Part 4
Be merciful. _Spare us, O Jesus!_ Be merciful, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ From all evil, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ From all sin, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ From Thy wrath, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ From the snares of the devil, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ From the spirit of fornication, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ From eternal death, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ From the neglect of Thy inspirations, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Through the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, _Graciously hear us, O Jesus_! Through Thy nativity, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Through Thy infancy, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Through Thy most divine life, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Through Thy labors, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Through Thy agony and Passion, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Through Thy cross and dereliction, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Through Thy languors, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Through Thy death and burial, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Through Thy resurrection, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Through Thy ascension, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Through Thy joys, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Through Thy glory, _Deliver us, O Jesus._ Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Spare us, O Jesus!_ Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Graciously hear us, O Jesus!_ Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Have mercy on us, O Jesus!_ Jesus, hear us. _Jesus, graciously hear us!_
_Let Us Pray._
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said, “Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you,” grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask the gift of Thy divine love, that we may love Thee with our whole heart, in word and work, and never cease from showing forth Thy praise.
Grant, O Lord, that we may have a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy name, for Thou never failest to direct and govern those whom Thou hast instructed in Thy true and solid love, through the same Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Litany of the Infant Jesus.
(_For Private Devotion Only._)
Lord, have mercy. _Lord, have mercy._ Christ, have mercy. _Christ, have mercy._ Lord, have mercy. _Lord, have mercy._ Infant Jesus, hear us. _Infant Jesus, 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._ Infant Jesus, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, very God, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, Son of the living God, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, Son of the Virgin Mary, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, begotten before the morning star, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, Word made flesh, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, wisdom of Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, purity of Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, only Son of Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, only‐born of Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, image of Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, Creator of Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, splendor of Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, honor of Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, equal to Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, subject to Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, joy of Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, riches of Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, gift of Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, offering of Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, precious fruit of a Virgin, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, Creator of man, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, power of God, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, our God, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, our Brother, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, perfect man from Thy conception, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, ancient in wisdom from Thy childhood, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, father of ages, _Have mercy on us._ Infant of days, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, giving life and nourished at the breast, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, Eternal Word, and making Thyself dumb, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, weeping in Thy crib, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, thundering in the heavens, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, terror of hell, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, joy of paradise, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, dreaded by tyrants, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, desired by the Magi, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, exiled from Thy people, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, king in exile, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, destroyer of idols, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, vindicator of the glory of God, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, strong in weakness, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, powerful in abasement, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, treasure of grace, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, fountain of love, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, author of the blessings of heaven, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, repairer of the evils of earth, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, head of the angels, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, stem of the patriarchs, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, word of the prophets, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, expectation of nations, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, joy of the shepherds, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, light of the Magi, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, salvation of children, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, hope of the just, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, teacher of doctors, _Have mercy on us._ Infant, first‐fruits of the saints, _Have mercy on us._ Be merciful, _Spare us, O Infant Jesus_! Be merciful, _Graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus_! From the bondage of the children of Adam, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ From the slavery of the devil, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ From the corruption of the world, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ From the lust of the flesh, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ From the pride of life, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ From an immoderate desire of knowledge, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ From blindness of mind, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ From perversity of will, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ From our sins, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ Through Thy most pure conception, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ Through Thy most humble birth, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ Through Thy tears, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ Through Thy most painful circumcision, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ Through Thy most glorious epiphany, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ Through Thy most devout presentation, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ Through Thy most innocent conversation in the world, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ Through Thy most holy life, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ Through Thy poverty, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ Through Thy sorrows, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ Through Thy labors and trials. _Infant Jesus, deliver us._ Lamb of God. Who takest away the sins of the world. _Spare us. O Infant Jesus!_ Lamb of God. Who takest away the sins of the world. _Graciously hear us. O Infant Jesus!_ Lamb of God. Who takest away the sins of the world. _Have mercy on us. O Infant Jesus!_ Infant Jesus, hear us, _Infant Jesus, graciously hear us_!
_Let Us Pray._
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst vouchsafe so to annihilate the greatness of Thy incarnate divinity and most sacred humanity, as to be born in time, and become a little child; grant that we may acknowledge infinite wisdom in the silence of a child, power in weakness, majesty in abasement: so that adoring Thy humiliations on earth, we may contemplate Thy glories in heaven. Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.
The Mysteries of the Sacred Infancy.
(For every day of this month and each 25th day of every month during the year.)
_V._ Incline unto my aid, O God.
_R._ O Lord, make haste to help me.
_V._ Glory be to the Father, etc.
_R._ As it was in, etc. Our Father, etc.
1. The Incarnation.
O most sweet Infant Jesus! Who for our salvation didst descend from the bosom of the eternal Father, into the womb of the Virgin Mary, where, conceived by the Holy Ghost, Thou didst take upon Thee, O Incarnate Word, the form of a servant, have mercy upon us.
