The Spiritual Exercises

St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Translated by Louis Puhl, SJ.

I H S

Introductory Observations

The purpose of these observations is to provide some understanding of the spiritual exercises which follow and to serve as a help for the one who is to give them and for the exercitant.

1. By the term "Spiritual Exercises" is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of contemplation, of vocal and mental prayer, and of other spiritual activities that will be mentioned later. For just as taking a walk, journeying on foot, and running are bodily exercises, so we call Spiritual Exercises every way of preparing and disposing the soul to rid itself of all inordinate attachments, and, after their removal, of seeking and finding the will of God in the disposition of our life for the salvation of our soul.

2. The one who explains to another the method and order of meditating or contemplating should narrate accurately the facts of the contemplation or meditation. Let him adhere to the points, and add only a short or summary explanation. The reason for this is that when one in meditating takes the solid foundation of facts, and goes over it and reflects on it for himself, he may find something that makes them a little clearer or better understood. This may arise either from his own reasoning, or from the grace of God enlightening his mind. Now this produces greater spiritual relish and fruit than if one in giving the Exercises had explained and developed the meaning at greater length. For it is not much knowledge that fills and satisfies the soul, but the intimate understanding and relish of the truth.

3. In all the Spiritual Exercises which follow, we make use of the acts of the intellect in reasoning, and of the acts of the will in manifesting our love. However, we must observe that when in acts of the will we address God our Lord or His saints either vocally or mentally, greater reverence is required on our part than when we use the intellect in reasoning.

4. Four Weeks are assigned to the Exercises given below. this corresponds to the four parts into which they are divided, namely: the first part, which is devoted to the consideration and contemplation of sin; the second part, which is taken up with the life of Christ, our Lord up to Palm Sunday inclusive; the third part, which treats of the passion of Christ our Lord; the fourth part, which deals with the Resurrection and Ascension; to this are appended Three Method of Prayer.

However, it is not meant that each week should necessarily consist of seven or eight days. For it may happen that in the First Week some are slower in attaining what is sought, namely, contrition, sorrow, and tears for sin. Some, too, may be more diligent than others, and some more disturbed and tired by different spirits. It may be necessary, therefore, at times to shorten the Week, and at others to lengthen it. So in our search for the fruit that is proper to the matter assigned, we may have to do the same in all the subsequent Weeks. However, the Exercises should be finished in approximately thirty days.

5. It will be very profitable for the one who is to go through the Exercises to enter upon them with magnanimity and generosity toward his Creator and Lord, and to offer Him his entire will and liberty, that His Divine Majesty may dispose of him and all he possesses according to His most holy will.

6. When the one who is giving the Exercises perceives that the exercitant is not affected by any spiritual experiences, such as consolations, or desolations, and that he is not troubled by different spirits, he ought to ply him with questions about the exercises. He should ask him whether he makes them at the appointed times, and how he makes them. He should question him about the Additional Directions, whether he is diligent in the observance of them. He will demand an account in detail of each one of these points. Consolation and desolation are treated in #316-423; the Additional Directions are given in #73-90.

7. If the director of the Exercises observes that the exercitant is in desolation and tempted, let him not deal severely and harshly with him, but gently and kindly. He should encourage and strengthen him for the future by exposing to him the wiles of the enemy of our human nature, and by getting him to prepare and dispose himself for the coming consolation.

8. If the one who is giving the Exercises should perceive from desolations, from the wiles of the enemy, and from consolations that the exercitant has need of them, he should explain to him the rules of the First Week and of the Second Week for the understanding of different spirits, #313-327, and 328-336.

9. It should be observed that when the exercitant is engaged in the Exercises of the First Week, if he is a person unskilled in spiritual things, and if he is tempted grossly and openly, for example, by bringing before his mind obstacles to his advance in the service of God our Lord, such as labours, shame, fear for his good name in the eyes of the world, etc., the one who is giving the Exercises should not explain to him the rules about different spirits that refer to the Second Week. For while the rules of the First Week will be very helpful to him, those of the Second Week will be harmful, since they deal with matter that is too subtle and advanced for him to understand.

10. When the one who is giving the Exercises perceives that the exercitant is being assailed and tempted under the appearance of good, then is the proper time to explain to him the rules of the Second Week, which we mentioned above. For commonly the enemy of our human nature tempts more under the appearance of good when one is exercising himself in the illuminative way. This corresponds to the Exercises of the Second Week. He does not tempt him so much under the appearance of good when he is exercising himself in the purgative way, which corresponds to the Exercises of the First Week..

11. While the exercitant is engaged in the First Week of the Exercises, it will be helpful if he knows nothing of what is to be done in the Second Week. Rather, let him labor to attain what he is seeking in the First Week as if he hoped to find no good in the Second.

12. He who is giving the Exercises must insist with the exercitant that since he is to spend an hour in each of the five exercises or contemplations which are made every day, he must always take care that he is satisfied in the consciousness of having persevered in the exercise for a full hour. Let him rather exceed an hour than not use the full time. For the enemy is accustomed to make every effort that the hour to be devoted to a contemplation, meditation, or prayer should be shortened.

13. We must remember that during the time of consolation it is easy, and requires only a slight effort, to continue a whole hour in contemplation, but in time of desolation it is very difficult to do so. Hence, in order to fight against the desolation and conquer the temptation, the exercitant must always remain in the exercise a little more than the full hour. Thus he will accustom himself not only to resist the enemy, but even to overthrow him.

14. If the one who is giving the Exercises sees that the exercitant is going on in consolation and in great fervour, he must admonish him not to be inconsiderate or hasty in making any promise or vow. The more unstable in character he knows him to be, the more he should forewarn and admonish him. For though it is right to urge one to enter the religious state in which he knows that vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity are taken, and though a good word done under vow is more meritorious than one done without a vow, nevertheless, it is necessary to consider with great care the condition and endowments of each individual, and the help or hindrance one would experience in carrying out his promises.

15. The director of the Exercises ought not to urge the exercitant more to poverty or any promise than to the contrary, nor to one state of life or way of living more than to another. Outside the Exercises, it is true, we may lawfully and meritoriously urge all who probably have the required fitness to choose continence, virginity, the religious life, and every form of religious perfection. But while one is engaged in the Spiritual Exercises, it is more suitable and much better that the Creator and Lord in person communicate Himself to the devout soul in quest of the divine will, that He inflame it with His love and praise, and dispose it for the way in which it could better serve God in the future. Therefore, the director of the Exercises, as a balance at equilibrium, without leaning to one side or the other, should permit the Creator to deal directly with the creature, and the creature directly with his Creator and Lord.

16. Hence, that the Creator and Lord may work with greater certainty in His creature, if the soul chance to be inordinately attached or inclined to anything it is very proper that it rouse itself by the exertion of all its powers to desire the opposite of that to which it is wrongly attached. Thus if one's attachment leads him to seek and to hold an office or a benefice, not for the honour and glory of God our Lord, nor for the spiritual welfare of souls, but for his own personal gain and temporal interests, he should strive to rouse a desire for the contrary. Let him be insistent in prayer and in his other spiritual exercises in begging God for the reverse, that is, that he neither seek such office or benefice, nor anything else, unless the Divine Majesty duly regulate his desires and change his former attachment. As a result, the reason he wants or retains anything will be solely the service, honour, and glory of the Divine Majesty.

17. While the one who is giving the Exercises should not seek to investigate and know the private thoughts and sins of the exercitant, nevertheless, it will be very helpful if he is kept faithfully informed about the various disturbances and thoughts caused by the action of different spirits. This will enable him to propose some spiritual exercises in accordance with the degree of progress made and suited and adapted to the needs of a soul disturbed in this way.

18. The Spiritual Exercises must be adapted to the condition of the one who is to engage in them, that is, to his age, education, and talent. Thus exercises that he could not easily bear, or from which he would derive no profit, should not be given to one with little natural ability or of little physical strength.

Similarly, each one should be given those exercises that would be more helpful and profitable according to his willingness to dispose himself for them.

Hence, one who wishes no further help than some instruction and the attainment of a certain degree of peace of soul may be given the Particular Examination of Conscience, #24-31, and after that the General Examination of Conscience, #32-43. Along with this, let him be given for half an hour each morning the method of prayer on the Commandments and on the Capital Sins, etc., #238-248. Weekly confession should be recommended to him, and if possible, the reception of Holy Communion every two weeks, or even better, every week if he desires it.

This method is more appropriate for those who have little natural ability or are illiterate. Let each of the Commandments be explained to them, and also the Capital Sins, use of the five senses, the precepts of the Church, and the Works of Mercy.

Similarly, if the one giving the Exercises sees that the exercitant has little aptitude or little physical strength, that he is one from whom little fruit is to be expected, it is more suitable to give him some of the easier exercises as a preparation for confession. Then he should be given some ways of examining his conscience, and directed to confess more frequently than was his custom before, so as to retain what he has gained.

But let him not go on further and take up the matter dealing with the Choice of a Way of Life, nor any other exercises that are outside the First Week. This is especially to be observed when much better results could be obtained with other persons, and when there is not sufficient time to take everything.

19. One who is educated or talented, but engaged in public affairs or necessary business, should take an hour and a half daily for the Spiritual Exercises.

First, the end for which man is created should be explained to him, then for half an hour the Particular Examination of Conscience may be presented, then the General Examination of Conscience, and the method of confessing and of receiving Holy Communion.

For three days, let him meditate each morning for an hour on the first, second, and third sins, #45-54. For three more days, at the same time, he should take the meditation on personal sins, #55-61. Then for three days, at the same hour, he should meditate on the punishment due to sin, #65-71. Along with all of these meditations, he should be given the ten Additional Directions, # 73-89.

In the mysteries of the life of our Lord, the same order should be observed which is explained later on at great length in the Exercises themselves.

20. To one who is more disengaged, and desirous of making as much progress as possible, all the Spiritual Exercises should be given in the same order in which they follow below.

Ordinarily, the progress made in the Exercises will be greater, the more the exercitant withdraws from all friends and acquaintances, and from all worldly cares. For example, he can leave the house in which he dwelt and choose another house or room in order to live there in as great privacy as possible, so that he will be free to go to Mass and Vespers every day without any fear that his acquaintances will cause any difficulty.

There are many advantages resulting from this separation, but the following three are the most important:

First, in order to serve and praise God our Lord one withdraws from numerous friends and acquaintances and from many occupations not undertaken with a pure intention, he gains no little merit before the Divine Majesty.

Secondly, in this seclusion the mind is not engaged in many things, but can give its whole attention to one single interest, that is, to the service of its Creator and its spiritual progress. Thus it is more free to use its natural powers to seek diligently what it so much desires.

Thirdly, the more the soul is in solitude and seclusion, the more fit it renders itself to approach and be united with its Creator and Lord; and the more closely it is united with Him, the more it disposes itself to receive graces and gifts from the infinite goodness of its God.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

22. Which have as their purpose the conquest of self and the regulation of one's life in such a way that no decision is made under the influence of any inordinate attachment.

PRESUPPOSITION

22. To assure better cooperation between the one who is giving the Exercises and the exercitant, and more beneficial results for both, it is necessary to suppose that every good Christian is more ready to put a good interpretation on another's statement than to condemn it as false. If an orthodox construction cannot be put on a proposition, the one who made it should be asked how he understands it. If he is in error, he should be corrected with all kindness. If this does not suffice, all appropriate means should be used to bring him to a correct interpretation, and so defend the proposition from error.

FIRST PRINCIPLE AND FOUNDATION

23. Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul.

The other things on the face of the earth are created for man to help him in attaining the end for which he is created.

Hence, man is to make use of them in as far as they help him in the attainment of his end, and he must rid himself of them in as far as they prove a hindrance to him.

Therefore, we must make ourselves indifferent to all created things, as far we are allowed free choice and are not under any prohibition. Consequently, as far as we are concerned, we should not prefer health to sickness, riches to poverty, honour to dishonour, a long life to a short one. The same holds for all other things.

Our one desire and choice should be what is more conducive to the end for which we are created.

FIRST WEEK

24. DAILY PARTICULAR EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

There are three different times of the day and two examinations involved in this practice.

First, in the morning, immediately on rising, one should resolve to guard carefully against the particular sin or defect with regard to which he seeks to correct or improve himself.

Secondly, after dinner, he should ask God our Lord for the grace he desires, that is, to recall how often he has fallen into the particular sin or defect, and to avoid it for the future.

Then following the first examination. He should demand an account of himself with regard to the particular point he has resolved to watch in order to correct himself and improve. Let him go over the single hours or periods from the time he arose to the hour and moment of the present examination, and in the first line of the figure given below, make a mark for each time that he has fallen into the particular sin or defect. Then he is to renew his resolution, and strive to amend during the time till the second examination is to be made.

Thirdly, after supper, he should make a second examination, going over as before each single hour, commencing with the first examination, and going up to the present one. In the second line of the figure given below, let him make a mark for each time he has fallen into the particular fault or sin.

27. FOUR ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS

These are to serve as a help to more ready removal of the particular sin or fault.

1. Every time one falls into the particular sin or fault, let him place his hand upon his breast, and be sorry for having fallen. He can do this even in the presence of many others without their perceiving what he is doing.

28. 2. Since the first line of the figure to which G is prefixed represents the first examination of conscience, and second one, the second examination, he should observe at night whether there is an improvement from the first line to the second, that is, from the first examination to the second.

29. 3. The second day should be compared with the first, that is, the two examinations of the present day with the two of the preceding day. Let him observe if there is an improvement from one day to another.

30. 4. Let him compare one week with another and observe whether he has improved during the present week as compared with the preceding.

31. Note

It should be noted that in the figure below the first G is larger, and signifies Sunday. The second is smaller, and stands for Monday, the third for Tuesday, the fourth for Wednesday, and so forth.

______________________________________________________________G

______________________________________________________________

32. GENERAL EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

The purpose of this examination of conscience is to purify the should and to aid us to improve our confessions.

I presuppose that there are three kinds of thoughts in my mind, namely: one which is strictly my own, and arises wholly from my own free will; two others which come from without, the one from the good spirit, and the other from the evil one.

33. Thoughts

There are two ways of meriting from evil thoughts that come from without:

1. When a thought of committing a mortal sin comes to my

mind which I resist at once, and thus overcome it.

34. 2. When the same evil thought comes to me, and I resist

it, but it returns again and again, and I always

resist it till it is conquered.

This second way is more meritorious than the first.

35. It is a venial sin if the same thought of sinning mortally comes to mind and for a short time one pays heed to it, or receives some sense pleasure, or is somewhat negligent in rejecting it.

36. There are two ways of sinning mortally:

1. The first is to consent to the evil thought with

the intention of carrying it out, or of doing so if one

can.

37. 2. The second way of sinning is actually carrying out the

sin to which consent was given.

This is a greater sin for three reasons: 1. Because of the greater duration; 2. Because of the greater intensity; 3. Because of the greater harm done to both persons.

38. Words

(One may also offend God in word in many ways: by blasphemy, by swearing.) One must not swear, neither by the creature nor by the Creator, unless it is according to truth, out of necessity, and with reverence.

By necessity I mean that the truth I swear to is not just some true statement I choose to confirm by oath, but one of real importance, either for the welfare of the soul or of the body, or with regard to temporal interests.

By reverence I mean that when the name of the Creator and Lord is mentioned, one acts with consideration and devoutly manifests due honour and respect.

39. It must be noted that in idle oaths we sin more grievously when we swear by the Creator than when we swear by a creature. However, to swear as one ought, according to truth, out of necessity, with reverence, is more difficult when we swear by a creature than when we swear by the Creator. There are three reasons for this:

1. When we wish to take an oath by some creature, the intention to call upon its name does not make us so attentive and cautious to speak the truth, or to confirm it by oath only if necessary, as we would be with the intention to use the name of the Creator and Lord of all.

2. When we swear by the name of some creature, it is not so easy to observe reverence and respect for the Creator as when in swearing we use the name of the Creator and Lord Himself. For the intention of using the name of God our Lord carries along with it a greater respect and reverence than the intention to use the name of a creature.

