league ^Devotion* Choral Services bip of grayer ftewyork FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Division S< >* ^ APR 24 1936 ^ Thy Kingdoift, Come ! LEAGUE DEVOTIONS AND CHORAL SERVICES WITH HYMN'S. FOR THE APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER. LEAGUE OF THE SACRED HEART APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER, 27 and 29 west sixteenth street, NEW York. Copyright, 1895, By Apostleship of Prayer. Preface. The contents of this book will tell at a glance how properly it is issued as a collection of devotions, services and hymns for Associates of the Apostleship of Prayer, League of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. No prayer or devotion has been introduced into it that does not in some way illustrate the spirit of this great work of prayer and of zeal ; on the other hand, no practice of our work has been overlooked, so that this collection of de- votions and of services may well be considered the Leaguer's Vade Me cum. It is clear that "League Devotions and Choral Services ' ' is not a Sacred Heart Manual nor a book of prayers for general use. And yet, the great aim of our Apostleship, to unite us with the Heart of Jesus, must neces- sarily make all our devotions tend to honor in some way that divine Heart \ whereas, our League is so Catholic in its spirit, practices and extent, that the prayers and devotions here given cannot fail to satisfy the greatest, if not all, of the cravings of Catholic devotion and zeal. IMPRIMATUR MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop oj New York, LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. CONTENTS. Explanation of the League. Name and Object i History i Statutes ii Nature and Extent iv Practices or Degrees . . v Membership viii Advantages and Benefits . x Principal Indulgences xi For the Morning. On Awaking i Morning Offering i The Christian Acts i The Praises of God 2 Offering of St. Mecthilde 3 Morning Offering (B. Peter Canisius) 4 A Mass Offering 5 Through the Day. Offering of Each Action 6 Consecration to the Sacred Heart 6 Aspirations 6 The Daily Decade 7 Prayer for the Holy Father . . 7 Prayer for the Church S The Rosary Mysteries 8 Collect— Feast of the Rosary 9 Memorare 9 Daily Exercise of Reparation 10 1 ii CONTEXTS. At Night. A Vesper Offering 12 In Contrition 12 In Reparation (B. Margaret Mary) 15 In Thanksgiving (B. Margaret Mary) 13 For a Happy Death ]4 Compline Prayers I4 For Holy Purity IS Practice of St. Aloysius : = Mutual Intentions. Directors Thanksgivings j- In affliction I7 Dead Associates .0 league Centres I9 First Communions lq Departed souls 2Q Employment, means 20 Clergy 2I Children 2I Young Persons 2I Patrons of youth 22 Families Perseverance Reconciliations Spi ritual and temporal favors 2 , Conversions to the Faith 2 a Schools 24 Teachers , s The sick, infirm 2 ^ For souls in their agony 25 Missions, Retreats 26 Pious Work, Societies 2 6 Sinners 2 y Intemperate 2 7 Parishes 27 23 23 23 CONTENTS. iii Parents 28 Religious 28 Seminarists, Novices 28 Superiors 29 Vocations 29 Promoters 29 Special ( urgent ) 30 Various 30 General Prayer 30 Reunion of Christendom 31 Our own country 32 Treasury of Good Works. Angelus 33 Regina Coeli 34 Beads 34 Stations of the Cross 35 Holy Communion 46 Before Communion — Desire 46 Amendment 46 Colloquy 47 At Communion— Faith 47 After Communion — Union 48 Petition 49 Reparation 50 Hucharistic homage 51 Indulgenced Prayers 52 The Soul of Christ . 53 Spiritual Communion 54 Examen of Conscience 55 Hours of Labor 57 Hours of Silence 57 Ordinary of the Mass ' 58 Mortifications 80 Works of Mercy 80 Works of Zeal 81 Prayers 81 iv CONTENTS Charitable Conversation 81 Sufferings or Afflictions 82 Visit to the Blessed Sacrament B3 Adoration S3 Prayer of St. Alphonsus S3 Visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Reflection Act of Faith and Homage 85 Prayer to the Sacred Heart (St. Alphonsus) 86 The Prayer of St. Ignatius S7 Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Adoration (B. Margaret Mary) 88 Offering " " 89 Hail, Heart of my Jesus (B. Margaret Mary) .... 90 Consecration (B. Margaret Mary) 91 IvOve 92 Praise 92 Salutations to the Sacred Heart (Yen. John Kudes) . 93 Petition 94 Confidence (Yen. de la Colombiere) 95 Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Prayers 97 A Colloquy 9S Prayers 99 The Holy Hour. Explanation 101 Practice 102 Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 106 League devotions to the saints. The Angels no All Saints no The Apostles no Immaculate Conception in CONTENTS. v Apostles of Nations in St. Boniface in St. Denis in St. Patrick 112 3t. Brigid 112 St. Augustine 112 St. Francis Xavier 113 B. Peter Claver 113 The Monthly Patrons 113 St. John 114 vSt. Francis Xavier— Novena of Grace 115 Explanation 115 Prayers 116 B. Margaret Mary 118 Novena to B. Margaret Mary 118 St. Gertrude 121 Yen. de la Colombiere's prayer 121 vSt. John Baptist 121 Promoters' Patrons 122 St. Genevieve 123 St. Francis de Sales 123 St. Ignatius 123 St. Catherine de Ricci 124 St. Frances 174 St. Joseph 124 St. Vincent Ferrer 125 St. Catherine of Sienna 125 St. Monica 125 St. Gregory VII 126 St. Clotilde 126 St. Peter 126 St. Paul 127 St. Mary Magdalen 127 St. Ignatius of Loyola 127 St. Dominic 128 St. Jane Frances 128 St. Catherine of Genoa i;8 vi CONTENTS. St. Michael 129 St. Francis of Assisi 129 St. Teresa 129 St. Martin of Tours 130 St. Elizabeth 130 St. Lucy 130 St John 130 Eucharistic Month. Practices for the Communion of Reparation .... 131 League Services. First Friday or other evenings. Order of services 181 Prayer, opening 1S2 " Special Intentions 183 Prayers General Intention 184 " for Associates 184 44 for the dying 185 First Friday mornings [86 The Sunday for Communion of Reparation 1S6 Act of Reparation 1S6 Protestation of devotion 187 Promoters' Receptions i v j ( )rder of services 1S9 Blessing the Crosses 190 Act of Consecration 191 Establishing the League. Consecration of Associates 193 Promoters' Meetings and Councils 195 Promoter's Renewal 196 Blessing and Distribution of Badges 197 Various Consecrations. Consecration of Parishes 19 s Consecration of Families 200 44 " Children 202 44 ,4 Communities 804 11 " a Religious 205 CONTENTS. vii The Great Act of Consecration 207 Short Act of Consecration 207 Blessing of a Banner 212 Blessing of a Statue 212 The League in Schools 212 The Holy Hour in Common 212 The Month of June. Novenas to the Sacred Heart 213 Novenas by Father Ramiere 220 Father Borgo's Novena 222 Choral Service. Litany of the Holy Name 223 Prayers and Antiphons 231 Order of Service 234 Act of Reparation 235 Psalm cii 236 Hymns. Index of First Lines. Ah ! gentle Heart of Jesus 272 All for Thee, O Heart of Jesus 263 As the glow of morning 266 By Thy Thirst at Jacob's well . . 271 Close veiled in that sweet Sacrament 257 Come hither, and in worship kneel 259 Flow on, O crimson tide ... ... 265 For all the sins that cause Thee pain 269 Hail ! dearest Heart of Jesus 244 Hail! Heart of Love, sword-pierced for me 270 Hear the Heart of Jesus pleading 240 Heart of Jesus, Thou hast kindled 243 I dwell a captive in this Heart 246 viii CONTENTS. In silence where His presence dwells 258 I offer Thee, dear Jesus 275 Jesus, I offer up this day 259 Life on earth is all a warfare 267 Noble is the sign we wear 261 O Cor Amoris Victims 260 O Heart of Jesus ! Heart of God ! 261 O Heart of Jesus ! living Fount 255 O Heart, whose prayer all prayers transcends 23S O Holy Band of Leaguers 241 O Jesu, in Thy torture 276 O Jesus ! by Thy last loud cry 268 O Jesus, open wide Thy Heart 249 O let me in the Garden bide 255 O Lily of the field 247 One heart, one soul, in Jesus' Heart 164 O Sacred Heart, My Home 250 O Sacred Heart of Jesus ! 251 O Sacred Heart ! with burning love 272 Sweet Heart of Jesus ! my God, my friend 265 The loving Heart of Jesus seek . . 239 Thy Kingdom Come ! G King of earth and heaven . . . 260 Thy wound, G Heart of Jesus 252 To Christ, the Prince of peace 242 To Jesus' Heart, all burning 273 To Thee, G Heart of Jesus 24E Into us is born a Saviour 254 Upon the Altar, night and day 245 When on sweet Mary's sacred breast 256 THE APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER, LEAGUE OF THE SACRED HEART. I. Name and Object. The Apostleship of Prayer is a League of souls united in zeal and prayers with the Heart of Jesus. It is called Apostleship, because it aims at making all Christians true Apostles, full of zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. It is an Apostleship of Prayer, because prayer is the principal, though not the only means it employs to promote the interests of Christ and His Church. It is a League of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, because prayer and zeal are the very life of Christ on our altars and in heaven, where He is always living to make intercession for us. The Apostleship aims at making His interests ours, and in uniting our prayers and works perpetually with His, so that we may be one in mind and heart with Christ Jesus. II. History. The beginning of this work dates from 1844, and it was at Vals, near the celebrated sanctuary of the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, in ii APOSTLESHIP OF PR A YER y the French diocese of Le Puv, that it first took its rise. But its astonishing development only began in 1861, when the publication of the Messenger of the Sacred Heart was founded to furnish its members with the means of regular periodical inter-communication, and, like the circulation of the blood in the veins, to impart to the whole organization the vigor and unity of life. Meantime, the work had been enriched by numerous perpetual indulgences, granted by our Holy Father, Pope Piux IX., and in 1866 its definite organization was completed, when the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regu- lars approved its former Statutes. This organi- zation has since been confirmed in its substance and perfected in its form by the new Statutes, which received the approbation of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIII., May 28, 1879. III. Statutes. Article I. — The Apostleship of Prayer is a Pious Work, by means of which the faithful seek to enkindle in themselves and others zeal for prayer, according to the desire and after the example of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, "always living to make intercession for us." * ARTICLE II. — In order to attain the end proposed, the Associates may most profitably employ, not only prayer, both mental and vocal, hut also all other SOltS <>f good works, whether of piety or merry, such a> the he quenf reception of the sacraments, the exact observance of the commandments of God and the Church — in fine, everything which effectually .tends to promote Christian piety, the glorj of God. and the salvation of souls. LEAGUE OF THE SACRED HEART. in Article III. — All the faithful of both sexes may, in conformity with the Constitutions and Decrees of the Holy See, be enrolled in this holy work, and enjoy the spiritual graces and Indulgences granted to it by the Apostolic See. Article IV. — To gain the Indulgences granted to the Apostleship of Prayer, the Associates must add to their morning prayers, which they must not omit, an offering of all the prayers, works, and sufferings of the present day, for the intentions with which our Lord Jesus Christ offers - Himself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar. They are also recommended to recite each day a decade of the rosary for the preservation of the Sovereign Pontiff and for those special wants of the Church which are pointed out to them at the beginning of every month. Article V. — Such among the faithful as are enrolled in this Pious Work, and inflamed with zeal for souls, devote themselves to works of piety, bearing on this account the name of Promoters, should exert themselves by every means in their power more and more to advance the Divine glory, the salvation of souls, the worship of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and other devotions approved by the Church, according to the powers granted to them by their respective Directors. For this purpose let them meet together on fixed days in council, so as to decide on what may further all these aims. Article VI. — The work of the Apostleship of Prayer is governed by a General Director, who is named by the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, the approbation of the Holy See being previously obtained each time, and with all due dependence on the Bishop of the place in which the Director so appointed resides. Article VII. — The General Director may in different countries and dioceses appoint Central Directors, with the consent of the respective Ordinary, whose jurisdiction, moreover, must always be scrupulously respected, both iv A Pi *STLESHIP < >/' PRA YER, with regard to Centres established or to be established, with regard to the faithful of his diocese, whether already inscribed or to be inscribed, according to the Holy Canons and Apostolic Constitutions. ARTICLE VIII. — Once a year the Central Directors must inform the General Director of the places where they have established Centres, and report the names the Associates inscribed, that they may be enrolled in the Catalogue kept by him. Note. - By a subsequent Rescript, bearing date June 2, 1880, the Sacred Congregation has done away with the obligation of sending up the names of the new Associates enrolled, so that now it is sufficient, but it is also neces- sary, to give them an authentic Certificate of Admission, and to inscribe their names in a Register kept in the parish or community. The only cases in which the faithful can be admitted without giving the Certificate and writing the name in the Register ', are certain foreign mis- sions and those religious communities which have granted to the Apostleship participation in their prayers and good works, and which, on this account, are dispensed by the Pope from the obligation. 1 Apostolic Concession, May 13,1875.) IV. Nature and Extent. From these Statutes it will be seen that the Apostleship of V\<\\ i r is not a Sodality, nor a Confraternity, but a Pious Work ; and this means not so much an exercise of piety as a spirit which tends to animate all our exercises and otir entire life. It is the spirit by which we live the life of Jesus Christ ; it makes us identify ourselves, as lie does, with all the in- terests of the Church, and offer up our prayers, LEAGUE OF THE SACRED HEART. y works, and sufferings for the triumph of divine truth. And this is exactly the spirit we acquire from a well-understood devotion to the Sacred Heart. It is, besides, a union of all Catholic hearts with the Heart of Jesus Christ. Catholic in its practices, and in the fact that it has been hon- ored bv more than twenty Briefs from Pius IX. and Leo XIII. , and approved by nearly every bishop in the world, it has in more than forty countries about 53,000 Centres, over 3,000 of which are in the United States; and the 22,000,000 Associates aggregated through all these parishes, communities, schools, and other institutions, are united together so closely that every month they can learn through the periodicals of the League what their fellow- Associates are praying for, and what our Holy Father specially recommends to their prayers. V. Practices or Degrees. It will be observed that the Apostleship of Praver is not limited, either by its nature or by the statutes given it by the Holy See, to any special practice or class of pious exercises, but that it " may employ most profitably not only prayer, whether mental or vocal, but also ail other sorts of good works, whether of religion or charity, such as the frequent reception of the Sacraments, the exact observance of the v i APi >S 1 L ESHIP OF PR A I 1 ." A\ commandments of God and the Church, in fine, everything that promotes effectually Christian piety, the glory of God and the salvation of souls." (Statute 3. ) These same statutes, however, specify certain easy practices of devotion which help to this great end ; and since they are like so many steps in the advancement of piety, they are known as the Three Degrees of the League. First Degree: The Morning Offering, or daily consecration of our prayers, works, and sufferings in union with the Heart of Jesus, for the intentions for which He is perpetually im- molated on our altars, and for the intentions of our fellow-Associates. This Offering may be made in any terms, or at any time, and as often during the day as one may choose ; but it musr be made at least once a day. preferably in the morning, and for the intentions named above. This is the only essential or obligatory prac- tice. The usual form is found on page 1, and it should be made, 1st, for all the intentions of Associates recommended either through Direc- tors or Promoters, written upon the Intention Blanks, and recorded in our monthly calendars of Intentions, printed in the Decade Leaflets and Pilgrm, The headings and prayers of the Intentions are on page 16. 2d, for the General Intention, or the special interests of the ( !hurch, recommended to our prayers by the Holy Fat! LEAGUE OF THE SACRED HEART. vii every month. This Offering may embrace every action of the day. The special actions of piety which we may include in it from time to time, and which, when so offered, make what is called a Treasury of Good Works, as given on page 3 2 - Second Degree ; The Daily Decade, a prac- tice of saying a decade of the beads once a day for the Sovereign Pontiff and the Intentions recommended by him to the Associates. There * is no obligation to take up this practice. It is explained on page 7. Third Degree: The Co mm union of Rep a ra - lion, like the Daily Decade, not essential nor obligatory, but strongly recommended, and sooner or later adopted by most of the Asso- ciates. It consists in receiving Holy Com- munion, monthly or weekly, with the motive of repairing the evil done to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and of offering Him the consolation He sought from His servant, Mar- garet Mary. These Communions may be made as follows : i°. On any day of the month, at the choice of each Associate, or on the day of each one's monthly Patron Saint, given in the Decade Leaflets. This is called the Individual Com- munion of Reparation. 2 . On a day assigned by the Director of a League Centre, when all or a number of the viii A POSTLESHIP OF 1'R. \ J 7.7?, Associates receive in common. This is the General Communion of Reparation, usually made on the 3d Sunday of the month, ac- cording to the date in the Decade Leaflets, unless Directors should assign some other day. A ceremony for this practice is given on page 186. 3 . On successive days every week, by Asso- ciates grouped into bands of seven ; or on suc- cessive days each month, by Associates grouped into bands of thirty. When Associates group together thus, to go to Communion in turn every day of the week or month, they make what is called the Perpetual Communion of Reparation. Should one have a sufficient reason for not going on the day assigned, it will do to go on any day of the same week or month. Devo- tions for this practice are given on page 132. VI. Membership To be admitted as an Associate it is required 1. To consent to have one's name entered on a register kept by the Director of a duly aggregated parish, community or other Centre. 2. To receive a Certificate of Admission, issued by the Centra] Director. Tin's Certificate need be received but once ; it need not be replaced when lost, nor renewed when Asso- ciates are transferred from one Local Centre to another. It should be received from a Local L I: AGUE OF THE SA CRED HE A RT. j x I )irector, or from one whom he ma)' appoint to give it, and who is called a Promoter. It can be sent by mail or by messenger when it is not feasible to give it in person. Ordinarily it is received from one who is acting as a Pro- moter of the work. No other requirement in the way of special ceremony or form of prayer is needed to entitle one to the indulgences and privileges of mem- bership ; but, when it is possible, a solemn public reception of Associates is held. To share in the benefits of membership one must : i. Make the Morning Offering. This is all, but this is everything. It keeps one a living member of the League. By forgetting, or neglecting it for a time, one does not cease to become an Associate, but loses for that time the benefits of the prayers of all the other Asso- ciates. 2. Keep faithful to any of the other prac- tices, the Daily Decade, or Communion of X. B. — To become an Associate in the Apostleship of Prayer, League of the Sacred Heart, apply at your parish rectory, and if it be established in the church, you will be directed to a Promoter who will receive you. If it be not established in your parish, and if you do not know of any neighboring parish in which it exists, write to the office of Thi: Apostleship of Prayer, giving with the names of your diocese, parish, city, .or post-office, your name, so that we may be able to direct you to whom to apply. APi KSTLESHIP OF PR A YE A'. Reparation, that one may have promised to observe. The practice of the Third Degree can be taken up without engaging to say the Daily I )ecade, and vice versa : the only obligator;, practice is the Morning Offering of the First I )egree. VII. Advantages and Benefits. Kxtreme simplicity in its Conditions — Certificate of Admission and Knrolment. Obligations — The Morning Offering only being essential. ( )rganization — a Director, Promoters and Associates. Immense fruitfulness : I 'raver becomes more common ; Zeal, more Catholic and active ; Christian life more real, pious and easy. Lasting Benefits : A world-wide union of souls according to God's first law : An intelligent interest in the welfare of the Church; An apostolic Spirit in our works; merit in all our actions ; Return to the Sacraments and frequent Communion : A claim on the promises t<> souls devout to the Sacred I [earl ; page 1 19. A share in the.good work of many Religious I >rd< 1 Among others the following have granted us this share since the years mentioned after each title : I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 io ii 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Z.^ 6 T£ 6>.F THE SA CRED HE A RT. x i Society of Jesus, 1861. Trappists of the Observance of Citeaux, 1862. Theatines, 1862. Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, 1 862. Society of Mary (Marists), 1862. Trappists of the Observance of de Ranee, 1863. Barnabites, 1864. Carthusians, 1 865. Congregation of the Holy Ghost and the Holy Heart of Mary, 1865. Camaldules, 1866. Dominicans, 1870. Franciscans, 1870. Poor Clares, 1870. Third Order of St. Francis, 1870. Redemptorists, 1870. Barefooted Carmelites, 1872. Capuchins, 1872. Hermits of St. Augustine, 1872. Proemonstratensians, 1872. Order of the Word Incarnate, 1872. Order of Notre Dame, 1872. Christian Brothers, 1873. Lazarists and Sisters of Charity, 1883, etc. VIII. Principal Indulgences. (All are applicable to the souls in Purgatory. ) I. All who make the Morning Offering can gain : 1. An Indulgence of 100 days for each action offered for the intentions of the League. 2. An Indulgence of 100 days each time that an Associate, wearing the Badge of the Apostleship, repeats orally or mentally, the \ii APOSTLESHIP OF PRA YER y aspiration — Thy Kingdom Come. Also, seven years and seven quarantines, if worn visibly before Blessed Sacrament exposed. 3. A Plenary Indulgence on the day of admission, the feast of the Sacred Heart (or Sunday following), the Immaculate Concep- tion, and one Friday and one other day in each month. On the day appointed every month for the General Communion of Reparation. During night, from Thursday to Friday of each week, or at an hour appointed by the Local Director, for the common practice of the Holy Hour. For Communion on Patron Saint's day in Decade Leaflet. For a second Communion at Easter in repa- ration for Christians who neglect their duty. II. All who say, besides, the Daily Decade < an gain : 1. An Indulgence of 100 days each time. 2. Plenary Indulgences on the feasts of the Prayer in the Garden, the Most Pure Heart of Mary, and the Patronage of St. Joseph. 3. [f beads bearing the Apostolic Indul- gences are used, and one day each week five decades {the entire beads) arc- said, a Plenary Indulgence on Christmas Day, the Epiphany, Easter Sunday, the Ascension, Pentecost, Trin ity Sunday, Corpus Christi, the Assumption LEAGUE OF THE SACRED HEART. x\\\ and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the feasts of St. Joseph, of the Apostles (St. Matthias included), the feast of All Saints, and at the hour of death. 4. If beads bearing the Indulgences of St. Bridget are used, a Plenary Indulgence on the feast of St. Bridget (Oct. 8), and at the hour of death, and an Indulgence of 100 days attached to each bead of the Rosary. X. B. — Directors of the Apostleship who have fifty Associates reciting the Daily Decade, have the faculty of attaching to the beads the Apostolic and Bridgettine Indulgences, pro- vided a monthly meeting of the League be held in the church. III. All who practise the Communion of Reparation gain a Plenary Indulgence each time, and at the hour of death ; also the day when they are entered on a weekly or monthly list. IV. Tive/ity-six Special Plenary Indulgences for Promoters who have received the Diploma and Cross issued by Central Director. (The days of Plenary Indulgence are noted in the Calendar of Messenger and on monthly Decade Leaflet. Directors can gain both Associates' and Promoters' Indulgences). The conditions, for all plenary indulgences, are confession, Communion, visit to a church, with prayers for the Holy Father. Thy Kingdom Come! League Devotions. We ought a hoax s to pray, and not to faint. St. Luke xviii.y i. The Apostles/iip of Prayer is a Pious Work, in which the faithful strive to enkindle in them- selves and others zeal for prayer, according to the desire and after the example of the most Sae red Heart of Jesus, " always tiring to make intercession for us Statute i. For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the matt Christ Jesus. I. Tim. /'/'., 5. For the Morning. " O Lord, in the morning, thou shalt hear my voice." /*.*,,* On Awaking. O Lord, grant that all I mean to do, all I try to do, and all I succeed in doing this day, may be all for Thy service and praise. Amen. ' Morning Offering. O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee the prayers, works, and suf- ferings of this day for all the intentions of Thy Divine Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, for the Intentions of the Apostle- ship of Prayer ; and in particular for ( Name the General Intention for this month. The Christian Acts. O my God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee above all things with my whole soul, with my whole heart, with all my strength : I love Thee because Thou art infi- nitely good and worthy of being loved ; and because I love Thee, I grieve with my whole heart for having offended Thee; have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen. Praise be to Christ Jesus ! Forever ! ( 50 days, each time. ) I 2 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. In the spirit of reparation sa> : The Divine Praises. Blessed be God. Blessed be His Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. Blessed be the name of Jesus. Blessed be Jesus in the most holy Sacrament of the altar. Blessed be the great Mother of God. Man- most holy. Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Con- ception. Blessed be the name of Mary. Virgin and Mother. Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints. (i year, eacb time.) May the Heart of Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen. (ioodays, once a day.) For Acts of Reparation, page 10. FOR THE MORNING. 3 " To gain the Indulgences granted to the Apostleship of Prayer, the Associates must add to their morning prayers, which they will by no means omit, an offering, etc. Statute 4. After the usual Our Father, Hail Mary and Creed, renew your faith in the adorableness of the Heart of Jesus, united, as a part of His humanity, to the Godhead ; your confidence in His promise to the prayers of many, like ourselves in this Apostleship, united together in His name ; and your special love in return for His own great love which He has made known to us by giving us His Heart as the symbol of His charity. Offering of St. Mecthilde. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I offer Thee my will, that Thou mayest strengthen it ; my understanding, that Thou mayest enlighten it ; my memory, that Thou mayest occtipy it ; and all my desires and affections, that Thou mayest purify them. I offer Thee also all my projects, that they may be guided by Thee ; my toils and labors, that they may be blessed by Thee ; and all my interior and exterior occupations, that they may be sanctified by Thee. Thy Divine Heart, O Jesus, shall possess all that I have and all that I am. In the love which Thou dost bear me, I place all my hope and all my confidence. O Jesus, hear my prayer and grant that I may never be separated from Thee. Amen. 4 LEA G 1 7<: DE I '( ) Tli >NS A Morn inc Offering. B. Peter Canisius. Hail, Heart of my Jesus, I-Ieart most sweet. Heart most amiable, Heart of my most faithful Friend ; I praise Thee, 1 bless Thee and I glorify Thee. I return thanks to Thee for the care with which Thou hast watched over me this night, and for the praise, adoration and thanksgiving, which Thou, O my Jesus, hast unceasingly offered to the Eternal Father for me. Behold, O Jesus, Thou, only Friend of my soul, I, on my part, offer Thee my heart : may it, like a vernal rose, rejoice Thy Heart and eyes with the loveliness and sweetness of the perfume brought forth from it to-day by Thy grace, to which I most humbly beseech Thee to help me to correspond. I offer Thee my heart that Thou may est take entire possession of it, and that henceforth 1 may enjoy the happiness of living only in Thee. Grant. my Jesus. that all my thoughts, words and desires of this day may be entirely in accordance with Thy divine pleasure and Thy most adorable will. Never begin a day without MAKING SOME DEFINITE RESOLUTION. ASKING SOME SPECIAL GRACE. Thy Will Be Done ! Prayers to Patron Saints, p.109 ; Special Intentions, p. 17: Prayers at Mass, page $&, for the morning. 5 Prayers For those who cannot hear Mass ; see also page 58. Look down, God, our protector, and be- hold the face of Thy Christ, who gave Himself for the redemption of all mankind ; and grant that, from the rising of the sun unto the setting thereof, Thy name may be magnified among the nations, and that in every place there may be sacrifice, and a clean oblation may be offered in Thy name. Amen. A Mass Offering. Eternal Father, I offer Thee every beating of my heart, every pulsation of my blood, every breath I draw, in union with the Heart of Jesus immolating Himself upon the altar. I unite my prayers and aspirations with His Prayer, my reparation with His and every suffering Thou shalt send me with His most perfect expiation and sacrifice. Thrice holy God ! I adore Thee, I love Thee, I bless Thee through the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar. And I offer Thee, all the Sacred Hosts which are upon our altars and in our tabernacles, as a sacrifice of expiation, of reparation, and atone- ment for all the sacrileges, profanations, im- pieties, blasphemies, and crimes by which Thou art outraged throughout the universe. 