TO THE

VERY REV. FATHER JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

SUPERIOR OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE ORATORY

IN ENGLAND,

This Work

IS MOST HUMBLY INSCRIBED,

WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE HIGHEST ESTEEM,

BY

THE AUTHOR.

I. On prayer

CONTENTS.

Art. 1. Necessity of prayer for all adults, in order

to attain to eternal life

Sec. 1. Necessity of prayer for all Chris-

tians in general

2. Especial necessity of prayer for

religious persons

3. Especial necessity of prayer for

persons engaged in the sa-

cred ministry

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2. On the excellence of prayer

3. On the efficacy of prayer

4. On the sweetness of prayer

5. On the principal dispositions which should

attend our prayers

Sec. 1. On solidity in our prayers

2. On devotion in our prayers

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31

34

36

38

39

42

43

Sec. 2. Method of mental prayer use-

ful for the purification of the

soul and for advancement in

perfection

§ 1. On the preparation

for meditation

2. On the body of me-

ditation

3. On the conclusion of

meditation.

Art. 7. On the practice of holy aspirations, interior

recollections, and good thoughts

8. On the order in which our petitions should

be made to God

Sec. 1. On the most necessary and best

of all petitions.

2. On other petitions

1

§ 1. On what we ought to ask

for in regard of our

own particular state.

2. Concerning those things

which we may reason-

ably ask of God, on

account of external

circumstances

3. On those things which

we may ask for spon-

taneously

9. On several excuses for not attending to the

practice of prayer

10. On the examination of conscience

Sec. 1. Importance of frequently examin-

ing our conscience in order to

purify our soul from sin and

advance in virtue

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CHAP.

Sec. 2. Advantages of the examination of

conscience.

3. Method for the general examina-

tion of conscience

4. Method for the particular ex-

amination of conscience

Art. 11. Practical exercises of prayer

Sec. 1. Morning prayers

2. Devout prayers, which may be

said during the day with spi-

ritual profit

3. Evening prayers

II. On the Sacrifice of the Mass

Art. 1. Excellence of the sacrifice of the Mass

2. A short history of the Mass

3. An explanation of the holy Mass

Sec. 1. The origin and signification of

the different parts of the Li-

turgy and Ceremonial

2. On the meaning of the altar and

its ornaments

3. On the meaning of the sacred gar-

ments

4. Method for hearing the holy Mass
5. Another method of assisting at Mass

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. 113

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. 118

.

4. The principal rites and ceremo-

nies of the solemn or high

Mass explained, as also of the

private or low Mass

§ 1. The Mass of the Cate-

chumens

2. The Mass of the faith-

ful, or the Sacrifice

properly so called, ex-

pounded

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130

132

132

137

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177