Part 15

Our Lord became obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross, in order that we might, after His example, labor to acquire and practise the virtue of obedience. The perfection to which Mary carried the obedience due to her Creator has been implied in treating of the love of God with which her heart was inflamed; it was the source of her perfect conformity to the divine will. What an example of obedience does she not give us in the presentation of Jesus in the Temple! Mary was exempted from the obligation common to all women to go to the Temple to be purified. Nevertheless, as her divine Son was pleased to submit to circumcision, so she would submit to the law of purification. The person who obeys merits very much while doing little, because obedience springs from the spirit of perfect self‐abnegation, which is the most agreeable holocaust to God. Thomas à Kempis says, “Whoever willingly obeys his superiors for God’s sake, performs an heroic action as a valiant soldier of Jesus Christ, for he will receive with the martyrs the palm of a glorious immortality.”

Prayer.

My most sweet Lady and Mother, I am a vile rebel to thy great Son; but I come repentant to thy mercy that thou mayest obtain pardon for me. From thee I hope for every good, forgiveness, perseverance, and heaven. I hope to be one of those, who, in the kingdom of the blessed will most praise thy mercies, O Mary, for having saved us by thy intercession. Amen.

Thirtieth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Modesty.

The Blessed Virgin was a perfect pattern of modesty; her exterior senses were in all things under the control of reason, and subjected to the will of God; gravity and composure marked her every movement. Oh, you who have the happiness of having chosen her for your Mother, if you love her as true children, endeavor with all possible ardor to imitate her modesty. We should particularly try to acquire that moderation of the tongue for which the Blessed Virgin was so conspicuous, and for this reason we should avoid all useless conversations. The Holy Ghost Himself has told us that in much speaking we cannot escape from sin. Thus walking in the footsteps of our blessed Mother in the faithful practice of this virtue, it will not only preserve us from many falls, many temptations and dangers, but it will also be a most powerful means of advantage in the way of sanctity and of edifying and drawing souls to God. Then will all our exterior conduct, regulated by interior motives, tend to the glory of God, the edification of our neighbor, and our own advantage.

Prayer.

Most holy, immaculate Virgin, and my Mother Mary, to thee, who art the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the world, the advocate, the hope, and the refuge of sinners, I have recourse—I who am the most miserable of all. I thank thee for all the graces which thou hast hitherto granted me, and especially I thank thee for having delivered me from hell, which I have so often deserved. I promise always to serve thee, and to do all that I can that thou mayest also be loved by others. Amen.

Thirty‐first Day. The Assumption.

Tradition says that after Mary’s sacred remains had been most reverently entombed by the apostles, songs were heard proceeding from her sepulchre during the space of three days, and on the third day St. Thomas came, imploring to have the slab removed from the tomb that he might gaze for the last time on the beloved features of Mary. The slab was raised, but as he bent forward to look upon her, he started back in amazement; naught was to be seen save the grave‐clothes in which the sacred body had been enveloped. The body itself was nowhere to be found. Then they knew that God had taken her, body and soul, to heaven. St. John describes the coronation in these terms: A great sign appeared in the heavens; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and the Queen thus crowned took her place near her Son on a throne prepared from all eternity. O you who fear the justice of God! O you who dare not cast yourself at the feet of Jesus! remember you have with Him a powerful advocate, who is Mary. O Mary, thou blessed, loving Mother, compassionate thy orphan children; pray for us, and place us one day near thee in the heavenly Jerusalem.

Prayer.

O holy virgin Mary, who, in order to inspire us with boundless confidence, hast been pleased to assume the sweet name of Mother of perpetual succor, we implore thee to come to our aid always and everywhere; in our temptations, after our falls, in our difficulties, in all the miseries of life, and above all in the sad hour of our death. Amen.

Mass in Union with Mary Immaculate.

Prayer Before Mass.

