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THE  CATHOLIC  GIRL'S  GUIDE. 


OTHER   BOOKS   BY  FATHER   LASANCE. 
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Jesus,  Mary,  and  Joseph.  1  give  you  my  heart  and  my 

soul.     Jesus,  Mary   and  Joseph,  may  I  breathe 

forth  my  soul  in  psace  with  you. 


THE 

CATHOLIC  GIRL'S  GUIDE, 

CdwuscIs  autr  gcfantions 

FOR 

GIRLS  IN  THE  ORDINARY  WALKS  OF  LIFE, 

AND    IN    PARTICULAR    FOR 

THE    CHILDREN    OF   MARY. 


EDITED    BY    THE 

Rev.  FRANCIS  X.    I-ASANCE. 


New  York,  Cincinnati,  Chicago: 
Benziger    Brothers, 

Printers  to  the  Holy  Apostolic  See, 


fltbll  ©betat. 

REMIGIUS  LAFORT, 

Censor  Lt'irorum. 


flmprimatur. 

JOHN  M.  FARLEY, 

Archbishop  ef  New   York. 


New  York,  December  18,  1905. 


Copyright,  1906,  by  Benzigbr  Brothers. 


B5ttor'5  3forewor&» 

We  trust  that  this  little  book  will  appeal  to 
Pastors,  and  Directors  of  sodalities,  to  the  Children 
of  Mary  in  particular  and  to  all  Catholic  girls  in 
general. 

To  Pastors  this  little  guide  will  supply  suggestive 
reading  for  exhortations;  to  Directors  and  Prefects 
of  sodalities  it  will  lend  assistance  by  means  of  its 
Conferences;  to  the  Children  of  Mary  in  particular 
and  to  all  Catholic  girls  in  general  it  will  furnish 
helpful  spiritual  reading  at  home,  and  serve  also 
as  a  complete  Prayer-Book,  specially  adapted  to 
their  needs,  in  all  their  devotions  at  church. 

The  Conferences^  in  connection  with  other  pious 
exercises,  originally  appeared  in  German  under  the 
title  Mil  ins  Leben.  Their  author  is  the  Rev.  P. 
Coelestin  Muff,  O.S.B.,  of  Einsiedeln,  Switzerland. 
This  good  Religious  speaks  to  young  women  from 
a  heart  that  glows  with  charity,  and  is  consumed 
with  zeal  for  God's  glory  and  the  salvation  of  souls. 

We  see  in  him  a  man  of  God  and  a  man  of  culture 
— one  who  is  broad-minded  and  large-hearted,  wise 
and  sympathetic,  with  the  experience  of  years  as  a 
Director  of  young  girls  in  a  Catholic  Institute. 

We  revised  the  English  translation  of  the  Con- 
ferences, eliminated  parts  of  the  original  matter  that 
seemed  to  us  undesirable,  added  a  few  new  features, 
substituted  portions  of  well-known  hymns  in  place 
of  scime  of  the  author's  verses,  and  endeavored  to 


oOri/f^9i2 


6  Editor's  Foreicord. 

bring  the  whole  book  into  greater  harmony  with  the 
views  and  customs  of  Catholics  in  our  own  country. 

The  latter  part  of  this  volume,  consisting  of 
Devotions,  Prayers,  and  Pious  Hxcrcises,  is  mainly 
our  own  compilation  and  adaptation  and  was 
prepared  with  a  view  to  making  the  book  more 
generally  useful. 

At  the  end  are  added  Father  Clarke's  short  but 
very  excellent  and  practical  Meditations  on  the 
Life  of  Mary  for  the  Month  of  May. 

May  our  dear  LAidy  oj  the  Sacred  Heart,  the 
Queen  oj  the  Most  Holy  Rosary,  deign  to  accept 
this  little  volume,  which  we  most  humbly  dedicate 
to  her;  may  she  from  her  heavenly  throne  bless 
this  work,  so  that  it  may  be  a  firm  guide  to  her 
servants  and  her  children  in  the  way  of  perfection. 

F.  X.  Lasance. 

Notre  Dame  Convent, 

Walnut  Hills, 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Feast  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary — 

"  Help  of  Christians," 

May  24,  1905. 


"  The  virgin  thinketh  on  the  things  of  the  Lord: 
that  she  may  be  holy  both  in  body  and  in  spirit." — 
I  Cor.  iii.  34. 

"  Be  thou  an  example  of  the  faithful,  in  word, 
in  conversation,  in  charity,  in  faith,  in  chastity." — 
I  Tim.  iv.  12. 

"  Listen  attentively,  my  daughter,  to  the  words 
of  thy  teacher,  incline  the  ear  of  thy  heart  to  them, 
receive  with  a  good  will  the  admonitions  of  a  loving 
father,  and  strive  earnestly  to  put  them  into  prac- 
tice."—St.  Benedict. 

7 


preface* 

In  the  joyous  springtime  the  plain  but  fresh,  sweet 
verdure  of  wood  and  meadow  is  almost  as  pleasing 
to  the  view  as  the  more  showy  and  brilliant  hues  of 
flower  and  blossoming  shrub.  May  the  youthful 
reader  be  a"flFected  in  like  manner  by  the .  perusal 
of  this  unpretentious  little  book. 

The  exhortations  or  instructions  which  constitute 
the  principal  part  of  this  work  were  originally 
conferences  which  I,  in  my  character  of  chaplain 
to  a  young  ladies'  Institute,  gave  to  girls  between 
fifteen  and  twenty  years  of  age  The  following  are 
the  reasons  which  led  me  to  place  them  before  the 
public.  In  the  first  place,  I  felt  that  the  conferences 
would  be  of  more  permanent  utility  to  the  girls  who 
heard  them,  if  they  could  be  read  by  them  after- 
ward in  print.  In  the  second  place,  I  knew  that 
if  these  instructions  were  published,  whatever  bene- 
ficial influence  they  might  have  would  no  longer  be 
restricted  to  those  who  were  present  when  they  were 
delivered,  since  they  would  become  to  a  greater  or 
less  extent  the  common  property  of  a  far  wider  circle 
of  Catholic  girls,  in  equal  need  of  counsel  and  in- 
struction. And  my  third  reason  was  that  among.st 
all  the  numerous  and  excellent  instructive  Manuals 
and  Prayer-Books  for  Catholic  girls  there  is  not, 
to  my  knowledge,  a  single  one  that  treats  of  the 
spiritual  life  of  a  young  girl  in  so  comprehensive 
and  detailed  a  manner  as  is  done  in  these  pages. 

Thus  the  little  book  now  laid  before  the  reader 


10  Preface. 

was  written  for  the  use  of  Catholic  ^irls  from  the 
time  of  their  leaving  school  until  they  embraced 
some  calling  or  state  of  life;  it  is  intended,  as  may 
be  gathered  from  tlie  title,  to  be  their  companion 
and  guide  amid  the  dangers  and  snares  that  beset 
the  path  of  youth.  I  have  made  it  my  constant  aim 
to  give  as  far  as  possible  counsels  of  practical  use 
for  daily  life,  and  to  avoid  anything  which  would  not 
apply  to  girls  of  the  middle  class,  or  which,  being 
beyond  their  comprehension,  would  be  of  no  profit 
to  them. 

]My  first  and  foremost  wish  is  to  inspire  the 
maiden  who  stands  on  the  threshold  of  womanhood 
with  a  love  of  virtue,  and  to  encourage  her  in  the 
pursuit  of  it.  I  wish  to  impress  upon  her  the  fact 
that  virtue  and  piety  are  not  inconsistent  with  the 
enjoyment  of  life,  that  they  are  not  incomj)atible 
with  mirth  and  liigh  spirits,  with  sport  and  recrea- 
tion; in  fine,  with  a  moderate  participation  in  harm- 
less amusements.  On  the  other  liand,  I  wish  to 
show  her  that  youth  without  virtue  is  like  spring 
on  a  bleak,  barren  height  where  an  icy  blast  nips 
every  flower  in  the  bud.  Youth  without  virtue 
is  destitute  of  the  very  thing  that  renders  youth 
the  springtide  of  life,  which  makes  it  truly  a  joyous 
period;  I  mean  the  supernatural  atmosphere, 
the  buoyancy  of  spirits,  that  is  concomitant  with 
innocence  and  peace  of  heart — heavenly  gifts, 
which  in  their  true  beauty  and  bliss  create  a  very 
paradise  on  earth. 

That  is  also  the  motive  which  led  me  to  devote 
in  the  present  work  especial  care  to  depicting, 
besides  the  lily-crown  of  virginal  purity,  in  con- 
siderable detail  the  maiden's  garland  composed 
of  nine  fair  flowers — the  virtues  most  becoming 
to  the  young — in  their  varied  forms  and  colors. 


Preface.  11 

And  since  this  Manual  is  to  accompany  the  maiden 
on  her  way  through  life  until  she  comes  to  the 
cross-roads,  when  it  is  incumbent  on  her  to  make 
the  definite  choice  of  a  state  of  life,  the  needful 
advice  and  useful  points  are  given  to  aid  her,  at 
this  most  important  epoch,  on  which  so  much 
depends,  in  determining  her  vocation — in  making 
her  choice  between  the  married  and  unmarried 
state.  Furthermore,  as  a  young  woman  ought 
not  to  enter  into  holy  matrimony — the  state  to 
which  the  majority  are  called — without  some 
general  knowledge  of  what  family  life  is  in  the 
highest  sense  of  the  word,  in  its  reli,gious  import, 
as  well  as  of  the  training  of  children  and  the  virtues 
essential  to  the  mistress  of  a  household,  some  brief 
admonitions  aie  added  on  these  points;  though 
fuller  instructions  as  to  the  duties  of  wedded  life 
must  naturally  be  sought  in  a  Manual  for  mothers, 
not  in  one  intended  exclusively  for  the  unmarried. 

Finally,  in  order  that  this  book  may  serve  not 
only  for  spiritual  reading,  but  also  as  a  Prayer-Book 
for  young  girls,  and  may  give  them  practical  aid  in 
approaching  the  throne  of  grace,  some  suitable  de- 
votions are  added  to  the  instructions.  This  part 
is  compiled  with  especial  reference  to  the  Children 
of  Mary,  and  with  a  view  to  making  the  book  use- 
ful as  a  Sodality-Manual. 

May  God  grant  that  through  the  blessed  influence 
of  His  grace,  this  little  book,  in  spite  of  its  defi- 
ciencies, may  prove  to  the  maiden  who  has  to 
encounter  the  dangers  of  the  world,  a  powerful 
support,  a  sure  guide,  a  wise  counsellor,  a  faithful 
friend  and  loving  comforter,  a  protecting  angel  and 
an  unfailing  defence. 

A  threefold  word  of  warning  addressed  to  the 
youthful  reader  yet  remains  to  be  added: 


12  Preface. 

1.  Do  not,  my  dear  child,  select  from  the  spiritual 
aliments  here  offered  you  only  the  dainty  morsels, 
the  attractive  sweetmeats;  that  is  to  say,  do  not 
read  merely  the  stories,  anecdotes,  or  verses,  but 
peruse  the  whole  thoughtfully  and  attentively, 
each  chapter,  each  instruction  in  turn,  and  apply 
what  you  have  read  to  yourself,  not  to  others. 

2.  In  church,  at  Mass,  do  not  spend  more  time 
in  reading  than  in  prayer,  but  follow  the  prayers 
of  the  Mass  devoutly. 

3.  Both  before  and  after  reading  your  accustomed 
portion  pray  fervently  for  help  and  blessing  from 
above. 

That  God  may  vouchsafe  to  bestow  on  you  to 
the  full  His  fatherly  benediction  is  the  heartfelt 
wish  of  the  author. 


Zo  tbc  ©entle  IReaDer. 

The  Child  of  Mary. 

O  Maiden!  let  thy  heart  like  a  fragrant  garden  be; 
Flowers  fair  of  virtue  thy  Mother  loves  to  see; 
Then  sweet  thy  prayer  shaU  sound  in  that  fond 

Mother's  ear, 
And  when  thou  needest  help,  that  Mother  will  be 

near. 

She  strengthens  thee  to  conquer  in  the  arduous  strife; 
And  when  thou  standest  at  the  crossways  of  thy  life, 
Thou  shalt  feel  a  heavenly  breath  to  guide  thee 

right; 
The  rough  ways  shall  be  smooth  the  dark  wavs  be 

made  light. 

O  Child  of  Mary!  in  thy  youth's  springtide, 
Go  to  that  Mother  dear,  and  without  fear 
To  her  thy  joys,  thy  grief,  thy  hopes  confide. 

h.  life,  in  death,  whatever  may  betide — 

Jf  foes  assail,  let  not  thy  covu-age  fail. 

Her  arm  will  thee  protect,  her  wisdom  guide. 


Contents, 

PAGL 

Editor's  Foreword 5 

Preface 9 

To  the  Gentle  Reader 13 

Booh  11. 

PART    FIRST— THE   MAIDEN'S   WREATH. 

I.  The  Sunflower — Faith. 

CHAPTER 

I.   How  Great  a  Blessing  Is  the  True  Faith  29 

II.   Keep  the  Faith 33 

III.  Whose  is  this  Image  ? 37 

IV.   Be  Vigilant 41 

2.  The  Ivy — Hope. 

V.   Hope  in  the  Lord 46 

VI.  God  Doeth  All  Things  Well 50 

VII.  The  Blessed  Fruits  of  Patience 54 

VIII.  Weep  Not! 58 

3.  The  Peony — Love  of  God. 

IX.  Sursum  Corda  !  Lift  up  Your  Hearts  !..  62 
X.   Let    the  Love  of   God   Dwell    in  Your 

Heart 67 

XI.  The  Miracle  of  Love ^rf;}; .,'/;,. .  72 

XII.  Love  upon  the  Altar ..'.'...-.....  76 

XIII.   In  the  Bright  Days  of  Youth 80 

15 


16  Contents. 

4.  The  Rose — Love  of  Our  Neighbor. 

CHAPTER  PACE 

XIV.   Kindheartedness 85 

XV.   Honor  thy  Father  and  thy  Mother..  8g 

XVI.   An  Earnest  of  Future  Blessings....  93 

XVII.   The  Ambassadors  of  Christ 98 

XVIII.  What  Friendship  Ought  to  Be 102 

XIX.   It  is  Difficult  yet  not  Impossible 107 

5.  The  Carnation — Obedience. 

XX.  Our  Great  Exemplar iii 

XXI.   A  Careful  Mother 115 

XXII.   Obedience  the  Christian's  Ornament  120 

XXIII.  Some    Objections    Which    May    Be 

Urged ^*  . .   123 

6.  The  Forget-me-not — Piety. 

XXIV.  The  Real  Flower 128 

XXV.   "  Remember  Thy  Last  End" 132 

XXVI.    "  One  Thing  is  Necessary  " 136 

XXVII.   Do  Not  Imitate  Eve 140 

XXVIII.   Imitate  Mary 145 

XXIX.   A  Ladder  to  Heaven 149 

XXX.    A  Fount  of  Healing .....fy...  154 

XXXI.   Is  Confession  Difficult? 159 

XXXII.   The  Table  of  the  Lord 163 

XXXIII.  The  Robe  of  Piety 168 

7.  The  Violet— Humility. 

XXXIV.  The  Maiden's  Ornament 173 

XXXV.   Humility  is  Essential  to  Salvation..    177 

XXXVI.  The  Fruits  of  Humility 182 


Contents.  17 

8.  The  Daffodil — Industry, 
chapter  page 

XXXVII.  The  Value  of  Work 187 

XXXVIII.  Love  of  Work 191 

XXXIX.  Away  from  Home 195 

9.  The  Narcissus — Truthfulness. 

XL.   False  Prophets igg 

XLI.  Truth  Before  All 203 

XLII.  Let  Your  Speech  Be  Always  with 

Charity 208 

XLIII.  There  Is  no  Great  Harm  in  It  ! 212 

XLIV.   Calumny  and  Contempt 216 

XLV.   Sins  Committed  by  Hearing 220 

XLVI.  A  Small,  but  Dangerous  Member..  225 


PART   SECOND— A    WREATH    OF    LILIES. 

I.  The  Lily  in  Untarnished  Splendor. 

XLVII.    How  Beautiful  Is  the  Chaste  Gener- 
ation ! 233 

XLVIII.  Blessed  Are  the  Clean  of  Heart 237 

XLIX.  Fight  and  Conquer 241 

L.   Take  Courage  ! 245 

2.  The  Lily  and  Her  Enemies. 

LI.  The  Enemy  in  Our  Own  Heart 249 

LII.   The  Enemy  in  Human  Shape 253 

Lin.  The  Enemy  in  Finery  and  External 

Attractions 257 


18  Contents. 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

LIV.  The  Enemy  in  Our  Eyes 26r 

LV.   The   Enemy  in  What  We  Hear  and 

Read 264 

LVI.   The  Enemy  in  the  Ballroom 268 

LVII.   The  Enemy  in  the  Theatre 272 

3.  The  Faded  Lily. 

LVIII.  What  a  Misfortune  ! 275 

LIX.  The  Consequences  of  That  Misfortune  278 
LX.  The  Lily  Fades  !    To  What    an    End 

Does  this  Lead  ! 281 

4.  The  Lily  Protected  and  Cared  for. 

LXL   The  Sentinels  Who  Guard  the  Lily  of 

Chastity 284 

LXIL   Sunshine 288 

LXIII.   Celestial  Dew 292 

LXIV.   A  Mother's  Care 296 

PART   THIRD— AT    THE    PARTING    OF 
THE   WAYS. 

1.  Which  Is  My  Path  ? 

LXV.  The  Decision  to  Be  Made 303 

LXVI.   Useful  Advice 307 

LXVII.   The  Means  to  Make  a  Wise  Choice.   311 

2.  The  Married  State. 

LXVIII.   Ought  I  to  Marry  ? 316 

LXIX.  Whom  Should  I  Marry  ? 320 


Contents.  19 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

LXX.   The  Time  of  Courtship * 324 

LXXI.   Marry  a  Catholic 327 

LXXII.   Are  Mixed  Marriages  Happy  ? 331 

LXXIII.  The  Conditions  Under  Which  the 
Church  Tolerates  Mixed  Mar- 
riages     336 

3.  The  Religious  State. 

LXXIV.  The  Happiness  of  a  Religious  Vo- 
cation     339 

LXXV.   The  Sacrifices  of  a  Religious  Vo- 
cation   344 

LXXVI.  The  Signs  of  a  Religious  Vocation  349 

4.  Unmarried  Life  in  the  World. 

LXXVII.   The  Value  of  Virginity 354 

LXXVIII.   The  So-called  "Old  Maids" 357 

PART    FOURTH— FAMILY    LIFE. 

I.  Religion  the  Foundation  of  Family  Life. 

LXXIX.  The  Happiness  of  Family  Life..    367 

LXXX.   The  Safeguard  of  Family  Life. . .   371 

LXXXI.   The  Peace  of  Family  Life 374 

2.  The  Religious  Education  of  Children. 

LXXXII.    Happiness  or  Misery 378 

LXXXIII.    Begin  the  Work  Early 382 

LXXXIV<   The   Principal  Factors  and  Sup- 
ports in  the  Training  of  a  Child  3S5 


20  Contents. 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

LXXXV.   Studies:    Higher  Education 389 

LXXXVI.   The  Blessing  from  Above 395 

3.  The  Housewife's  Adorning. 

LXXXVII.   Beautiful  Apparel 399 

LXXXVIII.   Gold  Ornaments 403 

LXXXIX.   Diamonds 407 

XC.    Precious  Stones 410 

PART    FIFTH— A    FEW    CONCLUDING 
WORDS. 

XCI.    Farewell 419 

A  Rule  of  Life 423 

The  Art  of  Being  Happy 426 


3Booh  1F1I.    Devotions, 

PART  FIRST. 

DAILY    PRAYERS.. 435 

Morning  Prayers 435 

Morning  Offering  of  the  Apostleship  of  Prayer  436 
Short  Act  of  Consecration  before  a  Picture  of 

the  Sacred  Heart 437 

Acts  of  Faith,  Hope,  and  Love 438 

Prayer  before  Instruction 438 

Prayer  after  Instruction 438 

Grace  before  Meals 439 

Grace  after  Meals 439 

Indulgenced  Aspirations  and  Short  Prayers.  .  440 


Contents.  2i 

PAGE 

Evening  Prayers 451 

Prayers  to  Obtain  a  Good  Death 452 

DEVOTIONS    FOR    MASS 455 

A  Method  of  Assisting  at  the  holy  Sacrifice  of 
the  Altar  by  Following  the  Ordinary  of 

the  Mass 463 

A  Mode  of   Hearing   Mass   in   Honor  of  the 

Blessed  Virgin  Mary 481 

DEVOTIONS    FOR    CONFESSION ..49'; 

Prayers  before  Confession 495 

Examination  of  Conscience  for  Young  Women  496 

Acts  of  Contrition 503 

Resolution  of  Amendment 504 

Prayers  after  Confession 504 

DEVOTIONS   FOR   COMMUNION 505 

Acts  of  Faith,  Adoration,  Contrition,  Humil- 
ity,   Hope,    Charity,    and    Desire    before 

Communion 506 

Acts  of  Humility,  Thanksgiving  and  Oblation, 

Love,  and  Petition  after  Communion....   507 

Indulgenced  Prayer  before  a  Crucifix 509 

Petitions  and  Offerings  after  Holy  Communion  510 
Indulgenced    Acts    in    Honor   of   the   Sacred 

Heart  of  Jesus 514 

Promises  and  Resolutions  to  be  Made  by  Fre- 
quent Communicants 517 

Simple    Acts    and   Prayers    for    Holy    Com- 
munion     522 

Prayer  of  Ven.  Father  Olier 525 

Suscipe:  Prayer  of  St.  Ignatius ••  525 

Anima  Christi 526 

THE   STATIONS    OF   THE  CROSS 528 


22  Contents. 

PACE 

Stabat  Mater 539 

LITANIES  APPROVED  BY  THE  CHURCH.   543 

Litany  of  the  Holy  Name  of  Jesus 543 

Litany  of  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus 546 

Litany  of  the  lilessed  Virgin 550 

Litany  of  the  Saints 553 

A    VISIT    TO     THE     BLESSED     SACRA- 
MENT     565 

Prayer  of  St.  Alphonsus  Liguori 565 

Spiritual  Communion 567 

Acts    of    Reparation    to    Jesus    Christ  in  the 

Blessed  Sacrament 570 

Acts  of  Consecration  to  the  Sacred  Heart  of 

Jesus 571 

A  Short   Act  of    Consecration  to  the    Sacred 

Heart  of  Jesus 574 

An  Act  of  Consecration  Recommended  to  the 

Children  of  Mary 574 

A    Prayer  for    the  Church  and   for  the  Civil 

Authorities 575 

VARIOUS  PRAYERS  AND   NOVENAS....   577 

Prayer   in    Honor    of   the    Sacred    Heart   of 

Jesus,  and  other   Petitions  Suitable  after 

Communion  and  at  Visits  to  the  Blessed 

Sacrament,    also    in    connection    with    a 

Novena 577 

Prayer  of  St.  Alphonsus  Liguori  to  the  Blessed 

Virgin  Mary 580 

Prayer  of  St.  Aloysius  Gonzaga  to  the  Blessed 

Virgin 581 

Prayer  and  Consecration  to  Our  Lady  of  Per- 
petual Help 581 


Contents.  23 

PAGE 

Chaplet  in  Honor  of  the  Immaculate  Heart  of 

Mary 582 

Novena  to  Our  Lady  of  Perpetual  Help 584 

Prayer  to  Our  Lady  of  Good  Counsel 585 

Indulgenced  Novenas  in  Honor  of  the  Blessed 

Virgin  Mary 585 

Eleven  Novenas  in  Honor  of  the  Blessed  V'ir- 

gin  Mary 5S5 

Novena  for  any  Festival  and  for  any  Special 

Occasion 587 

The  Mysteries  of  the  Holy  Rosary 589 

The  Four  Great  Anthems  ♦f  the  Blessed  Vir- 
gin Mary ^.  ,^....^.^. 590 

Alma  Redemptoris ,w-|.  -. 590 

Ave  Regina  Coelorum 592 

Regina  Coeli 593 

Salve  Regina 594 

Prayer  to  St.   Joseph  for   the  October  Devo- 
tions      596 

Another  Approved  Version  of  the  Same  Prayer  596 

Act  of  Consecration  to  St.  Joseph 597 

Prayer  to  St.  Joseph  for  a  Happy  Death..  . .      597 

Prayer  to  St.  Joseph  for  Perseverance 598 

Novena  in  Honor  of  St.  Joseph 598 

Prayers  in  Honor  of  St.  Joseph   for  the   Ag- 
onizing     599 

Prayer  to  St.  Joseph,  Patron  of  the   Univer- 
sal Church 599 

Prayer  to  the  Angel  Guardian 600 

Antiphon  to  the  Archangel  Michael 601 

Prayer  to  St.  Raphael,  Archangel 601 

Prayer  to  the  Archangel  Gabriel 601 


24  Contents. 

PAGE 

Prayer  to  St.  Anne.    601 

The  Novena  of  Grace  in  Honor  of  St.  Francis 

Xavier,  Apostle  of  the  Indies 602 

Devout  Exercises  of  the  Six  Sundays  in  Honor 

of  St.  Aloysius  Gonzaga 604 

Prayers  to  St.  Anthony 606 

Prayer  to  St.  Stanislaus  Kostka 607 

Prayer  in  Honor  of  St.  Agnes 607 

Prayer  to  St.  Lucy 608 

Prayer  to  St.  Rose  of  Lima 6og 

Prayer  to  St.  Agatha 6og 

Prayer  to  any  Virgin-Saint 610 

Prayer  for  divine  Direction  in  the  Choice  of  a 

State  of  Life 61  r 

Indulgenccd  Prayer  for  a  Christian  Family.  .    612 


PART    SECOND. 

THE     SODALITY      OF      THE      BLESSED 
VIRGIxV    MARY. 

The  Object  of  this  Association 614 

Obligations  of  the  Members 615 

Indulgences 615 

SODALITY    DEVOTIONS 617 

The  Solemn  Reception  of  New  Members 617 

Synopsis  of  the  Rite  of  Reception 617 

Ceremony  of  Solemn  Reception 617 

Benediction  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament 628 

Pious  Exercises  and  Prayers  for  Regular  and 

Occasional  Meetings ....   635 


\  CoJiteiits.  25 

PAGE 

DEVOTIONS  FOR  THE  MONTH  OF  MAY   639 

Indulgences  for  the  Month  of  May 640 

Three  Offerings  in  Honor  of  the  Blessed  Vir- 
gin Mary 641 

St.  Aloysius'  Act  of  Consecration 642 

Prayer  to  our  Queen  of  the  Most  Holy  Rosary  642 
MEDITATIONS  ON  THE  LIFE  OF  MARY  643 

Introduction 643 

Mary's  Vocation 643 

Hymn    to   the    Blessed    Virgin,    "Ave  Maris 

Stella  " 648 

1st  Day. — Mary's  Immaculate  Conception....  649 

2d  Day. — Mary's  First  Graces. 651 

3d  Day. — Mary's  Earliest  Gift 652 

4th  Day. — God's  Design  in  Beautifying  Mary  652 

5th  Day.  — The  Birth  of  Mary 653 

6th  Day. — The   Presentation  of    Mary  in    the 

Temple 654 

7th  Day. — Mary's  Life  in  the  Temple 655 

8th  Day. — Mary's  Espousals 656 

9th  Day. — The  Marriage  of  Mary 657 

loth  Day. — The  Annunciation 658 

nth  Day. — The  Incarnation 659 

I2th  Day. — The  Visitation 660 

13th  Day. — Mary's  Time  of  Expectancy 661 

14th  Day. — The  Nativity 661 

15th  Day. — Mary's  Purification 662 

i6th  Day. — Simeon's  Propnecy  to  Mary 663 

17th  Day. — The  Flight  into  Egypt 664 

i8th  Day.  —  Mary's  Life  at  Nazareth 665 

19th  Day. — Mary's   Loss  of    Jesus  for    Three 

Days 666 


26  Contents. 

PAGE 

20th  Day. — The  Death  of  St-  Joseph 667 

2ist  Day. — Mary  at  Cana 668 

22d  Day. — Mary  During    Our    Lord's    Public 

Li  f e f 668 

23d    Day. — Mary  Meets    Jesus   Carrying    the 

Cross 669 

24th  Day. — Mary  at  the  Foot  of  the  Cross.  . ..  670 
25th  Day. — Jesus  is   Placed   in    His  Mother's 

Arms. . .    671 

26th  Day. — Mary  Sees  Jesus  Laid  in  the  Sepul- 
chre    672 

27th  Day. — Jesus  Appears  to  Mary  after  the 

Resurrection 673 

28th  Day. — Mary   the    Mother    of    the    Infant 

Church 674 

29th  Day. — Mary's  Death 674 

30th  Day. — Mary's  Assumption  into  Heaven.  675 
31st  Day. — Mary's    Coronation    as    Queen    of 

Heaven 676 

Hymn,  "  Mary,  Thy  Heart  " 678 

Hymn,  "  Holy  God,  We  Praise  Thy  Name"..   678 


3Booft  f  0 


PART  FIRST— THE  MAIDEN'S  WREATH. 


I.  TOe  Sunflower— faltb, 

y.  fQotD  ®Freat  a  Blessing  £s  tj^e  STrue  ffuiti). 

1.  ^^T^HERE  is  a  flower  which  possesses  this 
V-^    peculiarity,    that    it    turns    constantly 

to  the  sun,  following  it  in  its  course;  on  this  account 
it  is  called  the  sunflower.  Our  faith  may  be  com- 
pared to  this  flower,  since  its  gaze  is  ever  fixed 
above,  and  turned  toward  the  glorious  sun  of 
divine  truth.  The  first  flower  in  the  maiden's 
blooming  garland  of  virtues  is  and  ought  to  be 
the  faith  of  which  we  speak.  For  this  faith,  a 
clear,  living,  steadfast,  unalterable  faith  is  supremely 
necessary  and  all  important  for  the  maiden,  es- 
pecially in  the  present  day.  Therefore  make  it 
the  subject  of  your  present  meditation,  my  child, 
and  consider  first  how  great  a  blessing  it  is  to 
possess  the  one  true,  Catholic  faith. 

2.  Our  Lord  said  upon  one  occasion:  "Blessed 
are  they  that  have  not  seen  and  have  believed." 
Why  did  He  thus  speak?  why  are  those  blessed 
who  possess  the  true  faith? 

The  first  reason  is  this:  by  faith  we  please  God. 
The  desire  for  happiness  is  deeply  implanted  in 
every  human  breast,  and  the  history  of  mankind 

29 


80  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

is  merely  the  recital  of  a  ceaseless  search  for 
happiness.  But  where  is  man  to  find  happiness, 
and  where  alone?  The  following  lines  will  tel' 
you: 

Would  you  be  happy,  this  is  the  way: 
Please  God  and  do  His  will  day  by  day; 
Saint-like  your  duty  do;  fervently  pray. 

3.  Note  well  that  we  must  strive  to  be  pleasing 
to  God,  and  it  is  only  by  helicving  in  Him  that  we 
can  please  Him.  This  is  so  true  that  the  Apostle 
Paul  says  expressly:  "  Without  faith  it  is  impossible 
to  please  God."  And  if  you  \\-ish  to  understand 
the  matter  more  clearly,  reflect  upon  the  relation 
in  which  you  stand  to  your  earthly  father.  When 
do  you  please  him  best,  when  do  you  honor  him 
most?  Is  it  not  when  you  believe  in  him  most 
firmly,  and  show  a  childlike  confidence  in  him? 
And  how  much  more  is  this  the  case  in  regard  to 
your  heavenly  Father,  our  Lord  and  God.  For 
it  is  the  will  of  the  eternal  Father  that  we  should 
believe  what  He  once  taught  and  commanded  us 
by  the  voice  of  His  Son,  and  now  continues  to 
teach  us  by  the  voice  of  holy  Church.  And  if  St. 
Paul  says:  "This  is  the  will  of  God,  your  sancti- 
fication,"  it  is  also  the  will  of  God  that  we  should  be- 
lieve in  Him,  for  faith  is  the  beginning,  foundation, 
and  root  of  all  righteousness.  Therefore  when 
we  believe  in  God  we  do  His  will,  and  by  so  doing 
we  please  Him,  and  are  ourselves  rendered  happy. 

4.  Our  holy  Catholic  faith  is  the  source  of  our 
greatest  happiness  even  while  we  are  yet  on  earth. 
Simply  reflect  upon  a  few  ordinary  events  of  life. 
What  is  the  brightest  and  happiest  day  of  one's - 
life?  You  know  quite  well;  for  you  are  reminded 
of  it  every  year,   when   you  see  a  procession  of 


TJie  Sunflower — Faith.  31 

children  entering  the  church,  their  heads  adorned 
with  wreaths,  their  faces  beaming  with  joy.  Do 
you  not  feel  deeply,  yet  not  without  a  certain  tinge 
of  melancholy,  that  the  day  of  your  first  communion 
was  the  brightest  and  happiest  day  of  j'our  life? 
Yet  would  the  external  solemnity,  the  magnificent 
ceremonial  of  Catholic  worship  alone  make  so  deep 
an  impression  upon  the  heart?  Is  it  not  rather 
our  holy  Catholic  faith,  which  enables  us  to  appre- 
ciate the  beauty,  and  understand  the  happiness  of 
the  pure  and  innocent  soul  of  the  girl,  who  is 
privileged  to  enter,  for  the  first  time,  into  the 
closest  union  with  the  Author  of  life,  with  the 
supreme  Good,  with  the  Source  of  all  happiness, 
that  is,  with  God  Himself? 

5.  We  will  take  another  example.  Have  you 
perhaps  beheld  a  pious  and  believing  Catholic 
mother  at  the  moment  of  her  greatest  happiness, 
her  highest  joy,  a  moment  when  her  heart  would 
adopt  as  its  own  the  language  of  the  Magnificat,  and 
her  eyes  weep  tears  of  joy?  But  when  and  where 
was  this?  Was  it  perhaps  on  the  day  when  her 
child  approached  for  the  first  time  the  table  of  the 
Lord  with  a  pure  and  innocent  soul,  and  a  heart 
filled  with  the  love  of  God?  No,  it  was  not  then. 
Was  it  on  the  wedding-day  of  her  son  or  daughter  ? 
It  was  not  on  this  occasion  either.  There  is  yet 
another  day  which  comprises  in  itself  the  happi- 
ness of  both  the  others.  The  greatest  joy,  the 
highest  happiness  of  the  pious  Catholic  mother, 
is  experienced  on  the  day  when  the  bells  ring  out 
from  the  church  tower  with  gladsome  yet  solemn 
voice,  calling  the  faithful  to  enter  the  sacred  edifice, 
whither  a  devout  and  expectant  throng  is  hastening, 
and  where  her  son,  the  most  promising  of  all  her 
children,  is  about  to  ascend  the  steps  of  the  altar, 


32  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

in  order  to  oflFer  for  the  first  time  the  spotless  Lamb 
of  God  to  the  Eternal  P'ather.  What  is  the  source 
of  this  happiness  and  joy?  In  the  heart  of  a  pious 
iTiother  it  can  be  nothing  but  the  holy  Catholic 
faith,  which  teaches  her  that  her  son  is  now  the 
representative  of  Christ,  and  that  he  can  win  so 
many  souls  for  heaven,  and  save  so  many  poor 
sinners  from  hell. 

6.  But  this  happiness  is  vouchsafed  only  to  a 
few  mortals.  If  it  is  true  that  sorrow  and  suffering 
enter  into  the  life  of  every  child  of  man,  and  if 
it  is  equally  true  that  the  poor  human  heart  needs 
some  solid  consolation  amid  grief  and  tribulation, 
in  this  case  also  it  is  the  Catholic  faith  which  is 
aole  to  supply  this  consolation,  and  which  can 
impart  peace  of  mind  under  every  form  of  sorrow 
and  suffering. 

You,  my  daughter,  know  as  yet  but  little  of  sorrow 
and  suffering.  But  ask  those — and  their  number 
is  large  indeed — who  have  often  and  painfully 
felt  that  this  world  is  a  valley  of  tears,  ask  them 
what  has  sustained  them  in  their  darkest  hours  of 
sorrow  and  suffering,  what  has  poured  the  healing 
balm  of  consolation  into  their  wounded  hearts, 
and  even  enabled  them  to  rejoice  in  tribulation. 
Ask  them,  and  they  will  tell  you  that  it  is  faith  which 
has  done  all  this. 

7.  And  what  will  faith  do  in  the  decisive  moment, 
the  supreme  and  terrible  moment  of  death  ?  When 
the  mother  of  Melancthon  was  lying  on  her  death- 
bed, she  suddenly  opened  her  eyes  and  asked  her 
son,  who  was  standing  beside  her,  whether  she 
should  keep  to  the  ancient  Catholic  faith  or  embrace 
the  new  one,  that  of  Martin  Luther,  as  he  had  done. 
With  deep  emotion  Melancthon,  though  himself 
an    apostate,    replied   as    follows:     "Dear  mo'aer, 


The  Sunfloiver— Faith.  33 

keep  to  your  ancient,  Catholic  faith.  The  new- 
faith  is  indeed  easier  to  live  by,  but  the  old  faith 
is  easier  and  happier  to  die  by."  Listen  attentively 
to  this,  my  daughter,  and  never  forget  that  the 
Catholic  faith  renders  death  easier  and  happier. 
Cling  therefore  closely  to  this  holy  faith,  never 
relinquish  it,  but  prize  it  highly,  prize  it  above 
everything  else,  as  your  happiness  and  consolation 
both  in  life  and  in  death. 

Through  faith  will  conscience  wake 

In  the  human  breast; 
Never  therefore  the  path  forsake 

Of  present  joy  and  future  rest. 

Kfi.  Beep  tt)e  iFaitij. 

Let  not  the  world,  with  promise  fair, 

Rob  thee  of  faith — that  good  beyond  compare ; 

'Tis  thy  soul's  strength,  and  saves  it  from  despair. 

I.  *|_JAITH  is  certainly  so  precious  and  super- 
i-*—[  natural  a  possession  that  no  earthly 
good  can  be  substituted  for  it.  As  innocence  is 
the  maiden's  fairest  ornament,  so  is  faith  her  most 
precious  possession.  It  resembles  the  glorious 
light  of  the  sun;  vi^hich  cheers  and  animates  all 
created  nature  How  sad  and  gloomy,  how  cold 
and  unfruitful  would  the  ear.h  be  without  this 
Ught!  But  far  more  sad  would  our  life  be  withoi 
the  divine  light  of  the  true  faith. 

Therefore  the  first  and  most  important  affair  of 
your  life  is  to  preserve  this  light,  this  precious 
treasure,  with  the  utmost  care.  And  this  is  nc 
easy  matter,  especially  in  the  present  day,  when 
unbelief  is  gaining  ground  with  terribly  rapid 
strides.     Therefore  mark  well  what  you  have   \o 


84  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

do  in  order  to  acquit  yourself  of  your  most  im- 
|x)rtant  duty,  in  order  to  preser\"e  your  most  precious 
possession — the  holy  faith. 

2.  The  first  thing  is  to  attend  dih'gently  to 
religious  instruction.  In  its  origin,  faith  is  a  gift  of 
grace,  and  tiiis  grace  is  imparted  first  of  all  in  holy 
Bapti.sm,  for  Baptism  makes  man  a  Christian. 
But  faith  is  then  only  a  germ,  and  if  this  germ  is 
not  to  be  nipped  in  the  bud  it  must  be  developed. 
And  it  is  the  Church  which  develops  this  germ. 
This  is  why  St.  Paul  says:  "Faith  then  comcth  by 
hearing,  and  hearing  by  the  word  of  Christ,''  and 
Our  Lord  Himself  reminds  us  that:  "He  that  is 
of  God,  heareth  the  words  of  God." 

Consequently  you  must  set  a  high  value  on  the 
word  of  God  as  announced  to  you  in  .sermons  and 
religious  instructions,  and  not  absent  yourself 
from  them  on  any  frivolous  pretext.  Whenever 
you  are  about  to  listen  to  religious  instructions  be 
careful  to  recollect  yourself,  and  invoke  the  aid  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  in  order  that  He  may  prepare  your 
heart  to  receive  the  divine  word.  Aftcrvi-ards 
apply  what  you  have  heard  to  yourself,  not  to  other 
persons,  and  make  it  the  guide  of  your  life.  In 
this  manner  you  will  not  merely  keep  your  faith, 
but  be  more  and  more  confirmed  in  it. 

3.  The  second  means  of  keeping  the  faith  is 
to  live  in  accordance  with  its  teaching.  The  more 
earnestly  you  strive  to  practise  the  precepts  of  the 
Gospel,  the  more  will  your  faith  be  strengthened. 
The  harder  the  blows  dealt  by  the  hammer,  the 
more  deeply  the  nail  is  driven  in;  similarly  faith 
becomes  all  the  deeper,  firmer,  and  stronger,  the 
more  carefully  its  teaching  is  observed.  The 
Japanese  whom  St.  Francis  Xavier  converted  in 
the  sixteenth  century  grew  and  became  strong  in 


llie  Sunfloiver — Faith.  35 

the  faith  in  a  manner  which  was  nothing  short  of 
marvelous.  But  this  was  only  the  natural  result 
of  the  extreme  zeal  the}'  displayed  in  the  perforn:ance 
of  their  Christian  duties.  For  every  kind  of  virtue 
was  practised  by  these  recent  converts  in  great  per- 
fection. Their  holy  zeal  was  wonderful  indeed, 
and  so  conscientious  were  they  that  it  was  not  easy 
to  soothe  their  aistress  whenever  they  fell  into  even 
trifling  faults.  Do  you,  my  daughter,  imitate 
their  bright  example,  and  be  earnest  in  the  ful- 
filment of  your  religious  duties.  As  soon  as  you 
grow  careless  in  this  respect,  in  an  equal  degree 
will  your  firm,  undoubting  faith  laecome  weaker. 

4.  The  third  means,  namely,  the  avoidance  of 
sin,  is  inseparably  connected  with  the  second.  In 
order  to  keep  the  faith  it  is  indispensably  neces- 
sary to  avoid  ever}^thing  which  is  of  the  nature  of 
sin,  and  to  lead  a  life  which  is  pleasing  to  God. 
For  faith  can  never  long  dwell  in  a  heart  defiled  by 
sin.  And  here  listen  to  a  parable.  A  wealthy 
Greek  carefully  selected  a  cask  and  filled  it  v\dth 
the  choicest  wine.  In  order  to  protect  himself 
against  thieves  he  affixed  his  seal  to  the  mouth  of 
the  cask.  However,  in  spite  of  his  precaution,  a 
cunning  slave  bored  a  little  hole  in  the  bottom  of 
the  vessel,  and  thus  succeeded  in  getting  at  the 
wine,  being  able  to  close  the  aperture  without  much 
difficulty.  His  master  frequently  broke  the  seal 
in  order  to  partake  of  the  wine,  but  he  always 
replaced  it.  Ere  long  he  perceived  that  the  wine 
was  rapidly  diminishing,  but,  as  the  seal  remained 
unbroken,  he  was  at  a  loss  to  account  for  this. 
The  mystery  was  solved  by  a  friend,  who  said  to 
him:  "No  doubt  some  one  draws  out  the  wine 
from  beneath."  However,  the  foolish  man  could 
not  understand   this   and  absurdly   protected   that 


36  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

the  wine  was  not  delicient  at  the  bottom  but  at  the 
lop  of  the  cask. 

5.  This  is  a  very  old  stor}',  for  it  is  related  l)y 
the  heathen  sage  Hierocles.  But  it  constantly 
repeats  itself  in  regard  to  a  widely  different  subject. 
Faith  in  God,  in  His  divine  love  and  saving  doctrine, 
is  the  precious  wine  which  renews,  elevates,  en- 
nobles, gladdens  and  strengthens  the  life  of  man. 
Why  has  this  faith  so  greatly  diminished  in  the 
Christian  world?  The  wine  from  above  never 
diminishes;  for  "Every  best  gift  and  ever)'  good 
gift  is  from  above,  coming  down  from  the  Father  of 
lights."  No,  it  is  from  beneath  that  the  decline 
of  faith  proceeds.  It  originates  in  the  lower 
region  of  life,  that,  namely,  of  sensuality  and  the 
baser  impulses.  Guard  against  them,  my  child, 
and  beware  lest  you  become  their  slave,  and  thus 
your  faith  be  endangered. 

6.  But  the  chief  means  of  preserving  a  firm  and 
enlightened  faith  is  prayer.  Faith  is  a  gift  of 
divine  grace,  as  Isnard,  a  Frenchman  who  lived 
in  the  beginning  of  the  last  century,  learned  from 
experience.  During  the  great  French  revolution 
he  totally  lost  his  faith,  and  became  a  so-called 
freethinker.  By  a  turn  of  fortune's  wheel  he  lo.st 
his  entire  wealth,  his  life  being  also  imperiled. 
At  this  juncture  he  applied  himself  with  great 
ardor  to  the  study  of  the  truths  of  the  Christian 
religion.  Upon  this  point  he  expresses  himself  as 
follows  in  a  work  which  he  subsequently  published: 
"I  soon  perceived  that,  in  searching  for  the  truth, 
everj'thing  depends  on  the  disposition  of  the  heart. 
Therefore  I  betook  myself  to  prayer,  and  my 
mental  horizon  speedily  cleared,  so  that  I  regained 
my  faith." 

Do  you  also  pray  diligently  for  faith,  that  mos'^ 


The  Simflower— Faith.  37 

necessary  virtue,  and  in  seasons  of  temptations 
have  recourse  to  God  in  the  words  which  we  find  in 
the  Gospel:  "I  do  beHeve;  Lord,  help  my  un- 
belief." 

7.  Christian  maiden,  on  no  account  must  you 
consider  the  Catholic  faith  to  be  a  thing  of  little 
moment.  For,  as  St.  Augustine  says:  "There  is 
no  greater  wealth,  no  more  precious  treasure, 
than  the  Catholic  faith."  Do  everything  in  your 
power  to  keep  it,  so  that  one  day  you  may  be  able 
to  adopt  the  words  of  the  Apostle:  "I  have  finished 
my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith.  As  to  the  rest, 
there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  justice." 

JrJffi.  CJ^fjose  IS  tftis  fimage? 

I.  'T'N  these  days  when  faith  has  either  grown 
r*»  cold  or  been  lost  altogether  in  so  many 
instances,  there  are  persons,  and  among  their  num- 
ber girls  of  eighteen  or  twenty,  who,  when  they  are 
exhorted  to  reflect  upon  death  and  eternity  merely 
reply:  "I  am  no  child  to  be  frightened  by  nursery 
tales;  who  knows  whether  everything  does  not  end 
at  death!" 

Such  expressions  in  the  mouths  of  }oung  people 
fill  us  with  horror  and  compassion.  But  how  can 
it  be  possible  to  speak  in  this  way?  It  is  possible, 
because  in  the  case  of  these  individuals,  faith  in 
the  fundamental  truth  of  our  holy  religion  no  longer 
exists,  because  they  either  do  not  know,  or  refuse  to 
know  the  true  an.swer  to  the  question:  "Whose  is 
this  image?"  or:  "In  whose  likeness  was  man 
created?" 

You,,  dear  reader,  know  the  answer,  and  are 
firmly  conWnced  of  the  fundamental  truth  that 
man  was  created  in  the  imasje  and  likeness  of  God. 


38  Tlie  Maiden's  Wreath. 

Yet,  placed  as  you  are  amid  the  dangers  of  un- 
belief, it  is  of  the  ver\'  greatest  importance  that 
this  conviction  should  be  rooted  as  deeply  as  j)Ossible 
in  your  heart;  therefore  ponder  well  the  chief 
reasons  for  this  conviction. 

2.  Whose  is  this  image?  In  whose  image  and 
likeness  was  man  created?  Holy  Scripture  tells 
us,  clearly  and  distinctly,  that  he  was  created  in 
the  image  of  God.  And  the  fact  that  we  have  a 
soul  endowed  with  reason  plainly  proves  that  so 
it  is  and  must  be.  But  is  it  really  true,  we  do 
indeed  possess  a  soul?  Does  anything  actually 
exist  outside  the  sphere  of  our  senses,  besides  the 
things  which  we  see,  hear,  smell,  taste  or  feel? 

3.  Once  uix)n  a  time  a  simple  peasant  went  to  a 
priest  who  lived  in  Rome  and  laid  before  him  a 
singular  doubt.  "Your  Reverence,"  he  said, 
"I  cannot  believe  that  1  have  a  soul!"  It  is  easy 
to  imagine  what  was  the  astonishment  of  the  priest 
on  hearing  this  .strange  announcement.  With  all 
his  might  he  tried  to  think  how  he  could  best 
convince  the  foolish  man  of  his  error,  and  the  spirit 
of  God  at  length  suggested  to  him  the  means  of 
doing  this.  "My  good  man,"  he  inquired,  "why 
cannot  you  believe  that  you  have  a  soul?"  "He- 
cause  I  cannot  .see  it,"  was  the  reply.  "Very 
well,"  continued  the  priest,  "  now  think  of  some- 
thing, anything  you  like."  After  the  lap.se  of  a 
few  minutes  he  inquired  again:  "Have  you  thought 
of  something?"  "I  have,  your  Reverence,"  said 
the  pca.sant.  "I  don't  believe  you  have  thought 
of  anything  at  all,"  rejoined  the  priest.  "Why  do 
you  say  this?"  a.-^ked  the  other.  "Because  I  can- 
not .see  your  thought,"  was  the  reply. 

In  this  summar\'  fashion  wa.s  the  man  delivered 
from  his  doubt.     It  would  indeed  be  too  unrc.iSon- 


The  Simfloicer— Faith.  39 

able  to  doubt  that  man  can  think,  will,  and  remem- 
ber. In  like  manner  it  is  utterly  unreasonable  to 
call  m  question  the  existence  of  a  soul  endowed 
with  reason. 

4.  In  the  beginning  of  Holy  Scripture  we  read 
that  it  was  only  in  regard  to  the  creation  of  man 
that  God  uttered  the  words,  so  full  of  meaning: 
"Let  us  make  man  to  our  image  and  likeness." 
How  sublime  and  how  wondrous  a  thought  is  this! 
In  regard  to  all  other  things  which  the  Creator  called 
into  being.  He  merely  said:  ''Fiat — be  it  done!" 
But  in  regard  to  the  creation  of  man,  the  three 
Persons  of  the  Most  Holy  Trinity  took  counsel  as 
it  were  together.  And  then  God  formed  the  body  of 
man  out  of  the  dust  of  the  earth  and  breathed  into 
him  a  living  soul.  And  thus  is  this  soul  like  unto 
God,  a  spirit  hke  unto  God,  simple  and  immortal. 

5.  No  one  who  intelligently  considers  the  subject 
can  deny  the  immortality  of  the  soul.  Would 
it  be  possible  for  you  to  deny  this  immortality 
when  you  stand  beside  the  deathbed  of  any  one 
who  is  dear  to  you,  of  a  father,  a  mother,  a  brother, 
a  sister,  a  friend?  "It  is  difficult,"  an  innocent 
person  once  remarked,  "to  believe  that  those  whom 
we  love  not  only  die  but  sink  into  nothingness." 
And  so  it  is;  for  all  our  feelings,  all  our  convictions 
resist  and  struggle  against  the  supposition  that  our 
existence  ends  with  death.  And  Christ's  own 
words  clearly  prove  to  us  that  death  is  not  death 
but  the  entrance  into  life:  "The  wicked  shall  go 
into  everlasting  punishment:  but  the  just  into  life 
everlasting." 

It  is  certain  that  the  soul  continues  to  live  after 
the  death  of  the  body,  and  that  we  shall  meet  again 
those  whom  we  love.  Were  no  such  future  reunion 
possible,  we  might  justly  blame  Heaven  for  having 


40  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

inspired  us  with  affections  which  lx'h"e  themselves. 
Then  would  the  mother  whom  we  loved  so  fondly 
have  been  taken  from  us  forever!  Then  would 
everything  be  at  an  enrl  at  the  close  of  this  brief 
life  which  is  often  so  full  of  sorrow  and  suffering, 
and  nothingness  alone  would  remain!  Can  love 
and  friendship  be  mere  empty  words,  can  virtue 
and  justice  be  but  a  delusion?  No,  it  is  impossible 
to  entertain  such  ideas  even  for  a  moment,  impos- 
sible at  least  for  those  in  whose  breast  there  Ijeats 
a  warm  and  affectionate  heart.  The  soul  was 
made  in  the  image  of  God,  and  is  therefore  immortal 

6.  Whose  is  this  image?  Man  was  created  in 
the  likeness  of  God,  and  we  a.ssert  this,  in  the 
third  place,  because  he  has  a  soul  destined  to  behold 
God,  destined  to  enjoy  everlasting  hapj)iness. 
Happiness!  The  mere  mention  of  the  word  quick- 
ens our  pulses,  and  stirs  our  being  to  its  inmost 
dejjths.  The  desire  for  happiness  is  the  strongest 
impulse  in  our  nature.  And  this  desire,  this  longing, 
must  needs  be  satisfied  somewhere.  Hut  where  is 
this  to  be?  Where  is  the  happiness  for  which  we 
so  ardently  long?  Everything  proves  that  it  is  not 
to  be  found  on  earth.  Small  as  is  our  heart,  the 
whole  world  would  not  suffice  to  fill  it.  Alexander 
the  Great,  who  conquered  the  whole  of  the  then 
known  world,  was  not  satisfied,  but  wept  because 
ihere  were  no  more  worlds  to  conquer. 

7.  Therefore  the  words  of  St.  Augustine  will  be 
true  as  long  as  the  world  shall  last:  "Thou  didst 
make  us  for  Thyself,  O  Lord,  and  our  heart  can  find 
no  rest  until  it  rests  in  Thee! "  Until  it  rests  in  God! 
This  is  indeed  a  true  saying,  for  our  hearts  ca."  find 
no  permanent  satisfaction,  no  lasting  content,  in 
temporal  possessions,  in  health,  friendship,  honor, 
pleasure  and  renown.     This  earth  is  only  a  transi- 


The  Sunflower — Faith.  41 

tory  abode;  here  we  have  no  abiding  dwelling- 
place,  but  we  seek  one  which  is  to  come,  which 
awaits  us  in  heaven.  After  a  few  days  of  exile  in 
this  valley  of  tears,  we  shall  be  admitted  to  the 
presence  of  God,  we  shall  be  privileged  to  behold 
the  glories  of  the  other  world;  there  will  all 
sorrow  be  at  an  end,  all  suffering  cease,  every 
tear  be  wiped  away.  Do  you,  my  daughter,  ever 
bear  in  mind  that  you  have  been  made  in  the  image 
of  God,  that  your  soul  is  like  unto  God,  that  it  is 
immortal,  and  destined  to  behold  Him  one  day  in 
heaven. 

In  His  own  image,  child,  God  fashioned  thee, 
Destined  in  realms  of  light  His  face  to  see. 


WV,  aSe  TJiBilaut. 

1.  'T'N  the  course  of  my  long  experience  as  a 
«-■-•     director  of  souls,  I  have  often  seen  how 

young  girls,  even  those  who  have  been  brought  up  by 
respectable  parents  and  amid  Catholic  surround- 
ings, on  being  introduced  later  on  into  an  atmosphere 
where  unbelief  prevails,  or  where  faith  has  grown 
cold,  have  not  been  able  to  keep  straight,  but  have 
lost  their  faith,  and  with  faith  also  their  virtue  and 
innocence.  You  will  have  to  go  out  into  society, 
and  at  some  time  or  other  will  find  yourself  in 
company  where  danger  threatens  your  holy  faith. 
How  important  therefore,  how  necessary  it  is  that 
you  should  be  warned  in  time  against  this  danger 
and  should  keep  watch  over  yourself  in  regard  to  it. 

2.  St.  Paul  warned  his  disciple  and  friend  St. 
Timothy  against  this  danger  in  the  following 
words:  "There  shall  be  a  time,  when  they  will  not 
endure  the  sound  doctrine;   but,  according  to  their 


42  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

own  desires,  they  will  heap  to  themselves  teachers, 
having  itchinfj;  ears:  and  will  indeed  turn  away 
their  hearing  from  the  truth,  but  will  be  turned 
unto  fables.  Hut  be  thou  vinjilant."  We  are 
l!vin<^  in  an  ape  which  resembles  that  here  depicted 
by  tlie  Apostle.  There  are  in  our  midst  only  too 
many  men  who,  like  those  he  portrays,  cannot 
endure  the  sound  doctrine  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son 
of  God,  but  decry,  blaspheme,  and  ridicule  it. 
Sometimes  they  exi)rcss  doubts  as  to  particular 
doctrines  of  our  holy  relipon,  es[x*cially  its  mysteries, 
sometimes  they  scofT  at  abuses,  sometimes  they 
pour  contempt  on  the  external  practises  and 
ceremonies  of  our  holy  Church.  They  seek  above 
all  things  to  inoculate  the  minds  of  the  young,  and 
especially  of  young  girls,  with  the  germs  of  un- 
belief. 

3.  How  grievous  a  misfortune  would  it  be  if 
your  faith  were  shaken,  or  even  lost,  through  the 
influence  of  such  persons!  And  here  I  will  quote 
the  words  of  a  lady  who  took  a  deep  interest  in 
young  girls,  and  wrote  for  their  benefit  an  admir- 
able iittlc  book,  in  which  she  gives  them  a  golden 
rule  of  life:  "O  that  I  had  the  tongue  of  an 
angel  to  warn  them,  and  to  bid  them  be  on  their 
guard  against  the  ix)ison  of  modem  unbelief!  .  .  . 
May  your  fate  never  resemble  that  which  formerly 
overtook  the  city  of  Per.sepolis!  It  worshiped 
fire,  and  by  fire  it  was  destroyed."  This  means, 
beware  of  following  the  attraction  of  the  brilliant 
light,  which  unbelief  too  often  kindles  in  order  to 
deceive  men;  it  is  as  a  delusion,  a  Will-o'-the-wi.'^p, 
and,  were  you  to  follow  it,  it  would  destroy  you  and 
cast  you  into  the  fire  of  hell. 

4.  A  father  who  was  totally  destitute  of  faith 
sent  his  children  to  l^e  educated  in  Catholic  estab- 


The  SuHjioicer— Faith.  43 

ishments  A  friend  having  remarked  to  him 
upon  the  inconsistency  of  his  conduct,  he  replied: 
"I  know  only  too  well,  by  my  own  experience,  the 
misery  of  unbelief,  and  I  am  not  so  cruel  a  parent  as 
to  permit  my  dear  children  to  feel  the  same."  So 
great  then  is  the  wretchedness  of  unbelief!  Listen 
to  these  words,  and  mark  them  well,  proceeding  as 
they  do  from  the  lips  of  an  unbeliever.  Therefore 
guard  against  the  dangers  which  may  threaten 
your  faith.  Let  me  point  out  these  dangers  to  you. 
5.  In  the  first  place,  doubts  of  the  faith.  If  such 
doubts  occur  to  you,  do  not  dwell  upon  them,  do 
not  strive  to  solve  them,  but  in  all  simplicity  and 
humility  say:  "O  my  God,  I  believe  this,  because 
Thou  hast  said  it,  and  because  Thou  art  eternal 
Truth."  If  doubts  which  you  cannot  answer 
are  brought  before  you  by  others,  simply  say: 
"I  cannot  explain  this,  but  one  thing  I  know: 
God  and  His  holy  Chu'ch  can  never  err.  You 
had  better  consult  a  priest;  he  will  be  able  to  answer 
you."  And  if  you  should  yourself  be  troubled 
with  doubts  of  the  faith,  tell  them  simply  and 
frankly  to  your  director  or  confessor,  and  he  will 
advise  you  as  to  the  best  method  of  setting  them  at 
rest. 

6.  Avoid,  as  far  as  possible  (and  this  is  the 
second  point),  the  society  of  those  who  deny  the 
truths  of  religion  and  scoff  at  faith,  the  sacraments, 
and  so  on.  If  they  are  your  equals  and  -among 
the  number  of  your  acquaintances  to  whom  you 
can  speak  plainly,  cut  them  short  with  some  such 
words  as  these:  "May  I  ask  you  not  to  talk  in  this 
way,  for,  if  you  persist  in  doing  so,  this  must  be  the 
last  time  I  shall  have  anything  to  do  with  you." 
Do  not  argue  with  such  persons,  but  say  quite 
simply:   "Are  you  wiser  than  the  Catholic  Church 


44  Tlie  Maiden's  W^recith. 

and  almighty  God  Himself?"  If  they  are  persons 
to  whom  you  cannot  sfjcak  in  this  way,  observe 
an  expressive  silence,  and  thus  show  your  dis- 
pleasure; or  adroitly  turn  the  conversation  to  a 
different  subject.  Under  such  circumstances  it  is 
a  great  advantage  to  possess  a  ready  tongue,  for 
those  who  have  this  gift  can  often,  by  some  appro- 
priate speech,  silence  the  scoffer  at  once  and  for- 
ever. I  formerly  knew  a  witty  Capuchin  monk 
who  frequently  employed  this  method,  as  the 
following  amusing  incident  may  serve  to  show: 

Upon  one  occasion  a  remarkably  corpulent 
gentleman  who  was  travelling  in  the  same  railway 
coach  as  the  good  Father,  tried  to  make  him  angry 
by  mocking  at  religion.  Among  other  things  he 
said:  "How  can  there  be  a  hell  ?  Where  could  the 
Lord  get  the  immense  masses  of  fuel  which  would 
be  required  in  order  to  heat  it?"  The  Capuchin, 
who  was  very  quick  at  repartee,  instantly  retorted: 
"My  dear  sir,  pray  set  your  mind  at  rest  on  this 
point,  for  as  long  as  the  Almighty  has  a  store  of 
such  fat  fellows,  such  'blocks,'  as  you,  He  will  be 
at  no  loss  to  find  what  he  wants." 

7.  In  the  third  place,  beware  of  reading  books 
and  pamphlets  hostile  to  the  faith  or  which  attack 
the  Church.  Above  all  things  guard  against  an 
inordinate  craving  in  the  matter  of  reading,  and  do 
not  fancy  that  you  must  read  everything  which 
comes  in  your  way.  There  are  unfortunately 
many  books,  periodical.s,  newspapers,  etc.,  in  which 
the  teachings  of  the  Catholic  Church,  or  faith  in 
general,  arc  more  or  less  openly  attacked,  and  in 
which  .shameless  falsehoods,  calumnies,  and  mis- 
representations in  regard  to  her  ministers  are 
given  to  the  public.  If  once  you  harbor  the  thought 
that  if  there  were  no  truth  at  all  in  such  article? 


The  Sunflotcer — Faith.  45 

chey  would  never  have  been  printed,  the  most 
bewildering  doubts  of  the  faith  might  arise  in 
your  mind  Such  doubts  might  be  like  poisonous 
seed,  from  which  the  accursed  weeds  of  unbelief 
might  spring  up. 

8.  In  conclusion,  pay  no  heed  to  the  false  and 
foolish  assertion  that  every  religion  is  good,  every 
system  of  beliefs  can  lead  to  heaven. 

A  pious  mistress  had  a  .servant  who  very  often 
talked  in  this  way.  The  first  time  her  wages  were 
due  the  lady  paid  her  in  base  coin  or  money  which 
had  been  withdrawn  from  circulation.  The  girl 
objected,  but  her  mistress  replied:  "But  it's 
money  just  the  same,  and  don't  you  think  all  money 
is  equally  good?"  She  then  counted  out  genuine 
coins,  saying  as  she  did  so:  "Just  as  false  money 
will  not  serve  your  purpose,  so  a  false  creed  will 
never  take  you  to  heaven." 

Therefore  hold  fast  to  your  faith,  as  being  the 
only  true  one  and  the  only  one  which  can  take 
you  to  heaven.     Christ  established  but  one  Church. 

Be  vigilant,  and  see  that  amid  the  numerous 
dangers  and  temptations  by  which  you  are  sur- 
rounded the  light  of  faith  is  not  darkened  within 
you,  but  shines  with  ever-increasing  brightness, 
guiding  you  on  your  heavenward  way. 

O  blessed  faith,  thou  gift  divine, 
Enlightener  of  the  darksome  heart. 

Cease  not  within  my  soul  to  shine, 
And  hope  of  heavenly  joys  impart. 


46  27te  Maideiis  Wreath. 

2.  XTbe  "ffp^— Ibope. 

V.   IQopc  (u  tfjc  JLorlJ. 

I.  *TT'  pious  and  pleasing  legend  runs  as 
,>/J->  follows:  When  our  first  j)arents 
were  driven  out  of  paradise,  they  wandered  about 
full  of  sadness,  and  weejMng.  Before  them 
stretched  the  earth  which  was  to  be  the  scene  of 
their  toil,  overgrown  with  thorns  and  thistles;  in 
their  ears  the  terrible  sentence  pronounced  by 
their  Judge  sounded  constantly  :  "In  the  sweat  of 
thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread."  Then  they  sighed, 
exclaiming  with  tears:  "Alas!  why  did  not  the 
angel  with  the  flaming  sword  put  an  end  to  our 
existence!"  Suddenly  there  breathed  forth  from 
paradise  a  gentle  breeze;  the  shrubs  bent  their 
heads,  and  a  tiny  cloud,  colored  with  the  hues  of 
the  dawn,  floated  down  from  the  hills.  From  this 
cloud  a  voice  was  heard  to  speak  in  accents  of 
encouragement:  "Though  your  eyes  wnll  not  be 
able  to  behold  me,  yet  unseen  by  you  I  will  be  your 
guide  through  life.  I  will  dwell  in  your  hearts  and 
cheer  your  path.  \\Tien  thou,  O  Man,  dost  till  the 
ground  in  the  sweat  of  thy  face,  I  will  show  thee  in 
the  hazy  distance  waving  fields  of  golden  grain  and 
blooming  gardens,  and  thou  shalt  fancy  thyself  in 
paradise.  And  when  thou,  O  Woman,  shalt  be 
in  pain  on  account  of  bearing  children,  thou  shall 
behold  an  antjel  from  heaven  in  the  person  of  thy 
child,  and  shalt  weep  tears  of  joy." 

''Alas!"  groaned  the  unhappy  ones,  'wilt  thou 
forsake  us  when  we  come  to  die,  O  hidden  messenger 
of  con.solatlorx?''     "No"  sounded  the  •'•oice  *^rorp 


Hie  Ivy— Hope.  47 

the  cloud,  "most  certainly  not,  but  after  the  dark- 
ness of  night  has  passed  away,  a  glorious  morning 
shall  dawn  upon  you.  When  the  hour  of  your 
death  is  drawing  near,  my  cheering  light  will 
illumine  your  soul,  causing  you  to  see  the  celestial 
portals  open  to  admit  you  "  "But  who  then  art 
thou,  celestial  messenger  of  consolation?"  queried 
they.  "I  am  Hope,"  was  the  reply,  "the  daughter  of 
Faith  and  Love."  Then  the  cloud  descended  and 
encircled  our  first  parents,  so  that  they  could  not 
see  their  angelic  visitant.  But  they  were  com- 
forted and  cheered. 

2.  My  daughter,  this  heavenly  being,  this  virtue 
of  hope,  must  in  1  ke  manner  accompany  you 
through  life.  Hope  must  encircle  and  cling  to  your 
heart  like  the  climbing  ivy.  You  must  keep  a  firm 
hold  on  Christian  hope,  you  must  cling  closely  to  it, 
and  never  let  it  go,  for  such  is  the  will  of  God. 
God  commands  us  to  hope  in  Him,  and  indeed  this 
injunction  is  embraced  in  the  general  precept: 
"Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy 
heart."  Hope  therefore  in  the  Lord!  But  where- 
fore ought  we  to  do  this?  What  is  the  basis  of  our 
hope? 

3.  Hope  in  the  Lord:  in  the  first  place,  because 
He  is  faithful  and  true,  almighty  and  infinitely 
good;  hence  He  is  assuredly  both  able  and  willing 
to  give  us  all  that  He  has  provided.  Is  it  certain 
that  He  is  able  to  do  this?  Yes,  indeed!  for  how 
could  He  be  almighty  if  He  were  not  able  to  do 
everything,  to  pardon  our  sins,  to  give  us  His  grace, 
and  at  length  to  receive  us  into  heaven!  He  has 
only  to  will  it,  and  His  grace  streams  into  our 
heart,  causing  it  to  burn  with  the  fire  of  repentance, 
and  our  sins  are  blotted  out,  our  debt  is  remitted. 
And  He  does  will  this,  because  He  is  infinitelv  good 


•46  Tlte  Maiden's  Wreath. 

and  merciful  He  loves  all  men,  and  de  ires  that 
all  should  dwell  with  Him  in  heaven  That  this  is 
true  He  has  clearly  proved  by  giving  His  only- 
begotten  Son  to  suffer  a  cruel  death  uixin  the  cross. 
And  the  words  of  St.  John  will  remain  forever  true: 
"God  so  loved  the  world  as  to  g-ve  Hi.-^  only- 
begotten  Son;  that  whosoever  belicveth  in  Him  may 
not  jx'rish."  Could  God  have  given  a  more  con- 
vincing proof  that  He  loves  us,  that  He  desires  our 
eternal  happiness?  Ought  we  not,  must  we  not, 
on  this  account  place  our  whole  confidence  in  Him? 
4.  But  to  go  still  further  Hope  in  God,  my 
Jaughter,  because  He  has  sealed  His  promises 
with  the  blood  of  His  own  Son.  True  it  is  that  we 
could  not  of  ourselves  merit  eternal  happiness,  or 
the  grace  which  is  necessary  in  order  to  obtain  it, 
were  we  to  strive  through  countless  ages  to  do  so; 
but  what  we  could  not  merit,  Jesus  Christ  has 
merited  for  us,  through  His  bitter  Passion  and 
cruel  death.  Therefore  we  have,  as  the  Apostle 
says:  "Such  confidence,  through  Christ,  toward 
God."  And  for  the  same  reason  St.  Ambrose, 
in  order  to  encourage  us,  writes  as  follows:  "Be- 
hold what  a  judge  thou  hast!  The  Father  hath 
committed  all  judgment  to  the  Son.  How  then  can 
He  condemn  thee,  who  redeemed  thee  with  His 
blood,  who  gave  Himself  for  thee?"  This  tho;  ght 
ought  to  fill  us  with  bright  hope  and  blessed  con- 
fidence. When  St.  Augustine  thought  upon  the 
sins  of  his  youth,  his  heart  grew  heavy  and  full  of 
fear,  so  that  he  would  have  been  overwhelmed  with 
sadness  had  he  not  rested  his  hopes  u\x)n  the  merits 
of  Jesus  Christ.  "O  Lord,"  he  would  exclaim  at 
such  times,  "Thou  art  the  Life  through  which 
1  live,  the  Hope  to  which  I  cling,  the  Glory  which 
T  ardently  desire  to  possess  forever." 


The  Iry~  Hope.  49 

5.  Therefore,  my  daughter,  I  once  more  repeat: 
hope  in  the  Lord!  Contemplate  the  merits  of 
Jesus  Christ,  and  whilst  so  doing  never  lose  con- 
fidence in  Him.  Even  if  you  have  already  fallen 
into  grievous  sin,  or  if  at  a  subsequent  period  you 
should  be  so  unhappy  as  to  fall  into  mortal  sin,  do 
not  despair,  but  continue  to  hope  in  the  mercy 
and  pardoning  love  of  your  Saviour!  Even  if  the 
priest  and  Levite — that  is,  your  fellow  creatures — 
should  pass  you  by,  and  give  you  up  for  lost,  your 
Redeemer  will  never  act  thus;  He  will  never  aban- 
don you  as  lost.  No,  your  weakness  and  the 
wounds  of  your  soul  will  cause  Him  to  draw  near  to 
you,  they  will  move  His  Sacred  Heart  to  have 
compassion  on  you.  He  will  show  Himself  to  be  a 
merciful  Samaritan,  for  He  has  for  you  only  oil  and 
wine,  mercy  and  charity — and  furthermore  a  piece 
of  precious  gold,  giving  Hi-nself  to  you  in  the 
Blessed  Sacrament  of  the  Alt.:»r,  in  order  to  pay  all 
your  debts,  those  which  you  have  incurred  by 
your  sins.     Hope  in  Him! 

6.  Hope  in  Him  when  all  else  seems  hopeless; 
have  in  Him  such  firm  and  implicit  confidence  as 
Susanna  had  in  her  dreadful  distress.  Everything 
seemed  to  have  conspired  to  compass  her  ruin;  she 
could,  humanly  speaking,  hope  for  no  deliverance, 
vet  her  confidence  in  God  remained  unshaken, 
firm  as  a  rock  As  Holy  Scripture  tells  us:  "She, 
weeping,  looked  up  to  heaven,  for  her  heart  had 
confidence  in  God." 

God,  who  to  us  Thyself  doth  give. 

On  Thee  our  hopes  must  all  rely;         • 

In  this  hope  will  the  Christian  live, 
And  also  in  this  hope  will  die. 


60  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 


l^S.    ffiotr  liDorti)  ^11  S:f)(nss  Cil^ell. 


I 


KNOW  full  well,  my  dear  daughter,  that 
you  who  are  about  to  embark  on  the 
stormy  sea  of  life  will  encounter  many  a  trial,  many 
a  contlict,  many  an  affliction;  I  know  that  sorrow 
will  come  to  you  and  to  those  who  are  near  and 
dear  to  you;  1  also  know  how  easy  it  is  for  an  in- 
experienced young  girl  to  grow  fretful  and  disheart- 
ened in  such  hours  of  suffering,  and  to  say  within 
herself:  "God  is  not  treating  me  in  a  just  or  kind 
manner,  but  like  a  harsh  stepfather!'"  Yoa  must  be 
armed  beforehand  against  so  insidious  a  temptation, 
and  by  the  help  of  God  you  must  engrave  ufK)n 
your  heart  the  words:  God  doeth  all  things  well! 

2.  When  Our  Lord  worked  a  stupendous  miracle 
on  behalf  of  the  man  who  was  deaf  and  dumb, 
restoring  to  him  both  speech  and  hearing,  the  as- 
sembled multitude  exclaimed  with  admiration. 
"He  hath  done  all  things  well!"  This  saying 
still  holds  good,  and  can  be  applied  to  all  that  God 
has  created,  both  in  general  and  in  particular. 
No  proof  of  this  will  be  recjuired  by  any  one  who' 
reflects  a  little  on  the  manner  in  w-hich  all  things, 
both  great  and  small,  are  ordered  and  arranged  so 
as  best  to  serve  their  ends.  It  is  certain  that  the 
further  the  pious  inquirer  penetrates  into  the 
wonders  of  the  heavenly  bodies  which  move  above 
our  heads  in  the  azure  firmament,  the  more  his 
mind  dwells  upon  the  mysterious  forces  which 
govern  the  earth,  the  more  he  notes  the  formation 
of  even  lifeless  stones,  the  life  of  plants,  the  anatomy 
of  man  and  of  the  lower  animals,  the  more  forcibly 
will  he  feel  himself  compelled  to  exclaim:  "How 
great  and  good  art  Thou,  O  Lord;  how  msely  and 


The  Imj-Hope.     .  51 

how   well    hast    Thou    ordained    and    ordered    all 
things!" 

3.  Listen  therefore  to  the  lesson  which  all  creation 
teacheSj  for  it  proclaims  that  God  is  Himself  the 
supreme  Good,  because  He  has  so  wisely  ordered 
all  things.  If  we  had  more  faith  and  more  love, 
we  should  feel  that  everything  in  nature  has  a 
voice — a  voice  which  proclaims  to  the  whole  world 
the  wisdom,  power,  and  goodness  of  God.  To  the 
saints,  whose  hearts  glowed  with  such  pure  and 
fervent  love  of  God,  the  stars  in  their  nightly 
courses  seemed  to  say:  "How  good  is  God  who 
made  all  so  wisely  and  so  well!"  They  heard 
the  blades  of  grass  which  sparkled  in  the  morning 
dew  and  the  spring  flowers  arrayed  in  their  bridal 
loveliness  exclaiming  aloud:  "How  good  is  God, 
who  made  all  so  wisely  and  so  well!"  And  in 
their  ears  the  humming  of  the  bees,  the  twittering 
of  the  feathered  songsters  in  field  and  forest,  uttered 
the  same  joyous  refrain:  "How  good  is  God,  who 
made  all  so  wisely  and  so  well!" 

4.  But  you  may  perhaps  raise  an  objectiou  by 
saying:  "I  am  thoroughly  convinced  that  the 
heavens  and  the  earth  and  all  things  in  them 
have  been  well  and  wisely  made.  But  how  about 
the  misfortunes,  the  sorrows  and  sufferings,  by 
which  man  is  so  frequently  and  so  heavily  afflicted  ? 
Is  God  equally  good  when  He  sends  these  visita- 
tions upon  His  creatures?" 

This  most  important  question  must  at  all  times 
be  answered  in  the  affirmative  with  full  conviction 
and  unwavering  decision.  For  God  is  also  good  to 
us  when  He  sends  us  afflictions;  He  acts  thus  in 
order  to  promote  our  spiritual  advancement  and 
His  honor  and  glory.  He  teaches  us  this  in  the 
words  of  Holy  Scripture:    "Thou  lovest  all  things 


62  Tlie  Maiden's  Wreath. 

that  are,  and  hatest  none  of  the  things  that  Thou 
hast  made."  Aj^ain,  St.  Paul  says:  "We  know 
that  to  them  that  love  God  all  things  work  together 
for  good." 

5.  Numerous  indeed  are  the  instances  to  be 
found  in  the  pages  of  history,  and  in  the  exjx'rience 
of  men,  to  prove  the  truth  of  this  assertion.  To 
take  our  illustrations  from  Scripture  only:  remember 
the  st(^r}'  of  Joseph.  Who  could  be  more  un- 
fortunate than  he  was?  Sold  into  slavery  by  his 
own  brothers,  torn  away  from  his  native  land, 
though  perfectly  innocent,  accused  of  a  shameful 
crime,  and  on  account  of  this  cast  into  prison! 
Vet  from  his  prison  he  was  raised  to  a  throne 
second  only  to  that  of  the  king.  Thus  did  his 
misfortune  prove  to  be  for  his  good,  and  not  for 
his  good  alone,  but  for  that  of  his  country,  of  his 
beloved  father,  and  of  his  brethren.  God  cer- 
tainly ordered  everything  for  the  best,  as  far  as 
he  was  concerned.  Yet  He  brought  this  about  by 
secret  means,  in  ways  unseen  by  human  eyes.  In 
order  to  become  ruler  over  the  land  of  Egypt, 
Joseph  was  first  made  a  slave,  loaded  with  fetters, 
and  cast  into  prison. 

6.  Now  take  the  case  of  the  chaste  Susanna. 
Why  did  God  permit  the  diabolical  scheme  of  the 
wicked  old  men  so  far  to  succeed  that  the  innocent 
woman  was  publicly  scorned,  and  branded  as  an 
adulteress,  led  forth  in  deep  disgrace  to  suffer  a 
shameful  death?  He  allowed  it  in  order  that  her 
innocence  might  shine  forth  all  the  more  brightly 
in  the  sight  of  all  the  people,  in  order  that  her  own 
joy  and  the  universal  exultation  might  be  all  the 
greater,  in  order  that  the  scandalous  deeds  of  the 
old  men  might  appear  to  be  even  darker  and  more 
disgraceful.     In  this  case  also  it  was  clearly  proved 


The  Ivy— Hope.  53 

that  God  doeth  all  things  well.  Or,  as  St.  Jerome 
says:  "What  we  take  to  be  a  poison  is  in  reality  a 
medicine."     Afflictions  are  blessings  in  disguise. 

St.  Chrysostom  also  exhorts  us  thus:  "When 
any  event  is  beyond  our  comprehension,  it  does  not 
follow  that  on  this  account  it  is  not  for  the  best; 
but  as  we  recognize,  in  part  at  least,  the  hand  of 
divine  Providence  in  ordering  and  governing  the 
world,  we  must,  in  regard  to  events  which  we  fail 
to  understand,  adore  the  unsearchable  wisdom  of 
God."  Wonderful  indeed  are  His  ways;  who  is 
able  to  search  them  out  ? 

7.  What  then  should  be  your  resolution,  Christian 
maiden?  It  ought  to  be  none  other  than  the  fol- 
lowing: Never  for  one  single  moment  to  murmur 
or  complain,  as  if  God  had  not  done  all  things 
wisely  and  for  the  best,  but  always  to  cling  closely 
to  that  gift  of  Heaven,  Christian  hope.  My  dear 
daughter,  if  sometimes  as  you  go  on  in  life,  waves 
of  trouble  and  sorrow  break  upon  your  poor  forlorn 
heart;  if  those  whom  you  love  most  dearly  are  torn 
from  your  side  and  consigned  to  the  grave;  if 
poverty  and  painful  family  circumstances  weigh 
upon  you  like  lead;  if  anxiety,  if  the  contempt  of 
those  around  you,  and  strange  misunderstandings, 
secretly  torture  you  like  some  gnawing  worm;  if 
wearisome  illness  confines  you  to  a  sick-bed  for 
weeks,  or  even  months;  if  the  serpent's  fangs  of 
envy  and  jealousy  rend  your  poor  heart,  while  all 
the  time  you  are  conscious  of  your  own  innocence, 
then  strive,  I  beseech  you,  to  possess  your  soul  in 
patience,  however  great  may  be  the  struggle  it 
costs  you,  and  cease  not  to  extol  the  goodness  and 
wise  providence  of  God.  Say,  not  with  your  lips 
alone,  but  from  your  heart:  "Whatever  God  does, 
or   leaves    undone,    is    just    and    right."     Try    to 


54  TIw  Maiclrirs  Wreath. 

adopt  as  vour  own  the  words  of  holy  Job,  that 
most  patient  of  sufferers:  "The  Lord  gave,  and 
the  Lord  hath  taken  away;  blessed  be  the  name  of 
the  Lord." 

But,  in  order  that  this  may  be  your  habiti'.al 
frame  of  mind,  vou  must  endeavor,  while  the  sunny 
days  of  youth  still  last,  to  see  that  the  ivy  plant  of 
Christian  hope  is  firmly  rooted  in  your  heart.     And; 

Is  not  the  pilgrim's  toil  o'erpaid 
liy  the  clear  rill  and  palmy  shade  ? 
And  see  we  not,  up  earth's  dark  glade, 
The  gate  of  heaven  unclose  ? 

r        ..         .  f    ..  J 

Vr-E.   rfje  asirssfU  jFruits  of  ^iJaticiuc. 

I.  /T|-'^^'^'  grown-up  persons,  when  they  are 
V*-^  in  aflliction,  act  like  the  child  about 
whom  I  read  the  following  anecdote.  He  wanted 
to  pluck  a  beautiful  llower  he  saw  on  a  rose-tree, 
but  he  set  about  it  so  awkwardly  that  he  tore  his 
hand  with  the  thorns.  Then  he  burst  into  tears 
and  loudly  abused  the  rose-tree.  His  mother 
deftly  took  hold  of  the  thorny  stem  in  such  a  way 
that  her  fingers  were  not  pricked,  cut  off  three  of 
the  finest  roses  and  held  them  out  to  the  boy.  saying 
as  she  did  so:  "Are  you  still  angry  with  the  rose- 
tree?"  "  Xo,  mother,  not  now,"  he  replied  with  a 
jovous  smile. 

Thus  do  we,  poor,  .short-sighted  mortals,  allow 
ourselves  to  grow  angry  with  the  thorns,  that  is  to 
sav  with  the  sorrows  of  life  which  pierce  our  hands 
when  we  wish  to  gather  the  roses  of  joy.  We  fail 
to  understand  how  we  ought  to  deal  with  these 
thorns;  I  mean,  how  we  ought  to  bear  sufferings 
and  contradictions  with  patience,  with  resignation 


The  Ivy  -Hope.  55 

to  the  will  of  God,  with  a  steadfast  hope  of  heaven. 
It  is  both  necessary  and  important  that  we  should 
do  this,  and  you,  O  Christian  maiden,  must  not 
only  learn  the  lesson,  but  also  carry  it  into  practise. 

2.  Therefore  in  all  sufferings,  be  they  great  or 
small,  remember  how  blessed  are  the  fruits  of 
patience.  Never  murmur  nor  complain,  do  not 
give  way  to  discontent  nor  anger,  do  not  say;  It  is 
not  right  that  this  should  have  happened  to  me,  etc. 

Of  chance  or  fate  to  speak  is  vain ; 
God's  wisdom  doth  man's  lot  ordain. 

Afflictions,  more  than  anything  else,  come 
straight  from  the  hand  of  God;  therefore,  beware  of 
hnding  fault  with  His  providence.  What  wou)  \ 
you  say  if  your  little  sister,  who  as  yet  knows  nothing 
about  needlework,  were  to  find  fault  with  some 
elaborate  piece  of  embroidery  on  which  you  happen 
to  be  employed?  Should  you  not  answer:  "Ho^d 
your  tongue,  you  silly  child.  What  do  you  under- 
stand about  embroidery?"  We  are  like  fooUsh 
children  if  we  venture  to  judge  the  dcahngs  of 
God.  We  cannot  know  or  understand  what  is 
for  our  happiness  or  good.  You  perhaps  think: 
"How  nice  it  would  be  if  I  were  rich!"  But  God 
may  know  that  the  possession  of  riches  would  prove 
a  misfortune  to  you,  and  might  even  lead  to  your 
eternal  perdition.  Is  it  then  not  right  that  He 
should  withhold  them  from  you? 

In  God's  good  providence  confide; 
He  will  for  all  thy  wants  provide. 

3.  Leave  all  things  to  Him,  both  grief  and  suf- 
fering; for,  if  you  bear  your  trials  with  patience, 
trusting  in  Him,  the  roses  of  joy  will  spring  from 


56  The  Maidev's  Wreath. 

tliem.  Many  a  young  girl  longs  to  be  smartly 
dressed,  to  l>e  arrayed  like  one  of  the  lilies  of  the 
field;  instead  of  this  she  |x,Thaps  has  to  wear  shabby, 
old-fashioned  clothes,  which  make  her  look  more 
like  a  dull  weed  than  a  bright  flower!  Let  her  not 
give  way  to  discontent,  for  God  may  have  ordained 
that  she  is  to  wear  this  unpretending  raiment 
because  He  destines  her  to  blossom  one  day  a^ 
a  beauteous  lily  in  the  fair  garden  of  paradise. 

Another  maiden  is  jilted  by  the  man  to  whom 
she  was  engaged  to  be  married.  In  her  sad  and 
lonely  hours  she  turns  to  some  book  of  spiritual 
reading,  such  as  the  "Following  of  Chiist."  Had 
God  not  laid  this  hea\7  cross  upon  her  she  might 
perhaps  be  reading  a  ver\'  different  kind  of  book, 
one  which  would  teach  her  to  imitate  the  evil  works 
nf  the  devil. 

4.  In  adversity  even  more  than  in  prosperity 
must  we  say:  "Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is 
in  heaven."  It  was  said  by  a  great  master  of  the 
"•piritual  life,  that  one  single  act  of  submission  to 
the  will  of  God  made  in  adversity  is  worth  a  thousand 
such  acts  uttered  amid  prosperity.  We  are  not 
obliged  to  pray  for  crosses  and  sufferings,  as  some 
of  the  saints  have  done;  but  it  is  absolutely  neces- 
sar/  that  we  should  bear  the  trials  which  God  sees 
fit  to  send  us,  with  patience  and  loWng  confidence 
in  Him. 

5.  In  order  to  attain  this  patience,  which  bears 
such  blessed  fruit,  and  to  preserve  your  confidence 
in  God,  you  must  glance  behind  and  before,  above 
and  beneath.  You  must  look  behind  in  order  to 
see  what  you  have  been  and  still  are,  namely, 
a  sinner.  Mar\'elous  is  the  power  contained  in  the 
thought:  "I  am  a  sinner."'  Who  can  dare  to 
indulge  in  complaints  and  impatience  on  account 


Tlie  Ivy— Hope.  57 

of  temporal  losses  and  sufferings  while  ccnscience 
is  telling  him  that  his  abode  ought  to  be  in  hell,  or 
at  least  in  purgatory,  because  he  has  deserved  such 
a  lot  over  and  over  again  by  his  sins! 

6.  You  must  also  look  before,  and  contemplate 
One  who  is  bearing  His  own  cross,  and  who  will 
help  you  to  carry  yours.  He  is  ready  and  willing 
to  do  this;  the  mere  sight  of  Him  will  lighten  your 
burden.  He  carried  a  very  heavy  cross  up  a  steep 
hill;  pale  and  exhausted  though  He  was  under 
the  load.  He  yet  bore  it  willingly.  He  was  none 
other  than  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  our  divine  Re3eemer. 
Implore  Him  to  grant  you  patience  and  endurance. 
He  will  not  fail  to  answer  your  prayer.  Aleditate 
upon  His  sufferings,  and  you  will  be  ready  to  suffer 
here  on  earth  in  order  to  attain  everlasting  felicity 
He  trod  the  way  of  the  cross  before  you;  do  yo'i 
fol'ow  in  His  footsteps.  • 

;.  Then  look  dowK  to  the  abodes  of  everlastintj 
torments,  down  to  hell  where  the  lost  souls  dwel', 
think  also  of  purgatory  where  the  suffering  souls  are 
detained.  Is  it  not  far  better  to  suffer  a  little  here 
on  earth  than  after  death  to  endure  those  terrible 
tortures?  Could  the  unhappy  souls  return  to 
earth  once  more,  how  patiently  would  they  bear  the 
severest  afflictions.' 

Finally,  look  up  to  heaven.  Behold  the  eternal 
beauty  and  blessedness  of  paradise.  If  for  a  brief 
period  you  suffer  here  with  courage  and  patience, 
you  will  after  death  be  released  from  all  suffering 
and  enjoy  unspeakable  bliss  for  evermore.  Such 
are  the  blessed  fruits  of  patience. 

8.  Visit  the  churchyard,  my  dear  daughter, 
where  so  many  crosses  and  gravestones  remind  you 
of  the  life  to  come;  pause  beside  the  tomb  of  a 
Christian  maiden  who  led  an  innocent  and  pious 


68  Tlie  Maiden's  Wreath. 

life  but  who  was  misunderstood  and  despiscrl  by 
those  around  her,  and  who  had  much  to  suffer 
vvliilc  on  earth.  If  you  could  ask  her  whether  she 
were  willing  to  return  to  this  world,  in  orfler  to 
begin  a  new  but  happier  existence,  what  would  she 
reply?  "No,"  she  would  answer,  "not  for  any- 
thing the  world  could  give!  I-'or  what  could  be 
a  better  lot  for  me  than  that  which  gained  for  me 
eternal  bliss  in  heaven?" 

If  you  too,  my  dear  young  friend,  have  already 
much  to  suffer,  rejoice,  endure  all  things  with 
patience,  in  the  sure  connction  that  patience  bears 
blessed  fruits,  the  fruits  of  endless  joy.  Do  as 
you  are  bidden  to  do  in  the  following  lines: 

If  God  should  send  thee  grief  or  pain — 
Seek  thou  His  purpose  wise  to  know; 

Eternal  love  will  not  in  vain 
Cause  thy  bitter  tears  to  flow. 

175I-C.    M^ffp  Not! 

I.  "  Vil  I'EEP  not!"  Such  were  the  words  ad- 
VJcAf  dressed  by  the  gracious  Saviour  to 
the  widow  of  Nairn,  who,  filled  with  unutterable 
grief,  was  following  the  bier  of  her  only  son  to  the 
gate  of  the  city.  And  I  now  say  to  you,  my  daughter, 
"weep  not!"  It  is  difficult,  nay  more,  it  is  im- 
possible, for  a  gentle,  tender-hearted  woman 
never  tc  indulge  in  tears,  but  do  not  weep  for  every 
trifle,  every  contradiction,  every  unfriendly  look, 
every  hasty  speech.  Spare  your  tears,  for  hours 
will  come  when  it  will  appear  only  natural  and 
right  that  you  should  weep,  seasons  when  you  will 
have  to  stand  beside  ojx;n  graves.  Yet  even  in 
these  hours  of  bitter  anguish  I  would  still  say  to 


Tlie  Ivy— Hope.  59 

you:  "Weep  not!"  I  do  not  mean  that  you  should 
not  allow  your  tears  to  have  free  course,  but  do  not 
give  way  to  frantic  and  despairing  grief.  Strive 
rather  to  let  your  attitude,  as  you  stand  beneath 
your  cross,  resemble  that  of  the  INIother  of  Jesus 
when  she  stood  beneath  the  cross  of  her  beloved 
Son.  You  cannot  but  weep,  yet  bear  yourself 
with  dignity  and  courage,  supported  and  sustained 
by  the  glorious  hope  of  a  resurrection,  of  a  blissful 
meeting  with  those  whom  you  mourn. 

2.  Is  this  hope,  however,  well  founded?  Can 
it  ever  deceive  us?  Never!  A  desolate  mother 
knelt  beside  the  grave  of  her  darling,  her  only 
child,  a  boy  ten  years  old.  She  knelt  thus  for  hours, 
until  she  was  almost  blinded  by  her  tears  and  her 
voice  was  choked  with  sobs,  yet,  as  the  poet  tells 
us: 

Although  we  part,  with  tears  and  pain, 

From  those  who  hold  our  love; 
Ne  know  we'll  find  them  all  again, 
In  the  fields  of  light  above. 

Assuredly,  that  is  not  dead  which  the  grave 
enfolds!  An  interior  voice  tells  us  this,  and  the 
same  voice  makes  itself  heard  by  all  nations, 
causing  them  to  hold  in  honor  and  to  reverence  the 
last  resting  places  of  the  departed.  Even  the 
most  uncultured  nations  entertain  the  hope  that 
the  sleep  of  death  is  not  eternal  sleep,  but  that  an 
awakening  will  come  some  day. 

But  we  who  are  Christians  have  no  mere  vague 
presentiment,  but  a  full  and  perfect  certainty.  For 
Jesus  Christ,  who  is  Himself  eternal  Truth,  has 
solemnly  declared:  "I  am  the  resurrection  and  the 
life:   he  that  believeth  in  me  although  he  be  dead. 


60  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

shall  live:     And  every  one  that  liveth,  and  believeth 
in  me,  shall  not  die  forever." 

3.  Ves,  "weep  not!"  There  will  assuredly  be  a 
resurrection;  there  will  be  an  eternal  retribution; 
the  hohness  and  the  justice  of  God  incontcstably 
require  it.  He  sees  how  frequently  ujx)n  earth 
crime  and  injustice  either  walk  abroad  in  the  face 
of  day,  or  else  tlourish  in  secret.  But  where  is 
the  richly  deserved  punishment,  where  the  merited 
chastisement  ?  Religion  has  its  champions,  virtue 
its  heroes,  faith  its  martyrs — where  is  their  reward? 
.^re  the  virtues  and  crimes  of  men,  their  innocence 
and  guilt,  to  be  of  equal  value  in  the  eyes  of  God  ? 
In  that  case  virtue  and  crime,  guilt  and  merit,  would 
be  mere  empty  names,  and  we  must  perforce 
cease  to  believe  in  the  existence  of  a  supreme  Being 
who  is  at  once  holy  and  just.  Js  it  possible  that 
the  robber  and  the  robbed,  the  traitor  and  the 
patriot,  the  martyr  and  his  tormentor,  the  V'cked 
son  and  the  model  daughter,  should  all  meet  the 
same  fate,  and  be  alike  consigned  simply  to  anni- 
hilation ? 

4.  Let  us  draw  near  in  imagination  to  a  death- 
bed on  which  there  lies  a  dying  girl.  She  is  about 
twenty  years  old,  the  age  when  life  is  most  enjoyable, 
when  youth  is  in  its  fairest  bloom.  She  grew  up 
like  a  lily  in  the  garden  of  the  Lord,  modest  and 
pure,  pious  and  good,  a  pleasing  spectacle  to  men 
and  angels.  Death  is  drawing  near ;  the  by- 
standers are  weeping,  but  she  alone  sheds  not  a 
tear;  rather  does  she  smile,  and  looking  up  with  a 
glance  which  seems  to  pierce  the  skies,  she  ex- 
claims with  her  expiring  breath:  "Father,  into  Thy 
hands  1  commend  my  spirit!" 

Now,  tell  me  if  it  is  possil)le  that  God  could  say 
to  this  angelic  maiden:     "I  have  doomed  thee  to 


The  Ivy— Hope.  61 

annihilation!"  Could  a  life  dedicated  to  Him, 
spent  in  His  service,  have  as  its  reward  so  awful  a 
disenchantment?  Could  God  be  less  just  in  His 
judgment  of  good  and  evil  than  a  faUible  mortal? 
Who  would  dare  to  utter  such  blasphemous  words 
as  these? 

5.  Let  us  draw  near  to  another  death -bed.  The 
young  girl  who  is  stretched  upon  it  is  very  close  to 
her  end.  She  has  been  a  grief  to  her  family,  a 
disgrace  to  her  relations,  a  reproach  to  her  sex! 
Even  the  last  words  she  utters  are  an  additional 
offence  against  the  Most  High! 

Tell  me  now  whether  it  were  possible  to  write 
upon  the  bier  of  the  chaste  maiden,  the  child  of 
God,  such  words  as  these:  "Her  whole  life  was 
based  on  deception?"  And  upon  the  bier  of  the 
shameless  other  being,  whom  we  prefer  not  to 
describe  more  explicitly,  could  we  inscribe  these 
words:  "She  did  nothing  wrong?"  Could  God 
consign  alike  to  annihilation  two  beings  so  radically 
different  ?  Could  there  be  no  other  fate  in  store  for 
them  both  except  to  molder  in  the  grave  ?  Is  it 
possible  that  any  sensible  person  can  entertain  so 
monstrous  an  idea  as  this? 

6.  Let  your  eyes  rest  in  the  bright  springtime  on 
field  and  forest.  How  beautiful,  how  gladsome, 
how  consoHng  is  the  sight!  See  how  awakening 
nature  is  putting  forth  her  blossoms,  how  every 
blade  of  grass  is  arising  from  its  winter  slumber 
how  thousands  and  thousands  of  flowers  are  per- 
fuming the  air  with  their  delicious  fragrance,  how 
fields  and  meadows,  orchards  and  fruit-gardens,  are 
arraying  themselves  in  bridal  garments,  and  smiling 
as  they  greet  the  rising  sun.  Even  the  grassy 
mounds  in  the  churchyard;  which  rise  above  the 
last  resting  places  of  the  beloved  dead,  proclaim 


i}2  The  Maiden's  Wrench. 

the  same  encouraging  truth  of  an  ultimate  resur- 
rection. The  j)inks,  roses  and  forget-me-nots  with 
which  the  graves  are  adorned  begin  to  unfold  their 
charming  blossoms  and  shed  forth  their  delicate 
jx-rfume. 

7.  J'lach  spring  the  lovely  flowers  arise  after 
their  api)arent  decay;  can  it  be  possible  that  the 
human  form,  that  fairest  of  flowers,  that  wondrous 
fabric,  that  marvelous  microcosm,  is  doomed  to 
lie  forever  in  the  grave,  to  remain  forever  what 
death  has  made  it,  namely,  a  decaying  and  repulsive 
corpse,  a  mere  heap  of  dust  and  ashes?  No,  thus 
it  cannot,  thus  it  ic'ill  not  be;  there  must  assuredly 
l)e  a  resurrection! 

Therefore,  my  daughter,  I  say  to  you  once  more: 
"Weep  not  I"  Weep  not  despairingly  if  your  dear 
ones  are  taken  from  your  side,  weep  not  disconso- 
lately when  at  length  the  fiat  goes  forth  that  you 
too  must  die!  Never  give  way  to  frantic  grief, 
but  weep  as  a  Christian  ought  to  do,  and  remember 
that: 

When  the  heart's  most  poignant  grief 

In  bitter  tears  has  found  relief, 

Then  the  mourner  first  most  truly  feels 

He  is  not  dead,  whom  now  the  grave  conceals. 


3.  TTbe  pconp— Xove  of  6o&. 

)JX.  Sursum  einraa!— 3Lift  up  Your  hearts! 

I.  QfHORTLY  after  the  beginning  of  the  last 

J^     centur}',   Napoleon  the  Great  was  sent 

as  a  captive  to  the  lonely  island  of  St.  Helena.     On 

one  occasion  he  is  said  to  have  endeavored  to  while 


The  Peontj—Loce  of  God.  63 

away  some  of  the  weary  hours  of  his  exile  by  pas- 
sing in  mental  re\iew  the  great  men  who  accom- 
plished the  most  heroic  deeds  in  the  world's  history. 
While  he  was  considering  Christ,  he  is  said  to  have 
exclaimed:  "Behold,  He  has  drawn  all  mankind 
to  Himself!" 

And  thus  indeed  it  is.  The  name  of  Jesus 
Christ  sounds  beside  the  cradle  of  the  new-born 
infant  and  the  grave  of  the  aged  man,  in  the  hovel 
and  the  palace,  among  the  powerful  and  the  weak, 
in  the  depths  and  on  the  heights,  on  sea  and  on 
land,  by  day  and  by  night.  Jesus  alone  is  the 
hope  and  consolation  of  the  unhapjjy,  the  pledge  of 
pardon  for  the  guilty.  For  the  love  of  Jesus 
how  many  have  renounced,  and  still  renounce,  the 
pleasures  of  the  world! 

Thus  have  his  ■>wn  words  been  fulfilled:  "And 
I,  if  I  be  lifted  up  from  the  earth,  will  draw  ail 
things  to  myself." 

With  the  gentle  cords  of  love  He  has  drawn  all 
things  to  Himself.  He  has  done  all  that  it  was 
possible  to  do,  in  order  to  win  for  Himself  the  love 
of  the  whole  human  race,  and  to  hold  it  fast  as 
long  as  time  shall  endure.  He  has  given  to  us, 
miserable  mortals  though  we  are,  the  most  signal 
proofs  of  His  divine  and  ever-abiding  love.  Let 
these  proofs  encourage  us;  therefore  "lift  up  your 
heart!"  Lift  it  up  to  the  sacred  mountains,  up  to 
the  cross,  up  to  heaven! 

2.  To  JNlount  Olivet,  to  Gethsemane!  There, 
amid  the  shades  of  night  illumined  by  the  Paschal 
moon,  under  the  boughs  of  the  olive-trees,  you  will 
see  a  Man  prostrate  on  the  ground,  bowed  down, 
crushed  as  it  were  by  some  heavy  load,  convulsively 
wringing  His  hands.  His  countenance  pale  as 
death.     He    breathes    heavily,    deep    sighs    escape 


64  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

His  tortured  breast,  a  sweat  of  blood  exudes  from 
His  pores,  and  trickles  down  His  pallid  face.  And 
His  dearest  friends,  the  friends  whom  He  loved  as 
no  friend  ever  loved  his  most  beloved  friend,  no 
mother  her  darling  child, — they  leave  Him  alone  in 
His  agony;  they  have  no  word  of  comfort  for  Him; 
they  are  asleep;  they  could  not  watch  with  Him 
one  hour,  although  only  one  brief  hour  had  elapsed 
since  they  assured  Him  of  their  willingness  to 
follow  Him  to  prison  and  to  death! 

^5.  But  all  is  not  yet  told!  His  foes  are  approach- 
ing, like  bloodthirsty  wolves;  one  steps  forward 
who  was  formerly  a  friend,  a  disciple,  and  imj)rints 
the  hideous  kiss  of  betrayal  on  the  colorless,  1ji)S  of 
the  Sufferer — the  patient  Sufferer,  whose  pale 
face  wears  an  expression  of  gentleness  and  of 
loving  admonition,  even  while  He  gazes  on  this 
shameless  man. 

They  lead  the  innocent  Lamb,  the  incarnate  Son 
of  God,  to  Jerusalem;  they  treat  Him,  the  sinless 
One,  more  barbarously  than  the  vilest  criminal; 
they  mock  Him  and  blaspheme  Him;  they  scourge 
Him,  and  place  a  crown  of  sharp  thorns  upon  His 
head. 

Now  begins  the  ascent  of  Mount  Golgotha. 
Tottering  and  exhausted,  His  bleeding  and  lacerated 
shoulders  laden  with  a  heavy  cross,  the  Man  of 
Sorrows  climbs  the  steep  and  stony  mountain! 
Three  times  He  sinks  upon  the  ground  and  each 
time  He  is  rudely  lifted  up  and  dragged  forward  by 
His  brutal  executioners.  When  the  summit  is 
reached,  they  strip  the  garments  from  His  sacred 
body,  and  thus  tear  open  His  wounds  afresh.  They 
stretch  Him  upon  the  cross,  drive  large  nails 
through  His  hands  and  feet,  in  order  to  fasten  Him 
to  it,  and  elevate  the  infamous  gibbet. 


The  Peony— Love  of  God.  65 

My  dear  child,  "lift  up  your  heart!"  Lift  it  up 
to  Mount  Olivet;  to  Golgotha!  Behold  the  love  of 
your  God! 

4.  But  you  must  raise  it  higher  still,  you  must 
raise  it  to  the  cross!  There  you  see  the  Lamb  of 
God,  hanging  on  the  tree  of  shame,  suspended 
between  heaven  and  earth,  His  sole  support  being 
the  large,  rude  nails  of  iron,  which  pierce  His 
hands  and  feet,  so  that  the  slightest  movement 
aggravates  His  unspeakable  sufferings.  The  blood 
is  trickling  down  upon  the  cross  from  innumerable 
wounds,  His  tongue  is  parched  by  feverish  thirst, 
and  from  His  lips  proceeds  the  piteous  cry: 
"I  thirst."  Add  to  this  the  anguish  which  fills 
His  soul  at  the  sight  of  His  beloved  IVIother,  whom 
to  behold  thus  standing  at  the  foot  of  the  cross 
causes  His  tender  heart  to  well-nigh  break  with 
compassion.  To  this  add  the  mockery  and  blas- 
phemy of  the  impious  men  by  whom  He  was 
surrounded,  whose  obduracy  all  His  Passion,  all 
His  cruel  sufferings,  did  not  avail  to  subdue;  yet 
on  whose  behalf  He  breathed  forth  the  touching 
petition:  "Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know 
not  what  they  do." 

The  chahce  of  His  Passion  was  filled  to  over- 
flowing; then  deprived  of  all  consolation,  He  utters 
the  heart-rending  cry:  "My  God!  My  God!  why 
hast  Thou  forsaken  Me!"  Sum  up  all  this; 
raise  your  heart  to  the  cross;  "attend  and  see  if 
there  be  any  sorrow  hke  to  His  sorrow";  see  if 
there  be  any  love  which  can  compare  with  His 
love ! 

5.  But  look  higher  still;  hft  your  heart  up  to 
heaven  itself!  Though  no  mortal  ey&  is  able  to 
gaze  upon  the  glories  of  that  celestial  abode  which 
is  the   dwelling-place  of  the   blessed,   though  you 


66  The  Maiden'8  Wreath. 

cannot  approach  the  eternal  God  for  IIe"inhabitcth 
light  inaccessible,"  be  not  disheartened  on  this 
account;  lift  up  your  heart  to  heaven,  for  the  gleam 
of  hght  which  God  will  shed  upon  your  soul  may 
percliance  enable  you  to  form  some  faint  conceptiop 
of  its  splendors. 

There  the  Son  of  God,  not  as  yet  incarnate,  sat 
from  all  eternity  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father, 
who  "when  the  fulness  of  time  was  come"  sent 
Him  down  to  earth,  in  order  that  He  might  suffer, 
and  die  upon  the  cross.  But  what  was  His  object 
in  doing  this?  He  called  Him  His  beloved  Son  in 
whom  He  was  well  pleased.  Why  then  send  Hiin 
to  endure  the  death  of  the  cross? 

6.  The  crucified  One  Himself  gives  the  solu- 
tion of  the  problem  in  the  words  He  addressed 
to  Xicodcmus:  "For  God  so  loved  the  world  as 
to  give  His  only-begotten  Son;  that  whosoever 
believeth  in  Him,  may  not  perish,  but  may  have 
life  everlasting."  Thus  again  do  we  see  that  it 
was  love — O  sweetest,  fairest,  greatest  and  most 
heavenly  word — yes,  it  was  love  that  moved  our 
gracious  God  to  perform  an  act  which  neither 
earth  nor  heaven  could  have  deemed  possible, 
an  act  which  alone  would  sufiice  to  justify  th? 
exclamation  of  the  Apostle  of  Charity:  "God  u 
charity!" 

Therefore  let  not  your  heart,  O  Christian 
maiden,  be  enslaved  by  any  mere  earthly,  still  less 
by  any  sinful,  affections.  Lift  up  your  heart  to 
heaven!  There  alone  is  an  object  truly  worthy  of 
your  love. 

Love,  all  other  love  transcending, 
Love  from  God's  own  throne  descending. 
Blessings  free  that  love  unending 
From  the  cross  is  ever  sending. 


The  Peony — Love  of  God.  67 


X.   Urt  tf)c  3lobe  of  (Soo  iBtaiPll  (it  Your  ?IJrart. 


Xi 


|— J  OVE  is  an  indispensable  necessity  for 
every  human  heart.  But  it  is  of 
paramount  importance  to  ever>'  young  person 
especially  to  have  in  her  heart  a  true,  genuine,  and 
abiding  love  of  God.  It  is  in  youth  that  the 
severest  and  most  decisive  battles  with  the  three- 
fold enemy — the  devil,  the  world,  and  evil  concu- 
piscence— have  to  be  fought. 

If  you  do  not  now,  in  the  golden  days  of  youth, 
obtain  the  mastery  over  the  devil,  the  world,  and 
the  flesh,  you  will  find  it  difficult,  if  not  impossible, 
later  on,  to  gain  the  victor's  crown. 

But  how  are  you  to  conquer,  and  by  what  means  ? 
Wholly  and  solely  by  the  power  of  love.  It  is, 
however,  only  true  love,  the  love  of  God,  which 
is  able  to  conquer  the  devil,  the  world,  and  the 
flesh.  Therefore,  let  a  true,  heartfelt,  practical 
love  of  God  be  your  guiding  star,  the  centre 
of  your  being;  let  it  dwell  constantly  in  your 
heart! 

2  The  Apostle  St.  Paul  says:  "And  now  there 
remain  faith,  hope,  charity:  these  three;  but  the 
greatest  of  these  is  charity."  St.  Augustine  thui 
explains  the  passage  above  quoted:  "Faith  lays 
the  foundation  of  the  house  of  God,  hope  erects  the 
building,  but  it  is  love  which  completes  it."  There- 
fore charity  is  the  greatest,  the  most  important 
thing. 

To  take  another  illustration.  Every  flower  has 
a  root,  a  stem,  a  blossom;  this  last  is  the  fairest  of 
the  three.  And  it  is  just  the  same  with  the  glorious 
flower  which  the  three  theological  virtues  combine 


68  The  Maiden'' t>  Wreath. 

to  lorm.  From  the  root,  which  is  faith,  springs 
the  stem,  which  is  hope,  and  the  lovely  flower  of 
charity  crowns  them  lx)th.  Wherefore  St.  Paul 
writes  in  another  place:  "If  I  should  have  all 
faith,  so  that  I  could  remove  mountains,  and  have 
not  charity,  I  am  nothing." 

3.  Therefore,  Christian  maiden,  it  is  only  when 
an  ardent  love  of  God  dwells  in  your  heart  that 
you  may  hope  to  speak  of  Wctories.  The  hi.story 
of  the  world,  the  pages  of  .sacred  history,  the  history 
of  each  individual  aHke  teach  us  that  without  love 
there  can  be  no  victory. 

Love,  taken  in  a  general  sense,  conquers  both 
in  good  and  in  evil  things.  What,  for  instance, 
inflamed  and  inspired  heroes  in  all  ages,  leading 
them  to  achieve  immortal  deeds  of  glory?  It  was 
love,  love  of  their  fatherland. 

What  inflamed  the  breast  of  Napoleon  the  Great, 
inducing  him  to  push  forward  without  rest  and  to 
drive  his  triumphal  chariot  through  so  many  of  the 
countries  of  Europe  ?     It  was  love,  love  of  fame. 

What  causes  the  miser  to  su[)pre3s  the  strongest 
impulse  of  nature,  the  desire  for  food  and  drink, 
and  literally  to  die  of  hunger  beside  his  stores  of 
gold  ?     It  is  love,  love  of  money. 

What  frequently  impels  so-called  "lovers"  to 
commit  the  terrible  crime  of  suicide,  conquering 
even  the  love  of  life  ?  Again  it  is  love,  sensual, 
earthly  love,  which  has  been  rejected. 

What  gives  a  poor  invalid  courage  to  set  aside 
fear  and  apprehension,  and  to  submit  to  a  most 
painful  and  critical  ofx^ration?  It  is  love,  love  of 
his  own  life  which  renders  him  ready  to  face  every 
risk  in  the  hope  of  preserving  it. 

What  is  the  motive  which  makes  many  a  mother 
overcome  her  desire  for  ease  and  comfort,  sacrificing 


Vie  Peony— Love  of  God.  Q9^ 

money,  time,  sleep,  heaitn,  all  and  everything  ?   Is  ^ 
not  love,  ardent  love  for  her  child? 

What  enables  good  Christian  married  people 
to  practice  self-control,  to  overcome  selfishness 
and  to  set  aside  their  own  wishes  and  tastes?  Ii 
is  love,  conjugal  affection,  which  causes  them  to 
dread  giving  pain  to  one  another. 

What  led  St.  Vincent  of  Paul  to  attain  so  heroic 
a  degree  of  self-sacrifice,  as  to  share  the  prisons  of 
the  most  miserable  outcasts,  of  the  unfortunate 
galley-slaves?  It  was  love,  love  of  their  immortal 
souls. 

What  made  it  possible  for  millions  of  martyrs 
— tender  maidens  and  even  young  children — to 
i-enounce  not  merely  freedom,  power,  wealthj 
health,  the  joys  of  the  domestic  hearth,  but  even 
life  itself,  and  to  endure  joyfully  even  unto  death 
the  most  excruciating  tortures?  It  was  rendered 
possible  only  through  the  power  of  love,  love  for 
the  Sanour;  they  exclaimed  with  the  Apostle: 
"The  charity  of  Christ  presseth  us." 

Finally,  how  was  the  greatest,  the  most  glorious 
victory  the  world  has  ever  seen,  the  victory  ovei 
sin,  death  and  hell,  the  victory  won  by  the  Redeemei 
dying  on  Golgotha, — how,  we  ask,  was  this  rictory 
won?  More  than  any  other  was  this  victJr}'^  a 
victory  of  love,  of  the  infinite  love  of  God  for  th' 
poor  children  of  men. 

4.  Such  is  the  all-conquering  might  of  love 
And,  knowing  as  you  do  that  it  is  your  bounden 
duty  to  conquer  the  world  and  sin,  the  con- 
cupiscence of  the  eyes,  the  co^.cupiscence  of  the 
flesh,  and  the  pride  of  life,  if  you  wish  to  wear  in 
heaven  the  victor's  unfading  crown,  how  full  oi 
comfort  for  you  is  the  thought  that  you  can  achieve 
all  this  by  means  oT  love,  love  for  God. 


70  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

5.  And  our  gracious  God  has  made  it  so  easy 
for  us  to  love  Him:  "Because  God  first  hath 
loved  us."  I  have  shown  in  the  preceding  chapter 
how  God  the  Father  so  loved  the  world  as  to  give 
His  only-begotten  Son  to  die  for  men,  and  how  God 
the  Son  offered  Himself  to  die  once  upon  the  cross, 
and  now  offers  Himself  up  continually  in  the  sacri- 
fice of  the  Mass,  and  in  holy  communion.  Why 
then  should  it  be  so  difficult  for  the  human  heart 
to  return  the  love  of  this  divine  Saviour,  who 
has  done  so  much  for  us?  Ought  it  not  rather 
io  be  far  more  difficult  to  refrain  from  loving 
Him? 

6.  Wherefore  bestir  yourself,  Christian  maiden! 
Open  the  door  of  your  heart  that  a  true  love  for  (Jod 
may  enter  in  and  dwell  there.  His  love  flows  forth 
from  the  altar  in  the  Sacrament  of  love,  it  abides 
in  the  tabernacle.  At  this  moment  the  Saxiour  is 
standing  at  the  door  of  your  heart!  Open  to  Him, 
I  beseech  you;  give  Him  admittance,  that  He  may 
kindle  your  heart  with  the  fire  of  His  love. 

Thus  will  you  conquer  by  the  power  of  love, 
thus  will  you  vanquish  all  evil  and  impure  desires; 
for  these  unhallowed  flames  will  be  subdued  by 
the  sacred  fire  of  divine  love.  Fan  this  sacred  fire 
"n  order  that  you  may  be  prepared  to  struggle 
with  the  dangers  which  threaten  your  innocence 
and  virtue,  and  carefully  to  shun  the  occasions  of 
sin. 

Your  future  is  shrouded  in  mystery;  who  can 
lift  the  veil  ?  It  may  perchance  conceal  storms  and 
conflicts;  but  if  a  true  love  of  God  dwells  in  your 
heart,  you  will  walk  with  sure  steps  through  the 
dark  nights  of  life,  and  amid  the  gloomy  shades  of 
death.  Repeat  therefore  frequently  and  ferventlv 
.vords  such  as  the  followinn:: 


The  Fecrty—Love  of  God.  71 

Grant  me,  while  here  on  earth  I  stay, 

Thy  love  to  feel  and  know; 
And  when  from  hence  I  pass  away 

To  me  Thy  glory  show. 

Or  the  following  hymn: 


/Dbg  ©o£>,  II  %ovc  Zhcc, 

(Hymn  of  Si.  F.  Xavier.) 

1.  My  God,  I  love  Thee,  not  because 

I  hope  for  heav'n  thereby; 
Nor  ye L  .hat  they  who  love  Thee  not 

ISIust  burn  eternally. 
Thou,  O  my  Jesus,  Thou  didst  me 

Upon  the  Cross  embrace; 
For  me  didst  bear  the  nails  and  spear, 

And  manifold  disgrace; 
And  griefs  and  torments  numberless 

And  sweat  of  agony; 
Even  death  itself;  and  all  for  one 

Who  was  Thine  enemy. 

2.  Then  why,  O  blessed  Jesus  Christ, 

Should  I  not  love  Thee  well! — 
Not  for  the  sake  of  winning  heaven, 

Nor  of  escaping  hell: 
Not  with  the  hope  of  gaining  aught. 

Not  seeking  a  reward; 
But  as  Thyself  hast  loved  me, 

O  ever-loving  Lord, 
Ev'n  so  I  love  Thee,  and  will  love, 

And  in  Thy  praise  will  sing — 
Because  Thou  art  my  Lord  and  God 

And  my  eternal  King. 


72  The  MaUloCs  WnntJi 


XI-.   Cljc  ifliracic  of  JLobc. 

1.  "*'r~'¥fT   us   therefore    love    God,    because 

A — ^  Gof]  first  hath  loved  us."  Such  is 
the  exhortation  addressed  to  us  by  St.  John,  the 
Apostle  of  love.  He  first  hath  loved  us,  and  what 
proof  has  He  given  of  this  love?  "God  so  loved 
the  world  that  He  sent  His  only-begotten  .Son  into 
the  world.''  And  in  how  wonderful  a  manner  did 
the  Son  manifest  His  love  to  us!  Gcth.semane, 
Calvary,  and  the  cross,  which  stands  ujx)n  Calvar)''s 
summit,  stained  as  it  is  with  His  precious  blood, 
are  silent  yet  eloquent  witnesses  of  His  love  for  us 
poor,  sinful  mortals.  Yet  this  is  not  the  full  measure, 
the  perjx'tual  miracle  of  this  love.  What  then  is 
it  ?  O  Christian  maiden,  attend  well  to  what  I  am 
about  to  say,  contemplate  this  miracle  with  all  the 
fer\'or,  all  the  recollection  of  which  your  heart  is 
capable. 

2.  St.  John  the  Evangelist  writes:  "Jesus 
knowing  that  His  hour  was  come  that  He  should 
pass  out  of  this  world  to  the  Father:  having 
loved  His  own  who  were  in  the  world.  He  loved 
them  unto  the  end."  The  other  evangelists  relate 
the  manner  in  which  Jesus  instituted  the  Most 
Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Altar.  This  then  was  the 
sign  that  Jesus  loved  His  own  unto  the  end ;  the 
Most  Holy  Sacrament  was,  and  indeed  is,  the 
miracle  of  love.  It  is  assuredly  out  of  pure  and 
never  ceasing  love  for  us  poor  children  of  men, 
that  Jesus  Christ  dwells,  truly  and  substantially, 
in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  of-the  Altar  and  thus 
bestows  upon  us  all  graces  and  blessings,  as  when 
He  '''alked  on  earth  among  men  "doing  good  to 
all.''     His  gracious  call  's  ever  sounding  in  our  cars: 


ITie  Peony — Love  of  God.  73 

'Come  to  Me,  all  you  that  labor,  and  are   bur- 
dened, and  T  will  refresh  you." 

3.  This  miracle  of  love  is  especially  sho;vn  by 
the  fact  that  Jesus  gives  Himself  entire.'y  to  us  in 
the  Most  Holy  Sacrament.  Great  indeed,  as  the 
Scripture  testifies,  was  the  love  of  David  for  Jona- 
than: "The  soul  of  Jonathan  was  knit  with  the 
soul  of  David,  and  Jonathan  loved  him  as  his  own 
soul."  But  who  can  describe  the  love  of  Jesus 
in  the  Holy  Eucharist?  St.  John  Chrysostom 
beautifully  says:  "How  many  desire  to  behold 
the  form,  the  countenance,  the  robe  of  the  Redeemer. 
Here  you  can  see  the  Lord  Himself,  O  Christian 
soul!  You  can  touch  Him,  you  can  feed  upon 
Him;  i:  not  this  a  proof  that  He  loves  us  more  than 
His  own  life?"  Thus  does  Jesus  become  entirely 
ours,  because  He  gives  Himself  wholly  to  us. 

4.  He  also  abides  with  us  continually.  The 
mystery  of  the  Incarnation  is  renewed  in  the  Most 
Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Altar,  as  often  as  the  priest 
pronounces  the  words  of  consecration  over  the 
species  of  bread  and  wine.  Through  many  cen- 
turies the  patriarchs  and  prophets  of  the  old 
covenant  longed  for  the  promised  Messias.  David, 
the  Royal  Psalmist,  breathed  forth  this  longing  in 
touching  melodies,  and  the  prophet  Isaias  petitions 
heaven  in  the  following  words:  "Drop  down  dew, 
ye  heavens,  from  above,  ana  let  the  clouds  rain  the 
just:  let  the  earth  be  opened,  and  bud  forth  a 
Saviour."  And  now  we  are  privileged  to  possess 
this  miracle  of  love;  we  have  this  Saviour  upon 
oiu-  altars,  in  our  midst;    He  is  ours,  ours  forever. 

5.  Since  we  possess  this  love  of  Jesus,  we  have 
together  with  it  all  the  riches  and  treasures,  all  the 
good  things,  we  could  possibly  desire.  We  might 
say  iii  regard  ':o  the  love  which  Jesus  has  for  us 


74  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

something  similar  to  what  Seneca,  the  heathen 
sage,  said  to  one  of  the  Roman  emperors.  This 
em|K'ror  caused  a  carjK't  of  the  most  skilful  work- 
manship to  be  manufactured  at  an  immense  expense, 
splendid  jewels  being  interwoven  into  the  fabric. 
When  Seneca  saw  this  magnificent  and  costly  piece 
of  work,  he  said:  "Sire,  hereby  you  have  evidently 
impoverished  yourself."  I  might  use  the  same 
expression  in  regard  to  God,  for,  if  the  imjjossible 
could  hapjx^n  and  God  could  become  poor,  in  like 
manner,  He  would  have  impoverished  Himself  by 
weaving  the  infinitely  precious  jewel  of  the  Holy 
Eucharist  into  the  checkered  web  of  hnman  exist 
ence. 

6.  After  this  brief  glance  at  the  miracle  of  love, 
I  would  ask  you,  do  you  know  Him,  who  thus  dwells 
in  our  midst, — do  you  know  how  great  is  Hii 
love?  Perhaps  you  will  answer  "yes."  Why 
then,  my  daughter,  have  you  so  little  confidence  in 
Him?  W'hy  do  you  turn,  when  you  meet  with 
trials  and  contradictions,  to  anyone  rather  than  to 
Him  ?  Why  do  you  seek  for  help  and  con.solation 
from  ever)'  friend  but  Him?  Why  do  you  not 
turn  to  Jesus  whatever  may  be  your  need,  since  He 
is  almighty  and  truly  loves  you  with  an  infinite 
love  ?  Did  you  but  thoroughly  realize  the  great 
truth  that  Jesus  Christ  dwells  in  the  tabernacle 
and  that  His  love  and  goodness  are  as  infinite  as 
they  Were  when,  during  His  sojourn  on  earth,  Pie 
healed  the  sick,  comforted  the  sorrowful,  raised  the 
dead,  dispensed  mercy  and  pardon  to  penitent 
sinners,  and  became  all  things  to  all  men,  how 
different  would  be  your  conduct! 

7.  Therefore  renew  your  faith,  your  love,  you: 
confidence,  and  betake  yourself  to  Jesus.  There 
upon  the  altar  our  dearest  Lord  abides  in  pcr.'^on, 


The  Peony — Love  of  God.  75 

in  both  His  human  and  divine  nature.  There  is 
no  form  of  suffering  for  which  He  has  not  promised 
to  give  us  a  heahng  balm.  "Come  to  me,"  He 
says,  "and  I  will  refresh  you."  Doubt  not  that 
you  will  find  in  Him  comfort  in  hours  of  gloom, 
light  where  you  can  see  no  escape,  good  counsel 
amid  doubts,  a  blessing  on  your  undertakings, 
alleviations  in  your  sorrows,  strength  in  temptation, 
joy  amid  humiUations,  help  in  every  time  of  need. 
All  this  is  contained  in  the  words:  "I  will  refresh 
you."  Do  not  seek  to  weaken  the  force  of  that 
promise;  take  it  in  its  full  import  and  trust  in  it 
entirely. 

8.  Imitate  in  this  respect  the  example  set  by 
a  parishioner  of  Vianney,  the  well-known  and 
saintly  cure  of  Ars,  a  village  in  France.  It  was  no 
small  consolation  for  this  holy  priest  to  see  how 
frequently  an  elderly  man  who  was  one  of  his 
parishioners  paid  a  visit  to  the  church,  and  how  long 
a  time  he  spent  in  adoration  of  the  Blessed  Sacra- 
ment. The  pastor  noticed  that  however  long  this 
pious  man  remained  upon  his  knees,  and  however 
often  he  entered  the  church,  his  hps  nev^er  appeared 
to  move  in  prayer.  "My  good  man,"  he  asked  him 
one  day,  "what  do  you  say  to  our  dear  Lord  when 
you  are  kneehng  in  His  presence?"  "You  ask 
me  what  I  say?"  was  the  reply;  "I  just  say  nothing 
at  all!  I  know  He  is  there,  and  He  knows  I  am 
here;   I  just  look  at  Him  and  He  looks  upon  me." 

What  a  touching  and  beautiful  answer!  The 
pious  man  remained  silent  because  he  was  so  fully 
Dersuaded  that  it  was  not  necessary  to  speak  to  Our 
Lord,  since  He  knew  everything  already.  He 
gazed  upon  the  Saviour  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
blessed  in  heaven  gaze  upon  the  vision  of  God. 


76  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

Nor  %'oice  can  sing,  nor  heart  can  frame, 

Nor  can  the  memory  luid, 
A  sweeter  sound  than  Thy  blest  name, 

O  Saviour  of  mankind! 


XCC.     aobc  upon  tijc  ^Itcir. 

1.  /^NCE    uix)n   a    time    two   Religious   were 
^^     preaching  a  Mission  in  a  certain  parish. 

They  preached  with  zeal  and  eloquence,  hut  it 
was  of  little  use;  the  people  listened  to  their  dis- 
courses but  gave  no  sign  of  conversion  or  amend- 
ment. Before  the  close  of  the  Mission  one  of  the 
priests  determined  to  make  a  last  etTort  to  overcome 
their  indifference  and  soften  their  hard  hearts. 
From  the  pulpit  he  spoke  with  such  energy,  such 
fire,  such  earnestness  that  the  exertion  was  too 
much  for  him;  he  broke  a  blood-vessel  and  a  llow  of 
blood  from  his  lips  arrested  his  fervid  eloquence. 
He  was  carried  out  of  the  church  in  a  dying  con- 
dition. Then  the  other  missioner,  taking;  thi 
bloodstained  habit  of  his  colleague,  went  into  the 
pulpit  and  held  it  up  to  the  sight  of  the  congrega- 
tion, exclaiming:  "Look,  this  blood  was  shed  for 
you,  it  was  you  who  cost  him  his  life."  All  his 
hearers  were  struck  with  horror;  it  led  them  to 
look  into  their  own  hearts;  the  confessionals  were 
crowded,  and  many  permanent  conversions  were 
the  result. 

2.  See  now  how  this  spectacle  is  in  a  certain 
sense  renewed  day  by  day  upon  our  altars.  The 
priest  holds  up  to  view,  not  meiely  the  bloodstained 
garment  of  the  Saviour,  but  His  real  and  actua! 
body,  the  selfsame  body  which  for  our  sakes  was 
torn  with  scourges  and  pierced  with  nails;  he 
elevates  the  blood  which  was  shed  for  m  upon  the 


Tlie  Peony — Love  of  God.  77 

cross  amid  excruciating  agonies.  Holy  Mass  is,  in 
very  deed,  the  love  of  Jesus  upon  the  altar.  In 
order  that  you,  my  dear  child,  may  rightly  appre- 
ciate the  value  of  the  holy  sacrifice,  and  may  repay 
the  love  of  Jesus  with  the  love  of  your  own  heart, 
you  must  constantly  seek  to  strengthen  and  confirm 
yourself  in  lively  faith:  you  must  steadfastly  believe 
that  in  the  Mass  the  God-lNIan,  Jesus  Christ,  is 
really,  truly,  and  substantially,  present  upon  the 
altar.  Lay  to  heart  the  principal  grounds  of  this 
belief. 

3.  The  first  reason  is  founded  upon  the  prom.ise 
of  Him  who  is  eternal  Truth.  When  Jesus  Christ, 
he  God-Man,  promises  anything.  He  will  most 
assuredly  not  depart  from  that  promise.  He 
solemnly  promised  to  institute  the  ]Most  Holy 
Sacrament  of  the  Altar.  Upon  one  occasion  great 
multitudes  followed  Him,  in  order  to  hear  His 
words;  the  people,  having  brought  no  provisions 
with  them,  became  very  hungry.  Jesus  had  com' 
passion  on  them  and  worked  a  marvelous  miracle, 
He  multiplied  five  loaves  and  two  fishes  to  so  grea: 
a  quantity  that  5000  men  were  amply  satisfied, 
and  five  basketfuls  of  the  food  remained  over.  All 
present  were  greatly  astonished;  on  account  of 
what  they  had  witnessed,  they  wished  to  make 
Jesus  a  king,  for  they  thought  that  He  would  always 
supply  them  with  food  and  there  would  be  no 
necessity  for  them  to  work.  But  Jesus  told  them  of 
a  different  kind  of  food,  which  He  would  give  them. 
And  to  what  food  did  He  refer? 

He  said:  "The  bread  that  I  will  give,  is  my 
f!esh  for  the  life  of  the  world,"  meaning  the  same 
flesh  which  He  shall  offer  up  upon  the  cross  for  the 
life  of  the  world,  in  order  that  all  men  may  have 
life,  the  life  of  grace  here  on  earth  and  the  life  of 


•fS  Tlie  Maiden's  Wreath. 

glory  hereafter,  in  heaven.  Thus  clearly  and 
definitely  did  Jesus  promise  that  He  would  really 
give  us  His  flesh,  His  body. 

4.  Holy  Scripture  says  further:  "The  Jews 
therefore  strove  among  themselves."  Why  did  they 
thus  strive  ?  Because  they  considered  it  to  be 
impossible  that  Jesus  should  give  them  His  flesh  to 
eat.  They  said:  "How  can  this  man  give  us  His 
flesh  to  eat-"'  Now  reflect  for  a  moment,  if  Our 
Lord  had  not  intended  to  give  us  His  flesh,  His 
body,  but  only  bread  as  an  emblem  of  His  body, 
what  think  j'ou  would  He  most  assuredly  have 
answered  the  Jews?  On  one  occasion  when  I  was 
giving  instruction  in  my  parish  school,  I  told  the 
children  to  learn  the  catechism  well  before  I  came 
again.  Thereupon  one  of  the  children  rejoined: 
"But  Father,  we  can't  learn  the  whole  catechisn' 
before  your  ne.xt  visit!"  Of  course  I  explained  to 
the  child  that  I  did  not  mean  the  whole  catechism, 
but  only  those  answers  which  I  had  desired  should 
be  learned  by  heart. 

5.  In  like  manner  would  Jesus  Christ  have  given 
the  necessary  explanation,  if  He  had  not  really 
referred  to  His  flesh.  He  would  have  said:  "You 
have  misunderstood  Me;  I  will  give  you  only  an 
emblem  of  my  body,  I  will  give  you  only  bread  to 
eat."  But  did  Our  Lord  thus  speak  ?  Certainly 
not;  on  the  contrary,  He  leitcrated  His  assertion 
and  confirmed  His  words  in  the  most  solemn  and 
emphatic  manner:  "Amen,  amen,  I  say  unto  you: 
E.xcept  you  eat  the  flesh  of  the  Son  of  man,  and 
drink  His  blood,  you  shall  not  have  life  in  you." 
And  He  adds  yet  another  as.se veration :  "For  my 
flesh  is  meat  indeed:  and  my  blood  is  drink  indeed." 
Could  our  dear  Lord  have  spoken  more  plainly,  or 
expressed  Him.self  more  expjlicitly?     These  words 


The  Peoiti/ — Lore  of  God.  79 

appeared  so  clear  and  plain  to  the  disciples,  that, 
as  we  read  in  the  gospel:  "After  this  many  of  His 
disciples  went  back;  and  walked  no  more  with  Him"; 
for,  as  the  Evangelist  continues,  they  remarked: 
"This  saying  is  hard,  and  who  can  hear  it?" 
Jesus  permitted  them  to  depart;  He  told  the 
apostles  and  His  other  disciples  that,  if  they  all 
forsook  Him,  His  words  must  remain  the  same,  and 
He  would  in  very  deed  give  them  His  flesh  and 
blood. 

6.  And  what  Jesus  so  definitely  promised  He  has 
assuredly  fulfilled.  At  the  last  supper  He  truly 
changed  bread  and  wine  into  His  most  sacred  body 
and  blood.  In  regard  to  the  bread  which  He  took 
into  His  hands.  He  clearly  and  definitely  declared: 
"This  is  My  body."  He  did  not  say  "this  signifies 
my  body"  or  "  this  will  become  my  body."  At  the 
same  time  He  commanded  His  apostles:  "Do 
this  for  a  commemoration  of  Me."  And  this 
command  is  fulfilled  in  the  present  day  by  bishops 
and  priests,  who  are  the  successors  of  the  apostles, 
whenever  they  say  Mass,  at  the  moment  of  conse- 
cration; the  true  God-Man,  Jesus  Christ,  is  present 
in  His  entire  being. 

7.  Now  consider  a  third  proof  that  so  indeed 
it  is.  Ever  since  the  time  of  the  apostles,  our  holy 
mother,  the  Catholic  Church,  has  interpreted  the 
words  of  Our  Lord,  "This  is  My  body,"  in  one  and 
the  same  literal  sense.  St.  Justin,  a  disciple  of  the 
apostles,  who  died  in  the  year  166  after  Christ, 
expresses  the  belief  of  the  Church  in  the  following 
words:  "We  are  taught  that  this  sacred  food  is 
the  body  and  blood  of  the  incarnate  Son  of  God." 
And  St.  Cyril  of  Jerusalem,  who  died  in  386,  speaks 
just  as  plainly:  "That  which  appears  to  be  bread 
is  not  bread,  though  it  seems  to  be  such  to  our 


80  The  Mailings  Wreath. 

pafatf,  and  what  ai)i)cars  to  l)c  wine,  though  it  has 
the  taste  of  wine,  is  not  such  in  reality,  but  it  is 
the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ."  The  same  Doctor  of 
the  Church  writes  in  another  place:  "As  Christ 
Himself  says  of  the  bread,  'This  is  My  body,'  who 
can  doubt  the  fact?  And  if  He  expressly  says, 
'This  is  My  blood,' ought  any  one  to  raise  objec- 
tions, and  assert  that  it  is  not  His  blood?  He 
turned  water  into  wine,  and  can  we  not  Ix-lieve  that 
He  is  able  to  turn  wine  into  His  precious  blood?" 
\\'henever  you  hear  Mass,  do  so  with  lively  faith, 
and  contemplate  upon  the  altar  the  love  of  Jesus. 
Do  not  remain  cold  and  insensible  like  the  stones 
of  the  pavement,  Ijut  adore  Our  I^ord  with  holy 
recollection  and  the  deepest  reverence.  Pierce 
with  the  eye  of  faith  the  veil  of  the  sacred  Host,  and 
re]X'at  with  heart  and  voice: 

Jesus,  ever-loving  Saviour, 
Thou  didst  live  and  die  for  me. 
Living,  I  will  live  to  love  Thee, 
Dying,  I  will  die  for  Thee. 

\r-r-r-.   Cu  tljc  asrigftt  Dn»s  of  Youtj). 

I .  '"l^T'  OU  may  perhaps  know  from  your  own  ex- 
%  perience  what  homesickness  is— that 
vague,  indefinite  longing  for  home,  for  the  Ijeloved 
meml)crs  of  your  family  circle.  The  saints  also  knew 
what  homesickness  is,  but  in  their  case  this  feeling 
was  of  a  widely  different  nature.  They  did  not  long 
for  earthly  things,  for  creatures,  or  for  some  special 
country;  they  longed  for  the  heavenly  country,  for 
the  land  of  bliss  and  pure  delight,  where  tho.se 
things  are  co  Ix;  found  of  which  the  Apostle  writes: 
"Eve  hath  not  sf^en,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  hath  it 


The  Peonu—Love  of  God.  81 

entered  into  the  heart  of  man,  what  things  God  hath 
prepared  for  them  that  love  Him."  So  eagerly  did 
the  saints  long  for  heaven  that  they  awaited  the 
coming  of  death  with  holy  impatience. 

God  does  not  require  of  us  that  we  should  feel 
as  they  did,  but  He  does  require  that  we  should 
love  Him,  and  seek  to  serve  Him  faithfully.  He 
requires  this  more  especially  of  the  young,  accord- 
ing to  the  exhortation  of  Holy  Scripture:  "Remem- 
ber thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth."  There- 
fore do  you,  my  daughter,  love  God  and  serve  Him 
faithfully  in  the  bright  days  of  youth. 

2.  The  first  reason  why  you  ought  to  do  this  is 
because  God  requires  special  service  at  the  hands 
of  the  young,  since  such  service  is  more  acceptable 
to  Him  than  that  rendered  later  in  life.  We  read 
in  the  Old  Testament  that  He  commanded  the 
Israelites  to  ofTer  all  first  fruits  to  Him:  the  first 
flowers  in  spring,  the  first  fruits  in  autumn,  the  first 
born  of  man  and  beast.  The  earliest  period  of 
man's  life  is  in  like  manner  the  most  pleasing  to 
Him,  and  therefore  does  He  desire  to  be  faithfully 
served  by  you. 

3.  Therefore  do  not  think  and  say,  as  too  many 
foolish,  thoughtless  young  people  do:  "When  I 
am  old  it  will  surely  he  time  enough  to  think  about 
God,  to  love  and  serve  Him  and  work  for  Him. 
At  present  I  really  have  not  time  to  occupy  myself 
with  such  serious  matters;  I  must  enjoy  the  plea- 
sures suitable  to  my  age  as  long  as  I  can,  for  they 
vanish  like  a  flash  of  lightning  and  the  sunny 
days  of  youth  and  Hght-hearted  happiness  can 
never  return." 

Do  not  think  and  talk  in  this  manner;  it  is  a 
presumptuous  and  dangerous  way  of  speaking, 
and  one  which  may  entail  bitter  repentance  in  after 


82  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

life.  Many  an  elderly  woman  have  I  knov/n  to 
Jament  that  she  had  been  so  reckless  when  young, 
had  not  sought  to  avoid  dangerous  occasions,  nor 
striven  to  love  and  serve  God.  The  following 
anecdote  was  recently  related  to  me.  A  woman 
was  lying  on  her  deathbed.  She  received  a  visit 
from  a  friend  who  was  much  attached  to  her, 
and  who  inquired  whether  there  was  anything  she 
could  do  for  her?  "Alas!  my  darling,"  exclaimed 
the  poor  invalid,  "if  only  you  could  give  me 
back  my  vouth,  that  I  might  make  better  use 
of  it!" 

You,  dear  daughter,  still  have  your  bright, 
joyous  youth.  P.mploy  it  in  such  a  manner  as  you 
will  wish  you  had  done  when  you  are  stretched 
upon  your  deathbed;  employ  it  in  the  love  and 
service  of  God. 

4.  Meditate  upon  your  past  life.  Yon  will 
perceive  how  the  gracious  and  fatherly  hand  of 
God  has  ordered  all  things  with  loving  care.  He 
gave  you— so,  at  least,  I  confidently  hope— pious 
parents,  who  led  you  to  take  delight  even  in  your 
earliest  years  in  all  that  is  good  and  true.  He 
chose  ybu  from  among  a  thousand  others;  His 
gentle  voice  spoke  to  your  heart,  inviting  you  lo 
love  Him.  He  guided  your  ever\'  step.  He  enabled 
you  to  preserve  your  innocence,  that  fairest  of  all 
fair  flowers. 

Yet  more  has  He  done  for  you!  He  bestowed  on 
you  the  inestimable  benefit  of  a  thoroughly  good 
training.  Under  the  parental  roof  the  inexhaust- 
ible love  of  a  tender  mother,  the  wholesome  severity 
of  a  judicious  father,  worked  together,  wi'.h  the 
blessing  of  God,  to  educate  you  wisely  and  well. 
Perhaps  you  have  also  been  fortunate  enough  to 
finish    your    studies    in    seme    excellent    Catholic 


The  Peony— Love  of  God.  83 

academy  or  college.  Thus  has  God  given  proof 
of  His  special  love  and  care  for  you.  Be  grateful 
to  Him,  love  and  serve  Him! 

5.  But  you  may  ask  why  and  how  you  are  to  love 
Him?  After  all  that  I  have  said  about  the  good- 
ness of  God  in  your  regard,  about  the  graces  and 
benefits  He  has  bestowed  upon  you,  is  it  necessary 
that  I  should  entreat  and  urge  you  to  love  Him? 
Will  you  not  obey  the  injunction  of  Holy  Scripture: 
"Remember  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth." 
Will  you  sconi  the  love  and  goodness  of  your 
heavenly  Father,  will  you  despise  His  benefits  and 
blessings?  I  am  sure  you  are  not  capable  of  acting 
in  such  a  manner:  your  heart  is  not  a  heart  of  stone; 
on  the  contrary,  young  girls  are  as  a  rule  especially 
open  to  affection.  If  you  were  at  any  time  obliged 
to  live  at  a  distance  from  your  father  and  mother, 
did  you  not  long  for  them  and  keenly  feel  the 
separation  from  them?  How  painful  must  be  the 
feelings  of  an  orphan  girl,  for  whom  no  kind  father 
cares  any  longer,  on  whom  no  affectionate  mother 
can  any  more  gaze  with  a  loving  eye,  for  whom  there 
exists  no  fond  maternal  heart  into  which  the  sad 
tale  of  every  sorrow  and  anxiety  can  be  poured. 

But  if  you  had  lost  not  only  your  parents,  but  all 
who  loved  you,  there  would  always  remain  One  to 
love  you;  for  then  would  the  fatherly  heart  of  God 
still  feel  for  you,  then  would  His  ever-watchful  eye 
keep  guard  over  you,  His  gracious  hand  protect 
and  lead  and  guide  you  aright!  Seek  therefore  to 
love  this  heavenly  Father  as  you  ought. 

6.  You  may  perhaps  say:  "It  is  my  great  desire 
to  love  God,  but  kow  can  I  do  this,  as  I  cannot  see 
Him,  nor  feel  His  love  for  me?"  Now  tell  me 
whether,  if  you  were  on  some  distant  island  of  the 
ocean  without  any  hope  of  ever  seeing  your  beloved 


b4  The  Maidcit  s  W'n-aih. 

mother  again,  should  you  on  this  account  cease  to 
love  her?  Would  not  the  love  you  feel  for  her  Ik- 
rather  doubled  in  proportion  to  the  distance  which 
separated  you  from  her? 

Well  then,  remember  that  though  you  cannot 
see  God,  who  is  better  than  any  earthly  father  can 
ever  be,  and  though  as  yet  you  have  never  seen 
Him,  nevertheless  you  exixrience  His  love  and 
goodness  day  by  day.  Love  G(jd  with  your  whole 
heart,  Ix-cause  He  is  infinitely  good. 

7.  At  the  same  time  you  must  bear  in  mind  the 
exhortation  of  St.  John:  "My  little  children,  let 
ds  not  love  in  word,  nor  in  tongue,  but  in  deed,  and 
in  truth."  Thus  you  jxrceive  that  you  must  prove 
your  love  to  God  by  your  actions,  by  your  whole 
manner  of  life,  in  a  word,  by  doing  His  holy  will. 
Sermons,  religious  instructions,  and  pious  books, 
will  teach  you  what  His  will  is.  Ignorance  ef  the 
will  of  God  is  not  so  frequently  to  be  met  with  as 
the  disinclination  to  observe  it.  Arouse  yourself 
to  fresh  zeal  in  the  service  of  God.  May  His  grace 
strengthen  you,  and  may  His  love  abide  with  you 
forever. 

H  %ovc  Cbce,  ©  Cbou  Xor^  /Bbost  Ibfcjb. 

{Hymn  of  St.  Igyiatiua.) 

1.  I  love  Thcc,  O  Thou  Lord  most  high, 

Kccause  Thou  first  hasi  loved  me; 
I  seek  no  other  liberty 

But  that  of  being  bound  to  Thee. 

2.  May  mcmor}'  no  thought  suggest 

But  shall  to  Thy  pure  glory  tend", 
My  understanfiing  find  no  rest 
Except  in  Thee,  its  only  end. 


The  Rose— Love  of  Our  Neighbor.        35 

3.  My  God,  I  here  protest  '.o  Thee 

No  other  will  I  have  than  Thine; 
Whatever  Thou  hast  giv'n  to  me 
I  here  again  to  Thee  resign. 

4.  All  mine  is  Thine;  say  but  the  word, 

Whate'cr  Thou  wiliest  shall  be  cone; 
I  know  Thy  love,  all-gracious  Lord — 
I  know  it  seeks  my  good  alone. 

5.  Apart  from  Thee  all  things  are  nought; 

Then  grant,  O  my  supremest  Eliss, 
Grant  me  to  love  Thee  as  I  ought — 
Thou  givest  all  in  giving  this. 


4-  Ube  IRose— Xove  of  ©ur  IRetgbbor. 

Xl'V.  lS^tnlif)cnrtcimr!SS. 

I.  'XT^INDHEARTEDNESS— a  beautiful,  de- 
.J-Va  lightful  word,  a  word  which  expresses 
one  of  the  most  pleasing  qualities  that  anybody, 
and  especially  a  young  girl,  can  possess.  You 
ought  therefore  to  be  kindhearted,  and  this  signifies 
nothing  else  than  that  the  fair  rose  of  a  real  love  of 
your  neighbor  should  find  a  place  in  the  wreath  of 
flowers  which  adorns  your  youthful  brow;  this 
again  means  that  you  ought  to  practise  as  perfectly 
as  possible  the  second  great  commandment  of  the 
law:  "Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself." 
All  men  are  comprised  in  the  word  "neighbor,"  but 
it  refers  more  especially  to  your  parents,  your 
confessor,  your  friends,  all  the  poor  and  afflicted, 
and  also  your  enemies.  You  should  show  yourself 
to  be  kindhearted  in  regard  to  them  all.     I  shall 


86  TJn'  Maiden's  Wreatli. 

proceed   to   give   you   some    practical    suggestions 
upon  this  subject. 

2.  Shortly  before  He  left  the  eaith  Our  Lord 
said  to  His  disciples:  "By  this  shall  all  men  know- 
that  you  are  my  disciples,  if  you  have  love  one  for 
another."  Thus  we  see  that  brotherly  love  and 
kindness  of  heart  are  characteristics  of  the  followers 
of  Christ.  Vou  must  therefore  be  kindhearted  if 
vou  wish  to  he  reckoned  among  His  followers;  and 
if  you  possess  this  essential  qualification,  you  will 
rejoice  with  the  joyful,  weep  with  the  sorrowful, 
soothe  miseries,  relieve  distresses,  bear  wrongs 
jtatiently  and  repay  ingratitude  with  love.  Thus 
will  you  most  nearly  resemble  God,  who  is  love  and 
\vho.se  actions  are  always  Ix'neficent,  and  you  will 
Ix'  universally  beloved  and  regarded  as  an  angel  of 
peace.  But,  my  daughter,  you  must  be  careful  to 
e.xpel  from  your  heart  all  passion  and  selfishness, 
since  only  by  so  doing  can  you  attain  real  kindnes:. 
of  heart. 

3.  Kindness  of  heart  will  render  you  courteous 
and  polite  in  your  intercourse  with  others,  yet 
necessary  prudence  and  circumspection  must  not 
be  lost  sight  of. 

The  feminine  heart  is  naturally  tender  anu 
svmpathetic,  easily  moved  to  take  part  in  the  sor 
rows  and  joys  of  others.  In  accordance  with  thi 
natural  disposition,  and  also  as  a  disciple  of  Jesu; 
Christ,  the  truly  pious  maiden  is  always  gentle  an 
loving.  Tears  fill  her  eyes  at  tlie  mere  recita.  o. 
the  afflictions  of  others,  and  wnen  she  perceives 
that  those  around  are  weeping,  she  mingles  her 
tears  with  theirs.  She  is  ever  ready  to  console,  to 
succor,  to  infuse  sweetness  into  the  bitter  cup  of 
life  as  far,  at  least,  as  it  lies  in  her  power  to  do  all 
this.     She  reconcil'S  those  who  are  at  enmity,  she 


Tlie  Rose — Love  of  Our  Neignbor.        87 

bears  with  the  eccentric  and  faultfinding,  and 
should  all  her  kind  efforts  fail,  she  prefers  to  put  up 
with  everything  rather  than  to  indulge  in  wrang- 
ling and  bitter  complaints. 

4.  If  you,  being  filled  with  this  kindness  of  heart, 
engage  in  works  of  mercy,  how  rich  a  harvest  will 
you  reap  one  dayl  The  recollection  of  the  charita- 
ble actions  you  have  performed  will  fill  you  with 
interior  happiness,  and  thus  you  will  have  a  reward 
more  precious  than  all  the  riches  and  pleasures  of 
this  world.  How  delightful  will  it  be  to  say  to 
yourself:  "I  have  dried  the  tears  of  many  who 
were  in  aftfiction;  by  means  of  the  small  sums  I 
was  able  to  contribute,  I  have  been  instrumental 
in  bringing  many  souls  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
true  faith  and  therefore  to  eternal  salvation,  and  in 
delivering  many  a  suffering  soul  from  the  flames 
of  purgatory."  Therefore  is  it  written  in  the  pages 
of  Holy  Scripture;  "It  is  a  more  blessed  thing  to 
give,  rather  than  to  receive." 

5.  The  kindness  you  show  to  your  neighbor  will, 
moreover,  encourage  him  to  place  more  implicit 
confidence  in  God  and  to  feel  greater  gratitude 
toward  Him.  It  not  unfrequently  happens  that 
when  anyone  is  \asited  with  a  succession  of  trials  he 
becomes  discouraged,  and  begins  to  lose  his  faith 
and  his  trust  in  divine  providence.  It  is  only  the 
hand  of  a  truly  kind  person,  who  has  already 
succored  him  in  his  hour  of  need,  that  has  power  to 
draw  him  back  from  the  abyss  of  despair;  it  is  only 
the  behef  in  kindness  and  sympathy  that  can  avail 
to  console  him.  The  thought  of  all  this  kindness 
seems  to  whisper  in  iiis  ear:  "Take  courage,  God 
has  not  forsaken  you.  He  has  moved  your  friend 
to  take  pity  on  you  and  come  to  your  assistance 
He  will  find  a  way  to  succor  you  still  further." 


88  Tli^   Maiden's  Wreath. 

6.  The  good  effect  of  this  kindness  of  heart  Js 
strikingly  shown  in  the  following  instance.  A 
Protestant  paid  a  visit  upon  a  certain  occasion  to  a 
large  Paris  hospital.  Among  the  many  unfortunate 
h>eings  whom  the  institution  always  shelters  witliin 
its  walls  there  happened  just  then  to  be  a  sick  man 
whose  wretched  plight  was  indescribably  sad. 
Almost  an  idiot,  aihng  from  his  birth,  a  terrible  and 
protracted  disease  had  deprived  him  of  both  arms 
and  legs.  This  pitiable  object  appeared  scarcely 
human,  ^fcntal  deficiency  and  physical  pain  had 
rendered  him  so  irritable  that  the  slightest  prove 
cation  caused  him  to  break  out  i"»to  screams  of 
rage. 

The  visitor  was  shocked  at  the  spectacle,  but  hi? 
norror  gave  way  speedily  to  amazement.  He  saw  a 
Sister  of  Charity  kneel  down  by  the  bed  of  the 
miserable  creature  and  pay  him  every  thoughtful 
attention.  "Sister,"  exclaimed  the  stranger, 
"how  can  you  be  so  cheerful  while  waiting  on  this 
repulsive  object,  the  mere  sight  of  whom  fills  me 
with  horror?"  "He  is  the  one  we  love  best  in  all 
the  house,"  replied  the  Sister,  "and  because  he  is 
so  dreadfully  afflicted  and  naturally  so  repulsive,  we 
all  love  him  better  than  our  other  invalids."  This 
e.xtreme  charity  and  tenderness  deeply  impressed 
the  Protestant.  He  entered  into  himself,  and 
shortly  afterward  he  became  a  child  of  that  Church 
which  alone  possesses  power  to  in.spire  such  u"^- 
selfish  devotion,  such  heroic  sacrifice. 

7.  Strive  therefore  to  be  truly  kindhearted. 
Help  others  in  their  necessities,  for  if  you  do  you 
may  confidently  expect  that  God  will  not  forget  you 
in  your  time  of  need.  The  Royal  Psalmist  has  said: 
"Blessed  is  he  that  understandeth  concerning  the 
needy  and  the  poor:  the  Lord  will  deliver  him  in  tut 


Tlie  Rose— Love  of  Oi:r  Neighbor.        b.{.-> 

evil  day."  And  Solomon  teaches  us  in  the  Book  of 
Proverbs:  "He  who  confers  benefits  upon  others 
will  himself  receive  many,  and  he  who  gives  much, 
to  him  shall  much  be  given." 

But  what  are  all  earthly  gifts  in  comparison  with 
fhe  sweet  celestial  peace,  the  abundant  grace,  the 
eternal  reward  which  will  assuredly  be  the  portion 
of  the  maiden  who  exercises  this  kindness  of  heart 
in  its  tioiest,  highest  sense!  Listen  to  the  Saviour's 
words:  "Blessed  are  the  merciful:  for  they  shall 
obtain  mercy."  And  again:  "Amen,  I  say  to  you, 
as  long  as  you  did  it  to  one  of  these  my  least 
brethren,  you  did  it  to  Me." 

lie  only  acts  a  Christian  part 

\Miose  breast  \vith  iove  doth  glow: 

Rejoicing  with  the  glad  of  heart, 
FeeHng  with  others'  woe. 

Once  again,  my  child,  I  exhort  you  to  strive  after 
the  attainment  of  this  kindness  of  heart,  and  in 
^he  exercise  of  it  you  will  become  ever  more  and 
more  like  untc  Him,  who  is  infinitely  merciful,  who 
is  eternal  charity.  Strive  to  be  Uke  unto  Jesus,  who 
went  about  doing  good  to  all. 

XV,  J^oitcr  tf)»  jFatljer  anXi  ij^i?  if»otfjcr. 

ATHER!    Mother!    \W.at  names  sound 


B- 


these  names  the  heart  of  every  dutiful  child,  of 
ever\'  good  daughter,  thrills  with  joy  and  happiness. 
But  these  beloved  names  should  not  merely  awaken 
such  sentiment  of  the  heart.  They  ought  also  to 
influence  your  will,  leading  you  to  fulfil  your  duty 
io  your  parents  with  scrupulous  exactness.  Your 
catcchilsm  has  al^-eady   taught  you  the   nature  of 


90  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

these  duties.     I  desire,  however,  to  impress  them 
U{x)n  you  somewhat  more  in  detail. 

2.  Father!  Mother!  What  a  world  of  tenderness 
and  an.xious  care,  of  joy  and  sorrow,  do  these  words 
imply!  Parental  alfection  is  faithful  and  tender, 
full  of  the  purest  and  most  unselfish  devotion.  If 
you  seek  for  two  other  human  hearts  to  love  you 
in  a  manner  as  disinterested  and  sincere,  you  will 
not  find  them  under  the  sun.  All  that  a  young  girl 
dreams,  and  sings,  and  says  about  love  in  friend- 
ship and  courtship,  indicates,  in  too  many  instances, 
bat  a  fire  of  straw,  which  blazes  brightly  for  a  brief 
space  and  then  as  quickly  dies  down  again,  leaving 
nothing  but  ashes  behind.  The  love  cf  a  father,  of 
a  mother,  if.  most  genuine  and  enduring,  independent 
ot  all  conditions  of  time  and  distance. 

3.  Of  what  constant  self-sacrifice  is  not  this  love 
capable!  What  is  it  that  often  causes  the  hair  of 
the  father  of  a  family  to  turn  prematurely  gray? 
What  is  it  that  impres.ses  furrows  upon  his  brow 
and  causes  his  once  strong  and  stalwart  form  to 
ap[x^ar  bent  and  broken?  It  is  his  wearing  toil 
and  anxiety,  his  efforts  to  promote  the  temjx)ral 
happiness  and  well-b-ing  of  his  children.  Ask 
your  mother  to  tell  of  the  mortal  anguish  she  !ias 
endured  on  your  account,  the  hours  she  has  spent 
in  watching  beside  your  bed,  the  cares  and  anxieties 
she  has  experienced  through  you.  Truly  a  mother's 
love  never  dies.     It  is  renewed  with  each  day. 

4.  How  can  you  ever  repay  such  affection,  hew 
ought  you  to  repay  it?  By  filial  love,  respect, 
devotedness,  and  obedience;  by  honoring  your 
father  and  mother;  by  speaking  of  them  irf  terms  of 
respect  at  all  times  and  in  all  places;  by  never 
allowing  them  to  hear  from  your  lips  a  rude  or 
insolent  expression;    by  never  m.aking  merry  over 


The  Rose — Love  of  Onr  XcigJibor.        91 

their  natural  detects  or  moral  deficiencies.  Let 
your  whole  behavior  to  your  father  and  mother 
be  respectful.  Even  if  clouds  obscure  the  sun — I 
mean  even  if  real  and  grave  faults  detract  from  the 
dignity  appertaining  to  their  position — strive  to  see 
the  sun  shining  behind  the  clouds,  and  in  spite  of 
your  parents'  failings,  remember  the  respect  which 
is  due  from  you.  For  in  the  founh  commandment 
God  does  not  say  that  you  are  to  honor  a  good  father 
and  a  good  mother.  He  says:  "Honor  thy  father 
and  thy  mother."  The  Blessed  Thomas  More,  who 
was  Lord  Chancellor  of  England,  and  on  this 
account  second  in  rank  only  to  the  king  himself 
constantly  had  his  aged  father  with  him  in  his  own 
house  and  always  assigned  to  him  the  place  of 
honor.  This  dutiful  son  never  left  home  to  attend 
to  business  of  state  without  asking  upon  his  knees 
for  his  father's  blessing  and  reverently  kissing  his 
iiand.  You  ought  to  model  your  conduct  to  your 
parents  after  the  example  of  this  holy  man,  and  to 
.'how  yourself  as  affectionate  and  amiable  i^  he 
was. 

5.  Love  your  father  and  mother,  love  them  from 
the  depth  of  your  heart,  with  true,  filial  affection. 
Always  take  delight  in  the  society  of  your  parents, 
and  thus  give  external  proof  of  the  love  you  bear 
them.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  remind  you  of 
this  in  a  special  manner  while  you  are  still  so  very 
young.  But  later  on — for  instance,  when  married  or 
in  a  distinguished  position — the  matter  may  assume 
a  widely  different  aspect.  In  that  case  vou  must 
be  on  your  guard,  and  never  cease  to  show  the 
customary  regard  for  your  father  and  mother,  and 
continued  pleasure  in  their  society. 

Give  further  proof  of  your  love  by  never  occasion- 
ing   them    sorrow.     Imitate    the  youthful    Tobias, 


92  The  Maiden's  Wredtk. 

whose  i)arents  called  him  the  light  of  their  eyes, 
the  staff  of  their  o'd  age,  their  hope,  the  solace  of 
their  days. 

Give  a  further  proof  of  your  love  for  your  father 
and  mother  by  tending  and  cherishing  them  with 
sjx'cial  and  unselfish  de\'otion  in  their  weakness  akid 
old  age.  You  can  never  repay  the  whole  sum. 
thai;  is  to  say,  the  entire  capital  of  the  afiection  they 
have  lavished  upon  you,  but  you  may  at  least 
return  the  interest  of  it  by  contributing  to  their  sup- 
port as  far  as  lies  in  your  power.  See  that  you  give 
proof  of  your  love  for  your  parents  by  never  allowing 
a  day  to  pass  without  praying  earnestly  for  them. 
It  has  been  said  that  the  prayer  which  a  mother 
utters  en  behalf  of  her  child  is  the  sweetest  music  in 
t.he  world,  a  sound  which  reaches  to  the  highest 
heaven;  and  the  same  words  apply  to  the  petitions 
which  a  pious  child  breathes  forth  for  its  parents. 

6.  Finally,  see  that  you  obey  your  father  and 
mother.  Look  into  the  lowly  dwelling  at  Nazareth. 
There  you  will  find  Jesus  Christ,  your  Saviour  and 
your  Lord,  your  Exemplar,  at  the  same  age  as  you 
now  are.  What  did  He  do,  what  did  He  teach 
during  the  whole  of  the  thirty  years  He  sjx-nt  under 
that  humble  roof?  The  evangelist  St.  Luke 
expresses  it  in  one  word  where  he  says:  "He  was 
subject  to  them"  (His  parents).  Thus  we  see  that 
Jesus  was  suljmissive  and  obedient  until  He  was 
thirty  years  old!  How  disgraceful  it  is  to  hear  a 
young  girl  who  is  only  sixteen,  eighteen,  or  perhajis 
twenty,  say:  "I  am  no  cluld  to  be  dragged  about 
in  leading-strings.  I  want  my  liberty."  Alas  foj- 
the  girl  who  speaks  in  this  way!  Her  language  is 
ail  the  more  shocking  the  older  she  is,  for  then  she 
cannot  be  excused  on  the  score  of  mere  childish 
folly.     She  is  perfectly  riglit  in  assertinir  that  slie  ia 


'The  Rose— Love  of  Our  Neighbor.        93 

TO  longer  a  child.  She  is  indeed  no  longer  a  child 
of  God,  a  child  according  to  the  Sacred  Heart  oi 
Tesus,  but  she  is  a  child  of  pride.  Do  you,  dear 
child,  remain  always  a  docile,  obedient  daughter  of 
your  father  and  mother.  Your  fulfilment  of  the 
fourth  commandment  will  be  as  a  sweet  odor  before 
the  Lord,  and  wall  make  you  one  day  a  partaker  in 
the  bliss  of  heaven. 

7.  And  when  sooner  or  later  the  heart  of  your 
kind  father  or  of  your  loving  mother  will  have 
ceased  to  beat,  or  in  case  you  have  already  lost  your 
parents,  beware  lest  they  should  descry  any  staui 
upon  the  surface  of  your  soul,  now  open  to  their 
sight.  Such  conduct  will  be  the  best  monirnient 
''ou  can  raise  to  their  memory.  For,  as  it  has  been 
well  said;  "he  mourns  the  dead,  who  lives  as  they 
desire."  And  if  sorrow  or  suffering  overtake  you, 
causing  you  to  feel  more  bitterly  than  ever  the  loss 
of  your  beloved  parents  and  to  "sigh  for  the  days 
now  forever  past,  when  you  could  lean  your  weary 
head  on  a  tender,  maternal  bosom,  when  a  mother's 
hand  was  always  ready  to  wipe  away  your  tears, 
then  remember  that  you  are  not  altogether  for- 
saken, for 

Each  child  of  man  one  God  alone 
Hath;  yet  he  hath  parents  twain: 

And  when  those  parents  both  are  gone 
His  God  doth  still  remain. 


XVIi.  9ln  IBarnest  of  iFutitrc  JSlcssingsf. 

I.  ^?^0  the  eyes  of  a  young,  light-hearted  girt 
^^     the   future   appears  dressed  in  roseate 
hues.     What  you  eagerly  hope  and  desire  for  your- 
self, what  your  parents  and  your  confessor  earnestly 


94  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

desire  for  you,  is  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare, 
every  lilessing  and  happiness,  liut  will  these 
wishes  be  fuliilled,  will  the  sun  of  prosperity  always 
shine  on  you,  will  the  fatherly  blessing  of  God 
accompany  you  through  your  whole  life?  What 
hajipincss  would  be  yours  could  these  questions  be 
answered  with  certainty  in  the  affirmative,  could 
you  receive  a  warrant,  a  pledge,  that  such  indeed 
shall  be  your  lot!  Rest  assured  that  this  happiness 
may  be  yours  to  enjoy,  for  God  has  given  you  a 
sure  earnest  of  blessing  to  come,  in  the  fourth 
commandment,  which  runs  thus:  "Honor  thy 
father  and  thy  mother  that  thou  mayest  live  a  long 
time,  and  it  may  be  well  with  thee  in  the  land,  which 
the  Lord  thy  God  »viil  give  thee."  In  these  words 
you  see  how  clearly  and  definitely  God  has  pledged 
His  word.  .And  how  has  He  kept  His  promise? 
And  how  does  He  continue  to  keep  it? 

2.  God  is  infinitely  faithful  and  true.  He  can 
never  fail  to  perform  what  He  has  promised.  Our 
fellow  creatures  too  often  do  not  intend  their  prom- 
ises to  be  taken  seriously,  or  they  forget  them 
almost  as  soon  as  they  are  uttered,  or  else  they  are 
unable  to  carrj'  them  out,  but  in  regard  to  God  we 
have  nothing  of  this  kind  to  dread. 

Numerous  and  striking  are  the  instances  which 
might  be  adduced  to  prove  how  abundantly  the 
promise  given  in  the  fourth  commandment  has 
been  fulfilled.  Remember  Sem  and  Japheth,  the 
dutiful  sons  of  Noe,  who  received  the  blessing  of 
God  by  the  rrouth  of  their  father.  Rememlx^r 
Tobias,  who  was  so  e.xemplary  a  son  that  his 
parents  called  him  the  staff  of  their  old  age,  the 
light  of  their  eyes,  the  comfort  of  their  life.  How 
rich  was  his  reward!  He  lived  ninety-nine  years 
in  the  fear  of  ihe  Lord,  and  saw  his  children's 


TJie  Rose — Love  of  Our  Neighbor.        95 

children  to  J:he  fifth  generation.  Remember 
Joseph,  who  was  so  good  a  son  and  the  darUng  of 
his  father.  In  how  special  and  marvelous  a  manner 
did  Providence  watch  over  him,  and  how  innumer- 
able were  the  blessings  showered  down  upon  him* 
His  children  and  grandchildren  rejoiced  his  heart, 
dnd  when  he  had  reached  the  ripe  old  age  of  one 
hundred  and  ten  years,  his  life  was  closed  by  a 
calm  and  peaceful  death.  It  was  well  with  him, 
and  he  lived  long  on  the  earth. 

3.  Since  all  these  facts  combine  to  prove  tha' 
God  has  indeed  fulfilled  His  promise,  we  can  not 
doubt  that  He  will  continue  to  fulfil  it  in  the  course 
of  events  in  our  own  lives.  Anyone  who  has  learned 
to  take  even  a  comparatively  superficial  view  of 
men  and  things  will  perceive  children  who,  like 
Tobias  and  Joseph,  have  been  specially  guided  and 
blessed  throughout  their  whole  careers.  We  find 
daughters  who,  when  they  are  grown  up,  are 
esteemed  and  valued  by  all  who  know  them.  They 
may  perhaps  not  be  very  rich,  but  they  enjoy  all 
the  more  contentment  and  peace  of  mind.  Such 
daughters  as  these  never  fail  to  experience  the 
guidance  and  blessing  of  God  in  their  choice  of  a 
vocation  which  is  to  decide  the  happiness  of  their 
whole  after-life.  Such  daughters,  moreover,  are 
often  privileged  to  become  spouses  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  to  spend  their  days  in  a  cloister,  where  they 
enjoy  a  foretaste  of  paradise.  Others  again  are 
fortunate  enough  to  be  manned  to  good  and  kind 
husbands.  They  are  happy  in  their  children  and 
grandchildren,  who  pay  them  love,  obedience,  and 
respect  like  that  which  they  themselves  formerly 
showed  to  their  own  parents.  Over  and  over  again 
have  I  heard  it  remarked  about  daughters  such  as 
I  have  just  described  that  it  was  no  wonder  they 


96  The  Maiden'' s  Wreath. 

got  on  well — they  were  good  and  dutiful  children 
to  their  parents. 

