The paradise of the Christian soul/Chap. VI. Morning and Evening Exercises.
CHAPTER VI.
MORNING AND EVENING EXERCISES.
MORNING EXERCISE.
To pass the day with rectitude and piety, it is most important to begin it well. When, therefore, thou awakest in the morning, begin the day at once with recollection of God, and take care that no other than God has the first fruits of thy actions and thoughts. No day will go with thee ill or unhappily which thou beginnest in favour with God; for what but good can proceed from the fountain of all good?
The five points of the Morning Exercise.
i. Be thankful. 2. Offer up thy heart. 3. The day Arrange for work 4. Shun sin, 5. For succour pray.
I. THANKSGIVING.
O eternal God, from the inmost depths of my heart I praise thee and thank thee, because thou hast created me to thy image, and redeemed me with the precious blood of thy Son; and besides thy other countless blessings, hast so mercifully preserved me hitherto, and brought me safe to the beginning of this day, by keeping me in the night from all danger and harm. What return, O Lord, shall I make thee for these and all thy other favours to me.
II. OBLATION OF SELF.
Behold, O Lord, I cheerfully offer thee all that I have, for thou hast given it me all: my body, soul, their respective powers, all the thoughts, words, and actions of this day, I dedicate purely and entirely to the greater glory of thy name; that thy ever-blessed name may be praised and glorified in all of them, in union with all the works that our Saviour wrought upon earth, with the most perfect charity, for our salvation; that out of the abundance of the merits of thy only-begotten Son, in whom thou art well-pleased, my infirmity may be aided, and my deficiency supplied.
III. REGULATION OF CONDUCT.
But what wilt thou have me do to please thee? I know, O Lord, that we must render thee a strict account of our whole lifetime, when thou shalt come to reckon with thy servants. I do right, therefore, to fear all my works, knowing that thou dost not spare the offender;[1] and ignorant at what hour thou wilt come and summon me to give an account of my stewardship; and what if it should be to day? Therefore, as by thy grace I live in this state, N. and office N., I will apply myself more diligently to the works and occupations, as N. and N., that are agreeable to my vocation; and I will endeavour to do all things decently and according to order.
And because thou commandest me to seek first the kingdom of God, I will devote myself but sparingly to the cares of exterior business, that I may not want for time for the greatest of all business, the care of my eternal salvation. For I know the vanity of pursuing and gaining all things, and yet losing thee, the only supreme good. No, rather shall my soul seek thee before all things, and in all things, O my God and my all!
IV. AVOIDANCE OF SIN.
Oh, that my ways, O Lord, may this day be directed to keep thy justifications! It is, indeed, no pleasure to me to walk in hard ways, the ways of sinners, in which there is nothing but destruction and unhappiness, for although at first they seem good, yet their end leads to death.[2] I have sworn, and am determined to keep the judgments of thy justice. I have said I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I will turn away my eyes, that they may not behold vanity. And oh, that with all watchfulness I may keep my heart! I know that these occasions, N. and N., have often been hurtful to me, and how shall I expose myself to the same danger again to-day? No, O Lord, for love of thee I will not, for my soul desires to please, serve, and adhere to thee alone.
V. PRAYER FOR DIVINE GRACE.
But, O Lord, to what purpose have I this wish, if thou give me not the power to accomplish it? ’Tis in vain that man proposes, if he is not disposed by thy grace. Thou knowest my frailty, that I am poor and miserable, and that without thee I am unable to do, or even think, any thing at all, but that from thee alone is all my sufficiency. Rise up, therefore, to help me, and by thy powerful grace give me strength successfully to accomplish the good that I wish.
And thou too, O most holy Virgin, Mother of God, and my special patroness! take upon thee the care of thy client, and shew thyself a mother. And thou, O my angel guardian, who by command of the divine goodness hast taken upon thee my charge; and you, O holy Patrons, N. N., who are specially dear to me, faithfully assist your client this day, and direct him into the way of salvation. By your prayers and merits obtain for me, I beseech you, of God, by the guidance of his grace, so to live this day that I may live with you, rejoice with you and praise God with you in eternity. Amen.
AN EXERCISE OF GREAT MERIT AND EFFICACY, OR HEROIC ACT, AND COMPACT TO BE ENTERED INTO WITH GOD.
From Philip Rovenius, Archbishop of Philippi, Vicar of Hollaud, in his Institutes of Christian Piety, and F. Mart, of the Mother of God, of the Order of Barefooted Carmelites, in his Practice of Christian Philosophy, who may be more fully consulted on the force and excellence of this sort of exercise.