Hence, those who are perfect should be allowed to swear by a creature rather than those who are imperfect. The perfect, due to constant contemplation and the enlightenment of the understanding, consider, meditate, and ponder more that God our Lord is in every creature by His essence, power, and presence. Therefore, when they swear by a creature, they are more apt to be disposed to show respect and reverence to the Creator and Lord than those who are imperfect.

3. In frequent swearing by a creature, idolatry is more to be feared in those who are imperfect than in those who are perfect.

40. (Among other sins of the tongue that we must avoid are idle words.) No idle word should be uttered. I understand a word to be idle when it serves no good purpose, either for myself or for another, and was not intended to do so. Hence, words are never idle when spoken for any useful purpose, or when meant to serve the good of one's own soul or that of another, of the body or of temporal possessions. Nor are they idle because one speaks of matters that do not pertain to his state, for example, if a religious speaks of wars or of commerce. In all we have mentioned, there will be merit if what is said is directed to some good purpose; there will be sin if it is directed to an evil purpose, or if engaged in for no good end.

41. (Lying, false testimony, detraction are also sins of the tongue.) Nothing should be said to lessen the good name of another, or to complain about him. For if I reveal a hidden mortal sin of another, I sin mortally; if I reveal a hidden venial sin, I sin venially; if his defect, I manifest my own.

If, however, my intention is good, there are two ways in which it is permissible to speak of the sin or fault of another:

1. When a sin is public, as in the case of a woman openly leading a shameless life, or of a sentence passed in court, or of a commonly known error that infests the minds of those with whom we live.

2. When a hidden sin is revealed to some one with the intention that he help the one who is in sin to rise from his state. But then there must be some grounds or probable reasons for believing that he will be able to help him.

(Among sins of the tongue may be considered ridicule, insults, and other similar sins, which the one giving the Exercises may discuss if he judges it necessary.)

42. Deeds

The subject matter for examination will be the Ten Commandments, the laws of the Church, the recommendations of superiors. All transgressions of obligations arising from any of these three groups are more or less grievous sins according to the gravity of the matter.

By recommendations of superiors is meant crusade indults and other indulgences, such as those for peace on condition of confession and reception of Holy Communion. For to be the cause of one acting against such pious recommendations and regulations of superiors, or to do so oneself, is no small sin.

43. METHOD OF MAKING THE GENERAL EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

There are five points in this method

1. The first point is to give thanks to god Our Lord for the favours received.

2. The second point is to ask for grace to know my sins and to rid myself of them.

3. The third point is to demand an account of my soul from the time of rising up to the present examination. I should go over one hour after another, one period after another. The thoughts should be examined first, then the words, and finally, the deeds in the same order as was explained under the Particular Examination of Conscience.

4. The fourth point will be to ask pardon of God our Lord for my faults.

5. The fifth point will be to resolve to amend with the grace of God. Close with an Our Father

44. GENERAL CONFESSION AND HOLY COMMUNION

Among many advantages of a general confession which one makes of his own accord during the time of the Spiritual Exercises, there are especially these three:

1. It is true that one who confesses every year has no obligation to make a general confession. But if one is made, there will be much greater merit and profit, because of the greater sorrow experienced for all the sins and perversities of his whole life.

2. While one is going through the Spiritual Exercises, a far deeper insight into his sins and their malice is acquired than at a time when he is not so engaged with what concerns his inner life. Since at this time he attains to a deeper knowledge and sorrow for his sins, there will be greater profit and merit than he would otherwise have had.

3. As a consequence of having made a better confession, and of being better disposed, he will find that he is more worthy and better prepared to receive the Most Blessed Sacrament. This reception will strengthen him not only against falling into sin, but will also help him to retain the increase of grace which he has gained.

It will be better to make this general confession immediately after the Exercises of the First Week.

45 FIRST EXERCISE

This is a meditation on the first, second, and third sin employing the three posers of the soul. After the preparatory prayer and two preludes it contains three principal points and a colloquy.

46. PRAYER. In the preparatory prayer I will beg God our Lord for grace that all my intentions, actions, and operations may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty.

47. FIRST PRELUDE. This is a mental representation of the place.

Attention must be called to the following point. When the contemplation or meditation is on something visible, for example, when we contemplate Christ our Lord, the representation will consist in seeing in imagination the material place where the object is that we wish to contemplate. I said the material place, for example, the temple, or the mountain where Jesus or His Mother is, according to the subject matter of the contemplation.

In a case where the subject matter is not visible, as here in a meditation on sin, the representation will be to see in imagination my soul as a prisoner in this corruptible body, and to consider my whole composite being as an exile here on earth, cast out to live among brute beasts. I said my whole composite being, body and soul.

48. THE SECOND PRELUDE. I will ask God our Lord for what I want and desire.

The petition made in this prelude must be according to the subject matter. Thus in a contemplation on the Resurrection I will ask for joy with Christ in joy. In one on the passion, I will ask for sorrow, tears, and anguish with Christ in anguish.

Here it will be to ask for shame and confusion, because I see how many have been lost on account of a single mortal sin, and how many times I have deserved eternal damnation of the many grievous sins that I have committed.

49. Note

The Preparatory Prayer, which is never changed, and the two Preludes mentioned above, which are changed at times according to the subject matter, must always be made before all the contemplations and meditations.

50. THE FIRST POINT. This will consist in using the memory to recall the first sin, which was that of the angels, and then in applying the understanding by reasoning upon this sin, then the will by seeking to remember and understand all to be the more filled with shame and confusion when I compare the one sin of the angels with the many sins I have committed. I will consider that they went to hell for one sin, and the number of times I have deserved to be condemned forever because of my numerous sins.

I said we should apply the memory to the sin of the angels, that is, recalling that they were created in the state of grace, that they did not want to make use of the freedom God gave them to reverence and obey their Creator and Lord, and so falling into pride, were changed from grace to hatred of God, and cast out of heaven into hell.

So, too, the understanding is to be used to think over the matter more in detail, and then the will to rouse more deeply the emotions.

51. SECOND POINT. In the same way the three powers of the soul are to be applied to the sin of Adam and Eve. Recall to memory how on account of this sin they did penance for so long a time, and the great corruption which came upon the human race that caused so many to be lost in hell.

I said recall to mind the second sin, that of our First Parents. After Adam had been created on the Plain of Damascus and placed in the Garden of Paradise, and Eve had been formed from his side, they sinned by violating the command not to eat of the tree of knowledge. Thereafter, they were clothed in garments of skin and cast out of Paradise. By their sin they lost original justice, and for the rest of their lives, lived without it in many labours and great penance.

So, too, the understanding is to be used to think over the matter in greater detail, and the will is to be used as explained above.

52 THIRD POINT. IN LIKE MANNER, WE are to do the same with regard to the third sin, namely, that of one who went to hell because of one mortal sin. Consider also countless others who have been lost for fewer sins than I have committed.

I said to do the same for the third particular sin. Recall to memory the gravity and malice of sin against our Creator and Lord. Use the understanding to consider that because of sin, and of acting against the Infinite Goodness, one is justly condemned forever. Close with acts of the will as we have said above.

53. COLLOQUY. Imagine Christ our Lord present before you upon the cross, and begin to speak with him, asking how it is that through He is the Creator, He has stooped to become man, and to pass from eternal life to death here in time, that thus He might die for our sins.

I shall also reflect upon myself and ask:

"What have I done for Christ?

"What am I doing for Christ?

"What ought I to do for Christ?

As I behold Christ in this plight, nailed to the cross, I shall ponder upon what presents itself to my mind.

54. Note on Colloquies

The colloquy is made by speaking exactly as one friend speaks to another, or as a servant speaks to a master, now asking him for a favour, nor blaming himself for some misdeed, now making known his affairs to him, and seeking advice in them. Close with an Our Father.

55. SECOND EXERCISE

This is a meditation on our sins. After the preparatory

prayer and two preludes there are five points and a colloquy

PRAYER. The preparatory prayer will be the same.

FIRST PRELUDE. This will be the same as in the First Exercise.

SECOND PRELUDE. This is to ask for what I desire. Here it will be to ask for a growing and intense sorrow and tears for my sins.

56. FIRST POINT. This is the record of my sins. I will call to mind all the sins of my life, reviewing year by year, and period by period. Three things will help me in this: First, to consider the place where I lived; secondly, my dealings with others; thirdly, the office I have held.

57. SECOND POINT. I will weigh the gravity of my sins, and see the loathsomeness and malice which every mortal sin I have committed has in itself, even though it were not forbidden.

58. THIRD POINT. I will consider who I am, and by means of examples humble myself:

1. What am I compared with all men?

2. What are all men compared with the angels and saints of paradise?

3. Consider what all creation is in comparison with God. Then I alone, what can I be?

4. I will consider all the corruption and loathsomeness of my body.

5. I will consider myself as a source of corruption and contagion from which has issued countless sins and evils and the most offensive poison.

59. FOURTH POINT. I will consider who God is against whom I have sinned, going through His attributes and comparing them with their contraries in me: His wisdom with my ignorance, His power with my weakness, His justice with my iniquity, His goodness with my wickedness.

60. FIFTH POINT. This is a cry of wonder accompanied by surging emotion as I pass in review all creatures. How is it that they have permitted me to live, and have sustained me in life! Why have the angels, though they are the sword of God's justice, tolerated me, guarded me, and prayer for me! Why have the saints interceded for me and asked favours for me! And the heavens, sun, moon, stars, and the elements; the fruits, birds, fishes, and other animals - why have they all been at my service! How is it that the earth did not open to swallow me up, and create new hells in which I should be tormented forever!

61. COLLOQUY. I will conclude with a colloquy, extolling the mercy of God our Lord, pouring out my thoughts to Him, and giving thanks to Him that up to this very moment He has granted me life. I will resolve with His grace to amend for the future. Close with an Our Father.

62. THIRD EXERCISE

This is a repetition of the first and second

exercises with three colloquies

After the preparatory prayer and the two preludes, this exercise will consist in repeating the First and Second Exercise. In doing this, we should pay attention to and dwell upon those points in which we have experienced greater consolation or desolation or greater spiritual appreciation. After the repetition, three colloquies are to be used in the following manner:

63. FIRST COLLOQUY. The first colloquy will be with our Blessed Lady, that she may obtain grace for me from her Son our Lord for three favours:

1. A deep knowledge of my sins and a feeling of abhorrence for them;

2. An understanding of the disorder of my actions, that filled with horror of them, I may amend my life and put it in order;

3. A knowledge of the world, that filled with horror, I may put away from em all that is worldly and vain.

Then I will say a Hail Mary.

SECOND COLLOQUY. I will make the same petitions to her Son that He may obtain these graces from the Father for me.

After that I will say Soul of Christ.

THIRD COLLOQUY. I will make the same requests of the Father that He Himself, the eternal Lord, may grant them to me.

Then I will close with the Our Father.

64. FOURTH EXERCISE

This exercise consists of a summary of the third exercise given above.

I have called it a summary, because the intellect, without any digression thinks over and recalls the matter contemplated in the previous exercises. The same three colloquies should be used at the close.

65. FIFTH EXERCISE

This is a meditation on hell. Besides the preparatory prayer and two preludes it contains five points and a colloquy.

PRAYER. The preparatory prayer will be as usual.

FIRST PRELUDE. This is a representation of the place. Here it will be to see in imagination the length, breadth, and depth of hell.

SECOND PRELUDE. I should ask for what I desire. Here it will be to beg for a deep sense of the pain which the lost suffer, that if because of my faults I forgot the love of the eternal Lord, at least the fear of these punishments will keep me from falling into sin.

66. FIRST POINT. This will be to see in imagination the vast fires, and the souls enclosed, as it were, in bodies of fire.

67. SECOND POINT. To hear the wailing, the howling, cries, blasphemies against Christ our Lord and against His saints.

68. THIRD POINT. With the sense of smell to perceive the smoke, the sulphur, the filth, and corruption.

69. FOURTH POINT. To taste the bitterness of tears, sadness, and remorse of conscience.

70. FIFTH POINT. With the sense of touch to feel the flames which envelop and burn souls.

71. COLLOQUY. Enter into conversation with Christ our Lord. Recall to memory that of those who are in hell, some came there because they did not believe in the coming of Christ; others, though they believed, because they did not keep the Commandments. Divide them all into three classes:

1. Those who were lost before the coming of Christ;

2. Those who were lost during His lifetime;

3. Those who were lost after His life here on earth.

Thereupon, I will give thanks to God our Lord that He has not put an end to my life and permitted me to fall into any of these three classes.

I shall also thank Him for this, that up to this very moment He has shown Himself so loving and merciful to me.

Close with an Our Father

(OTHER EXERCISES)

(If the one giving the Exercises judges that it would be profitable for the exercitant, other exercises may be added here, for example, on death and other punishments of sin, on judgment, etc. Let him not think this is forbidden, though they are not given here.)

72. Note

The First Exercise will be made at midnight; the Second, immediately on rising in the morning; the Third, before or after Mass, at all events before dinner; the Fourth, about the time of Vespers; the Fifth, an hour before supper.

This is more or less the arrangements of hours that I take for granted is being observed in all four Weeks. But as age, condition of health, and the physical constitution of the exercitant permit, there may be five exercises or fewer.

73. ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS

The purpose of these directions is to help one to go through the exercises better and find more readily what he desires.

1. After retiring, just before falling asleep, for the space of a Hail Mary, I will think of the hour when I have to rise, and why I am rising, and briefly sum up the exercise I have to go through.

74. 2. When I wake up, I will not permit my thoughts to roam at random, but will turn my mind at once to the subject I am about to contemplate in the first exercise at midnight. I will seek to rouse myself to shame for my many sins by using examples, let us say, of a knight brought before his king and the whole court, filled with shame and confusion for having grievously offended his lord from whom he had formerly received many gifts and favours. Similarly, in the Second Exercise, I will consider myself a sinner, loaded with chains, that is, I will look upon myself as bound with fetters, going to appear before the supreme and eternal Judge, and I will recall the way prisoners, bound and deserving of death, appear before an earthly judge. As I dress, I will think over these thoughts or others in keeping with the subject matter of the meditation.

75. 3. I will stand for the space of an Our Father, a step or two before the place where I am to meditate or contemplate, and with my mind raised on high consider that God our Lord beholds me, etc. Then I will make an act of reverence or humility.

76. 4. I will enter upon the meditation, now kneeling, now prostrate upon the ground, now lying face upwards, now seated, now standing, always being intent on seeking what I desire. Hence, two things should be noted:

1. If I find what I desire while kneeling, I will not

seek to change my position, I will observe the same

direction, etc.

2. I will remain quietly meditating upon the point in

which I have found what I desire, without any eagerness

to go on till I have been satisfied.

77. 5. After an exercise is finished, either sitting or walking, I will consider for the space of a quarter of an hour how I succeeded in the meditation or contemplation. If poorly, I will seek the cause of the failure; and after I have found it, I will be sorry, so that I may do better in the future. If I have succeeded, I will give thanks to God our Lord, and the next time try to follow the same method.

78. 6. I should not think of things that give pleasure and joy, as the glory of heaven, the Resurrection, etc., for if I wish to feel pain, sorrow, and tears for my sins, every consideration promoting joy and happiness will impede it. I should rather keep in mind that I want to be sorry and feel pain. Hence, it would be better to call to mind death and judgment.

79. 7. Fro the same reason I should deprive myself of all light, closing the shutters and doors when I am in my room, except when I need light to say prayers, to read, or to eat.

80. 8. I should not laugh or say anything that would cause laughter.

81. 9. I should restrain my eyes except to look up in receiving or dismissing one with whom I have to speak.

PENANCE

82. 10. The tenth Additional Direction deals with penance. This is divided into interior and exterior penance. Interior penance consists in sorrow for one's sins and a firm purpose not to commit them or any others. Exterior penance is the fruit of the first kind. It consists in inflicting punishment on ourselves for the sins we have committed. The principal ways of doing this are three:

83. 1. The first kind of exterior penance concerns eating. In this matter, if we do away with what is superfluous, it is not penance, but temperance. We do penance when we deny ourselves something of what is suitable for us. The more we do this, the better the penance, provided only we do no harm to ourselves and do not cause serious illness.