4.  Let  me  relate  a  few  particulars  concerning 
just  such  a  daughter,  with  whom  I  hapjx-n  to  be 
intimately  acquainted,  as  she  is  a  relative  of  mine. 
She  was  an  only  daughter.  I  know  with  what 
unselfish  devotion  she  nursed  her  father  and 
mother  in  their  last  illnesses,  refusing  attractive 
offers  of  marriage  even  when  she  was  close  upim 
thirty  years  of  age,  solely  because  she  would  not 
relinquish  her  affectionate  care  of  her  aged  and 
beloved  father.  Almighty  God  has  richly  rewarded 
her.  For  the  last  fifteen  years  she  has  been  most 
happily  married,  and,  as  she  herself  told  me,  never 
for  one  single  instant  has  she  had  reason  to  regret 
the  step  she  took,  never  for  a  moment  has  she 
found  the  wedded  state  to  be  anything  but  happy. 
Her  four  girls  and  two  boys  are  all.  ver>-  good  and 
amiable,  strong  in  body  and  highly  gifted  intel- 
lectually, the  delight  of  their  parents,  and  give 
bright  prom.ise  for  the  future.  Thus  are  fulfilled 
the  words  of  Holy  Scripture:  "The  father's 
blessing  cstablishcth  the  houses  of  the  children." 

5.  Thus  do  dutiful  children  enjoy  the  bles.e.ing 
and  protection  of  God  here  on  earth.  And  what 
will  be  their  portion  in  eternity!  \Mien  after  a 
long  and  happy  life,  these  oljedient  children,  these 
good  daughters,  who  have  so  faithfully  kept  the 
fourth  commandment,  come  to  die,  they  ma^, 
when  reviewing  the  pa.st,  perceive  many  a  dark 
spot,  many  faults  and  omi.ssions,  even  perhaps 
many  grave  errors.  But  the  thought  that  they 
always  honored  their  father  and  mother,  never 
caused  them  vexation,  but  ever  tried  to  please 
them,  will  be  as  a  bright  star  amid  the  glocm,  giving 
them  comfort  and  inspiring  them  with  confidence. 


The  Rose — Love  of  Our  Neighbor.        97 

6.  And  now  they  stand  before  the  eternal  Judge. 
He  surveys  them  with  a  benignant  eye,  for  He 
perceives  in  them  a  likeness  to  Himself.  Did  not 
He,  too,  when  on  earth,  honor  His  parents?  No 
further  testimony  is  needed,  yet  He  summons  the 
rejoicing  father  and  mother,  adjdressing  them  in 
some  such  words  as  these:  "Can  you  affirm  that 
these  your  children  always  behaved  honorably  to 
you?''  With  beaming  countenances  they  make 
reply:  "We  can,  O  Lord  Jesus  Christ!  Our 
dear  children  were  indeed  not  without  faults  and 
foibles,  but  they  faithfully  kept  the  fourth  com- 
mandment; they  in  very  deed  loved,  honored  and 
obeyed  us;  they  tended  us  vdth  affectionate  de- 
votion in  our  old  age  and  did  not  forsake  us  after 
our  deaths,  but,  by  means  of  their  prayers,  pro- 
cured for  us  a  more  speedy  admission  to  the  abode 
of  everlasting  felicity.  Therefore  do  Thou,  O 
Lord,  be  to  them  a  merciful  Judge." 

7.  Then  will  the  just  Judge  turn  to  those  children 
and  say:  "I  know  that  so  it  was,  and  what  you  did 
to  your  parents,  you  did  to  Me.  Therefore  come, 
ye  blessed  of  My  Father,  possess  you  the  kingdom 
prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world." 
But  who  can  describe  the  infinite  glory  and  blessed- 
ness of  the  heavenly  kingdom! 

My  daughter,  see  that  you  honor  your  father 
and  mother,  so  that  you  may  one  day  be  made  a 
partaker  of  that  blessedness.  For  this  reason  I 
would  say  to  you: 

O  love  as  long  as  thou  canst  love, 

O  love  as  long  as  life  doth  la.'^t; 
The  hour  comes,  the  hour  comes, 

When  at  the  grave  thy  tears  flow  fast. 

Love   your   father   and   your   mother,    in   ord'^'' 


dS  The  Maiden's  M  n^afk. 

that  you  may  have  no  cause  for  self-reproach  when 
you  stand  beside  their  graves,  but  may  exjx'rience 
the  fulfilment  of  the  fourth  commandment  to  Ix;  at 
once  an  earnest  of  blessing  here  upon  earth  and 
of  endless  happiness  in  heaven. 

XVJtJf.  STlje  aimiiissa&ors  of  €l)riBt. 

1.  "TTN  \'ie\v  ot  the  wickedness  and  impiety  of 
c-*-,    the  days  in  which  our  lot  is  cast,  wha 

is  it  that  causes  the  vengeance  of  the  Almighty  to 
tarry,  and  not  to  punish  a  great  number  of  th 
dwellers  upon  earth  by  letdng  loose  upon  them  the 
waters  of  a  second  deluge?  It  is  the  blood  of  the 
just  Abel,  of  the  incarnate  Son  of  God,  which  is 
offered  up  every  day  many  thousands  of  times  upon 
our  globe  in  the  sacrifice  of  the  Mass;  and  which 
ascends  to  the  throne  of  God,  calling  down,  not 
vengeance,  but  infinite  grace  and  mercy,  upon.  :.ie 
sinful  sons  of  Adam.  How  dark  and  how  area.")' 
v;ould  the  earth  appear  were  this  mystical  sun  lo 
withdraw  its  beams,  were  the  daily  sacrifice  of  the 
Mass  to  be  no  longer  offered,  were  we  entirely 
deprived  of  priests.  This  shows  how  very  im- 
portant is  the  office  of  the  priest  and  how  much 
respect  and  gratitude  he  merits  on  this  account. 
Priests  are  indeed  the  ambassadors  of  God;  they 
are  the  representatives  of  Christ. 

2.  Therefore  be  careful  to  observe  the  command 
of  Holy  Scnpture:  "Reverence  his  priests."  Con- 
sider well  and  lay  to  heart  all  that  the  priest  does 
for  you.  At  the  commencement  of  your  life  he 
purified  you  from  sin  in  the  waters  of  holy  Baptism. 
He  instructed  you  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Catholic 
faith;    he  is  vour  supfx)rt  in  life,  your  comforter  in 


The  Ease — Zore  of  Our  Neighbor.        98 

affliction,  3'our  helper  in  the  hour  of  death,  your 
surety  for  heaven.  He  feeds  you  with  tlie  bread  of 
angels  in  holy  communion.  When  sorrow  and 
anxieties  oppress  your  heart,  and  you  are  ready  to 
sink  into  despair,  if  you  betake  yourself  to  the 
priest  in  the  confessional,  the  oil  and  wine  of  sound 
advice  and  soothing  words  are  poured  into  the 
wounds  of  your  soul,  and  you  are  healed  by  means 
of  the  Sacrament  of  Penance. 

3.  When  at  last,  sick  and  suffering,  you  are 
stretched  upon  your  deathbed,  when  no  earthly 
friend  can  aid  or  comfort  you,  the  priest  approaches 
and  consoles  you,  even  if  he  has  to  do  this  at  the 
risk  of  his  own  life.  He  stands  by  your  side  in  the 
last  awful  conflict,  brings  you  pardon  and  peace  in 
the  holy  Sacrament  of  Penance,  strengthens  you 
with  heaveniv  food  in  the  holy  viaticum,  imparts  to 
you  strength  and  courage  by  means  of  Extreme 
Unction.  Even  after  death  he  does  not  abandon 
you:  he  piays  for  you  and  offers  the  holy  sacrifice 
on  your  behalf  in  order  that  your  soul  may  be 
delivered  as  speedilv  as  possible  from  the  flames  of 
purgator)'.  Now  what  are  you  to  offer  to  the  priest 
in  return  for  all  these  benefits?  You  should  offer 
three  special  gifts:  gratitude,  confidence,  and 
prayers. 

4.  Gratitude  is  a  charming  virtue,  one  which  it  is 
indispensable  that  a  young  girl  should  possess.  A 
grateful  daughter  will  be  also  a  good  and  dutiful 
daughter.  And  who  has  the  chief  claim  on  your 
gratitude  ?  In  the  first  place  God  and  your  parents, 
in  the  next  the  priest,  by  whose  means  God  has 
enriched  your  soul  with  so  great  and  so  many 
benefits.  He  it  was  who  prepared  you  with  much 
pain  and  fatherly  tenderness  for  your  first  confession 
a,nd  communion.     Be  grateful  therefore  to  him  as 


100  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

long  as  you  live.     Show  your  gratitude  to  him  Ijj 
rt-joicing  his  heart  with  the  sight  (i  your  blanielcsi 
truly  pious  life,  by  lightening  for  him  the  heav^ 
burden    of    his  office,   by  olx-ying  him    implicitly, 
and  by  always  seconding  him  in  all  his  efTorts  for 
the  good  of  souls.     I  trust  that  you  will  never  so  far 
forget   yourself   as   to   cause   your  anxious   i)astor 
to  utter  the  reproach:    "My  child,  I  should  never 
have  exjxcted  this  of  you!" 

5.  Treat  your  confessor  with  confidence.  He 
merits  your  confidence,  since  he  has  been  apjxjinted 
by  God  to  l>e  the  guide  and  guardian  of  your  soul, 
your  spiritual  father.  You  may  jK^rhaps  have  to 
go  out  into  the  world,  and,  unacquainted  as  you 
are  with  its  seductions  and  temptations,  you  may 
be  led  astray  by  them  and  fall  grievously.  On 
this  account  unspeakable  anguish  may  enter  into 
your  soul.  If  you  think  that  among  the  strangers 
by  whom  you  are  surrounded  there  is  no  one  to 
whom  you  can  s{X'ak  of  the  heavy  burden  which  is 
weighing  you  down,  no  one  from  whom  you  can 
receive  counsel  and  comfort,  or  who  can  show  you 
how  to  regain  your  lost  footing,  rememlKT  thai 
such  a  friend  is  always  to  be  found  in  the  person 
of  every  good  and  faithful  priest  filled  with  zeal  for 
souls. 

6.  Seek  him  therefore  in  the  confessional;  tell 
him  what  is  troubling  you;  tell  it  in  a  simple,  child- 
like spirit;  confide  in  him  and  be  not  afraid.  Neve- 
say  to  yourself:  "l^ut  what  will  he  think,  if  I  tell 
him  ail  this?"  Believe  me,  my  child,  when  I  tell 
you  that  a  priest,  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  a 
confessor,  for  a  length  of  time,  cannot  fail  to 
become  well  acquainted  with  ever\'  kind  of  grief 
and  suiTering,  every  ])ha.se  of  danger,  sjn  and 
temptation,  ever>'  condition  of  the  soul;  so  that  you 


The  Rose— Love  of  Our  Neighbor.       101 

can  tell  him  scarcely  anything  which  he  does  not 
already  know.  As  the  result  of  study  and  much 
careful  observation,  he  knows  only  too  well  the 
snares  of  the  de\al,  the  force  of  temptations,  the 
power  of  evil  occasions  and  habits  of  sin,  the  weak- 
ness of  human  nature,  the  attractions  of  the  world, — 
he  knows  all  this,  I  repeat,  so  ver}'  well  that  it  is 
not  probable  he  will  be  surprised  at  anything  you 
may  say  to  him. 

Be  particularly  careful  to  seek  his  advice  when 
it  is  a  question  of  choosing  a  state  of  life,  for  this  is 
the  most  important  point  you  can  have  to  decide.  If 
you  make  the  acquaintance  of  some  young  man 
whom  you  wish  to  marry,  lay  the  matter  before 
t'Our  director  and  confide  in  him. 

7.  A  third  way  in  which  you  can  evince  your 
gratitude  to  the  ambassador  of  Christ,  is  by  praying 
[arnestly  for  him;  therefore  bestow  upon  him  the 
alms  of  your  prayers.  The  same  may  be  said  in 
regard  to  the  prayers  of  a  grateful,  faithful,  spiritual 
child  for  her  confessor  as  has  been  already  remarked 
concerning  the  prayers  offered  by  a  dutiful  daughter 
on  behalf  of  her  parents.  Such  petitions  pierce 
the  clouds,  and  if  w^e  may  so  speak,  exercise  upon 
God  Himself  a  sort  of  holy  compulsion.  I  am 
speaking  from  my  own  experience  when  I  say,  that 
it  is  the  sweetest  consolation  to  a  priest,  when  one  of 
his  spiritual  children,  whom  he  has  perhaps  not  seen 
for  years,  and  whose  truthfulness  he  has  no  reason 
to  doubt,  assures  him  that  she  has  not  allowed  a 
single  day  to  pass  without  saying  for  him  at  least 
one  Hail  Mary.  The  confessor  who  is  thus  sus- 
tained by  the  prayers  of  his  spiritual  children  will 
be  all  the  better  able  to  sanctify  his  own  soul,  and 
to  do  much  to  promote  the  salvation  of  the  souls 
under  his  care 


102  The  Mai(h'ii\'<  ^\l•eatll. 

When  lie  reflects  upon  the  great  dignity  with  which 
he  is  invested,  the  immense  im]K)rtance  of  the 
oflice  he  has  undertaken,  the  awful  resjxMisihility 
which  weighs  upon  him,  and,  on  the  other  hand, 
when  he  thinks  of  the  dangers  which  surround  him, 
and  of  his  own  human  weakness,  then  does  he  most 
deeply  feel  tliat  he  can  only  hojx;  to  be  saved 
through  the  prayers  of  others. 

Therefore,  my  dear  daughter,  I  entreat  you,  al- 
ways to  remember  in  your  prayers  your  confessor. 
♦  he  ambassador  of  Christ! 

The  Priest  Our  Lord  dolh  send 

To  teach  tf)  us  His  love; 
To  be  our  kind  and  trusted  friend, 

Our  guide  to  heaven  above. 

XVm,  MUfj'it  jFrieuiisfjii)  ©iiQfjt  to  3Se. 


X 


H.-VVE  already  spoken  to  you  at  some 
length  about  that  love  which  is  nobler, 
higher,  more  excellent,  than  anything  which  earth 
can  offer,  the  love  which  can  restore  to  the  heart  iti 
lost  paradise,  which  does  not  change  nor  fade  away, 
but  is  forever  young;  the  love  which  comes  from 
heaven,  and  leads  to  heaven,  which  knows  neither 
diminution  nor  termination,  which  is  holy,  pure, 
unending.  In  a  word,  I  spoke  to  you  of  the  love 
which  the  chosen  soul  feels  for  God,  her  Creator, 
her  Redeemer,  the  only  object  worthy  of  a  supreme 
and  all-embracing  love.  The  human  heart,  and 
especially  the  hea.t  of  the  young  girl,  has  been 
formed  for  this  love.  Divine  charity  should  inflame 
your  hearts. 

2.  But  you  must  be  on  your  guard!     Sooner  or 
later   another   kind    of   love    will    make   itself   felt 


Tlie  Rose — juove  of  Our  Neighbor.      103 

'witliin  your  heart  with  more  or  less  force — a  love 
which  is  not  so  lofty,  not  so  noble,  not  so  pure.  I 
refer  to  the  love  of  creatures,  which  is  more  earthly 
in  its  nature,  and  finds  expression  in  friendship. 
You  must  see  that  this  love  also  has  its  source  in 
God.  As  this  is  a  matter  of  no  small  moment  in  the 
life  of  every  girl,  I  propose  to  devote  an  entire 
chapter  to  its  consideration;  and  I  lay  stress  upon 
the  definition  of  what  friendship  ought  to  be, 
for  it  ought  to  be  pure  and  true,  like  gold  and 
precious  stones. 

3.  What,  in  the  first  place,  is  meant  by  the  word, 
friendship?  Love  for  a  fellow  mortal  is  not 
always  friendship;  it  is  possible  to  love  without 
any  return  of  affection,  and  a  fancy  like  this  can 
not  be  termed  friendship.  This  latter  is  a  mutual 
and  therefore  twofold  love,  an  intimate  participation 
in  the  life  and  thoughts  of  another.  However,  the 
relation  between  two  or  more  persons  who  are 
pledged  by  both  the  divine  and  natural  law  to  a 
special  and  mutual  affection  is  not  friendship  in  the 
true  meaning  of  the  word.  Not,  for  instance,  like 
the  relation  between  parents  and  children,  brothers 
and  sisters,  husbands  and  wives.  Friendship  is  a 
voluntary  and  particular  love;  it  is  the  special  and 
spontaneous  affection  existing  between  two  or  more 
individuals.  Friendship  is  like  one  soul  in  two 
Dodies,  says  a  wise  man. 

4.  But  you  ask  whether  you  ought  to  entertain 
any  friendship  at  all?  Some  persons  have  been 
known  to  assert  that  no  special  preference  or 
affection  should  be  shown  to  any  particular  indi^'i- 
dual,  because  it  would  have  the  effect  of  engrossing 
youi  heart  and  distracting  your  mind.  But  I  say 
on  the  contrary,  that  if  you  have  to  stand  alone  in 
an  ?vi]  world,  in  the  midst  of  dangers,  temptations 


104  TJie  Maiden's  Wreath. 

and  snares,  a  good  and  true  friendship  will  be 
highly  desirable  for  you.  .In  the  wide,  wide  world, 
young  girls  who  are  far  perhaps  from  their  parents 
and  brothers  and  sisters  are  in  a  jxjsition  resembling 
that  of  travelers  who  climb  the  treacherous  snow 
tlad  Alps  or  other  mountain-glaciers.  And  what 
precautions  do  they  take  to  protect  one  another  and 
to  be  saved,  perhaps  from  imminent  death  ?  They 
are  roped  together,  so  that  if  one  of  the  party  should 
chance  to  slip,  or  the  ice  should  give  way  beneath 
his  feet,  the  others  may  help  him  up  and  prevent 
him  from  falling. 

A  similar  experience  may  ver}'  probably  be  yours. 
You  will  more  easily  escape  the  fjerils  of  the  world 
you  will  more  readily  save  your  soul,  if  you  art 
united  to  others  in  the  bonds  of  pious  and  holy 
friendship,  that  so  you  may  mutually  warn,  en- 
courage and  sustain  one  another,  and  stimulate  one 
another  to  practise  all  good  works.  True  friends 
seek  to  promote  the  good  and  happiness  of  each 
other. 

5.  It  is  certainly  right  and  proper  to  entertain 
true  friendship.  This  may  be  learned  from  the 
example  of  the  saints,  and  of  the  Saint  of  saints, 
our  Pattern  and  Model,  our  great  E.xemplar,  Jesus 
Christ  Himself.  How  deep  and  tender  was  his 
affection  for  St.  John,  the  Apostle  of  Charity,  for 
the  little  family  of  Jiethania,  foi  Mary  and 
Martha,  and  their  brother  Lazarus!  Moreover, 
history  tells  us  how  devotedly  St.  Peter  loved  St. 
Mark,  and  St.  Paul  cherished  no  less  an  affection 
for  his  disciple,  St.  Timothy.  St.  Gregorj-  of 
Nazianzen  w^as  united  In  the  closest  bonds  of 
friendship  with  St.  Basil.  St.  Augustine  with  St. 
Ambrose,  and  so  on.  Thus  we  see  that  perfection 
does  not  consist  in  having  no  friends  at  all,  but 


Tlie  Rose— Love  of  Our  Neighbor.      105 

in  having  only  those  who  are  truly  pious  and 
good . 

6.  Therefor?,  Christian  maiden,  love  all  mankind 
in  truth  and  sincerity,  as  God  has  commanded 
you,  but  make  friends  only  with  girls  who  are 
likely  to  further,  rather  than  hinder,  your  progress 
in  piety  and  virtue.  If  you  can  converse  about  the 
love  of  God,  about  devotion  and  Christian  per- 
fection, then  will  your  friendship  be  precious  indeed! 
It  will  be  truly  exalted  because  it  comes  from  God, 
because  it  leads  to  God,  because  in  God  it  will 
remain  forever.  Well  indeed  is  it  to  love  here 
on  earth  with  the  same  affection  which  the  blessed 
in  heaven  feel  for  one  another;  while  still  in  the 
world  to  be  united  in  mutual  charity  in  the  same 
manner  as  it  is  our  hope  to  be  one  day  when  it  shall 
be  our  happy  lot  to  have  reached  the  bright  abode 
of  eternal  feHcity.  To  those  who  are  fortunate 
enough  to  be  thus  united  in  the  bonds  of  holy 
friendship,  we  may  fitly  apply  the  words  of  the 
Royal  Psalmist:  "Behold  how  good  and  how 
pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  (sisters)  to  dwell  together 
in  unity."  Certainly  so  it  is,  for  the  precious 
balm  of  sympathy  flows  from  one  heart  into  another, 
and  God  pours  forth  rich  blessings  upon  a  friend- 
ship such  as  this! 

7.  Beware  of  intimacies  with  a  member  of  the  1 
opposite  sex,  for  such  a  friendship  is  nearly  al-  / 
ways  dangerous;  still  less  ought  you  to  entertain 
friendships  which  are  unworthy  of  the  name.  I 
refer  to  sinful  connections,  or  keeping  company, 
that  are  the  occasion  of  sin.  This  subject  I 
shall    treat    at    greater    length    in    another   place. 

In  the  mean  time  I  will  make  only  one  remark, 
namelv  this,  that  until  you  are  at  least  eighteen 
vrars  of  ajre  you  sfiouid  not  Keep  regular  company 


106  Thf.  Makleu's  Wreath. 

or  cultivate  familiar  friendshii)  with  a  pt-rson  of 
the  opposite  sex. 

8.  I  wish  most  earnestly  to  impress  upon  you 
the  necessity  for  watchfulness  and  prayer  in  order 
that  your  understanding  may  not  be  j^erverted  by 
the  indulgence  of  your  senses  and  your  passions. 
Do  not  say,  as  so  many  do,  that  the  heart,  i.e., 
the  power  of  love,  cannot  be  restrained.  How 
greatly  were  you  to  be  pitied  if  you  were  so  weak 
of  character  as  to  surrender  yourself  to  the  sway 
of  sensual  affection!  Be  not  hasty  in  forming  close 
friendships.  "But  when  you  have  found  a  friend," 
says  a  certain  writer,  "let  neither  life  nor  death, 
nor  misunderstanding,  nor  distance,  nor  doubt,  nor 
anything  else  interrupt  this  friendship  and  vex  your 
peace." 

You  must  exercise  self-control  in  friendship. 
Be  patient,  be  kind,  be  thoughtful,  unselfish  and 
loyal  under  all  circumstances.  Be  tnie  to  yoo'" 
friends.  Let  their  joys  be  your  joys,  and  their 
sorrows  your  scitows. 

A  friend  is  one  of  the  sweetest  things  that  life  can 
bring.  A  true  friend  is  not  only  our  comfort  in 
sorrow,  our  help  in  adversity;  he  also  recalls  us  to 
a  sense  of  duty,  w^hen  we  have  forgotten  ourselves, 
he  inspires  and  encourages  us  to  aim  at  high  ideals, 
he  takes  lo\Tng  heed  of  our  health,  our  work,  our 
plans  and  all  that  concerns  us;  he  wants  to  make  us 
good  and  happy. 

Sweeter  than  the  breath  of  spring, 
Is  the  joy  a  fricrtd  can  bring. 
Who  rejoices  in  our  gladness 
/aid  gives  solace  in  our  sadness. 


The  Rose— Love  of  Our  Neighbor.      1U7 

XI-vX.  I-t  IS  IDifficiiIt  Yet  not  Kmjjosstfilr. 

1.  iPTTT'HAT  is  it  which  renders  a  child  so  sweet 
^J^>^     and    lovable?      Its    innocence,    it  is 

true,  but  also  its  simplicity  and  its  inability  to  keep 
up  feelings  of  anger.  A  child  may  be  angry,  ex- 
cessively angry,  with  other  children  and  anxious  to 
revenge  itself,  but  in  a  brief  space  of  time  all  is 
past  and  forgotten;  it  once  more  laughs,  jests^  and 
plays  with  the  very  children  upon  whom  it  longed 
to  revenge  itself  a  fevv'  minutes  before.  It  is  on 
account  of  this  characteristic  that  the  Saviour  said: 
"Unless  you  be  converted,  and  become  as  little 
children,  you  shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.'' 

2.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  you,  my  daughter,  are 
still  a  child  in  the  best  sense  of  the  word — that 
your  heart  is  pure,  and  that  you  as  yet  know  nothing 
of  hatred,  enmities,  and  permanent  feelings  of 
aversion.  But  times  will  change,  and  you  will 
change  also.  You  must  therefore  arm  yourself 
to  resist  the  attacks  of  the  strongest  and  most  de- 
structive of  passions,  those  of  anger,  hatred  and 
revenge.  For  if  these  passions  are  allowed  to  dwell 
in  the  heart  of  a  woman,  they  remain  there  more 
permanently,  and  burn  with  a  fiercer  flame  than  in 
the  heart  of  a  man.  Lay  well  to  heart  the  truth 
that  "it  is  diliicult,  yet  not  impossible,"  to  love 
your  enemies. 

3.  How  difificult,  how  terribly  difficult  it  is 
to  love  an  enemy,  to  love  one  who  has  injured  you 
most  grieviously,  most  shamefully!  Yet,  difficult  as 
it  is,  it  must  be  done.  For  God  Himself  has  com- 
manded you  in  these  solemn  words:  "But  I  say 
to  you,  love  your  enemies."  In  another  place  He 
commands  you  to  forgive,  not  only  once,  noi  '■'*il>' 


110  The  Maiden's  ^^'reath. 

would  not  be  a  real  heartfelt  forgiveness,  such  su 
Our  Lord  requires  of  you.  Suppose  God  were  to 
address  you  in  like  manner!  Remeralx-T  the  fifth 
petition  in  the  Lord's  Prayer.  Should  you  like  to 
pray  in  such  words  as  these:  "Forgive  me,  as  I 
forgive  my  enemies;  forgive  me  but  do  not  forget 
my  offences;  pay  no  more  heed  to  mc;  ignore 
me  altogether."  Could  you  bring  yourself  to  utter 
such  a  petition  as  this? 

8.  As  I  remarked  in  the  first  part  of  this  chapter, 
these  serious  exhortations  do  not  so  much  apjjly  to 
you  at  the  present  time  as  they  will  at  a  later  jxTiod 
of  your  life;  when  anger  and  hatred  may  seek  to 
gain  a  footing  in  your  heart.  At  present  it  is 
enough  for  you  to  seek  to  play  the  part  of  an  angel 
of  peace,  in  regard  to  any  dissensions  that  may 
chance  to  arise  among  your  nearest  relatives.  The 
following  anecdote  is  related  of  the  celebrated 
Italian  preacher,  Saint  Leonard  of  Port  Maurice, 
when  he  was  lying  on  his  deathbed.  His  father 
loved  him  tenderly,  but  lived  in  the  bitterest  enmity 
with  his  own  brother.  The  dying  man  called  them 
both  to  the  side  of  his  bed,  and,  stretching  out  his 
arms,  joined  the  hands  of  the  two  enemies,  saying 
as  he  did  so:  "Father,  uncle,  listen  to  my  last 
request!  Love  one  another,  as  I  love  you,  as  you 
love  me,  as  God  loves  us  all!  1  cannot  die  until  I 
have  reconciled  you."  Both  burst  into  tears,  and 
their  enmity  vanished  like  smoke. 

Do  you  in  like  manner  promote  peace  wherever 
you  go  and  reconcile  those  who  are  at  variance. 
Abov^e  all  seek,  as  far  as  in  you  lies,  to  live  at  peace 
with   ,11  mer. 


The  Catfiation — Obedience.  Ill 

"Peace  be  with  you!"     Blessed  word! 
Farewell  spoken  by  Our  Lord; 
Pledge  of  our  eternal  rest 
In  the  mansions  of  the  blest. 


5.  Zbc  Carnation— ©beMence. 

XX.  ©ur  ffitrcat  iSvcmijIac. 

1.  *T-^  OW  sublime  is  the  example  set  by  the 
«-*-t     Redeemer  to  young  people  especially! 

Concerning  Him,  the  incarnate  Son  of  God,  we 
read  in  Holy  Scripture:  "Jesus  was  subject  to  them 
(His  parents)  and  advanced  in  wisdom,  and  age, 
and  grace  with  God  and  man."  It  is  not  difficult 
to  understand  that  He  "  advanced  in  age,"  for  in 
this  respect  He  was  like  all  other  children.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  words:  "He  advanced  in  wisdom 
and  grace,"  must  not  be  taken  in  their  ordinary 
acceptation.  The  God-Man  was  always  full  of 
wisdom  and  grace,  and  could  not  therefore  advance 
in  them,  but  He  permitted  it  to  be  increasingly 
perceived  that  He  was  full  of  wisdom  and  grace. 

I  wish  to  impress  very  strongly  upon  your  heart 
and  memory  these  words:  "He  was  subject." 
Thus  did  Jesus  make  Himself  our  example  in  the 
virtue  of  obedience,  that  virtue  which,  like  a  brilliant 
carnation,  should  find  a  place  in  the  garland  which 
adorns  your  youthful  brov/,  and  diffuse  sweet 
fragrance  all  around. 

2.  What  is  obedience?  It  consists  in  subjecting 
our  own  will  to  the  will  of  another.  1  his  most  pre- 
cious virtue  is  termed  bv  St.  Augustine  "the  mother 
and  root  of  all  virtues."  St.  Bonaventure  calls  it, 
"a  ship,  in  which  one  sails  to  heaven."  Hence 
vve  learn  that  obedience  is  a  virtue,  indispensably 


11^  The  Muiilcn's  Wreath. 

necessary  for  everyone,  but  esjK'cially  for  children 
and  young  people;  for  olx^dience  is  order,  and 
order  must  prevail  in  every  place  where  God  is 
and  where  He  reigns.  Disol^edience,  the  ofTspring 
of  pride,  kindled  the  flames  of  hell,  and  jx-oples  its 
dread  abode.  In  regard  to  this  St.  Bernard  says: 
"Alxjlish  disobedience,  and  you  will  alx)lish  hell." 
Obedience  is,  according  to  St.  Francis  of  Sales,  a 
sweet  virtue.  He  says:  "He  who  rightly  oljeys 
will  live  aright;  he  will  live  sweetly,  as  does  the 
child  in  the  arms  of  its  mother,  free  from  anxiety 
and  care." 

3.  But  obedience  appears  very  unattractive  to 
the  eyes  of  young  people;  they  want  to  cast  off  the 
^  oke,  and  enjoy  their  liberty.  Yet  God  has  ordained 
that  young  girls  should  especially  practice  obedi- 
ence. You  must  be  conscious  how  weak  and 
inexperienced  you  are,  and  how  strong  are  your 
evil  inclinations  Therefore  is  it  most  necessary 
that  you  should  be  wisely  counseled,  and  prudently 
guided,  in  order  that  you  may  learn  to  know  and 
to  walk  in  the  way  of  virtue  and  perfection. 
How  sincerely  is  a  young  girl  to  be  pitied  if  she 
is  given  her  own  way  in  everything.  She  will 
have  no  self-control;  yet  she  wall  have  to  learn 
from  bitter  experience  that  we  are  all  servants 
in  one  way  or  another.  St.  Thomas  Aquinas 
says:  "That  wherein  one  man  excels  another 
man  is  given  him  of  God,  that  therewith  he  may 
serve  other  men."  "Servant  of  the  servants  of 
God"  has  been  the  Pope's  title  ever  since  the 
days  of  Grcgorj'  the  Great.  And  Jesus  said  of 
Himself:  "The  Son  of  Man  came  not  to  be  ministered 
unto,  but  to  minister." 

4.  He  careful  to  be  always  truly  obedient.  You 
will  find  it  ver)-  difficult  at  times,  when  pride,  or 


The  Carnation — Obedience.  113 

obstinacy,  or  bad  temper,  strives  for  the  mastery. 
But  on  this  account  it  is  doubly  necessary  that 
you  should  learn  to  bow  beneath  the  yoke;  for 
should  you  fail  to  do  so  now,  you  will  perhaps  be 
unable  to  conform  at  a  later  period.  Yet  you  must 
live  in  subjection  all  your  life  long,  whether  you 
like  it  or  not,  for  such  has  been  the  lot  of  every 
woman  who  has  lived  upon  this  earth.  Thus  you 
see  that  if  you  thoroughly  learn  how  to  obey,  while 
you  are  still  young,  you  will  have  done  a  great  deal 
to  promote  the  happiness  of  your  future  life;  and  a 
large  majority  of  the  sorrows  and  miseries  so  many 
of  Eve's  daughters  suffer  will  be  spared  you. 

5.  But  mark  this  well:  do  not  regard  obedience 
as  a  painful  necessity;  consider  it  rather  to  be  a 
Christian  virtue.  Obedience  of  this  nature  has  its 
root  in  humility;  faith  sanctifies  it,  and  love  renders 
it  sweet.  For  it  is  only  Christian  obedience,  the 
obedience  which  springs  from  love  for  God,  that 
will  remain  with  you  through  life,  whatever  may  be 
your  circumstances.  On  the  other  hand,  obedience 
which  arises  from  compulsion,  human  respect,  or 
a  desire  to  please,  is  merely  external,  and  therefore 
of  no  value.  Obedience  of  this  nature  will  never 
last  long,  and  will  not  bring  you  true  peace  of 
mind. 

6.  To  whom  do  you  owe  obedience?  To  your 
parents  before  everyone  else,  according  to  His 
example  of  whom  we  read:  "He  was  subject  to 
them."  Your  parents  are  for  you  the  representa- 
tives of  God  on  earth.  Therefore  always  pay  heed 
to  their  exhortations,  never  grumble  or  make  a  pert 
answer.  I  have  already  said  a  great  deal  as  to 
what  your  conduct  to  your  parents  should  be, 
when  I  spoke  about  the  fourth  commandment. 

Mark   one   thing   more:     never   be   ashamed  of 


114  TJie  Maideti's  Wreath. 

your  parents.  Do  not  imitate  a  sen-ant  pirl  who 
procured  a  situation  in  Prague.  She  had  sjx-nt  all 
her  life  in  the  country,  and  was  speedily  led  astray 
by  the  seductiuns  of  town  life.  She  procured  a 
place  in  a  very  good  family.  Once  her  old  mother, 
who  was  very  shalibily  dressed,  came  to  see  her. 
The  vain  creature  was  quite  ashamed  of  her,  and 
ordered  her  to  say  that  she  was  only  a  distant 
relation.  No  sooner  did  her  mistress  hear  of  the 
deception  than  she  gave  the  servant  notice  to 
leave;  for  she  said  that  so  bad  a  daughter  could 
never  serve  her  properly.  And  she  v/as  perfectly 
right! 

Kut  I  think  it  is  unnecessary  to  caution  you 
against  acting  in  such  a  manner,  for  I  am  sure  you 
are  too  generous  and  right-minded  ever  to  be 
ashamed  of  your  kind  parents. 

7.  However,  you  may  not  be  fortunate  enough 
to  enjoy  the  happiness  of  living  under  the  roof  of 
-our  dear,  good  parents.  You  may  be  obliged  to 
earn  your  bread  by  serving  strangers.  In  this  case 
your  primary  duty  is  to  obey.  Strive  to  practice, 
faithfully  and  conscientiously,  the  precepts  which 
St.  Paul  laid  down  more  than  nineteen  hundred 
years  ago;  which  hold  good  just  as  much  in  the 
present  day  as  they  did  when  he  uttered  them: 
"Servants,  be  obedient  to  them  that  are  your 
lords  according  to  the  flesh,  with  fear  and  trembling, 
in  the  simplicity  of  your  heart,  as  to  Christ:  not 
serving  to  the.  eye,  as  it  were  pleasing  men,  but 
as  the  sen'ants  of  Christ,  doing  the  will  of  God 
from  the  heart,  with  a  good  will  serving,  as  to  the 
Lord,  and  not  to  men.  Knowing  that  whatsoever 
good  thing  any  man  shall  do,  the  same  shall  he 
receive  from  the  Lord."  In  this  spirit  seek  to  be 
docile  and  obedient  to  your  masters  and  mistresses, 


The  Carnatunb— Obedience.  115 

obeying  them  in  all  things  which  are  not  sinful. 
Study  their  interests  in  ever\-  way,  be  truthful, 
honest,  industrious  and  trustworthy,  and  you  will 
certainly  be  treated  with,  kindness  and  confidence. 
8.  In  conclusion  I  would  remark  that  it  does 
not  speak  well  for  a  girl,  if  she  is  fond  of  standing 
too  long  before  her  looking-glass.  But  I  know  of 
another  mirror,  into  which  you  may  gaze  with 
prolit,  not  indeed  for  your  body,  but  for  your  soul. 
I  refer  to  the  holy  Child  Jesus  at  Nazareth,  of  whom 
it  is  said:  "He  was  subject  to  them."  That  is 
your  mirror;  He  is  your  great  Exemplar;  learn  of 
Him  how  to  obey. 

.•\t  Nazareth  a  mirror  bright 
Stands  before  the  Christian's  sight; 
Look  therein  and  you  will  see 
How  obedient  you  should  be. 

XXr-.   ^  Cartful  l'«otf)cr. 

1.  7^HAT  which   is  most   striking  and   com- 
vJ     mendable  in  a  good  young  girl  is  her 

respect,  obedience  and  dutiful  affection  toward  her 
mother.  I  hope,  my  daughter,  that  you  possess  all 
these  characteristics.  You  have  in  reality  three 
mothers:  your  mother  on  earth,  Mary,  your  sweet 
mother  in  heaven;  and  your  spiritual  mother,  the 
noly  Catholic  Church.  And  how  kind,  how  watch- 
tul,  how  careful  is  our  holy  mother,  the  Church! 
Meditate  upon  this  point,  lay  it  well  to  heart,  in 
order  that  you  may  be  increasingly  filled  with  re- 
.•^Dect  for  this  careful  mother,  and  may  obey  her 
more  readily  and  more  exactly. 

2.  The  Catholic  Church  is  indeed  a  mother  to 
you,  a  most  gracious  and  watchful  mother.  After 
you  had  received  from  vour  earthly  mother  your 


116  TJie  Maidois  Wreath. 

j)hysical  existence,  she  bestowed  ujxjn  you  a  super- 
natural, a  spiritual  life;  she  stood  Ix-side  you  at 
the  outset  of  your  career.  In  virtue  of  the  power 
!)equeathed  to  her  by  Christ,  she  commissioned 
her  priest  to  cleanse  you  from  the  leprosy  of  sin,  to 
awaken  you  to  a  new  life  in  Christ,  and  to  unclose 
for  you  the  gale  of  heaven. 

3.  If  your  earthly  mother  can  never  cease  to  love 
you,  and  to  be  tenderly  solicitous  for  your  welfare, 
as  long  as  she  lives,  holy  Church  will  certainly  not 
act  in  a  different  manner.  She  will  love  you  and 
watch  over  you  until  the  end  of  your  life,  and  even 
beyond  the  grave.  Was  it  not  the  Church  who 
sent  her  prie.sts  to  speak  to  you  of  God,  to  teach 
you  His  love  and  fear,  to  instruct  you  how  to  i>ray  to 
Iliin  aright?  And  when  you  have  fallen  into  sin, 
does  not  the  Church,  like  a  tender  mother,  exhort 
you  to  return  to  your  merciful  Father  and  seek 
forgiveness  in  the  Sacrament  of  Penance?  Does 
she  not  help  you  to  obtain  that  forgiveness,  and  to 
persevere  in  the  grace  of  God  ? 

Again,  is  it  not  the  Church  who  feeds  your  soul 
\vith  the  Bread  of  angels,  in  holy  communion,  in 
order  that  you  may  not  faint  and  fall  on  the  steep 
and  rocky  road  of  life  ? 

4.  The  time  may  come  when  you  will  have  to 
go  forth  into  the  world,  far  from  the  shelter  of 
home,  far  from  your  JK-loved  parents.  But  if  no 
one  can  accompany  you,  if  you  sorely  miss  your 
friends  and  acquaintances,  there  is  one  friend  who 
will  never  forsake  you.  I  mean  your  watchful 
mother,  the  Catholic  Church.  Wherever  you  may 
be,  she  proclaims  to  you  the  word  of  God  by  the 
mouth  of  her  priests;  she  cleanses  your  soul  in 
the  Sacrament  of  Penance,  and  nourishes  you  with 
the  su]x;rsubstantial  Bread;    she  supplies  you  with 


The  Carnation — Obedience.  117 

consolation  and  strength)  amid  struggles,  trials,  and 
temptations. 

And  when  you  stand  in  the  greatest  need  of  help 
and  comfort,  when,  weak  and  powerless,  you  are 
stretched  upon  a  bed  of  sickness,  and  among  the 
strangers  who  surround  you  there  is  no  one  to 
take  an  interest  in  you — then  does  your  tender 
mother,  the  Church,  not  forget  nor  forsake  you; 
she  has  provided  hospitals,  and  sends  an  angel 
.n  human  shape,  a  Sister  of  Charity,  to  nurse  and 
tend  you;  she  empowers  a  priest,  her  representa- 
tive, to  minister  to  the  needs  of  your  soul,  to 
reconcile  you  with  God,  and  feed  you  with  the 
Bread  of  eternal  life. 

5.  And  when  at  last,  death,  the  king  of  terrors, 
draws  near,  when  he  lays  his  icy  hand  upon  you, 
when  nothing  on  earth  can  help  you,  and  no  one  is 
of  any  avail — then  does  the  Church  once  more 
befriend  you,  remaining  beside  you  until  the  end. 
She,  the  careful  mother,  stands  by  your  bed  in 
the  person  of  her  priest,  anointing  you  with  holy 
oil,  strengthening  you  for  your  final  combat;  her 
prayers  accompany  your  departing  soul,  and 
conduct  it  to  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ. 

Even  when  your  body  is  moldering  in  the  grave, 
and  your  soul  is  expiating  your  transgressions 
amid  the  purgatorial  flames,  your  watchful  mother, 
the  Church,  comes  to  your  aid  by  means  of  the  holy 
sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  her  prayers  and  indulgences; 
she  ceases  not  to  intercede  for  you  until  you  are 
received  in  the  abode  of  never-ending  felicity. 

O  my  dear  child,  how  kind,  how  loving,  how 
thoughtful  a  mother  you  have  in  the  holy  Catholic 
Church!  How  tenderly  ought  you  therefore  to 
love  her,  how  grateful  should  vou  be  to  her!  And 
in  what  way  can  you  give  pro  f  of  your  gratitude? 


US  The  M(ti(U'ns  Wreath. 

6.  Vctur  dutv  in  rcf:;ard  to  the  Church  is  identical 
with  tliat  which  you  owe  to  your  earthly  mother. 
You  must  honor  her,  love  and  obey  her.  You  mu.^t 
honor  her  by  never  .showing  her  any  disrespect,  by 
never  mocking  at  her  doctrines,  her  services,  her 
ceremonies,  and  her  ])riests.  Neither  ought  you  to 
li.sten  with  complacency  to  those  who  ridicule 
her,  and  speak  of  her  in  a  depreciating  manner; 
you  ought  rather  to  try  to  put  a  .stop  to  conversa- 
tion of  this  nature,  as  far  as  it  may  lie  in  your  power 
to  do  so.  Would  you  listen  with  indifference  if 
your  earthly  mother  were  slandered,  ridiculed, 
dragged,  so  to  speak,  through  the  mire?  Were  you 
capable  of  thus  acting,  you  would  not  deserve  the 
name  of  daughter! 

You  ought  therefore  not  to  read  newspapers  c 
pamphlets  which  treat  of  Catholic  matters,  ccclesias 
tical  ordinances,  ceremonies,  and  priests,  in  a  mon 
or  le.ss  contemptuous  tone.  A  tru3  child  of  th< 
Church  should  resolve  to  read  only  edifying  books 
and  newsi)apers;  she  should  also  subscribe  for 
Catholic  journals  and  magazines,  according  to  her 
circumstances. 

7.  You  ought  also  to  li.sten  in  a  spirit  of  reverence 
to  all  which  the  Church  proclaims  and  teaches, 
guided  as  she  is  by  the  holy  Spirit  of  God,  and  you 
ought  to  a.ssist,  whenever  you  can,  at  High  Mass, 
Benediction,  the  Forty  Hours'  Adoration,  and  at  all 
solemn  services.  You  mu.st  be  especially  careful  to 
honor  the  Church,  your  watchful  mother,  in  the  jx;r- 
.sons  of  priests,  who  are  her  ministers.  Never  treat 
them  with  contempt,  as  did  a  certain  person  who 
kept  an  inn  somewhere  in  the  Tyrol.  When  u|wn 
one  occasion  the  parish  priest  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to 
rebuke  from  the  pulpit  the  drunkenness  and  danc- 
ing which  went  on  in  the  tavern,  the  hostess,  who 


The  Carnation — Obedience.  119 

was  a  widow,  flew  into  a  violent  rage,  and  exclaimed: 
"I  will  set  about  building  another  drinking-saloon, 
and  also  a  danc'ng-hall,  under  the  very  eyes  of  his 
Reverence!"  She  owned  a  plot  of  ground  close  to 
the  pastor's  residence  and  began  to  build  a  tavern 
upon  it,  intending  that  her  eldest  son  should  manage 
the  house.  Before  it  was  finished,  the  young  man 
died,  and  his  wife  fell  out  with  her  mother-in-law. 
The  quarrel  resulted  in  a  lawsuit;  the  building  had 
to  be  discontinued;  and  five  of  the  hostess'  seven 
strong,  healthy  sons  died  in  the  course  of  the  next 
few  years.  Respect  the  priest  and  hear  his  word, 
fcr  God  has  said:  "He  that  despiseth  you  dc- 
s;])iseth  me." 

8.  We  may  be  quite  sure  that  God  will  never 
own  as  His  child  anyone  who  does  not  love,  honor, 
and  obey  the  Church,  as  every  dutiful  child  loves, 
honors  and  obeys  an  earthly  mother.  This  was 
expressly  stated  by  the  holy  martyr,  bishop,  and 
Doctor  of  the  Church,  St.  Cyprian,  eighteen  hundred 
years  ago,  in  the  following  words:  "He  who  has  not 
the  Church  for  his  mother,  can  not  have  God  for  his 
Father."  See  that  you  remain  a  faithful  daughter 
of  this  watchful  and  dutiful  mother. 

Faith  of  our  fathers,  living  still. 

In  spite  of  dungeon,  fire,  and  sword; 

O,  how  our  hearts  beat  high  with  joy 
Whene'er  we  hear  that  glorious  word! 

Faith  of  our  fathers,  holy  Faith, 
We  will  be  true  to  thee  till  death. 

Faith  of  our  fathers,  we  will  love 
Both  friend  and  foe  in  all  our  strife, 

And  preach  thee  too,  as  love  knows  how, 
By  kindly  words  and  virtuous  life. 

Faith  of  our  fathers,  holy  Faith, 
We  will  be  true  to  thee  till  death. 


12Q  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 


XXRfi.     ©bcbiciicp  tfje  (S^ljrisi inn's  ©runmcnt. 


I 


'N  the  i)revious  chapter  you  have  seen  that 
the  Church  is  the  best  and  kindest  of 
mothers;  that  you  owe  her  a  deep  debt  of  gratitude 
for  the  innumerable  spiritual  benefits  she  has 
bestowed  ujwn  you.  And  I  trust  that  your  actions 
will  always  l>e  in  accordance  with  the  serious 
advice  I  have  given  you,  and  that  you  will  show 
yourself  to  be  her  loving  and  olx^dicnt  child.  Obedi- 
ence is  the  ornament  of  the  true  Chri.stian,  and  as  a 
Catholic  girl  it  ought  to  be  your  brighte.st  ornament, 
to  ol:)ey  your  loving  mother,  the  Catholic  Church, 
at  ali  times  and  in  ever)'  respect.  I  desire  to  impress 
this  upon  you  earnestly  and  forcibly,  while  I  have 
the  oi>jx)rtunity,  in  the  hope  that  my  words  may 
continue  to  sound  in  your  ears  in  your  later  life. 

2.  You  may  deem  it  unnecessar}-  thus  to  e.xhort 
you  to  obey  the  Church.  Perhaps  you  think  that 
this  goes  without  sjjeaking,  and  that  it  is  very  easy 
kind  quite  a  matter  of  course.  It  is  true  that  for 
girls  who  are  naturally  docile,  and  have  been 
religiously  brought  up,  it  may  be  a  matter  of  course, 
and  no  great  difficulty  to  sanctify  Sunday,  to  hear 
Mass  on  all  Sundays  and  holydays  of  obligation, 
to  go  to  confession' and  communion  more  than  once 
a  year,  to  keep  the  fasts  as  far  as  they  are  bound  to 
do  so,  and  not  to  marry  at  forbidden  seasons. 

3.  But  picture  to  yoi  rself  the  position  of  a  girl 
who,  possessing  no  fortune,  would  gladly  be  pro- 
vided for  by  means  of  an  advantageous  marriage. 
Suppose  she  gets  no  suitable  offer  until  she  is 
verging  upon  middle  age,  and  then  a  non-Catholic, 
a  Protestant,  comes  forward  with  a  highly  desirable 
proposal,  but  says  from  the  outset  that  he  will 
not  comply  with  the  conditions  the  Church  makes 


The  Carnation — Obedience.  121 

in  such  cases.  If  in  addition  to  this  the  strong, 
alluring  flame  of  passion  suddenly  blazes  up  in 
her  heart,  you  must  understand,  in  some  measure 
at  least,  how  difficult,  how  terribly  difficult,  it  would 
be  for  anyone  thus  circumstanced  not  to  set  aside 
the  prohibition  of  the  Church,  which  forbids 
mixed  marriages  without  a  dispensation;  how  hard 
it  would  be  to  refuse  the  offer. 

4.  Alas!  Alas!  how  many  girls,  some  even 
of  a  religious  turn  of  mind,  whose  conduct  is 
irreproachable  in  every  other  respect,  who  have 
been  educated  in  Catholic  schools  and  instructed 
in  t'le  doctrines  of  the  faith, — how  many,  I  say, 
can  not  stand  when  a  trial  of  this  nature  overtakes 
them.  They  become  disobedient,  rebel  against 
God  and  the  Church,  finish  by  apostatizing,  and 
thus  perhaps  are  ruined  both  for  time  and  fo' 
eternity. 

The  welfare  of  your  immortal  soul  is  so  dear  t.u 
me,  and  the  interest  I  take  in  your  future  happiness 
is  so  deep,  that  I  can  leave  no  stone  unturned,  I 
can  spare  no  effort  in  order  to  preserve  you  from 
taking  so  fatal,  so  unfortunate  a  step  as  to  contract 
a  union  forbidden  by  God  and  by  the  Church. 
Therefore  I  earnestly  beseech  you,  I  entreat  you 
as  forcibly  as  I  can,  to  listen  at  all  times,  and  more 
especially  when  there  is  a  question  of  your  marriage, 
to  the  voice  of  your  loving  mother,  the  Church— to 
listen,  and  also  to  obey. 

5.  I  will  not  now  explain  the  reasons  why  holy 
Church  forbids  marriage  with  a  non-Catholic  unless 
a  dispensation  is  previously  obtained.  I  shall 
treat  this  subject  more  fully  in  another  place,  and 
I  shall  also  show  why  the  Church  grants  dispensa- 
tions in  particular  cases.  At  present  I  wish  merely 
to  enlarge  upon  the  .'Strict  nature  of  the  prohibition. 


122  The  Mai(hii\s  Wre^tfh. 

A  Catholic  girl  who  marries  a  non-Catholic 
and  permits  the  children  of  the  marriaj^e  to  be 
baptized  and  brought  up  in  their  father's  religion, 
rather  than  in  her  own,  commits  a  most  grievous 
sin.  For  she  robs  her  children  of  the  priceless 
treasure  of  the  Catholic  faith  with  all  its  innumerable 
graces  and  blessings;  she  makes  them  strangers 
to  the  true  Church.  Through  her  disobedience 
she  excludes  herself  also  from  the  Church;  she 
can  be  absolved  from  the  grievous  sin  she  has 
committed  only  through  sincere  rej)entance  for  her 
fault,  and  a  resolution  to  remedy  the  evil  con- 
sequences of  it,  as  far  as  may  lie  in  her  power. 

The  Church  does  indeed  intend  her  prohibition 
to  be  taken  very  seriously.  Obey  her  voice;  do 
not  keep  company  with  a  non-Catholic,  in  order 
that  your  faith  may  not  be  exposed  to  danger; 
'  n  order  that  your  happiness  may  not  be  jeop- 
irdized. 

6.  Some  years  ago,  a  young  German  girl  was 
sent  to  school  in  Switzerland.  After  her  educa- 
tion w^as  finished,  she  stayed  for  several  months  in 
that  country,  and  received  before  long  several  most 
advantageous  offers  of  marriage.  She  possessed 
a  not  inconsiderable  fortune  for  one  in  her  position, 
about  i2,<oo  dollars.  I  may  here  remark  in  passing, 
that  if  you  are  not  rich  you  ought  to  thank  almighty 
God  for  that,  for  in  marriage  a  wealthy  girl  is 
often  sought  after  not  for  herself,  but  for  her  bank 
notes  and  securities. 

So  at  least  it  was  in  the  case  to  which  I  am  now 
referring.  The  young  lady  refused  honorable 
propo.sals  which  were  made  to  her  by  Catholics, 
and  gave  her  affections  to  a  Protestant  who  had 
flattered  her  to  her  heart's  content.  She  married 
him,  without  troubling  herself  about  the  prohibi- 


The  Carnatioti— Obedience.  123 

tion  of  the  Church.  But  how  long  did  her  happiness 
last?  Before  two  years  had  elapsed,  the  greater 
part  of  her  fortune  had  been  squandered,  the 
demon  of  poverty  and  discontent  entered  the  home 
of  the  unhappy  wife, — and  a  separation  soon  fol- 
lowed. Her  husband  even  sought  her  life,  in 
order  that  he  might  become  possessed  of  the  re- 
mainder of  the  property. 

While  she  was  in  this  miserable  plight,  she 
happened  one  day  to  meet  with  a  former  school- 
fellow, to  whom,  amid  tears  and  sobs,  she  told  her 
pitiful  story.  Striking  her  forehead  she  exclaimed: 
"O  what  a  fool  I  was!  I  had  several  good  olTers, 
yet  I  was  blind  enough  to  marry  this  brute,  and  to 
disregard  the  command  of  the  Church.  Stupid 
fool  that  I  was;  would  that  I  had  listened  to  the 
voice  of  the  Catholic  Church!" 

7.  Do  you,  my  child,  always  listen  to,  and  obey 
the  voice  of  the  Church,  your  watchful  mother. 
Obedience  is  the  Christian's  ornament.  Pray  for 
grace  and  strength  from  above,  in  order  that  if  it 
should  please  God  to  put  your  obedience  to  so 
severe  a  test,  you  may  be  able  to  remain  steadfast. 
Mistrust  your  own  strength  and  insight;  be  very 
humble,  for  it  is  to  the  humble  that  God  gives  His 
grace. 

Great  God,  whatever  through  Thy  Church 
Thou  teachest  to  be  true, 
I  firmly  do  believe  it  all — 
And  will  confess  it  too. 

XXfiCK.   Some  ©tfrctious  SJ^ijicf)  iWnw  Be 
Sargfti. 

t.  't'T  is  no  easy  task,  but  a  burdensome  and 

-*^     difficult  matier,  for  fallen  man  to  obey, 

to  submit,  to  the  will  of  another.     For  this  reason 


124  The  Maideii's  Wreath. 

many  persons,  and  there  are  many  young  girls 
among  the  number,  strive  to  shake  olT  the  yoke 
of  obedience.  Often  does  it  apf)ear  to  them  ex- 
tremely difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  obey  the  pre- 
cepts and  commands  of  the  Church.  As  I  have 
shown  in  the  foregoing  chapter,  this  case  most 
frequently  occurs  when  it  is  a  question  of  making 
a  marriage  contract.  Self-love  searches  out  all 
manner  of  pretexts  and  objections  which  may  serve 
as  excuses  for  disobedience,  and  the  evil  world, 
with  its  fatal  maxims,  invariably  takes  the  wrong 
side.     Let  us  examine  a  few  of  these  objections. 

2.  For  instance,  the  objector  may  say  that  the 
precepts  and  exhortations  of  the  Church  are  too 
numerous  to  be  remembered  and  practiced.  Don't 
worry  about  that.  Your  conscience  is  a  sentinel 
ever  standing  at  the  door  of  your  heart.  Hearken 
to  the  voice  of  conscience.  Follow  when  it  taHs; 
then  everything  will  go  right,  for  all  depends  uf>on 
following  its  lead.  Yet,  is  it  so  impos.sible  to 
obey  the  Church  in  all  respects?  Clear  and  un- 
comj)romising  indeed  are  the  words  of  Our  Lord; 
"He  that  will  not  hear  the  Church,  let  him  be  to 
thee  as  the  heathen  and  publican."  If  we  are 
thus  compelled  to  hear  and  obey  the  Church,  it 
must  be  possible  for  us  to  do  so,  since  God  never 
requires  of  us  an  impossibility.  He  renders  that 
possible  which  would  be  impossible  to  our  own 
strength;  His  grace,  indeed,  renders  it  easy.  In 
regard  to  this,  St.  Paul  says:  "I  can  do  all  things 
in  Him  who  strengtheneth  me." 

3.  Another  objection  frequently  urged  against 
the  laws  of  the  Church  concerning  marriage,  is 
that  mixed  marriages  are  often  ver\'  happy  and  that 
therefore  the  Church  is  unduly  severe  when  she 
warns    her    children    against    them.     I    answer. 


TJie  Carnation— Obedience.  125 

in  the  first  place:  If  mixed  marriages  in  which  the 
directions  of  the  Church  are  complied  with,  and 
the  children  are  brought  up  as  Catholics,  turn 
out  happily,  so  much  the  better.  But  if  this 
so-called  happiness  is  purchased  at  the  price  of  a 
Protestant  education  for  the  children,  it  is  only  a. 
hollow  sort  of  happiness,  however  real  and  durable 
it  may  appear  in  the  eyes  of  the  world.  Sooner  or 
later,  perhaps  only  when  the  brief  span  of  earthly 
existence  is  ended,  it  will  be  exchanged  for  terrible 
misery. 

I  answer,  in  the  second  place:  Experience 
teaches  very  clearly  that  the  number  of  mi.xed 
marriages  which  are  really  happy  is  exceedingly 
small. 

If  a  Catholic  wife,  not  having  been  married 
according  to  the  precepts  of  the  Church,  derives 
unalloyed  happiness  or  good  fortune  from  the 
union,  how  difficult  must  it  not  be  for  her  to  repent 
sincerely  of  the  step  she  has  taken,  to  repent  in 
such  a  manner  as  not  to  be  excluded  from  eternal 
happiness! 

4.  Perhaps  another  young  girl,  who  has  made  the 
acquaintance  of  a  non-Catholic,  may  say  to  me: 
"But  the  Protestant  who  wishes  to  marry  me  is 
such  a  good  steady  young  fellow,  no  bad  Christian 
nor  unbeliever,  a  far  better  man,  in  fact,  than 
many  of  my  Catholic  acquaintances."  To  this 
girl  I  would  reply:  I  am  very  glad  to  hear  all  this, 
and  I  hope  the  young  man  in  question  will  always 
remain  what  he  is  at  present.  But  because  a 
Protestant  is  religious  and  holds  to  his  own  beliefs, 
you  must  be  all  the  more  careful  not  to  form  a  closer 
intimacy  with  him,  for,  if  he  marries  you,  he  will 
certainly  not  allow  his  children  to  be  brought  up 
as  Catholics.     On  this  account  your  acquaintance 


126  Tfie  Maiden's  Wreath. 

with  him  will  expose  you  to  the  risk  of  disobeying 
the  Church. 

5.  A  third  objector  may  remark:  "My  Protestant 
suitor  has  solemnly  assured  me  that  if  only  I  will 
accept  him  we  shall  be  married  in  a  church,  and 
our  children  shall  be  brought  up  as  Catholics. 
Indeed,  he  is  prepared  to  embrace  my  creed,  for 
there  is  nothing  he  is  not  willing  to  sacrifice  for 
my  sake.  What  more  could  be  wished  for?" 
What  more  could  I  desire  for  you,  dear  child  ? 
I  could  wish  that  you  should  have  a  little  more 
insight  into  the  future,  and  a  little  less  blind  con- 
fidence, iieware  of  allowing  yourself  to  be  dazzled 
by  fine  words  and  fair  promises,  or  led  about  in 
leading-strings!  Do  not  imitate  so  many  young 
girls,  who  have  to  pay  so  terribly  high  a  price  foi 
their  foolish  credulity.  Imagine  the  feelings  of  a 
Catholic  mother,  who  has  been  promised  that  hei 
children  shall  be  educated  in  her  own  faith,  and 
has  married  on  this  condition — imagine,  I  say, 
what  her  feelings  must  be  if  her  Protestant  hus- 
band breaks  his  word.  And  how  many  such  cases 
occur  in  mi.xed  marriages! 

6.  Another  girl,  who  has  been  married  by  a 
Protestant  minister,  or  has  contracted  a  purely 
civil  marriage,  deludes  herself  with  the  idea  that 
everything  can  be  set  right  later  on.  What  extreme 
carelessness  is  this!  It  is  like  the  conduct  of  a 
child  who  throws  himself  into  the  water  in  spite  of 
all  his  mother's  warnings,  saying  as  he  does  so,  that 
his  mother  can  easily  get  him  out.  Your  loving 
mother,  the  Catholic  Church,  is  indeed  ready  to 
save  you  from  eternal  death  in  spite  of  your  diso- 
bedience, and  she  offers  you  every  means  of  rescue. 
But  suppose  her  aid  should  come  too  late,  when 
the    floods   had   already   engulfed   you;     suppose, 


The  Carnation— Obedience.  127 

wilful  and  unrepentant,  you  had  withdrawn  your- 
self from  her  protecting  hands,  and  were  to  die  in 
this  frame  of  mind! 

How  widely  different  was  the  conduct  of  St. 
Frances  of  Chantal!  During  a  visit  she  paid  to 
her  sister,  a  nobleman  who  owned  large  estates 
offered  her  his  hand  in  marriage.  No  sooner  did 
she  learn  that  her  wealthy  and  distinguished  suitor 
was  a  Cahdnist  than  she  refused  him  without  an 
instant's  hesitation;  although,  in  the  eyes  of  the 
world,  the  c.  >nnection  would  have  been  a  highl) 
desirable  one. 

7.  Such  are  some  of  the  objections  which  art 
urged  against  the  obedience  we  owe  to  our  mother 
the  holy  Catholic  Church.  These  objections  an 
put  forward  by  vhose  who  have  imbibed  the  prin 
ciples  of  an  e^•il  world.  It  is  very  possible  that 
you,  my  dear  child,  if  obedience  should  require  a 
sacrifice  at  your  hands,  may  be  tempted  to  cloak 
your  disobedience  under  some  such  objections  as 
we  have  just  been  considering.  But  for  the  sake 
of  your  temporal  and  eternal  happiness  beware  of 
yielding  to  the  temptation!  You  perceive  how 
futile  and  unstable  are  all  these  objections.  Be 
faithful  and  obedient  to  your  holy,  loving  mother, 
the  Church! 

In  sorrow  or  joy,  she  stands  at  my  side. 

My  light  and  my  refuge,  mv  s;uard  and  my  g-uide 


128  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

6.  Zbc  jforoet*me*not— piet^. 

XXEV.  e:f)C  Jiacal  JFIotoer. 

F  you,  Christian  maiden,  on  leaving  school, 


I 


been  brought  up,  do  not  at  once  throw  yourself 
into  the  vortex  of  worldly  amusements,  if  you  dress 
neady  and  quietly  and  do  not  neglect  your  religious 
observances,  prayer,  and  the  frequenting  of  the 
sacraments,  it  may  happen  that  worldly-minded 
persons  will  term  you  a  devote.  Do  not  allow  this 
to  lead  you  astray!  For  in  a  way  this  term  \s 
applied  to  every  truly  pious  person.  However,  a 
wide  difference  will  be  found  to  exist  between 
various  kinds  of  piety.  Just  as  among  flowers 
(here  arc  real  and  natural  blossoms  and  others 
(rhich  arc  unreal,  being  fashioned  by  art,  so  can  the 
brget-me-not  of  piety  be  true  or  false.  When 
applied  to  the  truly  pious,  the  term  d&iwte  is  a 
calumny  and  a  reproach;  it  is  better  suited  to  those 
who  are  pious  in  appearance  alone.  You  must  be 
very  careful  that  your  piety  is  of  the  right  kind;  if 
such  it  is  the  name  of  d&vote  need  not  alarm  you — 
you  ought  rather  to  be  proud  of  it. 

2.  But  is  it  necessary  to  be  pious?  When  ad- 
dressed to  a  young  girl  this  question  can  be  an- 
swered only  in  the  affirmative.  The  Creator  has  so 
formed  the  heart  of  woman  that  it  is  specially 
disposed  to  piety.  But  if  your  piety  is  to  be  real 
and  true,  you  must  have  a  right  understanding 
of  false  piety,  so  that  you  may  avoid  it  carefully. 
Wherein  does  this  false  piety  consist  ? 

3.  I  will  point  out  to  you  a  few  examples  of  it, 


The  Forget-me-not— Piety.  129 

and  describe  some  persons  who,  while  they  fancy 
themselves  to  be  pious,  are  not  so  in  reality.  For 
instance,  one  may  be  willing  enough  to  fast,  but 
have  a  heart  full  of  bitterness  and  dislike.  Another 
loads  herself  with  a  multitude  of  religious  exercises, 
and  at  the  same  time  neglects  the  duties  of  her 
calling.  Another  repeats  endless  vocal  prayers, 
but  is  much  addicted  to  slander  and  detraction; 
or  she  may  appear  truly  pious,  while  her  face  is 
always  as  sour  as  vinegar.  Another  gives  alms 
very  freely,  but  is  still  more  free  with  her  biting 
criticisms  and  uncharitable  judgments.  Another 
is  seen  to  shed  many  tears  when  engaged  in  prayer, 
but  frequently  causes  her  inferiors  and  the  members 
of  her  family  to  weep,  on  account  of  her  haughty 
or  impertinent  behavior.  Again,  we  find  a  young 
person  eager  for  admission  into  every  kind  of 
confraternity  and  pious  association,  while  all  the 
time  she  carefully  inscribes  on  her  mental  tablets 
a  record  of  every  slight  she  receives,  every  occasion 
on  which  she  is  not  treated  according  to  her  supposed 
merits.  Another  young  girl  goes  to  holy  commun- 
ion every  week,  or  perhaps  even  more  frequently, 
and  for  this  reason  fancies  herself  a  saint,  being  by 
no  means  unwilling  that  others  should  term  her 
such;  yet  she  makes  no  serious  and  determined 
effort  to  get  rid  of  her  numerous  faults.  You 
perceive  that  all  these,  and  such  as  these,  can  lay 
no  claims  to  the  possession  of  genuine  piety. 

Their  conduct — to  borrow  the  illustration  em- 
ployed by  St.  Francis  of  Sales — -resembles  that  of 
Michol,  the  wife  of  David.  The  servants  of 
Saul  came  to  seek  for  David  in  his  house;  Michol 
took  an  image,  laid  it  in  the  bed,  and  covered  it 
with  her  husband's  clothes.  Thus  she  induced 
them   to    believe   that    he   was  sick   and   sleeping 


130  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

there.  In  a  similar  manner  many  cover  themselves 
with  external  works  of  piety,  which  are  in  reality 
mere  images  and  shadows,  destitute  of  all  true 
life. 

4.  The  genuine  flower  of  piety  is  no  mere  sen- 
timentalism,  and  does  not  consist  in  a  multitude  of 
pious  practices.  If  you  would  be  truly  pious,  do 
everj'thing  you  have  to  do  as  service  done  to  God, 
bearing  in  mind  the  e.xhortation  of  the  Apostle, 
"Therefore  whether  you  eat  or  drink,  or  what- 
soever else  you  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God."  Act 
in  the  spirit  shown  by  your  Immaculate  Mother 
when  she  said :  "Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord." 
Regard  yourself  as  the  servant  of  God;  as  such, 
hallow  all  your  actions  by  referring  them  to  Him, 
acquitting  yourself  faithfully  and  conscientiously 
of  your  smalle.st  and  most  ordinar}'  duties.  Without 
making  a  show  of  piety,  ever)'  occupation  in  which 
you  engage,  every  hour  which  passes  over  your 
head,  will  thus  be  made  to  exhale  a  sweet  fragrance 
of  sanctity. 

5.  We  see  true  piety  to  be  an  interior  frame  of 
mind  or  disposition,  a  love  which  comes  from 
within  and  gives  life  to' everything  which  is  without. 
Or  it  is  that  active  love  of  God  which  makes  men 
eschew  evil,  do  good,  and  endure  suffering.  Again, 
as  St.  Francis  of  Sales  expresses  it:  "That  man 
may  be  said  to  be  truly  pious  who  does,  out  of 
heartfelt  love  to  God,  ever\'thing  which  He  com- 
mands, which  holy  Church  requires,  and  which  is 
incumbent  on  him  in  his  particular  calling  and 
state  of  life." 

The  words  of  Fenelon  may  be  quoted  here,  in 
reference  to  external  practices  of  piety:  "Outward 
forms  are  good,  if  they  express  the  feelings  of  the 
heart.     Thy  worship,  O  God!  is    love,  and    Thy 


The  Forget-me-not— Piety.  131 

kingdom  is  within  us;    let  us  therefore  beware  of 
attaching  too  much  value  to  externals." 

6.  An  unmistakable  mark  of  true  piety  is  that  it 
makes  its  possessor  cheerful  and  merry.  Atten- 
tively notice  3four  companions  and  you  will  find 
that  she  who  is  really  pious  will  always  be  cheerful. 
How  indeed  could  it  be  otherwise  ?  Who  has 
more  reason  to  be  cheerful  than  a  truly  pious  young 
girl  ?  Who  can  look  up  to  heaven  with  more 
confidence,  who  can  trust  more  entirely  in  God, 
who  can  contemplate  herself  with  more  content, 
who  can  behold  the  future  more  hopefully,  than 
such  a  one?  Who  takes  more  pure  delight  than 
she  does  in  the  benefits  God  bestows  upon  her? 
Whom  does  conscience  reward  with  greater  peace? 
Hence  her  eyes  are  always  bright,  her  appearance 
iriendly,  her  conversation  attractive.  Hence  you 
must  clearly  perceive  that  when  I  urge  you  to  be 
pious,  I  am  as  far  as  possible  from  wishing  you  to 
hang  your  head  and  wear  a  sour  and  gloomy  aspect. 
To  look  as  though  you  were  a  lamb  being  dragged 
to  the  slaughter-house  is  not  only  a  sheer  affecta- 
tion, but  an  odious  and  hateful  thing.  It  appears 
to  me,  our  dear,  good  God  loves  particularly 
cheerful  people,  if  only  they  are  good  and  pious. 
Sadness  is  a  consequence  of  sin,  and  does  not  come 
from  heaven  or  from  God. 

7.  How  blessed  are  the  fruits  of  true  piety!  It 
imparts  to  the  soul  that  sweet,  interior  consolation 
of  which  those  who  have  never  experienced  it  can- 
not have  the  faintest  idea.  St.  Paschal  Baylon 
found  that  the  consolation  which  is  imparted  to 
pious  souls  infinitely  surpasses  all  the  pleasures  of 
the  world,  even  if  it  were  possible  to  enjoy  all  those 
pleasures  at  one  and  the  same  time.     Weave,  there- 


a' 


182  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

fore,  the  forget-me-not  of  true  piety  in  the  garland 
of  your  virtues. 

Sweet  piety  I    the  brightest  flower 
That  blossoms  in  the  maiden's  bower: 
Without  thcc,  skill,  however  rare, 
Shall  fail  to  weave  a  garland  fair; 
Led  by  thy  light  on  life's  dark  way, 
Our  steps  from  virtue  will  not  stray. 

XXV.  "  jtlcntrmbcr  ^i)s  Hast  IHnlr." 

"HRISTIAN  maiden,  you  have  to  erect  a 
lofty  building,  a  building  which  shall 
reach  to  heaven.  I  refer  to  the  edifice  of  your  own 
piety  and  perfection.  And  in  regard  to  this  build- 
ing, as  to  ever)'  other,  the  first  and  most  necessary 
thing  is  to  see  that  it  has  a  firm  and  solid  founda- 
tion. For,  unless  such  a  foundation  is  laid,  the 
builder's  toil  will  be  only  labor  lost;  sooner  or 
later  his  work  will  fall  to  pieces  and  bury  the 
occupant  under  its  ruins.  What,  then,  is  the  first 
and  most  necessary  thing,  the  sure  and  firm  founda- 
tion indispe n.sable  to  the  edifice  of  piety  ? 

Holy  Scripture  informs  us  in  the  following 
words:  "The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of 
wisdom";  i.e.,  of  virtue  and  piety.  Now,  by  what 
means  is  this  firm  foundation  to  be  laid,  how  are 
you  to  be  most  strongly  established  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord  ?  By  remembering  your  last  end, 
according  to  the  warning  of  the  Holy  Spirit:  "In 
all  thy  works  remember  thy  last  end,  and  thou 
shalt  never  sin." 

2.  A  certain  young  girl  who  lived  in  one  of  the 
German  towns  had  assuredly  disregarded  this 
admonition,  as  was  proved  only  too  plainly  when 
she  was  stricken  by  a  mortal  disease.     In  her  days 


'Hie  Forget-me-not —Piety.  133 

of  health  she  had  cared  only  about  dress,  flirtation, 
and  her  own  good  looks.  VVhen  death  was  drawing 
near,  she  caused  all  her  prettiest  gowns  to  be 
spread  upon  her  bed,  and  after  gazing  on  them 
with  fond  longing,  though  her  eyes  were  already 
growing  dim,  she  exclaimed  in  piercing,  heart- 
rending accents:  "Alas!  how  very  sad  it  is!  I 
am  so  young  and  so  fair;  I  love  life  so  dearly;  and 
yet  I  must  leave  everything,  yes,  everything!" 
Having  uttered  these  words,  she  sank  back  upon 
the  pillows  and  breathed  her  last. 

Do  you,  dear  child,  always  remember  your  last 
end  in  order  that  you  may  not  sin,  but  may  always 
have  a  salutary  fear  of  God,  and  may  strive  to  be 
truly  pious.  Ponder  well  the  four  last  things 
and  especially — death. 

3.  Since  death  spares  no  one,  you  must  be  fully 
convinced  that  it  will  not  spare  you:  you  fear  it 
because  you  are  just  as  fully  convinced  that  death 
is  not  the  end  of  everything,  but  that  a  strict  judg- 
ment and  a  never-ending  existence  will  come  after. 
Yet  the  most  terrible  thing  connected  with  it  is  not 
its  certainty,  but  its  uncertainty.  For  sure  and 
certain  as  it  is  that  we  must  die,  it  is  equally  doubtful 
and  uncertain  when,  where,  and  how  we  shall  die, 
When  shall  you  die  ?  You  are  alive  to-day,  but  you 
cannot  be  sure  whether  you  shall  still  be  alive 
to-morrow,  the  day  after,  in  a  week,  a  month,  or  a 
year.  As  you  read  these  lines  you  are  full  of 
health  and  strength,  but  who  can  guarantee  you 
will  not  fall  down  dead  this  evening,  to-night,  or  the 
very  next  moment.  Once  more  I  ask  you:  can 
any  one  assure  you  a  moment  of  your  life? 

4.  Some  years  ago  a  few  peasants  were  drinking 
together  in  the  inn  of  a  village  situated  somewhere 
in  Bavaria.     They  were  chatting  over  their  beer, 


134  The  Maidens  Wreath. 

when  the  conversation  happened  to  turn  upon  the 
uncertainty  of  the  hour  of  death.  "It  is  quite 
true,"  said  one  of  their  number,  a  stalwart  peasant 
in  the  prime  of  life,  "that  no  one  can  tell  when 
he  shall  die;  but  of  this  I  am  quite  sure,  that 
1  shall  not  die  to-day."  Shortly  afterward  he  took 
his  leave,  saying  that  he  must  return  home;  he 
i)ade  every  one  good-nijjjht,  confident  of  meeting  his 
friends  again  in  the  morning.  He  left  the  room; 
shortly  afterward  the  party  broke  up.  At  the  foot 
of  a  steep  flight  of  .stone  steps  which  led  to  the 
house  door,  they  picked  up  their  comrade — dead. 
He  had  missed  his  footing  in  the  dark,  and  falling 
down  the  steps,  had  broken  his  neck. 

Who  thinks  less  about  death,  who  feels  more 
certain  of  prolonged  life,  than  a  merry  young  girl 
on  the  dance- floor?  Yet  it  has  happened  on  more 
than  one  occasion  that  e.xcrtion  and  excitement 
caused  young  girls  to  drop  down  dead,  owing  to  a 
stroke  or  heart-failure.  I  remember  reading  of 
just  such  a  case  which  occurred  in  Switzerland. 
A  girl  who  was  only  eighteen  went  home  from  a 
dance  vers'  late  at  night,  and  in  the  morning  was 
found  dead  in  her  bed! 

5.  And  there  is  no  more  certainty  as  to  the  place 
than  as  to  the  time  of  your  death.  Endless  are 
the  questions  which  might  be  a.sked  on  this  head, 
but  neither  man  nor  angel  could  an.swer  them. 
It  must  remain  a  matter  of  uncertainty  whether  you 
shall  die  in  your  bed,  after  much  suffering,  fortified 
with  the  last  rites  of  holy  Church;  or  whether 
death  shall  overtake  you  while  you  are  asleep,  when 
you  are  out  walking,  in  your  own  room,  at  home 
or  among  strangers,  at  work  or  in  conversation  with 
others,  by  sea  or  on  land,  on  foot  or  in  a  railroad 
car,  and  so  on.     For  instance,  a  priest,  who  was 


TJie  For get-me-not — Piety.  135 

taking,  the  hv^ly  viaticum  to  a  sick  man  whose  life 
was  despaired  of,  fell  down  dead  as  he  was  walking 
along,  whereas  the  invalid,  on  the  contrary,  entirely 
recovered. 

If  you  think  seriously  about  this  terrible  uncer- 
tainty, you  cannot  possibly  go  on  living  in  a  careless 
spirit;  you  will  feel  constrained  earnestly  to  strive 
a^ter  the  attainment  of  solid  piety. 

6.  A  salutary  fear  must  perforce  take  possession 
of  you,  when  you  remember  that  you  cannot  tell 
when  or  where  you  shall  die.  Most  important, 
however,  is  the  question:  "How  shall  I  die?" 
For  upon  the  answer  depends  your  eternal  state; 
that  is,  whether  you  are  to  be  happy  or  miserable 
forever  and  ever.  It  is  of  no  consequence  whether 
you  shall  die  to-day  or  after  a  long  series  of  years, 
while  you  are  young  or  when  you  are  old,  suddenly 
or  after  a  long  illness,  in  your  bed  or  in  the  public 
street;  the  one  all  important  point  is  whether  you 
shall  die  in  the  grace  of  God,  or  in  a  state  of 
mortal  sin.  You  do  not  know,  I  do  not  know,  and 
no  one  can  tell  you  how  you  shall  die.  One  thing 
only  is  certain:  as  long  as  a  breath  of  life,  or  a 
spark  of  consciousness  is  left  to  you,  you  can,  with 
the  aid  of  divine  grace,  make  a  good  end. 

7.  Let  it  not  be  displeasing  to  you,  my  dear  child, 
that  I  have  spoken  so  seriously  to  you  about  death. 
I  have  not  done  so  with  the  intention  of  causing 
you  to  feel  anxious  and  sad,  but  solely  in  the  hope  of 
inspiring  you  to  strive  more  earnestly  after  the 
attainment  of  virtue  and  piety,  in  order  that  you 
may  one  day  die  well  and  in  a  happy  frame  of 
mind.  Yes!  for  thus  I  saw  one  of  my  spiritual 
children  die.  She  was  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
and  had  always  been  merry  and  cheerful,  this 
disposition  being  the  outgrowth  of  her  true,  unosten- 


136  Tlie  Maiden'' s  Wreatli. 

tatious  piety.  She  had  been  afflicted  with  con- 
sumption for  a  long  time  and  had  suffered  much. 
Feelincj  that  her  last  hour  was  approaching,  she 
asked  to  see  the  wreath  soon  to  be  placed  upon  her 
bier;  when  it  was  shown  her  she  took  pleasure  in 
looking  at  it  and  admiring  its  beauty.  Here  was 
a  living  embodiment  of  the  truth  of  the  lines: 

Fear  God,  my  child,  and  nothing  more 
On  earth  you  have  lo  fear; 
Solace  and  strength  this  fear  imparts, 
And  peace  when  death  draws  near. 

XXVE.  "©lie  ^r^ing  is  Jfteccssarj)." 

I.  ^T.  PHILIP  NERI  was,  as  ever>'  one 
J^^  knows,  ver\'  fond  of  young  persons. 
There  came  to  him  on  a  certain  occasion  a  youth 
whose  face  was  wreathed  with  smiles.  "Your 
Reverence,"  he  began,  "knew  me  when  I  was  a 
poor  orphan  lad,  keeping  sheep  in  our  village. 
I  have  made  such  progress  in  my  studies  that  I 
am  quite  ready  to  go  to  the  University  of  I^ologna." 
"Very  good,  my  young  friend,"  replied  the  saint 
with  a  genial  smile,  "and  then?"  "I  shall  prose- 
cute my  studies  with  the  utmost  diligence,  until 
I  am  able  to  take  a  Doctor's  degree."  "And  then  ?" 
"^ly  learning,  eloquence  and  integrity  will  make 
my  name  famous  far  and  near."  "And  then?" 
"I  shall  make  my  fortune,  marry  a  rich  wife,  and 
be  held  in  great  consideration  by  my  fellow  citizens." 
"And  then?"  "Then  I  shall  look  forward  to  a 
very  happy  old  age."  "And  then?"  inquired  the 
saint  in  a  graver  tone.  "Then?  Then?"  repeated 
the  young  man,  "  then  I  shall  have  nothing  more 
to  do,  then— then — I  shall  die."  St.  Philip  Xeri 
fixed  his  serious  eyes  upon  him,  and  said  once  again. 


The  Forget-me-not— Piety.  137 

"And  then?"  The  young  man  remained  mute, 
as  if  struck  by  Ughtning;  the  solemn  words  "And 
then?"  sounded  continually  in  his  ears. 

In  your  ears  also,  my  dear  child,  let  these  words 
resound.  They  will  serve  to  strengthen  you  in 
the  fear  of  God,  they  will  make  you  strive  more 
earnestly  after  true  piety,  and  will  constantly 
remind  you  of  the  one  tiling  necessary.  And  what 
is  this? 

2.  "But  one  thing  is  necessary.  Mary  hath 
chosen  the  best  part,  which  shall  not  be  taken 
away  from  her."  Thus  spoke  Our  Lord  to  Martha. 
And  how  had  Mar}',  the  sister  of  Martha,  chosen 
the  best  part?  She  sat  at  Jesus'  feet,  and  heard 
His  words;  that  is,  she  cared  more  for  her  soul 
than  for  anything  else.  This  therefore  is  the  one 
thing  necessary  of  which  the  Saviour  speaks. 

Do  you  take  care  of  your  soul,  and  see  that  it 
suffers  no  injury,  i.e.,  that  it  may  not  be  defiled 
by  sin.  For,  as  Our  Lord  says:  "What  shall  it 
profit  a  man,  if  he  gain  the  whole  world,  and 
suft'er  the  loss  of  his  soul?"  Care  for  your  soul 
earnestly  and  constantly,  with  holy  fear  and  humble 
trust. 

3.  Care  for  your  soul  with  zeal  and  prudence. 
On  account  of  its  likeness  to  God  it  is  the  most 
precious,  the  only  really  precious  thing  which  you 
possess.  Therefore  you  must  take  at  least  the 
same  care  of  it  which  men  generally  take  of  rare 
and  costly  things.  If  you  had  a  good  likeness  of 
your  beloved  father,  or  of  your  tender  mother,  and 
if,  moreover,  there  were  only  one  copy  of  this  por- 
trait in  existence,  with  what  care  would  you  not 
preserve  this  treasure,  how  you  would  value  and 
prize  it! 

How  great  then  ought  to  be  the  care  you  take 


138  Tlie  Maiden's  Wreath. 

of  your  precious,  your  immortal  soul,  a  masterpiece 
from  the  Creator's  hanrl,  the  image  of  our  heavenly 
Father  Himself!  Above  all  avoid  sin,  grievous  sin, 
which  will  deface  and  destroy  the  image  of  God  in 
your  soul. 

4.  But  you  must  not  only  strive  to  preserve  the 
image  of  God  within  you  with  the  utmost  care; 
you  must  also  do  this  without  any  intermission. 
To  save  one's  soul  is  the  work  of  a  whole  lifetime, 
not  of  a  few  days  or  hours.  You  began  this  work 
in  your  childhood  days,  when  for  the  first  time 
you  cleansed  your  soul  of  its  faults  and  failings  by 
means  of  confession.  You  carried  on  this  work 
in  a  very  special  manner  on  that  happy  day,  the 
happiest  day  of  your  life — I  mean  the  day  of  your 
first  communion.  And  you  must  prosecute  this 
work  with  unwearied  and  unceasing  diligence  until 
your  last  breath. 

Alas!  there  are  too  many  unhappy  young  per- 
sons, who  instead  of  making  it  their  con.stant  en- 
deavor to  preserve  their  soul  from  every  spot  and 
stain,  deprive  it  of  its  most  beautiful  ornament. 
I  mean  chastity.  With  incredible  reckles.sness  they 
plunge  their  soul  into  the  quagmire  of  vice,  at  the 
same  time  indulging  the  presumptuous  hope  that 
they  will  be  able  to  cleanse  it  from  its  defilement 
at  some  later  period,  and  thus  render  it  fit  for 
heaven. 

Poor,  blind  creatures!  They  will  probably  dis- 
cover, when  it  is  too  late,  that  he  who  does  not 
constantly  aim  at  the  salvation  of  his  soul  too  often 
ends  by  plunging  it  into  eternal  rviin.  Guard 
your  soul  constantly!     Save  your  soul! 

5.  St.  Paul  says:  "With  fear  and  trembling 
work    out    your    salvation."      And,   indeed,    who 


Tlie  Forget-me-not— Piety.  139 

should  not  fear  and  tremble  where  a  matter  of 
such  infinite  importance  is  concerned,  in  regard  to 
an  undertaking  so  momentous  and  so  difficult? 
The  fall  of  the  rebel  angels,  of  our  first  parents,  of 
David,  of  St.  Peter,  ought  to  teach  you  how  easily 
vou  may  fall,  perhaps  fall  forever.  If  lofty  cedars 
have  been  overthrown,  what  is  to  become  of  a 
feeble  reed!  St.  Peter  says:  "If  the  just  man  shall 
scarcely  be  saved,  where  shall  the  ungodly  and  the 
sinner  appear?"  And  if  you  think  of  so  many 
young  persons,  who  in  childhood  were  pious  and 
good,  but  now  have  given  themselves  up  to  sin, 
and  may  lose  their  souls  forever,  you  must  surely 
be  filled  with  fear  and  trembling! 

It  is  right  that  you  should  feel  thus;  but  at  th?" 
same  time  you  must  have  a  childlike  confidence  in 
God,  remembering  His  fatherly  love.  His  infinite 
goodness.  For  has  He  not  said  that  He  wills  not 
ihe  death  of  the  sinner,  but  rather  that  he  should 
be  converted  from  his  ways,  and  live  ? 

6.  Finally,  behold  how  God  Himself  has  proved, 
in  the  person  of  the  Holiest  of  the  holy,  how  great 
is  His  solicitude  for  your 'soul,  for  the  souls  of  all 
men.  Gaze  upon  Mount  Olivet,  and  you  will  per- 
ceive a  Man  lying  prone  upon  the  ground  while  a 
sweat  of  blood  exudes  from  His  pores;  follow  Him 
to  the  court  of  Pilate;  see  how  He  is  scourged, 
spit  upon,  insulted,  and  crowned  with  cruel  thorns; 
accompany  Him  through  the  streets  of  Jerusalem, 
which  He  dyes  with  His  blood,  until  He  reaches 
the  summit  of  Calvan,',  where  He  is  fastened  with 
nails  to  the  cross;  listen  to  His  heartrending  cry: 
"My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  Thou  forsaken  J^Ie?" 
— see  Him  bow  His  head,  and  give  up  the  ghost. 
For  what  end   did   Our  Lord  suffer  all  this?     It 


140  r/te  Maiden's  Wreath. 

was  in  order  that  our  souls  might  be  saved,  in  order 
that  we  nii^ht  gain  heaven. 

7.  Your  God  did  all  this  in  order  that  you  might 
save  your  soul!  Ought  you  not  therefore  to  strive 
more  earnestly  to  work  out  your  salvation  ?  Adopt 
as  your  own  the  words  of  St.  Augustine:  "Ever 
since  I  became  aware  that  my  soul  was  purchased 
at  no  less  a  price  than  the  blood  of  the  Saviour,  I 
resolved  to  keep  it  with  all  care,  and  never  to  sell 
it  to  the  devil  by  means  of  one  single  sin." 

To  save  my  soul,  be  this  the  end 
To  which  my  hopes,  my  efforts  tend; 
My  time  on  earth  may  I  employ 
So  as  to  gain  eternal  joy. 

XXl^EC.  So  Wot  Imitate  Ebe. 

I.  )^^HE  forget-me-not  of  piety  must  not  be 
V_/  wanting  in  your  garland,  Christian 
maiden;  you  ought  to  gladden  heaven  and  earth 
by  a  truly  pious  life.  But  observe  the  words  of 
St.  Paul:  "All  that  will  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus, 
shall  suffer  persecution."  And  indeed,  you  must 
be  prepared  to  suffer  attacks,  to  meet  with  tempta- 
tions. Just  as  in  paradise  the  devil  did  not  attack 
the  man  in  the  fiist  place,  but  the  woman,  Eve,  in 
a  similar  manner  does  the  evil  enemy  act  in  the 
present  day,  and  his  myrmidons  follow  his  example. 
It  is  the  woman  primarily,  the  maiden,  whom  they 
endeavor  to  destroy.  For  it  is  the  maiden  who 
can  do  the  most  for  the  salvation  or  destruction  of 
the  world. 

And  of  what  do  they  first  of  all  seek  to  deprive 
her?  Of  that  which  is  her  dignity,  her  happiness, 
and  her  strength — her  innocence  of  heart.  Thou- 
sandfold are  the  snares  which  Satan,  the  enemy  of 


TJie  Forget-me-not— Piety .  141 

all  good,  knows  how  to  spread.  Cunningly  does 
the  wicked  world  approach,  in  the  guise  of  a  well- 
meaning  friend,  and  attract  with  its  deceitful 
charms.  The  evil  desires  which  lurk  within  the 
heart  hearken  only  too  readily  to  the  whispers  of 
Satan  and  the  world,  forcibly  inj^elling  us  to 
follow  where  they  lead. 

2.  Thus  is  the  mournful  story  of  the  first  temp- 
tation acted  over  and  over  again.  Thank  God, 
my  child,  if  hitherto  your  experience  in  this  respect 
has  been  a  very  limited  one;  but  if  it  has  been 
otherwise  with  you,  be  neither  astonished  nor  dis- 
couraged. When,  in  my  capacity  of  spiritual 
director,  I  witness  the  devout  behavior  of  the 
young  girls  entrusted  to  my  care;  when  I  behold 
the  fervor  with  which  they  join  in  the  hymns  and 
prayers;  when  I  dispense  to  them  the  Bread  of 
Life  in  holy  communion,  or  when  I  see  their  inno- 
cent enjoyment  during  their  hours  of  recreation,  it 
rejoices  my  heart;  yet  a  feeling  of  sadness  steals 
upon  me  when  I  ask  myself  whether  they  shall 
always  be  what  they  are  now.  In  five,  ten,  or 
twenty  years,  shall  they  all  be  merry  and  happy, 
pious  and  good,  as  they  are  at  present? 

I  hope  it  shall  be  so,  but  I  cannot  be  certain;  this 
hope  and  this  uncertainty  I  feel  in  regard  to  you. 
But  of  one  thing  I  am  quite  sure — sooner  or  later 
you  will  be  assailed  by  temptations  more  or  less 
severe. 

One  thing  is  absolutely  certain:  you  cannot 
pass  through  life,  attain  true  piety,  or  reach  heaven, 
without  a  struggle,  without,  like  Eve,  encountering 
temptations.  But  ever}'thing  depends  on  your  not 
acting  like  Eve.  Let  us  therefore  consider  the 
manner  in  which  she  acted  when  the  serpent  tempted 
her 


142  The  Maiden  s  Wreath. 

3.  In  the  first  place,  the  extraordinan'  apparition 
of  a  serpent  which  spoke  to  her,  instead  of  putting 
her  on  her  guard,  left  her  heedless  and  thoughtless. 
This  was  her  first  great  fault — do  not  imitate  her! 
But  in  all  your  intercourse  with  the  world  and 
especially  with  persons  of  the  opjwsite  sex,  be 
always  watchful,  ami  mistrustful  of  yourself.  P'or 
not  without  reason  did  Our  Lord  say:  "Watch  ye, 
and  pray,  that  you  enter  not  into  temptation." 
Yes,  pray!  If  as  soon  as  the  ser])ent  Ix-gan  to  s}x;ak 
to  Eve,  she  had  rellccted  for  a  moment,  and  then 
said:  "I  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  thee;  I  desire 
to  hold  converse  with  God  alone,  and  I  am  certain 
that  the  voice  of  God  does  not  speak  from  thy 
mouth" — had  she  thus  spoken  the  temptation 
would  have  been  overcome. 

Unite,  therefore,  w-atchfulness  and  prayer;  hold 
converse  with  God;  syx-ak  to  Him  with  filial  con- 
fidence, as  a  child  speaks  to  a  beloved  father. 

4.  Eve  committed  a  second  fault  by  parleying 
with  the  tempter,  instead  of  resolutely  refusing  to 
have  anything  to  do  with  him.  Again  I  say,  beware 
of  imitating  her!  Resist  the  temptation  as  soon  as 
you  become  aware  of  it,  and  resi.-Jt  it  with  the  utmost 
determination  and  steadfastness.  Do  not  pause 
and  wait  until  the  tempters  draw  nearer;  that  is, 
until  persons  begin  to  treat  you  with  a  familiarity 
which  may  not  be  actually  sinful,  but  which  is 
nevertheless  extremely  dangerous;  which  may 
expose  you  to  grievous  temptations,  nay  more, 
will  assuredly  do  so,  if  not  resisted  with  promptitude 
and  decision.  Rememlx'r  the  words  of  the  Imita- 
tion: "The  longer  any  one  hath  been  slothful  in 
resisting,  so  much  the  weaker  he  becometh  in  him- 
self, and  the  enemy  so  much  the  stronger  against 
him." 


The  Forget-)n.e-not— Piety.  143 

Show  courage  and  determination  in  the  presence 
of  temptation.  "A  resolute  will  conquers  every- 
thing," says  St.  Alphonsus  Liguori.  A  good,  pious 
girl  had  made  the  acquaintance  of  a  young  man. 
She  happened  one  day  to  find  herself  for  a  short 
time  alone  with  him.  He  at  once  took  the  oppor- 
tunity of  making  improper  advances  to  her.  With- 
out an  instant's  delay  she  got  up  and  left  the  room, 
saying  as  she  did  so:  "You  are  badly  mistaken  in 
me!  I  am  not  what  you  take  me  for,  and  I  will 
have  nothing  at  all* to  do  with  youi"  Under  simi- 
lar circumstances  do  you  act  as  she  did. 

However  violent  and  prolonged  a  temptation 
may  be,  do  not  lose  heart.  Above  all,  do  not  be 
discouraged  if  you  have  repeatedly  yielded  to 
temptation,  and  fallen  into  sin.  Your  merciful 
Father  knows  your  weakness  and  is  ready  to  hold 
out  to  you  a  sustaining  hand.  Grasp  it  without 
delay,  rise  up  quickly,  repent,  and  struggle  on. 

5.  The  third  fault  of  Eve  was  that  she  did 
not  at  once  betake  herself  to  Adam,  whom  God 
had  set  over  her,  and  acquaint  him  with  the  porten- 
tous language  of  the  serpent,  but  preferred  to 
manage  the  affair  by  herself.  Again  I  repeat, 
beware  of  imitating  her! 

Always  acquaint  your  confessor,  who  is  your 
spiritual  superior,  with  dangerous  temptations 
which  may  overtake  you.  The  devil  dreads  nothing 
so  much  as  this.  Acquaintance  with  members  of 
the  other  sex,  if  innocent  in  itself,  is  constantly 
connected  with  perils  and  temptations.  Therefore 
in  these  cases  speak  with  great  candor  and  truthful- 
ness in  the  confessional.  Your  confessor  will  help 
and  advise  you,  and  tell  you  how  to  avoid  these 
perils  and  temptations  as  far  as  it  may  be  possible 
to  do  so.     It  is  a  very  serious  thing  when  a  young 


144  Tlie  Maidens  Wreath. 

pirl  does  not  spt-ak  in  confession  of  her  struggles 
and  temptations,  or  when  she  conceals  from  her 
]Ki rents  and  confessor  the  knowledge  of  any  ac- 
quaintance she  has  made. 

6.  To  mention  a  fourth  fault:  Eve  gave  place  in 
her  heart  to  thoughts  of  pride.  She  listened  with 
pleasure  to  the  words:  *'Vou  shall  be  as  gods." 
To  be  a  goddess,  a  ruler,  would  have  delighted  her 
above  everything!  Keware  of  following  her  ex- 
ample! Guard  your  heart  with  the  utmost  care; 
do  not  indulge  thoughts  of  pri»]e  and  self-esteem; 
for  ''Pride  goeth  before  destruction,"  and  "He 
hath  put  down  the  mighty  from  their  seat,  and  hath 
exalted  the  humble."  Hut  never  despise  those  who 
have  fallen,  rather  tremble  for  yourself. 

When  the  intellect  is  blinded  by  pride  and  pas- 
sion, it  breaks  through  all  restraints;  like  a  runaway 
horse  it  rushes  headlong  to  destruction.  It  is  only 
humility  and  a  holy  fear  of  God  which  can  ensure 
your  safety. 

7.  Yet  with  all  your  dread  of  danger  and  mis- 
trust of  yourself,  ever  cherish  an  implicit,  childlike 
reliance  on  the  help  of  God.  \\'hen  beset  by  temp- 
tations, faithfully  follow  the  wise  counsel  of  a  holy 
Doctor  of  the  Church:  "Do  all  that  lies  in  your 
power,  and  God  will  take  care  of  the  rest.  He  will 
do  all  which  you  cannot  accomplish.  In  every  danger 
and  temptation  we  must  make  use  of  all  the  means 
within  our  reach,  ju.st  as  if  God  did  not  exist  and 
we  were  entirely  dependent  upon  our  own  exertions, 
at  the  same  time  calling  upon  God  just  as  earnestly 
as  if  we  were  entirely  unable  to  help  ourselves." 

O  Christian  maid,  I  bid  thee  rise! 

With  courage  arm  thee  for  the  fight; 
A  heavenly  crown  the  victor's  prize 

Who  colir^uers  sin  and  passion's  might. 


The  Forget-me-not— Piety.  145 

Look  up  to  heaven,  watch  and  pray, 
And  God  will  be  thy  shield  and  stay. 

Make  this  your  first  and  last  prayer:  '"'O  Lord, 
in  Thee  have  I  hoped;  let  me  not  be  confounded 
forever." 


XXVfifiJF.  Jrmitatc  ptarD. 

1.  *J  I'  LITTLE  child,  sitting  on  its  mother's 
^J^'-t    lap,    was    being    taught    to    say    its 

prayers.  Having  repeated  after  her  mother  the 
words:  "In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,"  the  child  suddenly 
interrupted  her  by  asking:  "Mother,  it  says  the 
Father  in  heaven,  and  the  Son  in  heaven.  Why  is 
there  not  a  mother  in  heaven?"  That  inquiry 
comes  from  the  depths  of  the  human  heart.  The 
heart  of  man  feels  the  need  of  a  mother  to  plead  for 
him  before  the  throne  of  God ;  and  He  who  created 
that  heart,  and  knows  its  needs,  has  given  us  a 
mother  in  the  person  of  Mary,  the  blessed  Virgin 
and  Mother  of  God. 

If  you,  dear  child,  desire  to  be  truly  pious,  begin 
by  taking  this  mother  as  your  pattern;  earnestly 
seek  to  imitate  her,  and  to  be  her  faithful  child. 
Therefore  I  exhort  you  to  direct  your  attention 
more  particularly  to  her  at  present. 

2.  We  salute  Mary  with  the  Latin  word  Ave. 
If  we  reverse  this  word,  we  have  the  name  of  the 
first  woman,  our  first  mother,  Eva.  What  misery 
and  misfortune  did  not  the  sin  of  this  first  woman 
bring  upon  the  world!  She  is  no  longer  the  mother 
of  the  living,  as  her  name  denotes,  but  of  the  dead, 
of  those  who  are  spiritually  dead.  But  it  is  right 
that  we  should  salute  Mary  with  the  word    Ave, 


146  The  Maidens  Wreath. 

for  she  is  in  truth  the  opjx).site  to  Eva.  Hy  becoming 
the  Mother  of  the  Redeemer  she  won  salvation, 
deliverance,  and  true  spiritual  life  for  the  whole 
human  race.  As  far  as  her  example  goes,  she  is 
also  a  direct  contrast  to  Eve.  In  the  preceding 
pages  I  have  warned  you  to  beware  of  imitating 
Eve;  I  now  desire  most  earnestly  to  entreat  you  to 
endeavor  to  imitate  the  virtues  of  Mary.  Behold 
her  at  the  hallowed  moment  when  the  angel  brought 
to  her  the  message  from  on  high,  and  the  mystery 
of  inexpressible  magnitude,  the  mystery  of  the 
Incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God,  was  accomplished. 
What  cannot  a  virgin  learn  from  this  "  Virgin  of 
virgins!" 

3.  Scripture  tells  us  in  the  first  place:  "The 
angel  being  come  in  said  unto  her."  Mary  was 
not  found  out  of  doors,  amid  the  tumult  of  the 
world,  but  in  the  sacred  seclusion  of  her  own  room; 
she  loved  retirement. 

Christian  maiden,  love  retirement  and  recollec- 
tion. Of  course,  I  do  not  mean  that  you  ought  to 
remain  always  at  home,  in  your  own  room,  or 
that  you  ought  to  hold  aloof  from  other  persona, 
or  enter  a  convent  and  become  a  nun.  This  is  cer- 
tainly not  my  meaning,  unless,  indeed,  God  were  to 
call  you  to  embrace  such  a  state  of  life. 

Yet  it  still  holds  good,  that  if  you  wish  to 
persevere  in  the  path  of  piety,  to  be  hapjn'  both 
in  this  world  and  also  in  the  next,  you  must  imitate 
Mar)';  you  must  love  retirement;  and  though  you 
live  amid  the  bu.stle  and  tunnoil  of  the  world,  you 
must  not  be  of  the  world. 

4.  Especially  must  you  endeavor  to  suppress  the 
restless  craving  for  the  approbation  of  your  fellow 
men.  A  desire  to  please,  to  attract  the  notice  of 
others,  and  more  particularly  of  men,  is  inherent  in 


Tlie  Forget-me-not — Piety.  147 

every  young  woman  in  a  greater  or  lesser  degree. 
But  this  very  desire,  so  seldom  resisted,  so  freely 
indulged,  has  effected  the  temporal  and  eternal 
ruin  of  many  young  girls  and  of  many  older  women 
also.  Struggle  with  all  your  might  against  this  in- 
ordinate desire  to  please;  like  Mary,  cultivate  a 
love  of  seclusion.  Remember  the  violet.  Every 
one  loves  and  values  this  modest  little  flower  which 
thrives  and  blossoms  most  beautifully  in  the  shade. 

Prove  your  love  of  retirement  by  avoiding  dan- 
gerous occasions  and  amusements  as  far  as  you 
possibly  can.  Such  are  clandestine  meetings  with 
men,  balls,  and  plays  of  an  immoral  tendency. 
A  young  girl  who  desires  to  preserve  her  inno- 
cence and  virtue  must  exercise  the  greatest  caution 
and  prudence  in  regard  to  these  and  similar  mat- 
ters. 

Give  further  proof  of  your  love  for  retirement 
by  remembering  the  presence  of  God  at  all  times, 
and  in  all  places,  and  by  keeping  Him  before  your 
eyes  whatever  you  may  be  doing;  whether  you  are 
at  work  or  amusing  yourself,  partaking  of  your 
meals,  or  conversing  pleasantly  with  those  around 

'OU. 

5.  In  the  second  place.  Holy  Scripture  says 
concerning  Mary:  "Who  having  heard,  was  troubled 
at  his  saying,  and  thought  with  herself  what  manner 
of  salutation  this  should  be."  She  shrank  from 
the  praise  which  was  bestowed  upon  her.  Far 
from  giving  her  pleasure,  it  caused  her  to  fear  that 
the  apparition  might  not  come  from  God.  Again 
I  repeat,  do  you,  my  dear  daughter,  act  in  a  Hke 
spirit.  Do  you  fear,  when  men  approach  you  with 
flattering  words,  when  they  extol,  in  honeyed  accents, 
your  physical  beauty  or  mental  gifts,  when  they 
assure  you  that  your  society  makes  them  happy 


148  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

beyond  exprcssi<3n.  Trust  them  not  too  readilyl 
How  many  girls  have  paid  for  their  foolish  confi- 
dence, their  love  of  praise  and  flattery,  with  the  loss 
of  their  innocence!   Wherefore  be  warned  in  time. 

6.  In  the  third  place,  to  the  proposal  which 
would  confer  upon  her  the  highest  possible  honor — 
that  of  becoming  the  Mother  of  God — Mary  replied, 
with  childlike  humility:  "How  shall  this  be  done?" 
She  did  not  immediately  grasp  at  the  honor,  she 
did  not  answer  at  once  in  the  aflirmative,  but  she 
desired  first  of  all  to  receive  an  assurance  that  she 
would  be  able  to  preserve  her  virginity,  which  she 
had  consecrated  to  God. 

If  Mar\'  exercised  such  extreme  caution  in 
regard  to  the  proposal  made  to  her  by  a  heavenly 
mcsse.iger,  how  careful  and  conscientious  ought 
iiot  you  to  be  in  regard  to  the  temptations  of  th° 
world  and  of  the  enemy  of  souls!  When  some 
tempter  approaches  you,  and  tries  to  induce  you 
to  join  in  some  dangerous  diversion,  to  remain 
alone  with  liim,  or  to  listen  to  improper  proposals, 
then  answer  as  Marv  did:  "  'How  shall  this  be  done  ?  ' 
For,  whatever  be  the  cost,  I  am  resolved  to  avoid 
the  least  stain  of  impurity."  And  you  must  not 
only  speak  thus,  but  act  in  accordance  with  vour 
words;  you  must  fly  from  the  tempter,  fly  without 
delay! 

If,  at  a  later  period,  a  non-Catholic  should  make 
your  acquaintance  and  wish  to  marry  you,  you 
must  imitate  Mary  by  asking:  "'How  shall  this 
be  done  ? '  How  can  I  consent  to  a  mi.xed  marriage, 
since  my  mother,  the  holy  Catholic  Church,  disap- 
proves of  such  unions,  and  since  they  so  seldom 
turn  out  happy?" 

7.  Finally,  in  the  fourth  place,  when  Man'  had 
once  perceived  what  the  holy  will  of  God  was,  she 


Tlie  Forget-me-not— Piety.  149 

replied  in  a  spirit  of  humble  submission:  "Behold  the 
handmaid  of  the  Lord;  be  it  done  to  me  according 
to  thy  word."  If  you  desire  to  be  truly  pious, 
you  must  be  perfectly  resigned  to  the  will  of  God. 
In  this  respect  also  you  must  imitate  ^lary.  This 
remark  especially  applies  to  the  choice  of  a  state 
of  life.  When  once  you  perceive  what  is  the  will 
of  God,  when  you  have  heard  His  voice  s{)eaking 
to  you  in  clear  and  definite  accents, — then  obey 
that  voice,  however  great  a  sacrifice  it  may  cost 
you  to  do  so.  Pray  earnestly  for  grace  to  follow 
the  call,  and  to  say  from  your  heart  as  well  as  with 
your  lips,  in  imitation  of  Mary:  "Behold  the 
handmaid  of  the  Lord;  be  it  done  to  me  according 
to  thy  word." 

In  the  manner  I  have  described,  take  Mary  for 
your  model,  and  beseech  her  to  intercede  on  your 
behalf. 

Hail,  blessed  Mother,  Virgin  pure"! 
From  every  stain  of  sin  secure; 
Hail,  morning  star  that  gilds  the  sky! 
Hail,  Daughter  of  the  Lord  most  high! 
Fairer  than  aught  on  earth  beside, 
My  joy  and  hope,  my  youth's  sure  guide! 

XXEX.  ^  UnUOcr  to  ?^cabcn. 

I.  'T'N  the  course  of  my  experience  as  a  director, 
.-■-.  one  deathbed  scene  remains  imprinted 
on  my  memory — that  of  a  young  girl,  fifteen  years 
of  age.  She  was  good,  pious  and  very  intelligent. 
I  had  prepared  her  for  her  first  confession  and 
holy  communion;  and  on  both  these  occasions  her 
seriousness  and  fervor  had  afforded  me  no  little 
pleasure  and  edification.  She  must  have  been 
indeed  an  obedient  and  docile  child;  for  she  had 


150  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

had  two  stepmothers  in  succession,  and  each  had 
loved  ht-r  tenderly  and  prized  her  hiji;hl\\ 

After  an  illness  of  a  few  days  it  iK'caine  my  pain- 
ful duty  to  open  the  girl's  eyes  to  the  danger  in 
which  she  was,  and  to  prepare  her  for  death. 
What  I  then  witnessed  showed  what  living  faith 
can  efTect  in  the  heart  of  a  child.  The  sufferer 
was  in  no  way  bewildered;  she  remained  calm  and 
resigned  to  the  will  of  God,  and  recei\ed  the  last 
sacraments  in  such  a  manner  as  to  edify  all  who 
were  present. 

About  three  hours  later  it  became  evident  that 
relentless  death  was  approaching.  When  I  had 
united  with  her  relatives  in  praying  for  the  .soul 
so  soon  to  depart,  I  said  to  the  dying  girl:  "My 
child,  you  will  pray  for  us  in  heaven,  will  you  not?" 
"Yes,  yes,"  she  replied.  Then  taking  my  hand 
with  a  look  of  entreaty,  she  added,  "but  you  must 
first  pray  for  me,  in  order  that  I  may  get  to  heaven! " 
After  saying  farewell  to  all  around,  she  repeated, 
"Pray!  pray!"  This  was  her  legacy  to  the  by- 
standers. 

2.  Over  and  over  again  I  would  repeat  to  you 
these  last  words  of  hers,  and  say:  "My  dear  child, 
pray!  pray!  Pray,  because  prayer  is  absolutely 
necessar}'  for  ever}'  Christian  and,  mf»re  especially, 
for  ever)'  young  girl."  Prayer  is  indeed  the  ladder 
which  leads  to  heaven,  and  without  it  we  can  never 
hope  to  reach  that  blessed  place.  I  have  spoken 
before  of  the  importance  of  prayer,  but  now,  when 
I  am  treating  of  the  exercises  of  piety  in  a  more 
lengthy  and  detailed  manner,  I  wish  to  explain 
more  fullv  to  you  how  necessary'  a  thing  prayer  is. 

3.  Nothing  is  more  emphasized,  nothing  is  more 
earnestly  enjoined  upon  us,  in  Holy  Scripture,  than 
the  dutv  of  prayer.     Very  numerous  are  the  ex- 


The  Forget-me-not— Piety.  151 

hortations  we  meet  with  to  the  same  effect:  "Ask 
and  it  shall  be  given  you;  seek,  and  you  shall  find; 
knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  to  you."  Again  the 
Saviour  says:  "Watch  ye  and  pray."  St.  Paul 
says:    "Pray  without  ceasing." 

What  do  we  find  in  the  writings  of  the  saints? 
They  declare  prayer  to  be  the  breath  of  the  soul; 
they  pronounce  a  man  who  does  not  pray  a  lamp 
without  oil,  a  body  without  nourishment,  a  plant 
without  water,  a  soldier  without 'arms. 

St.  Alphonsus  Liguori  writes  as  follows:  "All 
the  blessed  in  heaven  have  been  saved  by  means 
of  prayer.  All  the  reprobate  were  lost  because 
they  did  not  pray;  had  they  prayed,  they  would 
not  have  been  lost  forever." 

St.  Teresa  frequently  said:  "A  man  who  does  not 
pray  will  become  either  a  beast  or  a  fiend." 

St.  Augustine  asserts:  "He  who  prays  aright, 
will  live  aright." 

St.  Francis  of  Sales  thus  expresses  himself:  "One 
can  expect  nothing  tha*  is  good  from  a  man  who 
does  not  pray." 

'  We  gather  from  all  this  that  without  prayer  there 
can  be  no  real  virtue,  no  strength  to  resist  evil, 
no  holy  death,  no  salvation.  Alas,  for  the  man 
who  ceases  to  pray!     He  is  lost. 

4.  Prayer  is  necessar}^  for  sinners.  St.  Augustine, 
that  great  Doctor  of  the  Church,  states  that,  in  the 
ordinary  course  of  things,  God  imparts  the  graces 
necessary  for  salvation  only  to  those  who  ask  Him 
for  them.  Can  anything  be  more  calculated  than 
these  words  to  arouse  us  from  tepidity  in  prayer? 
It  is  an  awful  truth  that  God  generally  forsakes 
those  sinners  who  do  not  seek  refuge  in  prayer. 
Which  of  us  would  remain  during  a  thunderstorm 
n  a  place  exposed  to  lightning?     Who  would  saunter 


152  Tlw  Mdidoit  s  Wreath. 

alone;  a  road  on  which  murderers  lurked?  or  drink 
a  ^x)i.son  which  usually  proves  to  be  fatal  ?  How 
then  can  the  sinner  dare  to  dvrspise  and  neglect 
prayer,  since  those  who  do  not  pray  run  the  risk  of 
being  abandoned  by  God  ? 

5.  Jiut  not  sinners  alone,  the  just  also,  have  need 
of  prayer.  No  tongue  of  man  can  describe  the  happi- 
ness of  the  Christian  who  is  in  a  state  of  grace. 
Hell  is  closed  for  him,  heaven  is  opened,  the  angels 
and  saints  are  his  brethren,  God  is  his  loving 
Father.  But  his  happiness  is  not  complete  as  yet, 
it  is  not  as  yet  assured  to  him.  The  soldier  cannot 
sing  the  song  of  victory  until  the  battle  is  ended. 
Even  though  a  man  be  in  the  state  of  grace,  he 
is  still  upon  the  battlefield  as  long  as  he  lives. 
The  crown  of  everla.sting  felicity  is  promised  to  him, 
but  he  must  fight  in  order  to  win  it.  In  one  unhappy 
moment  he  may  forfeit  it.  Prayer  is  the  means 
which  will  preserve  him  from  so  terrible  a  mis- 
fortune; which  will  enable  him  to  conquer  in  the 
strife  and  obtain  the  promised  reward,  the  crown 
of  everla.sting  life. 

6.  Have  you  not  often  seen  a  fruit-tree  in  spring, 
covered  with  thousands  of  fair  blossoms?  Look 
at  it  a  few  months  later — what  has  become  of  all 
this  rich  promise?  Comparatively  few  are  the 
blossoms  which  have  ripened  into  fruit;  or  perhaps 
wind,  frost,  and  rain  have  altogether  denuded  the 
tree  of  its  fruit. 

Just  such  a  bright  spring  morning  is  the  day  on 
which  a  soul  is  reconciled  with  God  by  means  of 
the  Sacrament  of  Penance.  But  do  all  those  who 
have  thus  made  their  peace  with  Him  remain  here- 
after free  from  sin  ?  What  becomes  of  the  numerous 
blossoms  of  good  resolutions?  Ven*'  few,  or  possi- 
bly none  at    all,  are  the  fruits    into    which    they 


Tlie  Forget-me-not — Piety.  153 

develop.  Whence  arises  this  deplorable  state  of 
things?  The  storms  of  temptation  have  swept 
over  the  Christian  and  he  has  been  fooHsh  enough 
to  disregard  the  Saviour's  warning:  "Watch  ye, 
and  pray!" 

7.  With  what  sorrow  and  concern  does  one 
behold  those  worldly-minded  girls  who  have  an 
aversion  to  prayer  and  blush  to  be  thought  pious! 
How  can  they  save  their  souls?  Not  one,  single 
saint  has  failed  to  pray,  and  thus  to  draw  down 
upon  himself  the  grace  and  mercy  of  God.  All 
have  made  use  of  prayer,  that  unconquerable 
weapon;  al)  have  reached  heaven  by  no  other 
way  than  the  road  of  the  cross  and  the  ladder  of 
prayer. 

8.  Christian  maiden,  see  that  you  never  let  go 
of  this  ladder  to  heaven.  Mount  upward  by  it. 
If  at  times  indifference  and  disgust  steal  over  you 
in  regard  to  prayer,  shake  off  your  slothfulness; 
say  to  yourself:  I  am  not  as  yet  in  heaven;  in  some 
unhappy  moment  I  may  lose  my  soul;  therefore 
I  must  pray.  If  you  are  duly  impressed  with  this 
truth,  you  will  be  more  careful  in  saying  your 
morning  prayers;  you  will  more  frequently  raise 
your  heart  to  God  in  the  course  of  the  day.  Never 
fail  to  attend  public  worship  whenever  it  is  possible 
for  you  to  do  so;  and  never  lie  down  to  rest  without 
repenting  upon  your  knees  of  all  the  faults  you 
may  have  committed  and  praying  for  the  grace  of 
a  happy  death.  Constantly  beseech  God  to  bestow 
upon  you  the  gift  of  prayer. 

Accept,  divine  Redeemer, 

The  homage  of  my  praise; 
Take  my  heart  and  keep  it, Lord, 

Through  all  my  earthly  days; 


154  Tlie  Maiden's  Wreatli. 

Be  Thou  my  consolation 

\\  hen  death  is  drawing  nigh; 

Be  Thou  my  only  treasure 
Through  all  eternity. 

XXX.  21  JFouiii  of  ?t}caHnQ, 

I.  *T^  ancient  fairy  tales  one  may  read  of  a 
c**  stream  in  which  any  one  who  bathes  is 
instantly  cured  of  whatever  disease  may  afllict 
him ;  any  one  who  is  old  and  ugly  becomes  young 
and  beautiful  once  more,  and  even  he  who  is 
already  dead  awakes  to  renewed  life.  If  there 
were  in  reality  such  a  stream,  if  such  healing 
waters  did  indeed  exist,  with  what  alacrity  sick, 
old,  or  homely  persons  would  hasten  thither  from 
ail  parts  of  our  globe;  how  the  dead  would  be 
carried  there  from  far  and  near. 

We  know  that  for  the  body  there  exists  no  such 
stream,  no  healing  resort  of  this  kind,  but  I  know 
that  for  the  soul  such  a  place  does  exist.  Every 
one  who  makes  use  in  a  proper  manner  of  this 
fount  of  healing  is  at  once  cured  of  his  diseases;  I 
mean  set  free  from  his  sins.  His  soul  is  once  more 
rendered  young  and  fair,  pure  and  clean,  endowed 
with  strength  from  above;  he  regains  the  life  of 
grace  if,  unhappily,  he  has  lost  it,  and  with  this  life 
the  hope  of  eternal  happiness. 

You  have  already  divined  my  meaning.  The 
cleansing  stream,  the  fount  of  healing  for  souls, 
which  derives  its  efficacy  from  the  precious  blood 
of  Jesus  Christ,  is  the  holy  Sacrament  of  Penance. 
The  value  of  this  sacrament  is  shown  by  its  marvel- 
ous eflects,  which  we  have  already  indicated. 
Ponder  these  eflfects,  lay  them  carefully  to  heart, 
in   order   that   you   may   feel   an   ever  increasing 


77te  Forget-me-not— Pief y .  155 

reverence,   a   holy   enthusiasm,    for   this    fount   of 
healing. 

2.  The  first  effect  of  a  good  confession  is  the 
remission  of  sin  and  its  eternal  punishment.  Think 
for  a  moment  what  sin  is!  St.  Catharine  of  Siena 
once  beheld  in  a  vision  all  the  hideousness  of  a 
venial  sin.  The  sight  was  so  appalling  that  the 
saint  declared  her  readiness  to  walk  all  her  life 
barefoot  upon  red-hot  coals,  rather  than  to  behold 
such  a  thing  again. 

Now  picture  to  yourself  a  man  who  has  not  only 
committed  innumerable  venial  sins,  but  many 
mortal  sins  as  well.  What  can  be  the  aspect  of 
his  soul?  Could  such  a  sinner  become  aware  of 
his  true  condition,  he  would  prefer  to  die  the 
most  terrible  death  ten  times  over  rather  than  to 
perceive  his  misery  and  continue  enduring  it. 
What  a  happiness  for  him  to  be  freed  from  his  sins'. 
It  must  be  as  if  a  tremendous  burden  were  lifted 
from  his  heart. 

Such  once  was  the  experience  of  a  young  girl 
as  she  lay  upon  her  deathbed.  In  earlier  days  she 
had  been  somewhat  giddy  and  thoughtless.  How- 
ever she  had  attended  the  sermons  preached  by 
an  excellent  priest  in  a  mission  and  had  made  to 
him  with  due  contrition  a  general  confession  of 
her  whole  life.  When,  a  few  weeks  later,  the  girl 
was  attacked  by  a  fatal  malady,  she  was  quite 
resigned,  and  even  cheerful.  She  exhorted  every 
one  who  visited  her  to  be  diligent  in  going  to  confes- 
sion, and  added:  "Three  weeks  ago  death  would 
have  seemed  most  terrible  to  me,  but  now  I  am 
quite  ready  and  willing  to  die." 

3.  Let  us  imagine  a  man  who,  having  committed 
a  mortal  sin,  knew  nothing  of  the  Sacrament  of 
Penance.     Were  he  to  enter  into  himself  and  recog- 


156  Tlie  Maiden's  Wreath. 

nize  the  enormity  of  his  guilt  and  the  awful  state 
into  wliich  he  had  j)lun}fc'd  himself,  how  would  he 
not  sigh  and  lament!  "Alas!"  he  would  exclaim, 
"how  happy  I  was  in  the  paradise  of  innocence! 
My  soul  was  pure;  the  fatherly  eyes  of  God  rested 
lovingly  upon  me;  I  could  pray  to  Him  with 
gladness  and  confidence!  How  peacefully  my 
days  went  by;  what  joy  I  felt  when  in  the  house 
of  God;  when  I  was  resting  on  the  Sacred  Heart  of 
Jesus,  under  the  protection  of  my  sweet  Mother 
Mar\';  how  brightly  shone  the  crown  of  everlasting 
felicity,  and  how  hopefully  I  looked  upward  to  it. 
Now  everything  is  lost;  my  soul  is  as  hideous  as  a 
decaying  corpse;  and  I  see  hell  yawning  Ix-fore 
my  eyes,  ready  to  swallow  me  up!  Alas!  can  any 
one  help  me?  Is  deliverance  still  possible  for 
me?" 

4.  If  an  angel  from  heaven  were  to  appear  to  this 
miserable  man,  and  tell  him  that  God  was  willing 
to  pardon  his  sins,  to  preserve  him  from  hell,  to 
admit  him  to  heaven,  to  regard  him  again  as  His 
child,  on  the  sole  condition  that  he  should  sincerely 
and  heartily  repent  of  his  sins,  confessing  them 
with  real  penitence  to  His  representative  on  earth 
in  the  Sacrament  of  Penance, — with  what  gratitude 
and  joy  would  such  a  sinner  hail  the  heavenly 
messenger,  how  he  would  make  every  effort  to 
render  himself  worthy  of  forgiveness! 

You  have  long  known  that  God  has  instituted 
the  holy  Sacrament  of  Penance  for  the  remission 
of  sins.  But  becau.se  you  know  this  so  well,  ought 
the  immense  benefit  which  God  has  been  pleased 
to  confer  upon  you  appear  the  less  great  and 
precious?  Ought  you  on  that  account  to  hold  in 
less  esteem  His  condescension.  His  infinite  mercy 
nnd  loving  kindness?     By  forgiving  your  sins  in 


The  Forget-me not — Piety.  157 

the  Sacrament  of  Penance,  God  bestows  upon  you 
an  immeasurably  greater  benefit  than  if  He  were 
to  deliver  you  from  the  most  dreadful  bodily  dis- 
ease, to  restore  you  when  dead  to  life,  or  to  free 
you  from  the  most  noisome  dungeon.  Great  indeed 
are  the  graces  and  benefits  which  He  gives  to  us 
anew  in  the  Sacrament  of  Penance. 

5.  Howsoever  defiled  by  sin,  however  great  the 
distance  which  separates  him  from  God,  every  man 
while  he  yet  lives  upon  this  earth  continues  to  re- 
ceive great  benefits  at  His  hand.  In  a  way,  the 
sinner  can  never  be  said  to  have  lost  everything; 
some  graces  are  his  portion  still.  He  can  pray, 
and  thus  storm  the  gates  of  heaven;  he  is  per- 
mitted, nay,  commanded,  to  hope.  Not  until  he 
is  summoned  to  appear  before  the  awful  judgment- 
seat,  and  to  hear  the  terrible  words,  "Depart  from 
Me!"  can  we  say  of  him  in  the  fullest,  most  appalling 
sense  that  all  is  lost. 

On  the  other  hand,  all  is  gained,  all  is  saved,  for  the 
repentant  sinner,  who  by  confessing  his  sins  is 
restored  to  the  friendship  of  God.  When  the  priest 
has  pronounced  the  aljsolution,  the  soul  becoines 
once  more  the  child  of  God,  a  member  of  His  family, 
a  coheir  of  the  inheritance  of  Jesus  Christ.  The 
portals  of  heaven  stand  open  to  the  sinner;  he  can 
confidently  hope  to  be  one  day  a  partaker  of  its 
glor}'  and  joy,  if  he  only  persevere  in  the  path  upon 
which  he  has  entered  by  means  of  the  Sacrament. 
Hence  arises  the  pure  and  lively  joy  which  true 
penitents  experience  when  they  have  made  use  of 
this  fount  of  healing. 

6.  Listen  to  what  was  said  on  this  point  by  no 
great  saint,  nor  highly  gifted  soul,  but  by  a  soldier, 
an  officer  who  had  attended  a  mission  preached 
by  Father  Brvdaine  in  Paris  and  afterwards  had 


158  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

made  his  confession  to  him.  He  followed  the  good 
missioner  into  the  sacristy,  and  spoke  in  these  words 
before  all  present:  "With  all  his  treasures  and  riches 
and  enjoyments,  the  king  of  France  cannot  feel 
so  peaceful  and  happy  as  I  do  now.  In  the  course 
of  my  whole  life  I  have  never  experienced  such 
pure  and  sweet  satisfaction  as  that  which  is  now 
my  portion." 

7.  If  after  confession  you  never,  or  at  least  very 
seldom,  experience  the  sensible  consolations  of 
which  I  have  s|X)ken,  do  not  be  concerned  on  that 
account,  nor  imagine  you  have  not  made  a  good 
confession  If  your  compunction  and  your  resolu- 
tions of  amendment  were  really  sincere,  be  assured 
that  God  will  give  you  abundant  .tn^ace  to  lead  a 
pious  life;  that  you  will  enjoy  tranquillity  of  mind, 
the  consolation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the  jjeace 
of  a  good  conscience. 

How  great  and  wonderful  a  thing  is  the  Sacra- 
ment of  Penance!  It  is  in  very*  deed  the  source  of 
life,  the  medicine  of  salvation,  the  death  of  .sin,  the 
fount  of  healing,  the  beginning  of  all  that  is  good. 
O  happy  Penance,  which  works  so  marvelous  a 
transformation!  It  regains  what  was  lost,  it  renews 
what  was  destroyed,  it  awakens  to  new  life  that 
which  was  dead. 

O  Christian  maid,  obey  thy  Saviour's  call — 
Before  His  mercy -scat  He  bids  thee  fall; 
And  ere  the  grave  close  o'er  thee  He  would  fain 
Have  thee  confess  thy  sins  and  p;<rdon  gain; 
For  from  His  sacred  wounds  a  stream  doth  flow 
To  cleanse  thy  soul  and  peace  of  mind  bestow. 


The  Forget-me-not — Piety.  1 59 


XXXir.   Ks  ffioitfrsstou  IDiflifcult? 


I. 


01 
you  may  belong  to  the  numlxr  of  those 
who  would  give  an  affirmative  answer  to  the  question 
I  have  just  asked.  You  may  perhaps  consider 
confession  to  be  a  heavy  burden.  Then  listen 
to  me  while  I  tell  you  about  a  Protestant  who  was 
of  a  ver)'  different  opinion.  The  poet,  Clement 
Brentano,  noble-minded  and  gifted,  had  in  his 
earlier  Ufe  forsaken  the  path  of  religion  and  virtue; 
he  was  on  this  account  restless,  discontented,  and 
altogether  miserable.  He  spoke  of  his  unhappy 
state  of  mind  to  the  pious  poetess,  Louisa  Hensel. 
She  was  a  Protestant  at.  that  time,  and  was  not 
received  into  the  Church  until  two  years  later. 
Yet  even  then  she  felt  the  Catholic  ordinance  of 
confession  to  be  a  happiness  and  a  blessing.  To 
Brentano  she  voiced  her  conviction  in  the  follow- 
ing words:  "Why  do  you  complain  of  the  state 
of  your  soul  to  me,  who  am  a  Protestant?  You 
are  a  Catholic  and  enjoy  the  privilege  of  confes- 
sion. Therefore  speak  to  your  confessor  of  what 
is  weighing  on  your  mind." 

Though  not  a  Catholic  as  yet,  she  did  not  consider 
confession  to  be  a  burden,  rather  a  great  privilege 
and  one  which  she  ardently  desired.  Such,  indeed, 
it  is.  Confession  is  felt  to  be  difficult  only  by  those 
who  half  understand  it,  or  who  do  not  understand 
it  at  all.  In  order  that  you  may  learn  how  to  make 
a  good  confession,  and  may  not  find  confession 
to  be  a  difficult  matter,  I  will  proceed  to  make  a 
few  suggestions. 

2.  First  of  all,  take  the  utmost  pains  to  make 
your  confession  with  a  humble  and  penitent  heart. 


160  Tlic  Maiden's  Wreath. 

Therefore  always  prepare  yourself  carelully  for 
the  reception  of  this  sacrament.  In  order  to 
achieve  this  end,  place  yourself  with  great  reverence 
in  the  presence  of  God.  Implore  God  the  Father 
to  give  you  strength  to  do  fjcnance  and  make  satis- 
faction for  the  dishonor  you  have  shown  Him. 
Beseech  God  the  Son  to  give  you  light  to  jx^rceive 
your  faults.  Entreat  God  the  Holy  Cihost  to 
kindle  in  your  heart  the  fire  of  His  love,  that  by 
means  of  it  your  sins  may  b-e  consumed  and  destroyed. 
Then  quietly  examine  your  conscience.  You  will 
find  this  task  less  diflicult;  it  will  occupy  but 
little  time  if  you  go  frequently  to  confession — ever}' 
four  weeks  at  least — and  if  every  evening  you 
think  over  the  faults  of  the  closing  day,  as  every 
pious  Christian  ought  to  do.  For  this  purpose 
it  is  not  necessary  to  have  any  s|X'cial  form  of 
examination  of  conscience.  You  will  find  one  which 
will  answer  every  purjx)se  at  the  end  of  this  little 
volume. 

3.  Take  all  possible  pains  to  awaken  sincere 
feelings  of  contrition.  The  chief  thing  consists  in 
arousing  contrition;  upon  that  feeling  all  else 
depends.  This  ought  to  be  no  diflicult  matter 
with  the  aid  of  divine  grace,  which  God  is  at  such 
times  ever  ready  to  bestow.  And  surely  it  can- 
not be  diflicult  for  young  people,  whom  the  Saviour 
loves  in  a  verj'  special  manner,  to  awaken  this 
sincere  and  heartfelt  contrition.  Think  of  the 
incidents  in  the  Gospel  in  which  Our  Lord  gave 
such  striking  evidence  of  His  love  for  the  young. 
Remember  that  He  said:  "Suffer  the  little  children 
to  come  to  Me."  Remember  how  He  raised  the 
young  man  at  Naim,  Lazarus,  and  the  twelve- 
year-old  daughter  of  Jarius.  Imitate  the  latter 
when  you  go  to  confession — hearken  to  the  Saviour's 


The  Forget-me-noc— Piety.  161 

voice,  for  to  you  also  He  calls  in  accents  of  love, 
"Maid,  I  say  to  thee  arise!" 

He  shows  the  same  fatherly  loving-kindness 
to  you  also,  my  dear  child.  How  deeply  ough": 
it  to  pain  you  to  reflect  that  you  have  repaid  His 
love  with  black  ingratitude,  with  indifference,  and 
unfaithfulness! 

A  firm  resolution  of  amendment  must  always 
accompany  contrition.  But  take  care  never  to 
content  yourself  with  a  merely  general  resolution  to 
avoid  all  sins.  On  each  occasion  direct  your 
attention  to  some  definite  and  special  fault  into 
which  you  frequently  fall. 

4.  In  regard  to  self-accusation,  you  must  guard 
yourself  against  a  mistake  into  which  many  pious 
persons  are  apt  to  fall.  It  is  by  no  means  necessary, 
it  is  on  the  contrary  often  not  advisable,  anxiously 
to  mention  in  confession  all  the  little  negligences 
and  imperfections  into  which  you  have  fallen.  If 
}'au  accuse  yourself  of  some  faihngs  of  this  nature, 
and  make  a  general  act  of  contrition  in  regard 
to  the  rest,  repenting  of  them  as  sincerely  as  you 
do  of  those  which  you  have  specified,  then  be  as- 
sured that  the  absolution  pronounced  by  the  priest 
applies  just  as  much  to  the  latter  as  it  does  to  the 
former. 

Ought  one  to  regard  lesser  sins  and  imperfections 
with  indifference?  Certainly  not;  for  he  who 
pays  no  heed  to  small  faults  is  certain  to  fall  before 
long  into  more  serious  errors.  When,  however, 
you  examine  your  conscience  previous  to  con- 
fession, strive  to  remember  these  lesser  sins  as 
far  as  you  can  and  repent  truly  of  them.  Then 
do  not  fancy  that  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to 
recount  each  several  item  in  the  long  list  of  your 
failings    and    imperfections,   since  we   learn    fron 


162  The  Mai'Irii  s   H  itiUIi. 

Holy    Scripture   that   even  the  just  man    falls  fre 
qucntly. 

5.  If  you  earnestly  and  sincerely  strive  after  true 
piety  and  go  frequently  to  confession,  do  not  in- 
dulge the  idea  that  your  confession  is  good  in  pro 
portion  to  the  lengthy  and  scrupulous  manner  in 
which  you  accuse  yourself.  Nor  is  it  so,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  length  and  instructive  nature  of  the 
priest's  exhortation.  I^mbracc  and  hold  fast  the 
following  maxims.  Should  you  be  fortunate  enough 
never,  or  scarcely  ever,  to  fall  into  mortal  sin,  your 
confession  will  be  all  the  better  in  proj-K)rtion,  no' 
to  the  minuteness  with  which  you  recount  a  J  you'- 
imperfections,  but  to  the  dejrth  and  sincerity  o' 
YOur  contrition  and  the  firmness  and  earnestness 
with  which  you  resolve  to  avoid  most  carefully  this 
or  that  particular  fault.  To  make  your  confi  ssit)n 
in  this,  the  pro{)er  manner,  can  surely  be  not  so 
difficult  a  matter,  so  grievous  a  burden. 

6.  Be  particular  in  observing  the  following  rules: 
(i)  Never  go  to  confession  from  habit  or  without 
previous  recollection;  before  you  go  always  repeat 
some  prayer,  however  short.  (2)  Do  not  make 
your  confession  in  a  vague  manner,  but  be  definite 
in  what  you  say;  do  not  mistake  temptations  and 
evil  inclinations  for  failings  and  sins.  (3)  Do  not 
accustom  yourself  to  enumerate  anxiously  and  in 
detail  ver}-  slight  faults,  which  are  often  involuntar)'; 
you  would  do  better  to  dwell  upon  those  faults 
against  which  the  voice  of  your  conscience  more 
particularly  warns  you.  (4)  After  confession  do 
not  hurry  back  to  your  ordinary  occupations,  and 
do  not  be  anxious  to  engage  in  frivolous  conver- 
sation. Is  it  not  right  and  fitting  that  you  should 
express  your  gratitude  to  God  for  the  great  benefit 
He  has  vouchsafed  to  bestow  upon  you  ? 


The  Forget-me-not— Piety.  1C3 

7.  After  perusing  these  brief  considerations,  you 
may  perchance  feel  compelled  to  acknowledge  that 
hitherto  you  have  been  negligent  in  availing  your- 
self of  this  fount  of  healing;  and  tliat,  when  you 
have  availed  yourself  of  it,  your  preparation  has 
not  been  thorough,  and  the  profit  you  have  derived 
has  been  in  consequence  scanty  and  meagre.  Yet 
do  not  be  discouraged;  say  to  God  with  childHke 
simplicity  and  heartfelt  sincerity:  ''Thy  grace, 
O  my  Godj  shall  not  have  spoken  this  day  in  vain 
to  the  heart  of  Thy  unworth)  servant.  From  hence- 
forth I  will  frequently  make  use  of  the  remedy 
which  in  Thy  great  mercy  Thou  hast  provided  for 
me  in  the  Sacrament  of  Penance,  and  I  will  strive 
to  do  this  in  a  suitable  manner.  Grant  me  the 
assistance  of  Thy  grace  in  order  that  what  now 
appears  to  my  weakness  to  be  difficult,  if  not  im- 
possible, may  be  rendered  easy  and  light." 

When  I  reflect,  O  Lord  most  high: 
"\^'ho  art  Thou  and  what  am  I, 
Thy  mercy  and  Thy  love  I  bless 
And  my  own  sinfulness  confess. 

XXXKE.   E\)t  ^rafilp  of  tfje  3lor&. 

I.  "T^ROGRESS  is  the  watchword  of  modern 
»-■—  times.  No  one,  for  instance,  any  longer 
works  by  the  feeble  light  of  an  oil-lamp;  he  employs 
gas  or  the  electric  Hght.  No  one  journeys  to  distant 
cities  on  foot;  he  travels  by  rail.  Progress  ought 
likewise  to  be  found  in  the  domain  of  religion — 
progress  in  making  use  of  the  means  of  salvation. 
For  in  these  modern  times  the  opportunities  for 
sin  are  .so  innumerable,  the  dangers  to  morals 
so  terribly  menacing,  the  attractions  and  pleasures 
of  the  world  so  enticing,  evil  examples  so  seducing, 


Iti4  The  Maidcirs  Wnrttli. 

that  it  is  extremely  diflkult  for  a  young  pirl  to  stand 
her  ground  if  she  makes  use  only  of  those  means 
of  salvation  strictly  and  absolutely  enjoined  upon 
her.  Rather  should  progress  be  your  watchword. 
I  refer  to  progress  in  one  direction  more  particularly, 
that  is,  in  a  more  frequent  approach  to  the  table  of 
the  Lord.  Therefore  I  would  .say,  go  often  to  the 
sacraments,  that  you  may  learn  t()  know  yourself, 
may  receive  grace  to  overcome  your  passions  and 
j)ersevere  to  the  end. 

2.  There  is  undoubtedly  no  more  effectual  means 
of  preservation  from  the  dangers  and  temf)tations 
which  beset  your  age  than  frequent  union  with  Our 
Lord  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Altar 
If,  impelled  by  holy  longing,  you  often  repair  to 
His  table,  how  your  soul  soars  at  such  times  ali<ive 
the  world,  above  all  that  is  in  the  world!  How 
poor  and  mean  do  earthly  pleasures  appear  to  you, 
how  ignoble  desires  are  hushed  and  put  to  rest, 
how  your  courage  and  loyalty  to  God  are  increased, 
how  much  more  fervent  your  prayers  become! 
I  am  free  to  confess  that  I  am  always  peculiarly 
impressed,  and  deeply  touched,  when  I  sec  young 
persons  come  often,  and  in  large  numbers,  to  holy 
communion  with  hearts  full  of  love  for  Jesus.  I 
rejoice  with  all  my  heart,  for  I  am  fully  persuaded 
that  no  enemy  can  any  more  have  power  to  harm 
them;  because  they  are  one  with  the  Almighty; 
because  He  dwells  in  them,  and  they  in  Him.  I 
know  that  they  will  make  progress  in  all  that  is 
good,  since  they  have  been  fortified  with  the  I>read 
of  heaven,  the  Wine  of  immortality. 

3.  Do  you,  therefore,  frequently  approach  the 
table  of  the  Lord.  But  do  not  imagine  that  I  am 
advising  you  to  do  anything  new  or  exaggerated. 
My  advice  is  founded  upon  an  intimate  conviction 


The  Forget-me-not— Piety.  Ifi5 

that  I  can  in  no  way  better  advance  the  interests 
of  your  soul  than  by  committing  it  to  the  keeping 
of  jesus  Christ,  by  leading  it  to  the  Fount  of  every 
good,  the  Source  of  life  everlasting. 

The  Catholic  Church  has  always  recommended 
frequent  communion.  It  has  expressed  a  definite 
vdsh  that  the  faithful  should  receive  holy  com- 
munion whenever  they  assist  at  Mass  on  Sundays; 
and  that  they  shbuld  do  this  in  an  actual  manner 
as  well  as  spiritually.  The  Council  of  Trent 
declares  it  to  be  "the  way  of  salvation,  the  health  of 
the  soul,  a  safe  guide  through  the  dangers  of  the 
earthly  pilgrimage  to  eternal  rest." 

4.  But  how  often  ought  you  to  approach  the  table 
of  the  Lord?  In  1840  Peter  Perboix  suffered  a 
martyr's  death  in  China  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ. 
He  had  faithfully  adhered  to  the  resolution  he  had 
formed  on  the  occasion  of  his  first  communion, 
namely,  that  he  would  partake  of  this  heavenly 
Food  every'  month,  and  also  on  the  principal 
festivals.  His  devotion  at  these  times  was  so 
fervent  that  he  seemjd  to  be  an  angel.  This 
frequent  reception  of  holy  communion  imparted 
to  him  strength  to  become  a  missionary,  and  to 
win  the  palm  of  martyrdom. 

Though  you,  Christian  maiden,  are  not  called  to 
do  and  suffer  any  extraordinary  things,  you  need 
help  and  strength  from  on  high  if  you  are  to  wage 
a  successful  warfare  with  the  devil,  the  world,  and 
evil  concupiscence.  And  this  battle  you  needs  must 
fight  whatever  be  your  state  of  life;  whether  you 
enter  the  cloister,  marr}^,  or  live  unmarried  in  the 
world.  Seek  this  strength  in  holy  communion  as 
did  the  saintly  missionary,  Peter  Perboix.  Make 
it  a  fixed  rule  to  approach  the  Lord's  table  at  least 
once  a  month.     If  you  sometimes  find  this  to  be 


1(56  The  Maiden's  yVreatli. 

imix)ssible  do  not  postpone  your  confession  and 
communion  more  than  eight  weeks.  Under  cer- 
tain circumstances  1  would  advise  you  to  com- 
municate every  forlnighl,  or  even  every  week,  par- 
ticularly if  you  should  find  yourself  unavoidably 
placed  in  a  perilous  |)Osition,  or  exposed  to  grievous 
temptations.  P'requent  communion  is  one  of  the 
Ijcst  means  to  advancement  and  perseverance  in 
the  way  of  perfection  and  salvation. 

5.  But  many  ol^jections  are  urged  against  the 
practice  of  frequent  communion.  In  the  first 
place,  it  is  said  that  this  practice  did  not  prevaiv 
in  former  times,  yet  people  saved  their  souls; 
why  should  it  be  necessary  now?  I  reply,  that  in 
the  first  centuries  of  the  Church  daily  communion 
was  the  universal  custom;  many  paid  for  it  with 
their  lives.  And  in  our  own  day  there  are  thou 
sands  of  young  men  in  every  land  who  go  to  com- 
munion once  a  month,  at  least.  Young  girls 
should  not  be  outdone  in  piety. 

In  the  second  place,  you  may  possibly  assert 
that  you  are  not  pious  enough  to  go  to  communion 
once  or  twice  a  month.  But  monthly  or  fortnightly 
communion  is  nothing  extraordinar}'.  You  arc  not 
thereby  ranked  with  very  pious  {persons  any  more 
than  the  dove  is  classed  with  feathered  songsters. 
Besides,  holy  communion  was  not  appointed  for 
the  pious  alone,  but  for  sinners,  since  those  who  are 
in  health  do  not  need  the  physician,  but  those  who 
arc  sick. 

6.  Again,  you  may  perhaps  say  that  if  you  go 
so  often  to  communion  you  must  wear  a  grave 
face  and  never  be  merry.  What  an  absurdity! 
I  have  already  shown  you  that  true  piety  renders 
its  possessor  cheerful  and  merry.  And  nothing 
can  be  plainer  than  this.     For  those  who  frequently 


Tlie  Forget-me  not— Piety.  167 

partake  of  holy  communion  live  in  a  state  of  grace. 
The  children  of  God  do  not  enjoy  happiness  in 
heaven  only;  they  are  happy  on  earth  also.  In 
heaven  every  one  is  happy;  in  hell,  on  the  other 
hand,  every  one  is  desperately  wretched  and  misera 
ble.  You  may  object,  in  the  fourth  place,  that  it 
you  go  to  communion  ever}^  month,  or  twice  a  month, 
or  even  more  frequently,  n^ou  will  have  nothing 
to  confess.  Very  well!  That  is  just  what  the 
fruit  of  frequent  communion  ought  to  be.  You 
perceive  that  this  habit  would  preserve  you  from 
falling  into  grievous  sins;  on  this  account  you 
ought  to  persevere  in  it.  You  will  be  made  better 
able  to  detect  lesser  faults,  and  will  thus  always 
find  matter  for  confession. 

7.  Again,  you  may  say  that  no  matter  how 
often  you  go  to  confession  you  never  make  any 
progress!  How  long,  I  would  ask  you,  have  you 
made  the  experiment,  and  have  you  made  it  in 
the  right  manner?  For  a  year?  Then  it  is  not 
possible  that  you  can  have  remained  the  same. 
You  may  not  be  conscious  of  the  progress  you 
have  made,  but  it  is  just  as  certain  that  you 
have  improved  as  it  is  that  you  cannot  fail  to 
warm  yourself  by  standing  in  front  of  a  blazing 
fire. 

In  the  sixth  place,  you  may  say  that  you  do 
not  like  going  to  confession.  Then  go  without 
liking  it;  every  one  feels  alike  in  this  respect; 
there  is  no  one  who  takes  special  pleasure  in  the 
act.  But  you  do  not  work  only  as  much  as  you 
feel  inclined  to  do.  Many  young  girls,  and  you 
may  perhaps  be  among  the  number,  work  for  the 
sake  of  gain  the  whole  day  long;  sometimes  in 
close  rooms  that  are  ill-ventilated  and  overheated. 
Ought  you  not,  therefore,  be  willing  to  accept  a 


168  77«e  .tAiidcn's  Wreath. 

little  trouble  for  the  sake  of  your  immortal  soul 
and  your  eternal  happiness? 

8.  Wherefore  put  aside  your  petty  objections; 
shake  ofT  your  love  of  ease  and  comfort;  betake 
yourself  gladly  and  frequently  to  the  Fount  of  grace, 
which  flows  forth  in  ever  al)ounding  fulness  from  the 
Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  in  the  Sacrament  of  His 
love.  And  on  each  occasion  pray  that  with  the 
frequenting  of  the  Sacred  Mystery,  your  devotion 
may  increase  and  your  life  become  more  pleasing 
to  God. 

O  blessed  Jesus,  in  this  Angel's  Bread, 
A  pledge  of  life  to  come  Thou  givesl  me; 
Grant  that  to  earthly  things  I  may  be  dead, 
And  strengthened  by  this  Food  may  live  in  Thee. 


XXXiii.  Zi)c  liobr  of  J3irt». 

I.  /T^-'^N  consists  of  two  parts,  a  body  and 
N*-s  a  soul;  these  two  parts  are  most 
intimately  connected.  Hence  it  follows  that  the 
interior  feelings  and  emotions  of  the  soul  must  of 
necessity  find  an  exterior  expression.  Tears  are 
the  outward  sign  of  inward  grief;  smiles  and  a 
bright  expression  of  countenance  betoken  inward 
gladness.  Although  true  piety  and  devotion  are 
altogether  interior,  a  disposition  of  the  heart,  it  is 
quite  impossible  that,  if  they  really  exist,  they 
should  remain  concealed,  and  not  manifest  them- 
selves by  means  of  corresponding  acts  and  exercises. 
These  acts  and  exercises  constitute  the  variegated 
colors  in  the  robe  of  piety.  It  is  by  means  of 
this  robe,  and  these  colors,  that  we  are  able  to 
distinguish  between  true  and  false  piety.  If  these 
colors  are  pure  and  bright,  if  they  form  a  harmonious 


The  Forget- me-)  I  of — Piety.  169 

whole  without  one  jarring  note,  one  may  reason- 
ably conclude  that  the  piety  is  genuine  in  its  nature. 
I  am  now  about  to  direct  your  attention  to  the 
practices  of  piety,  and  I  beg  you  to  look  :losely 
at  this  briUiantly  colored  robe. 

2.  That  which  first  strikes  the  eye  is  the  celestial 
blue  of  fervor  in  prayer.  The  truly  pious  maiden 
recites  her  morning  prayer  devoutly  and  as  soon 
as  possible  after  rising.  She  is  convinced  that 
upon  it  the  day  chiefly  depends,  and  on  no  ac- 
count therefore  does  she  omit  it.  Moreover,  it  is 
of  the  utmost  importance  that  she  should  every 
morning  direct  her  intention,  for  this  is  a  spirit- 
ual alchemy  which  turns  ordinary  actions  into  gold. 
A  good  intention  resembles  the  figures  placed 
before  a  cipher;  by  it  actions  indifferent  in 
themselves,  which,  when  they  stand  alone,  are  as 
worthless  as  ciphers,  receive  an  infinite,  an  eternal 
value. 

She  is  equally  careful  to  perform  her  evening 
devotions  in  a  proper  manner.  She  strives  to 
awaken  heartfelt  contrition  for  the  sins  and  negli- 
gences irito  which  she  has  fallen  during  the  past 
day.  She  seeks  to  discover  them  by  means  of 
serious  reflection,  and  always  pays  special  attention 
to  any  particular  fault  she  is  trying  to  uproot.  She 
also  makes  it  a  rule  always  to  say  grace  both  before 
and  after  meals. 

3.  Rosy  red  is  another  striking  color  in  the 
robe  of  piety;  it  is  zeal  in  hearing  Alass.  I  do  not 
refer  to  the  obligation  of  hearing  it  on  Sundays 
and  festivals  but  the  voluntary  attendance  on 
week-days.  A  short  time  ago  I  read  of  a  young 
girl  who  in  winter  and  summer  walked  nearly 
three  miles  every  day  in  order  to  hear  INIass.  In 
"•his  way  she  obtained  strength  to  resist  temptation 


170  The  Miiideii'ti  W'reat/i. 

and  to  live  virtuously  during  the  day.     Not  long 
aftt.r\vard  she  died  a  truly  pious  death. 

My  dear  child,  do  not  you  need  strength  just  as 
much  as  she  did  in  order  that  you  may  a-sist  th? 
dangers  and  temptations  which  beset  you  day  by 
day?  Therefore  go  to  Mass  as  often  as  you  can 
and  you  will  receive  grace  and  strength  to  jx-rsevere 
in  the  right  way.  liut  if  it  is  quite  imjxxssible  for 
you  to  do  this,  God  will  take  the  will  for  the  deed, 
and  bestow  upon  you  no  less  a  measure  of  grace  and 
strength.  Remember  the  words  of  a  celebrated 
master  of  the  spiritual  Hfe:  "He  who  hears  Mass 
devoutly  will  prosper  in  everything  during  the  day." 

4.  In  the  third  place  we  sec  the  bright  gold  color 
of  the  practice  of  frequently  raising  the  heart  to 
God.  It  is  a  devout  practice  to  raise  the  heart  to 
God  in  a  brief  prayer  every  time  the  clock  strikes 
the  hour.  At  all  events  it  is  advisable  that  you 
should  repeat,  if  only  to  yourself,  one  of  the  ejacu- 
lations to  which  the  Church  has  attached  numerous 
indulgences,  and  which  you  will  find  in  the  latter 
part  of  this  volimie.  Such,  for  instance,  are  the 
following: 

"My  Jesus,  mercy!"     100  days'  indulgence. 

"My  God  and  my  All!"     50  days'  indulgence. 

"Jesus,  my  God,  I  love  Thee  above  all  things!" 
50  days'  indulgence. 

"Sweet  Heart  of  Mary,  be  my  salvation!"  300 
days'  indulgence. 

5.  The  robe  of  piety  should  be  distinguishable 
also  by  its  hue  of  verdant  green.  This  green 
betokens  the  sanctification  of  Sunday.  It  is  a 
matter  of  course  that  you  should  fulfil  the  duty 
strictly  binding  on  every  Catholic  never  to  omit 
hearing  Mass  on  that  day  without  a  suflicient 
reason,  nor  engage  in  any  unnecessary  ser%"ile  work. 


Tlie  Forget-me-not — Piety.  171 

It  is  also  of  great  practical  importance  that  you 
should  be  diligent  in  hearing  the  word  of  God  by 
your  presence  at  sermons  and  religious  instruction; 
that  you  should  read  edifying  books  and  join  only 
in  those  amusements  which  are  harmless  and  inno- 
cent; avoiding,  on  the  other  hand,  sinful  diversions 
and  occasions  of  sin.  You  must  be  all  the  more 
determined  in  adhering  to  this  resolution  because, 
in  the  present  day,  the  temptations  whicli  would 
lead  voung  girls  to  violate  Sunday  are  so  varied  and 
so  numerous. 

6.  White  should  also  not  be  missing.  By  it  I 
understand  the  fervor  with  which  you  should 
discharge  your  obligations  as  a  member  of  con- 
fraternities and  pious  associations.  They  are,  it 
is  true,  not  absolutely  necessary,  but  they  afford 
suitable  and  practical  means  for  the  exercise  of 
piety.  Such  associations  are  the  Apostleship  of 
Prayer,  the  Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Alary, 
the  Confraternity  of  the  Holy  Rosary,  the  Arch- 
confraternity  of  the  Perpetual  Adoration,  and  the 
Confraternity  of  the  Scapular  of  Mount  Carmel. 
Should  the  Association  of  the  Perpetual  Adoration 
be  established  in  the  place  where  you  live,  enroll 
yourself  in  it,  and  see  that  you  are  a  zealous  mem- 
ber of  the  same.  Wear  with  devotion  the  scapular 
of  our  blessed  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel;  it  is  the 
most  ancient  of  scapulars  and  the  one  most  recom- 
mended bv  the  Church.  You  must  above  all  be, 
and  also  remain,  a  faithful  and  zealous  member 
of  the  Congregation  of  the  Children  of  Mary. 
It  will  prove  a  sure  guide  and  a  constant  incitement 
to'a  true  and  childlike  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary.  Read  what  this  book  says  in  regard  to  that 
subject. 

7.  A  pious  Christian  maiden  ought  to  sliow  zeai 


173  Tlie  Maiden''8  Wreath. 

in  rcf^ard  to  works  of  charity;  this  is  the  scarlet  color 
in  the  robe  of  piety.  What  great  and  exahed 
merits  for  all  eternity  can  a  maiden  acquire  if  she, 
without  in  the  ka.st  neglecting  her  external  apjjear- 
ance,  avoids  all  that  is  showy  and  exaggerated  in 
the  way  of  dress;  if  moreover,  instead  of  eagerly 
seeking  after  undesirable  and  dangerous  pleasures 
and  diversions  she  devotes  all  that  she  can  save 
to  some  pious  purpose,  some  object  approved  by 
her  parents  and  superiors.  There  are,  thanks  be 
to  God!  many  such  young  girls  in  town  and  country, 
in  the  houses  of  those  who  possess  only  limited 
means,  as  well  as  in  the  palatial  homes  of  the 
wealthy.  Aim  at  belonging  to  their  number.  At 
any  rate  see  that  you  never  omit,  but  constantly  and 
diligently  practice,  one  work  of  charity,  the  easiest 
of  all:  pray  for  the  sufTering  souls  in  purgatory; 
offer  up  your  mortifications  on  their  behalf. 

8.  Finally,  the  fundamental  color  in  the  robe  cf 
piety  is  violet — renunciation,  or  self-denial  and  self- 
conquest.  Without  constant  practice  of  this  virtue 
no  other  virtue  and  no  real  piety  can  be  possessed. 
"In  proportion  as  thou  doest  violence  to  thyself,  the 
greater  progress  wilt  thou  make,"  we  read  in  the 
Imitation.  You  cannot  and  will  not  form  an 
exception  to  this  rule.  If  you  have  no  other  cross, 
you  must  daily  take  up  the  cross  of  self-denial,  in 
order  not  only  to  be  pious,  but  also  to  be  happy. 

In  conclusion,  a  word  of  warning:  never  mis- 
take the  external  robe  of  piety  for  the  inward  reality; 
the  former  is  accessory,  or  accidental,  the  latter  is 
essential  and  necessary.  Keep  closely  to  external 
practices  of  piety,  but  be  not  self-willed  in  regard 
to  them;  observe  them  in  the  manner  consistent 
with  your  calling  and  state  of  life  with  moderation 
and  charity. 


The  Violet- Humility.  173 

Christian  soul,  dost  thou  desire 

Days  of  joy  and  peace  and  truth? 

Learn  to  bear  the  yoke  of  Jesus 
In  the  springtide  of  thy  youth. 

It  may  seem  at  first  a  burden, 

But  thy  Lord  will  make  it  light; 
He  Himself  will  bear  it  with  thee, 

He  will  ease  thee  of  its  weight. 

Only  bear  it  well,  and  daily; 

Thou  wilt  learn  that  yoke  to  love; 
Strength  and  grace  it  here  will  bring  thee. 

And  a  bright  reward  above. 


7.  XTbe  tJiolet— ir^umilit^. 

XXXfiV*  fffje  ifHaiUen's  ©ruameut. 

I.  *■  ~TROM  the  beginning  of  the  world  God 
r-*— I  inculcated  humility  and  lowliness  of 
spirit  upon  women.  Immediately  after  the  Fall 
she  was  told  that  she  must  be  in  subjection, 
the  practice  of  humility  being  thus  imposed  upon 
her  as  a  punishment.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
consequence  of  original  sin,  namely,  the  tendency  of 
the  human  heart  to  evil,  consists,  in  the  case  of  the 
woman,  precisely  in  a  constant  endeavor  to  rebel, 
in  a  spirit  of  pride,  against  the  sentence  of  punish- 
ment pronounced  by  God. 

The  more  firmly  this  tendency  to  pride  is  im- 
planted by  nature  in  the  heart  of  a  woman,  the  more 
edifying  and  meritorious  it  is  when  she,  with  the 
aid  of  divine  grace,  fights  against  the  tendency  and 
gradually  eradicates  it,  planting  in  its  stead  the 
fragrant  \iolet  of  humility,  causing  it  to  take  root, 


174  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

to  flourish  and  blossom.  The  violet  of  humility 
is  indeed  one  of  the  fairest  ornaments  of  woman, 
and  of  the  young  girl  more  esfK'cially. 

2.  In  order  that  you  may  learn  to  value  this  bright 
ornament  more  highly  I  will  relate  to  you  an  ex- 
ample of  the  fatal  effect  of  the  poisonous  plant  of 
pride.  A  priest  had  not  long  Ix-en  stationed  in  a 
certain  parish  when  he  notic'.'d  the  extremely  proud 
and  haughty  demeanor  of  a  young  girl  who  had 
only  shortly  before  left  school.  And  her  behavior 
must  have  been  very  noticeable,  for  her  companions 
had  be.stowcd  upon  her  a  nickname  of  no  flatttriiy^ 
nature.  With  fatherly  kindness,  yet  with  all 
seriousness,  the  priest  repeatedly  warned  the  fxxjr 
foolish  girl.  Yet  his  admonitions  produced  no 
effect;  he  began  to  fear  that  he  would  have  cause 
to  grieve  over  this  one  of  his  parishioners,  according 
to  the  true  saying:  "Pride  goeth   before  a   fall  " 

Unhappily  the  presentiment  of  the  good  priest 
was  only  too  fully  verified.  Before  many  years  had 
elapsed  the  greatest  misfortune  which  can  over- 
take a  young  woman  happened  to  this  poor  girl. 
She  became  a  great  sinner  and  an  outca.st. 

3.  Pride  indeed  ''goeth  before  a  fall."  \Vhere- 
fore  flee  even  the  mere  shadow  of  this  sin;  care- 
fully practice  the  virtue  of  humility.  Let  us  now 
examine  more  closely  this  bright  ornament  of  the 
maiden. 

God,  in  His  infinite  wisdom,  endowed  the  maiden 
with  beauty  and  power  to  please.  He  desirerl  to 
teach  her  that,  as  she  was  externallv  adorned  with 
beauty,  she  ought  to  beware  lest  her  soul  should  not 
correspond  to  her  physical  attractiveness,  but  be, 
on  the  contrary,  a  wild  and  desert  place.  Your 
external  charms  should  \ye  a  mirror  in  which  the 
beauty  of  your  soul  is  refl.rted.     R(m(nii'(r  the 


The  Violet-Huiiulity.  175 

warning  God  gives  to  every  maiden,  in  the  book 
of  Proverbs:  "Favor  is  deceitful,  and  beauty  is 
vain;  the  woman  that  feareth  the  Lord  she  shall 
be  praised.'' 

4.  Contemplate  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  the 
Mother  of  Jesus,  and  your  Mother  also.  Her  whole 
life  was  a  continual  practice  of  humility.  The 
more  highly  God  exalted  her  the  more  did  she 
humble  herself.  The  angel  saluted  her  as  the 
Alother  of  God;  she  called  herself  the  handmaid 
of  the  Lord.  All  self-love  was  banished  from 
her  heart;  she  had  renounced  all  the  vanities  and 
honors  of  the  world  from  the  moment  when,  as 
a  child,  she  offered  herself  to  God  in  the  Temple. 
Hers  was  a  hidden  life,  unheeded  by  men,  but  all 
the  better  known  to  God  and  all  the  more  glorious 
in  His  sight.  She  rejected  even  well-deserved 
praise,  and  felt  confused  when  she  heard  the  angel's 
salutation.  She  ever  sought  to  appear  as  a  servant 
although  she  had  been  exalted  to  be  the  Mistress  ol 
the  universe.  She  was  in  very  deed  the  humble 
handmaid  of  the  Lord,  as  she  terms  herself  in  the 
Magnificat. 

5.  Lay  well  to  heart  the  glorious  example  of 
your  Mother,  and  strive  to  imitate  it.  Distinguish 
what  is  really  valuable  from  that  which  has  only  a 
passing  and  external  worth.  Learn  to  prize  some- 
thing more  highly  than  the  gifts  of  fortune,  than 
wealth,  honor,  beauty,  or  flattering  praises.  En- 
deavor to  be  simple  and  unpretending  in  the  eyes 
of  men;  seek  l:)efore  all  things  to  please  God,  and 
to  be  beautiful  in  His  sight.  Employ  the  advan- 
tages God  has  bestowed  upon  you  in  such  man- 
ner as  to  appear  unconscious  of  possessing  them. 

Do  rot  imitate  the  sillv  girls  who  try  to  attract 
notice  by  foolish  airs  and  showy  dress.     Rest  con- 


17C  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

tented  if  you  know  that  you  have  the  approval  of 
God;  do  not  trouble  yourself  alxiut  the  praise  or 
blame  of  the  vain  world,  and  never  torment  your- 
self with  idle  fancies.     Banish  conceit  and  egotism. 

6  lie  like  the  violet,  which  blo.ssoms  unseen. 
This  modest  little  flower  grows  in  the  mid.st  of  the 
loftier  plants  which  surround  it,  being  itself  un- 
heeded and  unknown.  Charming  indeed  it  is  in 
its  robe  of  purple;  delightful  is  the  fragrance  it 
diffuses;  yet  it  knows  not  that  it  is  so  sweet  i.rd 
fair.  Do  you  resemble  this  flower;  be  free  from 
all  pretension  and  never  give  yourself  haughty 
airs,  nor  look  with  disdain  upon  others.  Submit 
to  advice  and  correction,  and  rememlx-r  all  your 
life  long  the  wise  counsels  of  your  mother,  teacher  or 
confe.ssor.  Do  not  imagine  yourself  to  be  wise  and 
prudent;  be  guided  in  a  childlike  spirit  by  those 
who  are  set  over  you;  be  grateful  and  obedient  to 
them. 

7.  As  a  humble  handmaid  of  the  Lord  place 
the  most  implicit  confidence  in  God.  Trust  the 
guidance  of  your  whole  future  life  to  Him  your 
wise  and  merciful  Father.  Do  not  torment  your- 
self with  uneasy  questionings  about  the  time  to 
come,  and  how  you  are  to  be  provided  for.  Be- 
lieve me,  dear  child,  those  are  best  provided  for 
who  place  their  future  into  the  hands  of  their 
all-wise  and  all-powerful  Father  in  heaven. 

A  young  woman  who  is  unduly  anxious  and  troub- 
led about  her  future,  forgetting  God  and  think- 
ing only  of  procuring  happiness  in  temporal 
advancement,  often  purchases  w;hat  she  seeks  very 
dearly,  and  at  the  cost  of  many  tears.  For  that  is 
the  fruit  of  pride,  which  despises  good  advice,  and 
of  vanity,  which  forsakes  God  and  aims  at  pleasing 
men    rather    than    oleasing    Him.      Therefore    let 


The  Violet— Hiotulity.  177 

humility  be  the  foremost  flower  in  your  youthful 
garland. 

8.  Let  humility  be  your  ornament.  Do  not 
belong  to  the  number  of  those  thoughtless  girls 
who  do  not  value  humility  at  its  true  worth,  and 
do  not  try  to  practice  it.  Be  not  counted  among 
those  who  fancy  that  humility  is  a  virtue  not  suited 
for  the  young;  not  at  least  for  young  people  in 
general,  but  only  for  those  who  have  a  vocation  to 
the  cloister. 

Foohsh  and  mistaken  indeed  is  this  opinion; 
it  runs  counter  to  all  the  doctrine  and  commands, 
all  the  example  and  actions  of  the  Saviour,  more 
especially  to  His  weighty  admonition:  "Learn  of 
Me  because  I  am  meek  and  humble  of  heart." 
Young  persons  should  study  before  all  things  to  serve 
and  please  God;  they  can  do  this  only  by  obeying 
His  representatives;  but  true  obedience  is  Dossible 
only  to  the  humble  Christian. 

-    Let  us  to  the  violet  turn, 
Wisdom's  lessons  from  it  learn; 
To  lead  a  quiet,  useful  life, 
In  this  world  of  sin  and  strife. 


XXXV.  J^umiliti?  IS  JSsscuttal  to  Salbation. 

I.  V/l  r'E  read  in  St.  Matthew's  gospel:  "At  that 
VxA#  time  the  disciples  came  to  Jesus,  saying: 
Who  thinkest  thou  is  the  greater  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven?"  They  asked  this  with  no  pure  intention, 
but  from  ambition,  in  a  proud  and  arrogant  frame 
of  mind.  What  did  Jesus  do?  •  He  sought,  in  the 
gentlest  manner,  to  point  out  to  them  the  perversity 
of  their  hearts,  and  to  lead  them  to  a  better  mind. 
He  took  a  child,  placed  it  in  their  midst,  and  said: 


178  ITie  Maiden's  Wreath. 

"Amen,  I  say  to  you,  unless  you  be  convened, 
and  become  as  little  children,  you  shall  not  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  Thus  He  showed 
the  ambitious  disciples  that  unless  they  renounced 
their  pride  and  haughtiness,  and  became  humble 
and  lowly  like  little  children,  they  couid  never  be 
saved,  they  could  never  hope  to  enjoy  eternal 
happiness  in  heaven.  The  doctrine  taught  by 
Our  Lord  was  intended  not  only  for  those  who 
w^re  at  that  time  His  disciples,  but  for  all  Christians, 
and  for  all  young  girls  more  especially.  It  ever 
has  been,  and  ever  will  be  true,  that  humility  is 
essential  to  salvation.  Let  us  consider  the  subject 
somewhat  more  in  detail. 

2.  Without  humility  you  can  be  no  disciple 
and  follower  of  Him  who  said:  "Learn  of  Me, 
because  I  am  meek  and  humble  of  heart." 

Again,  without  humility  other  virtues  cannot 
last,  according  to  the  warning  of  St.  Augustine: 
"If  you  desire  to  erect  a  spiritual  edifice  see  that 
you  lay  the  foundation  in  humility."  Further- 
more, without  humility  it  is  impossible  for  you  to 
withstand  the  temptations  and  avoid  the  snares  of 
the  great  enemy  of  souls. 

^^'ilhout  humility  you  cannot  gain  the  favor 
of  God,  nor  obtain  the  pardon  of  your  sins  and  a 
favorable  hearing  for  your  prayers.  For  we  read 
in  Holy  Scripture:  "A  contrite  and  humbled 
heart,  O  God,  thou  wilt  not  despise."  And  again: 
"The  prayer  of  him  that  humbleth  himself  shall 
pierce  the  clouds." 

3.  Without  humility  your  mind  will  not  be 
enlightened  to  understand  the  things  of  God,  for 
again  we  can  quote  the  words  of  Scripture:  "^^'here 
humility  is,  there  also  is  wisdom."  And  Our 
Lord  said:  "I  confess  to  Thee,  O  Father,  Lord 


The  Violet    -1111111111111.  179 

of  heaven  and  earth,  because  Thou  hast  hid  these 
things  from  the  wise  and  prudent,  and  hast  revealed 
them  to  Httle  ones."  Without  humility  it  is  not 
possible  that  the  Holy  Spirit  should  dwell  in  our 
hearts,  as  Scripture  testifies  in  the  following  words: 
"To  whom  shall  I  have  respect  but  to  him  that 
is  poor  and  little,  and  of  a  contrite  spirit  ?  "  Finally, 
without  humility  we  can  never  be  exalted  in  heaven, 
as  Our  Lord  assures  us:  "Unless  you  be  converted, 
and  become  as  little  children,  you  shall  not  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  And  in  another 
place:  "He  that  humbleth  himself  shall  be  exalted." 

