd the Baptist in the womb;
Child of Mary, &c.
The Prayer.
O Holy Virgin, moat spotless mirror of humility, by that exceeding charity which moved thee to visit thy holy cousin, St. Elizabeth; obtain for us by thy intercession that our hearts may be so visited by thy most holy Son, that, being free from all sin, we may praise him and give thanks for ever. Amen,
III. The Nativity.
Let: us contemplate, in this mystery, how the Blessed Virgin Mary, when the time of her delivery was come, brought forth our Redeemer Christ Jesus at midnight, and laid him: in a manger, because there was no room for him in the inns at Bethlehem.
Our Father, &c.
By thy poor and lowly lot,
By the manager and the grot;
By thy tender feet and hands,
Folded in their swaddling hands;
Child of Mary, &c.
The Prayer.
O most pure Mother of God, by thy virginal and most joyful delivery, by which thou gavest onto the: world thy Son our Saviour; we beseech thee obtain for us, by thy intercession, grace to lead so pure and holy a life in this world, that we may worthily sing: without ceasing, both by day and night, the mercies of thy Son, and his benefits to us by thee. Amen.
IV. The Presentation.
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the most Blessed Virgin Mary, on the day of her purification, presented the child Jesus in the Temple, where holy Simeon, giving thanks to God with great devotion, received him into his arms,
Our Father, &c.
By the joy of Simeon blest
‘When he clasp’d thee to his breast;
By the widow'd Anna's song
Pour'd amid the wondering throng;
Child of Mary, &c.
The Prayer.
O Holy Virgin, and admirable mistress and pattern of Obedience, who didst present in the Temple the Lord of the Temple; obtain for us of thy beloved Son, that, with holy Simeon and devout Anna, we may praise and glorify him forever. Amen.
V. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the Blessed Virgin Mary, having lost her beloved Son in Jerusalem, sought him for the space of three days, and at length found him the fourth day in the Temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them, being then but twelve years old.
Our Father, &c.
By our Lady’s glad delight,
In the Temple, at the sight
Of her Child so young and fair,
‘Wiser than the wisest there ;
Child of Mary, &c,
The Prayer.
Most Blessed Virgin, more than martyr in thy sufferings, and-yet the comfort of such as are afflicted, by that unspeakable joy wherewith thy soul was ravished in finding thy beloved Son in the Temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them ; obtain of him for us so to seek him and to find him in the Holy Catholic Church, that we may never be separated from him. Amen.
The “Salve Regina.”
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope: to thee do we cry, poor banished sons of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us ; and after this our exile show to us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus; O most clement, most pious, and most sweet Virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Hear, O merciful God, the prayers of thy servants, that we who meet together in the society of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mother of God may, through her intercession, be delivered by thee from the dangers that continually hang over us. Amen.
O God, whose only-begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, hast purchased for us the rewards of eternal life ; grant, we beseech thee, that meditating upon those mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise ; through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.
THE FIVE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES.
I. The Prayer and Sweat of Blood of our Blessed Saviour in the Garden.
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ was so afflicted for us in the Garden of Gethsemani, that his body was bathed in a sweat of blood, which ran trickling down in great drops to the ground.
Our Father, &c. once; Hail Mary, &c. ten times ; Glory, &c. once.
By the blood that flow’d from thee
In thy grievous agony;
By the traitor’s guileful kiss,
Filling up thy bitterness;
Jesu, Saviour, hear our cry;
Thou wert suff’ring once as we;
Now enthroned in majesty
Countless angels sing to thee.
The Prayer.
Most Holy Virgin, more than martyr, by that ardent prayer which, thy beloved Son poured forth unto his Father in the garden; vouchsafe to intercede for us, that our passions being reduced to the obedience of reason, we may always, and in all things, conform and subject ourselves to the will of God. Amen.
II. The Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar.
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ was so cruelly scouraged in Pilate’s house; the number of stripes they gave him being about five thousand, as it was revealed to St. Bridget,
Our Father, &c.
By the cords that, round thee cast,
Bound thee to the pillar fast;
By the scourage so meekly borne;
By thy purple robe of scorn;
Jesu, Saviour, &c.
The Prayer.
O Mother of God, overflowing fountain of patience, by those stripes thy only and most beloved Son vouchsafed to suffer for us; obtain of him for us grace, that we may know how to mortify our rebellious senses, and cut off all occasions of sinning with that sword of grief and compassion which pierced thy most tender soul. Amen.
III. The Crowning of Jesus with Thorns.
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, How those cruel ministers of Satan plaited a crown of sharp thorns, and most cruelly pressed it on the sacred head of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Father, &c.
By the thorns that crown'd thy head;
By thy sceptre of a reed;
By thy foes, on bending knee,
Mocking at thy royalty;
Jesu, Saviour, &c.
The Prayer
O Mother of our Eternal Prince and King of Glory, by those sharp thorns wherewith his most holy head was pierced, we beseech thee, that by thy intercession, we may be delivered here from all motions of pride, and in the day of judgment from that confusion which our sins deserve. Amen.
IV. Jesus carrying his Cross.
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, being sentenced to die, bore with great patience the cross, which was laid upon him for his greater torment and ignominy.
Our Father, &c.
