Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Archives

Prayer

For Jesuits
Chapter 5 - Service of the Lord

by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.
Editor

+ For this reason I bend my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth receives its name, that he may grant you from his glorious riches to be strengthened with power through his Spirit unto the progress of the inner man; and to have Christ dwelling through faith in your hearts: so that, being rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19

St. Ignatius

Nothing is more characteristic of St. Ignatius, nothing more revealing of his mind and aims, than the book of his Spiritual Exercises, that manual of spiritual warfare and interior self-conquest in which a man makes a deciding choice in life or adjusts again the course of his life toward the goal of his earthly pilgrimage. At this training ground of the soul the intellect and will, setting aside everything that is not to the purpose, struggle and exert themselves, in meditation and contemplation, to conquer nature and to yield to grace. Whoever enters this training ground and generously submits to its discipline, will come forth won over and deeply persuaded, both in theory and in practice, of the necessity of impressing against the very substance of his soul those basic supernatural truths which vitalize the whole man, coming in upon the mind, as they do, from such opposite realities as life and death, time and eternity, man fallen and yearning to rise again, and Christ beckoning, suffering, and rising from the tomb to draw man on with Him to final triumph.

From this training school St. Ignatius came forth to select his companions, to found and govern, as general, his own order, to assemble and concentrate his forces for that which counts most, for purposes and enterprises of the first order. These he marked out and entrusted to his sons as objects of their asceticism and apostolic zeal.

Imbued with this fundamental principle, the religious of the Society of Jesus have gone forth humbly, but with great courage and confidence in God, to employ to the full all their energies in the greatest works of the Church, for the good of society, for the conversion of infidels in the far-flung mission fields, and for the defense of the faith. And this fundamental principle has always been the source of every great, solid, and lasting good which the Society has achieved.

Pius XII

IN NOMINE PATRIS, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PATER NOSTER, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum, adveniat regnum tuum, fiat voluntas tua sicut in caelo et in terra; panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris, et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, benedicta to in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et in flora mortis nostrae. Amen.

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.

GLORIA PATRI, ET FILIO, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

CREDO IN DEUM, Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Jesum Christum, Filium ejus unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus; descendit ad inferos; tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis; inde venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

MORNING PRAYERS

Morning Offering

O Jesus, through the immaculate heart of Mary I offer You all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Submission to the Divine Will

Great God, the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth, I prostrate myself before You. With all the angels and saints I adore You. I acknowledge You to be my Creator and sovereign Lord, my first beginning and last end. I render to You the homage of my being and life. I submit myself to Your holy will and I devote myself to Your divine service this day and forever.

Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love

My God, I firmly believe that You are one God in three Divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that Your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because You have revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived.

My God, relying on Your almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain the pardon of my sins, the help of Your grace, and life everlasting through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

My God, I love You above all things with my whole heart and soul, because You are all good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of You. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

My Queen, My Mother

My Queen, my Mother, I give myself entirely to you. And to show myself devoted to you, I consecrate to you my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my entire being without reserve. Since I am yours, my good Mother, preserve me, defend me, as your property and possession. Amen.

Perfect Resignation

My God, I do not know what must come to me today. But I am certain that nothing can happen to me which You have not foreseen, decreed, and ordained from all eternity. That is sufficient for me. I adore Your impenetrable and eternal designs, to which I submit with all my heart. I desire, I accept them all, and I unite my sacrifice to that of Jesus Christ, my divine Savior. I ask in His name and through His infinite merits, patience in my trials, and perfect and entire submission to all that comes to me by Your good pleasure. Amen.

St. Joseph Pignatelli

Praise Throughout the Day

Almighty God, moved by love and by the desire of praising You throughout this day, I devote, dedicate, and consecrate to You all the movements of my heart. I want You to look upon all of them as so many repetitions of the words: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. I want these movements to say this, so that Your Divine Majesty may hear in them the same celestial song that the seraphim sing. Amen.

St. Gertrude

Divine Model

Adorable Jesus, divine model of that perfection to which we should all aspire, I will endeavor this day to follow Your example, to be mild, humble, chaste, zealous, patient, charitable, and resigned. Incline my heart to keep Your commandments and to observe with all exactness my vows and rules. I am resolved to watch over myself with the greatest diligence, and to live temperately, justly, and faithfully for the time to come. I will take care of my ways that I may not offend with my tongue. I will turn away my eyes that I may not see vanity; and I will be particularly attentive not to relapse this day into my accustomed failings, but to struggle against them with Your gracious assistance. Enlighten my mind, purify my heart, and guide my steps, that I may pass all my life in Your divine service. Amen.

Change My Heart

Change my heart, O Jesus, You who emptied Yourself for love of me. Make known to my spirit how precious were Your sacred humiliations. May I begin this day, illumined by Your divine light, to remove that portion of the natural man which still lives undiminished in me. This is the chief source of my misery, this the barrier that I constantly oppose to Your love. Amen.

Cardinal Merry del Val

EVENING PRAYERS

Humble Trust

In every need let me come to You with humble trust saying, "Jesus, help me." In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations, Jesus, help me. In hours of loneliness, Weariness, and trials, Jesus, help me. In the failure of my plans and hopes; in disappointments, troubles, and sorrows, Jesus, help me. When others fail me and Your grace alone can assist me, Jesus, help me. When I throw myself on Your tender love as a father and savior, Jesus, help me. When my heart is cast down by failure at seeing no good come from my efforts, Jesus, help me. When I feel impatient and my cross irritates me, Jesus, help me. When I am ill and my head and hands cannot work and I am lonely, Jesus, help me. Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls, and shortcomings of every kind, Jesus, help me and never forsake me. Amen.

Providence of God

Loving and tender providence of my God, into Your hands I commend my spirit; to You I abandon my hopes and fears, my desires and repugnances, my temporal and eternal prospects. To You I commit the wants of my perishable body; to You I commit the more precious interests of my immortal soul, for whose lot I have nothing to fear as long as I do not leave Your care. Though my faults are many, my misery great, my spiritual poverty extreme, my hope in You surpasses all. It is superior to my weakness, greater than my difficulties, stronger than death.

Though temptations should assail me, I will hope in You; though I break my resolutions, I will look to You confidently for grace to keep them at last. Though You should kill me, even then I will trust in You, for You are my Father, my God, the support of my salvation. You are my kind, compassionate, and indulgent parent, and I am Your devoted son, who cast myself into Your arms and beg Your blessing. I put my trust in You, and so trusting, shall not be confounded. Amen.

Bl. Claude la Colombiere

Sorrow for Past Sins

I have committed serious sins in my life, but now I turn from them and hate them. I am sorry, truly sorry for all of them, because I have offended You, my God, who are all good, all perfect, all holy, all merciful and kind, and who died on the cross for me. I love You, my God, with all my heart. I ask Your pardon, and promise You, with the help of Your grace, never again to commit serious sin. My God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Mercy and Strength

Forgive us, almighty God, our sins, and henceforth let us not be tempted beyond our frail powers. In all our dealings grant us prudence, moderation, courage, and justice, that in them we may so please You as to merit life eternal. Give us peace and harmony with all our fellowmen, united to us, as they are, in the bonds of brotherly affection and charity. Increase Your mercy in us that, trained in the truths of Your gospel, we may ever be protected by the guardianship of Your holy angels.