84. 2. The second kind of exterior penance concerns sleep. Here, too, it is not penance when we do away with the superfluous in what is pampering and soft. But it is penance when in our manner of sleeping we take something away from what is suitable. The more we do in this line, the better it is, provided we do not cause any harm to ourselves, and do not bring on any notable illness. But we should not deny ourselves a suitable amount of sleep, except to come to a happy mean in case we had the habit of sleeping too much.

85. 3. The third kind of penance is to chastise the body, that is, to inflict sensible pain on it. This is done by wearing hairshirts, cords, or iron chains on the body, or by scourging or wounding oneself, and by other kinds of austerities.

86. THE MORE SUITABLE AND SAFE FORM OF PENANCE SEEMS TO BE that which would cause sensible pain to the body and not penetrate to the bones, so that it inflicts pain, but does not cause sickness. For this reason it would seem more suitable to chastise oneself with light cords that cause superficial pain, rather than in any other way that might bring about a serious internal infirmity.

NOTES

87. Note 1. The principal reason for performing exterior penance is to secure three effects:

1. To make satisfaction for past sins;

2. To overcome oneself, that is, to make our sensual nature obey reason, and to bring all of our lower faculties into greater subjection to the higher;

3. To obtain some grace or gift that one earnestly desires. Thus it may be that one wants a deep sorrow for sin, or tears, either because of his sins or because of the pains and sufferings of Christ our Lord; or he may want the solution of some doubt that is in his mind.

88. Note II. Note that the first and second Additional Directions are to be observed for the exercises at midnight and at daybreak, and not for the exercises made at other times. The fourth Direction is never to be followed in the church before others, but only in private, for example, at home.

89. Note III. When the exercitant has not found what he has been seeking, for example, tears, consolation, etc., it is often useful to make some change in the kind of penance, such as in food, in sleep, or in other ways of doing penance, so that we alternate, for two or three days doing penance, and for two or three not doing any. The reason for this is that more penance is better for some and less for others. Another reason is that we often quit doing penance, because we are too much concerned about our bodies and erroneously judge that human nature cannot bear it without notable illness. On the other hand, at times we may do too much penance, thinking that the body can stand it. Now since God our Lord knows our nature infinitely better, when we make changes of this kind, He often grants each one the grace to understand what is suitable for him.

90. Note IV. The Particular Examination of Conscience will be made to remove faults and negligences with regard to the Exercises and the Additional Directions. This will also be observed in the Second, Third, and Fourth Week.

THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST

91.

THE CALL OF AN EARTHLY KING

This will help us to contemplate the life of the eternal king.

PRAYER. The preparatory prayer will be as usual.

FIRST PRELUDE. This is a mental representation of the place. Here it will be to see in imagination the synagogues, villages, and towns where Christ our Lord preached.

SECOND PRELUDE. I will ask for the grace I desire. Here it will be to ask of our Lord the grace not to be deaf to His call, but prompt and diligent to accomplish His most holy will.

FIRST PART

92. FIRST POINT. This will be to place before my mind a human king, chosen by God our Lord Himself, to whom all Christian princes and people pay homage and obedience.

93. SECOND POINT. This will be to consider the address this king makes to all his subjects, with the words: "It is my will to conquer all the lands of the infidel. Therefore, whoever wishes to join with me in this enterprise must be content with the same food, drink, clothing, etc. as mine. So, too, he must work with me by day, and watch with me by night, etc., that as he had a share in the toil with me, afterwards, he may share in the victory with me."

94. THIRD POINT. Consider what the answer of good subjects ought to be to a king so generous and noble-minded, and consequently, if anyone would refuse the invitation of such a king, how justly he would deserve to be condemned by the whole world, and looked upon as an ignoble knight.

95. SECOND PART

The second part of this exercise will consist in applying the example of the earthly king mentioned above to Christ our Lord according to the following points:

FIRST POINT. If such a summons of an earthly king to his subjects deserves our attention, how much more worthy of consideration is Christ our Lord, the Eternal King, before whom is assembled the whole world. To all His summons goes forth, and to each one in particular He addresses the words: "It is my will to conquer the whole world and all my enemies, and thus to enter into the glory of my Father. Therefore, whoever wishes to join me in this enterprise must be willing to labor with me, that by following me in suffering, he may follow me in glory."

96. SECOND POINT. Consider that all persons who have judgment and reason will offer themselves entirely for this work.

97. THIRD POINT. Those who wish to give greater proof of their love, and to distinguish themselves in whatever concerns the service of the eternal King and the Lord of all, will not only offer themselves entirely for the work, but will act against their sensuality and carnal and worldly love, and make offerings of greater value and of more importance in words such as these:

98. ETERNAL LORD OF ALL THINGS

Eternal Lord of all things, in the presence of Thy infinite goodness, and of Thy glorious mother, and of all the saints of Thy heavenly court, this is the offering of myself which I make with Thy favour and help. I protest that is my earnest desire and my deliberate choice, provided only it is for Thy greater service and praise to imitate thee in bearing all wrongs and all abuse and all poverty, both actual and spiritual, should Thy most holy majesty deign to choose and admit me to such a state and way of life.

NOTES

99. NOTE I. This exercise should be gone through twice during the day, that is, in the morning on rising, and an hour before dinner, or before supper.

100. NOTE II. During the Second Week and thereafter, it will be very profitable to read some passages from the Following of Christ, or from the Gospels, and from the Lives of the Saints.

SECOND WEEK

101. FIRST DAY AND FIRST CONTEMPLATION

This is a contemplation on the incarnation. After the preparatory prayer and three preludes there are three points and a colloquy.

PRAYER. The usual preparatory prayer.

102. FIRST PRELUDE. This will consist in calling to mind the history of the subject I have to contemplate. Here it will be how the Three Divine Persons look down upon the whole expanse or circuit of all the earth, filled with human beings. Since They see that all are going down to hell, They decree in Their eternity that the Second Person should become man to save the human race. So when the fullness of time had come, They send the Angel Gabriel to our Lady. C/f. # 262.

103. SECOND PRELUDE. This is a mental representation of the place. It will be here to see the great extent of the surface of the earth, inhabited by so many different peoples, and especially to see the house and room of our Lady in the city of Nazareth in the province of Galilee.

104. THIRD PRELUDE. This is to ask for what I desire. Here it will be to ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely.

105. Note

Attention must be called to the following point. The same preparatory prayer without any change, as was mentioned in the beginning, and the three preludes, with such changes of form as the subject demands, are to be made during this Week and during the others that follow.

106. FIRST POINT. This will be to see the different persons:

First, those on the face of the earth, in such great diversity in dress and in manner of acting. Some are white, some black; some at peace, and some at war; some weeping, some laughing; some well, some sick; some coming into the world, and some dying; etc.

Secondly, I will see and consider the Three Divine Persons seated on the royal dais or throne of the Divine Majesty. They look down upon the whole surface of the earth, and behold all nations in great blindness, going down to death and descending into hell.

Thirdly, I will see our Lady and the angel saluting her.

I will reflect upon this to draw profit from what I see.

107. SECOND POINT. This will be to listen to what the persons on the face of the earth say, that is, how they speak to one another, swear and blaspheme, etc. I will also hear what the Divine Persons say, that is, "Let us work the redemption of the human race," etc. Then I will listen to what the angel and our Lady say. Finally, I will reflect upon all I hear to draw profit from their words.

108. THIRD POINT. This will be to consider what the persons on the face of the earth do, for example, wound, kill and go down to hell. Also what the Divine Persons do, namely, work the most holy Incarnation, etc. Likewise, what the Angel and our Lady do; how the Angel carries out his office of ambassador; and how our Lady humbles herself, and offers thanks to the Divine Majesty.

Then I shall reflect upon all to draw some fruit from each of these details.

109. COLLOQUY. The exercise should be closed with a colloquy. I will think over what I ought to say to the Three Divine Persons, or to the eternal Word incarnate, or to His Mother, our Lady. According to the light that I have received, I will beg for grace to follow and imitate more closely our Lord, who has just become man for me.

Close with an Our Father.

110. THE SECOND CONTEMPLATION

The Nativity

PRAYER. The usual preparatory prayer.

111. FIRST PRELUDE. This is the history of the mystery. Here it will be that our Lady, about nine months with child, and, as may be piously believed, seated on an ass, set out from Nazareth. She was accompanied by Joseph and a maid, who was leading an ox. They are going to Bethlehem to pay tribute that Caesar imposed on those lands. C/f. # 264.

112. SECOND PRELUDE. This is a mental representation of the place. It will consist here in seeing in imagination the way from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Consider its length, its breadth; whether level, or through valleys and over hills. Observe also the place or cave where Christ is born; whether big or little, whether high or low; and how it is arranged.

113. THIRD PRELUDE. This will be the same as in the preceding contemplation and identical in form with it.

114. FIRST POINT. This will consist in seeing the persons, namely, our Lady, St. Joseph, the maid and the Child Jesus after His birth. I will make myself a poor little unworthy slave, and as though present, look upon them, contemplate them, and serve them in their needs with all possible homage and reverence.

Then I will reflect on myself that I may reap some fruit.

115. SECOND POINT. This is to consider, observe, and contemplate what the persons are saying, and then to reflect on myself and draw some fruit from it.

116. THIRD POINT. This will be to see and consider what they are doing, for example, making the journey and laboring that our Lord might be born in extreme poverty, and that after many labours, after hunger, thirst, heat, and cold, after insults and outrages, He might die on the cross and all this for me.

Then I will reflect and draw some spiritual fruit from what I have seen.

117. COLLOQUY. Close with a colloquy as in the preceding contemplation, and with the Our Father

118. THE THIRD CONTEMPLATION

This will be a repetition of the first and second exercises.

After the preparatory prayer and the three preludes a repetition of the First and Second Exercises will be made. In doing this, attention should always be given to some more important parts in which one has experienced understanding, consolation, or desolation.

Close the exercise with a colloquy and an Our Father.

119. In this repetition and in all those which follow, the same order of proceeding should be observed as in the repetitions of the First Week. The subject matter is changed but the same form is observed.

120. THE FOURTH CONTEMPLATION

This will consist in a repetition of the first and second exercise in the same way as in the repetition given below.

121. THE FIFTH CONTEMPLATION

This will consist in applying the five senses to the matter of the first and second contemplations.

After the preparatory prayer and three preludes, it will be profitable with the aid of the imagination to apply the five senses to the subject matter of the First and Second Contemplation in the following manner:

122. FIRST POINT. This consists in seeing in imagination the persons, and in contemplating and meditating in detail the circumstances in which they are, and then in drawing some fruit from what has been seen.

123. SECOND POINT. This is to hear what they are saying, or what they might say, and then by reflecting on oneself to draw some profit from what has been heard.

124. THIRD POINT. This is to smell the infinite fragrance, and taste the infinite sweetness of the divinity. Likewise to apply these senses to the soul and its virtues, and to all according to the person we are contemplating, and to draw fruit from this.

125. FOURTH POINT. This is to apply the sense of touch, for example, by embracing and kissing the place where the persons stand or are seated, always taking care to draw some fruit from this.

126. COLLOQUY. Conclude with a colloquy and with an Our Father

as in the First and Second Contemplations.

NOTES

127. NOTE I. Attention must be called to the following point. Throughout this Week and the subsequent Weeks, I ought to read only the mystery that I am immediately to contemplate. Hence, I should not read any mystery that is not to be used on that day or at that hour, lest the consideration of one mystery interfere with the contemplation of the other.

128. NOTE II. The First Exercise on the Incarnation should take place at midnight, the second at daybreak, the third about the time of Mass, the fourth near the time of Vespers, and the fifth an hour before supper.

The same order should be observed on all the following days.

129. NOTE III. If the exercitant is old or weak, or even when strong, if he has come from the First Week rather exhausted, it should be noted that in this Second Week it would be better, at least at times, not to rise at midnight. Then one contemplation would be in the morning, another would be at the time of Mass, a third before dinner, with one repetition of them at the time of Vespers, and the Application of the Senses before supper.

130. NOTE IV. Of the ten Additional Directions given during the First Week, the following should be changed during the Second Week: the second, the sixth, the seventh, and part of the tenth.

The second will be that as soon as I awake, I should place before my mind the subject of the contemplation with the desire to know better the eternal Word Incarnate in order to serve and follow Him more closely.

The sixth will be to call to mind frequently the mysteries of the life of Christ our Lord from the Incarnation to the place or mystery I am contemplating.

The seventh will be that the exercitant take care to darken his room, or admit the light; to make use of pleasant or disagreeable weather, in as far as he perceives that it may be of profit, and help to find what he desires.

In the observance of the tenth Additional Direction, the exercitant must conduct himself as the mysteries he is contemplating demand. Some call for penance; others do not.

Thus all ten Additional Directions are to be observed with great care.

131. NOTE V. In all the exercises, except the one at midnight and the one in the morning, an equivalent of the second Additional Direction should be observed as follows:

As soon as I recall that it is time for the exercise in which I ought to engage, before proceeding to it, I will call to mind, where I am going, before whom I am to appear, and briefly sum up the exercise. Then after observing the third Additional Direction, I shall enter upon the exercise.

132. SECOND DAY

On the second day, for the first and second contemplations, the Presentation in the Temple #268, and the Flight into Exile in Egypt #269, should be used. Two repetitions will be made of these contemplations, and the Application of the Senses, in the same way as was done on the preceding day.

133. Note

Sometimes it will be profitable, even when the exercitant is strong and well-disposed, to make some changes from the second day to the fourth inclusive in order to attain better what is desired. Thus, the first contemplation would be the one on rising. Then there would be a second about the time of Mass, a repetition about the time of Vespers, and the Application of the Senses before supper.

134. THIRD DAY.

On the third day use the contemplations on the Obedience of the Child Jesus to His parents, #271, and the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple, #272. Then will follow the two repetitions and the Application of the Senses.

135. Introduction to the consideration of different states of life.

The example which Christ our Lord gave of the first state of life, which is that of observing the Commandments, has already been considered in meditating on His obedience to His parents. The example of the second state, which is that of evangelical perfection, has also been considered, when He remained in the temple and left His foster father and His Mother to devote Himself exclusively to the service of His eternal Father.

While continuing to contemplate His life, let us begin to investigate and ask in what kind of life or in what state His Divine Majesty wishes to make use of us.

Therefore, as some introduction to this, in the next exercise, let us consider the intention of Christ our Lord, and on the other hand, that of the enemy of our human nature. Let us also see how we ought to prepare ourselves to arrive at perfection in whatever state or way of life God our Lord may grant us to choose.

136. THE FOURTH DAY

A MEDITATION ON TWO STANDARDS

The one of Christ, our Supreme leader and lord, the other of Lucifer, the deadly enemy of our human nature.

PRAYER. The usual preparatory prayer.

137. FIRST PRELUDE. This is the history. Here it will be that Christ calls and wants all beneath His standard, and Lucifer, on the other hand, wants all under his.

138. SECOND PRELUDE. This is a mental representation of the place. It will be here to see a great plain, comprising the whole region about Jerusalem, where the sovereign Commander-in-Chief of all the good is Christ our Lord; and another plain about the region of Babylon, where the chief of the enemy is Lucifer.

139. THIRD PRELUDE. This is to ask for what I desire. Here it will be to ask for a knowledge of the deceits of the rebel chief and help to guard myself against them; and also to ask for a knowledge of the true life exemplified in the sovereign and true Commander, and the grace to imitate Him.

FIRST PART

THE STANDARD OF SATAN

140. FIRST POINT. Imagine you see the chief of all the enemy in the vast plain about Babylon, seated on a great throne of fire and smoke, his appearance inspiring horror and terror.

141. SECOND POINT. Consider how he summons innumerable demons, and scatters them, some to one city and some to another, throughout the whole world, so that no province, no place, no state of life, no individual is overlooked.

142. THIRD POINT. Consider the address he makes to them, how he goads them on to lay snares for men and bind them with chains.