4.  Humility  is  essential  to  salvation!  This  is 
all  the  more  true  because  where  humility  is  wanting 
pride  and  haughtiness  are  certain  to  be  found, 
and  they  lead  to  hell.  It  was  pride  which  cast  the 
fallen  angels  down  to  hell.  It  was  secret  pride 
which  was  the  cause  of  the  first  transgression,  the 
sin  of  our  first  parents.  For  we  are  told  in  Holy 
Writ  that  the  devil  took  the  form  of  a  serpent 
and  in  this  form  said  to  Eve:  "No,  you  shall  not 
die  the  death.  In  what  day  soever  you  shall 
eat  of  the  forbidden  fruit  your  eyes  shall  be  opened, 
and  you  shall  be  as  gods,  knowing  good  and  evil." 
(Gen.  ill.  4,  5.) 

5.  In  a  precisely  similar  manner  does  the  evil 
enemy  act  at  present;  more  particularly  in  regard 
to  those  young  persons  who  are  happy  enough  to 
be  living  in  the  paradise  of  innocence.  He  attacks 
the  obedient  and  promising  daughter  on  her  weak 
side — he  flatters  her  vanity.  He  addresses  her 
somewhat  after  the  following  fashion:  "You  are 
no  child  now!  Do  not  take  everything  so  literally 
tnat  your  parents  and  the  priests  see  fit  to  tell 
you!  Things  are  not  what  they  represent  'hem 
to  be;    they  do  not  understand  life  at  the  present 


180  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

day;  they  want  to  cut  thinijjs  according  to  the  old 
pattern!  You  just  let  them  talk,  and  go  your 
own  way!  Then  your  eyes  will  Ix-  opened  and 
you  will  see  how  much  wiser  it  is  to  drink  copious 
draughts  of  the  pleasures  of  youth  than  to  steer 
your  course  according  to  the  advice  of  crabbed  old 
persons.  If  there  really  is  an  eternity,  if  hell  does 
really  exist,  you  can  turn  over  a  new  leaf  later  on; 
old  age  is  the  time  to  do  this  and  it  will  come  upon 
you  quite  soon  enough." 

6.  Insinuations  like  these  arouse  and  feed  the 
Aanity  which  lurks  in  the  heart  of  every  girl.  She 
believes  them,  prides  herself  on  her  talent,  her 
mental  and  physical  endowments,  begins  to  despise, 
or  even  to  mock  at  and  deride  the  affectionate 
warnings  of  her  parents  and  confessor.  She  no 
longer  seeks  to  avoid  the  dangers  which  threaten 
her  soul,  but,  heedless  of  admonitions,  plunges 
headlong  into  the  vortex  of  worldly  pleasures  and 
amusements,  imagining  herself  to  be  sufficiently 
old  and  experienced  to  know  how  far  she  can  go 
■with  safety.  She  falls  into  grievous  transgressions 
and  does  not  avoid  occasions  of  sin,  but  in  her 
bhndness  regards  all  this  as  of  no  consequence. 

When  the  storms  of  passion  sweep  over  her, 
Avhen  the  magic  enchantments,  the  temptations 
and  attractions  of  the  world  lay  hold  upon  her  heart, 
and  she  perhaps  neglects  prayer  and  the  sacraments, 
what  alas!  is  to  become  of  her?  Unless  the  merci- 
ful hand  of  God  interposes  to  arrest  her  downward 
course,  pride  and  vanity  will  hurr}'  her  along  the 
road  whose  end  is  destruction.  My  dear  child  in 
Je-sus  Christ!  beware  of  this  poisonous  plant  of 
pride;  tear  it  up  from  your  heart  root  and  branch, 
and  plant  and  cultivate  in  its  stead  the  violet  of 
humility! 


Tlie  Violet— Humility.  181 

7.  It  must,  however,  be  the  genuine  flower,  true 
humihty.  A  lady  once  said  to  the  celebrated 
preacher.  Father  Abraham  of  Santa  Clara,  with 
every  appearance  of  profound  humility:  "Alas, 
Father,  I  am  the  greatest  sinner  on  God's  earth!" 
Father  Abraham,  being  thoroughly  acquainted  with 
human  nature,  replied  with  a  roguish  smile:  "My 
good  lady,  I  am  quite  ready  to  believe  that  you  are 
a  sinner  of  the  blackest  dye;  but  do  not  despair,  the 
mercy  of  God  is  infinite;  He  pardoned  the  thief 
upon  the  cross."  This  answer  acted  like  a  douche 
of  cold  water  on  the  pharisaical  humility  of  the 
lady.  She  expected  some  complimentary  language, 
and,  finding  herself  disappointed,  she  gave  free 
vent  to  her  annoyance,  exclaiming:  "What  do 
you  mean?  What  do  you  take  me  for?  Who  is 
there  who  can  bring  anything  against  me?" 

8.  Let  not  your  humility  be  of  this  pharisaicai 
nature,  but  let  your  modest  little  flower  exhale  the 
sweet  perfume  of  the  real  violet.  The  Christian 
maiden  possesses  true,  genuine  humility  if  she  never 
boasts  of  her  talents  and  virtues,  nor  even  secretly 
prides  herself  upon  them;  if  she  acquits  herself 
faithfully  of  her  duties  without  regard  to  any 
praise  or  recognition  which  may  be  bestowed 
upon  her;  if  she  does  not  aim  at  attracting  notice; 
if,  when  she  meets  with  reproofs  which  are  unde- 
served, she  either  modestly  explains  herself,  or, 
what  is  still  better,  says  to  herself  that  if  the 
reprimand  was  not  deserved  this  time  it  was  upon 
other  unpunished  occasions;  finally,  if,  when  her 
parents,  teachers,  or  confessors  give  her  well-meant 
advice,  she  does  not  regard  their  warnings  as  ex- 
aggerated or  too  severe,  but  receives  them  in  a 
childlike  spirit,  and  does  her  utmost  to  carry  them 
into  practice. 


1S2  Till'  M^iidciis  Wreath. 

Let  this  true,  genuine  humility  be  yours,  and 
{xrsevere  in  the  exercise  of  it,  in  order  that  you 
may  be  happy  both  in  this  world  and  in  that  which 
is  to  come.  Remember  that  if  you  desire  to  practice 
humility,  or  indeed  any  other  virtue,  you  must 
deny  yourself. 

Master  thyself;    subdue  thy  passion's  might, 
Strive  valiantly  and  conquer  in  the  fight; 
And  know,  unless  the  victory  thou  gain, 
The  bliss  of  heaven  thou  canst  not  obtain. 


XWXl^Jr.  STJjc  jFruits  of  ^umtlitj?. 

1.  '  V-^  AWL  you  ever  closely  observed  a  field 
A—Xy     of  com   when  it  is  ripe  for  harvest? 

The  greater  number  of  ears  bend  beneath  the 
weight  of  the  grains  of  com  which  they  contain. 
Some  few  stand  proudly  erect,  but  they  are  empty 
and  useless,  destitute  of  grain.  Just  so  is  it  with 
m.ost  persons  who  pride  themselves  upon  their 
wealth,  splendid  apparel,  or  other  external  advan- 
tages; they  possess  no  true  merit.  They  resemble 
a  pupil  of  Apelles,  the  famous  painter  of  ancient 
days.  This  pupil  painted  the  figure  of  a  woman 
and  adorned  it  with  rich  jewels;  his  master  said 
to  him:  " Because  you  are  not  skilful  enough  to 
paint  a  beautiful  form,  you  adorn  your  canvas 
with  gold  and  gems." 

Do  you,  Christian  maiden,  avoid  pride,  haughti- 
ness and  self-esteem;  cultivate  the  violet  of  trae 
humility,  according  to  the  description  of  this  virtue 
which  I  have  given  you  in  the  two  last  instruc- 
tions. It  is  known  by  its  three  fruits:  gentleness, 
modesty,  and  decorum — purity  of  soul  and  body. 

2.  The  humble  maiden  is  distinguished  by  hex 


The  Violet— Humility.  183 

meekness  and  gentleness.  God  has  specially 
adapted  the  heart  of  woman  for  the  exercise  of 
this  virtue.  It  is  naturally  soft,  impre.ssionable  and 
sympathetic,  readily  moved  to  share  in  the  weal 
or  woe  of  others.  These  qualities  cause  the  Chris- 
tian maiden  always  to  appear  gentle  and  amiable. 
Bright  tears  glisten  in  her  eyes  at  the  mere  recital 
of  her  neighbor's  sorrows,  and  when  she  perceives 
that  those  around  her  are  weeping  she  cannot 
restrain  her  own  tears;  she  is  always  ready  to  help 
and  comfort  as  far  as  it  lies  in  her  power  to  do  so, 
and  she  endeavors  to  pour  some  drops  of  sweetness 
into  the  bitter  cup  of  life. 

Like  Noe's  dove,  she  is  a  messenger  of  peace 
to  the  quarrelsome  and  discontented;  she  recon- 
ciles those  who  are  at  enmity;  she  bears  with  the 
exacting  and  eccentric,  and  if  her  efforts  to  placate 
them  are  of  no  avail  she  puts  up  with  everything 
in  silence,  never  allowing  herself  to  wrangle,  or 
to  indulge  in  open  complaints.   . 

3.  Modesty  is  the  second  fruit  of  humility, 
more  especially  modesty  in  dress.  See  that  you 
make  this  modesty  your  bosom  friend.  I  do  not 
mean  that  you  are  to  cause  annoyance  to  others 
by  singularity  in  your  dress.  I  wish  only  to  remind 
you  that  your  appearance  ought  to  be  simple  and 
unpretending.  Extravagance  and  ostentation  in 
the  matter  of  dress  have  reached  a  lamentable 
pitch  in  the  present  day.  Many  women  dress 
far  above  their  station.  The  daughter  of  a  trades- 
man or  a  laborer  is  hardly  to  be  distinguished  from 
a  lady  of  leisure  and  wealth;  the  servant  maid  can 
hardly  be  distinguished  from  her  mistress  on  Sun- 
days and  holidays.  Every  change  of  fashion  is 
followed,  each  one  striving  to  outdo  her  neighbor. 

4.  Understand,  dear  child,  that  I  am  not  referring 


184  Tlie  Maiden  n  Wreath. 

to  girls  who  dress  according  to  their  station,  neatly 
anil  j)rettily;  I  am  speaking  of  the  foolish  girls 
who  try  to  be  in  the  forefront  of  the  fashion,  and 
who  sjxnd  all  their  thoughts  on  dress  and  finery. 
Girls  such  as  these  fall  into  almost  all  the  deadly 
sins.  Pride  induces  thervi  to  make  a  showy  appear- 
ance. In  order  to  obtain  cxpi-nsive  gowns  in  spite 
of  their  narrow  means,  they  become  avaricious  and 
hard-hearted  in  regard  to  the  poor;  unchastity 
and  pride  are  closely  related;  vain  persons  allow 
their  feelings  of  envy  to  grow  into  bitter  haired; 
their  vanity  is  the  generator  of  anger  and  family 
dis.sensions;  showy  girls  are  idle  because  they  are 
afraid  of  disfiguring  their  charming  persons  by 
honest  labor.  A  girl  can  preserve  herself  from  these 
sins  and  failings  by  cultivating  modesty  and  sim- 
plicity in  her  dress  and  appearance. 

5.  Let  decorum,^  which  is  the  third  fruit  of 
humility,  accompany  you  throughout  your  life. 
Thus  you  will,  according  to  the  admonition  of  St. 
Paul,  "think  on  the  things  of  the  Lord,  that  you 
may  be  holy  both  in  body  and  in  spirit."  You 
will  shrink  from  everything  which  might  defile  either 
body  or  soul.  You  will  value  purity  of  heart 
above  all  el.se,  and  rather  forfeit  your  life  than 
lose  this  precious  treasure. 

That  is  the  disposition  which  characterizes  a 
virgin.  This  sense  or  disposition  makes  its  presence 
know^n  by  the  delicate  blush  on  the  maiden's  cheek, 
by  the  reticence  of  her  glances,  by  the  care  she  takes 
not  to  depart  from  that  which  becomes  her  sex 
and  position  in  life,  by  her  conscientious  avoidance 
of  ever^'thing  in  her  speech,  dress  and  demeanor 
which  is  or  might  be  hurtful  to  modesty. 

6.  Such  a  maiden  not  only  flies  from  what  is 
really    dangerous,    but    from    what    has   the    least 


The  Violet — Humility.  185 

suspicion  of  danger;  she  not  only  shuns  what  is  evil, 
but  what  might  lead  to  evil.  But  because  she  is 
so  careful  and  modest  she  need  not  be  melancholy, 
nor  shrink  from  society.  On  the  contrary,  cheer- 
fulness and  mirth  accompany  the  virtuous  and 
lowly  maiden  in  all  her  paths.  Joyousness  and 
innocent  merriment  dwell  where  the  fear  of  God 
abides.  Yes,  where  this  holy  fear  protects  the 
pure  heart  like  an  invincible  shield  there  does  the 
maiden  appear  in  her  true  dignity.  Her  dignity 
and  gravity  hold  those  in  check  who  would  be 
too  familiar,  and  all  who  behold  her  admiringly 
exclaim:  "How  truly  charming  are  innocence  and 
virtue ! " 

7.  You  may  perchance  be  saying  to  yourself 
that  it  would  be  dehghtful  indeed  to  be  such  a 
gentle,  modest,  retiring  maiden,  but  tiiai  you  lack 
strength  to  make  these  virtues  your  own.  You 
desire  to  possess  these  virtues!  Well,  then,  be  not 
discouraged;  persevere  in  this  desire  with  all 
siiicerity,  doing  at  the  same  time  everything  in 
your  power  to  further  the  fulfilment  of  your  wish. 

Humility  with  its  sweet  fruits  will  bring  peace 
to  your  soul.  For  this  reason  Our  Lord  so  fre- 
quently exhorts  us  to  the  practice  of  humihty. 
That  we  may  more  earnestly  seek  to  acquire  it 
He  promises  us  peace  of  heart  as  our  reward: 
"You  shall  find  rest  to  your  souls."  Such  are  His 
own  words.  Do  you  not  desire  to  have  peace  in 
your  heart;  peace  with  God  and  your  fellow  men, 
eternal  peace  one  day  in  heaven? 

In  order  that  you  may  be  able  to  gain  this  peace 
by  the  practice  of  humility,  have  recourse  to  the 
means  which  I  have  so  often  pointed  out  to  you — 
be  diligent  and  earnest  in  prayer.  Every  day 
strive  anew  to  overcome  vanity  and   pride;    con- 


186  The  Maiden'' s  Wreath. 

stantly  r.iake  fresh  resolutions  carefully  to  avoid 
all  sins  against  meekness  and  humility. 

8.  To  enable  you  to  do  this,  think  of  the  eternal 
glory  which  Is  the  reward  of  humility.  St.  Philip 
Neri  was  one  day  talking  confidentially  to  fiemar- 
dine  Coma,  one  of  the  lay-brothers  in  his  com- 
munity. In  the  course  of  conversation  he  said 
to  him:  "Bernardine,  I  am  told  that  the  Pope 
intends  to  offer  me  a  cardinal's  hat;  what  do 
you  say  to  it  ? "  The  brother  answered  in  all 
simplicity  and  .sincerity:  "Methinks  you  ought 
not  to  refuse  that  dignity,  for  the  sake  of  the  Con- 
gregation, if  for  no  other  reason."  Thereupon  the 
saint  gravely  lifted  his  biretta,  and  raising  his 
eyes  to  heaven,  with  a  look  of  holy  inspiration, 
he  said:  "O,  Remardine,  think  not  of  earth,  but  of 
heaven,  of  paradise!"  "Forgive  me.  Father,"  the 
brother  replied,  "  I  really  did  not  think  of  it  at 
that  moment." 

Ala.s,  so  it  is!  "I  did  not  think  of  it,  I  did  not 
think  of  heaven,  I  did  not  think  of  paradise," 
must  ]x  the  confession  of  many  Christians,  of  many 
young  girls,  when  they  give  themselves  to  the 
pleasures,  amusements  and  vanities  of  the  world. 
But  do  you,  Chri-stian  maiden,  think  of  heaven,  and 
then: 

Let  the  modest  violet  be 
An  example  unto  Ihee; 
Love  all  humble,  lowly  ways; 
Strive  not  after  human  praise. 


The  Daffodil— Industry.  187 

8.  Ube  DatCoDil— 1fnOu5tri\ 

XXXVUH.   2rf)c  Inline  of  as^orfe. 


B 


kO  not  take  alarm  at  the  mention  of 
work;  the  word  may  have  a  harsh 
sound,  but  the  thing  itself  is  not  so  harsh  and 
bitter  as  it  may  appear  at  first  sight.  You  must  not, 
as  is  too  often  the  case,  immediately  connect  with 
it  the  idea  of  toil,  fatigue,  and  degradation  which 
pertains  to  a  slavish  occupation.  For  everything 
must,  in  fact,  be  won  by  work,  everything  which 
does  not  grow  of  itself,  like  fruit  on  a  tree. 

Work  is  one  of  the  first  duties  of  a  young  girl 
Scarcely  has  the  winter's  snow  disappeared  frons 
the  sunny  fields  at  the  approach  of  spring  when  a 
charming,  gold-colored  flower  makes  its  appearance 
— I  mean  the  daffodil.  I  have  chosen  it  from  amv^ng 
its  brethren  and  sisters,  the  fair  children  of  spring, 
and  I  have  called  it  industry's  flower  because  it 
hastens  to  blossom  as  soon  as  possible.  I  wish 
to  place  it  before  your  eyes.  Christian  maiden, 
as  an  emblem  of  industry,  that  virtue  which  should 
find  a  place  in  the  garland  which  decks  your  youth- 
ful brow. 

2.  In  what  light  ought  work  to  be  viewed  ? 
Man,  as  the  image  of  God,  in  a  way  takes  part  in 
His  creative  activity.  Do  not  misunderstand  me, 
for  of  course  I  do  not  mean  that  he  can  make 
something  out  of  nothing;  but  he  has  power  to 
impart  to  substances  various  forms,  and  by  the 
light  of  his  understanding  to  arrive  at  a  continually 
increased  comprehension  of  higher  things.  Now 
all  this  is  achieved  by  means  of  exertion,  labor,  work 


188  The  Maiiie)i's  Wreath. 

Work  is  of  a  twofold  nature,  either  mental  or 
physical.  Both  are  indispensable  to  the  veil- 
being  of  human  society;  they  may  be  termed  soul 
and  body.  Direct  your  attention  at  present  chiefly 
to  the  latter,  namely,  ])hysical  labor.  It  was  at 
home  in  days  of  old  under  the  roof  of  the  holy 
house  at  Nazareth. 

3.  A\'hom  do  we  see  at  work  there?  None  other 
than  Jt'sus  Christ  Himself,  the  incarnate  Son  of 
(jod,  together  with  His  foster-father,  St.  Joseph, 
and  His  Virgin  Mother,  Mary.  How  great  and 
exahed  a  thing  must  work  therefore  be! 

But  men  have  not  always  been  accustomed  to 
view  it  in  this  aspect.  The  ancient  heatiien,  on 
the  contrar}-,  despised  bodily  labor.  The  so- 
called  freeman  considered  it  a  degradation  to  employ 
himself  in  manual  labor;  even  the  most  enlightened 
of  the  Greeks  and  Romans  expressed,  in  no  meas- 
ured terms,  the  supreme  contempt  they  felt  for  all 
work  of  this  nature. 

4.  We  find  this  dislike  and  contempt  of  work 
prevailing  everywhere  throughout  heathendom. 
The  North  American  Indians  hate  work  and 
leave  it  to  women,  as  did  also  the  Teutonic  races. 
But  as  manual  work  must  be  done,  if  men  are  to 
live  and  be  fed,  the  expedient  of  slavery  was  resorted 
to.  Matters  were  carried  so  far  that  men  came  to 
regard  laborers  of  both  sexes  as  a  separate  order  of 
beings,  infinitely  below  the  rest  of  their  fellow 
creatures,  and  scarcely  above  the  level  of  the  lower 
animals.  They  were  considered  to  be  mere  ani- 
mated machines,  w'hich  their  owners  were  free  *:o 
treat  in  whatever  fashion  they  might  see  fit.  They 
were  bought  and  sold  like  any  other  goods  and 
chattels;  they  were  thrown  aside,  that  is,  they  were 
killed,  when  thev  were  found  to  be  no  longer  of 


The  Daffodil— Industry.  189 

any  use.  It  was  even  seriously  doubted  whether 
slaves  possessed  a  soul  like  other  men.  Such 
was  the  opinion  entertained  by  the  heathen  con- 
cerning work  and  workmen. 

5.  Then  Jesus  Christ  appeared,  the  God-Man 
and  Our  Redeemer.  He  did  not  choose  for  His 
foster-father  one  of  the  Roman  emperors,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  senate,  or  a  sage.  No,  He  chose  a  man 
whose  whole  life  was  spent  in  hard  labor,  a  carpen- 
ter, an  artisan;  and  next  to  the  temple  of  God, 
the  workshop  was  the  place  where  He  liked  best  to 
be.  What  dignity  this  fact  confers  upon  labor! 
The  greatest  dignity  which  He  could  bestow  upon 
a  man  He  bestowed  upon  St.  Joseph,  the  car- 
penter of  Nazareth.  "My  ways  are  not  your  ways," 
embodies  a  truth  which  the  Son  of  God  proclaims 
to  the  whole  world  from  His  very  cradle. 

6.  He  Himself,  the  incarnate  Son  of  God,  worked 
in  St.  Joseph's  shop  until  He  was  thirty  years  of 
age.  Mary,  His  blessed  Mother,  was  no  fashion- 
able lady  caring  only  for  society  and  amusements, 
for  dress  and  novels.  We  see  her,  in  the  peaceful 
house  of  Nazareth,  industriously  pursuing  the 
ordinary  avocations  of  a  poor  artisan's  wife.  From 
that  day  forth  how  different  is  the  aspect  of  work, 
when  viewed  by  the  light  of  the  Cathohc  faith, 
by  the  light  of  the  workshop  at  Nazareth,  where 
the  God-Man,  Jesus  Christ,  diligently  helped  His 
foster-father,  and  handled  the. saw,  axe,  and  plane. 

7.  Keep  your  gaze  constantly  fixed  upon  that 
workshop  and  thence  learn  to  be  faithful  and  assidu- 
ous in  your  work,  and  to  regard  it  as  honorable. 
Whether  it  be  easy  or  difficult,  servile  or  other- 
wise, consider  it  to  be  a  precious  remembrance,  a 
priceless  relic  of  the  house  at  Nazareth.  Within 
those  walls  was  work  also  exalted  and  sanctified; 


190  The  Maidrii  .s  Wreath. 

there  did  it  receive  that  patent  of  nobihty,  which, 
if  you  only  know  how  to  appreciate  it  aright,  will 
win  for  you  the  favor  of  Jesus,  Mary,  and  Joseph. 

To  this  end  lay  to  heart  the  description  of  tlie 
industry  befitting  a  woman  which  Solomon  gives 
in  the  book  of  Proverbs,  and  which  he  recom- 
mends to  all.  He  says:  "She  hath  sought  wool  and 
tla.x,  and  hath  wrought  by  the  counsel  of  her  hands. 
She  is  like  the  merchant's  ship,  she  bringeth  her 
bread  from  afar.  She  hath  risen  in  the  night 
and  given  a  prey  to  her  housthold  and  \ictuals  to 
her  maidens.  She  hath  considered  a  field  and 
bought  it;  with  the  fruits  of  her  hands  she  hath 
planted  a  vineyard.  She  hath  girded  her  loins 
with  strength,  and  hath  strengthened  her  arm. 
She  hath  tasted  and  seen  that  her  trafBc  is  good; 
her  lamp  shall  not  be  put  out  in  the  night.  She 
hath  put  out  her  hand  to  strong  things,  and  her 
fingers  have  taken  hold  of  the  spindle.  She  hath 
looked  well  to  the  paths  of  her  house,  and  hath 
not  eaten  her  bread  idle."  How  admirably  is 
here  set  forth  the  value  and  worth  which  woman's 
work  possesses  in  the  sight  of  both  God  and 
men. 

8.  You  may  perhaps  during  your  school  days 
have  learned  all  sorts  of  fine  things — foreign  lan- 
guages, delicate  embroidery,  drawing,  music,  etc.; 
these  are  all  very  well,  and  may  prove  of  service 
to  you.  Your  best  and  truest  vocation,  however, 
the  vocation  intended  for  you  by  God,  is  to  occupy 
yourself  in  the  house.  Honor  these  domestic  duties 
and  attend  to  them  industriously. 

Formerly,  even  more  than  now,  the  household 
was  considered  as  essentially  woman's  sphere, 
and  those  who  would  not  devote  themselves  to 
domestic  avocations  were  looked  upon  askance.     In 


The  Daffodil- liichi.sfry.  191 

the  sorrows  and  trials  of  your  daily  life  of  labor  re 
call  these  Hnes: 


If  thy  life  seems  dark  and  dreary, 
And  thy  daily  toil  unblest, 
Pray  to  Him  Who  bids  the  weary 
Go  to  Him  and  be  at  rest. 


xxxur-£i-,  aobc  of  esjortt. 

1.  AN"HRISTIANITY    teaches    us    to    regard 
V>^     work  as   something   sacred,  honorable, 

and  exalted.  Work  is  your  duty.  In  a  company  of 
ladies  one  day  the  conversation  happened  to  turn 
upon  the  ornaments  most  suited  to  women — upon 
gold  chains,  earrings,  brooches,  and  jewels  in  gen- 
eral. Each  expressed  her  Hkes  and  dislikes.  A  lady 
who  had  hitherto  remained  silent  was  appealed  to 
at  length  and  asked  to  giv'e  her  opinion  as  to  what 
ornament  best  befitted  a  woman.  "A  thimble," 
was  the  prompt  reply.  And  she  was  perfectly 
right  in  attributing  so  much  importance  to  this 
modest  little  thing,  for  the  thimble  is  a  symbol  of 
feminine  occupation. 

You  must  not  only  value  work  very  highly,  you 
must  also  love  it. 

2.  We  are  taught  by  daily  experience  that  in- 
dustrious, active  girls  who  are  fond  of  work  are 
almost  without  exception  virtuous  and  pure.  Hence 
it  follows  that  the  highest  praise  which  can  be 
bestowed  upon  a  girl  is  to  say  of  her  that  she  is 
industrious,  never  tired  of  work,  but  always  usefully 
occupied. 

3-  Therefore  a  maiden  who  desires  to  please 
God,  and  to  act  in  accordance  with  His  will,  applies 


192  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

herself  to  the  exact  and  faithful  performance  of 
the  duties  which  befit  her  age  and  position  in 
Hfe.  The  welfare  of  the  household,  the  happiness 
of  the  entire  family,  is,  in  the  majority  of  instances, 
found  to  dejx-nd  on  the  prudence  and  conscientious- 
ness with  which  women  discharge  their  domestic 
duties.  Though  the  father  may  toil  unceasingly 
from  morning  to  night,  his  earnings  will  profit  him 
little  if  his  wife  and  daughters  do  not  practice 
economy. 

4.  Furthermore,  without  work  order  and  clean- 
liness can  never  be  had  in  the  house,  and  when 
disorder  prevails  the  state  of  things  is  very  uncom- 
fortable. It  is  the  duty  of  the  female  members  of 
the  family  to  see  that  ever}'thing  is  clean  and  well 
arranged,  for  upon  this  the  contentment,  cheer- 
fulness, and  very  often  the  health  of  all  depend. 

To  go  still  further,  she  who  accustoms  herself 
from  her  youth  up  to  tolerate  about  her  person 
nothing  displeasing  to  those  around  will  be  less 
likely  to  allow  blemishes  to  disfigure  her  soul. 
Therefore  no  one  ought  to  blame  a  girl  for  laying 
stress  upon  neatness  and  cleanliness  in  the  house 
and  also  in  her  dress.  Her  pleasing  exterior 
should  be  an  image  of  her  soul.  It  does  not  come 
from  pride.  It  costs  no  money.  With  care  and 
pains  a  neat,  pleasing  appearance  can  be  attained 
amid  the  poorest  surroundings  and  in  every  condi- 
tion of  life.  Carelessness,  slovenliness,  and  want 
of  cleanliness  are  bad  traits  in  a  girl. 

5.  A  girl  ought  to  learn  every  kind  of  work 
which  she  will  be  expected  to  know  later  in  life; 
she  ought  to  help  her  mother  as  much  as  she  pos- 
sibly can,  and  when  the  mother  is  no  longer  there 
to  advise  and  superintend,  she  ought  to  tn,'  to 
manage  everything  in  such  a  manner  that  she  will 


Tlie  Daffodil— Indus frij.  193 

not  be  missed.     These  domestic  virtues  are  highly 
meritorious  in  the  sight  of  God. 

To  do  all  this  is  no  light  matter.  It  implies 
that  she  who  would  accomplish  it  must  rise  early 
and  go  late  to  rest.  It  leaves  no  leisure  for  lounging, 
for  gossip,  for  bad  company,  for  useless  strolling 
hither  and  thither.  But  its  advantages  cannot 
be  too  highly  prized;  it  brings  with  it  health,  a 
light  heart,  and  ignorance  of  evil.  It  wins  universal 
respect,  and  causes  the  maiden  to  be  the  delight 
of  her  parents  and  the  ornament  of  her  home. 

6.  Pride  yourself  therefore  on  Hking  work;  do 
it  diligently,  and  make  it  your  best,  your  inseparable 
friend.  Whatever  the  nature  of  your  work  may 
be,  do  it  with  care  and  industry.  If  you  have  been 
away  at  school,  take  pains  when  you  return  home 
to  show  that  you  have  learned  to  love  work  and 
to  do  it  well.  Attend  to  domestic  ali'airs  and 
interest  yourself  in  all  their  details;  not  by  mere 
words,  by  finding  fault  and  making  critical  remarks, 
but  by  putting  your  hand  to  everything.  If  it 
happens  to  be  just  what  you  dislike,  do  it  with 
particular  earnestness.  Do  not  incur  the  reproach 
addressed  to  so  many  girls  when  they  finally 
leave  school  and  return  home,  namely,  that  they 
will  not  work  and  want  to  play  at  being  fine 
ladies.  Let  your  industrious  conduct,  on  the  con- 
trary, give  pleasure  to  your  parents,  relations 
and  friends;  let  them  see  that  school  has  not 
made  you  forget  how  to  work,  but  has  taught  you 
to  work  well. 

7.  If  your  home  is  in  the  country  and  you  have 
to  do  farm  work  or  daily  work  think  yourself  for- 
tunate! Do  not  imitate  so  many  girls  in  your  class 
who  think  the  best  thing  they  can  do  is  to  exchange 
their  rural  occupations  for  a  situadon  in  a  town,  or 


194  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

a  place  in  a  factory.  Nothing  could  be  more 
foolish  and  short-sighted.  Country  life  and  work 
are  by  far  the  healthiest,  even  if  you  arc  not  very 
strong,  and  in  a  way  most  useful  and  necessary 
for  society  at  large. 

8.  In  conclusion,  mark  one  most  important 
particular.  If  your  work  is  to  be  really  well  done, 
if  it  is  to  please  God  and  gain  merit  for  yourself, 
you  must  see  that  you  perform  it  with  a  good  inten- 
tion. This  must  never  be  wanting.  Each  morning 
renew  your  intention,  and  if  your  words  are  few 
let  them  be  uttered  with  an  earnest  purpose.  You 
can  at  least  say:  "All  for  the  greater  glory  of  God." 
And  if  in  the  course  of  the  day  you  find  some 
occupation  very  wearisome,  and  a  feeling  of  im- 
patience begins  to  stir  within  your  breast,  then 
renew  your  good  intention  and  say:  "O  my  God 
I  will  do  everything  for  the  love  of  Thee!  Help 
me  to  be  patient  and  to  persevere!" 

Yes,  to  be  patient!  For  without  patience  no 
labors,  toils,  or  suffering  can  be  meritorious  in  the 
eyes  of  God.  Like  coins  that  are  withdrawn  from 
circulation,  which  no  longer  form  part  of  the 
currency  of  the  realm,  they  have  no  value  for 
heaven,  and  will  not  pass  muster  there.  See  there- 
fore that  you  perform  all  your  work  with  a  gootl 
intention  and  with  much  patience;  thus  you  will 
lay  up  a  treasure  of  genuine  coins  by  which  you 
will  gain  admission  into  heaven. 

Swiftly  time  speeds  on  its  way — 
See  that  thou  use  it  well; 
Let  each  hour  of  every  day 
A  tale  of  wisdom  tell. 


The  Daffodil— Indiistrij.  195 

XXXJrX.   Sitoat?  front  ?!jomr. 

1.  ""pv  OW  fortunate,  how  extremely  fortunate 
t*-tt     are    those  young   girls  whose    family 

circumstances  are  such  as  to  make  it  possible  foi- 
them  to  remain  under  their  parents'  roof  imtii 
they  are  married,  with  the  exception  of  the  com- 
paratively short  time  they  spend  at  school.  How- 
ever, it  is  but  seldom  that  they  have  this  good  for- 
tune now.  Times  are  changed.  Young  women 
engage  much  more  than  formerly  in  business 
taking  them  away  from  home.  It  is  now  true  of 
them  as  well  as  of  members  of  the  sterner  sex: 
Man  must  plunge  into  the  strenuous  life;  man 
must  go  forth  to  his  daily  work  and  confront  the 
dangers  of  the  world.  If  this  should  be  the  case 
with  you,  if  you  must  go  forth  and  encounter  the 
dangers  of  the  world,  lay  to  heart  and  follow,  I 
pray  you,  for  God's  sake,  and  for  the  sake  of 
your  own  soul,  the  fatherly  counsels  which,  with 
the  kindest  of  intentions,  I  offer  for  your  guid- 
ance. 

2.  First  of  all,  however,  be  sure  it  is  really 
necessary  for  you  to  leave  home  and  to  go  amongst 
strangers,  where  Hfe  will  be  fraught  with  dangers 
for  you.  So  many  girls  allow  themselves  to  be 
deceived  in  this  respect,  either  by  their  own  heart 
or  by  the  persuasions  of  other  persons.  There  are 
girls  who  are  crazy  for  amusements,  or  seem  ani- 
mated by  a  spirit  of  evil.  They  soon  begin  to  feel 
themselves  hampered  and  restrained;  their  own 
people  do  not  allow  them  liberty  enough;  the 
simple  pleasures  to  be  enjoyed  at  home  in  a  country 
town  or  village  no  longer  satisfy  them.  However 
comfortably   they   may   be    situated,    though   they 


196  The  Mtiden's  Wi-eath. 

have  a  desirable  occupation,  liberal  allowances  and 
ample  recreation,  it  all  counts  for  nothing  in  their 
opinion. 

3.  They  persuade  themselves  and  the  members 
of  their  famUy  that  life  at  home  is  not  worthy 
of  the  name;  that  there  is  nothing  to  be  learned  and 
nothing  to  be  earned;  that,  on  the  contrary,  in  large 
cities  like  New  York,  London,  or  Paris,  life  is 
really  worth  living,  and  one  can  literally  coin 
money.  "Besides,  one  can  be  pious  in  cities  as 
well  as  in  villages;  look  at  our  neighI)or's  daughter, 
what  nice  letters  she  writes  home,  and  what  sums 
of  money  she  sends  from  time  to  time."  Do  you 
think  that  when  girls  leave  home  in  such  a  spirit 
as  this  they  are  acting  in  conformity  to  the  will 
of  God,  and  can  hope  for  His  blessing?  No, 
they  are  following,  more  or  less  completely,  the 
impulse  of  their  own  jx'rverse  heart. 

4.  Others  are  deceived  by  the  alluring  repre- 
sentations of  old  school-fellows,  or  of  friends,  who 
write  to  them  somewhat  as  follows:  "You  cannot 
imagine  how  pleasant  life  is  here!  Almost  every 
Sunday  there  is  something  going  on:  an  entertain- 
ment, an  excursion,  a  concert,  a  play,  or  a  dance. 
Certainly  one  is  sometimes  obliged  to  work  very 
hard,  but  then  there  is  plenty  of  free  time,  and 
there  is  nearly  always  something  to  amuse  one, 
even  when  one  is  at  work.  Then  again  there  are 
so  many  w'ell-dressed,  well-mannered  boys  and 
fashionable  young  men,  who  pay  court  to  one,  and 
are '  very  lavish  in  spending  their  money.  It  is 
quite  different  in  villages  or  small  towns  among 
rough  country-bred  lads.  Do  come  here;  I 
know  of  a  most  desirable  place  which  would 
exactly  suit  you.  And  as  to  going  to  church  and 
saying  your  prayers,   you  may  make  your  mind 


The  Daffodil — Industry.  197 

easy;    there  is   a  Catholic  church  very  near,  with 
several  priests." 

It  is  not  ditficult  to  guess  how  a  girl  will  go  on, 
who  is  allured  by  highly  colored  pictures  such  as 
these!  In  the  first  place,  it  is  doubtful  whether 
she  will  be  really  happy.  Therefore  take  care  not 
to  make  up  your  niind  too  quickly  to  leave  home, 
and  to  go  forth  into  the  wide,  wide  world,  to  seek 
in  cities  for  more  remunerative  occupation. 

5.  Jiut  let  us  suppose  for  a  moment  that  you 
really  are  obliged  to  leave  home — what  then? 
Then  you  must  exercise  the  very  greatest  caution 
in  taking  a  situation.  You  must  not  jump  at  the 
first  place  which  offers  itself  through  an  advertise- 
ment in  a  newspaper.  It  is  very  sad  to  see  how 
careless  and  thoughtless  many  girls  are  in  this 
respect,  and  sometimes  their  parents  are  even 
more  foolish.  They  grope  about  in  the  dark, 
inquire  what  wages  are  offered,  and  the  higher  these 
are,  so  much  the  better  they  consider  the  situation 
to  be.  They  trouble  themselves  very  little,  or 
perhaps  not  at  all,  about  innocence  and  morality, 
about  faith  and  reUgion.  Hence  it  comes  to  pass 
that  young  persons  such  as  these  too  often  wreck 
both  their  temporal  and  eternal  happiness,  having 
lost,  when  they  return  home  at  a  subsequent  period, 
both  their  virtue  and  their  reputation.  It  is  neces- 
sary to  warn  you  that  there  are,  especially  in  large 
cities,  houses  of  ill-repute,  into  which  many  a  young, 
unsuspicious,  good-looking  girl  is  decoyed  by  all 
manner  of  specious  promises.  Once  there,  she  is 
detained  by  craft,  or  even  by  force,  and  she 
escapes  only  with  loss  of  spiritual  and  bodily 
heahh. 

6.  Therefore,  if  ever  you  have  to  seek  for  a  situa- 
tion away  from  home,  make  the  most  thorough 


198  The  Maidens  Wreath. 

investigations  Ix'forc  pledging  yourself  to  anything. 
Do  not  enter  ujxjn  a  pennanent  engagement  on 
the  strength  of  newspaper  advertisements.  Find 
out  whether  you  will  be  allowed  to  attend  divine 
service,  and  learn  the  reputation  the  family  bears  in 
regard  to  religion  and  morals. 

Request  your  spiritual  director  to  make  all 
needful  inquiries  of  the  priests  of  the  place  to  which 
you  think  of  going.  You  will  never  repent  doing  this; 
while,  on  the  other  hand,  your  rcjx'ntance  may 
come  too  late  if  you  are  careless  enough  to  omit  the 
necessar)'   precautions. 

7.  Especially  must  extreme  prudence  be  exer- 
cised when  there  is  question  of  taking  a  situation 
abroad.  Some  few  years  back  a  letter  appeared  in 
a  newspaper  describing  the  perilous  position  in 
which  a  young  woman  had  found  herself  through 
neglecting  to  make  due  inquiries,  by  means  of 
brilliant  promises,  she  was  induced  to  take  a  situa- 
tion at  Nice.  Scarcely  had  she  reached  her  destina- 
tion, when  she  found  herself  in  a  house  of  the 
worst  possible  description.  P"or  a  fortnight  she 
held  out  against  craft  and  flatter}-,  hunger,  menaces, 
and  all  the  various  means  which  were  employed 
in  order  to  lure  her  to  her  destruction.  At  length 
a  gentleman  made  his  appearance,  and  literally 
bought  her  from  the  owners  of  the  house,  intending 
that  she  should  sail  in  his  company  for  Algiers 
on  the  morrow.  Fortunately  she  got  wind  of  the 
villainous  design,  and  effected  her  escape  by  leaping 
from  a  window  under  cover  of  night.  This  instance 
is  but  one  out  of  a  hundred  which  might  be  adduced. 
Therefore  be  cautious,  exceedingly  cautious,  be- 
fore taking  a  situation  abroad. 

In  conclu.sion,  I  must  touch  upon  a  weak  side 
of  life  in  the  present  day.     Verj-  many  girls  are 


The  Narcissus — Truth  fulness.         199 

more  or  less  compelled  to  work  in  factories.  This 
fact  is  the  source  of  many  evils.  For  life  in  a 
factory  is  fraught  with  numerous  and  grievous 
perils  for  both  body  and  soul,  in  the  case  of  young 
women  more  especially.  It  frequently  occurs 
that  girls  who  have  just  left  school  lose  their  virtue 
through  working  in  a  factory,  or  through  going  to 
and  from  their  daily  toil.  There  are — thank  God! 
— many  also  who  remain  virtuous,  but  they  form, 
I  fear,  a  minority.  Thus  we  see  that  a  life  so  full 
of  danger  should  be  chosen  only  from  urgent 
necessity. 

Work  and  pray;  that  alone  is  the  way 
To  gain  God's  blessing  day  by  day. 


9.  XTbe  "RarctsBus— Urutbtulness. 

X2L.  JFalsr  19rppfjcts. 

"""K^EWARE  of  false  prophets,"  were  the 
<-•— ^  words  addressed  by  Our  Lord  on  one 
occasion  to  His  disciples.  This  warning  is  pecu- 
liarly timely  in  our  own  day  and,  in  the  first  place, 
to  unsuspicious,  inexperienced  girls.  The  number 
of  false  prophets  is  legion  at  the  present  time.  In 
private  and  in  public  life,  in  families  and  com- 
munities, in  church  and  state,  everj'where  false 
prophets  seem  to  abound.  False  prophets  tempt 
you  from  without:  these  are  the  numerous  hereti- 
cal, false  opinions  and  maxims  of  worldly  men. 
False  prophets  tempt  you  also  from  within:  your 
own  evil  passions  and  unruly  desires.  I  purpose 
to-day    to    single    out    one    only    of    these     false 


200  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

prophets  and  to  expose  it  in  all  its  hideous  de- 
ctitfulncss.  I  refer  to  the  opinion,  so  widely 
spread,  that  it  is  not  so  very  wrong  to  tell  a  lie, 
that  under  certain  circumstances  it  is  necessar}-  to 
do  so.  My  dear  child,  beware  of  adopting  this 
opinion.  It  is  a  false  prophet.  I  will  tell  you 
why. 

1.  l^oth  rea.son  and  religion  teach,  that  even  the 
least,  the  most  unimjxjrtant  lie  is  sinful,  and  there- 
fore forbidden  You  know  that  God  is  infinitely 
truthful.  He  is  the  verj'  Truth  itself.  Therefore 
He  hates,  abhors,  and  positively  forbids  every  lie. 
"Lying  lips  are  an  abomination  to  the  Lord,"  we 
read  in  Holy  Scripture;  this  means  that  God 
abhors  every  one  who  tells  a  lie.  Who  was  the 
first  liar?  The  devil  in  paradise,  and  by  his  false- 
hoods he  led  our  first  parents  to  sin  and  plunged 
them  into  miser\'.  \\'hose  example  does  the  liar 
follow,  w'hom  does  he  resemble?  He  who  tells  a 
lie,  by  so  doing  takes  a  step  further  away  from  God 
and  from  heaven,  a  step  nearer  to  the  devil  and  to 
hell. 

2.  Thus  does  the  liar  disfigure  his  soul  and  render 
it  unsightly;  it  becomes  unlike  to  God,  like  to  the 
enemy.  Therefore,  Scripture  says  again:  "A  lie 
is  a  foul  blot  in  a  man."  As  a  black  spot  of  ink 
disfigures  a  beautiful  white  garment,  so  does  a  lie 
disfigure  the  soul  of  him  who  utters  it.  It  rests 
on  his  soul  like  a  black  spot,  a  mark  of  shame,  for 
he  must  be  ashamed  of  it. 

Every  one  esteems  an  honest,  straightforward 
man,  but  he  who  is  false  and  deceitful  is  avoided 
and  de.'^pised.  Even  when  he  does  speak  the  truth, 
he  is  not  believed.  How  frequently  one  hears  the 
remark:  "It  is  impossible  to  tru.st  So-and-So;  he 
is  always  ready  to  lie  and  deceive."     Would  you 


The  Narcissus — Truihfnlness.         201 

like  to  be  spoken  of  in  this  way?     Then  take  care 
never  to  depart  from  tlie  truth. 

3.  God  punishes  lying  very  severely;  remember 
Ananias  and  Saphira,  of  whom  we  read  in  the 
Acts  of  the  Apostles.  The  saints  were  always 
truthful  and  all  conscientious  persons  carefully 
abstain  from  lying.  Here  is  an  example.  A 
certain  man  was  an  accomplice  in  the  commission 
of  a  crime.  When  examined  before  a  magistrate, 
he  pleaded  an  alihi,  asserting  that  he  was  at  home 
at  the  time  the  deed  was  done.  His  daughter 
was  a  good,  honest  girl,  and  he  wanted  her  to  bear 
witness  to  the  fact.  She  was  perfectly  aware  that 
by  making  a  false  dejxjsition  she  could  most  probably 
save  her  father  from  prison;  she  was  urged  by 
threats  and  persuasions  to  do  this.  Yet  she  re- 
mained firm,  saying  once  and  again:  "I  will  not 
lie;  it  is  a  sin  to  tell  a  lie." 

4.  How  differently  do  most. people  speak  and  act! 
They  do  not  scruple  to  tell  a  lie,  especially  if  by 
so  doing  they  do  not  injure  any  one.  Many 
children  are  inclined  to  tell  lies.  The  little  crea- 
tures are  always  ready  with  a  falsehood,  in  order 
to  escape  punishment.  What  is  the  cause  of  this? 
It  is  inherent  in  our  fallen  nature,  the  consequence 
of  original  sin,  but  it  depends  to  a  great  extent. on 
the  parents  and  elder  brothers  and  sisters  of  the 
child.  They  play  the  part  of  false  prophets,  for 
they  think  nothing  of  telling  lies  themselves,  and 
do  not,  therefore,  chastise  a  child  for  telling  them. 
If  it  breaks  a  plate  or  a  pane  of  glass,  if  it  loses  a 
few  cents,  its  short-sighted  mother  beats  it  unmerci- 
fully; but  if  she  catches  it  telling  a  lie,  she  is  much 
too  kind  to  dream  of  using  the  rod.  Thus  is  the 
tendency  to  lying  nourished  and  increased  in  the 
childish  heart. 


202  The  MauU'us  U  reath. 

5.  How  easily  do  grown-up  jxTsons  persuade 
themselves  that  it  is  an  absolute  impossibility 
always  to  sjx'ak  the  truth?  The  greater  numlxr  of 
tradespeople,  nearly  all  of  them  indeed,  adoj)t  the 
maxim  of  the  false  prophets,  and  assert  that  with- 
out telling  lies  they  could  not  exist.  They  say: 
"The  world  is  full  of  deceit;  all  who  are  engaged  in 
commerce  act  as  we  do,  and  if  we  did  not  depart 
from  the  truth  now  and  then,  we  could  make  no 
profits!"  The  world  is  changed,  they  say.  Hut 
has  God  altered  His  command;  has  He  given  men 
permis.sion  to  lie  for  the  sake  of  gain?  I'ut  every- 
one acts  in  this  manner!  If  every  one  tells  lies  and 
offends  almighty  God,  is  this  any  reason  why  we 
should  follow  this  bad  example  ? 

6.  Others,  again,  follow  false  prophets  in  holding 
the  opinion  that  a  lie  is  perfectly  justifiable  under 
certain  circumstances.  One  or  another  is  heard 
to  say:  "I  know  that  I  do  occasionally  depart  from 
the  truth,  but  only  in  order  to  maintain  peace  at 
home,  or  with  my  neighbors,  to  avoid  quarrels  and 
strife,  to  save  some  one  from  incurring  grievous  sus- 
picion, to  protect  her  from  harm,  etc.,  and  surely 
in  such  cases  as  these  it  cannot  be  wrong  to  tell  a 
lie,  but  on  the  contrary,  it  must  be  perfectly  justi- 
fiable!" Yet  in  every  one  of  these  cases  lying  is 
sinful  and  reprehensible;  it  is  impossible  to  imagine 
circumstances  in  which  it  is  allowable  to  utter  a 
barefaced  lie.  This  is  not  my  personal  opinion 
alone;  it  is  the  doctrine  and  teaching  of  the  holiest 
and  most  learned  men,  of  St.  Augustine  for  in- 
stance; it  is  the  doctrine  of  all  Christians,  the  view 
taken  by  all  riglit-minded  men.  No  sophistries, 
no  ingenious  arguments  can  hold  good  in  the  face 
of  this  fact;  they  are  and  remain  the  views  of 
false  prophets.     Therefore  beware  of  them! 


TJie  Narcissus — Truthfulness.         203 

7.  Is  one  on  this  account  compelled  at  all  times 
and  under  all  circumstances  to  utter  the  naked 
truth  ?  Between  telling  the  whole  truth  and  telling 
an  untruth  there  is  an  outlet.  Let  me  relate  a 
well-known  anecdote  which  will  explain  my  mean- 
ing. The  great  Bishop  St.  Athanasius  was  perse- 
cuted for  the  faith.  He  was  sailing  up  the  Nile  with 
some  trusty  friends  to  escape  from  his  pursuers, 
when  a  vessel  containing  the  persecuting  band 
met  them.  The  soldiers  on  board,  who  did  not 
know  Athanasius  by  sight,  hailed  them,  and  asked 
the  attendants  of  the  bishop  whether  they  had 
seen  him,  "Oh,  yes,"  was  the  prompt  reply, 
"we  saw  him  just  now;  he  is  quite  near;  if  you  row 
on  as  fast  as  you  can,  you  will  easily  capture  him." 
Now  this  speech  was  not  untrue,  yet  it  was  the 
means  of  saving  Athanasius.  In  the  same  way 
it  is  permissible  to  make  use  of  an  evasion,  when 
some  great  temporal  or  spiritual  good  is  at  stake. 
Be  honest  and  truthful;  thus  you  will  please  God 
and  win  the  respect  of  men. 

O  God,  from  falsehood  and  from  wile 
Keep  Thou  my  conscience  pure; 

An  honest  heart  that  knows  no  guile 
Is  of  Thy  mercy  sure. 


5©' 


X2LE.  STvutf)  Before  mi. 

[HIS  world  is  a  place  where  truth  and 
falsehood  dwell  side  by  side.  In  the 
beginning  truth  alone  was  to  be  found.  But  the 
devil,  who  told  a  lie  in  paradise,  introduced  lying 
into  the  universe.  Now  truth  and  falsehood  are 
destined  to  aljide  together  until  the  end  of  time. 
Often  is  truth  compelled  to  withdraw  into  the 


204  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

secret  recesses  of  a  j^ood  man's  heart;  falseh.ond, 
on  the  contrar}^  stalks  hither  and  thither,  hftinfx 
its  insolent  head  with  an  air  of  triumph,  spreading 
its  hellish  doctrines  far  and  wide.  How  mighty  is 
the  free  of  falsehood,  how  thick  are  its  branches, 
how  inviting  its  fruits,  how  refreshing  the  shadows 
it  casts!  How  accomplished  is  falsehood  in  the 
art  of  flattering,  of  making  itself  beloved,  of  winning 
the  favor  of  men! 

2.  My  dear  daughter,  you  are  as  yet  young  and 
inexixrienced,  but  you  must  have  noticed  that  a 
man  who  is  ])roficient  in  the  arts  of  falsehood,  of 
intrigue,  of  flattering,  lying  and  deceit,  and  who, 
as  is  usually  the  case,  possesses  a  glib  tongue,  and 
knows  very  well  how  to  chatter — that  such  a  man, 
I  say,  may  amass  wealth,  and  bring  his  undertakings 
to  a  pn)sjx.'rous  end.  Another  man  who  adheres 
strictly  to  the  truth,  and  utters  nothing  but  the  truth, 
ver)'  often  suffers  failure. 

Do  not  allow  yourself  to  be  blinded  by  the  success 
which  attends  false  men  and  deceivers,  whether 
their  prosperity  is  only  brief,  or  whether  it  is  more 
lasting.  Do  not  be  dazzled  by  external  appear- 
ances, howsoever  brilliant  these  may  be.  For 
though  falsehood  may  carry  on  its  diabolical  work 
with  triumphant  success  for  a  very  long  time,  it 
cannot  do  so  forever;  sooner  or  later  a  time  must 
come  when  it  will  be  unmasked  and  put  to  shame; 
prostrate  and  liumbled,  it  will  be  forced  to  bear 
witness  to  the  truth  which  it  hated. 

3.  Therefore,  away  with  all  falsehood  from  your 
heart,  away  with  all  duplicity  from  your  mouth, 
away  with  all  the  tricks,  wiles  and  artifices  of  a 
false  and  perfidious  world!  Away  with  deception, 
flattery,  craft,  and  all  their  hellish  brood!  Take 
to  your  bosom  this  sweet  and  gentle  daughter  of 


The  Narcissus — Truthfulness.         205 

heaven — Truth,  and  together  with  it  embrace  all 
its  charming  companions — -the  virtues — that  follow 
in  its  train.  Suppress  the  fatal  tendency  to  insin- 
cerity, which  is  more  or  less  deeply  rooted  in  every 
human  breast. 

4.  Root  out  the  inclination  to  hypocrisy  and 
dissimulation.  Strive  to  be  always  good  and  pious 
in  the  sight  of  God,  not  merely  to  appear  so  in  the 
eyes  of  men.  Be  polite,  amiable  and  friendly  to 
every  one;  but  be  all  this  in  reality.  A  young 
woman  who  behaves  with  great  friendliness  toward 
any  person  she  secretly  detests  and  talks  about  in 
an  unkind  manner,  plays  the  part  of  a  hypocrite. 
In  the  Garden  of  Olives,  Judas  greeted  and  kissed 
the  Redeemer,  at  the  very  time  when  he  was 
treating  Him  with  shameful  ingratitude  and  dis- 
graceful treachery. 

Never  allow  yourself  to  be  induced  to  practise 
any  kind  of  dissimulation.  Remember  the  aged 
Eleazar,  who  refused  to  deny  his  faith  by  par- 
taking of  swine's  flesh.  Some  of  his  friends,  from 
motives  of  compassion,  advised  him  to  bring 
secretly  some  kind  of  meat  that  was  not  forbidden, 
and  pretend  to  be  eating  the  flesh  of  swine.  But 
he  replied:  "It  doth  not  become  our  age  to  dis- 
semble." Truly  it  does  not  become  an  old  man 
to  play  the  hypocrite;  nor  does  it  become  a  young 
man  or  a  child;  and  least  of  all  a  Christian  maiden. 

5.  Be  faithful  to  your  friend,  the  truth.  Do  not 
be  anxious  to  please  at  any  cost.  Every  age,  every 
rank  of  life,  each  sex,  has  its  special  and  peculiar 
faults  and  foibles.  Among  the  weaknesses  belong- 
ing to  the  feminine  sex,  an  excessive  desire  to  please 
holds  a  prominent  place.  You  must  be  on  your 
guard  against  this  desire  to  please,  for  it  might 
easily  lead  you  into  various  kinds  of  untruthfulness 


206  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

in  your  speech  and  actions.  An  excessive  desire 
to  please  might  lead  you,  when  at  home  with 
your  parents,  to  jiray,  to  work,  to  be  olsedient, 
obli]i;niiK,  and  friendly  to  every  one.  liut  you 
mi<j;ht  do  all  this,  not  from  a  sense  of  duty,  not 
from  love  of  God,  but  exclusively,  or  almost  exclu- 
sively, from  the  wish  to  win  the  favor  and  approval 
of  those  with  whom  you  are  brought  into  contact. 
In  a  case  like  this,  would  not  the  Saviour's  warning 
be  applicable  to  you:  "Take  heed  that  you  do  not 
your  justice  before  men,  to  be  seen  by  them: 
otherwise  you  shall  not  have  a  reward  of  your 
Father  who  is  in  heaven." 

For  human  praise,  O  Christian,  do  not  crave. 
Let  not  this  fickle  world  thy  foolish  heart  enslave; 
.Seek  favor  from  on  high;   though  man  may  flatter  thee, 
This  will  avail  thee  nought  throughout  eternity. 

Let  one  great  and  holy  desire  enter  into  your 
heart,  and  theje  hold  sway,  namely,  to  please  God 
in  all  your  thoughts,  words  and  actions.  Every 
morning  renew  your  intention  to  do  all  things, 
both  great  and  small,  for  the  love  of  God,  and 
resolutely  determine  not  to  indulge  an  immoderate 
desire  to  please  your  fellow-creatures. 

6.  Thus  will  you  remain  faithful  to  your  friend, 
the  truth,  and  will  never  be  betrayed  into  llattery. 
The  temptation  to  flatter  comes  indeed  verj'  forcibly 
when  you  have  to  deal  with  jjcrsons  whose  favor 
might  be  of  servdce  to  you,  or  whose  disapproval 
might  be  injurious  to  you.  It  would  be  easy  for 
vou  to  praise  them  in  extravagant  terms,  to  extol 
their  good  qualities  alx)ve  what  they  really  de- 
serve, and  to  pay  them  compliments  which  you 
do  not  really  mean. 


The  Narcissus — Truthfulness.         207 

This  tendency  to  exaggerated  politeness  is  one  of 
the  faults  of  society  in  the  present  day.  Scarcely 
has  a  visitor  entered  a  house,  before  he  is  greeted 
with  elaborate  friendliness,  with  apparently  sincere 
delight,  his  hand  is  pressed,  his  entertainer  is  never 
tired  of  repeating:  "How  delighted  I  am  to  see 
you!"  All  the  time  the  excessively  polite  person 
wishes  the  visitor  at  Jericho,  for  the  time  at  least, 
since  the  call  is  paid  at  an  inopportune  hour. 
And  when  he  is  preparing  to  take  leave,  he  is  urged 
and  besought  to  stay  a  little  longer,  though  great 
would  be  the  host's  dismay  were  the  departing 
guest  to  yield  to  these  entreaties,  and  resume  his 
seat!  This  is  but  one  instance  of  many  that  might 
be  brought  forward  to  show  tne  manners  of  society 
people;  they  practise  an  exaggerated  pohteness, 
which  is  merely  external.  "Outside  fair,  inside 
bare!"  as  the  homely  saying  expresses  it.  Be 
careful  always  to  observe  the  rules  of  politeness, 
but  see  that  the  outward  form  is  the  expression  of 
genuine  feeling  and  of  true  charity  toward  your 
neighbor.  Love  truth;  practise  sincerity;  despise 
falsehood  and  dissimulations.  More  particularly 
see  that  your  conduct  toward  your  parents,  your 
confessor,  your  teachers  and  friends,  is  free  from 
all  admixture  of  falseness.  Prove  the  distich  to  be 
untrue  that  says: 

With  a  grain  of  love,  and  of  faith  a  grain, 
A  grain  of  deceit  will  always  remain. 

No:  the  truth  above  all,  and  in  all  things — 
sincerity. 


x> 


208  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

XHii.  3Lrt  Your  Sprrcfj  Uc  SlItoasB  iuitlj 
Cfjaviti). 

kO  you  know  what  it  is  that  overthrows 
and  destroys  concord  in  families,  peace 
amoni^  neighbors,  harmony  among  men?  Do  you 
know  what  sows  the  seed  of  discord  in  towns,  vil- 
lages, and  communities;  what  lets  loose  the  demon 
of  hatred  and  envy,  what  leads  to  enmity,  strife, 
revenge,  and  even  murder?  Do  you  know  what 
plunges  innumerable  souls  into  the  direst  misery, 
into  everlasting  perdition?  Do  you  know  what 
works  all  this  havoc?  It  is  the  insatiable,  all- 
devouring  monster,  the  incurable  plague  of  man- 
kind— the  habit  of  speaking  evil  of  one's  neighbor. 
On  this  account  one  would  fain  banish  this  pest 
from  every  human  heart,  from  the  whole  world; 
but  the  desire  to  do  this  must  ever  remain  a  pious 
wish,  which  can  never  be  realized.  Hut  I  know 
that  the  hearts  of  men,  and  your  heart  also,  are  in 
the  hand  of  God;  that  He  can  guide  them,  as  seems 
to  Him  best.  Therefore  do  I  beseech  Him  to  come 
to  my  assistance,  that  what  I  am  about  to  say  may 
do  something  toward  preventing  you  from  con- 
tracting a  habit  of  evil-speaking. 

2.  This  jiernicious  habit  of  speaking  ill  of  one's 
neighbor  destroys  his  good  name  altogether,  or  in 
part  at  least.  A  good  name  con.sists  in  the  esteem 
and  consideration  in  which  any  person  is  held. 
He  is  robbed  of  this  esteem  and  respect  when  evil 
is  spoken  of  him,  or  when  what  is  good  in  him  is 
underrated.  Since  the  evil  which  is  said  of  any 
one  may  be  either  true  or  untrue,  evil-speaking 
may  be  classed  either  as  detraction  or  slander. 

3.  By  detraction  the  faults  of  our  fellow  men 
which  have  been  concealed  hitherto,  either  wholly  or 


Tlid  Narcissus — Truthfulness.         209 

in  part,  are  disclosed  without  necessity.  To 
detract  from  our  neighbor's  reputation  in  this 
way  is  a  very  common  fault.  The  experience  of 
every  day  bears  witness  to  the  truth  of  what  I  have 
just  said.  What  is  it  that  never  ceases  from  morn- 
ing till  night,  from  one  year's  end  to  another,  in 
society  and  in  casual  meetings,  in  highways  and 
by-ways? — People's  talk  and  gossip  about  one  an- 
other. WTien  two  or  more  persons  get  together 
what  do  they  say?  How  are  you  getting  on? 
may  be  their  first  inquiry.  What  do  you  think  of 
the  weather?  is  perhaps  their  second  question.  But 
the  conversation  soon  gets  around  to  more  inter- 
esting subjects — Have  you  heard  what  So-and-So 
has  said?  or  done?  How  is  time  spent  in  drinking- 
saloons,  or  more  select  social  gatherings?  It  is 
spent  in  gossiping  about  the  faults  of  one's  neigh- 
bors. 

This  kind  of  gossip,  this  way  of  speaking  is  a 
widespread,  a  universal  evil.  Other  sins  prevail 
only  among  persons  of  a  certain  state,  or  are 
peculiar  to  one  sex.  Wealthy  and  distinguished 
individuals  have  their  special  sins  into  which  com- 
mon people  do  not  usually  fall;  the  lower  classes, 
on  the  other  hand,  have  their  own  faihngs,  which 
are  not  found  among  those  of  higher  position. 
But  backbiting  and  detraction  are  met  with  ever\'- 
where;  these  sins  are  committed  by  all  sorts  and 
conditions  of  men,  though  more  frequently  by  the 
weaker  sex.  Indeed,  persons  who  in  all  other  re- 
spects are  pious  and  virtuous  are  too  often  not  free 
from  this  sin. 

4.  Attend  carefully  to  what  I  say,  that  you  may 
see  how  great  a  sin  is  this  habit  of  evil-speaking 
He  who  speaks  evil  of  his  neighbors  is  guilty  of  a 
theft;  he  robs  his  neighbor  of  his  good  name,  which 


210  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

all  upripht  persons  regard  as  a  most  precious 
Ix)sscssion ;  the  good  name  which  Holy  Scripture 
so  earnestly  exhorts  us  to  preserve,  because  it 
surpasses  in  value  all  earthly  riches.  Riches  and 
treasures  pass  from  us  when  our  life  comes  to  an 
end,  but  a  good  name  remains,  and  survives  after 
death.  Hence  it  follows  that  he  who  by  evil- 
speaking  deprives  his  neighbor  of  his  good  name, 
or,  at  least,  tarnishes  it,  commits  a  greater  sin 
than  he  would  commit  by  robbing  him  of  his 
property. 

5.  And  in  what  various  ways  is  this  sin  com- 
mitted! In  truth,  they  may  be  said  to  be  well-nigh 
innumerable.  You  may  injure  your  neighbor's 
reputation  by  attributing  a  bad  motive  to  his  most 
pious,  most  innocent  actions,  by  perverting  his 
A'ords  and  casting  suspicion  upon  him;  by  saying, 
for  instance:  Who  knows  what  may  have  occurred; 
I  do  not  w^ant  to  speak  evil  about  him,  but  it  is 
reported,  many  people  say,  etc.,  etc.  You  may 
injure  your  neighbor's  rej)utation  by  a  mere  gesture, 
an  expression  of  countenance,  or  a  shrug  of  the 
shoulders.  You  may  injure  your  neighbor's  repu- 
tation by  remaining  silent  when  you  ought  to  speyk 
in  his  praise.  You  may  injure  his  reputation  under 
the  pretense  that  you  mention  his  faults  only  in 
order  to  warn  a  third  person  against  falling  into 
them,  or  in  order  to  give  him  good  advice.  You 
may  injure  his  reputation  under  the  pretense  of 
zeal,  of  compassion,  of  charity;  you  may  speak 
of  his  faults  with  an  outward  appearance  of  pity, 
but  wth  a  secret  feeling  of  malicious  pleasure. 
And  there  are  a  hundred  other  ways  of  injuring 
your  neighbor's  reputation. 

6.  Most  shameful,  most  sinful  is  slander  or 
calumny.     He  who  attributes  to  his  neighbor  evil 


The  Narcissus— Truthfulness.^        211 

actions  which  he  has  not  committed,  but  which  are 
a  lying  invention,  is  guilty  of  this  sin.  It  is  one  of 
such  magnitude  as  of  itself  to  inspire  horror;  and 
we  cannot  but  own  that  enl  must  be  deeply  rooted 
in  the  heart  of  anyone  who  commits  it.  What  a 
horrible  thing  it  is  to  impute  to  a  fellow-creature 
a  crime  of  which  he  is  innocent! 

The  dissolute  old  men,  in  Jewish  history,  slandered 
the  chaste  Susanna  and  they  were  stoned.  The 
Jewish  people  found  fault  with  the  blameless  life 
of  St.  John  the  Baptist,  and  misinterpreted  the 
marvelous  acts  of  the  Saviour.  This  nation  was 
rejected  by  God.  The  same  God  still  lives,  and 
will  visit  with  severe  chastisement  all  calumniators 
who  so  shamefully  wrong  innocent  persons. 

It  follows  as  a  matter  of  course  that  the  more 
worthy  of  respect  the  person  is,  against  whom  the 
calumny  is  uttered,  so  much  greater  is  the  sin. 
Peculiarly  wicked  is  the  conduct  of  those  base  and 
unprincipled  Catholics  whose  unscrupulous  tongues 
do  not  spare  even  the  priests  of  God. 

7.  Do  not  misunderstand  me!  Do  not  imagine 
I  have  warned  you  so  earnestly  against  evil-speaking 
and  backbiting  because  I  think  you  have  frequently 
fallen  into  this  sin.  I  have  done  so  in  order  to 
inspire  you  for  the  future  with  a  wholesome  horror 
of  this  widespread  vice. 

But  what  are  you  to  do  in  order  never  to  com- 
mit the  sin  of  evil-speaking?  There  is  a  simple 
method,  one  which  may  be  practised  without 
ver\'  great  difficulty.  St.  Augustine  points  it  out 
in  these  words:  "Love,  and  do  what  you  will!" 
Yes,  real,  true,  honest,  unselfish  love  of  all  men, 
or  charity,  ought  to  rule  your  heart,  guide  your 
tongue,  dictate  your  speech.  Then  will  no  unkind 
word,  no  word  injurious  to  your  neighbor,  escape 


212         '        The  Maiden's  ^Vreath. 

your  lips;  then  will  you  faithfully  follow  the  advice 
contained  in  the  following  Hnes: 

Thv  nein;hbor's  reputation  most  sacred  thou  must  hold; 
Judge  not  his  actions  ra.shly,  with  words  unkind  or  bold. 
Another's  praise,  not  thine,  be  ever  Ht-ard  from  ihce; 
And  thus  thy  ])lacc  in  heaven  a  higher  one  shall  be. 


X2U-I-I-.  j:(jrrr  Cs  no  Grrat  JQ.ivm  in  It! 

I.  "T*  REMEMBER  once  seeing  an  amusing 
r^  cartoon.  It  was  called  "A  delightful 
bit  of  news,"  and  represented  five  or  six  feminine 
heads,  all  looking  one  way,  and  all  with  their  mouths 
open.  The  first  head  was  small,  and  the  mouth 
proportioned  to  the  rest  of  the  features;  the  next 
was  rather  larger,  with  a  much  wider  mouth;  the 
third  was  larger  still,  and  so  on.  This  picture 
portrayed  in  a  capital  way  what  often  happens, 
esfK'cially  in  small  towns  or  villages,  when  some 
trifling  incident  in  passing  from  mouth  to  mouth 
is  magnified  by  the  gossips  and  tattlers  till  it  attains 
the  proportions  of  quite  an  imjx)rtant  event;  and 
thus,  to  quote  a  homely  proverb,  a  mountain  is 
made  out  of  a  molehill. 

How  greatly  a  man  may  be  wronged,  what 
incalculable  injury  may  l)e  done  him,  if  some 
trifling  fault  lie  has  committed  is  magnified  by  the 
tongue  of  scandal-mongers,  and  spread  abroad  by 
evil-speakers  who  wish  him  ill.  And  yet  these 
people  will  not,  for  the  most  part,  allow  that  they 
are  much  to  blame.  They  say  with  the  Pharisee 
in  the  Temple:  "O  God,  I  give  Thee  thanks  that 
I  am  not  as  the  rest  of  men, "  like  this  or  that  prrson! 
They  allege  all  kinds  of  excuses  for  their  conduct, 


Th^  Narcissus— Truthfulness.         213 

and  it  may  be  well  for  you  to  hear  what  some  of 
these  excuses  are. 

2.  Some  persons  say:  "We  had  not  the  least 
intention  of  injuring  our  neighbor's  reputation  by 
what  we  said."  But  what  good  does  that  do  liim? 
It  injiu-es  him  all  the  same;  it  is  detrimental  to 
his  good  name.  If  a  man  were  to  plunge  a  knife 
into  a  fellow-creature's  heart,  what  would  it  avail  to 
protest  loudly  at  the  trial  that  the  murderer  had  no 
intention  of  inflicting  the  slightest  wound! 

3.  Others  seek  to  excuse  themselves  by  asserting 
that  they  were  not  the  first  to  discover  these  failings, 
but  mentioned  them  only  because  they  had  heard 
of  them  from  others.  But  do  such  persons  not 
know  what  the  Holy  Ghost  says  in  the  Scriptures: 
"Hast  thou  heard  a  word  against  thy  neighbor? 
Let  it  die  within  thee."  And  yet  they  imagine 
there  is  no  great  harm  in  repeating  the  evil  they 
have  heard  about  any  one  to  those  who  hitherto 
were  ignorant  of  it!  How  much  e\'il  is  told 
which  is  absolutely  untrue,  and  is  merely  the  prod- 
uct of  a  malicious  imagination!  He  who  repeats 
such  things  is  guilty  of  a  twofold  sin:  in  the  first 
place,  because  he  believed  that  which  was  utterly 
without  foundation;  in  the  second  place,  because 
he  told  it  to  some  one  who  as  yet  did  not  know  it. 

4.  Another  will  say:  "These  faults  of  my  neigh- 
bor are  no  secret;  for  the  person  to  whom  I  refer 
is  notorious  for  his  vices,  and  has  a  very  bad  repu- 
tation." But  even  if  the  faults  which  are  talked 
about  are  widely  known,  what  is  the  use  of  repeating 
them?  And  if  any  one  is  unfortunate  enough  to 
be  in  bad  repute,  and  has  already  lost  his  char- 
acter, why  take  pleasure  in  talking  about  it? 
Those  who  act  thus  remind  one  of  barbarians, 
who,    not  content    with    killing  their  victim,   take 


214  The  Mitiden's  Wreath. 

a  diabolical  dclifiht  in  stabbing  and  mutilating  his 
lifeless  lx)dy. 

5.  It  may  further  Ix'  urged  that  the  faults  of 
one's  neighbor  do  really  exist.  Are  you  perfectly 
certain  of  this?  Does  not  that  which  appears 
to  l3c  simple  truth  often  turn  out  to  be  a  shameful 
slander?  What  could  have  seemed  to  be  more 
clearly  substantiated  than  the  adultery  of  which 
the  chaste  Susanna  was  accused  by  the  two  dis- 
solute old  men?  Yet  it  was  the  vilest  calumny 
imaginable. 

"Hut  the.se  and  those  faults  are  positively  true." 
Granted  that  they  are  true!  Let  us  ask  ourselves 
whether  we  would  like  our  own  faults,  however 
widely  known,  to  be  made  the  topic  of  conversation. 
Most  assuredly  we  would  not.  Therefore  you  ought 
not  to  do  to  another  what  you  would  not  like  if 
it  were  done  to  yourself.  Not  only  does  Our 
Lord  forbid  us  to  act  in  this  manner,  but  also 
natural  politeness,  and  even  our  own  reason,  if 
unbiassed  by  prejudice.  Therefore  observe  the 
golden  rule.  If  our  neighbor's  faults,  aljout  which 
we  talk,  really  do  exi.st,  are  we  oui-selves  faultless? 
Who  would  dare  adopt  the  words  of  the  Pharisee, 
and  say:  "O  God,  I  give  Thee  thanks  that  I  am 
not  as  the  rest  of  men "  ?  What  man  is  there 
under  the  sun  so  pure  and  blameless  that  hii 
conscience  has  nothing  of  which  to  accuse  him? 
If  there  is  such  a  one  let  him  come  forward  and 
claim  the  privilege  of  sjxjaking  evil  of  his  neigh- 
bor. "He  that  is  without  sin  among  you,"  the 
Saviour  exhorts  us,  "let  him  first  cast  a  stone  at 
her,"  his  neighbor. 

6.  Others  again  are  found  to  say:  "We  have 
mentioned  the  unfortunate  occurrence  to  only  one 
or  two  persons  whom  we  can  entirely  trust,  and  we 


Tlie  Narcissus — Truthfulness.         215 

have  enjoined  strict  silence  upon  them."  Those 
who  talk  after  this  fashion  have  perhaps  lived 
for  forty,  fifty,  or  sixty  years,  and  yet  have  never 
learned  that  out  of  one  hundred  individuals,  women 
more  especially,  perhaps  two  are  to  be  found  who 
can  keep  a  secret!  If  other  persons  are  not  to 
talk,  why  talk  yourself?  If  others  are  to  be  silent, 
would  not  the  best  and  most  sensible  plan  be 
to  keep  silence  yourself? 

I  will  tell  you  an  anecdote  about  Prince  Eugene, 
ihe  great  Austrian  general.  An  ambitious  officer 
wearied  him  with  incessant  requests  that  he  tell  him 
the  plan  of  the  forthcoming  campaign.  For  some 
time  the  Prince  only  smiled  at  the  repeated  questions, 
but  at  last  he  seemed  to  have  made  up  his  mind 
to  break  the  silence.  With  a  mysterious  air  he 
led  his  tormentor  into  a  room  apart,  and  whispered 
into  his  ear:  "My  good  sir,  you  want  to  know  my 
plan  for  the  next  campaign?"  "I  should  like 
nothing  better  in  all  the  world!"  was  the  eager 
reply.  "But  I  must  first  ask  you  one  question," 
rejoined  the  Prince — "can  you  hold  your  tongue?" 
"I  can  be  as  silent  as  the  grave!"  "That  is  just 
as  it  should  be,  I  am  delighted  to  hear  it!  Now 
listen  to  me:  I  also  can  hold  my  tongue,  and 
therefore  I  prefer  to  keep  my  secret  to  myself!" 

7.  In  conclusion,  we  will  listen  to  those  who  say: 
"You  are  quite  right;  I  am  aware  that  I  ought 
not  to  talk  about  my  neighbor's  faults.  But 
though  I  determine  never  to  do  so,  I  fall  into  the 
same  fault  over  and  over  again."  This  is  not 
an  idle  excuse,  but  the  candid  confession  of  a 
humble  heart.  Make  it  your  own,  my  dear  child. 
However  often  you  fail  never  grow  weary  of  renew- 
ing your  resolution  not  to  utter  one  single  un- 
charitable   word    about    your    neighbor.     And    if 


21 G  The  Maiden's  Wreuth. 

sometimes  you  do  speak  unkindly,  do  not  excuse 
yourself  by  saying  there  is  no  great  harm  in  it,  but 
rather  remember  the  lines: 

The  wise  man  ^^^ll  seek  his  owti  faults  to  amend; 
The  fool  to  his  neighbor's  alone  will  attend. 

XlUfV.  Ciiutnui?  anil  Contempt. 

I.  /T\V  dear  child,  you  can  scarcely  conceive, 
V*-^  much  less  form  a  just  idea  of  the 
bitter  pain,  the  amount  of  anguish  expressed  in 
the  words:  to  be  calumniated  and  held  in  con- 
tempt. You  have  as  yet  had  nothing,  or  at  least 
very  little,  to  suffer  from  calumny  and  neglect. 
But  wJiat  has  not  happened  heretofore  may  happen 
at  a  subsequent  f)eriod;  hence  it  is  well  that  you 
should  be  prepared  to  meet  it,  and  should  know 
what  your  duty  would  be  under  such  circumstances. 

In  earlier  days  a  singular  custom  prevailed 
in  certain  districts  of  Germany.  Persons  who  had 
an  evil  tongue  were  compelled,  as  their  punish- 
ment, to  carry,  suspended  round  their  neck,  a  stone 
representing  a  human  head.  This  stone  was  termed 
the  clapper-stone,  and  such  a  one  is  still  to  be 
seen  in  ^Iuehlhausen,  one  of  the  towns  of  Alsace. 
It  bears  the  following  inscription: 

Why  they  call  me  clapper  T  cannot  tell, 
But  the  evil-speakers  know  me  full  well; 
A\'ho  (ices  not  respect  his  neighbor's  renown, 
Perforce  must  carry  me  all  through  the  town. 

It  is  to  be  wished  that  stones  could  be  hung 
around  the  necks  of  all  who  slander  us  and  speak 
evil  of  US!  But  there  is  a  better,  a  more  effectual 
method  of  silencing  evil  tongues.     It  consists  in 


The  Narcissus — Truthfulness.         217 

the  obsen'ance  of  Our  Lord's  command:  "Thou 
shall  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself."  We  ought  to 
conduct  ourselves,  in  regard  to  those  who  are  our 
enemies,  those  who  slander  us,  in  such  a  manner 
as  is  consistent  with  loving  our  neighbor. 

2.  If  you  are  slandered,  that  is,  if  sins  and  mis- 
deeds which  you  have  never  committed  are  laid  to 
your  charge,  it  is  permissible  to  defend  yourself; 
but  you  must  do  this  with  calmness  and  deliberation, 
after  the  example  of  Jesus.  He,  the  divine  Re- 
deemer, said  to  the  Pharisees:  "Which  of  you 
shall  convince  *lMe  of  sin?"  And  when  they 
hurled  at  Him  a  most  horrible  and  unjust  reproach: 
"Do  we  not  say  well  that  Thou  hast  a  devil?" 
He  defended  Hunself  with  all  possible  calmness 
and  brevity:  "I  have  not  a  devil;  but  1  honor 
My  Father,  and  you  have  dishonored  jMe."  In 
similar  cases  imitate  this  example;  remember 
that  your  assertion  of  innocence  will  be  all  the 
more  readily  believed  the  calmer  and  more  self- 
possessed  you  remain. 

3.  But  what  are  you  to  do  if  your  explanation 
15  not  listened  to,  or  if  you  are  not  allowed  to 
defend  yourself?  You  must  stifle  all  desire  for 
revenge,  and  bear  the  injustice  with  patience,  again 
following  the  example  of  Jesus.  St.  Peter  exhorts 
us  to  act  in  this  manner,  when  he  writes:  "That 
you  should  follow  His  steps:  Who  did  no  sin, 
neither  was  guile  found  in  His  mouth.  Who  when 
He  was  re\'iled  did  not  revile:  when  He  suffered. 
He  threatened  not;  but  delivered  Himself  to  him 
that  judged  Him.  unjustly."  When  Jesus  Christ, 
the  Holiest  of  the  holy,  allowed  Himself  to  be 
abused  and  slandered,  to  be  falsely  accused  of 
stirring  up  the  people,  to  be  led  forth  to  die  a 
death  of  shame  upon  the  cross,  what  right  have 


218  The  Maidens  Wreath 

poor  sinners  like  ourselves  to  lament  and  com 
plain,  to  revile  those  who  speak  of  us  in  tenus 
which  are  the  reverse  of  laudatory?  Why  should 
we  heed  the  foolish  chatter  of  the  world  when 
Our  Master  and  Lord  so  completely  despised  it? 
Even  the  heathen  sages  of  old  considcn-d  it  a 
mark  of  perfection  to  despise  the  world;  and 
when  men  praised  them  they  mistrusted  their 
praise.  When  Phocian,  the  famous  Greek  orator, 
was  loudly  applauded  on  account  of  a  sjx-ech 
which  he  had  delivered,  he  is  said  to  have  ex- 
claimed: "Tell  me  honestly,  what  stupid  things 
have  I  said?" 

4.  Above  all,  lay  well  to  heart  that,  however 
good  and  pious  you  may  be,  you  will  sometimes 
be  spoken  against,  and  have  to  bear  the  wounds 
inflicted  by  evil  tongues.  Calumny  has  loeen  the 
means  of  casting  some  of  the  most  virtuous  of 
men  into  prison;  men  whose  only  crime  was  that 
they  were  superior  to  their  fellows;  for  the  best 
and  noblest  are  ever  Ihe  most  persecuted.  As  the 
magnet  attracts  iron  so  does  virtue  draw  forth 
the  hatred  of  the  wicked.     Remember  these  lines: 

If  evil  slander's  tongue  unkind 
Perchance  disturb  thy  peace  of  mind — 
Courage!    console  thee  with  the  thought, 
No  rotten  fruits  by  wasps  arc  sought. 

But  whatever  you  do,  do  not  take  it  into  your 
head  tc  try  to  please  everybody.  Almighty  God 
Himself  cannot  please  all.  And  do  not  expect  too 
much  gratitude  in  return  for  the  benefits  you 
confer  ujx)n  your  fellow  creatures.  Those  to 
whom  we  have  shown  the  greatest  kindness  often 
turn  against  us  most  fiercely.  Socrates,  the  heathen 
sage,    had   found    this    out.     Upon   one  occasion, 


The  Narciss us—  Truthfulness.         219 

when  he  had  received  and  read  an  abusive  letter, 
he  asked:  "When  did  I  confer  a  benefit  upon  this 
man?" 

5.  Yet  why  should  we  speak  of  the  ancient 
heathen?  Let  us  look  once  again  at  Our  Lord 
and  Master,  Jesus  Christ:  How  He  was  slandered 
and  blasphemed,  declared  to  be  a  Samaritan, 
possessed  by  the  devil,  and  addicted  to  various 
rices!  In  like  manner  were  the  apostles  slandered, 
the  holy  martyrs,  as  were  St.  Francis  of  Sales  and 
St.  Ignatius  Loyola;  so  were,  in  a  word,  all  who 
"lived  godly  in  Christ  Jesus."  Can  we  compare 
ourselves,  in  even  the  remotest  degree,  with  these 
holy  persons?  And  if  we  have  not  committed  the 
sins  of  which  we  are  accused,  must  we  not  own 
that  we  have  only  too  richly  deserved  to  be  blamed 
in  other  respects? 

6.  If  the  evil  which  is  said  of  us  is  true,  we  must 
make  every  effort  to  amend.  Such  is  the  advice 
St.  Peter  gives  us:  "Having  your  conversation 
good  among  the  Gentiles:  that  whereas  they  speak 
against  you  as  evil-doers,  they  may,  by  the  good 
works  which  they  shall  behold  in  you,  glorify 
God."  A  wise  man  of  olden  days  expressed  him- 
self after  a  similar  fashion.  When  his  disciples  told 
him  that  something  very  bad  had  been  said  about 
him  he  replied:  "Never  mind;  I  will  live  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  prevent  people  from  believing  the 
evil  which  my  enemies  impute  to  me." 

Therefore,  the  principal  thing  is  to  guard  as 
far  as  possible  against  the  fault  which  is  imputed 
to  us.  In  this  way  the  slanders  uttered  against 
us  will  have  the  good  effect  of  conducing  to  oiir 
improvement  and  perfection.  And  if  the  self- 
love  innate  in  all  men  did  not  blind  their  eyes  to 
so  great    an   extent,  they   would   clearly   perceive 


220  The  Mcudt-n'.s   Wreath. 

that  what  appears  to  them  as  calumny  is,  at  least 
in  the  majority  of  instances,  not  really  such,  but 
that  they  actually  jxjssess  the  faults  which  are 
laid  to  their  charge. 

7.  1  will  give  you  one  more  j>iece  of  advice. 
See  that  you  do  not  make  mountains  out  of  molehills! 
Do  not  allow  the  gossip  which  is  circulating  about 
you  to  disturb  your  serenity;  do  not  be  angry 
and  annoyed  by  the  chatter  of  evil  tongues.  On 
the  contrarj',  the  calmer  you  remain,  the  less  you 
permit  it  to  be  obsen'ed  that  you  know  anything 
about  this  idle  talk,  the  sooner  will  the  evil-six-akers 
be  silenced. 

8.  Yet  another  word!  If  you  ever  receive  an 
anonymous  letter  throw  it  at  once,  unread,  into 
the  iirc.  Make  it  an  invariable  rule  never,  under 
any  circumstances,  to  read  a  letter  to  which  the 
writer  has  not  signed  his  name.  In  such  cases 
never  indulge  your  curiosity;  by  so  refraining  you 
will  spare  yourself  much  worry,  pain  and  vexation, 
and  defeat  the  malicious  pur[X)se  and  diabolical 
pleasure  of  evil-minded  schemers. 

Remember  the  words  of  the  pious  author  of  the 
Imitalion:  "Take  it  not  to  heart  if  some  p<'ople 
think  ill  of  thee,  and  say  of  thee  what  thou  art  not 
willing  to  hear.  He  who  neither  seeketh  eagerly 
to  please,  nor  feareth  to  displease,  shall  enjoy  mutli 
peace." 

X2.V.  ;SCus  Committfli  !)»  Jljfardig. 

I.  '\^'0U   know   why   marshy   neighborhoods 

ly       and    large    manufacturing   towns    are 

so  unhealthy.     The  atmosphere  is  tainted  by  the 

noxious    exhalations,    by    the    fumes   and    smoke. 

Something  similar  may  be  said  in  regard  to  the 


The  Narcissus— Truth  fulness.         221 

moral  atmosphere  of  the  countless  localities  in 
which  it  is  the  custom  to  talk  about  one's  neighbors 
in  a  calumnious  or  uncharitable  manner.  He  who 
abides  there  for  a  lengthened  period  gradually 
loses  the  health  of  his  soul.  Therefore  it  is  neces- 
sar}'  to  quit  this  tainted  air,  namely,  to  refuse  to 
Hsten  to  such  conversation,  and,  as  far  as  possible, 
to  prevent  it  from  being  carried  on.  He  who 
listens  to  it  with  pleasure  falls  into  "the  sin  com- 
mitted by  hearing." 

2.  An  old  gentleman  once  gave  a  young  and 
inexperienced  man  the  following  sage  advice: 
"If  you  hear  any  one  speak  evil  of  another,  whether 
justly  or  unjustly,  say  to  yourself:  Am  I  that  man's 
judge?  You  know  the  misdeeds  which  through 
his  frailty  he  has  committed  and  you  even  try 
to  find  them  out.  How  is  it  that  you  know  nothing 
of  his  good  deeds,  of  actions  which  are  creditable 
to  him?  I  know  that  I  have  deserved  hell  for 
my  transgressions,  and  my  own  sins  are  quite  enough 
for  me  without  troubling  myself  about  those  of 
other  persons." 

3.  Truly  does  it  behoove  us  to  follow  the  counsel 
of  this  good  old  man,  and  oppose  every  kind  of 
lying  and  evil-speaking.  We  shall  not  find  it  so 
difficult  to  do  this;  if  only  we  have  a  good  will- 
and  a  spirit  of  charity  we  shall  be  assisted  by 
divine  grace.  If  we  have  a  real  love  of  our  neighbor, 
we  shall  imitate  the  crafty  fox,  whose  cunning 
always  enables  him  somehow  to  devise  a  means  of 
protecting  his  young  when  the  hounds  approach 
his  lair.  In  order  to  protect  your  neighbor,  you 
must  place  yourself  in  opposition  to  those,  be  they 
many  or  few,  who  slander  him.  But  you  will 
perhaps  ask:  "How  am  I  to  do  this?  I  cannot 
venture  thus  to   put    myself   forward  and  offend 


222  Hie  Maiden's  Wreath. 

persons  whom  I  am  bound  to  treat  in  a  polite  and 
friendl}  fashion."  Hear  how  St.  Chrysoslom  would 
reply  to  you:  "A  poor  excuse!  It  brings  about  the 
danmation  of  many  Christians.  You  are  bound  to 
show  friendship  and  ix)litcness  to  these  slanderers? 
Well  then,  can  you  show  tliem  a  greater  kindness 
than  by  making  them  conscious  of  their  sin,  and 
exiiorling  them  to  do  better  in  future?"  Job  was 
attached  to  his  friends,  but  he  knew  that  comp<.)sedly 
to  listen  to  their  defamatory  conversation  would 
be  wrong  on  his  part,  and  therefore  he  rebuked 
them. 

4.  St.  Augustine  had  an  equal  horror  of  slander; 
so  great  indeed  was  his  aversion  to  it  that  he 
caused  this  inscription  to  be  placed  above  his 
dinner  table:  "There  is  no  room  at  this  table  lor 
those  who  intend  to  speak  evil  of  their  ncighlxjrs." 
Upon  one  occasion  certain  guests  forgot  to  observe 
this  rule  of  the  house,  and  began  to  discuss  some 
absent  persons  in  too  free  a  manner.  The  saint 
promptly  remarked:  "Either  this  inscription  must 
be  taken  down,  or  else  you  must  put  an  end  to  such 
conversation;  if  you  do  not  heed  my  admonition 
I  shall  have  to  leave  the  room!" 

St.  John,  patriarch  of  Alexandria,  was  of  the  same 
opinion.  When  he  heard  any  one  indulging  in 
evil-speaking  he  gently  admonished  him,  or  else  he 
turned  the  conversation  into  a  different  channel. 
If  the  person  thus  warned  persisted  in  talking  in 
the  same  objectionable  manner  he  remained  silent, 
but  wrote  down  the  name  of  the  individual.  .\s 
soon  as  he  had  taken  his  departure  St.  John 
would  give  orders  that  the  evil-speaker  was  never 
again  to  be  allowed  to  enter  the  house. 

5.  A  word  of  serious  reproof  from  the  mouth 
of  a  child,  or  of  a  young  girl,  not  unfrequently 


The  Narcissus— Truthfulness.         223 

puts  a  stop  to  convercation  of  a  defamatory  char- 
acter. 

I  found  this  out  for  myself  before  I  was  ten 
years  old.  I  heard  a  neighbor  abusing  our  parish 
priest,  who  was  much  beloved  and  universally 
esteemed.  I  coolly  reproved  the  old  woman, 
telling  her  how  wrong  it  is  to  speak  in  that  way 
of  priests.  She  was  quite  confused  at  hearing 
such  a  remark  from  the  mouth  of  a  mere  boy,  and 
at  once  held  her  tongue. 

f.  There  are,  of  course,  circumstances  in  which 
Christian  prudence  forbids  us  to  rebuke  the  slan- 
derer, and  it  may  be  equally  impossible  to  leave  the 
company.  In  such  cases  the  best  plan  is  skilfully 
to  endeavor  to  direct  the  conversation  into  another 
channel.  The  individual  aimed  at  will  probably 
notice  the  attempt,  and  not  feel  very  well  pleased; 
but  this  cannot  be  helped.  If  he  thinks  over  the 
matter  afterward  he  will,  if  he  has  any  sense, 
see  that  he  only  got  what  he  deserved,  and  will 
guard  his  tongue  better  in  the  future.  Often  a 
significant  silence  may  be  observed,  in  accordance 
with  the  exhortation  of  Scripture:  "The  north 
wind  driveth  away  rain,  as  doth  a  sad  countenance 
a  backbiting  tongue." 

7.  Sometimes  when  we  wish  to  break  off  the 
thread  of  an  uncharitable  conversation  nothing 
suitable  to  our  purpose  may  occur  to  our  mind. 
Yet  it  is  not  necessary  to  break  it  orf  very  cleverly; 
if  the  interruption  serves  to  divert  the  attention 
of  those  present  from  their  neighbor's  faults,  that 
is  quite  enough. 

8.  The  blessed  Thomas  More,  Lord  Chancellor 
of  England,  possessed  this  art  in  an  eminent 
degree.  When  any  one  began  to  talk  in  an  un- 
cnaritable  manner  in  his  presence  he  used  to  in- 


22i  The  Maiden's  Wreath. 

troduce  an  entirely  dilTerent  subject.  For  instance, 
he  would  say:  "Have  you  seen  the  mansion  which 
has  lately  been  erected?  Whatever  your  opinion 
may  be,  I  think  it  is  admirably  planned,  and  the 
interior  arrangements  are  extremely  comfortable. 
The  designer  and  builder  must  certainly  be  a 
master  in  his  profession."  In  this  way  he  pre- 
vented a  great  deal  of  unkind  talk. 

Another  excellent  plan  is  to  mention  some  good 
quality  of  the  person  who  is  being  blamed.  Even 
the  very  worst  man  has  a  good  point  in  his  character. 
Among  all  created  beings  there  is  only  one  which 
lacks  every  desirable  trait,  and  that  is  the  devil, 
an  embodiment  of  all  evii.  Endeavor  to  place 
the  conduct  of  your  neighbor  in  the  most  favorable 
light  by  saying  that  perhaps  he  had  no  bad  inten- 
tion in  what  he  did,  or  that  he  had  done  a  great 
deal  of  good  in  another  way,  etc.  If  you  cannot 
avoid  listening  to  uncharitable  conversation,  you 
must  at  any  rate  suppress  any  feeling  of  pleasure 
■which  may  arise  in  your  heart.  And  you  must 
be  even  more  careful  not  to  show  any  outward 
sign  of  taking  pleasure  in  it.  Bear  in  mind  that  all 
those  who  give  rise  to,  or  encourage,  evil-speaking, 
by  asking  curious  questions,  or  evincing  approval 
of  it,  are  in  part  responsible  .for  it,  and  become 
partakers  in  the  sin  of  others.  St.  Bernard  says  that 
the  devil  sits  upon  the  tongue  of  him  who  loves  to 
speak  against  his  neighbor,  and  in  the  ear  of  him 
who  likes  to  listen  to  such  conversation. 

Would  that  you  could  behold  the  abode  of 
suflFering  where  souls  are  purified  from  the  sins 
which  as  yet  they  have  not  expiated!  Doubtless 
you  would  perceive  that  souls  are,  for  the  most 
part,  detained  there  on  account  of  sins  of  the  tongue 
and  of   the  ear  for  which  they  had  not  atoned. 


The  Narcissus — Truthfulness.         225 

May  tli2  thought  of  purgatory  aid  you  to  avoid 
these  sins. 

Hate  what  is  evil  and  do  what  is  right ; 
Avoid  all  deceit  and  keep  honor  bright; 
Love  what  is  good  and  seek  what  is  best, 
Honest  and  truthful:  thy  hfe  shall  be  blest. 


XSLUK.  ^  Small,  fiut  lianscrous  HUcmtir. 

I.  //)  I  "OMEN  are  often  sadly  offended  when 
^J^-^  it  is  said  of  them  that  they  are  very 
fond  of  talking.  But  they  have  no  reason  for  being 
so  sensitive  in  this  respect.  A  glib  tongue,  which 
characterizes  women  to  a  greater  extent  than  men, 
is  a  natural  gift,  which  God  has  graciously  seen 
fit  to  bestow  upon  the  daughters  of  Eve.  This 
fluency  of  speech  has  its  good  and  agreeable 
side.  It  is  evident  that  the  Creator  desired  to 
place,  as  it  were,  a  weapon  of  defence  in  the  hands 
of  the  weaker  sex.  Their  readiness  of  speech  en- 
ables women  to  keep  conversation  going,  and  thus 
to  brighten,  to  cheer,  and  to  enhance  the  family 
circle,  and  this  cannot  but  be  a  real,  practical 
benefit. 

But  the  gift  of  speech,  like  ever)'  other  gift  of 
God,  can  be  abused  and  put  to  an  evil  use;  too 
often  this  is  the  case.  Hence  precautions  must  be 
taken  to  prevent  such  profanation,  such  misuse;  we 
must  be  watchful  and  take  care  lest  the  little  school- 
girl should  already  deserve  to  be  called  a  chatterbox 
and  later  on  develop  an  evil,  backbiting  tongue. 
My  dear  child,  I  by  no  means  wish  to  condemn  you 
to  silence,  but  I  do  wish  most  earnestly  to  exhort 
you   to   govern   your  tongue.     You  already  know 


226  The  Maidens  Wreath 

that  the   tongue  is  a  small,  but  dangerous  mem- 
ber. 

2.  First  of  all  I  must  once  more  speak  of  the 
invaluable  gift  of  speech,  a  most  precious  gift  of 
God  to  man.  The  gift  of  speech  places  an  im- 
measurable distance  between  man  and  the  lower 
animals.  It  is  not  exactly  because  they  lack  the 
organs  of  sfx^cch  tliat  they  have  not  power  to  speak, 
but  because  they  do  not  possess  a  soul  endowec 
with  reason  and  capable  of  using  these  organs 
We  may  employ  the  comparison  of  a  musical, 
instrument — let  us  say  a  guitar.  It  may  have 
the  necessary  strings,  it  may  even  be  tuned 
aright,  yet  will  it  either  remain  mute,  or  emit  dis- 
cordant notes,  unless  a  skilful  hand  touches  the 
strings. 

How  deeply  grateful  ought  we  to,  be  to  God  for 
this  precious  gift  of  speech,  which  b  the  key  to  so 
many  benefits  and  pleasures! 

3.  Yet  instead  of  the  gratitude  which  is  His 
due,  how  often  is  God  repaid  for  His  gift  with 
the  blackest  ingratitude!  How  frequently  and 
how  shamefully  is  this  gift  misused!  It  is  mis- 
used for  purposes  of  lying,  dissimulation,  hypocrisy, 
flattery,  detraction,  calumny,  uncharitable  con- 
versation of  ever)'  kind.  It  causes  enmity  and 
hatred,  strife  and  contention.  A  single  word 
from  a  tongue  under  the  influence  of  a  wicked 
heart  may  bring  about  the  most  grievous  mis- 
fortunes! The  diabolical  work  of  evil  tongues  will 
often  seriously  disturb,  if  not  totally  destroy,  union 
in  families,  affection  between  married  couples,  con- 
cord among  relations  and  friends,  peace  in  com- 
munities. 

4.  Therefore  is  the  tongue  rightly  described 
as   a   small,    but   dangerous   member.     Thus   did 


The  ^^iD'cissKS — Truthfulness.        227 

St.  James  term  it  when  he  wrote  to  the  faithful: 
"The  tongue  is  indeed  a  little  member,  and  boasteth 
great  things.  Behold  how  small  a  fire  kindleth  a 
great  wood.  And  the  tongue  is  a  fire,  a  world  of 
iniquity."  These  are  hard  words,  but  we  find 
them  in  Holy  Scripture;  they  cannot,  therefore,  be 
exaggcrateo.  And  in  our  daily  experience  we  find 
only  too  rany  instances  to  prove  that  such  expres- 
sions are  neither  unfounded  nor  extreme. 

5.  Nor  can  we  wonder  that  even  in  the  Old 
Testament  the  Holy  Spirit  so  strictly  enjoins  upon 
men  the  government  of  the  tongue,  prudence  in 
speech,  the  observance  of  silence.  Solomon  says 
in  the  book  of  Proverbs:  "In  the  multitude  of 
words  there  shall  not  want  sin,  but  he  that  re- 
fraineth  his  lips  is  most  wise."  And  again:  "He 
ill  at  keepeth  his  mouth,  and  his  tongue,  keepeth 
his  soul  from  distress." 

St.  James  also  says:  "If  any  man  offend  not  in 
word,  the  same  is  a  perfect  man."  In  another 
place  he  exhorts  us  thus:  "Let  every  man  be  swift 
to  hear,  but  slow  to  speak,  and  slow  to  anger." 
He  wishes  to  direct  the  attention  of  all  who  desire  to 
lead  a  pious  life  to  the  first  and  most  essential 
condition  of  true  piety,  the  government  of  the 
tongue.  He  does  this  in  the  following  words: 
"If  any  man  think  himself  to  be  religious,  not 
bridling  his  tongue,  but  deceiving  his  own  heart, 
this  man's  religion  is  vain." 

6.  And  mark  well,  my  dear  child,  the  great  dis- 
advantages which  much  talking  brings  in  its  train. 
A  young  girl  who,  when  in  the  company  of  others, 
oversteps  the  limits  which  modesty  prescribes,  and 
chatters,  chatters,  scarcely  allowing  those  present 
to  put  in  a  word,  soon  becomes  a  bore;  even  more 
tiresome  still  than  another  girl  who  can  hardly  be 


228  T}ie  Maiden's  Wreath. 

induced  to  speak  at  all.  A  girl  who  is  too  talkative 
will  not  easily  gain  the  confidence  of  her  friends 
and  fellow  men,  because  they  are  perfectly  aware 
that  it  would  not  be  safe  to  trust  her  with  any- 
thing of  importance. 

A  girl  who  is  overfond  of  talking  often  dis- 
turbs her  own  jx^ace  of  mind;  her  heedless  words 
frequently  cause  her  to  feel  discontented  both 
with  herself  and  with  others.  And  how  much 
valuable  time  is  lost  through  this  never-ending 
gossip,  time  which  ought  to  be  spent  in  work 
or  else  in  prayer!  And  amid  all  this  constant 
chatter  and  distraction  how  can  the  improvement 
of  the  heart,  and  the  cultivation  of  the  mind,  be 
duly  considered! 

If  the  words  of  Our  Lord  are  true,  and  true 
they  must  be,  since  He  uttered  them:  "I  say  to 
you,  that  every  idle  word  that  men  shall  speak 
they  shall  render  an  account  for  it  in  the  day  of 
judgment,"  what  shall  be  the  fate  of  those  who 
speak  so  many  words  which  are  not  only  idle, 
but  sinful  and  uncharitable? 

7.  Consequently  you  would  do  well  to  follow 
the  advice  which  a  prudent  director  gave  to  a 
certain  young  man.  The  latter  had  asked  per- 
mission to  wear  an  instrument  of  penance  round 
his  waist  in  order  to  mortify  himself.  The  ex- 
perienced priest  made  the  sign  of  the  cross  upon 
his  mouth,  and  said:  "My  friend,  the  best  instru- 
ment of  penance  for  you  is  to  take  care  that  no 
reprehensible  word  may  pass  the  threshold  of  your 
lips."  Practice  yourself  now  and  then  in  keeping 
silence;  check  an  immoderate  love  of  talking; 
check  it  sometimes  in  regard  to  conversation 
which  is  merely  indifferent,  not  actually  sinful; 
in  order  that  by  so  doing  you  may  acquire  greater 


The  Narcissus — Ti-Kthfiduess.        229 

mastery  over  your  tongue,  where  weighty  matters 
sre  concerned. 

You  say  you  have  two  ears  and  one  mouth; 
There  is  surely  no  cause  to  complain. 
That  you  may  hear  much  and  little  may  say, 
Yop  are  given  one  mouth  and  ears  twain. 


tART  SECOND  — A  WREATH  OF  LILIES. 


*1^  OSES  of  youth  with  years  fade  away, 

Bright  eyes  grow  dim,  bright  locks  grow 
gray; 
But  there's  a  flower  that  will  not  fade, 
A  gentle  flower,  that  loves  the  shade — 
The  graceful  lily,  pure  and  sweet, 
Of  innocence  an  emblem  meet ; 
This  be  thy  choice  in  youth's  bright  day : 
Its  charms  will  never  pass  away  ! 


Mary.  Mother  of  Jesus  the  Good  Shepherd   pray  for  us 
that  we  may  hear  His  voice,  love  Him  and  follow  Him. 


1.  Ube  Xil^  in  Tnntarnlsbc^  Splen&or. 

XlLVJUt.  ?«oto  aseautitul  is  tfje  CJjastc  eEJcncra= 
tioiil 

1.  *T'N  the  course  of  my  instructions  I  have 
r^-*     already  mentioned  several  virtues  which 

TOU  ought  specially  to  practise.  There  is,  however, 
one  upon  which  I  have  hitherto  only  occasionally 
touched  without  speaking  of  it  in  detail.  And 
yet  this  virtue  is  the  most  necessarj^  and  important 
for  you,  the  virtue  belonging  to  youth,  and  to 
the  young  girl  more  particularly;  a  virtue  without 
which  you  would  indeed  be  a  virgin  no  longer; 
a  virtue  to  which  other  virtues,  such  as  modesty, 
obedience,  piety,  serve  as  an  escort  to  safeguard 
and  protect  it;  a  virtue  which  is  absolutely  indis- 
pensable to  your  temporal  and  eternal  happiness. 
And  what  is  this  virtue?  What  is  this  fairest 
of  ail  the  flowers  with  which  you  are  to  adorn 
yourself?  I  am  sure  that  your  pious  heart  already 
knows  full  well  that  it  is  the  lily  of  chastity. 

2.  Although  I  have  given  you  many  fatherly 
counsels  and  instructions,  I  should  feel  that  as 
yet  I  had  done  but  ver\'  little  toward  promoting 
your  temporal  and  eternal  happiness  were  I  not 
to  urge  you,  with  all  the  power  and  earnestness 
which  the  heart  of  a  dutiful  priest  is  capable  of 
feeling,  to  love  and  practise  this  angelic  virtue; 
were  I  not  to  warn  you,  in  the  most  forcible  terms 
I  can  possibly  employ,  against  the  opposite  vice; 

'233 


234  A   Wreath  uf  Lilies. 

were  I  not  to  teach  you  how  to  recognize  the  enemies 
of  this  virtue,  and  tell  you  what  weajxins  you 
must  use  in  fighting  against  them. 

3.  Chastity  is  the  lily,  the  pearl  of  virtues,  the 
most  precious  of  all,  the  most  pleasing  to  God. 
It  is  called  the  angelic  virtue,  because  it  raises 
man  almost  to  a  level  with  the  angels.  This 
virtue  enables  man  to  avoid  all  impure,  carnal, 
forbidden  pleasures,  to  rise  superior  to  tempta- 
tion, to  remain  chaste  in  thoughts,  words,  and 
actions.  And  how  utterly  indispensable  this  virtue 
fe  for  a  maiden!  St.  Francis  of  Sales  writes  upon 
this  subject:  "Young  women  ought  to  guard 
their  chastity  with  special  care,  to  banish  from 
their  minds  all  reprehensible  thoughts,  and  repel 
with  contempt  all  impure  desires." 

And  how  great  is  the  charm  which  innocence 
lends  to  a  child,  to  a  young  girl!  So  magical  is 
this  charm  that  it  often  inspires  even  bad-  men 
and  libertines  with  awe  and  veneration.  For 
example,  we  find  the  p>oet  Heine,  whose  own 
morals  were  not  of  the  purest,  writing  these  touch- 
ing lines  about  an  innocent  child: 

How  like  a  flower  of  the  field, 
Pure,  fair,  and  sweet  thou  art; 

I  gaze  on  thee,  and  while  I  gaze 
A  sigh  escapes  my  heart. 

Methinks  upon  thy  youthful  head, 

My  hands  I  ought  to  lay; 
To  keep  thee  sweet  and  fair  and  pure. 

My  God  I  ought  to  pray. 

4.  We  can  clearly  perceive  the  great  value  which 
chastity  posses.ses  in  the  eyes  of  God.  He  has 
most  plainly  shown  this  in  various  ways.  "And 
the  Word  was  made  llesh  and  dwelt  among  us." 


The  Lily  in  Untarnished  Splendor.  235 

In  order  to  atone  for  our  sins,  the  Son  of  God 
subjected  Himself  to  all  human  miseries;  to  hunger 
and  thirst,  to  cold  and  heat,  to  watching  and 
weariness.  But  He  did  not  choose  to  come  into 
the  world  in  the  same  manner  as  other  men:  no; — 
He  did  this  in  a  manner  contrary  to  the  natural 
laws,  by  a  miracle  of  His  omnipotence:  He  was 
conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost  and  born  of  Mary, 
the  purest  of  virgins.  How  great  was  her  love 
for  virginal  purity!  The  Doctors  of  the  Church 
teach  us  that  she  v/as  ready  to  decline  the  exalted 
dignity  of  becoming  the  Mother  of  God  rather 
than  relinquish  the  state  of  virginity. 

5.  While  sojourning  in  the  wilderness  the  Re- 
deemer permitted  the  devil  to  tempt  Him  to  ambi- 
tion, to  idolatr)',  but  not  to  a  sin  against  holy 
purity.  He  permitted  the  Jews  to  blaspheme  and 
revile  Him,  but  He  did  not  allow  them  to  impute 
to  Him  so  much  as  the  shadow  of  anything  impure. 
Among  His  Apostles  He  tolerated  one  He  knew 
would  prove  a  traitor,  but  no  unchaste  person 
was  to  be  found  in  the  little  band.  Why  did 
He  do  all  this?  In  order  to  show  us  His  intense 
abhorrence  of  the  sin  of  impurity,  and  His  great 
esteem  for  the  pearl  of  virtues.  Fire  is  opposed 
to  water;  therefore  the  flame  sputters  if  only  a  few 
drops  of  moisture  have  fallen  upon  the  wick  of  a 
taper.  Likewise  God,  being  purity  itself,  is  opposed 
to  what  is  impure.  God  loves  the  pure  and  detests 
the  impure.  He  is  the  purest  of  spirits,  and  must 
therefore  of  necessity  abhor  the  impure,  who 
indulge  their  carnal  appetites,  their  bestial  lusts. 

6.  With  whom  is  the  chaste  soul  to  be  com- 
pared? Holy  Scripture  tells  us  that  it  can  be 
compared  with  nothing  upon  earth.  "Wliat," 
asks  St.  Bernard,  "is  more  precious  than  chastity, 


236  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

which  makes  an  angel  out  of  a  man?  A  chaste 
man  dilTers  from  an  angel,  not,  indeed,  in 
angelic  virtue,  but  only  in  regard  to  the  state  of 
beatitude.  The  pure  angels  are  more  blessed, 
but  cliaste  men  are  more  valiant." 

You,  my  dear  child,  who  regard  your  body  as 
the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  desire  to  keep 
it  pure,  mark  well  what  I  am  about  to  say.  In 
the  course  of  your  life  you  may  be  sick  and  destitute 
and  wretched,  you  may  be  despised  and  forsaken 
by  men,  but  as  long  as  you  remain  pure  in  soul 
you  will  never  cea.se  to  be  dear  to  God  as  are  His 
holy  angels.  As  the  Saviour,  whilst  lying  in  the 
crib,  took  delight  in  listening  to  the  songs  of  the 
celestial  choirs,  so  will  He  not  fail  to  listen  to  your 
petitions,  for  you  will  be  an  angel  upon  earth. 
Had  He  cared  for  wealth  and  earthly  splendor. 
He  would  not  have  summoned  poor,  simple,  un- 
known shepherds  to  His  crib;  He  looks  with 
favor  upon  the  chaste  heart  adorned  with  angelic 
virtue. 

7.  The  virtue  of  chastity  has  the  most  beneficial 
influence  on  one's  whole  being.  A  young  girl  who 
is  really  and  truly  chaste  will  be  bright  and  happy, 
will  enjoy  peace  of  mind,  will  face  difficulties  with 
courage  and  perseverance,  will  pass  with  compara- 
tive ease  through  trials  and  sufferings.  Chastity 
contributes  not  a  little  to  the  preservation  of  physical 
health,  to  a  fresh  and  blooming  exterior.  Hence 
the  lines: 

To  keep  thy  soul  as  pure  and  white 

As  lily  thou  shouldst  seek; 
And  then  be  sure  that  roses  bright 

Will  blossom  on  thy  cheek. 


Tlie  Lily  in   Untarnished  Splendor.  237 

If  you  desire  to  be  beautiful  in  reality,  not  in 
appearance  only,  if  you  desire  to  be  beautiful  in 
the  sight  of  God,  not  only  before  the  eyes  of  men, 
be  pure  and  chaste!  If  you  desire  to  obtain  ever- 
lasting happiness,  immortal  glory,  I  say  again,  l3e 
pure  and  chaste!  If  you  desire  to  possess  the  love 
of  God,  of  the  saints,  and  of  all  good  men,  in  time 
and  throughout  eternity,  once  more  I  repeat,  be 
pure  and  chaste!  Bear  in  mind  the  words  of  Holy 
Writ:  "How  beautiful  is  the  chaste  generation 
with  glor}^;  for  the  memory  of  it  is  immortal; 
because  it  is  known  both  with  God  and  with  men." 


XaVEfE.  asirsscU  ^rr  tf)c  dle.mn  of  Jljeart. 


O' 


^UR  Lord  said  to  His  disciples  in  the 
sermon  on  the  mount:  "Blessed  are 
the  clean  of  heart,  for  they  shall  see  God!"  How 
sweet  is  the  solace  which  these  words  contain  for 
the  chaste  maiden! 

Many  persons  undertake  journeys  to  distant 
lands,  to  famous  spots,  in  order  to  see  wonderful 
things.  We,  also,  are  wanderers;  we  are  traveUng 
along  the  steep  and  stony  road  of  our  life  on 
earth.  Our  body  is  like  luggage;  we  hasten  on 
our  way,  our  heart  beats  quickly,  and  each  throb 
of  our  pukse  brings  us  a  step  nearer  eternity. 
And  if  this  life,  this  journey  to  eternity,  often 
appears  tedious,  it  is  for  the  most  part  because 
we  have  bad  weather;  I  mean,  because  we  meet  with 
crosses  and  sufferings. 

2.  Whither  are  we  going,  for  what  are  we  seek- 
ing? We  are  striving  to  reach  the  heavenly  Jeru- 
salem, we  are  desirous  to  behold  our  God  and 
Father.     ^\'hen    we    are    pennitted    to    gaze    upon 


238  A   Wreath  of  Lilies. 

Him  all  will  be  will  with  us;  care  and  sorrow  will 
vanish,  and  we  will  be  hapj)y  furcvcrmorc!  But 
whose  is  the  blessed  privilege,  not  only  to  gain  an 
entrance  into  heaven,  but  also  to  possess  the  right 
of  citizenship,  of  eternal  citizenship  in  heaven? 
"Blessed  are  the  clean  of  heart,  for  they  shall  see 
God." 

Every  Christian  yearns  to  enter  heaven.  Men 
meet  with  many  trials  in  the  course  of  their  life; 
God  strews  them  like  thorns  along  their  path 
that  their  hearts  may  not  cling  to  the  earth,  that 
they  may  not  take  delight  in  the  tinsel  of  this 
world,  but  may  seek  for  the  true  gold,  for  eternal 
happiness. 

If  at  a  later  stage  of  your  journey  through  life 
you  meet  with  gloomy  and  inclement  weather,  if 
you  long  more  ardently  than  ever  for  the  perpetual 
sunshine  of  heaven,  then  open  your  guide  book, 
which  is  your  conscience,  and  if  on  not  one  of  its 
pages  is  there  recorded  a  sin  again.st  chastity  I 
shall  indeed  rejoice  in  union  with  your  guardian 
angel,  for  then  will  you  be  truly  "blessed."  ''Blessed 
are  the  clean  of  heart." 

3.  As  St.  Gregory  the  Pope  remarks,  chastity 
by  itself  is  not  sufficient  to  open  heaven  for  us. 
You  would  rescmljle  the  foolish  virgins  who  had 
no  oil  in  their  lamps,  and  on  this  account  were 
excluded  from  the  marriage  feast,  if  you  were  to 
observe  only  the  sixth  and  ninth  commandments, 
and  violate  some  other  commandment  in  an  im- 
portant matter;  for  in  that  case  you  would  have 
no  true  lo\e  of  God,  without  which  no  one  can 
enter  heaven.  But  note  well  the  reason  why 
"many  are  called,  but  few  chosen."  It  is  because 
so  few  preserve  chastity  according  to  their  state 
of  life. 


Tlic  Lily  in  Untarnished  Splendor.  239 

A  maiden  who  really  preserves  her  chastity  out 
of  love  to  God  usually  keeps  the  other  command- 
ments. If  she  conquers  in  the  ditliicult  struggle— 
and  in  the  case  of  many  persons  no  struggle  is 
more  difficult  than  that  which  must  be  waged  if 
chastity  is  to  be  preser\'ed — she  will  not  give  way 
in  less  difficult  encounters  with  the  enemies  of 
her  salvation.  She  would  be  foolish  indeed  who, 
after  succeeding  in  doing  what  was  difficult,  should 
fail  in  regard  to  what  was  comparatively  easy. 

4.  O  chastity,  how  sweet  a  solace  thou  art  for 
all  men,  and  for  young  girls  more  especially! 
*TAe  clean  of  heart  shall  see  God!"  Must  not  the 
heart  of  a  maiden  be  filled  with  rapture  if  she 
is  conscious  of  spotless  chastity  both  of  soul  and 
body?  Take  courage,  therefore;  it  is  after  all 
not  so  very  difficult  to  get  to  heaven.  Tend 
with  the  utmost  care  the  lily  of  chastity;  for 
this  is  the  token  whereby  God  recognizes  His 
children. 

5.  Though  you  are  very  far  from  being  a  saint, 
a  heroine  in  regard  to  virtue,  yet  you  perform  a 
large  number  of  good  works  every  month,  perhaps 
even  every  day.  Doubtless  you  often  pray,  hear 
Mass,  attend  divine  service,  examine  your  con- 
science, confess  your  faults  with  sincere  contrition, 
receive  the  body  of  the  Lord  with  love  and  devo- 
tion, perform  your  daily  tasks  with  a  good  inten- 
tion, undertake  one  or  other  pious  practice  in  honor 
of  the  Mother  of  God,  etc.,  etc.  God  rewards  even 
a  cup  of  cold  water  given  to  a  thirsty  man  out  of 
love  for  Him;  will  He  not  therefore  reward  all 
these  good  works  if  done  for  love  of  Him?  Most 
assuredly  He  will;  He  will  give  you  an  eternal 
reward  in  heaven,  if  you  persevere  in  the  grace  of 
God  and  bear  in  your  hand  the  lily  of  purity. 


240  A   Wreath  of  Lilies. 

6.  An  ancient  heathen  legend  relates  that  Hcrmi- 
one,  the  hx'autiful  Persian  princess,  wore  in  her 
hair  a  magnificent  opal  of  priceless  value.  This 
brilliant  jewel  possessed,  however,  a  very  pecu- 
liar property.  A  single  drop  of  water  fell  u\K>n  it 
and  dissolved  it,  with  fatal  consequences  to  the 
wearer. 

Now  look,  my  daughter;  this  flower  of  paradise, 
the  lily  of  chastity,  is  just  as  beautiful,  just  as 
precious  as  that  opal,  and  no  less  delicate  and 
easily  injured.  This  virtue  is  indeed  a  sublime 
moral  force  which  enables  the  poor  human  heart 
to  rise  superior  to  its  own  frailties,  and  unite  itself 
to  God,  the  God  of  infinite  purity.  Hence  it  is 
said,  "Blessed  are  the  clean  of  heart,  for  they 
shall  see  God." 

Yes,  it  may  be  said  that  even  on  earth  the  chaste 
soul  enjoys  a  foretaste  of  eternal  felicity.  The 
chaste  soul  is  in  itself  a  paradise,  a  garden  of  de- 
light, wherein  the  Holy  Ghost  takes  pleasure,  a 
throne  of  the  Divinity,  whence  flow  graces  and 
blessings  to  enrich  the  period  of  its  exi-stence  here 
below,  during  which  it  is  united  in  sweet  harmony 
with  a  body  no  less  pure  and  chaste  than  itself. 

Now  tell  me.  Christian  maiden,  is  it  not  worth 
sacrificing  ever\'thing,  surrendering  everything,  for 
the  sake  of  this  virtue,  the  lily  of  chastity,  which 
will  admit  us  to  the  beatific  vision  of  God?  Ought 
we  to  shrink  from  any  exertion,  from  any  struggle 
which  it  may  cost  us  to  [jreserve  it?  And  ougiit 
we  not  every  day,  and  many  times  a  day,  to  invoke 
the  Mother  and  patroness  of  chastity,  saying  to 
her:  "O  Mary,  obtain  for  me  this  fair  virtue. 
Enable  me  to  prescn-e  my  chastity.  On  account 
of  thy  spotless  purity  thou  wast  exalted  above 
the  choirs  of  angels  to  a  glorious  throne  in  heavea 


The  Lily  in  Untarnished  Splendor.  241 

Help  me  to  be  clean  of  heart,  in  order  that  hereafter 
I  may  be  privileged  to  enjoy  the  beatific  vision  of 
God  forever  and  ever." 


Look  down  upon  us  from  above, 
Mother  of  mercy  and  fair  lov^e; 
Until,  bright  Queen  of  heaven,  we  see 
Thv  face  to  all  eternitv. 


X3HJX.  JFtsftt  aittr  eroiiqurr. 

1.  Vil  |*HILST  the  holy  martyr  St.   Perpetua 
^J^-^     was  languishing   in  a  dark    dungeon 

she  saw  the  following  vision:  She  beheld  a  goldeji 
ladder  which  reached  from  earth  to  heaven.  This 
ladder  was  very  narrow.  On  each  side  were 
ranged  swords,  lances,  knives,  and  sharp  points  of 
iron.  At  the  foot  of  the  ladder  an  ungainly  monster 
kept  guard  to  prevent  any  one  from  approaching. 
This  vision  was  meant  to  show  her  that  she  would 
have  to  endure  suffering  and  martyrdom  for  the 
faith. 

Every  maiden  who  is  desirous  of  preserving  her 
chastity  intact  may  apply  this  vision  to  herself. 
For  chastity  is  a  golden  ladder  which  reaches  to 
heaven,  but  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left  are 
sharp  instruments,  namely,  enemies,  dangers, 
temptations  proceeding  from  men  and  from  her 
own  fallen  nature. 

2.  St.  Paul  tells  us  that  "all  that  will  live  godly 
in  Christ  Jesus  shall  suffer  persecution."  These 
words  are  particularly  true  in  regard  to  chastity- 
The  chaste  maiden  must  be  diligent  in  prayer, 
since  otherwise  it  is  impossible  for  her  to  remain 
pure.     She   must   frequently  approach   the   sacra- 


242  ^L  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

ments;  she  must  avoid  occasions  of  sin;  she  must 
keep  her  eyes,  ears  and  tongue  under  due  control; 
she  must  conquer  herself  in  a  thousand  ways. 
She  must  no  more  mix  with  worldly-minded  jx-rsons, 
or  partake  of  their  spirit,  than  Noe  did  with  his 
contemjwraries,  or  Lot  with  the  inhabitants  of 
Sodom. 

3.  In  Rome,  the  chief  city  of  Christendom, 
even  down  to  the  present  day  a  room  may  lie  seen 
the  contents  of  which  are  of  a  very  peculiar  descrip- 
tion. Within  its  walls  are  preserved  blood-stained 
swords  and  spears  with  which  the  holy  martyrs  of 
former  days  were  pierced;  iron  helmets,  which  were 
heated,  then  placed  upon  their  heads;  pincers,  nails 
and  darts  with  which  they  were  tortured;  gridirons 
on  which  they  were  broiled,  and  racks  on  which 
they  were  extended.  Was  not  the  battle  which 
the  martyrs  so  courageously  fought  a  very  painful 
and  difficult  one?  liut  heaven  is  worth  the  price 
they  paid  for  it. 

In  the  last  great  day,  when  all  the  members  of 
the  human  race  will  be  gathered  together,  we  shall 
behold  these  martyrs.  What  answer  could  we 
make  to  them  were  they  to  address  us  in  some 
such  words  as  these:  "See  what  tortures  we  endured 
for  the  faith,  while  you  were  so  cowardly  and 
pusillanimous  as  to  shrink  from  the  easier  and 
painless  means  you  had  to  employ  to  preserve 
your  chastity!" 

4.  Let  us  then  take  courage!  God  does  indeed 
require  that  we  should  undergo  a  martyrdom,  but 
one  of  a  much  milder  description;  we  have  to 
struggle  in  defence  of  chastity.  Fight  and  con- 
quer! A  glorious  palm  is  promised  as  the  reward 
of  chastity.  Do  not  grow  weary  of  the  endeavor 
to  suppress  evil   thoughts  and  desires.     "Just  as 


The  Lily  in  Untarnished  Splendor.    243 

often  as  you  resist,"  St.  Antony  tells  us  for  our 
consolation,  "so  often  will  you  be  crowned."  If 
you  strive  to  banish  temptations  to  impurity  as 
soon  as  you  become  aware  of  them,  you  are  in 
nowise  to  blame,  because  they  are  involuntary,  and 
if  you  conquer  them  you  increase  your  merit. 

Only  fight  bravely  on;  these  unruly  passions 
will  not  trouble  you  forever.  After  the  conflict 
there  will  come  a  day  of  peace  and  victor}^,^a  day 
of  bright,  of  never-ending  peace  and  rest.  If  you 
preserve  your  body  as  a  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
it  will  be  glorified. 

5  What  a  feeling  of  horror,  of  self-loathing, 
must  seize  upon  the  fallen  maiden  when  she 
finds  herself  in  the  presence  of  the  relics  of  some 
saint.  My  body,  she  could  not  but  reflect,  ought 
to  be  a  temple  fit  for  the  indwelling  of  the  Deity, 
as  was  the  body  of  this  saint.  It  also  was  hallowed 
and  sanctified  by  the  sacraments,  and  was  sprinkled 
with  the  precious  blood  of  the  Saviour!  But  now 
see  the  havoc  and  devastation!  What  joy  on  the 
contrary,  what  sweet  consolation,  must  fill  the  heart 
of  a  girl  who  fully  deserves  the  title  of  virgin!  The 
body  of  St.  Francis  Xavier,  who  was  a  most  ardent 
lover  of  chastity,  was  miraculously  preserved  from 
corruption  for  a  long  space  of  time.  God  has 
worked  the  same  wonder  in  the  case  of  many  other 
saints.  This  reflection  abounds  in  comfort  for 
every  chaste  heart.  By  means  of  these  miracles 
God  designs  to  show  that,  even  though  the  human 
frame  does  moulder  in  the  grave,  He  has  power  to 
raise  it  up,  and  to  clothe  it  with  such  brightness 
and  glory  as  to  make  it  shine  like  a  star  in  the 
firmament. 

6.  Am  I  to  speak  only  of  maidens  who  are 
fortunate   enough   to   come   victorious   out   of   the 


2ii  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

battle,  and  to  preserve  their  innocence  without  a 
single  stain?  Are  tiure  in  the  world  no  girls  to 
be  found  who  have  been  vanquished  in  the  hard 
strife,  who  have  lost  their  most  precious  treasure, 
the  lily  of  chastity  ?  Must  they  on  this  account  give 
everything  up  for  lost?  If  I  were  to  think  that 
you  might  jxjssibly  be  overtaken  by  this  terrible 
misfortune  should  I  then  altogether  despair  about 
you?  ^ 

Most  assuredly  not!  It  is  indeed  true  that  when 
the  robe  of  innocence  has  once  been  torn  there 
will  always  remain  a  certain  blemish.  The  woman 
who  has  fallen  may  become  a  penitent,  but  after  the 
sincerest  and  most  complete  amendment,  and  the 
severest  penance,  she  must  always  lx.'ar  about  with 
her  the  identical  body,  the  same  soul  which  have 
made  shipwreck  of  their  innocence,  and  have  been 
for  a  time  a  temple  of  idols,  the  abode  of  the  spirit 
of  evil. 

7.  Yet  even  after  so  grievous  a  fall  there  is 
some  consolation  left.  If  you  should  ever  find 
yourself  in  this  sad  case  (which  may  God  forbid!) 
do  not  give  way  to  despair!  If  at  such  moments 
you  feel  utterly  wretched  and  cast  down,  if  you 
rememb'.'r  with  sadness  the  happy  day  of  your 
first  communion,  and  the  innocent  pleasures  of 
your  childhood,  if  you  are  filled  with  an  intense 
longing  for  the  {peaceful  security  of  the  time  you 
spent  at  school,  I  have  a  word  of  comfort  for  you. 
Your  case  is  then  like  that  of  a  soldier  who  U}-K»n 
one  occasion  ran  away  from  the  enemy.  If  you 
now  retrace  your  steps,  and  fight  bravely,  you  may 
perhaps  be  more  pleasing  to  God  than  those  wlio 
have  never  taken  to  flight  Ixxause  they  have  never 
been  called  ujxin  to  engage  in  .severe  warfare,  nor 
have  had  to  resist  any  special  temptations. 


The  Lily  in  Untarnished  SiJhnidor.    245 

Be  always  open  and  candid  when  you  go  to  con- 
fession; in  spite  of  repeated  defeats  never  give  up 
to  the  enemy;  herein  Hes  the  secret  of  final  victory. 
Persevere  whatever  may  be  your  circumstances, 
persevere  in  the  combat  for  the  lily  of  innocence; 
then  will  these  words  be  fulfilled  in  your  case: 

Victory  we  will  win 
Fighting  against  sin; 
Suffering  and  pain 
Heaven's  bliss  will  gain. 

H.  Eafec  ffiourage! 

1.  "TTN  my  last  instruction  I  exhorted  you 
-  A-,  to  "fight  and  conquer."  My  watch- 
word to-day  is:  Take  courage!  I  have  attempted 
to  portray  the  difficult  nature  of  the  struggle  which 
must  be  carried  on  if  chastity  is  to  be  preserved; 
and  to  describe  how  terrible  a  thing  it  is  when  a 
young  girl  who  has  hitherto  been  pious  and  virtuous 
falls  into  the  snares  of  the  evil  one  and  is  ruined. 
When  you  think  of  your  own  future  your  heart  is 
doubtless  filled  with  dread  and  anxiety.  Let  not 
this  diTad  and  anxiety  lead  you  to  discourage- 
ment, or  to  despair.  Take  courage!  I  say  for 
your  consolation  only:  Take  courage!  For  if, 
even  after  living  in  sin  for  years,  it  is  quite  possible 
to  be  truly  converted,  how  much  less  difficult  it 
is  to  preserve  oneself  from  leading  such  a  life,  and 
to  keep  the  robe  of  innocence  pure  and  unstained! 

2.  About  400  years  after  Christ  there  lived  a 
girl  in  one  of  the  great  cities  of  Egypt  (a  virgin  I  can- 
not call  her,  for  she  was  a  notorious  sinner).  Driven 
by  an  unclean  spirit,  she  left  her  parents  when  she 
was  only  twelve  years  old,  so  as  to  be  able  to  give 


346  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

free  rein  to  her  passions.  For  seventeen  years  she 
carried  on  her  life  of  sin  without  the  vengeance  of 
Heaven  falling  upon  her;  for  seventeen  long  years 
she  lived  in  such  a  manner  that  when  u|)on  one 
occasion  a  stranger  asked  her  who  she  was,  siic 
replied:  "If  I  were  to  tell  you  the  story  of  my  life 
you  would  be  filled  with  such  loathing  that  you 
would  fly  from  me  as  from  a  serpent."  If  any 
one  had  told  this  poor  miserable  sinner,  in  the 
midst  of  her  evil  life,  that  when  she  had  reached 
the  age  of  twenty-nine  she  would  begin  to  lead  the 
life  of  an  angel,  while  yet  in  the  same  body  which 
had  been  so  stained  and  polluted  by  sin,  and  that 
for  forty-seven  years  she  would  continue  to  lead 
this  life;  that  she  would  shed  floods  of  tears,  doing 
ceaseless  penance,  mortifying  herself  in  every  way, 
allowing  herself  no  pleasure  or  indulgence,  but 
enduring  this  martyrdom  for  forty-seven  years; 
if,  I  say,  any  one  had  told  her  this  beforehand 
she  w^ould,  no  doubt,  have  laughed  aloud,  and 
imagined  that  a  sorry  jest  was  being  made  at  her 
expense ! 

Yet  that  which  appeared  impossilile  actually 
took  place.  The  notorious  sinner  liecame  the 
renowned  and  holy  penitent  St.  Mary  of  Egj'pt. 
Seventeen  vears  she  had  been  the  slave  of  sin; 
but  at  length,  touched  by  divine  grace  and  aided 
by  the  Mother  of  God,  she  was  converted.  From 
that  time  forth  she  led  a  life  of  angelic  purity. 
After  doing  penance  for  forty-seven  years  in  a  remote 
and  desolate  wilderness  she  passed  at  length  into 
the  presence  of  Him  who  has  said:  "I  desire  not 
the  death  of  the  wicked,  but  that  the  wicked  turn 
from  his  way,  and  live." 

3.  Well  then,  my  dear  young  friend,  if  it  was 
possible  for  this  penitent,  with  the  help  of  God's 


The  Lilij  in  Uiitarnished  Splendor.    247 

grace,  to  burst  the  strong  iron  bonds  of  the  worst 
imaginable  habits,  and  to  lead  a  pure  life,  how 
much  easier  is  it  for  you  to  preserve  the  precious 
treasure  of  chastity,  which  as  yet  you  have  never 
lost  I  This  is  indeed  a  most  consoling  thought. 
*'  With  God  all  things  are  possible,"  and  "I 
can  do  all  things  in  Him  who  strengtheneth  me." 
God  gives  no  commands  which  man  cannot  keep. 
Look  in  winter  at  the  dn,'  branches  of  the  trees. 
If  you  had  not  been  taught  by  experience,  you 
would  never  believe  that  from  the  boughs,  which 
to  all  appearance  are  dead,  there  would  spring, 
not  a  few  leaves  only,  but  hundreds  of  beautiful 
blossoms  and  succulent  fruits.  Yet  so  it  is  when 
the  life-giving  breath  of  spring  blows  over  the  earth. 
Far  greater  are  the  wonders  worked  by  the  breath 
oi  di\ine  grace,  which  enlightens  the  understanding 
and  inclines  the  will  to  do  what  is  right. 

4.  Therefore  never  think  or  say,  "The  tendency 
to  evil  is  so  strong  in  me  I  am  compelled  to  yield 
to  it;  I  cannot  do  otherwise!"  How  deeply  must 
such  language  grieve  the  fatherly  heart  of  God, 
how  false  is  the  idea  which  it  conveys  in  regard  to 
Him!  It  is  an  article  of  faith  that  God  desires 
the  salvation  of  all  men.  "It  is  not  the  will  of 
your  Father,  who  is  in  heaven,  that  one  of  these 
little  ones  should  perish."  Such  are  the  consoling 
words  which  proceeded  from  the  mouth  of  the  Son 
of  God  Himself,  and  of  all  the  millions  of  human 
beings  inhabiting  the  earth  there  is  not  one  who 
cannot  say  to  himself  that  God  desires  his  salvation 
more  earnestly  than  the  tenderest  mother  could. 

5.  Take  courage!  God  means  what  He  says. 
Wlien  a  huntsman  climbs  one  rocky  peak  after 
another,  being  daunted  neither  by  thorny  thickets 
nor  yawning  precipices,  nobody  can  deny  that  he 


248  A  Wredth  of  Lilies. 

is  in  earnest,  that  he  does  really  wish  to  capture 
the  game  he  is  pursuing.  And  who  can  doubt  that 
Almighty  God  does  seriously  desire  our  salvation  ? 
The  man  who  could  thus  think  could  surely  never 
have  seen  the  picture  of  an  Ecce  Homo,  or  gazed 
upon  a  crucifix.  From  the  crown  of  His  .sacred 
head  to  the  soles  of  His  feet  this  Man  of  sorrows, 
our  Redeemer,  is  covered  with  blood.  Each  one 
of  His  wounds  cries  to  us  with  a  loud  voice:  ''O 
cnild  of  man,  whoever  thou  mayest  be,  see  how 
terribly  in  earnest  thy  God  was  in  His  desire  to 
help  and  save  thee,  else  would  He  not  have  done 
so  much  for  thee."  He  gives  us  grace  sufiicient  to 
overcome  temptation;  as  St.  Paul  says:  "God  is 
faithful,  who  will  not  suffer  you  to  be  tempted 
above  that  which  you  are  able,  but  will  make  also 
with  temptation  issue,  that  you  may  be  able  to 
bear  it." 

6.  Some  persons  assert  that  it  is  too  difficult  to 
keep  the  commandments,  and  especially  to  pre- 
serve chastity.  To  this  St.  Chn'sostom  replies  as 
follows:  "The  commands  of  God  are  not  difficult 
in  themselves;  they  appear  difficult  only  because 
of  the  indolence  and  cowardice  of  man."  Slothful 
sinners  say  that  it  is  difficult  to  avoid  occasions 
of  sin.  Is  it  not  ver)'  wearisome  to  lie  for  weeks  and 
months  in  bed,  in  compliance  with  the  order  of  a 
physician?  Yet  this  is  done  to  recover  health. 
It  is  a  veritable  martyrdom  to  submit  to  a  painful 
operation,  yet  it  is  undergone  that  life  may  be 
prolonged.  ,\nd  in  the  time  of  an  epidemic  one 
has  to  remain  in  seclusion  to  avoid  contagion; 
though  this  is  irksome,  it  is  gladly  done.  How 
far  more  willing  ought  we  to  be  to  make  a  sacrifice 
in  order  to  escape  eternal  death! 

7.  Therefore    take    courage,     my    dear    child! 


The  Lily  and  Her  Enemies.  249 

However  great  may  be  the  temptation,  however 
ditftcult  it  may  sometimes  appear  to  you  to  avoid 
this  or  that  occasion  of  sin;  nay,  though  some- 
times it  may  seem  utterly  impossible;  though  at 
a  later  period  of  your  life  you  may  be  so  unhappy 
as  to  yield  to  temptation,  and  incur  disgrace, 
misery  and  want,  never  give  way  to  despair,  never 
cease  to  believe  in  the  grace  and  mercy  of  God. 

If  fierce  temptation's  waves  beat  high 
And  threatening  clouds  obscure  the  sky, 
Let  not  thy  sinking  heart  despair. 
But  raise  thy  voice  to  God  in  prayer. 

Fear  not  lest,  thus  tempest-tost, 
Thou  should' st  be  forever  lost; 
God  thy  helper  sure  will  be, 
-     AVill  part  the  clouds  and  calm  the  sea. 


2.  Zhc  %iVQ  ant)  IFDer  lEucmies* 


Xq 


HE  dangers  which  beset  the  lily  of  chastity 
are  numerous  and  great.  This  is  a 
thought  upon  which  I  have  repeatedly  dwelt;  and 
it  is  calculated  to  fill  even  the  most  pious  heart 
with  fear  and  apprehension.  What  is  the  enemy 
most  to  be  dreaded,  the  enemy  which  continually 
seeks  to  destroy  the  fair  lily  of  innocence?  This 
foe  is  not  far  from  each  one  of  us;  it  is  to  be  found 
within;  it  dwells  in  our  own  heart.  You  are  as 
yet  chaste  and  pure;  you  regard  sin  with  loathing 
and  abhorrence;  do  not  therefore  be  too  much 
alarmed  if  I  proceed  to  place  before  you  the  full 
extent  of  the  peril  to  which  you  are  exposed  at 


260  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

iVt  hands  of  this  enemy.  It  was  not  without 
good  reason  that  I  exhorted  you,  in  my  last  instruc- 
tion, to  take  courage  and  have  confidence  in  (iod. 
I  shall  indeed  R'cur  to  this  subject  again  and  again, 
and  jxiint  out  to  you  what  our  holy  religion  teaches 
in  this  respect,  for  tlie  consolation  of  all  who  have 
a  good  will. 

2.  A  blush  of  shame  mantles  the  blcxjming 
cheek  of  every  modest  maiden  if  she  hears  even 
one  unchaste  word.  We  find  that  the  ancient 
heathen  entertained  feelings  of  a  similar  kind; 
they  sought  to  hide  sin  from  the  sight  of  their 
fellow  men  under  cover  of  the  darkness  of  night. 
They  regarded  the  subjugation  of  sensual  desires 
as  something  great,  elevated,  and  meritorious. 
St.  Jerome  tells  us  that  in  olden  days  Roman 
emperors  and  statesmen  treated  maidens  who  had 
been  faithful  to  their  vow  of  chastity  with  outward 
marks  of  respect;  while  those  who  had  broken  their 
vow  met  with  aversion  and  contempt,  and  were 
put  to  death.  Not  only  was  it  engraved  upon  the 
tables  of  stone  which  God  gave  to  Moses  on  Mount 
S'nai;  it  is  also  written  on  the  pages  of  man's  con- 
science: Thou  shall  not  commit  adultery  or  any 
impurity. 

3.  Is  it  not  difficult  to  believe  that,  in  spite  of 
the  voice  of  conscience,  in  spite  of  the  unanimous 
conviction  of  every  nation,  this  vice  of  impurity, 
thus  universally  held  to  be  shameful  and  degrading, 
is  yet  indulged  in  so  constantly?  How  is  this 
fact  to  be  reconciled  with  reason  and  conscience? 
St.  Paul  answers  this  question  in  the  name  of  all 
mankind:  "I  see  another  law  in  my  members, 
fighting  against  the  law  of  my  mind,  and  captivating 
me  in  the  law  of  sin,  that  is  in  my  members.  Un- 
happy man  that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from 


The  Lily  and  Her  Enemies.  251 

the  body  of  this  death?     The  grace  of  God,  by 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 

By  these  words  the  Apostle  intends  us  to  under- 
stand that  our  reason,  our  higher  self,  recognizes 
sin,  especially  sins  against  chastity,  as  an  evil, 
and  regards  them  with  abhorrence;  that  there  is 
however  within  us  a  concupiscence,  an  inclination, 
a  proneness  to  evil,  which  allures  us,  and  that  this 
tendency  can  be  resisted  and  overcome  through 
tlie  grace  of  Jesus  Christ.  It  is  precisely  this 
concupiscence,  this  proneness  to  evil,  resulting 
from  original  sin,  which  constitutes  the  first  and 
the  most  dangerous  adversary  of  the  lily  of  purity; 
it  is  the  enemy  in  our  own  heart. 

An  impure  thought  often  steals  unperceived  into 
the  heart  without  its  evil  nature  being  recognized 
at  once;  sinful  images  are  awakened;  the  imagina- 
tion clothes  them  with  form  and  color;  sensual 
desires  are  stirred  up;  and  the  individual  finds 
himself  all  at  once  in  danger  of  losing  God,  of 
forfeiting  heaven  and  eternal  happiness. 

4.  Two  great  mistakes  are  made  concerning 
this  enemy  in  our  own  heart  and  the  temptations 
it  excites.  Some  persons  have  an  exaggerated 
dread  of  evil  thoughts,  but  most  persons  fear  them 
too  little.     I  will  say  a  few  words  on  both  points. 

For  instance,  if  you  were  merely  to  say  in  con- 
fession that  you  have  unchaste  thoughts  every 
day  the  priest  would  not  be  in  the  least  able  to 
form  an  opinion  as  to  the  sinfulness  of  these  thoughts. 
In  the  midst  of  all  these  evil  thoughts  and  imagin- 
ings your  soul  may  be  as  white  and  pure  and  stain- 
less as  a  fair  lily,  as  pleasing  to  God  as  the  soul 
of  a  child  which  has  just  been  borne  away  from 
the  baptismal  font;  the  days  and  hours  when  you 
have  had  these  evil  thoughts  may  have  been  all 


252  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

noted  down  by  your  guardian  angel,  not  indeed  to 
terrify  you  and  {)ut  you  to  shame  when  your  life 
is  drawing  to  a  close,  but,  on  the  contrary,  that  he 
may  be  able  to  say  to  you:  "Behold,  O  chaste 
soul,  for  each  one  of  these  hours  and  moments  you 
shall  receive  a  bright  and  unfading  crown  of  victor)'." 
An  evil  thought  which  is  involuntary  is  not  a 
sin;  it  is  only  a  temptation,  and  affords  us  an 
opportunity  to  fight  and  conquer,  to  gain  merit 
for  eternity. 

5.  St.  Augustine  compares  evil  thoughts  to  the 
first  sin  in  paradi.se,  in  which  these  three  took 
part,  viz.,  the  serpent,  Eve  and  Adam.  The  serj)ent 
suggested  to  the  mind  of  Eve  the  idea  of  breaking 
the  command  of  God;  Eve  took  pleasure  in  the 
thought,  and  advi.sed  Adam  to  carry  it  into  action; 
Adam  followed  her  advice  and  sinned. 

The  first  beginning  of  an  evil  thought  may  l)e 
compared  to  the  suggestions  of  the  serpent.  Eve 
represents  the  lower  nature,  which  takes  delight  in 
the  contemplation  of  sin;  in  the  person  of  Adam 
we  see  the  human  will,  which,  agreeing  to  the 
proposal  of  Eve,  completes  the  sinful  act.  If  an 
impure  thought  enters  our  mind  it  is  not  a  sin,  so 
long  as  our  free  will  definitely  refuses  its  consent, 
and  we  take  no  pleasure  in  it. 

6.  There  are,  however,  dark  recesses  in  the  heart 
of  man.  A  man  may  not  know  himself,  and  on 
this  account  be  unable  to  place  his  mental  con- 
dition l)efore  his  confessor  in  as  clear  a  light  as 
that  in  which  the  eye  of  God  beholds  him.  There- 
fore remark  that  there  arc  two  ways  in  which  our 
free  will  may  give  its  consent. 

In  the  first  place  we  may  sin  through  desire  if 
we  wish  to  have  the  opportunity  of  doing,  seeing, 
or  hearinsr  thnt  which  is  wrong;   or  we  may  sin  in 


The  Lily  and  Her  Enemies.  253 

reference  to  the  past  if  we  reflect  with  satisfaction 
on  sins  into  which  we  have  fallen,  and  wish  to 
commit  them  over  again.  Tliese  voluntary  wishes 
and  desires  are  grievous  sins,  as  both  faith  and 
reason  plainly  tell  us. 

In  the  second  place,  the  will  may  give  its  consent 
by  merely  finding  pleasure  in  impure  images  and 
thoughts,  even  without  any  wish  to  commit  sin. 
This  conscious  and  voluntary  satisfaction,  this 
pleasure  in  scenes  and  ideas  of  such  a  nature  is 
also  a  grievous  sin. 

7.  From  what  I  have  just  said  you  may  gather 
an  important  practical  lesson:  Be  ever  on  your 
guard  against  the  enemy  in  your  own  heart,  and, 
without  distressing  yourself  too  much  about  in- 
voluntary impure  thoughts,  ever  be  on  your  guard 
against  them. 

What  makes  thy  life  on  earth  most  fair? 
How  can'st  thou  best  for  heaven  prepare? 
Thy  soul  from  sin's  dark  stain  preserve, 
Seek  God's  approval  to  deserve. 


3UJK.  ?rf)e  IBncmi?  in  Jijiimau  sfja^pe. 

Pure  and  innocent  would'st  thou  remain, 
And  keep  thyself  free  from  iniquitous  stain, 
Men's  society  then  must  thou  flee 
And  find  pleasure  alone  ■nnth  thy  God  to  be. 

I.  "^^^O  shun  the  society  of  men."  This  is  a 
v_-^  hard  saying  for  beings  created  with 
social  instincts;  it  is  especially  hard  for  those  who 
are  young,  and  who  are  enjoying  life.  Moreover 
did  not  God  Himself  say  in  paradise:  "It  is  not 
good  for  man  to  be  alone;  let  us  make  him  a  help 
like  unto  himself."     Alost  certainly  it  is  not  good 


264  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

for  people  in  general,  and  especially  for  young 
girls,  altogether  to  shun  the  society  of  their  fellow 
creatures.  Nor  is  this  required  of  them,  but  only 
o/tcn  or  sometimes  to  shun  the  society  of  men.  It 
therefore  rests  with  you  to  know  whose  society 
you  ought  to  shun,  and  under  what  circum.stances 
this  should  l)e  done.  You  must  always  take  to 
flight  when  the  enemy  of  your  innocence,  such  a 
one  as  would  steal  your  lily  of  i)urity,  appears  in 
human  shape,  or,  to  speak  tjuite  plainly,  as  soon  as 
your  chastity  may  possibly  he  endangered.  I 
■will  mention  only  a  few  of  the  more  important 
circumstances  in  which   this   may  be   necessary. 

2.  The  most  ordinar)'  aspect  in  which  the  enemy 
of  chastity  appears  in  human  shape  is  that  of 
undesirable  acquaintances.  I  shall  take  a  future 
opportunity  of  speaking  more  at  length  upon  this 
subject  of  "keeping  company." 

If  you  are  able  to  spend  many  of  the  bright 
years  of  your  youth  under  your  parents'  roof, 
give  thanks  to  God  for  this  great  blessing,  liut 
even  there  you  are  not  quite  safe  from  the  enemy 
in  human  shape.  Workmen,  lodgers,  boarders, 
tradesmen's  assistants,  may  present  themselves 
and  prove  dangerous  to  your  innocence.  Young 
men  of  this  class,  attracted  by  your  pleasant,  oblig- 
ing manner,  begin  to  flatter  you,  to  joke  w'ith  you, 
at  first  in  a  way  which  is  perfectly  harmless;  having 
gained  your  confidence,  they  try  to  see  you  alone, 
they  take  liberties  with  you,  and  if  the  enemy  in 
your  own  heart  is  awake  and  active,  if  you  do  not 
avoid  and  fly  from  such  dangerous  companions, 
alas!    alas!    how  soon  is  your  innocence  lost! 

3.  In  cities  and  large  towns  girls  are  sometimes 
obliged  to  go  to  shops.  In  this  case  also  l)e  on 
your  guard   against   the   enemy  in  human  shape. 


The  Lily  and  Her  Enemies.  255 

A  clerk,  or  perhaps  the  proprietor  of  the  shop, 
may  look  at  you  with  lustful  eyes.  He  will  do 
everything  he  can  to  allure  you;  sometimes  by 
offering  goods  at  a  price  below  their  value,  some- 
times by  attempting  to  give  you  presents,  etc.,  etc. 
Never  repeat  your  visit  to  a  shop  like  this,  never 
remain  there  longer  than  you  can  help;  since 
before  you  are  aware  of  it  your  innocence  may  be 
undermined. 

4.  Perhaps  later  on  you  may  be  obliged  to 
take  a  situation  at  a  distance  from  home.  It 
is  possible  that  your  emplo3'er  may  prove  an 
enemy  in  human  shape,  and  you  may  be  exposed 
to  undue  familiarity  on  his  part.  Do  not  remain 
a  moment  in  such  a  house;  fly  from  it  as  you  would 
do  if  it  were  on  fire,  even  though  you  have  to  for- 
feit your  wages.  It  is  a  thousand  times  better  to 
lose  your  money  than  to  part  with  your  innocence. 

5.  The  enemy  in  human  shape  most  frequently 
attacks  waitresses  at  hotels  or  restaurants,  and 
attendants  in  drinking-places.  There  are  young 
women,  who,  in  spite  of  manifold  temptations, 
dangerous  occasions,  and  inducements  to  sin,  re- 
main pure  both  in  body  and  soul,  and  who,  by  their 
grave  and  prudent  demeanor,  prevent  much  evil 
from  being  carried  on.  They  deserve  the  greatest 
respect.  It  is  none  the  less  true  that  situations  of 
this  nature  are  fraught  with  great  peril  for  the 
soul. 

6.  In  rare  instances,  poor  unfortunate  girls  are 
threatened  with  the  greatest  danger  to  their  inno- 
cence at  the  hands  of  relatives:  I  mean  an  uncle  or 
a  cousin.  I  knew  a  girl  who,  having  lost  both 
parents,  was  adopted  when  she  was  eighteen 
years  old  by  a  rich  uncle.  Before  long  he  made 
proposals  to  her  which  threatened  her  innocence; 


256  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

she  sought  to  avoid  him,  but  he  pursued  her  relent- 
lessly, and  j)romise(l  if  she  would  only  yield  to  his 
wishes  he  would  make  her  sole  heiress  of  his  large 
fortune.  On  the  other  hand,  he  threatened  if  she 
refused,  to  turn  her  out  of  the  house  forthwith.  Her 
answer  was  worthy  of  Joseph  when  in  Eygpt,  or  of 
the  chaste  Susanna:  "My  innocence,"  she  replied, 
"is  dearer  to  me  than  all  the  treasures  of  the  world! 
Condemn  me,  if  you  will,  to  miser}'  and  poverty, 
but  leave  me  my  innocence,  for  then  I  shall  still 
have  God,  and  He  is  enough  for  me!"  She  quitted 
the  house  at  once.  God  grant  that  you  may  never 
be  exposed  to  similar  temptations;  if  you  should 
be,  imitate  the  conduct  of  this  courageous  girl. 

7.  If  you  go  out  alone,  be  on  your  guard  against 
the  enemy  who  may  approach  you  in  the  shape 
of  a  stranger,  of  some  one  wiili  whom  you  are 
totally  unacquainted.  The  more  harmless  he  may 
appear,  the  more  attractive  his  exterior,  the  sweeter 
his  flatteries  may  sound  in  your  ear,  so  much  the 
less  ought  you  to  trust  him.  If  he  attempts  to 
persuade  you  to  accompany  him  to  any  particular 
spot,  do  not  trust  him,  do  not  believe  him,  however 
plausible  and  apparently  harmless  may  be  the 
reasons  he  alleges.  Under  circumstances  like  these, 
many  girls  have,  through  mere  thoughtlessness 
and  good  nature,  been  ruined  both  for  time  and 
for  eternity! 

The  enemy  of  virginal  purity  is  met  with  notably 
at  popular  amusements,  where  no  restraint  is 
e.xercised,  and  license  reigns  unchecked — such  as 
fairs,  dances,  village  sports,  etc.,  or  in  places 
where  soldiers  are  quartered,  and  seaports,  where 
sailors  come  and  go.  A  well-bred  Christian  girl, 
whose  conscience  is  delicate  and  who  is  concerned 
for  the  presenation  of  her  innocence,  will,  if  possib!^: 


TJie  Lily  and  Her  Enemies.  257 

hold  aloof  from  such  amusements  altogether  or 
attend  them  only  accompanied  by  her  parents. 
Many  well  -  principled  persons  are,  no  doubt, 
present  at  the  amusements,  but  unprincipled  men 
of  doubtful  character  are  also  to  be  met  with,  and 
things  are  heard  and  seen  which  are  objectionable. 

8.  Beware  of  the  man  who  flatters  you.  Flat- 
terers are  always  false  friends;  they  are  never  to 
be  trusted. 

Do  not  imagine  that  I  have  said  all  this  with 
any  intention  of  making  you  unsociable.  I  have 
spoken  thus  only  to  make  you  prudent  and  cau- 
tious in  your  conduct  toward  persons  of  the  other 
sex.  Christian  politeness  and  sociability  are  not 
incompatible  with  a  prudent  reserve. 

3L£££.    K1)e  lanemvi  in  ffinn^  an&  iSrtcrnal 
aittractioiTs. 

I.  "T^YTHIAS,  the  accomplished  daughter  of 
«■■—  Aristotle,  the  famous  pagan  sage,  was 
annoyed  with  idle  questions  as  to  what  color  and 
what  dress  she  most  admired.  Her  answer  was 
brief  and  much  to  the  purpose:  "The  modest, 
bashful  blush  on  the  cheek  of  innocence."  And 
certainly  she  was  right;  for  the  most  beautiful 
dress  is  not  the  fairest  ornament  for  a  maiden, 
but  rather  innocence  of  heart.  Ver^-  often,  how- 
ever, dress  becomes  a  menace,  a  real  danger  to 
the  lily  of  chastity.  And  I  must  now  speak  of  this 
foe  in  the  guise  of  external  attractions,  namely, 
of  pride  and  sinful  ostentation  in  the  matter  of 
dress.  If  you  wish  to  remain  pure  and  chaste 
it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  you  should  be  on 
your  guard  against  this  enemy.  You  must  not 
be  afraid  that  I  am  about  to  enter  into  particulars 


258  A  Wreath  of  Liliea. 

concerning  dress  and  fashions — that  is  not  my 
business.  I  have  only  to  lay  down  principles,  to 
insist  upon  reason  and  decorum  in  regard  to  these 
matters,  and  then  earnestly  to  exhort  and  entreat 
you  to  shape  your  condoct  in  accordance  with  these 
principles.  • 

2.  First  of  all,  listen  to  what  I  have  to  say  in 
regard  to  l^eauty  of  p'.'r.son.  Keauty  is  a  gift  from 
Heaven,  bestowed  more  especially  on  the  feminine 
sex.  However,  in  the  case  of  too  many  young 
girls  this  gift  serves  no  good  purpose,  but  is  the 
means  not  only  of  causing  them  to  lo.se  their  chastity 
but  of  leading  others  into  sin.  Therefore  are  we 
told  in  Scripture:  "Favor  is  deceitful  and  beauty 
is  vain:  the  woman  that  feareth  the  Lord,  she 
shall  be  praised."  And  St.  Peter  writes:  "Whose 
adorning  let  it  not  be  the  outward  plaiting  of  the 
hair,  or  the  wearing  of  gold,  or  the  putting  on  of 
apparel:  But  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart  in  the 
incorruptibility  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  which 
is  rich  in  the  sight  of  God." 

Personal  beauty  is  fraught  with  danger  to  a 
young  girl.  The  flatteries  bestowed  on  it  are  so 
many  temptations  to  vanity,  and  too  often  prove 
the  first  step  in  the  downward  road  which  finally 
ends  in  the  loss  of  innocence. 

3.  ^Vherefore  be  on  your  guard  again.st  the 
enemy  which  is  found  in  the  guise  of  personal 
attractions,  namely,  against  vanity  and  an  over- 
weening desire  to  plea.se.  F.arnestly  strive  to 
render  your  heart  beautiful,  even  more  beautiful 
than  your  physical  form,  by  adorning  ic  with 
virtues.  Beauty  is  a  fleeting  thing,  but  virtue  will 
not  pass  aAvay.  How  painful  it  must  be  for  a  vain 
woman  when  the  bloom  of  youth  has  departed, 
when  lines  begin  to  furrow  her  cheeks  and  silver 


The  Lily  cuid  Her  Enemies.  259 

threads  to  mingle  with  her  abundant  tresses, 
if,  when  she  turns  her  gaze  to  the  state  of  her  soul, 
she  perceives  the  thistles  of  sin  where  the  flowers 
of  virtue  ought  to  be! 

Take  care  that  this  lot  shall  never  be  yours; 
see  that  when,  at  a  later  period  of  life,  your  youthful 
beauty  shall  have  become  a  thing  of  the  past,  you 
may  be  able  to  take  delight  in  the  beauty  of  a 
heart  rich  in  virtues. 

4.  In  regard  to  dress  make  it  a  first,  an  unalterable 
rule  that  it  be  suitable  and  decorous.  It  can  be 
decorous  only  when  it  covers  and  conceals  that 
which  no  modest,  delicate-minded  woman  could 
desire  to  display.  If,  on  the  contrary,  a  vain 
votan'  of  fashion  by  her  extravagant  attire  seeks  to 
attract  licentious  glances,  and  to  kindle  the  flame 
of  impure  thoughts  and  desires  in  the  breasts  of 
those  around  her,  or  even  becomes  the  occasion 
thereof,  she  is  guilty  of  sin,  and  often  grievous  sin. 

St.  Cyprian  of  Carthage  says:  "Only  maidens 
who  have  lost  all  sense  of  shame  and  women  of 
depraved  manners  love  to  be  oA'erdressed,  and  seek 
to  draw  attention  to  their  beauty  of  face  and  figure 
by  means  of  gaudy  raiment." 

5.  A  second  rule  in  regard  to  dress  is  to  practice 
prudent  moderation.  It  is  no  sin  to  dress  in  a 
becoming  and  suitable  manner.  You  ought  not, 
however,  to  aim  at  heightening  the  effect  of  your 
youthful  charms  only  to  be  noticed  and  admired,  or 
to  attract  in  particular  the  attention  of  young  men. 
Thereby  you  may  become  the  occasion  of  sin.  Be- 
ware of  indulging  an  overweening  desire  to  please, 
for  this  frequently  proves  an   enemy  to  chastity. 

6.  The  third  rule  I  would  lay  down  for  you  is, 
not  to  be  a  slave  to  fashion.  I  do  not  mean  that 
you  are  to  disregard  fashion  altogether,  and  pay 


260  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

no  heed  to  the  prevailin;,'  style  of  dress.  It  is  quite 
permissible,  and  sometimes  even  necessary,  U) 
accommodate  yourself  to  the  customs  of  the  day. 
However,  it  is  something  very  different  to  run 
eagerly  after  and  appropriate  every  fad  and  foolish 
fashion,  and  to  allow  your  thoughts  to  Ixi  com- 
pletely engros.sed  by  the  consideration  of  w-hat 
you  shall  wear.  You  ought  not  to  imitate  the 
vain  and  foolish  girls  who.se  constant  and  anxious 
study  seems  to  be  to  compen.sate,  by  means  of  cos- 
metics and  other  aids  of  art,  for  the  lack  of  the 
beauty  which  nature  has  denied  them.  I  do  not 
allude  to  artificial  teeth,  for  they  are  often  both 
useful  and  necessary.  The  poet  castigates  some 
fashionable  follies  thus: 

False  teeth  and  rouge  and  borrowed  hair 
Maj'  give  to  age  a  youthful  air: 
Rut  when  Death  comes  to  call  us  hence 
There  is  an  end  of  all  pretence. 

7.  Do  not  allow  your  mind  to  dwell  upon  dxQss, 
good  looks,  and  other  like  vanities.  Being  merely 
transitory  and  unimportant,  you  would  be  foolish 
to  make  so  much  of  them.  But  as  I  have  already 
indicated,  an  enemy  to  your  innocence  lurks  in 
the  guise  of  external  attractions;  for  this  reason 
it  is  all  the  more  important  that  you  should  not 
allow  your  heart  to  cling  to  such  vanities.  Dress 
neatly  and  in  a  manner  becoming  to  your  cir- 
cumstances. Moreover,  seek  so  to  conduct  yourself 
at  all  times  that  the  words  of  Scripture  may  be 
applicable  to  you:  "All  the  glor}'  of  the  king's 
daughter  is  within."  Keep  your  heart  pure  and 
fair,  for  it  is  this  beauty  alone  which  leads  to  the 
blissful  contemplation  of  the  beatific  vision  of 
God. 


Tlic  Lily  and  Her  Enemies.  261 

acr.  E\}t  ISncnt"  in  <©ur  15»cs. 

1.  ^^IGHT    is    one    of    the    greatest    among 
JS^     the    benefits    we     have     received    from 

God.  The  enjoyment  which  this  priceless  gift 
confers  can  be  estimated  aright  only  by  one  who 
has  been  unfortunate  enough  to  lose  it,  one  who 
is  condemned  to  pass  the  rest  of  his  days  in  perpetual 
darkness.  Yet  in  the  case  of  many  young  persons 
it  would  be  the  greatest  benefit,  it  might  even 
preserve  them  from  eternal  destruction,  were  they 
to  lose  the  sight  of  their  bodily  eyes.  To  such  I 
might  repeat  the  words  which  St.  Severin  addressed 
upon  one  occasion  to  a  young  monk,  who  besought 
him  to  pray  for  the  restoration  of  his  sight.  "Aly 
son,"  he  said,  "do  not  trouble  yourself  about  the 
eyes  of  your  body,  but  rather  about  those  of  your 
soul."  To  many  young  persons  the  saying  of  the 
prophet  is  applicable:  "Death  is  come  up  through 
our  windows  (the  eyes),  it  is  entered  into  our  house 
(the  soul)."  The  enemy  of  the  lily  of  purity 
enters  into  the  human  heart  through  the  eye. 
In  a  previous  instruction  I  have  sought  to  portray 
the  enemy  in  our  own  heart;  to-day  I  shall 
most  earnestly  warn  you  against  the  enemy  in  our 
eyes. 

2.  With  what  did  the  first  sin  begin  in  paradise? 
\A'ith  a  longing  look  Eve  gazed  at  the  luscious 
fruit  which  hung  on  the  forbidden  tree;  that 
look  excited  a  wish  to  taste  the  fruit;  she  yielded 
to  the  wish,  gathered  and  ate  the  forbidden  fruit, 
and  gave  some  of  it  to  her  husband;  thus  was  the 
first  sin  committed.  And  if  at  a  period  when 
as  yet  no  eWl  concupiscence  had  stirred  within 
the  human  breast,  the  eyes  could  work  irretrievable 
ruin,  how  great,  how  terrible  must  be  the  result 


262  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

after  the  fall,  when  the  enemy  in  our  eyes  works 
in  concert  with  the  enemy  in  our  heart.  When 
we  see  what  came  of  a  mere  love  of  eating  we 
may  judge  what  a  much  stronger  passion  will  do — 
unchaste,  sensual  desire  kindled  by  hold,  unguarded 
glances,   and  suffered  to  burst  into  fierce  llanies. 

3.  Experience  teaches  that  unchaste  looks  very 
frequently  lead  men  to  a  terrible  end.  We  find 
examples  of  tliis  in  Holy  Scripture.  The  proximate 
cause  of  David's  sad  fall  was  a  bold  and  sinful 
look;  with  this  look,  the  entire  edifice  of  liis  virtue 
crumbled  away,  all  his  good  resolutions  were 
rendered  null  and  void,  and  he,  the  man  after 
God's  own  heart,  became  a  murderer  and  an 
adulterer.  Putiphar's  wife  cast  unchaste  glances 
upon  Joseph,  committed  adultery  in  her  heart,  and 
would  fain  have  sinned  in  act  as  well  as  in  desire. 

Yet  why  should  we  turn  to  olden  times  in  order 
to  illustrate  our  meaning  when  our  own  daily 
observation  furnishes  only  too  many  melancholy 
examples  of  tlie  truth  of  our  assertion.  Segneri 
relates  the  following  incident  in  one  of  his  eloquent 
discourses.  A  girl  wlio  had  formed  an  illicit  con- 
nection with  a  young  man  was  attacked  by  a 
fatal  disease.  She  sent  for  a  priest,  and  amid 
tears  of  contrition  made  a  general  confession. 
Having  done  this  she  caused  the  companion  of 
her  sin  to  be  brought  to  her  bedside.  She  thought 
to  persuade  him  to  re])ent,  and  be  truly  concerted. 
But  when  her  eyes  fell  upon  him,  unruly  passions 
suddenly  flared  up  in  her  soul  and  she  exclaimed: 
"O  my  beloved!  I  know  that  I  shall  go  to  heli 
for  your  sake;  yet  I  cannot,  I  will  not  leave  you!' 
With  these  words  upon  her  lips  the  unhai)py  giii 
breathed  her  last. 

4.  Pay  heed  to  the  warning  of  Holy  Scripture 


The  Lily  and  Her  Enemies.  263 

and  say:  "I  have  made  a  covenant  with  mine- 
eyes  that  I  should  not  look  upon  anything  danger- 
ous, lest  death  should  come  up  through  our  windows 
and  enter  into  the  soul."  Ue  on  your  guard 
against  the  enemy  in  your  eyes,  lest  it  should  gain 
power  over  you,  and  destroy  both  body  and  soul. 
\\'hat  biting  frost  is  to  the  flowers  in  spring  so  is 
an  impure  glance  to  the  lily  of  chastity. 

5.  The  numerous  indecent  and  shameless  pictures 
and  engravings  to  be  found  in  the  present  day  in 
the  pages  of  certain  periodicals  and  illustrated 
journals  are  an  open  grave  of  innocence.  In 
cities  such  pictures  are  too  often  exhibited  in 
shop  windows  and  on  bill -boards,  or  hawked  about 
tlie  streets.  It  is  deeply  sad  to  think  how  many 
souls,  and  the  souls  of  young  girls  among  the  rest, 
are  by  this  means  soiled  and  ruined.  This  danger 
is  a  very  great  one  for  you,  my  dear  daughter. 
Do  not  imitate  the  heedless  girls  who  say:  "We 
are  no  longer  children!  It  is  quite  allowable  for 
us  to  see  certain  things,  we  have  reached  an  age 
when  we  ought  to  be  acquainted  with  such  sub- 
jects!" Girls  v/ho  talk  in  this  fashion  are  alas!  no 
longer  children  of  God,  or  at  least  are  not  to  be 
counted  among  His  innocent  children. 

6.  Remember  also  that  maidens  who  boldly 
fix  their  gaze  upon  persons  of  the  opposite  sex, 
doing  this,  not  from  mere  curiosity,  but  with  some 
measure  of  sensual  desire,  are  either  already  un- 
chaste, or  will  become  so  before  very  long.  St. 
Bernard  tells  us  that  if  persons  of  different  sexes 
take  deliberate  satisfaction  in  contemplating  each 
other  and  yet  no  sinful  desires  arise  within  them, 
it  is  a  more  wonderful  thing  than  if  a  dead  man 
were  to  return  to  life. 

7.  One   word    more    in    conclusion.     When    the 


264  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

consort  of  Tif^ranes,  the  hcatlicn  monarch,  was 
told  that  her  husband  had  offered  to  give  up  his 
Hfe  to  deliver  her  from  captivity,  she  from  that 
day  forward  refrained  from  looking  at  any  otlur 
man. 

]My  dear  daughter,  as  long  as  you  remain  in 
the  state  of  virginity  you  are  indeed  the  bride,  I 
might  almost  say  the  spouse,  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour,  Jesus  Christ.  And  this  heavenly  Bride- 
groom w^s  not  only  willing  to  give  His  life  in 
order  to  deliver  you  from  the  captinty  of  Satan, 
but  He  did  this  in  reality.  Let  your  eyes  be  there- 
fore fi.xed  upon  your  celestial  Bridegroom  iu  ever- 
lasting gratitude  and  love. 