Canterbury Benedictional

   §  From all sin deliver me, O Lord.

Night Offering

Lord Jesus, may I take this rest with the same love with which You sanctified sleep when Your most holy humanity slept for the praise of God the Father and the salvation of the whole human race. In union with Your divine love I pray that my sleep may bring an increase of divine blessing to all those in heaven, on earth, and in purgatory.

St. Gertrude

Gratitude for the Day

Jesus Christ, my God, I adore You and thank You for all the graces You have given me this day. I offer You my sleep and all the moments of this night, and I ask You to keep me without sin. I therefore place myself in Your sacred side and under the mantle of our Lady, my mother. Let Your holy angels stand about me and keep me in peace, and let Your blessing be upon me. Amen.

St. Alphonsus Liguori

   §  My God, I give You thanks for what You give, and for what You take away; Your will be done.

   §  My God, make us of one mind in truth and one heart in charity.

   §  Teach me, O Lord, to do Your will, for You are my God.

   §  Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies.

De Profundis

De profundis clamo ad te, Domine, Domine, audi vocem meam!
Fiant aures tuae intentae ad vocem obsecrationis meae.
Si delictorum memoriam servaveris, Domine, Domine, quis sustinebit?
Sed penes te est peccatorum venia, ut cum reverentia serviatur tibi.
Spero in Dominum, sperat anima mea in verbum ejus.
Exspectat anima mea Dominum, magis quam custodes auroram.
Magis quam custodes auroram, exspectet Israel Dominum.
Quia. penes Dominum misericordia et copiosa penes eum redemptio;
Et ipse redimet Israel ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus.
V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
V. Requiescant in pace.
R. Amen.
V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.
R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.
OREMUS Fidelium, Deus, omnium Conditor et Redemptor, animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum, ut indulgentiam quam semper optaverunt piis supplicationibus consequantur. Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen.
V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
V. Requiescant in pace.
R. Amen.

V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto You.
LET US PRAY O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Your servants departed the remission of all their sins; that through our fervent prayers they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.

BEFORE CONFESSION

The sacrament of penance is the masterpiece of God's goodness. By it our weakness is fortified.

It is true that venial sins may be expiated in many ways which are to be highly commended. But to ensure more rapid progress day by day in the path of virtue, We desire that the pious practice of frequent confession, which was introduced into the Church by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, should be earnestly advocated. By it genuine self-knowledge is increased, Christian humility grows, bad habits are corrected, spiritual neglect and tepidity are resisted, the conscience is purified, the will strengthened, a salutary self-control is attained, and an increase of grace is secured by the very fact that the sacrament is received.

Pius XII

To the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind that I may clearly know my sins. Move my heart that I may be sincerely sorry for them, honestly confess them, and firmly resolve to amend my life. Amen.

Spirit of wisdom, grant me to see the malice of sin and my ingratitude to You, the all-loving God. Spirit of fortitude, help me to make whatever sacrifice is needed to avoid sin in the future. Amen.

Hatred of Sin

My God, I confess that before now I have utterly forgotten this, and that I am continually forgetting it! I have acted many a time as if I were my own master, and turned from Thee rebelliously. I have acted according to my good pleasure, not according to Thine. I do not understand how dreadful sin is—and I do not hate it, and fear it, as I ought. I have no horror of it, or loathing. I do not turn from it with indignation, as being an insult to Thee, but I trifle with it, and, even if I do not commit great sins, I have no great reluctance to do small ones. O my God, what a great and awful difference is there between what I am and what I ought to be!

Cardinal Newman

Prayer for Repentance

O my God, I am utterly confounded to think of the state in which I lie! What will become of me if Thou art severe? What is my life, O my dear and merciful Lord, but a series of offenses, little or great, against Thee! O what great sins I have committed against Thee before now—and how continually in lesser matters I am sinning. O my Lord Jesus, whose love for me has been so great as to bring Thee down from heaven to save me, teach me, dear Lord, my sin—teach me its heinousness—teach me truly to repent of it—pardon it in Thy great mercy! Amen.

Cardinal Newman

Acts of Contrition

My God, I believe in You, I hope in You, I love You above all things with all my soul, with all my heart, and with all my strength. I love You because You are infinitely good and worthy of being loved. And because I love You, I am sorry with all my heart for having offended You. Have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.

My God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because of Your just punishments, but most of all because I have offended You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

I have committed serious sins in my life, but now I turn from them and hate them. I am sorry, truly sorry for all of them, because I have offended You, my God, who are all good, all perfect, all holy, all merciful and kind, and who died on the cross for me. I love You, my God, with all my heart. I ask Your pardon, and promise You, with the help of Your grace, never again to commit serious sin. Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me. Amen.

Miserere

Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. * Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum dele iniquitatem meam.*Penitus lava me a culpa mea, * et a peccato meo munda me. * Nam iniquitatem meam ego agnosco, * et peccatum meum coram me est semper.* Tibi soli peccavi * et, quod malum est coram te, feci, * ut manifesteris justus in sententia tua, * rectus in judicio tuo. * Ecce, in culpa natus sum, et in peccato concepit me mater mea. * Ecce, sinceritate cordis delectaris, * et in praecordiis sapientiam me dotes. * Asperge me hyssopo, et mundabor; * lava me, et super nivem dealbabor. * Fac me audire gaudium et laetitiam, * exsultent ossa quae contrivisti. * Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis,* et omnes culpas meas dele.* Cor mundum crea mihi, Deus, * et spiritum firmum renova in me. * Ne projeceris me a facie tua, * et spiritum sanctum tuum ne abstuleris a me. Redde mihi laetitiam salutis tuae,* et spiritu generoso confirma me.*Docebo iniquos vias tuas,*et peccatores ad te convertentur. * Libera me a poena sanguinis, Deus, Deus salvator meus; * exsultet lingua mea de justitia tua. * Domine, labia mea aperies, * et os meum anuntiabit laudem tuam. * Neque enim sacrificio delectaris; * et holocaustum, si darem, non acceptares. Sacrificium meum, Deus, spiritus contritus: * cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies. * Benigne fac, Domine, pro bonitate tua, erga Sion, * ut reaedifices muros Jerusalem. * Tunc acceptabis sacrificia legitima, oblationes et holocausta,* tune offerent super altare tuum vitulos.