O Mary immaculate! I come to place myself body and soul under thy special care and protection. Take me by the hand, that thy purity may hide the deformity of my soul, thy praises and thy love may supply my deficiencies. I also place in thy hands all my hopes, all my sorrows, all my cares—my life and the end thereof. As thou didst stand by the cross of thy Son, joining thy prayers to His for man’s redemption, so wilt thou come to help me now. Kindle my devotion, aid me with thy mighty intercession, so that I may worthily love and praise my God, and participate in the merits of Jesus, thy divine Son. Amen.

Confiteor.

“O Father,” will I cry with the prodigal, “I have sinned against heaven and before Thee. I am not worthy to be called Thy child.” I have grievously offended Thee through my whole life, and therefore am unworthy to lift my eyes to heaven. O Mary, my Mother! beg of God grace for me, and He will hear thee. Obtain that I may know all my faults and devoutly make a sincere avowal of them, followed by a true repentance, so that I may obtain pardon for them through the loving mercy of my God. Amen.

Introit.

Behold me, O my God, at Thy feet; dispose of me as Thou pleasest. I devote myself entirely to Thee, and since my sins alone can render me displeasing to Thee, therefore I cry aloud to Thee for mercy and pardon. Amen.

Kyrie.

Lord be merciful to me a sinner! O Father of infinite mercy, have pity on Thy child! O Mary, powerful advocate, help of sinners, aid us by thy supplicating voice, and the just One by excellence will descend as a long‐ expected rain! O Fountain of love, grant this mercy to me and to all poor sinners! Amen.

Gloria.

Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good‐will! I praise Thee, I bless Thee, I adore Thee! Blessed angels, messengers of Our Lord, who came before our King to prepare a place in which He should descend, I beseech thee in the name of thy love for Our God, teach me to love Him. Amen.

Collect.

Glorious Virgin Mary, thou who art the true mediatrix between thy sweet Son and poor repentant sinners, pray for me, obtain for me the favorable attention of Our God and Saviour. And do Thou, O Jesus, enrich my soul with Thy gifts, to the full extent of Thy tender compassion. Amen.

Epistle.

O most pure Mary, who knowest so well how to penetrate and comprehend Jesus, open my soul, dilate it, so that it may be replenished with that abundance of gifts which it will receive from heaven through thy intercession. Amen.

Gospel.

Ah, to whom shall we go, O Jesus, if not to Thee, since Thou hast the words of eternal life? Thou, O Jesus, my Lord and my God, art the true light, for Whose dawn the saints of the Old Law watched with longing eyes, looking to Thee for grace and salvation. O Mary immaculate, Virgin always faithful! lead us to Jesus, help us to find Jesus, and attach us to Him forever by the bonds of perfect charity, which, uniting us to His sacrifice during time, will associate us to His glory in eternity. Amen.

Credo.

O my God, I firmly believe in one God in three divine Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost! I believe in Jesus Christ, the true and only Son of God, Who was born of the Virgin Mary, and died on the cross for our salvation. I also believe all the sacred truths the Catholic Church believes and teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived. O sweet Jesus, give me knowledge and understanding that I may live and die in this faith! Amen.

Offertory.

Accept, O eternal Father, this offering which is here made to Thee by Thy minister, in the name of all here present and of Thy whole Church. It is yet only bread and wine, but by a miracle of Thy power and grace it will shortly become the body and blood of Thy divine Son. Now the august sacrifice begins, everything recalls the sorrows of our dear Jesus; His bitter agony, accompanied by a most heroic act of perfect submission when He consents to expiate every crime. O Jesus, Jesus! It is I who have bound Thee! it is I who have had the misfortune to lead Thee out to death! From this instant, O Jesus, I give myself to Thee! O Mary, my powerful protectress, purify us in the ardors of thy pure love, and do thou thyself place us on the paten with the bread, and in the chalice with the wine. Amen.

Lavabo.

Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within me! Oh, wash me, dear Lord, from all the stains of sin, in the blood of the Lamb, that I may be worthy to be present at these heavenly mysteries. O Mary immaculate, may thy sorrows heal the wounds of my soul. Amen.

Preface.