A good person who desires to praise God without ceasing, and with little labour to gain much merit, may enter into such a compact as this with God. At certain fixed signs, as the sound of a hell, the sight of the" sky, the striking the breast, &c. (for signs may he taken and multiplied at will), he may wish for, and take satisfaction in whatever work that is good and pleasing to God which has ever been, or is on that day, or will, or can ever be done hereafter. Again, he may at all such times wish to offer himself to God, mourn for his sins, renew vows previously made, adore or praise God, Ac.
To what an enormous amount of guilt would one bind himself who were to resolve that, whenever he heard a bell, or looked at the sky, Ac., he would wish confirmed, and take satisfaction in all the evil ever done, and hereafter to be done! Can that which is of such efficacy in the case of what is bad, fail to possess a large amount of virtue and merit in its application to good? Of such a compact the following is a formula:
O most bountiful Father of mercies, my God, my Lord, and my Creator! From thee, by thee, and in thee, are all things; for in thee we live, move, and are, and, therefore, in right of thy supreme dominion all things serve thee. Hence it is that I also am thine, as I now give thee myself, by a perpetual engagement to be thy servant for ever; that every moment of my life, and all that is within me and around me, may bless thy name. But as the necessities of this life do not admit of my mind being incessantly occupied in thy praises, I desire, O Lord,’ to establish with thee this compact.
Whenever I look up to the sky, or strike my breast, or behold a sacred image; whenever I hear the clock, or the signal for Mass, or the elevation of the most sacred Host, or take in my hand a rosary or a book; whenever I feel myself tempted by the flesh, the world, and the devil, in anything affecting faith, hope, charity, chastity, patience, humility, &c., I declare once for all, that I wish to make and exercise, in the best form and manner possible, these acts following, though I may not perhaps recollect it at the time.
On such occasions I say from my heart, I rejoice, and give thee joy for thy infinite perfections, — that thou art who art, a God supremely powerful, wise, good, merciful, just, &c., the supreme good of the rational creature; that thou needest nothing, for thou art happy enough in thyself, and sufficient for thyself, while all our sufficiency is from thee.
I rejoice, too, O Lord, for the good works ever heretofore, this day, or hereafter to be done for the love of thee, and for all others which could be done by those whom thou hast and couldst have created; and this with all the perfection of which I am capable.
I rejoice for what our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, the holy Angels, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, all the Saints, and all the Faithful have done for thy glory; for the love they will eternally bear thee, and the praise they will give thee for ever.
I offer thee all the sacrifices of the holy Mass, hitherto and hereafter to be celebrated in the Church, even to the consummation of the world; and this with the intention" of adoring and praising thee as a God of supreme majesty, power, wisdom, goodness, &c., as well as of giving thee thanks, of propitiating thee, and of obtaining from thee the blessings of grace and glory.
From my heart, too, for love of thee, I am sorry for all and each of my sins. Of thy infinite mercy I hope for forgiveness. And, by thy grace, I purpose never more to offend thee.
I am sorry, too, for the many sins committed, by what persons soever, from the beginning of the world until now, and for the heavy offence they have given thee. From my heart I wish that my blood could in some degree compensate for them. Oh, that every moment of eternity, the holy Angels and all the blessed might render thee a thousand acts of obedience for every sin!
For love of thee, I forgive from my heart all who have any way whatever offended or injured me, and for every offence I wish they may obtain of thee some especial favour or blessing; and oh, that they may never themselves incur thy displeasure!
Into thy hands I commit myself and all that I have, especially the end for which I live, that thou mayest dispose of me, in time and in eternity, as a thing entirely thy own, as thou pleasest and determinest to be for thy greater glory.
Lastly, I offer thee however and whatever I best can, but chiefly the life, passion, and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in thanksgiving for all the blessings of body and soul which I have hitherto, or shall hereafter receive from thee; especially the charity with which thou hast loved me from all eternity, and for obtaining the gift of perseverance, that I may be inseparably united to thee.
This very act, in all its parts, with all that they implicitly contain, I wish confirmed whenever I make any of the signs which I have already or may hereafter resolve upon; nay, every time that any creatures are, or can be produced by thee; whenever I draw my breath, and lastly, as often as it can possibly or imaginably be repeated or multiplied, and this purely for love of thee, and for all conceivable ends that are holy and good.
What I have said, O Lord, I wish said, done, accepted, and confirmed, with the utmost permissible fruit, affection, and effect.
The exercise of this act once in the day in its longer form is sufficient, particularly in the morning, and before or after Mass; but it should be very often repeated at the set signals, as this may be effected without difficulty by the mere mental direction to it of a single thought, and also by saying. O Jesus! or, O my God and my all!