By the people's cruel jeers;
By the holy women's tears;
By thy footsteps faint and slow,
Weigh'd beneath thy cross of woe;
Jesu, Saviour, &c.
The Prayer.
O Holy Virgin, example of patience, by the most painful carrying of the cross, on which thy Son, our Lord Christ, bore the heavy weight of our sins; obtain for us of him by thy intercession courage and strength to follow his steps, and bear our cross after him to the end of our lives. Amen.
V. The Crucifixion.
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, being come to Mount Calvary, was stripped of his clothes, and his hands and feet most cruelly nailed to the cross, in the presence of his most afflicted Mother.
Our Father, &c.
By thy weeping Mother's woe;
By the sword that pierced her through
When, in anguish standing by,
On the cross she saw thee die;
Jesu, Saviour, &c.
The Prayer.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, as the body of thy beloved Son was for us extended on the cross, so may our desires be daily more and more stretched out in his service, and our hearts wounded with compassion of his most bitter passion; and thou, O most blessed Virgin, vouchsafe to negotiate for and with us the work of our salvation, by thy powerful intercession. Amen.
Hail, holy Queen, &c. as before, p. 668.
The Five Glorious Mysteries.
I. The Resurrection.
Let us contemplate, in this, mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ, triumphing gloriously over death, rose again the third day, immortal and impassible.
Our Father, &c.
By the first bright Easter-day,
When the stone was rolled away;
By the glory round thee shed
At thy rising from the dead;
King of glory, hear our cry;
Make us soon thy joys to see,
Where enthroned in majesty
Countless angels sing to thee.
The Prayer.
O glorious Virgin Mary by that unspeakable joy thou receivedst in the resurrection of thy only-beloved Son; we beseech thee obtain of him for us that our hearts may never go astray after the false joys of this world, but may be ever and wholly employed in pursuit of the only true and solid joys of heaven. Amen.
II. The Ascension.
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, forty days after his resurrection, ascended into heaven, attended by angels, in sight of his most holy Mother, and his apostles, and disciples to the great admiration of them all.
Our Father, &c.
By thy parting blessing giv'n
As thou didst ascend to heav'n;
By the cloud of living light
That received thee out of sight;
King of glory; &c.
The Prayer.
O Mother of God, comfort of the afflicted, as thy beloved Son, when he ascended into heaven, lifted up his hands, and blessed his Apostles, so vouchsafe, most holy Mother, to lift up thy pure hands to him for us, that we may enjoy the benefit of his blessing here on earth, and hereafter in heaven. Amen.
III. The Descent of the Holy Ghost.
Let us contemplate, in this glorious mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, being seated at the right hand of God, sent (as he had promised) the Holy Ghost upon his Apostles, who, after he ascended, returning to Jerusalem, continued in prayer and supplication with the Blessed Virgin Mary, expecting the performance of his promise.
Our Father, &c.
By that rushing sound of might
Coming down from heaven's height;
By the cloven tongue of fire,
Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,
King of glory, &c.,
The Prayer.
O sacred Virgin, Tabernacle of the Holy Ghost, we beseech thee obtain by thy intercession, that this most sweet Comforter, whom thy beloved Son sent down upon his Apostles, filling them thereby with spiritual joy, may teach us in this world the true way of salvation, and make us walk in the paths of virtue and good works, Amen.
IV. The Assumption.
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the glorious Virgin, twelve years after the resurrection of her Son, passed out of this world unto him, and was by him assumed into heaven, accompanied by the holy angles.
Our Father, &c.
See the Virgin Mother rise;
Angels bear her to the skies ;
Mount aloft, imperial Queen,
Plead on high the cause of men.
King of glory, &c.
The Prayer.
O most prudent Virgin, who, entering into the heavenly palace, didst fill the holy angels with joy, and man with hope ; vouchsafe to intercede for us in the hour of death, that being free from the illusions and temptations of the devil, we may joyfully and securely pass out of this temporal state to enjoy the happiness of eternal life. Amen,
V. The Crowning of the Blessed Virgin.
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the glorious Virgin Mary was, with great jubilee and exultation of the whole court of heaven, and particular glory of all the saints, crowned by her. Son with the brightest diadem of glory.
Our Father, &c.
Mary reigns upon the throne
Preordain'd for her alone;
Saints and angels round her sign,
Mother of our God and King.
King of glory, &c.
The Prayer.
O glorious Queen of all the heavenly citizens, we beseech thee accept this Rosary, which (as a crown of roses) we offer at thy feet; and grant, most gracious Lady, that by thy intercession our souls may be inflamed with so ardent a desire of seeing thee so gloriously crowned, that it may never die in us, until it shall be changed into the happy fruition of thy blessed sight, Amen,
Hail, Holy Queen, &c. p. 658. Devotion of the Bona Mors.
