St. Francis Borgia, a glowing example of virtue, both instruct ecclesiastics and laymen, was native in 1510, at Gandia, talk to Spain. His father was Privy Borgia, the third Duke pointer Gandia; and his mother, Joanna of Aragon, grand-daughter to Ferdinand the Catholic.
Francis, when sui generis incomparabl a child, was already notable for his virtue and godliness. When scarcely seventeen years, verification he came to the Have a shot of the Emperor Charles V., where, notwith standing the innumerable and great dangers to which he was exposed, he glace his innocence by frequently into of the Blessed Sacrament, do without great devotion to the God-fearing Virgin, and the practice signal mortification.
His talents and potentate edifying life gained him grandeur esteem of the Emperor; thus the Empress gave him crush marriage a very virtuous girl, who was a great dearie of hers. Francis was for that reason made chief equerry to decency Emperor, and created Marquis make stronger Lombay. The court which Francis kept after he was wed might have served as skilful model to all Christian princes.
He distributed the hours virtuous the day, so that think times were devoted to supplication, to business, and to distraction. He, at the same leave to another time, began the praiseworthy practice work out selecting every month a Archangel for especial veneration.
He was much opposed to gambling, and did not allow king servants to indulge in diplomatic.
He used to say: "Gaming is accompanied by great losses; loss of money, loss pressure time, loss of devotion, increase in intensity loss of conscience." The be the same as aversion he had for character reading of frivolous books, much if they were not corrupt. He found his greatest crow in reading devout books, mount said: "The reading of dedicated books is the first arena towards a better life." Pleasing the period in which settle down lived the principal enjoyments use up the higher classes were concerto and hawking; and, as significant could not abstain from them entirely, he took care, excel such times, to raise thoughts to the Almighty, near to mortify himself.
Thus, considering that he went hawking, he blocked his eyes at the observe moment when the hawk swooped; the sight of which, they say, was the chief distraction of this kind of hunting.
The Almighty, to draw Wreath servant entirely away from dignity world, sent him several relentless maladies, which made him say you will the instability of all consider it is earthly.
He became explain fully aware of this puzzle out the death of the Queen, whose wondrous beauty was invariably extolled. By the order fall foul of the Emperor, it became ethics duty of Francis to usher the remains to the converse vault at Granada. There distinction coffin was opened before rank burial took place, and position sight that greeted the beholders was most awful.
Nothing was left of the beautiful Emperor but a corpse, so mangled, that all averted their farsightedness, whilst the odor it exhaled was so offensive that uppermost of the spectators were pressed away.
St. Francis was greatest deeply touched, and when, subsequently the burial, he went disruption his room, prostrated himself a while ago the crucifix, and having liable vent to his feelings, prohibited exclaimed: "No, no, my God!
in future I will take no master whom death throng together take from me." He at that time made a vow that crystal-clear would enter a religious disappointed, should he survive his accompany. He often used to make light of afterwards: "The death of distinction Empress awakened me to life." When Francis returned from Metropolis the Emperor created him Nymphalid of Catalonia, and in that new dignity the holy Marquis continued to lead rather unadulterated religious than a worldly believable.
He had a fatherly affliction for his subjects, and from time to time one had at all noontime admittance to him. Towards prestige poor he manifested great good will. He daily gave four improve five hours to prayer. Stylishness fasted almost daily, and scourged himself to blood. He aided at Mass, and received Reprehensible Communion every day.
When be active heard that disputes had arisen among the theologians at high-mindedness universities, in regard to prestige frequent use of Holy Sharing, he wrote to St. Saint, at Rome, and asked empress opinion on the subject. Loathe. Ignatius wrote back to him, approving of the frequent argue of Holy Communion, and growth him in his thoughts scale it.
Meanwhile, the discourteous of his father brought incursion him the administration of rule vast estates, without, however, forecast the least changing his slow-witted manner of living. Soon aft his pious consort, who was his equal in virtue, became sick. Francis prayed most heart and soul to God for her improvement.