Let us lift ourselves up to heaven, O my soul, and render thanks to the Lord Our God. O Mary most pure, aid us to break all the ties that still bind us to earth. Oh, may I, great God, unite my heart and voice with all the heavenly court, and cry with them: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts! Blessed is He Who cometh in the name of the Lord! Heaven and 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!

Canon.

We conjure Thee, O Lord, to listen favorably to our humble prayers, to receive the vows and supplications we offer. We desire to adore, praise, and glorify Thee, and to give Thee thanks for Thy great glory, joining our hearts and voices with all the blessed in heaven, and with Thy whole Church upon earth. O Mary, Mother of mercy! Ask Jesus to give us the ineffable grace of appreciating, imitating, and loving Him until death—that Jesus sacrificed by love, and immolated perpetually for us upon our altars. Amen.

Consecration.

The priest has said: “This is My body; this is My blood;” and Jesus has descended into his hands. The God of heaven and earth obeys a weak creature. O mystery of love! O prodigy of annihilation! O my soul, gratitude and love ought to be thy language. Eternal Truth, in Thee I believe, strengthen Thou my faith, that I may love Thee ever more and more, and hereafter behold Thee face to face in Thy celestial kingdom—my Jesus and my all! Amen.

Elevation Of The Host.

Hail, Victim of salvation, eternal King, Incarnate Word! Sacrificed for me and for all mankind, O Jesus host, Jesus love, Jesus Saviour! Holy Father, turn Thy eyes upon me, or rather look upon Thy beloved Son. Give me all that I ask in His name, and in the name of my immaculate Mother. Amen.

Elevation Of The Chalice.

Holy, holy blood, flowing from my Saviour’s Heart, do thou cleanse me from all sin. It is Thyself, again Thyself, sweet and blessed Jesus Christ, Who art also entire within this chalice. Again and again, I adore Thee, and beseech Thee to be my salvation. Amen.

Memento Of The Living And The Dead.

And now, O my God, I wish to pray for all Thy holy Catholic Church, and for all Christians, religious and secular; to all give perseverance, O my God! Remember, O Jesus, those souls purchased by Thy precious blood, who have died in Thy peace, but nevertheless are deprived of Thy presence. Stretch forth unto them Thy strong right hand, and bring them into a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Amen.

Nobis Quoque.

I most humbly implore Thy mercy, O Lord, for myself also. I beg pardon for all my sins; I desire to detest them, and to renounce them forever. Then, O my God, Thou wilt accept my gifts, and we will render to Jesus all honor, praise, and glory. Amen.

Pater Noster.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Agnus Dei.

O Lamb of God, sacrificed for my sake, have mercy on me! O adorable Victim of my salvation, look down on me and save me! Divine Mediator, obtain pardon of Thy Father for me a sinner, and mercifully grant me the sweets of Thy peace! O Mary, conceived without sin, obtain for me purity of heart, soul, and body. Amen.

Communion.

In the presence of the true body and the true blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, O my God, I place myself most humbly and devoutly at the feet of Thy loving mercy. Make me avoid sin in the present, pardon that which I have committed in the past, and guard me against it in the future. O Mary, conceived without sin, place me in the sanctuary of thy maternal heart, so that, like thee, I may preserve in peace, silence, and love, Him Whose possession makes all my happiness, all my delight, all my hope. Amen.

Benediction.

O Jesus, Saviour of my soul, pour down on me by the hand of Thy minister Thy most abundant blessing. Illuminate my heart with Thy clear light, and grant that nothing may ever separate me from Thee. Amen.

Last Gospel.

O Word made flesh Who didst annihilate Thyself to give Thyself to me! Thou Who art the life and light of the world, enlighten me. How ought I not to be affected with the exceeding privilege I have enjoyed. O my God! I unite myself to Thee by the ties of love and gratitude; thus alone can I correspond with Thy mercies. Amen.

Prayer After Mass.

And now once more I commend myself to Thee, O my God! I commend myself throughout the hours of this day to Thy keeping, to the keeping of Thy holy Mother and of Thy holy angels, and bring before Thee, for the same loving care, my kindred, my brothers and sisters, my friends, my benefactors, and all Christian people. Amen.