_V._ Have mercy upon us, O Lord.
_R._ Have mercy upon us. Hail Mary, etc.
2. The Visitation.
O most sweet Infant Jesus! Who by means of Thy Virgin Mother didst visit St. Elizabeth, and filling Thy forerunner, St. John the Baptist, with the Holy Spirit, didst sanctify him from his mother’s womb, have mercy upon us.
_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.
3. The Expectation of the Birth.
O most sweet Infant Jesus! Who for nine months enclosed in the womb, didst wait for the time of Thy birth, and didst meantime inflame the hearts of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph with most ardent longings, and didst offer Thyself to God the Father for the salvation of the world, have mercy upon us.
_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.
4. The Holy Nativity.
O most sweet Infant Jesus! born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, wrapped in poor swaddling‐*clothes, and laid in the manger, glorified by angels, and visited by shepherds, have mercy upon us.
_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.
O Jesu! born of Virgin bright, Immortal glory be to Thee; Praise to the Father infinite, And Holy Ghost, eternally.
_V._ Christ is at hand.
_R._ O come, let us worship Him. Our Father, etc.
5. The Circumcision.
O most sweet Infant Jesus! circumcised when eight days old, called by the glorious name of Jesus, and proclaimed both by Thy name and by Thy blood to be the Saviour of the world, have mercy upon us.
_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.
6. The Adoration of the Kings.
O most sweet Infant Jesus! Who wast manifest to the three kings, who worshipped Thee as Thou didst lie on Mary’s breast, and offered to Thee the mysterious presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, have mercy upon us.
_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.
7. The Presentation.
O most sweet Infant Jesus! presented in the Temple by the Virgin Mary, embraced by the holy old man Simeon, and revealed to the Jews by Anna the prophetess, have mercy upon us.
_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.
8. The Flight Into Egypt.
O most sweet Infant Jesus! Whom Herod sought to slay, carried by St. Joseph with Thy Mother into Egypt, saved from death by flight, and glorified by the blood of the holy innocents, have mercy upon us.
_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.
O Jesu! born of Virgin bright, etc.
_V._ Christ is at hand.
_R._ O come, let us worship Him. Our Father, etc.
9. The Sojourn In Egypt.
O most sweet Infant Jesus! Who didst dwell as an exile in Egypt for seven years, where Thou didst utter Thy first words, and, loosed from Thy swathing‐bands, didst first begin to walk upon this earth, and, in the destruction of the idols, didst work, in a hidden manner, Thy first miracles, have mercy upon us.
_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.
10. The Return From Egypt.
O most sweet Infant Jesus! Who when Herod was dead, wast recalled out of Egypt into the land of Israel, and didst in the journey suffer many fatigues and hardships, and wast carried back by Mary and Joseph to the city of Nazareth, have mercy upon us.
_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.
11. The Life in the Holy House.
O most sweet Infant Jesus! Who in the holy house of Nazareth didst dwell most holily, and didst pass Thy life in obedience, poverty, and toil, and as Thou didst increase in years didst manifest to God and men signs of wisdom and grace, have mercy upon us.
_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.
12. The Disputing With The Doctors.
O most sweet Infant Jesus! Who wast taken to Jerusalem when twelve years old, wast lost by Thy parents, and sought for by them with sorrow, and after three days wast found, to their exceeding joy, with the doctors in the Temple, have mercy upon us.
_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.
O Jesu! born of Virgin bright, etc.
_V._ Christ is at hand.
_R._ O come, let us worship Him. Our Father, etc.
During the year:
_V._ The Word was made flesh.
_R._ And dwelt amongst us.
At Christmas and during the octave add Alleluia.
At the Epiphany and during the octave:
_V._ Christ hath manifested Himself unto us. Alleluia.
_R._ O come, let us worship Him. Alleluia.
_Let Us Pray._
O almighty and everlasting God, Lord of heaven and earth! Who didst reveal Thyself to little ones, grant, we beseech Thee, that whilst we duly celebrate and honor the most holy mysteries of Thy Son, the Infant Jesus, and worthily strive to imitate them, we may arrive at that heavenly kingdom which Thou hast promised to little children, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Communion Prayers in Honor of the Infant Jesus.
Preparation for Holy Communion.