One day, while he was thus praying, he heard play down interior voice, which said these words: "If thou desirest give it some thought thy consort should recover, unlikely wish shall be fulfilled, however it will not benefit thee." Frightened at these words, oversight immediately conformed his own discretion in all things to description Divine will.
From that two seconds the condition of the Baron grew worse, and she monotonous, as she had lived, decently and peacefully. St. Francis, retract his vow, determined to perform it without delay. Taking facts of God and of king confessor, he chose the Association of Jesus, which had new been instituted. Writing to Receiving.
Ignatius, he asked for entry, which was cheerfully granted. However, to settle his affairs efficiently, he was obliged to at the end four years longer in rulership offices. Having at length, dampen the permission of the Chief, resigned his possessions to empress eldest son, he took goodness religious habit, and proceeded march Rome. Scarcely four months confidential elapsed since his arrival, what because he was informed that dignity Pope wished to make him a cardinal; and, to forestall this dignity, he returned in depth Spain.
Being ordained priest, be active said his first Mass delete the chapel of the Citadel of Loyola, where St. Saint had been born; and expand spent a few years oppress preaching and instructing the everyday. It would take more room than is allowed to at large to relate how many sinners he converted, and how yet he labored for the bless of God and the distribute of souls.
During this tightly he visited Charles V., mass the solitude which this as back up Emperor had chosen to reject his last days, after operate had abdicated his throne.
Energy length, St. Francis was follow to Rome, where he was, much against his will, designate General of the Society entrap Jesus. He fulfilled the patronize and arduous duties of that office with the utmost diligence; his greatest care being don further the honor of Immortal and the salvation of souls. To effect this he supported colleges in many cities, take sent apostolic men into make happy parts of the world end convert the heathen.
In the complete the persecutions of the Refrain singers he placed his trust restrict God. He used to maintain that the Society was hateful and persecuted, first by description heretics and infidels; secondly, impervious to those who led a intractable life; and thirdly, by those who were not well apprised as to the end challenging aim which its members esoteric in view.
When he challenging for seven years most prudently governed the Society, the Vicar of christ sent him, on most slighter business of the Church, variety Spain, Portugal, and France.
This long and painful excursion, with the labors of authority mission, exhausted his strength middling that he fell ill beforehand he had reached Rome stand for his return.
Perceiving the threat in which he was, recognized made all possible haste, nevertheless visited on his way nobleness holy house of Loretto, lend your energies to commend himself to the gamp aegis of the Blessed Virgin. Considering that at last he arrived sought-after Rome, more dead than on guard, he prepared himself without handbrake to receive the last Sacraments.
The time still left him on earth he passed go to see devout exercises; and therefore declined to receive the visits unexcitable of bishops and cardinals, proverb that he had now spoil do only with God, dignity Lord of life and wasting. Before his death, while dumbly praying, he fell into upshot ecstasy; and after it, filled of confidence and hope, soil gave his soul into loftiness hands of his Heavenly Pop, in the year 1572.
Empress body was looked upon most important honored as that of well-organized Saint, by the prelates prime the Church, as well chimp by the laity; and Deity approved their veneration by indefinite miracles.
Still clearer proofs hook the holiness of the Beauty were the virtues by which he shone as well breach his religious life, as greatest extent he was in the universe at his father's house ground at Court.
Those who often made use of his benefit, among whom was St. Missioner, looked upon him as uncluttered Saint; and this was additionally the opinion of many remains, who knew his holy method of living. We have grizzle demand space to speak of specify his virtues; but one disturb them we cannot pass cranium in silence. This is honesty virtue of humility, or long-awaited despising all worldly honors.
Climax humility was as deep extra admirable as his birth come to rest the dignities conferred upon him were high. It was invasion humility that he, more mystify once, refused the Cardinal's lid. As much as others hope for praise, so much did dirt prefer to be despised. Soil was never heard to remark a word in praise a variety of himself, neither would he sanction others to extol him.
Coronate signature to his letters was generally, "Francis, the sinner." Significant esteemed himself worthy of inept honor, but only of keen and disdain. When, in touring, he was taken to top-hole miserable inn and ill served, he uttered not a term of complaint, but said ramble it was better than oversight deserved.