In the name of the ✠ Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Open thou our mouths, O Lord, to bless thy holy name; cleanse our hearts from all vain, evil, and distracting thoughts; enlighten our understandings and inflame our wills, that we may worthily perform this holy exercise with attention and devotion, and may deserve to be heard in the presence of thy divine Majesty. Who with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, God, World without end. Amen.
| Kyrie eleison. | Lord have mercy on us, | |
| Christe eleison. | Christ have mercy on us | |
| Kyrie eleison. | Lord have mercy on us. | |
| Sancta Maria, Ora pro nobis, | Holy Mary, pray for us. | |
| Omnes sancti. Angeli et Archangeli, Ora pro nobis. | All ye holy Angels and Archangels, | |
| Sancte Abel, Ora. | St. Abel, | |
| Omnis chorus Justorum, Ora. | All ye choir of the Just, | |
| Sancte Abraham, Ora. | St. Abraham, | |
| Sancte Joannes Baptista, Ora. | St. John the Baptist, | |
| Sancte Joseph,Ora. | St. Joseph, | |
| Omnes sancti Patriarchae et Prophetae, Orate. | All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, | |
| Sancte Petre, Ora, | St. Peter, | |
| Sancte Paule, Ora. | St. Paul, | |
| Sancte Andrea, Ora, | St. Andrew, | |
| Sancte Joannes, Ora, | St. John, | |
| Omnes sancti Apostoli et Evangelist, Orate, | All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, | Pray for us. |
| Omnes sancti Discipuli Domini, Orate. | All ye holy Disciples of our Lord, | |
| Onmnes sancti Innocentes, | All ye holy Innocents, | |
| Sancte Stephane, Ora, | St. Stephen, | |
| Sancte Laurenti, Ora. | St. Laurence, | |
| Omnes sancti Martyres, Orate. | All ye holy Martyrs, | |
| Sancte Sylvester, Ora. | St. Sylvester, | |
| Sancte Gregori, Ora. | St. Gregory, | |
| Sancte Augustine, Ora. | St Austin, | |
| Omnes sancti Pontifices et Confessores, Orate. | All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, |
| Sancte Benedicte, Ora. | St. Benedict, | |
| Sancte Francisce, Ora. | St. Francis, | |
| Omnes sancti Monachi et Eremite, Orate. | All ye holy Monks and hermits, | |
| Sancta Maria Magdalena, Ora. | St. Mary Magdalen, | |
| Sancta Lucia, Ora. | St. Lucy, | |
| Omnes sancta Virgines et Viduae, Orate. | All ye holy Virgins and Widows, | Pray for us. |
| Omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei | All ye Saints of God, | |
| Intercedite pro nobis. | Intercede for us. | |
| Propitius esto, | Be merciful unto us, | |
| Parce nobis Domine | Spare us, O Lord. | |
| Propitius esto, | Be merciful unto us, | |
| Exaudi nos Domine. | Hear us, O Lord | |
| Propitius esto. | Be merciful unto us, | |
| Ab ira tua, | From thy anger | |
| A periculo mortis, | From the peril of death, | |
| A mala morte, | From an evil death. | |
| A poenis inferni, | From the pains of hell, | O Lord, deliver us. |
| Ab omni malo, | From all evil, | |
| A potestate diaboli, | From the power of the devil, | |
| Per nativitátem tuam. | By thy nativity, | |
| Per crucem et passiónem tuam. | By thy Cross and Passion. | |
| Per mortem et sepultúram tuam. | By thy Death and Burial. | |
| Per gloriósum resurrectionem tuam. | By thy glorious resurrection, | |
| Per admirabilem ascensionem tuam, | By thy admirable ascention. | |
| Per gratiam Spiritus Sancti Paracliti, | By the grace of the Holy Ghost the Paraclete, | |
| In die judicii, | In the day of judgment, | |
| Peccatores, Te reganded vedi nos. | We sinners, beseech thee to hear us. | |
| Ut nobis parcas, | That thou wouldst spare us. | |
| Ut ad veram poenitentian nos perducere digneris, | That thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring us unto true penance. | We beseech thee to hear us. |
| Kyrie eleison | Lord have mercy on us. | |
| Christe eleison | Christ have mercy on us. | |
| Kyrie eleison | 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 them, but that they may deserve to pass with thy angels into everlasting life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
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 remission of them from thy mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the world, behold, prostrate at thy feet, an ungrateful and perfidious creature. O my God, I have offended thee exceedingly in thought, in word, and in deed. My heinous crimes fixed thee to the bloody cross. To rescue one from eternal damnation, thou didst endure an agony of three hours on Mount Calvary. How much I am displeased with myself how grieved at having offended thee, a God of infinite goodness, of infinite charity! I am astonished at thy unwearied patience in supporting a provoking sinner. With my whole heart I detest any sins; and because I love thee, and will love thee above all created things, I 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.
R. Have mercy on us 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 abandoned by thy disciples: have mercy on us.
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.
O Jesus, who by the unjust council of the Jews wast sentenced to death, led like a malefactor before Pilate, scorned and derided by the impious Herod: have mercy on us,
R. 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,
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord ; have mercy on us.
O Jesus, who wast crowned with thorns, buffeted, struck with a reed, blindfolded, clothed with a purple garment, in many ways derided, and overwhelmed with reproaches ; have mercy on us.
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord ; have mercy on us.
O Jesus, who wast less esteemed than the murderer Barabbas, rejected by the Jews, and unjustly condemned to the death of the cross: have mercy on us,
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord ; have mercy on us.
Jesus, who wast loaded with a cross, and led to the place of execution as a lamb to the slaughter; have mercy on us,
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.
