May the divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen. TUESDAY. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. AN OFFERING OF THE DAY. Most holy and merciful God, we kneel before thee to bless and praise thy name for all the mercies bestowed on us; for thy goodness in preserving us during the past night, and for bringing us in safety to the beginning of this day. Bless, O Lord, thy creatures whom thou hast thus preserved; and as thou hast awakened our bodies from sleep, so we beseech thee to awaken our hearts to know, to love, and to serve thee. Through thy mercy alone do our eyes behold the light of a new day; let our minds also feel the light of thy holy spirit, and vouchsafe that by its saving help we may be enabled to do that which is agreeable to thee. Grant us to profit by the instructions which, in our different situations, we may either give or receive. Make us humble and diligent in all our duties-feeling our unworthiness of thy favours and the value of the time thou hast given us for our improvement. Protect us during this day from all evils, both of soul and body, from all temporal misfortunes, and from all occasions of offending thee. Grant, O Lord, that we may employ this day for the best purposes; that we may direct all our thoughts, words, and actions to thy honour and glory; and that we may thus hourly endeavour to improve in every heavenly grace, and in every christian virtue. Amen. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c. TO LIVE FOR DEATH. O Lord, since thou hast appointed unto all men once to die and after death to be judged, give us grace to remember that time passes quickly away; that it is not only short but uncertain; and that at this very hour thou mayest require our souls of us, and call upon us to account even for the manner in which we have begun this day. O make us properly value our own happiness; and, lest we should be miserable for all eternity, make us endeavour to live through every hour as if we thought each hour would be our last. Of ourselves, weak and sinful as we are, we cannot hope to do this; but do thou, most merciful Saviour, grant us that aid which can alone avail us, and for the blessing of which we now devoutly pray. Jesus, grant us grace to order our lives with reference to our eternal welfare, intending and designing all the impulses of our souls and bodies, to fit them for the enjoyment of thy infinite and eternal happiness. For what else is this world but a school to train up souls and fit them for the other? and how can they be taught unless they keep constantly in view the object of their existence? Break our froward spirits, make us humble and obedient to thy will: grant us grace to prepare to depart hence with contempt of this world, and hearts filled with joy at going to thee. Let the memory of thy passion make us cheerfully undergo all temptations and sufferings here for thy sake, while our souls breathe after the blissful state which that passion has opened to us in heaven. O Jesus, make us frequently and attentively consider that whatsoever we gain, if we lose thee all is lost; and that whatsoever we lose, if we gain thee all is gained. May thy divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed through thy mercy rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. WEDNESDAY. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. FOR DEVOUT DISPOSITIONS. Grant, O merciful God, that we may ever earnestly desire the things that are agreeable to thee; that we may search after them with prudence, that we may discern them without mistake, and perfectly accomplish them to the praise and glory of thy name. Do thou order our state of life, and bestow upon us the knowledge of what thou requirest us to do, and then help us to execute it as we ought and as will most benefit our own souls. Lord God, grant that we may be neither puffed up with prosperity, nor cast down with adversity. Let all that passes away have only a temporary value to us; and all that concerns thee be dear to us for thy sake, and thou, O God, above all things. Let that joy be our aversion which is displeasing to thee, and let us never desire anything besides thyself. Let us never repine at suffering for thee; and let our thoughtless of thy providence. hearts never rest Grant us to raise up our minds frequently to heaven, and help us to reflect on our failings with sorrow, and a purpose of amendment. Amen. Our Father, &c. Hail, Mary, &c. FOR GOOD TEMPEKS. Almighty God, we desire to resign into thy hands all the faculties of our souls. Make us, we beseech thee, obedient, without contradiction; poor, without losing courage; patient, without grumbling; humble, without counterfeiting; cheerful, without levity; or sorrowful, without despondency; speakers of the truth, without double dealing. Grant us to do good without presumption; to edify our neighbours both by word and example, without dissembling. Give us, O Lord, watchful hearts, not to be carried away by idle vanities and temptations; generous hearts, not to be borne down by any unworthy affections; upright hearts, not to be misled by opportunities; invincible hearts, not to be broken by tribulations; hearts entirely free from all that may interfere with holy aspirations to thee. Lord God, bestow upon us understandings, enlightened with the knowledge of thee; diligence, bent upon seeking thee; wisdom to find thee; or perseverance to wait for thee with fidelity and hope. Let us partake of thy painful sufferings by penanee, and make a right use of thy benefits on our way to thy country of eternal glory. Oh Jesus, do thou help us to overcome all temptations to sin, and the malice of our ghostly enemies. Strengthen us in soul and body, that we may please thee by executing such works of mercy as may bring us to thy everlasting kingdom. Grant us a firm purpose, most merciful Saviour, to amend our lives, and to compensate for days past-for those days which we have mis-spent to thy displeasure in vain or wicked thoughts, words, deeds, and evil customs. Make our hearts obedient to thy, will, and ready for thy love to perform all the works of mercy. Grant us the gift of the Holy Ghost, which may at length bring us, through virtuous and C |