Part 1
Our Monthly Devotions
By
Very Rev. Dean A. A. Lings
Author of “Our Favorite Devotions,” “Our Favorite Novenas,” etc.
Benziger Brothers
New York, Cincinnati, Chicago
1899
CONTENTS
Preface. January. The Holy Infancy. Considerations and Prayers for Every Day. First Day. Second Day. Third Day. Fourth Day. Fifth Day. Sixth Day. Seventh Day. Eighth Day. Ninth Day. Tenth Day. Eleventh Day. Twelfth Day. Thirteenth Day. Fourteenth Day. Fifteenth Day. Sixteenth Day. Seventeenth Day. Eighteenth Day. Nineteenth Day. Twentieth Day. Twenty‐first Day. Twenty‐second Day. Twenty‐third Day. Twenty‐fourth Day. Twenty‐fifth Day. Twenty‐sixth Day. Twenty‐seventh Day. Twenty‐eighth Day. Twenty‐ninth Day. Thirtieth Day. Thirty‐first Day. Mass in Commemoration of the Holy Infancy of Jesus Christ. Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus. Litany of the Infant Jesus. The Mysteries of the Sacred Infancy. Communion Prayers in Honor of the Infant Jesus. February. The Holy Family. Considerations and Prayers for Every Day. First Day. Second Day. Third Day. Fourth Day. Fifth Day. Sixth Day. Seventh Day. Eighth Day. Ninth Day. Tenth Day. Eleventh Day. Twelfth Day. Thirteenth Day. Fourteenth Day. Fifteenth Day. Sixteenth Day. Seventeenth Day. Eighteenth Day. Nineteenth Day. Twentieth Day. Twenty‐first Day. Twenty‐second Day. Twenty‐third Day. Twenty‐fourth Day. Twenty‐fifth Day. Twenty‐sixth Day. Twenty‐seventh Day. Twenty‐eighth Day. Twenty‐ninth Day. Litany of the Holy Family. Memorare To Mary. Form Of Renewing The Baptismal Vows. Act Of Consecration. March. St. Joseph. Considerations and Prayers for Every Day. First Day. Second Day. Third Day. Fourth Day. Fifth Day. Sixth Day. Seventh Day. Eighth Day. Ninth Day. Tenth Day. Eleventh Day. Twelfth Day. Thirteenth Day. Fourteenth Day. Fifteenth Day. Sixteenth Day. Seventeenth Day. Eighteenth Day. Nineteenth Day. Twentieth Day. Twenty‐first Day. Twenty‐second Day. Twenty‐third Day. Twenty‐fourth Day. Twenty‐fifth Day. Twenty‐sixth Day. Twenty‐seventh Day. Twenty‐eighth Day. Twenty‐ninth Day. Thirtieth Day. Thirty‐first Day. Efficacious Prayers. Thirty Days’ Prayer To St. Joseph. Choice Of St. Joseph As A Patron. Virginum Custos. Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph. Responsory To St. Joseph. Litany of St. Joseph. April. The Passion: Meditations for Every Day of Lent. Considerations and Prayers for Every Day. First Day. Second Day. Third Day. Fourth Day. Fifth Day. Sixth Day. Seventh Day. Eighth Day. Ninth Day. Tenth Day. Eleventh Day. Twelfth Day. Thirteenth Day. Fourteenth Day. Fifteenth Day. Sixteenth Day. Seventeenth Day. Eighteenth Day. Nineteenth Day. Twentieth Day. Twenty‐first Day. Twenty‐second Day. Twenty‐third Day. Twenty‐fourth Day. Twenty‐fifth Day. Twenty‐sixth Day. Twenty‐seventh Day. Twenty‐eighth Day. Twenty‐ninth Day. Thirtieth Day. Thirty‐first Day. Thirty‐second Day. Thirty‐third Day. Thirty‐fourth Day. Thirty‐fifth Day. Thirty‐sixth Day. Thirty‐seventh Day. Thirty‐eighth Day. Thirty‐ninth Day. Fortieth Day. A Method of Hearing Mass by Way of Meditation. Litany of the Passion of Our Lord. A Prayer to Jesus Suffering. Prayers to the Five Wounds of Our Lord. May. The Blessed Virgin Mary. Considerations and Prayers for Every Day. First Day. Mary’s Immaculate Conception. Second Day. Mary’s Nativity. Third Day. Mary’s Presentation. Fourth Day. The Annunciation. Fifth Day. The Visitation. Sixth Day. The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Seventh Day. The Purification. Eighth Day. Simeon’s Prophecy. Ninth Day. The Flight into Egypt. Tenth Day. The Three Days’ Loss. Eleventh Day. Meeting Jesus with the Cross. Twelfth Day. The Crucifixion. Thirteenth Day. The Taking Down from the Cross. Fourteenth Day. The Burial of Jesus. Fifteenth Day. Help of Christians. Sixteenth Day. Our Lady of Mercy. Seventeenth Day. Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Eighteenth Day. Confidence in Mary. Nineteenth Day. The Love of Mary. Twentieth Day. Imitation of Mary. Twenty‐first Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Faith. Twenty‐second Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Piety. Twenty‐third Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Hope. Twenty‐fourth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Humility. Twenty‐fifth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Charity. Twenty‐sixth Day. The Virgin Mary the Model of Advancement in Virtue. Twenty‐seventh Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Patience. Twenty‐eighth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Poverty. Twenty‐ninth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Obedience. Thirtieth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Modesty. Thirty‐first Day. The Assumption. Mass in Union with Mary Immaculate. Litany of the Blessed Virgin. June. The Sacred Heart. Considerations and prayers for Every Day. First Day. The Love of the Sacred Heart for Us. Second Day. The Heart of Jesus My Friend. Third Day. The Heart of My Jesus the Heart of My Father. Fourth Day. In Thy Heart I Shall Find Peace. Fifth Day. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Teaching Charity. Sixth Day. The Heart of Jesus My Comforter. Seventh Day. The Heart of Jesus My Helper in Trials. Eighth Day. In the Heart of Jesus I Shall Find Rest. Ninth Day. The Heart of Jesus an Ocean of Love. Tenth Day. The Ingratitude of Men to the Heart of Jesus. Eleventh Day. The Gratitude Due to the Heart of Jesus. Twelfth Day. In the Heart of Jesus is Found the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Thirteenth Day. To the Heart of Jesus Alone I Turn. Fourteenth Day. The Heart of Jesus Asks for Our Hearts. Fifteenth Day. The Heart of Jesus at the Hour of Death. Sixteenth Day. The Heart of Jesus for all Eternity. Seventeenth Day. The Heart of Jesus Sorrowful unto Death. Eighteenth Day. O Heart of Jesus, Thou Art All Mine and I Am All Thine. Nineteenth Day. God is Charity and He Who Lives in Charity Lives in God. Twentieth Day. The Sacred Heart is a Most Patient Rewarder. Twenty‐first Day. The Heart of Jesus will Glorify us in Heaven. Twenty‐second Day. The Heart of Jesus Opened. Twenty‐third Day. The Heart of Jesus the Source of All Happiness. Twenty‐fourth Day. The Love of the Saints for the Heart of Jesus. Twenty‐fifth Day. The Agony of the Heart of Jesus. Twenty‐sixth Day. The Heart of Jesus in the Tabernacle. Twenty‐seventh Day. The Heart of Jesus is My Hope. Twenty‐eighth Day. All Graces Come from the Heart of Jesus. Twenty‐ninth Day. The Heart of Jesus the Source of Sanctity. Thirtieth Day. The Heart of Jesus in Holy Communion. Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Mass in Union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. July. The Precious Blood. Considerations and Prayers for Every Day. First Day. Second Day. Third Day. Fourth Day. Fifth Day. Sixth Day. Seventh Day. Eighth Day. Ninth Day. Tenth Day. Eleventh Day. Twelfth Day. Thirteenth Day. Fourteenth Day. Fifteenth Day. Sixteenth Day. Seventeenth Day. Eighteenth Day. Nineteenth Day. Twentieth Day. Twenty‐first Day. Twenty‐second Day. Twenty‐third Day. Twenty‐fourth Day. Twenty‐fifth Day. Twenty‐sixth Day. Twenty‐seventh Day. Twenty‐eighth Day. Twenty‐ninth Day. Thirtieth Day. Thirty‐first Day. Mass in Honor of the Precious Blood. Three Offerings of the Precious Blood. Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood of Jesus. Daily Offering. Plenary Indulgences For Members of the Confraternity of the Most Precious Blood. Other Plenary Indulgences. Indulgences for all the Faithful, even Such as are not Members. Chaplet of the Precious Blood. August. The Holy Ghost. Considerations and Prayers for Every Day. First Day. Second Day. Third Day. Fourth Day. Fifth Day. Sixth Day. Seventh Day. Eighth Day. Ninth Day. Tenth Day. Eleventh Day. Twelfth Day. Thirteenth Day. Fourteenth Day. Fifteenth Day. Sixteenth Day. Seventeenth Day. Eighteenth Day. Nineteenth Day. Twentieth Day. Twenty‐first Day. Twenty‐second Day. Twenty‐third Day. Twenty‐fourth Day. Twenty‐fifth Day. Twenty‐sixth Day. Twenty‐seventh Day. Twenty‐eighth Day. Twenty‐ninth Day. Thirtieth Day. Thirty‐first Day. Litany of the Holy Ghost. Hymns to the Holy Ghost. Veni, Creator Spiritus. Come, Holy Ghost. Act Of Oblation To The Holy Ghost. The Office of the Holy Ghost. Novena to the Holy Ghost. September. The Immaculate Heart of Mary. Considerations and Prayers for Every Day. First Day. Second Day. Third Day. Fourth Day. Fifth Day. Sixth Day. Seventh Day. Eighth Day. Ninth Day. Tenth Day. Eleventh Day. Twelfth Day. Thirteenth Day. Fourteenth Day. Fifteenth Day. Sixteenth Day. Seventeenth Day. Eighteenth Day. Nineteenth Day. Twentieth Day. Twenty‐first Day. Twenty‐second Day. Twenty‐third Day. Twenty‐fourth Day. Twenty‐fifth Day. Twenty‐sixth Day. Twenty‐seventh Day. Twenty‐eighth Day. Twenty‐ninth Day. Thirtieth Day. Exercise in Honor of the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. Rosary or Chaplet of the Seven Dolors. October. The Angels. Considerations and Prayers for Every Day. First Day. Second Day. Third Day. Fourth Day. Fifth Day. Sixth Day. Seventh Day. Eighth Day. Ninth day. Tenth Day. Eleventh Day. Twelfth Day. Thirteenth Day. Fourteenth Day. Fifteenth Day. Sixteenth Day. Seventeenth Day. Eighteenth Day. Nineteenth Day. Twentieth Day. Twenty‐first Day. Twenty‐second Day. Twenty‐third Day. Twenty‐fourth Day. Twenty‐fifth Day. Twenty‐sixth Day. Twenty‐seventh Day. Twenty‐eighth Day. Twenty‐ninth Day. Thirtieth Day. Thirty‐first Day. Litany of the Holy Guardian Angel. Special Prayers. Prayer To The Guardian Angel. Prayers To St. Michael, St. Gabriel, And St. Raphael. Act Of Consecration To Our Guardian Angel. Prayer To The Holy Angels During The Month Of October. November. The Souls in Purgatory. Considerations and Prayers for Every Day. First Day. Second Day. Third Day. Fourth Day. Fifth Day. Sixth Day. Seventh Day. Eighth Day. Ninth Day. Tenth Day. Eleventh Day. Twelfth Day. Thirteenth Day. Fourteenth Day. Fifteenth Day. Sixteenth Day. Seventeenth Day. Eighteenth Day. Nineteenth Day. Twentieth Day. Twenty‐first Day. Twenty‐second Day. Twenty‐third Day. Twenty‐fourth Day. Twenty‐fifth Day. Twenty‐sixth Day. Twenty‐seventh Day. Twenty‐eighth Day. Twenty‐ninth Day. Thirtieth Day. Mass for the Souls in Purgatory. The Litany of the Saints. The Seven Penitential Psalms. Efficacious Prayers for the Souls in Purgatory. Prayers for Each Day for the Souls in Purgatory. An Invocation of the Most Holy Trinity for the Souls in Purgatory. Litany of the Faithful Departed. Psalm CXXIX. December. Advent. Considerations and Prayers for Every Day. First Day. Second Day. Third Day. Fourth Day. Fifth Day. Sixth Day. Seventh Day. Eighth Day. Ninth Day. Tenth Day. Eleventh Day. Twelfth Day. Thirteenth Day. Fourteenth Day. Fifteenth Day. Sixteenth Day. Seventeenth Day. Eighteenth Day. Nineteenth Day. Twentieth Day. Twenty‐first Day. Twenty‐second Day. Twenty‐third Day. Twenty‐fourth Day. Special Devotions to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, during the Time of Advent. Mass for Advent. To Be Said Throughout Advent. Litany for Christmas. Crown of the Twelve Stars, Or Rosary of the Immaculate Conception. The Salve Regina. Novena In Preparation for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Novena In Preparation For Christmas. The Ordinary of the Mass. Vespers for Sundays. Exposition and Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament. Devotions for Confession and Communion. Confession. Communion. Footnotes
[Cover Art]
[Transcriber’s Note: The above cover image was produced by the submitter at Distributed Proofreaders, and is being placed into the public domain.]