First they are to tempt them to covet riches (as Satan himself is accustomed to do in most cases) that they may the more easily attain the empty honours of this world, and then come to overweening pride.

The first step, then, will be riches, the second honour, the third pride. From these three steps the evil one leads to all other vices.

SECOND PART

THE STANDARD OF CHRIST

143. In a similar way, we are to picture to ourselves the sovereign and true Commander, Christ our Lord.

144. FIRST POINT. Consider Christ our Lord, standing in a lowly place in a great plain about the region of Jerusalem, His appearance beautiful and attractive.

145. SECOND POINT. Consider how the Lord of all the world chooses to many people, apostles, disciples, etc., and sends them throughout the whole world to spread His sacred doctrine among all men, no matter what their state or condition.

146. THIRD POINT. Consider the address which Christ our Lord makes to all His servants and friends whom He sends on this enterprise, recommending to them to seek to help all, first by attracting them to the highest spiritual poverty, and should it please the Divine Majesty, and should He deign to choose them for it, even to actual poverty. Secondly, they should lead them to a desire for insults and contempt, for from these springs humility.

Hence, there will be three steps: the first, poverty as opposed to riches; the second insults or contempt as opposed to the honour of this world; the third, humility as opposed to pride. From these three steps, let them lead men to all other virtues.

147. COLLOQUY. A colloquy should be addressed to our Lady, asking her to obtain for me from her Son and Lord the grace to be received under His standard first in the highest spiritual poverty, and should the Divine Majesty be pleased thereby, and deign to choose and accept me, even in actual poverty; secondly, in bearing insults and wrongs, thereby to imitate Him better, provided only I can suffer these without sin on the part of another, and without offence of the Divine Majesty. Then I will say the Hail Mary.

SECOND COLLOQUY. This will be to ask her Son to obtain the same favours for me from the Father. Then I will say, Soul of Christ.

THIRD COLLOQUY. This will be to beg the Father to grant me the same graces. This I will say the Our Father.

148. NOTE.

This exercise will be made at midnight and again in the morning. There will be two repetitions of the same exercise, one about the time of Mass and the other about the time of Vespers. The same three colloquies, with our Lady, with her Son, and with the Father, will close all these exercises as well as the one on the Three Classes of Men, which follows an hour before supper.

THREE CLASSES OF MEN

This is a meditation for the same fourth day to choose that which is better.

PRAYER. The usual preparatory prayer.

150. FIRST PRELUDE. This is the history of the Three Classes of Men. Each of them has acquired ten thousand ducats, but not entirely as they should have, for the love of God. They all wish to save their souls and find peace in God our Lord by ridding themselves of the burden arising from the attachment to the sum acquired, which impedes the attainment of this end.

151. SECOND PRELUDE. This is a mental representation of the place. Here it will be to behold myself standing in the presence of God our Lord and of all His saints, that I may know and desire what is more pleasing to His Divine Goodness.

152. THIRD PRELUDE. This is to ask for what I desire. Here it will be to beg for the grace to choose what is more for the glory of His Divine Majesty and the salvation of my soul.

153. THE FIRST CLASS. They would like to rid themselves of the attachment they have to the sum acquired in order to find peace in God our Lord and assure their salvation, but the hour of death comes, and they have not made use of any means.

154. THE SECOND CLASS. They want to rid themselves of the attachment, but they wish to do so in such a way that they retain what they have acquired, so that God is to come to what they desire, and they do not decide to give up the sum of money in order to go to God, though this would be the better way for them.

155. THE THIRD CLASS. These want to rid themselves of the attachment, but they wish to do so in such a way that they desire neither to retain nor to relinquish the sum acquired. They seek only to will and not will as God our Lord inspires them, and as seems better for the service and praise of the Divine Majesty. Meanwhile, they will strive to conduct themselves as if every attachment to it had been broken. They will make efforts neither to want that, nor anything else, unless the service of God our Lord alone moves them to do so. As a result, the desire to be better able to serve God our Lord will be the cause of their accepting anything or relinquishing it.

156. THREEFOLD COLLOQUY. I will make use of the same three colloquies employed in the preceding contemplation on Two Standards.

157. Note

It should be noted that when we feel an attachment opposed to actual poverty or a repugnance to it, when we are not indifferent to poverty and riches, it will be very helpful in order to overcome the inordinate attachment, even though corrupt nature rebel against it, to beg our Lord in the colloquies to choose us to serve Him in actual poverty. We should insist that we desire it, beg for it, plead for it, provided, of course, that it be for the service and praise of the Divine Goodness.

158. FIFTH DAY

The contemplation on the journey of Christ our Lord from Nazareth to the river Jordan and His baptism C/f. #273.

NOTES

159. NOTE I

This matter should be contemplated once at midnight, and again in the morning. There will be two repetitions of it, one about the time of Mass and the other about the time of Vespers. Before supper there will be the Application of the Senses to the same mystery.

In each of these five exercises, there will be at the beginning, the preparatory prayer and the three preludes as was fully explained in the contemplations on the Incarnation and the Nativity. They will conclude with the three colloquies of the meditation on Three Classes of Men, or according to the note which follows this meditation.

160. NOTE II The Particular Examination of Conscience after dinner and after supper will be made upon the faults and negligences with regard to the exercises of the day and on the Additional Directions. The same will be observed on the subsequent days.

161. SIXTH DAY

The contemplation will be on Christ our Lord's departure from the river Jordan for the desert and on the temptations. The same directions that were given for the fifth day will be followed here.

SEVENTH DAY

St Andrew and others follow Christ our Lord C/f. # 275.

EIGHTH DAY

The Sermon on the Mount, which is on the eight beatitudes, C/f. # 278.

NINTH DAY

Christ our Lord appears to His disciples on the waves of the sea. C/f. # 280.

TENTH DAY

Our Lord preaches in the temple. C/f. # 288.

ELEVENTH DAY

The raising of Lazarus, C/f. # 285.

TWELFTH DAY

Palm Sunday, C/f. # 287.

NOTES

162. NOTE I. Every one, according to the time he wishes to devote to the contemplations of this Second Week, and according to his progress, may lengthen or shorten this Week.

If he wishes to lengthen it, let him take the mysteries of the Visitation of our Lady to Elizabeth, the Shepherds, the Circumcision of the Child Jesus, the Three Kings, and also others.

If he wishes to shorten the Week, he may omit even some of the mysteries that have been assigned. For they serve here to afford an introduction and method for better and more complete meditation later.

163. NOTE II. The treatment of the matter dealing with the Choice of a Way of Life will begin with the contemplation of our Lord's departure from Nazareth for the Jordan, taken inclusively, that is, on the Fifth Day, as is explained later.

164. NOTE III. Before entering upon the Choice of a Way of Life, in order that we may be filled with love of the true doctrine of Christ our Lord, it will be very useful to consider attentively the following Three Kinds of Humility. These should be thought over from time to time during the whole day, and the three colloquies should also be added as will be indicated further on.

THREE KINDS OF HUMILITY

165. THE FIRST KIND OF HUMILITY. This is necessary for salvation. It consists in this, that as far as possible I so subject and humble myself as to obey the law of God our Lord in all things, so that not even were I made lord of all creation, or to save my life here on earth, would I consent to violate a commandment, whether divine or human, that binds me under pain of mortal sin.

166. THE SECOND KIND OF HUMILITY. This is more perfect than the first. I possess it if my attitude of mind is such that I neither desire nor am I inclined to have riches rather than poverty, to seek honour rather than dishonour, to desire a long life rather than a short life, provided only in either alternative I would promote equally the service of God our Lord and the salvation of my soul. Besides this indifference, this second kind of humility supposes that not for all creation, nor to save my life, would I consent to commit a venial sin.

167. THE THIRD KIND OF HUMILITY.

This is the most perfect kind of humility. It consists in this. If we suppose the first and second kind attained, then whenever the praise and glory of the Divine Majesty would be equally served, in order to imitate and be in reality more like Christ our Lord, I desire and choose poverty with Christ poor, rather than riches; insults with Christ loaded with them, rather than honours; I desire to be accounted as worthless and a fool for Christ, rather than to be esteemed as wise and prudent in this world. So Christ was treated before me.

168. Note

If one desires to attain this third kind of humility, it will help very much to use the three colloquies at the close of the meditation on the three Classes of Men mentioned above. He should beg our Lord to deign to choose him for this third kind of humility, which is higher and better, that he may the more imitate and serve Him, provided equal or greater praise and service given to the Divine Majesty.

169. Introduction to making a choice of a way of life.

In every good choice, as far as depends on us, our intention must be simple. I must consider only the end for which I am created, that is, for the praise of God our Lord and for the salvation of my soul. Hence, whatever I choose must help me to this end for which I am created.

I must not subject and fit the end to the means, but the means to the end. Many first choose marriage, which is a means, and secondarily the service of God our Lord in marriage, though the service of God is the end. So also others first choose to have benefices, and afterwards to serve God in them. Such persons do not go directly to God, but want God to conform wholly to their inordinate attachments. Consequently, they make of the end a means, and of the means an end. As a result, what they ought to seek first, they seek last.

Therefore, my first aim should be to seek to serve God, which is the end, and only after that, if it is more profitable, to have a benefice or marry, for these are means to an end. Nothing must move me to use such means, or to deprive myself of them, save only the service and praise of God our Lord, and the salvation of my soul.

170. Matters about which a choice should be made

The purpose of this consideration is to afford information on the matters about which a choice should be made. It contains four points and a note.

First Point. It is necessary that all matters of which we wish to make a choice be either indifferent or good in themselves, and such that they are lawful within our Holy Mother, the hierarchical Church, and not bad or opposed to her.

171. Second Point. There are things that fall under an unchangeable choice, such as the priesthood, marriage, etc. There are others with regard to which our choice may be changed, for example, to accept or relinquish a benefice, to receive or renounce temporal goods.

172. Third Point. With regard to an unchangeable choice, once it has been made, for instance, by marriage or the priesthood, etc., since it cannot be undone, no further choice is possible. Only this is to be noted. If the choice has not been made as it should have been, and with due order, that is, if it was not made without inordinate attachments, one should be sorry for this, and take care to live well in the life he has chosen.

Since such a choice was inordinate and awry, it does not seem to be a vocation from God, as many erroneously believe. They make a divine call out of a perverse and wicked choice. For every vocation that comes from God is always pure and undefiled, uninfluenced by the flesh or any inordinate attachment.

173. Fourth Point. In matters that may be changed, if one has made a choice properly and with due order, without yielding to the flesh or the world, there seems to be no reason why he should make it over. But let him perfect himself as much as possible in the one he has made.

174. Note.

It is to be observed that if a choice in matters that are subject to change has not been made sincerely and with due order, then, if one desires to bring forth fruit that is worthwhile and most pleasing in the sight of God our Lord, it will be profitable to make a choice in the proper way.

175. Three Times when a correct and good choice of a way of life may be made

First Time. When God our Lord so moves and attracts the will that a devout soul without hesitation, or the possibility of hesitation, follows what has been manifested to it. St. Paul and St. Matthew acted thus in following Christ our Lord.

176. Second Time. When much light and understanding are derived through experience of desolations and consolations and discernment of diverse spirits.

177. Third Time. This is a time of tranquillity. One considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, for the praise of God our Lord and for the salvation of his soul. With the desire to attain this before his mind, he chooses as a means to this end a kind of life or state within the bounds of the Church that will be a help in the service of his Lord and for the salvation of his soul.

I said it is time of tranquillity, that is, a time when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and has free and peaceful use of its natural powers.

178. If a choice of a way of life has not been made in the first and second time, below are given:

Two ways of making a choice of a way of life in the third time.

First way of making a good and correct choice of a way of life

This contains six points

First Point. This is to place before my mind the object with regard to which I wish to make a choice, for example, an office, or the reception or rejection of a benefice, or anything else that may be the object of a choice subject to change.

179. Second Point. It is necessary to keep as my aim the end for which I am created, that is, the praise of God our Lord and the salvation of my soul. Besides this, I must be indifferent, without any inordinate attachment, so that I am not more inclined or disposed to accept the object in question than to relinquish it, nor to give it up than to accept it. I should be like a balance at equilibrium, without leaning to either side, that I might be ready to follow whatever I perceive is more for the glory and praise of God our Lord and for the salvation of my soul.

180. Third Point. I should beg God our Lord to design to move my will, and to bring to my mind what I ought to do in this matter that would be more for His praise and glory. Then I should use the understanding to weigh the matter with care and fidelity, and make my choice in conformity with what would be more pleasing to His most holy will.

181. Fourth Point. This will be to weigh the matter by reckoning the number of advantages and benefits that would accrue to me if I had the proposed office or benefice solely for the praise of God our Lord, and the salvation of my soul. On the other hand, I should weigh the disadvantages and dangers there might be in having it. I will do the same with the second alternative, that is, weigh the advantages and benefits as well as the disadvantages and danger of not having it.

182. Fifth Point. After I have gone over and pondered in this way every aspect of the matter in question, I will consider which alternative appears more reasonable. Then I must come to a decision in the matter under deliberation because of weightier motives presented to my reason, and not because of any sensual inclination.

183. Sixth Point. After such a choice or decision, the one who has made it must turn with great diligence to prayer in the presence of God our Lord, and offer Him his choice that the Divine Majesty may deign to accept and confirm it if it is for His greater service and praise.

184. SECOND WAY OF MAKING A CORRECT AND GOOD CHOICE OF A WAY OF LIFE.

This contains four rules and a note

First Rule. The love that moves and causes one to choose must descend from above, that is, from the love of God, so that before one chooses he should perceive that the greater or less attachment for the object of his choice is solely because of His Creator and Lord.

185. Second Rule. I should represent to myself a man whom I have never seen or known, and whom I would like to see practice all perfection. Then I should consider what I would tell him to do and choose for the greater glory of God our Lord and the greater perfection of his soul. I will do the same, and keep the rule I propose to others.

186. Third Rule. This is to consider what procedure and norm of action I would wish to have followed in making the present choice if I were at the moment of death. I will guide myself by this and make my decision entirely in conformity with it.

187. Fourth Rule. Let me picture and consider myself as standing in the presence of my judge on the last day, and reflect what decision in the present matter I would then wish to have made. I will choose now the rule of life that I would then wish to have observed, that on the day of judgment I may be filled with happiness and joy.

188. Note

Guided by the rules given above for my eternal salvation and peace, I will make my decision, and will offer it to God our Lord as directed in the sixth point of the First Way of Making a Choice of a Way of Life.

189. DIRECTIONS FOR THE AMENDMENT AND REFORMATION OF ONE'S WAY OF LIVING IN HIS STATE OF LIFE.

It must be borne in mind that some may be established in an ecclesiastical office, or may be married, and hence cannot make a choice of a state of life, or, in matters that may be changed and hence are subject to a choice, they may not be very willing to make one.

It will be very profitable for such persons, whether they possess great wealth or not, in place of a choice, to propose a way for each to reform his manner of living in his state by setting before him the purpose of his creation and of his life and position, namely, the glory and praise of God our Lord and the salvation of his soul.

If he is really to attain this end, during the Exercises and during the consideration of the ways of making a choice as explained above, he will have to examine and weigh in all its details how large a household he should maintain, how he ought to rule and govern it, how he ought to teach its members by word and example. So too he should consider what part of his means should be used for his family and household, how much should be set aside for distribution to the poor and other pious purposes.

Let him desire and seek nothing except the greater praise and glory of God our Lord as the aim of all he does. For every one must keep in mind that in all that concerns the spiritual life his progress will be in proportion to his surrender of self-love and of his own will and interests.

THIRD WEEK

190. FIRST DAY

THE FIRST CONTEMPLATION AT MIDNIGHT

Christ our Lord goes from Bethany to Jerusalem and the Last Supper. #289. It contains the preparatory prayer, three preludes, six points, and a colloquy.

PRAYER. The usual preparatory prayer.

191. FIRST PRELUDE. This is the history. Here it will be to recall that Christ our Lord sent two of disciples from Bethany to Jerusalem to prepare the Supper, and afterwards, He himself went there with His disciples. After they had eaten the Paschal Lamb and supped, He washed their feet, and gave His most Sacred Body and precious Blood to His disciples. When Judas had gone out to sell his Lord, Christ addressed His disciples.