Have mercy on me, God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. My offenses truly I know them; my sin is always before me. Against You, You alone, have I sinned; what is evil in Your sight I have done. That You may be justified when You give sentence and be without reproach when You judge, O see, in guilt I was born, a sinner was I conceived. Indeed You love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom. O purify me, then I shall be clean; O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear rejoicing and gladness, that the bones You have crushed may thrill. From my sins turn away Your face and blot out all my guilt. A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, nor deprive me of Your holy spirit. Give me again the joy of Your help; with a spirit of fervor sustain me, that I may teach transgressors Your ways, the sinners may return to You. O rescue me, God, my helper, and my tongue shall ring out Your goodness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your praise. For in sacrifice You take no delight, burnt offering from me You would refuse, my sacrifice, a contrite spirit. A humbled, contrite heart You will not spurn. In Your goodness, show favor to Sion: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, then You will be offered young bulls on Your altar.

Psalm 50

AFTER CONFESSION

To the Divine Mercy

May this my confession, O Lord, by the merits of blessed Mary, ever virgin, Your Mother, and of all the saints, be pleasing and acceptable in Your sight. Let Your goodness and mercy supply for whatever has been wanting in my contrition, and in the purity and integrity of my confession. Deign mercifully to regard me perfectly and completely absolved in heaven. Who live and reign God, world without end. Amen.

Thanksgiving

Almighty and merciful God, whose mercy is boundless and everlasting, and of whose goodness the riches are infinite, I thank You because You have so graciously pardoned all my sins, and restored to me Your heavenly favor. Blessed be Your divine compassion and the incomprehensible love of Your Son, which led Him to institute so gentle and powerful a remedy for sins. In union with all the gratitude that has ever ascended to You from truly penitent hearts, I proclaim Your merciful praises, on behalf of all in heaven, on earth, and in purgatory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Act of Resolution

My dear Jesus, how much I owe You! By the merits of Your precious blood I am confident that You have once again pardoned my sins. I thank You exceedingly and I hope to praise Your mercies forever in heaven.

You deserve all my love; from now on I wish to love You in earnest. I promise to shun the occasions of sin, and to use this means (here mention it), for not falling again. But You know my weakness, O Jesus. Give me the grace to be faithful to You until death, and to have recourse to You in my temptations.

Most holy Virgin Mary, assist me. You are the mother of perseverance. I place all my hope in your powerful intercession. Amen.

Your Grace Alone

I beg Thee, O my dear Saviour, to recover me! Thy grace alone can do it. I cannot save myself, I cannot recover my lost ground. I cannot turn to Thee, I cannot please Thee, or save my soul without Thee. I shall go from bad to worse, I shall fall from Thee entirely, I shall quite harden myself against my neglect of duty, if I rely on my own strength. I shall worship some idol of my own framing instead of Thee, the only true God and my Maker, unless Thou hinder it by Thy grace. O my dear Lord, hear me! … I wish to be Thy good servant. I wish to sin no more. Be gracious to me, and enable me to be what I know I ought to be. Amen.

Cardinal Newman

Petition for Strength

My God, I have had experience enough what a dreadful bondage sin is. It is a heavy weight which cripples me—and what will be the end of it?

By Thy all-precious merits, by Thy almighty power, I entreat Thee, O my Lord, to give me life and sanctity and strength! Deus sanetus, give me holiness; Deus fortis, give me strength; Deus immortalis, give me perseverance.

Cardinal Newman

Happy the Man Whose Offense Is Forgiven

Happy the man whose offense is forgiven, whose sin is remitted.

O happy the man to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no guile.

I kept it secret and my frame was wasted. I groaned all day long.

For night and day Your hand was heavy upon me. Indeed, my strength was dried up as by the summer's heat.

But now I have acknowledged my sins, my guilt I did not hide.

I said, "I will confess my offense to the Lord." And You, Lord, have forgiven the guilt of my sin.

So let every good man pray to You in the time of need.

The floods of water may reach high but him they shall not reach.

You are my hiding place, O Lord, You save me from distress. You surround me with cries of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel with My eye upon you.

Be not like horse and mule, unintelligent, needing bridle and bit, else they will not approach you.

Many sorrows has the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord, loving mercy surrounds him.

Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, exult you just! O come, ring out your joy, all you upright of heart!

Psalm 31

Litanies of the Society

Be Pleased, O God

Be pleased, O God, to rescue me; O Lord, make haste to help me!
May they be confounded and ashamed who seek my life.
May they fall back, filled with shame, who delight in my misfortunes.
May they fall back, covered with confusion, who say to me: "It is good! It is good!"
May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You.
And let them who desire Your help say always: "God be glorified."
But I am wretched and poor, O God. Help me!
You are my helper and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 69

V. Save Your servants
R. who hope in You, O my God.
V. Be unto us, O Lord, a tower of strength
R. from the face of the enemy.
V. Let not the enemy prevail against us.
R. Nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt us.
V. O Lord, deal not with us according to our sins.
R. Neither repay us according to our iniquities.
V. Let us pray for our sovereign pontiff, (NAME).
R. May the Lord protect him, and prolong his life,
and bless him upon the earth, and hand him
not over to the will of his enemies.
V. Let us pray for our benefactors.
R. Be pleased, O Lord, to reward with eternal life
all those who are good to us for Your name's sake.
V. Let us pray for the faithful departed.
R. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
V. For our absent brethren.
R. Save Your servants who hope in You, O my God.
V. Send them help, O Lord, from the sanctuary.
R. And from Sion uphold them.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto You.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.

O God, whose nature it is to be merciful always and to forgive, receive our humble petitions; that we, and all Your servants, who are bound by the chain of sin may be set free by Your merciful compassion and goodness.

We beseech You, O Lord, graciously hear the prayers of Your suppliants, and forgive the sins of those who confess to You; that in Your bounty You may grant us both pardon and peace.

In Your clemency, O Lord, show us Your ineffable mercy, that You may both free us from our sins and deliver us from the punishments which we deserve for them.

O God, who are offended by sin and appeased by penance, mercifully hear the prayers of Your suppliant people, and turn away the scourges of Your anger which we deserve for our sins.

Almighty and everlasting God, have mercy on Your servant (NAME), our sovereign pontiff, and direct him according to Your mercy in the way of eternal salvation; that by Your grace he may both desire those things that are pleasing to You, and carry them out with all his strength.

O God, from whom proceed all holy desires, wise counsels, and just works, give to Your servants that peace which the world cannot give, that with hearts devoted to the keeping of Your commandments, and freed from the fear of enemies, we may by Your protection spend our lives in peace.

Purify, O Lord, our body and our heart with the fire of the Holy Spirit, that we may serve You with a chaste body and please You with a clean heart.

O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Your servants departed the remission of all their sins; that through our fervent prayers they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired.

We beseech You, O Lord, precede our actions by Your holy inspirations and carry them through by Your gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from You and through You be successfully completed.

Almighty, everlasting God, You are Lord of both the living and the dead, and Your mercy reaches to all who by faith and good works, as You know, are to be Yours; grant, then, we humbly beseech You, that those for whom we intend to pray, be they still in this world of mortal flesh or already received into life eternal, may through the intercession of all Your saints and the tenderness of Your mercy obtain the remission of all their sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, who live and reign with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
V. May the almighty and merciful Lord graciously hear us.
R. Amen.
V. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.

