Today
May 18 2012
Sts. Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras
complete abstinence
Today, being a Friday, is a day of Complete Abstinence.
In PASCHALTIDE
The Feast of Sts. Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras
In May, the Eighteenth Day, the Third Friday.
The Twenty-sixth Day of the Moon.
Fridays are dedicated to Christ's Passion and His Sacred Heart.
May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Maxims from Holy Scripture for the 18th Day of the Month
Compiled by Fr. Lasance in «My Prayer-book»
O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory (Wisdom 4:1).
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord (Psalm 118:1).
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8).
Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord; or who shall stand in His holy place? The innocent in hands, and clean of heart (Psalm 23:3, 4).
Fly fornication. Know you not that your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost, Who is in you, whom you have from God; and you are not your own. For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in you body (1 Corinthians 6:20).
The Five-Point Rule of St. Padre Pio
from Saint Padre Pio, by Rev. Father Jean, OFM., Cap.
I. Weekly Confession
“Confession is the soul’s bath. You must go at least once a week. I do not want souls to stay away from confession more than a week. Even a clean and unoccupied room gathers dust; return after a week and you will see that it needs dusting again!”
II. Daily Communion
To those who declare themselves unworthy to receive holy Communion, he answers: “It is quite true, we are not worthy of such a gift. However, to approach the Blessed Sacrament in a state of mortal sin is one thing, and to be unworthy is quite another. All of us are unworthy, but it is He who invites us. It is He who desires it. Let us humble ourselves and receive Him with a heart contrite and full of love.”
III. Examination of Conscience Every Evening
To another, who told him that the daily examination of conscience seemed useless, since his conscience showed him clearly at each action whether it was good or bad, he replied: “That is true enough. But every experienced merchant in this world not only keeps track throughout the day of whether he has lost or gained on each sale. In the evening, he does the bookkeeping for the day to determine what he should do on the morrow. It follows that it is indispensable to make a rigorous examination of conscience, brief but lucid, every night.”
IV. Daily Spiritual Reading
“The harm that comes to souls from the lack of reading holy books makes me shudder…. What power spiritual reading has to lead to a change of course, and to make even worldly people enter into the way of perfection.”
V. Mental Prayer Twice Daily
His counsels for mental prayer are simple: “If you do not succeed in meditating well, do not give up doing your duty. If the distractions are numerous, do not be discouraged; do the meditation of patience, and you will still profit. Decide upon the length of your meditation, and do not leave your place before finishing, even if you have to be crucified. Why do you worry so much because you do not know how to meditate as you would like? Meditation is a means to attaining God, but it is not a goal in itself. Meditation aims at the love of God and neighbor. Love God with all your soul without reserve, and love your neighbor as yourself, and you will have accomplished half of your meditation.”
On Assisting at Holy Mass
The same holds for assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: it is more concerned with making acts (of contrition, Faith, love, &c.) than with intellectual reflections or considerations. To someone asking whether it is necessary to follow the Mass in a missal, Padre Pio answered that only the priest needs a missal. According to him, the best way to attend the Holy Sacrifice is by uniting oneself to the Virgin of Sorrows at the foot of the cross, in compassion and love.
On Mary and the Rosary
“Love the Madonna and make her loved. Always recite her Rosary. That is an armor against the evils of the world today.”
“Satan wants to destroy this prayer, but in this he will never succeed. The Rosary is the prayer of those who triumph over everything and everyone. It was Our Lady who taught us this prayer, just as it was Jesus who taught us the Our Father.”
“When one achnowledges the importance of the Blessed Mother in Her Immaculate Conception, it is the first step on the path of salvation.”
Manna
Manna of the Soul
Meditations on Scripture for Every Day of the Year
by Fr. Paolo Segneri, S. J.
Meditation for the Eighteenth Day of May
Mass
Prayers & Readings from Holy Mass
with Goffine’s Instructions on the Epistle and Gospel of the Mass
for Sundays and select feast days throughout the Year
Mass for The Feast of Sts. Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras
Commentaries for Sundays, Holy Days, and several saints’ feasts, and images, are from Goffine’s Instructions on the Epistle and Gospel of the Mass, 1896 edition, originally published 1690.
Jesus
The Imitation of Christ
“He who follows Me, walks not in darkness.”
Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul
The Example Set Us by the Holy Fathers
Consider the lively examples set us by the saints, who possessed the light of true perfection and religion, and you will see how little, how nearly nothing, we do. What, alas, is our life, compared with theirs? The saints and friends of Christ served the Lord in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, in work and fatigue, in vigils and fasts, in prayers and holy meditations, in persecutions and many afflictions. How many and severe were the trials they suffered—the Apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and all the rest who willed to follow in the footsteps of Christ! They hated their lives on earth that they might have life in eternity.
How strict and detached were the lives the holy hermits led in the desert! What long and grave temptations they suffered! How often were they beset by the enemy! What frequent and ardent prayers they offered to God! What rigorous fasts they observed! How great their zeal and their love for spiritual perfection! How brave the fight they waged to master their evil habits! What pure and straightforward purpose they showed toward God! By day they labored and by night they spent themselves in long prayers. Even at work they did not cease from mental prayer. They used all their time profitably; every hour seemed too short for serving God, and in the great sweetness of contemplation, they forgot even their bodily needs.
They renounced all riches, dignities, honors, friends, and associates. They desired nothing of the world. They scarcely allowed themselves the necessities of life, and the service of the body, even when necessary, was irksome to them. They were poor in earthly things but rich in grace and virtue. Outwardly destitute, inwardly they were full of grace and divine consolation. Strangers to the world, they were close and intimate friends of God. To themselves they seemed as nothing, and they were despised by the world, but in the eyes of God they were precious and beloved. They lived in true humility and simple obedience; they walked in charity and patience, making progress daily on the pathway of spiritual life and obtaining great favor with God.
They were given as an example for all religious, and their power to stimulate us to perfection ought to be greater than that of the lukewarm to tempt us to laxity.
How great was the fervor of all religious in the beginning of their holy institution! How great their devotion in prayer and their rivalry for virtue! What splendid discipline flourished among them! What great reverence and obedience in all things under the rule of a superior! The footsteps they left behind still bear witness that they indeed were holy and perfect men who fought bravely and conquered the world.
Today, he who is not a transgressor and who can bear patiently the duties which he has taken upon himself is considered great. How lukewarm and negligent we are! We lose our original fervor very quickly and we even become weary of life from laziness! Do not you, who have seen so many examples of the devout, fall asleep in the pursuit of virtue!
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST. By Thomas à Kempis. Translated from the Latin into modern English by Aloysius Croft and Harold Bolton.
María
The Month of Mary
According to the Spirit of St. Francis of Sales
by Don Caspar Gilli
Nineteenth Day
Mary, at the Marriage of Cana, Teaches Us the Best Method of Prayer.
“There was a marriage,” says St. John, “in Cana of Galilee, and the Mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited and His disciples.”
Let us consider the goodness of our adorable Saviour in not refusing the invitation to the wedding. He had come to redeem and reform man, and therefore would not assume a rigid and austere manner. He was always gentle and courteous, so as to draw men to follow Him. His presence at the wedding was a restraint upon all levity and excesses that so often occur on these occasions. O faithful souls! what modesty must have reigned at these nuptials, in the presence of Oar Lord and of the Most Holy Virgin! The failing of the wine was pre-ordained by the Will of God, Who wished, by a miracle, to manifest His power to those assembled, and in particular to His Apostles. The Most Holy Virgin, in her wisdom and prudence, knowing that the wine failed, was moved by the most ardent charity to find an expedient for supplying it. And how does she act? Well aware of the power and goodness of her Divine Son, and of His charity and mercy, she was certain that He would supply what was required, all the more as the married couple were not rich, and she knew He took pleasure in relieving the poor and conversing with them. She turned, therefore, to her Divine Son; and notice well how Our Blessed Lady acted, and what she said: Vinum non habent— “They have no wine.” These words imply, “These good people are poor, and although their poverty is pleasing and dear to You, nevertheless, in itself, it is a misfortune, and is often the cause of confusion before men. You are Omnipotent, and can relieve their wants, and I doubt not Your charity and mercy will make some return for the kind invitation they have given us to assist at this feast by providing for them in their present need.” The Holy Virgin, however, did not utter so many words when she asked this miracle; she was most skilled in the art of praying well, and made use of the shortest and most suitable method that could be found, saying: “They have no wine.” Mary speaks to Our Lord with the greatest possible reverence. She does not address Him in terms of arrogance or presumption, like many thoughtless and indiscreet persons when they ask, but she simply represents to Him the need of the guests, sure that He would hear her petition. What an excellent manner of prayer is this, to expose our necessities simply to God, and then abandon ourselves into His adorable hands, certain that He will succour us in that way which is most to our advantage! For instance, to say to Him: Lord, behold one of Thy poor creatures, who is desolate, afflicted, full of aridity, of miseries and sins, but Thou knowest my wants, and it is enough for me to manifest to Thee my state. To Thee it belongs to deliver me from so many miseries, in the manner and at the time that thou knowest to be most conducive to Thy glory and my salvation.