192. SECOND PRELUDE. This is a mental representation of the place. Here it will be to consider the way from Bethany to Jerusalem, whether narrow or broad, whether level, etc; also the place of the Supper, whether great or small, whether of this or that appearance.

193. THIRD PRELUDE. This is to ask for what I desire. Here it will be to ask for sorrow, compassion, and shame because the Lord is going to His suffering for my sins.

194. FIRST POINT. This is to see the persons at the Supper, and to reflect upon myself, and strive to draw some profit from them.

SECOND POINT. This is to listen to their conversation, and likewise to seek to draw fruit from it.

THIRD POINT. This is to see what they are doing, and to seek to draw some fruit from it.

195. FOURTH POINT. This will be to consider what Christ our Lord suffers in His human nature, or according to the passage contemplated, what he desires to suffer. Then I will begin with great effort to strive to grieve, be sad, and weep. In this way I will labor through all the points that follow.

196. FIFTH POINT. This is to consider how the divinity hides itself; for example, it could destroy its enemies and does not do so, but leaves the most sacred humanity to suffer so cruelly.

197. SIXTH POINT. This is to consider that Christ suffers all this for my sins, and what I ought to do and suffer for Him.

198. COLLOQUY. Close with a colloquy to Christ our Lord, and at the end, say the Our Father.

199. NOTE

Attention must be called to the following point which was mentioned before and in part explained. In the colloquy, one should talk over motives and present petitions according to circumstances. Thus he may be tempted or he may enjoy consolation, may desire to have this virtue or another, may want to dispose himself in this or that way, may seek to grieve or rejoice according to the matter that he is contemplating. Finally, he should ask what he more earnestly desires with regard to some particular interests.

Following this advice, he may engage in only one colloquy with Christ our Lord, or, if the matter and his devotion prompt him to do so, he may use three colloquies, one with the Mother of our Lord, one with her Son, and one with the Father. If three colloquies are used, the same form should be followed that was given in the meditation on Two Standards, and the note that follows after the Three Classes of Men should be observed.

200. SECOND CONTEMPLATION

In the morning. From the Last Supper to the Agony in the Garden inclusive.

PRAYER. The usual preparatory prayer.

201. FIRST PRELUDE. This is the history of the mystery. Here it will be as follows: Christ our Lord descended with the eleven disciples from Mt. Sion, where the Supper was held, to the Valley of Jospahat. Eight of the disciples were left at a place in the valley, and the other three in a part of the garden. Then Jesus began His prayer, and His sweat became drops of blood. Three times He prayed to His Father and went to rouse His disciples from sleep. After His enemies had fallen to the ground at His word, and Judas had given Him the kiss, after St Peter had cut off the ear of Malchus, and Christ had healed it, Jesus was seized as a malefactor, and led down through the valley and again up the slope to the house of Annas.

202. SECOND PRELUDE This is to see the place. It will be here to consider the way from Mt Sion to the Valley of Josaphat, likewise the garden its breadth, its length, and appearance.

203. THIRD PRELUDE. This is to ask for what I desire. In the Passion it is proper to ask for sorrow with Christ in sorrow, anguish with Christ in anguish, tears and deep grief because of the great affliction Christ endures for me.

NOTES

204. NOTE I. In this second contemplation, after the preparatory prayer and the three preludes given above, the same way of proceeding in the points and colloquies is to be observed as was followed in the first contemplation on the Supper.

About the time of Mass and Vespers, two repetitions are to be made of the first and second contemplations. Before supper the Application of the Senses should be made on the subject matter of the two contemplations. The preparatory prayer, and the preludes, adapted to the subject of the exercise, are always to precede. The form to be observed is the same as that given and explained in the Second Week.

205. NOTE II. As far as age, health, and physical constitution permit the exercitant to do so, he will use five exercises each, or fewer.

206. NOTE III. In the Third Week some modification of the second and sixth Additional Directions is necessary.

The second will be that as soon as I awake I will call to mind where am going and the purpose. I will briefly summarise the contemplation on which I am about to enter. According to the subject matter, I will make an effort while rising and dressing to be sad and grieve because of the great sorrow and suffering of Christ our Lord.

The sixth Additional Direction will be changed as follows. I will take care not to bring up pleasing thoughts, even though they are good and holy, for example, of the Resurrection and the glory of heaven. Rather I will rouse myself to sorrow, suffering, and anguish by frequently calling to mind the labours, fatigue, and suffering which Christ our Lord endured from the time of His birth down to the mystery of the passion upon which I am engaged at present..

207. NOTE IV. The Particular Examination of Conscience should be made on the Exercises and the Additional Directions as applied to this Week, as was done in the past Week.

208. SECOND DAY

At midnight the contemplation will be on the events from the Garden to the house of Annas inclusive. C/f. # 291.

In the morning, from the house of Annas to the house of Caiphas inclusive. C/f. # 292.

There will be two repetitions and the Application of the Senses as explained above.

THIRD DAY

At midnight, from the house of Caiphas to the house of Pilate inclusive. C/f. # 293.

In the morning from Pilate to Herod inclusive. C/f. # 294.

Then the repetitions and the Application of the Senses in the same way as has been noted.

FOURTH DAY

At midnight, from Herod to Pilate, # 295, using for this contemplation only the first half of what occurred in the house of Pilate, and afterwards in the morning, the remaining part.

There will be two repetitions and the Application of the Senses as explained.

FIFTH DAY

At midnight, from the house of Pilate to the Crucifixion, # 296, and in the morning, from the raising of the cross to His death, # 297.

SIXTH DAY

At midnight from the taking down from the cross to the burial

exclusive, # 298, and in the morning from the burial inclusive to the house to which our Lady retired after the burial of her Son.

SEVENTH DAY

The contemplation of the whole passion in one exercise at midnight, and again in the morning.

In place of the two repetitions and the Application of the Senses, one should consider as frequently as possible throughout this whole day that the most Sacred Body of Christ our Lord remained separated from the soul, and the place and manner of burial. Let him consider, likewise, the desolation of our Lady, her great sorrow and weariness, and also that of the disciples.

209. Note

If one wishes to spend more time on the passion, he should use fewer mysteries in each contemplation, thus, in the first, only the Supper; in the second only the washing of feet; in the third, the institution of the Blessed Sacrament; in the fourth, Christ's parting address, and so on for the other contemplations and mysteries.

In like manner, after the passion is finished, he may devote one whole day to the consideration of the first half of the passion, and a second day to the other half, and a third day to the whole passion.

On the other hand, if he should wish to spend less time on the passion, he may take the Supper at midnight, the Agony in the Garden in the morning; about the time of Mass, Jesus before Annas; about the time of Vespers, Jesus before Caiphas; and instead of the Application of the Senses at the hour before supper, Jesus before Pilate. In this way, without repetitions or Applications of the Senses, there should be five exercises each day, using for each one a distinct mystery of the life of Christ our Lord. After he has finished the whole passion in this way, he may use another day to go through the entire passion, either in one exercise or in several, as is deemed best for his greater profit.

210. RULES WITH REGARD TO EATING

To secure for the future due order in the use of food.

FIRST RULE. There is less need of abstinence from bread, since it is not a food concerning which the appetite is wont to be so inordinate and temptation so insistent as with other kinds of food.

211. SECOND RULE. As to drink, abstinence seems to be more necessary than in eating bread. Hence, one should consider carefully what would be helpful, and therefore to be permitted; and what would be harmful, and to be avoided.

212. THIRD RULE. As to foods, greater and more complete abstinence is to be observed. For with regard to them the appetite tends more readily to be excessive, and temptation to be insistent. To avoid disorder concerning foods, abstinence may be practiced in two ways:

First, by accustoming oneself to eat coarser foods; Secondly, if delicacies are taken, to eat of them only sparingly.

213. FOURTH RULE. Provided care is taken not to fall sick, the more one retrenches from a sufficient diet, the more speedily he will arrive at the mean he should observe in the matter of food and drink. There are two reasons for this:

First, by thus using the means to dispose himself, he will often experience more abundantly within the soul lights, consolations, and divine inspirations by which the proper mean will become evident to him.

Secondly, if he perceives that with such abstinence he has not sufficient strength and health for the Spiritual Exercises, he will easily come to understand what is more suitable to sustain his body.

214. FIFTH RULE. While one is eating, let him imagine he sees Christ our Lord and His disciples at table, and consider how He eats and drinks, how He looks, how He speaks, and then strive to imitate Him. In this way, his mind will be occupied principally with our Lord, and less with the provision for the body. Thus he will come to greater harmony and order in the way he ought to conduct himself.

215. SIXTH RULE. While eating, one may also occupy himself with some other consideration, either of the life of the saints, or of some pious reflection, or of a spiritual work he has on hand. For when a person is attentive to anything of this kind, there will be less sensible gratification in the nourishment of the body.

216. SEVENTH RULE. Above all, let him be on his guard against being wholly intent upon what he is eating, and against being carried away by his appetite so as to eat hurriedly. Let him always be master of himself, both in the manner of eating and in the amount he eats.

217. EIGHTH RULE. To do away with what is inordinate, it will be very helpful after dinner or after supper, or at any time when one does not feel a desire for food, to arrange for the next dinner or supper, and so every day to fix the amount that is proper for him to eat. Let him not exceed this, no matter what his appetite or the temptation. Rather, to overcome better every disorderly appetite and temptation of the enemy, if he is tempted to eat more, let him eat less.

218. Fourth Week

FIRST CONTEMPLATION

The apparition of Christ our Lord to our Lady #299.

PRAYER. The usual preparatory prayer.

219. FIRST PRELUDE. This is the history. Here it is how after Christ expired on the cross His body remained separated from the soul, but always united with the divinity. His soul, likewise united with the divinity, descended into hell. There he sets free the souls of the just, then comes to the sepulchre, and rising, appears in body and soul to His Blessed Mother.

220. SECOND PRELUDE. This is a mental representation of the place. Here it will be to see the arrangement of the holy sepulchre and the place or house of our Lady. I will note its different parts, and also her room, her oratory, etc.

221. THIRD PRELUDE. This will be to ask for what I desire. Here it will be to ask for what I desire. Here it will be to ask for the grace to be glad and rejoice intensely because of the great joy and the glory of Christ our Lord.

222. THE FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD POINTS. These will be the usual ones as presented in the contemplation on the Last Supper.

223. FOURTH POINT. This will be to consider the divinity, which seemed to hide itself during the passion, now appearing and manifesting itself so miraculously in the most holy Resurrection in its true and most sacred effects.

224. FIFTH POINT. Consider the office of consoler that Christ our Lord exercises, and compare it with the way in which friends are wont to console each other.

225. COLLOQUY. Close with a colloquy, or colloquies, as the circumstances suggest, and at the end say the Our Father

NOTES

226. NOTE I. In the subsequent contemplations, all the mysteries from the Resurrection to the Ascension inclusive are to be gone through in the manner indicated below. As for the rest, throughout the whole Week of the Resurrection, let the same form be used and the same method observed as were followed during the entire Week devoted to the passion.

The first contemplation on the Resurrection, given above, will serve as a guide. The preludes will be the same, but adapted to the matter being considered. The five points will be the same. The Additional Directions will be as given below. In all the rest, for example, with regard to the repetitions, the Application of the Senses, the shortening or lengthening of the mysteries, etc., the Week devoted to the passion may serve as a model.

227. NOTE II. Ordinarily, it is more in keeping with this Week than with those that have passed to have four exercises a day instead of five.

In that case the first will be on rising in the morning, the second about the time of Mass, or before dinner, in the place of the first repetition. The third, about the time of Vespers, will be in place of the second repetition. The fourth, before supper, will be the Application of the Senses to the matter of the three contemplations of the day.

In making the Application of the Senses, attention and more time is to be given to the more important parts and to points where the soul was more deeply moved and spiritual relish was greater.

228. NOTE III. Though in all the contemplations a definite number of points is given, say three, or five, etc., the one who is contemplating may make use of more or fewer as seems better for him. For this reason it will be very useful before entering on the contemplation to foresee and determine a definite number of points that are to be used.

229. NOTE IV. In the Fourth Week a change is to be made in the second, sixth, seventh, and tenth Additional Directions.

The second will be, as soon as I awake, to place before my mind the contemplation I am to enter upon, and then to strive to feel joy and happiness at the great joy and happiness of Christ our Lord.

The sixth will be to call to mind and think on what causes pleasure, happiness, and spiritual joy, for instance, the glory of heaven.

The seventh will be, as far as there is reason to believe that it might help us to rejoice in our Creator and Redeemer, to make use of the light and the pleasures of the seasons, for example, in summer of the refreshing coolness, in the winter of the sun and fire.

The tenth will be, instead of penance, to attend to temperance and moderation in all, except on days of fast and abstinence ordained by the Church, which must always be observed if there is no legitimate excuse.

CONTEMPLATION TO ATTAIN LOVE OF GOD

230. CONTEMPLATION TO ATTAIN THE LOVE OF GOD

NOTE. Before presenting this exercise it will be good to call attention to two points:

1. The first is that love ought to manifest itself in deeds rather than in words.

231. 2. The second is that love consists in a mutual sharing of goods, for example, the lover gives and shares with the beloved what he possesses, or something of that which he has or is able to give; and vice versa, the beloved shares with the lover. Hence, if one has knowledge, he shares it with the one who does not possess it; and so also if one has honours, or riches. Thus, one always gives to the other.

PRAYER. The usual prayer.

232. FIRST PRELUDE. This is the representation of the place, which here is to behold myself standing in the presence of God our Lord and of His angels and saints, who intercede for me.

233. SECOND PRELUDE. This is to ask for what I desire. Here it will be to ask for an intimate knowledge of the many blessings received, that filled with gratitude for all, I may in all things love and serve the Divine Majesty.

234. FIRST POINT. This is to recall to mind the blessings of creation and redemption, and the special favours I have received.

I will ponder with great affection how much God our Lord has done for me, and how much He has given me of what He possesses, and finally, how much, as far as far as He can, the same Lord desires to give Himself to me according to His divine decrees.

Then I will reflect upon myself, and consider, according to all reason and justice, what I ought to offer the Divine Majesty, that is, all I possess and myself with it. Thus, as one would do who is moved by great feeling, I will make this offering of myself:

TAKE, LORD, AND RECEIVE

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O Lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and Thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.

235. SECOND POINT. This is to reflect how God dwells in creatures: in the elements giving them existence, in the plants giving them life, in the animals conferring upon them sensation, in man bestowing understanding. So He dwells in me and gives me being, life, sensation, intelligence; and makes a temple of me, since I am created in the likeness and image of the Divine Majesty.

Then I will reflect upon myself in the manner stated in the first point, or in some other way that may seem better.

The same should be observed with regard to each of the points given below.

236. THIRD POINT. This is to consider how God works and labours for me in all creatures upon the face of the earth, that is, He conducts Himself as one who labours. Thus, in the heavens, the elements, the plants, the fruits, the cattle etc., He gives being, conserves them, confers life and sensation, etc.

Then I will reflect on myself.

237. FOURTH POINT. This is to consider all blessings and gifts as descending from above. Thus, my limited power comes from the supreme and infinite power above, and so, too, justice, goodness, mercy, etc., descend from above as the rays of light descend from the sun, and as the waters flow from their fountains, etc.

Then I will reflect on myself, as has been said.

Conclude with a colloquy and the Our Father.

238. THREE METHODS OF PRAYER

THE FIRST METHOD OF PRAYER

The First Method of Prayer is on the Ten Commandments, the Seven Capital Sins, the three powers of the soul, and the five senses.

This manner of praying is not meant so much to provide a form and method of prayer properly so called, but rather to supply a way of proceeding and some practices by which the soul may prepare itself and profit so that its prayer may be acceptable to God.

I. ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

239. ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS. First an equivalent of the second Additional Direction as given in the Second Week is to be observed, that is, before entering on the prayer I recollect myself for a while, and either seated or walking up and down, as may seem better, I will consider where I am going, and for what purpose. The same direction should be observed at the beginning of all the methods of prayer.

