On rising from your bed, say: In the name of our Lord Jesus-Christ, I arise. May he bless, preserve, and govern, me, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen. While you are dressing, occupy yourself with pious thoughts and meditations, on some point in the life or passion of your Saviour, on God's mercies, on your own sins, on the temptations of the world, on the shortness of life, on eternity, etc.; or say some psalm or hymn. As soon as you are dressed, prepare to say your morning prayers. There is no duty of greater importance than this; none has greater influence upon our lives. According as it is well or ill performed will be the character of the day; and our life is made up of days. Béfore you begin your prayers, therefore, recollect yourself, and compose your mind. Think who you are, and what He is whom you are about to address; and endeavour to clothe yourself with those sentiments of humility, reverence, and awe, which become you on such an occasion, and at such a time. Then, kneeling down in the quietest and most retired spot you can find, if possible in some room or part of a room devoted to the purpose, begin your prayers. MORNING PRAYERS. Make the sign of te cross, saying. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen. Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of thy love. Send forth thy Spirit, and they shall be created, and thou shalt renew the face of the earth. O God, who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of thy Holy Spirit; grant us, in the same Spirit, to know what is right, and ever to rejoice in his consolation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Place yourself in the presence of God. Most holy and adorable Trinity, one God in three persons, I believe that thou art here present; I adore thee with the deepest humility, and render to thee with my whole heart, the homage which is due to thy sovereign majesty. Thank God, and offer yourself to Him. My God, I most humbly thank thee for all the favours thou hast bestowed upon me up to the present moment. I give thee thanks from the bottom of my heart that thou hast created me after thine own image and likeness, that thou hast redeemed me by the precious blood of thy dear Son, and that thou hast preserved me and brought me safe to the beginning of another day. I offer to thee, O Lord, my whole being, and in particular all my thoughts', words, actions, and sufferings of this day, I consecrate them all to the glory of thy name, beseeching thee that through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour they may all find acceptance in thy sight. Resolve to avoid sin, and to practise holiness. Adorable Jesus, my Saviour and Master, model of all perfection, I resolve and will endeavour this day to imitate thy example, to be like thee, mild, humble, chaste, zealous, charitable, and resigned. I will strive to avoid those sins which I have heretofore committed (here you may name any besetting sin), and which I sincerely desire to forsake. Implore the necessary graces. O my God, thou knowest my weakness, and that I am unable to do any thing good without thee; deny me not O God, the help of thy grace; give me strength to avoid everything evil which thou forbiddest, and to practise the good which thou hast commanded; and enable me to bear patiently the trials which it may please thee to send me. PATER NOSTER. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: thy kingdom come : thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen. AVE MARIA. Hail, Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. CREDO. I believe in God, the Father Al |