{"id":9248,"date":"2025-06-07T18:00:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-07T18:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/?page_id=9248"},"modified":"2026-06-04T16:41:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T16:41:13","slug":"daily-meditations-first-week-after-pentecost","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/daily-meditations-first-week-after-pentecost\/","title":{"rendered":"DAILY MEDITATIONS: FIRST WEEK AFTER PENTECOST"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVOLUME III - PART I, pp. 102-145<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0 HOLY COMMUNION THE MEANS OF PERSEVERANCE IN DIVINE GRACE<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0St. Denis says that when Jesus Christ comes to a soul in Holy Communion, He brings with Him boundless treasures of grace; and therefore after Communion we can truly say: Now all good things come to me together with it.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0When Jesus comes to the soul in the Holy Communion He brings with Him every good, every grace, and especially the grace of holy perseverance.\u00a0 The principal effect of the Holy Sacrament of the Altar is to nourish the soul that receives it with the Bread of Life, by imparting great strength to advance towards perfection, and to resist those enemies who seek to effect its eternal ruin.\u00a0 Hence Jesus Christ calls Himself in this Sacrament heavenly Bread: I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever<\/em>. \u2014 (John vi. 51, 52).\u00a0 As earthly bread maintains the life of the body, so this heavenly Bread maintains the life of the soul by enabling it to persevere in the state of God’s grace.\u00a0 Hence the Council of Trent teaches that the Holy Communion is \u201ca medicine which frees us from daily faults and preserves us from mortal sins.\u201d
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Oh, how miserable I am O Lord, bewailing my weakness while at the same time I stay away from Thee!\u00a0 How can I resist my internal enemies without Thee, Who art my Strength?\u00a0 Had I approached Thee more frequently in the Holy Communion, I should not have been so frequently overcome by my enemies.\u00a0 For the future it shall not be so: In thee, O Lord, have I hoped; let me not be confounded forever<\/em>. \u2014 (Ps. xxx. 2).\u00a0 No, I will no more rely on my own strength, but will place my whole confidence in Thee, my Jesus, Who will give me strength to fall no more into sin.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Innocent III says that Jesus delivers us by His Passion from sins committed, and by the Holy Eucharist from those which we might otherwise commit.\u00a0 Hence St. Bonaventure says that sinners should not stay away from Holy Communion because they have been sinners; but for this very reason should receive it more frequently, for \u201cthe more infirm a person is, the more does he stand in need of a physician.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I am weak, O my Jesus, but Thou by the Holy Communion wilt make me strong against all temptations \u2013 I can do all things in him who strengtheneth me. \u2014 <\/em>(Phil. iv. 13). \u00a0Pardon me, O Jesus, all the injuries I have committed against Thee, for which I am sorry with my whole soul; I am resolved rather to die than wilfully offend Thee any more; and I trust in Thy Passion that Thou wilt help me to persevere in Thy grace to the end of my life. \u00a0In thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded.<\/em> \u00a0And with St. Bonaventure I will say the same to Thee, O Mary, my Mother: \u201cIn thee \u2013 that is, in thy holy intercession, O Blessed Lady, have I hoped; let me never be confounded for ever!\u201d
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Leitura espiritual:\u00a0\u00a0CORAM SANCTISSIMO<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

FOURTH VISIT<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Her conversation hath no bitterness, nor her company any tediousness<\/em>. \u2014 (Wisd. viii. 16).\u00a0 Friends on earth find such pleasure in being together, that they lose entire days in each other\u2019s company; with Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament, those who love Him not, get weary.\u00a0 After her death, St. Teresa, who was already in Heaven, said to a nun: \u201cThose who are in Heaven and those who are on earth should be one and the same in purity and in love; we enjoying, and you suffering; and that which we do in Heaven with the Divine Essence, you should do on earth with the Most Blessed Sacrament.\u201d\u00a0 Behold, then, our Paradise on earth \u2013 the Most Blessed Sacrament!
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O Immaculate Lamb, sacrificed for us upon the Cross, remember that I am one of those souls Thou hast redeemed by so many sufferings and by Thy Death.\u00a0 Grant that Thou mayest be mine and that I may never lose Thee, since Thou hast given Thyself to me, and givest Thyself every day, sacrificing Thyself for my love on the altar; and grant that I may be all Thine.\u00a0 I give myself to Thee without reserve, that Thou mayest dispose of me as Thou pleasest.\u00a0 I give Thee my will; chain it with the sweet bonds of Thy love, that it may forever be the slave of Thy most holy will.\u00a0 I wish no longer to live for the satisfaction of my desires, but only to please Thy goodness.\u00a0 Destroy in me all that does not please Thee; grant me the grace never to have any other thought than to please Thee, any other desire than that which Thou desirest.\u00a0 I love Thee, O my dear Saviour, with my whole heart; I love Thee because Thou desirest that I should love Thee; I love Thee because Thou art indeed worthy of my love.\u00a0 I grieve that I love Thee not as much as Thou deservest.\u00a0 I desire, Lord, to die for Thy love; accept my desire, and give me Thy love.\u00a0 Amen.<\/p>

