Fourteenth Station

JESUS IS LAID IN THE SEPULCHER

THE body of Jesus is laid in a stranger's tomb. He who in this world had not whereupon to rest His head, would not even have a grave of His own, because He was not of this world. You, who are so attached to the world, henceforth despise it, that you may not perish with it.

Prayer

OJESUS, Thou hast set me apart from the world; what, then, shall I seek therein? Thou hast created me for heaven; what, then, have I to do with the world? Depart from me, deceitful world, with Thy vanities! Henceforth I will follow the way of the cross traced out for me by my Redeemer, and journey onward to my heavenly home, there to dwell for ever and ever.

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.

CONCLUSION

ALMIGHTY and eternal God, merciful Father, who hast given to the human race Thy beloved Son as an example of humility, obedience, and patience, to precede us on the way of life, bearing the cross; graciously grant, that we, inflamed by His infinite love, may take up the sweet yoke of His Gospel, together with the mortification of the cross, following Him as His true disciples, so that we shall one day rise gloriously with Him, and joyfully hear the final sentence: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you from the beginning," where Thou reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, and where we hope to reign with Thee throughout all eternity. Amen.

OMY Lord Jesus Christ! Who, to redeem the world, didst vouchsafe to be born amongst men, to be circumcised, to be rejected and persecuted by the Jews, to be betrayed by the traitor Judas with a kiss, and as a lamb, gentle and innocent, to be bound with cords and dragged, in scorn, before the tribunals of Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, and Herod; who didst suffer Thyself to be accused by false witnesses, to be torn by the scourge and overwhelmed with ignominy; to be spit upon, to be crowned with thorns, buffeted, struck with a reed, blindfolded, stripped of Thy garments; to be nailed to the cross and raised on it between two thieves; to be given gall and vinegar to drink, and to be pierced with a lance; do Thou, O Lord, by these Thy most sacred pains, which I, all unworthy, call to mind, and by Thy holy cross and death, save me from the pains of hell, and vouchsafe to bring me whither Thou didst bring the good thief who was crucified with Thee, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father, etc., five times.

Indulgence. (1) 300 days, once a day. (2) A plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, on any one of the last three days of the month, after saying this prayer daily for a month. (Pius VII, August 25, 1820.)

(By St. Alphonsus.)

MOST holy and immaculate virgin, O my Mother, thou who art the Mother of my Lord, the queen of the world, the advocate, hope, and refuge of sinners! I, the most wretched among them, come now to thee. I venerate thee, great queen, and give thee thanks for the many favors thou hast bestowed on me in the past. Most of all do I thank thee for having saved me from hell, which I so often deserved. I love thee, Lady most worthy of love, and by the love which I bear thee I promise ever in the future to serve thee, and to do what in me lies to win others to thy love. In thee I put all my trust, all my hope of salvation. Receive me as thy servant, and cover me with the mantle of thy protection, thou who art the Mother of mercy! And since thou hast so much power with God, deliver me from all temptations, or at least obtain for me the grace ever to overcome them. From thee I ask a true love of Jesus Christ, and the grace of a happy death. O my Mother, by thy love for God I beseech thee to be at all times my helper, but above all at the last moment of my life. Leave me not until thou seest me safely in heaven, there for endless ages to bless thee and sing thy praises. Amen.

Indulgence, (1) 300 days, every time. (2) A plenary indulgence, once a month, for having said it daily during the month; under the usual conditions. (Pius IX, Sept. 7, 1854.)

OMY God! I believe in Thee; do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee; do Thou secure them. I love Thee with my whole heart; teach me to love Thee more and more. I am sorry that I have offended Thee; do Thou increase my sorrow. I adore Thee as my first beginning; I aspire after Thee as my last end. I give Thee thanks as my constant benefactor; I call upon Thee as my sovereign protector. Vouchsafe, O my God, to conduct me by Thy wisdom, to restrain me by Thy justice, to comfort me by Thy mercy, to defend me by Thy power. To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, my actions, and my sufferings, that I henceforward may think only of Thee, speak only of Thee, and ever refer all my actions to Thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever Thou shalt appoint. O Lord, I desire that in all things Thy will be done, because it is Thy will, and in the manner that Thou willest. I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body, and to sanctify my soul. Give me strength, O my God, to expiate my offenses, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, to acquire the virtues proper for my state. Fill my heart with tender affection for Thy goodness, a hatred of my faults, a love for my neighbor, and a contempt for the world. Let me always be submissive to my superiors, condescending to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies. Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by almsdeeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by zeal. O my God, make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in affliction, and humble in prosperity. Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent in my employments, and constant in my resolutions. Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, my comportment regular. Assist me, that I may continually labor to overcome nature, correspond with Thy grace, keep Thy commandments, and work out my salvation. Discover to me, O my God, the nothingness of this world, the greatness of heaven, the shortness of time, the length of eternity. Grant that I may be prepared for death, fear Thy judgments, escape hell, and, in the end, obtain heaven.