For the Sick

Almighty and everlasting God, the eternal salvation of those who believe, hear us on behalf of Your servant who is sick, for whom we humbly ask the help of Your mercy, that, being restored to health, he may render thanks to You in Your Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Dying

Almighty and merciful God, You bestow on mankind both the remedies of health and the gifts of everlasting life. Look graciously on Your servant suffering from bodily infirmity, and strengthen the soul which You have made. At the hour of his death may he deserve to be offered without stain of sin to You his Creator by the hands of the holy angels. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Those Making a Journey

Hear, O Lord, our humble prayers, and guide Your servants safely in the path of Your salvation, that amid all the changes and chances of this life they may ever be sheltered by Your help. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For One Recently Deceased

Incline Your ear, O Lord, to our prayers, in which we humbly entreat Your mercy. Bring to a place of peace and light the soul of Your servant, NAME), which You have summoned to go forth from this world, and bid him to be numbered in the fellowship of Your saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grace at Meals
NOTE: When common grace is said only once, as on fast days at the principal meal, the form used is that of Cena. With the exception of the last three days of Holy Week, grace always begins with Benedicite.

Ante Prandium

s Benedicite.
R Benedicite.
s Oculi omnium.
R In te sperant, Domine, * et tu das escam illorum in tempore opportuno: * aperis tu manum tuam * et imples omne animal benedictione.
s Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.
R Sicut erat in principio, * et nunc, et semper, * et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
s Kyrie eleison.
R Christe eleison.
s Kyrie eleison. Pater noster … Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.
R Sed libera nos a malo.
s oremus Benedic, Domine, nos et haec tua dona, quae de tua largitate sumus sumpturi, per Christum Dominum nostrum.
R Amen. Jube, domine, benedicere.
s Mensae caelestis participes faciat nos Rex aeternae gloriae.

Post Prandium

s Confiteantur tibi, Domine, omnia opera tua.
R Et sancti tui benedicant tibi.
s Gloria Patri, etc.
R Sicut erat, etc.
s Agimus tibi gratias, omnipotens Deus, pro universes beneficiis tuis: qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.
R Amen.
s Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes, praedicaté eum, omnes populi.
R Quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia ejus, * et fidelitas Domini manet in aeternum.
s Gloria Patri, etc.
R Sicut erat, etc.
s Kyrie eleison.
R Christe eleison.
s Kyrie eleison. Pater noster … Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.
R Sed libera nos a malo.
s Dispersit, dedit pauperibus.
R Justitia ejus manet in saeculum saeculi.
s Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore.
R Semper laus ejus in ore meo.
s In Domino laudabitur anima mea.
R Audiant mansueti et laetentur.
s Magnificate Dominum mecum.
R Et exaltemus nomen ejus in idipsum.
s Sit nomen Domini benedictum.
R Ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum.
s Retribuere dignare, Domine, omnibus nobis bona facientibus, propter nomen tuum, vitam aeternam.
R Amen.
s Benedicamus Domino.
R Deo gratias.
s Fidelium animae per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace.
R Amen. Pater noster.
s Deus det nobis suam pacem.
R Amen.

Ante Cenam

s Benedicite.
R Benedicite.
s Edent pauperes.
R Et saturabuntur et laudabunt Dominum qui requirunt eum; * vivent corda eorum in saeculum saeculi.
s Gloria Patri, etc.
R Sicut erat, etc.
s Kyrie eleison.
R Christe eleison.
s Kyrie eleison. Pater noster … Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.
R Sed libera nos a malo.
s OREMUS Benedic, Domine, nos et haec tua dona, quae de tua largitate sumus sumpturi, per Christum Dominum nostrum.
R Amen. Jube, domne, benedicere.
s Ad cenam vitae aeternae perducat nos Rex aeternae gloriae.
R Amen.

Post Cenam

s Memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum misericors et miserator Dominus.
R Escam dedit timentibus se.
s Gloria Patri, etc.
R Sicut erat, etc.
s Benedictus Deus in dons suis et sanctus in omnibus operibus suis: Qui vivit et regnat in saecula saeculorum.
R Amen.
s Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes, praedicate eum, omnes populi.
R Quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia ejus, * et fidelitas Domini manet in aeternum.
s Gloria Patri, etc.
R Sicut erat, etc.
s Kyrie eleison.
R Christe eleison.
s Kyrie eleison. Pater noster … Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.
R Sed libera nos a malo.
s Dispersit, dedit pauperibus.
R Justitia ejus manet in saeculum saeculi.
s Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore.
R Semper laus ejus in ore meo.
s In Domino laudabitur anima mea.
R Audiant mansueti et laetentur.
s Magnificate Dominum mecum.
R Et exaltemus nomen ejus in idipsum.
s Sit nomen Domini benedictum.
R Ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum.
s Retribuere dignare, Domine, omnibus nobis bona facientibus, propter nomen tuum, vitam aeternam.
R Amen.
s Benedicamus Domino.
R Deo gratias.
s Fidelium animae, etc.
R Amen. Pater noster.
s Deus det nobis suam pacem.
R Amen.

PROPRIUM DE TEMPORE

s Benedicite.
R Benedicite.

    A Nativitate Domini ad cenam vigiliae Epiphaniae exclusive

Ante
s Verbum caro factum est. Alleluja.
R Et habitavit in nobis. Alleluja.

Post
s Notum fecit Dominus. Alleluja.
R Salutare suum. Alleluja.

    Ab Epiphania ad Festum Baptismi Christi inclusive

Ante
s Reges Tharsis et insulae munera offerent. Alleluja.
R Reges Arabum et Saba dona adducent. Alleluja.

Post
s Omnes de Saba venient. Alleluja.
R Aurum et thus deferentes. Alleluja.

FERIA V IN CENA DOMINI

Ante Prandium et Cenam

Omisso Benedicite, dicitur absolute (nil dicunt adstantes): Christus factus est pro nobis oboediens usque ad mortem.

Deinde, Pater noster, totum secreto. Quo dicto, sine pronuntiatione aliqua sacerdos signo crucis benedicit mensam: nec dicitur Jube, domne nec Tu autem.

Post Prandium et Cenam

Christus factus est pro nobis oboediens usque ad mortem.

Postea Psalmus 50, Miserere mei, Deus, dicitur alternatim. Quo finito, sine Gloria Patri, secreto dicitur Pater noster.

Deinde sacerdos dicit absolute orationem: Respice, quaesumus Domine, super hanc familiam tuam, pro qua Dominus noster Jesus Christus non dubitavit manibus tradi nocentium, et crucis subire tormentum.

Et non pronunciatur Qui tecum nec Fidelium animae, sed secreto dicitur Pater noster, nec additur Deus det nobis suam pacem.

IN PARASCEVE

Eodem modo fit sicut in Cena Domini, sed additur ad Christus factus est … Mortem autem crucis.