O Jesus, who wast numbered among thieves, blasphemed and derided, made to drink of gall and vinegar, and crucified in dreadful torment from the sixth to the ninth hour: have mercy on us,
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us, O Jesus, who didst expire on the cross, who, in presence of thy holy Mother, wast pierced with a lance, and from whose side poured forth blood and water : have mercy on us.
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us,
O Jesus, who west taken down from the cross, and bathed in the tears of thy most sorrowing Virgin Mother: have mercy on us.
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.
O Jesus, who wast covered with bruises, marked with the five wounds, embalmed with spices, and laid in the sepulchre: have mercy on us.
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us.
V. He truly hath borne our sorrows.
R. And he hath carried our griefs.
Let us pray.
O God, who for the redemption of the world didst deign to be born, to be circumcised, to be rejected by the Jews, and betrayed by Judas with a kiss, to be bound with fetters, and led like an innocent lamb to the slaughter, to be ignominiously brought before Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, and Herod, to be accused by false witnesses, to be scourged, buffeted, and reviled, to be spit upon, to be crowned with thorns, And struck with a reed, to be blindfolded, to be stripped of thy garments, to be nailed to a cross and raised thereon, to be numbered among thieves, to be made to drink of gall and vinegar, and to be pierced with a lance: do then, O Lord, by these thy most holy sufferings, which I, thy unworthy servant commemorate, and by thy most holy cross and death, deliver me from the pains of hell, and vouchsafe to conduct me whither thou didst conduct the penitent thief who was crucified with thee. Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, I adore the sacred wound of thy left foot. I thank thee for the pain which thou didst endure with so much love and charity. I condole with thee in thy sufferings, and with thy afflicted Mother. I humbly beg pardon for my sins, which I deplore beyond all imaginable evils, because they offend thee, O infinite goodness; and I resolve never more to sin. Vouchsafe to convert all sinners, and to make them understand the heinousness and the enormity of mortal sin.
Our Father, &c Hail Mary, &c Glory be, &c
Sancta Mater, istud agas,
Crucifixi fige plagas
Cordi mea valide.
Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.
O Lord Jesus Christ, I adore the sacred wound of thy right foot. I thank thee for the pain which thou didst endure with so much love and charity. I condole with thee in thy sufferings, and with thy afflicted Mother. Grant me strength against all temptations, and prompt obedience in the execution of thy holy will. Comfort, O Jesus, all the poor, the miserable, and the afflicted; all who are tempted or persecuted. Most just Judge, govern those who administer justice, and assist all those who labour in the care of souls.
Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c Glory be, &c
Holy Mother, &c
O Lord Jesus Christ, I adore the sacred wound of thy left hand. I thank thee for the pain which thou didst endure with so much love and charity. I condole with thee in thy sufferings, and with thy afflicted Mother. Deliver me from the pains of hell; grant me patience in the adversities of this life, and conformity in all things to thy blessed will. I offer unto thee all my sufferings both of mind and body, in satisfaction for my sins, which have so often deserved eternal torments. Pardon all my enemies, and all those who bear ill-will against me. Grant patience to the sick, and restore them to health; and support with thy assisting grace all who are in their agony, that they may not perish.
Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, he. Glory be, &c
Sancta Mater, &c.
O Lord Jesus Christ, I adore the sacred wound of thy right hand. I thank thee for the pain which thou didst endure with so much love and charity. I condole with thee in thy sufferings, and with thy afflicted Mother. Grant me a resolute will to seek after all things which concern my salvation. Grant me the grace of final perseverance, that I may secure the enjoyment of that glory which was purchased at the price of thy most precious blood. Grant likewise, O Jesus, peace and relief to the souls in purgatory, and daily advance towards perfection thy holy servants in this world, more especially those who are of this confraternity.
Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c. Glory be, &c
Sancta Mater, &c
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, I adore the sacred wound in thy blessed side. I thank thee for the infinite love manifested towards us at the opening of thy sacred Heart. Grant me a pure and perfect charity, that loving all things for thy sake, and thee above all things, I may breathe my last in the purest sentiments of divine love. Protect thy holy Catholic Church, direct thy governing Vicar upon earth, all ecclesiastical orders, and all pious persons who are instrumental in the conversion of souls. Preserve in thy holy service all Christian kings and princes. Bring back into the way of salvation all those who have gone astray, whether through malice or ignorance; and subject unto thy sacred yoke all infidels, heretics, and enemies of thy holy name.
Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c. Glory be, &c.
Sancta Mater, &c.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, God of my heart; by those five wounds which thy love for us inflicted on thee, succour thy servants whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Amen.
Most merciful Redeemer, by those unspeakable torments and by the grief which thou wast pleased to suffer for me, especially when thy soul was separated from thy body, I humbly beseech thee to secure my soul at the hour of its departure, and to comfort me then, as thou didst comfort the penitent thief, with the blessed assurance that I shall be with thee in Paradise.
The Stabat Mater, or part of it, is then sung: see p. 443.
Let us say thrice the Our Father, and thrice the Hail Mary, in memory of the three hours our Redeemer hung upon the Cross, for the souls of the faithful departed of this congregation.
Let us say once the Our Father and the Hail Mary, for those who are in the deplorable state of mortal sin.
Let us likewise say once the Our Father and the Hail Mary, for the person of this congregation who is next to die, that he may depart happily, strengthened with the holy sacraments of the Church.
