TRIDUUMC
1stPrelude.St.Paul writes to the Ephesians: “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (iv, 23).
2ndPrelude.Ask grace to increase greatly your spirit of fervor.
POINTI.It is one of the infirmities of our fallen nature that we are constantly drawn down to sensual and other selfish gratifications; and, to rise heavenward in our desires, we need the exertion of ever renewed efforts. As truly as the clock needs repeated winding up, so the soul needs frequent remindings of the vital truths which cause our lives to be supernatural. For this purpose,St.Ignatius has wisely provided these semi-annual renovations of spirit. If we did not care to renew our spirit of fervor at the proper time, the Lord might do it for us by means far more painful than we imagine. Bitter afflictions brought on individual persons or upon entire bodies of men, even such as are favorites of God, are often intended by Him to purify them from moral stains. Thus, some years before the suppression of our Society, Father Paradiso was instructed by theLord to inform Father Ricci, then our Father General, that the calamities which were going to overwhelm us were intended to renew the spirit of humility, of faith and piety in the whole Church. (SeeB. N.’s “The Jesuits and Their History,”Vol.II, Page 179.)
POINTII.Another reason for this semi-annual renovation of the spirit of fervor is that our life calls for men of uncommon virtue. The whole history of our Order proves this truth. Every generation of our members has had numerous heroes, conspicuous for their spirit of self-sacrifice. Every generation has had much need of solid virtue on the part of all its members to perform the difficult tasks imposed on them. For the present we are passing through a crisis in the world’s history, which calls for the most patient endurance of ills, and the most generous spirit of sacrifice, that can be expected from brave and faithful men supported by the grace of God. Such virtue as you shall need during your lifetime, if you do not want to disgrace the name you bear, can only be acquired by leading a life of prayer, and by the ever faithful performance of your duties, no matter what sacrifices they may require.
POINTIII.The purpose for which we have entered on this career is well worthy of all the sacrifices it may demand of us. No grander purpose can be conceived. God Himself never holds out a higher aim than that which we are vowed to labor for, namely most perfect happiness for ourselves and for a countless multitude of other souls. In fact, the aim of our lives is identical with that for which the Son of Godcame down from Heaven, and toiled and suffered upon earth, namely the procuring of the greater glory of God;Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
We could not have entered upon this grand career if the Lord had not given us extraordinary graces to do so. He has deigned to make the sacrifices implied in it comparatively easy and full of consolations; and if only we keep up our trust in Him, He will make the rest of our lives flow on in the same even current of loving worship. They will not be lives of ease and earthly comforts; far from it. They will be successions of sacrifices, as was the life of Christ. But he rides smoothly along whom the grace of God carries onward,facile equitat quem gratia Dei portat; and we shall be cheered on at every step by the prospect of eternal bliss: “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Going they went and wept, casting their seeds; but coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves” (Ps.125).
Colloquy.Ask earnestly for a thorough renovation of the spirit of generous service, which is to be the fruit of this triduum.
1stPrelude.Imagine Christ speaks to you from the tabernacle and says: “You are my friends if you do the things that I command you” (St.Johnxv, 14).
2ndPrelude.Ask for copious light and grace to observe God’s commandments perfectly.
POINTI. Consider how much we ought to hate even the smallest sin.
In our first meditation we considered the grand purpose for which we live, the attainment of eternal bliss for ourselves and others and the greater glory of God. Now sin is the greatest obstacle in our way; it bars our road to Heaven and directly insults our Lord. The condition of Christ’s friendship is the observance of His commandments: “You are my friends if you do the things that I command you.” To sin is to break those commandments. If it does not always turn us against God, it at least displeases Him. Even a venial sin is a greater evil than any temporal loss. We should rather die than wilfully commit one.
This disposition is the second degree of humility, on which we resolve to live in every good retreat. To it Christ lovingly invites us, saying: “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved by my Father; and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.... If any one love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my word” (St.Johnxiv, 21-24).
POINTII. Consider the principal causes of sins.
1. One general cause is our thoughtlessness; we are unmindful of the great truths of religion, the supernatural light of which is allowed to grow dim amid the distractions of a busy or a frivolous life. Ecclesiasticus warns us, saying: “In all thy works rememberthy last end, and thou shalt never sin” (vii, 40). Now the remedy of this thoughtlessness is provided for us in our spiritual exercises: our meditations, examinations of conscience, spiritual readings, etc. The religious who is accustomed to perform these faithfully and fervently is not likely to commit many sins, and he will gradually become more and more virtuous.