We may ask God, also, for temporal blessings; of this there is no doubt; for Our Lord Himself has taught us, in the Our Father to ask first that the Kingdom of God may come as the end to which we aspire, and that His Holy Will be done as the sole means to attain this end; and afterwards to ask Almighty God to give us our daily bread (Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie). Therefore Holy Church has authorized particular prayers for temporal blessings; for peace, in times of war; rain, in seasons of drought, and so on; and also special Masses for procuring relief in times of pestilence, and in other necessities. No doubt we can have recourse to God in all our wants, both spiritual and temporal, in two ways: by merely exposing to Him our necessities, as did the Most Holy Virgin, or by asking Him for that grace which in particular we require, but always with this condition, that His Will be done and not ours. And yet, in general, even when spiritual persons ask God for His holy love, which softens and lightens every difficulty, they take care not to include in their petition those virtues that mortify nature.
Spiritual Flowers
However slight the services we render to the Blessed Virgin Mary, they are always dear to God, and He rewards them with eternal glory.—St. Teresa.
When you find yourself in any great difficulty, do not take any step without having first considered eternity.—St. Francis of Sales.
He who is capable of exercising mildness in sufferings, generosity under ill-treatment, and peace amidst discord, is almost perfect. Mildness, sweetness of heart, and evenness of temper are virtues as rare as is the virtue of chastity.—St. Francis of Sales.
Example
The Advantages of the “Hail Mary”
After having considered in the preceding example the esteem in which this prayer was held by the Saints, let us now consider its advantages.
Mary rejoices greatly when she is addressed in the Angelical Salutation, as she herself revealed to St. Mechtild, saying that of all the honours that can be rendered her none is more pleasing, or gives more joy, than this prayer, to which are added the words, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,” etc. This prayer reminds her of the obligation she is under to have compassion on poor sinners, to pray for them, to love them. Sinners are the occasion of all her happiness, “because,” said she, “I should not have found grace if they had not lost it; I should not have been chosen to be the Mother of the Saviour if it had not been necessary to save them; and lastly, I should not have received such an abundance of graces had it not been necessary that I should become the Mother of Mercy and the Refuge of Sinners.”
But the recitation of the Hail Mary does not form the joy of Mary alone; it is also the joy of the Angels and of the Saints. Blessed Alan says that the words of this prayer convey joy to all the inhabitants of heaven. The Angelical Salutation is the distinctive salute of the Angels to Mary; and these blessed spirits enjoy a special delight in offering it to her frequently every day. But whilst this admirable prayer causes all Paradise to exult with joy, and is a source of grace to faithful souls, it is also the terror of the demons, who take flight as soon as they hear it pronounced. When the Hail Mary was brought from heaven by an Angel, the earth leapt for joy, on account of its approaching deliverance. But hell seemed already to foresee the formidable presence of the Omnipotent Who was to destroy the empire of Satan; and it trembled with fear when this salutation was uttered. No wonder, then, that the impious, who are children of the accursed spirits, should adopt their sentiments and hate all that relates to the mystery of the Incarnation, and speak contemptuously of the Holy Rosary and of devotion to the Blessed Virgin. However, experience shows us that the more a soul gives signs of predestination, the more does she love, relish, and gladly recite the Hail Mary; and the more she loves God, the more does she love this prayer. “I have no surer secret for ascertaining if a person love God,” says the venerable Louis Marie de Montfort, “than to examine if he love to recite the Ave Maria or the Rosary.”
Prayer.—Help us, O Mother full of mercy, and do not allow the multitude of our sins to weaken your love for us. Remember that our adorable Saviour deigned to take from you a mortal body, not to condemn but to save sinners. If it were for your own personal glory alone that you were chosen to be the Mother of God, it might be said that our eternal salvation, or damnation, matters but little to you; but it was for the salvation of all men that your Divine Son clothed Himself with our flesh. What advantage would accrue to us from your happiness and power if you did not make use of your power to render us partakers of your happiness? You know the need we have of your assistance; and therefore we recommend our selves earnestly to you. Help us, that we may not have the misfortune to lose our souls, but may eternally love and serve your Divine Son with you in His kingdom of glory. Amen.