He was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins.—Is. liii. 5.
Nihil Obstat.
THOMAS L. KINKEAD,
_Censor Librorum_.
Imprimatur.
† MICHAEL AUGUSTINE,
_Archbishop of New York_.
NEW YORK, May 10, 1899.
Copyright, 1899, by BENZIGER BROTHERS.
PREFACE.
The Church, desirous of filling our minds with pious thoughts from the beginning to the end of the year, has encouraged, and in some cases designated, certain devotions to be practised, and sets aside a whole month in which the prevailing thought ought to be centred on a certain devotion. Not that the Church has by any decree appointed a special devotion for any particular time, except in the cases of Advent and Lent; but the universal piety of the people has adopted them; and each month has its particular devotion.
The Church celebrates the feast of the Sacred Heart in June, and during this month we may offer our prayers in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that our souls may be thoroughly imbued with the beauty of this devotion.
The Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Rosary on the first Sunday of October, and our Holy Father Leo XIII. has ordered that the Rosary be recited each day during the month.
The feast of the Guardian Angel is celebrated on the second of October; thus two devotions are practised during this month. The Church has arranged some special devotion for each month by which our confidence in God is increased, and our love of holy Church intensified. What a rich treasure of piety and love for God may a good Catholic not gather from one year of such holy practices!
JANUARY. THE HOLY INFANCY.
The month of the holy infancy of Our Lord is January. The Lord was born in December as we know, but so late in the month that we must take the beginning of the new year and consecrate the first part of the year to God. We begin with the childhood of Our Lord in our devotions, that we may grow as He did in grace before God and man. The holy Infant is laid in our arms this month, that we may contemplate Him and learn holy lessons. What are these lessons? The goodness of God towards us—the mercy and kindness of the Child Jesus for us; for His infancy is infinitely meritorious before God, and all grace comes to us on account of Christ, Who has been an Infant among us. We should be like children in our confidence in God, Who has created us and will not make us stand greater trials than we are able to bear. We should not care over much for the things of this world; we should not depend so much on our own efforts; but with filial resignation we should say to God: “You want this done, and you want one to do it. Well, then, give me the grace, the intelligence, the will, and I will do it in such a manner as will be worthy of God.” The whole month can be spent in meditating on these virtues; be assured they are worth being learned, and will repay you for the trouble of practising them.
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.
First Day.
Consider the Holy Family on this day. They rise early to make preparations to proceed to the Temple to fulfil the law of God given to Moses, that every male child of the Jewish nation should be circumcised. Let us accompany them in spirit to the Temple, and witness God’s providence working plainly in behalf of His divine Son. To‐day the Child Jesus is circumcised. A painful operation is performed on the body of the pure and holy Babe which was formed in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Jesus knew that by this ceremony He subjected Himself to the Law, and the observance of all the dictates of a life regulated by it. Be you also subject to the law of God, hard though it may be to man’s corrupt nature. The life of a Christian will be a difficult one if you are not good and pious. It will be hard for you to pray, to fast, to go to Mass, or confession. Only by submitting to the law of God will you learn to bear your burdens patiently, willingly, and joyfully. Remember you are not carrying your cross alone, for the great Bearer of the cross, Our Lord Jesus Christ, will help you: He Who has said, “My yoke is sweet and My burden light.”
Prayer.
O God, Who, by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary, hast bestowed on mankind the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may experience the intercession of her through whom we have had the happiness to receive the Author of life, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Second Day.