All that I have asked for myself I confidently ask for others; for my family, my relations, my benefactors, my friends, and also for my enemies. I ask it for the whole Church, for all the orders of which it is composed; more especially for our Holy Father, the Pope; for our bishop, for our pastors, and for all who are in authority; also for all those for whom Thou desirest that I should pray. Give them, O Lord, all that Thou knowest to be conducive to Thy glory and necessary for their salvation. Strengthen the just in virtue, convert sinners, enlighten infidels, heretics, and schismatics; console the afflicted, give to the faithful departed rest and eternal life; that together we may praise, love, and bless Thee for all eternity. Amen.

LORD, have mercy on us.Christ, have mercy on us.Lord, have mercy on us.Jesus, hear us.Jesus, 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.Jesus, splendor of the Father, have mercy on us.Jesus, brightness of eternal light, have mercy on us.Jesus, king of glory, have mercy on us.Jesus, sun of justice, have mercy on us.Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us.Jesus amiable, have mercy on us.Jesus admirable, have mercy on us.Jesus, powerful God, have mercy on us.Jesus, Father of the world to come, have mercy on us.Jesus, angel of the great council, have mercy on us.Jesus most powerful, have mercy on us.Jesus most patient, have mercy on us.Jesus most obedient, have mercy on us.Jesus meek and humble of heart, have mercy on us.Jesus, lover of chastity, have mercy on us.Jesus, lover of us, have mercy on us.Jesus, God of peace, have mercy on us.Jesus, author of life, have mercy on us.Jesus, model of all virtues, have mercy on us.Jesus, zealous for souls, have mercy on us.Jesus, our God, have mercy on us.Jesus, our refuge, have mercy on us.Jesus, father of the poor, have mercy on us.Jesus, treasure of the faithful, have mercy on us.Jesus, good shepherd, have mercy on us.Jesus, true light, have mercy on us.Jesus, eternal wisdom, have mercy on us.Jesus, infinite goodness, have mercy on us.Jesus, our way and our life, have mercy on us.Jesus, joy of angels, have mercy on us.Jesus, king of patriarchs, have mercy on us.Jesus, master of the apostles, have mercy on us.Jesus, teacher of the evangelists, have mercy on us.Jesus, strength of martyrs, have mercy on us.Jesus, light of confessors, have mercy on us.Jesus, purity of virgins, have mercy on us.Jesus, crown of all saints, have mercy on us.Be merciful, spare us, O Jesus.Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus.From all evil, deliver us, O Jesus.From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus.From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Jesus.From the snares of the devil, deliver us, O Jesus.From the spirit of fornication, deliver us, O Jesus.From eternal death, deliver us, O Jesus.From the neglect of Thy inspirations, deliver us, O Jesus.By the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, deliver us, O Jesus.By Thy nativity, deliver us, O Jesus.By Thy infancy, deliver us, O Jesus.By Thy most divine life, deliver us, O Jesus.By Thy labors, deliver us, O Jesus.By Thy agony and passion, deliver us, O Jesus.By Thy cross and dereliction, deliver us, O Jesus.By Thy languors, deliver us, O Jesus.By Thy death and burial, deliver us, O Jesus.By Thy resurrection, deliver us, O Jesus.By Thy ascension, deliver us, O Jesus.By Thy joys, deliver us, O Jesus.By Thy glory, deliver us, O Jesus.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Jesus.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Jesus.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us, O Jesus.Jesus, hear us.Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let us pray

OLORD Jesus Christ, who hast said: Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: mercifully attend to our supplications, and grant us the gift of Thy divine charity, that we may ever love Thee with our whole hearts, and never desist from Thy praise.