Let us dispose ourselves, by acts of perfect contrition and of pure love of God, to receive profitably the benediction of our Lord and Saviour in the adorable Sacrament of the Altar.
O merciful Redeemer and God of infinite patience, great is my confusion at appearing in thy divine presence, because I have so frequently preferred contemptible creatures before thee, the Almighty Creator of the universe. I utterly detest my presumption in sinning in thy most pure sight. I acknowledge that I am a criminal, and I plead guilty at the bar of thy dread tribunal. Thou mightest have been glorified in thy justice, by striking me suddenly dead, and by condemning me to eternal flames for the base indignities I have offered thee; but thou wast pleased to be glorified in the high prerogative of thy mercy, by recalling me to repentance. I abhor all my crimes of thought, of word, and of deed, not merely for the fear of punishment and for the hope of reward, but chiefly for thy sake, and because thou dost infinitely detest them. O God of majesty and mercy, look upon the sacred marks in thy hands, feet, and side, which thou dost still retain in thy glorified body, that they may plead in my behalf. By that tender love which induced thee to create, to redeem, and to sanctify me, unite thy infinite merits to my profound misery. Strengthen my weakness, confirm this my resolution of never more offending thee; rather let me lose every thing, even life itself, than lose thy favour by mortal sin. My heart was created for thee, and I love thee better than myself. Every day of my life, and especially that on which I shall expire, I will strive to love and to serve thee for thy own sake, my God and my Creator. O Saviour of perishing mankind, who openest thy hand, and fillest every creature with benediction, give me now such a blessing as thou didst bestow on thy beloved disciples, when ascending in triumph from the mountain of Olives, that I may live and die in these happy dispositions. Amen.
Say thrice every day, with a desire of obtaining a good death for all members of the congregation, the Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary, and once the following prayer: . "Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit, and all those who are or shall be in the agony of death. Mary, Mother of grace, Mother of mercy, defend us from the enemy, and receive us at the hour of death. Amen."
Plenary Indulgences, on the usual conditions, on the day of admission; at the hour of death for all who shall devoutly invoke the sacred name of Jesus; on any one Friday or Sunday in each month, for all who receive the blessed Eucharist is a church wherein this congregation is established, and shall assist at the benediction of the most holy Sacrament; on Christmas-day, the Epiphany, Easter Sunday, the Ascension, Whitsunday, and other principal Feasts.
The Stations, or Way of the Cross
The priests and acolyths, kneeling before the altar, say as follows:
O Jesus, our adorable Saviour, behold us prostrate at thy feet, imploring thy mercy for ourselves, and for the souls of all the faithful departed. Vouchsafe to apply to us the infinite merits of thy passion, on which we are now about to meditate. Grant that while we trace this path of sighs and tears, our hearts may be so touched with contrition and repentance, that we may be ready to embrace with joy all the crosses and sufferings and humiliations of this our life and pilgrimage.
STATION I.
JESUS CONDEMNED TO DEATH.
| V. Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi. | V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee. |
| R. Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redimisti mundum. | R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world. |
Leaving the house of Caiphas, where he had been blasphemed, and the house of Herod, where he had been mocked, Jesus is dragged before Pilate, his back torn with scourges, his head crowned with thorns; and he, who on the last day will judge the living and the dead, is himself condemned to a disgraceful death.
It was for us that thou didst suffer, O blessed Jesus; it was for our sins that thou wast condemned to die. O, grant that we may detest them from the bottom of our hearts, and by this repentance obtain thy mercy and pardon.
Act of Contrition.
O God, we love thee with our whole hearts and above all things, and are heartily sorry that we have offended thee. May we never offend thee any more. Oh, may we love thee without ceasing, and make it our delight to do in all things thy most holy will.
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
V. Miserere nostri, Domine. R. Miserere nostri.
V. Fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace. R. Amen.
The procession then moves to the second Station, singing,
| Sancta Mater, istud agas, | Holy Mother, pierce me thro', |
| Crucifixi fige plagas | In my heart each wound renew |
| Cordi meo valida, | Of my Saviour crucified. |
STATION II.
JESUS IS LADEN WITH THE CROSS
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctam, &c.
A heavy cross is laid upon the braised shoulders of Jesus. He receives it with meekness, nay, with a secret joy, for it is the instrument with which he is to redeem the world.
O Jesus, grant us, by virtue of thy cross, to embrace with meekness and. cheerful submission the difficulties of our state, and to be ever ready to take up our cross and follow thee.
The Act of Contrition may be repeated each time.
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c. Sancta Matar, &c.
STATION III.
JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE CROSS.
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctam, &c.
Bowed down under the weight of the cross, Jesus slowly sets forth on the way to Calvary, amidst the mockeries and insults of the crowd. His agony in the garden has exhausted his body; he is sore with blows and wounds: his strength fails him; he falls to the ground under the cross.
O Jesus, who for our sins didst bear the heavy burden of the cross, and didst fall under its weight, may the thought of thy sufferings make us watchful over ourselves, and save us from any grievous fall into sin.
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c. Sancta Mater, &c,
STATION IV.
JESUS MEETS HIS MOST HOLY MOTHER.
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctam, &c.
