CLAUDIT ET APERT The "Mission Book" has received the commenda tion of many distinguished Prelates in Europe, as work eminently fitted for the instruction of the faithful, and the promotion of solid piety. We cheerfully permit its publication. JOHN, ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORKE. NEW YORK, September 8th 1853 Entered according to Act of Congress, in one year 18583, BY THE REV. I. T. HECKER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States f the Southerr District of bew York. PREFACE TO THE NEW AND IMPROVED EDITION OF THE MISSION BOCK. This little volume, called the "Mission-Book,' is intended as a companion to the Sermons and Instructions of the Mission. Its object is to aid those who attend the Mission to make it well, and to help them, after the Mission is over, to remember the sacred truths they have heard, to practice the good resolutions they have made, and to preserve the gifts of grace they have received, The want of such a little Manual for the Mission was long felt by missionaries laboring in Europe; and they accordingly prepared one, which has been from time to time, published in different languages, and with such variations as were thought suitable and proper. It has had a wide circulation, and has carried with it a great blessing in several different countries, and particularly in Austria, Bohemia, Belgium, Holland, and France. The English Mission-Book was prepared some years ago, on the basis of the German edition, but it was entirely remodelled and enriched with much additional matter, in order to make it more useful to Catholics in the United States. Since that time it has been ccasionally revised and corrected anew, and it has now once more been subjected to a careful revision, and im proved by the addition of much interesting and usefu. matter. In this little book you will find, dear Christian Reader, a plain and simple compendium of the instructions of the Mission, in the form of Instructions on the Sacraments and Christian Duties, Meditations, and Spiritual Readings on the great truths of religion. You will find also the forins of private and public devotion, which |