2. Another copious source of sins consists of unmortified passions. When any passion is aroused, it blinds us to the dictates of reason and the whisperings of grace. You see this in the conduct of an angry man: he says and does things which he is afterwards ashamed of and sorry for. It is so with all unrestrained passions. Consider what are your most frequent faults and what are their causes. What passions need particularly to be watched and checked. The triduum is just the time for self-introspection, examinations of conscience, and for the ordering of our spiritual exercises.
POINTIII. Consider some faults in particular, against which a religious should be guarded.
1. Violation of fraternal charity, whether in word or thought; ever remember the words of Christ: “Amen, I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me” (St.Matth.xxv, 40).
2. Irreverence in prayer: disrespectful posture, wilful or careless wandering of the mind, want of proper preparation, etc.
3. Sensuality in food and drink, or in the indulgence of superfluous sleep.
4. Immodesty of touch or look, effeminate softness of manner or language, imprudent familiarity.
5. Human respect, more anxiety to please men than to please the Lord, and therefore doing or saying what is unlawful or imprudent, or omitting to do what conscience dictates to be our duty.
Colloquy.Earnestly beg pardon for faults committed and resolve to avoid the occasions of sin.
1stPrelude.Behold Christ occupied in simple manual labor.
2ndPrelude.Ask the grace of understanding the value in God’s sight of perfect fidelity in even the least observances.
POINTI. What is meant by fidelity in little things?It means such fidelity in doing God’s will on all occasions as to neglect no details, even the least important. What is there in those details that makes them precious? It is their conformity to the will of God. That is what Christ valued in them. The greatest things on earth are insignificant trifles in the sight of God; but the least act of conformity to God’s will has a Divine worth, and therefore is more precious than any merely natural performance. Faith teaches us to appreciate this truth; Christ came to enforce it by the example of His private life. How do I act in this matter? Am I habitually faithful in observingall my rules, even those which seem to be of less importance?
POINTII. Consider the importance of such fidelity.
1. This fidelity is a necessary precaution against the commission of great faults. For Ecclesiasticus tells us: “He that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little” (xix, 1). And our Blessed Saviour teaches: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in that which is greater; and he that is unjust in that which is little is unjust also in that which is greater” (St.Lukexvi, 10). Thus small faults in the matter of charity, poverty, sensuality, chastity, etc., gradually lead to grievous sins. No one becomes at once a great sinner or a great saint.
Nemo repente fit summus, says the old proverb. Before Judas sold our Lord for thirty pieces of silver, he had accustomed himself to lesser acts of injustice, asSt.John tells us, saying of him that “he was a thief, and having the purse, carried the things that were put therein” (xii, 6).
2. Our lives are mostly made up of minor acts, as were the private lives of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and countless Saints. A Martyr’s crown in Heaven may consist of one brilliant gem, the ruby of his heroic death; but the crowns of most Saints are made up of countless sparkling little diamonds, each the reward of fidelity in a little thing. Thus too in human things, in which perfection depends on minor details. For instance, the politeness of the man who is to the mannerborn is not displayed in extraordinary actions, but in that delicate tact which makes him know his place, so that he never acts amiss, and always says the right word and does the right thing at the right time. This fidelity is, in spiritual things, what good taste is in literature and the other fine arts. Masterpieces differ from common works in the perfection of the least details; for instance, in sculpture, painting, etc., etc.
POINTIII.It is by fidelity in minor matters that we acquire the solid virtues needed to perform heroic deeds when the occasion calls for them. This is brought about in two ways.
1. Naturally.Our conduct on all occasions, even the most important, depends to a great extent on the good or evil habits we have acquired. Now habits are acquired by the frequent repetition of acts. It is only in little things that actions can be frequently repeated; for few of us have numerous opportunities to do great things. Therefore our habits, good or bad, are ordinarily the result of our fidelity or infidelity in little things.