Ejaculation.—Obtain for us, O Mary, by your powerful intercession, the grace not to lose the place which Our Saviour has prepared for us in Paradise.
Practice.—Ask Mary to obtain for you from God all the graces you are in need of today.
Saint
Pictorial Lives of the Saints
Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, Compiled from Butler’s Lives
Saint Venantius, Martyr
St. Venantius was born at Camerino in Italy, and at the age of fifteen was seized as a Christian and carried before a judge. As it was found impossible to shake his constancy either by threats or promises, he was condemned to be scourged, but was miraculously saved by an angel. He was then burnt with torches and hung over a low fire that he might be suffocated by the smoke. The judge’s secretary, admiring the steadfastness of the Saint, and seeing an angel robed in white, who trampled out the fire and again set free the youthful martyr, proclaimed his faith in Christ, was baptized with his whole family, and shortly after won the martyr’s crown himself. Venantius was then carried before the governor, who, unable to make him renounce his faith, cast him into prison with an apostate, who vainly strove to tempt him. The governor then ordered his teeth and jaws to be broken, and had him thrown into a furnace, from which the angel once more delivered him. The Saint was again led before the judge, who at sight of him fell headlong from his seat and expired, crying, “The God of Venantius is the true God; let us destroy our idols.” This circumstance being told to the governor, he ordered Venantius to be thrown to the lions; but these brutes, forgetting their natural ferocity, crouched at the feet of the Saint. Then, by order of the tyrant, the young martyr was dragged through a heap of brambles and thorns, but again God manifested the glory of His servant; the soldiers suffering from thirst, the Saint knelt on a rock and signed it with a cross, when immediately a jet of clear, cool water spurted up from the spot. This miracle converted many of those who beheld it, whereupon the governor had Venantius and his converts beheaded together in the year 250. The bodies of these martyrs are kept in the church at Camerino which bears the Saint’s name.
REFLECTION.—Love of suffering marks the most perfect degree in the love of God. Our Lord Himself was consumed with the desire to suffer, because He burnt with the love of God. We must begin with patience and detachment. At last we shall learn to love the sufferings which conform us to the Passion of our Redeemer.
LITTLE PICTORIAL LIVES OF THE SAINTS with Reflections for Every Day of the Year Compiled from “Butler’s Lives” and Other Approved Sources. Edited by John Gilmary Shea, LL.D.
IMPRIMATUR
John, Cardinal McCloskey
ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK
New York, June 3, 1878
IMPRIMATUR
Michael Augustine
ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK
New York, January 21, 1887
Rule
The Holy Rule of St. Benedict
Incline the ear of thy heart, and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father…
The 18th Day of May
Continuation of Chapter III
Of Calling the Brethren for Counsel
Let no one in the monastery follow the bent of his own heart, and let no one dare to dispute insolently with his Abbot, either inside or outside the monastery. If any one dare to do so, let him be placed under the correction of the Rule. Let the Abbot himself, however, do everything in the fear of the Lord and out of reverence for the Rule, knowing that, beyond a doubt, he will have to give an account to God, the most just Judge, for all his rulings. If, however, matters of less importance, having to do with the welfare of the monastery, are to be treated of, let him use the counsel of the Seniors only, as it is written: “Do all things with counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done” (Ecclesiasticus 32:24).
Martyrology
The Roman Martyrology
Read at the Hour of Prime, One Day in Advance
The Nineteenth Day of May
The Twenty-seventh Day of the Moon
Tomorrow Were Born into the Better Life...
The birthday of St. Peter of Moroni who, while leading the life of an anchoret, was created Sovereign Pontiff and called Celestine V. He later abdicated the pontificate, and led a religious life in solitude, where, renowned for virtues and miracles, he went to the Lord.
At Rome, the saintly virgin Pudentiana, who, after numberless tribulations, after burying with respect many martyrs, and distributing all her goods to the poor for Christ’s sake, departed from this world to go to heaven.
In the same city, St. Pudens, senator, father of the virgins Pudentiana and Praxedes. He was clothed with Christ in baptism by the apostles, and preserved the robe of innocence unspotted until he received the crown of life.
Also at Rome, on the Appian Way, the birthday of the Saints Calocerus and Parthenius, eunuchs. The former was chamberlain of the wife of Emperor Decius, and the latter chief officer in another department. Because they refused to offer sacrifice to idols they were tortured in many cruel ways, and finally when their necks were broken with cudgels, they gave up their souls to God.
At Nicomedia, the martyr St. Philoterus, son of the proconsul Pacian, who after suffering much under Emperor Diocletian, received the crown of martyrdom.