Litany of the Blessed Virgin.

(An indulgence of three hundred days each time)

Lord, have mercy on us. _Christ, have mercy on us._ Lord have mercy on us. Christ hear us. _Christ, graciously hear us._ God, the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on us._ God the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on us._ God, the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us._ Holy Trinity, one God, _Have mercy on us._ Holy Mary, _Pray for us._ Holy Mother of God, _Pray for us._ Holy Virgin of virgins, _Pray for us._ Mother of Christ, _Pray for us._ Mother of divine grace, _Pray for us._ Mother most pure, _Pray for us._ Mother most chaste, _Pray for us._ Mother inviolate, _Pray for us._ Mother undefiled, _Pray for us._ Mother most amiable, _Pray for us._ Mother most admirable, _Pray for us._ Mother of our Creator, _Pray for us._ Mother of our Saviour, _Pray for us._ Virgin most prudent, _Pray for us._ Virgin most venerable, _Pray for us._ Virgin most renowned, _Pray for us._ Virgin most powerful, _Pray for us._ Virgin most merciful, _Pray for us._ Virgin most faithful, _Pray for us._ Mirror of justice, _Pray for us._ Seat of wisdom, _Pray for us._ Cause of our joy, _Pray for us._ Spiritual vessel, _Pray for us._ Vessel of honor, _Pray for us._ Vessel of singular devotion, _Pray for us._ Mystical rose, _Pray for us._ Tower of David, _Pray for us._ Tower of ivory, _Pray for us._ House of gold, _Pray for us._ Ark of the covenant, _Pray for us._ Gate of heaven, _Pray for us._ Morning star, _Pray for us._ Health of the sick, _Pray for us._ Refuge of sinners, _Pray for us._ Comforter of the afflicted, _Pray for us._ Help of Christians, _Pray for us._ Queen of angels, _Pray for us._ Queen of patriarchs, _Pray for us._ Queen of prophets, _Pray for us._ Queen of apostles, _Pray for us._ Queen of martyrs, _Pray for us._ Queen of confessors, _Pray for us._ Queen of virgins, _Pray for us._ Queen of all saints, _Pray for us._ Queen conceived without original sin, _Pray for us._ Queen of the most holy Rosary, _Pray for us._ 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, O Lord_!

_Anthem._ We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother 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 promises of Christ.

_Let Us Pray._

Pour forth, we beseech 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.

_V._ May the divine assistance remain always with us.

_R._ Amen.

_V._ And may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

_R._ Amen.

JUNE. THE SACRED HEART.

He who meditates on the life of Christ, and is acquainted with it, instinctively strikes upon this trait in the character of Jesus: The sweetness of His human Heart. The entire life of our blessed Lord was one series of most loving acts. We see Him at one time blessing the little children, at another bestowing sight on the blind, loosening the tongue of the dumb, pouring consolation into the aching heart of the mother who has lost her child, and pardoning the repentant sinner. Is it not a beautiful devotion by which we are drawn to view the loving tenderness of His human Heart, by which He won all to His side, so that not only His apostles clung to Him, but even the very pagans loved and revered Him?

Let us then love and practise this beautiful devotion, by offering that Heart the gold of charity and the incense of prayer. Let us go with filial confidence to Him, Who has taught us to lisp like an infant, “Abba, Father.” Let us repay Him love for love, and make reparation for the injuries He daily receives in that most kind Heart. Jesus in His turn will comfort us in all our pains and afflictions. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the source of all charity and love; and through this devotion we will learn to love our neighbor and to sacrifice ourselves for his benefit.

Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love. Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation.

Considerations and prayers for Every Day.

First Day. The Love of the Sacred Heart for Us.