Still burdened with his cross, And wounded yet more by his fall, Jesus proceeds on his way. He is met by his Mother. What a meeting must that have been! What a sword of anguish must have pierced that Mother's heart! What must have been the compassion, of that Son for his holy Mother!
O Jesus, by the compassion which thou didst feel for thy Mother, have compassion on us, and give us a share in her intercession. O Mary, most afflicted Mother, intercede for us, that, through the sufferings of thy Son, we may be delivered from the wrath to come.
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c. Sancta Mater &c,
STATION V,
JESUS IS HELPED BY THE CYRENEAN TO CARRY HIS CROSS.
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctam, &c.
As the strength of Jesus, fails, and he is unable to proceed, the executioners seize and compel Simon of Cyrene to carry his cross. The virtue of that cross changed the Cyrenean's heart, and from a compulsory task it became a privilege and a joy.
O Lord Jesus, may it be our privilege also to bear thy cross; may we glory in nothing else; by it may the world be crucified unto us, and we unto the world; may we never shrink from sufferings, but rather rejoice if we should be counted worthy to suffer for thy name's sake.
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c. Sancta Mater, &c.
STATION VI.
VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS.
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctam, Sec.
As Jesus proceeds along the way, covered with the sweat of death, a woman, moved with compassion, makes her way through the crowd, and wipes his face with a handkerchief. As a reward of her piety, the impression of his sacred countenance is miraculously imprinted upon the handkerchief.
O Jesus, may the contemplation of thy sufferings move us to the deepest compassion, make us hate our sins, and kindle in our hearts more fervent love of thee. May thy image be graven on our minds, until we are transformed into thy likeness.
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c. Sancta Mater, &c.
STATION VII.
JESUS FALLS BENEATH HIS CROSS THE SECOND TIME.
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctam, &c.
The pain of his wound, and the loss of blood increasing at every step of his way, again his strength fails him, and Jesus falls to the ground a second time.
O Jesus, who didst fall a second time beneath the load of our sins and of thy sufferings for our sins, how often have we grieved thee by our repeated falls into sin! O, may we rather die than ever offend thee again!
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c. Sancta Mater, &c.
STATION VIII.
JESUS CONSOLES THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM.
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctam, &c.
At the sight of the sufferings of Jesus, some holy women in the crowd were so touched with sympathy, that they openly bewailed and lamented him. Jesus, knowing the things that would befall Jerusalem because of its rejection of him, turned to them, and said, " Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children ."
O Lord Jesus, we mourn, and will mourn, both for thee and for ourselves; for thy sufferings, and for our sins which caused them. 0, teach us so to mourn, that we may be comforted, and may escape those dreadful judgments which are prepared for all who shall reject or neglect thee in this life.
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c. Sancta Mater, &c.
STATION IX
JESUS FALLS BENEATH HIS CROSS THE THIRD TIME.
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctam, &c.
Jesus had now arrived almost at the summit of Calvary; but before he reached the spot where he was to be crucified, his strength again fails him, and he falls the third time, to be again dragged up and goaded onward by the brutal soldiery.
O Lord Jesus, we entreat thee, by the merits of this thy third most painful fall, to pardon our frequent relapses and our long continuance in sin; and may the thought of these thy sufferings make us hate our sins more and more.
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c. Sancta Mater, &c.
STATION X.
JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS, AND IS GIVEN GALL TO DRINK.
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctem, &c.
Arrived at last at the place of sacrifice, they prepare to crucify him. His garments are torn from his bleeding body, and he, the Holy of holies, stands exposed to the vulgar gate of the rude and scoffing multitude.
O Lord Jesus, thou didst endure this shame for our most shameful deeds. Strip us, we beseech thee, of all fake shame, conceit, and pride, and make as so to humble ourselves voluntarily in this life, that we may escape everlasting ignominy in the world to come.
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c. Sancta Mater, &c.
STATION XI.
JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS.
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctam, &c.
The cross is laid upon the ground, and Jesus is stretched upon his bed of death. At one and the same time, he offers his bruised limbs to his heavenly Father in behalf of sinful man, and to his fierce executioners to be nailed by them to the ignominious tree. The blows are struck! the blood gushes forth!
O Jesus, nailed to the cross, fasten to it our hearts also, that they may be united to thee until death shall strike us with its fatal blow, and with our last breath we shall yield up our souls to thee.
Pater, Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c. Sancta Mater, &c.
STATION XII.
JESUS IS RAISED ON THE CROSS, AND DIES UPON IT.
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctam, &c.
For three hours Jesus has hung upon his transfixed hands; his blood has run in streams down his body, and bedewed the ground; and, in the midst of excruciating sufferings, he has pardoned his murderers, promised the bliss of Paradise to the good thief, and committed his blessed Mother and beloved disciple to each other's care. All is now consummated; and meekly bowing down his head, he gives up the ghost.
O Jesus, we devoutly embrace that honoured cross whereon thou didst love us even unto death. In that death we place all our confidence. Henceforth let us live only for thee; and in dying for thee, let us die loving thee and in thy sacred arms.
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c. Sancta Mater, &c.
STATION XIII.
JESUS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS.
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctam, &c.