240. PRAYER. A preparatory prayer should be made, for example, I ask God Our Lord for grace to know how I have failed in the observance of the Ten Commandments, and also for grace and help to amend for the future. I will beg for a perfect understanding of them in order to observe them better and glorify and praise the Divine Majesty more.

241. METHOD. In this first method of prayer I should consider and think over the First Commandment, asking myself, how I have observed it, and in what I have failed. I will use as a measure of this consideration the space of time it takes to recite three times the Our Father and the Hail Mary. If during this time I find faults I have committed, I will ask forgiveness and say an Our Father. This same method will be followed with each of the Ten Commandments.

NOTES

242. NOTE I. If one comes to the consideration of a Commandment against which he is not in the habit of committing any sins, it is not necessary to delay so long on it. According as he finds that he sins more or less against a Commandment, he should devote more or less time to the examination and consideration of it. The same rule should be observed with regard to the Capital Sins.

243. NOTE II. After one has finished the consideration of all the Commandments as indicated above, and has accused himself of his faults, and asked for grace and help to amend for the future, he should close with a colloquy to God our Lord, adapted to the subject matter.

244. II. ON THE CAPITAL SINS

METHOD. With regard to the Seven Capital Sins, after the Additional Direction, the preparatory prayer should be made in the way prescribed, but with the modification that the object is the sins to be avoided, whereas before, it was the Commandments to be observed. In like manner the method prescribed, the regulation of the time, and the colloquy are to be observed.

245. NOTE. In order to understand better the faults committed that come under the Seven Capital Sins, let the contrary virtues be considered. So also, the better to avoid these sins, one should resolve to endeavour by devout exercises to acquire and retain the seven virtues contrary to them.

246. III ON THE THREE POWERS OF THE SOUL

METHOD. With regard to the three powers of the soul, observe the same method, measure of time, and additional direction as for the Commandments. As there, use a preparatory prayer and colloquy.

247. IV. ON THE FIVE SENSES OF THE BODY

METHOD. With regard to the five senses of the body, the same method should always be observed, only the subject matter is changed.

248. NOTE. If anyone wishes to imitate Christ our Lord in the use of the senses, he should recommend himself to His Divine Majesty in the preparatory prayer, and after the consideration of each sense say a Hail Mary or an Our Father.

If he wishes to imitate our Lady in the use of his senses, he should recommend himself to her in the preparatory prayer that she obtain for him this grace from her Son and Lord, and after the consideration of each sense say a Hail Mary.

249. SECOND METHOD OF PRAYER

This consists in contemplating the meaning of each word of a prayer.

250. ADDITIONAL DIRECTION. The same Additional Direction used in the First Method of Prayer should be used here also.

251. PREPARATORY PRAYER. This should be made according to the person to whom the prayer is addressed.

252. METHOD. This is as follows: One may kneel or sit, as may be better suited to his disposition and more conducive to devotion. He should keep his eyes closed or fixed in one position without permitting them to roam. Then let him say, "Father", and continue meditating upon this word as long as he finds various meanings, comparisons, relish, and consolation in the consideration of it. The same method should be followed with each word of the Our Father, or of any other prayer which he wishes to use for this method.

253. RULE I.. He should continue for an hour in the way described, going through the whole Our Father. When he has finished, let him say the Hail Mary, the Creed, Soul of Christ, and Hail Holy Queen vocally or mentally, in the usual way.

254. RULE II. If in contemplation, say on the Our Father, he finds in one or two words abundant matter for thought and much relish and consolation, he should not be anxious to go on, though the whole hour be taken up with what he has found. When the hour is over, let him say the rest of the Our Father in the usual way.

255. RULE III. If he has occupied with one or two words of the Our Father for a whole hour, when he wishes to pray on another day, let him say those words in the ordinary way, and commence to contemplate as stated in the second rule with the words that follow immediately after them.

256. NOTE I. After one or more days, when he has finished the Our Father, he should use the Hail Mary for prayer in the same way, then other forms of prayer, so that for some time he is always engaged with one of them.

257. NOTE II. At the end of the prayer, he should turn to the person to whom the prayer is directed, and in a few words ask for the virtues or graces which he sees he needs most.

258. THIRD METHOD OF PRAYER

A Measured Rhythmical Recitation

ADDITIONAL DIRECTION. The same Additional Direction will be observed here as in the First and Second Methods.

PRAYER. The preparatory prayer will be as in the Second Method of Prayer.

METHOD. This is as follows: With each breath or respiration, one should pray mentally while saying a single word of the Our Father, or other prayer that is being recited, in such a way that from one breath to another a single word is said. For this same space of time, the attention is chiefly directed to the meaning of the word, to the person who is addressed, to our own lowliness, or the difference between the greatness of the person and our own littleness. In this way, observing the same measure of time, he should go through the other words of the Our Father. Let the other prayers, the Hail Mary, the Soul of Christ, The Creed, and the Hail Holy Queen, be recited in the ordinary way.

259. RULE I. On another day, or at some other time, when he wishes to pray, he may recite the Hail Mary in this measured rhythm, and the other prayers in the ordinary way.

260. RULE II. He who wishes to spend more time in this measured prayer, may say all the prayers mentioned above, or a part of them in this way. But let him keep the same method of a breath for the measure as has been explained above.

THE MYSTERIES OF THE LIFE OF OUR LORD.

261. THE MYSTERIES OF THE LIFE OF OUR LORD

NOTE. In all the mysteries given below, all the words that are in quotation marks are from the Gospel itself, but not those that are outside the quotation marks. Usually three points are given in order to make it easier to meditate and contemplate on the mysteries.

262. THE ANNUNCIATION TO OUR LADY

St Luke 1, 26-38

FIRST POINT. The angel, St. Gabriel, salutes our Lady, and announces to her the conception of Christ our Lord: "He went in unto her and said, 'Hail full of grace.... Thou shalt conceive in the womb and bring forth a son.'"

SECOND POINT. The angel confirms what he had said to her by announcing to her the conception of St. John the Baptist: "And behold Elizabeth thy kinswoman, she also has conceived a son in her old age."

THIRD POINT. Our Lady replied to the angel: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word."

263. THE VISITATION OF OUR LADY TO ELIZABETH

St. Luke 1, 39-56

FIRST POINT. When our Lady visited Elizabeth, St. John the Baptist in his mother's womb knew the visit of our Lady. "And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe in her womb leapt and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry and said, 'Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.'"

SECOND POINT. Our Lady chants the Magnificat, saying, "My soul doth magnify the Lord."

THIRD POINT. "Mary stayed with her about three months, and returned to her own home."

264. BIRTH OF CHRIST OUR LORD

St. Luke 2, 1-14

FIRST POINT. Our Lady and her spouse Joseph go from Nazareth to Bethlehem. "Joseph also went up from Galilee to Bethlehem to profess his subjection to Caesar with Mary his espoused wife who was with child."

SECOND POINT. "She brought forth her first-born son and she swathed him round and laid him in a manger."

THIRD POINT. "There appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest.'"

265. THE SHEPHERDS

St. Luke 2,8-20

FIRST POINT. The birth of Christ our Lord was made known to the shepherds by the angel: "I bring to you glad tidings of great joy ... for there has been born to you this day a Saviour."

SECOND POINT. The shepherds go to Bethlehem. "They went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in the manger."

THIRD POINT. "The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God."

266. THE CIRCUMCISION

St. Luke 2, 21

FIRST POINT. They circumcised the Child Jesus.

SECOND POINT. "His name was called Jesus, whereby he was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb."

THIRD POINT. They returned the Child to His Mother who felt compassion for Him because of the blood He shed.

267. THE MAGI

St. Matthew 2, 1-12

FIRST POINT. The Three Kings, Magi guided by the star came to adore Jesus, saying, "We have seen his star in the East and have come to adore him."

SECOND POINT. They adore Him and offer Him gifts, "gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

THIRD POINT. "Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their own country by another way."

268. THE PURIFICATION OF OUR LADY AND THE PRESENTATION

OF THE CHILD JESUS

St. Luke 2,22-39

FIRST POINT. They take the child Jesus to the temple to be offered as the first-born to the Lord, and they offer for him "a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons."

SECOND POINT. Coming into the temple, Simeon received Him into his arms saying, "Now thou dost dismiss, O Master, thy servant in peace."

THIRD POINT. Anna "came upon them and gave thanks to God, and spoke of the Child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem,"

269. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

St. Matthew 2,13-18

FIRST POINT. Herod wished to kill the Child Jesus and so killed the Innocents, but before their death the angel warned Joseph that he should flee: "Arise, take the child and his mother and flee into Egypt."

SECOND POINT. He withdrew into Egypt: :So he arose ... by night and withdrew into Egypt."

THIRD POINT. "There he remained till the death of Herod."

270. THE RETURN FROM EGYPT

St. Matthew 2,19-23

FIRST POINT. The angel admonished Joseph to return to Israel: "Arise, take the child and his mother and go into the land of Israel."

SECOND POINT. "He arose ... and came into the land of Israel."

THIRD POINT. "Since Archelaus, the son of Herod, ruled in Judea, he withdrew to Nazareth."

271. THE LIFE OF CHRIST OUR LORD FROM THE AGE OF TWELVE

TO THE AGE OF THIRTY

St. Luke 2,51-52

FIRST POINT. He was obedient to His parents.

SECOND POINT. "Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace."

THIRD POINT. He appears to have practiced the trade of a carpenter, as St Mark seems to show in chapter six: "Is not this the carpenter?"

272. JESUS GOES UP TO THE TEMPLE AT THE AGE OF TWELVE

St. Luke 2,41-50

FIRST POINT. Christ our Lord at the age of twelve years goes up from Nazareth to Jerusalem.

SECOND POINT. Christ our Lord remained in Jerusalem, and His parents did not know it.

THIRD POINT. After three days they found him disputing in the temple, and seated in the midst of the doctors, and when they asked Him where he had been, He answered, "Know you not that I needs must be about my Father's business?"

273. THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST

St. Matthew 3,13-17

FIRST POINT. After Christ our Lord had bidden farewell to His blessed Mother, He went from Nazareth to the River Jordan where St John the Baptist was.

SECOND POINT. St John baptised Christ our Lord. When he wished to excuse himself because he thought himself unworthy to baptise Him, our Lord said to him: "Let it be so at this time; for so it becometh to fulfil all justness."

THIRD POINT. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him, and the voice of the Father from heaven testified, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

274. THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST

St. Luke 4,1-13; St. Matthew 4,1-11

FIRST POINT. After He had been baptised, Jesus went to the desert where He fasted for forty days and forty nights.

SECOND POINT. He was tempted by the enemy three times: "The tempter drew near and said to Him, "If thou art the Son of God command that these stones becomes loaves... Cast thyself down.... All these things I will give thee if falling down thou wilt worship me!'"

THIRD POINT. "The angels came and ministered to Him."

275. THE VOCATION OF THE APOSTLES

FIRST POINT. St Peter and St Andrew seem to have been called three times. First, to some knowledge of our Lord. This is evident from the first chapter of St John. Secondly, to a following of Christ in some way, but with the intention of returning to the possessions they had left. St Luke tells us this in the fifth chapter. Thirdly, to follow Christ our Lord forever, St Matthew, chapter four, and St Mark, chapter one.

SECOND POINT. He called Philip, as we read in the first chapter of St John. He called Matthew, as is recorded by St Matthew himself in the ninth chapter.

THIRD POINT. He called the other Apostles, of whom no special call is mentioned in the Gospel.

Three other points must also be considered:

1. That the Apostles were uneducated and from a humble condition

of life.

2. The dignity to which they were so gently called.

3. The gifts and graces by which they were raised above all the

Fathers of the Old and New Testaments.

276. THE FIRST MIRACLE PERFORMED AT THE MARRIAGE FEAST

OF CANA IN GALILEE

St John 2,1-11

FIRST POINT. Christ our Lord and the disciples were invited to the marriage feast.

SECOND POINT. His Mother calls attention to the shortage of wine, saying to Him, "They have no wine." She bids the servants, "Whatsoever He shall say to you do."

THIRD POINT. He changed the water into wine, "And he manifested his glory and his disciples believed in him."

277. CHRIST CASTS THE SELLERS FROM THE TEMPLE

St John 2,13-22

FIRST POINT. With a whip made of cords He casts all those who sell out of the Temple.

SECOND POINT. He overturned the tables and scattered the money of the wealthy money-changers who were in the Temple.

THIRD POINT. To the poor vendors of doves He said kindly, "Take these away! Make not the house of my Father a house of traffic."

278. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

St Matthew 5

FIRST POINT. He proposes the eight beatitudes to His beloved disciples apart: "Blessed are the poor in spirit... the meek... the merciful... they that mourn... they that hunger... the peace-makers... those that suffer persecution."

SECOND POINT. He exhorts them to use their talents, "So let your light shine before men in order that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

THIRD POINT. He shows Himself not a transgressor of the Law but a fulfiller. He explains the commandments not to kill, not to commit adultery, not to swear falsely, and commands us to love our enemies: "I say love your enemies, do good to them that hate you."

279. CHRIST CALMS THE STORM

St Matthew 8,23-27

FIRST POINT. While Christ our Lord was asleep in the boat on the sea, a great storm arose.

SECOND POINT. His terrified disciples awaken Him. He reprehends them for the little faith they have, and says to them, "Why are ye afraid, O ye of little faith?"

THIRD POINT. He commanded the wind and sea to cease, and they obeyed, and the sea becalm calm. And the men marvelled, saying, "What manner of man is this that even the winds and the sea obey him?"

280. CHRIST WALKS UPON THE WATER

St Matthew 14,22-33

FIRST POINT. While Christ our Lord remained on the mountain, He commanded His disciples to go away in the boat, and after He had dismissed the crowd, He began to pray alone.

SECOND POINT. The boat was buffeted by the waves. Christ came toward them walking upon the waters, and the disciples thought they saw an apparition.

THIRD POINT. Christ says to them, "It is I, fear not." St Peter at His command walked upon the waters and came to Jesus, but when he doubted, he began to sink. Christ saved him and reprehended him for his little faith. They entered into the boat and the wind ceased.

281. THE APOSTLES ARE SENT TO PREACH

St Matthew 10,1-16

FIRST POINT. Christ calls His beloved disciples and gives them the power to cast out devils from the bodies of men, and to heal all their infirmities.

SECOND POINT. He teaches them prudence and patience, "Behold I send you forth as sheep into the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and guileless as doves."

THIRD POINT. He tells them how they should go, "Do not possess gold or silver." "Freely ye have received, freely give." And he told them to preach: "As ye go, preach saying, 'The kingdom of God is at hand.'"

282. THE CONVERSION OF MAGDALENE

St Luke 7,36-50

FIRST POINT. Magdalene, carrying an alabaster vase full of ointment, enters the house of the Pharisee where Christ is seated at table.

SECOND POINT. She stood behind our Lord near His feet, and began to wash them with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. She kissed His feet, and anointed them with ointment.

THIRD POINT. When the Pharisee accused Magdalene, Christ spoke in her defence, saying, "Her many sins are forgiven because she has loved much. ... But he said to the woman, 'Thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace.'"

283. CHRIST FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND

St Matthew 14,13-21

FIRST POINT. Since it was getting late, the disciples asked Jesus to dismiss the multitude of people who were with Him.

SECOND POINT. Christ our Lord commanded them to bring the loaves of bread to Him, and ordered the people to sit down. Then He blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to the disciples who gave it to the multitude.

THIRD POINT. "And they all ate and had their fill, and they took up the fragments that were left over, twelve full baskets."

284. THE TRANSFIGURATION

St Matthew 17, 1-9

FIRST POINT. Jesus took with Him His beloved disciples, Peter, James, and John, and He was transfigured before them. His face became resplendent as the sun, and His garments like snow.

SECOND POINT. He spoke with Moses and Elias.

THIRD POINT. When St Peter said that they should build three tabernacles, a voice was heard from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son. ... Hear ye him." When the disciples heard this voice, they fell down for fear, their faces to the ground. Jesus came and touched them, and said to them, "Arise and fear not. ... Tell not the vision to any one till the Son of Man be risen from the dead."