6 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. Through the Day. /// God shall we glory all the day long. Ps. xiv.y 9. Offering of Each Action. I offer Thee this action, () Divine Heart of Jesus, for all the intentions with which Thou offerest Thyself at this moment on the altar. Consecration to the Sacred Heart. (Before a picture of the Sacred Heart.) My loving Jesus ; I give Thee my heart, and I consecrate myself wholly to Thee, out of the grateful love I bear Thee, and as a reparation for all my unfaithfulness ; with Thy aid I pur- pose never to sin again. (100 days, once a day.) Aspirations. Be Thou praised and blessed forever, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, who hast taught us, even more by Thy works than by Thy words, the excel- lence and the effects of that heavenly charity, of the fire which Thou hast brought upon the earth. Make it burn in our hearts ; and grant us grace to love Thee and to love one another, as Thou hast loved us. jfesus C/in's/. yesterday and to-day ; and the same forever. 1,ants of the Church which are pointed out to them at the beginning of the month ." statute 4. Out Our Father, ten Hail Marys, one Glory. Not necessarily on the beads, nor with a decade mystery. For the Church and the Holy Father. (100 days, each day.) V. Let us pray for our Holy Father, the Pope. R. The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. Let us pray. O God, the pastor and governor of all the faithful, look down in Thy mercy on Thy servant N., whom Thou hast appointed pastor over Thy Church : and grant, we beseech Thee, that, both by word and example, he may edify all who are under his charge and, with the flock entrusted to him, arrive, at length, at eternal happiness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 8 LEA i r I E DE I'O TIONS. Prayer for the Church. Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst to Thy Apostles, peace I leave you, my peace I give unto you ; regard not my sins, but the faith of Thy Church ; and grant her that peace and unity which is agreeable to Thy will, who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. Though not required, it will help the practice of the Daily Decade to meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary, as they come to us on the monthly Decade Leaflets. The Joyful Mysteries. (Mondays, Thursdays, Sundays from Advent to Lent 1. Who was made man for us. 2. Who was with Thee in the Visitation. 3. Who was horn for us. 4. Whom thou didst present in the Temple. 5. Whom thou didst find in the Temple. The Sorrowful Mysteries. (Tuesdays, Fridays, and the Sundays of Lent. > 1. Who suffered for us a bloody sweat. 2. Who was scourged for us. 3. Who for US was crowned with thorns. 4. Who carried His cross for us. 5. Who was crucified for us. The Glorious Mysteries. (Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays from Raster to Advent 1 1. Who rose from the dead. 2. Who ascended into heaven. \. Who sent the I Eoly ( rhost. 4. Who took thee up into heaven. 5. Who crowned thee Queen of Heaven, through the day. 9 Collect. Feast of the Holy Rosary. ( > God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, hath purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation : grant, we beseech Thee, that, by meditating upon these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they con- tain, and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen. / '. Pray for us, O Queen of the Apostle- ship of Prayer, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. We fly to thy patronage O holy Mother of (rod ! despise not our petitions in our neces- sities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin. Memorare. Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary ! that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother ! To thee I come \ be- fore thee I stand sinful and sorrowful. () Mother of the Word incarnate ! despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen. (3°° days each time.) IO LEAGUE DEVOTIOXS. Daily Exercise of Reparation. i. O most loving Jesus, who hast willed to dwell among us, to the end of the world, in the most Blessed Sacrament of the altar, I adore Thee with the utmost reverence ; 1 deplore the culpable forgetful ness of so many men who seldom think of this, Thy infinite love, and still more seldom thank Thee for it, and 1 most ardently desire that Thou may est be loved by all men in the Sacrament of Thy love. Our Fa/her, Hail Alary, Glory. 2. O most loving Jesus, whose delights are to be with the children of men, I adore Thee with the utmost reverence ; I deplore the neg- ligence of so many men, who so seldom visit Thee dwelling among us in the most IMessed Sacrament, and I most ardently desire that Thou mayest be loved by all men in the Sacrament of Thy love. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory. 3. O most loving Jesus, who desirest to be intimately united to us in the most Blessed Sacrament, I adore Thee with the utmost ivverence ; I deplore the slothfulness of so man) men, who so seldom receive Holy Commun- ion, and I most ardently desire that Thou mayest be loved by all men in the Sacrament of Thy love. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory. THROUGH THE DAY. Ir 4. most loving Jesus, seat of innocence and holiness, J adore Thee with the utmost reverence ; I deplore all the sins and sacrileges committed in receiving Holy Communion, and I most ardently desire that Thou mayest be loved by all men in the Sacrament of Thy love. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory. 5. O most loving Jesus, who deignest to trust Thyself daily to the hands of priests, 1 adore Thee with the utmost reverence ; I deplore all the irreverences committed by priests, and I most ardently desire that Thou mayest be loved by all men in the Sacrament of Thy love. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory. 6. most loving Jesus, before whom all knees bow in heaven, on earth and under the earth, I adore Thee with the utmost reverence ; 1 deplore all the sin and wickedness committed against Thee in the Holy Eucharist throughout the world, and I most ardently desire that Thou mayest be loved by all men in the Sacra- ment of Thy love. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory. I adore Thee at every moment, O living bread of heaven, great Sacrament ! (J Sacrament most holy ! O Sacrament divine ! All praise and all thanksgiving Be every moment thine. i2 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. At Night. Come to me all ye that labor and arc bur- dened, and I will refresh you . Matthew xt.. 28. After the usual night prayers, add : A Vesper Offering. () good Jesus, I offer Thee all the good I have been able to do this day, and I beseech Thee to receive it into Thy Heart. To my works, add Thy merits. Perfect my different acts, and accept them for Thy greater glory and the salvation of souls. 1 Mot out with the pre- cious blood which Hows from Thy wounds all that has been done amiss ; consume it in the fire of Thy love; cast it into the abx.ss of Thy mercy and Thy merits. Fill me with fresh ardor, inspire and direct me to perform new good works. In Contrition. Grant me, () Jesus, the pardon of all the sins which I have committed through Ingrati- tude, forget fulness, or want of fidelity, and all the other injuries which I have heaped upon Thee, and of which I repent from the bottom of my heart. Grant me Thy grace to keep my resolve never to commit sin again. AT NIGHT. 13 In Reparation. 15. Margaret Mary. () Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, repair the shortcomings of our hearts ; supply what is wanting in us; inflame our hearts with your holy ardor, consume all the tepidity and faint- heartedness which is mingled with our love and service of you ; for we desire to place all our good and happiness in living and dying as slaves of the adorable Heart of Jesus, as children and servants of His holy Mother. En Thanksgiving. B. Margaret Mary. My God, I offer Thee Thy beloved Son as a thanksgiving for all the graces Thou hast be- stowed upon me ; for my petition, my offering, my adoration, all my resolutions \ in fine, I offer Him to Thee as my love and my all. Receive Him, eternal Father, for all that Thou de- sirest of me, since I have nothing to offer Thee, which is not unworthy of Thee, except Him the possession of whom Thou givest me with so much love. O Lord) thou hast crowned us as with a shield of thy good will. p$. v., /?. j 4 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. For a Happy Death. Jesus ! my only treasure, I give Thee every one of my thoughts, words, actions, breathings, steps and movements, from this till the hour of my death. Come for me then, dear Jesus, and grant me the grace I most humbly and ardently crave, that of dying in Thy Sacramental em- brace, of being judged and sentenced while yet incorporated with Thy sacred Body, and of being presented by Thee to Thy Eternal Father, spotless from the fountain of Thy precious Blood. Amen. And since I must so soon leave this world, 1 will place in Jesus my desires, my thoughts and my affections, by entering into His tender and loving Heart. There I will hide myself as in a sepulchre, and will rest in a sweet sleep. When, at length, I breathe my last, I will place my heart in His opened side ; \ will confide my heart to His Heart. Lansperi Compline Prayers. Visit, we beseech Thee, () Lord, this house and family and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy ; let Thy holy angels dwell herein to keep us in peace; and let Thy blessing be always upon us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. May our Lord bless us, and preserve US from all evil, and bring us to life everlasting. Amen. A T NIGHT. 15 And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. O Lord, keep us waking, guard us sleeping, that we may wake with Christ and rest in peace. Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! I give you my heart, my soul and my life. Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary and Joseph ! May I die in peace in your holy company. (300 days, each time.) For Holy Purity. Through thy sacred virginity and Immaculate Conception, obtain for me, O purest Virgin, purity of soul and body. Practice of St. Aloysius. After adoring in spirit Jesus Christ on the altar, and casting himself, as it were, into His most Sacred Heart, St. Aloysius sought repose saying, with the author of the Imitation of Christ : Tn this peace will I rest ; in Thee my Jesus ! and in Thy Sacred Heart will I repose. Into thy hands. O Lord, I commend my spi?'lt. Luke xx Hi., 46. !6 LEAGUE DEI 'OTIONS. MUTUAL INTENTIONS. / desire, therefore , first of all, tJiat supplica- tions, prayers, intercessions and thankgivings be made for all men. /. Tim. #., /. " Thus, in a community or in a parish, they should pray especially for those whose station, condition or trials make their needs most press ing. In the world, the relief of the poor, the care of the sick and their recourse to the last sacraments, the restoration of peace in divided households, the conversion of scandalous sin- ners, of heretics, the preservation of innocence. etc., are all worthy objects of their zeal and ] >rayers. ' ' — Father Gait t re let. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of Gody our Sari our. /. Tim, //.. . MUTUAL INTENTIONS. iy Directors. Lord Jesus Christ, who hast committed to these Thy servants the office of advancing Thy Kingdom and Thy interests; grant them, we beseech Thee, a spirit of zeal and self-sacrifice and a great love of Thee, that they may en- kindle and cherish in others devotion to Thy most Sacred Heart. In Thanksgiving. O God, whose mercies are without number, and the treasure of whose goodness is infinite' we give Thee thanks for the blessings Thou hast bestowed on us ; always beseeching Thy divine Majesty, that as Thou grantest what Ave ask, so Thou wouldst continue Thy favors to us in such a manner, that by them we may be pre- pared to receive the rewards of eternal happi- ness. Through Christ our Lord. In Affliction. O almighty God, despise not Thy people crying out in their affliction ; but for the glory of Thy Name be appeased, and succor those who are m tribulation. Through Christ our Lord. 1 8 LEAGl /<: DE I '( ) Tli WS. It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead. ii. Mach xii., //. Dead Associates. Grant, we beseech Thee, Lord, to the souls of Thy servants departed, the remission of their sins, perpetual light and eternal rest in Thy Kingdom, which they strove to advance while on earth by their devotion to Thy Sacred Heart. De Profundi*. Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord ; Lord hear my voice. R. Let Thine ear be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If Thou shalt observe iniquities, O Lord, Lord who shall endure it? R. Because with Thee there is merciful for- giveness, and by reason of Thy law 1 have waited for Thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on His word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord. R. Lrom the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him plentiful redemption. A'. And He shall redeem Israel from all His Iniquities. (ioodays, when said at nightfall.) MUTUAL INTENTIONS. X q Let us p rax. O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give to the souls of Thy servants de- parted the remission of all their sins, that through pious supplications they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. R. Amen. League Centres. Look down with favor, we beseech Thee, O Lord, upon this union of souls for the advance- ment of Thy Kingdom : grant to the Director the spirit of wisdom and counsel, to the Pro- moters, prudence and zeal ; to the Associates, fidelity and devotion to their holy practices ; that all may advance in the spirit of prayer and of zeal, and in love for Thy Sacred Heart. First Communions. O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast said : " Suffer the little ones to come unto me; " graciously bestow upon those who are now to draw near to Thee for the first time in the Sac- rament of Thy love, the fulness of Thy grace, that this Communion may be to them the pledge of a glorious resurrection and the foretaste of eternal life. Who livest, etc. Amen. 20 L /■:. IGI /•: /)/■: i v i tk ws. Departed Souls. God, bountiful in forgiving, and lovingly desirous of man's salvation, we humbly beseech Thy mercy in behalf of our friends, relations, and benefactors, who have passed from this world, that, through the intercession of blessed Mary, ever virgin, and all the saints, Thou wouldst permit them to come to the full partici- pation of everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord. / ". Eternal rest give to them, O Lord : A\ And let perpetual light shine upon them ! / ". May they rest in peace. R. Amen. Employmen i , Mean-. () Lord Jesus Christ, who hast bidden us to pray daily for the bread which we have been condemned to eat in the sweat of our brow : grant that we nun- look with all confidence to Thy Heavenl) Father in all our needs, and cheerfully sustain the labors that fall to our lot here below. ml ? tua l in ten t/ons. 2 1 The Clergy. () God, who wiliest that Thy priests should be holy and without blemish before Thee ; grant unto those whom Thou hast separated from among men in order to serve Thee at Thy holy altar, all sacerdotal virtues. So engrave the priestly character in the souls of those who are about to be admitted to the Sacred Order of Priesthood, that they may never in any way degenerate from their high vocation, but serve Thee in all holiness. Children. O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast declared ol children that of such is the Kingdom of Heaven ; grant that those for whom we pray may ever walk in such innocence of life, sim- plicity of manners and loving trustfulness, that their holy Guardian Angels may one day pre- sent them to Thee in heaven. Amen. Young Persons. O God, who seest in youth the hope of Thy Kingdom on earth ; grant them to live in Thy holy fear and love, and ever to keep in view the Kingdom which Thou hast prepared for them in heaven. Amen. 22 LEA Gl '/•: DEVOTIONS. The Patrons of Youth. St. Aloysius, June 21. O God, the giver of heavenly gifts, who in the angelic youth Aloysius didst unite marvel- lous innocence of life with equally marvellous penance; grant that, through his merits and prayers, we who have failed to follow the pat- tern of his innocence may imitate him in his practice of penance. Through Christ our Lord. St. Stanislas, November 13. O God, who, among the many marvellous examples of Thy wisdom hast given, even in a tender age, the grace of matured sanctity : grant, we beseech Thee, that, redeeming the time after the example of blessed Stanislas. by being instant in good works, we may hasten to enter into eternal rest. Through Christ our Lord. St. John Berchmans, August 13. O God, who, by his perfect observance of regular discipline and the innocence of his life, hast raised blessed John. Thy confessor, to a wonderful degree of perfection ; grant us through his merits and prayers, that by faith- fully following the precepts of Thy law, we may attain to purity of mind and body. Through Christ our Lord. mutual intentions. 23 Families. Defend, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the intercession of blessed Mary, ever virgin, these families from all adversity, and graciously pro- tect them, now prostrate before Thee with their whole hearts, from all the snares of their enemies. Through Christ our Lord. Perseverance. Almighty and merciful God, who bestowest upon mankind both the remedies of salvation and the gifts of eternal life ; look mercifully upon us, Thy servants, and refresh the souls which Thou hast created, that in the hour of their departure they may be found worthy to be presented, without stain of sin, by the hands of the holy angels to Thee, their Creator. Through Christ our Lord. Reconciliations. O Cod, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, pour down upon those for whom we pray, the spirit of charity ; that, laying aside all malice and ill-feeling, they may be reconciled for the sake of Him who has bidden us love our very enemies. 24 LEA G UE DE I '( > Tli )A S. Spiritual and Temporal Favors. God, the author and giver of all good gifts, bestow upon us, we beseech Thee, graces both of body and soul ; that we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not those that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord. Conversions to the Faith. O God, who correctest those who err, and gatherest together those who are dispersed, and preservest them when gathered ; pour forth, we beseech Thee, on the Christian people, the grace of union ; that laying aside all division and uniting themselves to Thee, the true Pastor of Thy Church, they may worthily serve Thee. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. See prayer-, page 31. Schools. Enlighten, we beseech Thee, O God, the minds of those who learn, that they may dili- gently apply themselves, and daily advance in all learning, but especially in the knowledge of Thee, the true God, and of Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. Ml '77 '. / L AY TENTH KXS. 25 Teachers. O God, who hast said that they who instruct many to justice, shall shine as the stars to all eternity, bestow, we beseech Thee, upon those who have this great duty, a sense of their re- sponsibility and the graces to fulfil it worthily. Through Christ our Lord. The Sick. Almighty, everlasting God, the eternal salva- tion of those that believe ; hear us in behalf of Thy servants who are sick, for whom we implore the aid of Thy mercy, that, being restored to health, they may render thanks to Thee in Thy Church. Through Christ our Lord. For Souls in Their Agony. most merciful Jesus, lover of souls, we pray Thee, by the agony of Thy most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Thy Immaculate Mother, cleanse in Thy blood the sinners of the whole world, who are now in their agony, and are to die this day. R. Amen. V. Heart of Jesus, by Thine agony, R. Have pity on the dying. By Thy cross and passion deliver them, ( ) Lord. 26 LEA Gl '/•; /)/■: I \ > TIONS. Missions, Retreats. Come Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created. R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray . O God, who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit ; grant us in the same Spirit to relish what is right, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through [esus Christ our Lord. Pious Works, Societies. St. Veronica Juliani. O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast promised that wherever two or more persons shall be gathered together in Thy name, there Thou wilt be in the midst of them ; look down, we beseech Thee, with compassion, mercy and love upon all who are united to do Thy work and honor Thy name before men. be in the midst of tli em, most merciful Saviour of men, and fill their hearts with Thy graces and Thy love, so that they may inflame all hearts with love of Thee, and with zeal for souls. Amen. mutual intentions. 27 Parishes. () almighty and everlasting (iod, who alone dost great wonders, send down upon Thy servants and the congregations committed to them, the spirit of Thy saving grace ; and that they may please Thee in truth, pour forth upon them the continual dew of Thy blessing. Through Christ our Lord. Conversion of Sinners. St. Veronica Julian i. Jesus, my Lord and my Saviour, not for myself alone do I ask for the blessings which flow from Thy most Sacred Heart, but 1 humbly beseech Thee to have mercy on all poor sinners, bought so dearly at the price of Thy most precious blood. O let them all find their way to Thy Heart, to that source and ocean of boundless love, so that being cleansed and purified therein from all their sins, they may love Thee for time and eternity as their only Love and dearest Spouse. Grant us all, my Jesus, this blessed life in Thy most Sacred Heart. Amen. Intemperate. ( ) Lord Jesus Christ, who by Thy thirst upon the cross, hast taught us the perfection of temperance, look with pity upon those given to excessive drink and grant them the grace to overcome this passion, for the love of Thee. 28 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS, Parents. ( \ God, in whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named, graciously grant to those, who represent Thee here on earth, the grace to bring up their children in Thy knowledge, fear and love, that they may one day appear before Thee in heaven and say : behold us and the children whom Thou hast given us. Religious, () Lord Jesus Christ, who hast said: if thou will be perfect, sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor and follow Me ; grant to those who have hearkened to this counsel so to strip them- selves of all earthly things as to be able to walk daily in Thy footsteps, and to attain that per- fection of life to which Thou hast called them. Seminarists. Lord Jesus Christ, who hast called these Thy servants to the ministry of the Word and of the Sacraments, grant them Thy plentiful grace to prepare themselves for so holy an orifice by purity of life, devotion to study and zeal for spiritual tilings. mutual intentions. 29 Superiors. O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast committed to the charge of these, Thy servants, those whom Thou hast called out of the world to a closer union with Thee, grant that by word and example they may lead their subjects in the path of perfection. Vocations. () God, who wiliest that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth ; send forth, we beseech Thee, laborers into Th\ harvest, and grant them to speak Thy word with all confidence, that Thy truth may go forth and be glorified, and that all nations may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus ( hrist Thy Son, whom Thou has sent. Promoters. () Lord Jesus Christ, deign to give a true spirit of zeal to all those who are generous! v promoting a devotion to Thy Sacred Heart : bless all their efforts and lend a favorable ear to all the prayers they obtain for the intentions which Thou hast so much at heart. Make good Thy promise to them, that all who pro- mote this devotion mav have their name written in Thy Heart, never to be blotted out. 30 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. Urgent. ( ) God, whose providence is unerring in what it ordains, we humbly beseech Thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us all things which will profit us. Various. () God, our refuge and strength, fountain of all goodness, mercifully give ear to the fervent prayers of Thy Church, and grant that what we ask with faith, we may effectually obtain. Through Christ our Lord. A General Prayer. Make all hearts that are capable of loving Thee, () sweetest Heart, feel Thy sovereign power ; mine own and those of my relatives and friends, of all who have asked my prayers or who pray for me, of all to whom I have an\ obligation. Assist them, I beseech Thee, ac cording to their needs. () Heart full of charity, soften hard hearts and relieve the souls in purga- tory ; be the assured refuge of those who are in their agony, and the consolation of all the needy and afflicted. Lastly, Heart of love, be all to me in all things, but particularly at the hour of my death be the sure refuge of my affrighted soul, and receive it at that hour into Thy merciful bosom. Amen. MU TUA L IN TEX TWA S. 31 The Reunion of Christendom. Written originally for England. " Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and most gentle Queen and Mother, look down on those who are outside the true fold and upon us all who hope and trust in thee. By thee it was that Jesus, our Saviour and our hope, was given to the world ; and He has given thee to us, that we might hope still more. Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross. O sorrowful Mother, intercede for our sepa- rated brethern, that with us, in the one true fold, they may be united to the supreme shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith, fruitful in good works, we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee in our heavenly home. Amen." For Our Countrv. O Almighty and Eternal God, we recom- mend to Thy unbounded mercy all our brethren and fellow citizens, that they may be blessed in the knowledge, and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law ; that they may be pre- served in union and in that peace which the world cannot give ; and that after enjoying the blessings of this life, they may be admitted to those which are eternal. Amen. 3 2 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. TREASURY OF GOOD WORKS. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure* Matthew, xiii. x 44, i i In order to attain the end proposed, the Associates /nay most profitably employ, not only prayer, both mental and vocal, but also all other sorts of good works, whether of religion or charity y such as the frequent reception of the sacraments, the exact observance of the com- mandments of God and the Church — in fine. everything which tends to promote effectually Catholic piety, the glory of God, and the salva- tion of sou Is." Stahttrs 2. I know my God that thou provest all hearts and lovest simplicity, wherefore I also, in the simplicity of my heart \ have joyfully offered all these things; and I have seen with great joy thy people, which are here present, offer Thee their offering /. Far, vxi> . /.-. THE TREASURY. 33 All, whatsoever you do, in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and flic Father by him. Col. ///., i~. Angelus. < Hit of Paschal time. 1. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary, etc. 2. Behold the hand-maid of the Lord. R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary, etc. 3. And the Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, etc. 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. (ioo days, each time.) 3 4 LEA G I 'E DE VOTIi )JVS. Regina Coeli. From noon of Holy Saturday to Trinity eve. Queen of Heaven rejoice, Alleluia, For He whom thou wast made worthy to bear, Alleluia, Hath arisen, as He said, Alleluia, Pray for us to God, Alleluia, Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia, For the Lord hath risen, indeed, Alleluia. Let us pray. O God, who, through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, hast vouch- safed to make glad the whole world ; grant us, we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. (ioo days, each time.) The Beads. ( )ne-third of the Rosary, consisting of fifty Hail Marys, in decades or divisions of ten, each beginning with an Our Father* To gain the Bridgettine Indulgences, the Creed should be added after each decade. To gain the ordinary Rosary Indulgences, meditate during each decade upon some mystery of the life, death or resurrection of our Lord. Those who say the heads or live decades daily need not add an extra decade to fulfil the obligation of the Second Degree of the League ; those who say but one decade, as members of the Living Rosary, must say another, if they wish to practise our Daily Decade. See Decade Devotions, pages 7, 8, THE TREASURY 35 The Stations of the Cross. ADAPTED FROM St. Alphonsus Liguori, Let each one make an Act of Contrition, and form the intention for the application of the Indulgences to be gained. O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou hast made this journey to die for me with unspeakable love, while I have so many times betrayed and for- saken Thee. But now I love Thee with my whole heart, and because I love Thee I repent sincerely of having ever offended Thee. Par- don me, my God, and permit me to accom- pany Thee on this journey. Thou goest to die for love of me ; I wish also, my beloved Redeemer, to die for love of Thee. 36 LEA G I E DE V 'O TIONS. i . At the Cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last. 1°. At each station begin by reciting this versicle with it.s response. / '. Have mercy on us, O Lord ! 7?. Have mercy on us. V. We adore Thee, () Christ, and we bless Thee. R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. 2°. At the end of each station prayer recite the following act — I love Thee, O my Jesus, with my whole heart, and I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again by sin. (irant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt. 3°. Then say, Our Father^ Hail Mary y Glory Verse of Stabat Main-. THE TREASURY. 37 First Station. Jesus is Condemned to Death. Consider how Jesus, after having been scourged and crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the Cross. My adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate ; no, it was my sins that condemned Thee to die. I beseech Thee, by the merits of this sorrowful journey, to assist my soul in her journey towards heaven. 2. Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, And His bitter anguish bearing, Lo ! the piercing sword had passed ! Second Station. Jesus is made to Bear His Cross. Consider how Jesus, in making this journey with the Cross on His shoulders, thought of us, and offered for us to His Father the death He was about to undergo. My most beloved Jesus, I accept all the tribulations Thou hast destined for me until death. I beseech Thee, by the merits of the pain Thou didst suffer in bearing Thy Cross, to give me the necessary help to bear mine with perfect patience and resignation. 3. O, how sad, and sore distressed, Now was she, that Mother Pressed Of the sole-begotten One. 38 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. Third Station. Jesus Falls the First Time. Consider this first fall of Jesus under His Cross. His flesh was torn by the scourges, His head was crowned with thorns and He had lost a great quantity of blood. He was so weakened that He could scarcely walk, and yet He had to carry this great load upon His shoulders. The soldiers struck Him rudely, and thus He fell several times in His journey. My Jesus, it is not the weight of the Cross, but my sins, which have made Thee suffer so much pain. Ah ! by the merits of this first fall, deliver me from the misfortune of falling into mortal sin. 4. YVoe-begone, with heart's prostration, Mother meek, the bitter passion Saw she of her glorious Son. Fourth Station. Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother, Consider the meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journcx . Jesus and Mary beheld each other, and their looks became as so many darts to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly. THE TREASURY. 39 My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow that Thou didst feel in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Thy most holy Mother. And thou, my Queen, who wast over- whelmed w r ith sorrow, obtain for me, by thy intercession, a continual and tender remem- brance of the passion of thy Son. 5. Who could mark, from tears refraining, Christ's dear Mother uncomplaining, Jn so great a sorrow bowed? Fifth Station. Simon Helps Jesus to Carrv His Cross. Consider how the Jews, seeing that at each step Jesus was on the point of expiring from weakness, and fearing that He would die on the way, when they wished Him to die the igno- minious death on the Cross, constrained Simon the Cyrenean, to carry the Cross behind our Lord. My most beloved Jesus, I will not refuse the Cross, as Simon did ; I accept it — I embrace it. I accept, in particular, the death Thou hast destined for me, with all the pains which may accompany it ; I unite it to Thy death — I offer it to Thee. Thou hast died for love of me ; 4 o LEA G I I- />/■: I '( > Tft )NS. I will die for love of Thee and to please Thee. Help me by Thy grace. 6. Who, unmoved, could see her languish. Underneath His cross of anguish, 'Mid the fierce, unpitying crowd? Sixth Station. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus. Consider how the holy woman named Veronica, seeing Jesus so afflicted, and His face bathed in sweat and blood, offered Him a napkin, with which He wiped His adorable face, leaving on it the impression of His holy countenance. My most beloved Jesus, Thy face was beautiful before, but in this journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood have disfigured it. Alas ! my soul also once was beautiful, when it received Thy grace in baptism ; but I have dis- figured it since by my sins. Thou alone, my Redeemer, by Thy passion, canst restore it to its former beauty. 7. For His people's sins rejected, She her Jesus, unprotected, Saw with thorns,, with scourges rent. THE TREASURY. 4 1 Seventh Station. Jesus Falls the Second Time. Consider the second fall of Jesus under the Cross — a fall which renews the pain of all the wounds of the head and body of our afflicted I ,ord. My most gentle Jesus, how many times Thou hast pardoned me, and how many times have I fallen again, and begun again to offend Thee! Oh ! by the merits of this new fall, give me the necessary helps to persevere in Thy grace until death. Grant that in all tempta- tions which assail me I may always commend myself to Thee. 8. Saw her Son from judgment taken. Her belov'd in death forsaken, Till His Spirit forth He sent. Eighth Station. Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem. Consider how those women wept from com- passion at seeing Jesus in such a pitiable state, streaming with blood as He walked along. l>ut Jesus said to them: Weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. 4 2 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. My Jesus, laden with sorrows, I weep for the offences I have committed against Thee, because of the pains they have deserved, and still more because of the displeasure they have caused Thee, who hast so loved me. It is Thy love, more than the fear of hell, which causes me to weep for my sins. 9. Fount of love and holy sorrow, Mother, may my spirit borrow Somewhat of thy woe profound. Ninth Station. Jesus Falls the Third Time. Consider the third fall of Jesus Christ. His weakness was extreme, and the cruelty of His executioners excessive, who tried to hasten His steps when He had scarcely strength to move. Ah, my outraged Jesus, by the merits of the weakness Thou didst suffer in going to Calvary, give me strength sufficient to conquer all human respect, and all my wicked passions. which have led me to despise Thy friendship. 10. Unto Christ, with pure emotion. Raise my contrite heart's devotion. Love to read in every wound. THE TREASURY. 43 Tenth Station. Tesus is Stripped of His Garments. Consider the violence with which the exe- cutioners stripped Jesus. His inner garments adhered to His torn flesh, and they dragged them off so roughly that the skin came with them. Compassionate your Saviour thus cruelly treated, and say to Him : My innocent Jesus, by the merits of the torments Thou hast felt, help me to strip my- self of all affection to things of earth, in order that I may place all my love in Thee, who art so worthy of my love. 11. Those five wounds on Jesus smitten. Mother ! in my heart be written, Deep as in thine own they be. Eleventh Station. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross. Consider how Jesus, after being thrown on the Cross, extended His arms, and offered to His Eternal Father the sacrifice of His life for our salvation. The executioners fastened His hands and His feet with nails, and raising the Cross, left Him to die in anguish. My Jesus ! loaded with contempt, nail my heart to Thy feet, that it may ever remain there to love Thee, and never quit Thee again. 44 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. 12. Thou, my Saviour's Cross who bearest. Thou thy Son's rebuke who sharest, Let me share them both with thee ! • Twelfth Station. Jesus Dies on the Cross. Consider how Jesus, after three hours' agony on the Cross, consumed at length with anguish, bows His head and die O my dying Jesus, I kiss devoutly the Cro-» on which Thou didst die for love of me. I have merited by my sins to die a miserable death, but Thy death is my hope. All, by the merits of Thy death, give me grace to die, embracing Thy feet, and burning with love for Thee. Into Thy hands I commend my spirit. 13. In the passion of my Maker, Be my sinful soul partaker, Weep till death, and keep with Thee. Thirteenth Station. Jesus is Taken Down From the Cross. Consider how, after the death of our Lord, two of His disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, took Him down from the Cross, and placed Him in the arms of His afflicted Mother, who received Him with unutterable tenderness, and pressed Him to her bosom. THE TREASURY. 45 O Mother of Sorrows, for the love of Thy Son, accept me for thy servant, and pray to Him for me. And Thou, my Redeemer, since Thou hast died for me, permit me to love Thee ; for I wish but Thee, and nothing more. 14. Mine with thee be that sad station, There to watch the great salvation, Wrought upon th' atoning Tree. Fourteenth Station. Jesus is Placed in the Sepulchre. Consider how the disciples carried the body of Jesus to bury it, accompanied by His holy Mother, w 7 ho arranged it in the sepulchre with her own hands. They then closed the tomb, and all withdrew. Ah, my buried Jesus, I kiss the stone that encloses Thee. But Thou didst rise again the third day. I beseech Thee by Thy Resurrec- tion, make me rise glorious with Thee at the last day, to be always united with Thee in heaven, to praise Thee and love Thee for ever. 15. Virgin, thou of virgins fairest, May the bitter woe thou sharest Make on me impressions deep. After this, say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory. five times, in honor of the Passion of Jesus Christ, to gain the other Indulgences, granted to those who recite them. 46 LEA G UE DE VO TIOXS. Holy Communion. See page 132. Before Communion — Desire. Prayer of B. Margaret Mary. O Heart most exalted, delight of the God- head, I salute Thee from my place of exile ; I invoke Thee in my misery, and call Thee to aid my frailty. Most merciful, most compassionate and most tender Heart of my Father and Saviour, refuse not Thy help to my unworthy heart. O God of my heart, who hast created me to be the object of Thy love and the subject of Thy unspeakable favors, O Heart of my God, come to me or draw me to Thee ! Come, O most faithful, most tender, most sweet and most love- worthy of all friends, come to my heart. I summon Thee, by Thy incomparable love and by Thy plighted word, to come and relieve me. Come, and let me not give Thee cause to leave me. Come, O life of my Heart, O soul of my life, O only support of my soul, come to make me live by Thee and in Thee, to live a true life, () my sole life and all my good ! Come, my God and my all. Amendment. Jesus, my God, my Saviour, with that lowly homage with which faith inspires me, I worship Thee, true God and true man ; with my whole THE TREASURY. 47 heart I love Thee, enclosed in the most august Sacrament of the Altar, in reparation for all the acts of irreverence, profanation, and sacrilege, which, to my shame, I may ever have committed, as well as for all those which have ever been commited, or ever may be committed in ages yet to come. Colloquv. Prayer of B. Margaret Mary. Put us, O most sweet Saviour, into Thy Sacred Side and adorable Heart, which is a burning furnace of pure love, and I am safe. I trust that Thou wilt do this for me, O my Jesus, my sovereign good. I choose Thy Sacred Heart as my abode, that It may be my strength in my struggles, the support of my weakness, my light and guide in darkness ; in a word, the supply of all my defects, the sanc- tifier of all my actions and intentions, which I unite to Thine, and offer as my continual dis- position for receiving Thee. Amen. At Communion — Faith. God, having given us His own Son, says St. Paul, what good thing is there that we can fear He might deny us ! How hath He not also 48 LEA Gl 7. DE I "< > TI( )NS. with Him given us all things? (Rom. viii., 32. | We know, indeed, that the Eternal Father has given all that He has to Jesus Christ. The Father has given Him all things into His hands (John xiii., 2). Let us, then, ever thank the goodness, the mercy, the liberality of our most loving God, who has been pleased to make us rich in all good things, and in every grace, by giving us Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar ; In all things you are made rich in Him. . . . so that nothing is wanting to you in any grace. I. Cor. /'., 5. -. After Communion — Union. B. Margaret Mary. O Sacred Heart, I give and consecrate myself wholly to Thee ; my heart, my understand- ing, my memory and my will ; in order that all I may do and suffer may be entirely for Thy love and glory, that all I shall see and hear may lead me to love Thee, that all my words may be so many acts of adoration, of love and of praise of Thy sovereignty, and that the movements of my lips may be so many acts of contrition for all sins committed and all good omitted : and I beg Thee, Heart of love, that 1 may draw Thee to myself as often as I draw my breath, and as often as I breathe it out so often may I THE TREASURY. 49 offer Thee to Thy Internal Father, to pay Him what I owe Him. ( ) Heart full of goodness, hear and grant my prayer. O Sacred Heart, to which I belong, on which I depend, and by which I live, inflame me, take possession of me and transform me entirely into Thyself, (irant that all my steps may be taken in order to reach Thee, and that all my movements and unrest may be to unite myself to Thee, protesting that I would rather suffer a thousand deaths than separate myself from Thee by ever being unfaithful. Petition. O Lord Jesus ! do Thou henceforth alone live within me. May the tongue whereon Thou hast rested never move to utter words other than such as would proceed from Thy meek and humble Heart. May the thoughts of my heart be in unison with Thine. May that mind which is in Thee be likewise in me. May I be con- sumed with the same desires ; may I be one heart, one soul with Thee, O Jesus, whom I bear within me. And let this union of my heart with Thine shed its influence over my whole life and conduct at all times and in all events, that so I may be able to draw other hearts to love Thee, and to devote themselves to Thy interests. This is the desire, O my 50 /. EA G l '/•; DK V( ) T/( KVS. Jesus, with which Thou dost inspire me : — that Thy sweet name may be hallowed, that Thy Kingdom may come, and extend and triumph over all hearts and nations, and that Thy will, which is ever one with Thy Father's, may be perfectly accomplished. Amen, Amen. Reparation O adorable Heart of my ( iod and my Saviour ! filled with a lively sorrow at the thought of the injuries which Thou hast received, and art every day receiving, in the august Sacrament of the Altar, I prostrate myself before Thee, to make reparation for all that Thou hast suffered. that by my reverence and devotion, I could make amends to Thy offended Majesty ! ( ) that 1 could do so, even at the sacrifice of my life ! Call to mind Thy mercies, O Jesus ! and grant me the pardon which I beg for so many impious, heretical, and slothful Christians, who dishonor Thee ; and above all, for myself, who have so deeply offended Thee. Remember not my ingratitude; but remember that Thy Divine Heart, bearing the burden of my sins, was af- flicted even unto death. Let not Thy sufferings and Thy blood be in vain. Destroy in me my sinful heart and give me one according to Thy own, a humble and contrite heart : a heart THE TREASURY. 51 pure and full of horror for sin ; a heart burn- ing with the fire which Thou Thyself didst come to enkindle upon the earth. Amen. Heart of Jesus in the Eucharist, sweet com- panion of our exile. I adore Thee Eucharistic Heart of Jesus ; Solitary Heart, humiliated Heart ; Abandoned Heart, forgotten Heart ; Despised Heart, outraged Heart ; Heart unknown by men ; Heart loving our hearts ; Heart desiring to be loved ; Heart patient in waiting for us ; Heart eager to grant our requests ; Heart desirous of being besought ; Heart source of new graces ; Silent Heart wishing to speak to our souls ; Heart sweet refuge of the hidden life ; Heart teaching the secrets of divine union ; Heart of Him who sleeps yet ever watches ; Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us ; Jesus, victim ! I wish to console Thee ; To unite myself with Thee ; To immolate myself with Thee ; To annihilate myself before Thee ; To forget myself, to think of Thee ; To be forgotten and despised for Thee ; To be loved or understood only by Thee ; I will be silent to listen to Thee ; 52 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. I will Leave myself, to lose myself in Thee ; (irant that 1 may thus quench Thy thirst; the thirst for my salvation and sanctiheation ; and that, purified, I may offer Thee a pure and true love. I will no longer weary Thy patience; take me, I give myself to Thee, I offer Thee all my actions ; my mind that Thou mayest enlighten it ; my heart that Thou mayest direct it ; my will, that Thou mayest strengthen it ; my misery, that Thou mayest succor it \ my soul and my body, that Thou mayest nourish them. Eucharistic Heart of my Jesus, whose blood is the life of my soul, I will no longer live, but live Thou alone in me. Amen. Before a Crucifix. Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment : the while I con template with great love and tender pity Thy five wounds, pondering over them within me, whilst I call to mind the words which David, Thy prophet, said of Thee: "They pierced my hands and m\ feet : the) numbered all my bono. ' /• i i /., /;, THE TREASURY. 53 Jesus, son of Mary, I pray you bless my soul. Holiest Jesus, my Saviour, I give Thee my heart. See where Thy boundless love has reached, my loving Jesus! Thou, of Thy flesh and precious blood, hast prepared for me a banquet where Thou givest me all Thyself. Who drove Thee to this excess of love for me? Thy Heart, Thy loving Heart. O adorable Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of divine love, within Thy sacred wound take Thou my soul ; in order that, in that school of charity, I may learn to love that God who has given me such wondrous proofs of His great love. Amen. Anima Chris ti. Soul of Christ, sanctify me : Body of Christ, save me : Blood of Christ, inebriate me : Water from the side of Christ, wash me : Passion of Christ, strengthen me : O good Jesus, hear me : Within Thy wounds, hide me : Suffer me not to be separated from Thee. From the malignant enemy defend me : In the hour of my death call me, And bid me come to Thee, That, with Thy saints, I may praise Thee For ever and ever. Amen. (300 days, each time, i 5 4 lea g ue de vo tions. Spiritual Communion — Desire. St. Alphonsus. My Jesus, I believe that Thou art present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love Thee above all things, and I desire to receive Thee into my soul. Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. (Here form an ardent desire to re- ceive Jesus in your heart). I embrace Thee, as if Thou wert already there, and unite myself wholly to Thee. Never permit me to be sepa- rated from Thee. Union. my Jesus, living in the Blessed Eucharist, come and live in my heart in the might of Thy love by which all within me may become trans- formed. Rule over all my faculties, so that 1 may no longer live or act but by Thy life and movement. Be Thou, O my Love, the life of my life, that so each day my heart ma) become more and more like Thine. Thanksgiving. 1 thank Thee that Thou hast deigned to give Thyself spiritually to my soul. I give myself likewise to Thee, without reserve, that it may please Thee to do in me all that Thou wiliest to have done. I >cstroy this spirit of >elf-love ; bring down all that exalts itself, and destroy all that resists Thee. THE TREASURY. 55 Examination of Conscience. I. The Presence of God. (Reflect for a moment on the Presence of God). Thou, O God, seest me. Thou knowest the inmost thoughts of my mind, and the most hidden desires of my heart. May I realize this, and live as being ever in Thy sight, with Thee and for Thee. II. Act of Thanksgiving. O my God, I adore Thee, I praise and bles^ Thee, and I thank Thee for all Thy benefits to me both of soul and body : for the gift of the true Faith and all the graces, actual and sanc- tifying, bestowed upon me, and especially . In return I offer Thee the praises of the just on earth, of the saints and angels in heaven, and above all of my Blessed Mother Mary and of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. III. Pi; 1 1 1 ion for Light. Come, O Holy Ghost, and enlighten my mind that I may discover, detest, bewail and correct my sins, faults and shortcomings, espe- cially ; that I may consider them in the light in which they appear to Him, the true Light 56 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. that enlighteneth every one that cometh into this world, and in which light He will one day judge me. Examination. O Lord ! how far have I gone astrav from the path of perfection ! How often have I again fallen ! Review each hour .or fixed portion of the day. What was my last thought at night, and the first in the morning? Did I make the Morning Offering devoutly? Have I renewed it from time to time? Have I guarded my senses ? Have I controlled my thoughts ? Have I bridled my tongue? Have J worked seriously ? Have J given thanks before and after meals? In a word, have I lived to-da\ as an Associate of the Apostleship of Prayer, advancing the Kingdom of Christ? Act of Contrition. O my God, I am heartily sorry that I have offended Thee, because Thou art all good and worthy of all my love, and everything that is sinful is displeasing to Thee. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace never more to offend Thee, but to do all that I can to atone for my sins and to amend mv life. the treasury. 57 Hours of Labor All, whatsoever you do, do all to the glory Of God. T. Cor. x. y ?/. Let Us pray. Prevent, we beseech Thee, Lord, our actions by Thy inspirations, and further them with Thy continual help ; that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from Thee, and through Thee be happily ended. Hours of Silence. There is a time to keep silence ', and a time to Speak. Eccles. iii. y j. He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from distress. Prov.xxi., 23. Let us pray, Lord, who hast taught us by Thy Holy Spirit that there are times of silence ; grant us so to close our ears to the sounds of earth, that we may hear Thy voice speaking to our hearts, and may listen to Thy inspirations. Through Christ our Lord. 1 will hear what the Lord God will speak in )iie . Ps. ixxxiv.y 9. 58 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. Ordinary of the Mass. At the foot of the altar. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. P. I will go nnto the altar of God. R. To God, who giveth joy to my youth. P. Judge me, () God, and distinguish my i ause from the nation that is not holy ; deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man. R. For Thou, God, art my strength, why hast Thou cast me off? And why do I go sor- rowful whilst the enemy afrlicteth me ? P. Send forth Thy light and Thy truth : they have conducted me and brought me unto Thy holy mount, and into Thy tabernacles. R. And I will go unto the altar of God : to God who giveth joy to my youth. P. I will praise Thee on the harp, O God. my God: why art thou sorrowful. () my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me? R. Hope in God, for I will still give praise to Him: who is the salvation of my countenance, and my God. P. Glory be to the Father, etc. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. P. I will go unto the altar of God. R '. To God. who giveth joy to my youth. 77//-; TREASURY. 59 P. Our help is in the name of the Lord. R. AY ho hath made heaven and earth. P. I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Arch- angel, to blessed John Baptist, to the holy Apos- tles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael, the Archangel ; blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, and you, Father, to pray to the Lord, our God, for rne. R. May Almighty God have mercy on thee, forgive thee thy sins, and bring thee to life everlasting. P. Amen. Confiteor of the people. P. May Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to life everlasting. R. Amen. P. May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of sins. R. Amen. P. Thou wilt turn again, O God, and quicken us. R. And Thy people shall rejoice in Thee. 60 LEA G UE DE I r T/( WS. P. Show us, Lord, Thy mercy, R. And grant us thy salvation. P. O Lord, hear my prayer, R. And let my cry come unto Thee. P. The Lord be with you, R. And with thy spirit. Going up to the altar. Take away from us our iniquities, we be- seech Thee, O Lord ; that we may be worthy to enter with pure minds into the Holy of Holies. Through#Christ our Lord. Amen. Introit. He will have mercy according to the multi- tude of His mercies : for He hath not willingly afflicted nor cast off the children of men. The Lord is good to those who hope in Him, to the soul that taketh Him. Alleluia, Alleluia. The mercies of the Lord I will sing forever : from generation to generation. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have merc\ . Lord have mere) . the treasury. 6 1 Gloria. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise Thee; we bless Thee ; we adore Thee ; we glorifv Thee. We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son : O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us ; Thou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer : Thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For Thou only art Holy : Thou only art the Lord : Thou only, O Jesus Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. P. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray . Collect. Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who, glorying in the most Sacred Heart of Thy beloved Son, celebrate the singu- lar benefits of His love towards us, may rejoice equally in their operation and their fruit through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth 62 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy ( i host, God, world without end. R. Amen. Lesson, Isa. xii., i, 6. I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, for Thou wast angry with me, Thy wrath is turned away and Thou hast comforted me. Behold, God is my Saviour ; I will deal confidently, and with- out fear ; because the Lord is my strength and my praise, and he is become my salvation. You shall draw waters with joy out of the Saviour's fountains; and you shall say on that day : Praise ye the Lord, and call upon his name : Make his works known anion g the people ; remember that his name is high. Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath done great things : shew this forth in all the earth. Rejoice, and praise, O thou habitation of Sion : for great is He that is in the midst of Thee, the Holy one of Israel. After the Epistle. Thanks be to God. He- fore the Gospel. Cleanse my heart and my lips, O Almighty God, who didst cleanse the lips of the prophet Isaias with a burning coal : and vouchsafe, through Thy gracious mercy, so to purify me, that I may worthily proclaim Thy holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. THE TREASURY. 63 The Lord be in my heart and on my lips, that I may worthily, and in a becoming man- ner, announce His holy Gospel in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy ( 1 host. Amen. P. The Lord be with you, R. And with thy spirit. P. The continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John. R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord. Gospel. John xix., 31. Then the Jews (because it was the parasceve, ) that the bodies might not remain upon the Cross on the Sabbath-day, (for that was a great Sabbath-day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came ; and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with Him. But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs : But one of the soldiers with a spear opened His side, and immediately there came out blood and water, and he that saw it hath given testimony, and his testimony is true. After the Gospel. R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ. P. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out. 64 L EA (, l 7; DE ! '< > 7Y< >JVS. The Creed. I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God of God : Light of Light ; true God of true God ; begot- ten, not made ; consubstantial with the Father, by whom all things were made. AVho for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary ; and was made man. He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pon- tius Pilate, and was buried. The third day He rose again according to the Scriptures ; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father ; and He shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead : of whose kingdom there shall be no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Ford and giver of life who proceedeth from the Father and the Son : who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified : who spoke by the prophets. And one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. THE TREASURY. 65 P. The Lord be with you, R. And with thy spirit. The Offertory. At the oblation. Bless the Lord, O my soul : and never forget all He hath done for thee : who satisfieth thy desire with good things. Alleluia. Accept, O holy Father, almighty, eternal God, this immaculate host, which I, Thy unworthy servant, offer unto Thee, my living and true God, for my innumerable sins, offences and negligences, and for all here present ; as also for all faithful Christians, both living and dead, that it may be profitable for my own and for their salvation unto life eternal. Amen. O God, who, in creating human nature, didst wonderfully dignify it, and hast still more wonderfully renewed it, grant that, by the mystery of this water and wine, we may be made partakers of His divinity, who vouch- safed to become partaker of our humanity, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord j who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of, etc. We offer unto Thee, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, beseeching Thy clemency, that in the sight of Thy divine majesty it may ascend with the odor of sweetness, for our salvation and for that of the whole world. Amen. In the spirit of humility, and with a contrite 66 LEA G UE DE I 'O TIOXS. heart, let us be received by Thee, O Lord ; and grant that the sacrifice we offer in Thy sight this day may be pleasing to Thee, O Lord God. Come, O Sanctifier, Almighty, Eternal God, and bless this sacrifice prepared in Thy holy name. At the incensing. Let my prayer, O Lord, ascend like incense in Thy sight : and the lifting of my hands be as an evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O Lord, be- fore my mouth, and a door round about my lips, that my heart may not incline to evil words, to make excuses in sin. At the washing of the hands. I will wash my hands among the innocent : and will encompass Thy altar, O Lord. That I may hear the voice of praise, and tell of all Thy marvellous works. I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwell - eth. Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked, nor my life with bloody men. In whose hands are iniquities : their right hand is filled with gifts. As for me, I have walked in my innocence : redeem me, and have mercy upon me. My foot hath stood in the right path : in the churches I will bless Thee, Lord. Glory be to the Father, etc. THE TREASURY. 67 Receive, O holy Trinity, this oblation which we make to Thee, in memory of the passion, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in honor of the blessed Mary, ever virgin, of blessed John Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, of these and of all the saints ; that it may be available to their honor and our salvation : and may they vouchsafe to intercede for us in heaven, whose memory we celebrate on .earth. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. Orate Fratres. Brethren, pray that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Al- mighty. R. May the Lord receive the sacrifice from thy hands, to the praise and the glory of His name, to our benefit, and to that of all His holy Church. The Secret and Preface. Defend us, O Lord, who offer to Thee Thy holocaust ; and that our hearts may be more fervently prepared for it, enkindle within them the flames of Thy divine chanty. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy (ihost, God : 68 LEA G I 'E DE VO TIONS. P. World without end. R. Amen. P. The Lord be with you, R. And with thy spirit. P. Lift up your hearts. R. We have them lifted up unto the Lord. P. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. R. It is meet and just. It is truly meet and just, right and salutary, that we should always, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, who hast appointed that the salva- tion of mankind should be wrought on the wood of the cross ; that from whence death came, thence life might arise, and that He, who overcame by the tree, might also by the tree be overcome. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom the angels praise Thy Majesty, the dominations adore Thee, the powers do stand in awe before Thee, the heavens and the virtues of the heavens, and the blessed sera- phim, do celebrate Thee with united joy. In union with whom we beseech Thee that Thou wouldst command our voices also to be ad- mitted, with suppliant confession, saying, Holy, holy, holy, lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. THE TREASURY. 69 Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The Canon. We therefore humbly pray and beseech Thee, most merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, that Thou wouldst vouch- safe to accept and bless these gifts, these pres- ents, these holy unspotted sacrifices, which in the first place, we offer Thee, for Thy holy Catholic Church, to which vouchsafe to grant peace ; and also to protect, unite, and govern it throughout the world, together with Thy serv- ant, N. our Pope, N. our Bishop, as also all orthodox believers and professors of the Catho- lic and Apostolic Faith. Commemoration of the living. Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants and handmaids N. and N. And of all here pres- ent, whose faith and devotion are known unto Thee, for whom we offer, or who offer up to Thee this sacrifice of praise for themselves, their families and friends, for the redemption of their souls, for the health and salvation they hope for, and for which they now pay their vows to Thee, the eternal, living and true God. Communicating with, and honoring, in the first place, the memory of the glorious and ever 70 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS, Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord and Ciod, Jesus Christ ; as also of the blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus, Linus, Cletus, Clement, Xystus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lau- rence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and of all Thy Saints ; by whose merits and prayers grant that we may be always defended by the help of Thy protection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. We therefore beseech Thee, O Lord, gra- ciously to accept this oblation of our service, as also of Thy whole family ; dispose our days in Thy peace, command us to be delivered from eternal damnation, and to be numbered in the flock of Thy elect. Through Christ our Lord. Amen . The Consecration. Which oblation do Thou, O God, vouchsafe in all respects to bless, approve, ratify and accept, that it may become to us the Body and the Blood of Thy most beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Who, the day before He suffered, took bread into His holy and vener- able hands, and with His eyes lifted up towards heaven, to Cod, His almighty Lather: giving thanks to Thee, did bless, break, and give to His disciples, saying: Take, and eat \\ ill OF THIS ; FOR THIS IS My BODY. THE TREASURY. 71 The Elevation. In like manner, after He had supped, taking also this excellent chalice into His holy and venerable hands, and giving Thee thanks, He blessed, and gave to His disciples, saying : Take and drink ye all of this; For this IS THE CHALICE OF My BLOOD OF THE NEW AND Eternal Testament ; the mystery of faith ; which shall be shed for you, and for many, to the remission of sins. as often as ye do these things, ye shall DO THEM IN REMEMBRANCE OF Me. AVherefore, O Lord, we Thy servants, as also Thy holy people, calling to mind the blessed passion of the same Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, His resurrection from hell, and glorious ascension into heaven, offer unto Thy most excellent Majesty, of Thy gifts and grants, a pure Host, a holy Host, an immacu- late Host, the holy bread of eternal life, and the chalice of everlasting salvation. Upon which vouchsafe to look with a pro- pitious and serene countenance, and to accept them, as Thou wast graciously pleased to accept the gifts of Thy just servant Abel, and the sacri- fice of our Patriarch Abraham, and that which Thy high-priest Melchisedech offered to Thee, a holy sacrifice, an immaculate host. We most humbly beseech Thee, Almighty 72 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. God, command these things to be carried by the hands of Thy holy angel to Thy altar on high, in the sight of Thy divine Majesty, that as many of us as, by participation at this altar, shall receive the most sacred Body and Blood of Thy Son may be filled with all heavenly bene- diction and grace. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. Commemoration of the Dead. Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants and handmaids N. and N., who are gone before us, with the sign of faith, and slumber in the sleep of peace. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of re- freshment, light, and peace. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. And to us sinners, Thy servants, hoping in the multitude of Thy mercies, vouchsafe to grant some part and fellowship with the holy Apostles and Martyrs ; with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecily, Anastasia, and with all Thy Saints : into whose company we beseech Thee to admit us, not considering our merits, but freely pardoning our offences. Through Christ our Lord. the treasury. 73 At the Little Elevation. By whom, O Lord, Thou dost always create, sanctify, quicken, bless, and give us all these things. Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, is to Thee, God the Father Almighty, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory. P. World without end. R. Amen. Let us pray. Instructed by Thy saving precepts, and fol- lowing Thy divine institution, we presume to say : 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 tres- passes, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, R. But deliver us from evil. P. Amen. Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils past, present, and to come ; and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious Mary, ever virgin, Mother of God, together with Thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and Andrew, and all the saints, mercifully grant peace in our days ; that by the assistance of Thy mercy we may be always free from sin, and secure from all disturbance. Through the same Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, who, with Thee in the unity of the Holv Ghost, liveth and reigneth God: P. World without end. R. Amen. P. May the peaee of the Lord be always with you, R. And with thy spirit. May this mixture and consecration of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ be to us, that receive it, effectual to eternal life. Amen . Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, grant us peace. Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst to Thy Apostles : Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; regard not my sins, but the faith of Th\ Church; and vouchsafe to it that peace and unity which is agreeable to Thy will: who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. A men. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, according to the will of the Lather, through the co-operation of the I Eoly Ghost, hast by Thy death given life to the world ; deliver me by this, Thy most sacred Body and lilood, from all my iniquities mm\ from all evils ; and make me always adhere to Thy commandments, and never THE TREASURY. 75 suffer me to be separated from Thee ; who with the same God the Father and Holy Ghost livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen. Let not the participation of Thy Body, O Lord Jesus Christ, which I, all unworthy, pre- sume to receive, turn to my judgment and con- demnation ; but through Thy goodness, may it be to me a safeguard and remedy, both of soul and body. Who with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen. At the Communion. I will take the bread of heaven and call upon the name of the Lord. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed. Taking the Sacred Host. May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ pre- serve my soul to life everlasting. Amen. Taking the chalice. What shall I render to the Lord for all He hath rendered unto me ? 1 will take the chalice of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord ; with praise I shall call upon the Lord and I shall be saved from mine enemies. 76 L EA G UE DE VO TIONS. The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to everlasting life. Amen. For Communion of the people, after the Confiteor. P. May Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to life everlasting. R. Amen. P. May the Almighty and merciful Lord give you pardon, absolution, and remission of your sins. R. Amen. Behold the Lamb of God ; behold Him who taketh away the sins of the world. Lord I am not worthy, etc. (living Communion. May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ pre- serve thy soul to life everlasting. Amen. At the Ablutions. Grant, Lord, that what we have taken with our mouth, we may receive with a pure mind ; and of a temporal gift may it become to us an eternal remedy. May Thy Body, O Lord, which I have re- ceived, and Thy Blood which I have drunk, cleave to my bowels ; and grant that no stain of sin may remain in me, who have been re- freshed with pure and holy sacraments. Who livest, etc. Amen. the treasury. 77 Communion. My heart hath expected reproach and misery ; and looked for one who would grieve with me, but there was none ; and for one who would comfort me, and I found none. Alleluia. P. The Lord'be with you, R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Post Communion. Being fed with peaceful delights and life- giving sacraments, we suppliantly beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that Thou who art meek and humble of heart, wouldst make us to be clean from the stain of every vice, and more stead- fastly to abhor the proud vanities of the world, who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost. World without end. R. Amen. P. The Lord be with you, R. And with thy spirit. P. Go, the Mass is ended. (Let us bless the Lord.) R. Thanks be to God. P. Amen. O holy Trinity, let the performance of my homage be pleasing to Thee ; and grant that 78 LEA G ( E DE I '( ) TI( LXS. the sacrifice which I, unworthy as I am, have offered up in the sight of Thy Majesty, may be acceptable to Thee, and through Thy mercy be a propitiation for me and all those for whom I have offered it. Through, etc. The Blessing. „ May Almighty God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless you. R. Amen. The Last Gospel. P. The Lord be with you, R. And with thy spirit. The beginning of the holy Gospel according to St. John. Glory be to Thee, O Lord. Gospel. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God : the same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was made nothing that was made : in Him was life, and the life was the light of men : and the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the bight, THE TREASURE 79 but was to give testimony of the Light. That was the true Light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as manv as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God: to them that believe in His name, who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God : and the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, as it were, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 7?. Thanks be to God. After Mass. Almighty and eternal God, who out of Thy immense love hast appointed Thy only begotten Son to be the mediator between Thee and sinners ; accept, I beseech Thee, this sacrifice and victim from me, a poor miserable sinner ; pardon my defects and negligences in assisting at it ; bestow on me Thy divine benediction ; grant that I may serve Thee in all things to my last breath, and, after this life, deserve to praise and glorify Thy holy name for all eternity. Amen. 8o LEA G UE DE VO TIOXS. Mortifications. / rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh for his body, which is the church. Col. *., 24. Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, a salutary effect to our mortifications ; that the chastise- ment of the flesh, which we have taken upon us, may promote the vigor of our souls. Works of Mercy. / was hungry, and you gave me to eat : I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink : Twos a stranger, and you took me in : naked, and you covered ?ne : sick, and you visited me : I was in prison, and you came to me : . . . for as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me. Matt, xxv.,35,36, 40. Let us pray. Let Thy grace, we beseech Thee, O Lord, ever precede and attend us, and make us con- tinually intent upon good works. THE TREASURY. 8l Works of Zeal. The charity of CJirist press eth us. . . Christ died for all. For Christ ', we beseech you, be reconciled to God. II. Cor. v., if. Let us pray. May the Lord enkindle in us the fire of His love, and the flame of everlasting charity. Prayers. / will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands, without anger and con- tention. I. Tim. it., 8. Let us pray . Let my prayer, O Lord, ascend like incense in Thy sight : and the lifting-up of my hands be as an evening sacrifice. Charitable Conversation. If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. I. Cur. xiii., i. Let us pray. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a door round about my lips, that my heart may not incline to evil words, to make excuses in sin. 82 lea G i '/•: DE i '< ) no. vs. Sufferings, Affliction-. Now all chastisement for the present indeed seemeth not to bring with it joy, but sorrow : but afterwards it will yield, to them that are exercised by it, the most peaeeable fruit of justice. Heb. xn., 2. Let us pray . Help me, merciful Jesus ! my heart is dis- turbed within me, my strength has left me, and I walk troubled all the day long, for consolation is far from me. I am forced, O Jesus, to cry out with Thee : my soul is sorrowful even unto death ! Woe to me that I have sinned, for this is why my heart is sad and afflicted ! I have sinned, I have done evil, I confess it, I have departed from the way of Thy law. In all Thy justice, O Lord my God, I beseech Thee to turn away Thine anger from me ; see the depth to which I am sunk, and forgive my sins. () Jesus, through the grief and anguish of Thy Heart in the ( harden and on the Altar of the Cross, deign to comfort me in my wretched state, and permit me not to be separated from Thee forever. To Thee will 1 cling : in Thee will I put my trust. THE TREASURY. 83 Visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, if, as St. Paul bears witness, Thy Eternal Father had Thee adored by all the Angels when Thou earnest into this world, what must they not have done when they beheld and admired Thee in the various stages of Thy Passion ! with them do I adore Thee, beseeching Thee to give me grace to adore Thee in spirit and in truth, by sharing in Thy suffer- ings, Thy affections, and Thy desires. Glory be to the Heart of Jesus, King of our hearts ; and may it reign forever over all hearts . Amen. Prayer of St. Alphonsus. My Lord Jesus Christ, who for the love which Thou bearest to men, remainest night and day in this Sacrament, full of compassion and of love, calling and welcoming all who come to visit Thee \ I believe Thou art present in the Sacrament of the altar. I adore Thee from the abyss of my nothingness, and I thank Thee for all the graces which Thou hast bestowed upon me, and in particular for having given me Thy- self in this Sacrament, for having given me Thy Most Holy Mother Mary as my advocate, and for having called me to visit Thee in this Church. I now salute Thy most loving Heart ; and this 84 LEA G UE DK J '( ) TIONS. for three ends : i. In thanksgiving for this great gift. 2. To make amends to Thee for all the outrages which Thou hast received in this Sac- rament from all Thine enemies. 3. I intend by this visit to adore Thee in all the places on earth in which Thou art present in this Sacra- ment, and in which Thou art the least revered and the most abandoned. My Jesus, I love Thee with my whole heart. 1 grieve for having hitherto so many times offended Thy infinite goodness. I purpose by Thy grace never more to offend Thee for the time to come ; and now, miserable and unworthy though I be, I conse- crate myself to Thee without reserve ; I give Thee and renounce my entire will, my affections, my desires, and all that I possess. Henceforth do Thou dispose of me and of all that I have as Thou pleasest. All that I ask of Thee and desire is Thy holy love, final perseverance and the perfect accomplishment of Thy will. I recommend to Thee the souls of Purgatory, but especially those who had the most devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and to the most Blessed Virgin Mary. I also recommend to Thee all poor sinners. In fine, my dear Saviour, I unite all my affections with those of Thy most lov- ing Heart, and I offer them thus united, to Thy Eternal Father, and beseech Him in Thy Name to vouchsafe, for Thy love, to accept and graut them. (300 days each time. , the treasury. §5 Reflection. Let us, then, understand, that as Jesus Christ in Heaven is always living to make intercession for us (Heb. vii., 25), so in the Sacrament of the altar He is continually, night and day, exercising the compassionate office of our Advocate; offering Himself as a victim for us to the Eternal Father, thus to obtain for us His mercies and innumerable graces. There- fore the devout Thomas a Kempis says, that we ought to approach and converse with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament without the fear of chastisement and unrestrained, as to a beloved friend, "as one who loves and speaks to his beloved, as a friend to a friend." Imit. B. 4., c. 13. Act of Faith and Homage. () Jesus, Eternal God, Ford and Master of all things, adorable King of heaven and earth, of angels and men ; King by right of creation, by right of conquest, by right of inheritance : we acknowledge and proclaim Thee King by all these titles, King of kings and Lord of lords, Ruler of the universe. Be Thou also King of all hearts by choice. Rule as a master; exercise Thy power and show Thy reign : a reign of justice, of peace and of mercy. Reign everywhere, but, above all, in our country. Put to flight and confusion those 86 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. infernal powers which are attempting to over- throw and destroy Thv rule, and do Thou reign, govern and triumph. Prayer to the Sacred Heart. St. Alphonsus. Permit me to address Thee, O most loving Heart of My Jesus from which all the sacra- ments, but principally this Sacrament of Love, found their source. Gladly would I give Thee as much glory and honor as Thou dost give to the Eternal Father in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar. I know that on this altar Thou still lovest me with that same love with which Thou didst love me when Thou didst close Thy divine life in the midst of so much anguish on the Cross. O Divine Heart, enlighten with the knowledge of Thyself all those who know Thee not. Through Thy merits deliver, or at least relieve, the afflicted souls in Purgatory, who are already Thy spouses for all eternity. I adore Thee, I thank Thee, I love Thee, in union with all those souls who in this moment love Thee, whether on earth or in heaven. O most pure Heart, purify my heart from all at- tachment to creatures, and fill it with Thy holy love. () most sweet Heart, take entire posses- sion of my heart, so that henceforth it may be THE TREASURY. 87 wholly Thine, and ever able to say: "Who shall separate me from the love of Clod which is in Christ Jesus?" O Most Sacred Heart, imprint upon my heart all the bitter sorrows which for so many years Thou didst endure on earth through love of me, that, on seeing them, I mav henceforth desire, or at least endure with patience, all the sorrows of this life. Most humble Heart of Jesus, give me a share of Thy humility. Most meek Heart, impart Thy sweetness to me. Take from my heart all that displeases Thee ; convert it wholly to Thee, that it may no longer will or desire anything else but what Thou wiliest. In a word, grant that I may live only to obey Thee, only to love Thee, only to give Thee pleasure. I know in- deed that I owe Thee much ; and that I am under heavy obligations to Thee ; it would therefore be but little if I were to consume and wear myself out for love of Thee. The Prayer of St. Ignatius. Take, O Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. Thou hast given me all that I am and all that I possess ; I surrender all to Thee that Thou mayest dispose of it according to Thy will, (iive me only Thy love and Thy grace ; with these I shall be rich enough, and have no more to desire. 88 LEA Gl 7. />/■: l 'O TIONS. Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Adoration. J>. Margaret Mary. I adore Thee, O Jesus, mighty King, on Thy throne of love and mercy. Receive me as Thy servant and subject, and pardon me, 1 beseech Thee, my resistance and rebellion against Thy sovereign dominion over my soul. Ah ! gentle King, remember that Thou canst not show mercy unless Thou hast subjects that are miserable. Extend, then, I conjure Thee, Thy liberal hand, and fill up my extreme indigence with the precious treasure of Thy holy love, which is no other thing than Thy- self, having first emptied me of all that wretched love of self and all those vain human respects which hold me, as it were, fastened and en- chained. Come, O my sovereign King, to break my fetters and to deliver me from that evil servittide, establishing Thine empire in my heart. I wish to reign in Thine, by an ardent charity for my neighbor, speaking of him only with charity, bearing with him, excusing him. THE TREASURY. 89 doing to him only what I would wish done to myself, never sullying my tongue or my heart with backbiting or ill-will. I will not let myself be troubled by anything, in order that my King may find in me an empire of peace. Amen. Offering. B. Margaret Mary. Eternal Father, I offer Thee my under- standing that it may learn to know nothing but Thee. My Sweet Jesus, I offer Thee my memory that it may remember only Thee. Most Holy Spirit of charity, I offer Thee my will that Thou may est warm and inflame it with Thy divine love : adorn my soul with Thy seven gifts, and make me Thy temple of purity : fill me with Thy graces, and prepare my soul to receive my God spiritually. My divine Jesus, since my sins make me unworthy to receive Thee into my heart, re- ceive me into Thine, and unite me so perfectly to Thee that nothing may be able to withdraw me from Thee for a single moment. Let my misery and littleness be absorbed in the great- ness of Thy mercies, and transform me wholly into Thee, in Thee and for love of Thee. Come then, sole object of my joy, come and take possession of this heart which is Thine own, and which cannot subsist a moment with out Thee. 90 LEA G C 'E DE VO T/OJWS. Hail, Heart of My Jesus. B. Margaret Mary. Hail, Heart of my Jesus, save me. Hail, Heart of my Creator, perfect me. Hail, Heart of my Saviour, deliver me. Hail, Heart of my Judge, pardon me. Hail, Heart of my Father, govern me. Hail, Heart of my Spouse, love me. Hail, Heart of my Master, teach me. Hail, Heart of my King, crown me. Hail, Heart of my Benefactor, enrich me. Hail, Heart of my Pastor, guard me. Hail, Heart of my Brother, stay with me. Hail, Heart of imcomparable goodness, have mercy on me. Hail, most loving Heart, inflame me. divine Heart of Jesus, living in the heart of Mary, I beseech Thee to live and reign in all hearts, and to consume them in Thy pure love ! () most liberal Heart, be our whole treasure and our whole sufficiency ! () most loving and desirable Heart, teach us to love Thee, and to desire Thee alone. Destroy in us the kingdom of sin and establish in us the kingdom of virtue, that Thy image may be perfectly formed in us, and be one day an adornment of Thy heavenly palace. Amen ! the treasury. 9 ! Consecration'. B. Margaret Mary. I, N. N., give and consecrate to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, my person and my life, my actions, troubles and sufferings, wishing no longer to make use of any part of my being except to honor, love and glorify Him. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Him, and to do all for love of Him, renouncing with all my strength all that could displease Him. I take Thee then, O Sacred Heart, as the sole object of my love, the protector of my life, the assurance of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the repairer of all the defects of my life, and my assured refuge at the hour of my death. Be then, O Heart of goodness, my justification with God Thy Father, and avert from me the darts of His just anger. () Heart of love, I place all my confi- dence in Thee, for, while I fear everything from my malice and weakness, I hope everything from Thy goodness. Consume then in me all that could displease or resist Thee ; may Thy pure love impress Thee so deeply on my heart that I may be unable ever to forget Thee, ever, to be separated from Thee. I conjure Thee by all Thy favors that my name may be inscribed in Thee, for I would make all my happiness and 92 L EA G I '/• DE VOl IONS. all my glory consist in living and dying as Thy slave. Amen. Love. my Jesus and my sovereign good, I love Thee, not for the rewards which Thou promisest to those who love Thee, but purely for the love of Thyself. 1 love Thee above all things that can be loved, above all pleasures, and in fine above myself and all that is not Thee, protest- ing in presence of heaven and earth, that I will live and die purely and simply in Thy holy love, and that if to love Thee thus I must be persecuted, tormented, put to death, I am most content to be so, and I will ever say with St. Paul : There is no creature which can separate me from the charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, which 1 love and will love eternally. Praise. O Heart, formed by the Holy Ghost in the chaste womb of Mary, Thou sharest in the glory of the Eternal Father, and Thou art the sacred temple of the Holy Ghost, for the ful- ness of the Godhead, as St. Paul says, dwelleth in Thee corporally. ( ), Sacred Heart, Master and Sovereign of all hearts, be Thou the Heart of my heart, as Thou art the Soul of my soul, and the Life of my life. THE TREASURY. ^ V. Heart of Jesus burning with love for me, R. Make my heart also burn with love for Thee. almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son, and the praise and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of poor sinners ; have mercy upon them, since they ask it through this same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. Amen. Salutations to the Sacred Heart. Yen. John Eudes. Hail, Heart most holy ! — Hail, Heart most meek ! — Hail, Heart most humble ! — Hail, Heart most pure ! — Hail, Heart most devoted ! — Hail, Heart most wise ! — Hail, Heart most patient ! — Hail, Heart most obedient ! — Hail, Heart most watchful ! — Hail, Heart most faith- ful ! — Hail, Heart most blessed ! — Hail, Heart most merciful ! — Hail, most loving Heart of Jesus, Son of Mary ! — We adore Thee, we praise Thee, we glorify Thee, we give Thee thanks ; we love Thee with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength ; to Thee we offer, we give, we consecrate, we immolate our heart ; accept and take possession of it entirely ; purify it, enlighten it, sanctify it, now and for all eternity. Amen. 9 4 L EA G f K DE J O 7Y( ).\S. Petition. () God, who out of Thy immense love hast given to the faithful the most Sacred Heart of Thy Son, our Lord, as the object of Thy tender affection ; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may so love and honor this pledge of Thy love on earth, as by it to merit the love both of Thee and Thy gift, and be eternally loved by Thee and this most blessed Heart in Heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. Through Thy Sacred Heart, O Jesus ! over- flowing with all sweetness, we recommend to Thee ourselves, and all our concerns ; our friends and enemies, our benefactors, parents, relations and superiors ; take under Thy protec- tion this house, city, and country ; extend this Thy care to all such as are under any affliction, and to those who labor in the agony and pangs of death ; cast an eye of compassion on the obsti- nate sinner, and more particularly on the poor suffering souls in purgatory, as also on those who are engaged and united with us in this Holy League in honoring and worshipping Thee. Bless these in particular, () bountiful Jesus, and bless them according to the extent of Thy in- finite goodness, mercy and charity. Amen. the treasury. 95 Confidence. Ven. de la Colombiere. My God, I believe so firmly that Thou watchest over all who hope in Thee, and that we can want for nothing when we rely upon Thee in all things, that I am resolved for the future to have no anxieties and to cast all my cares upon Thee. In peace in the self same I will sleep, and I will take my rest, for Thou, O Lord, singularly hast established me in hope. Men may deprive me of worldly goods, of honors ; sickness may take from me my strength and the means of serving Thee ; I may even lose Thy grace by sin, but my trust shall never leave me ; I will preserve it to the last moment of my life, and the powers of hell shall seek in vain to wrest it from me. In peace in the self same I will sleep, and I will take my rest. Let others seek happiness in their wealth, in their talents ; let them trust to the purity of their lives, the number of their good works, the fervor of their prayers ; as for me, O my God, in my very confidence lies all my hope. For Thou, O Lord, singularly hast established me in hope. This confidence can never be in vain. No one has hoped in the Lord and has been confounded. I am assured, therefore, of my eternal happi- ness, for I firmly hope for it, and all my hope 9 6 L EA G UE DE V 'O TIONS. is in Thee. In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded. I know, alas ! I know but too well, that I am weak and unstable ; I know the power of tempt- ation against the strongest virtue. I have seen stars fall from heaven, the pillars of the firma- ment totter, but these things alarm me not. As long as I hope in Thee, I am sheltered from all misfortunes, and I am sure that my trust shall endure, for it is to Thee that I look for this unfailing hope. Finally, I know that my confidence cannot exceed Thy bounty, and that I shall never receive less than I have hoped for from Thee. Therefore I trust that Thou wilt guard me in temptation ; that Thou wilt sustain me against the most furious assaults of the evil one, and that Thou wilt cause my weakness to triumph over my enemies. I hope that Thou wilt never cease to love me, and that I will love Thee unceasingly ; and, to carry my hope at once to the furthest limit, from Thee, O my Creator, do I hope for the possession of Thyself for time and eternity. Amen. See also Spiritual Communion, page 54- / am the bread of life : he that cometh to me shall not hunger ; and lie that deli eve th in me shall never thirst. j ofni w - THE TREASURY. 97 Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Jesus, who art about to give Thy bene- diction to me, and to all who are here assembled, I humbly beseech Thee, that it may impart to each and all of us the special grace we need. But more than this I ask. Let Thy blessing go forth far and wide. Let it be felt in the souls of the afflicted who cannot come hither to receive it at Thy feet. Let the weak and tempted feel its power wherever they may be. Let the poor sinner feel its influence, arousing him to come to Thee. Let it cross the seas and animate and comfort the missioner far away from home and brethren, and toiling for the love of souls so dear to Thy Sacred Heart. I humbly beg Thy blessing for N. and N. , etc., and may it effect that salutary purpose for which, () Lord, Thou dost so lovingly impart it. Amen. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, be Thou praised and blessed for ever, as the source of super- natural life, the nourishment of the soul, and the sustenance of the spirit. From Thy ful- ness all good is poured out upon us. Fill my heart, I beseech Thee, with the sentiments that inspired Thy Adorable Heart. My Jesus, mercy. 93 lea G i /■: DE i 'o rio.