The multitudes have left the heights of Calvary, and none remain save the beloved disciple and the holy women, who, at the foot of the cross, are striving to bring consolation to Christ's inconsolable Mother. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus take down the body of her divine Son from the cross, and deposit it in her arms.
O thou, whose grief was boundless as an unfathomable ocean, Mary, Mother of God, grant us a share in thy most holy sorrow for the sufferings of thy Son, and have compassion on our infirmities. Accept us as thy children with the beloved disciple. Show thyself a Mother to us; and may he, through thee, receive our prayer, who for us vouchsafed to be thy Son.
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c. Sancta Mater, &c.
STATION XIV.
JESUS LAID IN THE HOLY SEPULCHRE.
V. Adoramus te, &c.
R. Quia per sanctam, &c.
The body of her dearly-beloved Son is taken from his Mother, and laid by the disciples in the tomb. The tomb is closed, and in it the lifeless body remains until the hour of its glorious resurrection.
We too, O God, are ready to go down into the grave whenever it shall please thee, in whatsoever manner it shall please thee, and wheresoever it shall please thee. Let thy just decrees be fulfilled; let our sinful bodies return to the dust from which they came; but do thou, in thy great mercy, receive our immortal souls, and when our bodies shall have risen again, place them likewise in thy kingdom, that we may love and bless thee for ever and ever. Amen.
Pater. Ave. Gloria.
Miserere nostri, &c.
Or the following instead of the Sancta Mater:
From pain to pain, from woe to woe,
With loving hearts and footsteps slow,
To Calvary with Christ we go.
See how his precious blood at every station pours.
Was ever grief like his? was ever sin like ours?
Or else successive verses of Stabat Mater, p. 443. Music for all these in "Hymns and Melodies," Nos. 230, 236, 158.
The Confraternity of the Holy Family .
HISTORICAL NOTICE .
It was in the town of Liège, in Belgium , that this pious association had its humble beginning. An officer of engineers and a few devout workmen were the instruments which God chose for this design .
On Whit- Monday 1844 they met together for the first time, in a room belonging to a poor carpenter. Their object was to join in prayer and pious reading, and encourage each other in the practice of Christian virtue. God blessed the pious association : their numbers rapidly increased ; the room soon became too small to contain them ; when the Redemptorist Fathers offered the use of their church for the weekly meetings. The Bishop of Liège, Mgr. Van Bommel, saw in the rising association the fulfilment of a project he had long been meditating for the good of his flock . Hetherefore joyfully encouraged it, and watched over it with a care and affection which never diminished up to the day of his death , in April 1852.
Not content with approving its rules, by a decree of the 7th of April 1845 , he wished to procure for it the sanction of Papal authority. Moved by his prayer, and the recital of the happy fruits which the association produced in Liège , where it numbered already nearly one thousand men , his Holiness Pius IX ., by two briefs, dated respectively the 20th and 23d of April 1847, approved the pious association , enriched it with many indulgences, and raised it to the dignity of an archconfraternity, with the power of affiliating to itself other confraternities of the same name and object, and communicating to them all its spiritual favours and indulgences.
As soon as the apostolic briefs were published , a number of devout women , eager to profit by the permission granted by his Holiness, resolved to form a similar association for persons of their own sex. They met with equal success ; and in Liège alone this branch of the Holy Family numbers already, it is believed , nearly a thousand members .
Under the protection of the zealous Bishop, the Holy Family rapidly spread from Liège to other towns of his diocese ; and it soon extended
to other parts of Belgium , to Holland , France , and even America. In Ireland and England similar confraternities have been erected for children , and have been so blessed by God, that in many places they number several hundreds of members regularly attending the weekly meetings ; while in some instances the number amounts to more than a thousand .
The success of these first attempts has encouraged the Superiors of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer to publish this translation of the Rules and Exercises of the Confraternity, for the use of the adults of both sexes. They have also caused a large medal of the
Holy Family, with an English inscription , to be struck , for the use of the Confraternity.
They now recommend this holy work to the zeal of the Clergy , and abandon the success of it into the hands of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph . In their name it was begun , and by their protection it must prosper.
St. Mary's, Clapham.
RULES.
[These Rules or Statutes contain the fundamental elements of every Association affiliated to the Archconfraternity. They should not be set aside without some real necessity ; yet they may , with the consent of the Bishop of the Diocese, be modified and adapted to circumstances. " It is enough if the Association adopts the same name and object— " ejusdem nominiset instituti.” - Brief of Pius IX ., 1847.]
I. The end of the Archconfraternity is to honour the Holy Family , Jesus, Mary, and Joseph ; and to give to the faithful of every age, sex, and condition powerful means of advancing securely in the way of salvation, II. The means employed by the Association to attain
the sublime and useful end it has in view are, prayer, the preaching of the word of God , and the frequentation of the Sacraments .
III. The Archconfraternity was originally placed under the patronage of the Right Reverend Bishop of Liège. The Associations which are affiliated to it are placed under the patronage of their own ordinaries.
IV. The Rector of the Community of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer at Liège is perpetual Director General of the Archconfraternity. The Rector of any Community where an Association is established is by right the Director, but he may depute another Father in his stead . In all other places where the Association is established, it is directed by the parish priest, or by any other priest approved by the ordinary.
V. Each Association is divided into sections composed of a certain number of members, twenty -five at most, according to the locality. Each section is placed under the protection of a patron saint.