2. Supernaturally.Acts of virtue practised by us obtain for us additional actual graces to practise yet more acts of virtue: and thus faithful souls constantly strengthen the chain of graces which binds them ever more closely to God. Unfaithful souls forfeit these additional helps of grace that were in store for them; and thus their chain of graces is gradually weakened, so that temptations may occur which cause them serious falls into sin. Examine your daily conduct of fidelity to grace.
Colloquy, according to the sentiments evoked by these considerations.
1stPrelude.Imagine you seeSt.Ignatius, as he is often painted, with the book of his Constitutions in his hands.
2ndPrelude.Beg through his intercession for a high appreciation of our rules.
POINTI. What are the rules of our Society?They are a summary of those wonderful Constitutions which the Holy Ghost has used for the conversion and sanctification of countless multitudes of souls during the last four centuries, namely:
1. Of the numerous members of our Society during the successive generations, so many of whom have given evident proofs of having attained heroic sanctity.
2. Of vast numbers of other persons of the clergy and the laity who have been saved and sanctified by the virtues and the labors of the members of our Society.
POINTII. Why are these rules so productive of sanctity?
1. Because they are not merely human work; forSt.Ignatius, in writing his Constitutions, obtained by fervent prayer the special assistance of the Holy Ghost. This is evident from the history of the Saint. (For instance, Genelli’s “Life ofSt.Ignatius,”p.248).
2. Because they lead the way to the perfect imitation of Christ. By his Spiritual ExercisesSt.Ignatius makes us conceive the most lofty ambition that can be aroused within the human heart, namely to make itself comformable to the heart of Jesus; and by his rules he guides us through all the details of our earthly career to the realization of this lofty purpose.
POINTIII. How do our rules accomplish this end?By animating all our actions with the spirit of the three highest virtues: of Faith, Hope and Charity.
1. They aid us to leada life of faith. For whenever we observe a rule, we thereby elicit an act of faith, accepting the letter of the rule or the word of our superior as the expression of the Divine will. Our life is thus made to consist of a succession of supernatural acts.
2. They make us livea life of hope. He that follows his own judgment leans on a fragile reed; but he that acts because the rules prescribe a certain course thereby trusts God more than his own reasoning and thus hopes in the help of God. He shall not be disappointed.
3. They perfect in usthe love of God. For they constantly prescribe what tends to the greater glory of God:Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
Do I observe all my rules faithfully? Does any of them cause me a special difficulty? Perhaps I do not understand it well; all of them, if rightly understood, are most reasonable.
Colloquywith our dear Lord, asking for great fidelity to observe all our rules.
MEDITATIONVZeal for Souls
1stPrelude.Hear Christ saying: “I am come to cast fire on the earth; and what will I but that it be kindled?” (St.Lukexii, 49).
2ndPrelude.Ask earnestly that this fire be enkindled in your heart and that you may help to spread it far and wide.
POINTI. That fire is Divine Charity.It is poured forth into the hearts of men by the Holy Spirit who is given to us (Rom.v, 5). It makes us lead a supernatural life, the life of children of God, and in this sense a Divine life. As the vegetable life transforms the clod of earth into the fairest flower and the most luscious fruit; as animal life turns the food into the wonderful organism of the human body; so the life of grace gives to our acts a heavenly value. By it sinners become saints, true children of God. Christ shows intense earnestness in spreading this fire, which is really His greatest work: the most Divine of all Divine works is the salvation of souls. The Angels are ministering spirits to aid in this task. All human efforts are children’s play in comparison with this. To save a soul is a grander achievement than to conquer an empire.
POINTII. This sublime work is done chiefly through the agency of men.Its great promoter was the God-man Himself, the Son of God incarnate. But He has deigned to associate to Himself the Apostlesand their successors, the bishops and priests of His Church, till the end of time; to whom He has said: “Going therefore teach ye all nations ... and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world” (St.Matth.xxviii, 19, 20). With these the Lord has associated in a special manner, through the mission of His Church, various apostolic Orders of religious, our own Society in particular: “I have chosen you and have appointed you that you should go and should bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (St.Johnxv, 16).
When Christ first addressed these words to a few poor fishermen, how unlikely it was that the promise should be fulfilled? Yet it has been most wonderfully verified. So it will be in our case also if we trust in God. Yet two thirds of mankind are still pagans. Zeal is needed.
POINTIII. What must we do to spread the love of God?We need not do any novel thing; we must follow the beaten path, travel along the highroad of our religious life.Age quod agis; perform your daily duties; but do everything well, to the best of your power.