Give us, O Lord, a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy name, for Thou never ceasest to direct and govern by Thy grace those whom Thou instructest in the solidity of Thy love; who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Indulgence. 300 days, once a day. (Leo XIII, January 16, 1886.)

The Children's OfferingTHE CHILDREN'S OFFERING.

(Approved by Pope Leo XIII, April 2, 1899.)

LORD, have mercy on us.Christ, 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, Son of the eternal Father, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, sacred temple of God, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fulness of divinity, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, of whose fulness we have all received, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offences, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, obedient unto death, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, victim for sin, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in thee, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us.Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints, have mercy on us.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us, O Lord.V. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart:R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray

OALMIGHTY and eternal God! Look upon the Heart of Thy dearly beloved Son, and upon the praise and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners and of those who seek Thy mercy; be Thou appeased, and grant us pardon in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son; who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Indulgence. 300 days. (Leo XIII, April 2, 1899.)

In Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

LORD, have mercy on us.Christ, 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 Ghost, 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 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 Redeemer, 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.Spiritual 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 of the most holy rosary, pray for us.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us, O Lord.V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God:R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

POUR forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Let us pray

VOUCHSAFE, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of Thy most holy Mother's spouse; that what of ourselves we can not obtain may be given us through his intercession. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

Indulgence. (1) 300 days, every time. (2) A plenary indulgence on the following five feasts of the Blessed Virgin: Immaculate Conception, Nativity, Purification, Annunciation, and Assumption; under the usual conditions, to all who shall have said it daily during the year. (Pius VII, September 30, 1817.) These indulgences are granted for the litany alone; hence the prayers following it may be omitted.

LORD, have mercy on us.Christ, 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 Ghost, 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.St. Michael, pray for us.St. Gabriel, pray for us.St. Raphael, pray for us.All ye holy angels and archangels, pray for us.All ye holy orders of blessed spirits, pray for us.St. John Baptist, pray for us.St. Joseph, pray for us.All ye holy patriarchs and prophets, pray for us.St. Peter, pray for us.St. Paul, pray for us.St. Andrew, pray for us.St. James, pray for us.St. John, pray for us.St. Thomas, pray for us.St. James, pray for us.St. Philip, pray for us.St. Bartholomew, pray for us.St. Matthew, pray for us.St. Simon, pray for us.St. Thaddaeus, pray for us.St. Mathias, pray for us.St. Barnabas, pray for us.St. Luke, pray for us.St. Mark, pray for us.All ye holy apostles and evangelists, pray for us.All ye holy disciples of Our Lord, pray for us.All ye holy innocents, pray for us.St. Stephen, pray for us.St. Lawrence, pray for us.St. Vincent, pray for us.SS. Fabian and Sebastian, pray for us.SS. John and Paul, pray for us.SS. Cosmas and Damian, pray for us.SS. Gervaise and Protaise, pray for us.All ye holy martyrs, pray for us.St. Sylvester, pray for us.St. Gregory, pray for us.St. Ambrose, pray for us.St. Augustine, pray for us.St. Jerome, pray for us.St. Martin, pray for us.St. Nicholas, pray for us.All ye holy bishops and confessors, pray for us.All ye holy doctors, pray for us.St. Anthony, pray for us.St. Benedict, pray for us.St. Bernard, pray for us.St. Dominic, pray for us.St. Francis, pray for us.All ye holy priests and levites, pray for us.All ye holy monks and hermits, pray for us.St. Mary Magdalen, pray for us.St. Agatha, pray for us.St. Lucy, pray for us.St. Agnes, pray for us.St. Cecilia, pray for us.St. Catherine, pray for us.St. Anastasia, pray for us.All ye holy virgins and widows, pray for us.All ye men and women, saints of God: Make intercession for us.Be merciful: Spare us, O Lord.Be merciful: Graciously hear us, O Lord.From all evil, O Lord, deliver us.From all sin, O Lord, deliver us.From a sudden and unprovided death, O Lord, deliver us.From the snares of the devil, O Lord, deliver us.From anger, hatred, and ill will, O Lord, deliver us.From the spirit of fornication, O Lord, deliver us.From lightning and tempest, O Lord, deliver us.From the scourge of earthquake, O Lord, deliver us.From pestilence, famine, and war, O Lord, deliver us.From everlasting death, O Lord, deliver us.Through the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, O Lord, deliver us.Through Thy coming, O Lord, deliver us.Through Thy nativity, O Lord, deliver us.Through Thy baptism and holy fasting, O Lord, deliver us.Through Thy cross and passion, O Lord, deliver us.Through Thy death and burial, O Lord, deliver us.Through Thy holy resurrection, O Lord, deliver us.Through Thy admirable ascension, O Lord, deliver us.Through the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, O Lord, deliver us.In the Day of Judgment, O Lord, deliver us.We sinners, Beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou spare us, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou pardon us, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou vouchsafe to bring us to true penance, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou vouchsafe to govern and preserve Thy holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou vouchsafe to preserve our apostolic prelate and all ecclesiastical orders in holy religion, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou vouchsafe to humble the enemies of Thy holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to all Christian people, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou lift up our minds to heavenly desires, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou render eternal good things to all our benefactors, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou deliver our souls and those of our brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors from eternal damnation, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou vouchsafe eternal rest to all the faithful departed, we beseech Thee, hear us.That Thou vouchsafe graciously to hear us, we beseech Thee, hear us.Son of God, we beseech Thee, hear us.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us, O Lord.Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us.Lord, have mercy on us.Christ, have mercy on us.Lord, have mercy on us.Our Father, etc.V. And lead us not into temptation.R. But deliver us from evil.