O  maiden,  keep  thy  heart  serene, 
Thy  soul  keep  pure,  thy  conscience  clean; 
Keep  careful  watch  o'er  ear  and  eye 
And  close  them  both  when  sin  is  nigh. 


A  maiden  young,  and  good,  and  pure. 
Of  her  own  innocence  secure, 
All  unsuspiciously  may  tread 
^^'here  Satan's  fatal  net  is  spread. 

And  if  she  trust  the  flattering  voice 
Which  ])ids  her  heedlessly  rejoice, 
The  poison  soon  her  heart  will  gain, 
With  death  and  sorrow  in  its  train. 

I-  ///I'HAT  kind  of  death  is  it  which  steals  into 
^-^^^  a  maiden's  heart?  It  is  the  death  of 
innocence.  It  is  like  a  worm  gnawing  at  the  root  of 
a  fair  lily  and  causes  it  to  wither  and  die.  And  when 
innocence  is  dead,  there  follows  terrible  remorse 
because  of  the  irreparable  loss.     The  unhappy  girl 


Tlie  Lily  and  Her  Enemies.  265 

becomes  a  prey  to  every  kind  of  mental  torment. 
This  death  of  innocence  is  too  often  brought  about 
by  the  enemy  in  what  we  hear  and  read.  There- 
fore, you  must  learn  how  to  recognize  and  how  to 
shun  this  enemy. 

2.  I  take  it  for  granted  that  you  would  yourself 
never  take  pleasure  in  immodest  conversation,  or 
improper  songs.  For  no  decent,  respectable  young 
women  could  possibly  do  so,  but  only  girls  lost  to 
all  sense  of  modesty  and  propriety. 

It  is,  however,  a  deplorable  fact  that  unchaste 
conversation  is  frequently  carried  on,  and  it  may 
chance  to  reach  your  ears.  For  conversation  of 
this  nature  is  carried  on,  not  only  in  taverns,  but 
in  private  houses  when  young  people  are  gathered 
together  without  any  supervision  on  the  part  of 
their  elders;  likewise  in  streets  and  squares,  in 
field  and  forest,  at  work  and  at  recreation,  on  the 
way  to  church,  and  if  the  truth  must  be  told,  even 
in  the  house  of  God  itself.  Those  who  talk  in 
this  way  are,  for  the  most  part,  young  unmarried 
men,  sometimes  mere  boys  who  have  just  left 
school,  afid,  to  their  shame  be  It  spoken,  young 
girls  also.  Many  of  these  persons  seem  to  imagine 
that  nothing  can  be  amusing  which  is  not  seasoned 
with  improprieties.  He  who  can  relate  the  most 
obviously  shameless  and  indecent  anecdotes  is  re- 
garded as  the  most  entertaining  companion. 

3.  In  regard  to  such  doings  as  these,  your  duty 
is  clear  and  plain.  Leave  the  company  at  once, 
if  it  is  in  any  way  possible  for  you  to  do  so!  For 
if  those  around  you  show  so  little  consideration 
for  you  and  your  feelings  of  delicacy,  you  need 
no  longer  keep  any  terms  with  them.  You  are 
then  at  liberty  to  express  your  righteous  anger 
and   displeasure    in    no    measured    language    and, 


266  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

if  necessan',  to  administer  a  sharp  reproof.  This 
affords  an  opportunity  for  employing  to  good 
pur|x)se  that  readiness  of  s}x;ech  which  belongs  in 
a  sjx'cial  manner  to  women,  and  thereby  silencing 
unclean  tongues  once  and  forever. 

4.  The  enemy  in  books,  pamphlets,  newspapers 
and  magazines  does  if  possible  even  more  mis- 
chief than  the  enemy  in  speech.  In  the  present 
day  the  number  of  books  and  periodicals  fraught 
with  danger  to  innocence  is  legion.  Like  a  second 
deluge,  they  invade  every  class  of  society  in  vil- 
lages, towns  and  cities,  not  sparing  the  most  se- 
cluded mountain  valleys.  F'irst  and  foremost  in 
the  foul  flood  are  bad  novels;  and  the  greater 
part  of  novels  have  a  more  or  less  objectionai)le 
tendency.  They  treat,  almost  without  exception, 
of  love.  By  means  of  the  glowing  colors  in  which 
scenes  are  depicted,  they  heat  the  imagination, 
blind  the  understanding,  weaken  the  will,  and 
pervert  the  heart.  Through  the  perusal  of  such 
novels  and  sentimental  romances,  poison  is  slowly, 
but  surely,  introduced  into  the  soul  it  obtains  a 
hold  there,  spreads,  and  in  the  end  cauSes  death. 
This  fatal  poison  is  mingled  with  the  sugar  of 
pleasing  language  and  fascinating  narrative. 
Ever)'-day  experience  proves  how  destructive  are 
its  effects.  I  know  many  in.stances  in  which  girls 
about  your  age  have  got  all  sorts  of  wild  ideas 
into  their  heads  through  reading  bad  novels,  have 
left  their  parents'  houses,  taken  up  with  the  first 
man  who  made  love  to  them,  and  thus  brought 
about  their  own  ruin. 

5.  It  is  therefore  highly  important  for  you  to 
select  your  reading  carefully.  Do  not  read  any 
book  or  pamphlet  unless  you  are  advised  that  it 
is  hannless  and  good;    if  you  are  in  doubt,  lay  it 


The  Lily  and  Her  Enemies.  267 

aside  unread,  or  submit  it  to  a  competent  authority 
for  his  opinion.  Never  keep  any  doubtful  book, 
lest  perchance  it  should  happen  to  you  as  it  did 
to  Eve  in  rejijard  to  the  forbidden  fruit.  Curiosity 
might  be  too  much  for  you  and  in  this  vi^ay  be  fatal 
to  your  innocence.  Do  not  be  deceived  by  a 
high-sounding,  harmless  or  apparently  religious 
title.  Do  not  permit  yourself  to  be  misled  by  the 
elegant  binding  of  a  book;  the  name  of  the  pub- 
lisher, however,  may  frequently  serve  as  a  guide 
to  its  contents.  If  there  is  no  name  given,  the 
work  is  probably  mere  trash;  toss  it  into  the  fire. 
Do  not  amuse  yourself  by  turning  over  the  leaves 
of  doubtful  publications,  lest  pi-rchance  an  impure 
expression  or  objectionable  picture  should  strike 
your  eye  and  kindle  within  your  soul,  hitherto 
innocent  and  pure,  the  fire  of  lust,  which  might 
end  in  a  fearful  conflagration. 

6.  Are  you  therefore  to  abstain  from  reading  alto- 
gether? Certainly  not;  you  ought  to  read,  but  you 
must  discriminate  as  you  do  in  eating;  it  is  your 
duty  to  avoid  ever}1;hing  either  injurious  or  excessive. 
Do  not  allow  your  love  of  reading  to  grow  into  a 
passion,  keep  it  within  due  bounds,  and  do  not 
indulge  in  what  is  termed  a  rage  for  reading. 

And  what  ought  you  to  read?  Above  all,  books 
and  periodicals  which  have  a  sound  Catholic  tone; 
and  these  are  surely  to  be  met  with  in  abundance. 
Of  religious  and  edifying  works,  I  would  mention 
ihe  "New  Testament,"  the  "Imitation  of  Christ," 
and  "Philothea,"  by  St.  Francis  of  Sales.  For 
lighter  reading  there  are  many  excellent  novels,  in- 
teresting stories  and  periodicals  issued  by  Catholic 
Dublishers. 

7.  In  conclusion  I  will  direct  your  attention  to 
one  book  m  particular,  to  the  most  sacred  of  all 


268  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

books,  which  contains  in  itsi-lf  even'thinp;  that  is 
clLJiffhtful,  helpful  and  consoling;  it  is  the  divine 
Heart  of  Our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  which  was 
oix;ned  upon  the  cross.  Of  this  lx)ok  you  can 
never  read  enough;  in  it  you  can  never  meditate 
and  study  sulViciently.  Before  all  else,  commit  to 
memory  and  seek  to  put  into  practice  the  injunc- 
tion which  stands  inscrilx^d  upon  it  in  letters  of 
gold:  "Learn  of  Ale,  because  I  am  meek,  and 
humble  of  heart." 


3L¥fi.  Sri)e  Hiiemn  i\\  tijr  SSanroom. 

Pluck  ye  the  roses  while  ye  may — 
The  fairest  bloom  will  soon  dcca}'; 
Enjoy  life  while  its  flame  burns  bright — 
Ere  dull  age  dim  its  flickering  light. 

I.  y  / 1  'ITH  my  whole  heart  do  I  agree  with 
^J^-^  these  lines  the  poet  addresses  to  the 
young;  but  I  agree  with  them  only  so  long  as  the 
rose  which  is  plucked  is  not  the  tender,  celestial 
flower  of  purity  and  innocence.  It  alwavs  has  been, 
and  it  still  is,  a  great  joy  to  me  to  give  pleasure 
to  young  people.  I  have  been  in  the  habit  of 
doing  things  to  make  young  hearts  happy  ever 
since  the  time  when,  myself  a  mere  boy,  I  was 
delighted  to  fetch  a  Christmas  tree  from  the  forest 
and  dress  it  for  my  youngest  brother.  My  heart 
truly  rejoices  whenever  I  see  young  people  merr}'. 
It  is  very  important  that  you  should  remember 
this,  my  dear  child,  while  you  read  this  chapter 
and  also  the  following  one.  As  I  am  now  about 
seriously  to  warn  you  against  the  enemy  of  inno- 
cence which  is  found  in  places  of  amusement, 
you  must  not  take  my  words  in  a  wrong  sense,  nor 


The  Lily  and  Her  Enemies.  269 

imagine  that  I  shall  say  anything  not  absolutely 
necessar}',  or  paint  the  picture  in  darker  hues 
than  the  reality  warrants.  I  certainly  do  not 
grudge  you  any  amusements  which  can  be  indulged 
in  with  impunity.  We  will  speak  in  the  first  place 
of  the  enemy  in  the  ballroom. 

2.  That  the  enemy  of  innocence  is  frequently 
met  with  in  the  ballroom,  and  that  dancing  is, 
for  the  most  part,  fraught  with  no  little  danger 
to  chastity,  are  established  facts  which  no  sensi- 
ble man  will  think  of  denying.  I  do  not  mean 
to  say  that  dancing  is  in  itself,  and  under  all 
circumstances,  a  dangerous  thing.  On  the  con- 
trary', in  and  by  itself  it  is  a  perfectly  harmless 
amusement;  that  is  to  say,  moving  about  in  time 
to  the  music  is  no  more  to  be  objected  to  than 
any  other  kind  of  g>'mnastic  exercise.  Indeed, 
in  many  excellent  Catholic  schools  the  pupils  are 
occasionally  allowed  to  amuse  themselves  by 
dancing.  In  this  case  no  danger  to  innocence  can 
possibly  exist;  any  more  than  when  brothers  and 
sisters,  or  other  near  relatives,  dance  together. 
For  these  family  gatherings  the  only  evil  is  that 
they  tend  to  awaken  and  foster  a  taste  for  what 
so  often  proves  to  be  a  dangerous  amusement. 

3.  Thus  we  see  that  dancing  is  not,  in  itself,  a 
danger  to  chastity;  i-t  is  rendered  perilous  only  by 
the  circumstances  attending  it.  A  great  deal 
depends  on  the  person  with  whom  one  dances. 
If  the  dancers  are  of  opposite  sexes,  and  not  very 
closely  related  to  one  another,  if  they  are  quite 
young,  and  therefore  more  hkely  to  have  their 
passions  kindled  in  the  intoxication  of  the  dance, 
then  the  amusement  may  assume  a  dangerous 
character.  An  illustration  will  explain  my  mean 
ing. 


270  A  Wreaih  of  Lilies. 

To  carry  a  li^hted  candle  about  without  any 
guard  against  llit-  llamc  is  assuredly  not  danger- 
ous, but  useful  and  necessary,  liut  if  you  were  to 
light  a  fire  close  to  a  heap  of  dry  hay,  or  to  take 
a  lighted  candle  into  a  room  where  there  had 
been  an  cscajx:  of  gas,  wliat  a  catastrophe  might 
be  the  result! 

Dancing  under  the  circumstances  which  have 
just  Ixvn  mentioned  is  eminently  calculated  to 
arouse  impure  thoughts  and  desires,  and  to  kindle 
the  fire  of  passion:  the  lateness  of  tlie  hour,  the 
exciting  music,  the  partaking  of  alcoholic  drinks, 
close  physical  contact  in  the  giddy  mazes  of  the 
dance,  words,  looks,  etc.  Is  not  then  the  enemy 
of  innocence  ver}-  dangerous  in  the  ballroom  ? 

4.  Thouglitless  young  persons  may  step  forward 
and  say:  "Priests  see  these  things  in  too  dark  a 
light;  they  can  know  nothing  alx)ut  dancing  from 
personal  experience,  and  are  therefore  unable 
to  pronounce  judgment  in  the  matter."  I  thank 
God  I  know  nothing  from  personal  experience; 
but  from  what  others  have  told  me,  as  well  as 
from  my  own  common  sense,  I  am  able  to  form 
an  impartial  opinion  as  to  the  danger  to  morals 
occasioned  by  dancing.  You  shall  hear  tlie  verdict 
pronounced  by  an  old  oflicer,  a  man  of 'the  world. 
He  says: 

5.  "Both  religion  and  common  sense  compel  me 
to  acknowledge  that  dancing  is  a  dangerous  amuse- 
ment. I  know  that  some  persons  can  indulge  in 
it  without  harm;  but  sometimes  even  the  coldest 
temperaments  are  heated  by  it.  It  is  usually  only 
young  persons  who  dance,  and  I  refer  more  especially 
to  them.  They  have  at  all  times  difficulty  in 
resisting  temptation;  how  much  more  then  amid 
scenes  where  the  universal  merriment,  the  sound 


Tlie  Lily  and  Her  Enemies.  271 

of  the  music,  the  movement  of  the  dance,  are  so 
eminently  calculated  to  excite  their  passions." 

Could  we  question  all  the  unfortunate  girls 
who  have  lost  their  virtue  as  to  the  proximate 
cause  of  their  fall,  how  startled  we  should  be  to 
hear  so  many,  if  not  most  of  them,  reply:  "It  was 
the  enemy  of  my  innocence  in  the  ballroom  which 
brought  about  my  ruin!"  The  poet  was  quite 
right  when  he  addressed  the  following  verses  to  a 
young  girl  on  her  way  to  a  ball: 

I  question  myself  ■uath  sadness  of  heart, 
When  dressed  for  the  ball  I  see  thee  depart, 
^^  hen  I  see  thee  again  can  I  be  sure 
Thou  art  still  innocent,  simple,  and  pure  ? 

6.  Then  what  are  you  to  do?  Altogether  to 
give  up  the  pleasure  of  dancing?  No,  this  would 
be  perhaps  too  much  to  require  of  you,  but  I  strongly 
advise  you  to  do  so;  and  I  may  suitably  quote 
the  words  of  the  Saviour:  "He  that  can  take,  let 
him  take  it."  At  any  rate,  take  to  heart  the  fol- 
lowing advice:  (i)  If  you  know  nothing  at  all,  or 
verv^  Httle,  about  dancing,  do  not  trouble  yourself 
to  learn,  but  think  yourself  just  as  fortunate  as 
those  who  know  how  to  dance  and  dance  well. 
(2)  Be  watchful  over  yourself,  and  see  that  your 
pleasure  in  dancing  does  not  grow  into  a  passion; 
and  see  if  now  and  then  )rou  cannot  refrain  from 
dancing,  when  it  would  be  quite  allowable  for  you 
to  do  so.  (3)  Never  frequent  fairs,  picnics,  carni- 
vals, or  public  dancing-halls,  where  Heaven  only 
knows  what  sorts  of  people  congregate.  (4)  Dance 
only  at  private  parties  where  yoiur  father  or  mother 
is  present,  or  where  at  least  you  are  accompanied 
by  some  relative  or  trusted  friend,  who  will  go 
with  you  and  see  you  home. 


272  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

7.  Faithfully  observe  the  two  last  points,  in 
order  that  the  danj^er  of  frequenting  balls  may 
at  least  be  minimized  as  much  as  possible.  For 
the  sake  both  of  your  innocence  and  of  your 
eternal  happiness,  1  earnestly  entreat  you  to  do 
this. 

And  when  youth's  roses  shall  decay, 
Thy  golden  locks  he  turned  to  gray, 
"^'ct  to  thy  heart  a  breath  of  s]>ring 
Its  genial  warmth  shall  often  bring. 

ai'XI-.  Zl)e  ISnemrt  in  tfje  2r[)ratrr. 

I.  V/  r'HEX,  in  the  course  of  my  last  six 
^J^^  instructions,  I  warned  you  so  earnestly 
against  the  enemies  of  the  lily  of  purity,  you  may 
perhaps  have  said  to  yourself:  "If  things  have  really 
gone  so  far  in  the  world,  how  diflicult  it  will  be  to 
do  right  and  remain  pure!  How  gladly  would  I  fly 
far,  far  away  from  all  this  wickedness;  but  I  cannot 
do  this — my  youth,  my  parents,  my  circumstances 
render  it  impossible."  You  certainly  ought  not  to 
leave  the  world  so  long  as  it  is  your  vocation  to 
remain  in  it.  I  desire  only  to  give  you  a  thorough 
acquaintance  with  its  dangers,  not  to  estrange 
you  from  it  altogether.  My  fatherly  admonitions 
are  not  intended  for  nuns,  but  for  good,  Catholic 
girls,  the  great  majority  of  whom  are  destined  to 
remain  in  the  world,  and  later  on  to  become  mothers, 
and  rule  a  household.  In  the  world  you  will  be 
launched,  as  it  were,  upon  a  dangerous,  wide,  and 
storm-tossed  ocean.  How  necessary,  how  im- 
portant it  is  that  you  .should  learn  to  steer  your  course 
true,  that  you  may  not  be  shipwrecked,  but  may 
safely  guide  your   little  bark  amid  the  rocks  and 


TJie  Lily  and  Her  Enemies.  273 

quicksands  which  beset   youth,  and  one  day  land 
upon  the  blissful  shore  of  the  celestial  paradise. 

I  have  to  speak  of  yet  one  more  of  these  various 
perils,  to  point  out  one  more  of  these  enemies  of 
innocence;    it  is  the  enemy  in  the  theatre. 

2.  WTiat  was  said  about  dancing  is  true  of  the 
theatre,  even  to  a  greater  degree.  The  theatre  is 
not  without  its  effect  upon  religion  and  morals;  it 
has  a  powerful  influence  for  good  or  evil.  Good 
plays  of  a  religious  tendency  raise  the  tone  of 
morals.  The  histrionic  art  resembles  the  other 
arts — poetry,  painting,  rhetoric,  sculpture  and 
music — in  the  elevating  powers  they  exercise. 
For  this  reason  the  Catholic  Church  has  taken 
the  fine  arts  one  by  one  into  her  service,  and  thereby 
aided  them  to  attain  their  highest  perfection.  The 
mystery  plays  of  the  Middle  Ages  were  employed 
by  her  as  a  means  of  religious  teaching.  For  the 
same  reason.  Catholic  educational  establishments 
in  our  own  day,  convent  schools,  and  colleges 
conducted  by  Religious,  annually  have  theatrical 
entertainments.  It  is  the  same  with  Catholic 
guilds  or  societies  for  young  men  and  young  women, 
under  the  superintendence  of  priests.  It  is  an 
innocent  and  harmless  pleasure  for  girls  to  attend 
such  plays  as  these. 

3.  Dramas,  on  the  contrary,  which  are  performed 
by  professional  actors  on  the  stages  of  large  cities 
are  frequently  fraught  with  danger  for  young 
people.  There  the  spirit  of  evil,  evening  after 
evening,  dwells  upon  its  old  theme:  the  concu- 
piscence of  the  eyes,  the  concupiscence  of  the 
flesh  and  the  pride  of  life.  Immorality  is  not 
seldom,  at  least  indirectly,  inculcated.  Ever}'thing 
combines  to  half  intoxicate  youthful  spectators,  to 
lull   to  sleep  their    understanding   and   their  will, 


274  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

and,  on  the  other  hand,  to  excite  their  imagination 
to  its  highest  pitch,  and  fill  it  with  most  undesira- 
ble pictures. 

Therefore,  you  must  see  for  yourself  that  you 
ought  never  to  visit  such  theatres,  unless  indeed 
a  play  should  chance  to  be  acted  there  wjiich 
obviously  contains  nothing  injurious  to  young  girls. 
Never  go  to  a  j)lay  that  is  performed  at  a  theatre 
of  doubtful  reputation. 

4.  A  certain  French  writer  of  plays  has  himself 
given  an  indubitatjle  proof  of  the  immoral  tendency 
of  many  plays.  Why  did  he  forbid  his  dauglUers 
to  witness  the  performances  of  the  dramas  which 
he  had  written?  For  no  other  reason,  surely,  than 
because  he  Ixlicved  that  their  attendance  at  the 
theatre  on  those  occasions  would  be  injurious  to 
their  morals.  What  a  testimony  does  this  afford 
to  the  deleterious  character  of  too  many  plays! 

Therefore,  do  you,  my  dear  child,  stay  away 
from  all  such  performances  of  a  doubtful  nature! 
Make  an  exception  only  in  cases  when  you  have  a 
guarantee  that  the  i)lay  is  harmless.  Otherwise 
the  saying  holds  good: 

Though  you  may  take  care  when  you  go  to  the  mill, 
Some  dust  of  flour  will  cleave  to  you  still. 

5.  Be  on  your  guard  lest  your  love  for  the  theatre 
dex'elop  into  a  passion.  Seek  rather  to  take 
delight  in  simple  pleasures,  which  are  within  the 
reach  of  every  one.  Take  delight  in  beholding  the 
beauteous  sights  v/hich  God  offers  to  our  view  in 
the  works  of  creation.  Strive  by  the  practice  of 
virtue  to  be  yourself  a  spectacle  to  angels  and  to 
men.  Thus,  when  the  toils  and  trials  of  this  life  are 
past,  shall    you    lie    permitted    to    coptemplate   a 


Tlie  Faded  Lily.  275 

glorious  sight   which   shall   never  pass  away — the 
beatific  vision  of  God!     Therefore: 

Lift,  O  Christian,  lift  thine  eyes 
To  thy  home  beyond  the  skies; 
Eternal  bliss  awaits  thee  there 
With  which  earth's  joys  cannot  compare. 


3.  Ube  jfa&e&  Xili?. 

aVJffiJt.  2!5i?f)at  a  Iftttsfortunr  ' 

1.  ^T'N  the  earnest  exhortations  I  have  addressed 
■-*-,     to  you  on  the  maidenly  virtues,  my  object 

always  has  been,  and  alv/ays  will  be,  to  induce  you 
to  make  a  firm  resolution  to  preserve  your  most 
precious-treasure,  the  lily  of  chastity,  in  untarnished 
splendor,  no  matter  what  may  be  the  cost.  A 
glance  at  the  faded  lily  will  greatly  tend  to  strengthen 
you  in  this  resolution. 

2.  How  great  a  misfortune  it  is  when  the  lily 
has  faded,  and  innocence  is  lost!  Innocence  is  lost 
through  any  voluntary  deliberate  offence  against 
chastity,  in  thought,  word,  or  deed;  for  every 
voluntary  transgression  of  this  kind  is  a  mortal  sin; 
in  other  words,  every  sin  of  impurity  is  mortal  when 
it  receives  the  full  consent  of  the  will.  Why  then 
should  you  inquire  if  this  or  that  sin  be  greater  or 
less;  it  ought  to  be  enough  to  know  that  through 
it  the  soul  is  slain,  the  grace  of  God  is  forfeited, 
heaven  is  closed,  and  hell  opened.  We  can  measure 
the  terrible  nature  of  this  sin  by  the  loss  of  inno- 
cence and  of  sanctifying  grace  which  it  entails. 
What  a  misfortune  is  this! 

3.  The  young  woman  who  has  fallen,  or  perhaps 
even  given  herself  over  completely  to  vice,  may  be 


276  A  ^^'n'<^th  of  Lilies. 

blind  enough  to  think  that  she  is  no  very  great 
sinner  after  all;  she  may  say  in  her  heart:  "I  have 
never  stolen  even  the  smallest  sum  of  money; 
I  am  not  half  so  quarrelsome  as  this  one  or  that 
one;  1  have  never  done  any  one  an  injustice;  I 
have  not  deprived  any  one  of  his  honor  or  good 
name.  I  know  that  I  have  my  weakness,  but  where 
is  the  woman  who  is  without  frailty  ?"  A  fallen 
woman  may  talk  thus  to  one  of  her  class,  tut  it  is 
impossible  for  a  Catholic  girl,  well-instructed  in 
her  religion,  to  adopt  such  language.  St.  Thomas 
of  .Kquin,  that  great  Doctor  of  the  Church,  says: 
"Unchastity  is  a  greater  sin  than  any  which  can  \)c 
committed  against  one's  neighbor,  greater  than 
theft,  calumny,  or  detraction;  murder  alone  exceeds 
it  in  enormity." 

4.  We  may  also  measure  the  magnitude  of  the 
misfortune  occasioned  by  the  loss  of  innocence 
by  the  .severity  of  the  punishments  which  God 
inflicts  u]K)n  the  unchaste.  Even  in  days  of  yore 
He  commanded:  "Ca.st  them  into  the  exterior 
darkness;  there  shall  be  wee})ing  and  gnashing  of 
teeth."     How  awful  a  sentence  is  this! 

The  fair  face  of  the  country  where  we  now  see 
valley  and  mountain,  town  and  village,  was  once 
covered  by  water.  Before  it  was  submerged  it 
was  inhabited  by  a  numerous  and  iniquitous  ]X)pu- 
lation.  They  were  happy  and  careless;  they  ate 
and  drank,  married  and  gave  in  marriage;  they 
were  given  u[)  to  sensuality  and  pleasure.  No  doubt 
they  might  have  been  heard  to  say:  "We  are  not 
angels,  but  creatures  of  flesh  and  blood.  We  can- 
not make  ourselves  peculiar — we  must  do  as  others 
do.  And  there  can  surely  be  no  great  harm  in 
following  the  universal  custom." 

Unhappily  sins  of  impurity  everywhere  prevailed 


The  Faded  Lily.  277 

Noe  alone  protested  against  them.  But  his  words' 
had  no  effect;  he  was  only  laughed  at.  He  built  a 
large  ship  in  order  that  he  might  be  saved,  together 
with  the  members  of  his  family.  The  sinners  by 
whom  he  was  surrounded  mocked  at  him,  just 
as  in  the  present  day  confessors  and  preachers  are 
ridiculed  when  they  warn  sinners  of  their  impending 
fate.  We  know  how  destruction  came  upon  the 
sinful  world;  all  perished  in  the  deluge  except  the 
just  Noe  and  his  family,  who  had  entered  the  ark. 

5.  To  take  another  instance.  In  Asia,  in  the 
Promised  Land,  was  a  fair  and  fertile  place,  beaute- 
ous as  an  earthly  paradise;  its  inhabitants  were, 
however  given  over  to  impurity.  What  has 
become  of  that  fair  and  fcrti'e  plain  ?  It  is  changed 
into  a  lake,  called  the  D^ad  Sea.  Nothing  more 
desolate  than  this  lake  could  possibly  be  imagined; 
no  tree,  no  blade  of  grass,  grows  upon  its  shores; 
its  waters  are  turbid  and  foul;  the  neighborhood 
is  a  dreary  desert.  Where  are  the  unchaste  in- 
habitants of  Sodom  and  Gomorrha?  You  know 
the  dreadful  fate  which  overl^ook  them — their  bodies 
were  consimied  by  fire  from  heaven.  Poor  sinners 
like  these,  if  they  die  unrepentant,  are  "cast  into 
the  exterior  darkness;  where  shall  be  weeping  and 
gnashing  of  teeth."  We  read  in  the  Apocalypse 
that  "the  unchaste  shall  have  their  portion  in 
the  pool  burning  with  fire  and  brimstone." 

6.  And  how  sad  is  the  condition  of  the  conscience 
of  a  girl  who  has  fallen!  She  is  constantly  tor- 
mented by  remorse;  she  has  no  peace  either  by 
night  or  by  day;  a  terrible  voice  sounds  constantly 
in  her  ears,  saying  over  and  over  again:  "Where 
would  you  go  if  you  were  to  die  in  your  sins?" 
Yet,  sad  as  is  this  state,  sadder  still  is  it  if  the  voice 
of  conscience  has  ceased  to  speak  and  the  dreadful 


278  A  Wimth  of  Lilies. 

lull  Ix'fore  the  storm  prevails,  the  false  peace 
of  hardened  sinners.  May  such  a  misfortune  never 
be  your  lot.  Strengthen  yourself  anew  in  the 
firm  resolution  to  avoid,  with  the  as.sistance  of 
divine  grace,  all  the  enemies  of  y<Jur  lily  of  jjurity, 
that  you  may  not  fall  into  the  greatest  of  all  mis- 
fortunes, the  loss  of  innocence ! 

Heed  a  kindly  warning,  lest  loo  laU- 
\\'ith  tears  thou  shijuld'st  Ix-wail  thy  cruel  fate; 
If  cheerful  and  light-hearted  thou  would'st  be, 
Preserve  with  greatest  care  thy  purity. 


B' 


3U:X.  CTfjc  fi;onsrqurncr.«i  of  Cijnt  i^isfortunc. 

'ELDOM  has  a  mother  loved  her  child  as 
tenderly  as  i.lanche,  the  saintly  queen  of 
France,  loved  her  son  Louis,  who  afterward  ascended 
the  throne  of  that  country,  and  is  known  as  St. 
Louis.  On  one  occasion  when  this  pious  mother 
had  been  giving  her  son,  then  a  mere  boy,  some 
wise  counsels  she  concluded  in  these  words: 
"O  my  darling  child,  you  are  the  most  precious 
thing  I  possess  upon  earth,  yet  I  would  a  thousand 
times  sooner  see  you  lying  dead  at  my  feet  than 
know  that  you  had  committed  one  single  grievous 
sin." 

In  the  same  way  would  your  parents  spc^ak  to 
you,  in  a  similar  manner  would  I  also  address  you. 
You  are  very  dear  to  us,  but  we  would  rather  you 
should  die  in  the  grace  of  God  than  fall  into  grievous 
sin  and  lose  your  innocence. 

The  principal  care  of  your  parents  and  confessor 
is  to  preserve  you  from  that  greatest  of  all  mis- 
fortunes, the  loss  of  your  innocence.  To  this  end 
will  be  directed  the  grave  warning  I  now  adflre.ss 
to  you.     To  inspire  you  with  a  wholesome  horror 


The  Faded  Lily.  279 

of  the  vice  which    is  opposed  to   chastity,  I   sliall 
depict  its  deplorable  consequences. 

2.  When  the  lily  of  purity  has  withered,  when 
it  is  crushed  and  destroyed,  what  are  the  results? 
Ver\-  sad  indeed.  When  a  young  girl  has  been 
weak  enough  to  yield  to  temptation,  and  has  lost 
her  innocence,  she  must,  after  her  grievous  fall, 
immediately  seek  to  rise  up  again,  and  entirely  to 
avoid  the  occasion  of  sin.  Unless  she  does  this 
she  will  probably  fall  a  second  and  a  third  time; 
she  will  despair  of  ever  being  able  to  break  the 
fetters  of  sin;  she  will  abandon  herself  to  vice,  and 
be  led  into  violating  nearly  all  the  commandments. 
There  arc  too  many  instances  of  this.  ]\Jany  a 
girl  who  was  formerly  innocent  and  good,  a  lily  in 
the  garden  of  God,  the  joy  and  hope  of  her  parents 
and  friends,  has  later  on  been  so  unfortunate  as  to 
stray  from  the  right  path,  because  she  was  not 
sufficiently  watchful,  and  especially  because  after 
her  first  fall  she  did  not  at  once  rise  up  and  resolutely 
turn  her  back  upon  the  occasion  of  sin. 

3.  The  first  consequence  always  is  this:  The 
unhappy  girl  no  longer  cares  to  pray;  she  gives  up 
her  daily  devotions.  Then  she  begins  to  doubt 
whether  there  really  is  a  God,  an  eternity;  some- 
times from  false  shame  she  conceals  her  sins  when 
she  goes  to  confession,  thus  rendering  her  confession 
and  communion  sacrilegious.  She  continues  to 
offend  God,  and  ends  by  despairing  of  His  mercy 
altogether. 

What  terrible  anxiety  such  a  daughter  causes 
her  parents!  She  treats  them  with  rudeness  and 
impertinence,  refuses  to  follow  their  advice,  laughs 
their  exhortations  to  scorn,  embitters  and  shortens 
their  lives.  Sometimes  unwedded  mothers  de- 
stroy their  illicit  offspring  and  even  take  their  own 


280  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

lives.  Over  and  over  again  we  read  in  the  news- 
pa  [xrrs  that  young  persons  have  committed  suicide 
as  the  result  of  ''unhappy  love  affairs,"  for  so  they 
arc  termed. 

4.  Yet  this  is  not  all!  This  dreadful  sin  plunges 
its  victims  into  poverty,  misery,  and  the  utmost 
degradation.  The  girl  who  is  infected  with  this 
vice  is,  as  a  rule,  an  idle,  vain,  conceited,  and  extrava- 
gant creature.  She  perhaps  receives  large  sums 
of  money;  but  this  money  is  the  wages  of  sin; 
a  curse  rests  upon  it  instead  of  a  blessing.  And 
when  her  beauty  fades,  and  she  can  no  longer  make 
up  for  the  loss  of  it  by  artificial  means,  she  sinks 
into  abject  poverty,  she  is  shunned  by  all,  and 
probably  ends  her  days  in  a  hospital,  poorhouse, 
penitentiary,  or  even  in  the  street. 

5.  To  quote  one  instance  out  of  many  which 
might  be  brought  forward:  In  a  certain  town  there 
lived  a  druggist.  He  was  a  well-educated  man,  and 
had  an  excellent  business.  His  only  daughter 
was  led  astray  at  the  early  age  of  sixteen  by  one 
who  took  advantage  of  her  youth  and  ignorance. 
WTien  the  fact  became  only  too  apparent,  and 
thus  came  to  the  knowledge  of  her  parents,  her 
mother  fell  into  a  state  of  in.sanity  and  had  to  be 
confined  in  an  asylum  for  lunatics.  Shortly  after- 
ward her  father  committed  suicide.  The  mother 
died  in  the  asylum,  and  the  unhappy  girl  was  left 
alone  in  the  world  with  the  offspring  of  her  shame. 

6.  You  may  possibly  think  that  I  am  exaggerating, 
that  I  am  painting  the  gloomy  picture  in  hues 
more  sombre  than  the  reality.  It  is  a  cause  for 
thankfulness  that  such  awful  con.sequences  do  not 
invariably  follow  a  first  fall  into  this  sin,  but  it 
is  always  attended  by  the  greatest  danger.  There- 
fore, my  dear  child,  watch  and  pray,  make  every 


The  Faded  Lily.  281 

effort  to  preserve  yourself  from  such  a  fall.  Seek 
to  preserve  the  lily  of  purity  in  all  its  beauty  to 
the  end  of  your  days.  Suffer  any  loss  rather  than 
sacritice  your  innocence. 

Your  innocence  guard  with  the  utmost  care — 
Once  lost,  there  is  nought  that  loss  can  repair. 
How  sweet  the  fragrance  it  sheds  around — 
No  flower  more  fair  on  earth  can  be  found. 

a.\.  Cfjc  %ils  JFniifs!    Bo  Wtiat  an  35u&  Bors 
ti)is  Uratr ! 

I.  /^HE  lily  fades!  To  what  an  end  does  this 
v_-r  lead!  It  leads,  in  the  first  place,  to 
hardness  of  heart.  "Ask  me  not,"  says  St.  Bernard, 
"what  is  meant  by  hardness  of  heart;  for  he  who 
does  not  take  alarm  at  the  mere  sound  of  the 
word  is  probably  already  in  the  awful  state  which 
it  signifies;  for  only  the  hardened  heart  dreads 
not  hardness  of  heart."  In  order  to  walk  in  the 
way  of  salvation  and  attain  eternal  happiness 
three  things  are  necessary.  We  must  recognize 
how  great  an  evil  sin  is.  We  must  also  hate  sin 
and  desire  to  avoid  it.  Finally,  we  must  have  a 
good,  strong  will,  and  strive  most  earnestly  to 
carry  our  good  intentions  into  practice.  Well,  then, 
what  is  the  condition  of  the  girl  who  leads  an 
impure  and  vicious  life?  Her  understanding  is 
darkened  in  regard  to  the  things  of  God.  The 
word  of  God  as  preached  by  His  ambassadors 
might  be  her  salvation;  but  she  is  unwilling  to 
hear  it,  and  listens  to  sermons  only  when  she 
cannot  help  doing  so.  An  eloquent  discourse 
about  death,  judgment,  heaven  and  hell  impresses 
other  sinners;  pious  persons  believe  and  tremble, 
and  hasten  to  confess  their  faults.  But  she  who  is 
unchaste  stands  unmoved,  like  some  marble  statue. 


2^2  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

"\Vliat  is  the  use,"  she  says  to  herself,  "of  all  those 
thunders  and  thrcatcnings !  These  are  all  exag- 
gerations.    Things  are  not  so  bad." 

2.  Even  when  death  is  mentioned  to  her  no 
impression  is  made.  A  young  girl  who  had  been 
much  flattered  on  account  of  her  beauty  lost  her 
innocence,  abandoned  herself  to  a  life  of  vice,  and 
misused  her  attractions  to  injure  the  souls  of  others. 
She  was  attacked  by  a  fatal  malady,  and  it  soon 
became  apparent  that  death  was  approaching. 
One  of  her  companions  in  sin,  in  whose  breast 
every  spark  of  religious  feeling  was  not  extinguished, 
exhorted  her  to  send  for  a  priest.  "A  priest!" 
she  shrieked,  "what  would  be  the  use  of  sending 
for  a  priest?  An  evil  spirit  from  hell  was  here 
already!"  However,  a  priest  was  summoned;  but 
he  came  too  late — the  miserable  girl  had  already 
breathed  her  last! 

3.  Even  should  the  hardened  sinner  become 
aware  of  her  lamentable  state,  she  is  wanting  in 
the  good  will  which  would  induce  her  to  abandon 
her  sins;  or  her  will  is,  at  any  rate,  too  weak. 
"Vice,"  as  St.  Augustine  says,  "has  an  iron  will"; 
that  is,  the  force  of  passion,  the  inclination  to  sin, 
enfeebles  the  will,  binds  it  in  fetters  of  iron. 

I  can  never  sufficiently  urge  you  to  lay  to  heart 
the  fact  that  no  sin  so  greatly  tends  to  weaken 
the  human  w^ll  as  the  sin  opposed  to  chastity. 
Water  may  change  into  solid  ice;  in  the  same 
way  a  heart  ttiat  was  once  sensitive  and  soft  may 
gradually  become  as  hard  as  stone.  Every  fresh 
fall  makes  the  tendency  to  sin  greater,  conversion 
more  difficult,  deliverance  more  improbable,  final 
perdition  more  certain. 

4.  Yes,  eternal  perdition,  the  pool  of  fire  in 
hell,  is  the  final  fate  of  the  faded  illy!     God  Him 


The  Faded  Lily.  283 

self  tells  us  that  "the  unchaste  sJiall  have  their 
portion  in  the  pool  burning  with  fire  and  brimstone." 
All  the  unchaste  who  cUe  in  their  sins  shall  be 
thrown  into  an  awful  prison  and  tormented  with 
fierce  flames  to  all  eternity.  What  a  fearful  fate 
is  this!  How  the  WTetched  captives  will  curse  the 
sins  which  have  brought  them  into  such  a  plight, 
how  they  will  wish  they  had  heeded  the  exhortations 
addressed  to  them,  for  then  might  they  have  been 
happy  in  heaven  forever  and  ever! 

5.  ]VJy  daughter,  j^ou  can  form  no  idea  how  large 
is  the  number  of  those  who  sink  into  hell  on  account 
of  sins  of  impurity.  A  celebrated  Italian  mis- 
sioner  said:  "  Unchastity  fills  the  world  with  sinners, 
and  hell  with  lost  souls."  Another  master  of  the 
spiritual  life  went  so  far  as  to  say:  "Three-fourths 
of  the  wTetched  denizens  of  hell  have  been  lost  on 
account  of  impurity." 

6.  I  have  said  enough.  The  considerations  I 
have  laid  before  you  cannot  have  failed  to  fill 
you  with  dread  and  alarm.  It  is  well  for  you  that 
so  it  should  be.  But  reflections  of  this  nature 
must  not  deprive  you  of  courage;  and  you  must 
be  careful  not  to  allow  them  to  have  this  effect  in 
seasons  when  you  are  assailed  by  temptations 
against  the  holy  virtue.  Once  more  "''  -epeat  what 
I  have  so  often  said  before:  Take  courage,  have 
confidence  in  God!  And  always  bear  these  lines 
in  mind: 

"Beware,  beware,  because  the  sun  shines  brightly. 
Because  the  flowers  are  fair; 
Thus  bright,  thus  ga}',  were  bowers  of  Eden, 
\\Tiilst  hung  that  fruit  in  air, 
And  waved  o'er  Eve's  uplifted  brow 
As  life  o'er  thee  is  waving  now." 

Aubrey  de  Vere. 


284  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

Hail,  Queen  of  Heaven,  the  ocean  Star, 

Guide  of  the  wand'rer  here  below; 
Thrown  on  life's  surge,  we  claim  thy  care. 
Save  us  from  peril  and  from  woe. 
Mother  of  Christ,  Star  of  the  sea, 
Pray  for  the  wand'rer,  pray  for  me. 

O  gentle,  chaste,  and  spotless  Maid, 

We  sinners  make  our  prayers  through  thee. 
Remind  thy  Son  that  He  has  paid 
The  price  of  our  iniquity. 

Virgin  most  pure,  Star  of  the  sea, 
Pray  for  the  sinner,  pray  for  me. 


4.  Ubc  XilY>  protectcD  an&  Carc&  jfor. 

2LXJ{.   Cljc  SrmiHfls  JEMjo  ffiuarft  tjjc  ailw  of 
€:f)nst(t». 

1.  /T\AN'S  worst  enemy  is  e\'il  concupiscence, 
^-*^  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  which  aims  at  de- 
stroying that  celestial  flower,  the  lily  of  purity.  At  no 
period  of  life  is  this  enemy  lx)lder  and  more  im{x)r- 
tunate  than  at  your  present  age.  Then  is  concupis- 
cence kindled  within  your  breast  like  an  unholy  fire, 
so  forcibly  urging  you  to  sin  that  it  is  necessary  to 
make  every  eflfort,  to  employ  every  means,  if  you 
are  to  resist  its  power.  Thus  it  comes  to  pass 
that  the  greater  number  of  sins  against  chastity 
are  committed  by  young  men  and  young  women. 
Therefore  it  is  so  highly  important,  so  absolutely 
necessaiT,  for  you  to  know  the  means  for  the 
preservation  of  your  chastity,  and  the  manner  in 
which  you  may  best  protect  and  cherish  the  fair 
lily  of  purity. 

2.  I  will  proceed  to  direct  your  attention  to  the 
sentinels  who  guard  the  liiv  of   chastity.     I  have 


TJie  Lily  Protected  and  Cared  For.    285 

already  mentioned  certain  sentinels  when  I  spoke 
of  the  enemies  of  the  hly.  You  must  resist  your 
evil  desires  and  inclinations,  observe  custody  of 
the  eyes,  suppress  the  risings  of  vanity  and  an 
undue  anxiety  to  please,  be  cautious  in  your  dealings 
with  persons  of  the  other  sex,  eschew  undesirable 
conversation  and  objectionable  books,  and  seldom, 
if  ever,  go  to  theatres  and  public  dances.  Those 
habits  and  rules  of  conduct  are  sentinels  which 
must  be  posted  in  the  garden  of  your  heart,  untiringly 
to  guard  the  lily  of  chastity  from  danger,  to  defend 
it  against  its  foes,  to  ward  off  evil  influences. 

3.  To  these  must  sentinels  of  a  mightier  and  loftier 
character  be  added.  The  highest  and  most  power- 
ful of  them  all  is  the  fear  of  God  united  to  humility 
of  heart.  Happy  are  you  if  you  constantly  feel  this 
holy  fear  and  never  forget  that  you  bear  about 
you  the  treasure  of  chastity  in  earthly  vessels. 
Never  pride  yourself  upon  the  fact  of  having  pre- 
served your  innocence  hitherto,  as  if  it  were  all 
your  own  merit.  And  when  you  hear  that  others 
have  fallen  into  sin,  and  been  put  to  shame,  do  not 
judge  them  harshly.  Remember  that  we  all  are 
fallible  and  weak;  what  has  happened  to  others 
may  happen  to  us  likewise.  Holy  Scripture  thus 
warns  us:  "WTierefore  he  that  thinketh  himself 
to  stand  let  him  take  heed  lest  he  fall."  Wlien 
a  girl  begins  to  pride  herself  on  her  talents  and 
good  looks,  to  disregard  and  mock  at  the  warnings 
of  her  parents  and  confessor,  to  tell  them  that 
they  do  not  know  what  they  are  talking  about, 
she  will,  in  all  probability,  fall  into  the  sin  of  im- 
purity when  she  is  assailed  by  some  strong  tempta- 
tion, or  finds  herself  confronted  by  an  occasion 
of  sin.  She  even  may  end  by  following  a  vicious 
career. 


286  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

4.  It  is  the  duty  of  a  second  sentinel  to  oppose 
a  determined  resistance  to  evil  thoughts  and  im- 
pulses. The  chief  and  fundamental  principle  in 
combating  disease  is  to  lose  no  time  in  employing 
the  propLT  remedies.  The  same  principle  is 
api)licable  to  the  maladies  of  the  soul.  As  .soon  as 
you  ix;come  conscious  of  sinful  thoughts,  imagina- 
tions and  impulses,  direct  your  attention  to  some- 
thing else,  to  the  tasks  you  have  to  jXTform,  or  to 
anything  which  is  free  from  danger,  and  likely  to 
engross  your  mind.  If  you  are  alone  seek  some 
harmless  companionship.  In  any  ca.se  breathe 
forth  with  heartfelt  earnestness  some  such  ejacu- 
lation as  the  following:  "My  Jesus,  mercy!" 
"Sweet  Heart  of  Jesus,  be  my  love!"  "Sweet 
Heart  of  Mary,  be  my  salvation!"  Such  brief 
prayers,  if  uttered  with  sincere  devotion  and  child- 
like confidence,  have  a  marvelous,  an  almost -in- 
fallible power. 

5.  A  third  sentinel  must  assign  to  both  mind 
and  body  plenty  of  work.  "Idleness  is  the 
parent  of  all  vice,"  is  a  proverb  which  is  true 
indeed,  and  in  reference  to  the  sin  of  unchastity 
it  is  more  esjx.-cially  true.  She  who  has  nothing 
or  very  little  to  do  does  not  know  how  to  while 
the  time  away;  and  when  she  is  alone  thoughts 
and  imaginings  of  every  kind  come  to  her,  the 
evil  enemy  suggests  impure  ideas  which  facilitate 
a  fall  into  sin.  Countless  is  the  number  of  young 
persons  who,  through  their  own  idleness,  or  from 
lack  of  suitable  occupation,  have  lost  their  inno- 
cence. Therefore  you  ought  to  consider  your- 
self fortunate,  and  give  thanks  to  almighty  God, 
if  you  have  plenty  to  do.  It  is  well  if  your  parents 
set  you  one  task  after  another,  never  leaving  you 
leisure  to  idle  about.     A  spring  is  clear  and  lucid 


The  Lily  Protected  and  Cared  For.    287 

because  the  water  is  in  motion.     How  foul  and  tur- 
bid, on  the  contrary,  is  a  stagnant  pond! 

6.  A  fourth  sentinel  ought  to  be  kept  in  reserve. 
It  has  a  most  important  and  difficult  duty  in 
regard  to  the  lily  of  purity.  Its  office  is  to  influence 
the  human  will,  and  induce  persons  to  avoid 
occasions  of  sin  against  the  virtue  of  chastity. 

All  previously  mentioned  enemies  of  the  lily  lead 
to  such  occasions  of  sin.  I  will  here  only  mention 
some  voluntary,  proximate  occasions.  In  such  a 
voluntar}^,  proximate  occasion  is  a  young  woman 
who  without  necessity  goes  to,  or  lingers  in,  any 
place  where  it  is  highly  probable  or  almost 
certain  that  she  will  fall  into  sins  against  chastity. 
The  same  remark  appHes  to  her  if  she  of  her  own 
free  will  seeks  to  be  alone  with  any  person  who  is 
very  Hkely  to  lead  her  into  sin.  Such  occasions 
must  be  avoided,  at  whatever  cost,  else  nothing 
can  avail  to  save  her;  even  prayer  and  confession 
will  be  of  no  use. 

7.  You  surmise  how  very  difficult,  how  well-nigh 
impossible,  it  will  at  times  appear  to  avoid  such 
occasions.  See,  therefore,  that  you  follow  betimes 
the  exhortation  uttered  by  Our  Lord:  "Watch 
and  pray!"  Watch  while  you  are  still  young, 
watch  throughout  all  the  years  that  are  to  come, 
that  thus  your  heart  may  not  cleave  to  any  occa- 
sion of  sin  so  as  to  refuse  to  be  separated  from 
it,  and  thus  be  cast  into  perdition. 

Keep  careful  watch,  for  who  can  know, 
How  slight  a  spark  wakes  passion's  glow; 
And  should  it  scorch  thy  lily  fair, 
That  loss  thou  never  could' st  repair. 


288  A   Wi-eath  of  Lilies 


Y' 


axr-t.  .SunBljiur. 

'OU  arc  still  in  the  fair  springtime  of 
life.  The  bright  blossoms  of  happi- 
ness fill  the  garden  of  your  heart,  and  we  will 
ho}X'  that  thi;  sweet  lily  of  innocence  is  to  be  found 
among  them.  For  garden  and  field,  and  indeed 
for  the  whole  face  of  nature,  bright,  warm  sun- 
shine is  the  most  imixirtant  thing  in  the  season 
of  spring.  What  marvels  it  effects  in  a  short  space 
of  time  in  trees  and  flowers  and  each  tiny  plant! 
Under  the  mighty  influence  of  its  salutary  Ix-ams 
flowers  blossom  forth  and  fruits  attain  maturity. 

The  golden  light  of  the  sun  is  of  the  greatest 
importance  for  the  lily.  Were  you  to  place  the 
plant  in  a  musty  cellar,  in  a  gloomy  comer,  it  would 
pine  and  wither  away.  The  same  thing  applies 
to  the  lily  of  chastity;  to  it  also  golden  sunshine 
is  absolutely  indispensable  if  it  is  to  flourish  and 
thrive.  In  the  case  of  the  lily  of  chastity  this 
sunshine  is  prayer. 

2.  Thus  you  must  love  prayer  and  be  diligent 
in  prayer.  Need  I  exhort  you  to  do  this?  In 
the  days  of  early  childhood  no  sooner  did  you 
give  the  first  signs  of  awakening  intelligence 
than  you  were  taught  to  fold  your  hands  in  prayer. 
From  the  pulpit  and  in  the  confessional  you  are 
exhorted  to  pray;  at  home  and  in  church  it  is 
your  duty  to  pray;  the  sound  of  the  church  bell, 
the  sight  of  the  crucifix,  admonishes  you  to  raise 
your  heart  to  God  in  prayer.  My  exhortations  in 
regard  to  this  point  have  been  frequent  and  urgent, 
and  prompted  by  weighty  reasons.  It  is  especially 
important  for  the  young,  and  for  young  women 
most  of  all,  since  they  are  so  often  assailed  by  fierce 
storms  of  sensual  de.sires,  to  heed  the  injunction  of 


The  Lily  Protected  and  Cared  For.     289 

St.  Paul  to  "pray  without  ceasing."  Where  but  in 
prayer  can  they,  weak  as  they  are,  obtain  grace 
and  strength  constantly  to  resist  the  attractions  of 
the  world  and  their  own  evil  propensities  ? 

ISIost  assuredly  must  maidens  pray;  they  must 
pray  much  and  earnestly  if  they  would  preserve 
their  precious  lily;  they  must  imitate  the  wise 
Solomon,  who  said:  "Because  I  knew  that  I  could 
not  otherwise  be  continent  except  God  gave  it, 
I  went  to  the  Lord  and  besought  Him.'' 

3.  St.  Paul  indicates  a  special  kind  of  prayer 
as  calculated  to  aid  in  preserving  chastity.  He 
says:  "In  all  things  taking  the  shield  of  faith 
wherewith  you  may  be  able  to  extinguish  the 
fiery  darts  of  the  most  wicked  one."  By  this 
shield  of  faith  is  meant  that  the  truths  of  our 
holy  religion,  more  especially  serious  meditations 
upon  the  four  last  things,  will  enable  us  to  con- 
quer the  fiercest  temptations.  If  such  tempta- 
tions assail  you,  and  dangers  threaten  you,  have 
recourse  to  mental  prayer.  Place  before  you  as 
vividly  as  you  can  death,  judgment,  heaven  and 
hell.  Thus  will  you  be  prevented  from  falling 
into  sin,  or  at  least  from  remaining  in  sin,  and 
you  will  probably  conquer  and  overcome.  Holy 
Scripture  reminds  us  of  this  in  the  following  words: 
"In  all  thy  works  remember  thy  last  end,  and  thou 
shalt  never  sin." 

4.  St.  Paul  exhorts  us  to  vocal  prayer  when 
he  says:  "In  everything  by  prayer  and  supplica- 
tion with  thanksgiving  let  your  petitions  be  made 
known  to  God."  Obey  this  injunction;  pray  with- 
out ceasing,  that  you  mar  be  kept  from  temptation, 
or  at  least  from  falling  when  you  are  tempted.  Our 
Lord  teaches  us  to  pray  thus:  "Lead  us  not  into 
temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil."      In  another 


290  A  Wredth  of  Lihei. 

place  He  says  again:  "Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given 
you."  Ask,  dear  child,  and  you  shall  receive  strength 
in  temptation,  courage  in  the  fight,  deliverance  from 
the  bondage  of  sin,  if  you  have  been  so  unfortunate 
as  to  fall  into  it.  As  long  as  a  young  girl  continues 
to  pray  all  is  not  lost;  there  is  certainly  hope  for 
her  salvation.  But  if  she  grows  careless  in  regard 
to  prayer,  or  ceases  altogether  to  pray,  there  is  every- 
thing to  fear,  as  I  know  by  cx{x?rience.  To  take' 
one  instance  of  the  many  which  have  come  undei" 
my  observation:  A  young  girl  who  had  formerly 
been  pious  and  good  lost  her  innocence,  to  the  grief 
of  all  who  knew  her.  Her  confessor  spoke  to  her 
upon  the  subject,  and  asked  how  her  sad  fall 
had  come  about.  "Alas!  reverend  Father,"  she 
exclaimed,  bursting  into  sobs,  "this  is  what  one 
comes  to  if  one  neglects  prayer  and  at  last  gives 
it  up  altogether!"  Fain  would  I  say  to  every 
girl  on  the  face  of  the  earth:  Grow  not  wear)'  of 
praying  if  you  would  not  be  lost! 

5.  I  will  give  one  more  reason  why  prayer  is 
mdispensable  for  the  protection  of  the  lily  of 
purity.  The  most  precious  fruit  of  prayer  is  that  it 
unites  us  to  God  and  renders  us  heavenly-minded. 
True  prayer  is  an  elevation  of  the  heart  to  God 
in  which  you  hold  intercourse  with  Him.  He, 
the  loving  Father,  during  every  moment  of  this 
sweet  communion  infuses  more  '..'ght,  fresh  love  and 
strength  into  the  heart  of  the  child  who  kneels 
before  Him  in  prayer.  In  this  way  the  heart 
is  more  and  more  raised  up  to  God  and  becomes 
increasingly  like  unto  Him. 

When  Mo.ses  had  communed  with  God  for  forty 
days,  his  face  shone  with  such  dazzling  brightness 
that  he  was  obliged  to  cover  it  when  he  came 
near  to  the  people.     We  read  something  of  a  similai 


The  Lily  Protected  and  Cared  For.    291 

nature  in  the  lives  of  many  of  the  saints,  who, 
whilst  engaged  in  prayer  and  contemplation,  or 
after  they  had  concluded  these  exercises,  shone 
with  heavenly  radiance. 

6.  We  poor,  sinful  mortals  cannot  expect  to 
receive  from  God  favors  such  as  these.  One 
thing  is  certain,  however:  he  who  loves  prayer, 
and  prays  frequently  and  devoutly,  will  find  his 
soul  to  be  illumined  from  on  high;  he  will  become 
ever  more  like  to  God,  ever  holier,  ever  purer. 
He  will  grow  in  the  love  of  God,  he  will  strive  more 
and  more  to  please  Him,  he  will  more  and  more 
despise  all  that  is  base,  unholy,  and  impure.  And 
is  not  this  in  itself  chastity,  or  at  least  the  best 
means,  the.  right  disposition  of  the  heart,  for  its 
preservation?  He,  on  the  contrar}',  who  does  not 
pray  at  regular  times,  who  does  not  raise  his  heart 
to  God  and  to  heaven,  be:omes  of  necessity  more 
and  more  worldly-minded,  loses  all  relish  for  higher 
things,  and  seeks  only  the  gratification  of  his  lower 
nature. 

7.  Have  recourse  to  prayer  then  if  you  desire  to 
protect  your  lily  of  innocence.  Prayer  is  the 
sunlight  which  causes  it  to  flourish,  the  most 
powerful  weapon  wherewith  to  wage  war  against 
its  enemies.  Like  a  pillar  of  fire,  prayer  will 
lead  you  unharmed  through  the  perils  of  this 
world.  Prayer  will  open  for  you  the  gates 
of  everlasting  blessedness.  Never  murmur,  never 
despair,  whatever  may  be  the  dangers  and  tempta- 
tions that  surround  you!  You  can  always  pray; 
if  not  with  your  lips,  with  your  heart  at  least, 
which  is  far  better.  With  St.  Peter  cry  out  in 
these  words  to  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus:  "Lord, 
save  us,  we  perish!"  But  do  not  pray  in  a 
pusillanimous   spirit;    pray   with    firm   confidence, 


292  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

and  you  will  experience  the  truth  of  these  simple 
lines: 

In  our  midst  the  Saviour  stands, 
Blessing  us  with  outstretched  hands; 
He  our  humble  prayer  will  hear, 
If  we  unto  Him  draw  near. 


llX£Er-.  €cIcBtCal  DctD. 

1.  *T*N    springtime  the   vivifying    rays    of    the 
•*»     sun    work    wonders    on    all    vegetation. 

But  it  is  not  the  rays  of  the  sun  alone  w-hich  effect 
this  change;  it  is  brought  about  in  combination 
with  the  dew  from  heaven  which  by  night  steals 
in  silence  down,  refreshing  grass  and  flowers. 

In  like  manner  the  golden  sunshine  of  prayer 
contributes  in  no  slight  measure  to  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  lily  of  purity.  But  were  you  not  to 
see  that  it  is  watered  with  the  heavenly  dew  which 
proceeds  from  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  the 
fair  flower  would  speedily  fade  away,  wither,  and 
die.  Morning  and  evening  prayer,  and  filial 
devotion  to  the  Mother  of  God,  especially  in  times 
of  temptation,  are  most  necessary;  but  they  do 
not  sutlice  without  the  heavenly  dew  from  the  Sacred 
Heart  of  Jesus,  that  is,  without  frequent  and  worthy 
confession  and  communion. 

2.  In  the  Sacraments  of  Penance  and  of  the 
Altar,  the  gracious  Saviour  has  bequeathed  to  the 
young  an  inexhaustible  treasury  of  graces;  these 
can  cause  the  lily  of  purity  to  blossom  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  rejoice  both  heaven  and  earth, 
and,  moreover,  to  continue  in  bloom.  I  have 
known  young  girls  who  were  compelled  by  stress 
of  circumstances  to  stay  in  positions  which  greatly 


Tlie  Lily  Protected  and  Cared  For.    293 

endangered  their  innocence,  but  who  remained 
good,  pious,  and  innocent,  and  whose  virtue  and 
piety  edified  all  who  knew  them.  WTierein  lay 
the  secret  of  their  strength,  their  courage,  their 
perseverance?  Simply  and  solely  in  the  magic 
power  of  the  celestial  dew;  they  went  frequently 
and  worthily  to  confession  and  communion. 

3.  Would  that  all  young  women  who  are  sur- 
rounded by  dangers,  and  have  to  fight  very  hard 
against  their  evil  propensities,  could  be  induced 
to  imitate  an  example  such  as  this!  In  particu- 
lar, if  any  among  them  have  already  fallen  into 
mortal  sin  they  should  not  delay  their  confession 
for  weeks  or  months.  They  should  free  themselves 
as  soon  as  possible  from  the  peril  which  threatens 
them.  However  grievous  may  be  the  sins  into 
which  a  young  woman  has  fallen,  however  severe 
may  be  the  temptations  by  which  she  is  assailed, 
if  only  she  goes  to  confession  with  true  contrition 
of  heart  hell  will  not  secure  its  coveted  prey. 

For  this  reason  many  holy  confessors,  as  St. 
Philip  Neri  and  St.  Alphonsus  Liguori  for  in- 
stance, imposed  upon  young  persons  who  had 
fallen  into  sin,  or  were  severely  tempted,  no  other 
penance  except  to  go  again  to  confession  as  soon  as 
they  had  committed  another  mortal  sin.  If  they 
really  did  this  with  earnestness  and  perseverance 
their  condition  very  soon  improved.  God  alone 
knows  how  many  have  thus  been  enabled  to  rise 
from  the  mire  of  sin,  to  break  the  iron  fetters 
which  enslaved  them,  to  lead  a  pure,  chaste  life, 
and  finally  to  save  their  souls. 

4.  Furthermore,  there  flows  forth  celestial  dew 
from  the  most  holy  Sacrament  of  the  Altar.  You 
well  know  who  is  there  present,  who  in  holy  com- 
munion deigns  to  be  your  guest!     He  it  is  who 


294  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

once  reposed  as  a  little  child  in  the  manger  of  the 
stable  at  IJethlehcm;  who  passed  through  all  the 
stages  of  life;  who  when  grown  to  man's  estate 
loved  the  young;  who  mercifully  healed  the  lunatic 
youth,  the  servant  of  the  Centurion  at  Capharnaum, 
the  daughter  of  the  Samaritan  woman;  who  raised 
from  the  dead  the  widow's  son  at  Naim,  and 
the  twelve-year-old  daughter  of  Jairus.  He  is  still 
the  same  merciful  Saviour,  both  God  and  man, 
who  in  the  Host  is  present  in  our  midst,  and 
descends  into  our  sinful  hearts  in  all  the  plenitude 
of  His  grace  and  love. 

5.  Think  you  that  He  does  not  know  your 
struggles  and  temptations,  the  manifold  dangers 
which  beset  the  soul  He  purchased  with  His  own 
most  precious  blood?  Or  do  you  think  He  has 
not  the  same  power  which  He  possessed  when  as 
a  man  He  walked  among  men  and  came  so  frequently 
and  so  mercifully  to  men's  rescue  and  relief;  or 
that  He  docs  not  feel  the  same  fatherly  love,  that 
He  is  no  longer  desirous  to  aid  and  deliver  you? 
Why  these  foolish  doubts?  Go  direct  to  Him, 
confidently  invoke  His  help;  say  to  Him:  "Jesus, 
Son  of  David,  have  mercy  on  me!"  Pray  with 
lively  faith,  with  childlike  confidence,  fight,  resist, 
grow  not  wear}',  but  persevere! 

6.  Then  will  you  assuredly  feel  that  strength 
and  consolation  are  poured  into  your  heart;  then 
will  you  appreciate  the  truth  of  St.  Paul's  words: 
"God  is  faithful  who  will  not  suffer  you  to  be 
tempted  above  that  which  you  are  able,  but  will 
make  also  with  temptation  issue  that  you  may  be 
able  to  bear  it."  You  will  find  that  God  is  true 
to  the  promise  He  made  to  each  one  of  us  by  the 
mouth  of  R:s  prophet:  "Can  a  woman  forget 
her  infant,  s'^  "s  not  to  have  pity  on  the  son  c^ 


Tlie  Lily  Protected  and  Cared  For.    295 

her  womb?  and  if  she  should  forget,  yet  will  I 
not  forget  thee."  How  touching,  how  consoling 
is  this  assurance!  Surely  it  must  inspire  the  coldest, 
the  most  despairing  heart  with  confidence  and  hope! 
The  God  of  love  and  goodness,  of  mercy  and 
long-sufTering  will  not  forget  you  when  you  are 
tormented  by  temptation,  and  exposed  to  the  risk 
of  losing  your  innocence.  He  will  never,  never 
forget  you,  but  you  must  endeavor  to  receive  Him 
frequently  in  holy  communion. 

7.  For  the  celestial  dew  contained  in  this  won- 
drous Sacrament  imparts  divine  strength.  How 
could  it  be  otherwise?  Holy  communion  is  a 
union  between  Jesus  and  ourselves,  a  union  so 
intimate  that  even  His  almighty  love  could  have 
devised  none  closer.  He  Himself  has  said:  "He 
that  eateth  my  flesh  and  drinketh  my  blood,  abideth 
in  me,  and  I  in  him."  This  most  intimate  union 
effects  a  transformation  by  the  fire  of  divine  charity. 
The  partaking  of  His  most  sacred  body  and  blood 
weakens  concupiscence  and  gives  the  feeble  will 
strength  for  conflict.  By  partaking  of  this  Sacra- 
ment the  soul  is  filled  with  a  joy  compared  with 
which  the  pleasures  of  sin  appear  contemptible, 
and  bitter  as  gall.  If  Jesus,  who  is  Purity  itself, 
unites  Himself  so  closely  to  your  soul,  how  can  the 
unclean  spirit  dare  to  approach  you?  If  you  fre- 
quently receive  Him  in  this  way,  if  He  nourishes, 
fortifies,  ennobles,  and  sanctifies  your  soul  with 
His  omnipotent  grace,  must  not  your  lily  of  inno- 
cence ever  become  stronger,  more  flourishing,  fairer 
and  more  fragrant? 

8.  Therefore  adhere  faithfully  to  this  excellent 
practice,  which  you  have  perhaps  already  adopted, 
and  endeavor  in  future  to  approach  at  least  once 
every   month    those    holy    sacraments    by  means 


296  A  Wreath  of  Lilies. 

of  which  your  hly  is  refreshed  and  strengthened 
with  celestial  dew.  Should  severe  temptations 
assail  you,  and  great  dangers  beset  your  path,  your 
confessor  may  perhaps  direct  you  to  go  to  com- 
munion more  often  still.  Ask  him  to  coun.se  1 
you,  and  follow  his  advice.  Speak  to  him  with 
all  candor  and  childlike  docility,  especially  where 
the  lily  of  innocence  is  concerned.  And  amid 
dangers  and  temptations  let  this  be  your  prayer: 

In  life's  hard  conflict  be  Thou  near, 
My  God,  for  then  no  foe  I  fear; 
Left  to  myself  1  needs  must  fall; 
Strengthened  by  Thee,  I  conquer  all 

%XiV.  a  f«otj)fr's  ©arc. 

I.  *T'X  drawing  to  a  close  my  instructions  con- 
•-■-»  cerning  the  fairest  flower  that  can  adorn 
the  maiden's  soul,  I  have  kept  the  most  pleasing 
and  attractive  subject  to  the  la.st. 

Whither  does  a  child  go  when  anything  alarms 
or  oppresses  it?  To  its  tender  mother,  to  her 
gentle,  loving  heart.  Where  does  it  take  refuge 
when  dangers  threaten,  and  cruel  j^ersons  pursue  it  ? 
It  takes  hold  of  its  mother's  hand,  for  safety  and 
protection.  To  whom  does  it  bring  any  treasure  it 
may  possess,  anything  it  especially  values?  To  its 
w-atchful  mother,  that  she  may  keep  and  guard  the 
treasure. 

You,  my  dear  child,  have  a  very  difficult  and 
responsible  task — you  have  to  preserve  your  inno- 
cence; therefore  go  to  your  mother,  to  Mary, 
the  sweet  Mother  of  God.  Dangers  threaten,  and 
hellish  foes  pursue  you ;  therefore  fly  to  your  Mother 
and  cling  fast  to  her  protecting  hand.     You  possess 


The  Lily  Pi^otected  and  Cared  For.    297 

a  treasure  of  incalculable  value — the  tender  lily  of 
purity;  therefore  entreat  jMary,  your  heavenly 
Alother,  to  watch  over  your  iiower,  to  protect  it, 
to  tend  and  cherish  it. 

2.  Beseech  Mary  to  aid  you  in  preserving  the 
fragrant  perfume,  the  dazzling  whiteness,  of  your 
lily.  St.  Bernard,  who  had  so  great  a  devotion 
to  ISIary,  addresses  you  in  these  impressive  words: 
"O  man,  whoever  thou  art,  if  thou  dost  not  wish 
to  be  swallowed  up  in  the  abyss,  turn  not  away 
thine  eye  from  the  shining  star,  call  upon  Mary! 
If  thou  art  tossed  hither  and  thither  by  the  waves 
of  vanity  and  pride,  look  up  to  this  star,  call  upon 
Mary!  If  the  billows  of  concupiscence  and  sen- 
sual desires  break  over  thy  little  bark  of  Hfe,  look 
up  to  this  star,  call  upon  Mary! 

"Keep  her  in  thy  heart;  let  her  name  be  ever  on 
thy  lips.  If  she  hold  thee  up,  thou  wilt  not  fall; 
if  she  guide  thee,  thou  wilt  not  go  astray;  if  she 
protect  thee,  thou  hast  no  need  to  fear;  if  she 
look  favorably  upon  thee,  thoU  wilt  escape  the 
snares  of  hell,  and  reach  the  gate  of  eternal  felicity." 

Yes,  dear  child,  in  the  bright  days  of  your  youth, 
fix  your  gaze  upon  Mary;  take  her  for  your  model. 
She  is,  as  the  poet  says,  "Our  tainted  nature's 
sohtary  boast";  she  is  the  pure,  the  immaculate, 
Mother  of  God.  Look  up  to  her,  contemplate 
her,  and  you  will  be  filled  with  a  more  eager  desire 
to  cultivate  carefully,  to  preserve  and  to  cherish 
the  lily  among  the  virtues  that  should  adorn  your 
soul. 

3.  Amid  the  dangers  which  threaten  this  fair 
flower,  cling  tightly  to  the  hand  of  your  Mother 
Mary.  She  has  power  to  help,  to  protect,  to  deliver 
you;  she-  will  keep  the  poi.son  of  impurity  far  from 
you.     Countless  are  the  instances  in  which  young 


PART   THIRD  — AT   THE    PARTING    OF 
THE  WAYS. 


IN  life's  bright  mom  I  see  thee  depart, 
I  see  thee  go,  with  a  trembling  heart. 
Farewell,  sweet  maid,  so  joyous  and  free, 
God's  blessing  ever  abide  with  thee. 

When  thou  dost  stand  where  the  ways  divide, 
May  the  angel  guardian  be  beside; 
God  grant  thou  may'st  choose  the  narrow  way, 
And  from  it  may  thy  footsteps  never  stray. 


I.  Mbfcb  ITS  /ID^  patb? 

%XV,  STijc  IDccision  to  Uc  iWa&c. 

I.  ^T-JET  us  suppose  that,  while  you  are  trav- 
»-■ — »  eling  in  a  foreign  country,  you  come 
to  a  spot  where  one  road,  stretches  straight  before 
you,  another  leads  to  the  right,  and  a  third  to  the 
left.  It  is  then  indeed  very  important  for  you  to 
know  which  road  you  ought  to  take  in  order  to  reach 
your  destination. 

Now,  you  have  really  set  out  upon  such  a  journey; 
your  whole  life  is  truly  a  journey  to  heaven.  Per- 
haps you  have  already  reached  a  spot  where  the 
ways  part,  or  you  may  soon  arrive  at  such  a  place; 
you  will  be  obliged  to  come  to  a  dedsion,  and 
choose  one  of  the  three  roads.  Eut  which  are  you 
to  choose?  Are  you  to  marry,  to  go  into  religion, 
or  to  Uve  unmarried,  in  the  world?  All  three  roads 
have  one  and  the  same  goal — they  all  lead  to  heaven. 
But  each  has  its  own  special  difficulties  and  ob- 
stacles, which  ever}'  one  is  not  equally  able  to 
surmount.  Those  only  can  do  this  who  have  the 
requisite  qualifications,  and  receive  the  necessary 
graces  from  God.  He  who  enters  upon  one  of 
these  paths  without  the  necessary  graces  and 
qualifications,  can  scarcely  hope  to  get  to  heaven. 

Perhaps  you  have  already  reached  some  spot 
where  a  decision  must  be  made,  or  you  may  soon 
arrive  at  it.  You  must  make  your  choice  and  enter 
upon  one  of  the  three  differcnl;  paths.     Consider 

303 


304  At  the  Parting  of  the  Ways. 

the  importance  of  this  decision,  in  order  that  you 
may  choose  the  right  way. 

2.  People  speak  of  condition  or  state  of  life, 
and  calling;  these  expressions  have  a  certain  similar- 
ity, but  they  are  not  identical.  fiy  calling  is 
understood  more  projx-rly  the  relation  in  which 
each  individual  stands  to  society.  \\Tien  one 
inquires  as  to  a  man's  calling,  one  does  not  mean 
to  ask  whether  he  is  to  marry,  live  single,  or  go  into 
religion,  but  whether  he  is  to  be  a  shoemaker, 
baker,  tailor,  or  an  artisan  of  any  desciiption; 
whether  he  is  to  be  a  doctor,  lawyer,  tutor,  or 
embrace  any  other  learned  profession.  These 
various  callings  are  to  society  what,  in  a  manner, 
ihe  different  members  are  to  the  human  body. 
Society  is  sound  and  pros};erous  when  the  various 
callings  are  properly  filled  and  carried  out,  as  the 
human  body  is  well  when  all  its  parts  are  in  a  nor- 
mal condition  and  regularly  perform  their  functions. 
Yet  in  the  sense  we  have  attached  to  the  word,  it 
cannot  be  said  that  the  salvation  of  the  soul  directly 
depends  upon  the  calling  of  which  choice  may  be 
made.  Wliether  you  become  a  stenographer,  a  dress- 
maker or  a  postmistress  may  be  verj'  important  as 
far  as  your  temporal  welfare  is  concerned,  but  as 
far  as  your  eternal  happiness  is  in  question,  the  de- 
cision is  of  no  direct  moment. 

3.  How  widely  different  a  matter  is  the  choice 
of  a  state  in  life!  The  all -wise  providence  of  God 
orders  and  arranges  everything.  His  merciful  eye 
beholds  all  creatures  He  has  made,  all  ages  and 
places,  nations  and  families,  from  all  eternity.  He 
knows  the  needs  of  each  individual  and  of  every 
nation.  He  foresees  peace  and  war,  plenty  and  fam- 
ine, all  generations  that  arc  to  come,  fathers  and 
mothers,  sons   and   daughters.      He  has  endowed 


Which  Is  My  Path  ?  305 

each  individual  man  witli  an  immortal  soul,  gifted 
with  such  special  capabilities  as  will  enable  him  to 
attain  his  destined  goal.  And  God  permits  body 
and  soul  to  develop  in  a  manner  corresponding  to 
this  appointed  end. 

4.  When  a  young  person  comes  to  the  parting 
of  the  ways,  the  call  of  God  makes  itself  heard,  more 
or  less  plainly,  sometimes  by  external  means, 
sometimes  by  a  voice  speaking  within:  "I  ho.ve 
destined  thee  to  be  the  father  or  mother  of  a  family; 
upon  thee  I  shall  bestow  a  vocation  to  the  rehgious 
life;  I  intend  thee  to  live  unmarried  in  the  world." 
Thus  the  call  of  God  is  addressed  to  each  ©ne, 
though  in  widely  varying  ways.  One  hears  it  in 
his  own  heart  from  early  childhood,  another  only 
when  the  moment  of  decision  arrives.  God  calls 
some  person  suddenly  by  means  of  some  unusual 
event,  others,  and  these  constitute  by  far  the  largest 
number,  through  the  circumstances  and  relations  of 
their  life. 

5.  How  exceedingly  important  it  is  to  recognize 
and  to  follow  the  call  of  God.  All  men  have 
been  created  in  order  that  they  may  love  God  and 
keep  His  commandments  while  they  are  on  earth, 
and  be  happy  forever  with  Him  in  heaven;  such 
is  the  chief  end  of  man,  his  final  goal.  The  com- 
mandments of  God  are  the  same  everywhere  and 
for  all  men,  but  all  have  not  the  same  difl'iculty  in 
keeping  them.  The  same  state  of  life  is  not 
suited  for  every  one,  nor  can  every  one  experience 
the  same  facility  in  reaching  heaven,  whatever  be 
the  state  of  Hfe  he  may  embrace. 

6.  If  you  are  called  to  hve  unmarried,  you  would 
find  it  difficult  to  save  your  soul  if  you  were  to  marry. 
If,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  your  duty  to  marry,  the 
umnarried  state  would  Drove  a  great  hindrance  in 


306  At  the  Parting  of  tlie  Ways. 

your  journey  to  heaven.  And  if  it  is  the  will  of 
God  that  you  should  become  an  inmate  of  the 
cloister,  you  could  scarcely  save  your  soul  in  the 
world.  The  same  rule  api)lies  to  the  marriage  state, 
in  which  the  character  of  the  husband  you  choose 
is  of  the  utmost  importance.  St.  Gregory  of 
Nazianzcn  says:  "He  who  errs  as  to  his  vocation 
will  go  from  one  mistake  to  another  all  his  life 
long,  and  in  the  end  perhaps  find  himself  deceived 
in  regard  to  his  hojx'  of  reaching  heaven." 

It  is  easy  to  perceive  the  reason  of  this.  If  a 
young  girl  refuses  to  follow  the  clear  call  of  God 
because  to  do  so  would  cost  her  a  considerable 
sacrifice,  and  she  therefore  follows  her  own  will — 
for  instance,  if  she  contracts  a  marriage  forbidden 
by  the  Church — she  will  not  receive  the  graces 
appertaining  to  the  state  she  has  chosen,  for  the 
very  reason  that  she  has  acted  contrary  to  the  will 
of  God.  She  will  be  unhappy  all  her  life,  and, 
failing  some  ven,'  special  intervention  of  Providence, 
be  unha}>py  also  during  the  countless  ages  of 
eternity. 

7.  You  have  as  yet  perhaps  not  reached  the 
parting  of  the  ways,  and  years  may  elapse  before  the 
moment  for  a  decision  arrives.  You  may  already 
be  filled  with  anxious  dread  lest  you  should  make 
a  wrong  choice,  and  wreck  your  prospects  of  hap- 
piness. But  fear  not,  be  of  good  courage!  There 
is  a  sure  and  simple  means  of  choosing  aright.  In 
flic  meantime  be  truly  chaste  and  pious,  and  your 
choice  cannot  fail  to  be  a  happy  one. 

By  various  ways  God  doth  intend 
To  bring  man  to  his  final  end; 
One  only  way  is  traced  for  thee, 
To  lead  thee  to  eternity. 


Which  Is  Mij  Path  f  307 


SIXVj:-.  gsscful  aubice. 

1.  //)  I  HEN  a  priest  contemplates   the  youth- 
^J^>^     fill   members  of  his   flock,   he   often 

asks  himself,  with  a  heavy  heart,  what  will  become 
of  them.  And  I  now  ask  myself  about  you  who 
are  going  to  read  the  present  chapter  whether 
you  will  persevere  in  your  good  resolutions,  whether 
you  will  be  happy  in  this  world,  and  get  to  heaven 
at  last.  I  cannot  tell;  I  can  only  wish  most 
ardently  that  so  it  may  be.  But  one  thing  I  do 
know;  you  will  probably  find  happiness,  and 
save  your  soul,  if  you  choose  the  state  of  life  for 
which  you  are  destined  by  God.  Therefore  I 
am  anxious  to  do  everything  which  lies  in  my 
power  to  help  you  to  choose  wisely  and  well.  Lay 
carefully  to  heart  the  useful  advice  I  shall  en 
deavor  to  give  you  in  this  chapter. 

2.  ]My  first  piece  of  advice  is  to  take  counsel 
with  yourself.  You  must  do  this  calmly,  without 
prejudice.  Your  heart  should  resemble  a  delicately 
balanced  pair  of  scales;  you  must  weigli  all  things 
fairly.  You  must  not  try  to  discover  where  and  how 
you  can  most  speedily  grow  rich  and  enjoy  the  van- 
ities and  amusements  of  the  world.  A  girl  who, 
when  choosing  a  state  of  life,  should  take  counsel 
of  herself  in  such  a  fashion  as  this,  and  see  things 
irom  a  purely  material  point  of  view,  without  ref- 
erence to  God  and  to  her  eternal  salvation,  would 
be  greatly  in  danger  of  making  a  bad  choice. 
Therefore  I  beseech  you  not  to  expose  yoiorself  to 
any  such  risk. 

3.  Take  counsel  with  yourself  in  such  a  manner 
as  will  enable  you  to  say  to  God  in  a  spirit  of  resig- 
nation: "Speak,    Lord,    for  Thy  servant    heareth. 


308  At  (he  Partiuq  of  the  U  ays. 

I  desire  nothing  but  what  is  Thy  will.  If  only  I 
can  do  Thy  will  it  is  a  matter  of  indifference  to  me 
whether  I  am  rich  or  jxxjr,  whether  happiness  or 
sorrow  is  my  jwrtion,  whether  my  life  is  full  of  work 
or  spent  in  ease  and  without  exertion.  All  this  is 
of  no  consequence,  if  only  I  can  please  Thee,  O 
my  God,  and  save  my  soul  in  the  end." 

In  this  resigned  frame  of  mind  examine  your- 
self; review  your  characteristics,  peculiarities  and 
inclinations,  good  and  bad;  think  over  your  past; 
notice  what  are  your  passions  and  temptations; 
consider  the  strength  or  weakness  of  your  will. 
Then  compare  with  all  this  the  duties,  difficulties 
and  dangers  of  the  state  of  life  upon  which  you 
purpose  to  enter.  If  you  feel  compelled  to  say 
to  yourself:  "WTien  I  remember  the  weakness  of 
my  will  and  the  force  of  the  temptations  which 
assail  me,  I  do  not  think  that  I  am  capable  of 
fulfilling  the  duties  of  that  state,  or  of  overcoming 
the  difficulties  which  it  presents,"  it  becomes  plain 
that  this  road  to  heaven  is  too  steep  for  you. 

4.  Consider  your  case  as  you  would  that  of  a 
friend  who  had  similar  faults  and  the  same  inclina- 
tions. One  is  usually  more  un{)rejudiced  in  regard 
to  others  than  one  can  hope  to  be  if  the  matter 
under  consideration  is  of  a  personal  nature.  Why 
should  you  not  feel  the  same  affection  for  yourself 
as  you  do  for  a  friend?  Why  should  you  not 
take  counsel  with  yourself  in  the  same  manner 
in  which  you  would  seek  to  advise  her? 

Act  in  respect  to  yourself  as  you  will  wish  you 
had  done  when  you  come  to  lie  upon  your  death-bed. 
There  can  be  no  safer  rule  than  this.  For  in  the 
presence  of  death  matters  are  viewed  in  their  true 
light,  and  no  longer  seen  through  colored  glas.ses. 
Hov/  extremelv  foolish  it  would  be  to  embrace  a 


Wiich  Is  My  Path  i  309 

state  of  life  which  would  furnish  cause  for  bitter 
repentance  in  your  last  hours! 

5.  My  second  piece  of  advice  is:  Take  counsel 
with  others.  But  who  is  to  counsel  you,  and 
to  whom  ought  you  to  listen?  Here  great  caution 
is  necessary;  there  are  counselors  who  present 
themselves  unasked,  and  to  whom  it  would  be 
wrong  to  listen.  On  no  account  lend  your  ear  to 
bad  Catholics,  to  persons  who  have  no  faith  or  who 
have  not  a  good  reputation.  In  regard  to  the 
supernatural  their  understanding  is  either  darkened 
or  extinguished  altogether;  the  eyes  of  their  mind 
are  blind  as  far  as  the  eternal  truths  are  concerned; 
how  then  could  they  advise  others,  how  point  out 
to  them  the  right  road  to  heaven?  There  are 
yet  other  counselors  to  whom  it  would  be  most 
inadvisable  to  listen.  I  mean  worldly  persons,  who 
are  entirely  absorbed  in  material  things-  For 
higher  interests  they  have  no  perception;  their 
thoughts  are  set  upon  nothing  else  but  money, 
honors  and  pleasures.  Persons  of  this  class 
usually  deplore  the  entrance  of  a  girl  into  religion. 

6.  Nor  ought  you  to  listen  to  the  advice  of  those 
who  have  anything  to  gain  or  lose  from  your  choice 
in  a  worldly  point  of  view.  A  wealthy  unmarried 
lady  returned  upon  a  certain  occasion  a  very  curt 
answer  to  an  interested  adviser  who  sought  her 
hand  in  marriage.  He  implored  her  to  make  him 
the  happiest  of  mortals,  reminding  her  that  marriages 
are  made  in  heaven.  "That  is  the  very  reason," 
she  briefly  replied,  "why  I  wish  to  wait  until  we 
both  get  there!"  Finally,  do  not  be  advised  by 
persons  who  know  nothing  about  the  state  of  life 
that  you  may  be  thinking  of  adopting,  as,  for  instance, 
the  religious  state.  Their  ignorance  imbues  them 
with  the  most  absurd  ideas  and  vehement  prejudices, 


;^10  At  tlip  Parting  of  the  Ways. 

in  regard  to  such  a  state  of  life.     How  could  they 
form  a  correct  judgment? 

7.  From  whom,  then,  arc  you  to  seek  counsel? 
Holy  Scripture  exhorts  you:  "Keep  continually  to 
a  wise  man,  who  fears  the  Lord."  It  is  ver}'  im- 
portant to  remember  this  when  the  choice  of  a 
state  of  life  is  under  consideration.  And  why  is 
it  so?  Because  he  who  desires  to  give  good  ad\ice 
must  often  oflfend  this  or  that  individual  with 
regard  to  whose  interests  the  results  of  his  advice 
may  prove  to  be  prejudicial.  For  instance,  there 
are  families  which,  being  influenced  by  worldly 
motives  and  advantages,  insist  upon  the  daughter 
choosing  some  particular  state  of  life,  or  marrying 
some  person  they  have  fixed  upon,  though  she 
does  not  feel  herself  called  by  God  to  coincide  with 
their  views.  If  counsel  is  sought  from  persons 
who  fear  man  rather  than  God,  what  misery  may 
not  l)e  the  consequence  of  following  their  advice, 
since  in  giving  it  they  view  things  from  a  purely 
human  standpoint.  Parents  are  as  a  rule  the 
natural  advisers  of  their  children,  and  God  has 
ordained  that  such  they  should  be.  But  there 
are  exceptional  cases  in  which  they  rank  among 
the  evil  counselors  I  have  enumerated  above;  and 
in  these  instances  their  advice  cannot  l^e  relied  upon. 

8.  Under  all  circumstances  your  best  adviser  is 
plainly  your  confessor.  You  ought  not  only  to  ask 
his  advice,  but  faithfully  to  follow  it.  He  knows 
you  as  no  one  can  know  you,  except  God  alone; 
he  knows  your  good  and  bad  qualities  and  inclina- 
tions. Therefore  do  not,  in  your  youthful  folly, 
be  influenced  by  the  fear  that  his  advice  will  not 
coincide  witli  your  own  wishes.  Rather  give  thanks 
to  God  that  you  have  at  least  one  friend  whose 
intentions  are  pure,  whose  motives  are  disinterested, 


Which  Is  My  Path  f  311 

and  who  will  be  able  to  prevent  you  from  making 
a  fatal  mistake.  Consult  your  confessor  and 
take  his  advice;  that  is  the  best  way  of  ensuring 
happiness. 

WTien  thou  shalt  come  where  the  two  ways  part, 
Pause  and  consider  where  thou  art; 
Ask  counsel,  seek  God's  will  to  know 
As  to  the  path  where  thy  steps  should  go. 


^Xm.  Elje  iVleans  lo  ifH.ifec  a  Wist  €-f)Oice. 

I.  4^ VERY  one  desires  to  choose  aright,  but 
^-\  how  many  young  persons  there  are  who 
are  so  unfortunate  as  to  make  a  wrong  choice! 
A  girl  who  had  not  long  left  school  made  the 
acquaintance  of  a  young  man  who  was  not  only 
very  well  off,  but  appeared  to  be  all  that  was 
desirable.  She  married  him,  imagining  that  she 
had  made  a  fortunate  choice.  But  on  the  evening 
of  her  wedding-day  she  discovered  how  terribly 
she  had  been  deceived.  In  all  simplicity  she 
showed  her  husband  a  beautiful  statue  of  the 
Mother  of  God,  which  had  been  given  her  as  a 
souvenir  of  the  occasion.  He  snatched  it  from  her 
roughly,  and  dashed  it  to  the  ground,  saying  as  he 
did  so:  "We  have  done  with  these  follies;  remember 
that  for  the  future!"  And  I  regret  to  say  this 
poor  girl's  fears  were  realized,  for  her  married  life 
proved  to  be  most  unhappy. 

May  you  be  more  fortunate,  not  only  if  you 
should  marry,  but  in  your  choice  of  a  state  in 
general.  To  this  end  follow  the  practical  advice 
I  gave  you  in  the  previous  chapter  and  make  use 
of  the  means  I  am  about  to  point  out  to  you 


312  At  ihe  Partimj  oftlw  Ways. 

2.  In  the  first  place,  direct  your  heart  constantly 
toward  heaven.  Have  but  one  de?'rc,  namely, 
to  know  and  to  do  the  will  of  God.  God  will 
then  Ix'stow  His  grace  upon  you,  and  you  will  Ix' 
certain  to  make  a  wise  choice.  No  one  must 
count  upon  an  extraordinary  call,  such  as  the 
apostles  and  many  great  saints  received.  Tho.se 
were  very  special  gifts  of  grace,  which  you  cannot 
expect.  But  if  you  keep  your  eye  and  heart  con- 
stantly directed  toward  God,  He  will  enlighten 
you  with  His  grace,  will  give  you  prudent  counselors, 
and  so  ordain  external  circumstances  that  you 
may,  if  I  can  thus  express  it,  be  led  by  the  hand 
of  your  guardian  angel  to  enter  the  state  of  life 
God  intends  for  you. 

Truly  the  ways  of  God  are  wonderful  ancl  mani- 
fold Sometimes  He  impresses  on  the  heart  of  a 
young  child  a  desire  for  a  particular  state.  Con- 
sequently, later  on  in  life  there  can  arise  no  question 
as  to  making  a  choice,  the  question  having  already 
been  decided.  To  others  He  signifies  His  will  only 
when  a  choice  has  to  be  made;  and  these  often 
enter  with  joy  of  spirit  into  a  state  for  which  they 
had  long  experienced  a  rooted  aversion. 

3.  In  the  second  place,  keep  your  soul  pure. 
A  very  great  deal — ever}'thing,  indeed — depends 
upon  this.  The  brighter  and  more  transparent  is 
the  glass  of  a  window,  the  more  readily  do  the 
rays  of  the  sun  penetrate  into  the  room;  but  the 
dimmer  the  glass,  the  darker  will  the  apartment  be. 
The  soul  may  be  compared  to  glass,  to  a  mirror, 
into  which  the  beams  of  divine  grace  shine,  and 
in  which  they  are  reflected.  If  you  desire  to  be 
enlightened  from  on  high  in  your  choice  of  a  state 
of  life,  keep  your  heart  clean,  preserve  therein  the 
bright  light  of  innocence.     If  this  light  is  obscured 


much  la  My  Path  f  313 

or  extinguished  by  sin,  delay  not  to  rekindle  it  by 
means  of  contrition  and  confession. 

4.  In  the  third  place,  be  diligent  in  prayer. 
From  what  has  already  been  said  you  must  plainly 
perceive  that  prayer  is  of  the  utmost  importance 
in  choosing  a  state  of  life.  For,  on  the  one  hand, 
you  seek  to  choose  the  state  of  life  which  will  best 
promote  your  eternal  salvation;  on  the  other,  the 
world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil  strive  to  decoy  you 
into  taking  the  wrong  road. 

There  are  two  epochs  in  the  life  of  every  individual 
when  the  devil  lays  snares  for  him  with  particular 
cunning.  The  first  is  when  he  ceases  to  be  a  child; 
then  comes  the  crisis,  the  critical  period  when  the 
result  of  previous  training  will  show  in  the  inno- 
cence and  purity  of  the  youth  or  maiden,  or  the 
reverse  be  unhappily  the  case.  I  believe  this  crit- 
ical period  has  already  passed  with  you;  I  con- 
fidently hope  you  have  successfully  withstood  the 
test  and  preserved  your  innocence. 

But  with  yet  greater  cunning  and  force  will  the 
devil  attack  you  either  now  or  a  few  years  hence 
when  you  come  to  choose  a  state  of  life.  Should 
he  succeed  in  inducing  you  to  take  the  wrong  road, 
he  will  e.xpect  to  emerge  victorious  from  your 
final,  death-bed  struggle.  Therefore,  my  dear  child, 
pray,  pray!  Pray  for  light,  that  the  mists  may 
disperse  and  the  road  of  life  stretch  clearly  before 
you;  pray  for  strength  to  resist  your  passions  what- 
ever sacrifices  it  may  cost  you;  pray  simply  that 
you  may  know  and  do  the  will  of  God. 

5.  In  the  fourth  place,  receive  frequently  and 
worthily  the  Sacraments  of  Penance  and  of  the 
Altar.  These  Sacraments  will  maintain  the  purity 
of  3'our  soul,  and  the  Giver  of  grace  will  descend 
into  your  heart  with  His  light  and  strength.     After 


314  At  the  Parting  of  the.  Ways. 

each  communion  entreat  Our  Lord,  with  earnest- 
ness anfl  confidence,  to  teach  you  wliat  are  tlie 
desif^s  of  His  Sacred  Heart  in  regard  to  you,  and 
to  strengthen  you  to  make  any  sacrifice  Ihit  may 
be  necessar)'.  And  on  your  communion  days  give 
some  time  to  serious  reflection.  Imagine  that  you 
are  stretched  u[)on  your  death-lx'd.  Ask  yourself 
if  you  were  in  that  awful  hour  what  state  of  life 
you  would  wish  you  had  chosen.  Would  it  not  be 
a  cause  of  bitter  regret  if  you  had  acted  in  ac- 
cordance with  your  own  self-will,  instead  of  follow- 
ing the  advnce  of  your  confessor? 

6.  I  cannot  refrain  from  mentioning  one  more 
means  for  arriving  at  a  right  decision,  namely,  a 
true,  filial,  confiding  love  and  devotion  to  Mary. 
On  the  present  occasion  I  will  only  make  two  brief 
remarks  in  regard  to  this  devotion.  If  you  desire 
wisdom  and  enlightenment  concerning  the  choice 
of  a  state  of  life,  the  surest  way  to  obtain  it  is  through 
Mary,  for  she  is  ^'Sedes  sapicntice,"  the  "Seat  of 
wisdom."  And  if  you  wish  to  attain  eternal 
salvation,  the  surest  way  to  realize  this  is  through 
Mary,  for,  as  a  .great  saint  tells  us,  "a  true  servant 
of  ^lary  can  never  be  lost." 

7.  Do  not  imagine  that  thoughts  like  these  are 
suited  only  for  a  young  woman  who  is  about  to 
enter  the  cloister.  These  reflections  are  not  intended 
for  this  one  or  that  one,  but  for  all  who  desire  to 
choose  aright  so  as  to  ensure  their  eternal  salva- 
tion. 

As  you  ought  to  beware  of  rashness  in  choosing 
a  state  of  life,  so  ought  you  to  guard  against  over- 
anxiety.  Do  not  lose  heart  in  presence  of  the 
momentous  decision.  Make  use  of  the  means 
I  have  pointed  out  to  you;  look  constantly 
toward  Heaven.     Keep  your  soul  pure;  be  diUgent 


WJiich  Is  My  I'ath  ?  315 

in  prayer;  frequently  approacli  the  sacraments; 
practise  devotion  to  Mary;  regard  her  as  your 
Mother;  and  look  with  cheerful  confidence  into 
the  future.  Eternal  peace  and  joy  follow  the 
earthly  struggle.  The  way  of  the  cross  leads  to 
the  crown  of  immortal  glory. 

'Tis  Thy  good  pleasure,  not  my  own, 
In  Thee,  my  God,  I  love  alone; 
And  nodiing  1  desire  of  Thee 
.But  what  Thy  goodness  wills  for  me. 

O  will  of  God,  O  will  divine, 

All,  all  our  love  be  ever  Thine. 

[n  love  no  rival  canst  Thou  bear, 
But  Thou  art  full  of  tend'rest  care; 
And  fire  and  sweetness  all  divine 
To  hearts  Avhich  once  are  wholly  Thine. 

Thou  makest  crosses  soft  and  light, 
And  death  itself  seem  sweet  and  bright; 
No  cross  nor  fear  that  soul  dismays, 
Whose  will  to  Thee  united  stays. 

To  Thee  I  consecrate  and  give 
Aly  heart  and  being  while  1  live; 
Jesus,  Thy  heart  alone  shall  be 
My  love  for  all  eternity. 

Alike  in  pleasure  and  in  pain 
To  please  Thee  is  my  joy  and  gain; 
That,  O  my  Love,  which  pleases  Thee 
Shall  evermore  seem  best  to  me. 
May  heaven  and  earth  with  love  fulfil, 
My  God,  Thy  ever-blessed  will. 


S16  At  the  Parting  of  the  Ways. 

2.  Ube  /IDarrie5  State. 

3LXVm.  OuBfJt  i  to  X-Harr»? 

1.  /^F  the  three  paths  Ix^forc  you  when    you 
^-^     stand   at  the  parting  of   the  ways  one 

leads  straight  onward;  it  is  the  shortest,  most 
direct  way  to  heaven,  and  is  known  as- the  ReUgious 
Hfe.  The  second  trends  away  to  the  right;  it 
also  leads  to  the  same  bright,  eternal  goal,  by  a 
slightly  circuitous  route;  it  is  the  state  of  the 
unmarried  in  the  world.  The  third  road  leads 
away  to  the  left,  into  a  hilly  region;  there  are 
many  pleasures  and  joys  to  be  met  with  on  that 
way,  and  also  much  toil  and  many  sorrows;  that 
is  the  married  state.  All  these  three  states,  I 
repeat  most  emphatically,  are  ordained  by  God; 
but  any  state  is  not  fitted  for  any  individual. 
Neither  is  it  a  matter  of  indifference  to  almighty 
God  which  state  in  life  wc  choo.se  for  ourselves. 
We  will  now  consider  each  of  these  three  states 
in  turn  in  order  to  aid  you  in  making  a  wise  choice. 
The  reason  why  I  speak  first  of  the  married  state 
is  simply  because  a  great  majority  of  mankind 
is  called  to  this  state,  and  therefore  it  suggests  it- 
self first  to  our  consideration.  Now,  the  decisive 
question  presents  itself:  Arc  you  called  to  the 
married  state?  Ought  you  to  marr}'?  Let  me 
suggest  to  you  a  few  serious  thoughts. 

2.  The  answer  to  the  question,  "Ought  you  to 
marry?"  depends  upon  another  question:  Do 
you  think  yourself  capable  of  fulfilling  the  duties 
of  the  married  state  ?  In  order  to  answer  this 
question  you  must  learn  what  these  duties  really 


The  Married  State.  317 

are;    and  I  will  now  proceed  briefly  to  set  them 
before  you. 

One  of  the  chief  among  these  duties  requires 
that  husband  and  wife  should  live  together  in 
concord,  love,  and  conjugal  fidelity  until  death. 
They  must  remain  together,  since  marriage  is  in- 
dissoluble. Only  when  it  pleases  almighty  God  to 
sever  the  bond  by  taking  husband  or  wife  out  of 
this  world  may  the  survivor  marry  again. 

3.  How  should  married  people  live  together? 
First  of  all  in  peace  and  harmony.  They  should 
aim  at,  and  strive  after,  one  and  the  same  things; 
they  should  seek  to  lead  a  Christian  life,  serving 
God  faithfully  and  helping  each  other  on  the  way  to 
heaven.  For  this  end  they  must  be  united,  avoid- 
ing anger,  quarreling,  and  dissension;  otherwise 
they  will  embitter  their  Ufe  and  make  it  a  sort  of 
hell  upon  earth.  Nor  can  they  escape  hell  in  the 
world  to  come  unless  they  repent  and  amend. 

The  following  apposite  anecdote  may  be  related 
here.  Two  married  persons  who  hved  unhappily 
together  carried  their  dispute  one  day  so  far  as 
to  come  to  blows.  A  neighbor  who  heard  what 
was  going  on  suddenly  shouted:  "Fire!  Fire!" 
The  quarrel  was  forgotten;  husband  and  wife 
eagerly  inquired  where  the  fire  was  burning. 
"In  hell,"  was  the  unexpected  reply,  "and  thither 
married  people  must  go  who  persist  in  living  in 
enmity,  anger,  and  dissension." 

4.  Married  people  should  live  together  in  love, 
not  in  strife  and  in  quarreling.  They  should 
endeavor  to  please  each  other,  they  should  pray 
for  each  other,  have  patience  and  bear  with  each 
other's  faults.  When  some  grievance  presents  itself 
they  should  not  complain  to  others,  but  mutually 
forgive  and  become  reconciled. 


318  At  the  Pill-ting  of  the  Ways. 

And  they  should  live  in  conjugal  fidelity,  keep- 
ing the  ])romis('S  they  solemnly  made  at  the  altar. 
Tlie  wife  must  not  fix  her  affections  on  any  other 

man;  the  husband  must  not  seek  after  any  other 
woman;  else  will  they  be  in  danger  of  committing 
one  of  the  most  grievous  and  tirrible  of  sins,  a  sin 

A^hich  God  punishes  very  severely. 

5.  Another  important  duty  is  that  of  mutual 
edification.  Husband  and  wife  should  set  each 
other  a  good  e.xample,  seeking  each  to  sanctify  the 
other,  and  walk  together  on  the  heavenward  road. 
Such  is  the  highest  aim  and  object  of  a  union 
which  a  sacrament  has  rendered  holy.  Christ 
loved  His  own  unto  the  end,  and,  moreover,  in 
such  a  manner  that  they  should  attain  their  own 
final  salvation.  So  must  the  wife  love  her  hus- 
band, and  the  hu.sband  his  wife — in  such  a  way 
that  they  may  both  attain  their  final  end,  eter- 
nal blessedness.  They  should  therefore  unite  in 
prayer,  attend  divine  worship  together,  and  receive 
the  sacraments  at  the  same  time.  If  they  do 
this  the  blessing  of  God  will  assuredly  rest  upon 
them. 

6.  Difficult  and  important  as  are  those  duties 
of  married  people  which  we  have  already  considered, 
the  most  djfticult,  and  at  the  same  time  the  most 
important  of  all,  is  doubtless  that  of  bringing  up 
their  children  in  the  fear  of  God.  When  the 
Last  Judgment  comes  we  who  are  priests  and 
confessors  shall  not  be  judged  in  the  same  way  as 
ordinary  individuals;  we  shall  not  only  have  to 
answer  for  what  we  have  personally  done  or  left 
undone,  but  we  shall  have  further  to  give  account 
of  the  souls  committed  to  our  care.  In  precisely 
the  same  manner  shall  fathers  and  mothers  be 
judged;    not  merely  in  regard  to  what  their  own 


The  Married  State.  319 

lives  have  been,  but  as  to  the  manner  in  whicli  they 
have  brought  up  their  children.  If  these  latter  are 
doomed  to  perdition  through  the  bad  education 
they  have  recei\'ed  from  their  parents,  they  shall 
hang  like  millstones  round  the  neck  of  their  father 
or  mother,  sinking  them  yet  deeper  into  the  abyss 
of  hcU. 

7.  This  difficult  duty  of  the  education  of  children, 
and  the  heavy  responsibility  attaching  to  it,  is 
sufficient  of  itself  to  make  you,  Christian  maiden, 
seriously  reflect  before  answering  the  question 
"Ought  I  to  marry?"  in  the  aflirmative. 

If  this  duty  of  education  is  so  difficult  and 
burdensome  for  the  father,  it  is  doubly  and  trebly 
so  for  the  mother.  For  the  physical  and  spiritual 
training  of  children  depends,  in  their  earliest 
years  at  least,  almost  exclusively  upon  her.  How 
great  a  load  of  trouble  and  anxiety,  grief  and 
suffering,  must  rest  upon  a  mother  until  her  four, 
six,  eight,  or  even  more  children  can  feed  and 
dress  themxselves,  until  they  are  to  a  certain  extent 
independent  of  her!  Since  the  day  when  God 
said  to  the  mother  of  the  human  race:  "In  sorrow 
shalt  thou  bring  forth  children,  and  thou  shalt  be 
under  thy  husband's  power,"  the  life  of  every  wife 
and  mother  has  been  a  life  of  constant  sacrifice 
and  renunciation,  full  of  sorrows  and  tri?ls. 

8.  My  dear  daughter,  "Ought  you  to  marry?" 
To  sum  up  everything  in  a  few  words,  I  would 
say  to  you:  If  you  have  courage  to  make  great 
sacrifices,  if  you  are  very  fond  of  children,  if  you 
feel  that  you  could  readily  submit  to  the  will  of 
another,  if  you  are  sound  and  healthy  in  both 
mind  and  body,  if  you  are  sufficiently  versed  in 
household  matters,  and  have  attained  the  proper 
age  (I  would  say  the  age  of  twenty),  then  you  may 


320  At  the  Parting  of  the  Ways. 

marn'  if  you  consider  yourstlf  callid  to  the  wc-ddcd 
state  rather  than  to  an  unmarried  life  in  the  world. 
May  God  enlighten,  guide,  and  bless  you!  And 
may  the  words  of  Solomon  be  exemplified  in  your 
case:  "She  hath  looked  well  to  the  paths  of  her 
house,  and  hath  not  eaten  her  bread  idle.  Her 
children  rose  up,  and  called  her  blessed;  her  hus- 
band and  he  praised  her." 


aXJrX.  m^om  SljOHia  fiii«arr»? 

1.  "tT  you,  Christian  maiden,  have  attained  a 
<-■-»     suitable  age,  feel  yourself  called  to  the 

married  state,  and  receive  offers  of  marriage,  the 
imfx»rtant  questions  arise:  Whom  should  I  marn,- 
or  to  whom  ought  I  to  become  engaged,  and  to 
what  ought  I  principally  to  look  ?  I  will  endeavor 
to  give  practical  answers  to  these  questions. 

2.  Always  look  in  the  first  place  to  religion, 
virtue  and  uprightness.  Never  make  an  intimate 
acquaintance  with  a  man  of  whose  antecedents 
you  know  nothing,  and  in  regard  to  whom  you 
are  unable  to  obtain  reliable  information.  On  no 
account  allow  yourself  to  be  lulled  into  security 
by  fair  speeches,  solemn  assurances,  and  brilliant 
promises  on  the  part  of  a  stranger,  or  of  one  who 
has  lived  only  for  a  few  months  in  the  place  where 
you  live.  I  entreat  you  to  believe  me  when  I  teU 
you  that  it  is  impossible  to  be  too  cautious  in 
regard  to  strangers-  ISIany  a  young  wife  has 
prepared  unhappiness  for  both  herself  and  her 
parents  by  carelessness  in  this  respect,  and  by 
allowing  herself  to  be  over-persuaded  by  a  flatter- 
ing and  insinuating  suitor. 

3.  Therefore  I  once  again  repeat:  look  only  to 


The  Married  State.  321 

virtue,  uprightness,  dcvotedness  to  our  iioly  Church 
and  genuine  religious  sentiments.  If  you  hear  any- 
thing indicating  the  contrary  from  a  rchable  source 
or  notice  anything  for  yourself,  act  as  did  a  3'oung 
French  lady.  She  was  engaged  to  be  married, 
and  was  spending  the  evening  before  her  wedding- 
day  in  the  company  of  her  betrothed  and  some 
relatives-  He  began  to  make  jocular  and  con- 
temptuous remarks  about  religion.  His  intended 
gently  rebuked  him,  but  he  jestingly  replied  that 
a  man  of  the  world  could  not  afford  to  be  so  par- 
ticular in  such  matters.  Grieved  and  shocked, 
Elizabeth  (that  was  the  yourg  lady's  name)  de- 
clared that  she  would  not  riarry  him.  "  For," 
she  said,  "he  who  docs  not  Icve  God  will  not  love 
his  wife  truly  and  faithfully."  Nor  could  the 
united  persuasions  of  her  parents  and  her  lover 
induce  her  to  swerve  from  her  resolution.  An^ 
I  think  she  was  perfectly  rig  at;  let  her  maxim  be 
yours  also. 

4.  Never  become  engage  i  to  a  man  who  is 
careless  about  fulfilling  his  religious  duties,  who 
absents  himself  from  Mass  on  days  of  obligation 
without  sufficient  cause,  or  who  mocks  at  priests  and 
matters  connected  with  .religion.  Never  keep 
:ompany  with  a  young  felkw  who  likes  to  spend 
his  time  in  taverns,  drinking  and  gambling;  who 
keeps  late  hours  at  night,  neglects  his  work,  or  one 
who  has  a  very  violent  temper.  Give  up  Jt  once  a 
man  who  does  not  respect  your  innocence,  but 
allows  himself  to  take  Hberties  and  to  be  unduly 
familiar  with  you. 

Let  innocence  be  your  greatest  treasure,  your  only 
source  of  pride,  and  promptly  turn  away  from  any 
one  who  with  poisonous  breath  or  profane  hand 
would  tarnish  the  brightness  of  your  purity. 


822  At  the  Parting  of  tJie  Ways. 

5.  You  must  also  consider  in  choosing  a  husband 
the  external  circumstances  of  your  suitor,  and 
whether  the  contrast  between  his  position  and  your 
own  is  not  too  ^reat.  Too  great  a  disparity  of  age 
is  to  be  avoided;  a  marriage  rarely  turns  out  well 
when  the  wife  is  much  older  than  the  husband. 
Never  jx-rmit  your  marriage  tie  to  be  degraded  into 
a  mere  business  transaction.  I  chanced  to  read  of 
an  instance  ot  the  kind  in  a  newspaper  the  other  day. 
A  ver}'  wealthy  man  wanted  to  get  a  son-in-law  still 
richer  than  himself.  He  met  with  a  young  man 
to  suit  his  ideas,  and  proposed  to  give  him,  in  the 
event  of  his  marrying  his  daughter,  a  very  hand- 
some sum  as  her  dowry.  The  gentleman,  however, 
who  probably  loved  money  more  than  he  loved  the 
girl,  demanded  a  still  larger  sun^.  The  squabble 
which  ensued  was  a  long  one;  at  length  the  bargain 
was  satisfactorily  concluded,  and  the  wedding  took 
place.  The  young  lady  does  not  apix.ar  to  ha^'e 
been  more  sensible  or  noble-minded  tlian  her 
parent;  or  else  she  would  have  said  to  him:  "Father, 
you  can  do  with  your  money  what  you  please, 
but  this  sordid  fellow  shall  not  have  me!  I  want 
a  husband  who  wishes  to  marry  me,  not  my 
money!" 

6.  You  may  perhaps  ask  whether  you  are  not  to 
pay  any  heed  to  the  question  of  money  or  income 
in  selecting  a  husband.  Most  certainly  you  are; 
no  sensifjlc  girl  ouglit  to  m.arr)'  a  man  whose  calling 
and  pecuniary  circumstances  do  not  afford  a  guaran- 
tee that  he  will  be  able  to  support  a  family  decently 
without  help  from  outside.  On  the  other  hand  no 
prudent  and  sagacious  young  woman  would  give 
her  hand  to  a  man  merely  Ix^cause  he  is  rich,  or 
— this  I  must  add — only  on  account  of  1  is  rood 
looks  or  attractive  manners.     But  if  two  suitors 


The  Married  State.  323 

are  equally  good  and  religious  it  is  quite  justifiable 
to  choose  the  richer  and  more  pleasing. 

7.  Another  objection  3'ou  may  raise  is  this:  i. 
young  girls  are  to  be  so  critical  and  fastidious 
in  the  choice  of  a  husband  they  will  end  by  getting 
none  at  all!  And  in  my  opinion  it  would  be  a  very 
good  thing  for  a  great  many  if  this  should  prove 
to  be  the  case !  However,  good,  clever  young  women 
have  nothing  to  fear. 

For  although  no  statistics  can  be  obtained  on  this 
Head,  it  may  safely  be  asserted  that  among  young 
men  who  are  called  to  the  married  state  there  are 
quite  as  many,  if  not  more,  good  and  worthy 
individuals  as  there  are  among  young  women  who 
likewise  wish  to  marry.  And  this  proceeds  from  the 
existing  conditions  of  society.  For  many  of  the 
best,  most  intelligent  and  clever  girls  do  not  feel 
themselves  called  to  marry,  but  either  to  enter 
the  cloister  or  to  live  unmarried  in  the  world.  In 
the  case  of  young  men,  almost  all,  with  the  exception 
of  the  comparatively  small  number  of  those  who 
become  priests  or  go  into  religion,  are  so  situated 
as  to  find  it  desirable  to  enter  matrimony  and 
establish  their  own  home.  Therefore  the  more 
accomplished,  pious  and  capable  maidens  are,  the 
better  prospect  they   have   of  a  happy  marriage. 

8.  In  conclusion  let  me  lay  stress  upon  this 
point:  If  you  are  at  least  twenty  years  of  age  you 
may  think  of  becoming  engaged,  but  not  before 
then.  In  the  meantime  let  it  be  your  sole  effort 
and  aim  to  love  God,  to  make  progress  in  virtue, 
to  be  pious  and  chaste,  and  to  learn  all  you  can. 

Heart  with  heart  together  meeting, 
See,  they  are  in  concord  beating; 
Life  is  long  and  passion  fleeting. 

Sell  i  Her. 


824  At  the' Parti ny  of  the  Ways. 


3LXX.  Cfjc  JTimc  of  ffourtsljip, 

1.  'YT'OU  arc  aware  that  it  behooves  you  at 

j^  all  times  to  watch  and  pray  and  keep 
strict  guard  over  your  innocence,  but  never  is  this 
so  necessary  as  when  you  are  receiving  the  addresses 
of  a  young  man.  That  is  by  far  the  most  danger- 
ous time  for  young  people.  If  they  forget  God, 
the  period  of  their  engagement  often  witnesses 
the  ruin  of  their  innocence,  their  peace  of  mind, 
the  happiness  of  their  life.  This  topic  is  conse- 
quently among  the  most  important  for  one  whose 
office  it  is  to  instruct  girls  and  give  them  practical 
advice  for  their  guidance  in  moral  and  spiritual 
matters.  Let  me  tell  you  plainly  what  the  Chris- 
tian maiden  should  think  about  courtship,  and 
how  she  ought  to  conduct  herself  toward  her  lover. 

2.  A  Christian  maiden  ought  to  seek  to  know 
betimes  what  is  allowed  and  what  is  forbidden 
in  regard  to  courtship.  She  ought  not  to  wait  to 
know  this  until  she  has  fallen  deeply  in  love  and 
yielded  to  improper  proposals.  In  this  case  the 
eye  of  her  conscience  would  be  dimmed;  it  would 
become  impossible  for  her  to  judge  aright.  For 
those  who  have  already  sinned  together  warnings 
usually  come  too  late;  persuasions,  entreaties,  ex- 
hortations, are  equally  thrown  away;  if  such  |x.'rsons 
were  to  see  the  abyss  of  hell  yawning  before  them, 
or  if  some  one  were  to  rise  from  the  dead  to  warn 
them,  they  would  continue  to  pursue  their  evil  way, 
saying  it  was  impossible  for  them  to  desist  from  it. 

"I  am  determined  to  go  on,  however  things  may 
turn  out,"  said  a  young  girl,  hitherto  good  and 
docile,  to  her  confessor,  when  the  latter  endeavored 
to  induce  her  to  give  up  a  most  undesirable  ac- 


The  Married  State.  325 

quaintance.  And  tilings  did  turn  out  very  badly 
indeed,  for  in  a  comparatively  brief  period  the 
virife  died  in  a  lunatic  asylum  and  the  husband  in 
prison. 

3.  Therefore  it  is  important  for  the  girl  who 
feels  that  it  is  her  vocation  to  be  married,  to  have 
the  right  view  in  regard  to  courtship,  before  receiving 
the  attentions  of  any  man. 

We  cannot  approve  of  any  familiar  and  intimate 
social  intercourse  between  two  young  persons  of 
Jififcrent  sexes  if  the  acquaintance  is  made  and 
carried  on  without  a  view  to  marriage  within  a 
reasonable  time.  If  a  youth  and  maiden  stand  in 
an  intimate  relation  to  each  other,  and  seek  to 
be  often  alone  together,  without  any  idea  of  a 
.speedy  marriage,  such  a  relation  must  be  condemned. 
It  offers  as  a  rule  a  proximate  and  voluntary  occa- 
sion of  sins  against  chastity,  and  to  seek  such 
occasions  is  in  itself  a  sin.  Countless  sad  examples 
which  meet  us  in  our  daily  experience  prove  that 
relations  of  this  nature  are  truly  a  proximate 
occasion  of  grievous  sin. 

4.  Of  course  it  is  desirable  and  even  necessary 
that  two  young  persons  who  wdsh  to  marry  each 
other  should  become  well  acquainted,  and  to  this 
end  courtship  is  quite  proper.  Even  in  this  case, 
however,  circumstances  may  render  a  continuation 
of  the  courtship  undesirable,  or  even  actually 
wrong.  For  instance,  unexpected  hindrances  may 
arise  that  make  the  marriage  impossible,  or  require 
it  to  be  indefinitely  postponed;  and  the  young 
persons  continue,  in  spite  of  this,  to  meet  just  as 
frequently  as  they  did  before.  Or  one  of  them 
may  allege  some  frivolous  pretext  for  delaying  the 
marriage.  How  silly  are  many  girls  who  allow 
themselves  to  be  made  fools  of  by  young  men,  and 


326  At  the  Partin(]  of  the  Waija. 

do  not,  or  rather  will  not,  see  that  their  admirers 
are  lliinking  of  anything  but  marriape. 

5.  Again,  an  acquaintance  allowable  in  other 
resix'cts  becomes  sinful  and  undesirable  if  the 
engaged  parties,  although  determined  to  be  mar- 
ried before  very  long,  seek  in  the  meantime  to  l)e 
alone  together  as  often  as  possible,  and  at  such 
meetings  always  or  nearly  always  commit  sins,  if 
not  in  deed,  at  least  in  thought  and  desire.  Tlicrc 
is  only  one  way  of  extricating  themselves  from  so 
perilous  a  position;  they  must  either  break  off 
the  engagement  altogether,  or  arrange  never  to  he 
left  alone  and  to  hasten  their  marriage.  Th(  first 
alternative  will  probably  appear  difficult,  it  not 
imjx)ssible,  but  the  second  can  be  carried  out  if 
only  there  is  a  good  will. 

6.  From  all  which  has  been  said  you  muse 
plainly  perceive  that  the  period  of  courtship  is 
fraught  with  grave  dangers  for  your  innocence, 
and  that  it  calls  for  the  exercise  of  the  greatest 
prudence.  Therefore  note  well  how  you  ought  to 
conduct  yourself  in  the  time  of  courtship. 

(a)  Ask  ad\ice  in  regard  to  your  engagement. 
A  priest  warned  one  of  his  parishioners  not  to 
marry  a  certain  young  man.  "For,"  he  said,  "you 
know  him  to  be  a  drunkard,  and  you  must  be 
aware  that  whenever  there  is  a  quarrel  he  gets 
mixed  up  in  it."  "All  he  needs  is  a  Httle  manage- 
ment," was  the  reply;  "besides^  he  is  a  handsome 
fellow,  and  the  eye  wants  something  too."  Six 
weeks  after  her  marriage  the  wife  came  to  the 
priest  with  her  head  bandaged,  and  said,  amid 
many  tears:  "Oh  Father,  my  husband  has  beaten 
me  so  dreadfully!  My  right  eye  is  nearly  put  out!" 
Gravely  and  sadly  her  confessor  made  answer* 
"My  jxior  child,  the  eye  wants  something  too. " 


The  Married  State.  ?27 

(b)  Be  sure  to  mention  the  fact  of  your  engage- 
ment when  you  go  to  confession,  as  much  evil  may 
thereby  be  prevented. 

(c)  Do  not  delay  your  marriage  too  long.  As 
far  as  you  can,  avoid  being  alcine  with  your  betrothed. 
If  his  visits  are  too  frequent  and  too  protracted, 
and  if  you  seek  to  be  alone  with  him  when  he  calls,, 
it  will  be  nothing  short  of  a  miracle  if  you  preserve 
your  chastity. 

{d)  During  the  time  of  your  engagement  keep 
strict  guard  o\'er  yourself  in  regard  to  your  virginal 
purity,  and  insist  that  your  future  husband  shall 
also  respect  it;  for  this  reason  avoid  all  undue 
familiarity. 

Thrice  happy  will  3-ou  be  if  you  follow  this 
advice,  and  can  approach  the  nuptial  altar  in  vir- 
ginal purity.  For  this  end  pray  frequently  and 
fervently  to  the  INIother  of  God,  saying:  "O  Mary, 
purest  of  virgins,  and  my  IMother,  guide  me,  guide 
thy  weak  child,  that  I  may  pass  safely  through  the 
dangers  which  beset  my  youthful  steps! " 

Queen  of  virgins,  guard  and  guide  me; 
Let  me  to  thine  arms  repair; 
In  thy  tender  bosom  hide  me; 
Mary,  take  me  to  thy  care. 


B' 


HXXE.  i^arrij  <t  ©atijoUc. 

[T.  JEROME  relates  the  following  anec- 
dote in  regard  to  St.  Marcella,  who 
was  left  a  widow  while  still  quite  young.  A  man 
of  good  family,  Cerealis  by  name,  wished  to  marry 
her,  promising  to  make  her  sole  heiress  of  his 
large  fortune  if  she  would  accept  his  band.  Her 
mother  urged  her  to  close  with  the  brilliant  offer. 


328  At  the  Parti  tig  of  the  Ways. 

but  she  replied:  "If  I  had  not  determined  never 
to  marry  ai^ain,  I  should  look  out  for  a  hiisbana, 
rather  than  a  jortunc." 

2.  You,  Christian  maiden,  ought  to  be  of  the  same 
opinion;  when  the  time  comes  to  choose  a  husband, 
do  not  think  too  much  about  riches  and  temporal 
interests.  Pay  all  the  more  attention  to  another 
jxiint,  which  is  perhaps  the  most  important  of  all: 
marry  only  a  Catholic.  On  no  account  conclude 
a  mi.xed  marriage;  therefore  avoid  engaging  your- 
self to  a  non-Catholic. 

In  my  earlier  instructions  I  laid  great  stress 
upon  this  head.  I  shall  now  enter  ujxin  it  more  at 
length.  For  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  in  the 
present  day,  when  Catholics  and  Protestants  are 
almost  everj-where  associated,  and  Catholic  girls 
are  more  or  less  exposed  to  the  danger  of  becoming 
acquainted  with  a  non-Catholic  whose  object  is 
marriage.  Therefore  it  is  absolutely  necessary 
that  you,  as  a  Catholic,  should  know  what  you 
ought  to  tliink  about  mixed  marriages  and  how 
you  arc  to  avoid  them. 

3.  First  of  all  it  must  be  remarked  that  no  ofTence 
to  Protestants  is  intended  when  Catholics  are 
warned  against  marrying  them.  Protestants  ought 
to  hold  similar  opinions,  looking  at  the  matter 
from  their  own  point  of  view,  and,  indeed,  they 
frequently  do.  To  prove  the  truth  of  what  has 
just  been  said,  I  will  give  two  extracts,  the  first  from 
a  Protestant  newspaper;  they  are  fraught  with  use- 
ful lessons  for  Catholics.  My  first  quotation  runs 
thus:  "A  mixed  marriage  is  always  a  sad  mistake, 
and  any  one  who  forms  such  a  union  must  make 
up  his  mind  to  experience  a  good  deal  of  tiouble 
and  unhappine.=s.  If  the  children  are  brought  up 
as  Catholics,  the  Protestant  husband  or  wife  must 


The  Married  State.  329 

look  on  while  they  say  their  beads,  must  hear  them 
invoking  the  saints,  both  of  which  things  would 
be  found  very  annoying,  even  in  the  case  of  their 
own  children.  If  the  children  are  Protestants, 
discontent  and  reproaches  are  siu"e  to  follow  on 
the  Catholic  side;  and  if  some  are  brought  up  as 
Catholics,  others  as  Protestants,  the  family  is 
divided.  Parents  and  children  ought  to  profess 
the  same  faith.  People  do  not  marry  only  to  work 
together,  but  also  to  pray  together.  A  Protestant 
artisan,  who  had  married  a  Catholic,  and  whose 
only  child  died,  expressed  himself  as  follows: 
'Standing  beside  the  death -bed  of  our  child,  I  felt 
how  great  a  gulf  separated  my  wife  from  me.  We 
ought  to  be  able,  not  only  to  live  together,  but 
also  to  pray  together.  In  my  opinion,  mixed 
marriages  ought  to  be  forbidden  by  law.'  And, 
indeed,  no  one  who  cares  about  his  own  salvation 
and  that  of  his  children  ought  to  contract  a  mixed 
marriage. " 

4.  ]\Iy  second  illustration  is  taken  from  a  pamph- 
let entitled,  "A  ^^'ord  of  Warning  to  Protestants. ' 
It  rvms  thus:  "How  unhappy  a  wife  must  be  who 
has  been  brought  up  a  Catholic  and  remembers, 
every  time  she  attends  divine  worship,  that  her 
children  are  being  educated  as  Protestants;  although 
she  believes  that  her  own  religion  is  the  only  one 
which  leads  to  heaven!  And  the  opposite  case  is 
just  as  undesirable! 

".N^r  do  I  think  that  the  religious  discussions 
which  rc^i'^t  arise  between  husband  and  wife  can 
be  vzp/  edifying.  These  discussions  can  scarcely 
be  avoided  if  each  is  in  earnest  in  regard  to  his  or 
her  beliefs.  And  if  religion  is  to  be  a  forbidden 
subject,  what  will  become  of  the  children?" 

5.  Listen  to  the  decision  of  the  Catholic  Church 


330  At  ill"  l\irtin(j  of  the  Ways. 

concerning  mixed  marriages.  She  has  always 
declared  her  disapproval  of  them,  and  advised, 
nay  commanded.  Catholics  to  avoid  contracting 
them.  More  than  fourteen  hundred  years  ago 
several  Councils,  among  them  those  of  Elvira, 
Laodicea,  and  Chalcedon,  forbade  Catholics  to 
marry  heretics  unless  the  latter  promised  to  be- 
come Catholics. 

6.  Two  special  reasons  induced  and  compelled 
the  Catholic  Church  to  come  to  this  decision.  In 
the  first  place,  a  union  between  a  Catholic  and  a 
Protestant  can  never  be  a  perfect  marriage,  can 
never  be  what  marriage  ought  to  be.  For  marriage 
is  a  sacram.ent,  and  should  be  regarded  and  treated 
as  such.  How  can  this  be  so  when  the  Protestant 
considers  matrimony  a  merely  civil  contract? 
!Married  people  should  live  in  the  closest  union, 
in  the  most  perfect  harmony;  they  ought  to  have 
but  one  heart  and  one  soul.  How  can  this  be 
when  they  hold  such  widely  different  opinions  upon 
so  many  points  in  regard  to  the  most  sacred  and 
most  important  of  all  subjects,  namely,  religion  ? 
Moreover,  married  people  ought  to  help  one  another 
on  the  way  to  heaven.  How  can  they  do  this 
when  one  takes  the  road  which  leads  to  the  right, 
and  the  other  treads  the  path  which  turns  to  the 
left?  Finally,  married  people  ought  to  give  their 
children  a  religious  education,  and  they  should 
cooperate  in  carr)-ing  on  the  good  work.  Again 
I  ask,  how  can  they  do  this  when  their  views  in 
regard  to  religion  differ  so  widely? 

7.  The  second  reason  why  holy  Church  looks 
so  unfavorably  upon  mixed  marriages  is  because 
the  Catholic  incurs  so  great  a  i"isk  of  losing  his  or 
her  £Oul.  When  a  Catholic  girl  marries  a  man 
who  is  not  of  her  faith  it  is  fair  to  surmise  that 


The  Married  State.  331 

she  is  rather  lukewarm  in  regard  to  her  own 
rcHgion.  How  easy  it  is  for  her  when  she  becomes 
a  wife  to  neglect  her  religious  duties,  and  grad- 
ually to  cease  altogether  from  performing  them. 
Thence  it  is  only  a  step  to  religious  indifference, 
that  is,  to  the  erroneous  opinion  that  all  religions 
are  alike  good;  that  it  does  not  matter  what  one 
believes;  that  it  is  of  no  consequence  whether  one  is 
a  Catholic  or  a  Protestant  if  only  one  leads  a  good 
life. 

And  how  sad  a  prospect  it  is  in  regard  to  the 
Catholic  education  of  the  children!  The  Catholic 
W'ife  may  desire  to  bring  the  children  up  in  her 
own  creed,  and  the  Protestant  husljand  has  promised 
tliat  she  shall  be  permitted  do  so;  but  how  very 
often  he  fails  to  keep  his  word. 

So  you  see  the  truth  of  the  saying  I  quoted 
above:  "No  one  who  is  earnestly  concerned  about 
his  ow^n  salvation  and  that  of  his  children  ought  to 
contract  a  mixed  marriage."  Act  upon  this  prin- 
ciple, my  daughter — do  not  listen  to  the  addresses  of 
a  non-Catholic. 

A  common  faith,  a  common  love, 
A  common  hope  of  life  above — 
This  only  can  make  wedded  life 
Free  from  discord,  free  from  strife. 


aXXI);.  aire  faircU  laarrinacs  m^PPV  1 

I.  »-ri'  PASSAGE  from  the  wTitings  of  Dr. 
g^jpL,  Hirschcr,  a  pious  and  learned  divine, 
may  be  suitably  introduced  here.  He  says: 
"There  is  probably  no  single  instance  to  be  found 
of  a  mixed  marriage  in  which  (although  they  may 
in    other    respects    have    lived    happily    together) 


332  At  the  Partiny  of  tfie  Ways. 

husband  and  wife  did  not  after  the  lapse  of  years 
express  the  conviction  that  it  would  have  tx*en 
better  if  they  had  never  met.  There  is  a  flaw  in 
their  mutual  relations,  a  sore  place  which  can 
never  ix*  healed." 

A  priest  who  had  been  in  Holy  Orders  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  and  had  exercised  his  sacred 
ministry  in  many  different  parishes,  assured  me 
that  he  had  met  with  no  mixed  marriage  which 
could  be  called  completely  happy;  that  many 
Catholics  and  Protestants  who  had  contracted 
unions  of  this  nature  had  acknowledged  to  hirr. 
that  if  they  could  have  their  time  over  again  they 
would  not  msLTry  as  they  had  done. 

2.  There  is  one  case,  not  infrequent  in  occurrence, 
which  renders  the  marriage  of  a  Catholic  wife 
with  a  husband  who  is  a  non-Catholic  extremely 
unhappy.  You  know  that  the  Church  considers 
marriage  to  be  indissoluble;  she  has  ordainecl 
that  neither  of  the  partners  in  the  marriage  can 
marry  again  during  the  lifetime  of  the  other. 
Protestants,  on  the  other  hand,  regard  marriage 
as  a  bond  which  can  be  dissolved.  It  is  jwssible 
that  the  Protestant  husband  may  institute  proceed- 
ings in  a  divorce  court  for  separation  from  his 
Catholic  wife.  Reasons  for  taking  such  a  step 
are  never  far  to  seek.  If  the  husband  marries 
another  woman,  the  discarded  Catholic  wife  is 
doomed  to  drag  on  a  wretched  existence;  she  is, 
of  course,  unable  to  marr)-  again,  and  must  remain 
a  widow  as  long  as  her  husband  lives.  To  com- 
plete her  miser}',  her  children  are  often  taken  from 
her  and  given  into  the  custody  of  their  father, 
who  docs  not  allow  them  to  have  anything  to  do 
with  their  mother. 

3.  I  will  cite  one  instar.ce  out  of  hundreds  which 


The  Married  State.  333 

iTiight  be  brought  forward.  Many  years  ago  a 
young  girl  who  had  lost  both  her  parents  went  to 
reside  at  Neuenburg  with  an  aunt.  Before  ver} 
long,  a  Protestant  merchant  began  to  pay  her 
attention.  At  length  he  asked  her  to  become  his 
wife.  The  girl  hesitated  at  first  because  her  aunt 
was  opposed  to  the  marriage.  Finally  the  girl 
consented,  but  only  on  the  express  condition  that 
all  the  children  should  be  brought  up  as  Catholics. 
To  this  the  future  bridegroom  readily  agreed, 
promising  to  do  all  which  might  be  required  of 
him;  his  promise  was  taken  down  in  writing,  and 
officially  legalized. 

4.  At  first  all  went  on  smoothly.  But  in  the 
course  of  a  few  years  the  husband  began  to  grow 
somewhat  cool  toward  his  wife.  He  made  fun  of 
one  and  another  of  her  pious  habits.  When  she 
came  home  from  Mass  on  a  certain  Sunday  morn- 
ing, she  found  that  he  had  removed  her  crucifix, 
religious  pictures,  holy-water  font,  rosary-beads, 
and  prayer-books  from  their  customary  places  in 
the  various  rooms,  and  had  made  a  heap  of  them 
in  an  attic.  Shortly  afterward  a  child  was  born. 
The  father  had  it  baptized  as  a  Protestant,  and 
said  it  was  to  be  brought  up  as  such.  With  many 
tears,  the  unhappy  wife  reminded  him  of  the  solemn 
promise  he  had  made  at  the  altar  in  regard  to  the 
education  of  their  children.  He  replied  abruptly: 
"That  is  my  affair;  it  rests  with  me  to  decide  what 
the  religion  of  my  children  is  to  be." 

Full  of  bitter  grief,  the  poor  mother  again  went 
to  her  aunt's  house.  While  she  was  staying  there 
her  husband  procured  a  divorce  and  married  a 
rich  Protestant  widow.  His  discarded  but  lawful 
wife  was  left  with  a  broken  heart,  one  woman 
among  many  who  have  met  with  a  similar  fate. 


834  At  the  Pnriivrj  of  fhr  ^Va^/s. 

They  listened  to  the  voice  of  eartl  ly  affection  alone, 
or  were  led  solely  by  worldly  moti\es,  and  heeded 
not  the  teaching  of  holy  Church. 

5.  iiut  even  when  matters  do  not  reach  such 
u  jjitch  as  this,  no  mixed  marriage  can  be  said  to 
be  really  happy  in  every  respect.  For  the  husband 
and  wife  are  not  united  in  regard  to  the  most  sacred 
and  most  important  of  subjects;  hence  lesser 
diiTerenccs  are  ajjt  to  arise.  One  disparages  the 
other's  religion  and  says:  "I  wish  I  had  never 
known  youl"  If  the  children  do  not  turn  out  will 
the  Catholic  mother  re])roaches  herself  with  the  fail- 
ure, and  feels  how  difTcrcnt  the  case  would  have 
been  if  she  had  married  a  pious,  helpful  Catholic. 

6.  Even  when  the  wife  is,  and  continues  to  be, 
a  good  Catholic,  in  the  vicissitudes  of  married  life 
a  hundred  reflections  occur  to  her  mind  on  the 
score  of  religion,  tending  to  prevent  her  from  enjoy 
ing  true  peace  and  real  happiness.  How  much 
grief  and  anxiety  must  it  cause  her  to  know  tl  at 
her  husband  is  on  a  wrong  road;  that  he  lacks 
the  choicest  gifts  and  graces  of  God  in  this  life, 
and  is  in  great  danger  of  not  attaining  eternal 
happiness  in  the  next  life.  And  should  her  Ix-loved 
husband  die  outside  the  Church,  must  not  grief 
and  anxiety  on  account  of  his  soul  press  heavily 
indeed  upon  her  heart  ? 

7.  Therefore  in  a  mixed  marriage  a  Catholic 
ft'ife  is  always  more  or  less  to  be  pitied,  even  if 
she  remains  a  good  Catholic.  IJut  if  she  was 
a  careless  Catholic  at  the  time  of  her  marriage, 
and  glows  gradually  more  and  more  indiiTerent, 
consenting  that  her  children  should  receive  a 
Protestant  education,  she  often  ends  by  falling 
away  from  the  faith  altogether.  Her  marriage  may 
be  crowned  with  the  highest  temporal  felicity,  she 


Ttie  Married  State.  335 

may  live  happily  with  her  husband,  and  they  may 
be  held  in  honor  and  esteem  by  their  fellow  men; 
yet  in  spite  of  all  this  the  conscience  of  the  wife  will 
assail  her  with  many  a  bitter  reproach,  and  cause 
her  to  spend  many  a  gloomy  hour.  Should  she 
succeed  in  stifling  its  voice  her  case  is  still  worse; 
it  is  the  lull  before  the  storm,  the  awful  pause 
before  she  sinks  into  never-ending  misery.  To  such 
an  unhappy  wife  we  may  apply  Our  Lord's  warn- 
ing:  "What  doth  it  profit  a  man  if  he  gain  the 
whole  world  and  suflFer  the  loss  of  his  own  soul?" 

8.  In  whatever  light  we  view  the  matter  it  is 
obvious  that  a  thoroughly  happy  mixed  marriage  is 
a  thing  very  rarely  to  be  found.  But  when  this 
is  represented  to  a  girl  who  has  already  listened 
to  the  addresses  of  a  non-Catholic,  and  {jerhaps 
fallen  madly  in  love  with  him,  she  says  that  it  is 
looking  on  the  dark  side  of  things;  she  sees  a 
.hundred  ways  of  escaping  out  of  the  difficulty; 
even  the  most  cogent  arguments  fail  to  convince 
her  of  the  perilous  nature  of  the  step  she  is  about 
to  take;  or,  bUnded  by  passion,  she  may  merely 
reply:  "Well,  if  I  knew  that  I  should  go  to  hell 
I  would  still  marr}'  him  and  no  one  else!"  Thus 
it  is  with  the  fire  of  sensual  love.  Once  it  has 
burst  out  into  a  blaze  nothing  but  a  miracle  of 
grace  avails  to  quench  it,  nothing  else,  either  in 
heaven  above  or  on  earth  below. 

Therefore  beware  of  this  fire  of  sensual  love. 
Carefully  reflect  before  accepting  the  company 
of  a  non-Catholic,  lest  the  fire  should  burst  into 
flames  which  cannot  be  extinguished. 

Though  love  may  clasp  the  nuptial  band, 
Yet  wedded  bliss  no  storm  will  stand 
Unless  the  selfsame  faith  both  share, 
And  make  God's  service  their  first  care. 


336  At  the  Parting  of  the  Ways. 


(Cljurcf)  SToIcratcs  ittivcU  i«nrriaQcs, 


T 


'OU  have  learned  in  the  preceding  in- 
structions how  extremely  rare  the 
cases  are  in  which  mixed  marriages  turn  out  well, 
and  what  weighty  reasons  induce  holy  Church 
to  signify  her  disapproval  of  them.  She  refrains, 
however,  from  prohiljiting  them  altogether,  because 
she  is  a  loving  and  indulgent  mother.  It  would 
afflict  her  maternal  hiart  to  witness  the  sad  fate 
of  those  Catholics  who,  blinded  by  passion,  world 
form  mixed  marriages,  hows(x.n-er  strictly  forbidden, 
and  would  thus  entirely  separate  themselves  from 
her.  In  order  to  prevent  the  greater  evil  she 
permits  the  lesser;  she  tolerates  mixed  marriages 
under  certain  conditions. 

2.  These  conditions  are  as  follows:  (i)  The 
marriage  must  be  solemnized  according  to  the  rules 
of  the  Catholic  Church  only.  (2)  Hoth  parties 
must  promise  to  have  all  their  children  baj^tized 
and  brought  up  as  Catholics.  (3)  The  non- 
Catholic  must  also  promise  to  leave  the  Catholic 
free  to  practice  his  religion. 

This  toleration  or  permission  of  mixed  marriages, 
or.  as  it  is  usually  termed,  this  dispensation,  does 
not  imply  approval;  on  the  contrary,  the  Church 
never  ceases  to  protest  against  them  in  the  most 
decided  manner.  As  a  rule,  she  requires  of  the 
contracting  parties  a  written  promise  that  the  above- 
mentioned  conditions  will  be  faithfully  carried  out, 
especially  that  one  which  concerns  the  Catholic  edu- 
cation of  the  children. 

3.  The  Church  insists  so  strongly  upon  this 
point  because  it  is  the  chief  matter  to  be  thought  of 


The  Married  State.  337 

in  any  marriage  which  her  children  conclude.  To 
refrain  from  insisting  upon  it  would  be,  not  love 
and  indulgence,  but  treachery  to  the  truth,  which 
can  be  but  one;  it  would  virtually  be  placing 
error  on  a  level  with  truth  and  allowing  Catholics 
to  fall  away  from  the  truth,  in  the  persons  of  their 
children.  Despite  the  fact  that  the  Church  ceases 
not  to  Hft  up  her  voice  in  protest  through  her 
bishops  and  priests,  a  considerable  number  of  the 
children  of  mixed  marriages  are  not  brought  up 
as  Catholics.  We  can  readily  understand  the 
feelings  of  grief  and  pain  which  animated  a  zealous 
German  prelate  when  he  wrote  as  follows  to  all 
young  women  who  enter  upon  a  mixed  marriage 
without  the  sanction  or  dispensation  of  the  Church: 
"The  flames  of  a  foolish  passion  soon  die  out. 
Conscience  asserts  its  rights,  and  a  weary  struggle 
begins  which  prevents  family  life  from  being  truly 
happy.  The  birth  of  the  first  child,  which  ought 
to  be  a  soiu-ce  of  joy  to  its  mother,  becomes  a  cause 
of  sorrow.  The  child  is  brought  up  in  an  anti- 
Catholic  atmosphere  and  thus  is  deprived  of  the 
true  faith.  What  stings  of  conscience  must  pierce 
its  mother's  heart!" 

4.  The  non-Catholic  father,  on  the  other  hand, 
can  certainly  not  find  any  pleasure  in  seeing  his 
children  taught  a  creed  other  than  that  which  he 
professes.  But  as  either  husband  or  wife  must 
give  way  on  this  point,  it  ought  not  to  be  so  diffi- 
cult for  the  non-Catholic  to  consent  that  the  children 
be  educated  in  the  Catholic  faith  as  it  is  for  a 
Catholic  to  allow  her  children  to  be  brought  up  as 
Protestants.  For  these  latter  hold  generally  that  a 
Christian  can  save  his  soul  whatever  his  religious 
beliefs  may  be.  The  Catholic  wife,  on  the  other 
hand,  according  to  her  faith,  must  look  upon  the 


338  At  the  PartiiKj  of  the  Ways. 

Catholic  Church  as  the  one,  only,  true  Church, 
founded  by  Christ  Himself,  and  she  ought  therefore 
to  insist  that  her  children  shall  be  brought  up  in 
that  Church. 

5.  Do  not  allow  yourself  to  be  induced  to  depart 
from  your  determination  to  avoid  a  mixed  marriage, 
by  any  plausible  theories  which  may  be  put  forward. 
For  instance,  you  may  be  told  that  Protestants  are 
Christians  as  well  as  Catholics,  that  they  agree 
in  essentials,  and  differ  only  in  minor  matters. 

This  assertion  is  a  false  one.  Differences  exist, 
not  merely  in  minor  matters,  but  in  many  most 
important  points.  That  which  the  Catholic  reveres 
as  heavenly  truth  the  Protestant  in  many  cases 
regards  as  a  purely  hiunan  invention.  For  instance^ 
the  Catholic  sees  in  the  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  an 
actual  renewal  of  the  sacrifice  Christ  made  upon 
the  cross;  the  Protestant  doctrine  teaches  this  to 
be  idolatry.  This  difTcrence  is  indeed  a  most 
important  one,  and  here  unity  of  religious  belief 
certainly  does  not  exist. 

6.  Thus  holy  Church,  as  we  have  seen,  tolerates 
mixed  marriages  if  the  above-mentioned  three  con- 
ditions are  comjilicd  with,  more  especially  if  the 
Catholic  education  of  the  children  is  assured. 
She  grants  a  dispensation  in  regard  to  such  mar- 
riages, but  does  not  thereby  testify  her  approval 
of  them.  But  what  if  the  non-Catholic  refuses 
beforehand  to  consent  that  the  children  shall  be 
brought  up  as  Catholics?  In  this  case  she 
refuses  to  give  her  consent  to  the  union.  How 
great  is  the  l)lindness  and  how  grievous  the  sin 
of  thore  Catholics  who,  contrar}'  to  the  command 
of  GoQ  and  of  the  Church,  are  married  before 
a  Protestant  minister  or  the  secular  authori- 
ties; and,  setting  aside  all  conscientious  scrupLs, 


The  Religious  State.  339 

renounce  the  idea  of  bringing  up  their  children  as 
Catholics. 

Each  state  and  calling  here  below 

Has  its  own  joy  and  its  owti  woe; 

Yet  a  godless  marriage,  though  it  look  fair. 

Brings  little  with  it  but  sorrow  and  care. 

The  conduct  of  a  Catholic  giri  as  set  forth  in  the 
incident  I  am  about  to  relate  cannot  be  too  highly 
praised.  She  served  as  assistant  in  the  store  of 
a  wealthy  Protestant  merchant.  She  so  won  the 
esteem  of  her  employer  and  of  his  two  sons  that  one 
of  the  latter  offered  to  marry  her,  promising  to 
leave  her  the  free  exercise  of  her  religion.  But 
the  admirable  young  woman  rejected  this  advan- 
tageous proposal  simply  because  she  was  a  Catholic. 
She  preferred  to  remain  a  clerk  or  an  employe  of , 
any  kind  rather  than  to  become  the  wife  of  a  rich 
man  at  the  price  of  making  a  mixed  marriage. 
This  was  indeed  no  small  sacrifice!  Should  you 
ever  find  yourself  in  similar  circumstances,  may 
you  be  found  ready  to  make  a  Hke  sacrifice  with 
a  coiurage  equal  to  hers! 


3-  Ube  IReUafous  State. 

HXXJtV.  Eijt  JlSappCncss  of  a  aarligious 
IJocatioii. 

I.    *ZT'   WONDERFUL    sight   is   this   which 
«>/J-.      the  Catholic  Church  has  presented  to 
us  from  the  earliest  times,  and  still  presents  in  our 
own  day.     We  see  hundreds  of  young  girls  renoun- 
cing the   riches,    honors,    and   enjoyments   of  the 


340  Ai  the  Parting  of  the  Ways. 

world  in  order  to  shut  thcmsclvt-s  up  for  life  within 
the  walls  and  gratings  of  convents.  Other  delicate 
girls  wo  see  turning  their  backs  on  the  comforts 
of  civilized  life  to  go,  as  Sisters  of  Charity,  into 
distant  lands,  there  to  pass  their  days  amidst 
strenuous  exertions  and  severe  privations,  frequently 
exposed  to  the  greatest  perils  and  almost  certain 
to  meet  an  early  death.  How  is  such  a  life  of  sacri- 
fice to  be  explained,  a  life  which  the  world  cannot 
possibly  understand  ?  I  can  give  no  other  explana- 
tion than  that  which  is  contained  in  the  Saviour's 
words:  "And  I,  if  I  be  Hfted  up  from  the  earth, 
will  dravi-  all  things  to  myself."  And  again  He 
says:  "I  am  come  to  cast  fire  on  the  earth,  and 
what  will  I  but  that  it  be  kindled?" 

But  in  what  manner  does  the  Sanour  draw  to 
Himself  so  many  souls,  more  especially  so  many 
virginal  souls?  He  draws  them  by  the  secret 
operation  of  His  grace;  He  calls  them  to  the 
Religious  state.  Christian  maiden,  give  your 
attention  to  some  remarks  concerning  this  voca- 
tion, remarks  which  well  deserve  to  be  considered. 
Reflect,  in  the  first  place,  upon  the  happiness  of 
this  vocation. 

2.  The  shortsighted  world  is  quite  at  fault 
when  it  pronounces  the  life  of  a  nun  joyless  and 
more  or  less  unhappy.  She  must,  it  is  true,  re- 
nounce much  which  men  regard  as  pleasure  and 
enjoyment,  but  only  to  be  richly  compensated  for 
all  she  gives  up  by  higher  and  purer  joys.  Have 
you  ever  seen  the  husbandman  cutting  the  vine? 
The  process  seems  to  hurt  it,  and  bitter  drops, 
like  tears,  ooze  from  the  stem;  it  is  done  for  the 
good  of  the  vine,  to  render  it  more  valuable.  It 
is  the  same  with  a  person  who  has  been  called  to 
the  Religious  state  and  lives  in  accordance  with  it. 


The  Religious  State.  341 

Ail  the  sacrifices  she  may  have  to  make  do  but  in- 
crease her  happiness;  they  cause  her  to  partake 
more  abundantly  of  that  peace  of  which  Our  Lord 
says:  "My  peace  I  give  unto  you;  not  as  the 
world  giveth  do  I  give  unto  you."  And  she 
experiences  the  truth  of  His  assurance  when  He 
says:  "My  yoke  is  sweet  and  my  burden  light." 

3.  Ponder  well  another  utterance  of  the  Saviour. 
Peter  said:  "Behold  we  have  left  all  things  and 
have  followed  thee."  Jesus,  answering,  said: 
"Amen  I  say  to  you,  there  is  no  man  who  hath 
left  house,  or  brethren,  or  sisters,  or  father,  or 
mother,  or  children,  or  lands  for  my  sake  and  for 
the  gospel  who  shall  not  receive  an  hundred  times 
as  much  now  in  this  time:  houses,  and  brethren, 
and  sisters,  and  mothers,  and  children,  and  lands 
and  in  the  world  to  come  life  everlasting."  Eternal 
life!  This  promise  does  not  occasion  surprise. 
But  the  other  promise  is  remarkable!  Mark  it 
well!  Those  disciples  who  have  left  all  in  order 
wholly  to  follow  Him  shall  be  rewarded  even  here 
on  earth.  And  how  shall  they  be  rewarded? 
"They  shall  receive  a  hundred  times  as  much  now 
in  this  time:"  freedom,  peace,  contentment,  joy, 
trust  in  God,  fraternal  affection;  and  also,  literally, 
houses,  brethren,  sisters,  mothers. 

Ask  the  Sisters  who  have  left  the  world  for 
Christ's  sake  if  they  have  not  truly  found  a  mother 
in  the  convent;  ask  them  if  they  have  not  experi- 
enced her  maternal  love,  if  they  have  not  met  with 
sisterly  affection,  with  heartfelt  sympathy  in  sorrow 
and  in  joy. 

It  is  true  that  they  must  take  human  nature  with 
them  into  the  convent;  many  forms  of  human 
weakness  are  to  be  found  there.  But  in  spite  of  it 
all,  one  heart  and  one  soul  reign  in  the  convent. 


342  At  Ou.'  Par'ing  of  the.  Ways. 

Such  is  the  blessing  Christ  l)estows;    such  is  tlie 
happiness  of  the  KeHgious  vocation. 

4.  Again,  this  happiness  may  be  seen  in  the 
ever)'. day  hfe  of  a  good  ReUgious.  liy  means  of 
obedience  and  pious  exercises  each  day  is  sanctified, 
and  all  her  occu [nations  are  consecrated  to  God. 
Her  first  waking  tiioughts  are  of  the  Holy  Trinity, 
to  whom  she  offers  up  her  life,  her  will,  her  heart 
with  its  incUnalions.  Wherever  she  may  be,  and 
whatever  she  may  do  in  the  course  of  the  day, 
she  remembers  that  she  is  in  the  house  of  God  and 
is  dedicated  to  His  service.  Thus  a  life  of  toil 
becomes  a  paradise  in  her  eyes,  dearer  than  all  the 
passing  pleasures  to  be  found  in  the  mansions  of 
the  great. 

5.  Her  hallowed  home  and  holy  occupations 
bring  the  Religious  every  hour  into  the  immediate 
presence  of  Him  who  is  the  joy  of  paradise,  th*^ 
delight  of  the  elect.  Here  she  worships,  here  she 
offers  her  sacrifices;  from  her  Saviour,  in  union 
with  whom  she  lives,  labors  and  suffers,  she  obtains 
grace,  strength  and  gladness.  She  can  truly  adopt 
the  words  of  the  Psalmist:  "So  in  the  sanctuary 
have  I  come  before  thee,  to  see  thy  power  and  thy 
glory.  For  better  is  one  day  in  thy  courts,  above 
thousands." 

She  likewise  concludes  the  labors  of  the  day  in 
the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  commends  her  spirit 
to  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  before  she  lies  down 
to  rest.  And,  in  thought  and  desire  at  least,  she 
ceases  not  to  abide  with  Him,  saying  with  the 
prophet:  "In  the  night  I  have  remembered  thy 
name,  O  Lord." 

6.  In  order  to  make  yourself  acquainted  to  a 
certain  extent  with  the  happiness  of  the  Religious 
state,  call  to  mind  the  example  of  Jesus,  the  God- 


TJie  Religious  State,  343 

"Nfan.  He  became  aljsolutely  poor  for  our  sake' 
and  if  the  Reli<];ious  imitates  Him  and  becomes 
poor  for  His  sake,  regarding  holy  poverty  as  her 
greatest  riches,  will  not  the  promise  be  fulfilled  in 
her  case:  "Ye  shall  receive  a  hundred  times  as 
much  now  in  this  life  .  .  .  and  Hfe  everlasting?" 

The  life  of  Jesus  Christ  was  one  of  more  than 
angelic  purity;  it  was  a  life  of  mortification  and 
self-denial.  He  willed  to  be  born  only  of  a  pure 
virgin,  and  He  loved  St.  John,  the  virgin  apostle, 
above  all  His  other  disciples.  If  the  Religious, 
imitating  the  great  love  of  Our  Lord  for  virginity, 
treads  under  foot  the  pleasures  of  the  world  and 
takes  refuge  in  a  convent;  if  she  seeks  to  follow 
in  the  footsteps  of  the  pure  Lamb  of  God  and  of 
His  immaculate  Mother,  may  she  not  hope  to  possess 
the  sweet  consolations  which  are  unknown  to  the 
children  of  this  world  ? 

Finally,  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the  world  not 
to  do  His  own  will,  for  He  became  obedient  unto 
death,  even  to  the  death  of  the  cross.  If  the 
Religious  imitates  this  example  also,  placing  her- 
self for  her  wdiole  life  under  obedience  to  her 
spiritual  Superiors,  will  she  not  reap  the  fruit  of 
such  a  sacrifice  ? 

7.  Thus  we  see  how  great  is  tne  happiness  of  a 
Religious  vocation;  and  every  young  girl  to  whose 
lot  this  happiness  falls  ought  to  thank  God  for  it. 
With  the  exception  of  a  call  to  enter  the  Catholic 
Church,  or  a  call  to  the  priesthood,  there  is  perhaps 
no  greater  gi-ace  than  a  Religious  vocation. 

aspiration. 

'ORD,  enlighten  me  to  know  Your  will. 
And  strengthen  me  to  do  it; 
Prepare  my  heart  to  meet  Your  love, 
And  cling  forever  to  it. 


XI 


344  At  the  Puvting  nf  fh<-  Ways. 


•jT    MI-SSAGE  from  the  Sacred  Heart! 
-J,JL,       What  may  its  message  be  ? 
''My  child,  My  child,  give  Me  thy  heart — 

My  Heart  lias  bled  jor  titer." 
This  is  the  message  Jesus  sends 

To  my  poor  heart  to-day, 
And  eager  from  His  throne  He  bends 

To  hear  what  I  shall  say. 

A  message  to  the  Sacred  Heart! 

Oh!  bear  it  baclc  with  speed: 
"Come,  Jesus,  reign  within  my  heart — 

Tliy  Heart  is  all  I  need." 
Thus,  Lord,  I'll  pray  until  I  slv»r? 

That  home  whose  joy  Thou  art — 
No  message,  dearest  Jesus,  there, 

For  heart  will  speak  to  heart. 


HX.W.  Ef)(  Sarriftris  of  a  Hrligiousloratioii. 

1.  ^^IHE  Presentation  oj  Mary  in  the  Temple 
^-^     is   a   pleasing  and   instructive   festival 

for  young  girls.  It  was  instituted  to  commemorate 
the  day  on  which  the  Blessed  X^irgin,  while  still  a 
child,  consecrated  herself  to  the  service  of  God  in 
the  Temple  at  Jerusalem. 

Virgins  imitate  the  blessed  Mother  of  God  when, 
following  the  call  of  God,  they  enter  a  cloister  or 
Religious  cominunity  to  dedicate  tbeir  life  to  His 
service.  Happy  they  who  are  thus  c^iied)  Uut 
you  ought  not  to  look  merely  at  the  happmess 
and  privileges  which  such  a  life  brings  with  it; 
you  must  also  carefully  v/eigh  the  sacrifices  which 
it  demands.     Let  us  now  consider  these  sacrifices. 

2.  No  one  ought  to  leave  the  world  and  enter  a 


Tlie  Religious  State.  345 

convent  with  the  idea  of  exchanging  an  active  and 
arduous  life  for  one  of  ease  and  comfort.  Any- 
one who  should  expect  nothing  but  sweet  tranquillity 
and  undisturbed  comfort  would  hnd  herself  cruelly 
deceived.  Reflect,  in  the  first  place,  upon  the  trials 
of  community  life.  Consider  one  of  the  essential 
conditions  of  life  in  a  convent,  namely,  to  dwell 
there  with  many  others  and  to  be  dependent  upon 
others.  Apart  from  contact  with  others,  the 
rules  of  ever)^  Religious  house  make  demands 
altogether  opposed  to  the  idea  of  sweet  solitude 
and  self-indulgence.  The  beloved  and  petted 
Ego  cannot  assert  itself  within  those  walls.  Nor 
is  it  necessary  to  limit  these  facts  to  a  particularly 
severe  Order,  or  a  convent  where  the  discipline  is 
remarkably  strict;  it  suffices  to  consider  what  is 
implied  in  keeping  the  vows,  namely,  to  possess 
nothing  of  one's  own  and  to  live  under  obedience 
TO  a  Superior.  This  will  at  once  make  it  plain 
that  self-will  mu.st  be  absolutely  set  aside. 

3.  Thus  the  life  of  a  good  Religious  is  a  life  of 
constant  self-sacrifice.  For  she  renounces  the  very 
things  which  mostly  bind  frail  mortals  to  this  earth 
of  ours.  The  Saviour  Himself  spoke  in  sublime 
words  of  these  sacrifices,  and  in\ited  generous  souls 
to  forsake  all  things  for  His  sake.  He  gave  the 
so-called  evangelical  counsels,  which  cannot  be 
carried  out  except  at  the  cost  of  great  sacrifices. 

As  is  well  knowTi,  these  counsels  are:  voluntary 
poverty,  perfect  "\irginal  chastity,  constant  obe- 
dience to  spiritual  superiors.  And  Religious  pledge 
themselves,  when  they  make  the  vows,  conscienti- 
ously to  carry  out  these  counsels  under  pain  of 
mortal  sin.  The  vows  may  be  either  for  life  or 
for  a  fixed  period. 

4.  It  is  certainly  no  small  sacrifice  to  take  the 


346  At  the  Parfnnj  of  the-  Ways. 

vow  of  povcrly,  and  faitlifull^  carry  it  out.  Can  it 
be  easy  for  a  ^irl  wlio  lias  Ixcn  surrounded  hy 
comforts,  or  jxrhaps  even  l;y  luxuries,  to  quit  all 
and  renounce  for  the  future  tiie  right  to  possess  any- 
thing of  her  own? 

Or,  when  she  is  in  the  convent,  must  she  not 
nnd  it  dilTicult,  her  whole  life  long,  to  ask  fK-rmis- 
sion  like  a  little  child,  in  relation  to  every  trifle, 
which  is  given  to  her,  or  which  she  wishes  to  pro- 
cure for  herself,  to  exchange  or  to  give  away  ? 

5.  The  vow  of  chastity  is  a  second  and  a  very 
great  sacrifice;  it  involves  the  renunciation  of 
married  life,  perfect  purity  and  chastity  for  the 
Saviour's  sake.  This  sacrif.ce  is  especially  pleasing, 
to  Christ.  The  Saviour  cam'  "nto  the  world  in 
a  state  of  poverty;  he  gave  up  '^ver}thing,  and 
was  cradled  in  a  manger  upon  '^traw.  One  thing 
alone  He  did  not  give  up:  even  in  the  .stable  He 
willed  that  His  eye  should  rest  upon  virginal  souls; 
and  therefore  He  had  jSIary  and  Joseph  at  His 
side,  near  the  manger.  And  on  the  eve  of  Our 
Lord's  Pa.ssion,  when  He  was  about  to  leave  the 
world,  poor  as  He  had  entered  it,  at  the  Last  Supper, 
it  was  the  virginal  John,  the  beloved  disciple,  who 
was  privileged  to  lean  ujx)n  the  Saviour's  bosom. 
And  later,  amid  the  gloom  of  Calvary,  the  same 
disciple  was  again  privileged  to  stand  be.side  the 
immaculate  Mother  at  the  foot  of  the  cross. 

Pure  as  lilies  should  all  those  virgins  be  who  are 
planted  in  the  chosen  garden  of  God  in  the  Religious 
state.  This  life  of  spotless  purity  is  nothing  less 
than  a  constant  struggle,  a  ceaseless  battle  to  win 
an  angel's  crown  whilst  dwelling  in  mortal  Hesh. 
But  struggling  and  fighting  involve  sacrifice  and 
renunciation. 

6.  Obedience  is  the  third  counsel.     What  sacri 


TJie  Religious  State.  347 

fices  this  word  implies.  St.  Gregory  the  Great 
said:  "It  is  perhaps  not  a  very  difficult  thing  to 
abandon  one's  possessions,  but  difficult  indeed  it 
is  to  forsake  one's  self."  Obedience  obhges  us 
to  forsake  ourselves,  since  it  requires  us  to  give 
up  our  own  will.  For  this  reason  Christ  added 
this  counsel  to  the  two  others.  By  it  the  words  of 
St.  Paul  are  Hte rally  verified:  "You  are  not  yo".r 
own." 

In  obedience  also  sacrifice  is  implied.  These 
are  often  secret  sacrifices,  hidden  from  human 
ken,  of  which  the  world  knows  nothing,  which  no 
one  praises  but  which  pierce  the  mmost  soul  in 
its  most  sensitive  part.  How  sublime  are  these 
sacrifices,  these  conquests  of  Self!  How  richly 
will  the  Father,  who  seeth  in  secret,  one  day  repay 
them! 

7.  Obedience  requires  uninterrupted  sacrifices 
from  a  Rehgious;  she  is  never  free  from  its  yoke 
for  a  single  instant.  Obedience  calls  her  in  the 
morning  and  commands  her  in  the  evening;  obe- 
dience orders  everything  in  the  house,  prescribes 
the  hours  of  work  and  the  nature  of  that  work, 
the  time  for  prayer  and  the  form  of  prayer,  the 
time  of  recreation  and  the  length  of  that  recrea- 
tion. Obedience  guides  and  controls  her  every 
st'?p,  her  every  movement. 

Little  enough  is  the  room  left  for  the  exercise 
of  self-will.  A  longing  for  ease  and  comfort  will 
certainly  not  be  gratified  in  a  convent.  For  by 
the  practice  of  obedience  a  ceaseless  war  is  waged 
against  Self,  and  those  will  find  themselves  griev- 
ously deceived  who  imagine  that  they  can  shelter 
and  tenderlv  humor  their  beloved  Self  in  a  convent 
cell. 

8.  Therefore  if  you,  my  daughter,  think  that  you 


348  .1/  the  Parting  of  the  Waij.s. 

are  called  to  the  Religious  state,  examine  yourself 
carefully  to  discover  whether  you  have  strength 
and  courage  to  make  these  sacrifices  with  the 
help  of  divine  grace.  If  you  have  the  necessary 
dispositions,  go  forward!  Take  up  the  mighty 
weajjon  of  olx-dience;  with  it  <.oml)at  the  enemies 
of  your  salvation.  Through  disolx'dience  man 
separated  himself  from  God,  his  Creator  and  final 
end,  through  obedience  he  mu.st  return  to  Him. 
Even  should  you  remain  in  the  world  you  will  still 
have  to  walk  in  tiie  way  of  obedience.  Perject 
obedience  to  their  Superiors  is  demanded  of  Reli- 
gious; faithful  obedience  to  the  commands  of  (iod 
and  of  holy  Church  is  incumbent  on  seculars. 


ail  for  Cbcc,  ©  fbcart  of  Jesus. 

'  1^  0\V  sweet  it  is  to  feel,  dear  Lord! 
,1   ^     That  Thou  wilt  surely  see 
Each  work,  or  thought,  or  act  of  mine 
That  naay  be  done  for  Thee! 

That  when  I  try  with  pure  intent 
To  serve,  to  please,  to  love  Thee, 

Thy  watchful  Heart  eaih  effort  knows. 
Thy  blessing  rests  above  me. 

Nothing  unnoticed,  nothing  lost — 
Unlike  to  man  in  all  things — 

Grateful  art  Thou  for  all  I  do, 
For  great  as  well  as  small  things. 

Empty  my  soul  of  all  desire 

Man's  idle  praise  to  seek, 
Hide  me  in  Thee,  for  Thou  dost  know 

How  irail  I  am — and  weak. 


The  Religious  l^tate.  349 

Take  Thou  my  all,  since  for  so  long 
Thy  providence  has  sought  me. 

Make  me  Thine  own,  since  at  such  cost 
Thy  precious  blood  has  bought  me. 

aXXVI".  STfjr  Signs  of  a  jtvcligious  Vocation. 

1.  ^T.    BERNARD    asks:    "Is    it    not    the 
^^     Religious  state  in  which  a  man  lives  in 

a  manner  more  pleasing  to  God,  falls  less  frequently, 
rises  up  more  speedily  when  he  has  fallen,  walks 
more  cautiously,  rests  more  securely,  dies  more 
happily,  and  reaps  a  richer  reward?^"  Assuredly 
so  it  is;  peace  and  happiness  are  the  lot  of  the 
true  Religious.  But  he  must  have  a  real  vocation. 
This  call  comes  from  God;  no  one  can  call  himself 
or  herself. 

Therefore  beware  of  imitating  those  young 
girls  who,  in  spite  of  all  their  confessors  urge  to 
the  contrary,  obstinately  persist  in  their  prede- 
termined opinion  that  they  are  called  to  embrace 
the  Religious  state.  On  this  account  it  is  well 
that  you  should  make  yourself  acquainted  with 
certain  signs  which  show,  more  or  less  plainly, 
whether  any  one  is,  or  is  not,  called  to  enter  the 
cloister. 

2.  The  first  and  most  indispensable  sign,  or 
test,  is  a  good  and  pure  intention.  You  ought 
not  to  enter  the  convent  with  the  object  of  finding 
there  freedom  from  anxiety  as  to  your  means  of 
subsistence  in  the  future,  honor  and  esteem,  an 
easy,  comfortable  life,  a  provision  for  old  age; 
with  these  and  like  intentions  there  could  be  no 
real  call  to  enter  the  cloister.  The  Religious  life 
must  be  embraced  with  the  intention  of  better  attain- 
ing the   final  end   of  man,   of  loving   God   more 


350  At  the  Parting  of  the  Ways. 

entirely,  of  serving  Ilim  more  devotedly,  and  thus 
striving  more  earnestly  to  secure  the  eternal  hap- 
piness of  heaven.  Wlien  this  is  not  the  predominant 
and  decisive  motive  of  any  one  who  piu-fwses  entering 
the  cloister,  it  is  a  case  of  a  mistaken  vocation.  This 
pure  intention  and  this  inclination  toward  the  Relig- 
ious life  must  be  lasting.  If  this  desire  to  enter  the 
convent  has  been  felt  from  early  childhood,  and  has 
grown  with  increasing  years,  that  is  a  very  satis- 
factory sign,  but  not  an  indispensable  one.  For 
this  desire  not  unfroquently  makes  itself  felt  only 
a  short  time  before  the  choice  of  a  state.  Previous 
to  that  period  a  disinclination  for  the  life  of  a 
Religious  may  have  been  exjxrienced.  In  any 
ca.se,  if  the  desire  for  the  life  of  the  cloister  is  strong 
and  firm,  decided  and  definite,  the  sign  is  a  most 
favorable  one. 

3.  The  postulant  must  further  be  mentally 
sound  and  well;  that  is  to  say,  it  will  not  do 
for  her  to  be  afTlicted  with  a  serious  afTcction  of 
the  mind  or  of  the  nerves,  intellectually  very 
incapable,  or  inclined  to  melancholia,  and  to  take 
a  morbid  aicw  of  things.  Weak-minded  and 
half-witted  people  are  certainly  not  made  for  con- 
vent life,  since  they  can  contribute  nothing  to  the 
attainment  of  its  end.  Those  who  are  of  a  melan- 
choly or  morbid  temperament  are  equally  unfitted 
for  the  cloister.  The  pious  exercises  and  medi- 
tations, the  latter  often  of  a  .solemn  and  serious 
nature,  may  have  the  effect  of  unhinging  the  mind 
of  persons  who  are  apt  to  take  too  gloomy  and 
severe  a  view  of  religious  truths.  Rejoice  in  the 
Lord:  Serve  the  Lord  joyfully!  This  should  be 
the  maxim  for  a  Religious.  The  cloister  is  not  a 
garden  of  weeping  willows.  Phvsical  health  is 
also  a  necessity;  for  to  nuns  are  assigned  difiicuh 


Tlie  Religions  State.  351 

and  important  tasks,  such  for  instance,  as  teaching, 
or  nursing  the  sick.  Only  persons  who  enjoy 
good  health  are  equal  to  these  duties.  P'urthcr, 
many  convents  have  but  slender  sources  of  income, 
so  that  their  inmates  are  compelled  to  work  hard 
in  order  to  contribute  to  the  general  support. 
It  is  plain  that  no  one  whose  health  is  weak  would 
be  capable  of  doing  this.  If,  therefore,  a  young 
woman  has  not  received  from  God  the  requisite 
health,  this  is,  according  to  the  ordinary  course  of 
His  providence,  a  sign  that  He  has  not  seen  fit 
to  bestow  upon  her  a  Religious  vocation. 