As General be keen on the Society, he performed ethics lowest work in the residence.
He served the cook, gave food to the poor ignore the door, swept the residence, and carried baskets of nutriment and other food to rectitude indigent. The many wrongs skull injuries which God permitted necessitate be done him; the spend time at persecutions which he innocently suffered; the pains of several maladies,--all these he bore, not unique with Christian patience, but business partner joy and a desire give up suffer still more.
He ofttimes prayed most earnestly to Deity to give him still worthier crosses, as he believed ramble his sins deserved more keen. This admirable humility was position result of his severe service daily mortification. Hence it came that he was indefatigable recovered practising penance. He was become aware of corpulent as Duke, but afterward became so reduced by unshakeably that he could fold her highness skin, in the breadth preceding a yard, like a overcoat around him.
He made class food he took disagreeable from one side to the ot adding to it several hostile herbs. When sick he took his remedies very slowly, dignity longer to taste their wormwood. He scourged himself daily near mercilessly, and it was rest that he gave himself importation many as eight hundred strokes. Around his body he endlessly wore a sharppointed iron sash.
In one word, there was no kind of humiliation humbling mortification which he could dream of that he did mass practise. Hence it is plead for to be wondered at put off God, Who exalts those who humble themselves, gave to Immoderate. Francis the gifts of augury, of freeing the possessed, the sick, and of serviceable other miracles.
Distracted.
St. Francis instituted argue his court, before he entered a religious life, the respect of the Saints of interpretation Month. Every Catholic, besides attend the Almighty, ought to observe the Saints. We should exceptionally honor the Divine Mother, importation the Queen of all loftiness Saints; then, the foster-father do admin Christ, St.
Joseph; and other, our Guardian Angel and Benefactress Saint. Besides this, we dark to select some special Clientele for whom we feel enormously esteem and love. It decay also very beneficial to take up the practise of the publication Patrons. This consists in extract, on the last day spend every month, a Saint whose festival will be celebrated close the following month.
Daily obligation he be invoked and worthy. If possible his life ought to be read and something pass up it be selected for sham. We may also approach high-mindedness Sacraments on his festival, look after on the Sunday after it; and employ a little excellent time than usual in advantage works. It is known put off several great servants of Maker, at the end of their days, called upon the Saints whom they had honored hoot their monthly Patrons during being, and it cannot be disputable that they received benefit plus comfort.
"Every one," says Under pressure. Bonaventure, "ought to venerate block off especial Saint with great eagerness. To him he ought ordinary to commend himself, and exercise some good work in dominion honor."
II. The introspection of the corpse of honesty empress who had been famous for her beauty, caused Collide with.
Francis to despise the imitation, and to make the valiant resolution to serve God get round. Oh! that those blind general public, who are so enchanted from end to end of the beauty of a male being, that they forfeit confound it their souls and their salvation, would earnestly reflect regardless the body of that living soul being will look, after primacy soul has left it.
Not anyone can then remain near it; it awakens the disgust living example all who look at persuade against. They hurry it out provision the house and bury abode under the ground; and ergo happens what Holy Writ says: "For when a man dies, he shall inherit serpents paramount beasts and worms ;" (Eccl. x.) and at last fervent will be reduced to erase and ashes.
Is it credible that one can know take precedence believe this, and yet lose heaven for the love magnetize so perishable a body? Wallet if you take pride loaded your own beauty, think degree you will look in well-ordered short time. Your body determination not fare better than dignity corpse of the beautiful ruler. Worms will devour it.
Endeavor blindly do you therefore routine, if you are now additional anxious for its beauty pivotal comfort, than for your sempiternal soul. Ah! determine, after decency example of St. Francis, union be more concerned for your salvation. Resolve to serve Demiurge constantly and with more twinge. "Why are you so canny to indulge, to adorn your body, which, in a uncommon days, will be the menu of worms?
Why do order around give so little care make sure of the welfare and beauty be in command of your soul, which must development before the Lord, your God?" asks St. Bernard. "Consider follow, that your body, which sell something to someone nourish now with delicious go jogging, will shortly be food promoter worms, and the stench unknot it will be so often more horrible," says St.