PSALM LXIX

INCLINE unto my aid, O God: O Lord, make haste to help me.Let them be confounded and ashamed: that seek after my soul.Let them be turned backward and blush for shame: that desire evils unto me.Let them be presently turned away blushing for shame, that say to me: Tis well, 'tis well.Let all that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: and let such as love Thy salvation say always, The Lord be magnified.But I am needy and poor: O God, help Thou me.Thou art my helper and my deliverer: O Lord, make no delay.Glory be to the Father, etc.V. Save Thy servants:R. Trusting in Thee, O my God.V. Be unto us, O God, 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 reward us according to our iniquities.V. Let us pray for our chief bishop, N.R. The Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.V. Let us pray for our benefactors:R. Vouchsafe, O Lord, for Thy name's sake, to reward with eternal life all those who have done us good.V. Let us pray for the faithful departed:R. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.V. May they rest in peace.R. Amen.V. For our absent brethren:R. O my God, save Thy servants trusting in Thee.V. Send them help, O Lord, from Thy holy place:R. And from Sion protect them.V. O Lord, hear my prayer:R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray

OGOD, whose property it is always to have mercy and to spare, receive our petitions, that we, and all Thy servants who are bound by the chain of sin, may, in the compassion of Thy goodness, mercifully be absolved.

Hear, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the prayer of Thy suppliants, and pardon the sins of them that confess to Thee, that of Thy bounty Thou mayest grant us pardon and peace.

Out of Thy clemency, O Lord, show Thy unspeakable mercy to us, that so Thou mayest both acquit us of our sins and deliver us from the punishment we deserve for them.

O God, who by sin art offended and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy people who make supplication to Thee, and turn away the scourges of Thy anger, which we deserve for our sins.

O almighty and eternal God, have mercy on Thy servant N., our chief bishop, and direct him, according to Thy clemency, in the way of everlasting salvation, that, by Thy grace, he may desire the things that are agreeable to Thy will, and perform them with all his strength.

O God, from whom all holy desires, righteous counsels, and just works do come, give to Thy servants that peace which the world can not give; that, our hearts being disposed to keep Thy commandments, and the fear of enemies being taken away, the times, by Thy protection, may be peaceable.

Inflame, O Lord, our reins and hearts with the fire of the Holy Spirit; to the end that we may serve Thee with a chaste body, and please Thee with a clean heart.

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give to the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that by pious supplications they may obtain the pardon they have always desired.

Direct, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our actions by Thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by Thy gracious assistance; that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from Thee, and by Thee be happily ended.

Almighty and eternal God, who hast dominion over the living and the dead, and art merciful to all whom Thou foreknowest shall be Thine by faith and good works; we humbly beseech Thee that they for whom we have purposed to offer our prayers, whether this present world still detains them in the flesh, or the next world has already received them divested of their bodies, may, by the clemency of Thine own goodness and the intercession of Thy saints, obtain pardon and full remission of all their sins. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.R. And let my cry come unto Thee.V. May the almighty and merciful Lord graciously hear us.R. Amen.V. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.R. Amen.