In the same city, six holy virgins and martyrs. The principal one, named Cyriaca, having boldly reproved Maximian for his impiety, was severely scourged and lacerated, and then consumed by fire.
At Canterbury in England, St. Dunstan, bishop.
In Brittany, St. Ivo, priest and confessor, who for the love of Christ, defended the interests of orphans, widows and the poor.
At Fucecchio in Etruria, St. Theophilus of Curte, confessor and priest of the Order of Friars Minor, who was canonized by Pope Pius XI.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
THE ROMAN MARTYROLOGY. Published by Order of GREGORY XIII. Revised by the Authority of URBAN VIII, and CLEMENT X. Afterwards, in the year 1749, Augmented and Corrected by BENEDICT XIV. Last Edition, according to the Copy Printed at Rome in 1914.
IMPRIMATUR
James Cardinal Gibbons
Archbishop of Baltimore
Examen
Examination of Concience for Adults
A Comprehensive Examination of Conscience Based on Twelve Virtues
Focusing on One Virtue per Month
Rev. Donald F. Miller, C.SS.R.
It is recommended that once a week during each month, the examen for that month be read carefully and thoughtfully. On some occasions this would be best done before confession. The ejaculatory prayer of the month should be said frequently every day.
Virtue for May
Love of Neighbor
(Positive Obligations)
The love of one’s neighbour is essentially bound up with the love of God. St. John put the matter simply when he said: “If any man say that he loves God and hateth his neighbour, that man is a liar and the truth is not in him.” This stands to reason when one considers that God, whom we are bound to love first and foremost and with all our hearts and souls, loves every human being whom He created and desires his salvation. Hence it would be a contradiction to profess love of God and at the same time to exclude a neighbour from our love.
The object of all love is the good of the one loved. The object of love of God is the honour and glory of God; the object of love of neighbour is the welfare of our fellowmen, both spiritual and temporal, and through that the honour and glory of God. Therefore the love of neighbour imposes many positive duties upon us, such as almsgiving, correction, forgiveness, etc., each one of which is directed towards the well-being and happiness of our neighbour; at the same time it forbids certain sins which would bring unhappiness, spiritual or temporal, to a neighbour. In the following exam the positive duties will be enumerated; in the next chapter, the questions will be based on the sins that must be avoided by one who wishes to practice true love of neighbour.
I. Mortal Sins
A warning should be given to souls who are inclined to scrupulosity. Such souls are frequently disturbed by reading lists of sins, because they erroneously think themselves guilty where they are not guilty at all. They should have permission of their confessor before they undertake to make a minute examination of conscience, and in every doubt must obey their confessor blindly.…
It is to be remembered at all times that a mortal sin is not committed unless three conditions are present, viz:
- sufficient reflection,
- full consent of the will, and
- a violation of God’s law in a serious matter.
The mortal sins listed represent only objectively serious matter; if one or both of the other conditions necessary for the commission of a mortal sin be lacking in a particular case, the guilt would not be incurred. In prudent doubt, a confessor should be asked for a solution.
1. Have I, over a long period, refused to give any alms for the relief of the needy, even though I had many opportunities and sufficient means without depriving myself or my family of the necessities of life?
2. Have I, on un-Christian principles, refused to give any aid to missionaries working for the salvation of abandoned souls, though I could have given without great sacrifice?
3. As a doctor or a nurse, have I refused to give my needed services to someone in extreme danger of death because I knew there was no hope of being paid?
4. Have I demanded gravely exorbitant and unreasonable fees from those who needed my services?
5. Have I deliberately permitted a person to die without a priest and without religious ministrations?
6. Have I, out of human respect or fear of what others might think, failed to assist the dying spiritually when I knew they needed my help?
7. Have I squandered or given away money outside my home to the extent that it left my immediate family in want of necessary things?
8. Have I refused to remind someone of the danger of his state when I knew that that person had committed a mortal sin and that my warning alone would probably awaken repentance?
9. Have I refused to warn someone subject to my influence when I knew that person was about to commit a mortal sin and that I could easily and probably prevent it?
10. As a husband or wife have I made no effort to prevent mortal sins of my partner?
11. As a superior or one in authority have I neglected my duty of preventing those in my charge from committing mortal sin, or correcting them after they had fallen?
12. Have I failed to report to someone in authority the certain sins of a neighbour, which I knew were doing harm to innocent persons or to the community as a whole?