IN SABBATO SANCTO AD PRANDIUM ET CENAM

Ante et Post

Principes sacerdotum et pharisaei munierunt sepulchrum, signantes lapidem, cum custodibus.
   Deinde Pater noster, totum secreto.
   Quo dicto, sine pronuntiatione aliqua, sacerdos signo crucis benedicit mensam; nec dicitur Jube, domne.
   In fine repetitur:
   Principes sacerdotum et pharisaei munierunt sepulchrum, signantes lapidem, cum custodibus.
   Postea Psalmus 50 Miserere.
   Quo finito, sine versu Gloria Patri, secreto dicitur Pater noster.
   Deinde sacerdos dicit absolute orationem:
   Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut, qui Filii tui resurrectionem devota exspectatione praevenimus; ejusdem resurrectionis gloriam consequamur. Et sub silentio concluditur: Per eundem Christum.

   In die Paschae usque ad cenam Sabbati sequentis inclusive

Ante et Post
s Haec dies quam fecit Dominus. Alleluja.
R Exsultemus et laetemur in ea. Alleluja.

   In Ascensione Domini et usque ad vigiliam Pentecostes exclusive

Ante
s Ascendit Deus in jubilatione. Alleluja.
R Et Dominus in voce tubae. Alleluja.

Post
s Ascendens Christus in altum. Alleluja.
R Captivam duxit captivitatem. Alleluja.

   A vigilia Pentecostes usque ad cenam Sabbati sequentis exclusive

Ante
s Spiritus Domini replevit orbem terrarum. Alleluja.
R Et hoc quod continet omnia scientiam habet vocis. Alleluja.

Post
s Repleti sunt omnes Spiritu Sancto. Alleluja.
R Et coeperunt loqui. Alleluja.

Before Dinner

s Let us praise.
R Let us praise.
s The eyes of all.
R Hope in You, O Lord, and You give them food
    in a favorable time. You open Your hand, and
    fill every living creature with Your blessing.
s Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
s Lord have mercy on us.
R Christ have mercy on us.
s Lord have mercy on us. Our Father … And lead us not into temptation.
R But deliver us from evil.
s LET US PRAY Bless us, O Lord, and these Your gifts which we are about to receive from Your bounty, through Christ our Lord.
R Amen. Pray, Father, a blessing.
s May the King of glory make us partakers of the heavenly table.

After Dinner

s Let all Your works praise You, O Lord.
R And all Your saints bless You.
s Glory be to the Father, etc.
R As it was in the beginning, etc.
s We give You thanks, almighty God, for all Your benefits: who live and reign for ever and ever.
R Amen.
s Praise the Lord, all you nations, glorify Him, all you peoples.
R For steadfast is His kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.
s Glory be to the Father, etc.
R As it was in the beginning, etc.
s Lord have mercy on us.
R Christ have mercy on us.
s Lord have mercy on us. Our Father … And lead us not into temptation.
R But deliver us from evil.
s He distributed and gave to the poor.
R His justice remains forever.
s I will bless the Lord at all times.
R His praise shall be ever on my lips.
s In the Lord shall my soul be praised.
R Let the meek hear and rejoice.
s Magnify the Lord with me.
R And let us extol His name together.
s Let the name of the Lord be blessed.
R From henceforth, now, and forever.
s Be pleased, O Lord, to reward with eternal life all those who are good to us for Your name's sake.
R Amen.
s Let us bless the Lord.
R Thanks be to God.
s May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R Amen. Our Father.
s May God grant us His peace.
R Amen.

Before Supper

s Let us praise.
R Let us praise.
s The poor shall eat.
R And be filled, and they shall praise the Lord who seek Him. Their hearts shall live for ever and ever.
s Glory be to the Father, etc.
R As it was in the beginning, etc.
s Lord have mercy on us.
R Christ have mercy on us.
s Lord have mercy on us. Our Father … And lead us not into temptation.
R But deliver us from evil.
s Let us Pray. Bless us, O Lord, and these Your gifts which we are about to receive from Your bounty, through Christ our Lord.
R Amen. Pray, Father, a blessing.
s May the King of eternal glory lead us to the banquet of everlasting life.
R Amen.

After Supper

s The merciful and compassionate Lord has made a memorial of His wonderful works.
R He has given food to those who fear Him.
s Glory be to the Father, etc.
R As it was in the beginning, etc.
s Blessed be God in His gifts and holy in all of His works, who live and reign for ever and ever.
R Amen.
s Praise the Lord, all you nations, glorify Him, all you peoples.
R For steadfast is His kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.
s Glory be to the Father, etc.
R As it was in the beginning, etc.
s Lord have mercy on us.
R Christ have mercy on us.
s Lord have mercy on us. Our Father … And lead us not into temptation.
R But deliver us from evil.
s He distributed and gave to the poor.
R His justice remains forever.
s I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise shall be ever on my lips.
s In the Lord shall my soul be praised.
R Let the meek hear and rejoice.
s Magnify the Lord with me.
R And let us extol His name together.
s Let the name of the Lord be blessed.
R From henceforth, now, and forever.
s Be pleased, O Lord, to reward with eternal life all those who are good to us for Your name's sake.
R Amen.
s Let us bless the Lord.
R Thanks be to God.
s May the souls of the faithful departed, etc.
R Amen. Our Father.
s May God grant us His peace.
R Amen.

TEMPORAL CYCLE

s Let us praise.
R Let us praise.

   From Christmas to the evening meal of the vigil of Epiphany exclusive

Before

s The Word was made flesh. Alleluia.
R And dwelt among us. Alleluia.

After

s The Lord has made known. Alleluia.
R His salvation. Alleluia.

   From the Epiphany to the baptism of Christ inclusive

Before

s The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents. Alleluia.
R The kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts. Alleluia.

After

s They shall all come from Saba. Alleluia.
R Bringing gold and frankincense. Alleluia.

HOLY THURSDAY

Before Dinner and Supper

Omitting Let us praise, there is immediately said (without the community saying anything): Christ was made obedient for us unto death.

Then, Our Father, entirely in silence. After this, without pronouncing the words, the priest blesses the table with the sign of the cross. Pray, Father is not said.

After Dinner and Supper

Christ was made obedient for us unto death.

Then Psalm 50, Have mercy on me, O God, is said alternately. After this is finished, and without a Glory Be to the Father, there is said silently the Our Father.

The priest then recites the full oration: Look down, we beseech You, O Lord, upon this Your family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ did not hesitate to be delivered into the hands of wicked men, and undergo the torment of the cross.

Without adding the conclusion or the prayer, May the souls of the faithful departed, only the Our Father is said silently, and without the final May God grant us His peace.

GOOD FRIDAY

Everything is the same as on Holy Thursday, except for the addition to Christ was made obedient for us unto death … Even to the death of the cross.

HOLY SATURDAY AT DINNER AND SUPPER

Before and After

The chief priests and the Pharisees made the sepulcher secure, sealing the stone, and setting the guard.

Then the Our Father is said, entirely in silence.

After this, without saying anything, the priest blesses the table with the sign of the cross. Nothing else is said.

At the end of the meal is repeated:

The chief priests and the Pharisees made the sepulcher secure, sealing the stone, and setting the guard.