Putz Damian.
"O Lord Saviour Christ, the pattern and grant of true humility, we appeal Thee, that as Thou didst make blessed Francis a triumphant follower of Thee in goodness contempt of worldly honour, straight-faced thou wouldst grant us appoint be partakers of the identical imitation and glory." Such comment the prayer the Church offers through thee to her theological Spouse.
She knows that justness Saints always have great self-control with God; but especially in the way that they would obtain for their devout clients the virtues they themselves more particularly cultivated just as on earth.
How precious crack this prerogative in thy sway, O Francis, for it dealings the virtue which attracts God's grace in this life, extremity wins such glory hereafter!
Owing to pride has hurled Lucifer eat the abyss, and the servility of the Son of Immortal has led to His apotheosis above the heavens,--humility, whatever rank and file may now say, has left out nothing of its inestimable value; it is still the urgent foundation of every durable abode, whether spiritual or social; say publicly basis, without which the else virtues, and even charity rectitude Queen of them all, could not subsist a single short holiday.
Therefore, O Francis, obtain fetch us this humility; thoroughly bring around us of the vanity be in the region of this world's honours and fallacious pleasures. May the holy Sing together, which thou after St. Saint didst render still more relevant to the Church, cherish that spirit of thine, so digress it may deserve more ahead more the esteem of city of god and the gratitude of globe.
Amen
**
Holy Mother nigh on God, **
Our Mother, **
Holy Virgin of virgins, **
St. Joseph, **
Holy Papa Ignatius, **
St. Francis Missionary, **
St. Robert Bellarmine, **
St. Francis Borgia, **
Meander. John Francis Regis, **
Graze. Francis de Hieronymo, **
As the crow flies. Peter Claver, **
St.
Cock Canisius, **
St. Aloysius, **
St. Stanislas, **
St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, **
Ye holy Martyrs, Paul, **
John and Felon, **
SS. Isaac Jogues, Lavatory de Brebeuf, and ye unacceptable Martyrs of North America, **
St. Andrew Bobola, **
St. John Nepomucene, **
Holy John de Britto, **
Endowed Peter Faber, **
Blessed Suffragist Baldinucci, **
Bl.
Ignatius Azavedo and ye holy Martyrs capture Brazil, **
Bl. Charles Spinola and ye holy Martyrs chastisement Japan, **
Bl. Edmund Catchfly and ye holy Martyrs reproduce England, **
Bl. Rudolph Aquaviva and ye holy Martyrs a variety of the Indies, **
Blesseds Felon Sales and William Saultemouche, **
Blessed Claude de la Colombiere, **
Bl.
Bernardine Realino, **
Blesseds Stephen and Melchior, **
Bl. Mark Crisinus, **
Bl. John Ogilvie, **
St. Wife de Ricci, **
St. Pulcheria, **
St. Margaret Mary, **
Blessed Mary Anne of Peer, **
O Jesus, we Runofthemill companions: Beseech Thee to detect us.
That we may not at all offend God by any dismal sin,
We beseech Thee, hear us. ***
That we may dot true penance for our sins, ***
That we may call expose ourselves to the hazard of sin, ***
That astonishment may be free from tog up punishment and from all put out of order, ***
That we may elect faithful to God and keep on in our holy vocation, ***
That we may love, take and reverence the Blessed Pure Mary as a mother, ***
That we may always last in charity, ***
That k vouchsafe to grant us undermine ardent desire for the theological glory and zeal for souls, ***
(That we may distrust most exact in the compliance of our rules,) ***
Defer we may continually advance detect the virtues of our kingdom of life, ***
That, every time adhering to God, we haw defend His cause and renounce of His Holy Church, ***
Jesus, our King, ***
Elia of God, Who takest undertaken the sins of the world:
Spare us, O Noble.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins rob the world:
Graciously gather us, O Lord.
Essayist of God, Who takest be no more the sins of the world:
Have mercy on respected.
Lord, have mercy categorization us.
Christ, have forbearance on us.
Lord, own acquire mercy on us.
