DAY 15 - FIRST WEEK

OBTAINING KNOWLEDGE OF SELF

Prayers, examinations, reflection, acts of renouncement of our own will, of contrition for our sins, of contempt of self, all performed at the feet of Mary, for it is from her that we hope for light to know ourselves. It is near her, that we shall be able to measure the abyss of our miseries without despairing.

We should employ all our pious actions in asking for a knowledge of ourselves and contrition of our sins: and we should do this in a spirit of piety. During this period, we shall consider not so much the opposition that exists between the spirit of Jesus and ours, as the miserable and humiliating state to which our sins have reduced us. Moreover, the True Devotion being an easy, short, sure and perfect way to arrive at that union with Our Lord which is Christlike perfection, we shall enter seriously upon this way, strongly convinced of our misery and helplessness. But how attain this without a knowledge of ourselves'?

DAILY READINGS

LUKE 13:1-5

EXAMPLES INVITING REPENTANCE

And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things? No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem? No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.

'TRUE DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY', NOS. 81 AND 82

WE NEED MARY IN ORDER TO DIE TO OURSELVES

Secondly, in order to empty ourselves of self, we must die daily to ourselves. This involves our renouncing what the powers of the soul and the senses of the body incline us to do. We must see as if we did not see, hear as if we did not hear and use the things of this world as if we did not use them. This is what St. Paul calls "dying daily". Unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain and does not bear any good fruit. If we do not die to self and if our holiest devotions do not lead us to this necessary and fruitful death, we shall not bear fruit of any worth and our devotions will cease to be profitable. All our good works will be tainted by self-love and self-will so that our greatest sacrifices and our best actions will be unacceptable to God. Consequently when we come to die we shall find ourselves devoid of virtue and merit and discover that we do not possess even one spark of that pure love which God shares only with those who have died to themselves and whose life is hidden with Jesus Christ in him.

Thirdly, we must choose among all the devotions to the Blessed Virgin the one which will lead us more surely to this dying to self. This devotion will be the best and the most sanctifying for us.

DAILY PRAYERS

LITANY OF THE HOLY GHOST

Lord, have mercy on us, 
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us, 
Lord, have mercy on us.

Father all powerful,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world,
save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both,
sanctify us.
Holy Trinity,
hear us.

Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son,
enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son,
enter our hearts.
Promise of God the Father,
have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light,
have mercy on us.
Author of all good,
have mercy on us.
Source of heavenly water,
have mercy on us.
Consuming fire,
have mercy on us.
Ardent charity,
have mercy on us.
Spiritual unction,
have mercy on us.
Spirit of love and truth,
have mercy on us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
have mercy on us.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude,
have mercy on us.
Spirit of knowledge and piety,
have mercy on us.
Spirit of the fear of the Lord,
have mercy on us.
Spirit of grace and prayer,
have mercy on us.
Spirit of peace and meekness,
have mercy on us.
Spirit of modesty and innocence,
have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Comforter,
have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier,
have mercy on us.
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church,
have mercy on us.
Gift of God, the Most High,
have mercy on us.
Spirit Who fillest the universe,
have mercy on us.
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God,
have mercy on us.

Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts.
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces.
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good.
Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
send us Thy Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.

V. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

LET US PRAY

Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever.

R. Amen.

LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

(LITANY OF LORETO)

Lord have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.

Holy Mary,
pray for us
Holy Mother of God,
pray for us
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us
Mother of Christ,
pray for us
Mother of the Church,
pray for us
Mother of divine grace,
pray for us
Mother most pure,
pray for us
Mother most chaste,
pray for us
Mother inviolate,
pray for us
Mother undefiled,
pray for us
Mother most amiable,
pray for us
Mother most admirable,
pray for us
Mother of good counsel,
pray for us
Mother of our Creator,
pray for us
Mother of our Savior,
pray for us
Virgin most prudent,
pray for us
Virgin most venerable,
pray for us
Virgin most renowned,
pray for us
Virgin most powerful,
pray for us
Virgin most merciful,
pray for us
Virgin most faithful,
pray for us
Mirror of justice,
pray for us
Seat of wisdom,
pray for us
Cause of our joy,
pray for us
Spritual vessel,
pray for us
Vessel of honor,
pray for us
Singular vessel of devotion,
pray for us
Mystical Rose,
pray for us
Tower of David,
pray for us
Tower of ivory,
pray for us
House of gold,
pray for us
Ark of the Covenant,
pray for us
Gate of Heaven,
pray for us
Morning Star,
pray for us
Health of the sick,
pray for us
Refuge of sinners,
pray for us
Comforter of the afflicted,
pray for us
Help of Christians,
pray for us
Queen of Angels,
pray for us
Queen of Patriarchs,
pray for us
Queen of Prophets,
pray for us
Queen of Apostles,
pray for us
Queen of Martyrs,
pray for us
Queen of Confessors,
pray for us
Queen of Virgins,
pray for us
Queen of all Saints,
pray for us
Queen conceived without original sin,
pray for us
Queen assumed into heaven,
pray for us
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary,
pray for us
Queen of the family,
pray for us
Queen of peace,
pray for us

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

V. pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we thy servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be freed from present sorrow, and rejoice in eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen

AVE MARIS STELLA

Hail, O Star of the ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav'nly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve's name.

Break the sinners' fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.

Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.

Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.

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