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 O good pleasure of my God, I sacrifice myself all to Thee!<\/p>

VISITA A MARIA<\/p>

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mary says: Eu sou a m\u00e3e do amor justo<\/em>. \u2014 (Ecclus. xxiv. 24).\u00a0 That is to say, she is the Mother of that love which beautifies souls.\u00a0 St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi saw the Most Blessed Virgin Mary going about dispensing a sweet liquid, which was divine love.\u00a0 This gift is dispensed only by Mary; from Mary let us seek it.<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 My Mother, my hope, make me belong wholly to Jesus.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0\u00a0A PR\u00c1TICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/p>

\u201cCharity is not puffed up.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

XVII.\u00a0 HE THAT LOVES JESUS CHRIST IS NOT VAIN OF HIS OWN WORTH, BUT HUMBLES HIMSELF, AND IS GLAD TO BE HUMBLED<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0A proud person is like a balloon filled with air, which seems, indeed, great; but whose greatness in reality, is nothing more than a little air; which, as soon as the balloon is opened is quickly dispersed.\u00a0 He who loves God is humble, and is not elated at seeing any worth in himself; because he knows that whatever he possesses is the gift of God, and that his knowledge of the Divine favours bestowed on him, humbles him more, for he is conscious of being so unworthy, and yet so favoured by God.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0St. Teresa says, in speaking of the especial favours she received from God: \u201cGod does with me as they do with a house, which, when about to fall, they prop up with supports.\u201d\u00a0 When a soul receives a loving visit from God, and feels within herself an unwonted fervour of Divine love, accompanied with tears, or with a great tenderness of heart, let her beware of supposing that God so favours her in reward for some good action; but let her then humble herself the more, concluding that God caresses her in order that she may not forsake Him; otherwise, were she to make such favours the subject of vain complacency, imagining herself more privileged because she receives greater gifts from God than others, such a fault would induce God to deprive her of His favours.\u00a0 Two things are chiefly requisite for the stability of a house, the foundation and the roof: the foundation in us must be humility, in acknowledging ourselves good for nothing, and capable of nothing; and the roof is the Divine assistance, in which alone we ought to put all our trust.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Whenever we behold ourselves unusually favoured by God, we must humble ourselves the more. \u00a0When St. Teresa received any special favour, she used to strive to place before her eyes all the faults she had ever committed; and thus the Lord received her into closer union with Himself: the more a soul confesses herself undeserving of any favours, the more God enriches her with His graces, Thais, who was first a sinner and then a Saint, humbled herself so profoundly before God, that she dared not mention His Name; so that she did not dare to say, \u201cMy God,\u201d but \u201cMy Creator, have mercy on me! \u00a0Plasmator meus, miserere mei.\u201d<\/em> \u00a0And St. Jerome writes that, in recompense for such humility, she saw a glorious throne prepared for her in Heaven. \u00a0In the Life of St. Margaret of Cortona we read how, when our Lord visited her one day with greater tokens of tenderness and love, she exclaimed: \u201cBut, O Lord, have You, then, forgotten what I have been? \u00a0Is it possible that You can repay all my outrages against You with such exquisite sweetness?\u201d \u00a0And God replied that when a soul loves Him and cordially repents of having offended Him, He forgets all her past infidelities; as, indeed, He formerly spoke by the mouth of Ezechiel: But if the wicked do penance. . <\/em>. I will not remember all his iniquities. \u2014 <\/em>(Ezech. xviii. 21-22). \u00a0And in proof of this, He showed her a high throne which He had prepared for her in Heaven in the midst of the Seraphim. \u00a0Oh, that we could only well comprehend the value of humility!\u00a0 A single act of humility is worth more than all the riches of the universe.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0 PREPARATION AND THANKSGIVING<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Saints derived great advantage from Holy Communion because they were most careful in preparing themselves for it.\u00a0 The fire immediately burns dry wood, but not green wood, because it is not fit for burning.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Cardinal Bona asks how it happens that so many souls after so many Communions make such little advancement in the ways of God?\u00a0 And he answers: \u201cThe fault is not in the Food, but in the dispositions of those who receive it.\u201d There is nothing wanting in the Holy Communion, but preparation is wanting on the part of those who receive it.\u00a0 The fire immediately burns dry wood, but not green wood, because it is not fit for burning.\u00a0 The Saints derived great advantage from Holy Communion because they were most careful in preparing themselves for it.\u00a0 There are two things which we should endeavour to acquire in preparing ourselves for Holy Communion.\u00a0 The first is detachment from creatures, by banishing from our hearts everything that is not of God and for God.\u00a0 Although the soul is in the state of grace, yet if the heart be taken up by any earthly affection, the less room will there be for Divine love.\u00a0 One day St. Gertrude asked our Lord what preparation He required of her for the Holy Communion; and Jesus answered: \u201cI require no other of thee but that thou come to receive Me devoid of thyself.\u201d\u00a0 The second thing we should endeavour to acquire, in order to be prepared to reap great fruit from the Holy Communion, is a desire to receive Jesus Christ with a view to love Him much more for the future.\u00a0 Gerson says that at this banquet only those are filled who feel great hunger.\u00a0 Hence St. Francis of Sales writes that the principal intention of the soul in communicating should be to advance in the love of God.\u00a0 \u201cHe,\u201d says the Saint, \u201cshould be received for love, Who for love alone gives Himself to us.\u201d And on this account our Lord once said to St. Mechtilde: \u201cWhen thou art about to communicate, desire all the love that any soul ever had for Me, and I will receive thy love as though it were what thou wouldst have it to be.\u201d
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O God of love, dost Thou so much desire to dispense Thy graces to us, and are we careless in seeking for them?\u00a0 How great will be our distress when we come to die, to think of this neglect, so pernicious to us!\u00a0 Forget, O Lord, what is past; for the future, with Thy holy assistance, I will prepare myself in a better manner, by being careful to detach my affections from everything that can hinder me from receiving all those graces Thou desirest to impart to me.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thanksgiving after Communion is also necessary. \u00a0No prayers are so acceptable to God as those which we offer to Him after Communion. \u00a0During this time we should employ ourselves in acts of love and petitions. \u00a0The holy affections in which we then exercise ourselves have greater merit before God than those we offer to Him at other times, because they come before Him inflamed by the presence of Jesus Christ, Who has united Himself to our souls. \u00a0And as to petitions, St. Teresa says that Jesus Christ after Communion remains in the soul as on a throne of grace, and says to her: What wilt thou that I should do for thee? <\/em>\u2014 (Mark x. 51). \u00a0I am come down from Heaven to bestow My graces upon thee: ask of Me what thou wilt, and as much as thou wilt, and thou shalt be heard. \u00a0Oh! what treasures of grace are lost by those who offer but few prayers to God after Communion.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After Holy Communion, dear Jesus, I will endeavour, as far as I am able, to obtain Thy help to advance in Thy love. \u00a0Do Thou give me grace to accomplish this.\u00a0 O my Jesus, how careless have I hitherto been in loving Thee! \u00a0The time of life, which in Thy mercy Thou didst allot me, is the time to prepare myself for death, and to make amends for the offences I have committed against Thee. \u00a0I desire to spend it all in bewailing my sins and in loving Thee. \u00a0I love Thee, O Jesus, my Love; I love Thee, my only Good; have pity on me and do not abandon me. \u00a0And, O Blessed Virgin Mary, never cease to succour me by thy holy intercession.<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0\u00a0CORAM SANCTISSIMO<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