13. Have I done nothing to prevent the circulation of obscene books and magazines when I had the opportunity?
14. As a public official, have I permitted evil persons, such as abortionists, dope-peddlers, obscene book-dealers to continue their illegal and immoral practices?
15. Have I permitted another to suffer grave injustice or mistreatment when my authority or influence could have prevented it?
16. Have I refused in my heart to forgive a person who has injured me?
17. Have I over a considerable period of time refused to talk to or acknowledge someone who has wronged me?
18. When I myself was guilty of doing evil against my neighbour, have I refused in word or in deed to show that I was sorry and wished to be forgiven?
19. When mutual offence was given between myself and another, have I refused to make any advances toward reconciliation unless the other person made them first?
20. Have I, by silence or approval, failed to prevent the serious defamation of another’s character when I could have done so?
II. Venial Sins
1. Have I been miserly and grudging in giving alms for the relief of the poor?
2. Have I been careless and negligent in my care of the sick who were dependent on me?
3. Have I failed to consider the poverty of others in charging them for my services?
4. Have I complained about being asked frequently to give alms for the salvation of abandoned souls at home or abroad?
5. Have I, as a well-to-do person, given far less than I could easily have contributed for the relief of the needy?
6. Have I measured my charity only by what others gave, or by what I might receive in return, instead of by my ability to give and the need of others?
7. Have I demanded publicity and praise for every alms I gave?
8. Have I been ashamed or afraid to rebuke others for evil, even though I was not bound under pain of mortal sin to do so?
9. Have I, as a parent or guardian, negligently permitted those under my care to go uncorrected in their venial faults?
10. Have I nursed resentment against others, even though I did make an effort at forgiveness?
11. Have I allowed my sensitiveness to lead to hurt feelings and coolness towards others?
12. Have I failed to try to make others happy and comfortable, giving in to morose, gloomy, selfish moods?
13. Have I rejected ready-made opportunities to comfort someone in sorrow, or to encourage someone in danger of despair?
14. Have I gone out of my way to evade an opportunity to enlighten someone on religious truth?
15. Have I permitted gossip and petty tale-bearing to go on in my presence without an effort to change the subject?
III. Helps and Counsels
1. Have I tried to deepen my faith in the truth that every act of charity towards a neighbour is also an act of love of God?
2. Have I tried to make some sacrifice in giving alms for the relief of the needy?
3. Have I cheerfully given as much as I could spare for the salvation of abandoned souls?
4. Have I supported and strengthened the St. Vincent de Paul Society either as a member or as a contributor?
5. Have I frequently recalled the principle of the stewardship of wealth, viz., that I am to be God’s administrator of the things I possess or gain?
6. Have I faced the truth that I shall take nothing with me beyond death, and that the memory and merit of deeds of charity will then be my greatest consolation?
7. Have I recalled, when hurt by others, how God has forgiven me for my many sins, and have I tried to forgive in the same generous spirit?
8. Have I been quick to show my sorrow in some way when I have, either consciously or inadvertently, given pain to others?
9. Have I prayed for others, especially when tempted to angry thoughts and feelings?
10. Have I prayed daily for my parents and all my benefactors?
11. Have I adopted the twofold motto: (1) never to give pain and (2) to add to the happiness of others whenever possible?
Aspiration
Sweet Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us and on our erring brothers. (300 days indulgence.)
Prayer
O loving and merciful Saviour, enkindle in my heart a fire of charity towards my neighbour like unto Thine own. Thou didst spend Thyself in behalf of others; Thou didst suffer cold and heat, hunger and thirst, poverty and want, a bitter passion and painful death to save others from their sins and to bring them happiness. Thou didst say that charity would be the mark of Thy true disciples, and didst promise that whatever we do for others will be accepted as done for Thee. I am sorry for all my past neglect of opportunities to help others; for all my selfishness and pride and greed; for all my failure to lead souls nearer to Thee. Grant me the grace to be kind and considerate in my words, thoughtful and helpful in my actions, generous and forgiving towards my enemies, and mindful always that I am bound to love others as myself for the love of Thee. Give me a great zeal for souls, that I may be inspired to use every means within my power to enlighten the ignorant, to win sinners away from their sins, and to assist all whom I may meet to place their hope and trust in Thee. 0 Mary, mother of mercy and compassion, obtain for me the grace of true charity and fraternal love.
“Let us therefore love God, because God first hath loved us. If any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother; he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he seeth, how can he love God whom he seeth not? And this commandment we have from God, that he, who loveth God, love also his brother” (1 John 4:19-21).