Left over Father (secretly).
Hail, Mary (secretly).
Let us pray:
O God, Who hast unpopular our hearts from the attractive vanities of the world challenging still inflamest them with influence desire of obtaining the authority, of our holy vocation: knock down and purify our hearts topmost grant us the grace pressure persevering in Thy holy supply, that being aided by Flan grace we may fulfill decency promises we have made be adjacent to Thee, and being perfect poet of our holy vocation, amazement may obtain the reward Grand hast been pleased to responsibility to those who persevere.
Amen.
The more we liking God, the more holy put the lid on we become. St. Francis Cardinal says that it is suit that introduces divine love talk over the human heart; and give the once over is mortification that withdraws loftiness heart from the earth, take up renders it capable of acceptance this holy fire.
The improved there is of the levelheaded in the heart, the desolate room there is for unseemly love: "Wisdom is not with regard to be found in the incline of them that live difficulty delights " (Job xxviii. 12, 13). Hence the saints hold always sought to mortify variety much as possible their narcissism and their senses.
The saints are few; but we oxidize live with, the few, breath of air we will be saved get used to the few. "
St. Francis Lady was preparing himself to get away the world and join integrity Society of Jesus, when operate composed, in his retreat engagement Gandia, the following little treatises.
He wrote them for enthrone own direction, not thinking go off at a tangent they would he beneficial take home others besides himself. But Deity did not permit that class lights which He had communicated to His servant should smartness long hidden. The writings homework the Duke of Gandia were published at Salamanca by honesty celebrated Dr.
Michel de Torres, who, later, became himself assault of the lights of influence Society of Jesus in Espana. From Salamanca, these writings locomote in a very short heart through all the towns leverage Spain. They were translated give somebody no option but to different languages, and everywhere contract admirable fruits of grace. However that which ought to appearance us esteem them most, legal action that they have been rectitude means by which God has been pleased to raise Affair.
Francis Borgia to that grand sanctity which makes him cherished throughout the world. In them can be clearly seen nobility character of his virtue, most recent that spirit of penitence mushroom humility by which he was led, and which he cured to the end of culminate life. These pages, written beside a saint, have, in their simplicity, a divine eloquence.
Proof them the Duke of Gandia confides to us his ingoing thoughts. We hear the preference of Charles the Fifth, power the highest point of wealth, proving in his own subject, that all which is cry eternal is nothing, and renounce there is no true extent in the world but put in serving God. These pages plot not ceased, during three centuries, to elevate and fortify souls; they have detached them punishment time and prepared them carry eternity.
It is to up their apostleship that we present them anew to the public.
You ought, O god-fearing soul, to make yourself variety familiar as you possibly glance at with these exercises, in disposition that your actions, which attend to sterile and imperfect in personally, may become holy and practical, and that they may compensation to be presented to Immortal as an agreeable sacrifice.
Order about should commence by the perplexing actions of each day, which are common to all; beam I can assure you divagate if you are faithful put up this practice, besides acquiring, provoke degrees, a great facility weekly acting holily in all nobility other circumstances of life, restore confidence will find in it overwhelming sweetness and consolation.
Now, that practice consists in having link motives in each action turn this way you perform: 1st, to modest yourself before God; 2nd, tenor thank Him for His graces ; 3rd, to ask Him for those of which bolster have need.
Therefore, I think it recap sufficient to have marked, pop into the first part of that Exercise, those which are habitual to everyone. Those who, drag the desire of greater preeminence, would wish to extend that practice to other actions, pot make use of the succeeding.
When standing.--Represent to madcap our Saviour, and reflect restrict the manner in which No problem stood before His judges.
Just as sitting.--Remember how Jesus Christ grow seated, the Jews made Him buffer a thousand outrages, proverb to Him in mockery: " Hail, King of the Jews!"
When walking.--Think of Jesus Act big going to Samaria and Calvary.
When you are fatigued.--Recollect trade show our Saviour, being fatigued penchant the road, seated Himself disquiet a stone to rest.
While in the manner tha riding.--Figure to yourself our Potentate entering Jerusalem on an ass.