A VERY USEFUL PRAYER
For recommending in the morning our actions and all things to God, and uniting them to the merits of Christ.
From the German prayers of F. Peter Canisius, of the Society of Jesus.
With my whole heart I praise thee and thank thee, O Lord my God, for creating me to thy own image when I was nothing, that I might be capable of enjoying the eternal and supreme good, that is, thyself. And when I was a lost child of wrath, under sentence of the eternal curse, thou redeemedst me notwithstanding by the force of thy immeasurable love, by thy most holy life and passion, thy death and precious blood.
Since, then, it is from thy hand alone that I receive all the good that I possess, I cheerfully offer it in return, and also my whole self, to the praise and glory of thy supreme majesty for ever.
Then, when I was unworthy of any grace or blessing, nay, full of uncleanness, and worthy of punishment, how graciously thou bestowedst upon me the Holy Ghost, together with his gifts; and, besides all this, preparedst for me in heaven eternal blessings and joys!
I beseech thee also, by thy infinite goodness, O most gracious Saviour Jesus Christ! to keep me this day from all sin, that I may not lose thy grace; but may devote my heart, and all my intentions, my understanding, and my will, with all the powers of my body and soul,, to thy honour and worship alone; that my thoughts, words, and works may please thee in every respect.
But because, from my utter imperfection, I am not sufficient to do, no, nor even think anything of myself that can be acceptable in the sight of thy divine majesty, meritorious or profitable to myself, for all our sufficiency is of thee; vouchsafe, I most humbly implore thee, to succour my deficiency or poverty out of the infinite abundance of thy charity, and the inexhaustible treasure of thy merits.
Thus, then, I now finally offer and recommend to thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, my works that are most worthless and vile in themselves, to be by thee united to the most worthy and holy works of thy whole life, done in the most ardent and perfect charity, with which thou wroughtest all things for our salvation in the midst of the earth, according to the will, and for the glory of thy eternal Father.
Lastly, whatever is necessary for me to do or suffer this day, I pray thee not only mercifully to accept, but also, by thy most holy incarnation, life, passion, and death, to make meritorious and saving in its effect, that my soul’s salvation may be more and more advanced by it, and my whole life be more perfectly conformed to the example of thy most holy life and passion; that thus I may be more fitted to promote my neighbour’s salvation, and to maintain with him peace and charity; but above all, that I may be able with my whole heart to promote and accomplish the will, service, and love of thy divine Majesty. Amen.
BENEDICTION FOR MORNING
AND EVENING.
From the Same.
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the efficacy of his most sacred passion; the sign of the holy Cross with its triumphal title, Jesus of Nazareth the King of
the Jews; the integrity of the most blessed Virgin Mary; the protection of the holy Angels, especially my guardian. and the suffrages of all God’s elect, be between me and all my enemies, visible and invisible, now, and at the hour of my death. Amen. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
EVENING EXERCISE.
At night, when going to bed, take care not to forget God, by whose favour thou hast lived through the day and thy life hitherto; and perhaps wilt not live till morning, unless this night thou make thy peace with God. Thy very bed, in fact, in which, as in the tomb, thou layest thy naked limbs to rest, in a manner reminds thee of death. And what is sleep itself but the brother and image of death? He is over rash, who, with God offended and unreconciled, ventures to commit himself to the night’s sleep. Rather prepare thyself for thy night’s rest as though one whispered in thy ear: This night shall they require of thee thy soul. [3] And therefore remember to pray with the Prophet: Enlighten my eyes, that I never sleep in death, lest at any time my enemy say, I have prevailed against him.[4]
The five points of the Evening Exercise.
1. Thank God.
2. Ask light.
3. Thy heart examine well.
4. Ask pardon of thy faults.
5. All ill repel.
I. THANKSGIVING.
O infinite goodness, I thank thee from the bottom of my heart for all the blessings which, this day and during my whole life, thou hast so bountifully bestowed upon me, however unworthy. To thee be praise and glory from me, and from thy elect, in heaven and in earth, and from all creatures, for ever and ever.
II. PRAYER FOR LIGHT.
O eternal wisdom, in many things, alas! we all offend; but who can understand sins? Enlighten my darkness, O thou true Light, that I may see and know my failings. Thou knowest all the secrets of my heart, and considerest all my steps. Grant me, therefore, however I have sinned against thee, fully to recount to thee, in the bitterness of my soul, all that I have committed against thee this day by thought, word, or deed.
III. EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE.
O God, the searcher of hearts and reins ! woe is me, that I have this day sinned against heaven and before thee; and how can I hide it from thee, who hast foreseen all my ways, and understood my thoughts afar off? What shall I do to thee, O keeper of men? Alas, O my Lord! I have sinned,and my offences are not hid from thee. Yet, if I judge myself, these are the things in which my heart accuses me most.
Here examine thy conscience, and for this purpose think over the whole course of the day; weigh well where thou hast been, with whom engaged, what thou hast thought, said, and done. But remember to make thy examination with reference to thy state, office, or vocation; so wilt it be easy for thee to discover thy sins, whether of commission or omission. Also reflect seriously what progress thou hast made in the practice of some virtue, N., that is most necessary to thee, and in the rooting out of some vice, N., that gives thee the greatest trouble.
IV. PRAYER FOR PARDON.
O Father of mercies! who delightest not in the perdition of sinners, look upon me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. Into the depths of thy eternal love, with which thou hast loved us, I cast all the offences of this day and of my whole life. From the bottom of my heart I am sorry that I have so often offended thee, and been so ungrateful for thy many blessings, O my God and my highest good. By the death and the love of thy Son Jesus Christ, I pray thee spare me, a miserable creature, and mercifully forgive me whatever sins I have this day, or ever committed against thee, my neighbour, and myself.
V. PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT.
O most powerful God, without whose spirit there is nothing in man, I firmly purpose, before thee and the whole court of heaven, to follow more exactly the rule of thy will, to reform my habits, to attend more closely to my vocation, and to avoid sin and its occasions, &c.
But though this is my wish, without thee I am unable to accomplish it. Therefore thou who givest me the will, give me also the power to perform. Give what thou commandest, and command what thou wilt, that I may live soberly, justly, and godly in this world, and, with thy Saints, praise thee for ever in the next.
Accept, O Lord, this my desire, as incense in thy sight. Of thy infinite mercy despise not this my late and evening sacrifice.
And you, my holy Patrons! above all thou, O Virgin mother, and thou, my guardian Angel, and thou, N.,and all ye denizens of heaven, who never tire in praising God, while I rest awhile in silence, take care of me, and recommend me to God, that I may be protected from the snares of my enemies, who, while we sleep, are ever awake, and ready to harm us. May God be our protector, and no adversity will be able to hurt us.
O Lord God, increase in us faith, hope, and charity. Root out entirely all sin and vice, discord, infidelity, errors, and false opinions. Correct the mistaken, convert the unbelieving. Gather back the schismatics into the unity of the Church, and show them the light of thy grace. Preserve the pastors and governors with the other rulers of thy Church, kings, dukes, bishops, and all in authority, from all adversities of body and soul.
Convert all sinners to true penance. Preserve the just in goodness. Confirm their thoughts, words, and works. Have mercy, O Lord, upon all, and strengthen in thy service those who are devoted to thee. Feed the labourers; comfort the sorrowful; cure the sick; supply with necessaries those that are in want; grant to travellers their return to the country of their desire; to those that are in danger at sea a harbour of safety; gladden those that are with child; release the captives.
Forgive all who have been my companions in sin, or whom I have caused to sin. To those who have been injured, scandalised, or defrauded by my means, restore a hundred fold. Direct in the way of salvation all who are connected with me by relationship or friendship, my parents, brothers, and sisters, those who work for me, or help me, pray for me, or have recommended themselves to my prayers, and all who think well of me. Hear them in whatever trouble they cry to thee. Give to us and our enemies a constant charity. Let patience, goodness, and mercy be in all of us; and envy, anger, and bitterness be far away from us.
Have pity also, most tender Father, upon all the souls of those that sleep in Christ; of my parents' first, those with whom I have been intimate, whose property I inherit, and of all who rest in thy faith. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.
Grant me, I beseech thee, eternal Father, by the life and death of thy most beloved Son, and by the bowels of thy mercy, to persevere in goodness, and to die in thy grace.
By the love of the eternal Father, and by thy last words upon the cross, with which thou commendest thy spirit to thy Father, receive, O good Jesus, I beseech thee, my spirit at the end of my life.
O God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on me, and by thy holy inspiration strengthen me at all times, but especially at the hour of my death.
Most holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on me, now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.
HOURLY ASPIRATION.
O God of infinite mercy, for love of thee I am sorry that I have ever offended thee. I love thee with my whole heart. By the ardent charity and infinite merits of thy most dear Son, together with the love of the Holy Ghost, the desire and fervour of the blessed Virgin Mary, and of all thy elect, I adore and praise thee, and beg of thee to give me the continual increase of thy love, by preventing and directing all my actions to thy glory.
END OF THE FOURTH PART.