285. THE RISING OF LAZARUS

St John 11, 1-45

FIRST POINT. Mary and Martha inform Jesus of the sickness of Lazarus. After He was informed of this, He delayed for two days that the miracle might be more evident.

SECOND POINT. Before He raised him, He asked faith of both Mary and Martha, saying, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me even though he die shall live."

THIRD POINT. Jesus raises him after He had wept and said a prayer. The way in which He raised him was by a command, "Lazarus, come forth."

286. THE SUPPER AT BETHANY

St Matthew 26, 6-10

FIRST POINT. Our Lord eats in the house of Simon the leper together with Lazarus.

SECOND POINT. Mary pours out the ointment upon the head of Christ.

THIRD POINT. Judas murmurs with the words, "Why this waste?" But Jesus defends Magdalene again, saying, "Why do you trouble this woman? She hath wrought a good work upon me."

287. PALM SUNDAY

St Matthew 21, 1-17

FIRST POINT. Our Lord sends for the ass and the foal, saying, "Loose them and bring them to me, and if anyone say ought to you, you shall say, 'The Lord hath need of them,' and straightway he will let them go."

SECOND POINT. After the ass was covered with the garments of the Apostles, Jesus mounted it.

THIRD POINT. The people came forth to meet Jesus, and spread their garments and the branches of trees in the way, saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.

288. JESUS PREACHES IN THE TEMPLE

St Luke 19, 47-48

FIRST POINT. He was teaching daily in the temple.

SECOND POINT. After His teaching, since there was no one in Jerusalem who would receive Him, He returned to Bethania.

289. THE LAST SUPPER

St Matthew 26, 20-30; St John 13, 1-30

FIRST POINT. He eats the Paschal Lamb with His disciples, to whom He predicts His death: "Amen I say to you, one of you shall betray me."

SECOND POINT. He washes the feet of the disciples, even those of Judas. He begins with St Peter, but St Peter, considering the majesty of the Lord and his own lowliness, does not want to permit it, and says, "Lord dost thou wash my feet?" St Peter did not know that Christ was giving an example of humility in this, and therefore, Jesus said to him, "I have given you an example that as I have done you also ought to do."

THIRD POINT. He institutes the most holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist, the greatest proof of His love. He says to them, "Take and eat." When the supper was finished, Judas went forth to sell our Lord.

290. FROM THE LAST SUPPER TO THE AGONY INCLUSIVE

St Matthew 26, 30-46; St Mark 14, 32-44

FIRST POINT. When the supper was finished, and after the hymn was sung, Jesus, full of fear, goes forth with His disciples to Mt Olivet. He left eight of them in Gethsemani, saying, "Sit you here whilst I go yonder and pray."

SECOND POINT. Accompanied by St Peter, St James, and St John, He prays three times to the Father, saying, "My Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me, yet not as I will but as thou wilt." And falling into an agony He prayed the more earnestly.

THIRD POINT. So great was the fear that overwhelmed Him that he said: "My soul is sorrowful unto death." And He sweat blood so copiously that St Luke says "His sweat became as drops of blood falling down to the ground." This supposes that His garments were saturated with blood.

291. FROM THE GARDEN TO THE HOUSE OF ANNAS INCLUSIVE

St Matthew 26, 47-58; St Luke 22, 47-57,

St Mark 14, 44-54 & 66-68

FIRST POINT. Our Lord allows Himself to be kissed by Judas, and to be seized as a robber. He says to them: "Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to arrest me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching and you seized me not." When he said, "Whom seek ye?" His enemies fell to the ground.

SECOND POINT. St Peter wounds the servant of the High Priest. The meek Lord says to him, "Put back thy sword into its place." And He healed the wound of the servant.

THIRD POINT. Deserted by His disciples, He is led to Annas. There St Peter, who had followed Him afar off, denied Him once. Christ was struck in the face and asked, "Answerest thou thus the High Priest?"

292. FROM THE HOUSE OF ANNAS TO THE HOUSE OF CAIPHAS INCLUSIVE

St Matthew 26; St Mark 14; St Luke 22; St John 18

FIRST POINT. They led Him bound from the house of Annas to that of Caiphas, where St Peter denied Him twice. When our Lord looked upon him, he went out and wept bitterly.

SECOND POINT. Jesus remained bound the whole night.

THIRD POINT. Those who kept Him bound scoffed at Him, buffeted Him, covered His face and struck Him with the palms of their hands, and asked Him, "Prophesy who it was that struck Thee." And similar things they said, blaspheming Him.

293. FROM THE HOUSE OF CAIPHAS TO THE HOUSE OF PILATE INCLUSIVE

St Matthew 27; St Luke 23; St Mark 15

FIRST POINT. The whole multitude of Jews took Him to Pilate, and accused Him before the Governor, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar."

SECOND POINT. After Pilate had examined Him several times he said: "I find no crime in this man."

THIRD POINT. Barabbas, the robber, was preferred to Him: "They therefore, shouted again, saying, ‘Not this man but Barabbas."

294. FROM THE HOUSE OF PILATE TO THE HOUSE OF HEROD

St Luke 23, 6-11

FIRST POINT. Pilate sent Jesus, the Galilean, to Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee.

SECOND POINT. Herod curiously asked many questions, and Jesus answered nothing, though the scribes and priests accused Him constantly.

THIRD POINT. Herod and his court mocked Jesus, and clothed Him with a white garment.

295. FROM THE HOUSE OF HEROD TO THAT OF PILATE

St Matthew 27; St Luke 23; St Mark 15; St John 19

FIRST POINT. Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, and because of this they became friends, though before they were enemies.

SECOND POINT. Pilate took Jesus and had Him scourged, and the soldiers made a crown of thorns and placed it upon His head. They put a purple cloak about Him, and came to Him and said, "Hail king of the Jews!" "And they gave Him blows."

THIRD POINT. Pilate led Him forth before all: "Jesus, therefore, came forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple garment. And he said to them, 'Behold the man!'" When the chief priest saw Him they cried out, "Crucify him, Crucify him!"

296. FROM THE HOUSE OF PILATE TO THE CROSS INCLUSIVE

St John 19, 13-22

FIRST POINT. Sitting in judgment, Pilate delivered up Jesus to be crucified after the Jews had denied that He was their king, saying, "We have no king but Caesar."

SECOND POINT. He carried the cross upon His shoulders, and when He was no longer able to do so, Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry it after Jesus.

THIRD POINT. They crucified Him between two thieves. The title placed over the cross read: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

297. JESUS DIES UPON THE CROSS

St John 19, 23-37; St Matthew 27, 35-52;

St Mark 15, 24-38; St Luke 23, 34-46

FIRST POINT. He spoke seven words upon the cross: He prayed for those who crucified Him; He pardoned the thief; He recommended St John to His Mother; He said with a loud voice, "I thirst," and they gave Him vinegar to drink; He said that He was forsaken; He said, "It is consummated"; He said, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."

SECOND POINT. The sun was darkened, the rocks rent, the graves opened, and the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

THIRD POINT. They blasphemed Him saying, "Thou who wouldst overthrow the temple ... come down from the cross." His garments were divided, His side was pierced with a lance, and blood and water came forth.

298. FROM THE CROSS TO THE SEPULCHRE INCLUSIVE

Ibidem

FIRST POINT. He was taken down from the cross by Joseph and Nicodemus in the presence of His sorrowful Mother.

SECOND POINT. The body was borne to the sepulchre, and anointed, and buried.

THIRD POINT. Guards were stationed.

299. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST OUR LORD -

THE FIRST APPARITION

FIRST POINT. He appeared to the Virgin Mary. Though this is not mentioned explicitly in the Scripture it must be considered as stated when Scripture says that He appeared to many others. For Scripture supposes that we have understanding, as it is written, "Are you also without understanding?"

300. THE SECOND APPARITION

St Mark 16, 1-11

FIRST POINT. Very early in the morning Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome go to the tomb. They say to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?"

SECOND POINT. They see the stone rolled back and the angel who says to them: "Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth ... He is risen, he is not here."

THIRD POINT. He appeared to Mary who remained near the tomb after the others left.

301. THE THIRD APPARITION

St Matthew 28

FIRST POINT. The two Marys go from the Sepulchre with great fear and joy to announce the Resurrection of the Lord to the disciples.

SECOND POINT. Christ our Lord appears to them on the way, and says to them, "Hail!" and they went up to Him, and fell down at His feet and adored Him.

THIRD POINT. Jesus says to them "Fear not! Go tell my brethren to depart into Galilee. There they shall see me."

302. THE FOURTH APPARITION

St Luke 24, 9-12 & 33-34

FIRST POINT. When St Peter heard from the women that Christ has risen, he went with haste to the tomb.

SECOND POINT. He entered the tomb and saw only the linens with which the body of Christ had been covered, and nothing more.

THIRD POINT. While St Peter was thinking of these things, Christ appeared to him. That is why the Apostles said, "The Lord is risen indeed and has appeared to Simon."

303. THE FIFTH APPARITION

St Luke 24

FIRST POINT. He appeared to His disciples who were going to Emmaus and were talking of Christ.

SECOND POINT. He reprehends them, showing them by the Scriptures that Christ must die and rise again: "O senseless men and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and so to enter into his glory!

THIRD POINT. At their request He remains there, and was with them till He gave them Holy Communion. Then He disappeared. Thereupon they returned to the disciples and told them how they recognised Him in Holy Communion.

304. THE SIXTH APPARITION

St John 20, 19-23

FIRST POINT. The disciples, except St Thomas, were gathered together "for fear of the Jews."

SECOND POINT. Jesus appeared to them, the doors being locked, and standing in their midst said, "Peace be to you!"

THIRD POINT. He gives them the Holy Spirit, saying, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost, whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven."

305. THE SEVENTH APPARITION

St John 20, 24-29

FIRST POINT. Since St Thomas was not present at the preceding apparition, he would not believe and said, "Unless I see ... I will not believe."

SECOND POINT. Eight days after, Jesus appeared to them, the doors closed, and He said to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger and see ... and be not unbelieving but believing."

THIRD POINT. St Thomas believed, saying, "My Lord and my God." Christ said to him, "Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed."

306 THE EIGHTH APPARITION

St John 21, 1-17

FIRST POINT. Jesus appeared to seven of His disciples who were fishing. They had fished all night and caught nothing. But casting the net at His command "they were not able to haul it in for the multitude of fishes."

SECOND POINT. Through this miracle St John recognised Him, and said to St Peter, "It is the Lord." St Peter cast himself into the sea and came to Christ.

THIRD POINT. He gave them bread and part of a broiled fish to eat. After He had first tested three times the love of St Peter, He recommended His sheep to him with the words, "Feed my sheep."

307. THE NINTH APPARITION

St Matthew 28, 16-20

FIRST POINT. The disciples at the command of Christ go to Mt Thabor.

SECOND POINT. Christ appears to them and says: "All power is given to me in heaven and on earth."

THIRD POINT. He sent them throughout the world to teach, saying, "Go ye, therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

308. THE TENTH APPARITION

I Corinthians 15,6

"After that He appeared to more than five hundred breather at once."

309. THE ELEVENTH APPARITION

I Corinthians 15,7

"After that he appeared to James."

310. THE TWELFTH APPARITION

He appeared to Joseph of Arimathea, as may be piously believed, and as is read in the Lives of the Saints.

311. THE THIRTEENTH APPARITION

I Corinthians 15,8

He appeared to St Paul after His Ascension: "Last of all, as to one born out of due time, He appeared to me."

He appeared also in soul to the Fathers in limbo;

He appeared to them likewise after He had taken them from there and assumed His body again.

He appeared many times to His disciples and conversed with them.

312. THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST OUR LORD

Acts 1, 1-12

FIRST POINT. After He had manifested Himself for forty days to the Apostles, and had given them many proofs, and worked many miracles, and had spoken to them of the Kingdom of God, He commanded them to await in Jerusalem the promise of the Holy Spirit.

SECOND POINT. He led them to Mt Olivet "and He was lifted up before their eyes and a cloud received Him out of their sight."

THIRD POINT. While they were gazing up into heaven, the angels said to them: "Men of Galilee, why stand ye looking up into heaven? This Jesus who hath been taken up from you into heaven will come after the same manner wherein ye have beheld him going up into heaven."

313. RULES FOR THE DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS.

Rules for understanding to some extent the different movements produced in the soul and for recognizing those that are good to admit them, and those that are bad, to reject them. These rules are more suited to the first week.

314. 1. In the case of those who go from one mortal sin to another, the enemy is ordinarily accustomed to propose apparent pleasures. He fills their imagination with sensual delights and gratifications, the more readily to keep them in their vices and increase the number of their sins.

With such persons the good spirit uses a method which is the reverse of the above. Making use of the light of reason, he will rouse the sting of conscience and fill them with remorse.

315. 2. In the case of those who go on earnestly striving to cleanse their souls from sin and who seek to rise in the service of God our Lord to greater perfection, the method pursued is the opposite of that mentioned in the first rule.

Then it is characteristic of the evil spirit to harass with anxiety, to afflict with sadness, to raise obstacles backed by fallacious reasonings that disturb the soul. Thus he seeks to prevent the soul from advancing.

It is characteristic of the good spirit, however, to give courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations, and peace. This He does by making all easy, by removing all obstacles so that the soul goes forward in doing good.

316. 3. SPIRITUAL CONSOLATION. I call it consolation when an interior movement is aroused in the soul by which it is inflamed with love of its Creator and Lord, and as a consequence, can love no creature on the face of the earth for its own sake, but only in the Creator of them all. It is likewise consolation when one sheds tears that move to the love of God, whether it be because of sorrow for sins, or because of the sufferings of Christ our Lord, or for any other reason that is immediately directed to the praise and service of God. Finally, I call consolation every increase of faith, hope, and love, and all interior joy that invites and attracts to what is heavenly and to the salvation of one's soul by filling it with peace and quiet in its Creator and Lord.

317. 4. SPIRITUAL DESOLATION. I call desolation what is entirely the opposite of what is described in the third rule, as darkness of soul, turmoil of spirit, inclination to what is low and earthly, restlessness rising from many disturbances and temptations which lead to want of faith, want of hope, want of love. The soul is wholly slothful, tepid, sad, and separated, as it were, from its Creator and Lord. For just as consolation is the opposite of desolation, to the thoughts that spring from consolation are the opposite of those that spring from desolation.

318. 5. In the time of desolation we should never make any change, but remain firm and constant in the resolution and decision which guided us the day before the desolation, or in the decision to which we adhered in the preceding consolation. For just as in consolation the good spirit guides and counsels us, so in desolation the evil spirit guides and counsels. Following his counsels we can never find the way to a right decision.

319. 6. Though in desolation we must never change our former resolutions, it will be very advantageous to intensify our activity against the desolation. We can insist more upon prayer, upon meditation, and on much examination of ourselves. We can make an effort in a suitable way to do some penance.

320. 7. When one is in desolation, he should be mindful that God has left him to his natural powers to resist the different agitations and temptations of the enemy in order to try him. He can resist with the help of God, which always remains, though he may not clearly perceive it. For though God has taken from him the abundance of fervor and overflowing love and the intensity of His favors, nevertheless, he has sufficient grace for eternal salvation.

321. 8. When one is in desolation, he should strive to persevere in patience. This reacts against the vexations that have overtaken him. Let him consider, too, that consolation will soon return, and in the meantime, he must diligently use the means against desolation which have been given in the sixth rule.

322. 9. The principal reasons why we suffer from desolation are three:

The first is because we have been tepid and slothful or negligent in our exercises of piety, and so through our own fault spiritual consolation has been taken away from us.

The second reason is because God wishes to try us, to see how much we are worth, and how much we will advance in His service and praise when left without the generous reward of consolations and signal favors.

The third reason is because God wishes to give us a true knowledge and understanding of ourselves, so that we may have an intimate perception of the fact that it is not within our power to acquire and attain great devotion, intense love, tears, or any other spiritual consolation; but that all this is the gift and grace of God our Lord. God does not wish us to build on the property of another, to rise up in spirit in a certain pride and vainglory and attribute to ourselves the devotion and other effects of spiritual consolation.