The love of the Sacred Heart for us is at once the tender affection of a brother, and the infinite love of the Son of God, with which, from all eternity, Our Redeemer looked forward eagerly to the salvation of mankind. He saw us doomed to everlasting death, He saw us, and each one of us individually among the number, unable to atone for our sins. Then He offered Himself to satisfy the justice of the Father. Thou didst implore mercy for us, and it was granted Thee, only on condition that Thou shouldst satisfy for us. And what satisfaction was required! Torments the most cruel, insults the most humiliating, death on the cross—that was the price at which Thou wast permitted to redeem us. Thou didst accept all, and wast even ready to suffer more if necessary. Ah, Lord! What then shall I do for Thee? What return can I make for such great love? O generous, O incomprehensible Friend! How can I ever repay the debt I owe Thee, Heart of my Jesus? I abandon my whole being to Thy sweet love, to live and die therein.

Prayer.

Adorable Heart of my Saviour, I adore Thee, praise Thee, and offer Thee my whole self. O divine Jesus, I beseech Thee to receive me to‐day into Thy Sacred Heart! Pour into my heart the light, help and graces I need to conquer my enemies, and to surmount all obstacles that will hinder my salvation, and the Christian perfection required to please Thee. Amen.

Second Day. The Heart of Jesus My Friend.

Oh, what folly, what delusion can be worse than to set one’s heart on anything save Thee alone, O God! How poor is he who seeks not his whole good in Thy sweet friendship alone! Heart of my Jesus, wounded for love of me, permit me to draw nigh to Thy open side, and confess to Thee a thousand times over that I love Thee. O Heart of Jesus, forgive my past foolishness! O beloved and adorable Redeemer, who will give water to my head, and a fountain of tears to my eyes, that I may weep day and night for the contempt shown to Thy love, and the ingratitude with which Thy benefits are repaid! O ye angels, who crowd the sanctuaries in which dwells the divine Spouse of our souls, cease not to pour forth at the foot of His altars the most profound homage. One of the usual duties shown by people towards those whom they respect are visits. Jesus Christ is our Friend, our Father. He is in our midst: we know it, and yet He is the only One Whom we forget. Whoever thinks of visiting Jesus Christ? We frequent the church and fulfil our other religious duties, but do we always go through motives of love or gratitude, and with the expected intention of rendering homage to Our Lord? O Jesus, could a more cruel wound be inflicted on this loving Heart? O Sacred Heart of my Jesus, forgive me, and vouchsafe me the blessing of remaining forever Thy child.

Prayer.

Prostrate before Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I humbly pay Thee all my homage, and my profound adoration. I adore Thee, O Sacred Heart, destined from all eternity to be God’s masterpiece and the prodigy of His power, wisdom and goodness. Amen.

Third Day. The Heart of My Jesus the Heart of My Father.

Heart of Jesus, Thou art my Father! All I have is from Thee; at every step I meet with proofs of Thy infinite love. Even when I strayed away from Thee, Thou didst entreat me to return, assuring me of pardon and love. If I shed tears of sorrow, Thy love wiped them away, and Thy sweet voice gave courage to my sinking soul. O my sweet Jesus, be forever a Father to me! What an amount of gratitude do I not owe to my Lord, when after so much love and care, He reappears among us in the Sacrament of the Altar? In thus dwelling among us, He willed to unite Himself with us, in a way as intimate as it is incomprehensible; shutting Himself up under the appearance of bread, He enters into our hearts and makes His own flesh our nourishment. What a source of happiness for me, O my sweet Jesus! My eyes do not see Thy divine face, but my heart feels Thy comforting presence. When I receive Thee, O Father, into my breast, I feel my soul gladdened with the wine of heaven, “which maketh virgins.” And since love causes lovers to resemble each other, if we love let us form our life on the model of Jesus. Let us therefore, belong forever to the Beloved of our souls. Let us give Him our whole heart, our love, our affections, inclinations, and desires.

Prayer.

Allow me, O my Saviour, to offer Thee my heart, and grant that I seek only to please Thee in all things. From this moment I consecrate my heart to Thee; take possession of it, destroy its indifference, purify its affections, and give a new life to its inclinations. O sweet Jesus, take possession of me and consume me in the flames of Thy love. Amen.

Fourth Day. In Thy Heart I Shall Find Peace.