\s. A Colloquy. Lord Jesus Christ, my crucified Saviour, Son of the most blessed Virgin Mary, open Thine ear and listen to me, as Thou didst listen to Thy eternal Father on Mount Tabor. I believe in God, etc. Lord Jesus Christ, my crucified Saviour, Son of the most blessed Virgin Mary ! open Thine eyes and look down upon me, as Thou didst look down from the tree of the cross, upon Thy sor- rowing and afflicted mother. I believe in God, etc. Lord Jesus Christ, my crucified Saviour, Son of the most blessed Virgin Mary, open Thy sacred lips and speak to me, as Thou didst speak to St. John, when Thou gavest Him as a son to Thy beloved mother. I believe in God, etc. Lord Jesus Christ, my crucified Saviour, Son of the most blessed Virgin Mary, open Thine arms and embrace me, as Thou didst open them on the tree of the Cross, to embrace the whole human race. I believe in God, etc. Lord fesus Christ, my crucified Saviour, Son of the most blessed Virgin Mary, open Thy Heart and accept mine, and graciously hear my prayer, if such be the pleasure of Thy most holy will. I believe in God, etc. (60 day-, each time; Plenary, once a month.) THE TREASURY 99 My sweetest Jesus, be not my judge, but my Saviour. (50 days, each time.) Jesus, my God, I love Thee above all things. (50 days, each time.) Pravers. () most compassionate Jesus ! Thou alone art our salvation, our life, and our resurrection. We implore Thee, therefore, do not forsake us in our needs and afflictions, but by the agony of Thv most Sacred Heart, and bv the sorrows of Thy Immaculate Mother, succor Thy serv- ants whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy most Precious Blood. Divine Jesus, incarnate Son of God, who for our salvation" didst vouchsafe to be born in a stable, to pass Thy life in poverty, trials and misery, and to die amid the sufferings of the cross, I entreat Thee, say to Thy divine Father at the hour of my death : Father, forgive him ; say to Thy beloved Mother : Behold thy son ; say to my soul : This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise. My God, my God, forsake me not in that hour. I thirst : yes, my God, my soul thirsts after Thee, who art the fountain of living waters. My life passes like a shadow ; yet a little while, and all will be consummated. Wherefore, O my adorable Saviour ! from this moment, for all eternity, into Thy hands I commend my spirit. Lord Jesus, receive my soul. Amen. IOO LEA G UE DF. I '< ) T/ONS. V, Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy blood, R. And made us a kingdom to our God. Almighty and everlasting God, who hast ap- pointed Thine only-begotten Son the Saviour of the world, and has willed to be appeased by His blood : grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate this price of our salvation, and by its power so to be defended upon earth from the evils of this present life, that in heaven we may rejoice in its everlasting fruit. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. V. Thou gavest them bread from heaven . R. Containing in itself every delight. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, who in a wonderful Sacrament hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion and a pledge of Thy love ; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, that we may ever feel within us the the fruits of Thy redemption. Who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, for ever and ever. Amen. Bless us, O Lord, and bestow upon all here present Thy choicest graces, and grant that we may one day be worthy to hear the last great blessing from Thy lips ; Gome ye blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom which has been pre- pared for you from all eternity. I )i\ inc Praises, page 2, THE TREASURY. IOI The Holy Hour. The devotion of the Holy Hour was taught by our Divine Lord to Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun, who was chosen by God to be the apostle of His Sacred Heart. Appearing to her one day, our Saviour expressed to her His desire of having her spend the hour between eleven and twelve o'clock on Thursday nights in prayer, "to share," as He Himself said, "My sorrow during My Agony in the Garden, and so to appease My anger against sinners." The hour thus sanctified by prayer is called the Holy Hour Associates of the League of the Sacred Heart, in virtue of their membership, can gain the Plenary Indulgence attached to this practice, the Holy Hour. No further formality is required. They have but to comply with the condition of sanctifying the hour by prayer This privilege was granted the Associates by His Holiness, Leo XIII., May 13, 1875, and the same Pontiff later amplified this privilege, in his Apostolic Letters. In Private. When the Holy Hour is practised privately, the time is limited. As taught by our Lord to Blessed Margaret Mary, the devotion was to be performed on Thursday during the hour before midnight. But as there are many for whom this hour would be inconvenient, if not im- possible, permission was obtained from the Holy See to extend the time, so that a greater number of the faithful might profit by the spiritual advantages attached to the Holy I four. There is doubtless greater merit in making the Holy Hour from eleven o'clock to twelve than at any other time, but no one need fear that, because circum- stances of place, time, health, may chance to prevent his choosing this time, he will not reap much fruit for himself and offer great consolation to his agonizing Saviour by making it within the allotted time. X02 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. The extension of time allows any Associate, who makes the Holy Hour privately, to select any hour between two o'clock in the afternoon of Thursday and Friday morning at sunrise. The Holy Hour may be spent in prayer of any kind ; the only condition required is, that it should be offered in memory of the Sacred Passion, and especially in memory of the Prayer and Agony of our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemani. Any posture may be adopted, kneeling, standing, or sitting. No particular place is prescribed, so that even sick persons may practise this devotion. Father Nonell's Method. To take advantage of all our trials to console the Heart of Jesus, we must be present in spirit at some scene in the Sacred Passion, choosing the one that usually inspires us with the greatest tenderness and devotion. Fixing our eyes with reverence and affection upon the Holy Face of Jesus, let us think He casts a glance of love upon us, which speaks with an eloquence above all language. In order to aid ourselves, we may consider the principal scenes of the passion in the nine following points : Opening Prayer. O my most sweet Jesus, I am heartily grieved that so few are willing to sorrow with Thee, and thus to console Thy most afflicted Heart. I desire to accomplish in myself, after the ex- ample of Thine Apostle, the tilings that arc wanting of T/iv passion. I humbly beg of Thee the grace for the future, to glory in noth- ing but in Thy Cross ; for in Thee, () my most THE TREASURY 103 loving Redeemer, is my Hope, my Life, and my Resurrection. Amen. 1. The Agony in the Garden. — Behold the Heart of Jesus, become, as it were, an abyss of pain and anguish, full of terror, at the very thought of the passion about to break over Him. Hear Him say, as He offers the bitter chalice, ' 'Wilt thou — thou, whom I love so dearly — wilt thou drink some few drops of My cup? The more thou wilt take, the less shall I have to taste." What should be your reply? "O my be- loved Jesus ! would that I could drink all, so that nothing might remain for Thee. Yes, I accept as precious drops from that chalice, such and such sufferings, by which Thou dost permit me to become a partaker of Thy passion, a companion of Thy sorrow. ' ' 2. The night passed in the house of Caiphas. — See thy Redeemer become the sport of lewd soldiery. How they mock and scoff at Him ; how they strike and buffet Him, as though He were a fool. Listen, how He says: " O beloved of My Heart, wilt thou for My sake, bear some of these insults and injuries ? The more thou shalt suffer, the less shall I have to bear, and the greater relief wilt thou afford to My afflicted Heart." 1 04 LEA G UE DE VO T/OXS. Say, what answer wilt thou give to Jesus? 3. The palace of Herod. — Behold how He, who is the Infinite Wisdom of the Father, is esteemed as a fool, and despised as a madman. Hear Him ask if thou wilt suffer for Him some portion of His shame and contempt. Consider what answer thou wilt give. 4. The Scourging at the Pillar. — See the cruelty with which the executioners tear His most pure flesh to pieces. Hear how our Lord invites thee to put thyself between the executioners and their victim, so that the blows may fall upon thine own body. Receive, with this intention, the bodily pains and the sicknesses which may afflict thee. 5. The Crowning with Thorns. — Consider the sharp pains, which the thorns cause in the adorable head of thy Saviour. Hear Him asking thee if in thine own head, thou wilt receive some of those thorns ? Offer thyself to endure them all. 6. Christ carrying His Cross. — Imagine thyself present, as Jesus ascends the hill of Calvary, accompanied by Simon of Cyrene and the women of Jerusalem. Listen to Him asking if thou wilt offer thy shoulders to bear the Cross, so that His burden may be made lighter according as thine is increased. THE TREASURY. I05 Beg that He will let thee carry it all thyself, so that He may be relieved entirely of its weight. 7. The Crucifixion. — See how they nail Him to the Cross. Hear Him inviting thee to put thy hands and feet where His are, so as to receive the nails. If duty binds thee to a life of suffering thou, too, art nailed to the Cross. Accept, with this intention, all thy trials and adversi- ties. 8. The Abandojunent on the Cross. — Hear our Lord complain to His Eternal Father of the desolation in which He is left. Consider how bitterly it is felt by His Divine Heart. Hear Him ask if thou wilt relieve Him in His loneliness. Offer Him the desolation thou dost some- times suffer in trials, so as to soothe and alleviate the weariness of His sufferings. 9. TJie Thirst which our Lord suffers in His Agony. — Consider the cruelty of those who by their impatience and their murmurs against God in their troubles, or by their miserable sensuality, give our Lord in His thirst gall and vinegar to drink. Hear how He implores thee to quench His thirst by the sweet wine of that charity and self-denial which is exercised in seeking and accepting suffering as a consolation to Him. 1 06 L EA G UE DE VO Tli WS. Deny not to thy Redeemer, to the Spouse of thy soul, to thy King and thy God, the comfort which thou canst afford Him in His extreme need. In Honor of the Sacred Passion. O most sweet Lord Jesus Christ, may Thy passion, I beseech Thee, be my strength, to shelter, guard and protect me ; Thy wounds my meat and drink, to feed, inebriate, and delight me : may the sprinkling of Thy blood wash away all my sins ; Thy death be my glory for all eternity. In this be my refreshment, my joy, my health, and the sweetness of my heart. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen. Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For private devotion only. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ Jesus, hear us. Christ Jesus y graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven, ^ God the Son, Redeemer of the world, g? God the Holy Ghost, Sanctiner of souls. -: Holy Trinity, one God, 3 Heart of Jesus, 3 Heart of Jesus, hypostatic ally united to T the Eternal Word, * Heart of Jesus, sanctuary of the Divinity, 77//-; TREASURY. 107 Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the most holy Trinity, Heart of Jesus, abyss of wisdom, Heart of Jesus, ocean of bounty, Heart of Jesus, throne of mercy, Heart of Jesus, inexhaustible treasure, Heart of Jesus, whose fulness we all enjoy, Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, Heart of Jesus, model of all the virtues, Heart of Jesus, infinitely loving, and infinitely worthy of being loved, Heart of Jesus, fountain of waters springing to eternal life, Heart of Jesus, delight of the Eternal Father, Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, ^ Heart of Jesus, filled with bitterness on our account, ^ Heart of Jesus, sad even unto death, in ^ N4 the Garden of Olives, ^ Heart of Jesus, loaded with reproaches, ^ Heart of Jesus, wounded by love, a Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, Heart of Jesus, exhausted of blood on the Cross, Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with sorrow on account of our transgressions, Heart of Jesus, still insulted in the Sacra- ment of Thy love, Heart of Jesus, refuge of sinners, Heart of Jesus, strength of the weak, 1 08 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. Heart of Jesus, comfort of the afflicted, Heart of Jesus, perseverance of the just, Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee, Heart of Jesus, hope of the dying, Heart of Jesus, gracious support of all Thy adorers, Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints. Heart of Jesus, our aid in calamities, Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord / Lamb of God, who taketh away, etc., Graciously hear us, O Lord ! Lamb of God, etc., Have mercy on us ! Christ, hear us, Christ, graciously hear us. Jesus, meek and humble at heart, Make our hearts like unto Thine. Let us pray. O almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy divine Son, accept the satis- faction it offers Thee in the name of all sinners ; hear and accept the praises it offers Thee for them : be appeased by its act of homage, for- give us our sins, and grant us mercy, in the name of that same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. LEA G UE PA TRONS. 1 09 League Devotions to the Saints. " I believe in the Communion of Saints. 1 — The Creed. And the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps and golden vials full of odors, zvliich are the prayers of the Saints. Apoc. v., 8. " The Apostleship of Prayer is the complet- est practice of the doctrine of the Communion of Saints," wrote Father Ramiere. " It helps us to be, what we should be, living members of Jesus Christ, and we cannot be members of Him without being members of one another. ' ' * * It is customary in this Association to assign a Heav- enly Patron every month to each member, who keeps the feast thus chosen in a special manner." Rescript, March ?0, 1886. ho league devotions. The Angels. O all ye holy Angels and Archangels , pray for us / O God, who in Thy unspeakable providence vouchsafest to send Thine angels to keep guard over us ; grant unto Thy suppliants that we may be continually defended by their protection, and rejoice eternally in their society. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Thy Son, who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen. Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom His love commits me here, Ever this day be at my side, To light and guard, to rule and guide. (ioo days, each time.) All Saints. O all ye Saints of God, pray for us! Grant, we beseech thee, O almighty God, that the intercession of blessed Mary, Mother of God, of all the holy apostles, martyrs, confess- ors and virgins, and of all Thy elect, may cause us everywhere to rejoice ; that while we cele- brate their merits, we may experience their patronage. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Apostles. O all ye holy Apostles and Evangelists^ pray for ns. LEA G UE PA TROXS. T T j O God, who hast been pleased that we should come to the knowledge of Thy name through Thy holy apostles ; grant us that by promoting their glory here we may celebrate it forever hereafter. Through Christ our Lord. The Immaculate Conception. (Patronal Feast of Our Lady for the United States.) December 8. O God, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, didst prepare a worthy habitation for Thy Son ; we beseech Thee that, as by the foreseen death of the same, Thy Son, thou didst preserve her from all stain of sin, so Thou wouldst enable us, being made pure by her in- tercession, to come unto Thee. Through the same Christ our Lord. The Apostles of Nations. St. Boniface — Germany. June 5. O God, who hast deigned to call a multitude of peoples to the knowledge of Thy name, by the zeal of blessed Boniface, Thy martyr and bishop ; grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who celebrate his feast, may experience his protec- tion. Through Christ our Lord. St. Denis and Companions — France. October 9. O God, who didst on this day strengthen with the virtue of constancy in suffering blessed 1 1 2 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. Denis, Thy martyr and bishop, and didst vouch- safe to make Rusticus and Eleutherius his com- panions in setting forth Thy glory to the heathen, grant, we beseech Thee, that, following their examples, we may learn, for the love of Thee, to despise the good things of this world, and to fear none of its adversities. Through Christ our Lord. St. Patrick — Ireland. March 17. O God, who didst vouchsafe to send the blessed Patrick, Thy confessor and bishop, to declare Thy glory to the nations ; grant, through his merits and intercession, that what Thou com- mandest us to do, we may by Thy mercy be able to accomplish. Through Christ our Lord. St. Brigid — Ireland. February 1 . O God, who dost gladden us on this day by the yearly solemnity of blessed Brigid, Thy vir- gin, mercifully grant that, as we are enlightened by the example of her chastity, so we may be aided by her merits. Through Christ our Lord. St. Augustine — England. May 26. () God, who didst give unto the English people blessed Augustine, Thy bishop, to be their first teacher in the faith ; grant that we LEAGUE PA TRUSS. 113 may feel the benefit of his intercession for us in heaven, whose merits we celebrate on earth. Through Christ our Lord. St. Francis Xavier — India. December 3. Cod, who wast pleased, by the preach- ing and miracles of blessed Francis, to add to Thy Church the nations of the Indies; merci- fully grant that, as we venerate his glorious merits, so we may also follow the example of his virtues. Through Christ our Lord. St. Peter Claver — 'The Negroes. September 9. O (iod, who, in order that wretched slaves might come to the knowledge of Thy Name, didst endow blessed Peter, Thy confessor, with wonderful self-denial and eminent charity ; grant to us, through his intercession, that, seeking not our own things but those 'of Jesus Christ, we may be able to love our neighbor in deed and in truth. Through Christ our Lord. The Monthly Patron. O chosen friend of Cod, St. , make me look for thy holy intercession more earnestly than men of the world seek the influ- ence of their earthly patrons. Help me to 1 14 LEA GUE DE I 'OTIONS. keep in God's favor, and to advance daily in His holy ways. Save me from my enemies, and enable me to help others by my words and actions. St. John, Apostle and Evangelist. December 27. (From a collection printed in 1757.) O St. John, most worthy apostle of Jesus Christ, beloved disciple of His Heart, who by a remarkable privilege of divine love merited to rest on the sacred bosom of my Saviour, there to taste all sweetness, and to draw from the source of His most Sacred Heart the secrets of heaven, in the name of this Sacred Heart, I pray you deign to obtain His love for me, but a love which shall never be extinguished ; mingle its sweetness with all the sorrows which overwhelm my heart, and deign to fill my soul with heavenly consolations. Oh! I . beseech you, beloved apostle, that the grace of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus may visit my heart, that it may give me the spirit of charity and zeal, that it may sanctify my soul and make me respond worthily to His love with mine. Finally that for me, as for all, the Heart of Jesus may be my refuge in danger, my joy in sorrow, my peace in afflic- tion, and at the hour of death my eternal salva- tion. Amen. LEA G UE PA TRONS t I j 5 Novena to St. Francis Xavier Our Model and Patron. Fitness of the Devotion. The Apostleship of Prayer was founded at Vals, France, on December 3, 1844, the Feast of the Apostle of the Indies, by Father Francis Xavier Gautrelet, S.J. More- over, it combines admirably a two- fold apostolate very dear to this Saint — the conversion of souls all the world over, and the spread of devotion to the Sacred Heart. A very fitting way, then, to thank him for his past help and implore his aid in the future, is to make a novena in his honor, beginning November 25 and ending December 3, or March 4 and ending March 12. Origin of the Novena of Grace. The origin of the novena is due to the Saint himself. He appeared at Naples in December, 1 633, to Father Marcello Mastrilli, S.J. , who lay mortally wounded in the head by a blow from an iron hammer, weighing two pounds, which fell one hundred feet out of a workman's hand. There was no hope of recovery. The prayers for the dying were being said for the sufferer, who had received the last sacraments. Suddenly the Saint stood by him, clad as a pilgrim, staff in hand and radiant with heavenly light. " Will you go to India or to heaven ? " asked St. Francis, referring to a vow lately made by the dying man to go to India, if his life were spared. " I have no will but the will of God," was the answer. " Renew your vow, kiss the five wounds of the Cruci- fied, beg to shed your blood for Him. . . . Be of good cheer. You are cured." It all came to pass. The Saint then promised his help to all who should make a novena from the 4th to the 12th of March, con- fess, and receive Holy Communion. So remarkably is his promise kept that the title The A T ovena of Grace was ] i(, LI.. \ G l '!■: DE I '( > 77< i.v.s. given to it. Ii^ efficacy is not restricted to the dates mentioned. Prayers for the Novena. The Saint'- Prayer for Unbelievers. Eternal God, Creator of all things, remem- ber that the souls of unbelievers have been created by Thee, and formed to Thy own image and likeness. Behold, () Lord, how to Thy dishonor, hell is being filled with these very souls. Remember that Jesus Christ, Thy only Son, for their salvation, suffered a most cruel death. Do not permit, () Lord, I beseech Thee, that Thy Divine Son be any longer despised by unbelievers, but rather, being appeased by the prayers of Thy saints, and of the Church, the most holy Spouse of Thy Son, vouchsafe to be mindful of Thy mercy; and, forgetting their idolatry and their unbelief, bring them to know Him whom Thou didst send, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, otir Lord, who is our health, life and resurrection, through whom we have been redeemed and saved, to whom be all glory forever. Amen. () Lord Jesus Christ, love of my heart, by Thy holy Cross, and by the Five Wounds which Thy love has inflicted on Thee, help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy most precious lUood. LEA GUE PA TRONS. { f y Prayer to St. Francis Xavier. Used for the Novena from the beginning and attributed to Father Mastrilli. most lovable and loving Saint, in union with thee I adore the Divine Majesty. The remembrance of the favors with which God blessed thee during life and of thy glory after death, fills me with joy ; and I unite with thee in offering to Him my humble tribute of thanksgiving and of praise. I implore thee to secure for me, through thy powerful inter- cession, the inestimable blessing of living and dying in the state of grace. I also beseech thee to obtain the favor I ask in this novena. {Make some petition.*) But if what I ask is not for the glory of God, or for the good of my soul, do thou obtain for me what is most conducive to both. Amen. Deign, also, O great Apostle of Jesus Christ, to continue thy wonderful protection over the Apostleship of Prayer • under thy auspices, and to fulfil thy desires, was this Apostolic League founded. Make it, therefore, spread throughout the world, and produce more and more abundant fruits to the glory of the Sacred Heart. Amen. V. Pray for us, St. Francis Xavier. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 1 1 8 LEA G I E DJ-: I '( > Tli WS. Let us pray. O God, who didst vouchsafe, by the preach- ing and miracles of St. Francis Xavier, to join unto Thy Church the nations of the Indies ; grant, we beseech Thee, that we who rever- ence his glorious merits, may also imitate his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. B. Margaret Mar v. October 17. O Lord Jesus Christ, who in a wonderful manner hast revealed to Blessed Margaret Mary the unsearchable riches of Thy heart ; grant that by her merits, and after her example, we may love Thee in all things and above all things, that we may be worthy to have forever a place in Thy Heart, who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen. Prayers For a Novena to B. Margaret Mar v. O Blessed Margaret Mary, to whom our Lord has revealed and entrusted the treasures of His Sacred Heart, obtain for us, we beg Thee, a burning love for this adorable 1 1 cart and a share LEA G UE PA TRONS. ! ! n in its infinite riches. From Him, O faithful apostle of the Sacred Heart, didst thou hear these consoling and assuring words : The Promises of Our Lord. " I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life. " I will establish peace in their houses. " I will comfort them in all their afflictions. " I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death. 4 ' I will bestow a large blessing on all their undertakings. " Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy. 1 ' Tepid souls shall grow fervent. " Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection. " I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored. ' ' I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts. "Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart never to be blotted out. ' ' I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence ; they shall not die in 1 20 '■ EA (, I '/•: DE I '( ) TIONS. My disgrace nor without receiving their sacra- ments ; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment." Let us pray. O Blessed Margaret Mary, obtain for us of the Divine Heart of Jesus the fulfilment of these incomparable favors, and hasten the com- ing of His Kingdom upon earth and the triumph of His love. And Thou, Jesus, who unable to withhold the flames of Thy burning charity, hast chosen B. Margaret Mary as the means to enkindle them in our hearts, complete the glory of the apostle and lover of Thy Sacred Heart by placing on her brow the crown of the saints, and, for the triumph and glory of Thy Divine Heart, make devotion to her spread throughout the world. Amen. St. Gertrude. November 17. O (iod, who in the most pure heart of blessed Gertrude, Thy virgin, didst prepare for Thyself an acceptable dwelling-place ; merci- fully cleanse our hearts from all stain, through her merits and intercession, so that they may be found worthy to be made the dwelling-place of Thy divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord. LEA GUE PA TRONS. 12l Ven. de la Colombiere's Prayer to the Sacred Heart. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, do Thou teach me an entire forgetfulness of myself, since there is no other way of entering into Thee. Grant that I may do nothing that is not worthy of Thee. Teach me what I ought to do to attain to Thy pure love, with the desire of which Thou hast inspired me. I feel in myself a great wish to please Thee, and a great inability to do so without special light and assistance, which I can look for only from Thee. Do Thou accomplish in me, O Lord, Thy will. I oppose it, I know well ; but I would fain not do so. It is for Thee, O Divine Heart, to do all ; Thine alone shall be the glory of my sanctification if I become a saint. This is as clear to me as the day. It will be greatly to Thy glory ; and it is for this alone I desire to be perfect. Amen. St. John Baptist. June 24. May Thy Church, O God, put on gladness on the nativity of Blessed John Baptist, by whom she knew the author of her regeneration, our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. 122 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS, Promoters' Patrons. Glory be to the Heart of Jesus ', King of our hearts , and may it reign forever over all hearts / " Such among the faithful as are enrolled in the Holy League, and, inflamed with zeal for souls, devote themselves to works of piety, and on this account bear the name of Promoter, should exert themselves by every means in their power to advance the divine glory, the salvation of souls, the worship of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and other devotions approved by the Church, according to the powers granted to them. ' ' Statues v. A Plenary Indulgence Is granted on each of the fol- lowing saints' days to all Promoters of the League, on the usual conditions of confession and communion. promo ters ' pa trons. 1 2 3 St. Genevieve — Virgin. January 3. O God, who hast raised up Thy servant blessed Genevieve to enlighten and sanctify her people by her holiness of life, grant, we beseech Thee, that as she delivered them from their earthly enemies, so by her intercession we may be likewise defended from all evil of body and soul. Through Christ our Lord. St. Francis De Sales — Bishop and Doctor. January 29. O God, by whose gracious will the blessed Francis, Thy confessor and bishop, became all things unto all men for the saving of their souls ; mercifully grant that, being filled with the sweetness of Thy love, we may, through the guidance of his counsels and by the aid of his merits, attain unto the joys of life everlasting. Through Christ our Lord. St. Ignatius — Martyr. February 1. O almighty God, look down upon our in- firmity ; and because the weight of our own deeds oppresses us, let the glorious intercession of blessed Ignatius, Thy martyr and bishop, be our protection. Through Christ our Lord. 124 LEAGl r E DE VO TIONS. St. Catherine de Ricci — Virgin. February 13. O Lord Jesus Christ, who wast pleased that the blessed virgin Catherine should be inflamed with love in the comtemplation of Thy passion ; mercifully grant through her intercession that we, devoutly meditating the mystery of Thy passion, may merit to reap the fruit of the same. Through Christ our Lord. St. Frances — Widow. March 9. O God, who didst honor blessed Frances, Thy servant, among other gifts of Thy grace, with the familiar presence of an angel ; grant, we beseech Thee, that, by the help of her intercession, we may merit to be admitted into the society of angels. Through Christ our Lord. St. Joseph. March 19. May we be helped Lord, by the merits of the Spouse of Thy most holy Mother ; that what we of ourselves cannot obtain may be granted us by his intercession. Through Christ our Lord. promo ters ' pa tr ons. 1 2 5 St. Vincent Ferrer — Confessor. April 5. God, who hast vouchsafed to enlighten Thy Church with the preaching and the merits of blessed Vincent, Thy confessor ; grant unto us Thy servants, that we may be instructed by his example, and through his patronage may be delivered from adversities. Through Christ our Lord. St. Catherine of Sienna — Virgin. April 30. Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who celebrate the birthday to immortality of Thy virgin, the blessed Catherine, may both rejoice in her yearly commemoration and profit by the example of her great virtues. Through Christ our Lord. St. Monica — Widow. May 4. O God, the comforter of those that mourn, and the salvation of such as hope in Thee, who didst shew mercy to the pious tears of the blessed Monica, in the conversion of her son, Augustine ; grant to us, through their united intercession, the grace to deplore our sins, and to find pardon and favor with Thee. Through Christ our Lord. 1 26 LEA GUE DE VO TTONS. St. Gregory VII. — Pope. May 25. O God, the strength of all those that put their trust in Thee, who didst strengthen blessed Gregory, Thy confessor and pontiff, with the virtue of constancy, to the end that he might defend the liberty of Thy Church, grant us, by his example and intercession, to overcome with a good courage all that is against us. Through Christ our Lord. St. Clotilde — Queen. June 3. O God, who hast given us in blessed Clo- tilde an example of great sanctity in an exalted station of life; grant, we beseech Thee, that, like her contemning earthly honors, by her intercession we may attain to a heavenly crown. Through Christ our Lord. St. Peter Apostle. June 29. O God, who, in delivering to Thy blessed apostle Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven, didst confer on him the supreme power of binding and loosing ; grant that, by the help of his intercession, we may be loosed from the bonds of our sins. Through Christ our Lord. promoters' patroxs. 