Then Psalm 50 is recited.

When this is finished, without the verse, Glory Be to the Father, the Our Father is said in silence.

Finally the priest says the full oration:

Almighty God, we ask You to grant that we, who with devout expectation await the Resurrection of Your Son, may attain to the glory of this same Resurrection. And the conclusion is said in silence: Through the same Christ.

From Easter Sunday until supper of the following Saturday inclusive

Before and After
s This is the day which the Lord has made. Alleluia.
R Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia.

   From Ascension Thursday until the vigil of Pentecost exclusive

Before
s God is ascended with rejoicing. Alleluia.
R And the Lord with the sound of the trumpet. Alleluia.

After
s Christ ascending on high. Alleluia.
R Has led captivity captive. Alleluia.

   From the vigil of Pentecost until supper of the following Saturday exclusive

Before

s The Spirit of the Lord has filled the whole world. Alleluia.
R And that which contains all things has knowledge of the voice. Alleluia.

After

s They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Alleluia.
R And began to speak. Alleluia.

SHORTER FORM

Before Meals

Bless us, O Lord, and these Your gifts which we are about to receive from Your bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

After Meals

We give You thanks, almighty God, for all Your benefits. Who live and reign world without end. Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

General Examen: Longer Method

1 THANKSGIVING

I adore You, my God, I bless You and give You thanks for all the benefits You have conferred on angels and men and on myself in particular. You have loved me from all eternity; You have created me to Your own likeness; Your divine Son died on the cross to redeem me; You have made me a member of Your mystical body and deigned to save me from the dangers of the world by calling me to the religious life. You have mercifully preserved me in my vocation till this time. How many times have You granted me the grace of assisting at the Holy Sacrifice, of receiving the pardon of my faults in the sacrament of penance, and of being fed in Communion with the divine flesh of my Jesus. I thank You for all the humiliations and sufferings You have sent me and will hereafter send me, and for all the opportunities to work for souls. You have prepared a place for me in heaven, where, if I serve You faithfully on earth, I shall contemplate You, love You, praise You eternally in an ecstasy of joy among Your elect. How shall I repay You, my Lord, for so much charity, for so many benefits? I offer You with all my love all the praise of the Church militant and triumphant, the charity that burns in the immaculate heart of Mary, the merits of Jesus, Your divine Son, and the infinitely precious blood which He shed by the wound of His left hand.

Divine Heart of Jesus, deign to present my gratitude to Your heavenly Father.

Loving heart of Mary, be my salvation.

My Jesus, mercy.

Kiss the wound of the left hand.

2 PRAYER FOR DIVINE LIGHT

My God, I beg You in the name of the precious blood shed by Your divine Son through the wound of His right hand to grant me the grace of knowing, detesting, and expiating my sins and negligences in Your holy service. Grant, my God, that I may know and detest them, as You, infinite wisdom and holiness, know and detest them, and as I shall know and detest them at the day of judgment.

Divine Heart of Jesus, deign to enlighten and move my soul.
Loving heart of Mary, be my salvation.
My Jesus, mercy.
Kiss the wound of the right hand.

3 EXAMINATION

My Savior, I confess to my great confusion, I have shown very little generosity and constancy in the way of perfection which You have opened for me and on which I discover the bloody traces of Your footsteps. I ask You by the precious blood that flowed from the wound of Your left foot, to blot out the very least marks of my wanderings and infidelities.

Divine Heart of Jesus, fill my heart with that immense sorrow which overwhelmed You in Your agony in the Garden of Olives.
Loving heart of Mary, be my salvation.
My Jesus, mercy.
Kiss the wound of the left foot.

4 CONTRITION

My God, permit me to throw myself with holy Magdalene at the feet of my Savior and to weep for my numerous sins. I have not given You, my God, the glory that I owed You by so many titles and have abused Your gifts to offend You, who are infinitely good in Yourself and infinitely worthy of love. In Your presence did I sin; I saddened Your Heart at the very moment when You were regarding me with infinite love. I was so blind and so ungrateful as to love creatures more than You, my Creator, and to prefer to the accomplishment of Your adorable will my own vain satisfaction. On account of these infidelities I shall praise You less for all eternity and shall be eternally deprived of the degree of glory You destined for me if I had generously obeyed Your law and inspirations. I have concurred with the executioners of Your divine Son in His passion, ignominy, and sorrow. Had I sinned less, Jesus would have suffered less, and His agony on the cross would have been less cruel and bitter. Pardon me, my God, all the foul iniquities of my life. I deplore and detest them from the bottom of my heart, because they fill You with such an infinite abhorrence. My God and Father, I embrace the feet of Your divine Son Jesus and, by the precious blood He shed from the wound of His right foot, I beg of You to say to me the consoling words which He addressed to blessed Magdalene: "Your sins are forgiven you."

Divine Heart of Jesus, let one drop of Your sacred blood fall on my heart to purify it and inflame it with love for You.
Loving heart of Mary, be my salvation.
My Jesus, mercy.
Kiss the wound of the right foot.

5 RESOLUTION

Most merciful Jesus, I wish henceforth to satisfy the desires of Your Sacred Heart, which was pierced on the cross for my salvation. I firmly resolve to avoid every voluntary infraction of my duties and rules, ever failing against charity, and to follow courageously Your footsteps even to Calvary. I will try above all to correct myself of this defect … and to advance in the practice of this virtue …

Deign, my Redeemer, to confirm my resolution by the merits of the blood that flowed from the wound of Your Sacred Heart, which I offer You with Your life, passion, and death to pay as much as I can the debts I have contracted with Your divine justice. I wish to strive for perfection and, like the elect in heaven, accomplish perfectly at every moment of my life Your holy and adorable will.

Heart of Jesus, hide me in the asylum of Your divine wound; grant me the grace of remaining in You, of living only with Your divine life and of conforming always and in everything the dispositions and sentiments of my heart to those which animate You.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Yours.
Loving heart of Mary, be my salvation.
My Jesus, mercy.
Kiss the wound of the Sacred Heart.

Our Father. Hail Mary.

General Examen: Shorter Method

1. Everlasting Father of mercy and of all consolation, I give undying thanks to Your supreme and ineffable goodness, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, for the countless number of priceless benefits You have so generously bestowed and continue to bestow on me, worthless man, daily overcoming and surpassing my ingratitude by Your unparalleled charity.
   
   I thank You from my heart for having drawn me to know You and trust You; for having given me the desire of always serving You, for having honored me with every kind of spiritual gift and strengthened me with every safeguard. I thank You also for the many physical blessings which You have this day heaped upon me. If today I have accomplished any good work, I acknowledge it as a gift and blessing from Your generosity, and even though it be slight, do You be good enough to accept it together with the merits of our mediator Jesus Christ, and make up for what it lacks. All I ask is an increase in virtue and perfection, with the resulting increase in the honor and glory of Your Divine Majesty, and the benefit of my neighbor.
   
   
2. God, Holy Spirit, give me the grace, I humbly beg, of being able to recall all my sins and faults, and by Your grace remove from my soul, root and branch, whatever offends the eye of Your Majesty.
   