Mary, Help of ChristiansMARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS.

THERE are two guarantees of a wise rule of conduct: the thought before action, and self-command afterward.—ST. IGNATIUS.

When we receive with an entire and perfect resignation the afflictions which God sends us they become for us favors and benefits; because conformity to the will of God is a gain far superior to all temporal advantages.—ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

All perfection consists in the love of God; and the perfection of divine love consists in the union of our will with that of God.—ST. ALPHONSUS.

Leave to every one the care of what belongs to him, and disturb not thyself with what is said or done in the world.—ST. THOMAS AQUINAS.

Place before your eyes as models for imitation, not the weak and cowardly, but the fervent and courageous.—ST. IGNATIUS.

Prayer is a pasturage, a field, wherein all the virtues find their nourishment, growth, and strength.—ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA.

A single act of resignation to the divine will in what it ordains contrary to our desires, is of more value than a hundred thousand successes conformable to our will and taste.—ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

The shortest, yea, the only way to reach sanctity, is to conceive a horror for all that the world loves and values.—ST. IGNATIUS.

As long as we are in this mortal life, nothing is more necessary for us than humility.—ST. TERESA.

Learning without humility has always been pernicious to the Church; and as pride precipitated the rebellious angels from heaven, it frequently causes the loss of learned men.—ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

Why remain sad and idle? Why exhaust thyself in the anguish of melancholy? Have courage, do violence to thyself; meditate on the passion of Jesus Christ, and thou shalt overcome thy sorrow.—BL. HENRY SUSO.

Here is the difference between the joys of the world and the cross of Jesus Christ: after having tasted the first, one is disgusted with them; and on the contrary, the more one partakes of the cross, the greater the thirst for it.—ST. IGNATIUS.

When the sky is free from clouds we can see more clearly the brightness of the sun. In like manner, when the soul is free from sin and the gloom of passion, it participates in the divine light.—VEN. LOUIS DE GRANADA.

Our works are of no value if they be not united to the merits of Jesus Christ.—ST. TERESA.

If we are very determined to mortify ourselves and not to be too much occupied with our corporal health, we will soon, by the grace of God, become masters of our bodies.—ST. TERESA.

In every creature, however small it be, we may see a striking image of divine wisdom, power, and goodness.—VEN. BARTHOLOMEW OF MARTYRS.

Time is but a period. It passes like the lightning flash. Suffering passes with time; suffering, then, is very short.—BL. HENRY SUSO.

In order to bear our afflictions with patience, it is very useful to read the lives and legends of the saints who endured great torments for Jesus Christ.—ST. TERESA.

Open thine ears to the voices of nature, and thou shalt hear them in concert inviting thee to the love of God.—VEN. LOUIS OF GRANADA.

On the feasts of the saints consider their virtues, and beseech God to deign to adorn you with them.—ST. TERESA.

When faith grows weak, all virtues are weakened. When faith is lost, all virtues are lost—ST. ALPHONSUS.

A precious crown is reserved in heaven for those who perform all their actions with all the diligence of which they are capable; for it is not sufficient to do our part well; it must be done more than well.—ST. IGNATIUS.

Nothing created has ever been able to fill the heart of man. God alone can fill it infinitely.—ST. THOMAS AQUINAS.

We should only make use of life to grow in the love of God.—ST. ALPHONSUS.

In vain men try. They can never find in creatures sincere affection, perfect joy, or true peace.—BL. HENRY SUSO.

God is supreme strength, fortifying those who place their trust and confidence in Him.—ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA.

God gives each one of us sufficient grace ever to know His holy will, and to do it fully.—ST. IGNATIUS.

Shun useless conversation. We lose by it both time and the spirit of devotion.—ST. THOMAS AQUINAS.

The upright intention is the soul of our actions. It gives them life and makes them good.—ST. ALPHONSUS.

The truth of faith alone, deeply graven in the soul, is sufficient to encourage us to very perfect works; for it strengthens man and increases his charity.—ST. TERESA.

It is folly not to think of death. It is greater folly to think of it, and not prepare for it.—ST. ALPHONSUS.

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