The  same  argument  applies  to  any  hereditary 
diseases  which  may  exist  in  the  family  of  a  postulant 
If,  for  instance,  her  father  or  mother,  or  both,  are 
consumptive,  or  have,  perhaps,  died  of  tubercu- 
losis, it  is  to  be  feared  that  she  may  have  inherited 
a  tendency  to  consumption.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances it  would  be  wiser  for  her  not  to  seek 
admission  to  a  convent. 

4.  A  gentle  and  docile  character  may  also  be 
regarded  as  a  sign  of  a  vocation.  If  the  life  within 
the  walls  of  a  convent  is  to  be  a  happy  one,  it  is  a 
primary  condition  that  all  the  Sisters  should  live 
in  mutual  affection  and  concord.  They  should 
bear  patiently  with  one  another's  human  im- 
perfections and  be  ever  cheerful,  helpful  and 
considerate.  A  girl  whose  temper  is  liasty  and 
violent,  or  whose  character  is  self-willed  and 
obstinate,  will  find  it  exceedingly  difficult,  and 
well-nigh  impossible,  to  practice  the  obedience  and 
patience  demanded  in  the  cloister,  unless  she  has 
a  firm,  determined  will  to  overcome  herself,  and 
has  already  given  abundant  proof  that  she  possesses 
the  strength  required  to  do  so.  Individuals  whose 
passions  and  evil  tendencies  are  unusually  strong,  in 


362  At  tJie  Parting  of  the  Ways. 

whose  characters  sensual  afTeclion,  inordinate  desire 
for  pleasure,  and  so  on,  form  predi^minant  features, 
should  pause  before  attempting  to  enter  a  cloister. 
They  should  wait  until  they  have  succeeded,  to 
some  extent  at  least,  in  mastering  their  passions. 

c;.  The  consent  of  one's  parents  should  be 
obtained  before  entering  upon  the  Religious  state. 
This  duty  is  imposed  by  the  honor,  obedience,  and 
love  which  children  owe  their  parents.  It  is  true 
that  some  of  the  saints,  as  St.  Teresa  for  instance, 
sought  and  found  admission  to  an  Order  without 
the  knowledge  of  their  parents  and  in  spite  of  their 
prohibition.  But  these  are  e.xamples  of  an  extra- 
ordinary guidance  of  Providence,  and  cannot, 
generally  speaking,  be  imitated.  In  ordinary  cases 
so  important  a  step  in  life  should  be  taken  only 
when  it  is  accompanied  by  the  blessing  which 
rests  upon  filial  obedience.  This  rule  is,  however, 
of  universal  application  if  a  child  has  special 
duties  in  regard  to  hor  parents — if,  for  example, 
she  is  their  sole  available  help  and  support  in  their 
sickness  or  old  age.  Under  such  circumstances 
she  may  consider  it  decided  that  she  is  not  to  go 
into  Religion,  however  other  things  may  seem 
to  point  that  way.  In  any  case,  however,  seek  the 
advice  and  direction  of  your  spiritual  director  or 
confessor. 

6.  Before  entering  any  special  Order  or  convent 
it  is  neces-sary  to  become  acquainted  with  the 
fundamental  principles  of  that  Order  or  conven^, 
and  to  possess  a  decided  preference,  predilection 
and  capacity  for  the  kind  of  work  it  undertakes 
to  accomplish.  Every  Order  has,  besides  the  gen- 
eral aim  of  the  Religious  life,  its  own  special  pur- 
pose and  work;  in  one,  it  is  teaching;  in  another, 
nursing  the  sick,  and  .so  on.     Hence  it  may  be  clearly 


The  Religious  State.  353 

seen  that  all  those  who  have  a  vocation  to  enter 
Religion  are  not  equally  suited  for  every  Order. 

7.  One  word  in  conclusion.  Christian  maiden, 
you  may  perhaps  feel  that  you  have  long  been 
powerfully  attracted  to  the  Religious  life,  although 
serious  impediments  prevent  you  from  following 
out  your  inchnation.  In  this  case  place  your 
trust  in  the  all-wise  providence  of  God  in  a  spirit 
of  childlike  confidence.  Love  God.  Trust  Him. 
He  will  lead  you  in  the  right  way.  Pray  for  light 
and  strength  that  you  may  always  do  God's  holy 
will. 

Ubc  TRoaD  of  Xltc. 


00c 


'HAT  is  time  ?     It  has  been  given 

That  we  may  work  and  merit  heaven. 


Though  rough  may  be  the  path  through  life, 
Darkened  by  sorrow  and  beset  with  strife, 
Think  of  Hitn  who  at  the  distant  goal 
Awaits  to  crown  the  faithful  soul. 
Was  His  path  brighter  than  may  be 
The  one  His  love  reserves  for  thee ! 
Had  He  iiot  darker  ways  to  tread 
Than  those  from  which  we  shrink  in  dreadi 
Fight  the  good  fight,  on,  onward  still, 
O'er  mountain  pass  and  lonesome  hill; 
Let  no  sorrow  your  progress  stay, 
While  He,  the  Saviour,  leads  the  way. 
Some  future  hour  will  heaven  unfold 
To  thee  its  gates  of  burnished  gold; 
How  small  will  then  Hfe's  trials  be, 
Viewed  in  the  bliss  of  etemitv! 


364  At  tlw  J'((rting  of  the  Ways. 

4.  •OumarricD  Xitc  In  tbc  Morlb» 

HXXUCfi.  Cfte  Value  o(  YJivQiwiUj. 

1.  *\7^'()U  have  seen,  in  my  last  three  instruc- 

%  tions,  how  preat  is  the  Iiapjnness  of 
those  who  have  a  Religious  vocation.  And  you 
feel  that  this  vit-w  of  the  subject  is  a  correct  one. 
Now  let  me  tell  you  that  one  of  the  chief  conditions 
and  one  of  the  greatest  sacrifices  of  the  Religious 
life  can  he.  fulfilled  and  accomplished  without 
quitting  the  world.  And  that  is  indeed  done  by 
those  girls  who  remain  in  the  world  and  yet  do  not 
marry,  but  for  the  love  of  God  preserve  their 
virginity,  and  lead  a  chaste  and  holy  life.  In  re- 
gard to  this  state  some  instruction  is  neces.sary. 
First  of  all,  consider  the  true  value  of  virginity. 

2.  The  value  of  virginity  is  so  great  and  sub- 
lime that  we,  poor  earthly-minded  mortals,  arc  not 
able  to  esteem  and  honor  it  as  it  deserves  to  be 
esteemed  and  honored.  In  order  that  you  may 
not  think  that  I  overestimate  its  worth,  let  us  act 
as  do  those  who  possess  some  costly  object,  a  ring 
perhaps,  or  a  jewel,  'tli  •  value  of  which  they  do 
not  know.  What  course  do  such  persons  pur- 
sue? They  go  to  an  exjx^rienccd  jeweller  and  a.sk 
for  his  opinion  of  their  treasure.  We  will  not 
address  ourselves  to  the  children  of  this  world, 
for  they  are  quite  incompetent  to  give  an  opinion 
upon  tlie  subject,  but  we  will  ask  God,  His  blessed 
angels  and  saints.  His  Bride  the  Church — we  will, 
I  say,  ask  them  the  value  of  virginity.  And 
what  will  they  re[)ly? 

3.  I  scarcely  know  where  to  begin.     Oiu"  Lord 


Unmarried  Life  in  the  World.         355 

Himself  held  virginity  in  the  highest  esteem.  His 
whole  life  on  earth  bears  witness  to  the  fact,  as 
has  been  already  more  than  once  remarked.  Let 
us  now  contemplate  His  glorified  life.  Enter  a 
Catholic  church.  What  do  the  tabernacle,  the 
altar  with  its  daily  sacrifice,  the  table  of  com- 
munion proclaim?  They  tell  us  how  dearly 
Christ  loves  virginity.  For  there  in  the  tabernacle, 
upon  the  altar,  at  the  table  of  communion  we  find 
that  which  the  prophet  foretold:  "The  corn  of 
the  elect,  and  wine  that  springeth  forth  virgins." 
It  is  called  the  bread  of  angels,  not  because  angels 
partake  of  it,  but  because  Jesus,  the  Lover  of 
virginal  souls,  has  given  it  *;o  us  that  through  it 
men  may  be  transformed  into  angels — angels  in 
purity. 

4.  Now  raise  your  eyes  to  heaven;  look  up 
higher  and  ever  higher  still,  far  above  the  choirs 
of  blessed  spirits.  Next  to  the  throne  of  the  Most 
Holy  Trinity  you  behold  IVIar}',  the  Virgin  Mother 
of  God.  In  what  celestial  radiance  does  her 
virginal  body  shine!  As  the  reward  of  her  perfect 
purity,  her  Son,  by  virtue  of  His  omnipotence,  did 
not  permit  her  body  to  molder  in  the  grave.  What 
rapture  fills  her  maternal  heart,  on  which  during  her 
lifetime  no  shadow  of  impurity  ever  rested!  With 
what  gladsome  acclaim  did  the  angels  receive  her 
when  they  saw  the  reward  of  her  chastity,  the 
honor  paid  to  virginity  in  a  mortal  form.  How 
joyously  they  greet  her  now  with  the  words:  "Thou 
art  all  fair,  and  there  is  not  a  spot  in  thee!" 

St.  Augustine  and  St.  Bernard  teach  us  the 
value  virginity  possesses  in  the  eyes  of  the  heavenly 
spirits.  "The  angels,"  they  tell  us,  "prize  virginal 
purity  so  highly"  that  they  would,  if  this  were  pos- 
sible, envy  men  because  of  its  glory  and  splendor. " 


356  At  the  Parting  of  thr  Ways. 

Virginity  causes  men  to  }K^comc    like   to  angels — 
pure  beings,  supremely  beloved  of  God. 

5.  Let  us  now  inquire  of  the  saints  as  to  the 
value  of  virginity.  From  the  almost  countless 
utterances  of  the  Fathers  on  this  subject  I  will 
select  but  one;  the  enthusiastic  words  are  those 
of  St.  Athanasius:  "Conlincncy  is  an  exalted 
ATrtue,  chastity  is  grand  and  noble,  virginity  is 
praiseworthy  above  measure.  How  priceless  a 
treasure  is  virginity!  It  renders  the  soul  fit  to  Ije 
the  temple  of  God,  the  dwelUng-place  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  How  Ix'auteous  is  vii-ginity!  It  is  an 
unfading  crown,  a  j)recious  pearl,  hidden  from 
the  majority  of  mankind,  known  but  by  few. 
Continency,  virtue  beloved  of  God,  held  in  high 
esteem  by  the  saints!  By  mankind  in  general 
thou  art  little  known  and  still  less  appreciated, 
but  for  all  that  more  clearly  understood,  more 
dearly  cherished  by  those  who  are  wortliy  of  thee. 
Death  and  hell  have  no  power  to  molest  thee,  for 
immortality  followeth  in  thy  train. 

"O  Continency!  delight  of  the  prophets,  glory 
of  the  apostles!  Virginity!  the  life  of  angels,  the 
brightest  ornament  of  the  saints!  Happy  is  he 
who  possesses  this  treasure;  happy  he  who  patiently, 
steadfastly  refuses  to  be  separated  from  it,  for 
when  life's  brief  conflict  is  over  he  will  receive  a 
rich  reward.  Happy  he  who  has  learned  renun- 
ciation in  this  life;  his  dwelling  will  ht  in  the 
heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  in  the  company  of  angels, 
prophets  and  saints  he  will  enter  jubilant  upon  eter- 
nal rest." 

6.  Let  us  in  conclusion  inquire  of  holy  Church, 
which  St.  Paul  thus  drscri])es:  "A  glorious  Church, 
not  ha\ing  spot  or  wTinkle,  or  any  such  thing, 
holy  and  without  blemish."     As  the  virginal  Bride 


Unmarried  Life  in  the  World.  357 

of  Christ  she  never  for  one  moment  forgets  the 
priceless  lily  which  the  heavenly  Eridegroom 
planted  in  her  garden  and  entrusted  to  her  care. 
In  the  words  of  St.  Paul  she  preaches  to  all  who 
will  hear  and  understand:  "Concerning  virgins  I 
have  no  commandment  of  the  Lord :  but  I  give 
counsel.  Both  he  that  giveth  his  virgin  in  marriage, 
doth  well:  and  he  that  giveth  her  not,  doth  better." 
The  Church  acts  in  accordance  with  this  teaching. 
When  in  the  sixteenth  century  the  so-called  reforma- 
tion hurled  its  venomous  shafts  against  holy 
virginity,  when  apostate  priests  and  nuns  impi- 
ously broke  their  most  sacred  vows,  she  Hfted  up 
her  voice  with  holy  zeal  on  behalf  of  the  precious 
legacy  bequeathed  to  her  by  Christ.  The  Council 
of  Trent  declared  solemnly  and  publicly:  "If  any 
man  shall  say  that  the  married  state  is  higher  than 
that  of  virginity,  and  that  it  is  not  a  better  and 
more  blessed  thing  to  remain  a  virgin  than  to  bind 
oneself  by  marriage,  let  him  be  avalhema." 

7.  Thus  great  and  exalted  is  the  value  of  virginity. 
Chaste  virgins  are  indeed  heroines  more  glorious 
and  worthy  of  higher  praise  than  those  we  read  of 
In  history.  For  the  former  gain  not  the  freedom 
merely  of  a  country  or  a  city,  but  of  their  own 
heart;  and  they  gain  it  by  a  successful  warfare 
against  the  most  formidable  of  enemies. 

If  in  obedience  to  thy  Lord, 

Thou  choose  unmarried  to  remain, 

By  purity  in  heart  and  word, 

Seek  thou  His  favor  to  retain. 

SLXXVKEfi.  Cfje  So^calirtr  "®I0  iWcii&s." 

[HE  state  of  virginity  is  spoken  of  by  the 
saints    in   terms    of   the    most    exalted 
praise.     To    those    expressions    I    have    already 


358  At  the  Parting  of  tlie  Ways. 

quoted  in  the  foregoing  instruction  I  will  arid 
one  or  two  more.  "What  more  pleasing,"  exclaims 
St.  Chrysostom,  "what  more  glorious  than  the 
state  of  virginity?  It  surpa.sscs  the  married  .state 
in  excellence  as  much  as  the  heavens  do  the  earth, 
as  angels  surpass  men."  And  St.  Thomas  of 
Aquin  remarks:  "It  is  a  privilege  to  be  an  angel, 
a  merit  to  remain  a  virgin."  I  have  yet  to  say  a 
few  words  about  virginity  as  it  may  be  preserved 
by  those  Hving  in  the  world. 

2.  A  young  girl  may  feel  herself  called  neither 
to  marry  nor  to  become  a  Religious,  but  she  may 
determine  quite  voluntarily  to  preserve  her  vir- 
ginity while  living  in  the  world.  In  accordance 
with  this  resolution  she  may  reject  all  offers  of 
marriage,  even  the  most  advantageous.  This  case, 
however,  is  exceptional.  To  those  for  whom 
virginity  has  an  attraction  the  all-wise  Creator 
gives,  as  a  rule,  a  desire  for  the  Religious  life, 
because  it  is  in  the  cloister  that  virginity  can  be 
most  easily  and  most  surely  preserved.  Women 
who  live  in  the  world  in  a  state  of  celibacy  are,  as 
a  rule,  those  who,  for  some  reason  or  other,  have 
been  prevented  from  either  marrj'ing  or  entering 
the  cloister. 

3.  How  often  it  happens  that  young  girls  are 
prevented  from  going  into  Religion!  Many  a 
one  has  longed  from  her  childhood  for  the  life  of 
the  cloister,  has  pa.ssed  her  youth  in  piety  and 
innocence,  has  made  every  effort  to  attain  the 
ol)ject  of  her  desire,  knocking  at  the  door  of  one 
convent  after  another,  but  everj'whcre  meeting 
with  a  refusal. 

Either  she  was  found  to  have  some  mental  or 
physical  infirmity  which  made  her  unfit  for  the 
cloister;  or  she  had  duties  to  perform  toward  aged 


Unmarried  Life  in  the  World.         359 

and  infirm  parents,  or  younger  brothers  and  sisters, 
who  were  dependent  upon  lier  for  su{)port,  or  per- 
haps her  character  was  unsuited  for  convent  life, 
and  so  on. 

4.  It  is  no  small  trial  for  her,  and  many  a  secret 
tear  does  she  shed  because  God  has  seen  fit  to 
refuse  her  the  object  of  her  ardent  desires.  Ought 
she  on  this  account  to  be  disconsolate?  Cer- 
tainly not;  for  God  orders  all  things  for  the  best. 
But  why  did  He  implant  a  longing  for  the  cloister 
in  her  heart  if  this  longing  was  never  to  be  satis- 
fied? It  is  plain  that  He  acts  thus  in  order  to 
increase  her  merits.  To  find  herself  obliged  to 
rehnquish  all  hope  of  attaining  the  desired  goal  is 
the  greatest  and  most  painful  of  sacrifices.  If  she 
makes  this  sacrifice  for  the  love  of  God,  resigning 
herself  to  His  will  in  a  spirit  of  childlike  submis- 
sion, and  striving  to  serve  Him  faithfully  in  the 
world,  how  great  is  the  store  of  merit  she  lays  up 
for  herself  in  eternity! 

And  maidens  like  these,  to  whom  the  Religious 
habit  was  denied,  seldom  fail  to  find  in  the  stormy 
ocean  of  the  world  some  quiet  islet  which  they  may 
sow  and  plant,  making  it  as  a  garden  of  the  Lord, 
and  devoting  their  life  to  Him  as  surely  as  they 
could  have  done  in  a  convent. 

5.  A  third  class  consists  of  those  who  had  felt 
inclined  to  the  marriage  state.  They  would  gladly 
have  married,  but  have  been  compelled,  by  force 
of  circumstances,  to  relinquish  the  idea.  These 
young  women  are  condemned,  as  people  say,  "to 
single  blessedness,"  and  to  become  "old  maids." 
Such  persons  should  all  make  a  virtue  of  necessity, 
and  in  a  Christian  spirit  recognize  the  hand  of  God 
in  the  arrangement  of  the  circumstances  of  their 
life,  submitting  patiently  to  His  most  holy  will. 


360  At  the  Parting  of  the  Ways. 

Divine  j)rovidcncc  seems  to  have  ordained  that 
a  large  number  of  girls  should  remain  unmar- 
ried. Statistics  prove  that  in  all  nations  the 
number  of  women  considerably  exceeds  that  of 
men;  and  of  the  latter  there  are  many,  for  in- 
stance priests  and  Religious,  who  cannot  marry 
and  have  a  family. 

6.  Under  all  circumstances  a  Christian  maiden 
ought  to  remain  firmly  convinced  that  it  is  no 
disgrace  to  remain  unmarried,  or  to  be  what  is 
commonly  called  an  ''old  maid."  Rather  is  it  an 
honor  and  a  happiness  for  her  if  she  is  a  maid, 
a  virgin,  in  the  true  sen.se  of  the  word,  and  is 
recognized  as  such  by  the  all-seeing  eye  of  God. 
And  indeed  an  unmarried  woman,  a  true  virgin 
like  this  deserves  to  be  held  in  high  esteem,  even, 
and  indeed  particularly,  when  her  hair  has  grown 
gray  and  her  youthful  beauty  has  fled.  She  has 
cheerfully  renounced  that  which  most  pc-rsons 
rcgarfl  as  a  great  ha[)pincss,  in  order  to  choose  a 
better  part;  she  courageously  treads  the  path  of 
life  alone,  a  path  which  so  many  do  not  venture  to 
tread  without  the  support  and  protection  of  a 
husband. 

It  truly  requires  courage  and  fortitude  to  pass 
through  life  in  such  a  manner;  but  the  Giver  of 
all  good  gifts  will  not  deny  these  qualities  to  His 
true  servants  if  they  keep  eyes  and  heart  fixed 
upon  Him.  Mothers  and  wives  do  much  for  the 
world,  and  obtain  for  themselves  no  little  store 
of  merit,  by  faithfully  fulfilling  their  duties,  by 
bringing  up  children  to  be  pious  and  useful  members 
of  society.  But  many  so-called  "old  maids"  have 
done  quite  as  much  or  even  more  by  their  advice, 
their  help,  their  prayers — in  a  word,  their  bene- 
factions. 


Unmarried  Life  in  the  World.        361 

7/ I  happened  to  hear  the  following  account 
of  just  such  a  good  and  admirable  "old  maid": 
She  was  not  beautiful,  it  is  true,  but  she  pos- 
sessed the  far  more  valuable  gifts  of  a  bright 
intelligence  and  an  inexhaustible  fund  of  sweet- 
ness and  kindness  of  •  heart.  Her  mother  died 
at  a  comparati\'ely  early -^ge,  and  she  had  to 
undertake  the  task  of  bringing  up  a  numerous 
family  of  younger  brothers  and  sisters.  In  the 
course  of  time  her  eldest  brother  married  a 
wife  who  knew  very  little  about  hoiisekeeping. 
Once  more  the  aunt  came  to  the  rescue,  and 
instructed  her  sister-in-law  in  household  matters, 
doing  this  with  so  much  prudence  and  tact  that 
her  presence  was  never  felt  to  be  an  intrusion. 
At  a  subseqiient  period  the  family  of  a  married 
sister  became  involved  in  financial  difficulties. 
Again  the  aunt  made  herself  yery  useful;  she 
went  to  live  in  her  sister's  house,  paid  a  large  sum 
for  her  board,  and  took  charge  of  the  children. 
After  the  death  of  both  her  brother  and  his  wife 
she  returned  to  their  children,  aiding  them  in 
every  possible  way  by  her  wise  counsel  and  more 
practical  assistance.  Thus  this  "old  maid"  did 
as  much  good  in  tlij-ee  different  families  as  she 
would  have  been  able  to  effect  in  one  had  she 
married. 

Leave  your  future  serenely  and  hopefully  in 
the  hands  of  God,  to  be  disposed  of  as  He  shall 
see  fit,  and  if  you  are  to  live  unmarried  in  the 
world  and  be  called  an  "old  maid"  you  may  say: 

Why  should  I  blush  to  hear  that  name, 

As  if  a  soubriquet  of  shame  ? 

For  know,  an  old  maid  though  I  be, 

Some  dames  would  fain  chanee  states  with  me. 


868  At  the  Parting  of  the  Ways. 

Strive  to  become  jxrfect  in  the  following  of 
Christ. 

Ask  Jesus  Himself  to  teach  you  the  lessons  of  per- 
fection. 


5C0U6,  /Hbaster,  ITeacb  /Re. 

Teach  me,  teach  me,  dearest  Jesus, 
In  Thine  own  sweet,  loving  way, 

All  the  lessons  of  perfection 
I  must  practice  day  by  day. 

Teach  me  Meekness,  dearest  Jesus, 
Of  Thine  own  the  counterpart; 

Not  in  words  and  actions  only, 
But  the  meekness  of  the  heart. 

Teach  Humility,  sweet  Jesus, 

To  this  poor,  proud  heart  of  mine 

WTiich  yet  wishes,  O  my  Jesus, 
To  be  modelled  after  Thine. 

Teach  me  Fervor,  dearest  Jesus, 
To  comply  with  e\'cry  grace, 

So  as  never  to  look  backward. 
Never  slacken  in  the  race. 

Teach  me  Poverty,  sweet  Jesus, 
That  my  heart  may  never  cling 

To  whate'er  its  love  might  sever 

From  my  Saviour,  Spouse,  and  King 

Teach  mc  Chastity,  dear  Jesus, 
That  my  even.'  day  may  see 

Something  added  to  the  likeness 
That  my  soul  should  bear  to  Thee. 


Unmarried  Life  in  the  World.         363 

Teach  Obedience,  dearest  Jesus, 

Such  as  was  Thy  daily  food 
In  Thy  toilsome  earthly  journey 

From  the  cradle  to  the  rood. 

Teach  Thy  Heart,  to  me,  dear  Jesus, 

Is  my  fervent,  final  prayer, 
For  all  beauties  and  perfections 

Are  in  full  perfection  there. 


PART  FOURTH— FAMILY  LIFE.. 


T.  TRelioton  tbe  ifounbatton  ot  jfamil^ 
Xife. 

aXXJJX.  CTfte  J^appincss  of  ffamiln  Hife. 

1.  )?^HE  sphere  of  woman's  activity,  especially 
^^  in  the  class  for  which  I  write,  is  pre- 
eminently the  home.  The  object  to  be  kept  in 
view  in  a  girl's  education,  whether  she  be  brought 
up  at  home  or  in  a  boarding-school,  is  to  fit  her 
for  domestic  life,  to  give  her  a  love  of  domesticity, 
founded  on  the  fear  of  God.  This  you,  my  daughter, 
must  seek  to  acquire;  in  order  that  later  on,  in 
whatever  position  you  may  find  yourself,  whether 
you  live  viath  your  parents,  take  a  situation  as 
housekeeper,  or  preside  over  a  household  of  your 
own,  you  may  for  the  love  of  God  lead  a  life  of 
self-sacrificing  devotion,  unseen  and  unnoticed, 
working  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  family,  the 
maintenance  of  religion  and  good  principles.  Let 
us  consider  the  conditions  requisite  for  happiness 
in  the  family.  Beginning  at  the  foundation,  I 
wish  to  show  in  the  first  place  that  the  happiness 
of  family  life  is  based  upon  religion. 

2.  A  young  wife  who  was  passionately  fond  of 
reading  novels  said  to  her  husband:  "How  tire- 
some it  is  that  novels  always  come  to  a  conclusion 
when  once  people  are  married."  "My  dear 
child,"  the  husband  replied,  "that  cannot  be  other- 
wise,  for  if  the  story  were   carried  on  further  it 

367 


^G8  Familij  Life. 

would  Ijc  one  of  disenchantment."  That  is  true  in 
many  cases!  How  many  young  persons  find  them- 
selves bitterly  disappointed  very  soon  after  their 
marriage!  Wherefore  is  this  the  case?  Why  do 
tlif-y  see-  their  brightest. Ivj pes  vanish  like  a  n>irage 
in' the  desert?  It  i^' because  so  rrlahy  newly  mar- 
ried cou])les  do  not  build  their  hojxs  of  happiness 
on  the  firm  basis  of  religion  and  piety. 

3.  Foolish  indeed  it  is  to  say,  as  too  mAoy  do: 
"One  can  do  very  well  witliout  religion."  Is 
this  true?  Can  one  do  without  rehgion?  One 
can  accumulate  money  and  property,  indulge  in 
sensual  pleasures,  and  lead  a  riotous,  dissipated 
life.  But  without  religion  no  one  can  enjoy  that 
sweet  heavenly  peace  of  wliich  the  children  of 
this  world  are  wholly  ignorant,  and  that  joy 
which  is  abiding  even  amidst  .sorrows  and  trials. 

4.  Yes;  a  true  religious  sj^irit  must  prevail. 
One  often  hears  persons  say:  "  Certainly,  rehgion  is 
necessary,  but  it  is  quite  possible  to  be  religious 
without  believing  everything  taught  from  the 
pulpit,  or  being  so  pious  or  so  scrupulous  in  matters 
of  religion."  As  a  rule  such  persons  look  for  a  cloak 
to  hide  their  la.xity  or  lukewarmness.  Religion  and 
morals,  faith  and  practice  are  not  to  be  separated. 
Do  not  allow  yourself  to  be  deceived  by  language 
such  as  theirs.  Fathers  and  mothers  may  indeed 
parade  their  civic  righteousness  and  virtue  before 
the  world,  but  unless  their  conduct  is  inspired  by 
faith  and  true  piety  as  the  guide  of  their  life,  their 
family  happiness  lacks  a  firm  footing,  a  sure  foun- 
dation. Only  too  many  examples  of  this  are  to  be 
met  with  in  daily  Ufe.  Families  in  which  no  time 
is  found  for  prayer,  for  oljligator\'  attendance  at 
church,  for  the  instruction  of  the  children;  where 
only  temporal  affairs  and  material  prosperity  are 


Religion  the  Foundation  of  Family  Life.  369 

cxDnsidered  to  be  of  importance,  where  gold  is 
eagerly  sought  after,  and  higher  interests  are 
ignored;  in  such  famihes  true  happiness  cannot  be 
found,  though  riches  may  abound,  with  a  super- 
fluity of  all  good  things;  even  though  the  pala- 
tial mansion  is  furnished  in  the  most  luxurious 
style,  and  its  inmates  are  clothed  in  silk  and  satin 
and  adorned  with  glittering  gems  and  precious 
jewels. 

5.  There  is  another  important  point  to  be 
remarked.  Even  the  happiest  family  life  is  and 
must  ever  be  a  life  of  sacrifice.  It  is  difficult  to 
realize  that  this  is  the  case  when  one  sees  how 
young  people  marry  nowadays,  imagining  them- 
selves to  be  entering  an  earthly  paradise  where  their 
days  will  be  spent  in  pleasure  and  enjoyment, 
and  their  path  will  be  between  hedges  of  roses, 
roses  without  thorns!  How  different  is  the  reality 
found  to  be,  with  its  cares  and  crosses,  labors,  and 
sorrov.'sl  What  a  spirit  of  self-sacrifice  must  the 
various  members  of  a  family  possess  if  peace  and 
happiness  are  not  to  be  altogether  lost!  Religion 
alone  is  able  to  impart  to  them  this  spirit  of  un- 
seltishness,  of  self-renunciation  and  sacrifice.  It 
alone  will  enable  them  to  persevere  in  that  s])irit 
until  death.  Hence  we  see  that  in  this  case  also 
the  peace  and  happiness  of  ever}'  family  must 
be  built  upon  the  foundation  of  religion. 

6.  And  in  yet  another  case  this  is  true.  If 
family  happiness  is  to  be  complete  it  is  essential 
that  the  children  should  be  well  reared;  without 
reli.gion  this  is  impossible.  The  infidel  father  who 
entrusted  the  education  of  his  children  to  Religious 
because  it  was,  as  he  said,  a  perfect  hell  to  believe 
in  nothing,  confirmed  this  truth  in  a  striking  man- 
ner.    An  unbeliever  pronounced  unbelief  to  be  a 


370  ^  Family  Life. 

*v' 
hell  upon  earth.  This  saying  proclaims  with  a 
loud  voice  that  the  education  of  youth  is  a  very 
serious  thing.  In  regard  to  this  subject  St.  John 
Chrysostom  thus  expresses  himself:  "What  grander 
task  can  any  one  have  than  that  of  guiding  souls, 
of  training  the  young?  I  esteem  him  who  under- 
stands how  to  mold  and  educate  youth  more 
highly  than  the  painter,  the  sculptor,  and  every 
other  artist,  whoever  he  may  be." 

Hut  where,  in  what  family,  do  we  find  that  true 
and  wise  system  of  education  which  is  so  important 
a  factor  in  family  happiness?  There  only  where 
the  spirit  of  religion  and  piety  pervades  the  house, 
rendering  it  a  temple  in  which  God  dwells.  Only 
parents  who  possess  this  spirit  of  faith  can  train 
their  children  in  Christian  olx,'dience,  and  inspire 
them  with  a  horror  of  vice.  They  alone  will  seek 
assistance  from  God  and  remind  their  children  of 
His  presence  who  regard  Him  as  the  real  Master 
of  their  house,  and  who  model  all  their  thoughts 
and  actions,  their  words  and  works,  according  to 
the  commands  of  His  holy  religion. 

7.  Now,  my  dear  child,  thank  God  from  the 
bottom  of  your  heart  if  He  has  given  you  parents 
such  as  these;  parents  who  lay  tiie  greatest  stress 
upon  faith,  upon  religion  and  piety,  and  make  every 
effort  to  bring  you  up  or  cause  you  to  be  brought 
up  in  the  right  way.  No  greater  benefit  could  pos- 
sibly be  bestowed  upon  you!  Parents  who  act  thus 
lay  tlie  foundation  of  happiness  for  their  family 
both  in  time  and  in  eternity;  they  bear  in  mind 
the  truth  of  these  lines: 

If  on  Faith's  firm  basis  founded, 
By  the  fear  of  God  surrounded, 
Fast  as  a  rock  thy  house  shall  stand, 
Dreading  no  storm  or  hostile  hand. 


Religion  the  Foundation  of  Family  Life.  371 


31XXX*  2lj)c  Safcguarli  of  jFantilD  llife. 

1.  'T'N  the   Catholic   Church,   in   the   Catholic 
A~,    religion,  the  family  finds  its  firm  support,, 

its  sure  safeguard  and  shield.  For  this  Church  alone 
fearlessly  preaches  at  all  times  and  in  all  places 
that  in  which  consists  the  sole  safeguard  and 
support  of  the  family,  namely,  the  sacredness  of  the 
family,  the  indissolubility  of  marriage,  the  sanctity 
of  matrimony  as  an  institution  ordained  by  God, 
as  a  religious  contract,  and  a  holy  sacrament. 

2.  The  family,  or  matrimony,  is  an  institution 
ordained  by  God.  Human  beings,  Hke  plants  and 
the  lower  animals,  are,  according  to  the  all-wise 
designs  of  God,  intended  to  propagate  themselves 
until  the  end  of  time.  But  man  is  an  incom- 
parably higher  being  than  a  plant  or  an  animal^ 
he  is  endowed  with  reason,  free  will,  and  immor- 
tality. God  has  consequently  placed  the  manner 
in  which  the  human  race  is  to  be  continued  on 
a  high  level.  He  created  woman  especially,  and 
gave  her  to  the  first  man  as  a  helper,  uniting  the 
two  in  the  closest  companionship.  Thus  did  He 
call  the  first  family  into  existence  and  hallow  the 
continuation  of  the  human  race.  And  thus  it 
devolves  upon  human  beings  to  educate  their  off- 
spring and  to  perpetuate  family  life.  In  the  animal 
world  no  such  thing  exists;  there  is  to  be  found  no 
family  life,  properly  so  called,  and  no  education. 
For  the  family  as  ordained  by  God  is  the  nursery 
of  Christendom  which  fills  the  earth  with  true 
believers,  one  day  to  complete  the  number  of  the 
elect  in  heaven.  Thus  the  family  stands  like  a 
irej^  ID  the  garden  of  God,  its  fruits  being  good 
children.     Impress    firmly    upon    your    mind    the 


370  ^  Family  Life. 

».' 

hell  upon  earth.  This  saying  proclaims  with  a 
loud  voice  that  the  education  of  youth  is  a  very 
srrious  thing.  In  regard  to  this  subject  St.  John 
Chrysostom  thus  expresses  himself:  "What  grander 
task  can  any  one  have  than  that  of  guiding  souls, 
of  training  the  young?  I  esteem  him  who  under- 
stands how  to  mold  and  educate  youth  more 
highly  than  the  painter,  the  sculptor,  and  every 
other  artist,  whoever  he  may  be." 

Hut  where,  in  what  family,  do  we  find  that  true 
and  wise  system  of  education  which  is  so  important 
a  factor  in  family  happiness?  There  only  where 
the  spirit  of  religion  and  piety  pervades  the  house, 
rendering  it  a  temple  in  which  God  dwells.  Only 
parents  who  possess  this  spirit  of  faith  can  train 
their  children  in  Christian  olx.'dience,  and  inspire 
them  with  a  horror  of  vice.  They  alone  will  seek 
assistance  from  God  and  remind  their  children  of 
His  presence  who  regard  Him  as  the  real  Master 
of  their  house,  and  who  model  all  their  thoughts 
and  actions,  their  words  and  works,  according  to 
the  commands  of  His  holy  religion. 

7.  Now,  my  dear  child,  thank  God  from  the 
bottom  of  your  heart  if  He  has  given  you  parents 
such  as  these;  parents  who  lay  the  greatest  stress 
upon  faith,  upon  religion  and  piety,  and  make  every 
effort  to  bring  you  up  or  cause  you  to  be  brought 
up  in  the  right  way.  No  greater  benefit  could  pos- 
sibly be  bestowed  upon  you!  Parents  who  act  thus 
lay  the  foundation  of  happiness  for  their  family 
both  in  time  and  in  eternity;  they  bear  in  mind 
the  truth  of  these  Hncs: 

If  on  Faith's  firm  basis  founded, 
By  the  fear  of  God  surrounded, 
Fast  as  a  rock  thy  house  shall  stand. 
Dreading  no  storm  or  hostile  hand. 


Religion  the  Foundation  of  Family  Life.  371 


HXXX.  Cjjc  SaffSunrU  of  jFantiln  2life. 

1.  'T'N   the    Catholic   Church,   in  the    Catholic 
•-^    rehgion,  the  family  finds  its  firm  support,, 

its  sure  safeguard  and  shield.  For  this  Church  alone 
fearlessly  preaches  at  all  times  and  in  all  places, 
that  in  which  consists  the  sole  safeguard  and 
support  of  the  family,  namely,  the  sacredness  of  the 
family,  the  indissolubility  of  marriage,  the  sanctity 
of  matrimony  as  an  institution  ordained  by  Godj 
as  a  religious  contract,  and  a  holy  sacrament. 

2.  The  family,  or  matrimony,  is  an  institution 
ordained  by  God.  Human  beings,  like  plants  and 
the  lower  animals,  are,  according  to  the  all-wise 
designs  of  God,  intended  to  propagate  themselves 
until  the  end  of  time.  But  man  is  an  incom- 
parably higher  being  than  a  plant  or  an  animal  j 
he  is  endowed  with  reason,  free  will,  and  immor- 
tality. God  has  consequently  placed  the  manner 
in  which  the  human  race  is  to  be  continued  on 
a  high  level.  He  created  woman  especially,  and 
gave  her  to  the  first  man  as  a  helper,  uniting  the 
two  in  the  closest  companionship.  Thus  did  He 
call  the  first  family  into  existence  and  hallow  the 
continuation  of  the  human  race.  And  thus  it 
devolves  upon  human  beings  to  educate  their  off- 
spring and  to  perpetuate  family  life.  In  the  animal 
world  no  such  thing  exists;  there  is  to  be  found  no 
family  life,  properly  so  called,  and  no  education. 
For  the  family  as  ordained  by  God  is  the  nursery 
of  Christendom  which  fills  the  earth  with  true 
believers,  one  day  to  complete  the  niunber  of  the 
elect  in  heaven.  Thus  the  family  stands  like  a 
tJ-ep  'D  the  garden  of  God,  its  fruits  being  good 
children.     Impress    firmly    upon    your    mind    the 


372  Family  Life. 

truth  that  the  family  is  no  mere  human  invention, 
i)vit  an  institution  ordained  by  God.  The  Churcli 
has  always  pronounced  marriaj^e  "a  holy  state, 
appointed  by  God,"  thus  emphatically  refuting 
the  false  teaching  of  certain  heretics  who  regarded 
marriage  as  an  evil  thing. 

7,.  In  the  second  place  the  safeguard  of  the 
family  consists  in  understanding  marriage  as  a 
religious  contract.  Marriage  is  a  contract  because  it, 
like  every  other  contract,  is  based  ufwn  the  agree- 
ment and  consent  of  two  contracting  parties. 

It  is,  however,  a  religious  contract,  essentially 
distinct  from  every  merely  civil  contract.  The 
marriage  contract  is  indissoluble  according  to  divine 
law  —moreover,  the  marriage  contract  imparts 
special,  supernatural  graces,  which  no  other  con- 
tract does.  This  contract  is  concluded  before  a 
minister  of  the  Church,  who  imparts  a  special 
blessing  at  the  nuptial  Mass. 

4.  The  Chri.stian  family  maintains  its  exalted 
position  owing  to  the  fact  that  marriage  is  re- 
garded as  a  sacred  institution,  as  a  holy  sacrament. 
We  know  marriage  to  be  a  sacrament,  because 
the  infallible  Church  teaches  us  that  it  is  such, 
and  commands  us  to  believe  this  as  a  di^^ne!y 
revealed  doctrine.  And  the  following  proofs  may 
be  adduced  in  support  of  this  doctrine. 

St.  Paul  expressly  terms  the  union  of  a  man  and 
a  woman  in  the  marriage  state  a  sacrament,  when 
he  says:  "This  is  a  great  sacrament,  but  I  speak 
in  Christ  and  in  the  Church."  ^larriage  as  a 
sacrament  is  like  to  the  mystic  union  which  exists 
bctAvecn  Christ  and  the  Church.  As  the  union  of 
Christ  with  the  Church  is  a  sacred  bond  so  is 
marriage  between  Christians. 

Tradition   shows  us  that  the   Catholic  Church 


I 


Religion  the  Foundation  of  Family  Life.  373 

has  always  regarded  marriage  as  a  sacrament. 
The  Fathers  teach  us  that  Christ  was  present  at 
the  marriage  in  Cana  to  show  that  He  raised  mar- 
riage to  the  dignity  of  a  sacrament.  St.  Augustine 
says:  "The  superiority  of  marriage  among  Christians 
consists  in  the  sanctity  of  the  sacrament." 

5.  And  it  is  easy  to  perceive  from  a  purely  natural 
point  of  ^^ew  how  useful  and  appropriate,  nay 
more,  how  necessary  it  was  that  Jesus  Christ  should 
elevate  marriage  to  the  dignity  of  a  sacrament. 
jMarriage  is  of  the  greatest  importance  for  the 
whole  human  race.  This  state  of  life  has  very 
many  weighty  and  permanent  duties  and  burdens. 
On  this  account  married  people  need  special  graces, 
and  they  receive  them  through  Christ's  raising 
marriage  to  the  dignity  of  a  sacrament.  -  y 

6.  Thus  we  see  that  the  safeguard  arid  "shield 
of  the  Christian  family  consist  in  regarding  mar- 
riage as  an  institution  ordained  by  God,  as  a 
religious  contract,  a  holy  sacrament.  The  Chris- 
tian religion,  the  Catholic  Church,  is  the  only 
sure  foundation  for  this  security  and  protection. 
The  profanation  and  desecration  of  marriage,  di- 
voice,  the  disintegration  of  family  life,  and  the  moral 
deterioration  of  society  are  the  evils  of  the  present 
day.  Therefore,  my  dear  child,  be  ever  on  your 
guard  against  careless,  worldly  views  of  family  life. 

Zo  Zt)c  IbolB  jfamlls. 

Jesus,  whose  almighty  bidding 

All  created  things  fulfil, 
Lived  on  earth  in  meek  subjection 
To  His  earthly  parents'  will. 

Sweetest  Infant,  make  us  patient 

And  obedient  for  Thy  sake; 
Teach  us  to  be  chaste  and  gentle, 
.•\II  our  stormy  passions  break. 


374  Familu  Life. 

Blessed  Mary!   thou  werl  chosen 

To  be  Mother  of  thy  Lord; 
Thou  didst  guide  the  early  footsteps 
Of  the  great  Incarnate  Word. 

Dearest  -Mother!  make  us  humble; 

For  thy  Son  will  lake  His  rest 
In  the  poor  and  lowly  dwelling 
Of  a  humble  sinner's  breast. 

Joseph !  thou  wert  called  the  father 

<')f  thy  Maker  and  thy  Lord; 
Thine  it  was  to  save  thy  Saviour 
From  the  cruel  Herod's  sword. 
Suffer  us  to  call  thee  father; 
Show  to  us  a  father's  love; 
Lead  us  safe  through  every  danger 
Till  we  meet  in  heavi  n  above. 

axwc.  Cfjc  ^cacc  of  JFnmiI»  life. 

1.  "  yTTTTlERE  there  is  faith,  there  is  charity; 

^J^-^  where  there  is  charity,  there  is 
peace."  This  saying  applies  in  the  first  place  to 
a  family  in  which  the  true  religious  spirit  and 
genuine  piety  prevail. 

Peace  gives  the  young  their  joyous  smile, 
Peace  lightens  manhood's  daily  toil; 
Peace  gives  the  old  man  longed-for  rest, 
Peace,  the  happiness  of  the  blest ! 

Peace!  How  our  heart  rejoices  at  the  sound  of 
this  word!  Peace  especially  is  the  characteri.stic  of 
our  holy  religion.  Not  without  reason  did  the  ang  Is 
sing  when  Jesus  was  born  in  Bethlehem:  "On 
earth  peace,  to  men  of  good  will."  Can  peace 
be  wanting  where  Jesus  dwells?  And  Jesus  dwells 
where  faith  prevails.  Let  us  consider  this  peace 
as  it  is  to  be  found  in  the  Christian  family. 

2.  Let    us    Ix-gin    by    contemplating   the    bright 


Religion  the  Foundation  of  Family  Life.  375 

pattern  of  ever)'  family  presented  by  the  holy 
family  in  the  cottage  at  Nazareth.  What  deep 
and  abiding  peace  is  here!  Whence  does  it  spring? 
The  holy  family  is  poor,  forsaken,  despised  by  men. 
No  earthly  goods  are  there;  no  riches,  spacious 
apartments,  costly  garments,  delicate  viands,  noth- 
ing, in  fact,  which  in  the  eyes  of  worldlings  belongs 
to  content  and  happiness.  Yet  IMary  and  Joseph 
with  the  holy  Child  enjoyed  contentment  and 
happiness  as  great  as  that  of  our  first  parents 
before  the  fall.  The  reason  of  this  was  that  they 
had  peace  of  heart. 

3.  This  peace  may  be  enjoyed  where  there  is 
a  lack  of  all  the  external  gix'ts  of  fortune;  it  is 
frequently  all  the  greater  in  proportion  to  the 
scantier  measure  in  which  these  good  things  are 
possessed.  An  Eastern  legend  runs  as  follows: 
"A  Persian  monarch  was  once  upon  a  time  sick 
unto  death;  the  magicians  declared  that  in  order 
to  recover  he  must  wear  the  shirt  belonging  to 
the  only  happy  man  in  his  whole  realm.  Mes- 
sengers were  dispatched  to  search  everywhere  for 
this  fortunate  individual — in  the  capital,  in  the 
provinces,  in  town  and  in  country — but  nowhere 
could  he  be  found.  At  last  one  of  those  who  had 
been  sent  forth  came  upon  a  shepherd  who,  in  a 
lonely  mounta"n  valley,  was  lying  on  the  grass, 
playing  upon  his  pipe.  The  messenger  entered  into 
conversation  with  him,  and  gathered  from  what 
he  said  that  he  was  indeed  truly  happy;  but  a 
shirt  could  not  be  obtained  from  this  one  perfectly 
happy  man.  He  was  too  poor  to  own  one.  And 
so  the  Persian  monarch  died."  The  meaning  of 
this  anecdote  is  simj)le  enough.  An  individual  or 
a  family  may  be  happy  and  at  peace  without  any 
of  tlie  gifts  of  fortune,  if  they  but  understand  how 


376  Faiiuly  Life.         ,,,     ,,y,       . 

to  be  so.  And  it  will  be  clear  to  them  if  they 
ponder  the  words  of  St.  Paul:  "For  we  brought 
nothing  into  this  world:  and  certainly  we  can 
carry  nothing  out.  l:dt  having  food,  and  where- 
with to  be  covered,  with  these  we  are  content." 
In  order,  however,  constantly  to  enjoy  this  peace 
of  mind,  the  membLTS  of  a  family  mu.st  firmly 
establish  and  maintain  in  their  home  the  condi- 
tions of  this  peace.  These  conditions  are  three- 
fold: faith  in  the  merciful  providence  of  God, 
peace  with  God,  and  a  hope  of  heaven. 

4.  As  Chri.stians  we  believe  in  the  goodness  of 
God,  whose  overruling  providence  disposes  all 
things  as  is  best  for  us,  with  infinite  wisdom  and  love. 
This  belief  procures  for  Christian  parents  and 
children,  whatever  be  their  burdens  and  sorrows, 
the  consoling  assurance  that  God  has  laid  these 
trials  upon  them  with  some  merciful  design,  and 
that  a  time  will  come  when  they  will  thank  Him 
for  them  all.  This  consciousness  it  is  which 
prevents  peace  from  ever  entirely  forsaking  them. 
If  their  desires  remain  unfulfilled,  if  they  have 
much  to  suiter,  they  suffer  in  a  spirit  of  resignation, 
they  do  not  lack  consolation;  peace  still  dwells 
in  their  hearts. 

5.  The  second  condition  of  family  peace  is  peace 
with  God.  As  Christians  we  know  God  to  be 
our  holy  Lawgiver  and  just  Judge.  We  Ix'Iieve 
in  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  in  heaven  and  hell. 
And  as  reasonable  beings  we  know  that  death 
and  judgment  and  the  irrevocable  decision  as  to 
our  eternal  happiness  or  miser\'  may  come  ujxm 
us  at  any  moment. 

If  Christian  {>arents  and  children  maintain  a 
constant  watchfulness  over  the  state  of  their  con- 
science;   if  they  carefully  avoid  sin;    if  as  soon 


Religion  the  Foundation  of  Family  Life.  377 

as  they  become  conscious  of  having  committed 
any  serious  sin  tliey  hasten  to  wash  it  away  by 
means  of  the  Sacrament  of  Penance, — they  may 
repose  in  the  bhssful  conviction  that  they  are 
children  of  God.  For  them  God  -is  a  loving 
Father,  for  them  death  has  no  terrors.  It  is  only 
the  gloomy  portal  through  which  they  must  pass 
in  order  to  enter  heaven.  Herein  lies  the  fulness 
of  peace  for  the  pious,  conscientious  Christian — 
peace  with  God,  peace  in  his  own  soul,  peace  in  his 
family. 

6.  The  third  condition  is  a  hope  of  heaven. 
When  all  the  members  of  a  family  are  animated 
by  this  hope,  peace  dwells  within  the  home.  This 
hope  ought  to  be  as  firm  and  steadfast  as  was  that 
of  a  young  girl  the  closing  scenes  of  whose  lifii 
I  witnessed  some  years  ago.  She  was  one  of  my 
parishioners  and  in  the  bloom  of  youth,  for  she 
was  only  twenty,  when  she  was  called  to  depart 
this  life.  She  had  been  an  intelligent  child,  a  modest 
maiden,  an  obedient  daughter,  beloved  by  her 
parents,  brothers  and  sisters.  Her  heart  had 
been  closed  to  the  allurements  of  the  world,  and 
given  to  God.  Death  was  now  close  at  hand; 
her  relatives  stood  weeping  around  her  bed;  she 
alone  was  calm  and  even  joyous.  With  an  expres- 
sion of  heartfelt  piety  she  gazed  at  the  crucifi.x 
which  she  held  in  her  hand,  exclaiming:  "Help 
me,  O  my  Saviour,  receive  me  into  heaven!" 
These  were  her  last  words.  She  sank  back  upon 
her  pillows,  and  expired  in  the  peace  of  the  Lord. 

7.  What  was  it  which  imparted  such  sweet 
peace  to  the  heart  of  this  young  girl  at  the  very 
moment  which  is  regarded  as  tlie  most  dreadful 
and  terrifying?  What  but  the  hope  that  she  was 
about  to  enter  into  the  everlasting  peace  of  heaven! 


."578  Family  Life. 

If  this  hope  is  firmly  rooted  in  the  hearts  of  parents 
and  children  they  keep  the  thought  of  heaven 
constantly  before  their  minds,  and  however  severe 
may  l)e  the  trials  which  come  upon  them,  they 
never  lose  their  peace  of  soul.  They  know  that 
the  bitterest  sorrows  are  but  transient,  while  the 
joys  of  heaven  last  forever. 

8.  Whilst  you  are  still  in  the  bright  season  of 
youth  see  that  you  seek  to  possess  the  conditions 
of  true  peace.  Impress  deeply  upon  your  heart 
a  belief  in  divine  providence.  Endeavor  to  be  at 
peace  with  God  by  avoiding  sin.  Constantly 
maintain  and  cherish  within  your  soul  the  bliss- 
ful hope  of  heaven.  Then,  whatever  may  be  the 
circumstances  in  which  you  find  yourself  placed, 
however  heavy  the  trials  which  overtake  you, 
the  mi'^fortimcs  which  fall  to  your  lot,  your  peace 
of  mini  will  be  unshaken. 


2  Xlbe  IReligious  Education  ot 
Gbil&rcn. 

aXXXi:!-.  %l}aj)4)incs0  or  i^liscrw. 

How  sacred  is  a  little  rhikl, 
Sini];)le  as  yet  and  undclilcd; 
His  angel,  we  arc  told,  stands  nigh 
To  the  bright  throne  of  CJod  on  high. 

I.  't'N  every  Christian  family  the  greatest 
r-L.  v.'eight  must  be  attached  to  the  bringing 
up  of  the  children  in  conjunction  with  the  practice 
of  religion.  In  relation  to  this  matter  it  behooves 
parents  to  bear  in  mind  the  Saviour's  exhortation: 
"Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  His  justice." 
Parents  ought  not  to  have  merely  worldly  aims  in 


The  Religious  Education  of  Children.  379 

regard  to  the  education  of  their  children;  they 
ought  not  only  to  seek  to  have  a  large  fortune 
to  leave  them,  or  to  enable  them  at  a  later  period 
to  acquire  much  wealth;  it  is  their  duty  to  take 
care,  first  of  all,  that  their  children  are  religiously 
brought  up. 

2.  In  the  generality  of  cases  the  whole  subse- 
quent life  depends  upon  the  early  training  received^ 
the  happiness  or  misery  of  both  parents  and  chil- 
dren. The  words  of  Our  Lord  arc  worthy  of 
attention:  "Do  men  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or 
figs  of  thistles?"  Grapes  are  to  be  found  only  on 
vines,  and  figs  on  fig  trees.  In  like  manner  one 
may  ask:  Would  you  look  for  good  children  with 
bad  parents?  Of  course  not.  If  you  want  to 
know  whether  certain  children  are  receiving  a 
good  Christian  education  you  have  only  to  inquire 
whether  the  parents  are  good  and  pious. 

3.  If  children  see  and  hear  only  what  is  good, 
are  allowed  to  do  only  what  is  right,  and  are  held 
back  with  a  firm  hand  from  all  that  is  evil,  they 
will,  as  a  rule,  grow  up  good  Christians.  If, 
on  the  contrary,  a  child  sees  and  hears  scarcely 
anything  which  is  not  of  an  objectionable  nature, 
its  evil  tendencies  will  grow  stronger  day  by  day, 
and  we  cannot  wonder  if  it  becomes  both  vicious 
and  miserable. 

4.  The  mother  of  St.  Clement  of  Ancyra  earnestly 
desired  that  her  son  miglit  be  a  martyr.  She 
gave  him  a  pious,  Christian  education;  he  became 
a  saint  and  eventually  received  the  martyr's  palm. 

St.  Blanche  desired  that  her  son  might  become 
a  holy  king.  She  imparted  to  him  an  education, 
corresponding  to  her  wish,  and  she  became  the 
mother  of  St.  Louis,  king  of  France.  We  will 
quote   an   illustration   of   an    opposite    character. 


380  FiitinJji  Lifp. 

There  was  once  a  godkss  queen  of  liohemia  who 
hrouglit  up  her  son  Holeslaus  to  Ix?  as  wicked  as  her- 
self; he  committed  the  crime  of  fratricide,  and  perse- 
cuted tlie  Christians.  If  we  wish  for  further  exam- 
ples of  what  has  been  said  we  have  only  to  look  at 
families  wliere  the  task  of  education  is  undertaken  by 
unprincipled  j)arents,  or,  more  probably,  neglected 
altogether.  Thecharacter  of  children  usually  corre- 
sponds to  that  of  their  parents,  as  the  proverb  ex- 
presses it:  "The  apple  does  not  fall  far  from  the  tree." 

5.  If,  on  the  contrary,  I  ask  you  how  it  is  that 
,ou  are  walking  in  the  right  way,  gladly  and 
gratefully  will  you  answer  that  it  is  because  you 
had  good  parents,  who  both  by  precept  and  example 
strove  to  lead  you  to  do  what  is  right.  If  we 
raise  our  eyes  to  heaven  and  ask  its  blessed  inhal)i- 
tants  how  they  came  to  enjoy  their  present  felicitv. 
they  will  reply:  "We  had  pious  Christian  parents." 
If  we  ask  the  wretched  dwellers  in  hell  how  it  is 
tliat  they  are  plunged  in  endless  misery,  they  will 
for  the  most  part  lay  the  blame  on  their  education, 
and  exclaim:  "We  had  parents  who  neglected 
their  duty  and  who,  by  their  bad  example,  con- 
firmed IS  in  what  is  evil.  Cursed  be  they  for- 
evermore!     Our  eternal  miserj'  lies  at  their  door!" 

Therefore  do  truly  good  and  pious  parents 
"seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God"  in  regard  to  the 
education  of  their  children,  that  is,  they  seek  to 
provide  for  tlieir  eternal  happiness  before  every- 
thing else.  WhcTi  their  eyes  rest  upon  their  beloved 
offspring  they  say  to  themselves  over  and  over 
again:  "Shall  even  one  of  these  dear  children 
sink  into  hell  through  our  fault?  No,  a  thousand 
times  no!"  And  then  they  apply  themselves 
with  renewed  earnestness  and  increased  zeal  to 
the  important  work  of  erluration. 


The  Religious  Education  of  Chiidreii.  381 

6.  But  upon  education  depends  the  happiness 
or  misety,  not  cf  the  children  alone,  but  of  their 
parents  also.  INIany  and  manifold  are  the  cares 
and  anxieties,  the  labors  and  sorrows  which  fall 
to  the  lot  of  fathers  and  mothers  of  families.  Surely 
they  ought  to  have  some  pleasures,  some  compen- 
sations. Wlio  can  supply  them  with  these  pleasures 
and  afltord  them  these  compensations  if  not  their 
children?  And  it  is  certain  that  they  will  do  this 
if  they  have  been  properly  reared;  they  will  be  a 
credit  to  their  parents  wherever  they  may  go.  And 
when  such  children  stand  beside  the  death-bed  of 
their  father  or  mother,  the  gaze  of  these  latter 
will  rest  upon  them  with  confidence  and  satisfaction, 
and  in  their  heart,  if  not  with  their  lips,  they  will 
say:  "I  have  no  reason  to  be  ashamed  of  my  sons 
and  daughters.  They  will  not  forget  me;  they 
will  pray  for  me;  they  wdll  sanctify  themselves, 
and  one  day  they  will  follow  me  to  heaven  ?  "  That 
is  the  joy  and  reward  of  parents  who  have  been 
careful  to  educate  their  children  aright. 

7.  These  serious  thoughts  and  considerations 
will  give  you  some  idea  how  sublim_e  a  task  is 
Christian  education.  They  will  urge  you  to  do 
your  very  utmost  to  lighten  the  difiicult  task  your 
parents  have  to  perform,  and  to  take  upon  your- 
.self  some  portion  at  least  of  their  heaA^  responsi- 
bility. You  can  and  ought  to  do  this  by  showing 
at  all  times  and  in  all  places  how  well  and  care- 
fully you  have  be'='n  brought  up;  by  proving  your- 
self to  be  the  joy  and  the  glory  of  your  parents. 
"WTiat  happiness  will  be  yours  if,  when  their  last 
hour  shall  come,  they  take  leave  of  vou  with  ar 
expression  of  love  and  benediction. 


382  Fmnily  Life. 


A  child! — What  mystery  in  this  word! — 
A  child  was  once  our  blessed  Lord, 
Assuming  our  mortality, 
That  thus  God's  children  we  might  be. 

1.  'T'N    what   docs   this   mystery   consist?    In 
r^     the  inestimable  value  which  the  soul  of 

a  child  possesses  in  the  sight  of  (rod  and  of  all 
good  pco])le.  The  mother  of  whom  the  following 
incident  is  related  placed  the  right  estimate  on  the 
value  of  a  child.  She  had  nine  children,  but 
was  so  poor  that  it  was  with  the  utmost  diOiculty 
she  could  contrive  to  feed  and  clothe  them.  One 
day  a  wealthy  and  charitable  lady  offered  to  adopt 
one  of  the  nine  little  ones  and  give  it  a  thoroughly 
good  education.  But  the  worthy  woman  refused 
to  part  with  her  child.  "If  you  were  to  give  me 
your  whole  fortune,"  she  said,  "I  would  not  let 
you  take  one  of  my  children  from  me;  for  that 
which  is  enough  for  eight  will  doubtless  Ije  enough 
for  nine."  She  would  not  entrust  the  training  of 
her  child  to  the  best  woman  in  the  world. 

2.  Considering  the  great  value  of  a  cliild  in  the 
sight  of  God,  it  follows  that  its  education  must  he. 
of  the  utmost  importance,  especially  its  early 
education.  Every  gardener  who  knows  anything 
about  his  business  is  aware  how  much  depends 
upon  the  care  bestowed  upon  young  and  tender 
plants.  If  they  are  neglected  in  the  early  stages 
of  their  growth  they  soon  Ix-come  sickly  or  wither 
away  aUogether.  All  who  labor  in  the  garden  of 
the  Lord,  all  those  I  mean  whose  duty  it  is  to 
educate  youth,  ought  to  lay  this  to  heart,  for  edu- 
cation cannot  begin  too  early. 


The  Religious  Education  of  Children.  383 

3.  In  regard  to  this  subject  I  have  often  heard 
parents  say:  "But  what  can  your  Reverence  be 
thinking  about!  To  say  that  a  child's  education 
ought  to  begin  in  the  cradle!  How  can  you  expect 
a  little  creature  Uke  that  to  understand  anything?" 
If  I  had  uttered  the  retort  whicli  rose  to  my  lips 
I  should  have  replied:  "You  good  people  have 
not  much  more  sense  yourselves!" 

The  mental  and,  more  especially,  the  religious 
education  of  the  child  should  be  commenced  as 
soon  as  possible,  and  should  keep  pace  with  its 
physical  development.  For  if  one  wishes  to  get 
the  upper  hand  of  the  weeds  in  a  garden  and  to 
keep  the  beds  tidy,  it  is  necessary  to  extirpate  the 
germs  of  the  weeds.  And  if  a  building  is  to  be 
solid  and  lasting  it  must  have  a  firm  foundation. 

4.  Every  child  possesses  qualities  and  capacities 
which  slumber  within  its  breast.  It  is  easy  to 
develop  them  within  the  tender  mind;  the  soil  is 
soft  and  receptive  to  all  which  may  be  planted 
there.  The  heart  of  a  child  resembles  a  garden, 
which  must  be  properly  tilled  if  it  is  to  produce 
fruit.  A  garden  left  to  itself  will  be  overrun  with 
weeds,  and  all  hope  of  a  yield  must  perforce  be 
abandoned. 

Parents  are  often  heard  to  complain  of  the  naughti- 
ness and  perversity  of  their  children.  As  a  rule 
we  may  tell  such  parents  that  they  have  only 
themselves  to  blame;  for  if  they  had  attended  to 
the  education  of  their  children  while  there  was 
yet  time,  if  they  had  cultivated  the  field  of  their 
heart  at  an  early  period,  they  would  be  reaping 
joy  and  consolation  instead  of  sorrow  and  distress. 
Man  must  be  trained  from  his  earliest  childhood 
to  shun  all  that  is  evil  and  sinful. 

5.  It  is  the  roots  v/hich  keep  the  tender  plants 


384  Familu  Life. 

in  the  ground  and  supply  them  with  sap  and 
nourishment.  The  roots  of  the  Christian  hfe  arc 
riHgion  and  piety.  These  roots  must  be  tended, 
ami  that  verj'  early;  else  the  outlook  in  the  field 
of  education  will  be  but  a  poor  one.  Priests  and 
teachers  exijerience  the  tmth  of  this  fact  only  too 
frequently.  One  meets  with  boys  and  girls  six 
or  .seven  years  old  who  liave  as  yet  merely  vegetated, 
growing  up  like  little  animals  About  their  Father 
in  heaven,  about  Jesus,  Mary,  and  their  guardian 
angel  they  know  nothing  at  all,  or  at  best  but 
very  little.  They  can  scarcely  tell  how  to  make 
the  sign  of  the  cross.  The  roots  of  religion  and 
piety  have  been  so  neglected  that  they  are  buried 
deep  down  in  the  youthful  hearts,  or  what  is  worse, 
choked  by  the  weeds  of  ijad  habits,  of  idle- 
ness, greediness,  lying,  dissimulation,  and  obsti- 
aacy. 

6.  But  it  is  a  consolation  to  know  that  children 
who  have  been  well  and  carefully  trained  up  to 
their  sixth  and  seventh  year  remain,  as  a  rule, 
what  they  are  at  that  period.  It  gives  real 
pleasure  to  teachers  when  the  children  of  truly 
pious  parents  come  to  their  school.  In  the  favor- 
able atmosphere  of  the  family  circle,  the  spiritual 
life  of  the  child,  drawing  its  vitality  from  the 
warm  heart  of  the  mother,  has  been  developed, 
religion  and  piety  have  grown  and  flourished. 
All  that  the  child  hears  when  he  goej  to  school 
alx)ut  God  and  about  heaven,  about  piety  and 
prayer,  about  innocence  and  obedience,  and  every 
virtue  is  not  new  to  him.  On  the  contrary,  those 
virtues  are  dear  and  familiar  truths.  Out  of  the 
eyes  of  the  child  who  has  been  brought  uj)  thus 
a  new  soul  seems  to  look.  The  pious  mother, 
the   best  of  i^rdeners,   has  tilled  the  soil  of  the 


The  Religious  Education  of  Children.  385 

child's  heart,  so  that  the  tender  roots  of  good 
principles,  of  religion  and  piety  might  strike  deep 
and  not  be  choked  by  the  weeds  of  evil  habits. 

7.  It  often  happens  that  girls  of  your  age  have 
to  occupy  themselves,  in  one  way  or  another,  with 
the  education  of  younger  children.  Elder  brothers 
and  sisters  possess  great  influence  over  the  younger 
ones.  This  influence  is  generally  much  greater 
than  that  which  the  parents  are  able  to  exercise. 
On  this  account,  good  and  wise  parents  are  extremely 
careful  as  to  the  training  of  their  first  child;  for 
the  eldest  thus  becomes  no  little  help  to  them  in 
training  the  others. 

If  you  have  younger  brothers  and  sisters,  or  if 
you  are  placed  over  children  in  some  family,  be 
extremely  careful  to  set  the  children  a  good  example. 
Show  them  all  possible  patience  and  aff'ection, 
and  if  you  win  their  hearts  in  this  way,  make  use 
of  your  influence  to  inspire  them  with  a  love  of  God 
and  of  virtue.  What  a  sphere  of  usefulness  is 
open  to  you  here,  and  how  easily  you  can  gain  the 
love  of  Him  who  has  said:  "He  that  shall  receive 
one  such  little  child  in  my  name,  receiveth  me." 

aXXXKU.  Srje^^rntcipaliFactors  anlr  Supports 
in  tje  STratning  of  a  Cftilir. 

Listen.O  child,  thou  needs  must  early  leam 

In  this  world  good  from  evil  to  discern; 

Or  else  the  useful  herb  thou  wilt  pass  by 

And  pluck  the  poisonous  flower  that  charms  the  eye. 

I.  "^T^HE   earliest   training   has   this   in   view: 

^^     to  teach  the  child  to  distinguish  between 

good  and  evil,  between  what  is  useful  and  what 

is  poisonous,  and  to  take  delight  only  in  the  former. 


386  Family  Life. 

In  order  that  this  task  may  be  profitably  accom- 
plished various  means  nm  necessary.  In  a  nursery 
ground  the  young,  growing  plants  arc  fastened  at 
an  early  jx.Tiod  to  stakes  or  supports  to  make  tlieni 
grow  upright  and  straight;  so  in  the  training  of 
children  certain  strong  supports  arc  required. 

2.  What  is  primarily  and  essentially  necessary 
in  education  for  the  child's  support  is  the  good 
example  of  the  teacher.  Vain  will  be  his  words, 
useless  his  lamentations,  fruitless  his  exliorta- 
tions,  if,  instead  of  edifying  his  pupils  by  his  good 
example,  he  rather  gives  them  scandal.  Children 
soon  imitate  what  they  see  their  parents  do.  Only 
too  often  do  we  experience  the  truth  of  the  saying 
which  tells  us  that  as  is  the  father,  so  is  the  son; 
as  is  the  mother,  so  is  the  daughter.  Let  us  take 
the  case  of  parents  wlio  do  not  say  their  prayers 
regularly  every  morning  and  evening,  or  who  do 
not  say  grace  at  meals.  Children  may  be  taught 
at  school  that  they  ought  to  say  their  prayers,  but 
if  they  see  that  their  parents  neglect  to  pray  they 
will  follow  this  bad  example. 

3.  Tlie  following  incident,  which  was  related 
to  me,  forcibly  shows  how  great  is  the  effect  of 
bad  example:  A  lady  overheard  a  little  boy 
about  five  or  six  years  old  using  very  bad  language 
whilst  playing  in  the  street  with  other  children. 
She  stopped,  and  reproved  him  severely,  threaten- 
ing to  complain  of  him  to  his  parents.  "I  don't 
care  if  you  do,"  was  the  unexpected  rejoinder. 
"Father  and  mother  curse  worse  than  I  do!"  It 
is  most  deplorable  that  such  parents  should  exist. 

On  the  contrary  we  often  find  to  our  consolation 
that  poor  but  thoroughly  Christian  fathers  and 
mothers,  in  cities  and  in  the  country',  have 
given   their   children    an   excellent    training.     The 


Hie  Religious  Education  of  Children.  387 

secret  lies  in  the  power  of  example.  The  children 
of  parents  who  themselves  practice  all  that  religion 
requires  of  them  are  certain  to  turn  out  well. 

4.  The  second  essential  in  home-training  con- 
sists in  accustoming  children  to  obedience  from 
the  outset.  A  little  boy  was  asked:  "Tell  me,  my 
child,  do  you  obey  your  mother  or  does  she  obey 
you?"  "I  obey  her  when  she  is  angry,"  he 
replied  pertly,  "but  when  she  is  not  angry,  she 
obeys  me!"  It  was  very  plain  that  he  had  never 
been  taught  to  obey. 

Yet  it  is  quite  possible  to  accustom  even  little  chil- 
dren to  obey.  This  is  proved  by  the  fact  that  irra- 
tional animals  can  be  trained  to  a  certain  kind  of 
obedience.  Why,  for  instance,  do  not  dogs  and  cats 
jump  upon  the  dinner  table  when  dishes  containing 
food  are  placed  upon  it,  as  their  natural  instincts 
would  prompt  them  to  do?  Simply  because  they 
have  learned  to  obey. 

But  there  are  teachers  and  mothers  who  in  their 
foolish  fondness  themselves  obey  a  child.  The 
little  creature  has  only  to  scream,  and  they  hasten 
to  do  whatever  the  young  gentleman  wishes!  If 
a  child  is  not  taught  to  obey  from  infancy,  the 
lesson  of  obedience  will  prove  very  hard  to  im- 
plant later  on  and  never  perhaps  be  thoroughly 
grounded. 

5.  Just  as  it  is  often  necessary  when  tying  up 
young  trees  to  use  a  certain  amount  of  force  to 
straighten  what  is  crooked,  so  strictness  is  required 
in  accustoming  children  to  obedience;  they  must 
be  reproved,  and  punished  also.  For  the  words 
of  Scripture  cannot  but  be  true:  "He  that  spare th 
the  rod,  hateth  his  son."  It  is  clear  that  this 
saying  holds  good  in  the  present  day;  it  can 
never  be  antiquated,  even  in  the  twentieth-century 


388  Family  Life. 

progress  and  vaunted  humanity.  It  is  absolutely 
necessary  to  be  strict  with  children  at  certain 
limes,  and  without  losing  one's  temper. 

6.  Another  main  factor  in  the  education  of  a 
child  is  the  school.  The  training  at  school  has  a 
twofold  purpose — one  temporal,  the  other  eternal. 
At  school  the  child  ought  to  be  trained  to  be  a 
good  and  useful  member  of  society,  to  do  the  will 
of  God,  and  thus  to  secure  the  reward  of  heaven. 
The  supernatural  part  of  this  twofold  undertaking 
requires  that  the  school  should  not  merely  instruct, 
but  educate  also;  educate  in  obedience,  in  truth- 
fulness, and  Ix'fore  all  else,  in  the  fear  of  God,  in 
self-control,  in  purity  of  heart.  Thus  we  see  that 
the  chief  work  the  Christian  school  has  to  per- 
form is  to  teach  the  child  to  be  a  good  Christian, 
who  will  on  this  account  be  a  good  citizen  as 
well. 

7.  In  conclusion  I  will  relate  an  anecdote  from 
which  you  may  learn  that  you  ought  always  to 
listen  to  the  wise  e.  hortations  and  affectionate 
admonitions  of  your  parents  and  teachers,  and 
also  endeavor  faithfully  to  carry  them  out. 

A  young  lady  received  a  letter  in  which  improper 
proposals  were  made  to  her,  these  being  couched 
in  the  most  alluring  and  flattering  terms.  With 
childlike  confidence  she  showed  the  letter  to  her 
mother,  who,  after  reading  it,  turned  pale,  and  burst 
into  tears.  When  the  daughter  saw  this  she 
exclaimed:  "O  my  darling  mother,  you  need  not  be 
in  the  least  anxious  about  me!  Your  tears  have 
entirely  obliterated  all  the  sjaecious  flatteries  and 
fair  promises  which  this  letter  contains." 

The  mother  tenderly  embraced  her  daughter, 
and  gave  her  a  diamond  ring,  *-he  stones  of  which 
sparkled  as  brightly  as  do  dewdrops  when  the  sun 


Tlie  Religions  Education  of  Children.  389 

shines  upon  them.  Filled  with  gratitude,  the  good 
child  said:  "Dearest  mother,  I  solemnly  promise 
that  if  ever  improper  proposals  should  again 
be  made  to  me  I  will  look  at  these  precious  stones, 
and  say  to  myself:  These  are  your  mother's  tears." 
If,  my  dear  daughter,  you  should  ever  find  your- 
self in  similar  circumstances,  think  of  Mary,  your 
sweet  Mother  in  heaven. 

3LXX\17.  Stu&ies:  Iftisfjcr  B&iicatiou.* 

"T^fET  us  now  consider  the  study,  the  edu- 
.  I  A  cation  which  is  really  suited  to  a  woman 
who  has  a  house  to  look  after,  or  who  should  be 
brought  up  and  trained  with  a  ■view  to  this.  In 
treating  the  question  little  or  no  account  will  be 
taken  of  exceptional  cases,  for  example,  of  really 
clever  girls  who  intend  to  devote  themselves  to 
teaching,  or  to  literature,  or  ol  those  who  have 
no  home  duties  or  only  very  light  ones.  In  the 
curriculurii  of  woman's  education  the  first  place 
should  be  given  to  the  study  of  her  own  language, 
so  that  she  may  speak  and  write  it  well,  and  also 
acquire  a  fair  knowledge  of  its  literature  and  of 
its  classical  writers.  This  will  be  not  only  a  source 
of  improvement  and  pleasure  to  herself,  but  will 
enable  her  to  criticise  authors,  to  take  part  in 
conversation  with  husband,  father,  son  or  brother 
who  takes  an  interest  in  and  likes  to  discuss  such 
topics. 

The  second  place  may  be  given  to  the  study  of 
modern  languages,  particularly  French  and  Ger- 
man. Young  men  have  not  as  a  rule  the  time, 
the   opportunities,   perhaps   the    talent,  for  acquir- 

*  Excerpt  from  "  Woman,"  by  the  Reverend  N. 
Walsh,  S.J. 


390  Family  Life. 

ing  this  useful  branch  of  education,  that  girls  have. 
A  good  knowledge  of  French  will  make  them  a 
great  help,  perliaps  a  necessity,  to  the  other  mem- 
bers of  their  family  when  traveling,  as  this  de- 
lightful and  educating  recreation  has  become — 
owing  to  the  railway  and  other  causes — a  matter 
of  course,  and  is  within  the  reach  of  all  well-to-do 
people.  I  would  throw  in  Latin,  or  some  knowledge 
of  it.  It  is  the  language  of  the  Church  and  of  the 
holy  sacrifice,  and  would  help  those  who  may 
be  called  to  Religion  to  recite  more  devoutly  the 
Divine  Olfice,  or  that  of  the  l^ilessed  Virgin.  Ma- 
dame de  Swetchine  writes  to  a.  woman  friend: 
"Your  Latin  has  given  me  at  least  as  much 
pleasure  as  the  rest;  the  language  of  our  faith 
should  never  be  omitted  in  any  religious  education." 

The  third  place  should  be  given  to  what  are 
commonly  called  "accomplishments,"  and  of  these 
first  of  all  to  music,  because  this  can  be  most  and 
best  utilized  for  the  pleasure,  delight,  and  enjoy- 
ment of  home  life.  It  is  a  mistake,  however,  to 
force  or  to  allow  a  girl  to  study  tliis  or  any  other 
accomplishment  for  which  she  has  neither  talent 
nor  taste,  perhaps  a  dislike.  To  do  this  would  be 
to  lose  time  which  could  have  lx?en  better  employed, 
and  would  certainly  end  in  failure.  Teachers,  not 
parents,  are  the  best  and  safest  persons  to  find  out 
the  accomplishment  suited  to  a  girl  and  in  which 
she  is  likely  to  succeed,  whether  this  be  music, 
painting,  drawing,  tajx^stry  or  seme  other  useful 
or  ornamental  handwork;  for  all  these  contribute 
in  their  own  way  to  the  happiness,  brightrjss, 
and  external  beauty  of  the  home. 

We  come  now  to  a  study  of  a  lower  kind.  F^ne- 
lon  recommends  the  woman  of  the  house  "to  be 
well  versed   in   housekeeping."      This   supposes    a 


The  Religious  Education  of  Children.  391 

system  of  order,  punctuality,  ever5fthing  kept  in 
its  place,  cleanliness,  neatness  and  a  care  of  external 
beauty.  It  has  been  said  that  the  cook  is  the  most 
important  person  in  the  house  because  she  can  put 
all  the  others  in  good  or  bad  humor.  There  is 
some  truth  in  the  saying,  "God  sends  the  meat 
and  the  devil  sends  the  cook."  A  good  cook  can 
make  a  palatable  dish  out  of  poor  material,  whilst 
a  bad  cook  will  spoil  the  best.  Hence  the  mistress 
should  study  and  give  attention  to  this  important 
branch  of  "housekeeping,"  that  she  may  be  able 
to  place  on  the  table  food  well-cooked  and  well- 
sen-ed  that  she  knows  will  please  the  family. 
God  supposes  all  this  in  His  description  of  the  valiant 
woman,  "who  hath  arisen  at  night  and  given  a 
prey  to  her  household,  and  food  to  her  maidens." 
In  the  words  of  an  eminent  French  bishop:  "A 
lady  should  diligently  attend  to  her  household 
aifairs:  it  is  one  of  her  principal  duties.  She  will 
never  degrade  herself  by  condescending  to  the 
smallest  details,  for  there  is  a  manner  of  doing  so 
which  compromises  neither  her  dignity,  her  authority, 
nor  her  character.  Manual  labor  of  whatever 
nature,  whether  '  the  spinning  of  wool  or  flax, 
handling  the  distaff '  or  needle,  superiutending  the 
making  of  dishes  or  of  garments — manual  labor, 
I  repeat,  is  one  of  the  best  and  most  useful  resources 
of  woman's  life;  and  one  of  the  plague-spots  of 
our  present  age  is  its  being  entirely  laid  aside,  or 
at  least  rarely  practised." 

Fenelon  says  that  the  mistress  of  the  house 
should  also  be  well  versed  "in  keeping  accounts," 
and  God,  in  His  description  of  the  valiant  woman, 
supposes  this.  Men  have,  as  a  rule,  the  earning 
of  the  money,  women  the  spending  of  it.  It  is, 
therefore,  one  of  their  duties  to  keej3  an  account 


392  Family  Life. 

of  monies  received,  of  how  they  were  spent,  etc., 
and  to  keep  clear  of  drifting  into  debt.  It  is,  how- 
ever, a  not  uncommon  faiUng  with  men  to  tliink 
and  unreasonably  complain  that  a  wife  ought  to 
do  more  with  what  is  given  to  her  than  she  really 
can. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  if  the  wife  and  mother 
is  to  be  as  the  sun  in  her  own  house,  she  must  be 
unselfish,  act  often  against  her  natural  inclination, 
be  just  yet  considerate  toward  otliers,  never  neglect 
a  (luty  through  whim  or  because  annoyed  or  con- 
tradicted. She  must  often  when  tired  and  taxed, 
unfairly  jx^rhaps,  by  others,  eitlicr  keep  a  su'cct 
silence  or  say  the  right  word  in  the  right  way,  and 
conceal  as  best  she  can  the  interior  impatience  or 
pain  which  she  cannot  help  feeling. 

The  example,  the  habitual  action  and  ways  of 
such  a  woman  must — not  in  a  moment  or  at  once, 
but  in  the  end — win  the  respect  and  admiration  of  all 
around  her,  and  exercise  a  powerful  influence  for 
good  in  her  family.  Hence  St.  Chrysostom  writes: 
"There  is  nothing  more  powerful  than  a  religious 
and  prudent  woman  to  calm  her  husband  and  to 
form  him  to  whatever  she  wishes."  Every-day 
experience  proves  the  truth  of  this  saying  of  a 
great  saint  who  spent  his  priestly  and  episcopal 
life  in  constant  contact  with  seculars.  All  know 
how  St.  Monica  illustrated  this  truth.  She  won  her 
great  son  Augustine  to  God  and  His  Church  by 
her  prayers  and  tears;  but  more,  she  won  over  a 
bad  husband,  who  for  years  treated  her  harshly, 
by  her  sweet  and  patient  command  of  temper  and 
tongue.  What  has  been  said  of  wife  and  mother 
may  be  said,  in  some  measure,  of  daughters  and 
sisters,  who,  when  bright  and  companionable  with 
father  and  brothers,  contribute  much  to  the  haj)pi- 


The  Religious  Education  of  Children.  393 

ness  of  home.  By  way  of  conclusion  to  this  point, 
is  it  too  much  to  say  that  woman,  the  sun  of  the 
house,  should  do  her  best  to  make  it  so  comfortable, 
cheerful,  and  happy  that  wlien  the  husband  and 
sons — the  toilers— have  done  their  day's  work,  they 
would  rather  come  to  her  and  their  own  home 
than  go  to  a  queen  and  her  palace  ? 

It  may  now  be  asked,  may  not  woman  in  her 
intellectual  pursuits  go  further  and  higher  than 
those  subjects  already  referred  to — subjects  which 
are  the  best  for  making  her  the  sun  in  her  own 
house?  Certainly,  if  three  conditions  be  observed: 
(r)  that  no  home  duty  be  neglected  or  carelessly 
discharged  on  account  of  such  study;  (2)  that  she 
is  capable  of  it;  (3)  that  she  be,  as  Fenelon  puts  it, 
"modest  in  her  studies." 

The  intellectual  cultivation  of  woman  has  always 
been  a  marked  feature  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
"Christianity,"  writes  Ozanam,"had  scarcely  ap- 
peared when  already  the  example  of  Christ  instructing 
the  Samaritan  woman  was  imitated."  St.  John  wrote 
to  Electa,  and  the  Fathers  of  the  Church,  SS. 
Cyprian  and  Ambrose,  and  Tcrtullian,  wrote  for 
women.  He  notices  the  honor  paid  by  St.  Augustine 
to  the  philosophy  of  his  mother,  and  how  St.  Jerome 
was  surrounded  by  Christian  matrons  full  of  eager- 
ness for  learning,  and  wrote  letters  to  Lfeta  and 
Gaudentius  on  the  education  of  daughters.  St. 
Catharine  of  Alexandria  told  her  judges  that  she  had 
applied  herself  to  every  branch  of  rhetoric,  philos- 
ophy, geometry  and  other  sciences.  St.  Clement 
of  Alexandria  writes  of  some  Grecian  ladies  who 
had  occupied  themselves  in  the  study  of  literature, 
science  and  philosophy.  The  papal  University  of 
Bologna  had  on  its  roll  learned  women,  and  one 
called    Maria    Agnese    was    named    professor    of 


304  Family  Life. 

matlicmatics  by  a  Po|)e.  SS.  Paula,  Gertrude, 
Catharine  of  Siena,  Teresa  and  others  might 
also  be  named.  It  must,  however,  Ix;  borne  in 
mind  that  nearly  all  these  were  excejitional  cases. 
.  .  .  The  practical  question  is,  would  such  (higher) 
studies  be  likely  to  educate  girls  to  be  as  the  valiant 
woman  in  her  house,  or  would  they  rather  jjrevent 
her  from  becoming  such? 

Human  respect  has  something  to  do  with  girls 
who  attempt  ^tudie,s  which  are  above  them.  Some 
few  girls  of  exccplional  talents,  and  others  just 
cajjablc  of  getting  a  smattering  of  higher  studies, 
go  in  for  them;  and  tlien  parents,  who  do  not  like 
to  think  that  tlieir  children  are  not  clever,  but 
who  wish  them  to  be  on  a  level  with  those  mentioned 
above,  insist  that  their  daughters  follow  their 
example.  With  what  results?  Well,  as  has  been 
often  said,  with  the  baneful  results  that  other 
more  necessary  and  useful  studies,  of  which  they 
were  capable,  have  been  neglected;  and  that  they 
become  what  may  be  fairly  called  muddle-headed 
by  attempting  a  study  for  which  they  have  no 
talent. 

P'enelon  dreaded,  above  all,  women  too  learned 
in  tiieology,  and  with  good  a-ason,  for  some  such 
helped  to  get  the  great  Archbishop  of  Cambrai 
into  difficulties;  besides,  downright  iXK)r  theologians 
women  would  make,  because  not  intended  or  gifted 
by  God  for  such  a  study.  "I  would  much  prefer," 
he  s.ays,  "that  she  should  be  well  versed  in  the 
housekeeping  and  accounts  than  in  the  dispute 
of  theologians  about  grace."  At  the  same  time, 
a  really  solid  knowledge  of  the  catechism,  philos- 
ophy and  theolog)'  of  a  certain  kind,  ought  to  hold 
a  prominent  place  in  the  education  of  girls.  Their 
teachers  should  instruct  them  in  the  great  founda- 


The  Religious  Education  of  Children.  395 

tion  truths  of  Christianity;  in  the  defined  dogmas 
of  the  Church;  in  the  principles  and  practices 
which  they  should  esteem  if  they  are  to  be  good 
children  of  the  Church;  also  in  the  strongest  and 
easiest-understood  arguments  in  favor  of  these; 
all  given,  however,  in  a  manner  at  once  interesting 
and  suited  to  their  capacity. 


JLXXXVi,  Eftc  asiessins  from  gifioiie. 

IN  the  days  of  the  Jewisli  king  Ahab,  the 
fountains  of  heaven  were  closed  for  the 
space  of  three  years.  During  all  this  time  no  rain 
fell,  so  that  the  rivers  and  springs  were  dried  uj., 
and  men  and  beasts  died  of  tliirst.  At  length  the 
prophet  Elias  ascended  to  the  summit  of  Mount 
Carmel  and  earnestly  besought  God  to  send  rain 
upon  the  earth.  Then,  as  we  read  in  Scripture, 
"the  heaven  grew  dark  with  clouds  and  wind,  and 
there  fell  a  great  rain." 

A  similar  occurrence  took  place  on  the  day  of 
Pentecost;  the  spiritual  rain  of  those  celestial 
graces  which  are  shed  abroad  by  the  Holy  Ghost 
was  poured  down  at  Jerusalem.  It  refreshed  and 
animated  the  hearts  of  the  followers  of  Jesus,  so 
that  they  at  once  began  to  blossom  and  bear  rich 
and  abundant  fruit. 

2.  To  parents  and  families  is  committed  the 
difficult  and  important  task  of  training  cluldren 
aright.  In  order  to  do  this  they  need  that  heavenly 
rain,  the  blessing  from  above,  the  fertilizing  grace 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.  But  how  are  they  to  obtain 
this  blessing?  They  must  do  the  same  as  Elias 
did  on  the  summit  of  Carmel,  as  the  disciples 
of    the  Lord   did    before    the   feast  of  Pentecost. 


396  Family  Life. 

Of  tliese  latter  we  read:  "They  were  all  to- 
gether in  one  place."  And  elsewhere  it  is  said: 
"All  these  were  [XTsevering  with  one  mind  in 
prayer."  Through  ])raycr,  and  through  prayer 
alone,  did  Elias  obtain  the  natural  rain  from  above, 
and  by  the  same  means  the  disciples  of  Jesus 
obtained  the  supernatural  blessing,  the  grace  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.  Tliose  who  have  to  undertake 
the  great  work  of  education  can  obtain  the  blessing 
from  above,  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  only  by 
means  of  prayer. 

3.  It  is  well  known  that  what  is  planted  in  youth 
bears"  fruit  in  old  age.  Habit  Ix'comes  a  second 
nature.  Those  who  have  learned  in  their  child- 
hood to  pray  aright  will  not  finally  be  lost  though 
they  may  wander  for  a  time  from  the  right  way. 
But  suppose  through  the  carelessness  of  teachers 
a  child  should  not  have  learned  how  to  pray — he 
may  be  lost;  in  this  case  the  guilt  will  be  laid  at 
their  door! 

When  the  apostle  St.  John  was  upon  one  occasion 
visiting  a  Christian  community,  he  saw  a  promising 
youth  who  as  yet  had  not  Ix-en  baptized.  He 
sought  to  win  him  over  to  Christianity,  and  said 
to  the  bishop  of  the  place:  "Look  after  this  young 
man.  I  commit  him  to  thy  care  in  the  presence 
of  Jesus   Christ   and   of  this  entire   community." 

The  bishop  took  the  greatest  pains  with  him, 
but  only  until  he  was  baptized;  after  that  his  zeal 
grew  cold.  The  young  man  got  into  bad  company; 
he  went  so  far  as  to  join  a  band  of  highwaymen, 
and  became  their  chief.  Some  years  later  St.  John 
revisited  the  same  community  and  asked  the 
bishop  to  give  him  an  account  of  the  young  man 
who  had  been  confided  to  his  care.  The  bishop 
cast  down  his  eyes,  and  said:  "Alas!  he  is  dead!" 


The  Religious  Education  of  Children.  397 

"Dead,  do  you  say?"  exclaimed  the  apostle, 
"and  what  death  did  he  die?"  "He  is  dead  in 
the  sight  of  God,"  replied  the  bishop;  "he  became 
a  scoundrel,  a  highwayman!"  On  hearing  these 
words  St.  John  wept  aloud,  crying  out:  "Alas!  to 
what  a  keeper  did  I  entrust  the  soul  of  my  brother!" 

4.  The  child  is  also  a  pledge,  like  this  young 
man,  a  pledge  which  God  confides  to  its  parents 
in  the  presence  of  Jesus  Christ  and  of  His  Church, 
in  order  that  it  may  be  cherished  and  cared  for. 
In  their  hands  He  has  placed  it;  from  their  hands 
will  He  require  it  again.  When,  on  the  great  day 
of  final  account,  they  stand  before  His  judgment- 
seat.  He  will  address  to  them  this  question:  "Par- 
ents, where  are  your  children,  where  are  the  souls 
I  committed  to  your  care?"  Woe  to  the  parents 
if,  Hke  that  bishop,  they  are  compelled  to  reply: 
"They  are  dead,  dead  in  the  sight  of  God,  lost 
to  heaven,  and  all  through  our  fault!" 

Therefore  must  parents  and  teachers  keep  those 
entrusted  to  their  care  from  evil,  by  precept  and 
example,  by  watchfulness  and  punishment;  they 
must  lead  them  in  the  path  of  virtue  on  the  road 
to  heaven. 

5.  In  so  doing  they  must  not  forget  the  most 
important  thing  of  all — they  must  pray  with  the 
child  and  for  the  child.  They  must  begin  and 
end  with  prayer,  for  without  this  all  their  efforts 
will  avail  little  or  nothing.  Only  by  praying  with 
and  for  the  child  can  its  heart  be  raised  to  God,  can 
it  be  led  on  the  road  to  heaven,  to  eternal  blessed- 
ness. Prayer  is  sometimes  the  only  means  which 
can  be  employed  to  save  a  child.  When,  for  instance, 
a  son  or  a  daughter  has  already  entered  upon  a 
course  of  sin,  no  advice,  no  warnings  can  be  of  any 
more  avail,  and  their  age  renders  the  infliction  of 


398  Family  Life. 

any  form  of  punishment  entirely  out  of  the  ques- 
tion.    In  such  a  case  vvliat  remains  but  prayer  ? 

6.  A  mother  had  an  only,  darling  son,  who, 
though  full  of  promise,  was  the  child  of  many 
sorrows.  For  when  the  gifted  boy  grew  to  be  a 
young  man  he  followed  in  the  steps  of.  his  heathen 
father.  Tiefore  he  was  sixteen  he  lost  his  innocence, 
and  sank  deej^er  and  deeper  in  sin.  A  few  years 
later  he  even  went  so  far  as  to  boast  of  his  wicked- 
ness. This  was  a  bitter  grief  indeed  for  his  un- 
happy mother!  But  Monica  was  a  Christian;  she 
was  more  than  this— she  was  a  saint.  For  si.x- 
teen  long  years  she  prayed  most  earnestly  for  the 
conversion  of  her  son.  So  fervent  were  her  [jeti- 
tions  that  a  holy  bishop  said  to  her:  "The  child 
of  so  many  prayers  and  tears  can  never  be  lost." 
And  since  she  persevered  with  confidence  in  prayer, 
from  a  great  sinner  Augustine  her  son  became  a 
great  saint. 

7.  But  how  is  the  blessing  from  above  to  be 
sought;  in  what  way  ought  prayer  to  lie  made? 
First  and  foremost  family  prayer  in  the  household 
is  necessary.  Thanks  be  to  God  that  tliis  pious 
custom  of  having  daily  prayers  in  common  is 
observed  in  many  families;  although  in  numerous 
others  it  is  totally  neglected. 

Yet  it  is  family  prayer  which  imparts  to  the  house- 
hold a  truly  Christian  character,  and  procures  for 
it  happiness  and  blessings.  Such  prayer  as  this 
unites  all  hearts;  it  is  a  sight  to  rejoice  the  angels, 
a  sweet,  melodious  sound  in  the  ear  of  God. 

A  family  which  thus  prays  is  a  strong  tower 
against  which  no  hostile  eflforts  can  prevail  In 
the  course  of  time  the  children  must  go  forth  into 
the  world  and  be  exjx)sed  to  a  thousand  dangers 
and  temptations.     They  can  no  longer  hear  the 


Tlie  Housewife's  Adorning.  399 

affectionate  entreaties  of  their  mother,  the  grave 
warnings  of  their  father;  one  thing  must,  however, 
always  remain  with  them — the  impression  of  the 
pious  life  which  was  led  and  the  prayers  which 
were  said  so  fervently  and  regularly  in  their  parents' 
house. 

8.  My  dear  child,  you  will  probably  have  to 
occupy  yourself  at  a  later  period  in  one  way  or 
another  with  the  training  of  cliildren;  this  should 
furnish  you  with  an  additional  reason  for  learning 
at  the  present  time  to  love  prayer  and  to  be  diligent 
in  its  practice.  A  great  variety  of  oral  prayers  and 
devotional  exercises  is  not  so  important  as  the 
inward  spirit  of  prayer,  the  conviction  of  its  necessity, 
the  confidence  in  its  power.  Such  is  the  spirit  in 
which  the  training  of  children  ought  to  be  con- 
ducted. 

O  Christian  parents,  my  counsel  heed: 
In  your  children's  hearts  implant  good  seed; 
God's  blessing  will  on  your  household  rest 
If  truly  you  follow  His  behest. 


3.  Ube  Ibouscwife's  H&orning. 

aXXXUJrfi.  ascautiful  appnrrl. 

I.  'Tp^  APPINESS  or  miser}%  peace  or  dis- 
r*-^  quiet,  the  good  or  bad  training  of 
the  cnildren — all  depend  in  the  first  place  on  the 
wife  and  mother.  If  the  husband  be  ever  so  vicious 
and  irreligious,  the  family  will  yet  go  on  compara- 
tively well  if  the  mother  is  truly  good,  pious,  and 
intelligent.  If,  on  the  contrary,  the  mother  is 
shiftless  and  unfaithful  to  her  duties,  the  prospects 
are  bad  for  the  family  no  matter  how  saintly  the 


400  Family  Life. 

father  may  be.  "No  better  description  of  a  model 
housewife  can  p>ossibly  be  found  than  that  which 
tlie  Holy  Ghost  gives  us  in  the  Proverbs  of  Solomon. 
In  the  31st  chapter  we  read  as  follows:  "Who  sh?ll 
find  a  valiant  woman?  the  price  of  her  is  as  of  things 
brought  from  afar  off  and  from  the  uttermost  coasts. 
The  heart  of  her  husband  trusteth  in  her,  and  he 
shall  have  no  need  of  sjwils.  She  will  render 
him  good,  and  not  evil,  all  the  days  of  her  life. 
She  hath  tasted  and  seen  that  her  traffic  is  good; 
her  lamp  slviU  not  be  put  out  in  the  night.  She 
hath  opened  her  mouth  to  wisdom,  and  the  law 
of  clemency  is  on  her  tongue  She  hath  looked 
well  to  the  paths  of  her  house,  and  hath  not  eaten 
her  bread  idle.  Her  children  rose  up,  and  called 
her  blessed;  her  husband,  and  he  praLsed  her. 
Favor  is  deceitful  and  lx;aut)'  is  vain:  the  woman 
that  feareth  the  Lord,  she  shall  be  praised." 

2.  This  description  furnishes  us  with  a  lifelike 
portrait  of  the  industrious  housewife,  occupied, 
as  she  constantly  is,  in  keeping  her  house  in  good 
order,  and  pleasing  her  husband. 

WTiat  a  thoroughly  cflkient  and  sensible  house- 
wife can  accomplish  is  not  to  be  told  in  words. 
And  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that  the  husband  and 
children  can  not  go  wrong  for  any  length  of  time 
when  tlie  mother  understands  how  to  strike  the 
right  chord,  and  to  be  a  pattern  of  quiet  industry 
and  peaceful,  thrifty  domesticity. 

T,.  Great  and  exalted  therefore  is  the  dignit\'  of 
a  mother.  Of  the  glorious  titles  we  give  to  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  one  of  the  greatest  is,  "Mother 
of  the  Son  of  God."  This  title  shines  as  does  the 
sun  among  the  stars.  And  what  sound  is  more 
melodious  in  our  ears  than  the  sweet  name  of 
motlier? 


The  Housewife's  Adorning.  401 

What  does  not  a  mother  do  and  suffer?  Amid 
pain,  anxiety,  and  care  she  tends  her  child,  she 
watches  beside  it  day  and  night,  she  prays  for  its 
physical  and  mental  well-being,  she  thinks  of  it  at 
all  times.  She  makes  the  child  what  it  is.  A  wise 
bishop  went  so  far  as  to  say  that  the  education  of  a 
child  begins  and  ends  in  its  mother's  lap.  There- 
fore this  precious  garb  of  her  dignity  is  the  pride  of 
every  Christian  housewife  and  mother.  And  for 
the  sake  of  this  dignity  she  gladly  renounces  the 
glitter  and  fame  of  public  life,  the  strenuous  joys 
and  distracting  vanities  of  the  world. 

4.  The  mother's  dignity,  the  mother's  love, 
have  ever  been  respected  and  extolled  in  all  ages 
and  among  all  nations,  civilized  or  uncivilized. 
Christian  or  pagan.  This  is  proved  by  the  numer- 
ous proverbs  and  quaint  rhymes  which  are  found 
belonging  to  all  times  and  all  climes,  such  as  the 
following: 

"The  mother  is  old 
But  her  love  is  not  cold; 
Be  he  wayward  and  wild 
Yet  she  dotes  on  her  child." 

"A  mother's  love  is  new  every  morning." 
"Better  lose  a  rich  father  than  a  poor  mother." 
"Without   a  mother,"   say   the  Russians,     "the 

children  are  lost  as  much  as  bees  without  their 

queen." 

In   nearly   all   countries   one   meets   with   some 

popular  saying  to  the  effect  that  "a  poor  mother 

will    support    seven    children    sooner    than    seven 

children  will  support  their  mother." 
These  examples  might  be  multiplied  indefinitely; 

the  truths  they  express  may  well  fill  the  maternal 

heart  with  joy  and  pride. 


402  Family  Life. 

5.  The  robe  of  maternal  dignity  appears  espe- 
cially precious  when  we  think  of  the  glorious  reward 
which  is  the  portion  of  the  good  Christian  motlicr. 
Her  reward  will  indeed  be  great  both  on  earth  and 
in  eternity. 

Children,  as  a  rule,  cling  to  their  mother  and  love 
her  with  grateful  and  abiding  affection.  The  little 
child  gives  proof  of  this  as  soon  as  it  Ix-gins  to  walk. 
How  it  clings  to  its  mother's  gown,  and  follows  her 
step  by  step!  And  do  not  you,  my  dear  daughter, 
place  implicit  confidence  in  your  mother  lx;cause 
you  know  that  she  always  has  your  best  interests 
at  heart?  Do  you  not  confide  the  inmost  secrets 
of  your  heart  to  your  mother?  Even  grown-up 
sons  and  daughters,  when  they  think  of  marrying, 
seek  advice  from  their  mother  in  preference  to 
any  one  else. 

This  confidence  is  based  upon  an  ordinance  of 
divine  providence,  and  only  in  God  and  the  saints 
ought  childrcr^  to  place  greater  confidence  than 
they  do  in  their  mother. 

6.  And  how  glorious  a  reward  awaits  the  good, 
faithful  Christian  mother  on  the  other  side  of  the 
grave.  Our  good  God,  with  ^lary  and  all  the 
angels  and  saints,  will  welcome  a  soul  adorned  with 
the  twofold  rolic  of  sanctifying  grace  and  the 
dignity  of  a  pious,  Christian  mother.  Great 
indeed  will  be  her  reward  in  heaven. 

7.  My  dear  child,  let  the  consideration  of  the 
dignity  of  a  Christian  mother  furnish  you  with  a 
fresh  motive  for  esteeming  your  own  mother  all 
the  more  highly,  for  loving  her  all  the  more  dearly, 
for  striving  all  the  more  earnestly  to  give  her 
pleasure.  Above  all,  remain  the  faithful  child 
of  your  heavenly  Mother,  of  whom  we  speak  in 
the  familiar  lines: 


The  Housewife's  Adorning.  403 

A  mother's  love,  how  fond  and  true, 

Never  failing,  daily  new; 

Mary,  dearest  Mother  mine, 

Be  gracious  to  this  child  of  thine. 

HXXXlTJ-XJr.  <!GoI&  ©rnamcnts. 

1.  "TTN  order  that  woman  may  obtain  firmness 
•-L,     of  character,  strength  for  the  fulfilment 

of  her  arduous  duties,  endurance  for  her  toilsome 
life  of  self-sacrifice,  she  needs  the  true  religious 
spirit  and  genuine  piety.  "Take  religion  away 
from  woman,"  a  French  writer  says,  "and  she  is 
deprived  of  morality  also;  in  that  case  she  is 
nothing  but  a  whited  sepulchre,  wherein  abide 
corruption  and  decay."  Especially  does  the 
hoHseuiije  need  religion  to  accomplish  her  lofty 
task,  namely,  to  cultivate  religion  in  her  family, 
to  instruct  her  children  in  its  truths,  and  thus  to 
become  the  priestess  of  the  domestic  shrine.  Before 
ever}'thing  else  she  must  be  adorned  with  "he 
golden  ornaments  of  true  and  fervent  piety. 

2.  In  the  cemetery  attached  to  the  Church  of 
St.  Louis  at  Versailles  (near  Paris),  this  epitaph 
may  be  seen  inscribed  in  large  letters  on  the  tomb- 
stone of  a  married  woman:  "Domi  niansit." 
This  epitaph  may  be  read  thus:  "She  did  her 
duty  in  the  bosom  of  her  family."  These  words 
imply  also  that  she  was  genuinely  religious,  that 
she  promoted  true,  unfeigned  piety  in  her  house- 
hold, and  strove  with  all  her  might  to  kindle  the 
sacred  flame  of  faith,  of  devotion,  and  of  charity, 
in  all  the  members  of  her  family. 

This  is  the  first  duty  of  every  Christian  wife. 
She  ought  to  be  a  faithful  follower  of  the  Mother  of 
God.     And   where   will   she   find   the   jMother   of 


404  Family  Life. 

God  if  she  wishes  to  tread  in  her  footsteps?  At 
the  foot  of  tlie  cross  on  Calvary,  and  in  tlie  house  of 
Nazareth.  The  Catholic  wife  must  strive  to 
imitate  Mary  in  that  house,  and  if  she  does  this  her 
soul  will  not  Ix:  lacking  in  the  bright  ornament  of 
true  piety.  For  in  tiie  house  of  Nazareth  will  the 
housewife  learn  to  enter  into  and  appreciate  the 
inmost  meaning  of  those  words,  "Behold  the 
handmaid  of  the  Lord;  be  it  done  unto  me  accord- 
ing to  thy  word."  And  there  will  her  heart,  which 
is  destined  for  sacrifice  and  anxiety,  find  strength 
to  resist  its  own  weakness;  faith  and  piety  will 
render  it  strong  and  invincible. 

3.  If  the  soul  of  a  housewife  is  truly  given  to 
God,  if  grace  perfects  all  that  is  best  in  her  natural 
character,  she  becomes,  if  I  may  so  speak,  a  magnet 
which  draws  all  hearts  to  God.  She  preaches  with- 
out words,  and  the  more  quiet  and  unobtrusive  her 
influence  is,  the  more  effectually  does  it  work.  With 
gentle  force  she  draws  those  around  her  to  God, 
just  as  a  l)eautiful  portrait  awakens  pleasing  recol- 
lections of  a  person  whom  you  have  dearly  loved. 

More  yet  does  true  piety  effect  in  the  life  of  a 
housewife.  It  gives  her  a  strength  which  over- 
comes all  opposition,  a  power  of  endurance  which 
shrinks  from  no  difficulties,  a  sweetness  which 
makes  bitter  things  pleasant,  and  causes  her  heart 
to  become  a  fountain  of  perennial  gladness. 

It  is  no  wonder  that  a  hou.sewife  such  as  we  have 
just  described  should  excite  surprise  in  worldlings, 
that  they  sliould  marvel  to  behold  her  cheerful- 
ness and  patience  under  the  most  trying  circum- 
stances. They  are  ignorant  of  its  cause;  they 
know  nothing  of  the  ever-flowing  stream  of  living 
faith  which  imparts  to  her  new  power,  fre.sh  strength 
and  courage,  increased  confidence  in  God. 


The  Housewife^s  Adorning.  405 

4.  I  will  now  give  you,  at  some  length,  an  account 
of  a  housewife  such  as  I  have  described,  one  who 
was  richly  adorned  with  the  jewels  of  true  piety. 
Touched  by  grace,  and  brought  to  a  knowledge 
of  the  truth,  this  woman  led  a  pious  life,  serving 
God  in  word  and  in  deed.  Her  husband,  on 
the  contrary,  was  an  enemy  of  Christianity  and 
the  slave  of  sin.  On  the  occasion  of  a  carouse 
with  his  boon  companions  the  conversation  hap- 
pened to  turn  upon  the  failings  and  the  good 
qualities  of  women.  He  was  never  tired  of  praising 
his  wife  and  descanting  upon  her  merits.  "She 
possesses  every  excellence  which  can  possibly  be 
found  in  a  woman.  She  is  really  a  model  wife. 
But  you  must  take  her  pious  whims  into  the  bargain. 
She  has  her  passionr  and  emotions  under  perfect 
control.  If  I  were  to  take  you,  my  friends,  to  my 
house  at  midnight,  and  bid  her  get  up  and  prepare 
a  meal  for  you,  I  bet  that  she  would  do  it  at  once 
as  cheerfully  and  pleasantly  as  possible." 

5.  Those  present  made  a  bet,  challenging  him  to 
put  to  a  test  what  he  had  just  said.  They  repaired 
to  his  house  at  twelve  o'clock  at  night.  "Where 
is  your  mistress,"  the  husband  inquired  of  the  maid 
servant.  "She  went  to  bed  a  long  time  ago,"  was 
the  reply.  "Call  her,  and  tell  her  to  get  up  at 
once  and  prepare  luncheon  for  me  and  my  friends." 
The  wife  arose  without  delay,  greeted  the  company 
in  the  most  cordial  manner,  and  told  them  that 
the  meal  would  soon  be  ready.  WTien  it  was 
placed  upon  the  table  she  waited  upon  the  guests, 
just  as  if  she  had  invited  them  and  they  had  made 
their  appearance  at  a  perfectly  convenient  time. 

At  length  they  could  no  longer  conceal  their 
admiration.  "Madam,"  said  one  of  them,  "your 
courtesy    amazes    us.     Our    appearance    at    this 


406  Fatniiy  Life. 

unusual  hour  is  the  result  of  a  wager  we  laid  with 
your  husband;  we  have  lost  it.  But  pray  tell  us 
what  it  is  wliich  enables  you  to  treat  us  in  so  friendly 
a  manner,  since  you  certainly  cannot  apjjrove  of 
oiu"  way  of  going  on  ?" 

6.  She  answered  pleasantly:  "Gentlemen,  when 
my  husband  anrl  I  were  married,  we  were  Iwth 
living  in  sin.  It  pleased  God  to  arouse  me  from 
this  state.  My  husband  is  still  walking  in  the 
broad  path,  and  I  tremble  for  his  future  fate. 
Were  he  to  die  in  his  present  condition  how  sad 
would  be  his  lot  on  the  other  side  of  the  grave! 
Therefore  it  is  my  duty  at  least  to  make  his  life 
here  below  as  agreeable  as  possible." 

All  present  were  surprised  and  touched  by  this 
answer,  which  made  a  great  impression  upon  her 
husband.  "My  dear  wife,"  he  said,  "are  you 
really  so  concerned  about  my  salvation?  I  thank 
you  for  your  affectionate  warning;  with  the  help 
of  God  I  will  become  a  changed  man."  And 
he  did  indeed  reform  his  manner  of  life;  he  became 
a  true  Christian  and  the  best  of  husbands  to  tlie 
faithful  wife,  who,  adorned  with  true  and  sincere 
piety,  had  so  lovingly  stood  at  his  side. 

7.  In  this  instance  we  have  exemplified  the 
saying  of  St.  Paul:  "Godliness  is  profitable  to  all 
things."  Tlierefore,  my  daughter,  in  .vhatcver 
state  of  life  you  may  be,  endeavor  to  cultivate  tnic 
and  genuine  piety.  God  has  implanted  piety  in 
your  heart.  Ever  bear  in  mind  that  the  practice 
of  true  piety  wall  not  only  win  for  you  a  rich  store 
of  merit  in  the  world  to  come,  but  will  also  obtain 
the  blessing  of  God  in  the  present  life.  By  culti- 
vating true  piety  you  will  assuredly  possess  peace 
of  heart,  peace  with  God  and  man. 


The  HoxisGU'ife's  Adorning.  407 

axXXtX.  IDiamouiJs, 

1.  'y/\  ■'OMEN,  whether  married  or  unmarried, 
^Jt>^     love  external  ornament;  they  like  to 

be  well-dressed,  to  wear  gold  rings,  bracelets,  and 
necklaces  set  with  precious  stones.  The  house- 
wife should  indeed  be  decked  with  lovely  gems,  but 
her  adorning  should  be  inward— the  adorning  of 
the  heart.  .By  this  is  meant  that  the  housewife 
ought  to  possess  the  virtues  that  are  most  nec- 
essary for  family  life — in  particular,  docility  and 
patience.  These  housewn'fely  virtues,  her  most 
becoming  ornament,  ought  to  be  lasting  and  in- 
destructible, emitting  a  bright  and  genial  lustre, 
like  two  diamonds  of  tlie  first  water. 

2.  The  first  diamond  in  a  wife's  crown  of  virtuca 
is  docility.  Eve  was  the  first  to  commit  sin  and 
on  her  the  sentence  of  punishment  was  passed  first. 
The  words  of  this  sentence  apply  equally  to  all  her 
feminine  posterity:  "Thou  shall  be  under  thy  hus- 
band's power,  and  he  shall  have  dominion  over  thee." 

The  apostle  Paul  speaks  most  explicitly  of  the 
obedience  due  from  a  wife.  In  his  Epistle  to  the 
Ephesians  he  says:  "Let  women  be  subject  to 
their  husbands,  as  to  the  Lord:  Because  the  husband 
is  the  head  of  the  wife ;  as  Christ  is  the  head  of  the 
Church." 

3.  In  the  household,  therefore,  the  husband  is 
lord  and  master;  his  wife,  his  children,  the  men 
servants  and  the  maids  are  subject  to  him.  Would 
that  women  knew  how  much  wiser  it  is  to  rest 
content  with  the  position  God  has  assigned  to 
them!  How  much  dissension,  how  much  vexation, 
how  many  disagreeable  scenes  in  family  life  would 
thus  be  avoided! 


408  Family  Life. 

Many  a  wife  will  say  with  more  or  less  justice 
that  her  husband  is  stu[)id  and  tactless,  without 
talent  for  business,  and  wanting  in  energ)'.  In 
this  case,  the  wife  ought  to  endeavor  to  supply  his 
deficiencies  and  in  a  gentle,  kindly  spirit,  help  him 
to  manage  his  affairs,  without  any  assumption  of 
dictatorial  authority. 

4.  Patience  is  another  precious  diamond  in  the 
Christian  housewife's  crown  of  virtues.  A  wife 
ought  to  know  the  character,  the  disposition,  and 
the  inclinations  of  her  husband,  and  carefully  avoid 
whatever  excites  him  to  anger.  A  misunderstanding 
and  consequent  contentions  may  arise,  however, 
and  lead  to  an  outbreak  of  passion  on  the  part 
of  the  husband.  In  that  case,  a  good  wife  will 
not  exHSix^ate  him  still  more  by  seeking  to  have 
the  last  word  in  the  quarrel;  a  wise  and  discreet 
wife  will  try  to  restore  prace  and  harmony  as 
speedily  as  possible.  She  will  not  say:  "The  right 
is    n  my  side." 

All  contentious  persons  persist  in  saying  they  are 
in  the  right.  But  the  Christian  housewife,  who 
knows  that  self-denial  is  required  of  her,  is  content 
to  lay  her  right  on  the  altar  of  peace,  and^keep 
silence.  A  woman's  most  powerful  weapon  is 
patience,  not  vehemence.  If  she  wants  to  nile, 
let  her  cultivate  a  sweet  and  gentle  disposition. 
She  can  do  nothing,  gain  nothing,  by  force,  whereas 
with  patient  \visdom  and  wise  patience  she  will 
succeed  in  getting  her  own  way. 

5.  But  I  hear  some  wife  or  other  say:  "That  is 
all  verj'  well,  but  how  is  one  to  keep  one's  patience 
with  a  man  who  is  such  a  bad  husband,  who  is 
addicted  to  drink,  who  squanders  his  money  and 
is  a  regular  tyrant?"  Under  such  circumstances 
all  a  M'ife  can  do  is  to  bear  with  her  husband's  bad 


The  Housewtfe^s  Adorning.  409 

ways  in  a  spirit  of  penance,  and  earn  for  herself 
that  happiness  after  death  which  is  promised  to 
the  meek  and  to  the  peacemakers.  Unless  she 
views  her  trials  in  this  light,  she  will  have  much 
to  suffer  here  without  the  prospect  of  reward  here- 
after; nay  more,  she  will  have  a  twofold  punish- 
ment, for  her  life  will  be  a  hell  on  earth,  and 
she  will  not  escape  the  torment  of  hell  for  all 
eternity. 

6.  There  is  one  thing  more  which  a  good  wife 
can  do  for  a  bad  husband — she  can  exert  herself 
to  the  utmost  for  his  conversion  and  never  grow 
weary  until  her  end  is  gained,  after  the  example 
of  St.  Monica. 

I  heard  recently  of  a  truly  Christian  wife  who 
acted  in  this  way.  The  more  rude  and  unkind  her 
husband  was,  the  more  meek  and  gentle  she  be- 
came. At  the  same  time  she  prayed  constantly  to 
God,  with  tears,  imploring  Him  to  touch  her  hus- 
band's heart  and  bring  him  to  a  better  mind.  Wliat 
was  the  result?  One  morning  the  man  said  to  his 
long-suffering  wife:  "Dear  wife,  we  cannot  go  on 
in  this  way.  You  are  an  angel,  and  I  am  a  very 
devil.  We  are  ill-matched  and  cannot  live  together 
any  longer  as  we  have  been  doing.  I  have  deter- 
mined to  abandon  my  evil  ways,  and  from  this  day 
forth  I  mean  to  lead  a  new  life,  as  becomes  a  Christ- 
ian." The  man  kept  his  word.  Thus  we  see 
how  patience  and  endurance  conquered  at  last. 

7.  You  must  not,  however,  think  that  dociHty 
and  patience  are  virtues  wherewith  it  behooves 
you  to  adorn  yourself  only  in  later  years;  on  the 
contrary,  they  must  be  learned  and  practised  in 
your  youthful  days.  T  have  told  you  of  this  re- 
peatedly and  emphatically.  Obedience  is  the  virtue 
which  the  young  pre-eminently  ought  to  possess. 


ilO  Family  Life. 

Sec  that  you  cultivate  it,  and  practise  it  conscien 
tiously  in  regard  to  your  parents  and  su|)eriors. 

And  since  you  will  find  tliat  the  brigiit  roses  of 
the  springtime  of  your  life  are  not  without  thorns, 
the  thorns  of  sorrows  and  vexations,  abundant 
opportunity  will  lx>  afforded  you  for  the  exercise  of 
patience.  Make  good  use  of  these  occasions,  and 
thus  prepare  to  bear  the  sufferings  of  the  days  to 
come.     Be  patient! 

O  praise  thou  ihc  Lord,  give  thanks  to  His  name, 
With  heart  and  with  voice  His  goodness  proclaim; 
To  Him  have  recourse  whatever  thy  grief. 
He  will,  the  mighty  One,  bring  thee  relief. 

X^,  l^rctious  Stoiie0. 

T.  *y  1*  LEARNED  prelate  has  well  said: 
gjr^  "Where  God  has  set  up  an  altar  in 
the  heart  of  the  wife  and  mother,  the  whole  house 
becomes  a  temple  dedicated  to  His  service."  Now, 
for  that  verj'  reason  the  house  at  Nazareth  where 
the  holy  family  dwelt  was  a  temple,  since  God  had 
literally  erected  an  altar,  made  an  abode  for  Himself, 
in  the  heart  of  Joseph's  holy  spouse.  In  a  certain 
sense  this  ought  to  be  true  of  every  mother  of  a 
family.  If  the  household  is  to  be  a  happy  one  it  is 
not  enough  for  the  father  to  be  virtuous;  it  is 
equally,  nay  more  important  that  the  mother  should 
be  so  too.  And  to  complete  her  set  of  jewel  like 
virtues,  liesides  the  two  diamonds  of  which  we  have 
spoken — docility  and  patience — she  must  possess 
three  more  bright,  sparkling,  and  precious  stones. 

2.  First  and  foremost  is  the  bright  red  ruby  of 
conjugal  affection;  it  must,  however,  be  the  true, 
genuine  love  of  a  wife  for  her  husband.  What  is 
too  often  the  exp<,'rience  of  those  who  have  not  long 


The  Houseivife's  Adorning.  411 

been  married?  As  soon  as  they  find  out  each 
other's  faults  and  faihngs,  when  the  roveUy  has 
worn  off,  when  toil  and  trouble  and  cares  weigh 
upon  them,  then,  as  the  saying  is,  love  flies  out  of 
the  window.  "Would  that  I  had  never  married!" 
many  a  young  wife  has  been  heard  to  say.  But 
the  truly  Christian  wife  does  not  lose  heart  so  easily. 
\Vlien  the  first  passionate  love  has  died  out,  it  is 
replaced  by  a  nobler,  truer  affection,  one  which 
death  cannot  destroy,  and  which  lives  beyond  the 
grave.  The  virtuous  wife  will  love  her  husband 
because  God  commands  her  to  love  him,  because 
it  is  her  duty  to  love  hun. 

3.  The  early  training  of  the  children  naturally 
falls  chiefly  to  the  wife  and  mother.  On  this 
account  Almighty  God  has  adorned  her  heart  with 
a  precious  jewel,  the  crimson-hued  jasper  of 
maternal  love.  What  the  warm  sunbeams  are  to  a 
flower-garden,  this  love  is  to  the  soul  of  the  little 
child.  Many  flowers  unfold  their  blossoms  only 
in  the  sun,  and  close  them  as  soon  as  it  ceases  to 
shine.  Children  are,  as  it  were,  plants  in  the 
garden  of  the  Lord,  the  Christian  family.  Love 
must,  like  the  sun,  warm  their  hearts,  and  cause 
their  minds  to  open  to  what  is  good  and  true 
and  beautiful.  Wherefore  the  sun  of  a  mother's 
love  must  never  be  obscured  and  darkened  by 
the  clouds  of  ill-temper  or  of  low  spirits;  otherwise, 
the  happy  heart  of  childhood  will  itself  be  over- 
shadowed with  gloom.  On  the  other  hand,  how 
the  child  delights  to  look  into  the  kindly,  loving 
eyes  of  its  mother,  and  how  gladly  it  drinks  in  her 
teaching ! 

4.  Thus  the  precious  jewel  of  maternal  love  is 
a  powerful  factor  in  the  early  training  of  children. 
An  experienced  Christian  author  says:    "A  child's 


412  Family  Life. 

education  is  alniost  complctt'd  in  the  first  five  years 
spent  at  his  mother's  knee,  in  the  sunsiiine  of  her 
love.  Whatever  qualities  or  tendencies  are  devel- 
oped in  him  in  after  years,  the  seed  of  them  was 
sown  by  his  mother  in  his  early  childhood.  The 
impressions  made  on  the  soft  soil  of  the  child's 
heart,  so  sensitive  to  all  that  is  good  and  beautiful, 
are  never  obliterated  all  his  life  long." 

Children  who  grow  up  without  the  fostering  care 
of  a  mother's  love  very  often  become  selfish, 
secretive,  morose,  ready  for  all  sorts  of  tricks. 
Therefore  the  jasper  of  maternal  affection  ought 
to  shine  prominently  amongst  the  jewels  that  adorn 
the  mother  of  a  family. 

5.  The  same  may  be  said  of  a  third  precious 
stone — the  sky-blue  turquoise  of  Uwe  of  order.  God 
Himself  loves  order.  That  is  why  He  maintains 
that  wonderful  order  which  is  observed  in  the 
universe,  in  all  Nature.  For  man,  too,  order  has 
a  powerful  attraction;  it  contributes  greatly  to  his 
comfort.  It  is  to  a  great  extent  due  to  the  strict 
order  which  prevails,  even  in  the  most  minute 
details,  in  convents,  that  one  finds  more  contented 
and  cheerful  individuals  there  than  anywhere  else. 
However  small  and  poverty-stricken  a  house  may 
appear,  however  simple  and  ordinary  its  inmates 
may  be,  if  their  family  life  is  conducted  in  an  orderly 
manner,  if  they  are  regular  in  their  habits  and 
everything  is  done  at  the  right  time  and  in  the  right 
place,  that  household  will  be  a  happy  one,  and  one 
will  feel  himself  at  home  there  despite  the  plain 
surroundings. 

But  if  in  the  household  over  which  a  young  wife 
presides,  cleanliness  and  order  do  not  prevail,  if 
ever\'thing  13  untidy  and  in  confusion,  there  is  no 
need  to  inquire  what  sort  of  person  the  mistress 


Tlie  Housetvife^s  Adorning.  413 

of  that  house  is;  one  may  take  it  for  granted  that 
she  is  quite  incompetent  and  that  but  Httle  liappiness 
will  be  found  in  that  family.  For,  as  Chateaubriand 
says:  "  If  happiness  really  exists  here  below,  it  is 
undoubtedly  in  an  orderly,  well-regulated  family." 

6.  Look  in  imagination  at  the  interior  of  the 
quiet  house  at  Nazareth  where  the  holy  family 
dwelt.  Would  it  not  seem  akin  to  blasphemy  to 
suppose  that  the  Blessed  Virgin  did  not  keep  her 
house  in  perfect  order?  Everything  in  it  was 
doubtless  poor  and  simple,  but  spotlessly  clean  and 
neat.  How  inviting,  how  comfortable  his  home 
looked,  when  St.  Joseph  came  back  at  eventide 
tired  from  his  day's  work.  Joy  filled  his  heart 
when  the  divine  Child  ran  to  meet  him  and  his  holy 
spouse  stood  at  the  door  ready  to  welcome  him. 
Had  I  a  painter's  skill,  how  much  I  should  like  to 
depict  this  charming  scene  in  lifeHke  tints  upon  the 
canvas. 

Only  think  what  a  sense  of  peace  and  happiness 
must  steal  over  the  heart  of  the  husband  when, 
after  working  hard  all  day,  he  comes  home  at  night 
to  be  greeted  with  his  wife's  affectionate  smile; 
when  he  finds  his  evening  meal  ready  and  every- 
thing as  orderly  as  possible.  Love  of  order  is 
certainly  an  essential  virtue  in  a  wife. 

But  not  only  is  it  necessary  for  a  wife,  but  for 
every  woman,  whether  married  or  unmarried. 
See  that  you  cultivate  this  virtue.  Observation 
leads  to  the  conclusion  that  love  of  order  is  an 
almost  unfailing  proof  of  the  presence  of  other 
virtues,  such  as  humility,  obedience,  and  true 
charity  toward  one's  neighbor.  And  at  the  same 
time,  cleanliness,  thrift,  conscientiousness  in  the 
minutest  details  are  inseparable  from  it.  Love  of 
order  is  generally  characteristic  of  women,  but  it 


414  Family  Life. . 

requires  to  be  cultivated  and  brought  into  play  in 
early  youth  if  it  is  to  stand  her  in  good  stead  in 
after  years.  Therefore  let  me  advise  you  to  cultivate 
this  virtue  assiduously;  and  let  your  thoughts  often 
travel  to  the  holy  house  at  Nazareth,  that  you  may 
learn  w^hat  family  life  ought  to  be. 


Ibgrnn  to  tbc  IbolB  jfamllB. 

"■E-^.XPPY  wc,  who  thus  united 
«-*— ^     Join  in  cheerful  melody; 
Praising  Jfsus,  Mary,  Joseph, 
In  the  Holy  Family. 

Jesus,  Mary,  Joseph,  help  us, 
That  we  ever  true  may  be 

To  the  promises  that  bind  us 
To  the  Holy  Family. 

Jesus,  whose  almighty  bidding 

All  created  things  fulfil. 
Lives  on  earth  in  meek  subjection 

To  His  earthly  parents'  will. 

Sweetest  Infant,  make  us  patient 
And  obedient  for  Thy  sake; 

Teach  us  to  be  chaste  and  gentle, 
All  our  stormy  passions  break. 

Mary,  thou  alone  wert  chosen 
To  be  Mother  of  my  Lord; 

Thou  didst  guide  the  early  footsteps 
Of  the  great  Incarnate  Word. 

Dearest  Mother,  make  us  humblC; 

For  thy  Son  will  take  His  rest 
In  the  poor  and  lowly  dwelling 

Of  a  humble  sinner's  breast. 


The  Houseivife's  Adorning.  415 

Joseph,  thou  wert  called  the  father 

Of  thy  Maker  and  thy  Lord; 
Thine  it  was  to  save  thy  Saviour 

From  the  cruel  Herod's  sword. 

Suffer  us  to  call  thee  father, 

Show  to  us  a  father's  love ; 
Lead  us  safe  through  every  danger 

Till  we  meet  in  heaven  above. 


St.  Aloysius,  our  model  and  patron,  pray  for  us  that 
we  may  lead  a  pure  and  holy  life. 


PART  FIFTH— A  FEW  CONCLUDING 
WORDS. 


H  ifew  ConcluMng  MorDs^ 

XCK.  JFarrtocII! 

1.  ^^T^HE  fond  father  and  mother  have  crossed 
^^  the  threshold  of  their  house  to  accom- 
pany their  daughter  a  few  steps  on  her  way,  now 
that  she  is  about  to  leave  home  and  go  out  into  the 
world.  She  is  sixteen  years  old,  and  long  before- 
hand her  excellent  parents  have  prepared  her  for 
this  important  and  critical  step;  many  useful 
instructions,  good  advice,  and  practical  hints  have 
they  given  her  for  the  guidance  of  her  daily  life. 
Now  the  sorrowful  moment  of  parting  has  come, 
they  repeat  with  anxious  hearts  some  of  the  most 
serious  and  weighty  admonitions.  And  when  the 
last  farewell  is  spoken,  and  the  hot  tears  can  no 
longer  be  repressed,  they  say:  "Dearest  child, 
never  forget  our  parting  words.  Remember  them 
in  the  season  of  temptation  and  danger.  May  God 
bless  you  abundantly,  and  give  His  holy  angels 
charge  over  you  to  keep  you  in  all  your  ways." 

Then  the  girl  goes  on  her  way.  But  for  a  long 
time  her  parents  stand  looking  after  her,  their 
lo\'ing  hearts  .wrung  with  inexpressible  grief. 
Involuntarily  they  ask  themselvej  the  anxious 
question:  Will  our  daughter  come  back  to  us  as 
good  and  pious  and  innocent  as  she  now  is? 

2.  In  this  picture  I  have  portrayed  for  you, 
Christian  maiden,  the  thoughts  and  feelings  of  my 
own  heart,  now  that  I  have  come  to  ihe  end  of  my 

419 


420  A  Few  Concluditig  Words. 

instructions.  Vou  have  followed  mc  attentively 
and  patiently  on  the  long  and  toilsome  way,  over 
many  a  stone  of  "must"  and  "ought,"  through  the 
regions  of  serious  duty,  so  unattractive  to  the  natural 
man.  You  have  a  good  will,  and  would  gladly 
profit  by  the  salutary  counsels  and  hints  which  I 
have  given  you  in  the  preceding  pages. 

Well,  then,  I  otTer  you  this  manual  as  a  companion 
in  your  daily  life.  It  rests  with  you  to  be  reminded 
by  it  at  any  and  every  moment  of  what  you  ought 
to  do  and  of  what  you  ought  to  leave  undone ;  you 
must  simply  turn  to  it  for  counsel  by  reading  it 
carefully  and  re{>eatedly. 

But  in  order  to  make  it  easier  for  you  to  remember 
what  you  have  learn  d,  I  will  now  do  as  the  parents 
of  whom  I  have  here  spoken  did  on  taking  leave  of 
their  daughter.  As  my  farewell  word  I  will  briefly 
sum  up  all  that  I  have  said,  under  eight  heads. 
You  must  impress  them  indelibly  on  your  memory 
as  resolutions  to  be  carried  out  and  adhered  to 
faithfully  throughout  your  life. 

3.  Resolution  the  first:  I  will  be  careful  to  say 
my  daily  prayers  regularly,  and  never  to  omit  hearing 
Mass  on  Sundays  and  holidays  without  absolute 
necessity. 

This  resolution  may  be  epitomized  in  one  word: 
Prayer. 

Prayer  is  the  pivot  on  which  the  spiritual  life 
of  every  Christian,  and  certainly  of  everj'  Catholic 
girl,  revolves;  prayer  is  the  very  breath  of  the  soul, 
its  vital  breath. 

Resolution  the  second:  I  will  make  it  my  practice 
to  go  to  the  sacraments  at  least  once  every  month. 

Here  you  may  impress  on  your  mind  the  word: 
Sacraments. 

Confession  and  communion  constitute  a  never- 


Farewell!  421 

failing  source,  a  fount,  whereby  the  Hfe  of  the  soul 
may  be  evermore  renewed,  maintained  and  strength- 
ened. Must  not  every  young  person  whose  spiritual 
life  is  so  often  in  danger  feel  herself  impelled  by  a 
holy  thirst  to  draw  water  out  of  the  Saviour's 
fountains  ? 

4.  Resolution  the  third:  I  will  scrupulously  shun 
everjlhing  likely  to  prove  dangerous  to  purity. 
I  will  be  on  my  guard  against  curiosity,  vanity, 
undue  familiarity  with  young  men,  improper  con- 
versation and  immoral  books. 

O  pearl  of  virtues — Innocence!  Purity!  Let  these 
sweet  names  remind  you,  my  child,  of  the  precious 
treasure  you  possess,  and  warn  you  to  protect  it,  to 
keep  it  at  any  cost! 

Resolution  the  fourth:  In  confession,  I  will  always 
be  conscientious  and  candid  in  regard  to  the  sixth 
and  ninth  commandments.  I  will  therefore  tell 
my  confessor  when  any  suitor  for  my  hand  presents 
himself,  as  soon,  in  fact,  as  I  begin  "to  keep  com- 
pany." 

Yes,  make  it  your  principle  to  be  candid  and 
outspoken  in  confession,  for  this  candor  will  be 
your  safeguard. 

5.  Resolution,  the  -fifth :  In  regard  to  going  to 
dances,  or  plays  of  a  doubtful  nature,  I  will  always 
ask  and  follovv^  the  advice  of  my  spiritual  director. 

This  caution  in  the  matter  of  dances  and  plays 
r^ppertains  to  the  extreme  care  and  earnestness 
which  is  indispensable  for  preserving  your  purity. 

Resolution  the  sixth:  I  will  endeavor  always  to 
please  my  parents  and  superiors  by  prompt  obedi- 
ence, a  cheerful  demeanor,  and  industry  at  my 
work. 

To  keep  the  fourth  commandment  faithfully  in 
regard   to  parents  and  superiors    means   for  the 


422  A  Few  Concluding  Words. 

Christian  maiden  that  she  is  placing  out  at  com- 
pound interest  a  large  capital  of  temporal  and 
eternal  happiness,  as  one  might  say,  making  God 
Himself  her  debtor. 

6.  Resolution  the  seventh:  I  wll  he.  very  cauiious 
in  reading  novels  and  worklly  j3eriodicals,  and 
conti-nt  myself  with  a  small  number. 

Reading  anti -Christian  or  immoral  books  is  as 
fatal  to  the  soul  as  slow,  deadly  poison  is  to  the 
body.  And  how  widespread  is  this  poison,  how 
constantly  we  meet  with  it.  Unfortunately  the 
vessels  that  contain  it  have  no  label  with  a  death's- 
head  to  sexxi  as  a  warning;  on  the  contrar)-,  they 
bear  the  most  attractive  inscriptions  Therefore 
be  cautious  in  your  selection  of  fight  literature  and 
of  reading-matter  in  general. 

Resolution  the  eighth:  I  will  endeavor  very 
earnestly  to  live  at  peace  with  all  men,  and  for 
this  end  I  will  carefully  avoid  dissimulation  and 
uncharitablcness  in  word  and  action. 

Charity  toward  our  neighbor  is  the  second 
great  commandment,  which  Our  Lord  declares 
to  be  like  unto  the  first  and  greatest:  Thou  shalt 
love  the  Lord  thy  God.  Ever)-  kind  of  deceit  and 
unkindness  is  incompatible  with  true  love  of  our 
neighbor. 

7.  In  conclusion,  let  me  once  more  impress 
these  resolutions  on  your  mind,  with  the  words 
which  Tobias  the  elder  addressed  to  his  son:  "All 
the  days  of  thy  life  have  God  in  thy  mind;  and 
take  heed  thou  never  consent  fo  sin.  Take  heed 
to  keep  thyself,  my  son,  from  all  fornication.  Never 
suffer  pride  to  reign  in  thy  mind  or  in  thy  words; 
for  from  it  all  |XTdilion  took  its  l>cginning.  Seek 
counsel  always  of  a  wi.se  man."  For  you,  this  wise 
man    will    be    your    confessor.     Finally,    mv    last 


A  Rule  of  Life.  423 

farewell  shall  he  uttered  in  the  words  of  Tobias, 
when  his  son  was  about  to  start  on  his  journey: 
"May  you  have  a  good  journey  and  God  be  with 
you  in  your  way,  and  his  angel  accompany  you." 

May  thy  life  flow,  a  sacred  stream, 
In  whose  calm  depths  the  beautiful  and  pure 
Alone  are  mirrored;  which,  though  shapes  of  ill 
Should  hover  round  its  surface,  glides  in  light, 
And  takes  no  shadow  from  them. 


"Our  care  should  be  not  so  much  to  live  long 
as  to  live  well." — Seneca. 

"Time    flies,    death    urges,    knells    call,    heaven 
invites,  hell  threatens." — Young. 

"Then  let  us  fill 
This  little  interval,  this  pause  of  life 
With  all  the  \irtues  we  can  crowd  into  it." 

— Addison. 

"Live  while  you  live,  the  epicure  would  say, 
And  seize  the  pleasures  of  the  present  day; 
Live  while  you  hve,  the  sacred  preacher  cries. 
And  give  to  God  each  moment  as  it  flies. 
Lord, in  my  views  let  both  united  be; 
I  live  in  pleasure,  when  I  live  in  Thee." 

— Philip  Doddridge. 


^  3£lule  of  aifc. 

"  He  that  shall  persevere  to  the  end,  he  shall  be  saved." 

I.  *-r^AILY  Conduct. — Have  a  fixed  hour  for 

JLJ     rising  in  the  morning;    bless  yourself 

with  holy  water,  and  as  soon  as  possible  after  your 


424  A  Few  Concliuling  Words. 

toilet  recite  devoutly  your  morning  prayers.  During 
the  day  make  at  least  a  short  meditation  or  a  spirit- 
ual reading.  It  is  commendable  to  read  daily 
from  the  Lives  of  ihe  Saints.  Hear  Mass;  make  a 
visit  to  the  Most  Blessed  Sacrament  and  to  Mary, 
the  Mother  of  Jesus.  If  you  cannot  go  to  church, 
make  your  visit  and  adoration  at  home,  turning 
toward  the  nearest  tabernacle  and  receiving  holy 
communion  spiritually.  Recite  the  Angelus;  say 
the  beads.  In  the  evening,  examine  your  con- 
science and  recite  your  evening  prayers. 

2.  Confession  and  Communion. — Receive  the 
holy  sacraments  frequently — once  a  week  or, 
certainly,  once  a  month.  Go  as  often  as  you  can 
to  holy  communion,  with  the  advice  of  your  spiritual 
director.  Choose  a  learned  and  pious  confessor, 
and  be  directed  always  by  him  in  all  affairs  of 
importance.  When  you  commit  any  sin,  make 
an  act  of  contrition  immediately  and  resolve  to 
amend;  if  it  is  a  mortal  sin,  confess  it  as  soon  as 
possible. 

3.  Occasions  of  Sin. — Avoid  idleness,  bad  com- 
panions, low  theatres  and  public  balls,  round  dances, 
immoral  books,  sensational  newspapers,  salacious 
literature,  foolish  novels  and  romances,  games  of 
chance,  and  every  occasion  of  sin.  In  temptations, 
bless  yourself,  invoke  the  most  holy  names  of  Jesus 
and  ]\Iar}-,  and  think  of  death.  "He  that  loveth 
danger  shall  perish  in  it." 

4.  Sundays. — "Remember  that  thou  keep  holy 
the  Sabbath-day."  Be  not  satisfied  with  hearing 
a  Low  Mass  on  Sundays.  Hear  sermons  as  often 
as  possible,  and  listen  attentively  to  the  word  of 
God.  No  matter  how  poor  an  orator  or  preacher 
a  priest  may  be,  no  matter  how  plain  his  language 
or  how  unattractive   his  deliver)',   remcmlxr  that 


A  Rule  of  Life.  425 

he  is  the  representative  of  Christ,  and  that  you 
can  ahvays  find  in  every  sermon  sufficient  matter 
for  reflection  and  application  to  your  own  Hfe 
and  circumstances.  Faithfully  attend  the  meetings 
of  the  sodality,  and  never  absent  yourself  unnec- 
essarily from  afternoon  or  evening  services  and 
benediction. 

5.  Pious  Practices. — Keep  yourself  in  the  presence 
of  God.  Accustom  yourself  to  saying  short  ejacu- 
latory  and  indulgenced  prayers.  Keep  a  crucifix, 
holy  pictures  and  holy  water  in  your  room.  Carry 
your  beads  with  you.  Wear  a  scapular,  and  a 
medal  of  the  Immaculate  Conception.  Support 
your  parish  priest  and  your  parish  church  in  all 
good  works.  Help  the  poor  and  the  orphans 
according  to  your  means.  Frequently  think  of 
death  and  eternity. 

6.  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. — If  you  love  Jesus,  you 
will  love  and  honor  His  blessed  Mother.  Be  most 
devout  to  her  and  daily  perform  some  acts  of  piety 
in  her  honor.  A  pious  Child  of  Mary  will  erect  a 
home-altar  in  honor  of  her  heavenly  Queen  and 
Mother,  before  which  she  will  recite  her  prayers. 
On  Our  Lady's  feast-days  she  will  place  an  offering 
of  fresh  flowers  on  this  altar.  Hear  iSIass  and 
receive  holy  communion  on  the  great  feasts  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin.  Daily  renew  your  act  of  conse- 
cration and  say  the  Memorare  for  a  happy  death. 
Cultivate  her  virtues,  especially  purity,  modesty, 
meekness,  humility,  obedience,  charity,  patience, 
resignation  to  the  will  of  God  and  devotedness 
to  duty. 

7.  Retreat.  —  Make  a  spiritual  retreat  once  a 
year. 

8.  Spiritual  Communion. — An  act  of  spiritual 
communion    like    the    following    should    be    made 


126  A  Feiv  Concluding  Words. 

frequently,  and  especially  at  Mass:  "My  Jesus,  I 
iK'lieve  that  Thou  art  truly  present  in  the  Holy 
Sacrament  of  the  Altar.  I  adore  Thee.  I  praise 
Thee  and  thank  Thee  for  all  Thy  blessings.  I  am 
.sorry  that  I  have  offended  Thee  by  my  sins.  Hy 
this  act  I  wish  to  make  reparation  to  Thee  for 
all  the  insults  and  injuries  committed  against  Thee 
in  the  Sacrament  of  Thy  love.  I  love  Thee  with 
my  whole  heart.  Come  to  my  poor  soul;  unite 
Thyself  to  me.  ..  +  ...  I  thank  Thee,  my  good 
Jesus.  Oh!  never,  never  leave  me.  Let  me  not 
be  .separated  from  thee  by  sin." 

9.  In  the  Hour  0}  Death. — When  you  are  dying, 
make  acts  of  contrition  and  of  love.  Pronounce 
the  sweet  and  holy  name  of  "Jesus." 

In  life  and  in  death,  praise  and  be  submissive  to 
the  holy  will  of  God. 

Strive  to  become  a  saint.  For  "  this  is  the  will 
of  God,  your  sanctification." 

JTijc  art  of  33ciu(j  Jtjapijw.* 
I. 

'y/j  ■"'HAT  must  we  do  to  be  happy?  The 
vJcA»  thing  is  not  hard.  Much  knowledge  is 
not  necessary  for  this,  nor  much  talent,  but  only  a 
real  good  will  to  do  one's  duty.  Happiness,  as  far 
as  it  can  exist  here  below,  consists  in  peace,  in  the 
joy  of  a  good  conscience.  Our  conscience  will  be 
joyous  and  peaceful  if  it  know  not  remorse;  it 
will  not  know  remorse  if  we  are  careful  not  to 
offend  God,  To  fly  from  sin  is,  therefore,  the  chief 
source  of  happiness  on  earth.     If  our  conscience  is 

*  From  the  French  bv  the  Rev.  Matthew  Russell, 
SJ. 


Tile  Art  of  Being  Happy.  427 

pure,  our  life  will  be  happy.     There  are  none  hap- 
pier tlian  saints,  for  there  are  none  more  innocent. 

II. 

What  is  it  that  secures  happiness  in  a  home? 
Before  everj'thing,  religion:  let  all  love  well  our 
good  God,  let  all  say  their  prayers  morning  and 
night,  let  all  put  their  trust  in  divine  providence. 
In  the  next  place,  union:  let  the  members  of  the 
household  be  affectionate  toward  one  another, 
having  only  one  heart  and  one  soul,  not  saying 
or  doing  anything  that  may  pain  any  one  of  them. 
Then  again,  the  spirit  of  sacrilice:  we  must  be 
ready  to  do  without  something  in  order  to  make 
another  member  of  the  family  enjoy  it,  we  must 
give  up  our  own  personal  tastes  to  conform  to  the 
tastes  of  others.  Finally,  pliancy  of  character: 
not  to  be  hard  to  deal  with,  touchy,  sour,  proud; 
not  to  be  obstinately  rooted  in  one's  ideas,  not  to 
grow  impatient  about  mere  nothings,  but  to  have 
a  large  mind  and  a  generous  heart.  A  family 
whose  members  possess  these  qualities  is  a  paradise 
on  earth. 

III. 

There  is  a  word  which  cannot  be  said  too  often 
to  every  Christian  whom  God  has  destined  to 
live,  converse  and  labor  in  the  society  of  his  fel- 
low creatures:  Be  indulgent.  Yes,  be  indulgent; 
it  is  necessary  for  others,  and  it  is  necessarj'  for 
your  own  sake.  Forget  the  little  troubles  that 
others  may  cause  you;  keep  up  no  resentment 
for  the  inconsiderate  or  unfavorable  words  that 
may  have  been  said  about  you;  excuse  the  mis- 
takes and  awkward  blunders  of  which  you  are  the 


488  A  Few  Concluding  Words. 

victim;  always  make  out  good  intentions  for 
those  who  have  done  you  any  wrong  by  imprudent 
acts  or  speeches;  in  a  word,  smile  at  everything, 
show  a  pleasant  face  on  all  occasions;  maintain 
an  inexhaustiljlc  fund  of  goodness,  patience,  and 
gentleness.  Thus  you  will  be  at  peace  with  all 
your  brethren;  your  love  for  them  will  suffer  no 
alteration,  and  their  love  for  you  will  increase  day 
by  day.  Hut  above  all,  you  will  practise  in  an 
excellent  manner,  Christian  charity,  which  is 
impossible  without  this  toleration  and  indulgence 
at  every  instant. 

"I  have  sought  for  happiness  in  the  brilliant  haunts 
of  society,  in  sumptuous  banquets,  in  the  glare  of 
theatres,  I  have  sought  it  again  in  the  possession  of 
gold,  in  the  excitement  of  the  gaming-table,  in  the 
illusions  of  romance;  but  all  in  vain — whilst  an  hour 
passed  in  visiting  a  sick  person,  or  in  consoling  some 
afflicted  one,  has  been  enough  to  give  me  enjoyment 
more  delightful  than  all  delights." — Anon. 

IV. 

Flattery  is  never  worth  anything;  but  to  give 
a  little  praise  at  the  right  moment  to  some  one 
under  us  is  an  excellent  way  of  encouraging  him 
and  giving  him  a  pleasure  as  sweet  as  it  is  salutary. 
For  this  a  mere  "thank  you"  is  enough,  an  ap- 
proving smile,  a  kind  look,  or  even  a  simple  word, 
such  as  these:  "I  am  greatly  pleased" — "that 
has  succeeded  very  well" — "this  is  precisely 
what  I  wanted,"  etc.  Why  should  we  always 
keep  up  an  air  of  indifference  and  coldness  toward 
workmen,  servants,  children,  opening  our  mouths 
only  when  we  have  some  rebuke  to  give  them  ? 
Is    this    charitable?     Is    this    Christian?     Let    us 


Tlie  Art  of  Being  Happy.  429 

put  ourselves  in  the  place  of  these  inferiors,  and 
let  us  be  happy  in  making  them  happy.  Let 
us  show  ourselves  satisfied  v^^ith  their  good  will 
and  make  them  understand  that  we  love  them. 
Not  only  will  they  serve  us  much  better  and  attach 
themselves  to  us  with  true  devotedness,  but  we 
shall  thus  gain  their  hearts,  and  it  will  then  be 
easy  for  us  to  secure  their  fidelity  to  the  duties 
of  religion  and  the  fulfilment  of  the  practices  of 
Christian  piety. 

V. 

Economy  is  praiseworthy;  stinginess  is  not: 
it  contracts  the  heart  of  a  man  and  makes  him 
miserable.  Pious  persons  must  be  on  their  guard 
against  this  snare  of  the  devil,  for  many  are  caught 
in  it  without  knowing.  Some  persons  will  give 
several  dollars  to  a  beggar,  and  an  hour  after  they 
will  haggle  about  three  pennies  with  an  honest 
workman,  or  go  on  bargaining  about  some  worth- 
less object.  Pious  Catholics  ought  not  to  let  it  be 
said  that  they  are  harder  and  fonder  of  money 
than  other  people!  they  ought  not  to  be  afflicted 
by  or  bewail  any  little  losses  that  they  may  suffer. 
Let  us  be  economical  when  there  is  question  of 
our  pleasures,  of  our  table,  or  of  our  dress;  but 
let  us  be  large-hearted  and  generous  in  a.11  our  rela- 
tions with  others. 

VL 

A  poet  was  gazing  one  day  at  a  beautiful  rose- 
tree.  "What  a  pity,"  said  he,  "that  these  roses 
have  thorns!"  A  man  who  was  passing  by  said 
to  him:  "Let  us  rather  thank  our  good  God  for 
having  allowed  these  thorns  to  have  roses."  Ah! 
how  ought  we  also  to  thank  Him  for  so  many  joys 


430  A  Few  Concluding  Words. 

that  He  grants  to  us  in  spite  of  our  sins,  instead 
of  complaining  about  tlie  slight  troubles  tiiat  ile 
sends  us! 

VII. 

Let  us  do  good,  let  us  avoid  evil,  and  we  shall 
be  happy.  "There  is  but  one  way,"  said  a  man 
of  genius,  "of  being  happy,  and  it  is  to  do  well 
all  one's  duties." 

VIII. 

How  sweet  and  agreeable  an  occupation  it  is  to 
give  pleasure  to  those  around  us!  It  is  quite  nat- 
ural amongst  Christians,  but  it  becomes  almost 
a  duty  amongst  the  members  of  a  family  or  a 
community,  especially  toward  persons  whom  age 
or  rank  places  above  us.  And,  to  give  pleasure, 
what  is  necessary?  Things  the  most  insigni- 
ficant, provided  they  be  accompanied  by  amiable 
manners;  what  is  necessary  above  all  is  to  have 
habitually  a  smile  on  our  lips.  Oh!  who  can 
tell  tlic  power  of  a  smile  ?  I'or  ourselves,  it  is 
the  guardian  of  kindness,  patience,  tolerance,  all 
the  virtues  that  we  have  occasion  to  exercise  in 
our  relations  with  our  neighbor.  There  is,  in  fact, 
no  danger  of  our  lieing  rude  or  severe  so  long  as 
a  smile  rests  on  our  lips.  For  others,  it  is  a  source 
of  contentment,  joy,  satisfaction  and  encourage- 
ment. Without  even  uttering  a  single  word  we 
put  those  around  us  at  their  ease;  we  inspire  them 
with  a  sweet  confidence,  if  we  approach  them 
with  a  smile.  Perhaps  you  will  object  that  you 
cannot  smile,  that  you  are  naturally  serious  or 
even  severe.  Undeceive  yours'.  If :  with  real  good 
will    you    will   acquire    this   empire    over  yourself, 


Tlie  Art  of  Being  Happy.  431 

you  will  soon  do  by  custom  what  you  at  first  did 
by  constraint;  and  the  interior  joy  that  you  taste 
will  recompense  you  superabundantly  for  your 
trouble  and  your  efforts. 

IX. 

A  great  secret  for  preserving  peace  of  heart  is 
to  do  nothing  with  overeagerness,  but  to  act 
always  calmly,  without  trouble  or  disquiet.  We 
are  not  asked  to  do  much,  but  to  do  well.  At  the 
Last  Day  God  will  not  examine  whctlier  we  have 
performed  a  multitude  of  works,  but  whether  we 
have  sanctified  our  souls  in  doing  them.  Now 
the  means  of  sanctifying  ourselves  is  to  do  everything 
for  God  and  to  do  perfectly  whatever  we  have  to  do. 
The  works  that  have  as  their  motive  vanity  or  sel- 
fishness make  us  neither  better  nor  happier,  and 
we  shall  receive  no  reward  for  them. 


X. 

"I  feel  happy,"  said  a  holy  person,  "in  pro- 
portion as  I  do  my  actions  well."  Let  us  medi- 
tate an  instant  on  this  luminous  saying.  To  do 
well  what  one  has  to  do— here  again  is  the  se- 
cret of  being  happy.  Every  man,  then,  can  be 
happy;  and,  if  we  have  not  been  happy  hitherto, 
it  is  because  we  have  not  put  this  lesson  into  prac- 
tice. But  what  is  necessary  for  this?  Oh,  very 
little.  To  do  every  action  with  a  view  of  pleasing 
God;  to  do  every  action  in  the  manner  that  God 
commands,  either  through  Himself  or  through 
those  who  hold  His  place  in  our  regard;  to  do  every 
action  as  if  we  had  nothing  else  to  do  but  this, 
and  as  if  we  were  to  die  after  having  done  it. 


432  A.  Feiv  Concluding  Words. 


XI. 

There  are  some  who  are  affable  and  gracious 
to  every  one  as  long  as  things  go  according  to 
their  wishes;  but  if  they  meet  with  a  contradic- 
tion, if  an  accident,  a  reproach  or  even  less  should 
trouble  the  serenity  of  their  soul,  all  around  them 
must  suffer  the  consequences.  They  grow  dark 
and  cross;  very  far  from  keeping  up  <:he  conver- 
sation by  their  good  humor,  they  answer  only  in 
monosyllables  to  those  who  speak  to  them.  Is 
this  conduct  reasonable  ?  Is  it  Christian  ?  Let 
us  always  be  kind  and  good-humored  so  as  always 
to  make  our  brethren  happy,  and  we  shall  merit 
to  be  always  made  happy  by  God. 

XII. 

Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit,  blessed  are  the 
meek,  blessed  are  they  that  mourn,  blessed  are 
they  that  hunger  and  thirst  after  justice,  blessed 
are  the  merciful,  blessed  are  the  clean  of  heart, 
blessed  are  the  peacemakers,  blessed  are  they 
that  suffer  persecution  for  justice'  sake.  Blessed 
are  ye  when  they  shall  revile  you  and  persecute 
you  fer  My  sake.  St.  Matthew  v,  3-11. 

Blessed  are  they  that  hear  the  word  of  God  and 
keep  it.  St.  Luke   xi,    28. 

Blessed   is   the   man   that  endureth   temptation. 

St.  James  i,  12. 

Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord. 
Apocalypse  xiv,  13. 


DEVOTIONS. 


*/  A  I  'HAT  greater  joy  can  earth  afford 
vlcA»     Than  holding  converse  with  Our  Lord  ? 
A  pledge  of  life  to  come  is  this, 
A  foretaste  here  of  future  bliss. 


PART  FIRST. 

I.  Bail^  pravers. 

(Read  Ivstnictions  XXIX  and  XXXIII,  Book  I.) 

/iftorning  ipra^ers. 

IF  with  God  thou  begin  and  with  Him  thou  end, 
Right  happily  then  thy  day  thou  shalt  spend. 

QY  God,  Thy  goodness  and  Thy  might 
Have  brought  me  to  this  morning's  light. 
Keep  and  preser\'e  me  every  hour 
From  sorrow,  sin,  temptation's  power. 
Grant  me  Thy  blessing,  Lord,  this  day, 
On  all  I  think,  or  do,  or  say. 
Jesus,  for  Thy  help  I  plead; 
Mary,  for  me  intercede. 

y  VTi'ITH  deepest  reverence  I  cast  myself  on  my 
vIcA/  knees  laefore  Thee  and  adore  Thee  -with  my 
whole  heart,  most  holy,  triune  God.  Glory  be  to  the 
Father,  Who  created  me,  glory  to  the  .Son,  Who  re- 
deemed me,  glory  to  the  Holy  Ghost,  Who  sanctifieth 
me. 

IHTTMBLY  thank  Thee,  most  merciful  and  bounti- 
ful God,  for  all  the  benefits  which  Thou  hast 
conferred  upon  me.  Above  all  I  thank  Thee  for 
having  graciously  preserved  me  during  the  past  night 
and  strengthened  me  anew  both  in  body  and  in  soul. 

I  BESEECH  Thee,  most  loving  Father,  to  grant  me 
grace  to  pass  this  day  without  sin,  and  to  spend 
it  in  a  manner  that  will  be  pleasing  to  Thee  and  in  ac- 
435 


436  Derations. 

cordantc  with  Thy  holy  will.  To  Thee  I  offer  all  the 
thoughts,  words,  apd  works  of  the  day  in  union  with 
the  infinite  merits  of  Thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord, 
(irant  that  I  may  do  all  to  Thy  honor  and  glory,  to 
the  edification  of  my  neighbor  and  lo  my  own  salva- 
tion. 

OMARY,  holy  Mother  of  God,  my  dear  guardian 
angel,  blessed  saints  of  God,  and  especially 
you,  my  patron  saint,  take  me  under  your  protection 
thi.s  (lay,  l)ray  for  me,  and  defend  me  in  all  dangers. 
Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Direct  your  general  intention  and  resolve  in  particu- 
lar to  gain  all  the  indulgences  attached  to  the  prayers 
yoti  may  say  and  to  the  good  works  yoic  may  perform  this 
day. 

Let  my  object  ever  be 
To  give  glory,  God,  to  Thee; 
In  my  work  and  in  my  rest. 
May  Thy  holy  name  be  blest. 
Our  Father;  Hail  Mary;  Apostles'  Creed;  Glory. 

Sweet  Heart  of  Jesus,  be  my  love. 
Sweet  Heart  of  Mary,  be  my  salvation. 

Litany  of  the  Holy  Name  of  Jesus, 


MORNING   OFFERING   OF  THE  APOSTLESHIP  OF   PR.4YER. 

OMY  God,  I  offer  Thee  my  prayers,  works,  and 
sufferings  this  day  in  union  with  the  Sacred 
Heart  of  Jesus,  for  the  intentions  for  which  He  pleads 
and  otTers  Himself  in  holy  Mass,  in  thanksgiving  for 
Thy  favors,  in  reparation  for  our  offences,  and  for 
the  petitions  of  all  our  Associates:  especially  this 
month  for  the  particular  intention  of  the  Apostleship 
of  Prayer. 


Daily  Prayers.  437 


A  SHORT  ACT  OF  CONSECRATION  BEFORE  A  PICTURE  OF 
THE   SACRED   HEART. 

^T^Y  loving  Jesus!  I  (N.  N.)  give  Thee  my  heart, 
>>li<^  and  I  consecrate  myself  wholly  to  Thee,  out 
of  the  grateful  love  I  bear  Thee,  and  as  a  reparation 
for  all  my  unfaithfulness;  and  with  Thy  aid  I  purpose 
never  to  sin  again. 

An  indulgence  of  one  hundred  days,  once  a  day. — 
Pius  VII.,  June  9,  1807. 

EJACULATION, 

^T^AY  the  Heart  of  Jesus  in  the  Most  Blessed  Sacra- 
^1^  ment  be  praised,  adored,  and  loved  with  grate- 
ful affection,  at  every  moment,  in  all  the  tabernacles 
of  the  world,  even  to  the  end  of  time.     Amen. 

An  indulgence  of  one  hundred  days,  once  a  day. — 
Pope  Pius  IX.,  Feb.  29,  1868. 

SALVE   REGINA. 

*Tp^  AIL,  holy  Queen,  Mother  of  mercy;  our  life, 
«J— ^  our  sweetness,  and  our  hope.  To  thee  do 
we  cry,  poor  banished  children  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  toward  us;  and  after  this  our 
exile,  show  unto  us  the  blessed  fruit  of  thy  womb, 
Jesus;    O  clement,  O  loving,  O  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. 

*ZT'LMIGHTY,  everlasting  God,  Who,  by  the 
ek7<— *-i  cooperation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  didst  prepare 
the  body  and  soul  of  Mary,  glorious  Virgin  and  Mother,. 
to  become  the  worthy  habitation  of  Thy  Son;    grant 


4H8  Devotions. 

that  we  who  now  rejoice  in  her  commemoration  may, 
by  her  gracious  intercession,  be  delivered  from  all 
the  evils  that  threaten  us,  and  from  everlasting  death. 
Through  the  same  Christ  our  Lord.     /?.  Amen. 

ACTS    OF    FAITH,    ITOPK,    AND    LOVE. 

An  Act  of  Faith. 

MY  God!  I  firmly  believe  all  the  sacred  truths 
which  the  Catholic  Church  believes  and  teaches, 
because  Thou,  ^\ho  canst  neither  deceive  nor  he 
deceived,  hast  revealed  them. 

An  Act  of  Hope. 

OMY  God!  reljing  upon  Thy  omnipotence,  Thy 
goodness  and  Thy  promises,  I  hope  to  obtain 
pardon  for  my  sins,  the  assistance  of  Thy  grace,  anrl 
life  everlasting,  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ, 
mv  Lord  and  Redeemer. 


o 


o 


An  Act  of  Love. 

MY  God,  I  love  Thee  with  my  whole  heart  and 
above  all  things,  because  Thou  art  the  supreme 
Good  and  most  worthy  of  our  love.  For  the  love  of 
Thee  I  will  love  my  ncighlx>r  as  myself. 

PRAYER  BEFORE  INSTRUCTION. 

OLf)RD  God  and  heavenly  Father,  bestow  upon 
us  the  gift  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  enlightened 
by  Him,  we  may  understand  aright  and  keep  in  mind 
all  that  we  may  learn  that  is  profitable  to  us,  and 
may  lx)th  begin  and  end  all  things  well  to  Thy  glory, 
and  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

PRAYER    AFTER   INSTRUCTION. 

y  V]  r*R  give  Thee  thanks,  merciful  God,  for  the  in- 
VjtA»  struction  and  direction  which  we  have  re- 
ceived.     Grant  us  Thy  grace  that  we  may  lay  the 


Daily  Prayers.  439 

lesson  to  heart  and  carry  it  into  action,  to  Thy  glory 
and  our  eternal  welfare.  FurtheiTnore  we  pray  Thee 
to  pour  forth  Thy  blessing  upon  our  parents  and 
superiors,  our  teachers  and  benefactors,  and  to 
recompense  them  abundantly  for  all  the  good  which 
they  have  been  the  means  of  bringing  to  us.  Through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


GRACE    BEFORE   MF,ALS. 

OCiOD,  from  Whom  all  blessings  flow, 
These  gifts  Thou  dost  on  us  bestow; 
We  bless  Thee  for  our  daily  bread, 
Oh,  may  our  souls  by  Thee  be  fed! 

BLESS,  we  beseech  Thee,  O  heavenly  Father, 
these  Thy  gifts  which  we  have  received  from 
Thy  bounty.  Grant  us  grace  to  enable  us  to  make 
use  of  all  for  Thy  glory  and  our  own  well-being,  and 
may  nothing  ever  separate  us  from  Thy  love.  Through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


GRACE   AFTER   MEALS. 

V  V|  I  'E  thank  Thee,  Lord,  Whose  love  doth  give 
v1lA#     The  food  whereby  Thy  creatures  live. 
Oh,  grant  us  when  this  life  is  o'er 
To  dwell  with  Thee  forevermore! 


y  VI I  'E  thank  Thee,  O  heavenly  Father,  for  the 
VxA»  nourishment  which  we  have  received  and  for 
all  the  graces  and  benefits  which  Thou  hast  bestowed 
upon  us.  Praise  and  glory  be  to  Thee,  O  God,  on 
high,  peace  on  earth  to  men  of  good  will,  blessing  on 
all  our  benefactors!  Give  eternal  rest  to  all  the  faith- 
ful departed,  and  bring  us,  when  this  transitory  life  is 
past,  to  eternal  joy  and  felicity.  Through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 


440  Devotions, 

SHORT    FORM   OF  GRACE  AT  TABLE. 
Grace  Be/ore  Meals. 

BLESS  us,  O  Lord,  and  these  Thy  gifts  which 
we   are   about   to  receive   from   Thy   bounty: 
through  Christ  our  Lord. 
R.  Amen. 

Grace  After  Meals. 

y yj  r"E  give  Thee  thanks,  O  almighty  God,  for  all 
vIlA»  Thy  benefits.  Who  liveth  and  rcigneth  nowr 
and  forever. 

R.  Amen. 

Vouchsafe,  O  Lord,  to  reward  with  eternal  life  all 
those  who  do  us  good  for  Thy  name's  sake. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  Let  us  bless  the  Lord. 

R.  Thanks  be  to  God. 

V.  May  the  souls  of  the  faithful  departed,  through 
the  mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace. 

R.  Amen. 

INDULGENCED   ASPIRATIONS   AND   SHORT   PRAYERS. 

1.  "T'N  the  name  of  the  Father  +,  and  of  the  Son 
JL^    4«,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost  >{«.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of  50  days,  each  time. — Pius  IX.,  July  28, 
1863;  100  days  if  holy  water  is  matlc  use  of  at  the 
same  time. — Pius  IX.,  March  23,  1876. 

2.  *-p^OLY,    holy,    holy.    Lord    God    of    hosts; 
«X-^     the  earth  is  full  of  Thy  glory:    glory  be 

to  the  Father;  glory  be  to  the  Son;  glory  be  to  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day;  an  indulgence 
of  100  days,  three  times  every  Sunday,  as  well  as  on 
the  feast  of  the  Most  Holy  Trinity,  and  during  its 
octave. — Clement  XIV.,  June  6,  1760. 


Daily  Prayers.  441 

3.  May  tlie  most  just,  most  high,  and  most  amiable 
will  of  God  be  dof  e  in  all  things;  may  it  be  praised 
and  magnified  forever. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Pius  VII., 
May  19,  1818. 

4.  My  God,  my  only  Good,  Thou  art  all  for  me; 
grant  that  I  may  be  all  for  Thee! 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
March  13,  1902. 

5.  |;^TERNAL  Father,  we  offer  Thee  the  blood, 
\^     the  Passion,  and  the  death  of  Jesus  Christ, 

the  sorrows  of  Mary  most  holy,  and  of  St.  Joseph,  in 
satisfaction  for  our  sins,  in  aid  of  the  holy  souls  in 
purgatory,  for  the  needs  of  holy  Mother  Church,  and 
for  the  conversion  of  sinners. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Pius  IX., 
April  30,  i860. 

6.  My  God  and  my  all! 

Indulgence  of  ^o  days,  each  time. — Leo  XIII., 
May  4,  1888. 

7.  My  God,  grant  that  I  may  love  Thee,  and  the 
only  reward  of  my  love  be  to  love  Thee  always  more 
and  more. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
March  15,  1890. 

8.  Holy  Spirit,  Spirit  of  truth,  come  into  our  hearts; 
give  to  all  peoples  the  brightness  of  Thy  light,  that  they 
may  be  well-pleasing  to  Thee  in  unity  of  faith. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
July  31,  1897. 

9.  My  Jesus,  mercy! 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  for  each  recital. — Pius  IX., 
Sept.  24,  1846. 


442  Devotions. 

10.  My  sweetest  Jesus,  be  not  my  Judge,  but  my 
Saviour. 

Indulgence  of  50  days,  for  each  recital. — Pius  IX., 
Aug.  II,  1851. 

11.  Jesus,  my  God,  I  love  Thee  above  all  things. 
Indulgence  of  '^o  davs,  each  time. — I'i'i^  I\'.,  Mav  7, 

1854. 

12.  Jesus,  Son  of  David,  have  mercy  on  me!     (Luke 
xviii,  38.) 

Indulgence  of   100  davs,  once  a  day. — Leo    XIII., 
Feb.  27,  1886. 

13.  /^  MY  Jesus,  Thou  knowest  well  that  I  love 
V^     Thee;   but  I  do  not  love  Thee  enough. 

Oh,  grant  that  I  may  love  Thee  more.  O  love  that 
burnest  ever  and  never  failest,  my  God,  Thou  Who 
art  charity  itself,  enkindle  in  my  heart  that  di\'ine 
fire  which  consumes  the  saints  and  transforms  them 
into  Thee.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of  50  days,  twice  a  day. — Leo  XIII.. 
Feb.  6,  1893. 

14.  /^  RANT  us.   Lord   Jesus,   always  to  follow 
\^y     the  example  of  Thy  holy  family,  that  at 

the  hour  of  our  death  Thy  glorious  Virgin  Alother 
with  blessed  Joseph  may  come  to  meet  us,  and  so  we 
may  deserve  to  be  received  by  Thee  into  Thy  everlast- 
ing dwelling-place. 

Indulgence  of   200  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
March  25,  1897. 

15.  Sweetest  Jesus,  grant  me  an  increa.se  of  faith, 
hope,  and  charity,  a  contrite  and  humble  heart. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
Sept.  13,  1893. 

i6.  O  Sacrament  most  hoh  !     O  Sacrament  divine' 


Daily  Prayers.  443 

All  praise  and  all  thanksgiving  be  every  moment 
Thine. 

Indulgence  of  lOO  days,  once  a  day. — Pius  W., 
May  24,  1776. 

17.  fWEE  where  Th}'  boundless  love  has  reached, 
I^JJ     my   loving   Jesus!     Thou,    of   Thy  flesh 

and  precious  blood,  hast  made  ready  for  me  a  banquet 
whereby  to  give  me  all  Thyself.  AYTio  drove  Thee  to 
this  excess  of  love  for  me?  Thy  Heart,  Thy  loving 
Heart.  O  adorable  Heart  of  Jesus,  burning  furnace 
of  divine  love!  within  Thy  sacred  wound  take  Thou 
my  soul;  in  order  that,  in  that  school  of  charity,  I 
may  learn  to  love  that  God  Who  has  given  me  such 
wondrous  proofs  of  His  great  love.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of  100  davs,  once  a  dav. — Pius  \TI., 
Feb.  9,  1818. 

18.  Eternal  Father,  I  offer  Thee  the  precious  blood 
of  Jesus,  in  satisfaction  for  my  sins,  and  for  the  wants 
of  holy  Church. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  for  each  recital. — Pius  VII., 
Sept.  22,  1 81 7. 

19.  /T^^'  loving  Jesus!  I   (N.N.)   give  Thee  my 
^l<^,     heart,    and   I    consecrate   myself  wholly 

to  Thee,  out  of  the  grateful  love  I  bear  Thee,  and  as 
a  reparation  for  all  my  unfaithfulness;  and  with  Thy 
aid  1  purpose  never  to  sin  again. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day,  if  recited 
before  a  picture  of  the  Sacred  Heart. — ^Pius  VII. > 
June  9,  1807. 