   
3. At this point each should examine his conscience, beginning from the last examination, and consider whether he has failed by word, thought, or omission. If he finds offenses in his soul,
   
   
4. he should be especially sorry for them, and
   
   
5. determine with God's grace to correct them.

See, O merciful God, what return I, Your thankless servant, have made for the innumerable favors and the wonderful love You have shown me! What wrongs I have done, what good left undone! Wash away, I beg You, these faults and stains with Your precious blood, most kind Redeemer, and make up for my poverty by applying Your merits. Give me the protection I need to amend my ways for the future, and the whole manner of my life. I give and surrender myself wholly to You, and offer You all I possess, with the prayer that You bestow Your grace on me, so that I may be able to devote and employ all the thinking power of my mind and the strength of my body in Your holy service, who are God blessed for ever and ever. Amen.

St. Peter Canisius

Meditation on the Particular Examen

SINS AND FAULTS

Once a religious has selected a subject for his particular examen, he will find it very profitable to meditate on that subject. If the matter in question is a sin or fault, the meditation may take the following form.

I owe it to God to rid myself of this fault:

Because of my complete consecration to God. My body and soul, my senses and faculties, all my actions are from God; they belong to Him in a very strict sense by right of creation, and in a special sense by virtue of my religious consecration. All that I am and have must be used in His service. By sin I invade the rights of God; I appropriate to myself what belongs to Him. The soul of a religious is sacred in the eyes of God, more so than chalice or tabernacle; it should be without flaw or stain.

Because of the favorable circumstances in which God has placed me. Men in the world have less light, fewer graces, more serious and more frequent temptation; a religious lives in the noonday light of faith and love, in the house of God surrounded by good and holy men. God expects more of him, expects a clean heart, a more perfect life.

I owe it to myself to overcome this fault. If I do not overcome it, I am not a man of principle, do not stand by promises, I adopt halfway measures, follow the easier course; and all this for the simple reason that I have not the courage to do a little violence to myself; I am not true to myself.

I owe it to the Church which has set me apart for the practice of holiness. I owe it to the Society which puts at my disposal all the means for ridding myself of my faults. I may not allow myself to become an imperfect or useless member.

VIRTUES

When there is question of cultivating a virtue, it should be noted that there is a positive and a negative way of practicing it. The negative way consists in avoiding all faults contrary to the virtue; the positive, in the direct practice of the virtue itself. The latter may confine itself to purely interior acts, or it may combine these with exterior practice of the virtue. Whichever way is followed, previous meditation on the subject will be useful. Such meditation will fill the mind with wholesome thoughts on the subject in question and furnish a background for the practice of the particular examen. If, for instance, the particular examen is made on "prompt obedience to orders and to the demands of the rule," one may derive great help from meditation on the obedience of our blessed Lord at Nazareth. Then in making acts of obedience, whether interior only or also exterior, we can call to mind the homelife of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, remembering the words of the evangelist: "He was subject to them." He, all holy and all wise, obeyed a human father and mother, who were in reality His own creatures. The Son of God spent many years in doing the work of a carpenter and performing the lowly tasks of the home; and all this because He wanted to teach us how holy it is to obey and be engaged in humble occupations enjoined by obedience.

Consider what the virtue means; how necessary or useful it is for the interior life, for the apostolic life, for the common life; how detrimental in these several ways is the fault opposed to it.

Consider its excellence in itself; in what words it is enjoined or commended in Holy Scripture. Recall or memorize the very words; what the saints have said of it, particularly those of the Society; what you have read on the subject of this virtue in ascetical books; how our rules regard it.

Consider how to acquire it. Think of our Lord and His blessed Mother, how they practiced it; the example of the saints, especially your patron saints; they are your models. Consider your daily life: the hours or moments in which you may practice the virtue; the circumstances that may stand in the way; the human respect you may have to overcome; the comforts to be surrendered; the self-denial to be practiced.

Constructive Method of the Particular Examen

Direct growth in virtue is the purpose of this method, and aspirations are its means. Aspirations express a prayer and frequently are acts of virtue. "Jesus, my God, I love You above all things," is an act of the love of God. Some aspirations express the will to acquire a virtue—"Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Yours." Others express the will to grow in virtue—"Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, increase in our souls faith, hope, and charity." Accordingly, the method uses aspirations both as prayers and as acts of virtue.

Reparation. It employs the same prayer as an act of reparation, for every virtue has its opposing vice. Thus after a manifestation of pride may be said a prayer for humility in reparation for the sin of pride: "Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Yours." Moreover the aspiration may accompany and follow an additional act of the same virtue. For example, during a humiliation its acceptance is expressed by the same prayer for humility.

Thus the soul cultivates the habit of expressing acts of virtue through appropriate and (where possible) indulgenced aspirations. These are used and treasured as companion thoughts in the midst of a busy day, especially during the frequent short walks about the house, to and from chapel or one's room, and when changing occupations.

Contemplation in Action. This method is highly consistent with St. Ignatius's stress on "prayer in action," namely, integrating one's active life with prayer, which in practice means a habit of making aspirations as need or occasions arise. Voicing the mind of St. Ignatius, Jerome Nadal urged members of the Society to "adopt the holy practice of making brief prayers or elevations of the mind to God, mixing them with their actions in the house and outside in every kind of occupation, at one time saying some words that come to mind according to one's liking, or only speaking by means of desires and pious aspirations."

Liturgical Seasons and Popular Devotions. The choice of aspiration may coincide with the liturgical period of the year, as in Advent, Lent, the Easter and Pentecost seasons. Or it may follow the popular dedication of certain months to various mysteries or aspects of Catholic piety: March to St. Joseph, May to the Blessed Virgin, June to the Sacred Heart, July to the precious blood, and November to the poor souls. This method of making the particular examen incorporates the development of personal holiness with the practice of devotion to the Sacred Heart or His Passion by the simple expedient of correlating virtue with aspiration with mystery of the faith.

Change of Subject. With notable exceptions, many people find a regular change of subject helpful. At least change drives away monotony and helps sustain interest in the particular examen throughout the religious life. The present method suggests a different combination of virtue and aspiration to be considered every month.

Method in Use. Select an aspiration which expresses the virtue you wish to cultivate. Let this prayer be or accompany the act of virtue. Say the same prayer in reparation for the fault committed. If desired, mark the number of times this prayer has been said daily, perhaps counting by groups of five. Change the subject monthly or as preferred.

The advantages of this method are that it multiplies acts of virtue (with corresponding increase of merit), makes reparation for faults committed, and, if the prayers are indulgenced, gains additional satisfactory merit from the Church's treasury. At the same time this constructive practice promotes the spirit of prayer and union with God and supernaturalizes our daily actions.

However, it should also be noted that the use of aspirations can be excessive. Real prayer may be sacrificed for a purely mechanical repetition of words. Variety, spontaneity, and accent on realization that I am talking to God (or one of the saints) should prevent or correct this mistake.

