I. THE PREPARATION.

Invocation.

XIN the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost., Amen.

Compose your thoughts; and, if you have not already done so, read over the subject of Meditation.

Act of the Presence of God.

My God, I firmly believe that Thou art here present and seest me; that Thou beholdest all my deeds, and readest all my thoughts. I acknowledge myself unworthy to appear before Thee, or to lift up mine eyes to Thee; but do Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon me, and pardon all my sins. Strengthen me, also, with Thy free spirit, that I may, with humble and contrite heart, make my supplication before Thee to-day. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom, with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Another.

I firmly believe, O my God, as Thou hast taught me by the voice of Thy holy Church, that Thou art as truly present here, as in the highest Heavens among the hosts of angels. I prostrate myself at the feet of Thy Divine Majesty, before which the whole universe is but as a little dust, acknowledging Thee as my Creator, and myself as Thy creature, and offering myself entirely to Thee. Amen.

Another.

My God, I believe that Thou art here present, watching and judging all my actions, as Thou wilt one day reward or condemn them. Prostrate I adore Thy Divine Majesty with all the reverence I can, I acknowledge Thee as my Lord and King, and desire to obey Thee entirely and for ever.

Short Acts to follow the above if required.

Penitence.

Amen.

I grieve, O God, with all my heart, that I have ever offended Thee, Who art my highest Good; by Thy grace I propose to repent and amend. Amen.

Adoration.

Blessed and glorified be the Holy Creator and Preserver of all things, the Holy and Undivided Trinity, now and for ever, world without end.

Amen.

Oblation.

I offer to Thee, O God, all my thoughts, words, and deeds, praying Thee to give me Thy holy benediction, that this meditation may redound to Thy glory, and the salvation of my soul. Amen.

Or,

Penitence.

"Look upon mine adversity and misery. and forgive me all my sin."-Ps. xxv. 17.

Adoration.

"Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever."-Song of the Three Children, 29.

Resignation.

Into Thy hands I commend my spirit: for Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, Thou God of Truth.

Invocation of the Holy Ghost.

COME down, O Love Divine,

Seek Thou this soul of mine,

And visit it with Thine own ardour glowing,
O Comforter, draw near,

Within my heart appear,

And kindle it, Thy holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn,

Till earthly passions turn

To dust and ashes in its heat consuming:

And let Thy glorious light

Shine ever on my sight,

And clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

Let holy charity

Mine outward vesture be,

And lowliness become mine inner clothing,
True lowliness of heart,

Which takes the humbler part,

And o'er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.

And so the yearning strong,
With which the soul will long,

Shall far outpass the power of human telling,
For none can guess its grace,

Till he become the place

Wherein the Holy Spirit makes His dwelling.

Or,

COME, Thou Holy Paraclete,
And from Thy celestial seat
Send Thy light and brilliancy:

Father of the poor, draw near,
Giver of all gifts, be near:

Come, the soul's true radiancy:

Come, of Comforters the best,
Of the soul the sweetest guest,-
Come in toil refreshingly:

Thou in labour rest most sweet,
Thou art shadow from the heat,
Comfort in adversity.

O Thou Light, most pure and blest,
Shine within the inmost breast
Of Thy faithful company.

Where Thou art not, man hath nought,
Every holy deed and thought

Comes from Thy Divinity.

What is soiléd, make Thou pure
What is wounded, work its cure;
What is parchéd, fructify;

What is rigid, gently bend;
What is frozen, warmly tend;
Strengthen what goes erringly.

Fill Thy faithful, who confide
In Thy power to guard and guide,
With Thy sevenfold mystery:

Here Thy grace and virtue send,
Grant salvation in the end,

And in Heaven felicity. Amen.

Or,

Veni Creator Spiritus.

COME, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire;
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost Thy sevenfold gifts impart ;
Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.

Enable with perpetual light

The dulness of our blinded sight;
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of Thy grace;
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where Thou art guide no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And Thee, of both, to be but one;
That through the ages all along,
This still may be our endless song;
Praise to Thy eternal merit,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

COME, Holy Ghost,

Or,

Fill the hearts of Thy faithful servants,

And light in them the fire of Thy love,

Who, through the diversity of all languages,

Hast gathered together the nations in the unity of
the faith. Amen.

Here should follow the "Congruous Consideration," if any, and the Preludes.

Repeat it several times to yourself softly: or aloud, as if some one was telling it to you.

To Assist Intellect and Reflection.

Consider the Matter:

Practically as it regards daily life.

Theologically: as it regards revealed truth.
Morally as it regards duty.

Personally as it affects yourself.

Ask yourself:

What must I know concerning this subject?

What must I believe?

What ought I to do?

What have I done hitherto ?

What was the result?

What the cause of failure?