20.  May  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  be  loved  every- 
where. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Pius  IX., 
Sept.  23,  i860. 


444  Devotions. 

2 1 .  Jesus,  meek  and  humble  of  Heart,  make  my  heart 
like  unto  Thine! 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  every  time. — Pius  X.,  Sept. 
15,  1905. 

22.  May  the  Heart  of  Jesus  in  the  Most  Blessed 
Sacrament  be  praised,  adored,  and  loved  with  grateful 
affection,  at  cvcr)^  moment,  in  all  the  tabernacles  of 
the  world,  even  to  the  end  of  time.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Pius  IX., 
Feb.  29,  1868. 

23.  O  sweetest  Heart  of  Jesus,  I  implore  that  I  may 
ever  love  Thee  more  and  more. 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  each  time. — Pius  IX., 
Nov.  26,  1876. 

24.  Sweet  Heart  of  Jesus,  be  my  love. 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  once  a  day.-^Leo  XIII., 
May  21,  1892. 

25.  Heart  of  Jesus,  burning  with  love  for  us,  inflame 
our  hearts  with  love  of  Thee. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
June  16,  1893. 

26.  Mary! 

Indulgence  of  25  days,  each  time. — Clement  XIII., 
Sept.  5,  1759. 

27.  In  thy  conception,  O  Virgin  Mary,  thou  wast 
immaculate!  Pray  for  us  to  the  Father,  Whose  Son 
Jesus,  conceived  in  thy  womb  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
Thou  didst  bring  forth 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  each  time. — Pius  VI.,  Nov. 
21,  1793. 


Daily  Prayers. 


445 


28.  My  Queen!  my  Mother!  Remember  I  am  thine 
own. 

Keep  me,  guard  me,  as  thy  property  and  possession. 

Indulgence  of  40  days,  each  time,  when  tempted. — 
Pius  IX.,  Aug.  5,  1851. 


29. 


CD' 


^EMORARE,  nn>  EMEMBER,     O 

O    piissima  r*-^     most      gracious 

(••irgo  ]Slaria,  non  esse  au-  Virgin  Mary,  that  never 
ditum  a  saeculo  quemr^uam  was  it  known  that  any 
ad  tua  currentcm  prafsi(Ha,  one  who  fled  to  thy  pro- 
tua  implorantem  auxilia,  tection,  implored  thy  help, 
tua  petentem  sulTragia,  and  sought  thy  interces- 
esse  derelictum.  Ego  tali  sion,  was  left  unaided, 
animatus  confidentia,  ad  Inspired  with  this  confi- 
te,  virgo  virginum,  ]Mater,  dence,  I  fly  unto  thee,  O 
curro,  ad  te  venio,  coram  Virgin  of  virgins,  my 
te  gemens  peccator  as-  Mother!  To  thee  I  come; 
sisto;  noli.  Mater  Verbi,  before  thee  I  stand,  sin- 
verba  mea  despicere,  sed  ful  and  sorrowful.  O 
audi  propitia,  et  exaudi.  Mother  of  the  Word  In- 
Amen.  carnate!    despise    not   my 

petitions,     but,     in      thy 
mercy,    hear   and   answer 
me.     Amen, 
His  Holiness    Pope  Pius  IX,,  by  a  rescript  of  the 
S.  Congr.  of  Indulgences,  Dec.  11,   1846,  granted  to 
all  the  faithful  every  time  that,  with  at  least  contrite 
heart    and   devotion,  they   shall    say    this  ^.^ayer  AN 

INDULGENCE  OF  THREE  HUNDRED  DAYS. 

30.  Sweet  heart  of  Mary,  be  my  salvation! 
Indulgence  of    300    days,    each     time. — Pius    IX., 

Sept.  30,  1852, 

31.  O  Mary,  who  didst  come  into  this  world  free 
from  stain!  obtain  of  God  for  me  that  I  may  leave 
it  without  sin. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day, — Pius  IX., 
March  27,  1863, 


446  Devotions. 

32.  Virgin  Mother  of  (iod,  Mary,  pray  to  Jesus 
for  me. 

Indulgence  of  50  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
March  29,  1894. 

33.  Holy  Virgin  Mary  immaculate,  Mother  of  Gofl 
and  our  Mother,  speak  thou  for  us  to  the  Heart  of 
Jesus,  Who  is  thy  Son,  and  our  Brother. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
Dec.  20,  1890. 

34.  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,  each  time,  for  all  three. — 
Pius  VII.,  Aug.  26,  1814. 

35.  To  thee,  O  Virgin  Mother,  never  touched  by 
stain  of  sin,  actual  or  venial,  I  recommend  and  con- 
fide the  purity  of  my  heart. 

Indulgence  of  ico  days,  once  a  day. — Pius  IX., 
Nov.  26,  1854. 

36.  O  Mary,  conceived  without  sin,  pray  for  us 
who  have  recourse  to  tlice. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
March  15,  1884. 

37.  Our  Lady  of  Lourdcs,  pray  for  us! 
Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 

June  25,  1902. 

38.  Angel  of  God,  my  guardian  dear. 
To  whom  His  love  commits  me  here, 
Ever  this  day  be  at  my  side, 

To  light  and  guard,  to  rule  and  guide.     Amen. 
Indulgence    of    100    days,    each    time. — Pius    VI., 
Oct.  2,  1795. 


Daily  Prayers.  447 

3g.  Help  us,  Joseph,  in  our  earthly  strife, 
E'er  to  lead  a  pure  and  blameless  life. 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  once   a   day. — Leo  XIII., 
March  18,  1882. 

40.  Holy  Archangel    Michael,    defend  us  in  battle, 
that  we  may  not  perish  in  the  tremendous  judgment. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
Aug.  19,  1893. 

41.  St.  Joseph,  model  and  patron  of  those  who  love 
the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  pray  for  us. 

Indulgence   of   100  days,  once   a  day. — Leo   XIII., 
Dec.  19,  1891. 

42.  St.  Joseph,  reputed  father  of  Our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  and  true  spouse  of  Mary,  ever  Virgin,  pray  for  us. 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII.. 
May  15,  1891. 


43.    PRAYER   VraiCH   ST.   THOMAS   AQUINAS    WAS    ACCUS- 
TOMED   TO     RECITE     EVERY    DAY     BEFORE    THE     IMAGE 
OF   JESUS   CHRIST. 

aONCEDE  mihi,  mi-  ^-^RANT  me  grace,  O 

sericors  Deus,  qua;  \S^     merciful     God,    to 

tibi  placita  sunt  ardenter  desire  ardently  all  that  is 

concupiscere,  prudenterin-  pleasing  to   Thee,   to  ex- 

vestigare,  veraciter  agnos-  amine     it     prudentl}',     to 

cere  et  perfecte  adimplere,  acknowledge  it  truthfully, 

ad     laudem     et     gloriam  and  to  accomplish  it  per- 

nominis  tui.     Amen.  fectly,  for  the  praise  and 
glory  of  Thy  name.  Amen, 

Indulgence  of  300  days  to  all  the  faithful  who, 
before  studying  or  reading,  shall  recite  this  prayer. — 
Leo  XIII.,  June  21,  1879. 


448 


Devotions. 


44- 


FOR  THE  HOLY  SOULS  LN  PURGATORY. 


,  ^  \,     nam  dona  cis                V_>\  give  to  them, 

D online;  O  Lord; 

R.  Et  lux  pcrpetua  luce-         R.  And  let     jK-rpctual 

at  eis.  light  shine  upon  them. 

Indulgence,  applicable  to  the  poor  souls  alone,  50 
days,  each  time. — Leo  XIII.,  March  22,  1902, 


45. 


ANLUA   CHRISTL 


*TJ*MMA  Christi,  sanc- 
efcJ/-J-«     tifica  me. 
Corpus  Christi,  salva  me. 
Sanguis     Christi,     inebria 

me. 
Aqua  lateris  Christi,  lava 

me. 
Passio     Christi,     conforta 

me. 
O  bone  Jesu,  exaudi  me. 
Intra  tua  vulnera  absconde 

me. 
Ne  permittas  me  separari 

a  te. 
Ab  hoste  maligno  defcnde 

me. 
In  hora  mortis  mca:  voca 

me, 
Et  jubc  me  venire  ad  te, 
Ut  cum    Sanctis   tuis   lau- 

dem  te. 
In  sajcula  sajculorum. 

Amen. 

His  Holiness  Pope  Pius  IX.,  by  a  decree  of  the  S. 
Congr.  of  Indulgences,  Jan.  9,  1854,  revoking  all 
other   grants   of   indulgences   which    may  have    been 


QToUL  of  Christ,  sanc- 

/^^     tify  me. 

Body  of  Christ,  save  me. 

Blood  of  Christ,  inebriate 
me. 

Water  from  the  side  of 
Christ,  wash  me. 

Passion  of  Christ, 
strengthen  me. 

O  good  Jesus,  hear  me. 

Within  thy  wounds  hide 
me. 

Permit  me  not  to  be  sepa- 
rated from  Thee. 

From  the  malignant  ene- 
my defend  mc. 

In  the  hour  of  my  death 
call  me. 

And  bid  me  come  to  Thee, 

That,  with  Thy  saints,  I 
may  praise  Thee 

For  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 


Daily  Prayers.  443 

made  for  saying  this  invocation,  granted  to  all  the 
faithful: 

An  indulgence  of  three  hundred  days  every 
time  that,  with  at  least  contrite  heart  and  devotion,  they 
shall  say  it. 

An  indulgence  of  seven  years,  once  a  day,  to 
priests  who  shall  say  it  after  saying  Mass,  and  to  the 
faithful,  after  receiving  holy  communion. 

46.    IN      HONOR      OF      THE      IMMACULATE      CONCEPTION. 

*T^E\'OUT  children  of  IMary  will  rejoice  at  the 
flLJ  added  impetus  given  to  devotion  to  the  blessed 
Mother  of  God  by  His  Holiness  Pius  X.,  in  attach- 
ing an  indulgence  of  three  hundred  days  to  the  pious 
practice  so  zealously  advocated  by  St.  Alphonsus 
Liguori  in  honor  of  the  Immaculate  Conception. 

The  devout  practice  consists  of  three  Hail  Marys  in 
honor  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  adding  after 
each  Hail  Mary  the  invocation:  "O  Mary,  by  thy 
Immaculate  Conception,  purify  my  body  and  sanctify 
my  soul."  The  indulgence  attached  to  this  pious 
practice  may  be  gained  both  in  the  morning  and  at 
night,  preferably  on  rising  and  retiring.  (Pius  X., 
Dec.  5,  1904). 


47.  ANGELUS    DOMINI. 

*3^HE  angel  of  the  Lord  declared  unto  Mary,  and 
\z)     she  conceived  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord:  be  it  done  unto 
me  according  to  thy  word. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

And  the  Word  was  made  flesh,  and  dwelt  among  us. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

V.  Pray  for  us,  holy  Mother  of  God. 

R.  That  we  may  be  made  worthy  of  the  promise.^ 
of  Christ. 


450  Devotions. 

Let  us  pray. 

Pour  forth,  we  liesccrh  Thcc,  O  Lord!  Thy  grace 
into  our  hearts,  that  we,  unto  whom  the  Incarnation 
of  Christ  Thy  Son  was  made  known  by  the  message 
of  an  angel,  may  by  His  Passion  and  cross,  be  brouglit 
to  the  glory  of  the  Resurrection.  Through  the  same 
Christ  our  Lord. 

R.  Amen, 

REGINA     OCET,I. 

{Instead   of  the    Angclus   from   Easter  until    Trinity 
Sunday.) 

QUEEN  of  heaven,  rejoice,  Alleluia. 
For  He  Whom  thou  didst  deserve  to  bear, 
Alleluia. 
Hath  risen  as  He  said.  Alleluia. 
Pray  for  us  to  Cxod,  Alleluia. 

V.  Rejoice  and  be  glad,  O  Virgin  Mary!     Alleluia. 
V.  For  the  Lord  hath  risen  indeed,  Alleluia. 

Let  us  pray. 

God,\V'ho  through  the  Resurrection  of  Thy  Son,  Our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  hast  vouchsafed  to  make  glad  the 
whole  world,  grant  us,  we  beseech  Thee,  that,  through 
the  intercession  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  His  Mother,  we 
may  attain  the  joys  of  eternal  life.  Through  the 
same  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

The  Sovereign  Pontiff  Benedict  XIII.,  by  a  brief, 
Injunctw  tiobis,  Sept.  14,  1724,  granted: 

A  PLENARY  INDULGENCE,  once  a  month,  to  all  the 
faithful  who,  every  day,  at  the  sound  of  the  bell,  in 
the  morning,  or  at  noon,  or  in  the  evening  at  sunset, 
shall  say  devoutly,  on  their  knees,  the  Avgelus  Domini^ 
with  the  Hail  Mary,  three  times,  on  any  day  when, 
being  truly  penitent,  after  confession  and  communion, 
they  shall  pray  for  peace  and  union  among  Christian 
princes,  for  the  extirpation  of  heresy,  and  for  the 
triumph  of  holy  Mother  Church. 

An'  indulgence  of  one  hundred  days,  on  all  th.e 


Daily  Prayers.  451 

ofher  days  in  the  year,  every  time  that,  with  at  least 
contrite  heart  and  devotion,  they  shall  say  these 
prayers. 

48.  prayer:  o  domina  mea. 

ODOMINA  mea!     O  /T|Y        Queen!        my 

Mater    meal     tibi  V*-4     Mother!     I     give 

n.e    totum    offero;     atque  myself    entirely    to    thee; 

ut  me  tibi  probem  devo-  and  to  show  my  devotion 

turn,    consecro   tibi   hodie  to    thee,    I    consecrate    to 

oculos  nieos,  aures  mcas,  thee  this  day  my  eyes,  my 

OS  memn,  cor  mcum,  plane  ears,  my  mouth,  my  heart, 

me  totum.     Quoniam  ita-  my  vv-hole  being,  without 

que    tuus    sum,    O    bona  reserve.     Wherefore,  good 

Mater,  serva  me,  defende  IMother,  as  lam  thine  own, 

me,  ut  rem  ac  possessio-  keep  me,  guard  me,  as  thy 

nem  tuam.  property  and  possession. 

His  Hohness  Pope  Pius  IX.,  by  a  decree  of  the  S. 
Congr.  of  Indulgences,  Aug.  5,  1851,  granted  to  all 
the  faithful  who,  with  fervor  and  at  least  contrite  heart, 
shall  say,  morning  and  evening,  one  Hail  Mary, 
together  vdth  this  prayer,  to  implore  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  victory  over  temptations,  especially  over  those 
against  chastity: 

An  estdulgence  of  one  htjndred  days,  once  a  day. 

Bvening  ipragers. 

y  yj  j'HEN  at  night  I  lay  me  down, 
vIlA*     God's  protecting  love  I  own; 
Heart  and  hands  to  Him  I  raise, 
For  His  gifts  I  give  Him  praise. 
Forgive  me,  Lord,  for  Thy  dear  Son, 
The  ills  that  I  this  day  have  done; 
And  let  His  cross — my  refuge  sure — 
Preserve  my  soul  from  thoughts  impure; 
May  holy  angels,  while  I  sleep. 
Their  watchful  guard  around  me  keep. 


452  Devotions. 

y  VI  r'lTH  my  whole  heart  I  thank  Thee,  most  holy 
vIlA«  triune  God,  at  the  close  of  this  day,  for  ail 
the  lav<jrs  both  temporal  and  spiritual  which  in  my 
whole  life  1  have  received  from  Thy  great  bounty. 

But  alas,  how  unworthy,  how  insignificant  are  any 
thanks  that  I  can  offer  to  Thee,  Who  art  infinitely 
holy!  Have  I  not,  despite  all  the  benefils  I  have 
received  from  Thee,  repeatedly  offended  against  Thee, 
both  this  and  every  day  of  my  hfe? 

{Here  pause  and  examine  your  conscience.) 

Yes,  I  have  sinned  against  Heaven  and  before  Thee, 
O  my  God.  Look  mercifully,  I  beseech  Thee,  on 
the  contrition  of  my  heart,  and  forgive  Thy  erring 
child.  I  will  endeavor  seriously  to  amend.  Oh, 
grant  me  the  assistance  of  Thy  grace!  1  am  truly 
sorry  for  having  sinned,  because  Thou  art  infinitely 
good  and  sin  displeases  Thee. 

Xow  I  lay  me  down  to  rest  beneath  the  shelter  of 
Thy  almighty  protection.  Preserve  me,  kindest  of 
fathers,  from  all  evil  this  night,  and  let  me  awake 
safe  and  sound  to-morrow  morning,  to  serve  Thee 
with  fresh  courage,  fresh  zeal. 

Most  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  my  angel  guardian,  all 
ye  saints  of  heaven,  and  especially  you,  my  patron 
saint,  vouchsafe  to  intercede  for  me  and  watch  over 
me  during  the  coming  night.     Amen. 

May  the  souls  of  the  faithful  departed,  through  the 
mercy  of  God  rest  in  peace.     Amen. 

Our  Father;  Hail  Mary;  Glory,  etc.;  Sacred  Heart 
of  Jesus,  burning  with  love  for  us,  inflame  our  hearts 
with  love  of  Thee ! 

Litany  oj  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

PRAYERS  TO  OBTAIN  A  GOOD  DEATH. 

f^ESUS,  Mary,  and  Joseph,  I  give  you  my  heart  and 
jj      my  soul; 

Jesus,  Mary,  and  Joseph,  assist  me  in  my  last  agony; 


Daily  Prayers. 


453 


Jesus,  Mary,  and  Joseph,  may  I  breathe  forth  my 
soul  in  peace  with  you! 

Recite   the    " Memorare"    (to    be   found    amojig    the 
Indulgenced  Prayers,  p.  445), 

My  Queen,  my  Mother,  remember  I  am  thine  own; 
Keep  me,  guard  me,  as  thy  property  and  possession. 

SUB   TUUM   PRESIDIUM. 


CN"  UE  tuum  praesidium 
J^3  confugimus,  sancta 
Dei  genitrix;  nostras  de- 
precationes  ne  despicias  in 
necessitatibus  nostris;  sed 
a  periculis  cunctis  libera 
nos,  semper  virgo  gloriosa 
et  bcnedicta. 

V.  Dignare  me  laudare 
te,  virgo  sacrata. 

R.  Da  mihi  virtutem 
contra  hostes  tuos. 

F.  Benedictus  Deus  in 
Sanctis  suis. 

R,  Amen. 


St 


'E  fly  to  thy  patron- 
age, O  holy  Moth- 
er of  God!  despise  not 
our  petitions  in  our  neces- 
sities, but  dehver  us  from 
all  dangers,  O  ever  glor- 
ious and  blessed  Virgin. 

F.  Make  me  worthy  to 
praise  thee,  holy  Virgin. 

R.  Give  me  strength 
against  thine  enemies. 

F.  Blessed  be  God  in 
his  saints. 

R.  Amen. 


Be  iprofunDts. 


PSALM   CXXIX. 


'T'^E  profundis  clamavi 
,jLJ  ad  te,  Domine: 
Domine,  exaudi  vocem 
meam. 

Fiant  aures  tuae  inten- 
dentes,  in  vocem  depre- 
cationis  mccT. 

Si  iniquitates  observa- 
veris,  Domine:  Domine, 
Quis  sustinebit? 


OUT  of  the  depths  I 
have  cried  to  Thee, 
O  Lord:  Lord,  hear  my 
voire. 

Let  Thine  ears  be  atten- 
tive: to  the  voice  of  my 
supplication. 

If  Thou,  O  Lord,  wilt 
mark  our  iniquities:  O 
Lord,  who  sliall  stand  it  ? 


154 


Devotions. 


Quia  apud  te  propitia- 
tio  est:  ct  propter  legem 
tuam  sustinui  te,  Dominc. 


Sustinuit  anima  mca  in 
verboejus:  spcravit  anima 
mca  in  Domino. 

A  custodia  matutina 
usque  ad  nor t em,  speret 
Israel  in  Domino. 

Quia  apud  Dominum 
misericorflia,  et  co[)iosa 
apud  eum  rcdemptio. 

Et  ipse  redimct  Israel 
ex  omnibus  iniquitatibus 
ejus. 

The  Sovereign  PontifT 
Ccelestes  Ecclesim  ifiesauros 


For  with  Thee  there  is 
merciful  forgiveness:  and 
by  reason  of  Thy  law  I 
have  waited  for  Thee,  O 
Lord. 

My  soul  hath  relied  on 
His  word:  my  soul  hath 
hoped  in  the  Lord. 

From  the  morning 
watch  even  until  night, 
let  Israel  hope  in  the  Lord. 

Because  with  the  Lord 
there  is  mercy:  and  with 
Him  plentiful  redemption. 

And  He  shall  redeem 
Israel  from  all  his  iniqui- 
ties, 

Clement  XII.,   by  a  brief, 
,  Aug.  11,  1736,  granted: 


An  indulgenxe  of  one  hxjndred  days  to  all  the 
faithful  who,  at  the  sound  of  the  bell  at  the  first  hour 
after  nightfall,  shall  say  devoutly  on  their  knees  the 
psalm  De  profiiiriis,  or  the  Our  Father,  the  Hail  Mary, 
and  the   Requiem  a;tcr)iam. 


Oremus. 

BIDELIUM  Deus, 
omnium  Conditor 
et  Redemptor,  animabus 
famulorum  famularumque 
tuarum,  remi.ssionem  cunc- 
torum  tribue  j)eccatorum; 
ut  indu'gentiam  quam 
semper  optaverunt,  piis 
supnlicationibus  conse- 
quantur:  qui vivis  etregnas 
in  srecula  saeculorum. 
R.  Amen. 


Let  us  pray. 

OGOD  the  Creator 
and  Redeemer  of  all 
the  faithful,  give  to  the 
souls  of  Thy  servants  de- 
parted the  full  remission 
of  all  their  sins;  that 
through  pious  suppHca- 
tions  they  may  obtain  the 
parrlon  they  have  always 
desired:  Who  livest  and 
reignest  for  ever  and  ever. 
R.  Amen. 


Devotio7is  for  ]\Iass.  455 

V.  Requiem       astcrnam  T'.  I'ltcrnal  rest  give  to 

dona  eis,  Domine.  them,  O  Lord. 

R.  Et  lux  perpetua  lu-  R.  And     let     perpetual 

ceat  eis.  lig^^t  shine  upon  them. 

V.  Requiescant  in  pace.  V.  May  they  rest  in- 
peace. 

R.  Amen.  R.  Amen. 


II.  Devotions  tor  /IDass. 

PREPARATORY   PRAYER. 

/T\OST  merciful  Jesus,  I  present  myself  before 
^1 A  Thy  altar  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  at  the 
holy  sacrifice  of  the  TSIass.  I  desire  to  assist  at  it 
with  the  same  reverential  awe,  the  same  tender  com- 
passion with  which  my  heart  would  have  been  filled 
had  I  beheld  Thee  on  Mount  Calvary,  where  Thou 
didst  offer  Th}'sclf  up  to  Thy  heavenly  Father  for 
love  of  me.  Give  Thy  blessing,  O  Lord,  to  this  my 
desire,  and  infuse  into  my  soul  those  holy  dispositions 
of  which  I  stand  in  need  in  order  to  share  in  the 
abundant  merits  and  fruits  of  Thy  Redemption. 

AT  THE  COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE  MASS. 

IN  union  with  that  stupendous  oblation  which  Thy 
well-beloved  Son  offered  Thee  upon  the  hallowed 
cross,  I  humbly  offer  Thee,  eternal  Father,  this  holy 
sacrifice:  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  Thy  holy  name; 
in  remembrance  of  the  bitter  Passion  and  death 
of  Our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ;  in  thanks- 
giving for  all  the  blessings  and  benefits  I  have  received 
from  Thee;  in  satisfaction  for  my  sins;  in  the  hope 
of  obtaining  Thy  divine  assistance  in  all  my  necessities 
and  afflictions,  and  for  the  succor  and  solace  of  the 
living  and  the  dead.  Accept  this  oblation,  O  merci- 
ful God  and  Father;  let  my  intention  be  pleasing  in 
Thy  sight;  hear  and  grant  my  petition.  Through 
Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Son.     Amen. 


466  Devotions. 


AT   TUE   CONFITEOR. 


I  CONFESS  to  Thee,  O  my  God,  in  the  presence 
of  Mary,  the  tjlcsscd  and  immaculate  Mother 
of  Thine  only-begotten  Son,  and  all  the  saints,  that 
T  have  sinned  often  and  grievously  in  thought,  word, 
and  deed,  and  by  omission  of  the  good  I  ought  to  have 
done,  through  my  fault,  through  my  grievous  fault. 
Wherefore  I  beseech  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  all  the 
saints  to  intercede  for  me  with  Thee.  Graciously 
receive  their  prayers  and  mine,  and  grant  me  the 
remission  and  forgiveness  of  all  my  transgressions 
Amen. 

AT   THE   KYRIE    ELEISON. 

Lord,  have  mercy  upon  me. 
Christ,  have  mercy  ui)on  me. 
Lord,  have  mercy  upon  me. 

AT   THE   GLORIA. 

^^LORY  be  to  God  on  high,  and  on  earth  peace  to 
\S)  men  of  good  will.  We  praise  Thee;  we  bless 
Thee;  we  adore  Thee;  we  glorify  Thee.  We  give 
thanks  to  Thee  for  Thy  great  glory,  O  Lord  God, 
heavenly  King,  God  the  Father  almighty.  O  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  the  only-begotten  Son:  O  Lord  God, 
Lamb  of  God,  Son  of  the  Father,  Who  takest  away  the 
sins  of  the  world,  have  mercy  upon  us;  Thou  Who 
takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  receive  our  prayers; 
Thou  Who  sittest  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father,  have 
mercy  upon  us.  For  Thou  only  art  holy;  Thou  only 
art  the  Lord;  Thou  only,  O  Jesus  Christ,  with  the 
Holy  Ghost,  art  most  high  in  the  glory  of  God  the 
Father.     Amen. 

AT   THE  COLLECTS. 

YfLMlGHTY  and  eternal  God,  we  humbly 
^,_jL,  beseech  Thee  graciously  to  hear  the  prayers 
of  Thy  Church,  which  the  priest  offers  up  to  Thee  for 


Devotions  for  Mass.  457 

us  and  for  all  Thy  people.  Grant  unto  us  all  that 
is  needful  for  our  souls  and  our  bodies,  that  we  may 
lead  a  life  acceptable  in  Thy  sight,  and  attain  eternal 
salvation.     Amen. 


AT   THE    EPISTLE. 

OGOD,  Thou  art  never  weary  of  stirring  up  the 
faithful  by  the  teaching  and  admonitions  of 
the  prophets  and  apostles,  and  by  other  holy  exhorta- 
tions, that  they  may  lead  a  life  of  true  piety;  give  us, 
we  beseech  Thee,  a  receptive  mind,  that  we  may  lay 
to  heart  these  \\o\y  instructions  and  order  our  con- 
duct and  our  conversation  in  accordance  with  them. 
Amen. 

AT   THE   GOSPEL. 

*3^  HANKS  be  to  Thee,  divine  Redeemer,  for  the 
\cy  holy  Gospel  Thou  hast  given  us.  Grant  me 
grace  to  listen  to  it  with  reverence  and  devotion  and 
ever  to  obey  its  precepts  zealously  and  unwaveringly; 
that  I  may  be  made  partaker  of  that  felicity  which  is 
promised  to  all  who  believe  in  Thee  and  with  loving 
fidelity  keep  Thy  commandments. 

AT   THE    CREDO. 

I  BELIEVE  in  one  God,  the  Father  almighty, 
Maker  of  heaven  and  earth,  and  of  all  things 
visible  and  invisible.  And  in  one  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
the  only-begotten  Son  of  God,  born  of  the  Father 
before  all  ages.  God  of  God;  Light  of  Light;  true 
God  of  true  God;  begotten  not  made;  consubstantial 
with  the  Father,  by  Whom  all  things  were  made.  Who 
for  us  men,  and  for  our  salvation,  came  down  from 
heaven,  and  was  incarnate  by  the  Holy  Ghost  of  the 
Virgin  Mary,  and  was  made  man.  [Kneel  in  rever- 
ence jor  Christ's  Incarnation?^  He  was  crucified  also 
for  us,  suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate,  and  was  buried. 
The  third  day  He  rose  again  according  to  the  Scriptures; 


468  Derations. 

and  ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  at  the  right 
hand  of  the  Father:  and  He  shall  come  again  with 
glory  to  judge  both  the  living  and  the  dead:  of  Whose 
kingdom  there  shall  be  no  end.  And  I  believe  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,  the  Lord  and  Life-giver,  Who  proceedeth 
from  the  Father  and  the  Son:  Who  together  with  the 
Father  and  the  Son  is  adored  and  glorified:  Whf) 
spoke  by  the  prophets.  And  one  holy  Catholic  and 
Apostolic  Church.  I  confess  one  Baptism  ior  the 
remission  of  sins.  And  I  look  for  the  resurrection 
of  the  dead,  and  the  life  of  the  world  to  come. 
Amen. 

AT   THE   OFFERTORY. 

'TTTCCEPT,  O  holy  Father,  almighty,  eternal  God, 
fj^l-t  this  immaculate  Host  which  I,  Thy  unworthy 
servant,  offer  unto  Thee  by  the  hands  of  Thy  priest, 
for  my  innumerable  sins,  offences,  and  negh'genics; 
and  for  all  here  present,  also  for  all  faithful  Christians 
both  living  and  dead,  that  it  may  be  profitable  for 
my  own  and  for  their  salvation. 

To  this  oblation  of  bread  and  wine,  which  will 
shortly  be  changed  into  the  body  and  blood  of  Our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  unite  the  offering  of  myself,  and 
present  unto  Thee,  O  heavenly  Father,  all  my  thoughts, 
words,  and  works.  All  that  I  am  and  all  that  I  have 
1  consecrate  to  Thy  service.     Amen. 

AT   THE   PREFACE. 

OGOD  of  infinite  glory  and  majest\',  it  is  meet  and 
just,  right  and  salutary  that  we  .should  always 
and  in  all  places  give  thanks  unto  Thee  through  Christ 
our  Lord.  Through  Him  the  angels  praise  Thy 
majesty,  the  dominations  adore.  Through  Him  the 
heavens  and  the  virtues  of  the  heavens  and  the  blessed 
seraphim  magnify  Thee  with  united  joy.  In  union 
with  all  these  celestial  powers  1  also  adore  Thee  in 
the  name  of  all  Thy  creatures;    1  laud  and  magnify 


Devotions  for  Mass.  459 

Thee  and  give  thanks  unto  Thee,  Who  art  my  supreme 
Good  and  my  all. 

Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God  of  Sabaolh.  Heaven 
and  earth  are  full  of  Thy  glory. 

Glorv  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son,  and  to  the 
Holy  Ghost; 

As  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever  shall  be. 
Amen. 

AT  THE   COMMEMORATION   OF  THE  LIVING. 

I  PRAY  and  beseech  Thee,  O  God  of  infinite 
mercy,  through  Jesus  Christ  Thy  Son  our  Lord, 
that  Thou  wouldst  look  graciously  upon  this  obla- 
tion of  Thy  Son,  and  vouchsafe  to  protect  and  govern 
Thy  holy  Catholic  Church,  to  preserve  her  in  peace, 
to  propagate  her  and  make  her  victorious  throughout 
the  world.  Pour  out  Thy  blessings  upon  the  Pope, 
our  chief  pastor,  on  all  the  bishops  and  priests  of  Thy 
Church,  and  on  all  Christian  rulers.  Be  mindful,  O 
Lord,  of  my  dear  parents,  brothers  and  sisters,  my 
relatives,  friends  and  benefactors,  and  all  for  whom  I 
am  by  justice,  gratitude  and  affection  bound  to  pray, 
and  of  Thy  bountiful  goodness  give  them  all  that  they 
need  for  body  and  soul  to  promote  their  temporal  and 
eternal  welfare.  Have  compassion  upon  sinners,  here- 
tics, and  unbelievers,  on  the  afBicted,  the  oppressed, 
the  poor,  the  sick,  and  the  dying.  Have  compassion 
also  on  me;  help  me  in  all  my  necessities  whether 
spiritual  or  corporal,  and  after  this  earthly  life  take 
me  to  Thyself  in  the  reahns  of  everlasting  joy  and 
*°Licity.     Amen. 

AT   THE  CONSECRATION. 

I  ADORE  Thee,  O  Jesus,  true  God  and  true  man. 
Who   art   really  and  substantially  here   present 
under  the  appearance  of  bread  and  wine. 
Jesus,  have  mercy  upon  me! 

Jesus,  forgive  me  my  sins!  Jesus,  I  love  Theei 
Jesus,  I  will  be  Thine  in  life  and  in  death! 


460  Devotions. 

O  Sacrament  most  holy,  O  Saciament  divine, 
All   praise  and  all  thanksgiving  be  every  moment 
Thine  1 

AFTER  THE  CONSECRATION. 

'  I  '  OOK  down,  we  beseech  Thee,  heavenly  Father, 
,  ■  A  with  complacency  on  the  sacrifice  of  Thy 
divine  Son,  and  for  love  of  Him  be  gracious  unto  us 
and  grant  us  Thy  blessing.  Look  also  in  mercy  on 
all  the  souls  who  are  suffering  the  pains  of  jiurgatory, 
especially  [N.N.].  Alleviate  their  suffering,  and  admit 
them  soon  to  the  land  of  eternal  light  and  perpetual 
peace  for  which  they  ardently  long.     Amen. 

AT   THE   PATER  NOSTER 
Our  Father,  etc. 

AT   THE   AGNUS    DEI. 

*■  'AMB  of  God,  Who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
fM—X     world,  have  mercy  upon  us. 

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

Lamb  of  God,  Who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  grant  us  peace. 

AT   THE   COMMtJNION. 
Spiritual  Communion. 

"T — *  ORD  Jesus,  Thou,  in  Thy  infinite  love,  didst  go 
^  *  ^  so  far  as  to  vouchsafe  to  become  the  food  of  our 
souls.  The  priest  is  now  about  to  consume  the  sacred 
species;  to  receive  Thy  sacred  body,  to  drink  Thy 
precious  blood.  Fain  would  1  also  with  the  priest 
receive  Thee  in  this  Holy  Sacrament,  were  I  worthy 
of  so  great  a  favor.  I  beseech  Thee  to  come  into 
my  heart  in  a  spiritual  manner,  and  impart  Thy 
grace    unto  me.     Increase   my    faith,  strengthen   mj 


Devotions  for  Mass.  46 1 

hope,  kindle  my  love,  that  henceforth  I  may  live  for 
Thee  alone  and  may  never  be  separated  from  Thee. 
Amen. 


CONCLUDING   PRAYER. 

OGOD,  WTio  hast  vouchsafed  to  grant  me  the 
privilege  of  assisting  at  the  unbloody  renewal 
of  that  sacrifice  which  Thy  divine  Son  offered  to  Thee 
in  a  bloody  manner  on  the  cross  for  the  salvation  of 
mankind,  I  give  Thee  thanks  for  this  great  grace. 
Forgive  the  distractions  to  which  I  have  yielded,  and 
my  want  of  devotion;  let  these  imperfections  not  be 
an  obstacle  to  my  participation  in  the  blessings  which 
Thou  dost  bestow  on  those  who  assist  at  the  holy 
sacrifice  of  the  Mass  with  pious  attention.  May 
Thy  blessing  accompany  me  in  all  my  ways,  that  I 
may  do  Thy  will  and  persevere  in  Thy  grace  to  the 
end.     Amen. 

PRAYERS 

Ordered  by  our  Holy  Father  Pope  Leo  XIII.  to 
be  said,  kneeling,  after  the  celebration  of  Low  Mass, 
in  all  churches  of  the  world. 

Hail  Mary,  etc.,  to  be  said  thrice  by  the  priest  and 
people. 

'  |-^  AIL,  holy  Queen,  Mother  of  mercy;  hail,  our 
(-1—^  life,  our  sweetness,  and  our  hope!  To  thee 
do  we  cry,  poor  banished  children  of  Eve;  to  thee 
do  we  send  up  our  sighs,  mourning  and  weeping  in 
this  vale  of  tears.  Turn  then,  most  gracious  advo- 
cate, thine  eyes  of  mercy  toward  us;  and  after  this 
our  exile,  show  unto  us  the  blessed  fruit  of  thy  womb, 
Jesus.     O  clement,  O  loving,  O  sweet  Virgin  Mary. 

V.  Pray  for  us,  O  holy  Mother  of  God. 

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


462  Devotions. 

Let  us  pray. 

0(]0r),  our  rcfuRc  anrl  our  strength,  l(X)k  down  in 
mercy  on  Thy  people  who  try  to  Thee;  and  by  the 
intercession  of  the  glorious  and  immaculate  Virgin 
^lary,  Motlier  of  (Jod,  of  Saint  Joseph,  her  spouse, 
of  Thy  blessed  apostles  Peter  and  I'aul,  and  of  all 
the  saints,  in  mercy  and  goodness  hear  our  prayers 
for  the  conversion  of  sinners,  and  for  the  liberty  and 
exaltation  of  our  holy  Mother  the  C"hurch.  Through 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Holy  Michael,  archangel,  defend  us  in  the  day  of 
battle;  be  our  safeguard  against  the  wickedness  and 
snares  of  the  devil.  May  God  rebuke  him,  we  humbly 
pray:  and  do  thou,  prince  of  the  heavenly  host,  by 
the  power  of  God  thrust  down  to  hell  Satan  and  all 
wicked  spirits  who  wander  through  the  world  seeking 
the  ruin  of  souls.     Amen. 

Pope  Leo  XTII.  granted  to  all  those  who  recite  the 
above  prayers  an  indulgence  of  three  hundred  days. 

Our  Hoiy  Father  Pope  Pius  X.  has  added  to  these 
prayers  the  following  invocation: 

Most  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  have  mercy  on  us ! 
(to  be  said  thrice). 


O  praise  our  bounteous  Lord, 
Give  thanks  unto  His  name; 
By  every  word  and  deed 
His  charity  proclaim. 
Each  day  Himself  afresh 
Our  hidden  God  doth  give — 
His  blood.  His  sacred  flesh, 
That  we  by  Him  may  live. 


Devotions  for  Mass.  463 


B  ^etboD  ot  aeststing  at  tbe  Ibolg  Sacrifice 

of  tbe  altar  be  ^following  tbe  ©tJXnarg  of 

tbe  /llbass. 

INSTRUCTION, 

'  l-^  OLY  Mass  is  the  perpetual  sacrifice  of  the  New 
fJ_^  Law,  instituted  by  Christ  Himself,  at  the  Last 
Supper,  in  which  sacrifice  our  divine  Saviour  offers 
Himself  up,  by  the  hands  of  the  priest,  to  His  heavenly 
Father  in  an  unbloody  manner  under  the  species  of 
bread  and  wine,  as  He  offered  Himself  in  a  bloody 
manner  on  the  cross.  Holy  Mass  was  instituted  by 
Christ  Himself,  when,  at  the  Last  Supper,  He  took 
bread,  blessed  it  and  gave  to  His  apostles,  saying, 
" Take  ye  and  eat :  This  is  My  body."  In  like  manner 
He  took  the  chahce  also,  saying,  "This  is  My  blood 
of  the  New  Testament,  which  shall  be  shed  for  many 
unto  the  remission  of  sins"  (Matt.  .xxvi.  26;  i  Cor.  xi. 
25).  Christ  could  not  have  spoken  more  explicitly 
of  the  sacrifice  of  His  body  and  blood.  He  moreover 
commanded  His  apostles  to  do  the  same  that  He  had 
done,  saying,  "Do  tliis  for  a  commemoration  of  ^vle." 
This  sufficiently  proves  the  sacrificial  character  of  holy 
Mass. 

Holy  Mass  was  instituted  (i)  as  a  sacrifice  of 
adoration,  by  which  we  acknowledge  our  dependence 
on  God  as  the  Ruler  over  fife  and  death;  (2)  as  a 
sacrifice  of  praise  and  thanksgiving  for  the  benefits 
conferred  on  us;  (3)  as  a  sacrifice  of  reparation  for 
our  sins  and  negligences;  (4)  as  a  sacrifice  of  impe- 
tration,  to  implore  of  Him  the  grace  necessary  for 
our  salvation.  Assisting  at  holy  Mass,  you  should 
have  this  fourfold  intention.  If  you  desire  to  implore 
other  benefits  from  God,  through  tlie  holy  sacrifice 
of  the  Mass — -very  well,  but  do  not  forget  the  main 
intention.  Holy  ^lass  reminds  you  also  of  the  suffer- 
ings and  death  of  our  blessed  Redeemer.  It  is  the 
best   means   to   bring  rehef  to  the  suffering  souls  in 


464 


Devotions. 


purgaton'.  Remember  them,  and  you  may  rest 
assured  that  they  will  not  forget  you  before  the  throne 
of  divine  mercy. 


THE   ASPERGES. 


Ant. 


j5' 


SPERGES 
me,     Do- 
mine,  hyssopo,  et  munda- 
bor:  lavabis  me,  et  super 
nivem  dealbabor. 


JJ^HOU      shah 


Ps.  ATiserere  mei,  Deus, 
secundum  magnam  mise- 
ricordiam  tuam. 

V.  Gloria  Patri,  etc. 

Ant.  Asperges  me. 


AtU. 

sprinkle  me 
with  hyssop,  O  Lord,  and 
I  shall  be  cleansed:  Thou 
shall  wash  me,  and  I  shall 
be  made  whiter  than  snow. 

Ps.  Have  mercy  on  me, 
O  God,  according  to  Thy 
great  mercy. 

V.  Glory  be,  etc. 

Ant.  Thou  shalt  sprin- 
kle me. 


[The  following  Antiphon  is  said  instead  of  the  above 
from  Easter  to  Whitsuntide  (inclusive).] 

Ant.  '\  r'ini     aquam         Ant.   *Tr'    SAW    water 
egredien-  Jl^     flowing  from 


'V'l 


tern  de  tcmplo  a  latere 
dextro,  Alleluia;  et  omnes 
ad  quos  pervenit  aqua  ista 


the  right  side  of  the  temple, 
Alleluia;  and  all  to  whom 
that     water     came     were 


salvi  facti  sunt,  et  diceiit,     saved,  and  they  shall  say, 


Alleluia. 

Ps.  Confitemini  Do- 
mino, quoniam  bonus; 
quoniam  in  s;eculum  mi- 
sericordia  ejus.  Gloria,  etc. 

V.  Ostende  nobis.  Do-, 
mine,  misericordiam  tuam. 

R.  Et  salutare  tuum  da 
nobis. 

V.  Domine,  exaudi  ora- 
tionem  meam. 

R.  Et  clamor  mens  ad 
te  veniat. 


Alleluia. 

Ps.  Praise  the  Lord, 
for  He  is  good:  for  His 
mercy  endureth  for  ever. 
Glory,  etc. 

V.  Show  us,  O  Lord, 
Thy  mercy. 

R.  And  grant  us  Thy 
salvation. 

V.  O  Lord,  hear  my 
prayer. 

R.  .^nd  let  my  cry 
come  unto  Thee. 


Devotions  for  Mass.  465 

V.  Dominus  vobiscum.         V.  The    Lord    be   with 

you. 
R.  Et  cum  spiritu  tuo.         R.  And  with  thy  spirit. 

Let  us  pray. 

Exaudi,     nos,    Domine  Hear  us,  O  holy  Lord, 

sancte,  Pater  omnipotens,  almighty    Father,    eternal 

aeterne    Deus;   et    mittere  God;     and    vouchsafe    to 

digneris  sanctum  angelum  send  Thy  holy  angel  from 

tuum  de  ccelis,  qui  custo-  heaven,  to  guard,  cherish, 

diat,  foveat,  protegat,  visi-  protect,  visit,  and  defend 

tet,  atcjue  defendat  omnes  all  that  are  assembled  in 

habitantes  in  hoc  habita-  this      house.         Through 

culo.     Per  Christum   Do-  Christ  our  Eord.     Amen, 
minum    nostrum.     Amen. 

No  special  form  oj  prayers  is  obligatory  upon  the 
laity  during  the  Mass.  Unite  yourself  in  spirit  with 
the  priest,  and  read  the  prayers  of  the  Missal;  or  medi- 
tate upon  the  sufferings  and  death  of  Our  Lord,  or 
upon  the  ends  of  sacrifice;  or  recite  devoutly  a  part  of 
the  Rosary;  or  make  use  of  the  following  devotions. 
The  Collects,  etc.,  are  selected  from  the  Missal. 

AT   THE    BEGir^NING    OF    MASS. 

IN  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen. 
I  come  before  Thee,  O  my  God,  to  offer  Thee, 
through  Thy  minister,  the  most  holy  sacrifice  of  Thy 
divine  Son  renewed  daily  upon  our  altars.  Deign, 
I  beseech  Thee,  to  accept  it  as  the  most  solemn 
act  of  homage  which  I  can  render  to  Thee;  as  a 
thanksgiving  for  all  Thy  benefits;  as  a  complete 
atonement  for  all  the  offences  which  I  have  ever 
committed  against  Thee;  and  as  an  act  by  which 
I  presume  to  supplicate  Thee  for  all  the  graces 
and  blessings  of  which  I  stand  in  need.  Look 
not,  O  Lord,  upon  my  unworthiness,  but  regard  only 
the  infinite  merits  of  Thy  own  beloved  Son,  Who  here. 


466  Devotions. 

as  Priest  and  Victim,  pk-ads  in  my  behalf.  O  Mary, 
Mother  of  Jesus,  who  didst  witness  the  sacrifice  of 
thy  divine  Son  on  Calvary,  obtain  for  mc  the  grace 
to  assist  with  becoming  devotion  at  these  sacred 
mysteries. 

Ant.  I  will  go  in  to  the  altar  of  God:  to  God,  who 
giveth  joy  to  my  youth. 

Ps.  Judge  me,  O  God,  and  distinguish  my  cause 
from  the  nation  that  is  not  holy:  deliver  me  from  the 
unjust  and  deceitful  man. 

For  Thou  art  God  my  strength:  why  hast  Thou 
cast  me  off?  and  why  do  I  go  sorrowful  whilst  the 
enemy  afHictcth  me  ? 

Send  forth  Thy  light  and  Thy  truth:  they  have 
conducted  me  and  brought  me  unto  Thy  holy  hill,  and 
into  Thy  tabernacles. 

And  I  will  go  in  to  the  altar  of  God:  to  God,  who 
giveth  joy  to  my  youth. 

To  Thee,  O  God  my  God,  I  will  give  praise  upon  the 
bar]):  why  art  thou  sad,  O  my  soul?  and  why  dost 
thou  disquiet  me? 

Hope  in  God,  for  I  will  still  give  praise  to  Him: 
the  salvation  of  my  countenance,  and  my  God. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 

Ant.  I  will  go  in  to  the  altar  of  God:  to  God,  who 
giveth  joy  to  my  youth. 

THE  CONFITEOR. 

I  CONFESS  to  almighty  God,  to  blessed  Mary,  ever 
virgin,  to  blessed  Michael  the  archangel,  to 
blessed  John  the  Baptist,  to  the  holy  apostles  Peter 
and  Paul,  and  to  all  the  saints,  that  I  have  sinned 
e.xccedingly  in  thought,  word,  and  deed,  through 
my  fault,  through  my  fault,  through  my  inost  grievous 
fault.  Therefore  I  bc-scech  the  blessed  Mary,  ever 
virgin,  blessed  Michael  the  archangel,  blessed  John 
the  Baptist,  the  holy  apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  and  all 
the  saints,  to  pray  to  the  I^ord  our  God  for  me. 

May  the  almighty  God  have  mercy  on  us,  and  for- 
give us  our  sins,  and  bring  us  to  life  everlasting.     Amen. 


Devotions  fo7'  Mass.  467 

May  the  almighty  and  merciful  Lord  give  us  par- 
don,  absolution,   and  remission  of  our  sins.     Amen. 

Take  away  from  us  our  iniquities,  we  beseech 
Thee,  O  Lord:  that  we  may  be  worthy  to  enter  with 
pure  minds  into  the  Holy  of  holies.  Through  Christ 
our  Lord.     x\mcn. 

I  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  by  the  merits  of  Thy 
saints,  that  Thou  wouldst  vouchsafe  to  forgive  me  all 
my  sins.     Amen. 

Introit. — {Ps.  bcxxv.)  Incline  Thy  ear,  O  Lord, 
and  hear  me:  save  Thy  servant,  O  my  God,  that 
trusteth  in  Thee:  have  mercy  on  me,  O  Lord,  for  I 
have  cried  to  Thee  all  the  day.  Give  joy  to  the  soul 
of  Thy  servant;  for  to  Thee,  O  Lord,  I  have  lifted  up 
my  soul.     Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 

Lord,  have  mercy  on  us.     Christ,  have  mercy  on  us. 
Lord,  have  mercy  on  us. 
Each  invocation  is  said  thrice. 

AFTER   THE   KYRIE    ELEISON. 

^^LORIA    in     excelsis  ^^LORY    be    to    God 

\$y     Deo ;  et  in  terra  pax  \S#     on    high,    and    on 

hominibus  bonae  voluntatis,  earth  peace  to  men  of  good 

Laudamus    te;     benedici-  will.     We  praise  Thee ;  we 

mus  te;  adoramus  te;  glori-  bless    Thee;      we      adore 

ficamus  te.     Gratias  agi-  Thee;    we    glorify     Thee, 

mus  tibi  propter  magnam  We      give     Thee     thanks 

gloriam     tuam,     Domine  for      Thy      great      glory, 

Deus,  Rex  ccelestis,  Deus  O    Lord     God,    heavenly 

Pater     omnipotens.     Do-  King,     God     the     Father 

mine    Fili    unigenite   Jesu  almighty.     O   Lord  Jesus 

Christe;     Domine    Deus,  Christ,    the   only-begotten 

Agnus  Dei,  Filius  Patris,  Son:  O    Lord    God,    Son 

cjui  tollis  peccata  mundi,  of   the   Father,   Lamb  of 

miserere  ijobis;    qui  tollis  God,  Who  takest  away  the 

peccota  mundi,  suscipede-  sins    of    the    world,  have 

precationem  nostram:  qui  mercy  on  us;  Thou  Who 

sedes  ad  dexteram  Patris,  takest    away    the    sins    of 

m.iserexe  nobis.     Quoniam  the     world,     receive     our 


468  Devotiona. 

tu  solus  sanctus:  lu  solus     prayers;  Thou  Who  sittcst 

Dominus:  tu  solus  allissi-    at  the  right  hand  of  the 

mus    Jesu    Christe,    cum     Father,  have  mercy  on  us. 

Sancto   Spiritu,   in    gloria     For  Thou  alone  art  holy; 

Dei  Patris.     Amen.  Thou  alone  art  the  Lord; 

Thou     alone,     O     Jesus 

Christ,     with     the     Holy 

Ghost,   art   most   high   in 

the    glory    of     God     the 

Father.     Amen. 


'XI'L.MIGHTY  and  merciful  God,  Who  bestowcst 
eJ<-^  upon  mankind  lx)th  tlio  remedies  of  salvation 
and  the  gifts  of  eternal  life,  look  mercifully  u[Kin 
us  Thy  servants,  and  refresh  the  souls  which  Thou 
hast  created,  that  in  the  hour  of  their  dejjarture  they 
may  be  found  worthy  to  be  presented  without  stain 
of  sin,  by  the  hands  of  the  holy  angels,  to  Thee  their 
Creator.  Through  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Son, 
Who  liveth  and  reigneth  with  Thee,  in  the  unity  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God,  world  without  end.  Amen. 
Preserve  us,  O  Lord,  we  beseech  Thee,  from  all 
dangers  of  lx)dy  and  soul:  and  by  the  intercession  of 
the  ever-glorious  and  blessed  Mary,  the  ever-virgin 
Mother  of  God,  of  blessed  Joseph,  of  Thy  blessed 
apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  and  of  all  the  saints,  grant 
us,  in  Thy  mercy,  health  and  peace:  that,  all  ad- 
versities and  errors  being  removed,  Thy  Church  may 
serve  Thee  with  a  pure  and  undisturbed  devotion. 
Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


IF  I  S[)eak  with  the  tongues  of  angels,  and  have  not 
charity,  I  am  become  as  sounding  bra.ss  or  a 
tinkling  cymbal.  And  if  T  should  have  all  faith,  so 
that  I  could  remove  mountains,  and  have  not  charity, 
I  am  nothing.  .\nd  if  I  should  distribute  all  my  goods 
to  feed  the  poor,  and  if  I  should  deliver  my  body  to 


Devotions  for  Mass.  469 

be  burned,  and  have  not  charity,  it  profiteth  me 
nothing.  Charity  is  patient,  is  kind:  charity  envieth 
not,  dealcth  not  perversely,  is  not  puffed  up,  is  not 
ambitious,  seeketh  not  her  own,  is  not  provoked  to 
anger,  thinketh  no  evil,  rcjoiceth  not  in  iniquity, 
but  rejoiccth  with  the  truth:  beareth  all  things,  believeth 
all  things,  hopeth  all  things,  endureth  all  things. 
Charity  never  falleth  away  (i  Cor.  xiii.). 

Grant,  O  Lord,  that  I  may  ever  give  a  ready  ear  to 
the  teaching  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit,  and  learn  with 
fervent  earnestness  the  salutary  lessons  which  Thy 
divine  Son  has  left  us  in  His  life  and  words.  May  I 
be  ever  docile  to  that  holy  Church  which  He  has  ap- 
pointed to  teach  all  nations,  in  His  name,  to  the  end 
of  time. 


Matt.  xi.  25-30. 

'/  iT  that  time  Jesus  answered  and  said:  I  con- 
gjr-^i  fess  to  Thee,  O  Father,  Lord  of  heaven  and 
earth,  because  Thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the 

"ise  and  prudent,  and  hast  revealed  them  to  little 
ones.  Yea,  Father;  for  so  hath  it  seemed  good  in  Thy 
sight.  All  things  are  delivered  to  Me  by  My  Father. 
And  no  one  knoweth  the  Son,  but  the  Father:  neither 
doth  any  one  know  the  Father,  but  the  Son,  and  he 
to  whom  it  shall  please  the  Son  to  reveal  Him.  Come 
to  Me,  all  you  that  labor,  and  are  burdened,  and 
I  will  refresh  you.  Take  up  A-Iy  yoke  upon  }'ou, 
and  learn  of  Me,  because  I  am  meek,  and  humble  of 
heart:  and  you  shall  find  rest  to  your  souls.  For 
Aly  yoke  is  sweet,  and  My  burden  light. 


THE   CREDO. 

a  REDO  in  unum  De-    *ir'  BELIEVE  in  one  God, 
um,  Patrem  omni-     JL^      the  Fatheralmighty, 
potentem,  Factorem    coeli    Ivlaker  of  heaven  and  earth 


470 


Devotions. 


et  terrac  visibilium  omni- 
um et  invisibilium. 

Et  in  unum  Dominum 
Jesum  Christum,  Inlium 
Dei  unigcnitum,  ct  ex 
Patre  natum  ante  omnia 
sajcula.  Dcum  de  Deo; 
Lumen  do  Lumine;  Deum 
verum  de  Deo  vcro;  geni- 
tum  non  factum;  consuh- 
stantialem  Patri,  per  quem 
omnia  facta  sunt.  Qui 
propter  nos  homines,  et 
propter  nostram  salutem, 
descendit  de  Dxlis  et  in- 
carnatus  est  de  Spiritu 
Sancto,  ex  Maria  Virgine: 

ET      nOMO      FACTUS       EST. 

Crucifixusetiani  pronoljis: 
sub  Pontio  Pilato  passus 
et  sepultus  est.  Et  resur- 
rexit  tertia  die  secundum 
Scripturas;  et  ascendit  in 
coelum,  sedet  ad  dexteram 
Patris:  et  iterum  vcnturus 
est  cum  gloria  judicare 
vivos  et  mortuos:  cujus 
regni  non  erit  finis. 


Et  in  Spiritum  Sanctum 
Dominum  ct  vivificantem, 
qui  ex  Patre  Filioque  pro- 
cedit;  qui  cum'  Patre  et 
Filio  simul  adoratur  et 
conglorificatur;  qui  locu- 
tus  est  per  prophetas.  Et 
unam  sanrtam  Catholicam 
et  Apostolicam  Ecrlcsiam. 
Confiteor  unum  baptisma 


and  of  all  things  visible 
and  invisible. 

And  in  one  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  only-begotten 
Son  of  God,  born  of  the 
Father  before  all  ages. 
God  of  God;  Light  of 
Light;  true  God  of  true 
God;  begotten,  not  made; 
consubstantial  with  the 
Father,  by  Whom  all 
things  were  made.  Who 
for  us  men,  and  for  our 
salvation,  came  down  from 
heaven  and  was  incarnate 
by  the  Holy  Ghost  of  the 
Virgin  Mary:  and  was 
MADE  MAX.  He  was  cru- 
cified also  for  us,  suffered 
under  Pontius  Pilate,  and 
■was  buried.  The  third 
day  he  rose  again,  accord- 
ing to  the  Scriptures;  and 
ascended  into  heaven,  and 
sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of 
the  Father:  and  He  shall 
come  again  with  glory  to 
judge  both  the  living  and 
the  dead ;  of  Whose  King- 
dom there  shall  be  no  end. 

And  I  believe  in  the  Holy 
Ghost,  the  Lord  and  Life- 
giver;  Who  proccedcth 
from  the  Father  and  the 
Son:  "Who  together  with 
the  Father  and  the  Son  is 
adored  and  glorified;  Who 
spoke  by  the  prophets. 
And  one  holy  Catholic  and 
Apostolic  Church.     I  con- 


Devotions  for  Mass.  471 

in   remissionem    peccator-  fess  one  Baptism  for  the 

um.      Et    expecto    resur-  remission  of  sins.     And  I 

rectionem   mortuorum,   et  look  for  the  resurrection  of. 

vitam      venturi       SEculi.  the  dead  and  the  life  of  the 

Amen.  world  to  come.     Amen. 


THE    OFFERTOEY. 

*ZJ*CCEPT,  O  holy  Father,  almighty,  eternal 
fji-^  God,  this  holy  sacrifice  for  my  innumerable 
sins,  offences,  and  negligences,  and  for  all  here  present; 
as  also  for  all  the  faithful,  both  living  and  dead,  that 
it  may  be  profitable  for  my  own  and  for  their  salva- 
tion unto  life  eternal.     Amen. 

0  God,  Who,  in  creating  human  nature,  didst 
wonderfully  dignify  it,  and  hast  still  more  wonderfully 
renewed  it,  grant  that,  by  these  sacred  mysteries. 
we  may  be  made  partakers  of  His  divinity,  Who  vouch- 
safed to  become  partaker  of  our  humanity,  Jesus 
Christ,  Thy  Son,  our  Lord;  who  liveth  and  reigneth 
with  Thee  in  the  unity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God, 
world  without  end.     Amen. 

Join  with  the  priest  in  the  following  prayers: 

We  offer  unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  the  chalice  of  salva- 
tion, beseeching  Thy  clemency,  that,  in  the  sight  of 
Thy  divine  Majesty,  it  may  ascend  with  the  odor  of 
sweetness,  for  our  salvation,  and  for  that  of  the  whole 
world.     Amen. 

In  the  spirit  of  humility,  and  with  a  contrite  heart, 
let  us  be  received  by  Thee,  O  Lord;  and  grant  that 
the  sacrifice  we  offer  in  Thy  sight  this  day  may  be 
pleasing  to  Thee,  <">  Lord  God. 

The  priest  Washes  his  fingers. 

Ps.  I  will  wash  my  hands  among  the  innocent: 
and  will  compass  Thy  altar,  O  Lord. 

That  I  may  hear  the  voice  of  Thy  praise',  and  tell  of 
all  Thy  wondrous  works. 

1  have  loved,  O  Lord,  the  beauty  of  Thy  house, 
and  the  place  where  Thy  glory  dwelleth. 


472  Devotions. 

Take  not  away  my  soul,  O  God,  with  the  wicked, 
nor  my  life  with  men  of  blood. 

In  whose  hands  are  ini(|uities:  their  right  hand  is 
filled  with  gifts. 

But  as  for  me,  I  have  walked  in  my  innocence:  re- 
deem me,  and  have  mercy  upon  nic. 

Mv  foot  hath  stood  in  the  direct  way:  in  the  churches 
I  will  bless  Thee,  O  Lord. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 

The  priest  returns  to  the  middle  of  the  altar. 

Receive,  O  Holy  Trinity,  this  oblation,  which  we 
offer  to  Thee  in  memory  of  the  Passion,  Resurrection, 
and  Ascension  of  Our  I^rd  Jesus  Christ,  and  in 
honor  of  the  blessed  Mnry  ever  Virgin,  of  blessed 
John  the  Baptist,  the  holy  apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  of 
these  and  of  all  the  saints:  that  it  may  be  available 
to  their  honor  and  our  salvation:  and  may  they 
vouchsafe  to  intercede  for  us  in  heaven  whose  memory 
we  celebrate  on  earth.  Through  the  s^me  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 

The  priest  tiims  toward  the  people  and  says,  Orate, 
fratres. 

V.  Brethren,  pray  that  my  sacrifice  and  yours  may 
be  acceptable  to  God  the  Father  almighty. 

R.  May  the  Lord  receive  the  sacrifice  from  thy 
hands,  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  His  name,  to  our 
benefit,  and  to  that  of  all  His  holy  Church. 

Grant,  we  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  that  this  Victim 
of  salvation  may  both  cleanse  us  from  our  sins,  and 
render  Thy  Majesty  propitious  to  us.  Through  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen.  . 

Graciously  hear  us,  O  God  our  Saviour:  that  by 
virtue  of  this  Sacrament  Thou  mayest  defend  us  from 
all  enemies  of  both  soul  and  body:  grant  us  grace  in 
this  life  and  glory  in  the  next.  Who  livest  and  reignest, 
etc. 


Devotions  for  Mass.  473 


THE    PREFACE. 

IT  is  truly  meet  and  just,  right  and  salutary,  that 
we  should  always,  and  in  all  places,  give  thanks 
to  Thee,  O  holy  Lord,  Father  almighty,  eternal  God. 
Through  Christ  our  Lord:  through  Whom  the  angels 
praise  Thy  Majesty,  the  dominations  adore,  the 
powers  do  hold  in  awe,  the  heavens,  and  the  virtues 
of  the  heavens,  and  the  blessed  seraphim,  do  celebrate 
with  united  joy.  In  union  with  whom,  we  beseech 
Thee  that  Thou  wouldst  command  our  voices  also 
to  be  admitted  with  suppliant  confession,  saying: 

The  sanctuary  bell  is  rung. 

Holy,  holy,  holy.  Lord  God  of  Sabaoth. 

Heaven  and  earth  are  full  of  Thy  glory. 

Hosanna  in  the  highest. 

Blessed  is  He  that  comcth  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

Hosanna  in  the  highest. 

THE   CANON    OF   THE   MArfS. 

V/l  I  E  therefore  humbly  pray  and  beseech  Thee, 
V1lA»  rnost  merciful  Father,  through  Jesus  Christ 
Thy  Son,  our  Lord,  that  Thou  wouldst  accept  this 
holy  sacrifice,  which,  in  the  first  place,  we  offer 
Thee  for  Thy  holy  Catholic  Church,  which  vouchsafe 
to  pacify,  guard,  unite,  and  govern  throughout  the  whole 
world,  together  with  Thy  servant  N.,  our  Pope;  N.,  our 
bishop;  as  also  all  orthodox  believers  and  professors 
of  the  Catholic  and  Apostolic  Faith. 

COMMEMORATION   OF   THE   LIVING. 

BE  mindful,  O  Lord,  of  Thy  servants  for  whom 
I  wish  to  pray,  of  all  who  are  in  any  way 
committed  to  my  care,  and  of  all  for  whom  I  am 
bound  to  pray;  and  of  all  here  present,  whose  faith 
and  devotion  are  knowp  'mto  Thee;    with  whom  we 


474  Devotions. 

humbly  join  in  oiTcring  up  to  Thc-c  tliis  sacrifice  of 
praise  for  ourselves,  our  families,  and  friends,  for 
the  redemption  of  our  souls,  for  the  hope  of  our  wcll- 
beinj^  and  salvati(jn;  and  who  pay  our  vows  to  Thee, 
the  eternal,  li\ing,  arui  true  God. 

In  communion  with,  and  honoring  in  the  firs; 
place  the  memory  of  the  glorious  and  ever-virgin 
Mary,  Alother  of  Our  Ix)rd  and  God  Jesus  Christ; 
as  also  of  the  blessed  apostles  and  martyrs,  and  of 
all  Thy  saints;  by  whose  merits  and  prayers  grant 
that  we  may  be  always  defended  by  the  help  of 
Thy  protection.  Through  the  same  Clirist  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

The  priest  spreads  his  hands  over  the  oblation,  and  the 
bell  is  ning. 

We  therefore  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  graciously  to 
accept  this  oblation  of  our  service,  as  also  of  Thy 
whole  family,  disi)Ose  our  days  in  Thy  peace,  com- 
mand us  to  be  delivered  from  eternal  damnation,  and 
to  be  numbered  in  the  flock  of  Thy  elect.  Through 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

O  Jesus,  Who  didst  sacrifice  Thyself  upon  Calvary 
for  my  salvation,  grant  that  I  may  assist  at  this  sacri- 
fice with  all  possible  reverence  and  devotion;  for 
behold.  Thou  dost  become  once  more  both  Priest  and 
Victim  for  us  upon  our  altars. 

AT  THE  CONSECIi^VTION  /C^T)  ELEVAT.ON. 

OUR  dear  Lord  is  nmv  comUig  doum  onto  the  altar. 
When  tlie  priest  pronounces  the  ivoras  oj  con- 
secration, troops  oj  angels  descend  from  Jieaven  to 
adore  their  God  at  tlial  most  solemn  moment.  When 
the  hell  rings,  and  the  sacred  Host  is  elevated,  first 
lift  up  your  eyes  to  your  Cod  with  holy  faith,  strong 
hope,  and  ardent  love;  then  bow  tlie  head  in  deepest 
adoration,  praise  Him  7vith  Ihr  heavenly  host,  thank 
Him,  make  atonement  by  compunction  of  heart,  and 
beg  Him  by  His  precious  blood,  here  truly  present  cm 
the  altar,  to  purify  your  soul  from  every  stain  of  sin. 


Devotions  for  Mass  475 

When  the  bell  rings  after  the  consecration  of  the  Host,  say: 
I  adore  Thee,  O  sacred  body  of  Jesus,  offered  up 

for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  the  world. 

Blessed  and  praised  every  moment  be  the   most  holy 

and  divine  Sacrament. 

When  the  bell  rings  after  the  consecration  of  the  chalice 
say; 

I  adore  Thee,  O  precious  blood  of  Jesus,  shed  for 
love  of  men.  Oh,  wash  from  my  soul  every  stain 
of  sin.  Blessed  and  praised  every  moment  be  the 
most  holy  and  divine  Sacrament. 

AFTER   THE    ELEVATION. 

V^l'HEREFORE,  O  Lord,  we  Thy  servants,  as 
VJcA»  also  Thy  holy  people,  calling  to  mind  the 
blessed  Passion  of  the  same  Christ  Thy  Son  our 
Lord,  His  Resurrection  from  the  dead,  and  glorious 
Ascension  into  heaven,  offer  unto  Thy  most  excellent 
Majesty  the  holy  Bread  of  eternal  life,  and  the  Chalice 
of  everlasting  salvation. 

Upon  which  vouchsafe  to  look,  with  a  propitious 
and  serene  countenance,  and  to  accept  them,  as 
Thou  wert  graciously  pleased  to  accept  the  gifts  of 
Thy  just  servant  Abel,  and  the  sacrifice  of  our  patriarch 
Abraham,  and  that  which  Thy  high  priest  Melchisedech 
offered  to  Thee,  a  holy  sacrifice,  an  unspotted  Victim. 

We  most  humbly  beseech  Thee,  almighty  God, 
command  these  things  to  be  carried  by  the  hands 
of  Thy  holy  angel  to  Thy  altar  on  high,  in  the  sight 
of  Thy  divine  Majesty,  that  as  many  of  us  as  by 
participation  at  this  altar  shall  receive  the  most  sacred 
body  and  blood  of  Thy  Son  may  be  filled  with  all 
heavenly  benediction  and  grace.  Through  the  same 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

COMMEMORATION     OF    THE     FAITHFUL     DEPARTED. 

BE  mindful,  O  Lord,  of  the  souls  in  purgatory, 
especially  of  all  my  deceased  relations  and 
friends,  and  of  all  for  whom  I  ought  and  now  wish 
to  pray. 


476  Devotions. 

To  these,  O  Lord,  and  to  all  that  rest  in  Christ, 
grant,  we  beseech  Thee,  a  place  of  refreshment,  light, 
and  peace.    Through  the  same  Christ  our  Lord.    Amen. 

The  priest  says,  Nobis  qtwquc  peccatoribus. 

And  to  us  sinners.  Thy  servants,  hoping  in  the 
multitude  of  Thy  mercies,  vouchsafe  to  grant  some 
part  and  fellowship  with  Thy  holy  apostles  and  martyrs, 
and  with  all  Thy  saints:  into  whose  company  we 
beseech  Thee  to  admit  us,  not  considering  our  merit, 
but  freely  pardoning  our  ofTenoes.  Through  Christ 
our  Lord.  Through  Him,  and  with  Him,  and  in  Him,  is 
to  Thee,  God  the  Father  almighty,  in  the  unity  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  all  honor  and  glory,  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen. 

THE  P.\TER   NOSTER. 
Orcmus.  Let  us  pray. 

^r^R^CEPTIS  salu-  *j'NSTRUCTED  byThy 
,  i  taribus  moniti,  et     Ji^     saving  precepts,  and 

divina  institutione  formati,  lollowing  Thy  divine  in- 
audemus  dicere:  stitution,   we   presume   to 

say: 

Pater  noster,  qui  ,;s  in  Our  Father,  Who  art  in 
coelis,  sanctilicetur  nomcn  heaven,  hallowed  be  Thy 
tuum:  adveniat  regnura  name:  Thy  kingdom  come; 
tuura;  fiat  voluntas  tua  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth 
sicut  in  coelo,  et  in  terra,  as  it  is  in  heaven.  Give 
Panem  nostrum  quotidia-  us  this  day  our  daily 
num  da  nobis  hodie;  ci  di-  bread:  and  forgive  us  our 
mitte  nobis  debita  nostra,  trespasses,  as  wc  forgive 
sicut  et  nos  dimittimus  them  that  trespass  against 
debitoribus  nostris.  P^t  ne  us.  .\nd  lead  us  not  into 
nos  inducas  in  tentationem.     temptation. 

Sed  libera  nos  a  malo.  But  deliver  us  from  evil. 
Amen.  .\men. 

Deliver  us,  we  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  from  all  e\'ils, 
past,  present,  and  to  come:  and  by  the  intercession 
of  the  blessed  and  glorious  Mary  ever  Virgin,  Mother 
of  God,  together  with  Thy  blessed  apostles  Peter  and 
Paul,  and  .\ndrew,  and  all  the  saints,  mercifully  gr.Tnt 


Devotions  for  Mass.  477 

peace  in  our  days:  that  by  the  assistance  of  Thy 
mercy  we  may  be  always  free  from  sin,  and  secure 
from  all  disturbance.  Through  the  same  Jesus  Christ 
Thy  Son  our  Lord,  Who  with  Thee  in  the  unity  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  Uveth  and  reigneth  God,  world  without 
end.     Amen. 

THE  AGNUS  DEI. 

*ZT'GNUS  Dei,  qui  tol-    •|-' AMB  of   God,  Who 

eJ^^    lis  peccata  mundi,     ,  I    i    takest  away  the  sins 

miserere  nobis.  of  the  world,  have  mercy 

upon  us. 

Agnus    Dei,    qui    tollis         Lamb     of     God,     Who 

peccata    mundi,    miserere     takest    away    the    sins    of 

nobis.  the     world,     have     mercy 

upon  us. 

A-gnus    Dei,    qui    tollis         Lamb     of     God,    Who 

peccata  mundi,  dona  nobis     takest  away  the  sins  of  the 

pacem.  world,  grant  us  Thy  peace. 

If  you  intend  to  receive  holy  communion,  the  following 
prayers  may  be  said: 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Son  of  the  living  God,  Who, 
according  to  the  will  of  the  Father,  through  the  co- 
operation of  the  Holy  Ghost,  hast  by  Thy  death  given 
life  to  the  world,  deliver  me  by  this  Thy  most  sacred 
body  and  blood  from  all  my  iniquities  and  from  all 
evils,  and  make  me  always  adhere  to  Thy  command- 
ments, and  never  suffer  me  to  be  separated  from  Thee; 
Who  with  the  same  God  the  Father  and  Holy  Ghost 
livest  and  reignest  God  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

Let  not  the  participation  of  Thy  body,  O  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  which  I,  unworthy,  presume  to  receive, 
turn  to  my  judgment  and  condemnation;  but  through 
Thy  goodness,  may  it  be  to  me  a  safeguard  and 
remedy,  both  of  soul  and  body.  Who  with  God  the 
Father,  in  the  unity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  livest  and 
reignest  God  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

All  may  say  appropriately  the  following  prayer: 

O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  thank  Thee  for  all  the  love 
which    Thou    dost    manifest    for    us    Thy    unworthy 


478  Devotions. 

servants  in  these  holy  mysteries,  and  for  instituting 
this  wonderful  Sacrament  for  our  refreshment,  strength, 
and  consolation.  Through  this  divine  Sacrament  we 
arc  united  to  Thee,  and  through  it  also  the  lx)nds  of 
charity  draw  men  closer  to  one  another  in  the  fellow- 
ship of  Thy  Church.  Give  us  the  grace  to  under- 
stand and  appreciate  ever  more  and  more  all  that 
Thou  art  to  us,  and  all  that  Thou  dost  for  our  salva- 
tion. 

The  bell  is  rung  three  times.  Say  three  times: 
Domine,  non  sum  dig-  Lord,  I  am  not  worthy 
nus  ut  inlres  sub  tectum  that  Thou  shouldst  enter 
meum;  sed  tantum  die  under  my  roof;  say  but 
verbo,  et  sanabitur  aninia  the  \vord,  and  my  soul 
mea.  shall  be  healed. 

For  prayers  before  and  after  holy  wmmunion.  vide  page 
SOS- 

AN   ACT   FOR   SPIRITUAL   COMMUNION. 

^TVY  Jesus,  I  believe  that  Thou  art  truly  present  in 
^li<^  the  Alost  Blessed  Sacrament.  I  love  Thee 
above  all  things,  and  I  desire  to  possess  Thee  within 
my  soul.  Since  I  am  unable  now  to  receive  Thee 
sacramentally,  come  at  least  spiritually  into  my  heart. 
I  embrace  Thee  as  being  already  there,  and  unite 
myself  wholly  to  Thee.  Never  permit  me  to  be  sepa- 
rated from  Thee.      {St.  Alphonsus.) 

While  communion  is  beinp  piven,  recite  suitable  prayers. 
The  following  psalm  offers  consoling  thoughts. 


PSALM   XXII. 

*3^HE  Lord  ruleth  me:  and  I  shall  want  nothing. 
\£J     He  hath  set  me  in  a  place  of  pasture. 

He  hath  brought  me  up  on  the  water  of  refresh- 
ment:  He  hath  converted  my  soul. 

He  hath  led  me  on  the  paths  of  justice,  for  His 
own  name's  sake. 

For    though   I   should    walk    in   the    midst    of    the 


Devotions  for  Mass.  479 

shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evils,  for  Thou  art 
with  me. 

Thy  rod  and  Thy  staff,  they  have  comforted  me. 

Thou  hast  prepared  a  table  before  me,  against 
them  that  afflict  me. 

Thou  hast  anointed  my  head  with  oil;  and  my 
chalice  which  inebriatcth  me,  how  goodly  is  it: 

And  Thv  mercy  will  follow  me  all  the  da\s  of  my 
life. 

And  that  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord 
unto  length  of  days. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 


C^EE  where  Thy  boundless  love  has  reached,  my 
^s_7  loving  Jesus!  Thou,  of  Thy  flesh  and  precious 
blood,  hast  made  ready  for  me  a  banquet  whereby  to 
give  me  all  Thyself.  Who  drove  Thee  to  this  excess 
of  love  for  me?  Thy  Heart,  Thy  loving  Heart.  O 
adorable  Heart  of  Jesus,  burning  furnace  of  divine 
love!  within  Thy  sacred  wound  take  Thou  my  soul; 
in  order  that,  in  that  school  of  charity,  I  may  learn 
to  love  that  God  Who  has  given  me  such  wondrous 
proofs  of  His  great  love.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of  loo  davs,  once  a  day. — Pius  VII.,  Feb. 
9,  1818. 

After  the  covering  of  the  chalice. 

Communion.  Taste  and  see  how  sweet  is  the  Lord. 
Blessed  is  the  man  who  putteth  his  trust  in  Him. 

Post-Communion.  May  these  Thy  mysteries,  O 
God,  continually  purify  us  and  strengthen  us:  and 
procure  us  eternal  salvation.  Through  Our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

May  the  oblation  of  this  divine  Sacrament,  we 
beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  both  cleanse  and  defend  us; 
and  by  the  intercession  cf  the  blessed  Mary,  the 
A'irgin  Mother  of  God,  of  blessed  Joseph,  of  the 
blessed  apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  and  of  all  the  saints, 


480  Devotions. 

free  us  from  all  sin,  and  deliver  us  from  all  adversity- 
Through  Our  Lord,  etc. 

Before  the  blessixig. 

I  humbly  return  Thee  thanks,  O  almighty  God, 
for  the  grace  Thou  hast  deigned  to  bestow  upon  me 
in  i)trmitting  me,  though  so  unworthy,  to  assist  at  the 
offering  of  this  most  holy  sacrifice.  Pardon  my 
negligence  and  irreverence,  and  let  me  not  depart 
without  Thy  lilessing. 

May  the  blessing  of  God  almighty,  +  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  descend  upon 
us  and  remain  with  us  always.     Amen. 


THE   LAST   GOSPEL. 

IN  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Wora 
was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  The 
same  was  in  the  beginning  with  God.  All  things  were 
made  by  Him:  and  without  Him  was  made  nothing 
that  was  made.  In  Him  was  hfe,  and  the  life  was  the 
light  of  men:  and  the  hght  shineth  in  darkness,  and 
the  darkness  did  not  comprehend  it. 

There  was  a  man  sent  from  God,  whose  name  was 
John.  This  man  came  for  a  witness,  to  give  testimony 
of  the  light,  that  all  men  might  believe  through  Him. 
He  was  not  the  light,  but  was  to  give  testimony  of  the 
light. 

That  was  the  true  light  which  enlighteneth  every 
man  that  cometh  into  this  world. 

He  was  in  the  world,  and  the  world  was  made  by 
Him,  and  the  world  knew  Him  not.  He  came  unto 
His  own,  and  His  own  received  Him  not.  But  as 
many  as  received  Him,  He  gave  them  power  to  be 
made  the  sons  of  God,  to  them  that  believe  in  His 
name:  who  are  born  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will 
of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God. 
A.VD  THE  Word  w.^s  made  flesh  [Here  all  kneel], 
and    dwelt    among    us:    and  we   saw    His  glory,  the 


Devotions  for  Mass.  481 

glory  as  it  were  of  the  Only-begotten  of  the  Father  full 
of  grace  and  truth. 
Thanks  be  to  God. 


B  /iRoOe  of  Ibearlng  /iRase  in  Ibonor  ot  tbe 
JSlesseD  IDtrgtn  /Dbarg. 

IN  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

A  PRAYER  BEFORE  MASS. 

OMY  God,  I  humbly  prostrate  myself  before  Thee, 
to  assist  at  the  holy  sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  and 
to  adore  Thee,  my  sovereign  Lord,  in  the  great  mystery 
of  the  Passion  and  death  of  Thy  Son.  I  praise  and 
glorify  Thee  in  union  with  the  holy  and  immaculate 
Virgin  Mary,  whom  Thou  hast  sanctified  and  preserved 
from  all  stain  of  original  sin,  and  hast  ordained  to  be 
the  Mother  of  Thy  only-begotten  Son,  my  Lord  and 
Redeemer.  Grant  that  I  and  all  these  faithful  here 
present  may  assist  at  the  celebration  of  this  mystery  of 
love  with  humility  and  purity  of  heart,  with  that  rever- 
ence, fervor,  and  devotion  with  which  Mary,  the  blessed 
Mother  of  Jesus  Christ,  prayed  to  Thee  during  the 
many  years  she  remained  in  the  Temple;  but  particu- 
larly when  she  received  the  message  of  the  angel,  who, 
in  Thy  name,  saluted  her — "full  of  grace,  and  blessed 
amongst  women." 

O  holy  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  and  Queen  of  heaven 
and  earth!  to  thee  we,  poor  banished  children  of  Eve, 
have  recourse.  I  intenci  to  assist  at  this  holy  sacrifice 
in  thanksgiving  to  God  the  Father  for  having  predes- 
tined thee  His  chosen  daughter;  to  the  eternal  Son 
for  having  made  thee  His  beloved  Mother;  to  the  Holy 
Ghost  for  having  sanctified  thee  His  cherished  spouse. 
Pray  for  me  and  for  ail  thy  servants.  Obtain  that  I 
may  participate  in  the  fruits  of  the  Passion  and  death 
of  thy  beloved  Son,  Our  Lord  and  Redeemer,  on  Whose 


482  Devotions. 

mysteries  I  am  going  to  meditate  during  this  holy  sacri- 
fice of  the  Mass.     Ami'n. 

O  Mary,  refuge  of  sinners,  conceived  without  sin, 
pray  for  us  who  have  recourse  to  thee! 

AT   TUE   BEGINNING    OF   MASS. 

O  INFINITE    Creator  and  merciful  God!     Thou 
hast  been  pleased,  by  the  Incarnation  of  Thy 
only-begotten  Son,  to  repair  the  losses  caused  by  the 
disobedience  of  our  first  parents;   Thou  didst  send  the 
angel  Gabriel  to  that  chosen  maid  who,  by  becoming 
the  Mother  of  the  Redeemer,  crushed  the  infernal  ser- 
pent's head,  and  brought  salvation  to  all  mankind.     Do 
Thou,  O  Lord,  give  ear  to  our  humble  prayers,  and 
grant  that    we,  who  firmly   believe  that  Thy  eternal 
Son  became  man  in  the  chaste  womb  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  Alary,  and    that   she    is,  therefore,   truly    the 
Mother  of  God,  may  be  helped  by   her  intercession. 
I   adore  Thee,  O  my  God,  in  this  profound  mystery, 
the   fruits   whereof  were  first  felt  by  the    precursor, 
who,  at  the  words  of  Mary's  salutation  to  St.  EHza- 
bcth,  was  sanctified  in  his   mother's  womb.      Let  us 
give  praise  to  God,  for  He  is  good,   and  His  mercy 
endureth  forever.     My  soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord;  my 
spirit  rejoiceth  in  God  my  Saviour!    But  I  am  unworthy, 
O  Lord,  of  Thy  favors.     How  can  I  dare  to  appear 
before  Thee,  O  my  God? 

I  confess  to  almighty  God,  to  the  blessed  and  immacu- 
late Mary,  ever  virgin,  to  St.  Michael  the  archangel, 
to  John  the  Baptist,  to  the  holy  apostles  Peter  and 
Paul,  and  to  all  the  saints,  that  I  have  sinned  in  thought, 
word,  and  deed,  through  my  fault,  through  my  fault, 
through  my  most  grievous  fault.  Therefore  I  beseech 
the  blessed  and  immaculate  Mary,  ever  virgin,  blessed 
Michael  the  archangel,  blessed  John  the  Baptist,  the 
holy  apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  and  all  the  saints,  to  pray 
to  the  Lord  our  God  for  me. 

May  the  almighty  (}od  have  mercy  on  me,  forgive 
n  e  my  sins,  and  bring  m«  to  everlasting  life.     Amen. 


1 


De  votions  fo  r  Mass.  483 

May  the  almighty  and  merciful  Lord  grant  me  par- 
don, absolution,  and  remission  of  all  my  sins.     Amen. 

To  thee,  O  merciful  Queen  of  heaven  and  earth,  I 
have  recourse.  It  has  never  been  heard  that  any 
one  invoked  thee  and  was  forsaken.  Plead  for  me 
before  thy  divine  Son  and  obtain  for  me  the  pardon  of 
my  sins. 

AT    THE    INTROIT. 

*  t-v  AIL,  holy  Mother,  who  didst  bring  forth  the  King 
»-■— G  who  reigns  over  heaven  and  earth  forever! 
Hail,  Mary,  full  of  grace!  the  Lord  is  with  thee;_ 
blessed  art  thou  amongst  women,  and  blessed  is  the 
fruit  of  thy  womb,  Jesus.  Holy  Mary,  Mother  of  God, 
pray  for  us  sinners,  now  and  at  the  hour  of  our  death. 
Amen. 

AT   THE    KYRIE    ELEISON. 

OLORD,  have  mercy  on  me !     O  Jesus,  have  mercy 
on  me!     O  Lord  Jesus,  have  mercy  on  me,  a 
sinner! 

O  Mary,  refuge  of  sinners,  pray  for  me! 

AT   THE   GLORIA   IN   EXCELSIS. 

^^LORY  be  to  God  on  high,  and  peace  on  earth  to 
\S)  men  of  good  will.  O  my  God,  I  unite  my 
praises  with  those  which  the  heavenly  spirits  sang  to 
Thee  on  that  night,  when  Thy  beloved  Son,  made  man, 
was  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary  in  the  stable  of  Bethlehem. 
My  heart  is  full  of  gladness,  because  for  my  salvation 
the  Word  of  Cjod  was  made  man,  and  dwelt  among  men. 
Glory,  praise,  and  adoration  be  to  God  the  Father,  to 
God  the  Son,  and  to  God  the  Holy  Ghost;  three  Per- 
sons in  one  God.  O  holy  Virgin  Mary,  thou  art  the 
glorious  Mother  of  my  Redeemer.  Remember  the  joy 
thy  immaculate  and  maternal  heart  did  feel  when  for 
the  first  time  thou  didst  behold,  adore,  and  embrace 
thy  God  and  thy  infant  Son  in  the  stable  of  Bethlehem. 


484  Devotions. 

O  blessed  Mother  of  God,  pray  to  thy  Son  that  I  may 
be  made  partaker  of  the  joy  of  heaven.     Amen. 

COLLECT  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. — FROM  THE  VOTIVE 
MASS   OF   THE   BLESSED   VIRGIN   MARY. 

Let  US  pray. 

^^RANT,  we  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord  God,  that  we 
>Si/  Thy  servants  may  enjoy  perpetual  health  of 
mind  and  body;  and  by  the  glorious  intercession  of  the 
blessed  Mary,  ever  virgin,  may  be  delivered  from  pres- 
.ent  sadness  and  enjoy  eternal  gladness.  Through  Our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  etc. 

FOR   THE   CHURCH. 

QERCIFULLY  hear,  O  Lord,  the  prayers  of  Thy 
Church,  that,  all  ojjposition  and  error  being  re- 
moved, she  may  serve  Thee  with  undisturbed  devotion. 

FOR   THE   POPE. 

OLORD  God,  the  Pastor  and  Ruler  of  all  the  faith- 
ful, look  down  on  Thy  servant,  N.,  whom  Thou 
hast  apjjointed  jjastor  over  Thy  Church,  and  grant, 
we  beseech  Thee,  that  he  may  edify,  both  by  word  and 
example,  those  who  are  under  his  charge,  and  that 
with  the  flock  entrusted  to  him  he  may  arrive  at 
eternal  happiness.     Through  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

AT   THE    EPISTLE. 

'"TT'LMIGHTY  and  merciful  God,AVho  never  ceas- 
^_  1 ,  est  to  direct  our  hearts  to  the  knowledge  of 
Thy  law,  to  instruct  us  through  the  ministry  of  Thy 
holy  Church,  grant  that  we  may  faithfully  attend  to  the 
lessons  of  salvation  which  Thou  givest  us.  May  Thy 
holy  word  fructify  in  the  soil  of  our  hearts;  may  our 
souls  be  guided  l)y  Thy  holy  law  and  directed  to  the 
possession  of  Thee.  O  God,  have  mercy  on  us,  and 
bring  us  to  Thee,  as  by  the  aoDearance  of  a  miraculous 


Devotions  for  Mass.  485 

star  Thou  didst  bring  the  Wise  Men  to  the  stable  of 
Bethlehem,  where  they  found  and  adored  the  Saviour 
in  the  arms  of  the  IJlessed  Virgin  Mary,  His  holy 
Mother,  and  otTercd  Him,  with  their  hearts,  their 
mysterious  presents.  O  blessed  Mary,  obtain  for  us 
the  grace  to  follow  the  inspirations  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  amid  the  perils  that  beset  our  path  in  this  world, 
to  direct  our  steps  in  the  way  of  salvation.  O  Mary, 
guide  us  to  Jesus, 

.     .     .     by  the  light  of  thee, 

Bright  Star  of  the  Sea! 

AT   THE  GOSPEL. 

yT\Y  dear  Redeemer,  I  give  Thee  thanks  for  the 
^1-^  inestimable  favor  Thou  hast  bestowed  upon  me, 
by  calling  me  to  the  knowledge  of  Thy  holy  Gospel, 
and  making  me  a  child  of  the  one  holy  Catholic  and 
Apostolic  Church.  I  believe  and  confess  all  and  each 
of  the  articles  of  faith  which  Thou  hast  revealed  to 
Thy  Church,  and  which  the  same  Church  proposes  and 
teaches.  I  am  ready,  if  it  be  Thy  will,  to  shed  the  last 
drop  of  my  blood  for  my  faith.  I  return  Thee  thanks 
for  that  love  which  prompted  Thee  to  leave  to  Thy 
Church  in  the  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Altar  Thy  body 
and  blood.  Thy  soul  and  divinity.  I  believe,  O  Lord, 
that  Thou  art  really  present  in  the  Holy  Eucharist. 
When  with  the  eyes  of  faith  I  see  my  Lord  upon  the 
altar,  I  can  say:  "Now,  O  Lord,  let  Thy  servant 
depart  in  peace,  for  my  eyes  have  seen  Th}'  salvation." 
O  sweet  Mary,  thou  didst  bring  thy  holy  Son  to  the 
Temple,  and  didst  offer  Him  to  the  eternal  Father. 
The  holy  man  Simeon  received  Jesus  in  his  arms 
from  thy  hands.  Oh,  bring  my  Saviour  into  my 
poor  heart,  that  I  may  love  nothing  else  but  Him  and 
that  I  may  please  thee.     Amen. 

AT   THE   OFFERTORY. 

*  1^  OLY  Father,  almighty  and  eternal  God,  accept 
r*-^  from  the  hands  of  Thy  minister  the  unspotted 
Host  which  he  offers  Thee  in  the  name  of  the  Church, 


486  Devotions. 

for  the  honor,  glory,  and  adoration  of  Thy  divine 
Majesty,  in  memory  of  the  nativity,  life,  sufferings, 
death,  Resurrection,  and  Ascension  of  Our  Ix)rd 
Jesus  Christ,  and  in  honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary, 
and  of  all  the  saints.  In  the  spirit  of  humility  and 
with  a  contrite  heart  I  now  offer  to  Thee,  O  Lord, 
this  bread  and  wine,  which,  through  the  words  of 
benediction  which  Christ  our  Lord  instituted  at  the 
Last  Supper,  will  be  changed  into  the  body  and  blood 
of  Thy  divine  Son,  our  Saviour.  Come,  O  almighty 
and  eternal  God,  the  .Sanctifier,  and  bless  this  sacrifice 
prepared  for  the  praise  and  glory  of  Thy  holy  name. 
Receive,  O  Lord,  this  sacrifice  to  the  praise  and  glory 
of  Thy  infinite  Majesty,  to  our  benefit,  and  to  that 
of  the  whole  Church,  and  also  to  the  honor  of  the 
blessed  Mother  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  she  may  vouchsafe 
to  intercede  for  us  in  heaven  whose  memory  we  cele- 
brate on  earth.  Through  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 
O  merciful  God,  direct  and  assist  me  in  the  dangers 
of  this  life,  as  Thou  didst  direct  Mary,  the  blessed 
Mother  of  Jesus,  and  her  pure  spouse,  St.  Joseph,  in 
their  flight  into  Egypt.  O  Lord,  save  Thy  servants, 
who  repose  all  their  confidence  in  Thee,  and  who 
honor  Thy  blessed  Mother. 


ATV  AY  this  oblation  procure  us  peace  and  happiness 
^1^  here  and  hereafter,  through  the  intercession  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

FOR   THE   CHURCH. 

*T^ROTECT  us,  O  Lord,  while  we  assist  at  Thy 
J_  sacred  mysteries,  thai  being  employed  in  acts 
of  religion  we  may  serve  Thee  both  in  body  and  iiund. 

FOR   THE   POPE. 

BE  appeased,  O  Lord,  with  the  offering  we  have 
made,  and  cease  not  to  protect  Thy  servant, 
N.,  whom  Thou  hast  Ix-cn  pleased  to  appoint  pastor 
over  1  hy  Church.     Through  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


Devotions  for  Mass.  487 


AT    THE   PREFACE. 

IT  is  truly  meet,  and  just,  and  right,  and  available  to 
salvation,  that  wc  should  always,  and  in  all 
places,  give  thanks  to  Thee,  O  holy  Lord,  Father 
almighty,  eternal  God,  and  bless  and  glorify  Thee,  on 
the  veneration  *  of  the  blessed  Mary,  ever  virgin,  who, 
by  the  overshadowing  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  conceived 
Thy  only-begotten  Son,  and,  her  virginity  still  remain- 
ing, brought  forth  the  eternal  Light  of  the  world, 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  By  Vvhom  the  angels  praise 
Thy  Majesty,  the  dominations  adore  it,  the  powers 
tremble  before  it,  the  heavens,  the  heavenly  virtues 
and  blessed  seraphim  with  common  jubilee,  glorify 
it.  Together  with  Whom  we  beseech  Thee  that  we 
may  be  admitted  to  join  our  humble  voices,  saying: 

Holy,  holy,  holy.  Lord  God  of  Sabaoth ;  the  heavens 
and  the  earth  are  full  of  Thy  glory.  Hosanna  in  the 
highest.  Blessed  is  He  that  cometh  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord.     Hosanna  in  the  highest. 


AT   THE   CANON. 

*7T'LMIGHTY  God,  Thy  beloved  Son  and  my 
eJi-^  Lord  Jesus  Christ  has  commanded  me,  by  His 
word  and  e.xample,  to  be  always  occupied  with  the 
things  that  are  Thine.  It  was  in  the  Temple  that  His 
blessed  Mother  and  St.  Joseph  found  Him  on  the  third 
day  after  His  departure  from  them.  Grant  that  I  may 
never  depart  from  Thee  by  sin.  But  if  I  ever  have 
the  misfortune  of  forfeiting  Thy  holy  grace,  I  will  sue 
again  for  mercy  in  the  Sacrament  of  Penance.  Pray 
for  me,  O  glorious  Mother  of  God,  and  be  my  advocate 
before  thy  Son.  At  thy  suggestion  He  changed,  in 
Cana  of  Galilee,  water  into  wine;  beg  of  Him  to  change 
my  heart  too,  to  purify  and  sanctify  it,  that  it  may 
be  worthy  of  Him  forever. 

*  Name  the  particular  festival. 


488  Devotions. 

0  my  God,  when  Mary  pronounced  tnese  words: 
"  Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord,  be  it  done  unto 
me  according  to  thy  word,"  Thy  only-begotten  Son 
became  incarnate  in  her  womb.  In  like  manner  at  the 
words  of  consecration,  which  are  about  to  be  pro- 
nounced by  Thy  minister,  the  same  Jesus  Christ,  Thy 
Son,  descends  on  our  altars,  and  miraculously  changes 
the  substance  of  bread  and  wine  into  His  body  and 
blood,    soul    and    divinity.     I    humbly    adore    Thee, 

0  loving  Saviour,  in  this  mystery  of  Thy  love.  Through 
that  divine  charity  which  moxed  Thee  to  utter  those 
consoling  words  a  few  moments  before  the  institution 
of  this  Sacrament:  "With  desire  I  have  desired  to 
eat  this  pasch  with  you  before  I  suffer,"  I  beg  of  Thee 
to  have  mercy  on  me,  and  to  forgive  me  my  sins. 
Help  me  in  my  necessities,  strengthen  me  against  the 
enemies  of  my  soul,  and  grant  me  the  grace  I  stand 
in  need  of  to  secure  my  eternal  salvation. 

1  pray  to  Thee  also,  O  Lord,  for  Thy  holy  Church, 
for  our  Holy  Father  the  Pope,  for  our  bishops,  and 
all  pastors  of  souls;  for  my  parents,  relatives,  benefac- 
tors, friends,  and  enemies.  Grant  Thy  particular 
blessings  to  the  pious  clients  of  Thy  blessed  Mother. 
Bless  the  poor,  the  sick,  and  those  who  are  in  their 
agony.  Have  mercy  on  those  who  have  recommended 
themselves  to  my  prayers,  who  pray  for  me,  and 
finally  on  all  those  for  whom  I  am  in  justice  or  charity 
bound  to  pray.  Grant  peace  and  concord  to  all 
Christian  princes  and  people.  Convert  poor  sinners, 
enlighten  infidels,  and  bring  back  heretics  from  the 
ways  of  error.  May  all  be  united  in  one  fold,  under 
one  Shepherd,  Jesus  Christ,  the  true  Pastor  of  souls. 

Hply  Mary,  thy  divine  Son  now  comes  upon  the 
altar.  Present  to  Him  my  lowly  adoration.  O  my 
Jesus,  come;   come,  my  Saviour.     Receive  the  prayers 

1  offer  Thee  through  the  hands  of  Thy  blessed  Mother. 
Come,  O  Lord  Jesus.  With  the  angels  who  are  pros- 
trate before  the  altar,  I  e.xclaim:  Holy,  holy,  holy, 
Hosanna  to  Him  that  cometh  from  the  highest  heavens 
— ever  blessed  be  His  name! 


X 


Devotions  fo  i  ■  Ma  ss.  489 


AT   THE   ELEVATION. 

a  AST  a  look  of  adoration  and  love  upon  the  sacred 
Host  when  it  is  elevated  by  the  priest;    then 
incline  }our  head  devoutly  and  say: 

SEE  upon  the  altar  placed 
The  Victim  of  the  greatest  love; 
Let  all  the  earth  below  adore, 

And  join  the  heavenly  choirs  above: 
Sweet  Sacrament,  we  Thee  adore. 
Oh!  make  us  love  Thee  more  and  more. 

Jesus!  dear  Pastor  of  the  flock, 

That  crowds  in  love  about  Thy  feet, 

Our  voices  yearn  to  praise  Thee,  Lord, 
And  joyfully  Thy  presence  greet: 

Sweet  Sacrament,  we  Thee  adore. 

Oh!  make  us  love  Thee  more  and  more. 

Ejaculations. 

/'TX  AY  the  Heart  of  Jesus  in  the  Most  Blessed  Sacra- 
5>l^  ment  be  praised,  adored,  and  loved  with  grate- 
ful affection,  at  every  moment  and  in  all  the  world,  to 
the  end  of  time. 

^^UCHARISTIC  Heart  of  my  Jesus,  whose  blood 
^-^  is  the  life  of  my  soul,  I  will  no  longer  live,  but 
live  thou  alone  in  me! 

Sweet  Heart  of  Jesus,  be  my  love! 
Sweet  Heart  of  Mary,  be  my  salvation! 

Bid  me  bear,  O  Mother  blessed! 
On  my  heart  the  wounds  impressed 
Suffered  by  the  Crucified. 

SUPPLICATION. 

OMY  God,  I  am  unworthy  to  appear  before  Thee. 
I  acknowledge  my  misery  and  poverty.     Thou 
art  the  fountain  of  all  grace,  and  the  source  of  all  good. 


490  Devotions. 

Thy  beloved  Son  has  commanded  me  to  pray  to  Thee, 
and  to  call  Thee  by  the  consoling  name  of  Father. 
Therefore  I  prostrate  myself  with  confidence  before 
Thee,  and  present  to  Thee  my  humble  supplication 
through  the  same  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Who  makes 
intercession  for  me.  Grant  me  a  lively  faith,  a  firm 
and  constant  hope,  and  an  ardent  charity  toward 
Thee  and  my  neighbor.  Save  my  soul.  Give  me 
strength  to  vanfjuish  my  spiritual  enemies.  Grant 
me  a  humble  resignation  to  Thy  holy  will  in  the 
adversities  of  this  life;  and,  above  all,  the  gift  of 
final  perseverance  in  Thy  love  and  scr\'ice.  Through 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

AT  THE  MEMENTO  OF  THE  DEAD. 

'^-J  WE  mercy  also,  O  Lord,  on  the  souls  of  the 
ri-^  faithful  dejjarted — on  those  of  my  parents, 
benefactors,  relatives,  friends,  and  on  all  those  for 
whom  I  am  bound  to  pray.  Remember,  O  Lord, 
those  who,  while  on  earth,  were  most  devoted  to 
Thy  blessed  Mother.  Eternal  rest  give  unto  them, 
O  Lord;  and  let  perpetual  light  shine  upon  them. 
Mary,  Mother  of  sorrows,  intercede  for  our  departed 
friends;    pray  for  all  the  holy  souls  in  purgatory. 

AT   THE    PATER   NOSTER. 

Our  Father. 

OMY  Redeemer!  Thou  hast  commanded  me  by 
word  and  example  to  forgive  my  enemies.  I 
forgive  them  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart  for  the  love 
of  Thee.  Grant  them,  O  Lord,  all  the  graces  and 
blessings  that  are  necessary  for  their  spiritual  and 
temporal  welfare.  Now,  my  Saviour,  as  I  have  done 
what  Thou  hast  commanded,  do  Thou  fulfil  what 
Thou  hast  promised,  and  forgive  me  my  sins.  ' 

Thou  didst  not  forget  me,  O  sweet  Jesus,  even  in 
Thy  agony.  Before  expiring  on  the  cross  Thou  didst 
leave  me  Thv  sorrowful  and  afflicted   Another  to  be 


Devotions  for  Mass.  491 

my  Mother  also.  "Behold  thy  son — behold  thy 
Mother."  I  return  Thee  thanks,  O  my  Saviour,  for 
this  inestimable  favor.  And  thou,  my  tender  Mother, 
thou  hast  begotten  me  at  the  foot  of  the  cross.  I  am 
the  child  of  thy  sorrow.  Take  me  under  thy  protec- 
tion. Conduct  me  to  Jesus.  Teach  me  to  love  Him. 
O  Mother,  O  tender  Mother!  how  happy  am  I  in 
the  glorious  privilege  of  being  thy  child!  O  Mary, 
show  that  thou  art  my  Mother. 

AGXUS   DEI. 

"  I  •  AMB  of  God,  Who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
^  I    ^     world,  have  mercy  on  me. 

SPIRITU.-\L   COMMUNION. 

O  JESUS !  Thou  hast  given  us  in  the  Holy  Eucharist 
Thy  body  and  blood  to  be  our  spiritual  nourish- 
ment, through  which  we  may  have  life  everlasting. 
Would  that  I  were  worthy  to  receive  Thee  this  day 
in  holy  communion!  T  desire,  with  all  my  heart,  to 
receive  the  living  Bread  which  came  down  from 
heaven. 

O  Lord,  I  am  not  worthy  that  Thou  shouldst  enter 
under  my  roof;  say  but  the  word,  and  my  soul  shall  be 
healed.  (Three  times.)  Let  me  taste,  at  least,  the 
sweetness  of  a  spiritual  communion.  Come  to  me, 
Jesus,  my  Lord,  my  Master.  Come  and  refresh  my 
soul.  Strengthen  nie,  that  in  union  with  Thee  I  may 
do  perfectly  the  heavenly  Father's  will.  Let  me  never 
be  separated  from  Thee  by  sin. 

Soul  of  Jesus,  sanctify  me.  Body  of  Jesus,  save  me. 
Blood  of  Jesus,  wash  me.  Water  out  of  the  side  of 
Jesus,  purify  me.  Passion  of  Jesus,  comfort  me.  O 
good  Jesus,  hear  me.  Hide  me  within  Thy  sacred 
wounds.  O  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  receive  me.  O 
anmaculate  heart  of  Mary,  plead  for  me,  and  love  me. 
O  sweet  Alother,  obtain  for  me  the  grace  of  receiving 
holy  communion  with  worthy  dispositions,  especially 


492  Devotions. 

in  my  last  sickness,  when  I  shall  be  called  to  appear 
before  the  tribunal  of  God,  that,  through  the  merits  of 
my  Saviour's  death  and  Passion,  and  thy  intercession, 
I  may  have  life  everlasting.     Amen. 

AFTER    COMMUNION. 

^T^V  loving  Saviour,  after  having  suffered  for  three 
>l^  hours  the  most  cruel  agony;  after  having  accom- 
I)lishcd  ull  that  had  been  foretold  of  Thee,  Thou  didst 
expire  on  the  cross.  .-Ml  nature  trembled  at  Thy  death. 
The  rocks  were  split  asunder — and  yet,  alas,  my  un- 
grateful heart  is  insensible.  I  have,  by  my  sins,  been 
Thy  heartless  executioner.  O  my  Redeemer,  how 
can  I  dare  to  stand  before  Thee?  But  Thou  didst 
pardon  the  penitent  thief;  and  this  inspires  me  with 
the  hope  that  Thou  wilt  pardon  me  also,  and  admit  me, 
like  him,  to  the  enjoyment  of  Thy  ha[)py  kingdom. 

O  Mar\',  Queen  of  martyrs,  through  the  sorrow  which 
Ove^^vhelmed  thy  heart  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  while 
thou  wert  witnessing  the  last  painful  act  of  Our  Saviour's 
Passion — through  the  anguish  thou  didst  feel  when 
thou  didst  accompany  His  sacred  body  to  the  tomb,  and 
the  desolation  thou  didst  e.xperience  on  thy  return,  I 
beseech  thee  to  obtain  that  His  Passion  and  thy  sorrows 
may  be  ever  engraven  on  my  heart,  that  I  may  never 
cease  to  deplore  my  sins,  which  were  the  cause  of  His 
death  and  of  ihy  anguish. 

AT   THE    POST-COMirUNION. 

*  |— ^  AVING  received,  O  Lord,  what  is  calculated  to 
c^t  advance  our  salvation,  grant  that  we  may  be 
always  protected  by  the  patronage  of  the  blessed  Mar}', 
ever  virgin,  in  whose  honor  we  have  offered  this  sacrifice 
to  Thy  divine  Majest}'. 

FOR   THE   CHURCH. 

Vyi  |"H  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  not  to  leave  exposed 
v1lA»  to  the  perils  of  human  life  those  whom  Thou 
bast  permitted  to  partake  of  these  mysteries. 


Devotions  for  Mass.  493 


FOR   THE   POPE. 

V/I  iE  brseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  that  the  participation  of 
VJlA»  this  divine  Sacrament  may  protect  us  from  all 
dangers,  and  redound  to  the  safety  and  defence  of  Thy 
servant,  N.,  whom  Thou  hast  appointed  pastor  over 
Thy  Church,  together  with  the  flock  committed  to  his 
charge.     Through  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


AT   THE    BENEDICTION. 

'  1^  OLY  and  adorable  Trinity,  Father,  Son,  and 
«-L-^  Holy  Ghost,  to  Thee  be  honor,  praise,  and 
glory.  May  this  blessing,  which  I  humbly  receive 
from  the  hands  of  Thy  minister,  be  an  anticipation  of 
that  one  which  I  trust  Thou  wilt  give  me  after  my 
death,  and  on  the  day  of  judgment.  May  the  blessing 
of  God  the  Father,  of  God  the  Son,  and  of  God  the 
Holy  Ghost  come  upon  me  now  and  remain  with 
me  always.     Amen. 


AT    THE    LAST    GOSPEL. 

OMY  God,  I  believe  in  Thee,  I  hope  in  Thee,  and 
I  love  Thee  with  all  my  heart.  May  Thy  holy 
Gospel  be  propagated  throughout  the  world.  Assist 
the  ministers  whom  Thou  hast  appointed  to  carry  the 
light  of  faith  to  unbelievers,  or  to  revive  it  among  luke- 
warm Christians.  Grant  to  all  the  clergy  that  spirit  of 
zeal,  fortitude,  and  knowledge  which  Thou  didst  im- 
part to  Thy  holy  apostles  on  the  day  of  Pentecost. 
Thou  hast  commanded  us,  O  Lord,  to  pray  to  the 
Lord  of  the  harvest  that  He  may  send  laborers  to  work 
in  His  vineyard.  Wherefore  I  humbly  beseech  Thee, 
Who  didst  call  the  apostles  to  announce  Thy  word,  to 
send  us  worthy  pastors,  and  to  grant  that  they  may 
edify  the  flock,  destroy  errors  and  abuses,  root  out  vice, 
dispel  ignorance,  and  establish  Thy  reign  in  the  souls 
Thou  hast  redeemed  with  Thy  blood.      Bless  all  Relig- 


494  Devotions. 

ious,  that  they  may  be  faithful  to  their  holv  calHng, 
and  advance  with  all  zeal  possible  Thy  kirif^dom  on 
earth.  Reign  Thou,  O  Christ,  over  all  men  by  Thy 
love.  O  Word  of  God  made  flesh,  grant  us  the  grace 
that  we  may  be  admitted  to  the  kingdom  of  l^iy 
glory.     Amen. 


A   PRAYER   AFTER   MASS. 

ICIIVE  Thee  thanks,  O  my  God,  for  having  per- 
mitted mc  to  assist  at  this  holy  sacrifice.  I  hum- 
bly ask  pardon  for  all  the  negligences  and  distractions 
of  which  I  have  been  guilty.  Eternal  praise  be  given 
to  Thy  holy  name  for  all  the  privileges  bestowed  on  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mar}^,  whom  Thou  didst  preserve  from 
the  stain  of  original  sin,  and  didst  make  worthy  to  be 
the  Mother  of  Our  Redeemer.  Thou  didst  place  her 
on  a  throne  of  glory  to  be  Queen  of  heaven  and  earth. 
I  rejoice  at  her  glory,  because  she  is  the  Mother  of  Jesus, 
and  my  Mother  also.  O  loving  Mother,  protect  thy 
children,  and  conduct  them  to  heaven.  O  holy  Mary, 
succor  the  distressed;  strengthen  the  weak;  comfort 
the  afflicted;  pray  for  the  people;  intercede  for  the 
clergy;  make  supplication  for  devout  women:  may  all 
experience  thy  assistance,  rejoice  in  thy  glor}-,  and 
praise  God  with  thee  for  evermore. 

V.  Pray  for  us,  O  holy  Mother  of  God. 
R.  That  we  may  be  made  worthy  of  the  promises  of 
Christ. 


Let  us  pray. 

^^R.\XT,  we  beseech  Thee,  O  Tord,  that  we  Thy 
%£9  ser\-ants  may  enjoy  perpetual  health  of  mind 
and  body;  and,  by  the  glorious  intercession  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  may  be  delivered  from  present 
sorrow  and  attain  to  eternal  joy.  Through  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


CD 


Devotions  for  Confession.  495 

Ejaculations. 

Y  Queen!  my  Mother!  remember  I  am  thine  own. 
Keep  me,  guard  me,  as  thy  property  and  pos- 


Indulgence  of  40  days,  each  time. — Pius  IX.,  Aug.  5, 


OMARY,  who  didst  rome  into  this  world  free  from 
stain!  obtain  of  God  for  me  that  I  may  leave  it 
without  sin. 

Indulgence   of    100   days,   once   a   day. — Pius   IX., 
March  27,  1863. 


III.  2>evotions  tor  Confession. 

{Read  Instructions   A'A'A'  and  A'A'A'Z,  Book  I.) 

PRAYERS  BEFORE  CONFESSION. 

aOME,  Holy  Ghost,  enlighten  my  understanding 
that  I  may  rightly  discern  the  sins  of  which 
I  have  been  guilty;  touch  my  heart  and  move  it  to 
sincere  contrition;  strengthen  my  will  that  I  may  make 
a  firm  resolution  of  amendment;  grant  me  Thy  grace 
that  in  the  Sacrament  of  Penance  I  may  confess  my 
faults  to  the  priest  with  sincerity  and  humility,  and 
give  me  such  assistance  as  may  enable  me  to  pro- 
duce worthy  fruits  of  penance. 

Mary,  Mother  of  mercy,  refuge  of  sinners,  pray  for 
mc  that  I  may  make  a  good  confession  and  be  recon- 
ciled to  thy  divine  Son.  Pray  for  my  confessor  also, 
that  he  may  speak  to  my  heart,  and  that  his  words 
may  conduce  to  the  health  of  my  soul.     Ave,  Maria. 


496  Dei'otions. 


EXAMINATION'    OF   CONSCIENCE   FOR 
YOUNG    WOMEN. 

PRELIMINARY     EXAMINATION     ON       YOUR      LAST      CON- 
PESSIGN. 

1.  How  long  is  it  since  I  last  went  to  confession? 

2.  Did  I  take  sufficient  pains  to  awaken  contrition  ? 

3.  Did  I  omit  to  confess  a  mortal  sin,  either  inten- 
tionally or  through  forgetfulness  ? 

4.  Did  I  intentionally  neglect  to  say  the  penance 
which  was  imposed  on  me,  or  was  I  so  careless  as  to 
forget  it? 

5.  Have  I  carried  out  the  resolutions  I  then  made, 
or  have  I  paid  no  heed  at  all  to  them  ? 

Examination  on  t^e  Ten  Comaiandments  of  God. 

the  first  commandment. 

On  our  conduct  in  regard  to  Cod  and  divine  things. 

Sins  against  faith: 

1.  Have  I  entertained  and  yielded  to  doubts  against 
the  faith? 

2.  Have  I  allowed  myself  to  listen  to  those  who 
spoke  with  contempt  or  derision  of  our  holy  faith? 

3.  Have  I  ever  willingly  omitted  my  morning  or 
night  prayers? 

4.  Have  I  spoken  irreverently  of  holy  things  ? 

5.  Have  I  taken  pleasure  in  hearing  sacred  things 
spoken  of  with  disrespect  ? 

6.  How  often  have  I  read  books,  newspapers  or 
periodicals  of  an  anti-Catholic  tendency  ? 

Sins  against  hope: 

1.  Have  I  dclihcratcly  despaired  of  God's  mercy? 

2.  Have  I  rashly  presumed  upon  His  forbearance 
in  order  to  commit  sin  ? 

3.  Have  I  given  way  to  pusillanimity  with  full  con- 
sent ? 


Devotions  for  Confession.  497 

4.  How  often  have  I  allowed  myself  to  commit  a 
venial  sin  under  the  plea  that  it  did  not  amount  to 
anything  ? 

Sins  against  charity: 

1.  Have  I  willingly  entertained  feelings  of  repug- 
nance toward  religious  practices,  such  as  prayer, 
attendance  at  divine  service,  etc. 

2.  Have  I  murmured  against  the  ordinances  of 
divine  providence,  the  trials  and  sufferings  sent  upon 
me,  etc.  ? 

Sins  against  the  reverence  due  to  God: 

1.  Have  I  made  use  of  superstitious  practices  or 
consulted  fortune-tellers  ? 

2.  Have  I  omitted  prayers,  genuflections,  the  sign 
of  the  cross  or  other  religious  duties  through  motives 
of  human  respect  ? 

3.  Have  I  been  guilty  of  voluntary  distraction  at  my 
prayers  ? 

4.  Have  I  wilfully  caused  disturbance  during  public 
worship  ? 

5.  Have  I  spoken  with  levity  of  sacred  objects  and 
places  ? 

6.  How  often  have  I  done  what  is  good  more  from 
a  desire  to  please  than  from  any  better  motive  ? 

THE    SECOND    COMMANDMENT    OF    GOD. 

1.  Have  I  in  any  important  matter  taken  God  to 
witness  in  what  was  untrue,  or  have  I  sworn  falsely  ? 

2.  Have  I  voluntarily  broken  an  oath,  or  failed  to 
fulfil  a  vow? 

-    3.  Have  I  taken  God's  name  in  vain,  or  uttered  it 
without  respect? 

4.  Have  I  sworn  rashly,  or  used  God's  holy  name 
as  an  imprecation  ? 

5.  Have  I  called  God  to  witness  without  sufficient 
reason  ? 

6.  Have  I  postponed  the  fulfilment  of  a  promise 
without  any  necessity? 


41)8  Devotions. 


THE   THIRD   COMSfANDMENT   OF   GOD. 

On  the  observance  of  Sundays  and  holidays. 

r.  Have  I  omitted  hearing  Mass  on  any  Sunday 
or  holiday  of  obligation  without  a  good  reason? 
How  often  ? 

2.  Have  I  on  Sundays  or  holidays  indulged  volun- 
tary distractions  during  Mass? 

3.  Have  I  done  any  servile  work  without  necessity  on 
Sundays  or  holidays  ? 


THE   FOURTH   COMMANDMENT   OF   GOD. 
On  our  duty  toward  parents  and  superiors. 

In    regard    to  the    respect   that    is   due   parents   and 
sujjeriors: 

1.  Have  I  been  disrespectful  in  my  behavior  toward 
my  parents,  toward  priests  or  other  superiors? 

2.  Have  I  imagined  them  guilty  of  grievous  sins,  or 
exaggerated  their  faults  ? 

3.  Have  I  olTcnded  against  them  by  using  contempt- 
uous or  injurious  language  toward  them  ? 

4.  Have  I  been  wanting  in  my  duty  to  my  parents, 
and  judged  their  actions  unlovingly  or  uncharitably? 

5.  Have  I  shown  them  disrespect  by  word  or  act? 

6.  Have  I  been  ashamed  of  my  parents  on  account 
of  their  poverty  or  their  infirmities? 

In  regard  to  the  love  due  to  parents  and  superiors: 

1.  Have  I  in  earnest  and  deliberately  wished  evil 
to  my  parents,  my  pastor,  or  others  in  authority  over 
me? 

2.  Have  I  ever  intentionally  grieved  them  ? 

3.  Have  I  neglected  to  succor  my  parents  in  their 
necessities,  although  it  was  within  my  power  to  do  so  ? 

4.  Have  I  injured  them  in  any  manner  through  my 
own  fault? 

5.  Have  I  shown  impatience  at  the  rules  made  by 


Decot  ions  for  Confession.  499 

my  parents  and  superiors,  or  irritability  at  their  fail- 
ings? 

6.  Have  I  neglected  to  pray  for  my  parents  and  my 
pastor  ? 

In  regard  to  the  obedience  due  to  parents  and  superi- 
ors: 

1.  Have  I  been  disobedient  to  my  parents,  my 
confessor,  or  my  superiors,  in  any  important  matter? 

2.  Have  I  obeyed  their  directions  or  admonitions 
grudgingly,  or  neglected  them  altogether,  in  minor 
matters  ? 

3.  Have  I  shown  annoyance  at  their  advice  and 
paid  little  heed  to  it  ? 

THE   FIFTH   COMMANDMENT   OF   GOD. 

1.  Have  I  been  guilty  of  injuring  any  one's  health 
through  culpable  negligence,  through  quarrels  or  un- 
kind treatment  ? 

2.  Have  I  shown  enmity  or  rancor  toward  my 
neighbor,  as,  for  instance,  by  refusing  to  return  his 
greeting  ? 

3.  Have  I  uttered  imprecations  and  evil  wishes 
against  my  neighbor? 

4.  Have  I  taken  little  or  no  pains  to  suppress  feelings 
of  hatred  and  hostility  ? 

5.  Have  I  been  guilty  of  quarrelling  with  my  neigh- 
bor, and  how  often  ? 

6.  Have  I  punished  children  when  I  was  angry? 

7.  Have  I  rejoiced  in  my  neighbor's  adversity? 

8.  Have  I  neglected  to  give  alms  through  avarice, 
or  through  indolence  omitted  any  work  of  mercy  that 
I  ought  to  have  performed? 

9.  Have  I  done  anything  in  word  or  deed  which  I 
foresaw  would  cause  my  neighbor  to  sin,  such  as 
speaking  improperly  in  the  presence  of  children, 
dressing  indecorously,  etc.  ? 

ID.  Have  I  actually  tempted  another  to  commit  a 
deadly  sin,  and  if  so,  what  sin? 


500  Devotions. 

11.  How  often  have  1  led  my  neighbor  to  commit  a 
venial  sin  ? 

12.  Have  I  ever  intentionally  led  him  to  do  wrong? 

Sins  against  one's  own  life: 

1.  Have  1  injured  my  health  by  indulging  to  an 
excess  in  amusements,  by  intemperance,  or  outbursts 
of  anger? 

2.  Have  I  when  ve.xed  and  impatient  desired  my 
own  death? 

3.  Have  I  eaten  or  drunk  immoderately,  or  studied 
my  palate  too  carefully? 

4.  Have  I  not  sometimes  injured  my  health  through 
want  of  ordinary  prudence  and  precaution  ? 

5.  Have  I  often  given  way  to  anger  and  impa- 
tience? 

6.  Have  I  often  yielded  to  dejection  and  sadness? 


THE   SIXTH    AND   NINTH   COMMANDMENTS   OF   GOD. 
On  our  conduct  in  regard  to  purity. 

Impure  thoughts: 

1.  Have  I  with  pleasure  allowed  my  thoughts  to 
dwell  on  impure  subjects? 

2.  Have  I  consented  to  unchaste  suggestions  and 
temptations  instead  of  banishing  them  instantly 
from  my  mind  ? 

3.  Have  I  wished  to  look  at  unchaste  objects,  or  to 
take  improper  liberties  ? 

Impure  words: 

1.  Have  I  talked  in  an  unchaste  manner? 

2.  Have  I  taken  pleasure  in  listening  to  unclean 
conversation  ? 

Impure  actions: 

\.   Have    I    willingly,    and    with    a    sinful    pleasure 


Devotions  for  Confession.  501 

looked  at  immodest  things?     Committed  an  immodest 
act? 

2.  Have  I  read  books  of  an  immoral  tendency? 

3.  Have  I  dressed  immodestly  or  with  excessive 
finery  simply  to  attract  admiration  ? 

4.  Have  I  sinned  through  undue  familiarity  with 
persons  of  the  other  sex,  or  allowing  improper  liberties 
to  be  taken  with  me? 

5.  Have  I  been  careful  to  avoid  persons  and  places 
which  may  be,  or  have  been,  occasions  of  sin  for 
me? 

6.  Have  I  been  to  dances  and  plays  of  a  dangerous 
nature,  and  how  often  ? 


THE    SEVENTH    AND    TENTH    COMMANDMENTS    OF    GOD. 

On  our  conduct  in  regard  to  the  property  of  others. 

1.  Have  I  been  guilty  of  causing  any  considera- 
ble damage  to  my  neighbor  in  his  house  or  prop- 
erty? 

2.  For  how  long  have  I  wilfully  delayed  to  make 
due  satisfaction  and  restitution  ? 

3.  Have  I  when  at  home  pilfered  trifling  sums  or 
things  to  eat  ? 

4.  Have  I  disposed  of  things  belonging  to  my 
employers  or  others  without  their  knowledge?  And 
if  money,  to  what  amount? 

5.  Have  I  desired  my  neighbor's  goods,  not  caring 
whether  I  acquired  them  justly  or  unjustly? 

6.  Have  I  wasted  my  money  in  prodigal  expenditure, 
as,  for  instance,  on  dress  and  finery? 

7.  Have  I  through  my  negligence,  indifference,  or 
indolence  caused  loss,  even  to  a  slight  extent,  to  my 
employers  or  relatives? 


502  Devotioiis. 

THE     EIGHTH     COMMANDMENT    OF    GOD 
On  our  conduct  in  regard  to  truth. 

1.  Have  I  ever  borne  false  witness  in  a  court  of 
law  ? 

2.  Have  I  told  a  falsehood  in  any  matter  of  conse- 
quence? 

3.  Have  I  entertained  without  sufficient  ground  a 
bad  opinion  of  my  neighbor  and  taken  his  wrong- 
doings for  granted  through   rash  judgment? 

4.  Have  I  talumniated  my  neighbor,  accusing  him 
of  wrongfloing  of  which  I  did  not  know  him  to  be 
guilty  ? 

5.  Have  I  injured  my  neighbor's  good  name  and 
lessened  his  reputation  in  any  great  measure  by  de- 
traction? 

6.  Have  I  for  any  length  of  time  voluntarily  neg- 
lected to  make  good  the  injury  done  him,  to  the  best 
of  my  ability  ? 

7.  Have  I  written  anonymous  letters  in  abuse  of  any 
one,  or  to  cause  misunderstanding  and  quarrels? 

8.  Have  I  repeated  to  my  neighbor  the  ill  that  I 
heard  said  of  him  ? 

9.  How  often  have  I  said  what  was  not  quite  true 
to  save  myself  from  blame,  or  in  a  joke? 

10.  Have  I  entertained  unfounded  suspicions  of  my 
neighbor  ? 

ri.  Have  I  judged  uncharitably  of  the  actions  of 
others  ? 

12.  Have  I  published  the  faults  and  misdeeds  of 
others  without  necessity  ? 

13.  Have  I  been  guilty  of  deceit,  insincerity,  flattery, 
or  hypocrisy  ?     How  often  ? 

THE  COMMANDMENTS  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

1.  Have  I  deliberately  and  without  sufBcient  reason 
eaten  meat  on  abstinence  days? 

2.  Have  I,  being  at  least  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
aten  more  than  one  full  meal  on  the  fasts  of  the 
!hurch  ? 


Devotions  for  Confession.  503 

3.  Have  I  listencfi  to  the  addresses  of  a  non-Catholic 
with  a  view  to  marriage  ? 

AN    ACT   OF    CONTRITION. 

0^l\  God,  I  am  heartily  sorry  for  having  offended 
Thee,  and  I  detest  all  my  sins,  because  I  dread 
the  loss  of  heaven  and  the  pains  of  hell,  but  most  of  all 
because  they  offend  Thee,  my  God,  Who  art  all-good 
and  deserving  of  all  my  love.  I  firmly  resolve,  with 
the  help  of  Thy  grace,  to  confess  my  sins,  to  do  penance, 
and  to  amend  my  life. 


o 


ANOTHER   ACT   OF   CONTRITION. 

MY  God,  I  detest  these  and  all  other  sins  which 
1  have  committed  against  Thy  divine  Majesty. 
I  am  extremely  sorry  that  I  have  sinned,  because 
Thou  art  infinitely  good,  and  sin  displeases  Thee. 
I  love  Thee  with  my  whole  heart,  and  firmly  purpose, 
by  the  help  of  Thy  grace,  never  more  to  offend 
Thee.  I  resolve  to  avoid  the  occasions  of  sin;  I  will 
confess  my  sins,  and  will  endeavor  to  make  satis- 
faction for  them.  Have  mercy  on  me,  O  God,  have 
mercy,  and  pardon  me,  a  wretched  sinner,  I  beseech 
Thee,  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  Who  shed  His  most 
precious  blood  for  my  salvation. 

Or: 

OMY  dear  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  behold 
Thy  poor  sinful  child  prostrate  at  Thy  feet. 
Alas!  I  have  indeed  reason  to  blush  with  shame  in 
Thy  presence.  Thou  hast  conferred  upon  me  in- 
numerable benefits;  Thou  earnest  down  Thyself 
from  heaven  to  earth,  and  didst  suffer  so  many  and 
so  great  pains  for  my  sake,  finally  laying  down  Thy 
life  for  me;  and  I  have  been  so  ungrateful;  I  have 
done  so  much  that  is  evil  in  Thy  sight.  If  Thou  hadst 
punished  me,  O  just  God,  as  Thou  didst  the  wicked 
angels  after  the  first  sin,  how  wretched  would  be 
my  lot  now  and  to  all  eternity.  But  Thou  wert  ever 
and  still  art  full  of   loving-kindness   and  compassion 


604  Devotions. 

toward  me,  Thy  ungrateful  child.     I  am  truly  sorry, 

0  dearest  Jesus,  for  having  olTended  Thee  so  often 
and  so  grievously.     How  earnestly  1  now  desire  that 

1  had  always  loved  Thee  with  my  whole  heart,  O 
supreme  and  adorable  God!  I  love  Thee  ab;>ve  all 
things. 

RESOLUTION    OF    AMENDMENT. 

I  HUMBLY  beseech  Thee,  my  Lord  and  Saviour, 
mercifully  to  forgive  me,  and  to  receive  me  ontc 
more  into  Thy  favor.  I  detest  and  abhor  all  my  sins, 
and  I  promise  Thee,  my  God,  to  do  better  for  the 
time  to  come.  Henceforth  I  will  love  Thee  above 
all  things  and  will  avoid  all  occasions  of  sin,  so  that 
I  may  not  have  the  misfortune  to  fall  again  into  my 
old  transgressions.  Jesus,  mercy!  Jesus,  my  Lord, 
my  God,  and  my  all! 

Praters  Bfter  Confeasion. 

AX    ACT    OF    TUAN'KSGIVING     AND     RENF.WAL    OF    GOOD 
RESOLUTIONS. 

^^rERN.'\L  thanks  and  praise  be  to  Thee,  O  God 
\-^  of  goodness  anrl  mercy!  Thou  wiliest  not  the 
death  of  a  sinner.  Thou  hast  not  despised  my  repent- 
ance, but  with  fatherly  love  Thou  hast  received  me 
anew  and  forgiven  me  my  sins,  through  the  holy 
Sacrament  of  Penance.  Thou  art  once  more  my 
Father,  and  I  am  once  more  Thy  child,  united  again 
unco  Thee.  And  now  I  make  a  firm  resolution: 
Never  again  will  I  commit  sin,  never  again  will  I  grieve 
Thee,  O  my  God.  For  the  future  all  that  I  am,  all 
that  I  have,  all  that  I  do  shall  be  consecrated  to  Thy 
service  and  to  Thy  glory. 

PRAYER  FOR  THE  GR.A.CE  TO  PERSEVERE. 

^>'~'ORD,  Thou  knowest  my  frailty  and  weakness; 
fjt—X  my  resolution  is  indeed  firm  and  heartfelt, 
yet  Thou  must    fortify  me   if   I   am   to  carry  it  into 


Devotions  for  Conununion.  505 

practice.  O  Thou  Who  hast  inspired  me  with  the 
determination  to  cast  otT  the  yoke  of  sin,  strengthen 
my  will,  that  I  may  perform  that  which  1  purpose. 
In  Thee,  O  God  of  might,  1  can  do  all  things.  Mani- 
fest in  me  therefore,  omnipotent  God,  the  abundance 
of  Thy  mercy,  and  arm  me  with  the  power  necessary 
to  preserve  me  from  falling  into  sin.  Succor  me  in 
danger,  protect  me  from  the  snares  of  the  spirits  of 
evil,  and  awaken  within  me  an  implacable  hatred 
of  every  kind  of  wickedness. 

PRAYER   TO    OUR   LADY   AND   THE   SAINTS. 

OMARY,  the  refuge  of  all  who  seriously  purpose 
to  turn  to  God  and  amend  their  ways,  look 
down,  I  beseech  thee,  on  me  in  mercy.  I  now  firmly 
purpose  to  make  a  sincere  change  and  no  longer  to 
offend  Thy  beloved  Son,  Jesus.  Graciously  vouch- 
safe to  intercede  for  me  with  Him,  that  I  may  no* 
prove  false  to  the  resolution  I  have  taken.  Pray  foi 
me,  that  I  may  ever  strive  valiantly  against  all  tempta- 
tions, and  part  with  life  itself  rather  than  lose  the 
friendship  of  God,  which  is  above  all  price.  O  my 
guardian  angel!  O  blessed  saints  of  heaven!  pray  for 
me,  that  I  may  continue  in  the  grace  cf  God,  and 
persevere  in   it  unto  my  life's  end.     Amen. 


IV.  devotions  for  Communion. 

{Instriiction<:  XI  and   XXXII,  Book  I.,  may  here   he 

read  again.) 

BEFORE   HOLY   COMMUNION. 

3ESUS,  my  God  and  Saviour,  is  now  about  to  come 
to  me  and  dwell  with  me:  Jesus  Who  is  true  God 
and  true  man,  before  Whom  every  knee  shall  bow  in 
heaven,  on  earth,  and  under  the  earth. 

And  wherefore,  O  my  Lord,  dost  Thou  come  to  me? 


606  Devotions. 

Thou  romcst  in  order  to  unite  me  to  ThyscH  in  flu; 
closest  union  and  to  enricli  me  most  lovinpiy  with 
the  treasures  of  Thy  grace.  God  of  infinite  goodness, 
how  great  is  Tliy  mercy  toward  mc!  Thou  knowest, 
O  God,  that  without  Thy  diN^ine  help  I  can  do  nothing; 
wherefore  I  beseech  Thee  through  the  charity  which 
moved  Thee  to  institute  this  Holy  Sacrament  grant 
me  powerful  and  ctTective  grace,  that  I  may  receive 
it  to  Thy  glory  and  my  own  good. 

Holy  Mary,  Mother  of  Jesus  my  Saviour,  Whom  I 
now  purpose  with  all  devotion  to  receive,  I  beseech 
thee  through  the  love  thou  didst  feel  for  thy  dearly 
beloved  Son  obtain  for  mc  grace  to  prejjarc  myself 
for  this  holy  communion  in  a  fitting  manner,  so  that 
it  may  not  be  an  increase  of  guilt  for  my  condemnation, 
but  may  avail  for  the  health  and  salvation  of  my  soul. 

Holy  angei  guardian,  and  you,  my  blessed  patrons, 
pray  for  me,  that  I  may  receive  my  Lord  and  my  God 
into  my  heart  with  proper  dispositions,  and  thus  be 
made  partaker  of  ail  the  graces  which  our  bountiful 
Lord  bestows  on  those  who  worthily  receive  this  most 
holy  mystery.     All  ye  saints  of  God,  pray  for  me. 

Awaken  fervent  devotion  within  your  soul  by  means 
of  the  following  acts,  which  ought  to  come  from  the 
heart  rather  than  from  the  lips. 

AN    ACT   OF    FAITH. 

"T*  FIRMLY  believe,  O  Jesus,  all  that  Thou  l.ast 
r*-»  revealed,  and  in  particular  I  believe  that  Thou 
art  really  and  truly  present  in  the  Holy  Sacrament  of 
the  Altar;    for  Thou  art  eternal  and  infallible  Truth. 

AN    ACT    OF    ADORATION. 

^t'N  union  with  all  the  angels  and  saints  I  adore 
^1  Thee,  O  Jesus,  in  this  IVfost  Holy  Sacrament,  in 
which  for  love  of  me  Thou  art  hidden  beneath  the 
sacred  species;  I  adore  Thee  as  my  Lord  and  my  God; 
I  worship  Thee  as  my  Creator  and  Redeemer, 


Derof ions  for  Contiinitiiun.  507 


AN    ACT    OF    CONTRITION. 


OMY  Jesus,  I  am  truly  sorry  that  I  have  sinned, 
because  Thou  art  infinitely  good,  and  sin  dis- 
pleases Thee. 


AN    ACT    OF    HUMILITY. 


*  1^  OW  can  I  venture  to  draw  nigh  to  Thee,  my 
t^ty  Lord  and  my  Saviour,  after  having  offended 
Thee  so  often?  I  am  indeed  not  worthy  to  receive 
Thee  into  my  heart.  Yet  say  but  the  word  and  my 
soul  shall  be  healed. 

AN   ACT   OF   HOPE. 

/^  HY  mercy,  O  dearest  Jesus,  is  in  truth  boundless; 
Vz^  Thou  dost  vouchsafe  to  come  to  me,  to  take  up 
Thy  abode  in  my  heart.  1  venture  therefore  confidently 
to  hope  that  Thou  wilt  sanctify  me  and  fill  me  with 
Thy  grace. 

AN   ACT   OF   CHARITY. 

*^^HOU  hast  loved  me,  O  Jesus,  unto  the  death 
xz/  upon  the  cross,  and  out  of  love  to  me  Thou 
wiliest  now  to  become  the  food  of  my  soul.  How  can 
I  make  a  return  for  Thy  love?  I  will  live  and  die  for 
love  of  Thee. 

AN   ACT  OF  DESIRE. 

aOME,  O  Jesus,  come  and  take  possession  of  my 
heart;    it  shall  belong  entirely  to  Thee;    come 
and  visit  me,  and  strengthen  me  in  Thy  grace,  O    Lord. 


Bftcc  Ibolg  Communion. 

AN    ACT    OF    HUMILITY. 

^T^nr'HENCE  is  this  to  me,  O  Jesus,  that  Thou 
vIcA.  shouldst  condescend  to  come  to  me,  to  dweU 
with  me,  a  miserable  sinner? 


508  DPVotiODH: 


AN   ACT   OF  THANKSGIVING    AND   OPLATION. 


Wi 


'HAT  shall  I  render  to  Thee,  O  dearest  Jesus, 
for  all  that  Thou  hast  rendered  unto  me?  I 
offer  unto  Thee  my  soul  and  my  body  and  all  that  I 
possess.  All  my  thoughts,  my  desires,  my  words, 
and  my  actions  shall  be  Thine,  dedicated  to  Thee 
alone. 

AN   ACT  OF  LOVF.. 

INFL.\ME,  O  Jesus,  my  cold  heart  with   the  fire 
of  Thy  love,  that  I  may  love  Thee  more  and 
be  ever  ready  to  make  any  sacrifice  for  love  of  Thee. 

AN   ACT  OF   PETITION. 

yTVY  Lord  and  my  God,  grant  unto  me,  a  desti- 
\li<^  tute  sinner,  all  the  graces  of  which  I  stand  in 
need,  for  Thou  art  infinitely  rich  and  infinitely  good. 
May  Thy  holy  will  be  done  in  me  and  by  me  to  the 
end  of  my  life. 

Abide  with  me  always  with  Thy  grace,  O  good  Jesus; 
fortify  me  and  bless  me  by  the  might  of  this  Holy 
Sacrament  now  and  in  the  hour  of  my  death.     Amen. 

INVOCATIONS. 

C^OUL  of  Christ,  sanctify  me: 

|^_7      Body  of  Christ,  save  me: 

Blood  of  Christ,  inebriate  me: 

Water  from  the  side  of  Christ,  wash  me. 

Passion  of  Christ,  strengthen  me: 

O  good  Jesus,  hear  me: 

Within  Thy  wounds  hide  me: 

Permit  me  not  to  be  separated  from  Thee. 

From  the  malignant  enemy  defend  me: 

In  the  hour  of  my  death  call  me 

And  bid  me  come  to  Thee, 

That,  with  Thy  saints,  I  may  praise  Thee 

And  love  Thee  to  all  eternity.     Amen. 


Devotions  for  Communion.  509 


PRAYER   TO    THE    BLESSED    VIRGIN. 

/T\OST  holy  Virgin  Alary,  the  Mother  of  Our  Lord 
t^^'t  Jesus  Christ,  Whose  most  sacred  body  and  blood 
1  have  just  been  privileged  to  receive,  obtain  for  me 
grace  to  preserve  within  my  soul  the  blessed  fruits 
of  this  holy  communion,  and  to  conduct  myself  always 
as  a  true  follower  of  Christ.  Do  not  suffer  me  ever 
to  be  separated  from  Jesus,  neither  in  life,  nor  in  death, 
nor  in  eternity.     Amen. 

INVOCATION   OF   THE   SAINTS. 

'  ^-v  OLY  angels  and  elect  of  God,  praise  the  Lord 
jJ— ti  our  God;  bless  His  holy  name;  great  and 
marvellous  are  the  things  that  He  has  done  for  love 
of  me.     Jesus  is  mine;    He  has  come  to  visit  me. 

Holy  angel  guardian,  and  you,  my  patron  saint, 
what  joy  must  now  be  yours!  The  God  Whom  you 
worship  is  now  within  my  heart.  Give  thanks  to 
Him  for  me,  give  thanks  to  God  my  Saviour,  for  you 
can  praise  Him  far  more  worthily  than  I  can.  Pray 
for  me  also  that  I  may  never  again  by  sin  banish  my 
Jesus  from  my  heart. 

Now  I  will  depart  in  happy  assurance,  for  Jesus 
my  Saviour  is  within  my  heart,  and  nothing  shall 
separate  me  from  Him. 

Pray  for  me,  saints  of  God;  ask  for  me  grace  to 
remain  continually  in  your  blessed  company,  and 
one  day  to  see  Our  Lord,  no  longer  under  the  veils 
of  the  Eucharist,  but  face  to  face,  in  the  glory  of  heaven, 
there  to  praise  and  adore  Him  throughout  a  happy 
eternity.     Ajnen. 

INDULGENCED    PRAYER    BEFORE    A    CRUCIFIX. 

"t~'OOK  down  upon  me,  good  and  gentle  Jesus, 
r-l — i  while  before  Thy  face  I  humbly  kneel,  and  with 
burning  soul  pray  and  beseech  Thee  to  fi.x  deep  in 
my  heart  lively  sentiments  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity. 


510  Devotions. 

true  contrition  for  my  sins,  and  a  firm  purpose  of 
amendment ;  and  while  I  contemplate  with  great 
love  and  tender  pity  Thy  five  wounds,  pondering  over 
them  within  me,  and  calling  to  mind  the  words  which 
David,  Thy  proi)hct,  said  of  Thee,  O  good  Jesus: 
"They  have  pierced  My  hands  and  My  feet;  they  have 
numbered  all  My  bones."     (Psalm  xxi.) 

Say  also  five  times  the  Our  Father  and  Hail  Mary 
and  blory  for  the  Catholic  Church  and  the  intentions 
of  the  Holy  Father.  His  Holiness  I^ope  Pius  IX., 
July  31,  1858,  confirmed  anew  the  plenary  indulgence 
granted  by  Clement  VIII.  and  Benedict  XIV.,  and 
confirmed  by  Pius  VII.  and  Leo  XII.,  to  those  who 
shall  say  this  prayer.  He  declared,  moreover,  that 
those  who  wish  to  gain  this  plenary  indulgence  must 
say  this  prayer  with  devotion  before  an  image  or 
picture  of  our  crucified  Redeemer,  and,  being  truly 
penitent,  after  confession  and  communion,  spend  some 
time  in  prayer  for  the  intention  of  the  Pope. 


Ipetitlons  anO  ©ffcrlngs  after  Ibolg  Com* 
munlotu 

BINCE  Thou  hast  been  pleased,  most  loving  Jesus, 
to  come  and  dwell  within  mv  heart,  I  cxncct 
many  favors  of  Thee;  for  how  canst  Thou  refuse  to 
give  me  Thy  gifts,  since  Thou  hast  given  me  Thyself? 
I  confess,  O  Lord,  that  I  deserve  nothing;  but 
the  more  undeserving  I  am,  the  more  is  Thv  good- 
ness glorified  in  bestowing  Thy  grace  upon  me.  T 
ask,  then,  O  most  loving  Redeemer,  a  full  pardon  and 
remission  of  the  guilt  of  all  mv  sins,  which  I  once  more 
detest  and  abominate  with  all  my  heart;  and  for  the 
remission  of  the  temporal  punishment  which  is  due  for 
them,  I  desire  to  gain  all  the  indulgences  T  can,  and 
beseech  Thee  to  give  me  the  grace  to  accomplish  this 
purpose. 


Devotions  for  Communion.  511 

By  Thy  most  precious  blood,  by  Thy  body,  soul,  and 
divinity,  which  I  have  this  morning  received,  I  beg  of 
Thee,  with  all  humility,  to  cleanse  my  heart  from  all 
defilement.  Create,  O  my  Jesus,  a  clean  heart  within 
me,  and  grant  me  a  new  spirit  truly  just  and  upright. 
P'ill  it  with  all  the  gifts  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit,  and  adorn 
it  with  every  virtue,  especially  with  humility,  patience, 
submission  to  Thy  holy  will,  modesty,  meekness,  and 
mortification.  Detach  my  heart  from  all  created 
things,  fashion  it  after  Thine  own  Most  Sacred  Heart, 
and  unite  it  for  ever  to  Thyself  in  the  bonds  of  perfect 
charity.  Give  me  strength  and  courage  to  resist 
bravely  all  temptations  until  death;  I  purpose  to 
banish  them  at  once,  and  promise  to  avoid  every 
occasion  of  sin.  But,  my  Lord,  Thou  knowest  that 
of  myself  I  can  do  nothing,  and  therefore  I  imjjlore 
Thee  to  help  me  and  to  strengthen  me  by  Thy  blood. 

I  beseech  Thee  to  engrave  upon  my  heart  a  lively 
remembrance  of  Thy  Passion  and  death,  and  the  liitter 
sorrows  of  my  Mother  Mary;  fill  my  heart  with  a 
tender  devotion  to  Thy  Sacred  Heart,  a  glowing  love 
for  the  Sacrament  of  Thy  love,  and  a  fervent  devoted- 
ness  to  Thy  blessed  Mother,  my  heavenly  Queen  and 
Advocate,  to  whose  honor  and  service  I  have  dedi- 
cated my  whole  being  and  my  life. 

I  beseech  Thee,  too,  my  dearest  Lord,  most  earnestly, 
to  give  me  the  grace  to  overcome  entirely  the  passion 
which  most  predominates  in  me,  and  the  sin  into  whirh 
I  fall  most  frequently.  (Here  mention  the  particular 
passion,  or  sin,  or  fault.)  I  ask  moreover  for  those 
temporal  graces  Thou  knowest  to  be  most  expedient 
for  me,  for  Thy  greater  glory  and  the  salvation  of  my 
soul;  and  lest  T  should  err  in  asking  for  what  might  be 
injurious  to  me,  I  leave  it  entirely  to  Thee,  and  trust 
in  Thee,  Who  alone  hast  goodness  and  infinite  wisdom, 
to  give  me  what  Thou  knowest  to  be  best  for  me.  To 
all  these  graces  add  that  highest  and  most  precious 
gift,  the  crown  and  perfection  of  all  Thy  other  gifts, 
the  grace  of  final  perseverance.  Do  Thou,  Thyself, 
my  Jesus,  ask  it  of    Thine  eternal  Father;    show  Him 


512  Devotions. 

Thy  wounds;  offer  Him  Thy  most  precious  blood,  and 
then  I  shall  be  sure  of  being  heard. 

O  heavenly  Father!  Since  our  dear  Lord  and 
Saviour  Himself  has  said;  "Amen,  amen,  I  say  to  you, 
if  you  ask  the  Father  anything  in  My  name,  He  will 
give  it  you,"  1  beseech  Thee,  for  the  love  of  Thy  Son, 
Jesus  Christ,  Who  now  dwells  within  me,  and  Whose 
infinite  merits  I  olTer  up  to  Thee,  do  Thou  graciously 
hear  ray  prayers  and  grant  all  ray  petitions. 


MEMENTO  OF  THE  LIVING. 

1.  /^  LORD,  my  God!      I  recommend  to  Thee 
V-/      the   Sovereign    Pontiff,    and    all    prelates, 

bishops,  priests,  and  Religious;  grant  them,  O  Lord, 
zeal  and  the  spirit  of  their  state,  that  they  may  give 
themselves  to  the  salvation  of  souls. 

2.  My  relatives,  friends,  and  enemies;  the  sick, 
especially  those  who  are  in  the  agony  of  death!  and  all 
the  faithful  who  are  in  Thy  grace:  give  them,  O  Lord, 
perseverance  and  fervor  in  Thy  love. 

3.  All  infidels,  heretics,  and  sinners:  give  them  light 
and  strength  that  they  may  all  know  and  love  Thee. 


MEMENTO    OF   THE   DEAD. 

1.  •T'  RECOMMEXD    to  Thee   the  souls  of  my 
gJL,      parents,  benefactors,  friends,  and  enemies; 

and  of   those  who  are  in  purgatory  through  my  fault. 

2.  The  souls  of  priests  and  those  who  labored  for 
souls.     Especially.  .  .  . 

3.  The  souls  of  those  who  were  most  devout  to  the 
Passion  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament, 
to  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  and  to  His  blessed  Mother; 
the  souls  who  are  the  most  forgotten;  those  who  are 
suffering  the  most;  and  those  who  are  nearest  to  the 
gates  of  paradise. 


Devotions  for  Communion.  513 


/|\Y  good  Jesus,  I  now  give  myself  entirely  to 
t^''*  Thee.  I  offer  Thee,  most  loving  Lord,  my  soul, 
with  ail  its  faculties.  I  offer  Thee  my  understand- 
ing, that,  sanctified  by  Thee,  it  may  be  occupied 
earnestly  in  the  consideration  of  Thy  blessed  Passion 
and  death,  and  Thy  divine  attributes.  I  give  Thee 
my  memory,  that  I  may  ever  have  in  remembrance 
the  infinite  mercies  Thou  hast  shown  me.  I  give  Thee 
my  will,  that  by  Thy  holy  love  I  may  be  entirely  con- 
formed to  Thy  divine  will,  desiring  nothing  but'  what 
Thou  wiliest,  and  rejecting  everything  that  is  dis- 
pleasing to  Thee.  I  give  Thee  my  whole  self,  to  be 
sanctified  by  Thee  in  soul  and  body;  and  I  intend  in 
this  offering  to  make  an  entire,  irrevocable,  and  eternal 
sacrifice  of  myself  and  all  that  belongs  to  me.  I 
offer  and  consecrate  to  Thee  my  poor  heart,  which  now 
desires  to  love  Thee  so  faithfully  as  to  make  amends 
for  all  the  infidelities  of  my  past  life.  O  my  Jesus, 
detach  my  heart  from  creatures;  unite  it  perfectly  to 
Thine  own,  and,  hiding  it  within  the  loving  wound  of 
Thy  side,  imprint  deeply  in  it  the  memory  of  Thy  bitter 
Passion  and  the  sorrows  of  Thy  most  holy  Mother; 
so  that,  by  frequent  meditation  on  these  mysteries, 
I  may  be  filled  with  sorrow  for  my  past  sins,  and  for 
the  time  to  come  faithfully  correspond  to  Thine  infinite 
love. 

I  offer  Thee  all  the  senses  of  my  body,  particularly 
my  eyes  and  my  tongue:  grant  that  henceforth  I  may 
nevermore  oft'end  Thee  through  them.  I  offer  Thee 
my  thoughts,  words,  and  deeds.  My  Jesus,  I  desire  to 
unite  all  I  have  offered  Thee  to  the  merits  of  Thy  most 
holy  Passion  and  death,  and  the  merits  of  my  Mother 
Mary  and  all  the  saints. 

O  Jesus,  Whom  I  bear  within  me,  let  this  union  of 
my  heart  with  Thine  shed  its  influence  over  my  whole 
life,  and  guide  me  at  all  times  and  in  all  events,  so 
that  I  may  be  able  to  draw  hearts  to  love  Thee  and  to 
devote  themselves  to  Thy  interests.  This  is  the  desire, 
O  my  Jesus,  with  which   Thou  dost  inspire  me,  that 


514  Devotions. 

Thy  kingdom  may  come,  that  Thou  maycst  reign  over 
all  hearts  and  nations,  anrl  that  Thy  will  may  be  per- 
fectly accomplished.     Amen. 

O  holy  Mother,  keep  and  guard  my  heart,  which 
Jesus  has  this  day  chosen  for  His  dwelhng.  Defend 
me  by  thy  ceaseless  prayer,  that  I  may  seek  in  all 
things  the  glory  of  God.     Amen. 

INDULGENCED  ACTS   IN  nONOR  OF  THE  SACRED   HEART 
OF  JESUS. 

(Reparation  and  Petitions  for  occasional  use  after  com- 
munion or  during  a  visit  to   the  Blessed  Sacrament.) 


Verbum  caro  factum  est,  The  Word  was  made 
et  habitavit  in  nobis.  flesh,  and  dwelt  amongst 

us. 

eTERN.A.L  Word,  made  man  for  love  of  us! 
liumbly  prostrate  at  Thy  feet,  we  adore  Thee 
with  our  soul's  deepest  veneration;  and  to  repair  our 
ingratitude  for  the  great  boon  of  Thy  Incarnation, 
we  join  our  hearts  with  the  hearts  of  all  who  love 
Thee,  and  we  offer  to  Thee  with  them  our  most  humble 
and  loving  thanksgiving.  Filled  with  tfie  thought  of 
the  exceeding  great  humility,  goodness,  and  tenderness 
which  we  behold  in  Thy  divine  Heart,  we  pray  Thee 
to  give  us  Thy  grace,  that  we  may  imitate  these  virtues 
so  dear  to  Thee. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be  to  the  Father. 

II. 

Crucifixus  etiam  pro  He  was  crucified  also  for 
nobis  sub  Pontic  Pilato,  us,  suffered  under  Pontius 
passus  et  sepultus  est.  Pilate,   and  was  buried. 

nf  ESUS,  loving  .Saviour!  humbly  prostrate  at  Thy  feet, 
cJ  we  adore  Thee  with  our  soul's  deepest  veneration; 
and  to  give  Thee  proof  of  our  real  sorrow  for  our  want 
of  feeling  for  all  those  outrages  and  woes  which  Thy 
loving  Heart  made  Thee  suffer  for  our  salvation  in 


Devotions  for  Communion.  515 

Thy  sorrowful  Passion  and  most  bitter  death,  we 
join  our  hearts  with  the  hearts  of  all  who  love  Thee, 
to  thank  Thee  with  our  whole  soul.  We  marvel  at  the 
boundless  patience  and  the  generosity  of  Thy  Sacred 
Heart;  and  we  pray  Thee  to  fill  our  hearts  with  the 
spirit  of  Christian  penance,  that  thereby  we  may  cour- 
ageously embrace  suffering  and  make  Thy  cross  our 
greatest  comfort  and  our  glory. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be  to  the  Father. 

III. 

Panem  de  coelo  prass-  Thou  didst  give  them 
titisti  eis.  bread  from  heaven  to  eat. 

Omne  delectamentum  In  whose  taste  was  every 
in  se  habentem.  heavenly  sweetness. 

Ti  ESUS,  full  of  love  for  us!  humbly  prostrate  at  Thy 
cJ  feet,  we  adore  Thee  with  our  soul's  deepest 
veneration;  and  in  reparation  for  the  outrages  which 
Thy  Sacred  Heart  daily  receives  in  the  Most  Holy 
Sacrament  of  the  Altar,  we  unite  ourselves  with  the 
hearts  of  all  who  love  Thee,  and  give  Thee  tenderest 
thanks.  We  love,  too,  in  that  Sacred  Heart  of  Thine, 
the  incomprehensible  fire  of  Thy  love  for  Thy  eternal 
Father;  and  we  pray  Thee  to  inflame  our  hearts  with 
burning  charity  toward  Thee  and  toward  our  neigh- 
bors. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be  to  the  Father. 

IV. 
ASTLY,  O  most  loving  Jesus!  we  pray  Thee 
by  the  sweetness  of  Thy  Sacred  Heart,  convert 
sinners,  console  the  suffering,  help  the  dying,  succor 
the  souls  in  purgatory.  Make  our  hearts  one  with 
Thine  in  the  bonds  of  true  peace  and  charity,  save  us 
from  a  sudden  and  unprovided  death,  and  grant  us  a 
death  holy  and  peaceful.     Amen. 

V.  Cor  Jesu  flagrans  V.  Heart  of  Jesus,  burn- 
amore  nostri.  ing  with  love  of  us. 

R.  Inflamma  cor  nos-  R.  Inflame  our  hearts 
trum  amore  tui.  with  love  of  Thee. 


B 


516  Devotions. 

Oremiis.  Let  us  pray. 

aONCEDE,  quicsu-  ^RAXT,  nvc  Insect  h 
mus,  omnipotcns  %^^  Thee,  almighty  God, 
Deus,  ut  qui  in  Sanctis-  that  wc  who  glory  in  the 
simo  dilecti  Filii  tui  corcle  Most  Sacred  Heart  of 
gloriantes,  pnecipua  in  Thy  well -beloved  Son,  and 
nos  charitatis  ejus  bene-  renew  in  our  hearts  the 
ficia  recolimus,  eorum  remembrance  of  the  great 
pariter  et  actu  delecte-  benefits  of  His  heavenly 
mur  et  fructu.  Per  eum-  charity  toward  us,  may 
dem  Christum,  etc.  rejoice  in  their  operation 

and  fruit  within  our  souls. 

Through  the  same  Christ. 

Our  Lord,  etc. 

Prayer. 

BIVTNE  Heart  of  my  Jesus!  I  adore  thee  with 
all  the  powers  of  my  soul;  I  consecrate  them 
to  the  •  for  ever,  with  my  thoughts,  my  words,  my  works, 
and  my  whole  self.  I  jjurpose  to  offer  to  thee,  as  far  as 
I  can,  acts  of  adoration,  love,  and  glory  like  unto 
those  which  thou  offerest  to  thine  eternal  Father.  Be 
thou,  I  beseech  thee,  the  repairer  of  my  transgressions, 
the  protector  of  my  life,  my  refuge  and  asylum  in  the 
hour  of  my  death.  By  thy  sighs,  and  by  that  sea  of 
bitterness  in  which  thou  wast  plunged  for  me  through- 
out thy  whole  mortal  life,  grant  me  true  contrition 
for  my  sins,  contempt  of  earthly  things,  a  burning 
desire  of  eternal  glory,  trust  in  thy  boundless  merits 
and  final  perseverance  in  thy  grace. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  all  love!  I  offer  thee  these  humble 
prayers  for  myself  and  for  all  who  unite  with  me  in 
spirit  to  adore  thee;  vouchsafe  out  of  thy  great  good- 
ness to  hear  and  answer  them,  chiefly  for  that  one 
among  us  who  first  shall  end  this  mortal  Hfe.  Sweet 
Heart  of  Jesus!  pour  into  his  heart  in  his  death  agony 
thine  inward  consolations;  take  him  within  thy  sacred 
wounds;  cleanse  him  from  all  stains  in  that  furnace 
of  love  that  so  thou  mayest  soon  open  to  him  the  gates 


Devotions  for  Communion.  517 

of  thy  eternal  glory,  there  to  intercede  with  thee  for 
all  those  who  tarry  yet  in  this  land  of  exile. 

Holiest  Heart  of  my  most  loving  Jesus!  for  mvself,  a 
wretched  sinner,  and  for  all  who  unite  with  me  in  ador- 
ing thee,  I  purpose  to  renew  and  olJer  to  thee  these  acts 
of  adoration  and  these  prayers,  at  ever)'  moment,  and 
to  the  last  instant  of  my  life.  I  recommend  to  Thee, 
my  Jesus,  the  Church,  Thy  well-beloved  Spouse  and 
our  true  Mother;  the  souls  who  are  following  the  path 
of  justice,  poor  sinners,  the  afflicted,  the  d}ing,  all 
men  on  the  whole  face  of  the  earth.  Let  not  Thy 
blood  be  shed  in  vain  for  them;  and  vouchsafe,  lastly, 
to  apply  it  to  the  rehef  of  the  souls  in  purgatory,  and, 
above  all,  to  those  who  in  Hfe  were  wont  to  adore  Thee 
devoutly. 

IMost  loving  heart  of  Mary,  which,  amongst  the 
hearts  of  all  God's  creatures,  art  at  once  the  purest  and 
the  most  inflamed  with  love  for  Jesus,  and  the  most 
compassionate  toward  us,  poor  sinners!  obtain  for  us 
from  the  Heart  of  Jesus,  Our  Redeemer,  all  the  graces 
which  we  ask  of  thee.  Mother  of  mercies,  one  throb, 
a  single  beat  of  thy  burning  heart,  offered  by  thee  to 
the  Heart  of  Jesus,  has  power  to  console  us  to  the  full. 
Grant  us  then  this  favor;  and  then  the  Heart  of  Jesus, 
through  the  fihal  love  He  had  for  thee,  and  will  ever 
have,  will  not  fail  to  hear  and  answer  our  request. 
Amen. 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  once  a  day,  to  all  the  faithful 
who  shall  say  these  prayers,  with  the  Our  Father,  the 
Hail  Mary,  and  the  Glory  be  to  the  Father,  each  three 
times;  plenary  indulgence  once  a  month  on  usual 
conditions.— Pius  VII.,  Feb.  12,  1808;  Pius  IX., 
June  18,  1876.     (From  "  The  New  RaccoUa.") 

PROMISES     AND    RESOLUTIONS    TO     BE    MADE     BY    FRE- 
QUENT   COMMXn^ICANTS. 

I  PROMISE  to  say  my  morning  and  night  prayers 
regularly  and  with  great  devotion. 
I  resolve  to  examine  my  conscience  carefully  every 
night,  and  to  make  a  fervent  act  of  contrition. 


518  Devotions. 

I  am  determined  to  make  an  oblation  of  all  my 
actions  every  morning  to  God,  and  to  repeat  the  same 
several  times  a  day. 

It  is  my  determination  henceforth  to  do  all  my 
actions  primarily  for  God,  following  the  instruction  of 
St.  Paul,  "Therefore,  whether  you  eat  or  drink,  or 
whatsoever  else  you  do:  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God" 
(i  Cor.  X.  31). 

I  am  resolved  to  try  to  acquire  such  purity  of  inten- 
tion that  I  may  be  able  to  say  with  St.  Francis  of  Sales: 
' '  Should  I  ever  discover  in  my  soul  ever  so  little  of  alTec- 
tion  that  was  not  of  God,  in  God,  and  for  God,  I 
would  rid  me  of  it  immediately." 

It  is  my  firm  resolution  to  go  to  Mass  and  Benedic- 
tion on  week-days,  as  well  as  Sundays,  as  frequently  as 
I  can. 

It  is  also  my  fixed  intention  to  make  ejaculations  and 
spiritual  communions,  several  times  each  day,  and 
whenever  I  awake  during  the  night. 

Further,  I  resolve  to  visit  the  Blessed  Sacran.ent 
several  times  a  week,  to  say  a  part  of  the  Rosary  every 
day  and  the  Angelus  three  times  a  day,  and  to  make  a 
short  meditation  and  read  in  a  spiritual  book  every  day. 

I  am  determined  to  try  to  love  God  above  all  things, 
and  never  to  rest  until  I  can  say  in  truth  with  St.  Paul: 
"For  I  am  sure  that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels, 
nor  principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  things  present,  nor 
things  to  come,  nor  might,  nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor 
any  other  creature  shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the 
love  of  God,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord"  (Rom. 
viii.  38,  39). 

It  is  my  firm  purpose  to  learn  to  love  my  neighbor  as 
myself,  and  freely  to  forgive  at  once  those  who  have 
wounded  me,  and  not  to  treat  them  with  disdain  and 
keep  them  at  a  distance. 

It  is  my  resolve  never  to  violate  charity  in  any  of  the 
parts  which  constitute  charity  as  given  by  St.  Paul: 
"Charity  is  patient,  is  kind;  charity  envieth  not,  deal- 
eth  not  perversely,  is  not  puffed  up,  is  not  ambitious, 
seeketh  not  her  own,  is  not  provoked  to  angei,  thinkcth 


Devotions  for  Communion.  519 

no  evil,  rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity,  but  rcjoiceth  with  the 
truth:  beareth  all  things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth 
all  things,  endureth  all  things.  Charity  never  falleth 
away:  whether  prophecies  shall  be  made  void,  or 
tongues  shall  cease,  or  knowledge  shall  be  destroyed" 
(i  Cor.  xiii.  4,  8). 

As  I  hope  God  will  not  weary  of  pardoning  me,  I 
promise  not  to  tire  of  forgiving  those  who  offend  me, 
and  to  carry  out  Our  .Saviour's  injunctions:  "Then 
came  Peter  unto  Him  and  said:  Lord,  how  often  shall 
my  brother  offend  against  me,  and  I  forgive  him  ?  till 
seven  times?  Jesus  saith  to  him:  I  say  not  to  thee  till 
seven  times:  but  till  seventy  times  seven  times"  (Matt, 
xvii.  21,  22). 

Further,  I  resolve  to  be  kind  to  those  who  hate  me, 
and  to  pray  for  those  who  falsely  accuse  me,  according 
to  the  injunction  of  Our  Saviour:  "But  I  say  to  you: 
Love  your  enemies,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  and 
pray  for  them  that  persecute  and  calumniate  you" 
(Matt.  v.  44). 

I  am  determined,  instead  of  being  harsh  and  unkind 
to  my  enemies,  and  refusing  them  help  when  they  ask, 
to  carry  out  Our  Lord's  precept:  " But  if  thy  enemy  be 
hungry,  give  him  to  eat:  if  he  thirst,  give  him  drink: 
for,  doing  this,  thou  shalt  heap  coals  of  fire  upon  his 
head.  Be  not  overcome  by  evil,  but  overcome  evil  by 
good"  (Rom.  xii.  20,  21). 

Also,  I  am  determined  to  act  upon  the  teaching  of  our 
dear  Lord  with  regard  to  any  one  I  have  injured:  "If 
therefore  thou  offer  thy  gift  at  the  altar,  and  there  thou 
remember  that  thy  brother  hath  anything  against  thee: 
leave  there  thy  offering  before  the  altar,  and  go  first  to 
be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then  coming  thou 
shalt  offer  thy  gift"  (Matt.  v.  23,  24). 

It  is  my  resolve  ever  to  try  to  learn  the  golden  truth 
and  to  act  upon  it,  that  all  real  goodness  must  depend 
upon  the  practice  of  the  love  of  God  and  my  neighbor, 
as  Our  Saviour  says:  "On  these  two  commandments 
dependeth  the  whole  law  and  the  prophets"  (Matt.  xxiL 
40). 


620  Devotions. 

It  is  my  firm  purpose  to  learn  and  practice  humility, 
which  consists  in  acting  on  the  plain  truth  that  we  have 
nothing  of  our  own,  and  that  whatever  we  possess  he- 
lon-Ts  to  God,  according  to  the  teaching  of  St.  Paul; 
"B  •  .nc  grace  of  God,  1  am  what  I  am"  (i  Cor.  xv.  lo). 

And  if  I  am  ever  tempted  to  deny  or  to  forget  this 
primarj'  truth,  I  will  always  say:  "What  hast  thou  that 
thou  hast  not  received?  And  if  thou  hast  received, 
why  dost  thou  glory  as  if  thou  hadst  not  received  it?" 
(i  Cor.  iv.   7.) 

And  when  self-love  or  others  tempt  me  to  glory  in 
what  is  not  mine,  my  answer  shall  be  in  the  words  of 
David:  "Not  to  us,  O  Lord:  but  to  Thy  name  give 
glory"  (Ps.  cxiii.  i). 

Neither  will  I  put  myself  before  others  unfairly  or  un- 
justly, but  will  follow  the  advice  of  Our  Saviour: 
"But  when  thou  art  invited,  go  sit  down  in  the  lowest 
place:  that  when  he  who  inviteth  thee  cometh,  he  may 
say  to  thee:  Friend,  go  up  higher.  Then  shalt  thou 
have  glory  before  them  that  sit  at  table  with  thee" 
(Luke  xiv.  10). 

And  when  pride  and  vanity  are  trying  to  enter  my 
heart  and  mind,  I  will  always  remember  my  nothingness 
and  say:  "\\'hy  is  earth  and  ashes  proud?"  (Ecclus. 
X.  9.) 

If  ever  I  have  authority,  or  am  in  an  honorable  posi- 
tion, I  will  never  treat  those  under  me  as  my  inferiors, 
but  I  will  carry  out  the  spirit  of  Our  Saviour's  instruc- 
tions, where  He  says:  "Whosoever  shall  be  the  greater 
among  you,  let  him  be  your  minister:  and  he  that  shall 
be  first  among  you,  shall  be  your  servant"  (Matt.  xx. 
26,  27). 

Thus  I  shall  avoid  the  punishment  of  the  proud, 
and  receive  the  reward  of  the  humble:  "And  whoso- 
ever shall  exalt  himself,  shall  be  humbled;  and  he  that 
humbleth  himself,  shall  be  exalted"  (Matt,  xxiii.  12). 

I  am  determined  to  be  fully  resigned  to  God's  will, 
and  in  all  that  happens  to  say  from  my  heart  in  every 
sorrow  and  misfortune,  "Not  mv  will  but  Thine,  be 
done"  (Luke  xxii.  42). 


Devotions  for  Communion.  521 

I  promise  to  leave  myself  and  my  future  with  child- 
like trust  and  confidence  in  God's  hands,  and  to  banish 
all  fear,  anxiety,  and  restlessness  about  what  may 
happen. 

I  firmly  resolve,  with  God's  grace,  never  wilfully  to 
commit  any  venial  sin,  whether  of  pride,  vanity,  anger, 
jealousy,  revenge,  uncharitableness,  or  untruthfulness, 
and  if  I  fail,  I  am  determined  at  once  to  ask  God's 
forgiveness  by  an  act  of  sorrow. 

I  pledge  myself  always  to  be  most  kind  and  forbear- 
ing to  those  of   my  own  household. 

It  is  my  unshaken  intention  to  correspond  with  the 
inspirations  of  grace;  and  never  to  forget  the  injunc- 
tion of  St.  Paul:  "And  we  exhort  you  that  you  receive 
not  the  grace  of  God  in  vain"  (2  Cor.  vi.  i). 

I  am  resolved  to  be  enrolled  in  various  confra- 
ternities, and  carefully  to  discharge  the  duties  thereof, 
and  faithfully  to  fulfil  all  the  obligations  of  my  state  in 
life. 

This  is  the  way  to  lead  a  good  life,  to  prepare  for  a 
happy  death,  and  to  save  our  soul.  Then  we  shall  be 
so  pleasing  to  God  that  He  will  guard  us  as  the  apple  of 
His  eve,  and  protect  us  under  the  shadow  of  His  wings, 
and  when  we  die  a  crown  of  eternal  glory  will  await 
us,  for  "He  that  shall  persevere  unto  the  end,  he  shall 
be  saved"  (Matt.  x.  22). 


JESUS,    MASTER,    TEACH   ME. 

"jS^EACH  me,  teach  me,  dearest  Jesus, 
\^y     In  Thine  own  sweet  loving  way. 
All  the  lessons  of  perfection 
I  must  practice  day  by  day. 

Teach  me  Meekness,  dearest  Jesus, 
Of  Thine  own  the  counterpart; 

Not  in  words  and  actions  only. 
But  the  meekness  of  the  heart. 


622  Devotions. 

Peach  Humility,  sweet  Jesus, 
To  this  poor,  proud  heart  of  mine, 

Which  yet  wishes,  ()  my  T<"sus, 
To  be  modelled  after  Thine. 