In particular realize in your conduct that,
1.You are to be the light of the world.For this purpose you must form your intellect upon the teachings of Christ. Master His views of time and eternity, by earnest meditations, sound readings, recollection, much prayer. Do not contract false views of life by following false guides, reading worldly authors extensively, imbibing their spirit. The light that isin you, your intimate convictions, will necessarily shine around you, through your language, through your conduct. If you are thoroughly religious, real Jesuits, it will be the light of Christ, and will truly enlighten the portion of the world where Providence will place you. If your views are false, you will not do God’s work.
2.You are the salt of the earth; incorrupt yourselves, you must keep others from corruption. This requires pure and holy affections of the heart, soundness of the will. If we Jesuits, with our training do not live innocent and holy lives, what remedy can we find? “If the salt lose its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men” (St.Matth.v, 13). These words were spoken by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, when He was laying down the platform of His campaign for the conquest of the world to the Kingdom of His Father. We are soldiers in that campaign. How worthy is our conduct of such a cause and such a King.
Colloquywith our Divine Lord, promising fidelity and zealous exertions in this lofty vocation.
1stPrelude.See the Blessed Virgin exalted in Heaven, surrounded by the Saints and the Blessed of our Society.
2ndPrelude.Beg for an increase of devotion toher, invoking her under the title of Queen of the Society of Jesus.
POINTI. Why is all the Church so devoted to Mary?Because God wishes to be honored by man especially in connection with the grandest exhibition of His love for man, the mystery of the Incarnation. Now in this mystery Mary holds a most prominent place; she is the key to the proper understanding of it. Besides, as Jesus was given to mankind through Mary, so through her He is given to individual souls. Therefore the Church salutes her as “Mother of Divine Grace”; and many holy writers say that every grace comes to all individual souls through her intercession.
How do we know that God is pleased with so great a devotion to Mary?
1. From the constant teaching of the Church, which has applied to her such texts as these: “He that shall find me shall find life and shall have salvation from the Lord” (Prov.viii,35); “They that work by me shall not sin” (Ecclus.xxiv, 30); etc.
2. From the Doctors of the Church, who have exhausted all their resources of learning to inculcate this devotion. Such areSts.Augustine, Bernard, Liguori, Anthoninus, Bonaventure, etc.
3. From the workings of the Holy Ghost, who has fostered this devotion in the lives of numberless Saints and of other highly favored servants of God, as well as in the practice and prayers of the Church itself, and the unanimous teachings of her theologians.
4. From so many miracles performed through the invocation of the Blessed Virgin in every land.
POINTII. What part has our Society taken in fostering this devotion?
1. A most conspicuous part. For instanceSt.Ignatius ascribes his conversion to the vision he had of her, he made himself her Knight at Montserrat, he makes us meditate on her and pray to her in our retreats.
2. In the life and death ofSt.Stanislaus,St.Berchmans,St.Alphonsus,St.Francis Hieronymo and, in fact, all her Saints and her great men generally.
3. In her zeal to propagate devotions to Mary by means of her Sodalities, her devotions of the month of Mary, and countless writings of her ablest men. No one is considered as a worthy member of our Order who has not a marked devotion to Mary. How do I strive to honor her? Is there any practice that I used to perform in her honor that I have gradually abandoned? What improvement can I make in this respect?
POINTIII. In what does devotion to Mary chiefly consist?It is an acquired habit, the result of countless acts of ours in compliance with the grace of God. Such are:
1. The devout celebration of her festivals, preparing for them by novenas and continuing them by the celebration of their octaves;
2. The daily recitation of the Rosary, or at least of the third part of it, the Beads, of the Litany of the Blessed Virgin and the Office of her Immaculate Conception;
3. The wearing of her scapular of Mount Carmel, and of medals blessed in her honor;
4. The recitation of set prayers to her at rising in the morning and retiring at night, at the sound of the Angelus bell, morning, noon and night;
5. Fervent invocations during the day, especially at the approach of temptations;
6. Reading and meditation on her prerogatives;
7. Conversing on the same, or in any way promoting her devotion. We can render no greater service to any one than to make him devout to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Are we doing as much as we can in this respect?
Colloquywith Mary, asking her guidance to learn to love her more and to lead many others to love her.