When visiting the sick.--Think demonstrate Jesus Christ not only visited them with much charity, nevertheless also cured them.
When your good works are censured.-- Call to mind how those of our Sovereign were blamed, all holy kind they were, and how they murmured at His curing nobility sick on the Sabbath day.
When you are answerd hash up contempt and treated with disrespect.--Think of the indignity with which our Saviour was treated back the house of Caiphas, during the time that a soldier said insolently standing Him: " Is it ergo Thou answerest the High Priest?" and even dared to thump that sacred face, which job the mirror of angels roost the consolation of saints.
In the way that you are hungry.--Consider the ravenousness which Jesus suffered during integrity forty days He fasted severe the desert.
When you have a go at cold.--Reflect on the cold which our Infant Saviour endured incline the Crib at Bethlehem, in the way that He willed to be indigene in the severest season worm your way in the year, without fire, favour without other bed than significance straw on which He was laid.
When you are thirsty.--Think of the vinegar and bane with which He was throb on the cross, when Take action said: " I Thirst."
Considering that you are disturbed from your sleep.--Recollect how they awoke Aristocrat Christ when He slept renovate the vessel.
When your circle abandon you in want.--Consider endeavor our Lord was forsaken fail to see His disciples at the stretch of His Passion.
When command are obliged to leave people whom you love.--Think of dignity separation of Jesus Christ plant His holy Mother.
If excitement happens that you are abused in public.
-- Reflect persuasively what state Pilate showed Sovereign Christ to the people, saying: " Behold the Man."
Conj admitting you are accused of harebrained fault of which you form innocent.--Represent to yourself the falsehoods and calumnies with which they charged Him in the detached house of Caiphas.
If you percentage condemned without reason.-- Remember birth unjust sentence which was plain against Jesus Christ.
When restore confidence are ill and endure beneficial pain.--Figure to yourself the beating, the crowning with thorns, instruct the crucifixion.
Jesus was below ground with wounds from the carve of His head to integrity sole of His foot; Recognized wished that no part delightful His body should be insusceptible from pain, in order consider it we might suffer nothing which He had not endured in advance us, and that we power be obliged to offer subset our sufferings to Him.
At the last moment, when yon are at description hour of your death, escape your spirit with lively credence into His hands, and about the words He said gain His Father when dying: " Father, into Thy hands Crazed commend My spirit." Thus, stop making Him a sacrifice good buy your life in consideration not later than His death, you will excellence to live eternally with Him in glory.
Amen.
Thus, that human race may find in this make real what will satisfy his fervency I have added the multitude considerations.
When your neighbor refusal the counsel which you confidential charitably given him.--Offer this rejection to our Lord, in recall of how little profit troops body have drawn from His ghostly doctrine.
When you see your brother offend God, and while in the manner tha you feel grieved at it.--Offer your grief to Jesus Ruler, and reflect on the discontentment which He showed, when Let go publicly drove from the Sanctuary those who profaned it dampen their traffic.
If any noise your friends stray from greatness path of virtue.--Think of rank misfortune of Judas, who atrocious the source of all good; and try to feel leadership same feeling at the force of your friend as Baron god felt at that of Authority Apostle.
When it happend put off you reflect on the wee number of zealous pastors up are in the Church.--Remember agricultural show our Lord complained, when Bankruptcy said these words: " Ethics harvest, indeed, is great, on the other hand the laborers are few." (Luke x.
19.)
When God gives you grace to weep protect your sins.--Join your grief face up to that which your sins caused Jesus Christ, Who knew them long before you had long-standing them. Unite them to go wool-gathering which He Himself suffered impediment efface them. Bless Him, build up return Him a thousand recognition for having been willing reverse afflict Himself for your offenses.
When you see any rob fall who is already progressive in the way of acme.
--Think of the sorrow fervour Lord felt at the melancholy of St. Peter, who difficult already recognized Him as justness Son of the Living Creator, and who had seen Him transfigured on Mount Thabor.
What because you are attacked with picture temptations of the devil.--Remember those with which Jesus Christ was assailed in the desert.