Jesus underwent the circumcision as an act of redemption. He was carried forth by His holy Mother to begin the way of the cross, and from that moment until the day of His death He suffered physical pain. You may here form many thoughts on this period in the life of this holy Child, which will console you in your sufferings. Be not cast down in your struggle after a livelihood, be not impatient in poverty and suffering, for by these Jesus has redeemed the world. These crosses will one day bring you to heaven. All humanity from childhood has the vicissitudes of nature and fortune to combat. Cruel indeed is the fate of some children: poverty, neglect, sickness, the death of parents, and other misfortunes, leave them often in a deplorable state. But there is a Providence watching over them; not a sparrow falls from the housetop without the will of the heavenly Father. At the same time those who have the means should be interested in God’s poor, and seek to help them in all their necessities.
Prayer.
O Jesus, when Thou givest me such touching proof of Thy love, could I remain cold towards Thee? No! it is not possible. I will love Thee, then, O my God, with a love which nothing will daunt or repel.
Third Day.
At the presentation of the Lord in the Temple were present Simeon and Anna; they were faithful people, and were permitted to witness the solemn entry of Our Lord into the Temple. They were old and had served the Lord God with faithfulness all their days, and were now waiting for the coming of the Messias. On this day their fidelity was partially rewarded. It was certainly a great grace to be allowed to witness the presentation of Jesus to God, His Father, and this great reward for a good life was followed afterwards by eternal happiness in heaven. Be faithful, then, to the teachings of God in His holy Church. Begin in your youth, or at least when the grace of God visits you. Never cease to trust in God during your whole life, so that you, too, may be received into the heavenly kingdom as a reward for your fidelity. Pray always, as Simeon and Anna did, who never left the Temple but remained there in prayer and fasting, waiting for the consolation of Israel.
Prayer.
O my God, how Thou didst love me on the day of Thy presentation! Oh, how well Thou dost teach me thereby what love is when it burns the heart! O my God! come and consume me, come and take possession of my whole being, so that I may belong entirely to Thee. Let Thy good pleasure dispose of me as Thou willest. Amen.
Fourth Day.
On the occasion of the circumcision, the name of Jesus was given to Our Lord. He was called Jesus, the Redeemer: a name which was given to Him by His Father and announced to man by an angel. Let this holy name be on your lips—it will be to you a light, guiding you on your way through this valley of darkness. Let it be your food, to strengthen you on your journey to your heavenly home. Let it be a watchword at the end of your life, by which you may open the gates of heaven. The name of Jesus is a powerful one; it is the conqueror of death, the victor over hell. You are a follower of Jesus, therefore you ought to show yourself an enthusiastic follower, and love to repeat that sacred name. The name of Jesus piously said will strengthen our good resolutions, and our resistance against temptations. When the end of life approaches, and the darkness of despair comes over us because we have done so little in the hours of daylight, when we should have worked, the merits of Jesus will give us hope, for He came to this earth to suffer for us, to give us hope, and to supply the deficiency of our efforts.
Prayer.
Oh, may the adorable name of Jesus be the sweet and daily music of my soul and the seal of my heart; and when, in the agony and cold sweat of death, I shall give the last look for mercy, may the parting sigh of my soul be Jesus. Amen, sweet Jesus, Amen.
Fifth Day.
The name of Jesus must not only be on our lips, but it must also be indelibly engraven in our hearts. You have heard perhaps in the life of that blessed Dominican, Suso, that he cut over his heart the name of Jesus. In this name you can overcome all things. In this name you will be rich in grace and strength, you will be victorious over all temptations and successful in all your labors. Why should you not have the name of Jesus in your heart? St. Paul has said: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.” You remember the exclamation of the great Apostle, “If any man love not Our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema.” There is great peace and comfort in the name of Jesus; it is this which enables pious people to remain faithful for long years in dryness of the spiritual life. It is this which gives us courage to do good actions, not for an earthly gain, but for Jesus, and the reward of His society for all eternity. Let us never pronounce it except with confidence, respect, love, and delight.
Prayer.
O sweet Jesus! O loving Jesus! O Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, full of piety and of love! O sweet Jesus, according to Thy great mercy have mercy on me; blot out my iniquities, and look with tenderness upon me, a miserable sinner invoking Thy holy name, Jesus. Amen.
Sixth Day.