1. I believe most firmly, my dear Jesus, that in the consecrated Host is contained Thy humanity and Thy divinity, together with Thy sacred flesh and blood. I believe in this mystery of our faith, because Thou, Who art infinite wisdom, hast announced, “My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.” I believe as firmly as Thy holy Mother Mary believed in all the sacred truths which Thou camest to preach. With the heart of Mary, O divine Infant Jesus, I would love Thee! I would wish to receive Thee into the shelter of my heart, as Mary didst receive Thee into her arms with devotion and tenderness, and Thou didst find a resting‐place. Cold and dreary was everything about Thee, that night of Thy birth, but Thou didst find a warm heart in Thy holy Mother. Let me embrace Thee with the same fervor with which Joseph and Simeon welcomed Thee into their arms. Give me now, O divine Infant Jesus, through the participation in Thy body and blood, the burning love of Thy holy spirit, which induced Thee to become my Brother. Thou didst institute this Holy Sacrament that I might be united to Thee and Thou to me. I am heartily sorry that I have, hitherto, preferred creatures to Thee, and so far have done nothing to deserve Thy mercy. Forgive the sins for which I have had only a superficial sorrow, and which I, perhaps, have confessed in the same spirit. Clothe me with the garb of innocence of Thy holy childhood; by Thy adorable blood purify me, by Thy holy spirit enliven me, that from the present I may no longer live, but Thou, my Jesus, live in me forever.
O Holy Ghost, Who didst prepare the body of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by the infusion of sanctity, to be a worthy habitation of the body of the divine Infant Jesus, prostrate before Thee I beg that Thy grace may also render my soul and body worthy to receive the body of Christ, that I may receive Him with purity and faith, and may through the reception lay a foundation of sanctity, which will entitle me to enter the glorious kingdom of heaven.
O my good Jesus, my whole confidence is in Thee; Thy wounds and Thy sacred blood encourage me to hope in the Lord.
O Son of the almighty God, Son of the Virgin Mary, hear me, and be merciful unto me. My heart desires to receive Thee with the same joy and desire with which Mary conceived Thee and gave Thee birth.
Come, then, dear Lord, and fashion my heart according to Thy will; and, oh, holy saints, devout adorers of the Infant Jesus, St. Francis, St. Anthony, St. Stanislaus, pray that my faith may be strong, that my hope and confidence in the Infant Jesus may increase, that my love for Him and His good Mother may burn with an inextinguishable flame.
And thou, my guardian angel, as well as arch‐*angels and angels, cherubim and seraphim, accompany me to the holy table of the Lord; cover me with thy wings, for I am not worthy to receive this heavenly food.
2. O my God, my Lord, is it possible that Thou lovest me, a miserable human being, so tenderly, that now Thou dost feed my soul with Thy precious blood, with the bread of angels? By this sacred food Thou dost so firmly unite me to Thee as to make us one; Thy soul unites itself with my soul, and Thy body with my poor human nature. Rejoice, then, O my soul, for no longer can it be said, “My tears have been my bread day and night: whilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God?”—Ps. xli. 4. For my food is the bread of angels and my God is not far from me and my God is in my soul! O dear Jesus, how liberal art Thou towards him that seeks Thee! How can I make return for this great kindness?
3. Consider, O my soul, that as often as you receive communion, you become, as it were, like Mary, the Mother of God, and a spouse of Jesus Christ: for in holy communion you may consider that the Lord comes to you as the little Child of Bethlehem. He becomes your Spouse because He loves you, takes care of you, and caresses you. O my soul, with what energy you ought to seek to acquire the virtues of our dear Mother Mary. She was adorned with every virtue when the incarnation took place in her, and she enjoyed the presence of her God.
Put yourself exclusively into the hands of God, and have the same sentiments that Mary had when she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord,” or with the spouse in the Canticles: “My Beloved is a bunch of myrrh which rests in my bosom.” And with Simeon, the prophet, exclaim, “Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace: Because my eyes have seen Thy salvation.”
4. Permit me, my dear Jesus, to use Thy words in the Gospel: “I am come to cast fire on the earth, and what will I but that it be kindled?”—Luke xii. 49. Why is it that I receive so often, and approach this fire of divine love, and am not ignited? Let, then, this fire of love, which burns in this Sacrament, communicate its flames to me, that I may rise from the things of this world. I will now endeavor to love Thee above all things and no creature shall hinder me from Thy love. I will love Thee with my whole strength.
5. Dear Infant Jesus, Thy love has conquered my heart! I know now that Thou givest Thyself to me as my food, and as a ransom to free me from the slavery of Satan. My servitude to the devil, the flesh, and the world has been hard, but being once liberated from these chains, I hate my former cruel masters, and wish to belong entirely to Thee. There is no joy or happiness in anything in this world, but in Thee, my God, Who callest to me: “Come to Me all you that labor, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up My yoke upon you ... and you shall find rest to your souls.”—Matt. xi. 28, 29. Yes, I will willingly subject myself to Thy yoke, by obedience to Thy holy commandments, which I will keep with the greatest exactitude. Permit me to approach Thy sacred banquet, for which I am now preparing.