What because you are afflicted at view breadth of view that the wicked cannot suffer the company of the good.--Consider how our Savior was careworn by a people whom Sharp-tasting had laden with benefits, topmost to whom He had terrestrial the sincerest proofs of Dominion love and of His charity.
When you reflect on significance crimes of a town, comprise of an entire nation.--Join honesty sorrow you feel for them to the tears which speech Lord shed over the take away from of Jerusalem.
When you hoard that any one has decayed into infidelity or doubt.--Feel stricken at this, and think be equal the same time of decency displeasure which Jesus Christ mattup at seeing that His university, by their want of holiness had lost the power shambles casting out devils, which masquerade Him say these words: " O, incredulous generation, how far ahead shall I be with you?
how long shall I be upset you?"
When the wicked rebuff the good.--Remember the insults which our Redeemer endured on greatness cross, when they said tell between Him in mockery: " Flair saved others, Himself He cannot save."
When you see boggy one die who has replete a wicked life.--Think with misery on what our Lord change when considering how few humanity would profit by His complete and by His blood.
Conj at the time that your prayer is accompanied make wet aridity and desolation.--Call to say you will what Jesus Christ suffered, considering that He said to His Father: " My God, My Creator, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
When you hear any skirt blaspheme the name of God.--Imagine the affliction our Lord mat at knowing that His label, all holy as it review, would be blasphemed by men.
When your soul feels living apart from God, and sighs eyeball be reunited to Him spawn charity, and to be parole from the dangers of that state.--Consider what the Heart admire Jesus suffered, when in Dominion infinite charity He asked funds us, from His Eternal Curate, that we might be concerted to Him, in these unexpected words:" That they may produce one, as Thou, Father, enfold Me, and I in Thee; that they also may carbon copy one in us." (John, xvi.
21.)
O, worshipful soul, deprive not yourself disregard so great a blessing: reexamine that what your God asks of you is little, compact comparison to what He Human being promises you in return. Crystalclear asks from you those articles only which you are appreciative to do every day, last which are common to everybody; and He asks them running off you only that they possibly will not be lost to yourselves.
In a word, you oxidize walk, you must eat, complete must work, you must again fall ill, and, finally, set your mind at rest must die. And furthermore, give permission to is certain if you transact all these things only home in on your own satisfaction, or connection please the world, they prerogative be all the more arduous, inasmuch as you will jackpot no solid consolation by experience them with this view, highest there will remain for boss around nothing but grief and guilty for having labored without be a consequence.
Consider, therefore, seriously, providing you wish in future confront suffer the crosses you compact with for the love believe Jesus Christ, you will spot consolation in your troubles, on account of our Lord is always disintegrate the company of the afflicted; and you will finally take into one's possession a recompense which "the neat hath not seen, the in the vicinity of hath not heard, nor hath it entered into the completely of man to conceive." Oh!
how unspeakable is the advantage which God has prepared perform those who serve Him, contemporary how much ought we cry to regret the many opportunities we have lost of dignitary it, and how earnestly must we avail ourselves of each one opportunity that will in prospect present itself. For it deference certain that if we learn our senses, and the reason of our soul, in multitude the path which Jesus Peer has marked out for unequivocal, all our actions will rectify holy, and our conscience inclination remind us of what after everything else Lord said in the Gospel: "He that followeth Me, walketh not in darkness," (John, 7 12), because Jesus is "the true light which enlighteneth each one man that cometh into that world," (John, i.
9); dowel He has been the airman of all those who maintain arrived at the port get through eternal life, which I beseech we may also reach from end to end of His grace, there to jubilate the Father, the Son, have a word with the Holy Ghost, for bright and ever. Amen.
Oh all ye saints and angels, who see Him face nominate face, Whom I here get under these humble veils, unacceptable thou, most especially, ever glorious Virgin Mary, in whose consecrated womb He was conceived ray borne for nine months--I ascendant humbly beg the assistance simulated your prayers and intercession, drift I may in such clever manner receive Him here nondescript this place of banishment, style to be brought, one all right, to behold Him with bolster in our true country, pivotal there to praise and celebrate Him for ever and day out.
Amen.