Teach  me  Fervor,  dearest  Jesus, 

To  comply  with  every  grace, 
So  as  never  to  look  backwards, 

Never  slacken  in  the  race. 

Teach  me  Poverty,  sweet  Jesus, 

That  my  heart  may  never  cling 
To  whate'cr  its  love  might  sever 

From  my  Saviour,  Spouse,  and  King, 

Teach  me  Chastity,  sweet  Jesus, 

That  my  every  day  may  see 
Something  added  to  the  likeness 

That  my  soul  should  Viear  to  Theet 

Teach  Ohedience.  dearest  Jesus, 

Such  as  was  Thy  daily  food 
In  Thy  toilsome  earthly  journey 

From  the  cradle  to  the  rood. 

Teach  Thy  Heart  to  me,  dear  Jesus, 

Is  my  fervent,  final  prayer, 
For  all  beauties  and  perfections 

Are  in  full  perfection  there. 

Bnotber  jform  ot  Sbort  Hcts  anD  Simple 
praters  for  Ibolg  Communfon. 

BEFORE   HOLY   COXniUXIGN. 

Prayer  for  Help. — O  my  God,  help  me  to  make  a 
good  communion.  Mary,  my  dearest  Mother,  pray 
to  Jesus  for  me.  My  dear  angel  guardian,  lead  me 
to  the  altar  of  God. 

Act   of   Faith. — O   my   God,  with   all    my  heart  I 


Devotions  for  Communion.  523 

believe  that  I  shall  receive  in  holy  communion  the 
sacred  body  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  His  most  precious 
blood. 

Act  of  Hope. — O  my  God,  relying  on  Thy  infinite 
power  and  goodness,  and  on  Thy  promises,  I  hope  to 
obtain,  through  Jesus  Christ,  the  salvation  of  my  soul. 

Act  of  Humility. — IMy  God,  I  confess  that  I  am  a 
poor  sinner;  I  am  not  worthy  to  receive  the  body  and 
blood  of  Jesus  on  account  of  my  sins.  Lord,  I  am 
not  worthy  that  Thou  shouldst  enter  under  my  roof; 
say  but  the  word,  and  my  soul  shall  be  healed. 

Act  of  Sorrow. — My  God,  I  detest  all  the  sins  of  my 
life.  I  am  sorry  for  them,  because  they  have  offended 
Thee,  my  God,  \Vho  art  so  good.  I  am  resolved  never 
more  to  commit  sin.  My  good  God,  have  mercy  on 
me,  forgive  me. 

Act  of  Adoration. — O  Jesus,  great  God,  present  on 
the  altar,  I  bow  down  before  Thee,  I  adore  Thee. 

Act  of  Love  and  Desire. — Sweet  Jesus,  I  love  Thee. 
I  desire  with  all  my  heart  to  receive  Thee.  Come  to 
m^  and  let  me  never  again  be  separated  from  Thee. 

AFTER   HOLY   COMMUNION. 

Act  of  Faith. — O  Jesus,  I  believe  that  I  have  received 
Thy  sacred  body  and  Thy  most  precious  blood  in  holy 
communion;  I  believe,  O  Saviour,  that  Thou  art  really 
present  within  my  breast.  Thou  art  the  same  Jesus 
\\^o  was  born  in  Bethlehem  and  dwelt  in  Nazareth, 
\\'ho  suffered  and  died  for  my  salvation;  the  same 
Lord  Who  now  sitteth  in  heaven  at  the  right  hand  of 
God,  and  ^^'ho  is  there  the  joy  of  the  saints  and  angels. 

Act  of  Adoration. — O  Jesus,  my  God,  I  adore  Thee 
in  union  with  the  saints  and  angels.  Thou  art  my 
King;  reign  Thou  alone  over  my  heart  and  my  whole 
being.  Let  me  never  be  separated  from  Thee  by  sin, 
so  that  I  may  adore  Thee  and  love  Thee  forever  in 
heaven. 

Act  of  Hope. — O  Jesus,  I  place  all  my  hope  in  Thee, 
because  Thou  alone  art  my  salvation,  my  strength,  my 
refuge,  and  the  foundation  of  all  my  happiness. 


524  Detx)tioii8. 

Act  of  Humility. — ( )  Jesus,  I  am  but  dust  and  ashes, 
and  yet  Thou  hast  come  to  me,  and  now  my  {ujor  heart 
may  speak  to  Thee  as  to  a  friend  and  brother. 

Act  of  Love. — Sweet  Jesus,  I  love  Thee;  1  love  Thee 
with  all  my  heart.  Thou  knowcst  that  I  love  Thee, 
and  that  1  wish  to  love  Thee  daily  more  and  more. 

Act  oj  Thanksgiving. — My  good  Jesus,  I  thank  Thee 
with  all  my  heart.  How  good,  how  kind  Thou  art  to 
me,  sweet  Jesus.  Blessed  be  Jesus  in  the  Most  Holy 
Sacrament  of  the  Altar. 

Act  of  Offering. — O  Jesus,  receive  my  poor  offering. 
Jesus,  Thou  hast  given  Thyself  to  me,  and  now  let  me 
give  myself  to  Thee. 

I  give  Thee  my  body,  that  it  may  be  chaste  and  pure. 

I  give  Thee  my  soul,  that  it  may  be  free  from  sin. 

I  give  Thee  my  heart,  that  it  may  always  love  Thee. 

I  give  Thee  every  breath  that  I  shall  breathe,  and 
especially  my  last;  I  give  Thee  myself  in  life  and  in 
death,  that  I  may  be  Thine  for  ever  and  ever. 

Remember  the  words  of  Jesus:  "Ask  and  you  shall 
receive,"  and 

Pray  for  Yourself. 

O  JESUS,  wash  away  my  sins  with  Thy  precious 
blood.  O  Jesus,  the  struggle  against  tempta- 
tion is  not  yet  finished.  My  Jesus,  when  temptation 
comes  near  me,  make  me  strong  against  it.  In  the 
moment  of  temptation  may  I  always  say,  "Jesus, 
mercy!     Mary,  help!" 

O  Jesus,  may  1  lead  a  good  life;  may  I  die  a  happy 
death.  May  I  receive  Thee  in  my  last  hour.  May  I 
say  when  I  am  dying,  "Jesus,  Mary,  and  Joseph,  I 
give  you  my  heart  and  my  soul." 

Listen  now  for  a  moment  to  Jesus  Christ;  perhaps 
He  has  something  to  say  to  you.  There  may  be  some 
promise  you  have  made  and  broken  which  He  li'ishcs 
you  to  make  again  and  keep. 

Answer  .Tcsus  in  your  heart,  and  tell  Him.  all  your 
^roubles.     Tlien 


Devotions  for  Communion.  525 

Pray  for  Others. 

O  JESUS,  have  mercy  on  Thy  holy  Church;  bless 
our  Holy  Father,  our  bishops,  our  priests  and 
our  missionaries. 

O  Jesus,  have  pity  on  poor  sinners,  and  save  them 
from  hell. 

O  Jesus,  bless  my  father,  my  mother,  my  brothers 
and  sisters,  and  all  I  ought  to  pray  for,  as  Thy  Heart 
knows  how  to  bless  them. 

O  Jesus,  have  pity  on  the  poor  souls  in  purgatory, 
and  give  them  eternal  rest. 

Sweet  Jesus,  I  am  going  away  for  a  time,  but  I  trust 
not  without  Thee.  Thou  art  with  me  by  Thy  grace. 
I  will  never  leave  Thee  by  mortal  sin.  I  do  not  fear 
to  do  so,  though  I  am  so  weak,  because  I  have  such 
hope  in  Thee.     Give  me  grace  to  persevere.     Amen. 

PRAYER   OF    VEN.    FATHER   OLIER. 

O  JESUS,  Hving  in  Mary, 
Come  and  live  in  Thy  servants, 
In  the  spirit  of  Thy  hohness. 
In  the  fulness  of  Thy  might. 
In  the  truth  of  Thy  virtues. 
In  the  perfection  of  Thy  ways. 
In  the  communion  of  Thy  mysteries. 
Subdue  every  hostile  power, 
In  Thy  Spirit,  for  the  glory  of  the  Father.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  once  a  day. — Pius  IX., 
Oct.  14,  1859. 

N.B. — To  obtain  a  plenary  indulgence,  recite  before 
a  crucifix  the  prayer:  "En  Ego!"  "Look  down  upon 
me,  good  and  gentle  Jesus."     Page  509. 

SUSCIPE:     PRAYER   OF   ST.    IGNATIUS. 

■j^^AKE,  O  Lord,  and  receive  all  my  liberty,  my 
\^y  memory,  my  understanding,  and  my  whole 
will.  Thou  hast  given  me  all  that  I  am  and  all  that 
I  possess;   I  surrender  it  all  to  Thee  that  Thou  mayest 


696  Devotions. 

dispose  oi  it  according  to  Thy  will.  Give  me  only 
Thy  love  and  Thy  grace;  with  these  I  will  be  rich 
•noui^h,  and  will  have  no  more  to  desire. 

Indulgence  of    -^oo   days,   once  a   day. — Pope   Ler 
XIII.,  May  26,  1883. 


prayer:  ax 

*7j'NIMAChristi,sanc- 
etX-^     tifica  me. 
Corpus  Christi,  salva  me. 
Sanguis     Christi,     inebria 

me. 
Aqua  lateris  Christi,  lava 

me. 
Passio     Christi,     conforta 

me: 
O  bone  Jesu,  exaudi  me. 
Intra  tua  valnera  absconde 

me. 
Ne  permittas  me  separari 

a  te. 
Ab  hoste  maligno  defende 

me. 
In  hora  mortis  mere  voca 

me, 
Et  jube  me  venire  ad  te, 
Ut  cum  Sanctis  tuis  laudem. 

te 
In  saecula  saeculorum. 

Amen. 


IMA   CHRISTI. 

BOUL  of  Christ,  sanc- 
tify me. 

Body  of  Christ,  save  me. 

Blood  of  Christ,  inebriate 
me. 

Water    from    the    side    of 
Christ,  wash  me. 

Passion  of  Christ,  strength- 
en me. 

O  good  Jesus,  hear  me. 

Within  Thy  wounds  hide 
me. 

Permit  me  not  to  be  sepa- 
rated from  Thee. 

From  the  malignant  enemy 
flcfend  me. 

In  the  hour  of  my  death 
call  me, 

.\nd  bid  me  come  to  Thee, 

That,  with  Thy  saints,  I 
may  praise  Thee 

For  ever  and  ever. 
Amen. 


Indulgence   of    300    days,    every    time. — Pius   IX., 
Jan.  9,  1854. 


prayer:  o  most  compassionate  jesus. 


OLEMENTISSIME 
Jesu,  salus,  vita, 
resurrectio  nostra  tu  solus 
es.     Te  ergo  quaesumus  ne 


OMOST  compassionate 
Jesus!  Thou  alone 
art  our  salvation,  our  life, 
and  our  resurrection.     We 


Devotions  for  Communion.  527 

derelinquas  nos  in  angus-  implore  Thee,  therefore, 
tiis  et  perturbationibus  do  not  forsake  us  in  our 
nostris,  sed  per  agoniam  needs  and  afflictions,  but, 
cordis  tui  sanctissimi  et  by  the  agony  of  Thy  Most 
per  dolores  matris  tucc  im-  Sacred  Heart,  and  by  the 
maculatae  tuis  famuHs  sub-  sorrows  of  Thy  immaculate 
veni,quos  pretioso  sanguine  Mother,  succor  Thy  ser- 
redemisti.  vants   whom    Thou    hast 

redeemed    by     Thy    most 
precious  blood. 

Indulgence  of  loo  days,  once  a  day. — Pius  IX., 
Oct.  6,  1S70. 

Ejaculation. 

Eternal  Father!  I  offer  Thee  the  precious  blood 
of  Jesus  in  satisfaction  for  my  sins,  and  for  the  wants 
of  Thy  holy  Church. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  each  time. — Pius  VII., 
Sept.  22,  181 7. 

OFFERING  BEFORE  A  PICTURE    OF  THE   S.\CRED  HEART. 

QY  loving  Jesus,  I,  N.N.,  give  Thee  my  heart; 
and  I  consecrate  myself  wholly  to  Thee  out  of 
the  grateful  love  I  bear  Thee,  and  as  a  reparation  for  all 
my  unfaithfulness;  and  with  Thine  aid  I  purpose  never 
to  sin  again. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day;  plenary  once 
a  month  if  said  daily. — Pius  VII.,  June  9,  1807. 

TO  BE  SAID  AFTER  THE  HAIL  MARY. 

/TVY  Queen!  My  Mother!  I  give  myself  entirely 
^1^  to  thee;  and  to  show  my  devotion  to  thee,  I 
consecrate  to  thee  this  day  my  eyes,  my  ears,  my 
mouth,  my  heart,  my  whole  being,  without  reserve. 
WTierefore,  good  Mother,  as  I  am  thine  own,  keep  me, 
guard  me,  as  thy  property  and  possession. 

With  one  Hail  Mary,  morning  and  evening,  an  indul- 
gence of  100  days,  once  a  day.  Plenarv  indulgence  on 
usual  condition.?. — Pius  IX.,  Aug.  5,  1851. 


5S8  Devotions. 

O  Man',  who  didst  come  into  this  world  free  from 
stain! 

Obtain  of  God  for  me  that  I  may  leave  it  without 
sin! 

Indulgence  of  loo  days,  once  a  day. — Pius  IX.,  March 
27,  1S63. 


V.  Zbc  Stations  of  tbe  Cross. 


PREPARATORY   PRAYER. 

^TVr)ST  merciful  Jesus!  With  a  contrite  heart  and 
i>l^>  ])enitent  spirit  I  purpose  now  to  perform  this 
devotion  in  honor  of  Thy  bitter  Passion  and  death. 
I  adore  Thee  most  humbly  as  my  Lord  and  my  God. 
I  thank  Thee  most  heartily,  my  divine  Saviour, 
for  the  infinite  love  wherewith  Thou  didst  make 
the  painful  jcjurney  to  Calvary  for  me,  a  wretched 
sinner,  and  didst  die  upon  the  cross  for  my  salvation. 
I  am  truly  sorry  for  all  my  sins,  because  by  them  I 
have  otlended  Thee,  Who  art  infinitely  good.  I  detest 
them  and  I  am  resolved  to  amend  my  life.  Grant  that 
I  may  gain  all  the  indulgences  which  are  attached  to 
this  devotion,  and  since  Thou  hast  promised  to  draw 
all  things  to  Thyself,  draw  my  heart  and  iny  love  to 
Thee,  that  I  may  live  and  die  in  union  with  Thee. 
Amen. 

I.  Station. 

Jesus  is  condemned  to  death. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee: 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world! 


The  Stations  of  the  Cross.  529 

Aleditation. 

TtESUS,  most  innocent,  \Yho  neither  did  nor  could 
J  commit  a  sin,  was  condemned  to  death,  and, 
moreover,  to  the  most  ignominious  death  of  the  cross. 
To  remain  a  friend  of  Caesar,  Pilate  delivered  Him 
into  the  hands  of  His  enemies.  A  fearful  crime — to 
condemn  Innocence  to  death,  and  to  offend  God  in 
order  not  to  displease  men! 

Prayer. 

O  INNOCENT  Jesus!  Having  sinned,  I  am 
guilty  of  eternal  death,  but  Thou  w^ilUngly  dost 
accept  the  unjust  sentence  of  death,  that  I  might  live. 
For  whom,  then,  shall  I  henceforth  live,  if  not  for 
Thee,  my  Lord?  Should  I  desire  to  please  men,  I 
could  not  be  Thy  servant.  Let  me,  therefore,  rather 
displease  men  and  all  the  world  than  not  please  Thee, 
O  Jesus. 

Our  Father,  etc.;   Hail  Mary,  etc. 

V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us. 


II.  Station. 

Jesus  carries  His  cross. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee: 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world ! 

Meditation. 

V/I I  HEN  our  divine  Saviour  beheld  the  cross,  He 
vJlA»  stretched  out  His  bleeding  arms  toward  it 
with  eager  desire,  lovingly  embraced  it,  tenderly  kissed 
it,  and,  placing  it  on  His  bruised  shoulders,  joyfully 
carried  it,  although  He  was  worn  and  weary  unto 
death. 


530  Deix)tions. 

Prayer. 

OMY  Jesus!  I  cannot  be  Thy  friend  and  follower 
if  1  refuse  to  carry  the  cross.  ()  dearly  beloved 
cross!  I  em'Drace  thee,  I  kiss  thee,  I  joyfully  accept 
thee  from  the  hands  of  my  God.  Far  be  it  from  me 
to  glory  in  anything,  .save  in  the  cross  of  my  Redeemer. 
By  it  the  world  shall  be  crucified  to  me  and  I  to  the 
world,  that  I  may  be  Thine,  O  Jesus,  forever. 

Our  Father,  etc.;   Hail  Mar}',  etc. 

V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us! 

III.  Station. 

Jesus  falls  the  first  time. 

V.  Wa  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee: 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world! 

Meditation. 

/'^UR  dear  Saviour  carrying  the  cross  was  so  weak- 
^-^  ened  by  its  heavy  weight  as  to  fall  e.xhausted  to 
the  ground.  Our  sins  and  misdeeds  were  the  heavy 
burden  which  oppressed  Him:  the  cross  was  to  Him 
light  and  sweet,  but  our  sins  were  galling  and  insup- 
portable. 

Prayer. 

/^  MY  Jesus!  Thou  didst  bear  my  burden  and  the 
^^-^  heavy  weight  of  my  sins.  Should  I,  then,  not 
bear  in  union  with  Thee  my  easy  burden  of  suffering, 
and  accept  the  sweet  yoke  of  Thy  commandments? 
Thv  yoke  is  sweet  and  Thy  burden  is  light:  I  therefore 
willingly  accept  it.  I  will  take  up  my  cross  and  follow 
Thee. 

Our  Father,  etc;   Hail  Mary,  etc. 

V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 

R.  Have  mcrcv  on  us! 


I 


The  Stations  of  the  Cross.  531 

IV.  Station. 

Jesus  meets  His  afflicted  Mother. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee: 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 


the  world! 


Meditation. 


'  1— V  OW  painful  and  how  sad  it  must  have  been 
r*— b  for  Mary,  the  sorrowful  Mother,  to  behold  her 
beloved  Son  laden  with  the  burden  of  the  cross!  What 
unspeakable  pangs  her  most  tender  heart  experienced! 
How  earnestly  did  she  desire  to  die  in  place  of  Jesus, 
or  at  least  with  Him!  Implore  this  sorrowful  Mother 
to  assist  you  graciously  in  the  hour  of  your  death. 

Prayer. 

O  JESUS!  O  Mary!  I  am  the  cause  of  the  great 
and  manifold  pains  which  pierce  your  loving 
hearts.  O  that  my  heart  also  would  experience  at 
least  some  of  your  sufferings!  Mother  of  sorrows! 
Let  me  participate  in  the  sufferings  which  thou  didst 
endure  for  me,  and  let  me  ej-perience  thy  son-ow, 
that,  afflicted  with  thee,  I  may  enjoy  thy  assistance  in 
the  hour  of  my  death. 

Our  Father,  etc. ;  Hail  Mary,  etc. 

V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us! 


V.  Station. 

Simon  of  Cyrene  helps  Jesus  to  carry  the  cross. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee. 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world! 


63S  Devotions. 

Meditation. 

^>riMON  of  Cyrene  was  compelled  to  assist  Jesus 
^^  in  carrying  His  cross,  and  Jesus  accepted  his 
assistance.  How  willingly  would  He  also  permit  you 
to  carry  the  cross:  He  calls,  but  you  hear  Him  not; 
He  invites  you,  but  you  decline  His  invitation.  What 
a  rrproach  it  is  to  bear  the  cross  reluctantly! 

Prayer. 

O  JESUS!  WTiosoever  does  not  take  up  his  cross 
and  follow  Thee  is  not  worthy  of  Thee.  Behold, 
I  will  accompany  Thee  on  the  way  of  the  cross;  I 
will  help  Thee  to  carry  the  cross;  I  will  walk  in  Thy 
bloodstained  footsteps,  and  follow  Thee,  that  I  may 
be  with  Thee  in  life  eternal. 

Our  Father,  etc.;   Hail  Mary,  etc. 
V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 
R.  Have  mercy  on  usl 


VI.  Station. 

Veronica  v^pes  the  face  of  Jesus. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee: 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world! 

Meditation. 

VERONICA,  impelled  by  devotion  and  compas- 
sion, wipes  the  disfigured  face  of  Jesus  with 
her  veil.  And  Jesus  imprints  on  it  His  holy  coun- 
tenance: a  great  recompe-nse  for  so  small  a  scr\'ire. 
^^'hat  return  do  you  make  to  your  Saviour  for  His 
great  and  manifold  benefits  ? 


The  Stations  of  the  Cross.  533 

Prayer. 

/TjOST  merciful  Jesus!  What  return  shall  I  make 
t^'^i  for  all  the  benefits  Thou  didst  bestow  upon  me  ? 
Behold  I  consecrate  myself  entirely  to  Thy  service. 
I  offer  and  consecrate  to  Thee  my  heart:  imprint  on 
it  Thy  sacred  image,  never  again  to  be  effaced  by  sin. 

Our  Father,  etc. ;   Hail  Mary,  etc. 

V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us! 


VII.  Station. 

Jesus  falls  the  second  time. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee: 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world! 

Aleditailon. 

*^^HE  suffering  Jesus,  under  the  weight  of  His  cross, 
\zJ  again  falls  to  the  ground;  but  the  cruel  execu- 
tioners do  not  permit  Him  to  rest  a  moment.  Pushing 
and  striking  Him,  they  urge  Him  onward.  It  is  the  fre- 
quent repetition  of  our  sins  which  oppresses  Jesus. 
Witnessing  this,  how  can  I  continue  to  sin  ? 

Prayer. 

O  JESUS,  Son  of  David!  Have  mercy  on  me! 
Extend  to  me  Thy  gracious  hand  and  support 
me,  that  I  may  never  fall  again  into  my  old  sins. 
From  this  very  moment  I  will  earnestly  strive  to  reform; 
nevermore  will  I  sin!  O  Help  of  the  weak,  strengthen 
me  with  Thy  grace,  without  which  I  can  do  nothing, 
that  I  may  carry  out  faithfully  this  my  resolution. 

Our  Father,  etc.;    Hail  Mary,  etc. 

V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 

R.  Have  mercv  on  us! 


534  Devotioiis. 

VIII.  Station. 

The  Daughters  of  Jerusalem  weep  over  Jeaus. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee: 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world! 

Meditation. 

*^L1  HESE  devoted  women,  moved  by  compassion, 
\S)  weep  over  the  sulTering  Saviour.  But  Ke  turns 
to  them,  saying:  "Weep  not  /or  Me  Who  am  iiiuocent, 
but  weep  for  yourselves  and  jor  your  children  "  Weep 
thou  also;  for  there  is  nothing  more  yilcasing  to  Our 
Lord,  and  nothing  more  profitable  for  thyself,  than 
tears  that  are  shed  in  contrition  for  sin. 

Prayer. 

O  JESUS!  Who  will  give  to  my  eyes  a  fountain  of 
tears,  that  day  and  night  I  may  weep  for  my 
sins?  I  beseech  Thee,  through  Thy  bitter  and  bloody 
tears,  to  move  my  heart  by  Thy  divine  grace,  so  that 
from  my  eyes  tears  may  flow  abundantly,  and  that  I 
may  weep  all  my  days  over  Thy  sufferings  and  still 
more  over  their  cause,  my  sins. 

Our  Father,  etc.;   Hail  Mary,  etc. 

V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us  1 

IX.  Station. 

Jesus  falls  the  third  time. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee: 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world! 

Meditation. 

fJ^ESUS,  arriving  exhausted  at  the  foot  of  Calvary, 
J  falls  for  the  third  time  to  the  ground.  His  love 
for  us,  however,  is  not  diminished,  not  extinguished 


The  Stations  of  the  Cross.  535 

What  a  fearfully  opj^ressivc  burden  our  sins  must  be 
to  cause  Jesus  to  fall  so  often!  Had  He,  however,  not 
taken  then:  upon  Himself,  ihej  would  have  plunged 
us  into  the  abyss  of  hell. 

Prayer. 

/X\OST  merciful  Jesus!  I  return  Thee  infinite 
^**»  thanks  for  not  permitting  me  to  continue  in 
sin  and  to  fall,  as  I  have  so  often  deserved,  into  the 
depths  of  hell.  Enkindle  in  me  an  earnest  desire  of 
amendment;  let  me  never  again  relapse,  but  vouchsafe 
me  the  grace  to  persevere  in  penance  to  the  end  of  my 
life. 

Our  Father,  etc.;   Hail  Mary,  etc, 

V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us! 

X.  Station. 
Jesus  is  stripped  of  His  garments. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee: 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world! 

Meditation. 

V/l  I  HEN  Our  Saviour  had  arrived  on  Calvary,  He 
VJlA*  was  cruelly  despoiled  of  His  garments.  How 
painful  must  this  have  been,  because  they  adhered  to 
His  wounded  and  torn  body  and  with  them  parts  of 
His  bloody  skin  were  removed!  All  the  wounds  of 
Jesus  are  renewed.  Jesus  is  despoiled  of  His  garments 
that  He  might  die  possessed  of  nothing:  how  happy 
will  I  also  die  after  laying  aside  my  former  self  with 
all  evil  desires  and  sinful  inclinations ! 

Prayer. 

INDUCE  me,  O  Jesus!  to  lay  aside  my  former  self 
and  to  be  renewed  according  to  Thy  will  and 
desire.  I  will  not  spare  myself,  however  painful  this 
should  be  for    me:    despoiled  of   things    temporal,  or 


536  Devotions. 

my  own  will,  I  desire  to  die,  that  I  may  live  to  The« 
forevermore. 

Our  Father,  etc.;   Hail  Mary,  etc. 

V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us  ! 

XI.  Station. 

Jesus  is  nailed  to  the  cross. 

/.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee: 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world  I 

Meditation. 

3ESUS,  after  He  had  been  stripped  of  His  garments, 
was  violently  thrown  uj)on  the  cross,  and  His 
hands  and  His  feet  were  nailed  thereto  most  cruelly. 
In  this  excruciating  pain  He  remained  silent,  because 
it  pleased  His  heavenly  Father.  He  suffered  patiently, 
because  He  suffered  for  me.  How  do  I  act  in  sufferings 
and  in  trouble?  How  fretful  and  impatient,  how 
full  of  complaints  I  am! 

Prayer. 

O  JESUS,  gracious  Lamb  of  God!     I  renounce  for- 
ever my  impatience.     Crucify,  O  Lord!  my  flesh 
and  its  concupiscences.     Punislj  me,  afflict  me  in  this 
life,   as  Thou   wiliest,   only  spare  me  in  eternity.     I 
commit  my  destiny  to  Thee,  resigning  myself  to  Thy 
holy  will:  may  it  be  done  in  all  things! 
Our  Father,  etc.;   Hail  Mary,  etc. 
V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified : 
R.  Have  mercy  on  us  ! 

XII.  Station. 

Jesus  dies  on  the  cross. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee:» 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world! 


The  Stations  of  the  Cross.  537 

Meditation 

BEHOLD  Jesus  crucified!  Behold  His  wounds, 
received  for  love  of  you!  His  whole  appear- 
ance betokens  love!  His  head  is  bent  to  kiss  you,  His 
arms  are  extended  to  embrace  you,  His  Heart  is  open 
to  receive  you.  O  superabundance  of  love!  Jesus, 
the  Son  of  God,  dies  upon  the  cross,  that  man  may 
live  and  be  dehvered  from  everlasting  death. 

Prayer. 

OMOST  amiable  Jesus!  AA'ho  will  grant  unto  me 
that  I  may  die  for  love  of  Thee  ?  I  will  at  least 
endeavor  to  die  to  the  world.  How  must  I  regard  the 
world  and  its  vanities,  when  I  behold  Thee  hanging 
on  the  cross,  covered  with  wounds?  O  Jesus!  receive 
me  into  Thy  wounded  Heart:  I  belong  entirely  to 
Thee;    for  Thee  alone  do  I  desire  to  live  and  to  die 

Our  Father,  etc.;   Hail  Mary,  etc. 

V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us! 


Xin.  Station. 

Jesus  is  taken  down  from  the  cross. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee: 
i?.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world! 

Meditation. 

3ESUS  did  not  descend  from  the  cross,  but  remained 
on  it  until  He  died.  And  when  taken  down  from 
it,  He,  in  death  as  in  life,  rested  on  the  bosom  of  His 
divine  Mother.  Persevere  in  your  resolutions  of 
reform  and  do  not  part  from  the  cross:  he  who  per- 
severeth  to  the  end  shall  be  saved.  Consider,  more- 
over, how  pure  the  heart  should  be  that  receives  the 
bod}^  and  blood  of  Christ  in  the  adorable  Sacrament 
of  the  Altar. 


538  Devotions. 

Prayer. 

OLORD,  Jesus!  Thy  lifeless  body,  mangled  and 
lacerated,  found  a  worthy  resting-place  on  the 
bosom  of  Thy  Virgin  Mother.  Have  I  not  often  com- 
pelled Thee  to  dwell  in  my  heart,  despite  its  unworthi- 
ness  to  receive  Thee?  Create  in  me  a  new  heart,  that 
I  may  worthily  receive  Thy  most  sacred  body  in 
holy  communion,  and  that  Thou  mayest  remain  in 
me  and  I  in  Thee,  for  all  eternity. 

Our  Father,  etc.;   Hail  Mary,  etc, 

V'.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us! 

XIV.  Station. 
Jesus  is  laid  in  the  sepulchre. 

V.  We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee: 
R.  Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed 
the  world! 

Meditation. 
y^HE  body  of  Jesus  is  interred  in  a  stranger's  sepul- 
VzJ  chre.  He  who  in  this  world  had  not  where- 
upon to  rest  His  head  would  not  even  have  a  grave  of 
His  own,  because  He  was  not  of  this  world.  You 
who  are  so  attached  to  the  world  henceforth  despise 
it,  that  you  may  not  perish  with  it. 

Frayer. 

O  JESUS!  Thou  hast  set  me  apart  from  the  world: 
what,  then,  shall  I  seek  therein?  Thou  hast 
created  me  for  heaven;  what,  then,  have  I  to  do  with 
the  world?  Depart  from  me,  deceitful  world,  with 
thy  vanities!  Henceforth  I  will  follow  the  way  of  the 
cross  traced  out  for  me  by  my  Redeemer,  and  journey 
onward  to  my  heavenly  home,  there  to  dwell  forever- 
more. 

Our  Father,  etc.;   Hail  Mary,  etc. 
V.  Lord  Jesus,  crucified: 
R.  Have  mercy  on  us! 


The  Stations  of  the  Cross. 


539 


CONCLUSION. 

*Z1'LMIGHTY  and  eternal  God!  merciful  Father! 
ftJr-'-,  Who  hast  given  to  the  human  race  Thy  beloved 
Son  as  an  example  of  humility,  obedience,  and  patience, 
to  precede  us  on  the  Way  of  Life,  bearing  the  cross: 
graciously  grant  that  we,  inflamed  by  His  infinite 
love,  may  take  upon  us  the  sweet  yoke  of  His  Gospel 
and  the  mortification  of  the  cross,  following  Him  as 
His  true  disciples,  so  that  we  may  one  day  gloriously 
rise  -wath  Him  and  joyfully  hear  the  final  sentence: 
"Come,  ye  blessed  of  iiy  Father,  and  possess  tlie  kingdom 
which  was  prepared  for  you  from,  the  beginning:'^ 
where  Thou  reignest  with  the  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  where  we  hope  to  reign  with  Thee,  world  with- 
out end.     Amen. 

Stabat  /Ilbater. 

^  TAB  AT  Mater  dolo 

y^     rosa, 

Juxta  crucem  lacrymosa, 


Dum  pendebat  Filius. 
Cujus  animam  gementem, 
Contristatam  et  dolentem, 

Pertransivit  gladius. 


'/  i'T     the     cross    her 
e^X— '-<     station  keeping. 
Stood  the  mournful  Moth- 
er weeping. 
Close   to   Jesus   to    the 
last: 
Through    her    heart,    His 

sorrow  sharing, 
All    His    bitter     anguish 
bearing, 
Now  at  length  the  sword 
had  passed. 


O  quam  tristis  et  afflicta     Oh,  how  sad  and  sore  dis- 
tressed 

Fuit  ilia  benedicta  Was  that  Mother  highly 

blest 
Mater  Unigeniti !  Of     the     sole-begotten 

One! 

Quae  moerebat,  et  dolebat,     Christ   above   in    torment 

hangs, 

Pia  Mater  dum  videbat        She  beneath   beholds  the 

pangs 


540 


Devotions. 


Nati  panas  indyti. 


Of  her  dying,   glorious 
Son. 


Quis    est   homo   qui    non     Is  there  one  who  would  not 

fleret  weep 

Matrem  Christi  si  videret     Whelmed    in    miseries    so 

deep 
In  tanto  supplicio?  Christ's  dear  Mother  to 

behold  ? 
Quis  non  posset  contristari,     Can  the  human  heart  re- 
frain 
Christi    Matrem    contem-     From     partaking    in    her 
plari  I)ain, 

Dolentem  cura  Filio?  In   that   Mother's   pain 

untold? 
Pro  peccatis  suae  gentis,         Bruised,   derided,   cursed, 

defiled, 
Vidit  Jesum  in  tormentis,     She     beheld     her     tender 

Child, 
Et  flagellis  subditum.  All  with  bloody  scourges 

rent: 
Vidit  suum  dulcem  natum     For  the  sins  of  His  own 

nation 


Moriendo,  dcsolatum, 
Dum  emisit  spiritum. 

Eia  Mater,  fons  amoris, 

Me  sentire  vim  doloris 

Fac,   ut  tecum  lugeam. 

Fac,  ut  ardeat  cor  meum 

In  amando  Christum 
Deum, 
Ut  sibi  complaceam. 


Saw  Him  hang  in  desola- 
tion, 
Till  His  spirit  forth  He 
sent. 

O  thou  Mother'   fount  ol 

love. 
Touch     my     spirit     from 

above. 
Make    my    heart    with 

thine  accord: 
Make  me  feel  as  thou  hast 

felt: 
Make  my  soul  to  glow  and 

melt 
With  the  love  of  Christ, 

my  Lord. 


The  Stations  of  the  Cross. 


541 


Sancta  Mater  istud  agas,     Holy    IVIother!  pierce    me 

through. 
Crucifbd  fige  plagas  In  my  heart  each  wound 

renew 
Cordi  meo  vaHde.  Of  my  Saviour  crucified. 

Tui  nati  vulnerati,  Let  me  share  with  thee  His 

pain, 
Tam  dignati  pro  me  pati,      Who  for  all  my  sins  was 

slain, 
Poenas  mecum  divide.  Who  for  me  in  torments 

died. 


Fac  me  tecum  pie  fiere, 
Crucifixo  condolere, 

Donee  ego  vixero. 
Juxta  crucem  tecum  stare, 
Et  me  tibi  sociare, 

In  planctu  desidero. 

Virgo  virginum  praeclara, 

Mihi  jam  non  sis  amara, 

Fac  me  tecum  plangere. 

Fac,  ut  portem  Christi  mor- 
tem, 
Passionis  fac  consortem, 
Et  plagas  recolere. 


Let  me  mingle  tears  with 

thee, 
Mourning       Him       Who 

mourned  for   me. 
All  the  days  that  I  may 

live. 
By  the  cross  with  thee  to 

stay. 
There  with  thee  to  weep 

and  pray, 
Is  all  I  ask  of  thee  to 

give. 
Virgin  of  all  virgins  best! 
Listen  to  my  fond  request: 
Let  me  share  thy  grief 

divine; 
Let  me,  to  my  latest  breath, 

In  my  body  bear  the  death 
Of   that   dying   Son   of 
thine. 


Fac  me  plagis  vulnerari,      Wounded  with  His  every 

wound, 
Fac  me  cruce  inebriari,         Steep  my  soul  till  it  hath 

swooned 
Et  cruore  Filii.  In  His  very  blood  away; 


542 


Devotions. 


Flammis  ne  urar  succcn-     Be  to  me,  O  Virgin,  nigh, 

sus 
Per  te,  Virgo,  sim  defensus     Lest  in  flames  I  burn  and 

die, 
In  die  judicii.  In  His  awful  judgment- 

day. 


Christe,  cum  sit  hinc  exire. 

Da  per  Matrem  me  venire 

Ad  palmam  victoriae. 

Quando  corpus  morietur, 
Fac  ut  anim:c  donetur 

Paradisi  gloria. 

Amen. 

V.  Ora  pro  nobis,  Virgo 
dolorosissima. 

R.  Ut  digni  efficiamur 
promissionibus  Christi. 

Oremus. 
Intcrvcniat  pro  nobis, 
quEesumus,  Domine  Jcsu 
Christe,  nunc  et  in  hora 
mortis  nostra;,  apud  tuam 
clementiam,  beata  Virgo 
Maria  Mater  tua,  cujus 
sacratissimam  animam  in 
hora  tUiTE  passionis  doloris 
gladius  pertransivit.  Per 
tc,  Jesu  Christe,  salvator 
mundi,  qui  cum  Patre  et 


Christ,  when  Thou  shall 

call  me  hence. 
Be  Thy   Mother   my   de- 
fence, 
Be  Thy  cross  my   vic- 
tory; 
\\'hile  my  body  here  decays, 
May  my  soul  Thy  good- 
ness praise, 
Safe    in    paradise    with 
Thee. 

Amen. 
V.  Pray  for  us.  Virgin 
most  sorrowful. 

R.  That  we  may  be 
made  worthy  of  the  prom- 
ises of  Christ. 

Let  us  pray. 
Grant,  we  beseech  Thee, 
O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that 
the  most  blessed  Virgin 
Mary,  Thy  Mother, 
through  whose  most  holy 
soul,  in  the  hour  of  Thine 
own  Passion,  the  sword  of 
sorrow  passed,  may  inter- 
cede for  us  before  the 
throne  of  Thy  mercy,  now 
and  at  the  hour  of  our 
death,  through  Thee,  Jesus 
Christ,  Saviour  of  the 
world.    Who     livest     and 


Litanies  Approved  by  the  Church.     543 


Spiritu     Sancto     vivis 
regnas,  etc.     Amen. 


et  rcignest,  with  the  Father 
and  the  Holy  Ghost,  now 
and  forever.     Amen. 


VI.  Xftanfes  Hpprove^  b^  tbe  Cburcb* 
Xitang  of  tbe  Ibols  IRame  of  Scqus. 


Kyrie,  eleison. 
Christe,  eleison. 
Kyrie,  eleison. 
Jesu,  audi  nos. 
Jesu,  exaudi  nos. 
Pater  de  coelis  Deus,    ^ 

Fill  Redemptor  mundi 

Deus, 
Spiritus  Sancte  Deus, 
Sancta  Trinitas,  unus 

Deus, 
Jesu,  Fill  Dei  vivi, 

Jesu,  splendor  Patris, 


Jesu,  candor  lucis  as- 

ternae, 
Jesu,  rex  glorise, 
Jesu,  sol  justitias, 

Jesu,  Fili  Mariae  Vir- 

ginis, 
Jesu  amabilis, 
Jesu  admirabilis, 
Jesu,  Deus  fortis, 
Jesu,  Pater  futuri  sae- 

culi, 
Jesu,    magni    consilii 

Angele, 
Jesu  potentissime, 


Lord,  have  mercy  on  us. 

Christ,  have  mercy  on  us. 

Lord,  have  mercy  on  us. 

Jesus,  hear  us. 

Jesus,  graciously  hear  us. 

God  the  Father  of  hea- " 
ven, 

God  the  Son,  Redeem- 
er of  the  world, 

God  the  Holy  Ghost, 

Holy  Trinity,  one  God, 


Jesus,  Son  of  the  living 

God, 
Jesus,  splendor  of  the 

Father, 
Jesus,     brightness     of 

eternal  light, 
Jesus,  King  of  glory, 
Jesus,  the  sun  of  jus- 
tice, 
Jesus,  Son  of  the  Vir- 
gin Mary, 
Jesus  most  amiable, 
Jesus  most  admirable, 
Jesus,  mighty  God, 
Jesus,    Father  of   the 

world  to  come, 
Jesus,    Angel    of    the 

great  council, 
Jesus  most  powerful. 


644 


Dc cot  ions. 


Jesu  palicntissime, 
Jesu  obedientissimc, 
Jesu  mitis  et  humilis 

corde, 
Jesu,  amator  castitalis, 
Jesu,  amator  noster, 
Jesu,  Dcus  pacis, 
Jesu,  auctor  vitai, 
Jesu,  exemplar  virtu- 

tum, 
Jesu,    zelator    anima- 

rum, 
Jesu,  Deus  noster, 
Jesu,     refugium    nos- 
trum, 
Jesu,  Pater  paupcrum, 

Jesu,    thesaure    fideli- 

um, 
Jesu,  bone  pastor, 
Jesu,  lux  vera, 
Jesu,  sapientia  ajterna, 
Jesu,  bonitas  infinita, 
Jesu,  via  et  vita  nostra, 

Jesu,  gaudium  angelo- 

rum, 
Jesu,    rex   patriarcha- 

rum, 
Jesu,  magister  aposto- 

lorura, 
Tesu,  doctor  evangelis- 

tarum, 
Jesu,    fortitude    mar- 

tyrum," 
Jesu,  lumen  confesso- 

rum, 
Jesu,  puritas  virginum, 
Jesu,    corona    sancto- 
rum omnium, 


Jesus  most  patient,        \ 
Jesus  most  obedient, 
Jesus  meek  and  hum- 
ble of  heart, 
Jesus,  lover  of  chastity, 
Jesus,  lover  of  us,  ■ 
Jesus,  Ood  of  peace, 
Jesus,  author  of  life, 
Jesus,  model  of  all  vir- 
tues, 
Jesus,  zealous  for  souls, 

Jesus,  our  God, 
Jesus,  our  refuge, 

Jesus,    Father   of   the 

poor, 
Jesus,  treasure  of  the 

faithful, 
Jesus,  Good  Shepherd, 
Jesus,  true  light, 
Jesus,  eternal  wisdom, 
Jesus,infinite  goodness, 
Jesus,  our  way  and  our 

life, 
Jesus,  joy  of  angels, 

Jesus,  King  of  patri- 
archs, 

Jesus,  Master  of  the 
apostles, 

Jesus,  Teacher  of  the 
Evangelists, 

Jesus,  strength  of  mar- 
tyrs, 

Jesus,  light  of  confes- 
sors, 

Jesus,  purity  of  virgins, 

Jesus,  crowTi  of  all 
saints, 


Litanies  Approved  by  the  Church.      545 


P.ropitius  esto,  parce  nobis, 

Jesu ! 
Propitius  esto,  exaudi  nos, 

Jesu! 

Ab  omni  malo, 
Ab  omni  peccato, 
Ab  ira  tua, 
Ab  insidiis  diaboli, 

A  spiritu  fornicationis, 

A  morte  perpetua, 
A  neglectu  inspiratio- 

num  tuarum, 
Per  mysterium  sancta; 

incarnationis  tufe, 
Per  nativitatem  tuam, 
Per  infantiam  tuam, 
Per   divinissimam   vi- 

tam  tuam. 
Per  labores  tuos. 
Per  agoniam  et  passio- 

nem  tuam. 
Per  crucem  et  derelic- 

tionem  tuam. 
Per  languores  tuos, 
Per  mortem  et  sepul- 

turam  tuam. 
Per     resurrectionem 

tuam. 
Per    ascensionem    tu- 
am, 
Per    sanctissimae    Eu- 
■    charistise    institutio- 

nem  tuam,* 
Per  gaudia  tua. 
Per  gloriam  tuam. 


Be  merciful,  spare  us,  O 

Jesus ! 
Be     merciful,     graciously 

hear  us,  O  Jesus! 

From  all  evil, 

From  all  sin, 

From  Thy  wrath. 

From  the  snares  of  the 
devil. 

From  the  spirit  of  for- 
nication, 

From  eternal  death. 

From    the    neglect    of 
Thy  inspirations. 

By  the  mystery  of  Thy 
holy  Incarnation, 

By  Thy  nativity. 

By  Thy  infancy, 

Bv  Thy  most  divine 
'life. 

By  Thy  labors. 

By  Thy  agony  and  Pas- 
sion, 

By  Thy  cross  and  dere- 
liction, 

By  Thy  languors. 

By    Thy    death    and 
burial, 

By  Thy  Resurrection, 

By  Thy  Ascension, 

By  Thy  institution  of 
'the  Most  Holy  Eu- 
charist,* 
By  Thy  joys. 
By  Thy  glory. 


*  Invocation  added  a.d.  1905,  by  Pope  Pius  X. 


546 


Devotions. 


Agnus  Dei,  qui  tollis  pcc- 

cata  mundi,  parce  nobis, 

Jesu! 
Agnus    Dei,    etc.,    exaudi 

nos,  Jesu! 
Agnus  Dei,  etc.,  miserere 

nobis,  Jesu! 
Jesu,  audi  nos 
Jesu,  exaudi  nos. 

Oremus- 

*|-X  OMINE  Jesu 
,_L^  Cliristc,  qui  dixisti: 
Petite  ct  accipietis;  quicrite 
et  invenietis;  pulsate  ct 
aperictur  vobis,  qua'sumus; 
da  nol)is  petcnlibus  divi- 
nissimi  tui  amuris  affec- 
tum, ut  tc  toto  corde,  ore 
et  opere  diligamus  ct  a  tua 
nunquam  laude  cesscmus. 


Lamb  of  God,  Who  takest 
away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  spare  us,  O  Jesus! 

Lamb  of  God,  etc.,  gra- 
ciously hear  us,  O  Jesus! 

Lamb  of  God,  etc.,  have 
mercy  on  us,    O  Jesus! 

Jesus,  hear  us. 

Jesus,  graciously  hear  us. 

Let  us  pray. 

OLORD  Jesus  Christ, 
W  h  o  hast  said : 
"Ask,  and  ye  shall  receive; 
seek,  and  ye  shall  find; 
knock,  and  it  shall  be 
opened  unto  you;"  merci- 
fully attend  to  our  suppli- 
cations, and  grant  us  the 
gift  of  Thy  divine  charity, 
that  we  may  ever  love  Thee 
with  our  whole  hearts  and 
never  desist  from  Thy 
praise. 

(jive  us,  O  Lord,  a  per- 
petual fear  and  love  of  Thy 
holy  name,  for  Thou  never 
ceasest  to  direct  and  govern 


Sancti  nominis  tui,  Do- 
mine,  timorem  pariter  et 
amorem  fac  nos  habere 
perpetuum,  quia  nunquam 

tua  gubernalione  destituis  by  Thy  grace  those  whom 
quos  in  soliditate  tuae  di-  Thou  instructest  in  the 
lectionis  instituis.  Qui  solidity  of  Thy  love.  Who 
vivis  et  regnas  in  saecula  livest  and  reignest  world 
saeculorum.     Amen.  without  end.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of  three  hundred  days,  once  a  day. — Leo 
XIII.,  Jan.  i6,  1886. 

Xltans  of  tbc  SacreD  tbcart  of  Jceus. 

Christe, 


Kyrie,      eleison. 

eleison. 
Kj'rie,  eleison. 


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


Litanies  Approved  by  the  Church.      547 


Christe,  audi  nos.  Christe,     Christ,    hear    us.     Christ, 
exaudi  nos.  graciously  hear  us. 


Pater  de  coelis  Deus,    " 

Fili  Redemptor  mundi 

Deus, 
Spiritus  Sancte  Deus, 
Sancta  Trinitas,  unus 

Deus, 
Cor  Jesu,  Fihi  Patris 

aeterni, 
Cor  Jesu,  in  sinu  \'ir- 

ginis  Alatris  a  Spiri- 

tu  Sancto  formatum, 

Cor  Jesu,   Verbo  Dei 

substantiaHter    uni- 

tum. 
Cor    Jesu,    majestatis 

infinitae, 
Cor     Jesu,     tcmplum 

Dei  sanctum. 
Cor   Jesu,   tabernacu- 

lum  Altissimi, 

Cor  Jesu,  domus  Dei 
et  porta  coeh, 

Cor  Jesu,  fornax  ardens 
caritatis. 

Cor  Jesu,  justitise  et 
amoris  receptacu- 
lum, 

Cor  Jesu,  bonitate  et 
amore  plenum. 

Cor  Jesu,  virtutum  om- 
nium abyssus. 

Cor  Jesu,  omni  laude 
dignissimum, 


God    the    Father     of  ) 
heaven, 

God  the  Son,  Redeem- 
er of  the  world, 

God  the  Holy  Ghost, 

Holy  Trinity,  one  God, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  Son  of 
the  eternal  Father, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  formed 
by  the  Holy  Ghost 
in  the  womb  of  the 
Virgin  Alother, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  sub- 
stantially united  to 
the  Word  of  God, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  of  in- 
finite majesty. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  sacred 
temple  of  God, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  taber- 
nacle of  the  Most 
High, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  house 
of  God  and  gate  of 
heaven. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  burning 
furnace  of  charity, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  abode 
of  justice  and  love. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  full  of 
goodness  and  love. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  abyss 
of  all  virtues, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  most 
worthy  of  all  praise,  J 


648 


Devotions. 


Cor  Jesu,  rex  ct  cen- 
trum omnium  cor- 
dium, 

Cor  Jcsu,  in  quo  sunt 
omnes  thesauri  sa- 
pientiae  at  scientia;, 

Cor  Jesu,  in  quo  habi- 
tat oninis  plcnitudo 

divinitalis, 
Cor  Jcsu,  in  quo  Pater 

sibi     bene   compla- 

cuit, 
Cor  Jesu,  de  cuius  ple- 

nitudine  omnes  nos 

acccpimus, 
Cor  Jesu,   desiderium 

collium  JEtcrnorum, 
Cor   Jcsu,    paticns    et 

multic  misericordi;e, 
Cor     Jesu,     dives     in 

omnes  qui  invocant 

te, 
Cor  Jesu,  fons  vitai  et 

sanctitatis, 

Cor  Jesu,  propitiatio 
pro  peccatis  nostris, 

Cor  Jcsu,  saturatum 
opprobriis. 

Cor  Jesu,  attritum 
propter  scelera  nos- 
tra. 

Cor  Jesu,  usque  ad 
mortem  obediens 
factum, 

Cor  Jesu,  lancea  per- 
foratum, 


)  3 


Heart  of  Jesus,    king ' 
and    centre    of    all 
hearts. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  in 
Whom  arc  all  the 
treasures  of  wisdom 
and  knowledge. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  in 
\\'hom  dwells  the 
fulness  of  divinity, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  in 
Whom  the  Father 
was  well  pleased, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  of 
whose  fulness  we 
have  all  received. 

Heart  of  Jesus,desire  of 
the  everlasting  hills. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  patient 
and  most  merciful, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  enrich- 
ing all  who  invoke 
thee. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  foun- 
tain of  life  and  holi- 
ness. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  propi- 
tiation for  our  sins, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  loaded 
down  with  oppro- 
brium, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  bruised 
for  our  offences, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  obe- 
dient unto  death, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  pierced 
with  a  lance, 


Litanies  Approved  by  the  Churdi.      549 


Cor  Jesu,   fons  totius  1 

consolationis, 
Cor  Jesu,  vita  et  resur- 

rectio  nostra, 
Cor  Jesu,  pax  et  recon- 

ciliatio  nostra. 

Cor  Jesu,  victima  pec- 

catorum, 
Cor  Jesu,  salus   in   te 

sperantium. 

Cor  Jesu,   spes    in   te 
morientium, 

Cor  Jesu,  delicias  sanc- 
torum omnium, 

Agnus  Dei,  qui  tollis  pec- 

cata  mundi,  parce  nobis, 

Domine! 
Agnus  Dei,  qui  tollis  pec- 

cata  mundi,  exaudi  nos, 

Domine! 

Agnus  Dei,  qui  tollis  pec- 
cat  a  mundi,  miserere 
nobis! 

V.  Jesu  mitis  et  humilis 
corde. 

R.  Fac  cor  nostrum  se- 
cundum Cor  tuum. 

Or  emus. 

OMNIPOTENS  sem- 
piterne  Deus,  res- 
pice  in  Cor  dilectissimi 
Filii  tui,  et  in  laudes 
et  satisfactiones,  quas  in 
nomine  peccatorum  tibi 
persolvit,     iisque     miseri- 


Heart  of  Jesus,  source  1 
of  all  consolation, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  our  life 
and  resurrection. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  our 
peace  and  reconcili- 
ation. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  victim 
for  sin. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  salva- 
tion of  those  who 
trust  in  thee. 

Heart  of  Jesus,  hope 
of  those  who  die  in 
thee, 

Heart  of  Jesus,  de- 
light of  all  the  saints,  j 

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.  Jesus  meek  and  hum- 
ble of  heart. 

R.  Make  our  hearts  like 
unto  Thine. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  ALMIGHTY  and 
eternal  God,  look 
upon  the  Heart  of  Thy 
dearly  beloved  Son,  and 
upon  the  praise  and  sat- 
isfaction He  offers  Thee 
in  the  name  of  sinners  and 


650 


Devotions. 


cordiam  tuam  petentibus, 
Tu  veniam  concede  placa- 
tus,  in  nomine  eiusdem 
Filii  tui  Jesu  Christi,  qui 
tecum  vivit  et  regnat  in 
unitate  Spiritus  Sancti  De- 
us,  per  omnia  sa;cula  sa;cu- 
lorum.     Amen. 


for  those  who  seek  Thy 
mercy;  be  Thou  appeased 
and  grant  us  pardon  in  the 
name  of  the  same  Jesus 
Christ,  Thy  Son,  Who 
liveth  and  reigneth  with 
Thee,  in  the  unity  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  world  with- 
out end.     .A.men. 


ILttaiiB  of  tbe  JBlesseD  Uirsln. 

Comnionly    called    tJie    Litany    of    Loretto. 


Kyrie,  eleison. 

Christe,  eleison. 

Kyrie,  eleison. 

Christe,  audi  nos. 

Christe,  e.xaudi  nos. 

Pater  de  ccelis  Deus,  mise- 
rere nobis. 

Fili  Redemjjtor  mundi  De- 
us, miserere  nobis. 

Spiritus  Sancte  Deus,  mise- 
rere nobis. 

Sancta  Trinitas,  unus  De- 
us, miserere  nobis. 

Sancta  Maria,  1 

Sancta   Dei  Genitrix, 

Sancta  Virgo  virginum, 

Mater  Christi, 

Mater  divinae  gratiae. 

Mater  purissima. 
Mater  castissima. 
Mater  inviolata. 
Mater  intemerata. 
Mater  amabilis, 
Mater  admirabilis. 

Mater  boni  consilii, 


Lord,  have  mercy. 
Christ,  have  mercy. 
Lord,  have  mercy. 
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,  ] 

Holy  Mother  of  God, 
Holy  Virgin  of  virgins. 
Mother  of  Christ, 
Mother       of       divine 

grace, 
Mother  most  pure. 
Mother  most  chaste. 
Mother  inviolate. 
Mother  undefilcd. 
Mother  most  amiable. 
Mother  most  admira- 
ble, 
Motherofgoodcounsel,  J 


Litanies  Approved  by  the  Church.      651 


Mater  Creatoris, 
Mater  Salvatoris, 
Virgo  prudentissima, 
Virgo  veneranda, 
Virgo  pra;dicanda, 
Virgo  potens, 
Virgo  clemens, 
Virgo  fidelis, 
Speculum  justitiaj, 
Sedes  sapientite, 
Causa  nostra;  la,"titia2, 
Vas  spirituale, 
Vas  honorabile, 
Vas  insigne  devotionis, 

Rosa  mystica, 

Turris  Davidica, 

Turris  eburnea, 

Domus  aurea, 

Foederis  area, 

Janua  coeli, 

Stella  matutina, 

Salus  infirmorum, 

Refugium  peccatorum, 

Consolatrix       afflicto- 
rum,  [rum, 

Auxilium     Christiano- 
Regina  angelorum, 
Regina  patriarcharum, 
Regina  prophetarum, 
Regina  apostolorum, 
Regina  martyrum, 
Regina  confessorum, 
Regina  virginum, 
Regina  sanctorum  om- 
nium, 
Regina  sine  labe  origi- 

nali  concepta, 
Regina       sacratissimi 
Rosarii, 


1  Mother  of  our  Creator,  1 

Mother  of  Our  Saviour, 
Virgin  most  prudent, 
Virgin  most  venerable, 
Virgin  most  renowned, 
Virgin  most  powerful, 
Virgin  most  merciful, 
Virgin  most  faithful, 
Mirror  of  justice, 
Seat  of  wisdom, 
Cause  of  our  joy, 
Spiritual  vessel. 
Vessel  of  honor, 
Singular  vessel  of  devo- 
tion, 
Mystical  rose, 
Tower  of  David, 
Tower  of  ivory. 
House  of  gold, 
Ark  of  the  covenant, 
Gate  of  heaven, 
;    Morning  star, 
Health  of  the  sick, 
Refuge  of  sinners, 
Comforter  of  the   af- 
flicted, 
Help  of  Christians, 
Queen  of  angels, 
Queen  of  patriarchs. 
Queen  of  prophets, 
Queen  of  apostles, 
Queen  of  martyrs. 
Queen  of  confessors, 
Queen  of  virgins. 
Queen  of  all  saints. 


Queen  conceived  with- 
out original  sin. 

Queen  of  the  most  holy 
Rosary, 


552                          Devotions. 

Af^nus  Dei,  qui  tollis  pec- 

Lamb  of 

cata  mundi,  parce  nobis, 

away 

Domine! 

world. 

Agnus  Dei,  qui  tollis  pec- 

Lamb  of 

cata  mundi,  exaudi  nos, 

away 

Domine! 

world, 

us,  O 

Agnus  Dei,  qui  tollis  pec- 

Lamb  of 

cata  mundi,  misc-rcre  no- 

away 

bis! 

world, 

God,  Who  taktst 
the  sins  of  the 
spare  us,  O  Lord! 
(Jod,  Who  takest 
the  sins  of  the 
graciously  hear 
Lord! 

God,  Who  takest 
the  sins  of  the 
have  mercy  on  us! 


SUB   TUUM  PRESIDIUM. 


BUB  tuum  pra^sidium 
confugimus,  sancta 
Dei  Genitrix;  nostras  de- 
precationes  ne  di'Si)icias  in 
necessitatibus  nostris,  sed 
a  periculis  cunclis  libera 
nos,  semper  Virgo  gloriosa 
et  benedicta. 

V.  Ora  pro  nobis,  sanc- 
ta Dei  Genitrix. 

R.  Ut  digni  efficiamur 
promissionibus  Christi. 


y yi  r'E  flv  to  thy  patron- 
AjLK  age!  O  holy  Moth- 
er of  God,  despise  not  our 
petitions  in  our  necessities, 
but  deliver  us  from  all 
dangers,  O  ever  glorious 
and  blessed  Virgin! 

V.  Pray  for  us,  O  holy 
Mother  of  God. 

R.  That  we  may  be 
made  worthy  of  the  prom- 
ises of  Christ. 


Or  emus. 

g^R.WWM  tuam  qua;- 
\S)  sumus,  Domine, 
mentibus  nostris  infunde: 
ut  qui,  angelo  nuntiante, 
Christi  Filii  tui  incarnati- 
onem  cognovimus,  per  pas- 
sionem  ejus  et  crucem  ad 
resurrectionis  gloriam  per- 
ducamur.  Per  eumdem 
Christum  Dominum  nos- 
trum.    Amen. 


Let  us  pray. 

'-|I>OUR  forth,  we  be- 
JlT  seech  Thee,  O 
Lord,  Thy  grace  into  our 
hearts;  that  we,  to  whom 
the  Incarnation  of  Christ, 
Thy  Son,  was  made  known 
by  the  message  of  an  angel, 
may,  by  His  Passion  and 
cross,  be  brought  to  the 
glory  of  His  Resurrection. 
Through  the  same  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 


Litanies  Approved  by  the  Church.      553 


JkJ  mus,  Domine,  bea- 
ta  Maria  semper  virgine 
intercedente,  istam  ab  om- 
ni  adversitate  familiam: 
et,  toto  cordc  tibi  prostra- 
tam,  ab  hostium  propitius 
tuere  clementer  insidiis. 


Deus,  qui  ineffabili  pro- 
videntia  beatum  Joseph 
Sanctissima"  Genitricis  tuae 
sponsum  eligere  dignatus 
es;  prassta,  qua-sumus,  ut 
quern  protectorcm  vencra- 
mur  in  terris,  intercesso- 
rem  habere  mereamur  in 
coelis.  Qui  vivis  et  regnas 
in  ScBcula  saeculorum. 


R.  Amen. 


•t^EFEND,     O    Lord, 

JLJ  we  beseech  Thee, 
by  the  intercession  of 
blessed  Mary  ever  virgin, 
this  Thy  family  from  all 
adversity;  and  mercifully 
protect  us,  who  prostrate 
ourselves  before  Thee  with 
all  our  hearts,  from  the 
snares  of  the  enemy. 

O  God,  Who  by  Thy  un- 
speakable providence  didst 
vouchsafe  to  choose  blessed 
Joseph  to  be  the  spouse  of 
Thy  most  holy  Mother; 
grant  that,  while  we  ven- 
erate him  as  our  protector 
on  earth,  we  may  deserve 
to  be  aided  by  his  inter- 
cession in  heaven.  Who 
livest  and  reignest,  world 
without  end. 

R.  Amen. 


XitatiB  of  tbe  Saints. 


'T^E   reminiscaris,    Do- 
r-L^     mine,  delicta  nostra 
vel   parentum   nostrorum ; 
neque  vindictam  sumas  de 
peccatis  nostris. 
Kyrie,  eleison. 
Kyrie,  eleison. 
Christe,  eleison. 
Christe,  eleison. 
Kyrie,  eleison. 
Kyrie,  eleison. 
Christe,  audi  nos. 
Christe,  exaudi  nos. 
Pater  de  coelis  Deus,  mise- 
rere nobis. 


*n>  EMEMBER  not,  O 
(•1-^     Lord,  our  offences, 
nor  those    of  our  fathers; 
neither  take  Thou  venge- 
ance of  cur  sins. 
Lord,  have  mercy. 
Lord,  have  mercy. 
Christ,  have  mercy. 
Christ,  have  mercy. 
Lord,  have  mercy. 
Lord,  have  mercy. 
Christ,  hear  us. 
Christ,  graciously  hear  us. 
God  the  Father  of  heaven, 
have  mercy  on  us. 


554 


Devotions. 


fili  Redemptor  mundi 
Deus,  miserere  not)is. 

Spiritus  Sancte  Deus,  mise- 
rere nobis. 

Sancta  Trinitas,  unus  De- 
us, miserere  nobis. 

Sancta  Maria,  Ora,  etc. 

Sancta  Dei  Genitrix,  Ora, 
etc. 

Sancta  Virgo  virginum, 
Ora,  etc. 

Sancte  Michael,  Ora,  etc. 

Sancte  (Jabricl,  Ora,  etc. 

Sancte  Raphael,  Ora,  etc. 

Omncs  sancli  angcli  et 
archangcli,  Orate,  etc. 

Omnes  sancti  beatorum 
spirituum  ordines.  Ora- 
te, etc. 

Sancte  Joannes  Baptista, 
Ora,  etc. 

Sancte  Joseph,  Ora,  etc. 

Omnes  sancti  patriarchal 
et  prophets,  Orate,  etc. 


Sancte  Petre, 
Sancte  Paule, 
Sancte  .\ndrea, 
Sancte  Jacobe, 
Sancte  Joannes, 
Sancte  Thoma, 
Sancte  Jacobe, 
Sancte  Philip])e, 
Sancte  Bartholomase, 
Sancte  Matthase, 
Sancte  Simon, 
Sancte  Thaddxe, 
Sancte  Matthia, 
Sancte  Barnaba, 
Sancte  Luca, 
Sancte  Marce, 


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  Mar)',  pray  for  us. 
Holy  Mother  of  God,     1 


Holy  Virgin  of  virgins, 

St.  Michael, 
St.  Gabriel, 
St.  Raphael, 
.'\11  ye  holy  angels  and 

archangels, 
All  ye  holy   orders  of 

blessed  spirits, 

St.  John  Baptist, 

St.  Joseph, 

All  ye  holy  patriarchs 

and  prophets, 
St.  Peter, 
St.  Paul, 
St.  Andrew, 
St.  James, 
St.  John, 
St.  Thomas, 
St.  James. 
St.  Philip, 
St.  Bartholomew, 
St.  Matthew, 
St.  Simon, 
St.  Tbaddeus, 
St.  Matvhias, 
St.  Barnabas, 
St.  Luke, 
St.  Mark,  I 


Litanies  Approved  by  the  Church.      555 


Omnes  sancti   apostoli  et 

evangelistic,  Orate,  etc. 

Omnes     sancti      discipuli 

Domini,  Orate,  etc. 
Omnes  sancti  Innocentes, 

Orate,  etc. 
Sancte  Stephane,  Ora,  etc. 
Sancte  Laurenti,  Ora,  etc. 
Sancte  Vincenti,  Ora,  etc. 
Sancti  Fabiane  et  Se 

bastiane, 
Sancti  Joannes  et  Paule 
Sancti  Cosnia  et  Da- 

miane, 
Sancti  Gervasi  et  Pro- 

tasi, 
Omnes  sancti  martyres, , 
Sancte  Sylvester, 
Sancte  Gregori, 
Sancte  Ambrosi, 
Sancte  Augustine, 
Sancte  Hieronyme, 
Sancte  Martine, 
Sancte  Nicola;,    ■ 

Omnes  sancti  pontifices  et 

confessores,  Orate,  etc. 
Omnes    sancti    Doctores, 

Orate,  etc. 
Sancte  Antoni,  ] 

Sancte  Benedicte, 
Sancte  Bernardc, 
Sancte  Dominice, 
Sancte  Francisce, 
Omnes  sancti  sacerdotes  et 

levitae.  Orate,  etc. 
Omnes  sancti  monachi  et 

eremit;E,  Orate,  etc. 
Sancta  Maria  Magda-  -i   P 

lena, 
Sancta  Agatha, 


All  ye  holy  apostles 
and  evangelists, 

All  ye  holy  disciples  of 
Our  Lord, 

All  ye  holy  Innocents, 

St.  Stephen, 

St.  Lawrence, 

St.  Vincent, 

SS.  Fabian  and  Sebas- 
tian, 

SS.  John  and  Paul, 

SS.  Cosmas  and  Da- 
mian, 

SS.  Gervase  and  Pro- 
tase, 

All  ye  holy  mart}'rs, 

St.  Sylvester, 

St.  Gregory, 

St.  Ambrose, 

St.  Augustine, 

St.  Jerome, 

St.  Martin, 

St.  Nicholas, 

All  ye  holy  bishops  and 
confessors. 

All  ye  holy  Doctors, 

St.  Anthony, 

St.  Benedict, 

St.  Bernard, 

St.  Dominic, 

St.  Francis, 

AH  ye  holy  priests  and 

levites. 
All  ye  holy  monks  and 

hermits, 
St.  Mary  Magdalene, 


P     St.  Agatha, 


556 


Devotions. 


Sanct-i  Lucia, 
Sancta  Agnes, 
Sancta  Ca;cilia, 
Sancta  Catharina, 
Sancta  Anastasia, 
Omncs  sanctae  virgines  et 

vidua;,  Orate,  etc. 
Omnes    sancti    et    sanctic 

Dei, 
Intcrccdite  pro  nobis. 
Propitius  esto, 
Parce  nobis,  Domine. 
Propitius  esto, 
Exaudi  nos,  Domine. 

Ab  omni  malo,  Libera  noe, 

Domine. 
Ab  omni  peccato,  ■> 

*  Ab  ira  tua, 
A    subitanea    et    in 

provisa  morte, 
Ab  insidiis  diaboli. 


et    odio,    et 
mala    volun- 


Ab    ira, 

omni 

tate, 
A  spiritu  fornicationis. 


A  fulgure  et   tempes- 

tate, 
A  morte  perpetua, 


St.  Lucy,  ) 

St.  Agnes, 

St.  Cecilia, 

St.  Catharine, 

St.  Anastasia, 

All  ye  holy  virgins  and 
widows. 

All    ye     holy     men     and 
women,  saints  of  God, 

Make  intercession  for  us. 

Be  merciful. 

Spare  us,  O  Lord. 

Be  merciful, 

Graciously    hear    us,     O 
Lord. 

From  all  evil,  O  Lord,  de- 
liver us. 

From  all  sin, 

*  From  Thy  wrath, 

From      sudden      and 
unlooked-for  death, 

From    the    snares    of 
the  devil. 

From  anger,  and   ha- 
tred, and  every  evil  \  I; 
will,  "■ 

From  the  spirit  of  for- 
nication, 

From    lightning    and 
tempest, 

From     everlasting 
death,  I 


*  Here,  for  the  Devotion  of  the  Forty  Hours,  is  inserted: 


Ab  imminentibtis  periculis, 
A  flagello  terraemotus 
A  peste,  fame,  et  bello. 


From  dangers  that  threaten 
us, 

From  the  scourge  of  earth- 
quakes. 

From  plague,  famine,  and 
war. 


Litanies  Approved  bi/  the  Church.      557 


Per  mystcrium  sancttp  1 
Incarnationis   tuas, 

Per  adventum   tuum, 

Per  nativitatem  tuam, 

Perbaptismumet  sanc- 
tum jejunium  tuum, 

Per  crucem  et  Passio- 
nem  tuam, 

Per  mortem  et  sepul- 
turam  tuam, 

Per  sanctam  Resurrec- 
tionem  tuam, 

Per  admirabilem  As- 
censionem  tuam, 

Per  adventum  Spiri- 
tus  Sancti  Paracliti, 

In  die  judicii, 

Libera  nos,  Domine. 

Peccatorcs, 

Te  rogamus  audi  nos. 

Ut  nobis  parcas,  1 

Ut  nobis  indulgeas, 

Ut  ad  veram  poeniten- 
tiam  nos  perducere 
digneris, 

Ut  Ecclesiam  tuam 
sanctam  regere  et 
conservare  digneris, 

*  Ut    Domnum    Apo- 
stolicum,      et     omnes  , 


Through  the  mystery  ^ 
of  Thy  holy  Incar- 
nation, 

Through  Thy  coming. 

Through  Thy  nativity. 

Through  Thy  baptism 
and  holy  fasting, 

Through  Thy  cross 
and  Passion,  \ 

Through  Thy  death 
and  burial. 

Through  Thy  holy 
Resurrection, 

Through  Thine  admir- 
able Ascension, 

Through  the  coming 
of  the  Holy  Ghost 
the  Paraclete,  j 

In  the  day  of  judgmen*- 

O  Lord,  deliver  us. 

We  sinners, 

Beseech  Thee  hear  us. 

That  Thou  wouldst      1 
spare  us. 

That    Thou    wouldst 

pardon  us. 
That    Thou    wouldst 
bring     us     to    true 
penance,  \  ;s 

That  Thou  wouldst 
vouchsafe  to  govern 
and  preserve  Thy 
holy  Church, 
*  That  Thou  wouldst 
vouchsafe     to     pre-  J 


*  For  the  Devotion  of  the  Forty  Hours,  insert: 


Ut  Turcarum ,  et  hsreticorum 
conatus  reprimere  et  ad 
nihilum  redigere  digneris, 


That  Thou  wouldst  vouch- 
safe to  check  and  bring  to 
naught  the  attempts  of  »**■ 
Turks  and  heretics, 


558 


Devotions. 


ccclcsiasticos  ordi- 
nes  in  sancta  rcli- 
gionexonscrvare  dig- 
neris, 
Ut  inimicos  sancta;  Ec- 
ck-sia:'  humiliarc  dig- 
ncris, 

Ut  rcgibus  et  prin- 
cipibus  Christianis 
pacem  et  vcram 
concordiam  donate 
digneris, 

Ut  cuncto  populo 
Christiano  paccin  et 
unitatcm  largiri  dig- 
neris 

Ut  nosmetipsos  in  tuo 
sancto  servitio  con- 
fortare  et  conservare 
digneris, 

Ut  mentes  nostras  ad 
coelestia  desideria 
erigas, 

Ut  omnibus  benefacto- 
ribus  sempiterna 
bona  retribuas, 

Ut  animas  nostras,  f ra- 
trum,  propinquo- 
rum,  et  benefacto- 
rum  nostrorum  ab 
asterna  damnatione 
eripias, 

Ut  fructus  terra:  dare 
et  conservare  dig- 
neris, 


ser\'e  our  Apostolic  ^ 
Prelate  and  all  or- 
ders of  the  Church 
in  holy  religion, 

That  Thou  wouldst 
vouchsafe  to  humble 
the  enemies  of  holy 
Church, 

That  Thou  wouldst 
vouchsafe  to  give 
peace  and  true  con- 
cord to  Christian 
kings  and  princes, 

That  Thou  wouldst 
vouchsafe  to  grant 
peace  and  unity  to 
all  Christian  people. 

That    Thou     wouldst 
vouchsafe  to  confirm 
.  and  preserve  us  in 
Thy  holy  service. 

That  Thou  wouldst 
lift  up  our  minds  to 
heavenly  desires, 

That  Thou  wouldst 
render  eternal  bless- 
ings to  all  our  bene- 
factors. 

That  Thou  wouldst 
deliver  our  souls, 
and  the  souls  of  our 
brethren,  relations, 
and  benefactors 
from  eternal  dam- 
nation. 

That  Thou  wouldst 
vouchsafe  to  give 
and  preserve  the 
fruits  of  the  earth. 


Litanies  Approved  by  the  Church.      559 


I   c  V 


Ut  omnibus  fideli- 
bus  defunctis  re- 
quiem ffiternam 
donare  digneris, 

Ut  nos  exaudire  dig- 
neris, 


Fili  Dei,  J 

Agnus  Dei,  qui  tollis  pec- 
cata  mundi, 

Parce  nobis,  Domine. 
Agnus  Dei,  qui  tollis  pec- 
cata  mundi, 

Exaudi  nos,  Domine. 

Agnus  Dei,  qui  tollis  pec- 
cata  mundi. 

Miserere  nobis. 
Christe,  audi  nos. 
Christe,  exaudi  nos. 
Kyrie,  eleison. 
Christe,  eleison. 
Kyrie,  eleison. 

Pater  noster  {secreto). 

V.  Et  ne  nos  inducas  in 
tentationem. 

R.  Sed  libera  nos  a  malo. 


■  y 


That  Thou  wouldst  1 
vouchsafe  to  grant 
eternal    rest  to  all  ' 
the     faithful     de- 
parted, 

That  Thou  wouldst 
vouchsafe  graci- 
ously to  hear  us, 

Son  of  God, 


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. 
Christ,  hear  us. 
Christ,  graciously  hear  us. 
Lord,  have  mercy. 
Christ,  have  mercy. 
Lord,  have  mercy. 

Our  Father  {-inaudibly). 

V.  And  lead  us  not  into 
temptation. 

R.  But   dehver  us  from 
evil. 


PSALM   LXIX. 


*T^EUS  in  adjutorium 
JL/  meum  intende : 
Domine,  ad  adjuvandum 
me  festina. 

Confundantur   et    reve- 


o 


GOD,   come  to  my 
assistance :  O  Lord, 
make  haste  to  help  me. 


Let  them  be  confounded 


660 


Devotions. 


rcantur,  qui  qua;runt  ani- 
mani  mcam. 

Avcrtantur  rctrorsum, 
et  eruhcscant,  qui  volunt 
mihi  mala. 

Avcrtantur  statim  eru- 
bescentes,  qui  dicunt  mihi: 
Kugc,  euge. 

Exultcnt  et  laetentur  in 
te  onines  qui  quairunt  te; 
et  dicant  semj)er,  Magni- 
ficetur  Dominus:  qui  dili- 
gunt  salutare  tuum. 

Ego  vero  egenus  et 
pauper  sum:  Deus,  adju- 
va  me. 

Adjutor  meus  et  libera- 
tor meus  es  tu:  Domine, 
ne  moreris. 

Gloria  Patri,  etc. 

V.  Salvos  fac  servos 
tuos. 

R.  Deus  meus,  speran- 
tes  in  te. 

V.  Esto  nobis,  Domine, 
turris  fortitudinis. 

R.  A  facie  inimici. 

V.  Nihil  proficiat  inimi- 
cus  in  nobis. 

R.  Et  filius  iniquitatis 
non  apponat  nocere  nobis. 

V.  Domine,  non  secun- 
dum peccata  nostra  facias 
nobis. 

R.  Neque  secundum  in- 
iquitates  nostras  retribuas 
nobis. 


and  ashamca  that  seek 
after  my  soul. 

Let  them  be  turned 
backward,  and  blush  for 
shame,  that  desire  evils 
unto  me. 

Let  them  be  straightway 
turned  backward  blushing 
for  shame,  that  say  unto 
me:  'Tis  well,  'tis  well. 

Let  all  that  seek  Thee 
be  joyful  and  glad  in  Thee ; 
and  let  such  as  love  Thy 
salvation  say  always,  The 
Lord  be  magnified. 

But  I  am  needy  and  poor: 
O  God,  help  Thou  me. 

Thou  art  my  helper  and 
my  deliverer:  O  Lord, 
make  no  long  delay. 

Glory  be,  etc. 

V.  Save  Thy  servants. 

R.  Who  hope  in  Thee, 
O  my  God. 

V.  Be  unto  us,  O  Lord, 
a  tower  of  strength. 

R.  From  the  face  of  the 
enemy. 

V.  Let  not  the  enemy 
prevail  against  us. 

R.  Nor  the  son  of  ini- 
quity approach  to  hurt  us. 

V.  O  Lord,  deal  not 
with  us  according  to  our 
sins. 

R.  Neither  requite  us  ac- 
cording to  our  iniauities. 


Litanies  Approved  by  the  Church.      561 


V.  Oremus  pro  Ponti- 
fice  nostro,  N. 

R.  Dominus  conservet 
r".m,  et  vivificet  eum,  et 
beatum  facial  eum  in  terra; 
et  non  tradat  eum  in  ani- 
mam  inimicorum  ejus. 

V.  Oremus  pro  bene- 
factoribus  nostris. 

R.  Retribuere  dignare, 
Domine,  omnibus  nobis 
bona  facientibus  propter 
nomen  tuum  vitam  aeter- 
nam.     Amen. 

V.  Oremus  pro  fidelibus 
defunctis. 

R.  Requiem  aetemam 
dona  eis,  Domine;  et  lux 
perpetua  luceat  eis. 

V.  Requiescant  in  pace. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  Pro  fratribus  nostris 
absentibus. 

R.  Salvos  fac  servos 
tuos,  Deus  meus,  sperantes 
inte. 

V.  Mitte  eis,  Domine, 
auxilium   de  sancto. 

R.  Et  de  Sion  tuere  eos. 

V.  Domine,  exaudi  ora- 
tionem  meam. 

R.  Et  clamor  meus  ad 
te  veniat- 


V.  Let  us  p'^ay  for  our 
Sovereign  Pontiff,  N. 

R.  The  Lord  preserve 
him  and  give  him  life,  and 
make  him  blessed  upon 
the  earth;  and  deliver 
him  not  up  to  the  will  of 
his  enemies. 

V.  Let  us  pray  for  our 
benefactors. 

R.  Vouchsafe,  O  Lord, 
for  Thy  name's  sake,  to 
reward  with  eternal  life 
all  those  who  do  us  good. 
Amen. 

V.  Let  us  pray  for  the 
faithful  departed. 

R.  Eternal  rest  give 
unto  them,  O  Lord;  and 
let  perpetual  light  shine 
upon  them. 

V.  Let  them  rest  i*i 
peace. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  For  our  absent  breth- 
ren. 

R.  Save  Thy  servants, 
who  hope  in  Thee,  O  my 
God. 

V.  Send  them  help,  O 
Lord,  from  Thy  sanctuary. 

R.  And  defend  them  out 
of  Sion. 

V.  O  Lord,  hear  my 
prayer. 

R.  And  let  my  cry  come 
unto  Thee. 


562 


Devotions. 


Oremus. 

*T~\EUS,  cui  proprium 
,JL/  est  misprcri  semper, 
et  parcere:  suscipe  dcpre- 
cationcm  nostram;  ut  nos, 
et  omncs  famulos  tuos, 
quos  delictorum  catena 
constringit,  miseratio  tuae 
pietatis  clementer  absolvat. 


Exaudi,  quresumus,  Do- 
mine,  supplicum  preces,  et 
confitentium  tibi  parce  pec- 
catis:  ut  pariter  nobis  in- 
dulgentiam  tribuas  benig- 
n'is  et  pacem. 


Ineffabilem  nobis.  Do- 
mine,  misericordiam  tuam 
clementer  ostende;  ut  si- 
mul  nos  et  a  peccatis  om- 
nibus exuas,  et  a  poenis, 
quas  pro  his  meremur, 
eripias. 

Deus,  qui  culpa  offen- 
deris,  poenitentia  plararis: 
preces  populi  tui  suppli- 
cantis  propitius  respire; 
et  flagella  tuje  iracundiie, 
qu£e  pro  peccatis  nostris 
meremur,  averte. 


Omnipotens,  sempiterne 
Deus,  miserere  famulo  tuo 
Pontifici  nostro  N.,et  dirige 
eum  secundum  tuam  cle- 


Let  us  pray. 

OC.OT),  Whose  prop- 
erty is  always  to 
have  mercy  and  to  spare, 
receive  our  humble  peti- 
tion; that  we,  and  all  Thy 
servants  who  are  bound 
by  the  chain  of  sins,  may, 
by  the  compassion  of  Thy 
goodness,  mercifully  be  ab- 
solved. 

Graciously  hear,  we  be- 
seech Thee,  O  Lord,  the 
prayers  of  Thy  suppliants, 
and  forgive  the  sins  of 
them  that  confess  to  Thee; 
that,  in  Thy  bounty,  Thou 
mayest  grant  us  both 
pardon  and  peace. 

Show  forth  upon  us,  O 
Lord,  in  Thy  mercy.  Thy 
unspeakable  loving-kind- 
ness; that  Thou  mayest 
both  loose  us  from  all  our 
sins,  and  deliver  us  from 
the  punishments  which  we 
deserve  for  them. 

O  God,  Who  by  sin  art 
offended,  and  by  penance 
pacified,  mercifully  regard 
the  prayers  of  Thy  people 
making  supplication  to 
Thee,  and  turn  away  the 
scourges  of  Thine  anger, 
which  we  deserve  for  our 
sins. 

Almighty,  everlasting 
God,  have  mercy  upon  Thy 
servant  N.,  our  Sovereign 
Pontiff,  and  direct  him,  ac- 


Litanies  Approved  by  the  Church.     563 


mentiam  in  viam  salutis 
aeteriiffi:  ut  te  donante  tibi 
placita  cupiat,  et  tota  vir- 
tute  perficiat. 


Deus,  a  quo  sancta  de- 
sideria,  recta  consilia,  et 
justa  sunt  opera:  da  ser- 
vis  tuis  illam,  quam  mun- 
dus  dare  non  potest  pacem; 
ut  et  corda  nostra  manda- 
tis  tuis  dedita,  et  hostium 
sublata  formidine,  tem- 
pora  sint  tua  protectione 
tranquilla. 


Ure  igne  Sancti  Spiritus 
Tenes  nostros  et  cor  no- 
strum, Domine:  ut  tibi 
casto  corpora  serviamus, 
et  mundo  corde  placeamus. 


Fidelium  Deus  omnium 
Conditor  et  Redemptor, 
animabus  famulorum  fa- 
mularumque  tuarum  re- 
missionem  cunctorum  tri- 
bue  peccatorum;  ut  indul- 
gentiam,  quam  semper 
optaverunt,  piis  supplica- 
tionibus  consequantur. 

Actiones  nostras,  quassu- 
mus,  Domine,  aspirando 
prffiveni,  et  adjuvando  pro- 
sequere:  ut  cuncta  nostra 


cording  to  Thy  clemency, 
into  the  way  of  everlasting 
salvation;  that  by  Thy 
grace  he  mav  both  desire 
those  things  that  are  pleas- 
ing to  Thee,  and  perform 
them  with  all  his  strength. 

O  God,  from  Whom  aU 
holy  desires,  all  right  coun- 
sels, and  all  just  works  do 
come,  give  unto  Thy  ser- 
vants that  peace  which 
the  world  cannot  give; 
that  our  hearts  being 
devoted  to  the  keeping  of 
Thy  commandments,  and 
the  fear  of  enemies  being 
taken  away,  we  may  pass 
our  time,  by  Thy  protec- 
tion, peacefully. 

Inflame,  O  Lord,  our 
reins  and  heart  with  the 
fire  of  the  Holy  Ghost; 
that  we  may  serve  Thee 
with  a  chaste  body,  and 
please  Thee  with  a  clean 
heart. 

3  God,  the  Creator  and 
Redeemer  of  all  the  faith- 
ful, give  to  the  souls  of 
Thy  servants  departed  th; 
remission  of  all  their  sins; 
that  through  pious  suppli- 
cations they  may  obtain 
the  pardon  which  they 
have  always  desired. 

Direct  our  actions,  we 
beseech  Thee,  O  Lord, 
by  Thy  inspirations,  and 
further  them  with  Thy  con- 


564 


Devotions. 


cwatio  ct  operatio  a  tc 
semper  incipiat,  et  per  te 
coepta  liniatur. 


Omnipotcns,  sempiterne 
Dcus,  qui  vivorum  domi- 
naris  simul  et  mortuorurn, 
omniumf  juc  misercris,  rjuos 
tuos  fide  ct  opere  futuros 
esse  prxnosds:  te  sui)pli- 
ces  exoramus,  ut  pro  qui- 
bus  elTundcre  preces  de- 
crevimus,  quosque  vel  pra;- 
sens  sJECulum  adhuc  in 
came  retinct,  vel  futurum 
jam  cxutos  corpore  susce- 
pit,  intercedentibus  omni- 
bus Sanctis  tuis,  pietatis 
tua;  dementia  omnium  de- 
lictorum  suorum  veniam 
consequantur.  Per  Do- 
minum  nostrum  Jesum 
Christum,  Filium  tuum, 
qui  tecum  vivit  ct  regnat 
in  unitate  Spiritus  Sancti 
Deus,  etc. 


R.  Amen. 

V.  Domine,  exaudi  ora- 
tionem  meam. 

R.  Et  clamor  meus  ad  te 
veniat. 

V.  E:;audiat  nos  omni- 
potcns et  misericors  Domi- 
nus. 

R.  .\men. 


tinual  help;  that  everv 
prayer  and  work  of  ours 
may  always  begin  from 
Thee,  and  through  Thee  be 
likewise  ended. 

.\lmighty,  everlasting 
God,  Who  hast  dominion 
over  theliving  and  the  dead, 
and  art  merciful  to  all 
whom  Thou  foreknowest 
will  be  Thine  by  faith  and 
works:  we  humbly  be- 
seech Thee  that  they  for 
whom  we  intend  to  pour 
forth  our  prayers,  whether 
this  present  world  still 
detain  them  in  the  flesh,  or 
the  world  to  come  hath 
already  received  them 
stripped  of  their  mortal 
bodies,  may,  by  the  grace 
of  Thy  loving-kindness, 
and  by  the  intercession  of 
all  the  saints,  obtain  the 
remission  of  all  their  sins. 
Through  Thy  Son,  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord,  Who 
liveth  and  rcigneth  with 
Thee,  in  the  unity  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  God  for  ever 
and  ever. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  O  Lord,  hear  my 
prayer. 

R.  And  let  my  cry  come 
unto  Thee. 

V.  May  the  almighty 
and  merciful  Lord  graci- 
ously hear  us. 

R.  Amen. 


A  Visit  to  the  Blessed  Sacrament.      565 

V.  Et  fidelium  animie  1'.  And  may  the  souls 
per  misericordiara  Dei  re-  of  the  faithful  departed, 
quiescant  in  pace.  through  the  mercy  of  God 

rest  in  peace. 

R.  Amen.  R.  Amen. 

VII.  H  Dlsit  to  tbe  JSlesseb 
Sacrament. 

His  Holiness  Pope  Pius  IX.,  by  a  brief,  Sept.  15,  1876, 
granted  to  all  the  faithful  who,  with  at  least  contrite 
heart  and  devotion,  shall  visit  the  Most  Blessed  Sacra- 
ment, and  say  before  it  the  Our  Father,  the  Hail 
Mar>',  and  the  Glory  be  to  the  Father,  each  five  times, 
and  another  Our  Father,  Hail  Mai^y,  and  Glory  be  to 
the  Father,  for  peace  and  union  among  Christian 
princes,  for  the  extirpation  of  heresy,  for  the  conversion 
of  sinners,  and  for  the  triumph  of  holy  Mother  Church: 

An  indulgence  of  three  hundred  days,  every 
time. 

PRAYER  OF  ST.  ALPHONSUS  LIGUORI  FOR  A  VISIT  TO  THE 
BLESSED    SACRAMENT. 

*T — '  ORD  Jesus  Christ,  Who,  through  the  love  which 
^  I  \  Thou  bearcst  to  men,  dost  remain  with  them 
day  and  night  in  this  Sacrament,  full  of  mercy  and  of 
love,  expecting,  inviting,  and  receiving  all  who  come 
to  visit  Thee,  I  believe  that  Thou  art  present  in  the 
Sacrament  of  the  Altar.  From  the  abyss  of  my 
nothingness  I  adore  Thee,  and  I  thank  Thee  for  all 
the  favors  which  Thou  hast  bestowed  upon  me,  par- 
ticularly for  having  given  me  Thyself  in  this  Sacra- 
ment, for  having  given  me  for  my  advocate  Thy  most 
holy  Mother,  Mary,  and  for  having  called  me  to  visit 
Thee  in  this  church. 

I  this  day  salute  Thy  most  loving  Heart,  and  I  wish 
to  salute  it  for  three  ends:  first,  in  thanksgiving  for 
this  great  gift;    secondly,  in  compensation  for  all  the 


566  Deiiotions. 

injuries  Thou  hast  received  from  Thy  enemies  in  this 
Sacrament;  thirdly,  I  wish  by  this  visit,  to  adore  Thee 
in  all  places  in  which  Thou  art  least  honored  and 
most  abandoned  in  the  Holy  Sacrament.  My  Jesus, 
I  love  Thee  with  my  whole  heart.  I  am  sorry  for 
having  hitherto  offended  Thy  infinite  goodness.  I 
purpose,  with  the  assistance  of  Thy  grace,  never  more 
to  offend  Thee;  and,  at  this  moment,  miserable  as  I 
am,  I  consecrate  my  whole  being  to  Thee.  I  give 
Thee  my  entire  will,  all  my  affections  and  desires,  and 
all  that  I  have.  From  this  day  forward,  do  what  Thou 
wilt  with  me,  and  with  whatever  belongs  to  me.  I 
ask  and  desire  only  Thy  holy  love,  the  gift  of  final  per- 
severance, and  the  perfect  accomplishment  of  Thy 
will.  I  recommend  to  Thee  the  souls  in  purgatory, 
particularly  those  who  were  most  devoted  to  the  Blessed 
Sacrament  and  to  most  holy  Mary;  and  I  also  recom- 
mend to  Thee  all  poor  sinners.  Finally,  my  dear 
Saviour,  I  unite  all  my  affections  with  the  affections  of 
Thy  most  lo\ing  Heart;  and,  thus  united,  I  offer  them 
to  Thy  eternal  Father,  and  I  entreat  Him,  in  Thy  name, 
and  for  Thy  sake,  to  accept  them. 

Indulgence  of  300  days  when  said  before  the  Blessed 
Sacrament. — Pius  IX.,  Sept.  7,  1854. 

Pious  Ejaculations. 

/|\AY  the  Heart  of  Jesus  in  the  Most  Blessed  Sacra- 
^'^>  mcnt  be  praised,  adored,  and  loved  with  grate- 
ful affection,  at  every  moment,  in  all  the  tabernacles  of 
the  world,  even  to  the  end  of  time.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of  100  days. — Pius  IX.,  Feb.  29,  1868. 

O  SACRAMENT  most  holy!     O  Sacrament  divine! 
All  praise  and  all  thanksgiving  be  every  moment 
Thine! 

Indulgence  of  100  days. — Pius  VI.,  May  24,  1776. 


A  Visit  to  the  Blessed  Sacrament.      56?* 


PRAYER  TO  JESUS  IN  THE  SACRAMENT  OF  THE  ALTAR. 

*"¥^EAR  Jesus,  in  the  Sacrament  of  the  Altar,  be  for- 
r*^  ever  thanked  and  praised.  Love,  worthy  of  all 
celestial  and  terrestrial  love!  Who,  out  of  infinite  love 
for  me,  ungrateful  sinner,  didst  assume  our  human 
nature,  didst  shed  Thy  most  precious  blood  in  the 
cruel  scourging,  and  didst  expire  on  a  shameful  cross 
for  our  eternal  welfare!  Now,  illumined  with  lively 
faith,  with  the  outpouring  of  my  whole  soul  and  the 
fervor  of  my  heart,  I  humbly  beseech  Thee,  through 
the  infinite  merits  of  Thy  painful  sufferings,  give  me 
strength  and  courage  to  destroy  every  evil  passion 
which  sways  my  heart,  to  bless  Thee  in  my  greatest 
afflictions,  to  glorify  Thee  by  the  exact  fulfilment  of 
all  my  duties,  supremely  to  hate  all  sin,  and  thus  to 
become  a  saint. 

His  Holiness  Pope  Pius  IX.,  by  an  autograph  re- 
script, Jan.  I,  1866,  granted: 

An  indulgence  of  one  hundred  days,  once  a 
day,  to  all  the  faithful  who,  with  at  least  contrite  heart 
and  devotion,  shall  say  this  prayer. 


SPIRITUAL    communion. 

{By  St.  Alphonsus  Liguori.) 

1-  "^T\Y  Jesus,  I  believe  that  Thou  art  truly 
«>'^t  present  in  the  Most  Blessed  Sacrament. 
I  love  Thee  above  all  things  and  I  desire  to  possess 
Thee  within  my  soul.  Since  I  am  unable  now  to 
receive  Thee  sacramentally,  come  at  least  spiritually 
into  my  heart.  I  embrace  Thee  as  being  already  there, 
and  unite  myself  wholly  to  Thee;  never,  never  permit 
me  to  be  separated  from  Thee." 

2.  St.  Teresa  was  wont  to  say  to  her  spiritual 
daughters:  "As  often  as  you  hear  holy  Mass,  although 
you  be  unable  to  communicate  sacramentally,  you 
can  make  a  spiritual  communion,  which  is  of  great 
value."     The  Council  of  Trent  requires  for  a  spiritual 


568  Decotions. 

communion  an  ardent  desire,  lively  faith,  and  fervent 
charity.  How  often  shall  we  communicate  spiritually  ? 
As  often  as  God  inspires  the  holy  desire,  at  any  time, 
but  esi)ecially  at  Mass,  at  Benediction,  and  at  Visits. 
No  particular  form  is  required.  With  a  contrite  and 
loving  heart,  we  may  simply  say:  "Come,  dearest 
Jesus,  come  into  my  heart;  come  and  satiate  my 
longing;  come  and  sanctify  my  soul;  come,  my  sweet- 
est Jesus,  come." 

3.  We  read  in  the  lives  of  some  of  the  saints  how 
Our  Lord,  to  satisfy  their  burning  desire  to  receive 
the  Holy  Eucharist,  communicated  Himself  to  them 
in  miraculous  ways,  as  by  going  from  the  priest's 
hand  to  St.  Catharine  of  Sienna,  and  to  blessed  Imelda, 
or  piercing  through  the  breast  of  St.  Juliana  Falconieri, 
or  as  by  the  hands  of  angels  or  of  His  blessed  Mother 
to  St.  Bonaventurc  and  St.  Stanislaus.  In  various 
ways  and  by  signal  miracles,  Jesus  has  manifested  His 
approbation  of  spiritual  communion. 

ANOTHER   PRAYER   FOR   SPIRITUAL   COMMUNION. 

^T^Y  Saviour  and  my  God!  I  am  not  worthy  to 
Vl^  appear  before  Thee,  for  I  am  a  poor  sinner; 
yet  I  approach  Thee  with  confidence  in  Thy  goodness 
and  mercy,  for  Thou  hast  said:  "Come  to  Me,  all  you 
that  labor  and  are  heavy-laden,  and  I  will  refresh  you." 
Thou  wilt  not  despise  a  contrite  and  humble  heart. 
I  am  truly  sorry  for  my  sins,  because  by  them  I  have 
offended  Thee,  Who  art  infinitely  good.  Whatever 
may  have  been  my  foolish  transgressions  in  the  past, 
I  love  Thee  now  above  all  things,  and  with  all  my 
heart.  I  have  a  great  desire,  a  vehement  longing,  O 
divine  Spouse  of  my  soul,  to  receive  Thee  in  holy 
communion,  and  since  I  cannot  now  receive  Thee  in 
the  Blessed  Sacrament,  I  beseech  Thee  to  come  to 
me  spiritually  and  to  refresh  my  soul  with  Thy  sweet- 
ness. 

Come,  my  Lord,  my  God,  and  my  all!  Come  to  me, 
and  let  me  never  again  be  separated  from  Thee  by  sin 


A  Visit  to  the  Blessed  Sacrament.     569 

Teach  me  Thy  blessed  ways;  help  me  with  Thy 
grace  to  practice  meekness,  humility,  charity,  and  all 
the  virtues  of  Thy  Sacred  Heart.  Receive  me,  as  one 
who  wishes  to  follow  Thee,  and  let  me  live  and  labor 
and  suffer  and  pray  in  union  with  Thee,  for  the  glory 
of  God,  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  heavenly 
Father's  will,  and  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  Jesus! 
I  give  Thee  my  heart  with  all  its  affections,  my  soul 
with  all  its  powers,  and  my  body  with  all  its  senses. 
My  divine  Master,  help  me  with  Thy  grace,  that  I 
may  be  ever  mindful  of  Thy  presence,  and  that  I  may  be 
faithful  to  the  end  in  Thy  services.  Bless  me  in  life 
and  in  death,  that  I  may  praise  Thee  forever  in  heaven. 
Amen. 


SIGHS  TO  JESUS  IN  THE  BLESSED  SACRAMENT. 

O  JESUS,  sweetest  Love,  come  Thou  to  me; 
Come  down  in  all  Thy  beauty  unto  me; 
Thou  Who  didst  die  for  longing  love  of  me; 
And  never,  never  more  depart  from  me. 

Oh,  melts  my  heart  receiving  Thee,  mv  Own; 
My  eyes  are  dim  for  lack  of  Thee,  my  Own; 
My  flesh  doth  hunger,  needing  Thee,  my  Own; 
My  soul  doth  faint  apart  from  Thee,  my  Own. 

Free  me,  O  beauteous  God,  from  all  but  Thee; 
Sever  the  chain  that  holds  me  back  from  Thee; 
Call  me,  O  tender  Love,  I  cry  to  Thee; 
Thou  art  my  all!     O  bin5  me  close  to  Thee. 

O  suffering  Love,  Who  hast  so  loved  me; 
O  patient  Love,  Who  weariest  not  of  me; 
Alone,  O  Love!  Thou  weariest  not  of  me! 
Ah!  weary  not  till  I  am  lost  in  Thee; 
Nay,  weary  not  till  I  am  found  in  Thee. 

Say  the  "  Anima  ChrisH,^'  "  Soul  of  Christ,"  etc. 


570  Devotions. 

AN   ACT   OF   REPARATION   TO   OUR   LORD   JESUS   CHRIST 
IN   THE   BLESSED   SACRAMENT  OF   THE  ALTAR. 

/T\OST  adorable  Saviour,  in  Thy  wondrous  love 
t^'^i  for  us  TIkju  dost  rt-main  in  the  Bk-sscd  Sacra- 
ment of  the  Altar,  in  order  to  be  the  perpetual  Sacrifice 
of  the  New  Law,  the  prof)itiatory  Victim  for  our  sins, 
the  life-giving  Manna  of  our  souls,  our  powerful 
Mediator,  our  good  Master,  our  best  and  kindest 
Friend. 

But,  alas!  with  what  ingratitude  on  our  part 
has  Thy  infinite  goodness  been  repaid.  Prostrate 
before  Thy  veiled  majesty,  at  the  foot  of  the  altar, 
where  Thou  art  as  truly  and  really  present  as  in  heaven, 
we  come  to  make  reparation  and  offer  atonement  for 
all  the  injuries  and  for  all  the  ingratitude  inflicted  on 
Thee  in  tlie  Sacrament  of  Thy  love. 

O  divine  Jesus,  O  meek  and  humble  Jesus,  accept 
our  feeble  efforts  to  compassionate  Thy  suffering 
Heart,  and  to  make  a  fitting  reparation  to  Thy  out- 
raged majesty  for  all  blas])hemies,  profanations,  and 
sacrileges  ever  committed  against  Thee  in  the  Most 
Holy  Sacrament;  for  our  own  want  of  devotion  and 
reverence  in  Thy  sacred  presence,  for  our  poor  prep- 
arations and  thanksgivings  at  holy  communion,  and 
for  the  little  fruit  we  have  drawn  from  holy  communion 
through  our  own  fault. 

Pardon,  O  Lord,  pardon,  we  beseech  Thee,  these  and 
all  our  offences  against  Thee.  We  are  truly  grieved 
that  we  have  sinned,  because  Thou  art  infmitely  good 
and  sin  displeases  Thee.  Thou  wilt  not  despise  a  con- 
trite and  humble  heart.  We  offer  Thee  our  poor  hearts 
filled  with  sentiments  of  sincere  repentance  and  deep 
affection.  We  offer  Thee,  in  atonement,  Thy  own  bitter 
sufferings,  the  sorrows  of  Thy  blessed  Mother,  and  the 
merits  of  all  the  saints.  Ey  the  fervor  of  our  \(>\-c  we 
desire  to  make  amends  to  Thee  for  the  injuries  inflicted 
on  Thee  by  ourselves,  by  infidels,  heretics,  and  all  negli- 
gent Christians.  Yes,  Jesus,  we  love  Thee  now  above 
all  things,  and  we  are  resolved  to  please  Thee  by 
doing   Thy    will    and    by    faithfully    discharging    the 


A  Visit  to  the  Blessed  Sacrament.     571 

obligations  of  our  state  of  life.  Thy  kingdom  come; 
Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven!  We 
consecrate  to  Thee  our  hearts,  our  thoughts,  words, 
and  actions,  in  order  that  we  may  in  all  things  have 
Thy  glory  in  view.  Thy  grace  is  what  we  ask;  Thy 
love  is  \>hat  we  desire.  May  we  live  and  die  in  Thy 
grace,  in  Thy  love. 

How  happy  should  we  be,  O  Jesus,  could  we  but 
make  reparation  to  Thy  glory,  by  our  respect,  by  our 
zeal,  aye,  even  by  the  shedding  of  our  blood.  At  least, 
most  adorable  Saviour,  grant  us  the  grace  to  love  Thee 
in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Altar,  with  the  most 
tender,  the  most  generous,  the  most  perfect,  the  most 
constant  love. 

O  Sacrament  most  holy,  O  Sacrament  divine, 
All  praise  and  all  thanksgiving  be  every  moment 
Thine! 

Most  blessed  Virgin,  by  thy  holy  and  immaculate 
heart,  make  us  enter  into  the  adorable  Heart  of  thy 
divine  Son,  Jesus  Christ. 

O  good  St.  Joseph!  obtain  for  us  the  gift  of  prayer 
and  of  perpetual  union  with  Jesus  and  Mary.     Amen. 

AN  ACT  OF  REPARATION  TO  THE  SACRED  HEART  OF  JESUS 
FOR   THE   FIRST   FRIDAY   OF   THE   MONTH. 

*TT'D0RABLE  Heart  of  Jesus,  glowing  with  love 
gtJr^  for  US,  and  inflamed  with  zeal  for  our  salva- 
tion: O  Heart!  ever  sensible  of  our  misery  and  the 
wretchedness  to  which  our  sins  have  reduced  us,  in- 
finitely rich  in  mercy  to  heal  the  wounds  of  our  souls: 
behold  us  humbly  prostrate  before  Thee,  O  Jesus,  to 
express  the  sorrow  that  fills  our  hearts  for  the  coldness 
and  indifference  with  which  we  have  so  long  requited  the 
numberless  benefits  that  Thou  hast  conferred  upon  us. 
With  a  deep  sense  of  the  outrages  that  have  been  heaped 
upon  Thee  by  our  sins  and  the  sins  of  others,  we  come 
to  make  a  solemn  reparation  of  honor  to  Thy  most 
sacred  Majesty.  It  was  our  sins  that  overwhelmed 
Thy  Heart  with  bitterness;    it  was  the  weight  of  our 


572  Dev'otions. 

iniquities  that  pressed  down  Thy  face  to  the  earth 
in  the  Garden  of  Olives,  and  caused  Thee  to  expire  in 
anguish  and  agony  on  the  cross.  But  now,  repenting 
and  sorrowful,  we  cast  ourselves  at  Thy  feet,  and 
implore  forgiveness.  Adorable  Heart  of  Jesus,  source 
of  true  contrition,  and  ever  merciful  to  the  i)enitcnt 
sinner,  impart  to  our  hearts  the  spirit  of  penance,  and 
give  to  our  eyes  a  fountain  of  tears,  that  we  may 
sincerely  bewail  our  sins  now  and  for  the  rest  of  our 
days.  Oh,  would  that  we  could  blot  them  out,  even 
with  our  blood!  Pardon  them,  O  Lord,  in  Thy  mercy, 
and  ])ardf)n  and  convert  to  Thee  all  that  have  com- 
mitted irreverences  and  sacrileges  against  Thee  in 
the  Sacrament  of  T'h\'  love,  and  thus  give  another 
proof  that  Thy  mercy  is  above  all  Thy  works.  Divine 
Jesus,  with  Thee  there  are  mercj'  and  f)lentiful  redcm[)- 
tion;  deliver  us  from  our  sins,  accept  the  sincere  desire 
we  now  entertain,  and  our  holy  resolution,  relying  on 
the  assistance  of  Thy  grace,  henceforth  to  be  faithful 
to  Thee,  .^nd  in  order  to  repair  the  sins  of  ingrati- 
tude by  which  we  have  grieved  Thy  most  tender  antl 
loving  Heart,  we  are  resolved  in  the  future  ever  to 
love  and  honor  Thee  in  the  Most  .■\dorable  Sacra- 
ment of  the  Altar,  where  Thou  art  ever  present  to  hear 
and  grant  our  petitions,  and  to  be  the  food  and  life 
of  our  souls.  Be  Thou,  O  compassionate  Jesus!  our 
Mediator  with  Thy  heavenly  Father,  \\Tiom  we  have 
so  grievously  offended,  strengthen  our  weakness,  con 
firm  these  our  resolutions  of  amendment,  and  as 
Thy  Sacred  Heart  is  our  refuge  and  our  hope  when 
we  have  sinned,  so  may  it  be  the  strength  and  sup- 
port of  our  repentance,  that  nothing  in  life  or  death 
may  ever  again  separate  us  from  Thee.     Amen. 

AN  ACT  OF  CONSECRATION  TO  THE  SACRED  HEART  OF 
JESUS. 

O  ADORABLE  Heart  of  Jesus,  the  tenderest,  the 
most  amiable,  the  most  generous  of  all  hearts! 
penetrated  with  gratitude  at  sight  of  Thy  benefits,  I 
come   to   consecrate   myself   wholl)'   and   unreservedly 


A  Visit  to  the  Blessed  Sacrament.      573 

to  Thee !  I  wish  to  devote  all  my  energies  to  jiropagating 
Thy  worship  and  winning,  if  possible,  all  hearts  to 
Thee.  Receive  my  heart  this  day,  O  Jesus!  or  rather 
take  it  and  change  it;  purify  it,  to  render  it  worthy 
of  Thee;  make  it  humble,  obedient,  gentle,  patient, 
faithful,  and  generous  like  Thine,  by  inilaming  it 
with  the  fire  of  Thy  love.  Hide  it  in  Thy  divine 
Heart  with  all  the  hearts  which  love  Thee  and  are 
consecrated  to  Thee;  never  permit  me  to  take  my 
heart  from  Thee  again.  Would  that  I  had  never 
offended  Thee.  O  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  always  to 
love  Thee,  to  honor  Thee,  to  serve  Thee,  ever  to  be 
wholly  Thine  is  the  desire  of  my  heart  now  and  to 
eternity.     Amen. 

FORM    OF    CONSECRATION    TO    THE    SACRED    HEART    OF 
JESUS. 

Published  with  the  Encyclical  Letter  of  his  Holiness 
Leo  Xni.,  dated  May  25,  1899,  on  the  consecration 
of  mankind  to  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus. 

/T^OST  sweet  Jesus,  Redeemer  of  the  human  race, 
^^^  look  down  upon  us,  humbly  prostrate  before 
Thy  altar.  We  are  Thine  and  Thine  we  wish  to  be; 
but  to  be  more  surely  united  with  Thee,  behold  each 
one  of  us  freely  consecrates  himself  to-day  to  Thy  Most 
Sacred  Heart.  Many  indeed  have  never  known  Thee; 
many,  too,  despising  Thy  precepts,  have  rejected  Thee. 
Have  mercy  on  them  all,  most  merciful  Jesus,  and 
draw  them  to  Thy  Sacred  Heart.  Be  Thou  King,  O 
Lord,  not  only  of  the  faithful  who  have  never  forsaken 
Thee,  but  also  of  the  prodigal  children  who  have 
abandoned  Thee:  grant  that  they  may  quickly  return 
to  their  Father's  house,  lest  they  die  of  wretchedness 
and  hunger.  Be  Thou  King  of  those  who  are  deceived 
bv  erroneous  opinions,  or  whom  discord  keeps  aloof, 
and  call  them  back  to  the  harbor  of  truth  and  unity  of 
faith,  so  that  soon  there  may  be  but  one  flock  and  one 
Shepherd.  Be  Thou  King  also  of  all  those  who  sit 
in  the  ancient  superstition  of  the  Gentiles,  and  refuse 


574  Devotions. 

not  Thou  to  deliver  them  out  of  darkness  into  the  light 
and  kingdom  of  God.  Grant,  O  Lord,  to  Thy  Church 
assurance  of  freedom  and  immunity  from  harm;  give 
peace  and  order  to  all  nations,  and  make  the  earth 
resound  from  pole  to  pole  with  one  cry:  Praise  to  the 
divine  Heart  that  wrought  our  salvation;  to  it  be  glory 
and  honor  for  ever.     Aincn. 


A  SHORT  ACT  OF  CONSECRATION  TO  THE  SACRED  HEART 
OF   JESUS. 

O.S.\CRED  Heart  of  Jesus,  filled  with  infinite  love, 
broken  by  my  ingratitude,  pierced  by  my  sins, 
yet  loving  me  still,  accept  the  consecration  that  I  make 
to  Thee,  of  all  that  I  am  and  all  that  I  have.  Take 
every  faculty  of  my  soul  and  body,  and  draw  me,  day 
by  day,  nearer  and  nearer  to  Thy  sacred  side,  and  there 
as  I  can  bear  the  lesson  teach  me  Thy  blessed  ways! 
Amen. 


AN  ACT  OF  CONSECRATION  TO  THE  SACRED  HEART  OF 
JESUS. 

{Recommended  to  the  Children  of  Mary.) 

O  JESUS,  Saviour  of  mankind,  Thou  hast  merci- 
fully revealed  to  us  the  wonderful  riches  of 
Thy  Heart;  in  thanksgiving  for  Thy  benefits,  especially 
for  the  institution  of  the  Holy  Eucharist,  in  reparation 
for  the  offences  against  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  in 
union  with  Thy  mediation  in  heaven  for  us,  poor 
sinners,  I  consecrate  myself  entirely  to  Thee,  for  the 
glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  souls.  I  promise 
to  aid  in  spreading  the  worship  and  in  promoting 
the  interests  of  Thy  Sacred  Heart. 

I  choose,  moreover,  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  for 
my  Queen,  my  Advocate,  and  my  Mother,  and  I  am 
resolved  to  imitate  her  virtues,  in  particular  her  love 
for  sinners,  and  to  foster  and  promote  devotion  to  her 
Immaculate    Conception.     I    humbly    beseech    Thee 


A  Visit  to  the  Blessed  Sacrament.      575 

to  accept  this  promise.  Thou  hast  inspired  me  to 
make  it;    grant  me  the  grace  to  fullil  it.     Amen. 

Sweet  Heart  of  Jesus,  be  my  love! 

Sweet  heart  of  Mary,  be  my  salvation! 

A   PRAYER   FOR   THE   CHURCH   AND   FOR   THE   CIVll, 
AUTHORITIES. 

(Composed  by  Archbishop  Carroll.) 

/THTE  pray  Thee,  O  almighty  and  eternal  God !  Who 
^-''-^  through  Jesus  Christ  hast  revealed  Thy  glory 
to  all  nations,  to  preserve  the  works  of  Thy  mercy, 
that  Thy  Church,  being  spread  through  the  whole 
world,  may  continue  with  unchanging  faith  in  the 
confession  of  Thy  name. 

We  pray  Thee,  Who  alone  art  good  and  holy,  to 
endow  with  heavenly  knowledge,  sincere  zeal,  and 
sanctity  of  life,  our  chief  bishop,  N.N.,  the  vicar  of 
Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  the  government  of  His 
Church;  our  own  bishop,  N.N.;  all  other  bishops, 
prelates,  and  pastors  of  the  Church;  and  especially 
those  who  are  appointed  to  exercise  amongst  us  the 
functions  of  the  holy  ministry,  and  conduct  Thy  people 
into  the  ways  of  salvation. 

We  pray  Thee,  O  God  of  might,  wisdom,  and  justice! 
through  Whom  authority  is  rightly  administered,  laws 
are  enacted,  and  judgment  decreed,  assist  with  Thy 
Holy  Spirit  of  counsel  and  fortitude  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  that  his  administration  may  be  con- 
ducted in  righteousness,  and  be  eminently  useful  to 
Thy  people  over  whom  he  presides;  by  encouraging 
due  respect  for  virtue  and  religion;  by  a  faithful  exe- 
cution of  the  laws  in  justice  and  mercy;  and  by  re- 
straining vice  and  immorality.  Let  the  light  of  Thy 
divine  wisdom  direct  the  deliberations  of  Congress, 
and  shine  forth  in  all  the  proceedings  and  laws  framed 
for  our  rule  and  government,  so  that  they  may  tend  to 
the  preservation  of  peace,  the  promotion  of  national 
happiness,  the  increase  of  industry,  sobriety,  and  use- 
ful knowledge;  and  may  perpetuate  us  to  the  blessing 
of  equal  liberty. 


576  Devotions. 

We  pray  for  his  excellency  the  Governor  of  this 
State,  for  the  members  of  the  Assembly,  for  all 
judges,  magistriiles,  and  other  oflicers  who  are  ap- 
pointed to  guard  our  political  welfare,  that  they  may 
be  enal^led,  by  Thy  powerful  protection,  to  discharge 
the  duties  of  their  respective  stations  with  honesty  and 
abihty. 

We  recommend  likewise  to  Thy  unbounded  mercy 
all  our  brethren  and  fellow  citizens  throughout  the 
United  States,  that  they  may  be  blessed  in  the  knowledge 
of  and  sanctified  iij  the  observance  of  Thy  most  holy 
law;  that  they  may  be  preserved  in  union,  and  in  that 
peace  which  the  world  cannot  give;  and  after  enjoy- 
ing the  blessings  of  this  life,  be  admitted  to  those 
which  are  eternal. 

Finally,  we  pray  to  Thee,  O  Lord  of  mercy,  to  remem- 
ber the  souls  of  Thy  servants  departed,  who  are  gone 
before  us  with  the  sign  of  faith  and  repose  in  the  sleep 
of  peace;  the  souls  of  our  parents,  relatives,  and  friends; 
of  those  who,  when  living,  were  members  of  this  congre- 
gation, and  particularly  of  such  as  are  lately  deceased; 
of  all  benefactors  who,  by  their  donations  or  legacies  to 
this  church,  witnessed  their  zeal  for  the  decency  of 
•iivine  worship  and  proved  their  claim  to  our  grateful 
and  charitable  remembrance.  To  these,  O  Lord,  and 
to  all  that  rest  in  Christ,  grant,  we  beseech  Thee,  a 
place  of  refreshment,  light,  and  everlasting  peace, 
through  the  same  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord  and  Saviour. 
Amen. 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.        577 


VIII.  Darious  Iprapers  an&  IRovenas. 

lprav>cr  in  Ibonor  of   tbe  Sacred  Ibeait  of 
Jeeus 

And   other   Petitions    Suitable   after    Commun- 
ion AND   at  Visits    to  the    Blessed    Sacrament, 
also  in  Connection  with  a  Novena. 

OGOD,  Who  out  of  Thy  immense  love  hast  given 
to  the  faithful  the  Most  Sacred  Heart  of  Thy 
Son,  Our  Lord,  as  the  object  of  Thy  tender  affection; 
grant,  we  beseech  Thee,  that  we  may  so  love  and  honor 
this  pledge  of  Thy  love  on  earth  as  by  it  to  merit 
the  love  both  of  Thee  and  Thy  gift,  and  be  eter- 
nally loved  by  Thee  and  this  most  blessed  Heart  in 
heaven.  Through  the  same  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord, 
Thy  Son,  Who  liveth  and  reigneth  with  Thee  in  the 
unity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God,  world  without  end. 
Amen. 

Through  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  overflowing 
with  all  sweetness,  I  recommend  to  Thee,  my  Loj.-d 
and  my  God,  all  my  undertakings,  and  I  jjeseech 
Thee,  in  particular,  to  grant  me  the  special  faror 
that  I  wish  to  obtain  from  Thy  mercy  at  the  pr&'jent 
time,  if  it  be  pleasing  to  Thee  and  conducive  to  my 
eternal  welfare.  Not  for  myself  alone  do  I  implore 
graces,  O  my  God,  but  for  all  the  souls  ThoV'.  hast 
redeemed  with  Thy  most  precious  blood,  especially 
for  all  those  who  are  within  Thy  holy  Catholic  Church, 
and  chiefly  for  those  who  are  zealous  adorerf;  of  the 
Most  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Altar,  and  devoted  servants 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

I  COMMEND  to  Thee,  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the 
holy  Catholic  Church;  extend  her  bounds  by 
the  extirpation  of  heresy  and  the  conversion  of  unbe- 
lievers. 


578  Devotions. 

I  commend  to  Thee  his  Holiness  the  Pope,  Thy 
vicar  on  earth,  and  I  beseech  Thee  to  assist  him  in 
discerning  and  doing  all  that  is  most  conducive  to 
Thy  honor  and  glory.  I  commend  to  Thee  all  our 
bishops  and  our  priests.  Clothe  them  with  Thy 
spirit — Thy  meekness.  Thy  humility,  Thy  obedience. 
Thy  wisdom.  Thy  charity,  and  Thy  zeal  for  the  salva- 
tion of  souls.  Bless  them  in  particular  with  an  ardent 
devotion  to  the  Blessed  Sacrament.  I  commend  to 
Thee  the  members  of  all  Religious  Orders  that  they 
may  labor  earnestly  for  their  own  sanctification,  for 
the  proj)agation  of  the  faith,  and  for  the  glorification 
of  the  Holy  liucharist. 

I  commend  to  Thee  all  civil  authorities,  but  especially 
all  Catholic  heads  of  governments,  that  they  may  live 
in  peace  and  that  they  may  be  united  in  zeal  and  strength 
against  the  enemies  of  our  holy  faith.  I  recommend 
to  Thee  all  sinners,  for  whose  salvation  Thou  didst 
deign  to  become  incarnate,  to  remain  three  and  thirty 
years  on  earth  and  at  last  to  die  on 'the  cross;  and  I 
beseech  Thee  to  bestow  upon  them  Thy  powerful  help, 
that  they  may  rejjcnt  and  be  converted,  and  may 
enter  and  remain  in  Thy  holy  grace.  To  Thee  I 
commend  my  parents,  my  friends,  my  enemies,  my 
superiors,  spiritual  and  temporal,  and  all  those  to 
whom  I  am  under  obligation,  and  I  beseech  Thee  to 
bless  them,  to  give  them  grace  to  make  a  good  use  of 
their  temporal  goods,  that  so  they  may  obtain  eternal 
happiness:  "Ut  sic  transeamus  per  bona  temporalia  ut 
non  amittamus  crterna." — "That  we  may  so  pass 
through  temporal  blessings  as  not  to  lose  those  which 
are  eternal." 

Finally,  I  recommend  to  Thy  clemency  the  holy 
souls  in  purgatory,  and  especially  those  to  whom  I  am 
most  indebted  by  the  bond  of  charity  or  of  justice; 
and  chiefly  I  implore  Thee  in  behalf  of  those  who, 
during  their  life,  have  been  most  devout  to  the  Blessed 
Sacrament;  as  also  those  who  have  most  loved  the 
Blessed  \'irgin.  For  this  I  offer  Thee,  my  good 
Jesus,  Thy  wounds,  Thy  agony,  Thy  death,  and 
all  the  merits  of  Thy  most  bitter  Passion.     I  am  sure 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.        579 

that  it  gives  Thee  pleasure  when  prayers  are  offered  for 
these  holy  souls  who  are  worthy  of  Thy  love.  Hear, 
then,  dear  Lord,  and  grant  this  my  prayer  in  their 
behalf,  which  I  present  to  Thee  in  the  words  of  Thy 
holy  Church:  'Requiem  crternam  dona  eis,  Domine,  et 
lux  pcrpetiia  luceat  eis." — "Eternal  rest  give  unto 
them,  O  Lord,  and  let  perpetual  light  shine  upon 
them." 


PRAYER   TO    THE    BLESSED    VIRGIN. 

OMARY,  you  desire  above  all  things  to  see  Jesus 
loved;  if  you  love  me,  this  is  the  favor  which 
I  ask  of  you,  to  obtain  for  me  a  great  love  of  Jesus 
Christ.  You  obtain  from  your  Son  whatever  you 
please;  pray  then  for  me,  that  I  may  forever  remain  in 
His  love  and  in  His  grace,  and  that  I  may  imitate  Thee 
in  the  practice  of  every  virtue  that  is  pleasing  to  His 
Sacred  Heart.  Obtain  for  me  a  great  love  towards 
you,  who,  of  all  creatures,  are  the  most  pure  and 
most  beloved  of  God.  And  through  that  grief  which 
you  suffered  on  Calvary,  when  you  beheld  Jesus 
expire  on  the  cross,  obtain  for  me  a  happy  death,  that 
by  loving  Jesus,  and  you,  my  Mother,  I  may  come  to 
love  you  and  bless  you  forever  in  heaven. 


DEDICATION   TO   MARY. 

/T\Y  Queen!  my  Mother!  I  give  myself  entirely  to 
^l<^>  thee;  and  to  show  my  devotion  to  thee,  I  con- 
secrate to  thee  this  day  my  eyes,  my  ears,  my  mouth, 
my  heart,  my  whole  being,  without  reserve.  Where- 
fore, good  Mother,  as  I  am  thine  own,  keep  me,  guard 
me,  as  thv  property  and  possession. 

His  Holiness  Pope  Pius  IX.,  by  a  decree  of  the 
S.  Congr.  of  Indulgences,  Aug.  5,  185 1,  granted  to  all 
the  faithful  who,  with  fervor  and  at  least  contrite 
heart,  shall  say,  morning  and  evening,  one  Hail  Mary, 


580  Devotions. 

together  with  this  prayer,  to  implore  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  victory  over  temptations,  especially  over  those 
against  chastity: 
An  indulgence  of  one  hundred  days,  once  a  day. 

PRAYER  OF  ST.  ALPHONSUS  DE  LIGUORI  TO  THE  BLESSED 
VIRGIN   MARY. 

^TVOST  holy  and  immaculate  Virgin!  O  my  Mother! 
^1^,  thou  who  art  the  Mother  of  my  Lord,  the  Queen 
of  the  world,  the  advocate,  hope,  and  refuge  of  sinners! 
I,  the  most  wretched  among  them,  now  come  to 
thee.  I  worship  thee,  great  Queen,  and  give  thee  thanks 
for  the  many  favors  thou  hast  Vjcslowed  on  me  in  the 
past;  most  of  ail  do  I  thank  thee  for  having  saved  me 
from  hell,  which  I  had  so  often  deserved.  I  love  thee, 
Lady  most  worthy  of  all  love,  and,  by  the  love  \\hich 
I  bear  thee,  I  promise  ever  in  the  future  to  serve  thee, 
and  to  do  what  in  me  lies  to  win  others  to  thy  love. 
In  thee  I  put  all  my  trust,  all  my  hope  of  salvatioh. 
Receive  me  as  thy  servant,  and  cov'er  me  with  the  mantle 
of  thy  protection,  thou  who  art  the  Mother  of  mercy! 
And  since  thou  hast  so  much  power  with  God,  deliver 
me  from  all  temjjtations,  or  at  least  obtain  for  mc  ■the 
grace  ever  to  overcome  them.  From  thee  I  ask  a  true 
love  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  grace  of  a  happy  death. 
O  my  Mother!  by  thy  love  for  God,  I  beseech  thee  to 
be  at  all  times  my  helper,  but  above  all  at  the  last 
moment  of  my  life.  Leave  me  not  until  you  see  me 
safe  in  heaven,  there  for  endless  ages  to  bless  thee 
and  sing  thy  praises.     Amen. 

His  Holiness  Pope  Pius  IX.,  by  an  autograph 
rescript,  Sept.  7,  1854,  granted  to  all  the  faithful, 
every  time  that,  with  at  least  contrite  heart  and  devo- 
tion, they  shall  say  this  prayer  before  an  image  or 
picture  of  the  Blessed  Virgin : 

An  INDULGENCE  OF  THREE  HTOIDRED   DAYS. 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.        581 


PRAYER    OF    ST.    ALOYSIUS    GONZAGA    TO    THE    BLESSED 
VIRGIN. 

•TpvOST  holy  Mary,  my  Lady,  to  thy  faithful  care  and 
^l.<%  special  keeping  and  to  the  bosom  of  thy  mercy 
to-day  and  every  day,  and  particularly  at  the  hour 
of  my  death,  I  commend  my  soul  and  my  body;  all 
my  hope  and  consolation,  all  my  trials  and  miseries, 
my  life  and  the  end  of  my  life  I  commit  to  thee,  that 
through  thy  most  holy  intercession  and  by  thy  merits  all 
my  actions  may  be  directed  and  ordered  according 
to  thy  will  and  that  of  thy  divine  Son.     Amen. 

His  Holiness  Leo  XIH.,  by  a  rescript  of  the  5. 
Congr.  of  Indulgences,  March  15,  1890,  granted  to 
the  faithful  who  recite  the  above  prayer: 

An  INDULGENCE  OF  TWO  HUNDRED  DAYS,  Once  3.  day. 

PRAYER    AND    CONSECRATION    TO    OUR    LADY    OF     PER- 
PETUAL   HELP. 

yT^OST  holy  \'irgin  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  whom 
\'-^,  I  love  to  honor  under  the  lovely  title  of  Mother 
of  Perpetual  Help,  I,  N.,  although  most  unworthy  to 
be  thy  servant,  yet  moved  by  thy  wonderful  compassion, 
and  by  my  desire  to  serve  thee,  now  choose  thee,  in 
presence  of  my  guardian  angel  and  of  the  whole  celestial 
court,  for  my  especial  Lady,  Advocate,  and  Mother: 
and  I  firmly  purpose  always  to  love  and  serve  thee  for 
the  future,  and  to  do  whatever  I  can  to  induce  others 
to  love  and  serve  thee  also.  I  beseech  thee,  O  Mother 
of  God,  and  my  most  compassionate  and  loving 
Mother,  by  the  blood  which  thy  Son  shed  for  me,  to 
receive  me  into  the  number  of  thy  servants,  to  be  thy 
child  and  servant  forever.  Assist  me  in  all  my  thoughts, 
words,  and  actions  in  every  moment  of  my  life,  so 
that  every  step  that  I  take,  and  every  breath  that  I 
draw,  may  be  directed  to  the  greater  glory  of  my 
God;  and  through  thy  most  powerful  intercession, 
may  I  never  more  offend  my  beloved  Jesus,  but  may 
].  glorify  Him,   and  love  Him  in  this  life,   and  love 


582  Devotions. 

thee  also,  my  most  tender  and  dear  Mother,  so  that 
I  may  love  thee  and  enjoy  thee  in  heaven  for  all  eternity. 
Amen. 

My  Mother  Mary,  I  recommend  my  soul  to  ihce, 
now,  and  especially  at  the  hour  of  my  death. 

CHAPLET    IN    HONOR    OF   THE    IMMACULATE    HEART    Or 
MARY,   OUR   LADY   OF   SORROWS. 

Suitable  for  a  Novena. 


*|^T^US    in    adju-         V.  "T 
«-l-i/    lorium  meum  r*-» 


NCLINE      unto 
my  aid,  O  God! 
intende. 

R.  Domine  ad  adjuvan-        R.  O  Lord!  make  hasf 
dum  me  fcstina.  to  help  me. 

V.  Gloria  Patri,  etc.  V.  Glory     be     to     the 

Father,  etc. 
R.  Sicut  erat,  etc.  R.  As  it  was,  etc. 


'I 


MMACULATE  Virgin,  who,  conceived  with- 


thy  most  pure  heart  to  that  God  Who  was  ever  the 
object  of  thy  love,  and  who  wast  ever  most  submissive 
to  His  will:  obtain  for  me  the  grace  to  hate  sin  with 
my  whole  heart,  and  to  learn  of  thee  to  live  in  perfect 
resignation  to  the  will  of  God. 

Our  Father,  once,  Hail  Mary,  seven  times. 

Heart  transpierced  with  pain  and  woe! 
Set  my  heart  with  love  aglow. 

II.  'nr'  MARVFX,  Mary,  at  thy  deep  humility, 
^  I  ^  through  which  thy  blessed  heart  was 
troubled  at  the  gracious  message  brought  thee  by 
Gabriel,  the  archangel,  that  thou  wast  chosen  Mother 
of  the  Son  of  the  Most  High,  and  through  which  thou 
didst  proclaim  thyself  His  humble  handmaid:  where- 
fore, in  great  confusion  at  the  sight  of  my  pride,  I 
ask  thee  for  the  grace  of  a  contrite  and  humble  heart, 


Varioits  Prayers  ajtcl  Xovenas.         583 

that,  knowing  my  own  misery,  I  may  obtain  that  crown 
of  glory  promised  to  the  truly  humble  of  heart. 
Our  Father,  etc.,  Heart,  etc. 

Ill-  iC*  LESSED  Virgin,  who,  in  thy  sweetest 
r*—^  heart,  didst  keep  as  a  precious  treasure 
the  words  of  Jesus,  thy  Son,  and,  pondering  on  the 
lofty  mysteries  they  contained,  didst  learn  to  live  for 
God  alone:  how  doth  my  cold  heart  confound  me  I 
O  dearest  Mother!  get  me  grace  so  to  meditate  within 
my  heart  upon  God's  holy  law  that  I  may  strive  to 
follow  thee  in  the  fervent  practice  of  every  Christian 
virtue. 

Our  Father,  etc.,  Heart,  etc. 

I^  •  /^LORIOUS  Queen  of  martyrs,  whose  sacred 
\s/  heart  was  pierced  in  thy  Son's  bitter 
Passion,  by  the  sword  whereof  the  holy  old  man  Simeon 
had  prophesied:  gain  for  my  heart  true  courage  and  a 
holy  patience  to  bear  the  troubles  and  misfortunes  of 
this  miserable  life,  that  so,  by  crucifying  my  flesh  with 
its  desires,  while  following  the  mortification  of  the 
cross,  I  may,  indeed,  show  myself  to  be  a  true  son  of 
thine. 

Our  Father,  etc.,  Heart,  etc. 

V.  /^  MARY,  mystical  rose,  whose  loving  heart, 
Vv  burning  with  the  living  fire  of  charity,  did 
accept  us  for  thy  children  at  the  cross's  foot,  becoming 
thus  our  tender  Mother!  make  me  feel  the  sweetness 
of  thy  maternal  heart  and  thy  pov\'er  with  Jesus,  that, 
when  menaced  by  the  perils  of  this  mortal  life,  and  most 
of  all  in  the  dread  hour  of  death,  my  heart,  united 
with  thine,  may  love  my  Jesus  then  and  through  all 
ages.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  etc..  Heart,  etc. 


'Tj  'ET  us  now  turn  to  the  Most  Sacred  Heart  of 
,  I  ^  Jesus,  that  He  may  inflame  us  with  His  holy 
love. 


584  Devotions. 

O  divine  Heart  of  Jesus!  to  Thee  I  consecrate  my- 
self, full  of  deep  gratitude  for  the  many  blessings  I 
have  received  and  daily  do  receive  from  Thy  boundless 
charity.  Witji  my  whole  heart  1  thank  Thee  for  having, 
in  addition  to  them  all,  vouchsafed  to  give  me  Thy  own 
most  holy  Mother,  giving  me  to  her  as  a  son,  in  the 
person  of  the  beloved  discii)le.  Let  my  heart  ever 
burn  with  love  for  Thee,  finding  in  Thy  sweetest  Heart 
its  peace,  its  refuge,  and  its  happiness. 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  once  a  day. — Pius  IX.,  Dec. 
II,  1854. 

■fflorena  to  ©ur  XaOg  of  perpetual  Ibelp. 

To  obtain  some  spiritual  or  temporal  favor. 

Recite  each  day  nine  Hail  Marys,   and    then  say  the 
following  prayer: 

OUR  Lady  of  Perpetual  Help,  show  that  thou  art 
indeed  our  Mother,  and  obtain  for  me  the  favor 
I  desire  (Here  specify  tlie  desired  favor,  such  as:  restora- 
tion to  health,  the  cure  of  a  child,  the  conversion  of  a 
spouse,  of  a  son,  of  a  father,  the  success  of  some  affa  ir,  etc. ) 
and  the  grace  to  use  it  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the 
salvation  of  my  soul. 

Glorious  St.  .-Mphonsus,  who  by  thy  confidence  in 
the  Blessed  Virgin  didst  obtain  from  her  so  many 
favors,  and  who,  by  thy  writings,  hast  shown  us  what 
graces  God  bestows  on  us  by  the  hands  of  Mary! 
obtain  for  me  the  greatest  confidence  in  our  good 
Mother  of  Perpetual  Help,  and  beg  of  her  to  grant  me 
the  favor  I  am  asking  of  her  power  and  maternal  good- 
ness. 

Eternal  Father,  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  by  the 
intercession  of  our  Mother  of  Perpetual  Help,  and 
of  St.  Alphonsus,  I  pray  Thee  to  hear  my  prayer,  to 
the  greater  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  my  soul. 
Amen. 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.         585 


PRAYER  TO  OUR  LADY  OF  GOOD  COUNSEL. 

/T\OST  glorious  Virgin,  chosen  by  the  eternal  Coun- 
r^'^-%  scl  to  be  the  Mother  of  the  Eternal  Word  made 
ilcsh,  treasure  of  divine  grace,  and  advocate  of  sinners, 
\vc,  the  most  unworthy  of  thy  servants,  supplicate  thee 
to  be  our  guide  and  counselor  in  this  valley  of  tears. 
Obtain  for  us,  b}'  the  most  precious  blood  of  thy  Son, 
pardon  for  our  sins,  and  the  salvation  of  our  souls. 
Grant  that  the  holy  Catholic  Church  may  triumph 
over  her  enemies  and  that  the  kingdom  of  Christ  may 
be  propagated  on  earth,     .^mcn. 

Oh!  most  loving  and  tender  Mother,  it  is  sufficient 
for  me  to  tell  thee  my  need  and  difficulty,  for  thy  loving 
heart  always  longs  to  help  thy  children.  Remember 
.the  Holy  Ghost  has  made  thee  the  Mother  of  Good 
Counsel  in  order  that  we  might  find  in  thee  a  guardian 
and  a  guide.  Turn  to  me  then,  I  beseech  thee,  and 
listen  to  my  prayer.  Show  me  how  to  act  in  this 
matter,  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  my  soul. 
Amen. 


IFnSulgenceO  IRovenas  In  Ibonor  of  tbc 
:©lcs3e£)  Dtrgin  /IRarg. 

eleven  novenas  in  honor  of  the  blessed  virgin 

m:.a.ry. 

^^^HE  Sovereign  Pontiff  Pius  IX.  granted  to  nil  the 
VzJ  faithful  who,  devoutly  and  with  contrite  heart, 
shall  make  at  any  time  during  the  year  any  of  the 
following  nm'enas.in  honor  oj  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary, 
with  any  formula  of  prayer,  provided  it  be  approved 
by  competent  ecclesiastical  authority,  an  indulgence 
of  300  days,  each  day;  a  plenary  indulgence,  either 
during  the  course  of  each  novena,  or  upon  one  of 
the  eight  days  immediately  following,  on  the  usua' 
conditions. 


586  Demotions. 


List  oj  these  Novenas. 

1.  In  honor  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  of  the 
Blessed  \'irgin  Mary. 

2.  In  honor  of  the  Birth  of  Mary  most  holy. 

3.  In  honor  of  the  Presentation  of  Mary  in  the 
Temple. 

4.  In  honor  of  the  Annunciation. 

5.  In  honor  of  the  Visitation. 

6.  In  honor  of  Mary's  holy  Delivery  and  of  the  Birth 
of  the  Child  Jesus. 

7.  In  honor  of  the  Purification  of  the  Blessed  \'irgin 
Mary. 

8.  In  honor  of  the  Dolors  of  Mary. 

9.  In  honor  of  the  Assumption  of  Mary. 

10.  In  honor  of  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Mary  and  of 
her  Patronage. 

11.  In  honor  of  the  Feast  of  the  Most  Holy  Rosary 
of  the  Blessed  \'irgin. 

N.  B. — The  prayers  in  this  book  are  all  approved  by 
ecclesiastical  authority,  and  hence  may  be  used  at 
pleasure  in  making  the  above-mentioned  novenas.    - 

A  very  simple  and  satisfactory  method  of  making  a 
novena  in  honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  consists 
in  reciting  the  following  prayers: 

X.  The  Litany  of  Loretto. 

2.  The  Memorare,  and  an  act  of  consecration. 

3.  Three  Our  Fathers,  Hail  Marys,  and  Glorj's  in 
thanksgiving  to  the  Blessed  Trinity  for  the  prerogatives 
and  graces  besto^\cd  upon  the  Blessed  Virgin  Maiy. 
Conclude  with  an  ejaculation  appropriate  to  the  season 
or  to  the  festival  commemorated.  The  following  will 
suflSce  for  all  seasons. 

Ejaculation. 

ODOMINA    mea!    O  /T^V  Queen!  my  Moth- 
Mater  mea!  memen-  ^l^t     er!  lemember  I  am 
to  me  esse  tuum.  thine  own. 

Scrva  me,   defende  me,  Keep  me,  guard  me,  as 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.        587 

ut    rem    et    possessionem    thy  property  and    posses- 
tuam.  sion. 

Indulgence  of  40  davs,  each  time. — Pius  IX.,  Aug.  5, 
1851. 

Other  Ejaculations. 

Sweet  heart  of  Mary,  be  my  salvation  l 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  each  time. — Pius  IX., 
Sept.   30,    1852. 

O  Mary,  conceived  without  sin,  pray  for  us,  who 
have  recourse  to  thee! 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
March  15,  18S4. 

Mary,  Mother  of  God,  and  Mother  of  mercy,  pray 
for  me  and  for  the  departed. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
Dec.  15,  1883. 


TRovena  in  Ibonor  of  tbe  Mcseet)  Vivgin  /IRarg 

for  ang  jfeetival  aiiD  for  ang 

Special  ©ccasion. 

In  connection  with  the  Litany  of  Loretto  and  the 
Memorare,  the  following  prayer  may  be  said  occasion- 
ally. 

OMARY,  ever-blessed  Virgin,  Mother  of  God, 
Queen  of  the  angels  and  of  the  saints,  I  salute 
thee  with  the  most  profound  veneration  and  filial  devo- 
tion. I  renew  the  consecration  of  myself  and  all  I 
have  to  thee.  I  thank  thee  for  thy  maternal  protec- 
tion and  for  the  many  blessings  that  I  have  received 
through  thy  wondrous  mercy  and  most  powerful 
intercession.  In  all  my  necessities  I  have  recourse  to 
thee  with  unbounded  confidence.  O  Help  of  Chris- 
tians, O  Mother  of  mercy,  I  beseech  thee  now  to  hear 


688  Devotions. 

my  prayer,  and  to  obtain  for  me  of  thy  divine  Son  the 
favor  that  I  re(iuest  in  this  novena. 

Obtain  for  me,  also,  dearest  Mother,  the  grace  that 
I  may  imitate  thee  and  become  more  hke  to  thee  in 
the  practice  of  the  virtues  of  humihty,  obedience, 
puriiy,  poverty,  submission  to  the  will  of  Ciod,  and 
charity.  Be  my  protectress  in  life,  guard  and  guide 
me  in  dangers,  direct  me  in  perplexities,  lead  me  in 
the  way  of  perfection,  and  assist  me  in  the  hour  of 
my  death,  that  I  may  come  to  Jesus,  and  with  thee 
enjoy  Him,  bless  Him,  and  love  Him  eternally  in 
heaven.     Amen. 

memorare:    remember,  o  most  gracious  virgin. 

yj>^  K  M  O  R  A  R  E,    O  ^|^  K  M  E  M  B  E  R,    O 

^  1^     piissima     Virgo  ,  'X^     most  gracious  \'ir- 

Maria,  non  esse  auditum  a  gin  Mary!  that  never  was 

sa>culo  quemquani  ad  tua  it  known  that  any  one  who 

currentem     pra.'sidia,    tua  fled  to  thy  pnHettion,  im- 

implorantem    auxilia,   tua  plored  thy  help,  and  sought 

petentcm     suffragia.     esse  thy   intercession,  was    left 

derclirtum.     Ego  tali  ani-  unaided.       Inspired    with 

matus    confidentia,  ad   te,  this  confidence,  I  ily  unto 

Virgo     virginum,     Mater,  thee,  O  Virgin  of  virgins, 

curro,  ad  te  venio,  coram  my   Mother!     To    thee    I 

te    gemens    peccator     as-  come;  before  thee  I  stand, 

sisto;   noli.    Mater   Verbi,  sinful   and   .sorrowful.     O 

verba  mea  despicere,  sed  Mother  of  the    Word  In- 

audi   propitia,    et   exaudi.  carnate!    despise   not    my 

Amen.  petitions,     but,      in      thy 

mercy,    hear    and   answer 

me.     Amen. 

His  Holiness  Pope  Pius  IX.,  by  a  rescript  of  the  S. 
Congr.  of  Indulgences,  Dec.  ii,  1846,  granted  to  all 
the  faithful  every  time  that,  with  at  least  contrite 
heart  and  devotion,  they  shall  say  this  prayer: 

.\n  indulgence  of  three  hundred  days; 

A  PLENARY  INDULGENCE,  once  a  month,  to  all  those 
who,  having  said  it  at  least  once  a  day  for  a  month, 
on  any  day,  being  truly  penitent,  after  confession  and 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.       589 

communion,  shall  visit  a  church  or  public  oratory, 
and  pray  there,  for  some  time,  for  the  intention  of 
his  Holiness. 

?rbe  /Bbsstcricg  of  tbe  Ibolg  TRosar^. 

THE   FRUIT   OF    EACH    MYSTERY. 

Joyful  Mysteries. — Spirit  of  Holy  Joy. 

1.  Annunciation Humility. 

2.  Visitation Fraternal  Charity. 

3.  Nativity Spirit  of  Poverty. 

4.  Presentation Obedience. 

5 .  Jesus  with  the  Doctors Love  of  Jesus  and  of  His 

Holy  Services. 

Sorrowful  Mysteries. — Spirit  of  Cojnpassion  and  Con- 
trition. 

1 .  Agony Fervor  in  Prayer. 

2.  Scourging Penance. 

3.  Crowning  with  Thorns.  .  .  .  Moral  Courage. 

4.  Carriage  of  the  Cross Patience. 

5 .  Crucifixion Self-sacrifice     for     God 

and  our  Neighbor. 

Glorious  Mysteries. — Spirit  of  Adoration  and  Faith. 

1.  Resurrection Faith. 

2.  Ascension Hope. 

3.  Descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost .  Love  and  Zeal  for  Souls. 

4.  Assumption Filial  Devotion  to  Mary. 

5.  Coronation  of  B.  V.  M Perseverance. 

PRAYER. 

OGOD,  Whose  only-begotten  Son  hath  purchased 
for  us  the  rewards  of  eternal  salvation  through 
His  life,  death,  and  Resurrection,  we  beseech  Thee 
grant  to  us,  who  are  commemorating  those  mysteries  in 
the  holy  Rosary  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  the  grace 
to  hearken  to  the  lessons  they  teach  us  and  to  obtain 
the  blessings  they  promise.  Through  the  same  Christ 
Jesus  our  Lord.     Amen. 


590  Devotions. 


PIOUS  EXERCISE  IN   HONOR  OF  OUR  LADY  OF  DOLORS. 

^^ANCTA   Malcr  istud     *Tj;>  TD  mcbcar,  O  Moth- 
^5     agas,  f'^     <.r  blessed! 

Crucifixi  fige  plagas  On  in\'  luart  llic  wounds 

imiiressed 
Cordi  meo  valide.  SutTi-rtd   by  the  Cruci- 

fied. 
An  indulgence  of  300  days,  once  a  day,   to  those 
who,   with  contrite  heart,   shall   say   the    Hail    Mary 
seven  times,  and  after  each  Hail  Mary,  the  stanza  as 
above. — Pius  VH.,  Dec.   i,   1815. 

PRAYER  TO  OUR  LADY  OF  SORROWS. 

OM.^RY!  I  beseech  thee  by  the  sorrows  thou  didst 
experience  in  beholding  thy  divine  Son  dying 
on  the  cross,  procure  for  me  a  good  death;  obtain  for 
me  that,  having  loved  Jesus  and  thee,  my  most  tender 
Mother,  here  on  earth,  I  may  love  you  both  and  bless 
you  eternally  in  heaven.     Amen. 

Hbe'  Jfour  Great  Bntbcms3  of  tbe   :fiSle0seD 
Uirilln  /Ibarg. 

Alm:i  Rcdemploris; 
Ave  Rcgina  Cielorum; 
Regina  Cceli;  and 
Salve  Regina. 

They  are  to  be  recited  in  the  following  order,   in 
the  course  of  the  year. 

A  Sahbatoantel  Dom.  Ad-  From   the   Saturday  before 

vent  us  usque  ad  Purifica-  the  first  Sunday  of  .4  dyent 

tionem  inclusive.  to  Candlemas  inclusive. 

Alma  Redemptoris  Ma-  Mother  of  Christ!    hear 

ter,  quae  pervia  cou-li  thou  thy  people's  cry, 

Porta   manes,   et   Stella  Star  of   the   deep,    and 

maris,  succurre  cadenti  Portal  of  the  sky, 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.         591 


Surgere  qui  curat,  popu- 
lo:  tu  qu;E  genuisti, 

Natura  mirante,  tuum 
sanctum  Genitorem, 

Virgo  prius  ac  posterius, 
Gabrielis  ab  ore, 

Sumens  illud  Ave,  pecca- 
torum  miserere. 

In  Adventu. 

V.  Angelus  Domini  nun- 
tiavit  Mariae. 

R.  Et  concepit  de  Spiritu 
sancto. 

Oremus. 
^^RATIAM  tuam,  qure- 
\5i#  sumus  Domine, 
mentibus  nostris  infunde: 
ut  qui,  angelo  nuntiante, 
Christi  Filii  tui  incarnat:- 
onem  cognovimus,  per  pas- 
sionem  ejus  et  crucem,  ad 
resurrectionis  gloriam  per- 
ducamur.  Per  eumdem 
Christum  Dominum  nos- 
trum. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  Divinum     auxilium 
maneat  semper  nobiscum. 

R.  Amen. 

A    Vigilia  Nativitatis  us- 
que ad  totam  diem  Piiri- 
ficationis. 
V.  Post    partum    Virgo 

inviolata  permansisti. 

R.  Dei  Genitrix,  inter- 
cede pro  nobis. 


Mother  of  Him  Who 
thee  from  nothing  made. 

Sinking  we  strive  and 
call  to  thee  for  aid: 

Oh,  by  that  joy  which 
Gabriel  brought  to  thee, 

Pure  Virgin  first  and 
last,  look  on  our  misery. 

In  Advent. 

V.  The  angel  of  the  Lord 
declared  unto  Mary. 

R.  And  she  conceived  of 
the  Holy  Ghost. 

Let  us  pray. 
"T^OUR  forth,  we  be- 
«-■ —  seech  Thee,  O 
Lord,  Thy  grace  into  our 
hearts,  that  we,  to  whom 
the  Incarnation  of  Christ, 
Thy  Son,  was  made  known 
by  the  message  of  an 
angel,  may  by  His  Passion 
and  cross  be  brought  to  the 
glory  of  His  Resurrection. 
Through  the  same  Christ 
our  Lord. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  May  the  divine  assis- 
tance remain  always  with 
us. 

R.  Amen. 
From  the  First  Vespers  of 

Christmas    to    Candle- 
mas. 

V.  After  childbirth,  O 
Virgin,  thou  didst  remain 
inviolate. 

R.  O  Mother  of  God, 
plead  for  us. 


592 


Devotions. 


Oremiis. 

*"|^EIIS,  qui  salutis  .nctcr- 
JL/  nx*,  bcat.-e  Maria^ 
Virginitate  {(crunda,  hu- 
mano  gi-ncri  prremia  prae- 
stitisti:  tribue,  qu;csumus; 
ut  ipsam  pro  nobis  inter- 
ccdere  sentiamus,  per 
quam  meruimus  auctorcm 
vita;  suscipcre,  Dominum 
nostrum  Jcsum  Christum 
Filium  tuum:  qui  tecum 
vivit  ct  rcgnat  in  unitate 
Spiritus  Sancti  Deus  per 
omnia  saecula  saeculorum. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  Divinum      auxilium 
maneat  semper  nobiscum. 

R.  Amen. 


Let  us  pray. 

OOOD,  Who  by  the 
fruitful  virginity  of 
blessed  Mary  hast  given  to 
mankind  the  rewards  of 
eternal  salvation:  grant, 
we  beseech  Thee,  that  we 
may  experience  her  inter- 
cession for  us,  by  whom 
we  desers'ed  to  receive  the 
Author  of  life,  Our  I>ord 
Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Son, 
Who  liveth  and  rcigneth 
with  Thee  in  the  unitv  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  God, 
world  without  end. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  May  the  divine  as- 
sistance remain  always  with 
us. 

R.  Amen. 


A  Purificatione  usque  ad 
Completorium  Sabhati 
Sancti  exclusive. 


From  Candlemas  until  Com- 
pline on  Holy  Saturday 
exclusively. 


c0^ 


ANTIPHONA. 

\'E     Regina    coelo- 
rum, 
Ave  Domina  Angelorum: 

Salve  radix,  salve  porta, 

Ex  qua  mundo  lux  est  orta. 

Gaude  Virgo  gloriosa. 

Super  omnes  speciosa: 


"Tp^AIL,  O  Queen  of 
r*— &  heav'n  enthroned! 
Hail,    by   angels    Mistress 

owned ! 
Root    of    Jesse!  Gate    of 

morn, 
^\^lence  the  world's   true 

Light  was  born: 
Glorious    Virgin,    joy    to 

thee. 
Beautiful  surpassingly! 


Various  Prayers  and  Xoreuas. 


593 


Valde,  o  valde  decora,  Fairest  thou  where  all  are 

fair! 
Et    pro    nobis    Christum     Plead    for    us    a    pitying 
exora.  prayer. 

V.  Dignare  me  laudare         V.  Vouchsafe  that  I  may 
te,  Virgo  sacrata.  praise  thee,  O  Blessed  Vir- 

gin. 
R.  Da    mihi    virtutem        R.  Grant    me    strength 
contra  hostes  tuos.  against  thine  enemies. 


Oremus. 

aONCEDE,  misericors 
Deus,  fragilitati  no- 
stra; praesidium:  ut  qui 
sanctae  Dei  Genitricis 
memoriam  agimus,  inter- 
cessionis  ejus  auxilio  a 
nostris  iniquitatibus  re- 
surgamus.  Per  eumdem 
Christum  Dominum  nos- 
trum. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  Divinum  auxilium 
maneat  semper  nobiscum. 

R.  Amen. 


Let  us  pray. 

OMOST  merciful  God, 
grant  succor  unto 
our  frailty;  that  as  we  cele- 
brate the  memory  of  the 
holy  Mother  of  God,  so  by 
the  help  of  her  intercession 
we  may  rise  again  from 
our  sins.  Through  the 
same  Christ  our  Lord. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  May  the  divine  as- 
sistance remain  always 
with  us. 

R.  Amen. 


A  Completoric  Sabbati 
Sancti  usque  ad  Nonam 
Sabbati  post  Pente:osten 
inclusive. 


From  Compline  of  Holy 
Saturday  until  None  on 
the  Saturday  after  Pente- 
cost inclusively. 


ANTIPHONA. 

*Tr)  EGINA  coeli,  laetare, 

4-\,     Alleluia, 

Quia  quem  meruisti  por- 
tare,  Alleluia, 

Resurrexit  sicut  dixit,  .Alle- 
luia. 


O  QUEEN  of  heaven, 
rejoice,  Alleluia, 
For  He  Whom   thou  wast 
meet  to  bear.  Alleluia, 
Hath  risen,  as  He  said,  Al- 
leluia. 


594 


Devotions. 


Ora  pro  nobis  Deum,  Alle- 
luia. 

V.  Gaude  et  I;ctare,  Vir- 
go Maria,  Allt-luia. 

R.  Quia  surrcxit  Domi- 
nus  vere,  Alleluia. 


I'ra)'  for  us  to  God,  Alle- 
luia. 

V.  Rejoice  and  be  glad, 
O  Virgin  Mary,  Alleluia. 

R.  J- or  the'  l.ord  hath 
risen  indeed,  Alleluia. 


O rem  us. 

'"I  \I"l'S,  qui  per  rcsur- 
f^-J  rectionem  P'ilii  tui 
iJomini  ncjstri  Jcsu  Christi 
mundum  ketificare  digna- 
tus  es:  pra,'sia  (iua;sumus; 
ut  per  ejus  Genitrieem 
Virgincm  Mariani  perpe- 
tuai  capiamus  gaudia  vit;e. 
Per  eumdem  Christum 
Dominum  nostrum. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  Divinum      auxilium 
maneat  semper  nobiscum. 

R.  Amen. 


Let  us  pray. 

OGOD,  Who  didst 
vouchsafe  to  give 
joy  to  the  world  through 
the  Resurrection  of  Thy 
Son,  Our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ;  grant,  wc  beseech 
Thee,  that,  through  His 
Mother,  the  Virgin  Mary, 
we  may  obtain  the  joys  of 
everlasting  life.  Through 
the  same  Christ  oui  Lord. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  May  the  divine  as- 
sistance remain  always 
with  us, 

R.  Amen. 


A  Cmupletorio  Sabbati  post 
Pentecosten  usque  adAd- 
ventuin. 


From  Compline  of  the  Sat- 
urday after  Pentecost  un~ 
til  Advent. 


ANTIPHONA. 

QT  A TA'E  Regina,  Mater 
)^--^  miscricordiie,  vita, 
dulcedo,  et  spes  nostra 
salve. 

Ad  te  clamamus,  e.xsules 
filii  Heva;; 

Ad   te   suspiramus,    ge- 


*X^  AIL,  holy  Queen, 
f-n— ^  Mother  of  mercy. 
Hail,  our  life,  our  sweet- 
ness, and  our  hope! 

To  thee  do  wc  cry,  poor 
banished  children  of  Eve; 

To  thee  do  we  send  up 
our  sighs,   mourning    and 


Variotts  Prayers  and  Novenas.        595 


mentes  et  flcntes  in  hac 
lacrimarum  valle. 

I-lia  ergo,  advocata  nos- 
tra illos  tuos  misericordes 
oculos  ad  nos  converte. 

Et  Jcsum,  benedictum 
fructum  ventris  tui,  nobis 
post  hoc  exilium  ostcnde. 

O  clemens,  O  pia,  O 
dulcis  Virgo  Maria. 

T'.  Ora  pro  nobis,  sanc- 
ta  Dei  Genitrix. 

R.  Ut  digni  efRciamur 
promissionibus    Christi. 

Oremus. 

OMNIPOTENS  sem- 
pitcrne  Deus,  qui 
gloriosa;  Virginis  Matris 
Maris  corpus  et  animam 
ut  dignum  Filii  tui  habi- 
taculum  eilici  mereretur, 
Spiritu  sancto  cooperante 
prajparasti:  da,  ut  cujus 
commemoratione  hetamur, 
ejus  pia  intercessione  ab 
instantibus  malis,  et  a 
morte  perpetua  liberemur. 
Per  eumdem  Christum 
Dominum    nostrum. 


R.  Amen. 

V.  Divinum      auxilium 
maneat  semper  nobiscum. 

R.  Amen. 


wecj)ing  in  this  vale  of 
tears. 

Turn  then,  most  gra- 
cious advocate,  thine  eyes 
of  mercy  toward  us. 

And  after  this  our  exile 
show  unto  us  the  blessed 
fruit  of  thy  womb,  Jesus. 

O  clement,  O  loving,  O 
sweet  Virgin  Mary. 

V.  Pray  for  us,  O  holy 
Mother  of  God. 

R.  That  we  may  be 
made  worthy  of  the  prom- 
ises of  Christ. 

Let  us  pray. 

VT*LMIGHTY,  evcr- 
^J_,  lasting  God,  Who, 
by  the  cooperation  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  didst  so  make 
ready  the  body  and  soul 
of  the  glorious  Virgin 
Mother  Mary  that  she 
deserved  to  become  a  meet 
dwelling  for  Thy  Son: 
grant  that  we,  who  rejoice 
in  her  memory,  may 
through  her  loving  inter- 
cession be  delivered  from 
the  evils  that  hang  over  us, 
and  from  everlasting  death. 
Through  the  same  Christ 
our  Lord 
R.  Amen. 

V.  May  the  divine  as- 
sistance remain  always 
with  us. 

R.  Amen, 


596  Devotions. 


PRAYER  TO  ST.   JOSEPH   FOR  THE  OCTOBER   DEVOTIONS 

Ordered  by  Pope  Leo  XIII .  to  be  said  as  part  of  the  de- 
votions for  the  month  oj  October. 

^^^O  thee,  O  blessed  Josej)h,  we  have  recourse  in 
Vz^  our  afllirlions,  and,  after  imploring  the  help  of 
thy  most  holy  sjKJUse,  we  ronfidcntly  invoke  thy  patron- 
age also.  By  that  alTection  which  united  thee  to  the 
immaculate  virgin  Mother  of  God,  and  by  the  fatherly 
love  with  which  thou  diflst  embrace  the  infant  Jesus, 
look  down,  we  beseech  thee,  with  gracious  eyes  on  the 
precious  inheritance  which  Jesus  Christ  purchased  by 
His  blood,  and  help  us  in  our  necessities  by  thy  power 
and  aid.  Protect,  O  most  provident  guardian  of  the 
holy  family,  the  elect  children  of  Jesus  Christ;  ward 
off  from  us,  O  most  loving  father,  all  plagues  of  errors 
and  depravity,  be  propitious  to  us  from  heaven,  O 
most  powerful  protector,  in  this  our  struggle  with  the 
powers  of  darkness;  and  as  thou  didst  once  rescue  the 
child  Jesus  from  the  greatest  peril  to  His  life,  so  now 
defend  God's  holy  Church  from  the  snares  of  the  enemy 
and  all  adversity.  Finally,  shield  every  one  of  us  with 
thy  patronage,  that,  imitating  thy  example  and  .strength- 
ened by  thy  help,  we  may  live  a  holy  life,  die  a  hapjjy 
death,  and  attain  to  everlasting  happiness  in  heaven 
Amen. 

An  indulgence  of  300  days,  applicable  to  the  souls 
in  purgatorv;  seven  vears  and  seven  quarantines  for 
each  public  recital  during  the  month  of  October. — 
Leo  Xin.,  Sept.  21,  1889. 


ANOTHER  APPROVED  VERSION  OF  THIS  FAVORITE  PRAYER 

TO    ST.    JOSEPH,    AS   RECITED    IN    MANY    PARTS   OF    THE 

UNITED  STATES. 

y^  r'E  come  to  thee,  O  blessed  Joseph,  in  our  sore 
vxA*  distress.  Having  sought  the  aid  of  thy  most 
blessed  spouse,  we  now  confidently  implore  thy  assis- 
tance also.     We  humblv  beg  that,  mindful  of  the  duti- 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.         597 

ml  affection  which  bound  thee  to  the  immaculate 
virgin  Mother  of  God,  and  of  the  fatherly  love  with 
which  thou  didst  cherish  the  child  Jesus,  thou  wilt 
lovingly  watch  over  the  heritage  which  Jesus  Christ 
purchased  with  His  blood,  and  by  thy  powerful  inter- 
cession help  us  in  our  urgent  need.  Most  provident 
guardian  of  the  holy  family,  protect  the  chosen  race  of 
Jesus  Christ;  drive  far  from  us,  most  loving  father, 
every  pest  of  error  and  corrupting  sin.  From  thy 
place  in  heaven,  most  powerful  protector,  graciously 
come  to  our  aid  in  this  conflict  with  the  powers  of 
darkness,  and  as  of  old  thou  didst  deliver  the  child 
Jesus  from  supreme  peril  of  life,  so  now  defend  the 
holy  Church  of  God  from  the  snares  of  her  enemies  and 
from  all  adversity.  Have  each  of  us  always  in  thy 
keeping,  that,  following  thy  example,  and  borne  up 
by  thy  strength,  we  may  be  able  to  live  holy,  die 
happy,  and  so  enter  the  everlasting  bliss  of  heaven. 
Amen. 

ACT  OF   CONSECRATION   TO   ST.    JOSEPH. 

O  BLESSED  Joseph,  faithful  guardian  of  my  Re- 
deemer, Jesus  Christ,  protector  of  thy  chaste 
spouse,  the  virgin  Mother  of  God,  I  choose  thee  this 
day  to  be  my  special  patron  and  advocate,  and  I  firmly 
resolve  to  honor  thee  all  the  days  of  my  life.  Therefore 
I  humbly  beseech  thee  to  receive  me  as  thy  client,  to  in- 
struct me  in  every  doubt,  to  comfort  me  in  every  afflic- 
tion, to  obtain  for  me  and  for  all  the  knowledge  and 
love  of  the  Heart  of  Jesus,  and  finally  to  defend  and 
protect  me  at  the  hour  of  death.     Amen. 


PRAYER   TO   ST.   JOSEPH  FOR   A  HAPPY  DEATH. 

O  BLESSED  Joseph!  who  didst  die  in  the  arms  of 
Jesus  and  Mary,  obtain  for  me,  I  beseech  thee, 
the  grace  of  a  happy  death.  Defend  me  from  the  attacks 
of  my  infernal  enemy  in  that  hour  of  dread  and  anguish, 
to  which  I  now  invite  thee,  that  thou  mayest  assist  me 


598  Devotions. 

by  thy  presence  and  protect  nie  by  thy  power.  Ob- 
tain of  our  dear  L(jrd  that  1  may  breathe  out  my  soul 
in  praise,  saying  in  spirit,  if  I  cannot  utter  the  words: 
Jesus,  Mary,  and  Joseph,  I  give  you  my  heart  and 
my  soul.     Amen. 

PRAYER   TO   ST.    JOSEPH   FOR   PERSEVERANCE. 

ODEAR  St.  Joseph,  foster-father  of  our  divine  Re- 
deemer, and  spou.se  of  our  holy  Mother  Mary,  thou 
didst  live  with  them  and  toil  for  them  through  all  the 
years  of  the  hidden  life,  and  thou  didst  flie  in  their  arms. 
By  the  love  thou  bearest  to  them  and  the  love  they  bear 
to  thee,  pray  for  us  always,  and  guard  us.  Obtain 
for  us,  O  patron  of  a  hap[)y  death,  the  grace  to  live  and 
die  in  God's  love  and  favor,  that  we  may  spend  our 
eternity  with  Jesus  and  Mary  and  with  thee,  O  dear 
St.  Joseph. 

NOVENA    IN    HONOR    OF    ST.  JOSEPH,    SPOUSE   OF   M.\RY 
MOST   HOLY. 

*5^HE  Sovereign  Pontiff  Pius  IX.,  Nov.  28,  1876, 
\£J  granted  to  all  the  faithful  who,  with  contrite 
heart,  devoutly  make  at  any  time  during  the  year  a 
novena  in  honor  of  -St.  Joseph,  spouse  of  Mary  most 
holy,  with  any  formula  of  prayer,  provided  it  be 
approved  by  com])ctent  ecclesiastical  authority,  an 
indulgence  of  300  days,  once  a  day. 

Ejaculation. 

St.  Joseph,  rriodel  and  i)atron  of  those  who  love  the 
Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  pray  for  us. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
Dec.  19,  1891. 

Prayer. 

*TR>  EMEMBER,  O  most  pure  spouse  of  the  Blessed 
(JL^  Virgin  Mary,  my  sweet  protector  St.  Joseph! 
that  no  one  ever  had  recourse  to  thy  protection  or 


Various  Prayers  a)id  Novenas.        599 

implored  thy  aid  without  ol)taiiiing  rcHef.  Confiding 
therefore  in  thy  goodness,  I  come  before  thee,  and 
humbly  suppHcate  thee.  Oh,  des])ise  not  my  petitions, 
foster-father  of  the  Redeemer,  but  graciously  receive 
them.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  once  a  day. — Pius  IX., 
June  26,  1863. 

PRAYERS  IN  HONOR  OF  ST.  JOSEPH  FOR  THE  AGONIZING. 

^^TERNAL  Father,  by  Thy  love  for  St.  Joseph, 
>--^  whom  Thou  didst  select  from  among  all  men 
to  represent  Thee  upon  earth,  have  mercy  on  us  and 
on  the  dying. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be  to  the  Father. 

Eternal  divine  Son,  by  Thy  love  for  St.  Joseph,  who 
was  Thy  faithful  guardian  upon  earth,  have  mercy 
upon  us  and  upon  the  dying. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be  to  the  Father. 

Eternal  divine  Spirit,  by  Thy  love  for  St.  Joseph, 
who  so  carefully  watched  over  Mary,  Thy  beloved 
spouse,  have  mercy  on  us  and  on  the  dying. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be   to  the  Father. 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
May  17,  1884. 

PRAYER    TO    ST.    JOSEPH,    PATRON     OF    THE    UNIVERSAL 
CHURCH. 

yT^OST  powerful  patriarch  St.  Joseph,  patron  of  the 
>l-^.  Universal  Church,  which  has  always  invoked 
thee  in  an.xiety  and  trouble,  from  the  exalted  seat  of 
thy  glory  cast  a  loving  glance  upon  the  whole  Catholic 
world.  Let  thy  fatherly  heart  be  touched  at  the 
sight  of  the  mystical  spouse  and  the  vicar  of  Christ 
overwhelmed  with  sorrow  and  persecuted  by  power- 
ful enemies.  Oh!  by  the  bitter  anguish  thou  didst 
experience  upon  earth,  dry  the  tears  of  the  venerable 
Pontiff,  defend  him,  liberate  him,  intercede  for  him 
with  the  Giver  of  peace  and  charity,  that,  all  adversity 


600  Devotions. 

being  removed,  and  all  error  dissipated,  the  entire 
Church  may  serve  (lod  in  i)erfect  liberty:  Ul  destructis 
adversiltitihtis  el  errorilms  universis  Ecclesia  secura  Deo 
seri'iatlibertate.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of   loo  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII., 
March  4,  1882. 


PRAYER  TO  THE  ANGEL  GUARDIAN. 

/■NOEL  of  God,  my  guardian  dear, 
,vK— ■-•     To  whom  His  love  commits  me  here, 
Ever  this  day  be  at  my  side. 

To  light  and  guard,  to  rule  and  guide.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of  100  days;  plenary  indulgence  on  the 
feast  of  the  holy  guardian  angels  (Oct.  2),  to  those  who 
shall  have  said  this  prayer,  morning  and  evening, 
throughout  the  year,  on  the  usual  conditions;  plenary 
indulgence  at  the  hour  of  death. — Pius  VI.,  Oct.  2, 
I7q5;  June  11,  1796.  Pius  VII.,  on  May  15,  1821, 
granted  a  plenary  indulgence,  once  a  month,  to  all  the 
faithful  who  shall  have  said  it  every  day  for  a  month, 
as  above  directed. 

V.  Pray  ''or  us,  O  holy  angel  guardian. 

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

Let  us  pray. 

*TJ'LMIGHTY  and  eternal  God,  Who  in  the  counsel 
eJr-^  of  Thy  unspeakable  goodness,  hast  appointed 
to  all  the  faithful  a  s])Ocial  angel  guardian  of  their  body 
and  soul;  grant  that  I  may  so  love  and  honor  him  whom 
Thou  hast  so  mercifully  given  me,  that,  protected  by 
the  bounty  of  Thy  grace,  and  by  his  a.ssistance,  I  may 
merit  to  behold,  with  him  and  all  the  angelic  host,  the 
glory  of  Thy  countenance  in  the  heavenly  country. 
Who  livest  and  reignest  world  without  end.     Amen. 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.       GUL 


ANTIPHON    TO    THE    ARCHANGEL    MICHAEL. 

^ANCTE      Michael     "X=J  OLY       archangel 

y^  Archangele,  defen-  (J— &  Michael,  defend 
de  nos  in  ptaelio,  ut  non  us  in  battle,  that  we  may 
pereamus  in  tremendo  not  perish  in  the  tremen- 
judicio.  dous  judgment. 

Indulgence  of  loo  days. — Leo  XIIL,  Aug.  19,  1893. 