VI. At the head of each section is a Prefect, appointed by the Director, The Prefect has, by virtue of his office, certain duties of charity and responsibility to perform. To the Prefect should be added a Sub - Prefect, chosen from the same section ; his duty is to assist and to supply the place of the Prefect in case of absence.
Observation.--In places where it may be expedient, the Director has the power to choosen person to assist him , with the title of Prefect-General. The Prefects of each section are subject to him , and he to the Director.
Page:ThePathToHeaven.pdf/704 Page:ThePathToHeaven.pdf/705 Page:ThePathToHeaven.pdf/706 Page:ThePathToHeaven.pdf/707 EXERCISES PRACTISED IN THE ARCHCONFRATERNITY.
I. EXERCISES FOR THE WEEKLY MEETINGS[1] (Art. viii.).
1. The Rosary, at least in part.
2. A Hymn. Then the following versicle and prayers to the patron saints of the year and of the sections :
V. Pray for us, O holy Patrons of our Association.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
O God, who dost assign to us each year some of the heavenly citizens for our Patrons ; grant, we beseech thee, through the intercession of those whom this year we have received as Patrons, that we, and all our relations, friends, and enemies, may presently experience the assistance of thy grace; so that by the help of this same grace we may be enabled to practise those virtues which they have taught us by their example.
May all thy Saints, O Lord, we beseech thee, help us in every place, that while we celebrate their merits we may experience their protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
3. The Litany of the Holy Family.
Lord have mercy on us.
Lord hare mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Lord hare 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.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, worthy objects of our reverence and love,
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, by the voice of all ages called the Holy Family ,
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, names for ever blessed of the Father, the Mother, and the Child , who compose the Holy Family,
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph , image on earth of the august Trinity,
Holy Family, tried by the greatest contradictions, Have pity on us.
Holy Family, afflicted in your journey to Bethlehem, Have pity on us.
Holy Family, rejected by all , and obliged to take refuge in a stable, Have pity on us.
Holy Family, saluted by the concerts of the angels,
Holy Family, visited by the poor shepherds,
Holy Family, venerated by the Wise Men,
Holy Family, persecuted and exiled in a strange country,
Holy Family, hidden and unknown at Nazareth,
Holy Family, model of Christian families,
Holy Family, living in peace and charity,
Holy Family, whose Head is a model of paternal vigilance,
Holy Family, whose Spouse is a model of maternal care,
Holy Family, whose Child is a model of obedience and filial piety,
Holy Family , who led a poor, laborious, and penitent life,
Holy Family, poor in the goods of the world but rich in the goods of heaven, Have pity on us.
Holy Family, despised by the world, but great before God,
Holy Family, our support in life, our hope in death,
Holy Family, patrons and protectors of our Confraternity,
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God , who takest away the sins of the world,
Hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Hare mercy on us.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
Let us pray
O God of goodness and mercy, who hast been pleased to call us to this Confraternity of the Holy Family; grant that we may always honour and imitate Jesus, Mary, and Joseph; so that, pleasing them on earth, we may enjoy their presence in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Remember, O most pious Virgin Mary, that it has never been heard of in any age that any one having recourse to thy protection, imploring thy aid, and seeking thy intercession, was abandoned by thee : I therefore, animated with this confidence, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother Mary, come to thee , and, groaning under the weight of my miseries, cast myself at thy sacred feet. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my prayer, but graciously hear and grant my petition.
Memorare to St. Joseph .
Remember, O most amiable, most benevolent, most kind, and most merciful father St. Joseph , that the great St. Teresa assures us that she never had recourse to your protection without obtaining relief. Animated with the same confidence, O dear St.Joseph, I come to you, and groaning under the heavy burden of my many sins, I prostrate myself at your feet. O most compassionate Father, do not, I beseech you, reject my poor and miserable prayers, but graciously hear and answer my petition. Amen.
4. One Hail Mary, to obtain grace to profit by the Conference.
5. The notices and recommendations, followed , if necessary , by some prayers for the absent, the sick, and the deceased members.
6. The Conference or Instruction.
(The subjects of these Conferences are : Religion, considered in its history, its doctrines, its moral teaching, and its worship ; the life and virtues of our Saviour ; the lives and examples of the B.V. Mary and the Saints, &c.)
7. The Examination of Conscience.
Let us examine our consciences, that we may see the faults we have committed this day, and let us ask pardon for them from God with our whole hearts .
8. The Spiritual Communion .
Come, Lord Jesus, I love thee, I desire thee ; come into my heart. I attach myself, I unite myself to thee. Let me never more be separated from thee. ( St. Alphonsus.)
9. Invocation of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, to be said aloud by all together .
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul,
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe out my soul in peace with you.
(Indulgence of 300 days, applicable to the souls in purgatory. Pius VII., 1807.)
10. Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament.
11. The Angelus.
12. A Hymn.
If there cannot be Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, a few verses of a hymn may be sung, after which the Director gives the Benediction with the Crucifix, while he chants ...
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- ↑ The day and hour of the weekly meetings may vary. The Director, according to his discretion , chooses the day and hour which is most convenient and most advantageous to the Association . In large towns it is generally Monday evening. In country places, for the most part, it is Sunday afternoon .