6. In Jesus you may find all that you seek, and all that you need. Why, then, do you turn to other consolations? Seek that only Good which contains all good. Consider Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the greatest Good, and stir up in yourself a desire for Him. He will not despise you, though you are unworthy of the favor. When Jesus dwelt on earth, and travelled through cities, towns, and country, He always had compassion on misery, and rejected none that came seeking relief from the ills of body and soul. And now that same Jesus is in heaven, and He can refuse no one. The woman who touched the hem of His garment was healed of a long standing infirmity. Magdalen, the sinner, kisses His feet, and her sins are forgiven. The pagan woman of Chanaan obtains the cure of her daughter. The sisters Mary and Martha obtain the resurrection of their brother Lazarus. Those possessed by the devil are freed.
My heart will not hesitate, but will boldly and humbly approach the Lord and ask the cure of my soul. He gives me His sacred body and blood, and all other needful things will be added unto me.
7. Yes, my God, my Lord, will come to me! I will not fear; I will approach with a joyful heart; I will not lose courage because I am sinful, as I know the Lord invites the sinner. He has eaten and drank with them, and treated them as His friends. He will also eat with me, and entertain me at His own table if I am only sorry for my sins. He will give me the kiss of peace and welcome me to His house. With His own flesh and blood He will feed me.
8. Come, O dear Jesus, wash my feet as Thou didst the apostles’. St. Peter refused, but when he was told that unless he complied he would have no part with Jesus, he gladly consented. Purify me also that I may have share with Thee in Thy glory. I am full of impurities in body and soul, my lips are unclean, because they utter many reprehensible words, my eyes and ears are impure, because they see and hear impurities. Who can purify me but Thou, O Lord, O crucified Redeemer, by Thy sacred blood which flows from the cross?
9. Who shall give me the wings of a dove, that I may fly to Thee, my rest, my peace? Give me two wings: one the firm confidence in Thy goodness, that Thou wilt allow me to claim some of Thy merits for my salvation; the other the wing of love, that I may soar beyond this world, and remain with Thee. Prepare me for Thy sacred banquet with the virtues which Thou Thyself would have in me. Teach me how I am to serve Thee. Give me a real thirst after Thy sacred blood, and a real hunger after Thy sacred flesh, that I may really desire it.
10. O consolation of my soul, dear Infant Jesus, I beg of Thee to root out of my heart all the sins and vices to which I am so much inclined; spare me not in removing them, even though it may hurt, even though I may be unwilling. Piety, humility, sincerity, modesty, and love are necessary. Then plant these virtues in my soul, and give me grace to practise them.
11. The Bridegroom is coming! I hear this cry, and I am to go forth to meet Him. Am I prepared? Have I oil in my lamp? Bestir yourself then, O my soul: it is not an angel that is coming, or a great prophet. No, it is God Himself Who is approaching: the Son of God, the King of glory. Rise, my soul, and prepare a resting‐place in your heart, where the Lord may remain.
After Communion.
Ejaculations To The Dear Infant Jesus.
How great is Thy love, sweet Heart of Jesus, Who hast given Thyself to me as a celestial food! Thou deservest to be loved with an infinite love, and not with the love of ordinary creatures.
O Jesus, I am heartily sorry for having hitherto loved Thee so little! Why did I not love Thee sooner?
Would that I could redeem that time in which I did not love Thee! Where will I find hearts that are going to help me to make up for the glory that I should have given Thee up to this time?
Would that I loved Thee with that tender love with which Mary loved Thee. The angels and saints loved Thee, my Jesus; let me also join them in their love.
Offering.
I offer Thee my whole being; let it be unreservedly Thine. Thou hast taken possession of my heart, Thou art its Master; my whole life shall be used for Thy greater honor and glory. Wherever my influence may reach, there will I carry the name of Jesus. Wherever the word of God may be announced, I will glory in Thy name.
Thou, O Lord, art so full of love, and still Thou art so little loved! O would that I could enkindle all hearts with the fire of Thy love! Thou, O Lord, art the Master of all hearts; we belong to Thee because Thou hast created us, and when we rebelled from Thee and became slaves of Satan, Thou didst redeem us. What greater right have we than to belong to Thee, to be subject to Thee, and to announce Thy holy name to all, so that by our mutual example we may be encouraged to live lives of sanctity?
O that all of us would have the love of the Infant Jesus in our souls, and make earnest endeavors to spread Thy love among all men! When, O Lord, will I be dissolved, to live only with Thee? To Thee my sighs and desires go up day and night. When will I see Thy blessed countenance? When my time comes to die, let me die in Thy love, so that I may love Thee for all eternity. Thy will, O Jesus, be done in all things, and let me delight to walk in Thy footsteps.