323. 10. When one enjoys consolation, let him consider how he will conduct himself during the time of ensuing desolation, and store up a supply of strength as defense against that day.

324. 11. He who enjoys consolation should take care to humble himself and lower himself as much as possible. Let him recall how little he is able to do in time of desolation, when he is left without such grace or consolation.

On the other hand, one who suffers desolation should remember that by making use of the sufficient grace offered him, he can do much to withstand all his enemies. Let him find strength in his Creator and Lord.

325. 12. The enemy conducts himself as a woman. He is a weakling before a show of strength, and a tyrant if he has his will. It is characteristic of a woman in a quarrel with a man to lose courage and to take flight if the man shows that he is determined and fearless. However, if the man loses courage and begins to flee, the anger, vindictiveness, and rage of the woman surge up and know no bounds. In the same way, the enemy becomes weak, loses courage, and turns to flight with his seductions as soon as one leading a spiritual life faces his temptations boldly, and does exactly the opposite of what he suggests. However, if one begins to be afraid and to lose courage in temptations, no wild animal on earth can be more fierce than the enemy of our human nature. He will carry out his perverse intentions with consummate malice.

326. 13. Our enemy may also be compared in his manner of acting to a false lover. He seeks to remain hidden and does not want to be discovered. If such a lover speaks with evil intention to the daughter of a good father, or to the wife of a good husband, and seeks to seduce them, he wants his words and solicitations kept secret. He is greatly displeased if his evil suggestions and depraved intentions are revealed by the daughter to her father, or by the wife to her husband. Then he readily sees he will not succeed in what he has begun. In the same way, when the enemy of our human nature tempts a just soul with his wiles and seductions, he earnestly desires that they be received secretly and kept secret. But if one manifests them to a confessor, or to some other spiritual person who understands his deceits and malicious designs, the evil one is very much vexed. For he knows that he cannot succeed in his evil undertaking, once his evident deceits have been revealed.

327. 14. The conduct of our enemy may also be compared to the tactics of a leader intent upon seizing and plundering a position he desires. A commander and leader of an army will encamp, explore the fortifications and defenses of the stronghold, and attack at the weakest point. In the same way, the enemy of our human nature investigates from every side all our virtues, theological, cardinal, and moral. Where he finds the defenses of eternal salvation weakest and most deficient, there he attacks and tries to take us by storm.

328. RULES FOR DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS.

Further rules for understanding the different movements produced in the soul. They serve for a more accurate discernment of spirits and are more suitable for the second week.

329. 1. It is characteristic of God and His Angels, when they act upon the soul, to give true happiness and spiritual joy, and to banish all the sadness and disturbances which are caused by the enemy.

It is characteristic of the evil one to fight against such happiness and consolation by proposing fallacious reasonings, subtitles, and continual deceptions.

330. 2. God alone can give consolation to the soul without any previous cause. It belongs solely to the Creator to come into a soul, to leave it, to act upon it, to draw it wholly to the love of His Divine Majesty. I said without previous cause, that is, without any preceding perception or knowledge of any subject by which a soul might be led to such a consolation through its own acts of intellect and will.

331. 3. If a cause precedes, both the good angel and the evil spirit can give consolation to a soul, but for a quite different purpose. The good angel consoles for the progress of the soul, that it may advance and rise to what is more perfect. The evil spirit consoles for purposes that are the contrary, and that afterwards he might draw the soul to his own perverse intentions and wickedness.

332. 4. It is a mark of the evil spirit to assume the appearance of an angel of light. He begins by suggesting thoughts that are suited to a devout soul, and ends by suggesting his own. For example, he will suggest holy and pious thoughts that are wholly in conformity with the sanctity of the soul. Afterwards, he will endeavor little by little to end by drawing the soul into his hidden snares and evil designs.

333. 5. We must carefully observe the whole course of our thoughts. If the beginning and middle and end of the course of thoughts are wholly good and directed to what is entirely right, it is a sign that they are from the good angel. But the course of thoughts suggested to us may terminate in something evil, or distracting, or less good than the soul had formerly proposed to do. Again, it may end in what weakens the soul, or disquiets it; or by destroying the peace, tranquillity, and quiet which it had before, it may cause disturbance to the soul. These things are a clear sign that the thoughts are proceeding from the evil spirit, the enemy of our progress and eternal salvation.

334. 6. When the enemy of our human nature has been detected and recognized by the trail of evil marking his course any by the wicked end to which he leads us, it will be profitable for one who has been tempted to review immediately the whole course of the temptation. Let him consider the series of good thoughts, how they arose, how the evil one gradually attempted to make him step down from the state of spiritual delight and joy in which he was, till finally he drew him to his wicked designs. The

purpose of this review is that once such an experience has been understood and carefully observed, we may guard ourselves for the future against the customary deceits of the enemy.

335. 7. In souls that are progressing to greater perfection, the action of the good angel is delicate, gentle, delightful. It may be compared to a drop of water penetrating a sponge.

The action of the evil spirit upon such souls is violent, noisy, and disturbing. It may be compared to a drop of water falling upon a stone.

In souls that are going from bad to worse, the action of the spirits mentioned above is just the reverse. The reason for this is to be sought in the opposition or similarity of these souls to the different kinds of spirits. When the disposition is contrary to that of the spirits, they enter with noise and commotion that are easily perceived. When the disposition is similar to that of the spirits, they enter silently, as one coming into his own house when the doors are open.

336. 8. When consolation is without previous cause, as was said, there can be no deception in it, since it can proceed from God our Lord only. But a spiritual person who has received such a consolation must consider it very attentively, and must cautiously distinguish the actual time of the consolation from the period which follows it. At such a time the soul is still fervent and favored with the grace and after effects of the consolation which has passed. In this second period the soul frequently forms various resolutions and plans which are not granted directly by God our Lord. They may come from our own reasoning on the relations of our concepts and on the consequences of our judgments, or they may come from the good or evil spirit. Hence, they must be carefully examined before they are given full approval and put into execution.

337. RULES FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF ALMS

In the ministry of distributing alms the following rules should be observed

338. 1. If I distribute alms to my relatives or friends or persons to whom I am attached, there are four things that must be considered. Some of these were mentioned in treating the Choice of a Way of Life.

The first is that the love that moves me and causes me to give the alms must be from above, that is, from the love of God our Lord. Hence, I should be conscious within myself that God is the motive of the greater or less love that I bear toward these persons, and that God is manifestly the cause of my loving them more.

339. 2. I should place before my mind a person whom I have never seen or known, and whom I wish to be wholly perfect in the office and state of life which he occupies. Now the same standard of action that I would like him to follow in his way of distributing alms for the greater glory of God and the perfection of his soul I myself will observe, and do neither more nor less. The same rule I would like him to follow, and the norm I judge would be for the glory of God I shall abide by myself.

340. 3. I should picture myself at the hour of my death, and ponder well the way and norm I would then wish to have observed in carrying out the duties of my office. I will lay down the same rule for myself now, and keep it in my distribution of alms.

341. 4. I should imagine myself before my judge on the last day, and weigh well the manner in which I would wish them to have done my duty in carrying out this office. The same rule that I would then wish to have observed I will keep now.

342. 5. When one finds that he is inclined or attached to some persons to whom he wishes to give alms, let him stop and ponder well the four rules given above. He must investigate and test his affection by them. He should not give the alms until in conformity with these rules he has completely put off and cast aside his inordinate attachment.

343. 6. It is true that there is no wrong in receiving the goods of God our Lord for distribution if a person is called by God our Lord to such a service. Nevertheless, there may be question of a fault and excess in the amount he retains and applies to his own needs of what he holds to give to others. Hence one can reform his way of living in his state by the rules given above.

344. 7. For these and many other reasons it will always be better and safer in all matters concerning himself and his household, if one is saving and cuts down expenses as much as possible, if he imitates as closely as he can our great High Priest, model, and guide, Christ our Lord.

It was in conformity with this doctrine that the Third Council of Carthage, at which St Augustine was present, decided and decreed that the furniture of the bishop should be cheap and poor.

The same consideration applies to all stations in life, but attention must be given to adapting it to each one's condition and rank.

In matrimony we have the example of St Joachim and St Anne. They divided their resources into three parts. The first they gave to the poor. The second they donated to the ministrations and services of the Temple. The third they used for their support of themselves and their household.

345. SOME NOTES CONCERNING SCRUPLES

The following notes will aid us to understand

scruples and the temptations of our enemy

346. 1. It is common for people to speak of something as a scruple though it has proceeded from their own judgment and free will, for example, when I freely decide that something is a sin which is not a sin. Thus it may happen that after one has chanced to step upon a cross formed by straws, he decided according to his own way of thinking that he has sinned. In reality, this is an erroneous judgment and not a real scruple.

347. 2. After I have stepped upon such a cross, or after anything else I may have thought, said, or done, the suggestion may come to me from without that I have sinned, and on the other hand, it may seem to me that I have not sinned. Then if I continue to be anxious about the matter, doubting and not doubting that I sinned there is a real scruple properly so called and a temptation from our enemy.

348. 3. The kind of scruple mentioned in the first note should be much abhorred, since it is wholly erroneous. But the scruple described in the second note may for a while prove to be of no little advantage for a soul devoting itself to the spiritual life. It may in fact greatly purify and cleanse such a soul by doing much to free it from even the appearance of sin. St Gregory has said: "It is characteristic of a devout soul to see a fault where there is none."

349. 4. The enemy considers carefully whether one has a lax or a delicate conscience. If one has a delicate conscience, the evil one seeks to make it excessively sensitive, in order to disturb and upset it more easily. Thus, if he sees that one will not consent to mortal sin, or venial sin, or even to the appearance of deliberate sin, since he cannot cause him to fall in a matter that appears sinful, he strives to make the soul judge that there is a sin, for example, in a word or passing thought where there is no sin.

If one has a lax conscience, the enemy endeavours to make it more so. Thus, if before a soul did not bother about venial sin, the enemy will contrive that it make light of mortal sin. If before it paid some heed to venial sin, his efforts will be that now it cares much less or not at all.

350. 5. A soul that wishes to make progress in the spiritual life must always act in a manner contrary to that of the enemy. If the enemy seeks to make the conscience lax, one must endeavour to make it more sensitive. If the enemy strives to make the conscience delicate with a view to leading it to excess, the soul must endeavour to establish itself firmly in a moderate course so that in all things it may preserve itself in peace.

351. 6. If a devout soul wishes to do something that is not contrary to the spirit of the Church or the mind of superiors and that may be for the glory of God our Lord, there may come a thought or temptation from without not to say or do it. Apparent reasons may be adduced for this, such as that it is motivated by vain-glory or some other imperfect intention, etc. In such cases one should raise his mind to his Creator and Lord, and if he sees that what he is about to do is in keeping with God's service, or at least not opposed to it, he should act directly against the temptation. According to St Bernard, we must answer the tempter, "I did not undertake this because of you, and I am not going to relinquish it because of you."

352. RULES FOR THINKING WITH THE CHURCH

The following rules should be observed to foster the true attitude of mind we ought to have in the

church militant

353. 1. We must put aside all judgment of our own, and keep the mind every ready and prompt to obey in all things the true Spouse of Christ our Lord, our holy Mother, the hierarchical Church.

354. 2. We should praise sacramental confession, the yearly reception of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and praise more highly monthly reception, and still more weekly Communion, provided requisite and proper dispositions are present.

355. 3. We ought to praise the frequent hearing of Mass, the singing of hymns, psalmody, and long prayers whether in the church or outside; likewise, the hours arranged at fixed times for the whole Divine Office, for every kind of prayer, and for the canonical hours.

356. 4. We must praise highly religious life, virginity, and continency; and matrimony ought not be praised as much as any of these.

357. 5. We should praise vows of religion, obedience, poverty, chastity, and vows to perform other works of supererogation conducive to perfection. However, it must be remembered that a vow deals with matters that lead us closer to evangelical perfection. Hence, whatever tends to withdraw one from perfection may not be made the object of a vow, for example, a business career, the married state, and so forth.

358. 6. We should show our esteem for the relics of the saints by venerating them and praying to the saints. We should praise visits to the Station Churches, pilgrimages, indulgences, jubilees, crusade indults, and the lighting of candles in churches.

359. 7. We must praise the regulations of the Church with regard to fast and abstinence, for example, in Lent, on Ember Days, Vigils, Fridays, and Saturdays. We should praise works of penance, not only those that are interior but also those that are exterior.

360. 8. We ought to praise not only the building and adornment of churches, but also images and veneration of them according to the subject they represent.

361. 9. Finally, we must praise all the commandments of the Church, and be on the alert to find reasons to defend them, and by no means in order to criticize them.

362. 10. We should be more ready to approve and praise the orders, recommendations, and way of acting of our superiors than to find fault with them. Though some of the orders, etc., may not have been praiseworthy, yet to speak against them, either when preaching in public or in speaking before the people, would rather be the cause of murmuring and scandal than of profit. As a consequence, the people would become angry with their superiors, whether secular or spiritual. But while it does harm in the absence of our superiors to speak evil of them before the people, it may be profitable to discuss their bad conduct with those who can apply a remedy.

363. 11. We should praise both positive theology and that of the Scholastics.

It is characteristic of the positive doctors, such as St Augustine, St Jerome, St Gregory, and others to rouse the affections so that we are moved to love and serve God our Lord in all things.

On the other hand, it is more characteristic of the scholastic doctors, such as St Thomas, St Bonaventure, the Master of the Sentences, and others, to define and state clearly, according to the needs of our times, the doctrines that are necessary for eternal salvation, and that more efficaciously help to refute all errors and expose all fallacies.

Further, just because scholastic doctors belong to more recent times, they not only have the advantage of correct understanding of Holy Scripture and of the teaching of the saints and positive doctors, but, enlightened by the grace of God, they also make use of the decisions of the Councils and of the definitions and decrees of our holy Mother Church.

364. 12. We must be on our guard against making comparisons between those who are still living and the saints who have gone before us, for no small error is committed if we say: "This man is wiser than St Augustine," "He is another St Francis or even greater," "He is equal to St Paul in goodness and sanctity," and so on.

365. 13. If we wish to proceed securely in all things, we must hold fast to the following principle: What seems to me white, I will believe black if the hierarchical Church so defines. For I must be convinced that in Christ our Lord, the bridegroom and in His spouse the Church, only one Spirit holds sway, which governs and rules for the salvation of souls. For it is by the same Spirit and Lord who gave the Ten Commandments that our holy Mother Church is ruled and governed.

366. 14. Granted that it be very true that no one can be saved without being predestined and without having faith and grace, still we must be very cautious about the way in which we speak of all these things and discuss them with others.

367. 15. We should not make it a habit of speaking much of predestination. If somehow at times it comes to be spoken of, it must be done in such a way that the people are not led into any error. They are at times misled, so that they say: "Whether I shall be saved or lost, has already been determined, and this cannot be changed whether my actions are good or bad." So they become indolent and neglect the works that are conducive to the salvation and spiritual progress of their souls.

368. In the same way, much caution is necessary, lest by much talk about faith, and much insistence on it without any distinctions or explanations, occasion be given to the people, whether before or after they have faith informed by charity, to become slothful and lazy in good works.

369. 17. Likewise we ought not to speak of grace at such length and with such emphasis that the poison of doing away with liberty is engendered.

Hence, as far as is possible with the help of God, one may speak of faith and grace that the Divine Majesty may be praised. But let it not be done in such a way, above all not in times which are as dangerous as ours, that works and free will suffer harm, or that they are considered of no value.

370. 18. Though the zealous service of God our Lord out of pure love should be esteemed above all, we ought also to praise highly the fear of the Divine Majesty. For not only filial fear but also servile fear is pious and very holy. When nothing higher or more useful is attained, it is very helpful for rising from mortal sin, and once this is accomplished, one may easily advance to filial fear, which is wholly pleasing and agreeable to God our Lord since it is inseparably associated with the love of Him.

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