1 27 St. Paul — Apostle. June 30. O God, who by the preaching of the blessed Apostle Paul didst teach the multitude of the Gentiles ; grant, we beseech Thee, that as we celebrate his memory, so we may also feel the benefit of his patronage. Through Christ our Lord. St. Mary Magdalen. July 21. We beseech thee, O Lord, who, in answer to the prayers of blessed Mary Magdalen, didst raise again to life her brother Lazarus, after he had been four days dead, so we also may be assisted by her intercession with Thee. Through Christ our Lord. St. Ignatius of Loyola. July 31. O God, who, to extend the greater glory of Thy name, hast, through blessed Ignatius, strengthened Thy Church militant with the addition of a new army ; grant that, following his example, and assisted by his help, we may so fight the fight of faith on earth, that we may merit to be crowned with him in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. ! 2 8 lea g ue de vo tions. St. Dominic. August 4. O God, who hast vouchsafed to enlighten Thy Church by the merits and teaching of blessed Dominic, Thy confessor ; grant that, through his intercession, it may not be left destitute of tem- poral succors, and may continually advance in spiritual growth. Through Christ our Lord. St. Jane Frances. August 21. Almighty and merciful Cod, who, inflaming blessed Jane Frances with Thy love, didst endow her with a marvellous fortitude of spirit to pursue the way of perfection in all the states of life, and wast pleased through her to enrich Thy Church with a new family of religious ; grant, through her merits and intercession, that we, knowing our own weakness, and trusting in Thy strength, may, by the gift of Thy heavenly grace, overcome all things that oppose us. Through Christ our Lord. St. Catherine of Genoa. September 15. () Cod, who didst make the blessed Catherine be consumed with the (ire of divine love in contemplating the passion of Thy Son, we humbly beseech Thee, that by her intercession, PROMO TERS ' PA TRONS. 12 g Thou wouldst light the fire of love in our hearts, and, of Thy loving mercy, make us partakers of the same passion. Through Christ our Lord. St. Michael — Archangel. September 29. O God, who disposest the services of angels and men in a wonderful order; mercifully grant that those who ever stand before Thee, minister- ing to Thee in heaven, may themselves also pro- tect our life here upon earth. Through Christ our Lord. St. Francis of Assisi. October 4. O God, who, through the merits of blessed Francis, didst enrich Thy Church by a new family of religious ; grant unto us that, by imi- tating him, we may despise earthly things, and ever rejoice in the participation of heavenly gifts. Through Christ our Lord. St. Teresa. October 15. Graciously hear us, O God our Saviour ; that as we rejoice in the festivity of Thy blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished with the food of her heavenly doctrine, and advance in all holy desires. Through Christ our Lord. 13° LEA G I E DE VO TI( WS. S r. Martin of Tours. November n. God, who seest that we do not stand by any strength of our own, mercifully grant that, by the intercession of blessed Martin, Thy bishop and confessor, we may be defended against all adversity. Through ( 'hrist our Lord. St. Elizabeth — Widow. November 21. Enlighten, O God of compassion, the hearts of Thy faithful and, through the glorious prayers of blessed Elizabeth, make us despise the good things of this world, and ever delight in the consolations of heaven. Through Christ our Lord. St. Lucy — Virgin. December 13. O God, who didst endow blessed Lucy, Thy virginal spouse, with wonderful patience in trials ; grant us, by her intercession, patiently to endure all the hardships of this life for love of Thee. Through Christ our Lord. St. John — Evangelist. I December 27. Of Thy goodness, Lord, enlighten Th\ Church ; that being illumined by the doctrines of blessed John Thy Apostle and Evangelist, she may attain to everlasting gifts. Through Christ our Lord. COMMUNION OF REPA RA TION. T 3 1 Eucharistic Month. Preparations, Aspirations and Thanksgivings for receiving Holy Communion. Arranged for every day of a month. By Peter Xavier Lercari, S.J. This month shall be to you the beginning of months. Exodus xii., 2. The work is great, for a house is prepared not for man, but for God. I. Par. xxix., 1. FOR ALL WHO PRACTISE THE PERPETUAL COHHUNION OF REPARATION. The end of this society is that God, being appeased by its perpetual Communion, may merci- fully turn aside the scourge of His wrath; that the deadly injustices done every day most mali- ciously by wicked men to His divine Majesty, to our Holy Catholic Religion, and to Christ 1 s Vicar upon earth, may be in some measure repaired ; that Catholicity may be maintained everywhere and that Chris f s flock may be snatched from the jaws of ungodly men. The members are divided into two sections or classes, each section being scT'e//, or thirty in number, to each of whom is assigned a day every week or every month for approaching the holy table, rescript, Feb. 10, 1882. 1 3 2 LEA GUE DE VO TIOXS. First Day. Reparation. i. Who comes ? Christ the immortal Kins of ages, who hath on His garment and on His thigh written : King of Kings and Lord of Lords. /. Tim. /., ij ; Apoc.xix , /, 6. 2. To wham does He come? To His servant, who owes Him ten thousand talents and who has not wherewith to pay so great a debt. Matt. xviii. y 24 3. Why does He come? Not to sell out His wretched servant and seize all that he has ; but to give him His Body and Blood — where- with he may pay this enormous debt. Aspiration. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion, shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem : Behold thy King will come to thee, the Just and the Sav- iour. Zach. /.v.. 9. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart as a most powerful and kindly King : see yourself as a culprit falling down before Him and beseeching Him to have patience with you, and you will repay Him all. Matt, .it//'/'., . . COMMUNION OF REPA RA 770. V. 133 2. Love Him with your whole heart, so that, in desire and firm purpose, you will never wish anything contrary to Him, never prefer any- thing to Him, never put anything on an equali- ty with Him, never have anything which does not either actually or virtually tend to Him. 3. Beg of Him the spirit of fortitude, that you may guard His divine honor against all His enemies as a faithful servant even unto the shedding of your blood. Aspiration. Thou art Thyself my King and my God : who commandest the saving of Jacob. Through Thee we will push down our enemies with the horn, and through Thy name we will despise those that rise up against us. -ft xim.,5,6. Second Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes ? Christ the Lord, who lays upon His servants the easy yoke and the light burden of His commandments and counsels, and for momentary services promises everlasting glory. Matt xi ,30 2. To wham does He come? To you His rebellious servant, who of old have broken His yoke, burst His bonds, and said : I will not >erve. Jer. it'., 20. 134 LEA GUE DE VO TIONS. 3. Why docs He come? To draw you with the cords of Adam, with the bonds of love, and bring you back, when delivered, from the bond- age of your passions, to His service, which is far happier than being a king in your own right. Osee xi. % ./. Aspiration. Whence is this to me, that my Lord and the Son of my God should come to me? Lukei., 43. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart as your Lord, who has bought you at a great price ; see yourself as a runaway slave, who longs to return to your master with new fervor. /. Car. w., 20. 2. Love Him with your whole heart, so that you may be one of those who can say, none of us live to ourselves, and none of us die to our- selves : for whether we live, we live to the Lord ; or whether we die, we die to the Lord. Rom. xiv., 7, v . 3. Beg of Him the spirit of the fear of the Lord, that you may avoid even the slightest sin, and may fear Him alone with a chaste lo\r. Aspiration. Put, () Lord, my feet into Thy fetters, and my neck into Thy chains. EccH.vi. % z$. C0MMIW/(KY OF RE PAR A TION. 1 35 Third Day. Reparation. 1. IV/10 comes? Christ the Teacher, who teaches us things useful : who first practised what He taught ; and bestows the grace to do what He teaches. isa. xivhi., 17. 2. To whom does He come? To a pupil in the lowest class, who came not at all or late to be taught virtue, and who through levity quickly gives up practising what he heard taught. 3. Why does He come? That your eyes may see your Teacher, and your ears may hear His words, admonishing you (beneath the veil of the appearance of bread) : This is the way (the way of Christ) ; walk ye in it. Isa. xxx., 20, 21. Aspiration. Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob, and He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths. isa «, ?. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith, Christ in your heart, as your Master, who teaches you the way of perfection, what to do and what to avoid : see yourself sitting, like another Mag- dalen, at His feet, hearing His words, and learning the one thing necessary. Luke x.,39,42. j * 6 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. o 2. Love Him with your whole mind, so that you may be always united to Him in holy thoughts, and may seek peace and purity of mind to understand heavenly things. 3. Beg of Him, the spirit of knowledge, that you may discern the truth from falsehood, and may constantly follow the dictates of faith. Aspiration. Show, O Lord, Thy ways to me, and teach me Thy paths. Psai. xxiv., 4. Fourth Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes ? Christ, the Friend y faith- ful beyond compare ; who though deserted by us and wounded in Heart, never deserts us, but by His blood transforms His enemies into be- loved friends. 2. To whom does He route/ To an in- famous traitor, who so often despised His friendship, preferred sin to grace, and changed His intimacy for the empty talk of men. 3. Why does He comet To be a faithful friend and a strong defence ; and a treasure to him that hath found Him ; and that He may be more closely united through the bond of love. EccUs. .-/., /. c( wml r nion of re pa ra tion. 1 3 7 Aspiration. Show me Thy face, let Thy voice sound in my ears ; for Thy voice is sweet, and Thy face comely. Cant, a., 14. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold, with the eyes of faith, Christ in your heart as a most faithful friend, who raised you from the rank of a servant to His friend- ship : behold yourself His table companion, or rather a mean hireling, who love Him when you receive consolations, and lose your affec- tion for Him, when He punishes you for your greater good. 2. Love Him with all your strength, so that you may offer to God the powers of your soul, the senses and organs of your body in union with the powers and senses of Christ, and de- termine to use them always in His sendee. 3. Beg of Him the spirit of counsel, that you may know how to choose suitable remedies for the salvation of vour own soul, and of the souls of those under your care. Aspiration. My beloved to me, and I to Him. I to my beloved, and His turning is toward me. Cant, it., 16 ; vii., ro. 1 3 8 LEA G I '/■: DE I Y) TIONS. Fifth Day. Preparation. i. Who comes? Christ our Brother ', who though He is true God and Lord of all men, is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying : 1 will declare Thy name to my brethren. Heb it , 11,12. 2. To whom docs He conic ? To a brother, a fratricide, who, like another Cain, attacked the just Abel in the field of this world by sin- ning, and impiously slew him. 3. Why does He conic? To preserve this fratricide in his spiritual life, which He had be- fore given him, and not to drive him out as a fugitive and a vagabond upon the earth. (,'r?i. iv. , 12. Aspiration. Who shall give Thee to me for my brother, sucking the breast of my mother, that I may find Thee without, and kiss Thee, and now no man may despise me? Cant. wVi., /. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart as your elder 1 hot her, the first-born among many brethren : and see yourself as 1>\ right the least among them, or rather wholly unworthy of the name, since you are altogether unlike Ilim in life and manners. Rom.viii., COM Ml WIOX OF REPA RA TION. j 39 2. Love Him with all your might, so that you may do your utmost to fulfil faithfully the counsels and example of your first-born brother. 3. Beg of Him the spirit of understanding, that you may understand and explain the hid- den meanings of Holy Scripture. Aspiration. I want nothing else but only to find favor, my lord and my brother in thy sight. Gen. xxxiii., 75. Sixth Day. Preparation. 1 . IVJw comes ? Christ the Father of the world to come, who, of His own will, begot us by the word of truth, the Father of mercies and God of all consolation, who loves us most tenderly, and calls us His beloved sons. Isa. tx., 6 ; James i. 18 ; II. Cor. /., J. 2 . To whom does He come ? To the Prodigal Son, who went abroad into the far country of forgetfulness of God, and there wasted his substance, living, if not riotously, at least foolishly and uselessly. Luke xv , i 3 . 3. Why does He come? To meet this Prodigal Son returning to Him, to embrace him, to adorn him with the robe of grace and 1 40 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. with heavenly gifts, to refresh him with the banquet of His Body and Blood, and make him the possessor of an everlasting inherit- ance in the abode of His glory. Lukexv., 20. Aspiration. How many hired servants in my Father's House abound with bread, while I here perish with hunger? I will arise and go to my Father. Luke xv., 17, 18. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart as a most devoted Feather, who begot you on the Cross in the greatest pains ; see yourself like an erring son returning to Him from a long journey in a most wretched state, and received by Him with incredible kindness. 2. Love Him with all your strength, so that for Him you may despise health of body, life, riches, pleasures and honors. 3. Beg of Him the spirit of piety, that you may seek diligently to find out the duties you owe such a Feather, and may perfectly fulfil them. Aspiration. Feather, I have sinned against Heaven and before Thee ; I am not now worthy to be called Thy son ; make me as one of Thy hired serv- ants. Luke xv. x r8, 19. COMMUNION OF REPA RA TION. j 4 x Seventh Day. Preparation. 1. Who conies? Christ the Bridegroom, who said : I will espouse Thee to Me forever ; and I will espouse Thee to Me in justice, in judgment, in mercy and commiseration ; and I will espouse thee to Me in faith. Osee. u\, 19, 20. 2. To whom does He come ? To His faith- less spouse, who has broken faith and proved false by turning to vile creatures through pride and wrong desires. jer. m., 7, 6. 3. Why does He come ? Not to give a bill of divorce, but to pledge me to Himself again, and to place upon my brow His seal, that I may never again love anyone but Him. Aspiration. Arise ye wise virgins and trim your lamps ; behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet Him. Matt, xxv., 6, 7.. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart as a most loving Bridegroom, who loved you when you were cast out upon the face of the earth, in the abjectness of your soul, on the day you were born, and bound you to Him as His spouse by so many bonds, and wooed you by so many gifts, to love Him in return. Ezech. xvi. y 5. 142 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. 2. Love Him with all your freedom, so that you will not have power over your body and soul, but your Bridegroom will have it, who has given you power over His own Body and Blood. /. Cor. 77/., /. 3. Beg of Him the spirit of wisdom, that you may study the deep things of God : His essence, attributes, processions and decrees, in order to excite yourself to a greater love of Him. Aspiration. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my God : for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, and with the robe of justice He hath covered me, as a bridegroom decked with a crown, and as a bride adorned with her jewels. ha. Ln\, 10. Eighth Day. Preparation. 1. Who cones? Christ, the Sun of justice and the splendor of glory, the true light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. Mai. iv. t 2 • Heb. i.,j ;John /, 9. 2. To whom does J/r come.' To a blind man, walking in the region of the shadow of death, and grieving that he cannot see the light of heaven. fsa. «r., 2; Tbb. »., 12. COMMUNION OF RE PAR A TION. 143 3. Why docs He come ' To sign upon you the light of His countenance, and by His teach- ing and example to shine as a light in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your heart. Psal. iv., 7 ,- 11. Pet. / , zg. Aspiration. Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem; for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. isa. ix., 1, 2. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart as the brightness of eternal light, enlightening the hidden things of darkness : see yourself as that blind man who prayed and cried out : ' ' Lord that I may see , ' ' and whom Jesus commanded to be brought to him. Wis. viz., 26 ; I. Cor. iv. y 5 ; S. Luke xviii., //. 2. Love Him as the apple of your eye, more than anything that is pleasing to the sight, so as to determine to turn away your eyes, that they may not behold vanity. Psai.cxviii.,37. 3. Beg of Him the precious gift of faith, that you may see the things that are to be done and may have the strength to do them. Wis. ///., /./. 1 44 LEA GVE DE J r O TIONS. Aspiration. Thou lightest my lamp, Lord ; 0, my God, enlighten my darkness. Psai. xvii. y 29. Ninth Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes? Christ, the food of the wayfarer toward blessed Sion, the medicine of immortality and the pledge of eternal glory, which is not less than the promised glory itself. 2. To whom docs He come ? To a pilgrim and a stranger, who has not here a lasting city, but seeketh one to come. Heb xiii, 14. 3. Why does He come 9 That, like an- other Elias, you may walk in the strength of this food by the observance of the commandments in the days of prosperity and in the nights of adversity, unto the mount of God. ///. Kings xtz., 8, ASPIRA1 [ON, Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplica- tion ; Give ear to my tears. Be not silent : for I am a stranger with Thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were. /'•«<'• 1 1 nnn. 9 ij t COMMUNIOX OF RE PA RA TIOX. 1 45 Thanksgiving. 1 . Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in the midst of your heart, as your provider on the journey to the promised land, raining down manna for you to eat : see yourself as a wanderer in the wilderness, gathering daily this bread from heaven, until you eat forever of the blessed fruits of that land. Psal. Ixxvii., 24 ; Jos. v. 12. 2. Love Him above all aromatic perfumes and fragrance of flowers, so that you run after Him alone in the odor of His ointments, the sweet perfume of His example ; until the King bring you into His store-room. Cant.i.,3. 3. • Beg of Him the gift of hope that cannot be shaken, so that you can confidently say : in peace in the self same I will sleep, and I will rest : for Thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope. Psai. vi. % 9, w. Aspiration. I rejoiced at the things that were said to me ; we shall go into the house of the Lord. Our feet were standing in thy courts, O, Jerusalem. Psal. cx.ri. /, 2. 1 46 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. Tenth Day. Preparation. 1 . Who comes ? Christ the host, who makes a feast of fat things, a feast of wine : of fat things full of marrow, and of wine purified from the lees. isa.xxv.,6. 2. To whom does He come ? To a man, not clothed in the wedding garment, or at least who has stained it with many defects ; and who is wholly unworthy of so great a feast. Matt, xxii., 11. 3. Why does He come ? In order that being fed at this banquet, you may disdain the insipid and baneful food of the world ; and hunger only for the marriage supper of the Lamb, of which the Eucharist is the type. Apoc. xix., 9. Aspiration. Who will give us of His flesh that we may be filled? For His flesh is meat indeed, and His blood is drink indeed. Job. xxxi.,31 ,■ John vi., 5 6. Thanksgiving ;. 1. l'ehold with the eyes of faith Christ in the midst of your heart, girded, as it were, with the Eucharistic species and ministering to you the food which endureth unto life everlasting: see yourself eating this most delicious food to satiety and yet hungering for it out of love. John .1///., / ,■ 7 7., 27 .• Eccl. 1 2g. COMMUNION OF REPA RA TION. l *j 2. Love Him above all sweet and toothsome foods, so that restraining yourself from all ex- cesses of the appetite, you may begin to taste and to see that the Lord is sweet. Psal. xxxiii., g, 3. Beg of Him the gift of most fervent charity, that you may have a relish for God alone, and that everything outside of God may be distasteful. Aspiration. Who am I, Thy servant, that thou shouldst look upon such a dead creature as I am and shouldst place me among the guests at Thy ta kl e ? //. Kings, ix.,8 ; xix. , 28. Eleventh Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes? Christ the most delight- ful guest, who daily entertains and feeds, and gives drink to the unthankful, and in return hears bitter words: who even now stands at the door of your heart and knocks. Eccles. xxix.,32 ; Apoc. iii. y 20. 2. To whom does He come? To your ungrateful soul, of whom He complains : I was a stranger and you took me not in, in order that you might have room for earthly affections. Matt, xxv., 43. 1 48 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. 3. Why does He conic/ In order that hearing His voice and opening to Him the door of my heart, He might come in to you, and sup with you and you with Him. Apoc. Hi., 20. Aspirations. Make haste and come down (by humility. 1 for this day I must abide in your house. Come in, blessed Lord ; why standest Thou without ? I have prepared the house. Luke xix., 5 / Gen. xxiv., ji. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as a most kindly guest, whose con- versation is sweeter than honey and the honey- comb ; see yourself as the host of so great a guest amid a brilliant company. 2. Love Him above all melody and every thing that can please the ears, so that you can turn a deaf ear to the voice of those who tell you fables, but not as the law of your Cod. Psal. cxviii.y 85. 3. I>eg of Him the virtue of prudence, so that henceforth you may be no more like a child tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the wickedness of men, by cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive. Eph. /.-., /■/. COMMUNIOX OF RE PA RA TrON. i^g Aspiration. His conversation hath no bitterness, nor His company any tediousness, but joy and glad- ness. Wis. viii., 16. Twelfth Day. Preparation. 6. Who comes ? Christ your beloved, white and ruddy ; white beneath the appearance of bread, ruddy beneath the appearance of wine ; chosen out of thousands, and He is all lovely. Cant. v.. 10. 16. 2. To whom does He come? To His beloved, whom from the greatness of His love He calls His love, His fair one, His beautiful one, His spotless one ; not because such is the case, but because He would have it so. 3. Why does He come ? To kiss you with the kiss of His mouth in the Eucharist, and to bring you into the store-house of His wounds, and there to speak to your heart of His love. Cant. /., /, ? ,• Osee u. t 14. Aspiration. I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell Him that I languish with love. Cantv.,8. ISO LEA G UE DE VO TIOXS. Thanksgiving. i. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as your beloved, asking your love and your embraces; see yourself as so unloving in return for His love, who have so often wandered after the flocks of your companions. Cant, j., 6. 2. Love Him above all the senseless and foolish pleasures of the flesh, that you may crucify your flesh with its vices and lusts. Gal. v., 24. 3. Beg of Him the virtue of temperance, so that you can govern and repress all the movements of concupiscence, and in all things be master. Aspiration. I have found Him whom my soul loveth ; I hold Him and will not let Him go. Cant, ///.,./. Thirteenth Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes ? Christ, the heir of a most wealthy Father, who, being rich, became poor for our sakes, that through His poverty we might be rich. //. t 'at . wYi., 9. 2. To whom does He come To the beg- gar Lazarus, lying at his gate full of sores, de- siring to be filled with the crumbs that fall from the table of this rich man. Luke xvi. % *o, 21. COM Ml WION OF RE PA RA TIOX. jcj 3. Why does He come t To give into your bosom good measure of His graces, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Luke vi. , 38. Aspiration. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the hand- maid are on the hands of her mistress : so are our eyes unto the Lord our God until He have mercy on us. p sa i. exxii., 2. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith, Christ in your heart pouring out upon thee, as it were, the riches of His love ; see yourself as a pauper, laying bare to Him your troubles and your needs. 2. Love Him above all the pomp and riches of the world, so that the things that once were gain to you, now you account loss and of no value that you may gain Christ. Phil.iii., 7, 8. 3. Beg of Him the virtue of justice, that apart from all avarice you may render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. Matt, xxii., 21. Aspiration. Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will tell you what great things He hath done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and I extolled Him with my tongue. Psal. I xv., /6, 17. 152 LEAGUE DE VO TIONS. Fourteenth Day. Preparation. i. ]]lw comes ? The hidden God, the God of Israel, the Saviour, who changed His dre— . laying aside His majesty, that He might come to you and converse familiarly with you. III. Kings xxii., jo. 2. To whom docs He come ? To a man whom He wishes to be hidden, saying to him : enter into your chamber and shut your door upon you and hide yourself a little for a moment. is. xxvi. y 20. 3. Why docs He come? To hide you in the secret of His face from the disturbance of men : to lead you into the wilderness to speak to your heart, and manifest Himself to you. Psal. xxx. , 21 ; Osee. ii. t 14 ; John xiv., 21. Aspiration. If I have found favor in Thy sight, show me Thy face, that I may know Thee. E voii .. r.r.r///., rj. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold, with the eyes of faith, Christ in \ our heart offering you the hidden manna, which no man knoweth, but he that receivetb it : » yourself gloriously hiding in His bosom. . I Lor. if., /j. COMMUNIOh OF REPARATION 153 2. Love Him above all honors and dignities, so that your glory in this life be no other than for love of Him, to be hidden and be despised. 3. Beg of Him the virtue of fortitude, so that not looking at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, you can despise all earthly things as vile, can overcome difficult and hard things, and tend toward great and lofty things. 11. Cor. tv., 18. Aspiration. Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest? Lo, I have gone far off, flying away, and I abode in the wilderness. Psal. liv., 7, 8. Fifteenth Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes? Christ the wine which produces virgins, which the Lord prepared for those who are sad of heart, that they may drink and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more. Zach.ix. 17 ,- Prov. xxxi., 7. 2. To whom does He come? To you, whom He hath set upon high land, even in the Church, that you might eat the fruits of the field, might suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the hardest stone, and might drink the purest blood of the grape. Dent, xxxu., /?, 14. 1 54 LEA GUE DE VO TIOXS. 3. Why does He come ? To give you a cup of spiced wine, and new wine of His pome- granates, that He might inebriate you with His charity. Cant. :///., 2. Aspiration. Come, eat my bread and drink the wine which I have mingled for you. Forsake childishness and live and walk by the ways of prudence. Prov., i.r. % 5, 6. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, washing your robes in wine, that is, washing your soul in His Blood : see yourself led into His store-house, and receiving from His hand the chalice of wine, not of His fury but of His love. Gen. xlix.f u ; Cant, ii., 4 ; Jer. xxi .. 15. 2. I,ove Him with a chaste love even as the holy virgins loved Him, so that you may not have spot nor wrinkle, nor any such thing, but may be holy and spotless. Ephes. r.,27. 3. Beg of Him (leanness of heart, that the eye of your mind having been purified, you may be raised to contemplate His beauty. COMMUNION OF RE PA RA TION. j 55 Aspiration. Thou hast prepared a table before me, against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it ! Psal. xx it.. 5. Sixteenth Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes / Christ the Bread of God, which came down from Heaven, and giveth life to the world ; a rich bread yielding dain- ties tO kings. John vi. % S3; Gen.xlix., 20. 2 . To whom does He come ? To the Canaanean — your soul — to whom it can be justly said : It is not good to take the bread of the children, and cast it to the dogs. yratt. xv., 26. 3. Why does He come? That He might be bread to strengthen your heart and nourish your soul, that you may never again faint in the way of the Lord. Psal. da., 15. Aspiration. Lord, help me, for even the whelps eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table. Matt, xv., 25, 27. j 5 6 LEAG UE DE VO TIONS. Thanksgiving. i. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart breaking bread to you who are hungry : see yourself as a whelp picking up the rich and precious crumbs. is: iviii., 7. 2. Love Him with a constant love even as the holy confessors loved Him, so that like a wise man you may continue in wisdom as the sun, and not like a fool, change as the moon. Eccles. xxvii., 12. 3. Beg of Him the true spirit of poverty, that having renounced all things, you may the more readily run along the path of perfection, which leads straight to the kingdom of Heaven. Aspiration. Thou didst feed Thy people with the food of angels, and gavest them bread from Heaven prepared without labor, having in it all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste. Wis. x:i. 20. Seventeenth Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes ? Christ the High Priest. holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens : who, in the days of His flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offering up prayers and supplications, was heard for His reverence. neb. vii ., 26 : ». 7. COMMUNION OF REPARATION. i$j 2 . To whom does He come ? To one of those to whom it was said : you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people. /. Peter a.. 9. 3 . Why does He come ? To consecrate your bosom for a temple of His Divinity and your heart for an altar, and that you might have a most acceptable victim to offer to the eternal Father in the odor of sweetness. Aspiration. The Lord, whom you seek, and the angel of the Testament, whom you desire shall come to His temple. Mai. m., 1. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as the great high priest that passed into the heavens ; and who comes down again out of love to unite Himself to you ; see your- self as His minister appointed to wait upon Him. Heb. iv., 14. . 2. Love Him with an exact love, as the holy bishops loved Him, so that you in the service of ministering to so great a Pontiff, may avoid even the least want of care. 3. Beg of Him a merciful heart, that you may obtain everlasting mercy from Him, who tempted in all things, as we are, without sin, knows how to have compassion on our infirmi- ties. Heb. iv. y 15. 