Suggested Virtues, Faults, and Aspirations. The following are sample examens, which may be changed or added to according to particular needs:

1. Love of God (selfishness)
   "Jesus, my God, I love You above all things."
   
   
2. Good intention (natural motives)
   "All for You, most Sacred Heart of Jesus."
   
   
3. Charity (self-will)
   "Jesus most amiable, have mercy on me."
   
   
4. Loyalty to Christ (inordinate attachment to persons)
   "Heart of my King, I love You."
   
   
5. Conformity to God's will (disobedience)
   "Grant, O Lord, that I may know and do Your will."
   
   
6. Abandonment to God's providence (lack of generosity)
   "My God and my all."
   
   
7. Self-conquest, for the dying (oversensitivity)
   "Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have pity on the dying."
   
   
8. Trust in God (discouragement)
   "Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You."
   
   
9. Resistance to temptation (dallying with sinful thoughts)
   "Save me, O Jesus." "Cease, the Heart of Jesus is with me."
   
   
10. Humility (pride and vanity)
    "Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Yours."
    
    
11. Patience (irritability)
    "My Jesus, mercy."
    
    
12. Chastity (unguarded senses)
    "Jesus, source of all purity, have mercy on me."
    
    
13. Hope in Mary (despondency)
    "Mary, our hope, pray for us."
    
    
14. Confidence in St. Joseph (anxiety)
    "Joseph most strong, pray for me."
    
    
15. Zeal (slothfulness)
    "Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your kingdom come."
    
    
16. Prudence (thoughtlessness)
    "Seat of Wisdom, pray for us."
    
    
17. Resignation (complaining)
    "Heart of Jesus, obedient unto death, have mercy on us."
    
    
18. Devotion to the poor souls (indifference to God's justice)
    "Merciful Lord, grant them eternal rest."
    
    
19. Preparation for death (spiritual tepidity)
    "Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit."
    
    
20. Spiritual joy (sadness)
    "Jesus, joy of angels, have mercy on me."

    §  My God and my all.

MONTHLY RECOLLECTION

"In order to guard and preserve the fruit of the Spiritual Exercises which We have been praising, and to revive its salutary memory, We must earnestly recommend a pious custom which may be called a brief repetition of the Exercises, namely, a monthly recollection." Pius XI, encyclical Mens nostra.

First Prelude. I will place myself in the presence of Christ, our Lord, to whom I am to give an account of my stewardship for the past month. I will see at His side the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Ignatius, my patron saints, and my guardian angel.

Second Prelude. I will ask for light to know whether or not I have advanced in perfection and the love of God during the past month; and for strength to correct my faults and employ the best means to please God more perfectly in the future.

1 The Favors Our Lord Has Bestowed on Me during the Past Month

I will consider how our Lord has granted me the great grace of perseverance in religion and the means to attain the sublime end of my vocation: the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls. Among these means are the daily exercises of piety and the frequent use of the sacraments, the watchful care of superiors and the good example of my religious brethren. These favors were accompanied with special interior graces, divine impulses spurring me on to the practice of virtue and keeping me from many faults: fidelity to my vows, to the rules and regulations of obedience, success in my office and occupations, in my study, teaching, or the ministry. Inspired with gratitude, I may well say with the psalmist: "Give glory to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever. Bless the Lord, my soul, and never forget all He has done for you. What shall I render to the Lord for the things He has given to me?"

2 The Present State of My Soul

In order to understand the state of my soul, I will consider my habitual disposition:

In regard to God. Have I offended Him less frequently during the past month? If so, I will thank our Lord and beg for perseverance. But if I find that I have offended Him more often and seriously, I will beg pardon and examine thoroughly into the causes of my faults and determine on specific means to avoid them during the next month. Have I been faithful in the observance of my rules. Do I look upon them as the distinct expressions of God's will for me, and do I realize in them the means of my sanctification?

In regard to my neighbor. Do I habitually see Christ, our Lord, in my superiors, and obey them with humility and alacrity? Do I obey subordinate officials promptly, without excuse or complaint? Have I been respectful and considerate to my equals, and to those under my care? Have I avoided arguments, particular friendships, or aversions? Did I honestly try to make myself agreeable to others by cheerfulness, by patience, by gladly helping them and cooperating with them? Am I too severe in my judgments of others, and have I learned to be firm without being harsh, and kind without being soft?

In regard to myself. Am I glad at times to feel the effects of poverty, to have the worst things in the house given to me? Have I tried to imitate the Jesuit saints in chastity of body and mind? Do I invoke the Blessed Virgin in time of temptation? Do I seriously try to conquer myself—my passions, my inordinate affections and inclinations to sensuality? Have I guarded my senses and practiced some penances?

3 The Daily Actions

I will now examine how I perform the ordinary actions of the day. Have I risen at the sound of the bell and immediately turned my thoughts to God and to the subject of my meditation?

Have I prepared well the points of my meditation, and sincerely tried to make a good one; applying my memory, understanding, and will, and taking practical resolutions?

Did I (celebrate or) hear Mass with reverence, and receive Holy Communion with due preparation and thanksgiving?

Have I recited the Divine Office with attention and devotion at the time and in the proper place, remembering that I was then praising God in the name of the whole mystical body of Christ and in union with the saints and angels in heaven?

Have I applied myself seriously and constantly to my duties and occupations, with a right intention, seeing the dispositions of Providence in all the circumstances of the day?

Have I avoided sensuality and selfishness in eating and drinking, and attended to the wants of my neighbor at table? Did I pay attention to the reading?

Have I been faithful in my devotions to the Sacred Heart, the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, my patrons, and my guardian angel?

How do I make my twofold examen of conscience? Do I have a particular examen, which I make twice a day and of which I keep some kind of written account?

Do I give all the time allotted to the spiritual reading and try to derive benefit from what I read, not only for myself but for others?

What use do I make of aspirations and ejaculatory prayers? Do I make an effort to practice the presence of God and union with our Lord, dwelling in my soul by grace and abiding in His humanity in the Eucharist? How often do I visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament or make a momentary Spiritual Communion?

And now let me recall the resolutions of my last retreat or of my last monthly recollection, reading them over and checking to see how faithfully I have kept them. Above all let me go over the motives that induced me to resolve on certain courses of action, and let me renew these while deciding on the best means to implement my decision. Perseverance in my vocation will be assured if I do this.

Colloquy. I will give fervent thanks to our Lord for the benefits conferred on me during the past month. Then addressing myself to the Blessed Virgin, to St. Ignatius, and to my patron saints, I will ask them to obtain for me the grace to keep my resolutions for the future. I may conclude with the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Anima Christi.

   §  My God, grant that I may love You, and let the only reward of my love be to love You more and more.

   §  O Lord, reward us not according to our sins which we have done, neither according to our iniquities.

   §  O God, You have commanded us to honor our father and mother. In Your mercy have pity on the souls of my father and mother, and forgive their sins. Grant me to see them again in the joy of everlasting glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Copyright © 1998 by Inter Mirifica