PRAYER  TO  ST.  RAPHAEL,  ARCHANGEL. 

y^LORIOUS  archangel  St.  Raphael,  great  prince  of 
^fe)  the  heavenly  court,  illustrious  by  thy  gifts  of 
wisdom  and  grace,  guide  of  travelers  by  land  and  sea, 
consoler  of  the  unfortunate,  and  refuge  of  sinners,  I 
entreat  thee  to  help  me  in  ail  my  needs  and  in  all  the 
trials  of  this  life,  as  thou  didst  once  assist  the  young 
Tobias  in  his  journeying.  And  since  thou  art  the 
"physician  of  God,"  I  humbly  pray  thee  to  heal  my 
soul  of  its  many  infirmities  and  my  body  of  the  ills  that 
afflict  it,  if  this  favor  is  for  my  greater  good.  I  ask, 
especially,  for  angelic  purity,  that  I  may  be  made  fit 
to  be  the  living  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen. 
Indulgence  of  100  days. — Leo  XIIL,  June  21,  1890. 

PRAYER    TO    THE    ARCHANGEL   GABRIEL. 

O  BLESSED  archangel  Gabriel,  we  beseech  thee 
do  thou  intercede  for  us  at  the  throne  of  divine 
Mercy  in  our  present  necessities,  that,  as  thou  didst  an- 
nounce to  Mary  the  mystery'  of  the  Incarnation,  so 
through  thy  prayers  and  patronage  in  heaven  we  may 
obtain  the  benefits  of  the  same,  and,  sing  the  praise 
of  God  forever  in  the  land  of  the  living.     Amen. 

PRAYER    TO    ST.    ANNE. 

^^LORIOUS  St.  Anne,  thou  hast  shown  thyself  so 
\S)  powerful  in  thy  intercession,  so  tender  and  com- 
passionate toward  those  who  honor  thee  and  invoke  thee 


602  Devutions. 

in  sulTcring  and  rlislress,  tliat  I  cast  myself  at  thy  feet 
with  perfect  confidence  and  beseech  thee  most  humbly 
and  earnestly  to  take  me  under  thy  protection  in  my 
jjresent  necessities  and  to  obtain  for  me  the  favor 
that  I  desire.  Vouchsafe  to  recommend  my  request 
to  Mary,  thy  beloved  daughter,  the  mercifiil  Queen  of 
lieaven,  that  she  may  plead  my  cause  with  you  before 
the  throne  of  Jesus,  her  divine  Son.  Cease  not  to 
intercede  for  mc  until  my  request  is  granted.  Above 
ail,  obtain  for  me  a  great  love  for  Jesus  and  Man,', 
that  my  heart  may  be  adorned  with  their  virtues,  that 
I  may  live  a  good  life  and  die  a  happy  death,  and  one 
day  behold  my  God  face  to  face  in  the  land  of  th. 
living. 


Cbc  IHovena  of  ©race  in  Ibonor  of  St.  ff  rancie 
laviei,  Bpoi3tlc  of  tbc  IFnOiee. 

y^HIS  novena  in  honor  of  St.  Francis  Xavier  is 
vJ  called  the  Novena  of  Grace  because  so  many 
graces  and  marvelous  blessings  have  been  bestowed 
by  God  upon  numerous  souls  who  have  made  it,  in 
response  to  the  intercession  of  St.  Francis  Xavier,  the 
great  Apostle  of  the  Indies.  We  learn  from  a  leaflet 
issued  by  the  press  of  the  Apostlcship  of  Prayer,  that 
the  origin  of  this  novena,  which  is  celebrated  in  many 
parishes  of  the  Jesuit  Fathers,  annually  from  the  4th 
to  the  12th  of  ]\Iarch,  is  due  to  the  saint  himself,  who 
appeared  to  Father  Marcello  Mastrilli,  S.  J.,  at  Naples, 
in  December,  1633,  when  he  lay  mortally  wounded 
in  the  head  by  a  l)low  from  an  iron  hammer,  which 
had  fallen  one  hundred  feet  out  of  the  hand  of  a  work- 
man. All  hope  of  his  recovery  had  been  abandoned. 
The  prayers  of  the  Church  for  those  who  are  at  the 
point  of  death  were  being  said  for  the  suffering  priest, 
who  had  already  received  the  last  sacraments,  when 
suddenly  St.  Francis  appeared  at  his  side,  in  the  garb 
of  a  pilgrim,  staff  in  hand,  and  radiant  with  heavenly 
light.     "  Will  you  go  to  heaven  or  to  India?"  the  saint 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.        603 

asked,  having  in  view  a  promise  recently  made  by  the 
dying  man,  to  go  to  India  if  his  life  should  be  pro- 
longed. The  good  Father  replied:  "1  have  no  will 
save  the  will  of  God."  "Very  well,"  came  the  saint's 
answer;  "renew  your  vow.  Be  of  good  cheer. 
You  are  cured."  The  priest  recovered  his  health 
instantly. 

St.  Francis  Xavier  then  promised  his  aid  to  all  who 
would  make  a  novcna  from  the  4th  to  the  12th  of 
March,  and  receive  the  sacraments.  The  efhcacy  of 
this  novena  is  not  restricted  to  the  days  mentioned. 
It  may  be  made  in  preparation  for  the  feast  of  the 
saint,  which  is  the  3d  of  December. 


PRAYER  TO  ST.  FRANCIS  XAVIER. 

OMOST  lovable  and  loving  saint,  in  union  with 
thee  I  adore  the  divine  Majesty.  My  heart  is 
filled  with  joy  at  the  remembrance  of  the  marvelous 
favors  with  which  God  blessed  thy  life  on  earth,  and 
of  the  great  glory  that  came  io  thee  after  death.  In 
union  with  thee  I  praise  God,  and  offer  Him  my  humble 
tribute  of  thanksgiving.  I  implore  thee  to  obtain 
for  me,  through  thy  powerful  intercession,  the  greatest 
of  all  blessings — that  of  living  and  dying  in  the  state 
of  grace.  I  also  beg  of  thee  to  secure  for  me  the 
special  favor  I  ask  in  this  novena  [mention  your 
request].  May  the  will  of  God  be  done.  If  what  1  am 
praying  for  is  not  for  God's  glory  and  for  the  good  of 
my  soul,  I  beseech  thee  to  obtain  for  me  what  is  most 
conducive  to  this  end. 

V.  Pray  for  us,  St.  Francis  Xavier. 

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

Let  us  pray. 

OGOD,  Who  hast  vouchsafed,  by  the  preaching 
and  miracles  of  St.  Francis  Xavier,  to  join  unto 
Thy  Church  the  nations  of  the  Indies;  grant,  we  beseech 


604  Devotions. 

Thee,  that  we,  who  celebrate  his  glorious  merits,  may 
also  imitate  his  example,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


ANOTHER  PRAYER  TO  ST.  FRANCIS  XAVIER. 

O  FERVENT  apostle,  indefatigable  laborer  in  the 
vineyard  of  the  Lord,  glorious  St.  Francis 
Xavier,  who,  urged  by  a  burning  zeal  for  the  salvation 
of  souls,  didst  expose  thyself  to  extreme  dangers,  and 
didst  welcome  the  most  appalling  labors  and  sacrifices, 
vouchsafe  also  to  take  charge  of  my  perfection. 

Obtain  that  I  may  imitate  thy  perfect  detachment 
from  creatures,  thy  confidence  in  (lod,  thy  abandon- 
ment to  the  divine  will,  thy  humility,  obedience,  and 
charity,  thy  generosity  in  the  practice  of  virtue,  and 
thy  zeal  for  souls.  Enkindle  in  my  heart  the  sacred 
fire  with  which  thy  great  soul  was  always  inflamed, 
that  I  may  labor  earnestly  to  make  Jesus  Christ  reign 
in  all  hearts,  and  that,  having  had  the  happiness  of 
walking  in  thy  footsteps  here  below,  I  may  one  day 
enjoy  with  thee  the  bliss  of  heaven.     Amen. 

Dev>c»ut  Ejcrcise  of  tbe  Slj  SunDags  In 
Ibonor  of  St.  BlOBSius  ©onsasa. 

A  plenary  indulgence  on  each  of  the  six  Sundays 
which  are  wont  to  lie  kept  in  honor  of  this  saint,  either 
iminediately  before  his  feast,  on  June  21,  or  at  any 
oilier  time  of  the  year.  In  order  to  gain  this  plenary 
indulgence,  it  is  requisite  to  keep  the  six  Sunday? 
consecutively;  and  on  each  of  them,  after  confession 
and  communion,  to  employ  oneself  in  pious  medita- 
tions or  vocal  prayers,  or  other  works  of  Christian 
pietv,  in  honor  of  the  saint. — Clement  XJL,  Dec.  11, 
1739;   Jan.  7,  1740- 


Variotis  Prayers  and  Novenas.        605 


A   PRAYER   TO   ST.    ALOYSIUS. 

O  BLESSED  Aloysius,  adorned  with  angelic  graces, 
I,  thy  most  unworthy  suppliant,  recommend 
specially  to  thee  the  chastity  of  my  soul  and  body, 
praying  thee  by  thy  angelic  purity  to  plead  for  me  with 
Jesus  Christ,  the  immaculate  Lamb,  and  His  most 
holy  Mother,  the  Virgin  of  virgins,  that  they  would 
vouchsafe  to  keep  me  from  all  grievous  sin.  O  never 
let  me  be  defiled  with  any  stain  of  impurity;  but  when 
thou  dost  see  me  in  temptation,  or  in  danger  of  falling, 
then  remove  far  from  my  heart  all  bad  thoughts  and 
unclean  desires,  and  awaken  in  me  the  memory  of 
eternity  to  come  and  Jesus  crucified;  impress  deeply 
in  my  heart  a  sense  of  the  holy  fear  of  God;  and 
thus,  kindling  in  me  the  fire  of  divine  love,  enable  me 
so  to  follow  thy  footsteps  here  on  earth  that,  in  heaven 
with  thee,  I  may  be  made  worthy  to  enjoy  the  vision 
of  our  God  forever.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  Hail  Mary. 

Indulgence  of  loo  days,  once  a  day. — Pius  VH., 
March  6,  1802. 

ACT    OF    CONSECRATION   TO    ST.    ALOYSIUS   GONZAGA. 

OST.  ALOYSIUS,  so  renowned  for  thy  purity  of 
-heart,  thy  humility  and  obedience,  thy  special 
devotion  to  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament,  and  thy  tender 
love  for  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  I  consecrate  myself 
to  thee,  beseeching  thee  to  number  me  among  thy 
fervent  clients.  Obtain  that  I  may  perfectly  imitate 
all  thy  virtues,  especially  thy  purity  and  perseverance. 
Help  me  with  thy  prayers,  that  I  may  never  cease  to 
love  my  God  and  sing  His  praises.  Assist  me  by  a 
special  protection  at  the  hour  of  my  death,  that  I  may 
present  myself  pure  and  stainless  to  the  sovereign 
judge  and  enjoy  with  thee  eternal  happiness.     Amen. 


606  Devotions. 


PRAYER  IN  ANY  NECESSITY  TO  ST.  ANTHONY  OF  PADUA. 

y  y|  1  'R  salute  thee,  St.  Anthony,  lily  of  purity,  orna- 
vlcA*  ment  and  glory  of  Christianity.  We  salute 
thee,  great  saint,  cherub  of  wisdom  and  seraph  of 
divine  love.  We  rejoice  at  the  favors  Our  Lord  has 
so  liberally  bestowed  on  thee.  In  humility  and  con- 
fidence we  entreat  thee  to  help  us,  for  we  know  that 
God  has  given  thee  charity  and  pity,  as  well  as  power. 

Behold  our  distress,  our  an.xiety,  our  fears  concern- 
ing [liere  name  your  request].  We  ask  thee  by  the 
love  thou  didst  feel  toward  the  amiable  little  Jesus, 
when  He  covered  thee  with  His  caresses,  to  tell  Him 
now  of  our  wants.  Oh!  remember  how  complete  thy 
bliss  was  when  thou  didst  hold  Him  to  thy  breast, 
didst  press  thy  cheek  to  His,  and  didst  listen  to  His 
sweet  voice. 

We  venerate  thee,  O  glorious  favorite  of  God,  and 
bow  our  guilty  heads  before  thee  in  humble  rever- 
ence, while  we  raise  our  sad  hearts  full  of  hope  toward 
heaven  and  thee; — for  He  who  placed  Himself  in  thy 
arms  will  now  fill  thy  hands  with  ail  we  ask  of  thee. 

Give  us,  then,  what  we  desire,  angel  of  love,  and  we 
will  make  known  the  wondrous  efficacy  of  thy  inter- 
cession, for  the  greater  glory  of  God. 

ASPIRATIONS  TO   ST.    ANTHONY. 

^T.  ANTHONY,  whom  the  infant  Jesus  loved  and 
Js^_7    honored  so  signally,  grant  us  what  we  ask  of  thee. 

St.  .'\nthony,  powerful  in  word  and  work,  grant  us 
[here  mention  intention]. 

St.  .'\nthony,  attentive  to  those  who  invoke  thee, 
obtain  for  us  the  grace  of  holy  purity,  meekness, 
humility,  and  obedience. 

St.  Anthony,  pray  for  our  priests,  relatives,  and  bene- 
factors, and  for  all  in  authority  in  Church  and  State. 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.        CO/ 


PRAYER  IN  AFFLICTION  AND  ANXIETY  BEFORE  A  STATUE 
OF    ST.    ANTHONY. 

OGOOD  and  loving  Jesus,  safe  refuge  of  my  needy 
soul!  here  at  Thy  feet  I  implore  Thee,  by  the 
love  which  St.  Anthony  bore  Thee,  and  by  the  love  of 
Thy  Sacred  Heart,  which  induced  Thee  to  appear 
to  him  in  the  form  of  a  gracious  little  child,  in  order 
to  caress  and  comfort  him:  come  to  me  in  my  present 
need  and  sore  affliction.  Come  as  my  loving  Father 
and'God,  and  relieve  me  in  my  necessities.  In  Thee 
alone  do  I  place  all  my  hope  and  confidence. 

O  my  dear  patron,  St.  Anthony!  intercede  for  me 
before  the  throne  of  God  and  help  me  in  my  necessities, 
so  that,  like  so  many  others  whom  thou  hast  aided,  I 
may  be  able  to  exclaim  with  a  joyful  heart:  Blessed 
be  God,  Who  truly  lives  and  reigns  in  His  sers^ant, 
St.  Anthony!     Amen. 

PRAYER  TO  ST.  STANISLAUS  KOSTKA. 

/T*\OST  pure  and  mighty  patron,  St.  Stanislaus, 
>1^,  angel  of  purity  and  seraph  of  charity,  I  re- 
joice on  account  of  thy  most  happy  death — a  death 
occasioned  by  the  ardor  of  thy  desire  to  contemplate 
Mary  in  her  heavenly  glory  on  the  feast  of  her  As- 
sumption. I  give  thanks  to  Mary,  because  she  willed 
to  accomplish  thy  desires;  and  I  pray  thee,  gracious 
saint,  by  the  merit  of  thy  happy  death,  be  thou  my 
advocate,  my  patron  in  my  death.  Intercede  with 
Mary  to  obtain  for  me  a  calm  and  peaceful  death. 
Pray  that  my  heart  like  thine  may  be  inflamed  with 
the  love  of  Jesus  and  Mary. 

PRAYER    IN   HONOR    OF    ST.    AGNES. 

O  SWEETEST  Lord  Jesus  Christ,   source  of  all 
virtues,  lover  of  virgins,  most  powerful  conqueror 
of   demons,   most  severe  extirpator  of  vice!  deign  to 


608  Devotions. 

cast  Thine  eyes  upon  my  weakness,  and  through  the 
intercession  of  Mary  most  blessed,  Mother  an(i  Virgin, 
and  of  Thy  beloved  spouse  St.  Agnes,  glorious  virgin 
and  martyr,  grant  me  the  aid  of  Thy  heavenly  grace,  in 
order  that  I  may  learn  to  despise  all  earthly  things, 
and  to  love  what  is  heavenly;  to  oppose  vice  and  to 
be  proof  against  temptation;  to  walk  fimily  in  the 
path  of  virtue,  not  to  seek  honors,  to  shun  ])leasures, 
to  bewail  my  past  offences,  to  keep  far  from  the  occa- 
sions of  evil,  to  keep  free  from  bad  habits,  to  seek  the 
company  of  the  good,  and  persevere  in  righteousness, 
so  that,  by  the  assistance  of  Thy  grace,  I  may  deserve 
the  crown  of  eternal  life,  together  with  St.  Agnes  and  all 
the  saints,  for  ever  and  ever,  in  Thy  kingdom.     Amen. 

His  Holiness  Pius  IX.,  by  an  autograph  rescript, 
Oct.  30,  1854,  granted  to  all  the  faithful  who,  with  at 
least  contrite  heart  and  devotion,  shall  say  this  prayer: 

An  indulgence  of  one  hundred  days,  once  a  day. 

PRvVYER   TO   ST.    LUCY. 

y  V]  |"*E  admire,  O  glorious  virgin  and  martyr,  St. 
VxA*  Lucy,  that  light  of  lively  faith  which  it  pleased 
the  most  merciful  God  to  infuse  into  thy  beautiful 
soul;  enlightened  liy  which  thou  didst  des{)ise  the 
vain  and  trifling  things  of  this  miserable  earth,  keeping 
thine  eyes  fixed  upon  that  heaven  for  which  alone 
we  have  been  created.  The  riches  and  the  pleasures 
which  the  seductive  world  held  out  to  thee,  to  the 
prejudice  of  faith  and  of  divine  grace,  never  clouded 
thy  mind,  nor  allured  thy  heart.  Hence,  far  from 
consenting  to  the  proposals  of  thy  wicked  persecutor, 
thou  didst  show  thyself  bold  and  resolute  to  encounter 
even  death  itself,  rather  than  be  unfaithful  to  thy 
heavenly  Lord.  What  cause  of  confusion  for  us,  who, 
not  less  enlightened  by  faith  and  strengthened  by 
grace,  still  do  not  know  how  to  resist  our  guilty  passions, 
nor  to  despise  the  evil  maxims  or  repel  the  flattery  of 
the  infernal  enemy.  Ah!  obtain  for  us,  dear  saint, 
from  God  greater  light,  by  which  we  may  come  to 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.        609 

know  that  we  were  not  made  for  things   here  below, 
but  for  those  of  heaven. 

V.  Pray  for  us,  St.  Lucy. 

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

Let  us  pray. 

Hear  us,  O  God  of  salvation,  that,  as  we  rejoice 
in  the  heroic  constancy  of  blessed  Lucy,  Thy  virgin 
and  martyr,  so  we  may  be  filled  with  the  spirit  of  de- 
votedness  to  duty  and  of  fidelity  in  Thy  services. 

PRAYER   TO    SI.    ROSE   OF   LIMA. 

'/JDMIRABLE  Saint  Rose,  you  were  truly  a  sweet 
ewX-J-i  flower  blooming  on  a  rugged  soil;  you  were 
indeed  a  rose  among  thorns,  bearing  with  meekness  and 
patience  the  stings  of  envious  tongues,  and  preserving 
perfect  purity  and  modesty  amid  the  alluring  blandish- 
ments of  a  deceitful  world.  To  the  sufferings  inflicted 
on  you  by  others  you  added  the  voluntary  tortures  of 
fasting  and  watching,  of  the  discipline,  of  the  crown 
of  thorns  and  of  the  hair  shirt,  to  subdue  the  flesh 
and  to  make  yourself  like  to  your  heavenly  Spouse. 
By  the  merits  which  you  have  thus  gained  with  your 
divine  Bridegroom,  obtain  for  me  the  grace  to  bear  my 
afflictions  with  patience,  to  remain  pure  and  modest, 
to  be  meek  and  humble,  to  be  faithful  to  the  inspira- 
tions of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  so  to  mortify  my  passions 
that  I  may  be  ever  more  pleasing  and  acceptable  in 
the  sight  of  my  dear  Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ, 
Who  liveth  and  reigneth  world  without  end.      Amen. 

PRAYER   TO    ST.    AGATHA. 

BEAR  St.  Agatha,  glorious  virgin  and  martyr, 
you  suffered  yourself  to  be  reviled  and  buffeted, 
to  be  tortured  by  rack,  fire,  and  sword  in  a  most  igno- 
minious and  painful  manner;  and  by  this  fortitude 
and  heroism  you  merited  to  be  consoled  and  gladdened 
in  the  midst  of  your  dreadful  torments  by  the  sight 


610  Devotionn. 

of  your  guardian  angel  and  the  prince  of  the  apostles; 
obtain  for  mc,  I  pray,  l>y  your  merits  and  by  your 
intercession  with  Jesus  Christ,  your  divine  Spouse, 
that  I  may  sutler  joyfully  every  temporal  loss,  rather 
than  prove  unfaithful  to  my  Lord  and  my  Clod,  to 
Whom  I  have  promised  everlasting  fealty,  both  at 
Baptism  and  at  my  first  holy  communion.  Ask  for 
me  the  grace  of  perseverance,  that  I  may  with  thee 
enjoy  the  beatific  vision  and  praise  God  forevcrmore. 
Amen. 


PRAYER   TO    ANY   VIRGIN-SAINT. 

O  WORTHY  spouse  of  that  Lamb  of  God  which 
feeds  among  the  lilies,  St.  — ,  you  always  pre- 
served intact  the  flower  of  your  purity,  edifying  all 
by  the  constant  practice  of  this  lovely  virtue:  obtain 
for  me,  I  pray,  the  grace  to  follow  your  example,  that, 
overcoming  all  inordinate  earthly  alTections  and  living 
according  to  the  spirit,  I  may  abound  in  chanty  and 
all  good  works.  Make  me  to  be  enamored  of  the 
angelical  virtue  of  purity,  that  by  word  and  deed  I 
may  inspire  others  with  a  love  of  it,  and  may  become 
worthy  to  join  the  happy  choir  of  your  companions, 
who,  together  with  you,  enjoy  the  bright  vision  of 
God,  and  follow  the  Lamb  "  whithersoever  He  goeth." 


TO    ANY   OTHER    SAINT. 

O  GLORIOUS  St.  — ,  who,  burning  with  the  desire 
of  increasing  the  glory  of  God  and  of  His  Spouse 
the  Church,  invariably  attended  to  the  sanctification 
of  your  own  soul  and  the  edification  of  others,  by  the 
constant  practice  of  prayer  and  charity,  penance,  and 
all  Christian  virtues;  so  that,  becoming  in  the  Church 
a  model  of  holiness,  you  are  now  in  heaven  the  pro- 
tector of  all  those  who  have  recourse  to  you  in  faith: 
cast  a  benign  eye  upon  us  who  invoke  your  powerful 
patronage.     Increase  in  us  that  true  piety  which  forms 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.        611 

the  characteristic  of  the  sons  of  God.  Cause  us,  in 
imitation  of  you,  to  have,  hke  faithful  servants,  our 
loins  girt,  and  our  lamps  burning  in  our  hands,  and 
to  live  in  edifying  penitence;  that  when  the  eternal 
Master  comes  we  may  be  found  ready  to  depart  from 
this  exile,  and  merit  to  be  admitted  to  those  eternal 
tabernacles,  where  we  shall  see  what  we  now  believe, 
and  obtain  what  now  we  hope  for,  the  enjoyment  of 
the  immortal  King  of  ages,  to  Whom  be  honor,  glory, 
and  benediction  given,  for  ever  and  ever. 


PRAYER    FOR    YOUTH    TO    BEG    THE    DIVINE    DIRECTION 
IN  THE   CHOICE   OF   A   STATE   OF   LIFE. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God!  Whose  wise  and  amiable  prov- 
idence watches  over  every  human  event,  deign  to 
be  my  light  and  my  counsel  in  all  my  undertakings, 
particularly  in  the  choice  of  a  state  of  life.  I  know 
that  on  this  important  step  my  sanctification  and 
salvation  may  in  a  great  measure  depend.  I  know 
that  I  am  incapable  of  discerning  what  may  be  best 
for  me;  therefore  I  cast  myself  into  Thy  arms,  beseech- 
ing Thee,  my  God,  Who  hast  sent  me  into  this  world 
only  to  love  and  serve  Thee,  to  direct  by  Thy  grace 
every  moment  and  action  of  my  life  to  the  glorious 
end  of  my  creation.  I  renounce  most  sincerely  every 
other  wish,  than  to  fulfil  Thy  designs  on  my  soul, 
whatever  they  may  be;  and  I  beseech  Thee  to  give  me 
the  grace,  by  imbibing  the  true  spirit  of  a  Christian, 
to  qualify  myself  for  any  state  of  life  to  which  Thy 
adorable  providence  may  call  me.  O  my  God!  when- 
ever it  may  become  my  duty  to  make  a  choice,  do  Thou 
be  my  light  and  my  counsel,  and  mercifully  deign  to 
make  the  way  known  to  me  wherein  I  should  walk,  for 
I  have  lifted  up  my  soul  to  Thee.  Preserve  me  from 
listening  to  the  suggestions  of  my  own  self-love,  or 
worldly  prudence,  in  prejudice  to  Thy  holy  inspirations. 
iPet  Thy  good  Spirit  lead  me  into  the  right  way,  and 
Thy  adorable  providence  place  me,  not  where  I  may 


612  Devotions. 

be  happiest,  according  to  the  world,  but  in  that  state 
in  which  I  Shall  love  and  serve  Thee  most  perfectly, 
and  meet  with  most  abundant  means  for  working  out 
my  salvation.  This  is  all  that  I  ask  and  all  that  I 
desire;  for  what  would  it  avail  me  to  gain  the  whole 
world,  if,  in  the  end,  I  were  to  lose  my  soul  ?  and  to  be 
so  unfortunate  as  to  prefer  temporal  advantages  and 
worldly  honors  to  the  enjoyment  of  Thy  divine  presence 
in  a  happy  eternity? 

Most  holy  Virgin  Mary,  take  me  under  thy  protection. 

My  good  angel  guardian  and  patron  saints,  pray 
for  me.     Amen. 

INDULGENXED   PRAYER   FOR   A   CHRISTIAN   FAMILY. 

#^OD  of  goodness  and  mercy,  we  commend  to  Thy 
\&  all-powerful  protection  our  home,  our  family, 
and  all  that  we  possess.  Bless  us  all  as  Thou  didst 
bless  the  holy  family  of  Nazareth. 

O  Jesus,  our  most  holy  Redeemer,  by  the  love 
with  which  Thou  didst  become  man  in  order  to  save 
us,  by  the  mercy  through  which  Thou  didst  die  for  us 
upon  the  cross,  we  entreat  Thee  to  bless  our  home, 
our  family,  our  household.  Preserve  us  from  all 
evil  and  from  the  snares  of  men;  preserve  us  from 
lightning  and  hail  and  fire,  from  flood  and  from  the 
rage  of  the  elements;  preserve  us  from  Thy  wrath, 
from  all  hatred  and  from  the  evil  intentions  of  our 
enemies,  from  plague,  famine,  and  war.  Let  not  one 
of  us  die  without  the  holy  sacraments.  Bless  us,  that 
we  may  always  Of)enly  confess  our  faith  which  is  to 
sanctify  us,  that  we  may  never  falter  in  our  hope,  even 
amid  pain  and  affliction,  that  we  may  ever  grow  in 
love  for  Thee  and  in  charity  toward  our  neighbor. 

O  Jesus,  bless  us,  protect  us. 

O  Mary,  Mother  of  grace  and  mercy,  bless  us, 
protect  us  against  the  evil  spirit;  lead  us  by  the  hand 
through  this  vale  of  tears;  reconcile  us  with  thy  divine 
Son;  commend  us  to  Him,  that  we  may  be  made 
worthy  of  His  promises. 


Various  Prayers  and  Novenas.        613 

Saint  Joseph,  reputed  father  of  Our  Saviour,  guardian 
of  His  most  holy  Mother,  head  of  the  holy  family,  inter- 
cede lor  us,  bless  and  protect  our  home  always. 

Saint  Michael,  defend  us  against  all  the  wicked 
wiles  of  hell. 

Saint  Gabriel,  obtain  for  us  that  we  may  understand 
the  holy  will  of  God. 

Saint  Raphael,  preserve  us  from  ill-health  and  all 
danger  to  life. 

Holy  guardian  angels,  keep  us  day  and  night  in 
the  way  to  salvation. 

Holy  patrons,  pray  for  us  before  the  throne  of  God. 

Bless  this  house.  Thou,  God  our  Father,  Who  didst 
create  us;  Thou,  divine  Son,  Who  didst  suffer  for  us 
on  the  cross;  thou,  Holy  Spirit,  Who  didst  sanctify 
us  in  Baptism.  May  God,  in  His  three  divine  Persons, 
preserve  our  body,  purify  our  soul,  direct  our  heart, 
and  lead  us  to  life  everlasting. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  glory  be  to  the  Son,  glory 
be  to  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

His  Holiness  Leo  XIII. ,  by  a  rescript  of  the  S.  Congr. 
of  Indulgences,  January  19,  1889,  granted  to  the  faith- 
ful who  recite  the  above  prayer: 

An  indulgence  of  two  hundred  days,  once  a  day. 


PART    SECOND. 

THE  SODALITY   OF  THE   BLESSED   VIRGIN 
MARY. 

THE   OBJECT   OF   THIS   ASSOCIATION. 

V^HE  Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  or  the 
V^  Congregation  of  the  Children  cjf  Mary,  has  for 
its  object  to  assemble  its  members  at  the  feet  of  the 
Mother  of  God,  to  dedicate  them  in  a  very  special 
manner  to  the  veneration  and  service  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  and  to  place  them  under  her  particular  patron- 
age and  protection  both  in  life  and  at  the  hour  of  death. 
"It  is  impossible,"  writes  Benedict  XIV.,  "to  over- 
estimate the  wonderful  amount  of  good  effected  by 
this  pious  and  i)ruiscwi)rthy  association  among  persons 
of  every  rank  and  class."  In  and  through  this  Confra- 
ternity Mary  confers  on  her  children  two  unspeakably 
great  and  precious  graces — heortjelt  love  of  God  and 
the  preservation  of  their  innocence.  Then  again,  girls 
who  join  the  Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary 
make  more  rapid  progress  in  virtue,  and  by  their  united 
prayers  afford  one  another  greater  help.  Hence 
what  St.  Bernard  says  of  Religious  and  their  state 
may  with  justice  be  applied  to  the  Children  of 
Mary  and  the  Sodality:  "In  it  they  lead  a  purer  life; 
they  fall  less  frequently,  and  if  they  fall,  they  fall  less 
deeply;  they  rise  up  again  more  easily;  they  walk 
more  circumspectly;  they  rest  more  securely;  heavenly 
graces  are  bestowed  on  them  more  abundantly;  they 
meet  death  with  greater  confidence,  and  a  more  glorious 
crown  awaits  them  in  heaven."  Wherefore,  Children 
of  Mary,  you  have  every  reason  to  thank  God  and 
614 


Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  615 

your  celestial  Alother  for  having  made  you  a  member 
of  this  association. 

OBLIGATIONS   OF   THE   MEMBERS. 

^ZJ*  GOOD  Child  of  Mary  will  observe  the  follow- 
er/—*-,    ing  duties  and  persevere  in  them  with  fidelity. 

1.  She  will  devoutly  recite  the  prayers  of  the  Sodality: 
in  the  morning  one  Our  Father,  one  Hail  Mary,  and 
the  antiphon.  Hail,  holy  Queen;  and  at  night,  one  Our 
Father,  one  Hail  Mary,  and,  We  fly  to  thy  patronage, 
etc.     (These  prayers  are  not  binding  under  pain  of  sin.) 

2.  She  will  conscientiously  participate  in  the  exercises 
of  the  Sodality; 

3.  She  will  keep  the  Sundays  and  holy  days  in  a  very 
pious  and  edifying  manner; 

4.  She  will  approach  the  sacraments  frequently,  at 
least  once  a  month; 

5.  She  will  at  all  times  and  in  all  places  show  herself 
to  be  a  loving  and  docile  child  of  the  Catholic  Church; 

6.  She  will  endeavor,  whilst  living  in  the  world,  to 
keep  to  the  utmost  of  her  power .  the  statutes  and 
rules  of  the  Sodality; 

7.  She  will  entertain  and  cultivate  fraternal  charity 
toward  her  fellow  members; 

8.  She  will  li\'fe  chastely  and  modestly,  and  be 
careful  to  keep  her  good  name  unsullied; 

9.  She  will  fulfil  the  duties  of  her  calling  and  state 
of  life  punctually,  and  cherish  a  love  of  work  and  of 
retirement; 

ID.  She  will  dress  simply,  neatly,  and  suitably  to  her 
station. 

II.  On  the  death  of  a  member  of  the  Congregation, 
the  Child  of  Mary  will  hear  a  Mass  for  the  departed; 
say  the  Rosary  once,  and  recite  daily  for  a  week  the 
Psalm  De  Projundis,  or  one  Our  Father  and  one  Hail 
Mary. 

INDULGENCES. 

The  principal  indulgences  which  may  be  gained  by 
members  of  the  Sodality  are: 


618  Devotions. 

(a)  Plenary  indulgence:  (i)  On  the  day  of  reception; 
(2)  at  the  hour  (jf  death;  (3)  on  the  following  feasts: 
Christmas,  the  Ascension,  the  Immaculate  Conception, 
the  Nativity,  the  Annunciation,  the  Purification,  the 
Assumption  of  Our  Lady.  Conditions:  Confession 
and  communion  in  the  church  of  the  Sodality  or 
elsewhere,  and  prayers  for  the  Church  and  according 
to  the  intention  of  the  Holy  Father.  (4)  Once  a 
week  on  the  day  of  the  meeting  of  the  Congregation, 
on  the  usual  conditions;  (5)  once  a  year,  on  making 
a  general  confession;  (6)  the  associates  may  gain  all 
the  indulgences  of  the  Stations  in  Rome,  if  on  the 
fi.xed  days  they  visit  a  church  of  the  Society  of  Jesus, 
or  should  there  not  be  one  in  the  place  where  they 
reside,  any  other  church  or  chapel,  and  there  devoutly 
recite  seven  Paters  and  seven  Avcs. 

'  j)  Partial  InJulgences:  (i)  Seven  years  and  seven 
quarantines  for  assisting  at  Christian  burials,  and  for 
attending  public  or  private  devotions  for  the  dead. 
In  the  latter  case,  however,  the  devotion  must  be 
approved  by  the  Director. 

(2)  Seven  years  and  seven  quarantines  for  hearing 
Mass  on  week-days;  the  same  for  the  evening  examina- 
tion of  conscience;  for  visiting  the  sick  and  prisoners 
and  for  reconciling  enemies. 

(c)  A  plenary  indulgence  to  all  the  faithful  who 
visit  a  church  or  chapel  of  the  Sodality,  on  the  Feast 
of  the  -Annunciation,  or  on  the  feast  of  the  chief  title 
of  afFiliated  Sodalities;  also  on  the  secondary  patron's 
feast,  or  on  a  day  appointed  by  the  Director  when  there 
is  no  secondary  patron. 

(d)  These  indulgences  may  be  applied  to  the  souls 
in  purgatory,  and  can  be  gained  by  the  members  in 
any  church  on  the  usual  conditions. 

The  altar  of  each  Sodality  is  privileged. 


Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Many.  617 

SoDalitp  Depottons. 

XLbe  Solemn  TReceptlon  of  IHew  /IRembcw. 

SYNOPSIS   OF   THE   RITE   OF   RECEPTION. 

1.  Veni  Creator,  or  Veni  Sancte  Spirit  us,  or  a  hymn 
in  honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

2.  Sermon. 

3.  Blessing  of  medals. 

4.  Calling  the  names  of  the  candidates. 

5.  The  candidates,  kneeling  at  the  altar-rail,  are 
questioned  by  the  Director,  as  in  the  ceremony  of 
solemn  reception. 

6.  The  Veni  Creator  is  recited. 

7.  The  A  ct  of  Consecration  is  recited  by  the  candidates. 

8.  The  candidates  are  invested  with  the  medals. 

9.  The  Magnificat  is  sung.  Any  hymn  to  the 
Blessed  Virgin  may  be  substituted  for  the  Magnificat. 

ID.  The  plenary  indulgence  is  announced.  Prayers 
are  recited  (e.g.  five  Paters  and  five  Aves)  for  the  inten- 
cions  of  the  Pope. 

11.  Benediction  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament  follows, 
with  the  sanction  of  the  Ordinary. 

12.  The  Te  Deum,  or.  Holy  God,  we  praise  Thy  name, 
may  be  sung  at  the  close  of  the  ceremony. 

Cercmong  of  Solemn  IReceptton. 

Veni  Creator  and  Veni  Sancte  Spiritus. 

HYMN  AND  SEQUENCE  OF  THE  HOLV  GHOST. 

Hymn. 

VENI   Creator   Spiri-    /^OME,    Holy     Ghost, 
tus,  V— ^     Creator,  come, 

Mentes  tuorum  visita,-  From  Thy  bright,  heavenly 

throne; 


618  Devotions. 

Imple  superna  gratia  Come,  take   possession  of 

our  souls, 

Qua;  tu  creasti  pectora.  And     make     them     all 

Thine  own. 

Qui  diceris  Paraclitus,  Thou  Who   art  called  the 

Paraclete, 

Altissimi  donum  Dei,  Best  gift  of   God  above; 

Fons  vivus,  ignis,  charitas.     The     living      spring,     the 

living  fire, 

Et  spiritalis  unctio.  Sweet    unction  and  true 

love. 

Tu  septiformis  munere,        Thou  Who  art  sevenfold  in 

Thy  grace, 

Digitus  paternae  dexterae,        Finger   of   God's    right 

hand; 

Tu  rite  promissum  Patris,     His  promise,  teaching  little 

ones 

Sermone  ditans  guttura.  To   speak    and    under- 

stand. 


Accende  lumen  sensibus,      Oh!  guide  our  minds  with 

Thy  blest  light, 

Infunde  amorem  cordibus,  With  love  our  hearts  in- 
flame; 

Infirma  nostri  corporis  And    with    Thy   strength, 

which  ne'er  decays, 

Virtute  firmans  perpeti.  Confirm      our      mortal 

frame. 

Hostem  repellas  longius.       Far    from    us    drive    our 

hellish  foe, 

Pacemque  dones  protinus:        True  peace  unto  us  bring; 

Ductore  sic  Te  pra;vio.  And  through  all  perils  lead 

us  safe 

Vitemus  omnc  no.xium.  Beneath     Thy      sacred 

wing. 

Per  Te  sciamus  da  Patrcm     Through  Thee  may  we  the 

Father  know, 

Noscamus  atque  Filium,  Through  Thee,  th'  eter- 

nal Son, 


Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  619 


Teque  utriusque  Spiritum     And   Thee,    the   Spirit   of 

them  both, — 

Credamus  omni  tempore.         Thrice-blessed  Three  in 

One. 


Deo  Patri  sit  gloria, 
Et  Filio,  qui  a  mortuis 
.Surrexit,  ac  Paraclito, 


In  saeculorum  saecula. 
Amen. 


All  glory  to  the  Father  be, 

And  to  His  risen  Son, 
The   like    to  Thee,   great 
Paraclete, 
While  endless  ages  run. 
Amen. 


Sequence. 


VENI  Sancte  Spiritus,    ^T^  OLY  Spirit!  Lord  of 
r*-&     light! 


Et  emitte  coelitus 

Lucis  tuae  radium, 
Veni  pater  pauperum, 
Veni  dator  munerum, 
Veni  lumen  cordium. 


Consolator  optime, 
Dulcis  hospes  animae, 
Dulce  refrigerium. 


In  labore  requies, 
In  aestu  temperies, 
In  fletu  solatium. 

O  lux  beatissima, 


From  Thy  clear    celestial 
height. 
Thy  pure,  beaming  ra- 
diance give: 

Come,  Thou  Father  of  the 
poor! 

Come,  with  treasures  which 
endure ! 
Come,  Thou  light  of  all 
that  live! 

Thou,  of  all  consolers  best. 
Visiting  the  troubled  breast, 
Dost  refreshing  peace  be- 
stow : 

Thou  in  toil    art    comfort 

sweet ; 
Pleasant    coolness    in    the 

heat; 
Solace  in   the    midst  of 

woe. 

Light  immortal!  light  di- 
vine! 


630 


Devotions. 


Rcple  cordis  iiitinia 
Tuoruni  lidclium. 

Sine  tuo  numine 
Nihil  est  in  homine, 
Nihil  est  innoxium. 


Visit  Thou  these  hearts  of 
Thine, 
And  our  inmost    being 

mi: 

If  Thou  take  Thy  grace 

away, 
Nothing  pure  in  man  will 

stay; 
All  his  good  is  turn'd  to 

ill. 


Lava  quod  est  sordidum,      Heal     our     wounds — our 

strength  renew; 

Riga  quod  est  aridum,  On  our  dryness  pour  Thy 

dew; 
Sana  quod  est  saucium.         Wash  the  stains  of  guilt 
away : 

Flecte  quod  est  rigidum,       Bend  the  stubborn    heart 

and  will; 


Fove  quod  est  frigidum, 
Rege  quod  est  dcvium. 

Da  tuis  fidelibus 

In  Te  confitentibus 
Sacrum  septenarium. 


Melt  the  frozen,  warm  the 
chill; 
Guide  the  steps  that   go 
astray. 

Thou,  on  those  who  ever- 
more 

Thee    confess    and    Thee 
adore. 
In  Thy  sevenfold  gifts 
descend: 


Give   them  comfort  when 

they  die; 
Give  them  life  with  Thee 
on  high; 
Give   them   joys    which 
never  end.      Amen. 
Indulgence  of  loo  days  each  time  for  reciting  either 
the  hymn  or  the  sequence. — Pius  VI.,  May  26,  1jQ6. 


Da  virtutis  meritum, 

Dasalutisexitum, 

Da  perenne  gaudium. 
Amen. 


Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  621 


Verside,  Response,  and  Prayer  to  the  Holy  Ghost. 


6' 


IMITTE    Spiri- 
tum   et  crea- 
buntur. 

R.  Et  renovabis  faciem 
terra. 


V.  QT  END  forth  Thy 
i*^  Spirit,  and 
they  shall  be  created. 

R.  And  Thou  shalt  re- 
new the  face  of  the  earth. 


Or  emus. 

I  "^EUS,  qui  corda  fide- 
r*— '  Hum  Sancti  Spiri- 
tus  illustratione  docuisti, 
da  nobis  in  eodem  Spiritu 
recta  safiere,  et  de  ejus 
semper  consolatione  gau- 
dere.     Per  Christum,  etc. 


R.  Amen. 


Let  us  pray. 

OGOD,  Who  hast 
taught  the  hearts  of 
the  faithful  by  the  light  of 
the  Holy  Spirit;  grant  that, 
by  the  gift  of  the  same 
Spirit,  we  may  be  always 
truly  wise,  and  ever  rejoice 
in  His  consolation. 
Through  Christ  our  Lord. 
R.  Amen. 


Here  follows  the  sermon  or  exhortation. 


THE   BLESSING   OF   THE   MEDALS. 


V. 


j5^ 


DJUTORIUM 
nostrum      in 
nomine  Domini. 

R.  Qui  fecit  coelum  et 
terram. 

V.  Domine  e.xaudi  ora- 
tionem  meam. 

R.  Et  clamor  meus  ad 
te  veniat. 

V.  Dominus  vobiscum. 


V. 


o 


UR   help    is   in 


the  Lord. 

R.  Who  made  heaven 
and  earth. 

V.  O  Lord,  hear  my 
prayer. 

R.  And  let  my  supplica- 
tion come  unto  Thee. 

V.  The    Lord    be   with 


R.  Et  cum  spiritu  tuo.         R.  And  with  thy  spirit. 


Oremiis 

o 

sanctorum    tuorum    ima- 


MNIPOTENS    sem- 
piterne    Deus,    cjui 


Let  us  pray. 

*0'LMIGHTY  and 
CiJ<-^  eternal  God,  Who 
hast  permitted  the  images 


622 


DeL0tio)i3. 


gincs  (sive  effigies)  scuii>i 
aut  i>ingi  non  rcjirobas,  ut 
quotics  illas  oculis  corjjoris 
intucmur,  totics  eoruin  ac- 
tus et  sanclitatem  ad  imi- 
tandum  memoriae  oculis 
mcdilemur;  has  qurcsu- 
mus,  imagines  in  honorcm 
ct  mt-moriam  beatissim.-c 
Virginis  Marirc,  Matris 
Domini  nostri  Jesu  Christi, 
adaptatas  bene  •J*  dicere  et 
sancti  4*  ficarc  digneris,  et 
pnesta,  ut  quicumque  co- 
ram illis  bcatissimam  Vir- 
gincm  supj:)iiciter  colere  et 
honorare  studucrit  illius 
mcritis  et  obtentu  a  te  gra- 
tiam  in  pn-escnti  et  a-ter- 
nam  gloriam  obtineat  in 
futurum.  Per  Christum 
Dominum  nostnun, 
R.  Amen. 


of  Thy  saints  to  be  carved 
or  painted  in  order  that, 
looking  upon  them  daily 
with  our  corporal  eyes  and 
meditating  upon  the  action 
and  sanctity  of  Thy  saints, 
we  may  be  led  to  imitate 
their  virtues:  deign  to 
bless  and  to  sanctify  these 
medals  which  have  been 
made  in  honor  and  com- 
memoration of  the  most 
blessed  Virgin  Man,-, 
Mother  of  Our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  grant  that  who- 
ever humbly  invokes  the 
Blessed  Virgin  before  them 
may  obtain  through  her 
merits  grace  in  this  present 
life  and  eternal  glory  in 
the  life  to  come.  Through 
Christ  our  Lord. 
R.  Amen. 


Here  the  medals  are  sprivkled  with  holy  water. 
At  the  appointed  time  the  Secretary  bids  the  catidi- 
dates  approach,  saying  aloud: 

Let  those  who  are  to  be  promoted  to  the  degree  of 
Sodalists  come  forward. 

Tlie  candidates,  having  advanced  and  formed  them- 
selves in  a  line,  stand,  while  the  Secretary  addresses  the 
Director  and  Prefect,  saying: 

Reverend  Father  and  worthy  Prefect:  These  candi- 
dates beg  to  be  admitted  into  the  Sodality  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  Their  conduct  has  been  edify- 
ing during  the  time  of  their  probation;  hence  we  pray 
you  to  grant  their  request. 


Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  623 

TIu  Director  replies: 

I  rejoice  to  hear  of  the  desire  of  these  candidates; 
let  their  names  be  read. 

The  Secretary  having  read  tlie  names,  the  Director 
addresses  the  candidates: 

Dear  friends,  you  ask  to  be  promoted  to  the  holy 
rank  of  Sodalists;  it  is  but  proper,  then,  that  your 
dispositions  should  be  manifested  to  us;  hence  we 
beg  you  to  answer  candidly  the  questions  which  our 
Secretary  will  now  propose  to  you. 

The  Secretary:  The  Sodality  asks.  Do  you  really 
desire  to  be  admitted  into  our  Association,  in  order 
to  dedicate  yourselves  in  it  to  the  service  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  His  glorious  Mother  ? 

TJie  Candidates:    Y2S,  we  desire  it  most  earnestly. 

The  Secretary:  Are  you  disposed  to  cultivate  a 
special  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  and  to 
our  holy  patron,  St.  — ? 

The  Candidates:  Yes,  we  are  truly  so  disposed. 

The  Secretary:  Are  you  resolved  to  observe  faithfully 
all  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Sodality,  and  will 
you  make  it  your  endeavor  to  promote  by  word  and 
example,  according  to  the  spirit  of  our  society,  the 
glory  of  God  and  the  honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary  ? 

The  Candidates:  Yes,  we  are  resolved  to  do  this 
with  the  help  of  divine  grace. 

The  Director  then  says: 

Since  you  are  really  determined  to  serve  God  and 
His  holy  Mother  in  this  Sodality,  which  is  erected  in 
this  place  under  the  title  N.N. ,  you  are  now  allowed 
to  recite  the  act  of  consecration. 

Let  us  invoke  the  Holy  Spirit,  my  dear  Sodalists, 
that  His  divine  assistance  may  be  with  those  who  are 
about  to  be  united  to  us  by  a  holy  and  spiritual  tie. 

All  kneel.  The  hymn  to  the  Holy  Ghost  is  recited 
or  sung.     The  act  of  consecration  follows.     It  may  be  re- 


694  Devotions. 

cited  aloud  by  the  Director  or  by  the  Prefect,  all  the  candi- 
dates repealing  it,  clause  jor  clause,  ajter  him.  Each 
candidate  holds  a  lighted  taper  in  the  right  hand  during 
the  jollowing  ceremony. 

ACT   OF   CONSECRATION. 

*  1-J  OLY  Maxy,  immaculate  \'irgin  and  Mother  of 
4J— ^  (iod,  I  choose  thcc  this  day  for  my  Queen 
my  Advocate  and  my  Mother.  I  (irmly  resolve  always 
to  he  faithful  to  thee  hotli  in  word  and  in  deed,  and 
never  to  sutler  those  committed  to  my  care  to  say  or  to 
do  anything  against  thy  honor.  Receive  me,  there- 
fore, as  thy  devoted  servant  now  and  forever;  assist 
me  in  all  my  actions,  and  forsake  me  not  at  the  hour 
of  my  death.     Amen. 


'  |— w  OLY  Mary,  immaculate  Virgin  and  Mother  of 
«J-^  God,  although  I  am  not  worthy  to  be  numbered 
among  thy  servants,  yet  desiring  to  be  wholly  thine,  and 
relying  on  thy  goodness  and  mercy,  I  consecrate  my- 
self to  thee  without  any  reserve,  and  choose  thee  in  the 
presence  of  my  guardian  angel  and  the  whole  heavenly 
cour*  for  my  Queen,  Patroness,  Advocate,  and  Mother. 
I  am  firmly  resolved  henceforth  to  serve  thee  faithfully 
and  to  endeavor  earnestly  that  others  may  also  be  thy 
devoted  servants.  I  beseech  thee,  by  the  precious 
blood  of  thy  divine  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  to  receive  me 
among  the  number  of  thy  children,  and  as  one  of  thy 
servants  forever.  Remember  me,  most  tender  Mcjther, 
assist  me  in  all  the  actions  of  my  life,  and  protect  me 
especially  in  the  hour  of  my  death.     Amen. 

The  Director  then  invests  each  of  the  new  members 
"mith  the  medal  oj  the  Blessed  Virgin,  saying: 

Accipe  signum  Congregation  is  ad  corporis  et  animae 
defensionem,  ut  divinie  bonitatis  gratia  et  ope  Mariie, 
Matris  tua;,  acternam  bcatitudinem  consequi  merearis. 
In  nomine  Patris  +  ct  Filii  et  S])iritus  sancti.     Amen. 

Receive  this  medal  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  for  the 


Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  625 

protection  of  body  and  soul,  in  order  that  through 
the  mercy  of  the  all-bountiful  God  and  through  the 
help  of  \iary,  your  Mother,  you  may  deserve  to  obtain 
eternal  happiness.  In  the  name  of  the  Father +,  and 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     A  nen. 

Tlie  Director  continues: 

Ad  majorem  Dei  gloriam,  in  laudem  B.  Marias 
Virginis,  in  spirituale  hi'jus  Congregationis  bonum, 
secundumque  potestatem  a  Pontitice  Romano  mihi 
delatum,  ego  vos  in  numerum  sodalium  nostra  Con- 
gregationis sub  titulo  N.  N.  hie  loci  erectie  suscipio, 
et  vos  participes  reddo  omnium  gratiarum  et  fructuum, 
omnium  privilegiorum  et  indulgentiarum,  qu:c  sancta 
Ecclesia  Romana  ipsi  primari;e  Congregationi  Romae 
concessit.  In  nomine  Patris  ^*  et  Filii  et  Spiritus  sancti. 
Amen. 

For  the  greater  glory  of  God,  and  in  honor  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  for  the  spiritual  good  of  this 
Sodality,  and  in  virtue  of  the  authority  conceded  to 
me  by  the  Supreme  Pontiff,  I  receive  you  into  this 
our  Sodality,  which  is  here  erected  under  the  title  of 
N.  N.,  and  the  patronage  of  St.  — ,  and  I  declare  you 
partakers  of  all  the  graces,  benefits,  indulgences 
and  privileges  which  have  been  granted  to  its  members 
by  the  Holy  .A.postolic  See.  In  the  name  of  the  Father 
4",  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

Suscipiat  vos  Christus  in  numerum  consororum 
nostrarum  et  suarum  famularum.  Concedat  vobis 
tempus  bene  vivendi,  locum  bene  agendi,  constantiam 
bene  perseverandi  et  ad  aeternae  vitae  hereditatem 
feliciter  perveniendi.  Et  sicut  nos  hodie  fraterna 
charitas  spiritualiter  jungit  in  terris,  ita  divina  pietas, 
quae  dilectionis  est  auctrix  et  amatrix,  nos  cum  fideli- 
bus  conjungere  dignetur  in  coelis ;  Per  eumdem  Christum 
Dominum  nostrum.     Amen. 

V.  Ecce  quam  bonum  et  quam  jucundum. 

R.  Habitare  fratres  in  unum! 

V.  Confirma,  hoc,  Deus,  quod  operatus  es  in  nobis. 

R.  A  templo  sancto  tuo,  quod  est  in  Jerusalem. 


626  Devotions. 

V.  Salvas  fac  anrillas  tuas. 

K.   Dcus  incus,  s])crantes  in  te. 

V.  Mittc  eis,  Doniine,  auxilium  de  sancto. 

R.  Et  de  Sion  tuere  eas. 

V.  Domine,  exaudi  orationem  meam. 

R.  Et  clamor  meus  ad  te  veniat. 

V.  Dominiis  vobiscum. 

R.  Et  cum  spirilu  tuo. 

Oremtis. 

Adesto,  Domine,  supplicationibus  nostris,  et  has 
famulas  tuas,  quas  Congrcgationis  B.  Maria:  V.  aggre- 
gavimus,  benedicere  +  dignare,  et  priesta,  ut  statuta 
nostra,  per  auxilium  gratiae  tua;  sancte,  pie,  et  religiose 
vivendo,  valeant  obser\'are  et  obsen-ando  vitam  pro- 
mcrcri  Eternam.     Per  Christum  Dominum  nostrum. 

R.  Amen. 

The  tapers  are  now  extinguisJted  and  collected.  The 
'Magnificat"  or  some  hymn  to  Our  Lady,  is  sung  and, 
in  conclusion,  Benediction  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament  is 
jgiven  (provided  permission  for  this  has  been  granted). 

THE   MAGNIFICAT. 

#TVAGNIFICAT:    ani-  /T\V    soul   doth    mag- 

/>l^    ma mea Dominum.  ^1^     nify  the  Lord. 

Et  exultavit  spiritus  me-  And  my  spirit  hath  re- 
us: in   Deo  salutari  meo.  joiced  in  God  my  Saviour. 

Quia  respexit  humilita-  Because    He    hath    re- 

tem  ancilL-csuae;  ecceenim  garded  the  humility  of  His 

ex  hoc  beatam  me  dicent  handmaid:      for       behold 

omnes  generationcs.  from  henceforth  all  genera- 
tions shall  call  me  blessed. 

Quia  fecit  mihi  magna  Because     He     that     is 

qui  potens  est:  et  sanctum  mighty    hath    done    great 

nomen  ejus.  things  unto  me;  and  holy 
is  His  name. 

Et   misericordia  ejus  a  And  His  mercy  is  from 

progenie  in  {)rogenics:  ti-  generation   to   generation: 

mentibus  eum.  unto  them  that  fear  Him. 

Fecit  potentiam  in  bra-  He  hath  showed   might 


Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  627 


chio  suo:  dispersit  super- 
bos  mente  cordis  sui. 

Deposuit    potentes     de 
ocde:  et  exaltavit  humiles. 

Esurientes  implevit  bo- 
nis: et  divites  dimisit  in- 


Suscepit  Israel  puerum 
suum:  recordatus  miseri- 
cordias  suae. 

Sicut  locutus  est  ad 
patres  nostros:  Abraham, 
et  semini  ejus  in  saecula. 

Gloria,  etc. 

Oremtcs. 

aONCEDE  nos  famu- 
los  tuos,  qua;sumus 
Domine  Deus,  perpetua 
mentis  et  corporis  sanitate 
gaudere;  et  gloriosa  beatae 
Marias  semper  virginis  in- 
tercessione,  a  praesenti  li- 
berari  tristitia,  et  aeterna 
perfrui  laetitia.  Per  Do- 
minum  nostrum,  etc. 


R.  Amen. 


with  His  arm:  He  hath 
scattered  the  proud  in  the 
conceit  of  their  heart. 

He  hath  put  down  the 
mighty  from  their  seat,  and 
hath  exaUed  the  humble. 

He  hath  filled  the  hungry 
with  good  things:  and  the 
rich  he  hath  sent  empty 
away. 

He  hath  helped  His  ser- 
vant Israel:  being  mindful 
of  His  mercy. 

As  He  spoke  to  our 
fathers:  to  Abraham  and 
his  seed  for  ever. 

Glory,  etc. 

Lei  us  pray. 

/^RANT,  we  beseech 
\S>     Thee,  O  Lord  God, 

that  we,  Thy  servants,  may 
enjoy  perpetual  health, 
both  of  mind  and  body; 
and  by  the  glorious  mter- 
cession  of  blessed  Mary,, 
ever  virgin,  may  be  de- 
livered from  present  sor- 
row, and  attain  unto  eter- 
nal joy.  Through  Our 
Lord,  etc. 
R.  Amen. 


Or  the  following: 


Oremus. 


*T^EUS,  qui  de  beatas 
t^LJ  Mariae  Virginis  u- 
tero,  Verbum  tuum,  ange'.o 
nuntiante,  carnem  susci- 
pere  voluisti;  praesta  sup- 


Let  us  pray. 

GOD,  Who  wast 
pleased  that  Thy 
Word,  at  the  message  of  an 
angel,  should  take  fiesh  irt 
the  womb  of  the  Blessed 


o 


628 


Devotions. 


pliribus  tuis,  ut  qui  vere 
earn  (ienitrircm  Dei  cre- 
dimus,  ejus  apud  te  intcr- 
cessionibus  adjuvemur. 
Per  eumdem  Doniinum 
nostrum. 

R.  Amen. 


Virgin  Mar>';  grant  to  Thy 
humble  servants,  that  we, 
who  believe  her  to  be  truly 
the  Mother  of  (iod,  may 
be  assisted  by  her  interces- 
sions with  Thee.  Through 
the  same  Christ  our  Lord. 
R.  Amen. 


JScneOlctton  of  tbc  JBleaecJ)  Sacrament. 

O    SALUTAKIS    HOSTIA. 

^^  SALUTARIS  Hostia, 
Quae  cceli  pandis  ostium: 


o 


Bella  premunt  hostilia: 
Da  robur  fer  auxilium: 

Uni  trinoque  Domino, 

Sit  sempiterna  gloria: 

Qui  vitam  sine  termino. 

Nobis  donet  in  patria. 
Amen. 


SAVING      Victim, 
opening  wide 
The  gate  of  heav'n    to 
man  below! 
Our   foes   press   on    from 
every  side; 
Thine  aid  supply,    Thy 
strength  bestow. 

To  Thy  great  name  be  end- 
less praise, 
Immortal  Godhead,  (^ne 
in  Three, 
Oh,  grant  us  endless  length 
of  days 
In  our  true  native  land 
with  Thee.     Amen. 


TANTUM   ERGO    SACRAMENTUM. 


■^rt^ANTlTM  ergo  sacra-     *T~\<^ 

V^     mentum,  J^-J 

Veneremur  cernui; 


kOWN    in    adoration 
falling, 
Lo!   the   sacred   Host   we 
hail! 

Et  antiquum  documentum     Lo!  o'er  ancient  forms  de- 
parting, 


Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  629 

Novo  cedat  ritui;  Newer  rites  of  grace  pre- 

vail; 
Prasstet   fides  supplemen-    Faith  for  all  defects  supply- 
turn  ing, 
Sensuum  defectui.                    Where    the    feeble    senses 

fail. 


Genitori,  Genitoque, 
Laus  et  jubilatio; 

Salus,  honor,  virtus  quo- 

que 
Sit  et  benedictio: 
Procedenti  ab  utroque 

Compar  sit  laudatio.  Amen. 

V.  Panem  de  ccelo  prse- 
stitisti  eis. 

R.  Omne  delectamen- 
tum  in  se  habentem. 


To  the  everlasting  Father, 
And  the  Son  Who  reigns  on 

high, 
With  the   Holy  Ghost  pro- 
ceeding 
Forth  from  each  eternally. 
Be  salvation,  honor,  bless- 
ing, 
Might,  and  endless  majesty. 
Amen. 
V.  Thou      hast      given 
them  bread  from  heaven. 
R.  Replenished  with  all 
sweetness  and  delight. 


Prayer. 


BEUS,  qui  nobis,  sub 
Sacramento  mira- 
bili,  passionis  tuae  memori- 
am  reliquisti,  tribue  quaj- 
sumus,  ita  nos  corporis  et 
sanguinis  tui  sacra  myste- 
ria  venerari,  ut  redempti- 
onis  tui  fructum  in  no- 
bis jugitersentiamus..  Qui 
vivis  et  regnas  in  saecula 
saeculorum. 
R.  Amen. 


OGOD,  Who  hast  left 
us  in  this  wonderful 
Sacrament  a  perpetual 
memorial  of  Thy  Passion; 
grant  us,  we  beseech  Thee, 
so  to  venerate  the  sacred 
mysteries  of  Thy  body  and 
blood  that  we  may  ever 
feel  within  us  the  fruit 
of  Thy  Redemption.  Who 
livest  and  reignest  world 
without  end. 
R.  Amen. 


630  DeiK>tion8. 


AT   THE   BLESSING. 


OF^ACRAArEXT  most  holy!   O  Sacrament  divine! 
All  praise  and  all  thanksgiving  be  every  moment 
Thine. 

Bless  me,  O  Lord!  "J*  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

AN    ACT    OF    REPARATION    FOR    PROFANE    LANGUAGE. 

BLESSED  be  God. 
Blessed  be  His  holy  name. 

Blessed  Vje  Jesus  Christ,  true  God  and  true  man. 

Blessed  be  the  name  of  Jesus. 

Blessed  be  His  Most  Sacred  Heart. 

Blessed  be  Jesus  in  the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  of  the 
Altar. 

Blessed  be  the  great  Mother  of  God,  Mary  most  holy. 

Blessed  be  her  holy  and  immaculate  conception. 

Blessed  be  the  name  of  Mary,  Virgin  and  Mother. 

Blessed  be  God  in  His  angels  and  in  His  saints. 

Indulgence  of  two  years  for  every  public  recital  after 
Mass  or  Benediction  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament. — Leo 
XIII.,  Feb.  2,  1897. 

TE   DEXJM   LAUDA^rUS. 

^^!!*E    Deum    laudamus:  y /j  tE   praise   Thee,    O 

>i^     Te  Dominum  con-  VxA*     God:  weacknowl- 

temur.  edge  Thee   to  be    Our 
Lord. 

Te  asternum  Patrem,  cm-  All  the  earth  worships  Thee, 

nis  terra  veneratur.  the  Father  everlasting. 

Tibi    omnes    angeli:     tibi  To  Thee  all  the  angels  cry 

coeli  et  universre  potes-  aloud:  the  heavens,  and 

tates:  all  the  heavenly  powers: 

Tibi  cherubim  ct  seraphim  To  Thee  the  cherubim  and 

incessabili  voce  procla-  seraphim  continually  do 

mant:  cry: 


Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  631 


Sanctus,  sanctus,  sanctus, 
Dominus  Deus  Sa})aoth. 

Pleni  sunt  coeli  et  terra  ma- 
jestatis  gloriae  tuas. 

Te  gloriosus  apostolorum 

chorus: 
Te     prophetarum     lauda- 

bilis  numcrus: 

Te  martyrum   candidatus 

laudat  excrcitus. 
Te    per    orbem    terrarum 

sancta     confitetur     Ec- 

clesia. 
Patrem    immensce    majes- 

tatis; 
Venerandum  tuum  verum 

et  unicum  Filium; 
Sanctum   quoque  Paracli- 

tum  Spiritum. 
Tu  Rex  gloriae,  Christe. 

Tu  Patris  sempiternus  es 

Filius. 
Tu  ad  liberandum  suscep- 

turus      hominem,      non 

horruisti    Virginis    ute- 

rum. 
Tu  devicto  mortis  aculeo, 

aperuisti        credentibus 

regna  coelorum. 

Tu  ad  dexteram  Dei  sedes 
in  gloria  Patris. 

Judex  crederis  esse  ventu- 
rus. 

Te   ergo    quaesumus,    tuis 


Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  (iod 
of  Sabaoth. 

Heaven  and  earth  are  full 
.of  the  majesty  of    Thy 
glory. 

The  glorious  choir  of  the 
apostles  praise  Thee. 

The  admirable  company 
of  the  prophets  praise 
Thee. 

The  noble  army  of  the  mar- 
tyrs praise  Thee. 

The  holy  Church  through- 
out the  world  acknowl- 
edges Thee. 

The  Father  of  infinite 
majesty; 

Thy  adorable,  true,  and 
only  Son; 

Also,  the  Holy  Ghost,  the 
Comforter. 

Thou,  O  Christ,  art  the 
King  of  glory. 

Thou   art   the   everlasting 

Son  of  the  Father. 
When  Thou  didst  take  upon 
Thee    to    deliver    man. 
Thou  didst  not  disdain 
the  Virgin's  womb. 

Having  overcome  the  sting 
of  death.  Thou  didst 
open  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  to  all  believers. 

Thou  sittest  at  the  right 
hand  of  God,  in  the 
glory  of  the  Father. 

We  believe  that  Thou 
shalt  come  to  be  our 
Judge. 

We  therefore  pray  Thee  to 


632 


Devotiuiis. 


famulis  subveni,  quos 
jjrctioso  sanguine  redc- 
misti. 

interna    fac    cum    Sanctis 
tuis  in  gloria  numcrari. 

Salvum  fac  populum  tuum, 

Doniinc,  el  bcnedic  has- 

reditali  tua;. 
Et  rcge  COS,  et  extolle  illos 

usque  in  a;ternum. 
Per  singulos  dies  benedi- 

cimus  Te. 
Et  laudamus  nomen  tuum 

in  s;eculum,  et  in  sa?cu- 

lum  sa?cuii. 
Dignare,  Domine,  die  isto, 

sine  peccato  nos  custo- 

dire. 
Miserere  nostri,  Domine, 

miserere  nostri. 
Fiat  misericordia  tua,  Do- 
mine,   super    nos:    que- 

madmodum  speravimus 

in  Te. 
In   Te,    Domine,  speravi; 

non  confundar  in  a;ter- 

num. 


help  Thy  servants, 
whom  Thou  hast  re- 
deemed with  Thy  pre- 
cious blcx)d. 

Make  them  to  be  num- 
bered with  Thy  saints  in 
glory  everlasting. 

Save  Thy  people,  O  Lord, 
and  bless  Thy  inheri- 
tance. 

Govern  them,  and  raise 
them  up  forever. 

Every  day  we  bless  Thee. 

And  we  praise  Thy  name 
for  ever  and  ever. 

Vouchsafe,   O  Lord,   this 

day,  to  keep  us  without 

sin. 
Have    mercy    on    us,    O 

Lord,  have  mercy  on  us 
Let  Thy  mercy,  O  Lord, 

be  upon  us,  as  we  have 

hoped  in  Thee. 

In  Thee,  O  Lord,  I  have 
hoped;  let  me  never  be 
confounded. 


On  occasions  of  solemn  thanksgiving  the  following 
prayers  are  added: 


V.   *Tr>KNEDICTUS 

^JL>     es,    Domine, 

Dcus  Patrum  nostrorum. 


V. 


B 


LESSED      art 
Thou,    O 
God     of    our 


R.  Et  laudabilis,  et  glori- 
osus  in  sfficula. 


Lord,    tht 
fathers. 

R.  And  worthy  to  be 
praised,  and  glorified  for 
ever. 


Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  6?<5 


V.  Benedicamus  Patrem 
et  Filiura,  cum  Sancto 
Spiritu. 

R.  Laudemus  et  super- 
exaltemus  eum  in  sajcula. 

V.  Benedictus  es,  Do- 
mine  Deus,  in  iirmamento 
cceli. 

R.  Et  laudabilis,  et  glori- 
osus,  et  superexaltatus  in 
saecula. 

V.  Benedic,  anima  mea, 
Dominum. 

R.  Et  noli  oblivisci  om- 
nes  retributiones  ejus. 

V.  Domine,  exaudi  ora- 
tionem  meam. 

R.  Et  clamor  meus  ad 
te  veniat. 

V.  Dominus    vobiscum. 

R.  Et  cum  spiritu  tuo. 


r.  Let  us  bless  the 
Father  and  the  Son,  with 
the  Holy  Ghost. 

R.  Let  us  praise  and 
magnify  Him  for  ever. 

V.  Blessed  art  Thou,  O 
Lord,  in  the  firmament  of 
heaven. 

R.  And  worthy  to  be 
praised,  glorified,  and  ex- 
alted for  ever. 

V.  Bless  the  Lord,  O 
my  soul. 

R.  And  forget  not  all 
His  benefits. 

V.  O  Lord,  hear  my 
prayer. 

R.  And  let  my  cry  come 
unto  Thee. 

V.  The  Lord  be  with 
you. 

R.  And  with  thy  spirit- 


Oremtis. 

BEUS,  cujus  miseri- 
cordiae  non  est  nu- 
merus,  et  bonitatis  infini- 
tus  est  thesaurus:  piissi- 
mae  majestati  tua;  pro  col- 
latis  donis  gratias  agimus, 
tuam  semper  clementiam 
exorantes;  ut  qui  petenti- 
bus  postulata  concedis, 
eosdem  non  deserens,  ad 
prsemia  futura  disponas. 


Let  us  pray. 

OGOD,  Whose  mercies 
are  without  number, 
and  the  treasure  of  Whose 
goodness  is  infinite:  we 
render  thanks  to  Thy  most 
gracious  Majesty  for  the 
gifts  Thou  hast  bestowed 
upon  us,  evermore  beseech- 
ing Thy  clemenc}^;  that  as 
Thou  grantest  the  peti- 
tions of  those  who  ask 
Thee,  Thou  wilt  never  for- 
sake them,  but  wilt  prepare 
them  for  the   rewards   to 


634 


Devotions. 


"■f^VEUS,  qui  corda  fidc- 
fJLj  lium  Sancti  Spiri- 
tiis  illustratione  docuisti: 
da  nobis  in  eodcm  Sj)iritu 
recta  sai)ere,  et  de  ejus 
semper  consolationc  gau- 
dcre. 

BEUS,  qui  neminem  in 
tc  sperantcm  nimi- 
iim  aflligi  permittis,  sed 
pium  precibus  pnestas 
auditum:  pro  postulationi- 
bus  nostris,  votisfiue  sus- 
ceplis  gratias  agimus,  te 
j)iissime  deprecantes,  ut  a 
cunctis  semper  muniamur 
adversis.  Per  Christum 
Dominum  nostrum. 


R.  Amen. 


OGOD,  Who  hast 
taught  the  hearts  of 
the  faithful  by  the  Hght  of 
the  Holy  Spirit:  grant  us, 
by  the  same  Sy)irit,  to  rel- 
ish what  is  right,  and  ever- 
more to  rejo'ce  in  His  con- 
solation. 

OGOD,  Who  sufferest 
none  that  hope  in 
Thee  to  be  afflicted  over- 
much, but  dost  listen  gra- 
ciously to  their  prayers:  we 
render  Thee  thanks  be- 
cause Thou  hast  received 
our  supplications  and 
vows;  and  we  most  hum- 
bly beseech  Thee  that  Me 
may  evermore  be  protected 
from  all  adversities. 
Through  Christ  our  Lord. 
R.  .\men. 


PRAYERS   AT   BENEDICTION. 


O  JESUS,  Who  art  about  to  give  Thy  Benediction 
to  me,  and  to  all  who  are  here  present,  T  humbly 
beseech  Thee  that  it  may  impart  to  each  and  all  of  us 
the  special  graces  we  need.  Yet  more  than  this  I  ask. 
Let  Thy  blessing  go  forth  far  and  wide.  I>et  it  be  felt 
in  the  souls  of  the  afflictcfi  who  cannot  come  here  to 
receive  it  at  Thy  feet.  Let  the  weak  and  temjited 
feel  its  power  wherever  they  may  be.  Let  poor  sinners 
feel  its  influence,  arousing  them  to  come  to  Thee. 
Grant  to  me,  O  Lord,  and  to  all  here  present,  a  strong, 
personal  love  of  Thee,  a  lively  horror  of  sin,  a  higher 
esteem  of  grace,  great  zeal  for  Thy  glory,  for  the 
interest  of  Thy  Sacred  Heart,  for  the  honor  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  for 
our  sanctification   and  that  of  all  those  confided   to 


Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  635 

our  care,  and  grant  that  in  our  intercourse  with  others 
we  may  lead  many  souls  to  Thee.     Amen. 

II. 

O  DIVINE  Redeemer  of  our  souls,  Who  of  Thy 
great  goodness  hast  been  pleased  to  leave  us 
Thy  precious  body  and  blood  in  the  Most  Holy  Sac- 
rament of  the  Altar,  we  adore  Thee  with  the  most  {)ro- 
found  respect,  and  return  Thee  our  most  humble  thanks 
for  all  the  favors  Thou  hast  bestowed  upon  us,  espe- 
cially for  the  institution  of  this  Most  Holy  Sacrament. 
As  Thou  art  the  source  of  every  blessing,  we  entreat 
Thee  to  pour  down  Thy  benediction  this  day  upon  us, 
and  upon  all  those  for  whom  we  offer  our  pra^-ers. 
And  that  nothing  may  interrupt  the  course  of  Thy 
blessing,  take  from  our  hearts  whatever  is  displeasing 
to  Thee.  Pardon  our  sins,  O  my  God,  which,  for  the 
love  of  Thee,  we  sincerely  detest;  purify  our  hearts, 
sanctify  our  souls,  and  bestow  a  blessing  on  us  like 
that  which  Thou  didst  grant  to  Thy  disciples  at  Thy 
Ascension  into  heaven;  grant  us  a  blessing  that  may 
change  us,  consecrate  us,  unite  us  perfectly  to  Thee, 
fill  us  with  Thy  spirit,  and  be  to  us  in  this  life  a  fore- 
taste of  those  blessings  which  Thou  hast  prepared 
for  Thy  elect  in  Thy  heavenly  kingdom.     Amen. 

1P1OU0  Bjercisee  anJ>  ipragers  for  TReguIar 
or  ©ccaeional  yfteettngs. 

I.    INVOCATION  OF   THE    HOLY   GHOST. 

VENI,  Sancte  Spiritus  •"S'OME,  O  Holy  Spirit, 
reple  tuorum  corda  ^^  enlighten  the  hearts 
fidelium,  et  tui  amoris  in  of  Thy  faithful,  and  kindle 
eis  ignem  accende.  in  them  the  fire  of  Thy  love. 

V.  Emitte  Spiritum  tu-  V.  Send  forth  Thy  Spir- 
um  et  creabuntur  (AUe-  it  and  thev  shall  be  cre- 
luia.)  ated.     (Alleluia.) 

R.  Et  renovabis  faciem  R.  And  Thou  shall  re- 
terrse.     (Alleluia.)  new  the  face  of  the  earth. 

(Alleluia.) 


636  Devotions. 

Oremus.  Let  us  pray. 

Bi:US,  qui  corda  fide-  /^  GOD,  Who  hast 
lium  Sancli  Sjiiri-  v_/  taught  the  hearts  of 
lus  illustratione  docuisti:  the  faithful  by  the  light 
da  nobis  in  codem  Spiritu  of  the  Holy  Spirit:  grant 
recta  sapcre  et  de  ejus  that  by  the  gift  of  the  same 
semper  consolatione  gau-  S[)irit  we  may  be  always 
dere.  Per  Christum  Do-  truly  wise,  and  ever  re- 
minum  nostrum.  Amen,  joice  in  His  consolation. 
Through  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

II.  The  Litaiiy  oj  Loretto  (i)agc  550). 

Following  the  Litany,  a  Hymn  to  the  Blessed  Virgin 
naay  be  sung. 

III.  One  of  the  Avtiphons  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary,  according  to  the  Ecclesiastical  season: 

(a)  Alma  Redemptoris  (p.  590). 

(6)  Ave  Regiua  Ccelorum  (p.  592), 

(c)  Regiua  Cmli,  lecture  (p.  593). 

{d)  Salve  Regina  (p.  594). 

N.B.  The  Memorare  (p.  445);  the  Sub  tuum  presi- 
dium (p.  453);  the  Rosary;  a  part  of  the  Office  of  tlie 
B.  V.  M. ;  an  act  of  consecration,  or  some  other  prayers 
to  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  to  the  patron  saint  may  be 
inserted  at  the  discretion  of  the  Director. 

IV.  Announcements  are  made  and  a  short  instruc- 
tion or  exhortation  is  given  by  the  Director. 

Then  the  concluding  prayers  are  offered  for  the  Sodal- 
ity, for  its  benefactors,  for  sick,  members,  and  for  the 
dead. 

V.    CONCLUDING  PRAYERS. 

Director:  Be  mindful,  O  Mary,  of  thy  Sodality. 

All:  Which  from  the  beginning  was  thine  own. 

D.  Let  us  pray  for  our  benefactors. 

A.  Mercifully  grant,  O  Lord,  the  reward  of  eternal 
life  to  all  those  who  for  the  glory  of  Thy  name  have 
conferred  benefits  upon  us. 

D.  Let  us  pray  for  the  souls  of  the  deceased  mem- 
bers of  our  Sodality. 


Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  637 

A.  Eternal  rest  give  unto  them,  O  Lord,  and  let 
perpetual  light  shine  upon  them. 

D.  Let  us  pray  for  those  who  are  absent,  sick,  or 
afflicted. 

A.  Protect,  O  God,  and  preserve  Thy  servants  who 
put  their  trust  in  Thee,  and  who  have  enrolled  them- 
selves in  the  Sodality  of  Thy  holy  Alother. 

D.  Send  them  help  from  Thy  holy  place. 

A.  And  strengthen  them  out  of  Sion. 

D.  Lord,  hear  our  prayer. 

A .  And  let  our  cry  come  unto  Thee. 

D.  Let  us  pray.  We  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  that 
through  the  intercession  of  the  blessed  and  immaculate 
Virgin  JNIary  Thou  wouldst  vouchsafe  to  avert  all 
evils  from  the  members  of  this  our  Sodality;  gra- 
ciousl}'  preserve  them  from  the  snares  and  assaults  of 
their  enemies,  and  lead  them  to  eternal  happiness, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

When  the  prayers  of  the  Sodality  are  asked  for  d 
sick  member,  the  priest  says: 

"Tj — 'ET  us  pray  for  our  Sister  N.,  who  is  sick.  O  most 
,  I  A  merciful  Jesus,  Who  art  the  succor  and  the 
solace  of  all  who  put  their  trust  in  Thee,  we  humbly 
beseech  Thee,  by  Thy  most  bitter  Passion,  grant  the 
recovery  of  her  health  to  thy  servant  who  is  sick, 
Drovided  this  be  for  her  soul's  welfare,  that  with  us  she 
may  again  praise  and  magnify  Thy  holy  name  in  Thy 
temple.  But  if  it  be  Thy  holy  will  to  call  her  out  of 
this  world,  strengthen  and  assist  her  in  her  last  hour, 
grant  her  a  peaceful  death  and  eternal  life  hereafter 
with  Thee  and  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  unto  all 
eternity.     Amen.     Our  Father.     Hail  Mary. 

For  a  deceased  member. 
I  TET  us  pray  for  our  Sister  N.,  who  has  departed 
II  ^  ^  this  life.  O  God,  Whose  property  it  is  ever  to 
have  mercy  and  to  spare,  we  beseech  Thee  on  behalf 
of  the  soul  of  Thy  servant  Whom  Thou  hast  called  out 
of  this  world;  deliver  her  not  over  into  the  hands  of 
her  enemies,  and  be  not  forgetful  of  her,  but  let  her  be 


C38  Devotions. 

conducted  by  the  holy  angels  to  paradise,  her  true 
country.  Grant  that  she  who  believed  in  Thee  and 
hoped  in  Thee  may  not  be  left  to  suffer  the  pains  of 
the  purgatorial  fire,  but  may  be  admitted  to  eternal 
joys.  Through  Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Son  our  Lord,  Who 
with  Thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost  liveth  and  reigneth 
world  without  end.     Amen.     Our  Father.    Hail  Alar)'. 

Psalm  cxxix. 

OUT  of  the  depths  I  have  cried  unto  Thee,  O 
Lord:    Lord,  hear  my  voice. 

Let  Thy  ears  be  attentive:  to  the  voice  of  my  sup- 
plication. 

If  Thou,  O  Lord,  wilt  mark  iniquities:  Lord,  who 
shall  stand. 

For  with  Thee  there  is  merciful  forgiveness:  and 
by  reason  of  Thy  law,  I  have  waited  for  Thee,  O  Lord. 

My  soul  hath  relied  on  His  word:  my  soul  hath 
hoped  in  the  Lord. 

From  the  morning  watch  even  until  night:  let 
Israel  hope  in  the  Lord. 

Because  with  the  Lord  there  is  mercy:  and  with 
Him  plentiful  redemption. 

And  He  shall  redeem  Israel  from  all  his  iniquities. 

Eternal  rest  grant  to  them,  O  Lord,  and  let  per- 
petual light  shine  upon  them. 

Prayer. 

OGOD,  Creator  and  Redeemer  of  all  the  faithful, 
give  to  the  soul  of  Thy  servants  departed  full 
remission  of  all  their  sins;  that  through  these  pious 
supplications  they  may  obtain  the  pardon  which  they 
have  always  so  ardently  desired.  Who  livest  and 
rcigncst  with  the  Father  in  union  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
one  God,  world  without  end.  Amen. 
May  they  rest  in  peace.     Amen. 

VI.  Benediction  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament. 


The  Month  of  May.  639 


tDevotlons  tor  tbe  /IDontb  ot  /IDai?. 

*^^^HE  return  of  May,  when  nature,  awakened  from 
VzJ  her  winter  sleep,  is  clad  in  all  her  vernal  beauty, 
reminds  us  that  all  should  be  fair  and  bright  within  us 
also,  that  our  hearts  ought  to  be  adorned  with  fair 
virtues,  so  as  to  be  pleasing  to  Jesus  and  Mary.  De- 
votion to  the  Blessed  Virgin,  frequent  meditation  on 
her  life  and  contemplation  of  her  example,  earnest 
endeavor  to  imitate  her  virtues — these  are  all  excellent 
means  of  sanctifying  the  soul  and  of  advancing  in  the 
love  of  God.  And  since  the  May  devotions  are  intended 
to  attain  this  laudable  end,  since  they  are  commended 
to  us  by  holy  Church  and  enriched  with  indulgences, 
it  especially  behooves  us,  who  are  the  adopted  children 
of  Mary  and  her  devoted  clients,  to  perform  these 
exercises  with  a  willing  heart  and  in  the  spirit  of  piety. 
The  following  suggestions  will  serve  as  your  guide. 

1.  If  possible,  receive  the  sacraments  at  the  be- 
^nning  of  the  month  of  May,  in  order  that  the  medi- 
tations and  devotions  may  bear  more  abundant  fruit 
in  your  soul. 

2.  The  chapters  in  the  fore  part  and  at  the  end  of 
this  book  will  furnish  you  with  suitable  matter  for  medi- 
tation and  spiritual  reading;  to  this  you  may  add  the 
Litany  of  Loretto  and  other  prayers  to  the  Blessed 
Virgin. 

3.  .A.s  your  principal  object  propose  to  yourself  to 
combat  and  thoroughly  master  some  fault  or  bad 
habit,  and  to  acquire  the  opposite  virtue. 

4.  Every  morning  offer  up  your  actions  to  Jesus  and 
Mary,  and  endeavor  earnestly  to  model  your  whole 
conduct  by  the  example  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

5.  If  you  can  manage  to  hear  Mass  daily,  see  that 
you  do  so;  and  if  the  May  devotions  are  not  held  in 
public,  perform  them  by  yourself,  either  in  church 
before  the  shrine  of  Our  Lady,  or  at  home  before  your 
own  little  altar  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 


640  Devotions. 

6.  Recite  the  Rosary  frequently. 

7.  Finally,  do  your  ulnuist  to  [)romote  devotion  to 
our  blessed  Lady  amongst  those  with  whom  you  come 
into  contact. 

INDULGENCES    FOR   THE     MONTH     OF     MAY. 

The  Sovereign  Pontiff  Pius  VII.,  by  a  rescript  from 
the  OfTice  of  the  Secretary  of  Memorials,  Mar.  21,  1815, 
granted  to  ail  the  faithful  who,  cither  in  public  or  in 
private,  shall  honor  the  Blessed  Virgin  with  some 
special  homage  and  devout  prayers,  or  the  practice 
of  other  virtuous  acts,  an  indulgenc  e  of  three  hundred 
days,  every  day;  a  plenary  indulgence,  once  in  this 
month,  or  according  to  the  rule  already  established 
on  one  of  the  first  eight  days  of  June,  on  the  day 
when,  being  truly  penitent,  after  confession  and 
communion,  they  shall  pray  for  the  intention  of  his 
Holiness. 

By  a  rescript  of  the  S.  Congr.  of  Indulgences,  June  18, 
1822,  the  same  Sovereign  Pontiff  confirmed  forever 
these  indulgences. — The  New  RaccoUa. 

VRAYER     OF    ST.     ALPHONSUS    DE    LIGXJORI    TO    THE 
BLESSED   VIRGIN   M.A.RY. 

^T^OST  holy  and  immaculate  Virgin!  O  my  Mother! 
^X^  thou  who  art  the  Mother  of  my  Lord,  the  Queen 
of  the  world,  the  advocate,  hope,  and  refuge  of  sinners! 
I,  the  most  wretched  among  them,  now  come  to  thee. 
I  worship  thee,  great  Queen,  and  give  thee  thanks  for 
the  many  favors  thou  hast  bestowed  on  me  in  the  past; 
most  of  all  do  I  thank  thee  for  having  saved  me  from 
hell,  which  I  had  so  often  deserved.  I  love  thee.  Lady 
most  worthy  of  all  love,  and,  by  the  love  which  I  bear 
thee,  I  promise  ever  in  the  future  to  serve  thee,  and 
to  do  what  in  me  lies  to  win  others  to  thy  love.  In 
thee  I  put  all  my  trust,  all  my  hope  of  salvation. 
Receive  me  as  thy  servant,  and  cover  me  with  the 
mantle  of  thy  protection,  thou  "fhr  »'t  ^^f  Mother  of 


The  Month  of  May.  641 

mercy!  And  since  thou  hast  so  much  power  with  God, 
deliver  me  from  all  temptations,  or  at  least  obtain 
for  me  the  grace  ever  to  overcome  them.  From  thee 
I  ask  a  true  love  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  grace  of  a 
happy  death.  O  my  Mother!  by  thy  love  for  God  I 
beseech  thee  to  be  at  all  times  my  helper,  but  above 
all  at  the  last  moment  of  my  life.  Leave  me  not 
until  thou  seest  me  safe  in  heaven,  there  for  endless 
ages  to  bless  thee  and  sing  thy  praises.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  each  time;  plenary  indul- 
gence once  a  month,  on  the  usual  conditions. — Pius  IX., 
Sept.  7,  1854. 


THREE  OFFERINGS    IN  HONOR   OF    THE   BLESSED  VIRGIN 

MARY. 

I.  *  a— J  OLIEST  Virgin,  with  all  my  heart  I  worship 
(-L^     ^^^Q  above  all  the  angels  and  saints  in 
paradise  as  the  daughter  of  the  eternal  Father,  and 
to  thee  I  consecrate  my  soul  and  all  its  powers. 
Hail  Mary,  etc. 

n.*T^  OLIEST    Virgin,    with    all    my    heart    I 

,X_^     worship  thee  above  all  the  angels  and 

saints  in  paradise  as  the  Mother  of  the  only-begotLen 

Son,  and  to  thee  I  consecrate  my  body  with  all  its  senses. 

Hail  Mary,  etc. 

III.  *Tp^  OLIEST  Virgin,  with  all  my  heart  I 
fj-^  worship  thee  above  all  the  angels  and 
saints  in  paradise  as  the  spouse  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  to  thee  I  consecrate  my  heart  and  all  its  affections, 
praying  thee  to  obtain  for  me  from  the  ever-blessed 
Trinity  all  the  graces  which  I  need  for  my  salvation. 
Hail  Mary,  etc. 

Indulgence    of    300    days,    each    time. — Leo    XII., 
Oct.  21,  1823. 


642  Devotions. 


ST.   ALOYSrUS'   ACT   OF  CONSECRATION. 

/T^OST  holy  Mary,  my  Lady,  to  thy  faithful  care 
%'A  and  particular  protection  and  to  the  bosom  of 
thy  mercy,  to-day  and  every  day,  and  particularly  at 
the  hour  of  my  death,  I  commend  my  soul  and  my 
body;  all  my  licpe  and  consolation,  all  my  trials  and 
miseries,  my  life  and  the  end  of  my  life,  I  commit  to 
thee,  that  through  thy  most  holy  intercession  and  by 
thy  merits  all  my  actions  may  be  directed  and  ordered 
according  to  thy  will  and  that  of  thy  divine  Son. 
Amen. 

Indulgence  of  200  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIIL, 
March  15,  1890. 

PRAYER    TO    OUR    QUEEN  OF    THE    MOST  HOLY  ROSARY. 

QUEEX  of  the  most  holy  Rosarj',  in  these  days  of 
bold  impiety  show  forth  thy  power  by  the  tokens 
of  thy  former  victories,  and  from  the  throne  on  which 
thou  sittest  as  dispenser  of  pardon  and  of  graces  look 
down  upon  the  Church  of  thy  Son,  upon  his  vicar 
and  upon  all  Orders  of  ecclesiastics  and  laymen  who 
are  struggling  against  the  fierce  assaults  of  the  enemy; 
hasten,  powerful  conqueror  of  heresies,  hasten  the 
hour  of  mercy,  though  the  hour  of  justice  is  hurried 
on  every  day  by  innumeraV)le  sins.  Obtain  for  me, 
the  least  of  men,  as  I  kneel  in  humble  supplication 
before  thee,  the  grace  I  need  most  to  live  among  the 
just  on  earth,  to  reign  among  the  just  in  heaven, 
whilst,  in  the  meantime,  together  with  all  the  faithful 
in  the  world,  O  Queen  of  the  most  holy  Rosary,  I 
salute  and  hail  thee. 

Queen  of  the  most  holy  Rosary,  pray  for  us. 

His  Holiness  Leo  XIIL,  by  a  rescript  of  his  Emi- 
nence the  Cardinal  \'icar,  July  3,  1886,  granted  to 
the  faithful  who  shall  recite  the  said  prayer,  an  indul- 
gence of  one  hundred  days,  once  a  day. 


The  Month  of  May.  643 

Note. — The  following  short  meditations  are  intended 
especially  for  the  Month  oj  May  or  October,  though 
they  may  be  used  at  any  time  with  profit,  particularly 
in  connection  with  novenas  and  the  celebration  of 
the  feasts  of  Our  Lady.  They  are  founded  on  the 
chief  incidents  in  the  life  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  JMary 
as  recorded  in  Holy  Scripture,  or  handed  down  by 
tradition.  Each  of  them  is  broken  up  into  three  heads 
or  points,  intended  to  furnish,  directly  or  indirectly, 
some  practical  suggestion  to  the  devout  servant  of 
Mary.  They  are  taken  (with  the  exception  of  the 
introduction  and  a  few  minor  additions)  from  "The 
Devout  Year"  {Maria  Magnificata),  by  Rev.  R.  F. 
Clarke,  S.J. 

/DicDitations  on  tbc  Xite  of  ^acg. 

INTRODUCTION. 

Mary's  Vocation. 

I.  *  I  '.  ET  your  prayer  at  the  beginning  of  the  month 
,*  »  of  May  be  for  a  true  devotion  to  our 
blessed  Lady. 

To  speed  your  prayer  on  its  way  make  little  acts  of 
mortification,  such  as  denying  yourself  some  delicacy 
at  table,  keeping  silence  when  your  feelings  are  hurt, 
checking  curiosity,  preserving  a  cheerful  countenance 
under  all  circumstances,  being  patient  when  your  plans 
are  thwarted,  visiting  the  Blessed  Sacrament  when 
doing  so  means  sacrificing  a  little  pleasure,  striving  to 
perform  the  daily  little  duties  well  and  carefully  in 
imitation  of  Mary.  By  these  and  similar  practices 
we  honor  Mary  and  advance  our  prayer  by  making  it 
more  pleasing  to  God. 

Why  should  we  observe  the  month  of  May?  For 
the  love  of  Jesus,  for  the  love  of  Mary,  and  for  the 
good  of  our  own  souls. 

True  devotion  comes  from  God  and  leads  to  God. 

The  fundamental  rule  in  regard  to  the  homage 
which  we  offer  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  and  the 
saints  is,  that  it  must  ultimately  be  referred  to  God 


644  Devotions. 

and  our  eternal  salvation.  Our  devotion  to  the 
Blessed  Virgin  would  be  of  no  avail  if  it  did  not  tend 
toward  our  union  with  God,  toward  possessing  Him 
eternally. 

True  devotion  extends  itself  to  the  saints  without 
being  seiJarated  from  the  eternal  Source  of  all  sane  tity. 

"  For  (jlher  foundation  no  man  can  lay,  but  that 
which  is  laid;  which  is  Christ  Jesus"  (i  Cor.  iii.). 
Let  Him  be  the  foundation  of  our  devotion  to  His 
holy  Mother. 

We  are  not  able  to  honor  our  blessed  Lady  adequately, 
since,  through  her,  Jesus  has  come  to  us.  Oh,  how 
great,  how  sublime  was  Mary's  vocation!  God  pre- 
destined her  before  all  ag<'s  to  be  the  Mother  of  the 
Saviour  of  the  world.  And  having  called  her  to  fill 
this  most  glorious  office.  He  would  not  have  her  be  a 
mere  channel  of  grace,  but  an  instrument  cooperating, 
both  by  her  e.xcellent  qualities  and  by  her  own  free 
will,  in  the  great  work  of  our  Redemption. 

For  thousands  of  years  the  world  had  been  expecting 
the  promised  Messias.  The  fulness  of  time  has  now 
come.  The  eternal  Father  sends  a  heavenly  messenger 
to  Mary,  to  treat  with  her  of  the  mystery  of  the  Incar- 
nation. She  pronounces  the  word  "Fiat!"  "Be  it 
done!"  And  the  heavens  open;  the  earth  possesses  a 
Saviour;  Mary  has  become  the  Mother  of  God. 

Years  pass  by.  The  time  has  arrived  when  the  great 
sacrifice  is  to  be  consummated.  We  find  Mary  at  the 
foot  of  the  cross.  With  the  dying  breath  of  Jesus 
she  receives  the  Church  as  an  inheritance.  Mary 
becomes  our  Mother. 

These  are  the  two  great  titles  which  give  Mary  a 
claim  on  our  veneration  and  alTection.  She  is  like  a 
fountain  from  which  the  waters  of  grace  have  spread 
themselves  abundantly  over  the  whole  human  race, 
.^s  we  have  once  received  through  her  Jesus,  the  Source 
of  all  blessing  and  grace,  so  we  also  obtain  through 
her  powerful  intercession  the  various  effects  and 
applications  of  this  grace  in  all  the  circumstances  of 
life.     Her  maternal  charity,  which  shines  forth  in  the 


The  Month  of  May.  645 

mystery  of  the  Incarnation,  also  causes  her  to  take 
a  share  in  the  consequences  of  this  universal  principle 
of  benediction.  Thus  Mary  is,  by  her  intercession, 
the  Mother  of  all  Christians,  the  Mother  of  all  men. 
Her  overflowing  charity  is  an  appropriate  instrument 
for  the  operations  of  grace. 

Who  is  better  able  than  Mary  to  plead  in  our  behalf' 
She  can  confidently  speak  to  the  Heart  of  her  divine 
Son,  where  her  wishes,  her  sentiments,  find  an  echo. 
She  fears  no  refusal.  The  love  of  the  Son  makes  Him 
lend  a  favorable  ear  to  the  request  of  His  Mother. 

II.  Our  blessed  Lady  is  able  and  willing  to  help  us. 
But  in  order  to  secure  her  powerful  and  generous 
assistance  we  must  have  a  sincere  devotion  to  her. 

This  devotion  must  be  practical.  It  ought  to  consist 
not  only  in  words,  but  also  in  action. 

.\  person  truly  devout  to  Mary  will  be  enrolled  in 
her  Sodality;  will  celebrate  her  feasts  very  piously; 
will  wear  her  scapular  and  medal;  will  venerate  her 
images  and  visit  her  shrines;  will  love  to  read  books 
on  her  life  and  virtues,  and  will  endeavor  through- 
out the  year,  but  especially  in  May,  to  imitate  her 
example.  Certainly,  a  girl,  a  woman,  cannot  be  said 
to  have  a  true  devotion  to  the  Mother  of  God  unless 
she  honors  and  invokes  her  by  frequent  and  fervent 
prayers. 

Of  the  various  exercises  in  her  honor,  comes  in  the 
first  place  the  Mass  of  our  blessed  Lady.  Let  us  hear 
Mass  in  her  honor  on  her  feast-days,  and  on  Saturdays. 
The  Office  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  the  Litany  of  Loretto, 
and  the  holy  Rosary  are  singularly  pleasing  to  her 
and  enriched  with  indulgences. 

Other  indulgenced  prayers,  acts  of  consecration, 
one  of  which  might  easily  be  said  every  day,  the 
Salve  Regina  and  other  anthems,  the  Memorare  and 
many  short  invocations,  are  to  be  found  in  this  book. 

Let  us  not  imagine,  however,  that,  to  secure  the 
special  protection  of  the  Mother  of  God,  our  prayers 
must  needs  be  very  long.  Much  will  depend  upon 
our  circumstances  of  life.     But  let  us  not  forget  the 


346  Devotions. 

advice  which  Blessed  John  Berchmans  gave  to  his 
companions  at  his  death:  "The  least  homage  is  suffi- 
cient, provuled  it  be  constant."  Hence,  what  we  have 
once  resolved  to  do  in  honor  of  our  blessed  Lady 
must  never  be  put  aside  or  neglected,  but  must  be 
faithfully  persevered  in,  daily,  until  death. 

Father  Bowden,  of  the  Oratory,  in  his  Miniature 
Life  of  Mary,  suggests  the  following  practices  in  honor 
of  Mary.  They  may  be  drawn  by  lot,  or  otherwise 
chosen,  at  the  beginning  of  a  month. 

1.  Take  a  short  time  from  your  recreation  to  spend 
in  solitude  conversing  with  Mary,  or  in  meditation  on 
the  mysteries  of  her  life. 

2.  Rise  punctually  in  the  morning,  invoking  her 
as  "the  morning  star." 

3.  Invoke  her  sixty-three  times  as  "  Virgin  Mother " 
in  honor  of  her  sixty-three  years. 

4.  Visit  in  spirit  one  of  her  great  sanctuaries. 

5.  Mortify  your  will  three  times  as  an  offering  to 
Mary. 

6.  Say  three  Glorias  in  honor  of  the  saints  and 
Doctors  who  have  explained  and  defended  her  pre- 
rogatives. 

7.  Gain  indulgences  for  the  soul  in  purgatory  most 
devoted  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  in  life;  offer  Mass 
and  communion  for  this  purpose. 

8.  Ask  Mary  to  be  present  with  you  during  the  day 
to  drive  away  evil  spirits. 

9.  Perform  some  act  of  kindness  with  inconvenience 
to  yourself. 

10.  Say  three  Hail  Marys  in  reparation  for  the 
blasphemies  uttered  against  her. 

11.  Give  an  alms  in  honor  of  her  poverty. 

12.  Invoke  the  saints  who  were  related  to  her — 
Saints  Joseph,  Joachim,  Anne,  etc. 

13.  Mortify  your  sight,  once  or  more,  in  honor  of 
Mary's  modesty. 

14.  Burn  a  candle  before  her  image  or  picture. 

15.  Recall  with  devotion  her  words  recorded  in  the 
Gospel,    remembering   how   many   of   your   sins   are 


The  Month  of  May.  647 

committed     in     speech.     Bear    your    sufferings     and 
sorrows  silently  and  patiently. 

1 6.  Say  the  litany  for  the  conversion  of  a  soul  for 
Mary  to  offer  to  God. 

17.  Shun  idleness  during  the  day  in  imitation  of 
Mary  at  Nazareth. 

18.  Say  a  Hail  Mary  in  honor  of  St.  Gabriel,  who 
brought  it  to  earth. 

19.  Practise  some  little  mortification  at  meals. 

20.  Before  going  to  sleep,  place  yourself  with  the 
infant  Jesus  in  Mary's  arms. 

21.  Say  seven  Glorias  with  extended  arms,  in  honor 
of  her  seven  dolors. 

22.  Make  a  spiritual  communion  in  union  with 
her  dispositions  at  the  Annunciation. 

23.  Say  a  Memorare  to  obtain  Mary's  help  at  the 
hour  of  death. 

24.  Keep  silence  for  a  short  time,  and  with  Mary 
ponder  on  God's  words  in  your  heart. 

25.  Say  a  Hail  Mary  before  going  to  bed,  to  prevent 
one  mortal  sin  during  the  night. 

26.  Visit  her  altar  or  image  in  atonement  for  the 
desecration  of  her  sanctuaries. 

27.  Say  nine  Hail  Marys  in  union  with  the  nine 
choirs  of  angels  who  are  ever  praising  her. 

28.  Say  a  Salve  for  the  spread  of  devotion  to  her. 

29.  Say  fifteen  Glorias,  in  honor  of  the  last  fifteen 
years  of  Mary's  life,  for  the  grace  of  perseverance. 

30.  Kiss  the  ground,  and  say  three  Hail  Marys 
for  the  virtue  of  holy  purity. 

31.  Say  a  Hail  Mary  in  reparation  for  your  neglect 
of  Mary's  service  during  this  month. 

32.  Distribute  leaflets  in  praise  of  Mary,  scapulars, 
medals,  pictures,  and  beads,  to  promote  devotion  to 
the  blessed  Mother  of  God. 

III.  Oh,  how  powerful  are  the  motives  of  this 
devotion,  and  how  wonderful  are  its  effects!  If, 
therefore,  you  are  tossed  to  and  fro  on  the  stormy 
ocean  of  this  world,  do  not  turn  away  your  eyes  from 


648  Devotions. 

this  resplendent  star,  lest  you  perish  in  the  tempest. 
If  the  winds  of  temptation  blow,  if  you  are  in  danger 
of  being  dashed  against  ihe  rocks  of  adversity,  look 
at  the  star,  call  upon  Mary.  If  the  waves  of  pride,  of 
ambition,  of  detraction,  of  anger,  of  avarice,  or  lust, 
threaten  your  soul,  call  upon  Mary.  If,  troubled  at 
the  sight  of  your  manifold  sins,  frightened  at  the 
thought  of  the  just  Judge,  you  begin  to  sink  into  the 
abyss  of  sorrow  and  despair,  think  of  Marj-.  In  all 
dangers,  in  all  your  trials,  invoke  Mary.  Let  her  name 
be  on  your  lips,  let  her  memory  be  in  your  heart. 
If  you  follow  her,  you  will  not  go  astray;  if  you  trust 
in  her,  you  will  not  be  disapjiointed;  if  she  takes 
care  of  you,  you  need  not  fear;  if  she  protects  you.  and 
intercedes  for  you,  you  will  safely  arrive  at  the  haven 
of  eternal  felicity. 

HYMN  TO  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 

Ave  Maris  Stella  I 

*/_|*VE,  maris  Stella,  "  y-L  AIL,    thou    star    of 

gjr^  A—\>     ocean! 
Dei  Mater  alma.  Portal  of  the  sky! 

Atque  semper  Virgo,  Ever  Virgin  Mother 
Felix  coeli  porta.  Of  the  Lord  most  high! 

Sumens  illud  ave  Oh!  by  Gabriel's  Ave, 

Gabrielis  ore.  Uttered  long  ago, 

Funda  nos  in  pace,  Eva's  name  reversing, 

Mutans  Hevas  nomen.  Grant  us  peace  below. 

Solve  vincla  reis,  Break  the  captives'  fetters, 
Profer  lumen  caecis,  Light  on  blindness  pour; 

Mala  nostra  pelle,  All  our  ills  expelling. 
Bona  cuncta  posce.  Every  bliss  implore. 

Monstra  te  esse  Matrem,  Show  thyself  a  Mother; 
Sumat  per  te  preces.  Offer  Him  our  sighs, 

Qui  pro  nobis  natus,  Who  for  us  Incarnate 
Tulit  esse  tuus.  Did  not  thee  despise. 


The  Month  of  May. 


649 


Virgo  singularis, 
Inter  omnes  mitis, 
Nos  culpis  solutos, 
Mites  fac  et  castos. 


Virgin  of  all  virgins! 

To  thy  shelter  take  us: 
Gentlest  of  the  gentle! 

Chaste  and  gentle  make 


Vitam  praesta  puram, 
Iter  para  tutum, 
Ut  videntes  Jesum 
Semper  colla;temur. 

Sit  laus  Deo  Patri, 

Summo  Christo  decus, 
Spiritui  sancto, 
Tribus  honor  unus. 

Amen. 


Still,  as  on  we  journey, 
Help  our  weak  endeavor, 

Till  with  thee  and  Jesus 
We  rejoice  forever. 

Through  the  highest  hea- 
ven. 
To  the  almighty  Three, 
Father,    Son,    and    Spirit, 
One  same  glory  be. 

Amen. 


ist  Day. — Mary's  Immaculate  Conception. 

The  Lord  God  said  to  the  serpent:    I  ivill  put  eiimities 
between  thee  and  the  ■woman.     (Gen.  iii.  14,  15.) 

1.  In  these  words  the  Immaculate  Conception  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  was  announced  to  our  first 
parents.  It  was  to  be  the  reversal  of  the  friendship  with 
the  serpent  contracted  by  Eve,  when  she  listened  to 
his  voice  and  fell  under  his  power. 

The  second  Eve  was  never  to  be  under  the  power  of 
the  devil;  the  enmity  between  them  was  to  admit  of 
no  possible  exception.  This  involved  the  grace  of 
being  conceived  immaculate.. 

2.  Mary's  Immaculate  Conception  was  the  founda- 
tion of  all  her  graces.  The  absence  of  any  stain  or 
spot  of  sin  distinguished  her  from  all  the  rest  of  man- 
kind. It  distinguished  her  from  the  holiest  of  the  saints, 
since  they,  one  and  all,  were  sinners.  Her  perfect 
sinlessness  was  the  source  of  all  her  glory  and  all  her 
majesty;    it  was  this  which  opened  the  door  to  the 


650  Devotions. 

unlimited  graces  thai  she  received  from  God;  it  was 
this  that  f|ualilied  her  for  her  divine  maternity,  and 
raised  her  to  her  throne  as  Queen  of  heaven. 

3.  If  sinlessness  is  so  j)riceless  a  treasure,  how  I 
ought  to  value  it!  And  how  I  ought  to  hate  sin  with 
a  deadly  hatred,  and  to  detest  and  avoid  even  what 
are  called  little  sins! 

Learn  from  Mary  immaculate  the  holiness  which 
God  requires  in  those  whom  He  chooses  as  His  own. 
Pray  Him  to  cleanse  you  more  and  more  from  the  least 
stain  of  sin,  and  add  your  own  endeavor. 

"Simple  and  chaste  should  be  those  eyes  which  are 
accustomed  to  behold  the  body  of  Christ." — Imitation. 

The  purity  of  Blessed  John  Berchmans'  soul  beamed 
so  brightly  from  his  face  that  persons  passing  him 
in  the  streets  would  stop  to  ask  his  prayers.  As 
a  child  he  had  vowed  to  live  a  virgin  for  Mary's  sake, 
and  thenceforth  he  kept  his  senses  sealed  to  things 
of  earth.  During  his  three  years  in  Rome  he  never 
raised  his  eyes  to  witness  any  spectacle,  save  that  of 
Corpus  Christi.  He  never  passed  Our  Lady's  statue 
without  saluting  it,  nor  left  a  church  without  visiting 
her  altar.  At  even,'  meal  before  tasting  food,  and  at 
night  before  composing  himself  to  sleep,  he  said  a  Hail 
Mary  in  honor  of  the  Immaculate  Conception;  and  to 
this  practice  he  ascribed  his  exemption  from  all  tempta- 
tions of  the  flesh.  He  invented  a  Rosarj'  in  honor  of 
that  myster}',  and  made  a  vow,  signed  with  his  blood, 
ever  to  defend  its  truth.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he 
was  already  ripe  for  heaven,  and  went  to  his  reward. 

How  eagerly  should  I  cry  out  to  the  immaculate 
Mother  of  God,  this  day  and  every  day,  in  words  thai 
she  herself  suggested  to  one  of  her  servants: 

O   Mar}-,   conceived  without  sin, 
Prav  for  us  who  have  recourse  to  thee! 


The  Month  of  May.  661 


2d  Day. — Mary's  First  Graces. 

Her  foundations  are  in  the  holy  mountains. 
(Psalm  Ixxxvi.  i.) 

1.  Marj'  began  her  journey  along  the  road  to  per- 
fection at  a  height  to  which  other  saints  arrived  only 
at  the  end  of  a  long  life  of  saintliness.  God  loved  her 
more  at  the  first  moment  of  her  existence  than  He  loved 
the  holiest  among  the  rest  of  men  at  the  time  that 
their  earthly  pilgrimage  was  over  and  they  were  ripe 
for  their  heavenly  reward.  What  glory  must  have 
been  hers  even  from  the  beginning! 

2.  What  was  the  cause  of  this  special  predilection 
that  God  had  for  this  newly  created  soul?  In  all 
other  children  of  Adam  original  sin  prevented  the 
divine  generosity  from  having  a  free  course.  But  Mary 
was  created  immaculate,  and  therefore  the  grace  of 
God  streamed  into  her  soul  without  check  or  hindrance. 
Oh,  happy  child  whose  sinlessness  received  so  glorious 
a  recompense!  Like  Mary,  we  also  have  been  present 
to  God  from  all  eternity;  we  too  have  had  our  special 
place  appointed  for  us.  Are  we  faithful  to  our  high 
calling?  Are  we  accomplishing  our  life's  work  day 
by  day? 

3.  What  is  it  that  checks  in  us  the  inflow  of  God's 
supernatural  gifts ?  It  is  always  sin;  not  so  much  sins 
in  the  past  as  sins  and  imperfections  wilfully  admitted 
in  the  present.  These  must  be  relinquished  if  we 
desire  God  to  give  us  good  measure  of  His  grace. 
We  must  try  to  hate  sin  as  Mary  hated  it,  and  we  must 
cry  to  her: 

Hail,  Mary,  ever  undefiled! 

Hail,  Queen  of  purity! 
O  make  thy  children  chaste  and  mild, 

And  turn  their  hearts  to  thee. 


669  Devotions. 


3d  Day.— Mary's  Earliest  Gift. 

God  said  to  Abraham:   walk  before  me  and  be  perfect. 
(Gen.  xvii.  i.) 

1.  The  highest  praise  that  can  be  bestowed  upon 
the  saints  of  God  during  their  earthly  pilgrimage  is 
that  they  "walked  witliGod."  In  this  consists  all  per- 
fection, as  we  see  from  God's  words  to  faithful  Abra- 
ham. This  was  the  privilege  of  our  first  parents  before 
they  sinned.  This  was  the  praise  of  Henoch  and  of 
Noe.  It  is  an  anticipation  of  the  eternal  hajjpiness  of 
heaven,  where  the  just  will  walk  with  God  forever 
in  the  glory  of  the  beatific  vision. 

2.  What  is  meant  by  walking  with  God  ?  It  means 
an  intimate  union  with  Him;  a  continual  and  joyful 
remembrance  of  His  presence,  a  perfect  agreement  of 
will  with  God.  This  was  the  beginning  of  God's 
gifts  to  Mary;  it  was  the  result  of  her  sinlessness. 
It  rendered  her  life  a  sort  of  heaven  on  earth.  From 
the  first  moment  of  her  existence  she  could  cry  out: 
"My  Beloz'ed  to  me,  and  I  to  Him,"  and  He  could 
answer:  "  Thou  art  all  fair,  O  My  love,  and  there  is  not 
a  spot  in  thee."     (Cant.  iv.  7.) 

3.  God  was  thus  always  present  to  Mar}''s  thoughts. 
Every  action,  every  movement,  was  directed  to  His 
glory.  This  was  the  secret  of  her  unapproachable 
holiness.  How  different  am  I  from  Mary!  I  think 
so  little  of  God,  and  do  so  little  for  Him!  I  will  try 
to  do  more,  that  I  too  may  become  more  pleasing 
to  God,  more  full  of  His  graces  and  gifts. 

Holy  Mother  of  God,  pray  for  me! 

4th  Day. — God's  Design  in  Beautifying  Mary, 

Wisdom  hath  built  lierself  a  house.     (Prov.  i.x.  i.) 

r.  God  did  not  bestow  all  her  gifts  and  graces 
on  Mary  for  her  own  sake.  .She  had  done  nothing 
to  earn  that  first  grace  that   was  the  foundation   of 


The  Month  of  May.  653 

all  the  rest.  It  was  the  free  gift  of  God.  He  chose 
her  of  His  own  good  pleasure.  He  fixed  His  love 
upon  her  simply  because  He  willed  to  do  so,  "that 
He  might  show  the  riches  of  His  glory  on  the  vessel 
of  mercy,  which  He  hath  prepared  to  glory"  (Rom.  ix. 
23),  and  to  a  glory  more  resplendent  than  the  combined 
glory  of  all  the  other  saints. 

2.  But  He  had  a  special  object  in  the  exceeding 
glory  conferred  on  His  chosen  daughter.  It  was 
because  she  was  to  entertain  her  Creator,  because 
she  was  to  carry  in  her  womb  the  co-equal  and 
co-eternal  Son  of  God.  It  would  have  been  unworthy 
of  the  divinity  that  God  should  take  to  Himself  flesh 
from  one  whose  flesh  had  ever  been  tainted  with  sin. 
It  was  to  adorn  a  house  for  Himself,  when  He  came 
to  dwell  amongst  men,  that  Mary  was  adorned  with 
such  surpassing  beauty. 

3.  Mary  was  also  decked  with  these  wondrous 
graces  to  prepare  her  for  her  work  of  intercession. 
If  she  was  to  be  the  Mother  of  all  men,  to  take  them 
all  under  her  sacred  protection,  it  was  right  that  she 
should  be  from  the  first  far  exalted  above  them  all, 
their  model  as  well  as  their  Queen  and  their  Mother. 
Oh,  happy  we,  to  have  such  a  Mother  and  such  a 
model! 

Him  who  gave  us  such  a  Mother, 
Let  our  grateful  songs  proclaim; 

Loving  hearts  and  joyful  voices 
Praise  her  great  Creator's  name. 


5th  Day.— The  Birth  of  Mary. 

The  light  shineth  in  darkness,  and  the  darkness  did  not 
comprehend  it.     (St.  John  i.  5.) 

I.  At  the  time  of  Mary's  birth  the  whole  world  was 
plunged  in  darkness.  The  heathen  nations  were 
steeped  in  vice  and  pride.  The  Jews,  too,  had  cor- 
rupted their  ways  and  departed  from  God.     Every- 


&S4  Devotions. 

where  there  was  sin  and  gloom,  scarce  a  bright  spot 
on  the  face  of  the  earth.  But  when  Mary  was  born 
a  light  arose  amid  the  darkness;  the  dawn  of  the 
glorious  day  that  was  to  usher  in  the  Redeemer. 
So,  too,  the  darkness  of  the  sinner's  soul  is  dispersed 
by  Mary's  holy  influence.  Where  the  love  of  her  is 
born  in  the  soul,  all  becomes  full  of  light,  and  Jesus 
comes  to  make  His  habitation  there. 

2.  Before  Mary's  birth  Ood  sought  in  vain  for  one 
who  would  always  be  faithful  to  Him,  for  one  soul  that 
would  always  love  Him  as  it  ought.  For  four  thousand 
vears  He  had  invarial)ly  been  disappointed,  but  now 
at  length  He  had  found  one  who  fulfilled  all  His  desires, 
who  satisfied  the  yearnings  of  His  divine  Heart. 
A  worthy  daughier  of  His  omnipotent  love! 

3.  Mary,  in  the  first  hour  of  her  life,  brought  more 
glory  to  God  than  all  the  saints  of  the  Old  Testament. 
In  her  v/ere  made  perfect  the  obedience  of  Abraham, 
the  chastity  of  Joseph,  the  patience  of  Job,  the  meek- 
ness of  Moses,  the  prudence  of  Josue.  It  is  because 
she  is  the  model  and  pattern  of  these  and  all  other 
virtues  that  she  can  communicate  them  to  us.  I 
must  beg  of  Mary  to  obtain  for  me  obedience,  chastity, 
patience,  prudence,  and  all  else  I  need. 

Virgin  most  pure,  star  of  the  sea, 
Pray  for  the  sinner,  pray  for  me! 


6th  Day. — The  Presentation  of  Mary  in  the  Temple. 

The  king  shall  greatly  desire  thy  beauty:  for  He  is  the 
Lord  thy  God,  atid  Him  tliey  sh^l  adore.  (Psalm  xliv.  12.) 

I.  Mary  from  the  first  moment  of  her  existence 
offered  herself  to  God  as  an  entire  and  an  unblemished 
holocaust.  From  the  instant  when  she  was  conceived 
immaculate  the  burden  of  her  continual  song  was  this: 
"  I  live;  not  I,  but  God  Who  lives  in  me."  Oh,  glorious 
child,  who  was  thus  from  the  first  a  participator  of 
the  divine  nature! 


The  Month  of  May.  655 

2.  But  she  was  not  content  with  this  mere  offering 
of  her  heart.  She  must  in  outward  act  consecrate 
herself  to  God.  As  soon  as  her  tiny  feet  could  walk 
she  was  brought  to  the  Temple  by  her  holy  parents, 
Joachim  and  Anne.  With  what  an  ecstasy  of  delight 
she  must  have  entered  into  the  Temple,  cr>'ing  out: 
"How  lovely  are  Thy  tabernacles,  O  Lord  of  hosts: 
my  soul  longeth  and  fainteth  for  the  courts  of  the  Lord." 
(Psalm  Ixxxiii.  1,2.)  Have  I  any  of  the  same  desire  to 
consecrate  my  life  to  God? 

3.  Mary  knew  that  God  is  not  to  be  found  in  the 
midst  of  the  tumult  and  confusion  of  distracting 
cares,  but  that  it  is  in  silence  and  in  solitude  that 
He  speaks  to  the  heart  (Osee  ii.  14).  She  was  teach- 
ing us  to  give,  in  some  quiet  retreat,  now  and  again, 
our  thoughts  and  our  heart  to  God  and  God  alone. 

Mary,  it  was  thy  lowliness, 

Well  pleasing  to  the  Lord, 
That  made  thee  worthy  to  become 

The  Mother  of  the  Word. 


7th  Day. — Mary's  Life  in  the  Temple. 

Here  will  I  dwell,  for  I  have  chosen  it.  (Psalm  cxxxi.  14.) 

1.  Let  us  watch  this  tender  little  maiden  in  her  daily 
life  in  the  Temple.  How  exact  in  her  obedience  to 
all  her  superiors!  How  punctual  in  the  performance 
of  every  duty!  How  full  of  charity  for  her  little  com- 
panions! How  she  delights  to  anticipate  the  wishes 
of  those  who  represented  almighty  God  to  her!  How 
she  rejoices  in  the  most  menial  offices!  How  she 
retires  during  her  leisure  to  pray  in  secret!  When 
I  examine  my  daily  life,  does  it  at  all  correspond  to 
hers? 

2.  What  is  it  Mary  is  continually  praying  for?  That 
God  would  hasten  the  coming  of  the  Messias,  and  that, 
if  it  were  God's  will,  she  might  be  thought  worthy  to  be 
the  handmaid  of  His  Mother.      It  never  entered  into 


656  Devociona. 

her  wildest  dreams  that  she  was  the  chosen  one,  who 
was  to  usher  into  the  world  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 
Thus  it  is  that  the  holiest  always  esteem  themselves  as 
worth  nothing.  If  I  were  more  holy,  I  should  be  more 
humble. 

3.  What  a  joy  it  is  to  Mary  to  take  part  in  the  sacred 
psalmody  of  the  Temple!  As  she  sings  the  praises  of 
God  it  seems  to  her  that  she  is  in  heaven,  singing  with 
the  angels.  How  sweet  her  voice  sounds  in  the  ears 
of  God,  sweeter  than  all  the  music  of  the  heavenly 
choirs!  What  is  it  gives  such  surpassing  Ijeauty  to 
her  song?  It  is  her  heavenly  purity.  Blessed  are 
the  pure  in  heart.  Their  voice  always  sounds  sweet 
as  it  rises  in  prayer  or  praise  to  God. 

Virgin  of  all  virgins. 

To  thy  shelter  take  us. 
Gentlest  of  the  gentle, 

Chaste  and  gentle  make  us. 


8th  Day. — Mary's  Espousals. 

7  have  put  my  trust  in   Thee,   O   Lord:  I  said:  My 
lots  are  in  Thy  hands.     (Psalm  xxx.  15.) 

1.  WTien  Mar}'  arrived  at  the  age  when  it  was 
the  custom  for  Jewish  maidens  to  leave  the  service 
of  the  Tcmj)]e,  the  high  priest  told  her  that  a  husband 
would  be  chosen  for  her.  But  Mary  had  already 
made  a  vow  of  virginity  to  God,  under  the  inspiration 
of  the  Holy  Spirit;  and  now  she  received  the  command 
to  join  herself  in  wedlock,  and  God  inspired  her  to 
obev.  WTiat  a  trial  for  her  faith  and  confidence  in 
God! 

2.  ^\Tiat  a  trial,  too,  for  her  humility,  that  she 
who  had  consecrated  her  virginity  to  the  Most  High 
should  appear  before  the  world  in  the  ordinary  state 
of  wedlock,  that  she  who  was  the  Bride  of  the  Most 
High  should  be  counted  as  the  bride  of  mortal  man! 
Yet    Mar}'   rejoiced    in    this   humiliation.     She   knew 


The  Month  of  May.  657 

ivell  that  those  whom  God  humbles  He  will  in  due  time 
exalt. 

3.  Mary's  confidence  in  God  was  not  disappointed. 
He  did  not  fail  to  fulfil  the  desires  of  His  handmaid. 
She  found,  on  being  espoused,  that  Joseph  her  spouse 
had,  like  her,  made  a  vow  of  chastity,  and  that  she  could 
therefore  dwell  with  him  in  perfect  security.  Oh,  how 
good  God  is  to  those  who  hope  in  Him ! 

Hail,  holy  Joseph,  hail! 
Sweet  spouse  of  Mary,  haill 
Chaste  as  the  lily  flower 
In  Eden's  peaceful  vale. 


9th  Day. — The  Marriage  of  Mary. 

The  young  man  shall  dwell  with  the  virgin,  and  the 
bridegroom  shall  rejoice  over  the  bride.    (Isaias  Ixii.  5.) 

1.  Mary,  the  unspotted  spouse  of  Joseph,  learned  by 
degrees  how  her  marriage  was  a  part  of  God's  wonder- 
ful designs  regarding  her.  If  she  had  become  a 
mother  in  an  unmarried  state,  the  world  would  natu- 
rally have  regarded  her  as  guilty  of  sin.  The  Jews, 
unable  to  understand  so  wonderful  a  mystery,  would 
have  pointed  the  finger  of  scorn  at  her.  Thus  God 
always  guards  the  good  name  of  those  who  are  true 
to  Him. 

2.  Mary,  too,  needed  a  protector.  She  was  very 
young;  she  was  to  be  exposed  to  many  a  hardship,  to 
journey  afar,  to  dwell  in  a  strange  land.  How  could 
the  tender,  youthful  Mother  have  passed  through  all 
these  vicissitudes  without  the  guardianship  of  Joseph's 
love  ?  How  thoughtfully  God  provides  for  the  welfare 
of  those  who  commit  themselves  to  Him! 

3.  Mary,  moreover,  needed  one  who  would  provide 
for  her  maintenance.  Her  wants  were  few,  she  loved 
poverty,  but  how  could  she  have  provided  food  and 
clothing  for  herself  and  her  divine  Son?  To  Joseph 
she  was  entrusted  that  he  might  by  his  labor  earn  what 


658  Devotions. 

was  necessary  for  their  support.     How  generously  God 
suf)plies  all  the  wants  of  those  who  trust  in  Him! 
Dear  St.  Joseph,  be  near  us  when  we  die! 

tVhen  the  treasures  of  God  were  unsheltered  on  earth, 
Safe-keeping  was  fcjund  for  them  both  in  thy  worth; 
O  father  of  Jesus,  be  father  to  me, 
Sweet  spouse  of  Our  Lady,  and  I  will  love  thee. 


loth  Day. — The  Annunciation. 

Fear  not,  Mary,  for  thou  hast  found  grace  tvith  God. 
(St.  Luke  i.  30.) 

1.  Mary's  life  as  Joseph's  spouse  was  no  less  one 
of  devotion  and  recollection  and  jjrayer  than  her  life 
in  the  Temple.  In  their  little  cottage  her  time  was 
spent,  when  her  household  duties  were  done,  in  fervent 
prayer  to  God.  Thus  she  is  said  to  have  been  occupied 
when  the  archangel  Gabriel  apj)eared  to  her.  Mary's 
prayers  and  Mar}''s  longing  desires  had  moved  the 
Heart  of  God  to  send  a  Redeemer  for  mankind!  Oh, 
omnipotent  efficacy  of  earnest  desire  and  persevering 
prayer  I 

2.  The  message  the  angel  brought  bewildered 
the  chaste  and  humble  maiden.  Her  first  thought 
was  one  of  fear — fear  lest  the  privilege  announced 
to  her  should  be  purchased  at  the  cost  of  her  immaculate 
virginity:  she  would  not  sacrifice  this  even  to  be 
Mother  of  the  Messias:  anything  rather  than  forfeit  that 
priceless  jewel! 

3.  But  God,  Who  sent  an  angel  to  comfort  Christ 
in  His  Passion,  reassured  Mary  by  the  angel's  voice: 
Fear  not,  thou  hast  found  grace  with  God:  Because 
thou  dost  esteem  thyself  the  most  unworthy,  God 
will  exalt  thee  to  a  dignity  which  seems  almost  beyond 
the  power  of  God  to  confer.  He  will  make  thee  the 
Mother  of  His  Son.  Oh,  wondrous  dignity  of  true 
humility  1 


TJie  Month  of  May.  659 

Mary,  it  was  thy  lowliness, 

Well  pleasing  to  the  Lord, 
That  nnade  thee  worthy  to  become 

The  Mother  of  the  Word. 

nth  Day. — The  Incarnation. 

The  Word  was  made  flesh.     (St.  John  i.  14.) 

1.  God  would  not  take  flesh  in  Mary's  womb  with- 
out her  consent.  The  angel,  after  giving  his  message, 
awaited  her  reply.  No  false  humility  prevented  Mary 
from  obeying  the  mandate;  no  self-consciousness  made 
her  shrink  back.  In  words  which  are  a  model  of 
obedience  and  prudence  and  forgetfulness  of  self., 
she  accepted  the  divine  maternity:  "Behold  the 
handmaid  of  the  Lord;  be  it  done  to  me  according  to  thy 
word." 

2.  One  thing  only  was  present  to  Mary's  mind 
when  she  spoke  these  words:  the  wish  to  do  exactly 
what  God  desired  of  her.  This  is  the  secret  of  all  true 
virtue — to  make  His  will  the  motive  and  the  guiding 
principle  of  every  action  we  do.  If  we  do  this  we 
shall  soon  be  saints.  God  speaks  to  our  soul  by  His 
inspirations,  by  the  voice  of  our  superiors  or  spiritual 
directors,  and  in  other  ways.  Be  attentive  to  the 
voice  of  God,  and  when  you  know  His  holy  will,  do  it 
promptly,  generously,  and  perseveringly. 

3.  When  Mary  spoke  these  words:  "Be  it  done  to 
me  according  to  thy  word,"  an  event  took  place  which 
seems  incredible.  The  infinite  God  became  of  the 
same  nature  with  one  of  His  finite  creatures.  The 
union  between  Mary  and  her  God  became  the  most 
intimate  possible  to  any  created  being.  God  became 
flesh  of  her  flesh  and  bone  of  her  bone.  What  must 
have  been  the  more  than  angelic  purity  of  her  nature 
before  her  God  came  to  dwell  with  her!  What  must 
have  been  her  almost  infinite  dignity  after  He  had 
taken  flesh  in  her  sacred  womb! 

For  the  heaven  He  left  He  found  heaven  in  thee; 
For  He  shines  in  thy  shining,  sweet  star  of  the  sea! 


Devotions. 


12th  Day. — The  Visitation. 

As  soon  as  the  voice  of  thy  salutation  sounded  in  my  ears, 

the  infant  in  my  womb  leaped  for  joy.      (St.  Luke  .. 

44-) 

1.  Mary's  first  action  after  God  had  come  to  dwell 
in  her  was  one  of  self-denying  charity.  She  undertook 
a  troublesome  journey  in  order  to  visit  her  cousin 
Elizabeth.  Thus  she  proclaimed  charity  to  be  the  virtue 
■which  above  all  Christ  brought  with  Him  from  heaven. 
"  By  this  shall  all  men  know  that  you  are  My  discij>les, 
if  you  have  love  one  for  another."  How  can  I  stand 
this  test  ? 

2.  God  made  Mary's  visit  the  occasion  of  a  wonder- 
ful miracle.  On  her  entrance  into  St.  Elizabeth's 
dwelling,  St.  John  Baptist  was  cleansed  from  sin  in 
his  mother's  womb.  Mary  was  the  channel  of  the 
exceptional  privilege  of  the  cleansing  away  of  sin  in 
the  case  of  the  unborn  child.  As  then  so  now:  Mary 
is  the  channel  of  all  graces,  and  above  all,  of  the 
restoration  of  the  sinner  to  friendship  with  God. 

3.  Mary's  charity  is  not  less  present  now  than  at 
the  time  of  the  visitation.  Nay.  she  is  far  more  eager 
now  than  then  to  promote  the  happiness  and  console 
the  sorrows  of  those  who  fly  to  her  for  succor.  Why 
do  not  I  ol)tain  more  graces  and  blessings  than  I  do 
through  Mary's  intercession?  It  is  no  fault  of  hers 
— it  is,  alas!  because  I  am  proud,  self-willed,  obstinate, 
selfish,  indifferent. 

Mother  of  God,  star  of  the  sea, 
Pray  for  a  wanderer,  pray  for  me  I 


The  Month  of  May.  661 


13th  Day. — Mary's  Time  of  Expectancy. 

Joseph,  son  0}  David,  fear  not  to  take  unto  thee  Mary 

thy  wife-   for  that  which  -is  conceived  in  her,  is  of  the 

Holy  Ghost.     (St.  Matt.  i.  20.) 

1.  In  due  course  of  time  it  became  evident  that  Mary 
was  to  be  a  mother.  She  had  said  not  a  word  to  St. 
Joseph  about  the  angel's  visit,  and  her  holy  spouse 
knew  not  what  to  think.  Yet  she  was  still  silent. 
She  left  it  to  God  to  vindicate  her  in  His  own  good 
time.  How  different  her  conduct  from  my  eagerness 
to  justify  myself. 

2.  St.  Joseph,  like  a  faithful  and  prudent  man,  did 
not  act  without  due  deliberation.  How  miserable  he 
must  have  been  during  those  weeks  of  hesitation. 
He  could  not  suspect  Mary  of  evil;  yet  there  was  the 
clear  evidence  of  fact.  The  true  solution  was  one 
that  no  one  could  have  supposed  possible.  He  con- 
templated sending  her  away  quietly — what  an  agony 
to  lose  his  precious  spouse!  Yet  patiently  and  pru- 
dently he  waited  and  prayed. 

3.  God  does  not  forsake  His  servants  in  their  dis- 
tress. An  angel  by  night  announced  to  Joseph  that 
he  was  the  spouse  of  the  Mother  of  God — the  foster- 
father  of  the  King  of  heaven.  What  joy  must  have 
inundated  his  soul!  how  he  must  have  cried  out  in 
the  joy  and  gratitude  of  his  heart:  The  Lord  is  indeed 
good  to  those  who  hope  in  Him! 

Jesus,  Mary,  and  Joseph,  I  give  you  my  heart  and 
my  soul. 


14th  Day.— The  Nativity. 

She  brought  forth  her  first-born  Son:  and  called  His 
name  Jesus.     (St.  Matt.  i.  25.) 

I.  Mary  brought  forth  her  Son  in  poverty  and 
humiliation.  She  had  been  slighted  and  scorned. 
No  room  was  found  for  her  in  the  inn.     In  the  cave 


662  Devotions. 

where  the  ox  and  ass  are  stabled,  the  Mother  of  God 
brought  into  the  world  the  King  of  kings.  Oh, 
blessed  humiliation!  (J)h,  happy  poverty!  You  are 
the  indications  that  God  is  going  to  do  a  great  work — 
where  you  are  absent,  we  cannot  expect  lasting  and 
solid  fruit. 

2.  How  Mary  rejoiced  in  this  humiliation!  how 
she  welcomed  such  j)ovcrty  as  this!  How  could 
she  fail  to  rejoice  in  it,  with  Jesus  in  her  arms?  If  we 
are  wise  we  shall  pray  for  humiliation,  for  without  it  we 
never  can  have  the  divine  infant  Jesus  for  our  own 
companion :  we  never  can  bring  Him  forth  in  the  ."^ouls  of 
others;  we  must  be  humbled  if  He  is  to  exalt  us:  we 
must  be  poor  in  spirit  if  we  are  to  be  blessed  in  our  work. 

3.  Mary  could  say  of  Jesus  as  no  other  mother 
ever  said  of  her  tirst-born  son:  He  is  mine  and  mine 
alone.  Every  other  son  has  an  earthly  father  who  has 
a  share  in  his  begetting:  Jesus  had  no  father  save  His 
Father  in  heaven.  Thus  He  was  Mary's  own  child, 
her  sole  property  and  possession.  W  hat  union  could 
be  more  close  (the  hypostatic  union  alone  excepted) 
than  that  of  Mary  and  Jesus? 

Holy  Mother  of  God,  pray  for  us! 


15th  Day. — Mary's  Purification. 

After  the  days  0}  her  purification  according  to  the  Law 
of  Moses  lixre  accomplished,  tliey  carried  Him  to 
Jerusalem,  to  present  Him  to  the  Lord.  (St.  Luke 
ii.  22.) 

r.  Mary's  purification!  How  strangely  the  phrase 
sounds  in  our  ears!  What  purification  could  be  needed 
for  her,  who  was  the  pattern  and  model  of  all  purity  ? 
Yet  Mary  remained  retired  for  forty  days  after  the 
birth  of  her  Son;  and  then  went  up  to  the  Ten^ple,  as 
if  to  be  purified.  Why  was  this?  It  was  because  she 
loved  obedience  to  the  law,   even  though  obedience 


The  Month  of  May.  663 

might  result  in  her  being  misunderstood.     She  sought 
no  exemption  from  its  i)rcce])ts. 

2.  But  she  had  another  reason  for  her  purification. 
She  was  to  take  part  in  her  Son's  work  of  Redemption, 
and  therefore  had  to  share  His  reproach.  He  chose 
the  road  of  contempt.  He  was  circumcised,  as  if  a 
sinner;  baptized  in  the  Jordan  with  sinners,  as  if  a 
sinner;  anci  Mary's  joy  was  to  tread  the  path  with  Him. 

3.  Mary  presents  her  divine  Son  in  the  Temple: 
renewing  on  that  day  her  consent  to  the  sacrifice  of 
His  life  for  the  sins  of  the  world.  She  saw  with 
agonizing  presentiment  all  that  He  had  to  suffer — 
dimly  at  first  and  vaguely,  but  none  the  less  painfully — 
yet  joyfully  she  made  the  sacrifice.  She  spared  not 
her  own  Son,  but  delivered  Him  up  for  us  all.  Live 
to-day  a  life  of  detachment. 

Joy,  joy,  the  Mother  comes, 
And  in  her  arms  she  brings 

The  Light  of  all  the  world, 
The  Christ,  the  King  of  kings. 


i6th  Day. — Simeon's  Prophecy  to  Mary. 

And  thy  own  soul  a  sword  shall  pierce. 
(St.  Luke  ii.  35.) 

1.  At  these  words  of  holy  Simeon  all  Mary's  joy 
was  changed  to  sorrow.  Her  divine  Son  was  to 
be  a  sign  that  would  be  contradicted.  His  life  was 
to  be  one  long  series  of  disappointments,  outrages, 
insults,  ill-usage  from  those  He  had  come  to  save. 
Who  can  describe  the  grief  of  Mary  at  hearing  this  ? 
Her  darling  Son,  her  God,  was  to  be  persecuted  even 
to  the  death. 

2.  From  that  time  forth  Simeon's  words  were 
ever  present  to  her  mind.  There  came  up  before 
her  all  the  prophecies,  the  full  meaning  of  which 
she  had  not  realized  before.  She  remembered  holy 
David's   words,    "They   pierced   My   hands   and   My 


664  Devotions. 

feet,"  and  she  thought  as  she  watched  the  divine 
Infant  of  His  eventual  crucifixion.  The  cry  of  the 
Psahnist,  "My  (jckI,  why  hast  Thou  forsaken  Me?" 
reminded  her  of  the  dereliction  of  His  human  soul. 
From  this  time  forward  she  was  indeed  the  Mother 
of  sorrows. 

3.  Yet  God  in  thus  giving  Mary  so  large  a  share 
in  the  sorrow  of  her  Son  was  manifesting  His  .special 
love  for  her.  "Whom  the  Lord  loveth  He  chastiseth." 
(Prov.  iii.  12.)  Mary's  chastisement  was  great  in 
proportion  to  His  love  for  her.  If  we  remembered  this 
we  should  welcome  sufTering,  not  shrink  from  it,  and 
say  in  real  earnest: 

Holy  Mother,  pierce  me  through, 
In  my  heart  each  wound  renew 
Of  my  Saviour  crucified. 


17th  Day.— The  Flight  into  Egypt. 

Arise,  and  take  the  Child  and  His  Mother,   and  fly 
into  Egypt.     (St.  Matt.  ii.  13.) 

1.  It  was  not  long  before  Mary  experienced  how 
true  Simeon's  prophecy  was  to  be.  In  the  night,  as 
she  slept  with  the  divine  Infant  by  her  side,  she  was 
aroused  by  St.  Joseph,  who  ordered  her  to  prepare  to 
leave  their  home  and  to  go  forth  into  the  darkness — 
and  whither?  To  Egypt,  the  land  of  Israel's  foes; 
far  away  across  the  desert,  where  they  would  be  un- 
known and  despised.  What  a  trial  for  Mary's  obedi- 
ence! 

2.  The  command,  moreover,  seemed  so  harsh  and 
arbitrary;  surely  the  omnipotent  God  could  have 
provided  for  the  safety  of  His  own  Son  in  a  thousand 
ways  without  imposing  a  long  and  painful  journey. 
Yet  Mary  murmured  not.  If  I  had  received  such  a 
command,  would  I  have  yielded  a  willing  and  uncom- 
plaining obedience  ? 

3.  Watch  Mary  in  her  preparations;   how  prompt. 


The  Month  of  May.  665 

how  orderly!  She  is  thanking  God  for  this  trial  as 
she  gets  ready  what  is  necessary  for  the  journey. 
How  cheerful  she  is!  how  she  makes  the  best  of  every- 
thing! how  she  consoles  St.  Joseph  by  her  thought- 
fulness,  her  charity,  her  never-failing  good  humor! 
What  a  model  to  us  when  unforeseen  annoyances  arise  I 
The  only  way  to  make  our  crosses  light  is  to  accept  them 
cheerfully,  as  Mary  did. 

Mary,  model  of  resignation,  pray  for  us! 

Refuge  in  grief,  star  of  the  sea. 
Pray  for  the  mourner,  pray  for  me! 


i8th  Day. — Mary's  Life  at  Nazareth. 

Besides  Thee  what  do  I  desire  upon  earth  ? 
(Psalm  Ixxii.  25.) 

1.  When  the  holy  family  returned  from  Egypt, 
they  took  up  their  abode  in  a  little  cottage  at  Nazareth. 
Yet  that  cottage  was  the  closest  approximation  to 
heaven  upon  earth  that  ever  has  been  or  ever  can  be 
found.  There  dwelt  the  omnipotent  God,  the  Queen 
of  heaven,-  the  protector  of  the  whole  Church  of  God. 
This  poor  and  humble  dwelling  was  chosen  by  almighty 
God  as  the  most  suitable  abode  for  those  He  loved  best. 

2.  What  an  unspeakable  joy  and  consolation  it 
must  have  been  to  Mary  to  dwell  for  those  years 
in  familiar  conversation  with  Jesus!  To  carry  in 
her  arms  her  God,  hers  as  He  was  none  other's, 
flesh  of  her  flesh,  bone  of  her  bone!  to  enjoy  His 
sweet  caresses!  to  hear  Him  call  her  Mother!  to 
gaze  on  the  unveiled  countenance  of  God  made  flesh! 
What  an  ecstasy  of  happiness  for  Mary! 

3.  What  happiness,  too,  Mary  found  in  the  com- 
pany of  her  chaste  spouse,  St.  Joseph!  No  husband 
was  ever  so  thoughtful  as  Joseph,  none  so  gentle,  so 
unselfish.  Such  a  tower  of  manly  strength!  What 
a  pleasure  it  was  to  her  to  obey  him!  How  she 
watches    for    every    expression    of    his    will!      How 


666  Devotions. 

promptly,  joyfully,  loyally  she  carries  it  out!     Is  this 
the  way  I  behave  to  those  to  whom  I  am  subjc<  t  ? 

Oh,  nought  did  Jesus  love  on  earth 
So  tenderly  as  thee! 

19th  Day. — Mary's  Loss  of  Jesus  for  Three  Days. 

Thy  father  and  I  have  sought  Thee  sorrmving. 
(St.  Luke  ii.  48.) 

1.  When  Jesus  was  twelve  years  old,  He  went  up 
with  His  parents  for  their  annual  visit  to  the  Temple. 
On  their  return  they  missed  Him,  and  for  three  days 
sought  Him,  and  sought  Him  in  vain.  What  must 
have  been  the  agony  of  Mary's  heart  during  those 
three  days!  Had  Jesus  left  them  never  to  return? 
Could  it  be  that  she  had  unconsciously,  by  some 
negligence,  forfeited  the  privilege  of  the  company  of 
Jesus  ?  Was  she  never  to  behold  Him  again  ?  .Such 
were  thoughts  that  occurred  to  her  in  the  piercing 
anguish  of  her  heart.  Let  us  compassionate  the  holy 
Mother  of  God  in  her  desolation. 

2.  What  a  cruel  void  in  Mary's  heart!  The  light  of 
her  eyes  and  the  joy  of  her  heart  had  gone  from  her. 
What  an  utter  blank  all  else  seemed  without  Jesus — 
how  could  she  live  without  Him  ?  Without  Him  life 
would  be  death.  "How  shall  I  comfort  thee,  O  Virgin 
daughter  of  Sion?  for  great  as  an  ocean  is  thy  sorrow." 

3.  Mary,  then,  can  understand  our  sorrow  in  times 
of  darkness  and  desolation.  No  blackness  of  desola- 
tion in  our  hearts  is  ever  like  the  desolation  of  Mary — 
when  she  had  lost  Jesus.  In  all  our  anguish  we  will 
cry  to  her.  She  will  not  be  deaf  to  our  despairing 
cry,  but  will  most  surely  succor  us  and  restore  to  us 
peace  and  joy,  as  to  her  there  returned  peace  and 
joy  unspeakable  when  she  found  her  divine  Son  in  the 
Temple. 

Mother  of  sorrows,  pray  for  us ! 

Hear,  sweet  Mother,  hear  the  weary, 
Borne  upon  life's  troubled  sea! 


The  Month  of  May.  667 


20th  Day.— The  Death  of  St,  Joseph. 

Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  tiie  death  of  His 
saints.     (Psalm  cxv.  15.) 

1.  For  nigh  thirty  years  Joseph  had  been  the  faith- 
ful spouse  of  Mary,  the  gentle  foster-father  of  Jesus. 
But  now  the  time  came  for  him  to  die.  How  tenderly 
Alary  nursed  him  in  his  failing  strength!  how  she 
delighted  in  supplying  all  his  wants,  in  ministering  to 
them  during  the  day,  in  watching  by  his  side  during 
the  night!  What  a  model  to  us  who  often  grow  weary 
with  the  long  sickness  of  some  invalid  whom  we  are 
tending! 

2.  St.  Joseph's  death!  Model  of  a  happy  death! 
ViTiat  joy  to  die  in  the  arms  of  Jesus  and  Mary!  to  be 
consoled  by  the  Queen  of  heaven!  to  receive  the 
last  blessing  from  God  Incarnate!  No  wonder  that 
he  is  the  patron  of  a  happy  death,  since  from  the 
beginning  of  the  world  there  was  none  whose  death  was 
surrounded  with  such  glorious  privileges  and  blessings 
as  his. 

3.  How  had  Joseph  procured  so  happy  a  death  ? 
(<i)  By  waiting  for  God's  guidance  in  all  his  actions 

and  promptly  following  it. 

(b)  By  his  devotion  to  Mary  and  to  Jesus. 

(c)  By  his  patience,  meekness,  prudence,  gentle- 
ness, purity. 

Imitate  St.  Joseph.     Pray  to  him  for  a  happy  death. 

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  die  in  peace  in  your 
blessed  company! 


668  Devotions. 

2 1  St  Day. — Mary  at  Cana. 

Whatsoever  He  shall  say  to  you,  do  ye.     (St.  John  ii.  5.) 

1.  Jesus'  first  miracle  was  performed  at  the  marriage- 
feast  at  Cana.  Thither  Mary  was  invited,  and  from  the 
words  of  the  Gos[)el  it  seems  as  if  Jesus  was  invited 
because  His  Mother  had  been  already  asked.  Thus 
we  learn  that  where  Mary  comes  Jesus  is  sure  to  come 
also.  He  who  entertains  her  with  love  and  devotion 
will  find  that  the  love  of  Jesus  will  soon  spring  up  in 
his  heart. 

2.  During  the  marriage-feast  the  wine  runs  short. 
Our  Lady  notices  it;  it  grieves  her;  she  appeals  to  her 
Son  in  a  model  prayer.  She  simply  states  the  need, 
and  leaves  all  else  to  Him :  "  They  have  vo  wine." 
Like  this  should  be  our  prayers.  Jesus  likes  us  to 
tell  Him  our  needs;  He  knows  them,  but  He  makes 
prayer  a  condition  of  fulfilling  our    desires. 

3.  Jesus'  words  at  first  seem  a  rebuke:  "Woman, 
what  is  it  to  Me,  and  to  thee?"  He  often  pretends  to 
turn  a  deaf  car  to  us.  How  does  Mary  behave  under 
the  seeming  slight  ?  She  regards  it  as  a  sign  that  He 
will  grant  her  request,  and  turning  to  the  servants  bids 
them  obey  Him  in  all  things.  "Whatsoe^'er  He  shall 
say  to  you,  do  ye."  Mary  knew  that  it  is  to  the  sub- 
mi.ssive  and  obedient  that  Christ  gives  His  best  gifts. 
May  the  most  blessed  and  holy  will  of  God  be  done  in 
all  things!     Amen. 

Mv  Lord,  my  God,  what  wiliest  Thou  ? 
Thy  blessed  will  is  mine! 

22d  Day. — ^Mary  During  Our  Lord's  Public  Life. 

Whoever  shall   do  the  will  of  My   Father  that   is  in 

heaven:    he  is   Mv  brother,   and    sister,   and    mother 

(St.  Matt.  xii.  50.) 

I.  ^^^^cn  Our  Lord  left  the  cottage  at  Nazareth 
and  went  forth  to  enter  on  His  public  ministry,  what 
an  aching  void  must  have  been  left  in  Mary's  heart! 


The  Month  of  May.  669 

How  her  heart  must  have  yearned  to  be  with  Him! 
Earth  was  indeed  for  her  a  barren  waste  as  long  as 
He  was  away.  Have  we  any  of  this  love  of  the  com- 
pany of  Jesus?  any  desire  to  seek  Him  out  where 
He  awaits  us  in  the  tabernacle,  that  we  may  enjoy 
sweet  intercourse  with  Him  ? 

2.  Yet  Mary  murmured  not.  She  was  willing  to 
sacrifice  for  the  good  of  others  even  the  solace  of 
Jesus'  presence.  She  knew  that  by  her  obedience 
she  would  be  united  to  Him  in  bonds  far  more  intimate 
than  the  bonds  of  the  closest  earthly  union.  There- 
fore in  joy  and  in  sorrow,  in  consolation  and  desola- 
tion, whether  Christ  was  with  her  or  far  away,  her 
only  desire  was  to  submit  to  the  holy  will  of  God. 

3.  Mary  by  her  prayers  and  tears  and  intercession 
took  part  in  Our  Lord's  work.  He  had  decreed 
that  His  Mother  thus  should  help  Him  in  His  public 
ministry.  Though  He  could  do  all.  He  left  something 
for  her  to  do,  as  He  does  for  all  the  saints.  What  a 
happiness  and  privilege  this!  I,  too,  can  take  my 
part  in  the  redemption  of  mankind! 

Queen  of  sorrows,  guide  and  guard  me, 

Let  me  to  thine  arms  repair; 
In  thy  tender  bosom  hide  me, 

Mary,  take  me  to  thy  care! 


23d  Day. — ^Mary  Meets  Jesus  Carrying  the  Cross. 

Bearing  His  own  cross  He  went  forth  to  that  place 
which  is  called  Calvary.     (St.  John  xix.  17.) 

I.  As  the  time  of  the  Passion  drew  near,  Mary's 
realization  of  the  approaching  sufferings  of  her  Son 
became  more  vivid.  The  sword  of  Simeon  pierced 
her  heart  as  it  had  never  done  before.  How  could 
she  endure  to  see  her  Son  and  her  God  outraged  and 
ill-treated,  insulted,  and  put  to  death?  "Weeping,  she 
hath  wept  in  the  night:  there  is  none  to  comfort  her 
among  all  them  that  were  dear  to  her."    (Lament,  i.  2.) 


670  Devotions. 

2.  At  last  the  storm  of  anguish  burst  upon  her. 
The  apostles  bring  her  the  heart-breaking  news: 
He  has  been  seized  by  the  Pharisees,  insuUed  by 
the  soldiers,  dragged  before  Pilate,  scourged,  con- 
demned to  the  death  of  the  cross.  What  a  night 
and  morning  for  the  Mother  of  Jesus!  Each  moment 
full  of  an  agony  worse  than  death. 

3.  At  last  she  could  refrain  no  longer.  She  must 
go  and  meet  Him  Whom  her  soul  loved.  What  a 
meeting  must  that  have  been!  Her  darling  Son  all 
masked  in  blood,  toiling  under  the  weight  of  the 
cross.  Oh,  holy  Mother,  who  would  not  be  moved 
with  compassion?  "Attend,  and  see  if  there  be  any 
sorrow  like  to  my  sorrow."     (Lament,  i.    12.) 

O  thou  Mother!  fount  of  love! 
Touch  my  spirit  from  above. 

Make  my  heart  with  thine  accord; 
Make  me  feel  as  thou  hast  felt; 
Make  my  soul  to  glow  and  melt 

With  the  love  of  Christ  my  Lord. 

24th  Day. — Mary  at  the  Foot  of  the  Cross. 

There  stood  by  the  cross  of  Jesus  His  Mother. 
(St.  John  xix.  25.) 

1.  ^\^^at  words  can  ever  describe  the  indescrib- 
able anguish  that  rent  the  sacred  heart  of  Mary  as 
she  looked  upon  her  divine  Son  hanging  on  the  cross! 
Was  there  ever  such  a  spectacle?  He  is  so  torn  and 
mangled,  covered  with  a  mantle  of  blood  from  head 
to  foot,  that  one  can  scarcely  recognize  in  that  un- 
sightly figure  the  human  form.  Can  it  be  He,  the 
fairest  among  the  children  of  men  ?  My  God,  what 
can  have  transformed  Him  into  this  piteous,  this 
ghastly  object  ? 

2.  Every  wound  in  Jesus'  body  was  also  a  wound 
in  the  heart  of  Mary:  every  fibre,  every  nerve  throbbing 
in  agony.  Every  pang  He  suffered  reechoed  in  her 
heart.  She  endured  by  her  compassion  a  share  in  all 
the   anguish   of   His   Passion.     What   was   the   thick 


The  Month  of  May.  671 

darkness  around  compared  with  the  black  darkness 
that  overspread  her  heart! 

3.  Why  did  Mary  suffer  all  this?  That  she  might 
Da  our  Mother^the  Mother  of  mankind.  She  who 
brought  forth  her  divine  Son  without  a  pang  suffered 
many  a  piercing  pang  when  from  the  cross  her  dying 
Son  commended  to  her  the  sinful  sons  of  men.  That 
was  indeed  a  maternity  of  sorrow  she  suffered  for  our 
sins:  for  mine. 

Jesus,  when  the  three  hours  were  run, 
Bequeathed  thee  from  the  cross  to  me. 

How  can  I  rightly  love  thy  Son, 
Sweet  Mother,  if  I  love  not  thee  ? 


2Sth  Day. — Jesus  is  Placed  in  His  Mother's  Anns. 

My  God,  My  God,  why  hast  Thou  forsaken  Me  ? 
(St.  Matt,  xxvii.  46.) 

1.  These  words  must  have  echoed  in  Mary's  heart 
tvhen  the  body  of  her  divine  Son  was  placed  in  her 
arms.  She  was  alone!  Jesus  was  dead.  She  had 
heard  His  last  cry  of  agony,  and  seen  the  spear  pierce 
His  sacred  side.  She  was  alone!  Oh,  Mary,  what 
must  have  been  thy  desolation  now  that  thy  Son  and 
thy  God  was  no  more!  Listen  to  her  words:  "There- 
fore do  I  weep,  and  my  eyes  run  down  with  water: 
because  the  comforter  of  my  soul  is  far  from  me." 
(Lament,  i.  16.) 

2.  Watch  the  holy  Mother  as  she  washes  the  blood 
from  the  body  of  her  Son!  How  she  kisses  each 
wound  with  adoring  love!  Amid  all  her  desolation 
there  is  nevertheless  an  underlying  fount  of  joy  at 
knowing  that  those  wounds  have  wrought  the  salvation 
of  the  world,  that  in  the  paradise  of  God  they  will 
shine  like  jewels  to  all  eternity. 

3.  In  this  mingled  joy  and  sorrow  Mary  is  especially 
full  of  love  for  sinners,  and  she  loves  them  because 
they  cost  her  so  much  anguish  and  because  her  divine 
Son  loved  them  so  dearly  that  for  them  He  suffered  and 


672  Devotions. 

died.  Mary  loves  me  because  I  am  a  sinner — this  at 
least  may  comfort  and  encourage  me — Jesus  died  for 
me  because  I  am  a  sinner. 

Oh,  give  me  tears  to  shed  with  thee 

Ikm-alh  the  cross  on  Calvary. 

26th  Day. — Mary  Sees  Jesus  Laid  in  the  Sepulchre. 

Where  thy  treasure  is,  there  is  thy  heart  also. 
(St.  Matt.  vi.  21.) 

X.  \Vhen  Mary  had  finished  the  mournful  task 
of  preparing  the  sacred  body  of  her  Son  for  burial, 
the  disciples  carried  Him  to  the  sepulchre  in  the 
garden  of  Joseph  of  .\rimathea.  Watch  that  mourn- 
ful procession,  and  realize,  if  you  can,  the  desolation 
of  Mary's  sacred  heart.  AH  her  hopes,  all  her  joys, 
all  her  affections,  were  buried  with  Jesus.  He  was 
her  one  and  only  treasure,  and  where  her  treasure  was 
laid,  there  was  her  heart  also. 

2.  Mary  amid  all  her  anguish  had  experienced 
a  strange  and  melancholy  pleasure  in  embracing 
the  dead  body  of  her  Son  and  performing  for  it  the 
last  offices  of  love.  She  knew,  too,  that  though  the 
human  soul  was  parted  from  it,  the  divinity  was  still 
there.  She  could  adore  with  the  highest  worship  that 
mangled  form,  those  limbs  livid  and  cold.  But  now 
she  was  separated  even  from  that  sacred  body.  How 
empty,  how  blank,  was  all  around  without  Jesus! 

3.  Yet  Mary,  in  spite  of  her  desolation,  was  never 
dejected,  never  gloomy.  .She  was  full  of  joy  and 
peace.  In  the  angui.sh  of  her  separation  from  Jesus 
she  was  more  than  comforted  by  the  knowledge  that 
all  His  sufferings  were  past,  and  that  He  had  already 
begun  to  see  the  fruit  of  His  travail.  Those  who  Icve 
God  more  than  themselves  have  always  a  fount  of 
consolation  in  every  sorrow. 

By  the  hope  thy  name  inspires, 
By  our  doom  reversed  through  thee, 
Bring  us,  Queen  of  angel  choirs, 
To  a  blest  eternity! 


The  Month  of  May.  673 


27th  Day. — ^Jesus  Appears  to  Mary  after  the 
Resurrection. 

According  to  the  multitude  of  my  sorrows  in  my  heart: 
Thy  comforts  have  given  joy  to  my  soul.  (Psalm 
xciii.  19.) 

1.  Holy  Scripture  tells  us  nothing  of  Our  Lord's 
appearance  to  His  blessed  Mother  after  His  Resurrec- 
tion. It  takes  it  for  granted  that  He  must  have 
appeared  first  to  her.  He  who  doubts  it  has  but  a  poor 
understanding  of  Mary's  part  in  the  work  and  life  of 
Jesus.  As  she  was  first  in  sharing  His  sufferings,  so 
she  was  of  necessity  first  in  being  partaker  of  His  joy. 

2.  How  Mary  had  been  longing  and  praying  for  the 
Resurrection!  It  is  a  pious  belief  that  for  her  sake 
those  three  days  were  shortened.  How  eagerly  she  had 
been  expecting  the  dawn  of  that  first  Easter  Day! 
She  had  been  saying  over  and  over  again  to  herself, 
"I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth."  She  knew  that 
the  darkness  would  in  God's  time  usher  in  a  glorious 
morning.  This  should  be  my  comfort  when  all  seems 
dark.     I,  too,  must  pray  and  wait. 

3.  What  a  meeting  must  that  have  been!  All 
her  anguish  was  more  than  compensated  by  the 
ecstasy  of  her  joy  at  beholding  her  divine  Son,  radiant 
with  heavenly  beauty,  conqueror  over  hell  and  death. 
See  how  she  falls  at  His  feet  in  a  rapture  of  delight! 
See  how  He  raises  her  up  with  words  of  love!  Who 
can  tell  the  exquisite  dehght  of  hearing  such  words  from 
Jesus'  lips  ? 

See  the  Mother's  fond  embrace, 
See  her  joy  to  view  Thy  face ! 
When  all  bright  in  radiant  bloom 
Thee  she  welcomed  from  the  tomb. 


874  Devotions. 

28th  Day. — Mary  the  Mother  of  the  Infant  Church. 

Her  children  rose  up  and  called  her  blessed. 
(I'rov.  xxxi.  28.) 

1.  When  Our  Lord  ascended  into  heaven,  we 
are  told  that  the  apostles  went  back  to  Jerusalem 
with  great  joy  (St.  Luke  xxiv.  52).  But  there  was 
none  of  them  so  joyful  as  Mary.  Her  sacred  heart 
overflowed  with  happiness  and  delight.  The  greatest 
possible  joy  for  her  was  thus  to  witness  the  triumph 
of  her  Son  and  to  hear  the  angels  welcoming  the  King 
of  glory  to  His  throne  in  heaven. 

2.  Yet  Mary's  life  must  have  been  one  long  desire 
after  heaven,  more  so  than  ever  after  Jesus  had 
iiscended.  Still  she  had  no  wish  even  for  the  heavenly 
paradise  as  long  as  it  was  God's  will  that  she  should 
remain  on  earth.  She  was  quite  content  to  wait. 
Am  I  resigned  and  patient  when  the  will  of  God  con- 
tradicts my  inclinations  and  desires? 

3.  Why  was  Mary  left  on  earth?  To  comfort  and 
sustain,  to  instruct  and  advise  the  first  disciples  of 
Christ.  None  knew  like  her  the  secrets  of  His  Sacred 
Heart;  none  had  such  an  instinctive  perception  of 
what  He  would  desire  in  the  many  doubts  and  diffi- 
culties that  arose;  none  could  impart  such  sweet  con- 
solation to  the  afflicted.  How  often  the  disciples  beheld 
in  her  their  Mother!  In  heaven  she  is  still  our  com- 
forter, adviser,  guide. 

The  Mother  sits  all  worshipful, 

With  her  majestic  mien; 
The  princes  of  the  infant  Church 

Are  gathered  round  their  Queen. 

29th  Day. — Mary's  Death. 

Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  His 
saints.     (Psalm  c.w.  15.) 

I.  During  the  years  which  succeeded  Our  Lord's 
Ascension  Mary  had  been  making  a  progress  in  holiness 


The  Month  of  May.  676 

and  peifection  which  surpassed  all  that  had  gone 
before.  She  had  become  more  and  more  a  partaker 
of  the  divine  nature,  more  and  more  like  to  the  image 
of  her  divine  Son.  What  a  contrast  1  am  to  Alary! 
Yet  at  least  I  can  admire  her  and  rejoice  in  her  un- 
speakable perfections. 

2.  At  length  the  time  came  when  this  soul,  so 
exquisitely  beautiful,  was  too  beautiful  for  earth  to 
detain  longer.  She  had  long  been  languishing  with 
love — yearning  after  her  Beloved.  Her  death  was  not 
like  that  which  we  call  death.  She  had  no  sickness, 
no  pain.  She  died  simply  of  love,  of  her  insatiate 
desire  for  God.  Do  I  long  for  the  presence  of  God,  for 
the  day  when  I  shall  behold  Him  face  to  face? 

3.  Why  was  Mary's  death  such  a  triumph,  such 
a  scene  of  peace  and  joy  and  heavenly  consolation? 
Because  she  was  sinless.  The  sting  of  death  is  sin. 
It  was  also  because  she  had  stood  by  her  Son's  death- 
bed of  the  cross,  and  shared  by  her  compassion  in 
His  agony.  In  return  for  this,  Jesus  Himself  came 
to  receive  the  sacred  soul  of  His  dear  Mother.  All  the 
angels  of  heaven  were  present  there,  singing  sweet 
melodies. 

O  happy,  happy  death ! 

If  death  indeed  could  be. 
Blest  Virgin,  that  sweet  end 

Which  God  bestowed  on  thee. 


30th  Day. — Mary's  Assumption  into  Heaven. 

Thou  wilt  not  leave  my  soul  in  hell:  nor  wilt   Thou 
give  Thy  holy  one  to  see  corruption.     (Psalm  xv.  10.) 

I.  On  the  third  day  after  Mary's  death,  when  the 
apostles  gathered  around  her  tomb,  they  found  it 
empty.  The  sacred  body  had  been  carried  up  to  the 
celestial  paradise.  Jesus  Himself  came  to  conduct  her 
thither;  the  whole  court  of  heaven  came  to  welcome 
with  songs  of  triumph  the  Mother  of  the  divine  Word. 


676  Devotions. 

WTiat  a  chorus  of  exultation!  Hark  how  they  cry, 
"Lift  up  your  gates,  O  ye  princes,  and  be  ye  lifted  up, 
O  eternal  gates,  and  the  Queen  of  glory  shall  enter  in." 

2.  Why  was  Mar}''s  body  received  into  heaven 
instead  of  remaining  in  the  earth,  like  the  rest  of  man- 
kind ?  The  grave  had  no  power  over  one  who  was  im- 
maculate. Her  flesh  could  not  see  corruption.  Her 
body  had  been  overshadowed  by  the  Holy  Ghost; 
it  had  been  the  sacred  temple  in  which  had  dwelt 
God  Incarnate,  and  so  it  had  a  claim  to  ascend  whither 
the  body  of  her  Son  had  already  gone  before. 

3.  But  the  chief  reason  was  that  as  she  had  shared 
in  each  detail  in  the  sorrows  and  agony  of  her  Son,  so 
it  was  right  that  she  should  take  part  in  His  triumph. 
To  her  it  was  due  that  she  should  without  delay 
enter  into  the  joy  of  her  Lord,  her  Son,  her  God. 
Oh,  happy  Mary!  what  were  all  her  dolors  compared 
with  tlie  joy  of  that  first  moment  of  heaven!  How 
light  are  all  our  sorrows  compared  with  the  eternal 
weight  of  glory  prepared  for  us! 

See  the  Virgin  Mother  rise, 
Angels  bear  her  to  the  skiesl 


31st  Day.^Mary's  Coronation  as  Queen  of  Heaven. 

The  Queen  stood  on  Thy  right  hand  in  gilded  clothing. 
(Psalm  xliv.  11.) 

I.  It  was  not  enough  that  Mary  should  be  re- 
ceived into  heaven.  She  was  to  be  no  ordinary 
denizen  of  the  celestial  court.  Mary  was,  by  her 
perfect  and  unfailing  conformity  to  the  will  of  God 
throughout  her  life,  raised  to  a  pre-eminence  to  which 
none  other  of  the  saints  could  attain.  By  her  coopera- 
tion in  the  Passion  of  her  Son  she  had  a  dignity  beyond 
the  reach  even  of  the  highest  of  the  archangels.  Mary 
was  to  be  crowned  Queen  of  heaven  by  the  eternal 
Father:  she  was  to  have  a  throne  at  her  Son's  right 
hand. 


The  Month  of  May.  677 

2.  Mary,  too,  enjoyed  a  happiness  different  from 
that  of  all  the  other  saints.  All  others  knew  that 
if  they  had  been  more  faithful  they  might  have  been 
more  full  of  happiness.  Though  their  happiness  is 
perfect,  it  is  not  perfect  with  the  same  perfection  as 
Mary's.  She  possesses  all  that  it  was  possible  for  God 
in  the  present  order  to  bestow  upon  her.  What  must 
be  her  happiness  now !  short  only  of  the  infinite  happi- 
ness of  the  infinite  God! 

3.  But  Mary  is  not  Queen  of  heaven  only  for  her 
own  sake,  but  also  for  ours.  Day  by  day,  hour  by 
hour,  she  is  praying  for  us,  obtaining  graces  for  us, 
preserving  us  from  danger,  shielding  us  from  tempta- 
tion, showering  down  blessings  upon  us.  She  is  our 
dear  Mother  as  well  as  Queen  of  heaven.  How  she 
loves  us!  What  a  confidence  we  should  have  in  her! 
Once  more  we  will  cry  out: 

O  Mary,  conceived  without  sin! 

O  Mary,  Queen  of  heaven! 

Pray  for  us  who  have  recourse  to  thee. 

Remember,  O  most  gracious  Virgin  IMary!  that 
never  was  it  known  that  any  one  who  fled  to  thy  pro- 
tection, implored  thy  help,  and  sought  thy  intercession, 
was  left  unaided.  Inspired  with  this  confidence,  I 
fly  unto  thee,  O  Virgin  of  virgins,  my  Mother!  To 
thee  I  come;  before  thee  I  stand,  sinful  and  sorrowful. 
O  Mother  of  the  Word  Incarnate !  despise  not  my  peti- 
tions, but,  in  thy  mercy,  hear  and  answer  me.     Amen. 

Indulgence  of  300  days,  each  time;  plenary  indulgence 
once  a  month,  on  usual  conditions. — Pius  IX.,  Dec.  11, 
1846. 

Ejaculation. 

O  Mary,  who  didst  come  into  this  world  free  from 
stain!  obtain  of  God  for  me  that  I  may  leave  it  with- 
out sin. 

Indulgence  of  100  days,  once  a  day. — ^Pius  IX.,  March 
27,  1863. 


678  Devotions. 


MARY,   THY    IIKART. 

Ap|ARV,  thy  heart  for  love 
^liT,  Alone  had  ever  sigh'd; 
So  much  it  loved  at  length, 

Of  very  love  it  died. 
O  happy,  happy  death; 

If  death  indeed  could  be, 
Blest  Virgin,  that  sweet  end 

Which  God  bestowed  on  thee. 

*Tis  in  a  sweet  repose, 

With  smile  of  heavenly  mirth, 
Thou  takest  joyful  flight 

To  paradise  from  earth: 
And  see!  above  the  choirs 

Of  saints  and  angels  bright, 
God's  Mother  near  her  Son 

Enthroned  in  dazzling  light. 

Come,  then,  to  fetch  thy  child, 

O  Mary,  Mother  dear; 
And  tarry  by  my  side 

WTien  my  last  hour  is  near. 
Yes,  this  I  hope  from  thee — 

Despise  not  my  request — 
To  yield  my  soul  in  peace 

Upon  my  Mother's  breast. 

HOLY   GOD,     WE    PRAISE    THY    NAME. 

'  1^  OLV  God,  we  praise  Thy  name! 
,  I  ^     Lord  of  all,  we  bow  before  Theel 
All  on  earth  Thy  sceptre  claim, 

All  in  heav'n  above  adore  Thee: 
Infinite  Thy  vast  domain, 

Everlasting  is  Thy  reign. 


'llie  Month  of  May.  679 

Hark!  the  loud  celestial  hymn 

Angel  choirs  above  are  raising! 
Cherubim  and  seraphim 

In  unceasing  chorus  praising, 
Fill  the  heavens  with  sweet  accord: 

Holy!  holy!  holy  Lord! 

Lo!  the  apostolic  train 

Join  Thy  sacred  name  to  hallow! 
Prophets  swell  the  loud  refrain, 

And  the  white-robed  martyrs  follow; 
And  from  morn  till  set  of  sun, 

Through  the  Church,  the  song  goes  on. 

Holy  Father,  holy  Son, 

Holy  Spirit,  Three  we  name  Thee, 
While  in  essence  only  One, 

Undivided  God,  we  claim  Thee, 
And  adoring  bend  the  knee, 

While  we  own  the  mystery. 

Thou  art  King  of  Glory,  Christ! 

Son  of  God  yet  born  of  Mary, 
For  us  sinners  sacrificed, 

And  to  death  a  tributary: 
First  to  break  the  bars  of  death. 

Thou  hast  opened  heaven  to  faith. 


PRINTED   BY  BENZIGER   BROTHERS,  NBW    YORK. 


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