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.

to attain to eternal life

Sec. 1. Necessity of prayer for all Chris-

tians in general

PAGE

. 1

2. Especial necessity of prayer for

religious persons

3. Especial necessity of prayer for

persons engaged in the sa-

cred ministry

2

2. On the excellence of prayer

3. On the efficacy of prayer

10

19

21

.

27

31

31

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

3. On humility in our prayers

4. On confidence in our prayers

5. On perseverance in our prayers

6. On mental prayer.

Sec. 1. On the necessity of meditation

for the purification of the

soul and for advancement in

perfection

43

54

58

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

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

77

79

91

91

CHAP.

PAGE

95

98

102

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

ritual profit

. 103

.

103

3. Evening prayers

II. On the Sacrifice of the Mass

2. A short history of the Mass

Art. 1. Excellence of the sacrifice of the Mass

3. An explanation of the holy Mass

spi-

108

113

118

118

2. The Mass of the faith-

ful, or the Sacrifice

properly so called, ex-

pounded

4. Method for hearing the holy Mass

5. Another method of assisting at Mass