1 5 g LEA G UE DE VOTIONS. Aspiration. We have received Thy mercy, O God, in the midst of Thy temple. According to Thy name, God, so also is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth. Psai.xiva. w. Eighteenth Day. XVIII. — Preparation. i . Who comes ? Christ, the Man of Sor- rows and acquainted with infirmity, who was wounded for our iniquities and was bruised for our sins. is. ////., 3, 5. 2. To 7c/iom docs He come ? To your most delicate soul, an enemy of the Cross of Christ, who seek to be crowned with roses, when Christ, your leader, was crowned with thorns. Phil, iti., is. 3. Why does He come/ To forbid you to glory save in the cross of Him by whom the world is crucified to you and you are crucified to the world ; that you should bear His marks in your body. Gal. w., /./, /;. Aspiration. Till the day break, and the shadows retire, 1 will go to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense. Cant.,iv.,6. COMMUNION OF REPA RA TION. I59 Thanksgiving. i. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as a bloody spouse ; see yourself as His ungrateful spouse, who, though you show the death of the Lord daily, have not yet learned to die to the world. Exod. iv. , 25 ; I. Cor. xx. , 26. 2. Love Him with a strong love even as* the holy martyrs loved Him, so that you may dare to say : Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? shall tribulation, or distress, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or persecu- tion, or the sword ? Rom. vm., 3 , 5 . 3. lieg of Him a salutary sorrow, that as the sufferings of Christ abound in you, so also by Christ may your comfort abound. II Cor. i., 5. Aspiration. A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me ; He shall abide in my bosom, in my mind and in my will. Cant, i., 12. Nineteenth Day. Preparation. 1 . Who comes ? Christ, who professes Himself to be as a mother, when he said : Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb ? And if she should forget, yet will not I forget you. fs. xlix. t /). 1 60 LEA G UE DE VO TIOXS. 2. To whom (foes He come ? To you, small in spirit, nursed with the breasts of kings ; of whom He is in labor again, until He be formed in you. is. ix. t 16; Gai. /«-., 19. 3. Why does He come ? That as a new- born babe you might desire the rational milk without guile ; and, doing the truth in charity, ^ou may in all things grow up in Christ, who is the head. /. Pet. «., 2 ; Eph. w. t 15. Aspiration. Come, and buv wine and milk without money, and without any price. is. iv. t 1. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as a most loving mother carrying you at the breasts, and caressing you upon her knees : see yourself as a new-born babe sucking the milk of divine consolations. is. ixvi. t 12. 2. Love Him with a tender love, even as the holy apostles loved Him, so that you never suffer yourself, not even for a moment, to be torn from His bosom and from His presence. 3. Beg of Him childlike meekness, that learning of Him who is meek and humble of heart, you may become like a little child and so enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt. .»/.. . COMMUNION OF REPARA TION. l ( il Aspiration. My father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord hath taken me up. /*«/. xxvi., 10 ' Twentieth Day. Preparation. i. Who comes? Christ, the expectation of nations, the desire of the everlasting hills : who with desire desired to eat this pasch with you, to show you how much He loved vou. Gen. xlix., 10, 26 ; Luke xxii., 75. 2. To 7uhom does He come? To your slothful soul, which desires kill : who will and will not, as a dove that is decoyed, not having a heart. Prov. xxi., 25 ; viii.\ 4 ; Osee viz., 11. 3- Why does He come ? To send from on high the fire of efficacious desires into your bones, and to teach you. For the beginning of wisdom is the most true desire of discipline. Lam. /., 1 j ; Wis. vi., 18. Aspiration. My soul hath desired Thee in the night ; yea, and with my spirit within me, in the morning early I will watch for Thee. Is. xxvi., (j. ! 6 2 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. Thanksgiving. i. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, out of desire sitting as it were at the door of your heart ; see yourself as if still heavy with sleep and not daring to arise and open to your beloved. Wis.vi.,15. 2. Love Him with a longing love ever as the holy patriarchs loved Him, so that you seek Him whom your soul loveth, in the streets and the broad ways, and ask the watchmen who kept .the city, whether they have seen Him whom your soul loveth. Cant. Hi., 2, 3. 3. Beg of Him hunger and thirst for justice, so that always aspiring to perfection, you may deserve to attain everlasting satiety. Aspiration. My heart hath said to Thee : My face hath sought Thee ; Thy face, () Lord, will I still seek. Thy name and Thy remembrance are the desire of my soul. fta/. < m., v is. it,-/.. \ Twenty=first Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes} Christ, a consuming fire, who maketh His angels spirits, and His min- isters a flame of Tire: who came to cast lire on the earth, and what wills He but that it be kindled ? Dent. iv. t 24; Heb. /., 7 ; Luki xiu y ./., ?. Twenty=third Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes ? Christ, the pearl of great- est price, for which if a man should give all the substance of his house, he shall despise it as 1 66 LEA G UE DE VO T/O.XS. nothing : for all gold, in comparison of it, is as a little sand, and silver in respect to it shall be counted as clay. Cant, via., ~ ,■ Wis. vii. t 9. 2. To whom does lie come? To a foolish merchant, who for a handful of barley, and a piece of bread, bartered this priceless gem. Ez. xiii. t 19. 3. Why docs He come? That having found this one precious pearl, you may now wisely sell all that you have and buy it. Matt. xiiu % 46 Aspiration. Put me (saith the Lord) as a seal upon your heart to love Me, as a seal upon your arm to work for me. Cant, r///., 6. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as that which is holy given to dogs ; and as a pearl cast before swine; see yourself as a brute animal which neither merits nor knows its price. Matt. vii. t 6; jobxxviii^ 13. 2. Desire out of love to seek Him earnestly ; which you will do if you contemplate His per- fections that attract you to love Him : if vou beg for light to know Him better; if vou ask your spiritual director about Him and the way of seeking Ilim; and if you do not rest in any- thing outside of God. COM Ml Nli )JV OF REPARA TIOX. j 6 7 3. Beg of the Lord the virtue or the gift of prayer, by which, always seeking His face, you may so ask that it shall be given to you ; so seek that you shall find ; so knock that it shall be opened to you. Psai. civ. ,4; Matt, vii.,7. Aspiration. Rejoice with me, because I have found the coin which I had lost. Lukexv.,?. Twenty -fourth Day. Reparation. 1. Who comes? Christ, the tree of life \ bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruits every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Apoc.xxii.,2. 2. To whom does He come ? To the vineyard of the foolish man, which was all filled with nettles, and thorns of earthly desires had covered it : which had long been expected to bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. Prov. xxiv. f jo ,• is. v., 2. 3. Why does He come? That being en- grafted in this tree of life, you might bring forth the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which are charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, conti- nency and chastity. Gai. v., 22, 23. 1 68 league devotions. Aspiration. Let my beloved come into His garden and eat the fruit of His apple trees. All the fruits, the old and the new, my beloved, I have kept for Thee. Cant, v., i ; vii. t 13. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as a most beautiful and fruitful vine : see yourself as a branch drawing from it the sap of grace, by which you will be able to put forth the leaves of holy words, the flowers of good desires, and the fruits of pious actions. John v., 75. 2. Desire out of love to labor unceasingly, to let no occasion of profiting slip by, lest later on, the Lord having vainly expected fruits of you this year also, should finally order you to be cut down and cast into the fire. Luke xiii., y. 3. Beg of the Lord the virtue of unweary- ing carefulness, that having your soul always in your hands, you may not cease to root out vices and cultivate virtues. fta / iArn/ \ } I09 , Aspira DION. I sat down under His shadow, whom I de- sired, and His fruit was sweet to my palate. ( \int. if., ,\ CO MM C f NION OF RFPA RA TION. \ 69 Twenty-fifth Day. Preparation. 1. Who conies? Christ, the leader of the nations, and the Lord of Hosts, who came not to send peace but the sword : who overcame the strong man armed, and took away all his armor wherein he trusted. Isa. lv. t 4 ; Matt. x.. 34 ; Luke xi., 21 ', 22. 2. To whom does He come ? To His sol- dier, a deserter, who by the greatest perfidy went over to the camp of the enemy, or at least halted between two sides, swearing by the Lord, and swearing by a false god. Iff. Kings xviii., 21 ; Soph. i. ,5. 3. Why does He come ? To gird about your loins with truth, to put on you the breast-plate of justice, to give you the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one ; to provide you with the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. /;/>//. in. 14, r6, ij. Aspiration. The Lord putteth an end to wars, the Lord is His name. He hath set His camp in the midst of His people, to deliver us from the hand of all our enemies. fudithxvi. y ? /. I jo LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. Thanksgiving. i. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as the most devoted leader, teach- ing your hands to fight, and your fingers to war ; see yourself as a private soldier and a coward, but now determining to fight for Him alone. Psal. xcitti., i. 2. Desire out of love to uphold the cause indefatigably, so that laboring as a good sol- dier of Christ you may bear willingly and cheerfully hunger, thirst, cold, heat and all the other hardships of the Christian warfare. II. Tim. //'., ?. 3. Beg of the Lord the virtue of mortifica- tion and self-denial, that you may so run not as at an uncertainty, so fight not as one beat- ing the air ; but may chastise your body, and bring it into subjection. rcor. ix. y 26,27. Aspiration. As the Lord liveth, and as my Lord the King liveth, in what place soever Thou shalt be, () Lord, my King, either in death or in life, there will Thy servant be. U.King 21. Twenty sixth Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes? Christ, the fountain of lift\ the fountain open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for the COMMl \\7( W OF REPA RA TION. T 7 r washing of the sinner ; and he that thirsteth, let him come ; and he that will, let him take the water of life freely. Psal. xxxv., io, • Zach. iii mi /,• Apoc. xxii., /-. 2. To whom docs He come? To one of the foolish persons who have forsaken this foun- tain of living water, and have digged for them- selves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. j er ii%i 7J 3. Why does He come ? That drinking of this water, you may not thirst forever ; but that this water may become in you a fountain of water springing up into life everlasting. John tv. , ij, 77. Aspiration. My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God ; when shall I come and appear before the face of God ? Psa i. xii., 2. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as a fountain of living water, pour- ing out the waters of the spirit upon the thirsty and dry ground of your soul : see yourself as another Samaritan, asking of Him 'again and again : Lord, give me this water, that I may not thirst. Is.xliv., 3 ; Jokntv. t i 5 . 172 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. 2. Desire out of love to seek with eagerness that, for desire of virtue, you may grow faint, as it were, with thirst for heavenly things, and delight in no earthly thing. 3. Beg of the Lord the virtue of humility, because the Lord sends forth springs in the vales, in the midst of the hills the waters shall pass; that is, He giveth grace to the humble but resists the proud. Psal.ciii., 10; I. Pet. v., 5. Aspiration . Let us draw waters with joy out of the Saviour's fountains. ls.xii.,3. Twenty =seventh Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes? Christ, the hunter of hearts, whose arrows never turned back. The sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals that lay waste. //• Kings /'., 22 ; Psal. c.vt.v., /. 2. To whom does I Fe come ? To your soul, as to one of the roes that abide in the woods, straying among the thorn-bushes of this world, and avoiding the darts that might bring you to your senses. //. Kings //., is. COMMUNION OF REPARA TION. 173 3. Why does He eo?)ie ? That brought down with the dart of His love, you may at length yield to the hunter ; and wounded you may wound, and struck you may strike other wild and wayward souls. Aspiration. He will make my feet like the feet of harts ; and He, the conqueror, will lead me upon my high places singing psalms. Bad. m., 79. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as an archer, who hath bent his bow, and set you as a mark for His arrows ; He hath shot into your veins the daughters of his quiver, which are the darts of love. Lam. iii., 12, /?. 2. Desire out of love to run quickly, not fleeing, but pursuing with eager steps, your hunter, if by any means you may apprehend, wherein you are also apprehended by Christ JeSUS. Phil. Hi., 12. 3. Beg of the Lord a most ardent zeal for souls, that you may be a stout hunter before the Lord, and may have something of your hunting to offer Him, that His soul may bless yOU. Gen. _r., 9 ,• xxvii., 19. 174 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. Aspiration. Thy arrows are fastened in me ; and Thy hand hath been strong upon me. Psal. .r.r.r :-//'., j. Twenty =eighth Day. Preparation. i. Who comes/ Christ, the Redeemer, Avho not with corruptible things as gold and silver redeemed you from your vain conversa- tion : but with His Precious Blood, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled. /. Put. /., /\ i 9 . 2. To whom does He come? To the cap- tive daughter of Sion, sitting by the waters of Babylon and weeping ; who was sold for nought and shall be redeemed without money. Psal cxxxvi. x i ; Isa. ///.,. 5*. 3. Why does He come/ To forgive you all your iniquities and to heal all your diseases : to redeem your life from destruction, and to crown you with mercy and compassion. /W. cii. % s- Aspiration. For Sion* s sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of Jerusalem I will not rest till her Just One come forth as brightness, and her Saviour be lighted as a lamp. rs.ixii. $ i. COM Ml T NION OF REPA RA TION. j 75 Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as your Redeemer, who by His Cross has overcome the yoke of your burden, the rod of your shoulder, and the sceptre of your oppressor ; see yourself as a captive, restored by His grace to the glorious liberty of the children of God. is. ix., 4; Rom. via., 21. 2. Desire out of love to dare great things, so that moved and impelled by God, who spared not even His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, you may be bold enough to ask great things and undertake hard things for HlS Sake. Rom. viii.,32. 3. Beg of the Lord the virtue of fraternal charity, that as He laid down His life for you, so you may likewise lay down your life for the brethren. /. John m , 16 Aspiration. Behold, God is my saviour, I will deal con- fidently, and will not fear : because the Lord is my strength, and my praise, and He is be- come my salvation. isa.xii,2. T\venty=ninth Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes ? Christ, who is in Himself the source of all good which God shows us. I 7 6 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. and to which He invites all, saying : hearken diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and your soul shall be filled with fatness. Exod. xxxiii., ig ; Isa. v., 20. 2. To whom does He come ? To a most wretched creature, whom evils without number have surrounded, who foolishly calls evil good, and good evil. Psai.xi.,i^ ; is.xxxv.,20. 3. Why does He come ? To show you what is good and what the Lord requires of you ; to satisfy your desire with good things ; and to place you over all His goods. Mich, vi., 8 ; Psal. cii., 5 / Matt. xxiv. y jj. Aspiration. For what have I in heaven? And besides Thee, what do I desire upon earth ? For Thee my flesh and my heart have fainted away : Thou art the God of my heart, and the (iod that is my portion forever. Psal. /.r.r//., 25, 26. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as the treasure of infinite good- ness ; see yourself as an abyss of miseries, receiving of His fulness every bust gift and every perfect gift. John i. t 16; James i, t 21. COMMUNION OF REPA RA TION. 177 2. Desire out of love to bind Him to your- self indissolublv, that you may ahvavs hold fast to God in mind and heart ; and that nothing may separate you from the love of Christ. Rom. viii. 39. 3. Beg of the Lord a continual exercise of the presence of God, that walking before Him, you may be perfect : that, as His delight is to be with the sons of men, so your delight may be to be with the Son of God. Gen. xvii.) 1 ; Prov. viii., 31. Aspiration. Having all things together in Thee alone, the light of my eyes, the comfort of my life, I ought not to let Thee go from me. Tab. x., 4, 5. Thirtieth Day. Preparation. 1. Who comes? Christ, the most watch- ful Shepherd of souls, who knows His sheep and gives His life for His sheep ; but now He comes to seek and visit them, as the shepherd visits his flock. John x. y 14, is; Ez. xxxiv., 11, 12. 2. To whom does He come ? To His fool- ish little sheep, wandering in the wilderness of this world and exposed to attacks of wild beasts and robbers. 1 7 8 LEA G UE DE I '( ) TIONS. 3. Why does He come ? To find you, and when He hath found you, he lays you upon his shoulders rejoicing, and calling together the angels and saints, says : Rejoice with me be- cause I have found my sheep, which was lost. Luke xv., 5, 6. Aspiration. I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost, seek thy servant, because I have not forgotten thy commandments. ft©/, cxviii. 176. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, as a most loving shepherd who feeds you with His flesh and gives you His blood to drink. See yourself as a sheep of His pasture, who, through His kindness, hears His voice and follows Him. Psal. xcix., j ; John r., 16. 2. Desire out of love to become a holocaust of a sweet odor, so that you may determine to do with yourself spiritually what was done to a victim: it was separated from the flock, bound, slain, flayed, washed, divided into pieces and burned upon the altar. 3. l>eg of the Lord the virtue of religion, that you may offer to (lod, to whom you belong wholly, worship, honor, and exterior and in- terior reverence, and may most sincerely devote yourself to I lim. COMMUNION OF RE PA RA T/ON jjg Aspiration. The Lord ruleth me as a shepherd, and [ shall want nothing. He hath set me in a place of pasture, he hath brought me up by the water of refreshment, he hath converted my soul. Psal. xx •//'., /, 2, j. Thirty=first Day. Preparation. i. Who comes ? Christ, the pattern of all sanctity and virtue, which of old was shown on Mount Calvary, and is now daily shown in the Eucharist; to which all the elect should be made conformable. Exod. xxv., 40; Rom. via., 29 . 2. To whom does He come? To His own image and likeness, in which by sin the gold has become dim, the finest color is changed ; because when man was in honor, he did not understand, he is compared to senseless beasts, and is become like to them. Gen. ?'., 26 ; Lam. iv. % I ; Psal. xlviii., ij. 3. Why docs lie come? That with open face beholding the glory of the Lord you may be transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. //. Cor. Hi.. iS. i so lea g ue de vo tions. Aspiration. May it please my Lord to go before His servant : and I will follow in His footsteps until I come to my Lord. Gen. xxxih.,14. Thanksgiving. 1. Behold with the eyes of faith Christ in your heart, proposing to you the example of His life, that you may look and do according to it : see yourself as an unskilful painter draw- ing the first lines in imitation, but one day to bear the image of the heavenly even as you have borne the image of the earthly. Exod. xxv., 40 ; I. Cor. xx., 49. 2. Desire out of love to become perfectly like Him, that you may put on, as far as man can, the perfections of God ; and that you may imitate His virtues, especially those shown in the Eucharist : charity, humility, and obedi- ence. 3. Beg of the Lord a complete conformity with the divine will ; that God may boast of you, saying : I have found a man according to my own heart, who shall do all my will. Acts xiii.y 22. Aspiration. With Christ I am nailed to the cross. And I live, now not I, but Christ liveth in me. (,ii!. //'., 79, 20, LEA G UE SER VICES. 1 8 1 League Services. It is not required to hold any public League services ; still it is a great help to the devotion of the Associates, and in strict accordance with our practices of mutual prayer to meet together and offer prayers in common. First Friday or Other Evenings. Choral Service. The most proper evening League service is what is called the "Choral Service,' on page 225. Even where it is not possible to chant the Litanies and other prayers, it is well to recite them, adding — 1. Opening prayer, page 182. 2. Litany, page 106 ; then the usual — a. League notifications. b. Special thanksgivings, from the Messenger. c. Special intentions, followed by a decade of the beads with prayer, page I S3. d. Monthly or weekly sermon. On First Friday evenings this latter should be on the General Intention, as explained in the Messenger \ with the prayer on page 183. Suitable topics for the weekly instructions will also be found in the Messenger, or in some of the standard League works known as the Sacred Heart Library. Where it is permitted, the services should conclude with Benediction of the Blessed .Sacrament, followed by a League hymn. 1 82 LEA G UE DE VO TIOXS. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. J?. Amen. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart ; _R. Make my heart like unto Thine ! sweetest Heart of Jesus, we implore ; R. That we may love Thee ever more and more ! Let us yray. May Thy Holy Spirit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, light up in our hearts that fire which our Lord Jesus Christ came to cast on earth and desired so earnestly to see enkindled. V. Amen. Thy Kingdom come ! J?. Thy Kingdom come ! Let us pray, () Lord Jesus Christ, who hast promised that wherever two or three shall be gathered together in Thy name Thou wilt be there in the midst of them, look down with compassion and mercy and love upon us, who are now united before Thee, in the lowliness of our hearts, to honor Thy Sacred Heart, and in the desire to make It known and loved by all. Come into the midst of us, sweet Jesus, and fill our hearts with Thy blessing and inflame them with Thy love. Amen. Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love. R. Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation. LEA G L 7<: SER VICES. x 83 Litany or Hymn. Particular Intentions Recommended. A Decade of the Beads. Prayer. We beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to hear our prayer for all those intentions which have this month been recommended to us by the piety of the fellow-members of the League. They desire in the sincerity of their hearts to prefer the interests of Thy glory before their own necessities, and they pray rather for the triumph of Thy Kingdom than for their own good. Yet, Lord, we know well that Thou art infinitely rich, and art not outdone in generos- ity. We beseech Thee, then, to look with especial favor upon these petitions, since they are the desires of those who prefer Thy honor before all. Thou canst read all hearts, Thou knowest each one's need. Grant, there- fore, O most merciful Father, a speedy and abundant answer to every prayer which we com- mend to Thee through the Sacred Heart of Thy Divine Son. Instruction. [On First Fridays, the General Intention, see Messenger.] Prayer. O Almighty and Eternal Clod, great indeed is the honor which Thou dost grant to the Apostleship of Prayer, when every month some 1 84 LEA G UE DE I r O TIONS. especial interest of the Sacred Heart is, by Thy Holy Church herself, committed to our zeal. Permit not, O Lord, that we should be indif- ferent to the interests of that loving Heart, for which Thou dost deign to ask our prayers. Do Thou Thyself teach us to pray fervently, and grant the petition, which we offer Thee in union with all our Associates, throughout the whole world. O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee the prayers, works and suf- ferings of this day for all the intentions of Thy Divine Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass ; and in particular for the Intention recommended to the Apostleship of Prayer this month, viz. : (Mention the Intention.) Hymn. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. During Benediction it is customary to read an Act of Consecration, page 196, or of Reparation, page 235, After Benediction recite the " Divine Praises,' ' page 2. In some Centres it is customary after the instructions, to read the following prayers : For the Assouan >, Look down, () Eternal Father, upon this Thy family of the Apostleship of Prayer, whi< h, though scattered through all the nations of the earth, is still united in the common de- sire to spread the devotion to the Sacred Heart, LEA GUE SER VICES. j 85 and to make Thy Kingdom come. Behold, O Lord, from how many million hearts the Morning Offerings ascend to Thee. Deign to accept them in the odor of sweetness and make them fruitful in salvation for the souls of sinners. Listen to the pleadings of that Divine inter- ceding Heart, in union with which we pray. Forget not the bitter agony which He has en- dured, and let not His precious blood be shed in vain. May His patient love prevail over our ingratitude, and bring all sinners in true repentance to Thy feet. Grant also, that the Holy League may daily grow in numbers and in fervor, and spread its influence through all hearts. Prayer for the Dying. O most merciful Jesus, lover of souls, we pray Thee, by the agony of Thy most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Thy Immaculate Mother, cleanse in Thy blood the sinners of the whole world, who are now in their agony and are to die this day. R. Amen. V. Heart of Jesus, by Thine agony, R. Have pity on the dying. Add the prayers for the dead, page 18. Then, unless Benediction is to follow, Benedict™ Dti OmnipotentiSi etc. 1 86 LEA G ( E DE VO TIONS. First Friday Homings. In country parishes, in community chapels, and even in many city parishes, it is not practicable to hold evening services. In such Centres, it is customary to have some devotions after Mass. The famous privilege of saying the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart on the First Friday. is granted for churches in which some special exercises of piety in honor of the Sacred Heart are held on that morning. The following programme will be found use- ful : Prayers, page 182 Particular Intentions, decade and prayer, page 183. Short Instruction (General Intention). Prayer, page 183. Hymn, with Benediction, or Prayers, pages 184, and Blessing. The Sunday for Communion of Reparation. The prayers in the following service are meant for those who make the Communion of Reparation in common, but may also be used for Communions of Reparation made at any time. Begin with the Divine Praises, page 2. Act of Reparation. Heboid, () Divine Heart of Jesus, we humbly kneel before Thee, and offer Tine all the praise and adoration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, of all the angels and saints in heaven, and of the entire Church upon earth, and desire that Thou ma vest be thus adored, praised and revered by every creature through all eternity LEA G f '/■- SER I ICES. 1 87 We return thanks to Thee for all the gifts of nature, grace and glory, which are unceas- ingly being poured forth from Thee, who art the fathomless source of all good. In union with all loving souls we desire to make repara- tion for all unbelievers, and for all the ingrati- tude, coldness, indifference, sacrileges and of- fences which Thou dost receive from mankind in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. We humbly beseech Thee graciously to accept, in satisfaction for all these irreverences, our faith, our hope and our love, and mercifully to hear our prayers. / ". Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on Thy holy Church, have mercy on all spiritual and temporal powers, and on all the faithful ! R. We humblv beseech Thee to hear us. J '. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy upon all the members of this League which is conse- crated to Thy honor and glory. R. We humbly beseech Thee to hear us. V. Sacred Heart of Jesus, we commend to Thee our particular intentions. R. We humbly beseech Thee to hear us. V. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on the souls of the faithful departed, and particu- larly on those who during their life-time be- longed to this League. R. We humbly beseech Thee to hear us. The Eucharistic Reparation, page 51. i ss lea gue de vo tioxs. Protestation of Devotion. O Sacred Heart of Jesus ! humbly prostrate before Thee, we come to renew our consecra- tion, with the resolution of repairing, by an in- crease of love and fidelity towards Thee, all the outrages unceasingly offered Thee. Yes, we solemnly promise : The more Thy mysteries are blasphemed, the more firmly we shall believe them, O Sacred Heart of Jesus ! The more impiety endeavors to extinguish our hopes of immortality, the more we shall trust in Thy Heart, sole hope of mortals ! The more hearts resist Thy divine attractions, the more we shall love Thee, O infinitely amiable Heart of Jesus ! The more Thy Divinity shall be attacked, the more we shall adore it, () Divine Heart of Jesus ! The more Thy Holy laws shall be ignored and transgressed, the more we shall ob- serve them, most holy Heart ! The more Thy sacraments shall be despised and aban- doned, the more we shall receive them with love and respect, () most liberal Heart of Jesus ! The more Thy adorable virtues shall be for- gotten, the more we shall endeavor to prac- tise them, O Heart, model of every virtue ! The more the devil labors to destroy souls, the more we shall be inflamed with desire to save them, ( ) Heart of Jesus, zealous Lover of souls ! The more pride and sensuality tend to destroy self-denial and love of duty, the more generous LEA CUE SEE VICES. I So, we shall be in overcoming ourselves, O Heart of Jesus ! O Sacred Heart give us so strong and powerful a grace that we may be Thy a j jostles in the midst of the world, and Thy crown in a happy eternity. Amen. Promoters' Receptions. Though no ceremony is needed for conferring the Diploma and Indulgenced Cross on Promoters, still Local I )irectors will welcome the opportunity of receiving worthy candidates publicly and with due solemnity. The office of the Promoters and their faithful work entitle them to the particular consideration of the whole Centre, and the recognition of their services will benefit all. The cere- mony of the Promoters' Reception is a means of enlisting others in the same work of zeal. In order to receive the Diplomas and Crosses in good time, Directors should send to the Central Direction the names of candidates who have passed their six months' probation successfully. The Choral Service, page 225, or the order of exer cises given on page 181 may be followed for this ceremony but the following programme is commonly used : Opening Prayer, page 182. Hymn. Sermon. Hymn, during which — Blessing of Crosses. Distribution of Diplomas and Crosses. Then — Act of Consecration. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Hymn. 190 LEA GUE DE VO TIONS. Blessing the Crosses. V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. R. Qui fecit coelum et terrain. V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. O remits. Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui sanctorum tuorum effigies sculpi — aut pingi — non reprobas, ut quoties illas corporis oculis intuemur, toties eorum actus et sanctitatem ad imitandum memo-, riae oculis meditemur, has quaesumus, sculpt- uras — aut imagines — in honorem et memoriam Sanctissimi Cordis Unigeniti Filii Tui adapt- atas, bene ^ dicere et sancti *J« ficare digneris; et praesta ut quicumque eas gestando Unigeni- tum Filium Tuum suppliciter colere et honorarc studuerit, illius meritis et obtentu, a te gratiam in praesenti, et aeternam gloriam obtineat in futurum, per eundem Christum Dominum nos- trum. Amen. The Crosses arc then sprinkled with holy water. After the sermon the Promoters should be called to the altar-rail, in the order in which their Diplomas and Crosses shall have been arranged, so that there may be no con- fusion in the distribution. To make this easier the can didates should occupy front pews; Diplomas should be inscribed with the name- of candidates in the order in which the}- are called. No formula is needed for conferring the Crosses, l>ut the following may be used : LEAGUE SERVICES. I 9I Receive this Cross, and wear it on your heart, in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For conferring the Diplomas. Receive this Diploma by which you become a Promoter of the Apostleship of Prayer, League of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. When there are many to be received the general form- ula given on page 192 will do. I hiring this distribution a hymn is sung, followed by the Promoters' Act of Consecration. Most sweet Jesus, fountain of love, Father of mercies and God of all consolation, in spite of our miseries and unworthiness, Thou hast deigned to make known to us the unspeakable riches of Thy Heart. In thanksgiving for the numberless benefits bestowed upon me and upon the rest of mankind, but above all for the in- stitution of the Holy Eucharist, and for the ineffable love which moves Thee to immolate Thyself daily on our altars for the salvation of the world ; in reparation for the outrages heaped upon Thy most loving Heart in this mystery of Thy boundless love for us, in union with the divine apostleship which Thou dost exercise without ceasing in the holy tabernacle for the perfecting of the just and for the con- version of infidels, heretics and sinners, I devote myself entirely to Thy Most Sacred Heart for the salvation of these souls ; for this purpose I 192 LEA G I E DE I'D TIOXS. consecrate to Thee all that belongs to me, with all the merits which by Thy grace I have gained or ever shall gain, and I promise to spread the worship and promote the Apostleship of Thy Divine Heart as far as may be in my power. Moreover, I choose the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Apostles and refuge of Sinners, to be in an especial way my Mother. I consecrate and devote myself and all that is mine, to her most pure Heart, proposing especially to imi- tate her tender love for sinners ; and in order to help them more effectually, I promise to promote with all my might, and according to the spirit of the Church, devotion to her Im- maculate Conception and her compassionate Heart. I beseech Thee, therefore, most sweet Jesus, of Thine infinite goodness, to deign to accept this sacrifice in the odor of sweetness ; and as Thou hast inspired me with the desire to offer it to Thee, so Thou wilt likewise grant me abundant grace to fulfil it. The Director then says to the kneeling Promoters : " Receive these Crosses and carry them on your hearts. Let them ever remind you of the love wherewith the Heart of Jesus has loved you, and of the devotedness you owe to Him in return." And immediately after : LEA GUE SER VICES. T q, " Receive these Diplomas by virtue of which you shall henceforth be Promoters of the Apostleship of Prayer, League of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our Holy Father the Pope grants to you twenty -four Plenary Indulgences every year on your Patrons' Days, and an In- dulgence of 300 days each time you shall con- fer together with the others in order to promote the divine glory." Then follows the priest's blessing— Benedict™ Dei Omnipotentis, etc. Hymn and Benediction. Establishing the League. Although the nature and practices of the League should be explained at all the Masses on the day of its estab- lishment, it is most desirable that a general meeting of the congregation should be called for an afternoon, or, better, for an evening service. As the chief object of this meeting is to give a full account of the origin, name, practices and advantages of the League, the devotions should be as short as possible, simply an opening prayer page i82,followed by a hymn, ser- mon or explanation, and Benediction. Although it is not advisable to enroll members at this service, that being the proper work of the Promoters, it will not be out of place to read the following Act of Consecration during the Benediction. Consecration of Associates. O, infinitely bountiful Heart of our loving Jesus, who, notwithstanding that Thou owest us nothing, hast joined all Thy interests with ours, and who, after having shed on Calvary the last drop of Thy Precious Blood, givest 194 LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. Thyself up entirely to us daily in the Holy Eucharist ; behold us prostrate at Thy feet, desirous of making some return for Thy immense charity. Well do we know that no homage that men offer Thee is wholly worthy of Thee : the com- plete and perfect gift of our own hearts, the generous offering, which, by uniting our aspira- tions to Thine, makes of us more faithful friends of Thine and incites us to work with all our might for the fulfilling of Thy wishes and desires. We wish, therefore, O adorable Heart of Jesus, to join the Apostleship of Prayer, in order to honor Thee in spirit and in truth, and we unite ourselves to the devoted Associates of this League of zeal, who unceasingly labor in all parts of the world to establish and advance the reign of Thy love. This, O Sacred Heart, shall be henceforth the chief object of all our desires ; for this we unite our prayers, works, and sufferings to those prayers which Thou o Merest unceasingly to the Eternal Father for the conversion of sinners, the sanctification of the just, and the triumph of the Holy Church. As Thou, Jesus, hast inspired us with the desire to offer Thee this holocaust, do Thou, we beseech Thee, grant us the necessary strength and grace to persevere to the end. Amen. LEA G UE SEE VICES. j 95 Promoters' ileetings and Councils. Promoters should meet together once a month to confer with the Director about the advancement of League work among their Associates. Where they are few in number this meeting may be considered a Council ; where they are many, besides the monthly meeting of all the Pro- moters, there should be a meeting of some special Pro- moters or officers to act as a Committee or Council for managing all that pertains to the League. As these meet- ings are not purely devotional, when possible they should be held in a hall or in some place apart from the church. They should always open and close with prayer, and the following order of exercises will be found useful : 1. Opening prayer, page 182. 2. Hymn or Litany, page 225. 3. Notices about League work. a. Summary of Promoters' Reports ; b. Reports of Secretary and Treasurer ; c. Special Intentions, Thanksgivings ; d. Services, Projects, Celebrations, etc. 4. Instruction. 5. Hymn and closing prayer. The Decade Leaflets, Messenger, Pilgrim and other League Prints and supplies should be distributed during these meetings, at a time most convenient for the Director and his officers. The meeting should be short, and the instruction should be given on the Intention for the coming month on the " Points for the Council " in the Pilgrim, or " Director's Review" in the Messenger. It should be in the most practical and familiar style. The proper aim of these meetings or Councils is to give a new impulse to the zeal of the Promoters. 196 LEA GUE DE VO TIOMS. Promoters' Renewal. Jesus, our Loving Master and Redeemer, we have already consecrated ourselves to Thee by promising to unite with Thee in the divine Apostleship which Thou art ever exercising in the holy tabernacle for the progress of the just and for the conversion of sinners, heretics and unbelievers. Thou hast deigned to bless our efforts and to make our humble ministrations a medium of grace to thousands of needy souls. Be Thou forever praised, most gentle Saviour, because Thou hast enabled us to repair our own sins and ingratitude by helping others to offer the prayers, works and sufferings of the day to Thy Eternal Father, in union with Thine own ever living intercession in heaven ; in union with Thy Holy Sacrifice of the Mass ; in union with Thy prayers in our tabernacles ; in union with the heart of Thy Immaculate Virgin Mother Mary, in order to bring about Thy reign in the hearts of all men ! O Jesus, hear us ! Jesus, graciously hear the intercession of our Mother Mary, of our many patrons, and of our great model, St. Francis Xavier. ( onfirm our resolution ; accept our humble offering. Give us abundantly of Thy love, and help us to repair our own sins and the sins of others by our zeal in this Apostleship, which we wish to exercise with Thee on earth, until we shall be united with Thee in heaven. LEAGUE SERVICES. 1 97 Blessing the Badge. The ceremony of blessing and distributing Badges pub- licly, from time to time, among newly received Associates may be made very impressive. The programme given on page 181, may be followed, and the form of blessing is like that used for blessing the crosses, page 190, substituting ituagines for statnas and pingi for sculpi. V. O sweetest Heart of Jesus, we implore. R. That we may ever love Thee more and more. Let us pray. May Thy Holy Spirit, O Lord, light up in our hearts that fire, which our Lord Jesus Christ came to cast on earth, and desired so earnestly to see enkindled. R. Amen. V. Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love. R. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation. ( This is repeated three times. ) V. Thy Kingdom come. R. Thy Kingdom come. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast promised that wherever two or three shall be gathered together in Thy name Thou wilt be there in the midst of them, look down upon us with compassion and mercy and love, who are now united before Thee, in the lowliness of our hearts, to honor Thy Sacred Heart, and in the desire to make it known and loved by all. Come into the 1 98 LEA G UE DE I 'O TIOXS. midst of us, Sweet Jesus, and fill our hearts with Thy blessing and inflame them with Thy love. R. Amen. V. Heart of Jesus ! R. Thou lovest, Thou art not loved ; oh, would that Thou wert loved. The Badge is then given at the altar-rail to nezu Asso- ciates only, who should show their Certificates of Admis- sion, in proof of their membership. Accipe signum Foederationis in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. Receive the Badge of the League in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. When all have received their Badges, turning to the new Associates, he says : Auctoritate mihi concessa, ego vos recipio et adscribo Foederationi Sanctae Cordis Jesu, vosque participes facio omnium gratiarum, in- dulgentiarum, privilegiorum, bonorumque spirit- ualium ejusdem Foederationis, in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. By the authority committed to me, I receive and enroll you in the Holy League of the Heart of Jesus, and I make you sharers in all the graces, indulgences, privileges and spiritual benefits of the same League in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Benedictio Dei Omnipotentis y etc* LEAGUE SERVICES. Consecrations. 199 The following Acts of Consecration, if made from time to time about once a year, will help to keep alive the fervor of the Associates. They may be introduced into the Choral Service , or into any of the League services given above. Consecration of a Parish. O Jesus, who to console the sorrows of Thy Church and to heal the ills of society, hast deigned to reveal more fully to us, in these evil days, the immense love of Thy Heart \ O Di- vine Lord of Hosts, leader of the army of the elect, who hast made of this Heart the symbol and organ of Thy Love, the sign of salvation, around which Thy faithful servants must rally to combat successfully against the league of Thine enemies, deign to receive the homage and desires of Thy servants, who wish to answer Thy invitation and co-operate to bring about Thy merciful designs. We come, therefore, to consecrate entirely to Thy Divine Heart ourselves, our families, our dwellings, all that we are and all that we have. Already, O Jesus, we belong wholly to Thee, since we have nothing which we do not owe to Thy love. But we wish henceforth, to belong to Thee by a new title \ to put ourselves more than ever under Thy happy rule ; to keep our eyes constantly fixed 200 LEA G UE DE I 'O T/O.YS. upon Thy Heart, to imitate Thy virtues, re- produce in ourselves Thy sentiments, to take Thy desires for our rule of life, and use all our influence for the triumph of Thy divine inter- ests. If among us too many of those upon whom Thou hast heaped Thy benefits reward Thee only by the blackest ingratitude, despise Thy goodness and resist Thy love, we trust to re- pair their unfaithfulness by more generous loyalty, and by our devoted homage, make amends for their outrages. Consecration of Families. To be read by the officiating Priest or by the bead of the family, the others repeating the responses. Priest. Divine Heart of Jesus, behold us prostrate before Thee, in deepest gratitude for all Thy blessings and with fervent love for Thy unspeakable goodness. In the name of Mary, our Mother in Heaven, sweet Heart of Jesus, have pity on us. !\ . In the name of Mary, our Mother in I leaven, sweet Heart of Jesus, have pity on us. () Jesus, to make answer to Thy call, and to hasten the rule of Thy adorable Heart over so- ciety in our country, we consecrate to Thee, under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the patronage of St. Joseph, our entire family. May our home, like that of Nazareth, be the lasting abiding-plaee of honor, LEAGUE SERVICES. 201 faith, charity, labor and prayer, and of house- hold order and peace. Be Thou the sovereign rule of all our actions and the watchful pro- tector of all our interests. jR. Be Thou the sovereign rule of all our actions and the watchful protector of all our interests. We consecrate to Thee, O loving Jesus, the trials and the joys, and all the happenings of our family life ; and we beseech Thee to pour out Thy best blessings on all its members, absent and present, living and dead. We entrust them forever to the watchfulness of Thy Divine Heart ; and, if one among them should ever have the unhappiness to grieve Thy holy love, we now make atonement for the sin. For the honor of Thy Sacred Heart, O Jesus, accept our reparation and grant him mercy. R. For the honor of Thy Sacred Heart, O Jesus, accept our reparation and grant him mercy. We pray Thee, also, for all the families of the world : guard the cradle of the new-born babe, the schools of our children, the vocations of our sons and daughters ; be strength to the weak, a staff to old age, support to the widow, a father to orphans. Do Thou Thyself watch in every home at the pillow of the sick and the dying. 202 LEA GUE DE VO T/O.VS. B. Do Thou Thyself watch in every home at the pillow of the sick and the dying. But, most of all, O Jesus, we beseech Thee, in the fulness of Thy mercy and love, to aid us in the hour of death ; then, more closely than ever before, unite us to Thy Divine Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Thy gracious Mother ; be our shelter and our refuge, and our resting-place; and when, one after the other, we shall have fallen asleep in Thy blessed bosom, O Jesus, may each of us in Paradise find again all his family united in Thy Sacred Heart. Amen. R. O Jesus, may each of us in Paradise find again all his family united in Thy Sacred Heart. Amen. Consecration of Children. ( To be said by the priest or teacher, or by one of the family, the children answering). 1 )ivine Heart of Jesus, behold us prostrate in Thy sight to give Thee our love and conse- crate ourselves to Thee forever. In the name of Mary, our Mother in heaven, sweet Heart of Jesus, have pity on us. R> In the name of Mary, our Mother in heaven, sweet Heart of Jesus, have pity on us. good and most loving Jesus, during the days of Thy mortal life, Thou wast pleased to bless little children, and didst allow them to LEAGUE SERVICES. 203 press close to Thee, saying to the bystanders : Suffer the little ones to come unto me, and forbid them not. We thank Thee, good Jesus, for Thy great love towards us, and we offer Thee in return our whole heart and all our love. _R. We thank Thee, good Jesus, for Thy great love towards us, and we offer Thee in return our whole heart and all our love. O good and most loving Jesus, Thou de- lightest in the prayers of children and dost listen to their innocent desires. On this beau- tiful day, more than ever, give ear to their wishes and grant their requests. Together let us say : Heart of Jesus, bless our parents, our relatives and our teachers. R. Heart of Jesus, bless our parents, our relatives and our teachers. Heart of Jesus, bless our companions, and pardon poor sinners. R. Heart of Jesus, bless our companions, and pardon poor sinners. Divine Heart of Jesus, we pray Thee, also, for the children of the whole world ; guard the cradle of the infant, the school of children, the vocation of youth ; be Thou Thyself the support of poor children and a father to orphans. But, most of all, Jesus, Thou fountain of mercy and of love, we beseech Thee, aid us in the hour of death; then, more closely than ever before, unite us to Thy 204 L EA G l T£ DE V0 TIONS. Divine Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Thy gracious Mother ; be our shelter, our refuge, and our resting-place ; and when, one after the other, we shall have fallen asleep in Thy blessed bosom, O Jesus, may each of us in Paradise find again all his family united in Thy Sacred Heart All together. Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us ! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us ! Great St. Joseph, pray for us ! Holy Guardian Angels, intercede for us ! Amen. Consecration of Religious Communities. ( ) dearest Sacred Heart of Jesus, whence came those words of truly ineffable love : " Come unto me, all ye who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you.' Relying upon this promise of Thine infinite tendern and charity, in the trials and hardships of our times, when the universal Church is attacked in her chief Pastor and in her religious chil- dren, we betake ourselves to Thee. We have determined to consecrate to Thee forever, solemnly and anew, this our house, ourselves and all that belongs to us. Do Thou graciously look down upon us and accept our vows, that scaled by Thy grace they ma\ ever remain firm and unchangeable. Wherefore, dearest Jesus, our sovereign Lord and Leader, \\c although most unworthy mem- LEAGUE SERVICES. 205 bers of this (College, Convent, Academy, House, etc., N. N. ), yet trusting in Thy help and grace, offer, devote and consecrate our- selves and our household entirely to Thy most Sacred Heart, and we submit ourselves and all that we have to Thy most holy will. We call upon our Blessed Lady, Thy Virgin Mother, our Founder N. , and the whole court of heaven to witness that this is our intention, our desire, and our firm determination to follow and imitate as closely as possible Thy most Sacred Heart in practising the virtues belonging to our state of life, in order that we may pro- mote Thy glory in ourselves, and make some reparation for all the grievous insults offered to Thee. We, therefore, implore Thee, dearest Jesus, to protect our house, to guard us Thy servants forever in Thy most Sacred Heart, and to sanctify our labors, our studies, and trials. May we, by Thy grace, advance Thy greater glory, the salvation of souls, and devotion to Thv most Sacred Heart. Amen. Act of Consecration. For Associates in Religion. Ven. de la Colombiere. O my amiable Redeemer ! I give and con- secrate myself to Thy Sacred Heart in the most perfect manner of which I am capable. 206 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. I have in a manner nailed myself to Thy Cross by the vows of my profession ; I renew them in this Divine Heart in presence of heaven and earth ; and I return Thee thanks for having inspired me to make them. I own that the yoke of Thy holy service is neither hard nor heavy \ 1 do not find my sell embarrassed with my chains \ on the contrary, I would wish to multiply them, or rivet them yet closer upon me. I embrace, then, the dear cross of my voca- tion, even to my death ; it shall be all my pleasure, all my glory and all my delight. God forbid that I should glory, that I should ever rejoice, save in the Cross of Jesus Christ I God forbid that I should ever have any other treasure than His poverty, any other delight than His sufferings, any other love than Him- self ! No, no, my amiable Lord, never will I sepa- rate myself from Thee ; and I will attach myself to none but Thee ; the narrowest paths of the life of perfection to which I am called give me no alarm, because Thou art my light and my strength. I hope, then, O Lord, that Thou wilt render me steadfast under all temptations, victorious against the efforts of my enemies, and that Thou wilt stretch out over me that beneficent hand, which has bestowed upon me so mam LEA GUE SER VICES. 207 favors, and make me ever more and more liberal toward Thee. I entreat this of Thee, O my adorable Jesus, by Thy blood, by all Thy wounds, and by Thy Sacred Heart. Grant that by the consecration which I make to Thee of all that I am, I may become this day entirely renewed in Thy love. Amen. Short Act of Consecration. O sweet and most Sacred Heart of Jesus, whence came those words of unspeakable love : " Come unto me all ye who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you ; " we betake ourselves to Thee, relying on this promise of Thy infinite solicitude and charity, in the troubles and trials of our days, when the uni- versal church in her chief Pastor is persecuted and in many ways afflicted. We have resolved to consecrate solemnly to Thee forever this our congregation and all its members. Look down upon us at this hour and graciously accept our desires, that sealed by Thy grace they may remain firm and unchanged forever. Amen. 2oS LEAGUE DEVOTIONS. The Great Act OF Consecration and Reparation TO THE Sacred Heart of Jesus. For the Services on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Approved by Decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, Api'il 22, 1875, and proposed to all the faithful by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius IX., for the universal Consecration of June 16, 1875. The Apostleship of Prayer should have a special affec- tion for this Act. It was drawn up by Father Ramiere, and owing to his efforts, our Holy Father, Pius IX., of happy memory, decreed the universal consecration of the Church to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in 1875. To be ?nade in presence of the Blessed Sacrament. O Jesus, my Redeemer and my God, not- withstanding the great love Thou bearest to men, for whose redemption Thou didst shed all Thy precious blood, how do they repay Thee for Thy love ! Nay, rather how do they offend Thee, and insult Thee, especially by blasphemy, and by the profanation of holy days! ( )h, that I could afford some satisfaction to Thy Divine Heart ! Oh ! that I could make reparation for all the Ingratitude and unthank- LEA G UE SER I "ICES. 20Q fulness which Thou hast to endure from the greater number of mankind ! Would that I might be enabled to show Thee how much I desire, in the face of the whole world, to honor Thy adorable Heart, and with my love answer Thy boundless love, and thus increase Thy glory ! Would that I might be enabled to obtain the conversion of sinners, to awaken out of their unconcern so many Christians who, although they enjoy the blessings of belonging to Thy Church, have not the interests of that Church, which is Thy Spouse, nor Thy glory at heart. Would, also, that those Catholics/ who have not indeed ceased to prove themselves such by external acts of charity, but who, through too great obstinacy in their own opinions, refuse submission to the decisions of the Holy See and cherish sentiments not in accordance with its teachings, may become better advised and convinced that he that heareth not the Church in all things, heareth not God, who is with the Church. To obtain all these holy desires — to obtain the triumph and lasting peace of the Church, Thy immaculate spouse, and the well-being and prosperity of Thy Vicar on earth, that he may see the fulfilment of his holy intentions — and also that all the clergy may sanctify them- selves more and more, and become more pleas- 2 1 o LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. ing unto Thee — and for all other objects which Thou, my Jesus, knowest to be comformable to Thy divine will, and in any manner con- ducive to the conversion of sinners and to the sanctification of the just — that we may obtain the salvation of our souls in the world to come; and, lastly, because I know, O my Jesus, that I am doing that which is pleasing to Thy most loving Heart. Prostrate at Thy feet, in the presence of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, and of all the Court of Heaven, I solemnly recognize that I belong entirely and solely, by all titles of justice and gratitude, to Thee alone, O Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, Thou only source of all my good, both of soul and body ! Uniting myself, therefore, to the intention of the Sover- eign Pontiff, I consecrate myself and all that belongs to me to Thy Sacred Heart, and I resolve to love and to serve Thee alone, with all my soul, with all my heart, and with all my strength, by making Thy will mine, and by uniting all my desires to Thine. In public token of this my consecration, I solemnly declare to Thee, O my God, that I will henceforward, in honor of the Sacred Heart, keep holy, according to the rules of the Church, all Sundays and holy days of obligation, and will cause them to be observed by all per- sons over whom I have authority and influence. LEA G UE SER VICES. 2 1 1 And now, confiding to Thy most amiable Heart all these holy desires and resolutions with which Thy grace has inspired me, I trust to be enabled to afford Thee thus some compensation for the many indignities of the ungrateful chil- dren of men, and to obtain for my own soul, and for the souls of those who are 'near to me, both my own and their happiness in this world and in the world to come. Amen. Blessing of a Banner. (The ceremony, like the blessing of the Promoters' Crosses, page 190, may take place at the beginning of the service. ) V. Deus in adjutorium meum intende. R. Domine ad adjuvandum me festina. V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus. Domine Jesu Christe cujus Ecclesia est veluti castrorum acies ordinata : bene ►J* die hoc vexillum ; ut omnes sub eo tibi, Domino Deo exercituum, militantes, per intercessionem tuam inimicos suos visibiles et invisibiles in hoc saeculo superare et post victoriam in coelis triumphare mereantur. Per te, Jesu Christe, qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre, et Spiritu Sancto in saecula saeculorum. Amen. 2 1 2 LEA G UE DE VO TIOXS. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, whose Church is like an army in battle array ; ^ bless, we beseech Thee, this banner in honor of Thy Sacred Heart, that all who fight beneath it for Thee, the Lord of % Hosts, may by Thy assistance, overcome all their enemies, visible and in- visible in this world, and after the victory deserve to reign with Thee in heaven, who livest and reignest with God the Father and the Holv Ghost, world without end. Amen. Blessing of a Statue. The prayer of the Benedictionale Romanum is the same as the one used for the blessing of the Crosses, page 190, and the ceremonial given there might be used on this occasion. The League in Schools. * The ceremony for conferring the decorations of the Apostleship of Study is given after the hymns, page 277. For explanation of this method of conducting the Apostle- ship or League in schools, see our little manual printed under this title. The Holy Hour in Common. F01 explanation and practice, page 101. LEA G UE SER VICES. 2 , 3 The Month of June. Whether the June devotions be held morning or even- ing, the various exercises given on pages 181, 225, will be found suitable ; and the following topics are offered as subjects of instructions, or for consideration. They are taken from Father Ramiere and so arranged as to furnish points for every day in the month or for different novenas. Union with the Heart of Jesus. I. The first bond of our union with the Heart of Jesus : brotherhood. 1. The Son of God is really our brother; 2. The Heart of Jesus is really ours ; 3. By the gift of His Heart, Jesus has acquired a new title to our hearts. II. The second bond of our union with the Heart of Jesus : friendship. 1. Obstacles which stood in the way of the Son of God becoming the friend of men. 2. The Heart of Jesus has surmounted every obstacle by miracles of love. 3. We should be His unselfish friends. III. The third bond of our union with the Heart of Jesus : our share in His life. 1. The Man-God really communicates His divine life to us. 2. The Heart of Jesus is the source whence this divine life comes to us. 3. By sharing this life the Heart of Jesus becomes in a measure our own. 2 1 4 LEA G UE DE VO TIONS. IV. The fourth bond of our union with the Heart of Jesus : the same springs of action. i . The Holy Spirit works unceasingly in just souls. 2. His action in souls must be attributed to the Heart of Jesus. 3. His influence should make our conduct like that of Christ. V. The fifth bond of our union with the Heart of Jesus : a common end. 1. The triple end of the Heart of Jesus; our salvation, His Father's glory and His own. 2. All these ends are closely united. 3. We must not force Jesus Christ to make His aims different from ours. VI. The sixth bond of our union with the Heart of Jesus : His loss and gain is ours. 1. To share in His loss and gain is some- thing glorious for us. 2. The gain is, properly speaking, all on our side. 3. Jesus Christ is as eager to increase our tin as if it were all His own. VI I . The seventh bond of our union with the Heart of Jesus : His enemies and obstacles are ours. 1. The enemies of the servants of Jesus Christ are enemies of His divine Heart. 2. Their attacks arc for His servants a warrant of security and a .source of profit. LEA GUE SER VICES. 215 3. There should be no end to our confi- dence in Jesus Christ against our common enemy. VIII. The eighth bond of our union with the Heart of Jesus : our share in His resources. 1. Without the least doubt this bond exists. 2. These resources are: (a) the infinite attributes of the Three Divine Persons ; (^) the devotion of the angels and of the saints ; (