FIFTH VISIT<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtle a nest for herself, where she may lay her young ones: thy altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God!<\/em> \u2014 (Ps. lxxxiii. 4).\u00a0 The sparrow, says David, finds a dwelling in houses; turtle-doves in nests; but Thou, my King and my God, hast made Thyself a nest and found a dwelling on earth on our altars, that we might find Thee, and that thou mightest dwell amongst us.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Lord, we cannot but say, that Thou art too much enamoured of men; Thou no longer knowest what to do to gain their love.\u00a0 But do Thou, my most amiable Jesus, give us the grace that we also may be passionately enamoured of thee.\u00a0 It would indeed be unreasonable were we cold in our love towards a God Who loves us with such affection.\u00a0 Draw us to thee by the sweet attractions of Thy love; make us understand the endearing claims which Thou hast on our love.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O infinite Majesty, O infinite Goodness, Thou lovest men so much, Thou hast done so much that Thou mightest be loved by men, how is it that amongst men there are so few who love Thee?\u00a0 I will no longer be as I have hitherto been, of the unhappy number of those ungrateful creatures.\u00a0 I am resolved to love Thee as much as I can, and to love no other than Thee.\u00a0 Thou deservest it, and Thou commandest me with so much earnestness to do so, I am resolved to satisfy Thee.\u00a0 Grant, O God of my soul, that I may fully satisfy Thee.\u00a0 I entreat Thee to grant me this favour by the merits of Thy Passion, and I confidently hope for it.\u00a0 Bestow the goods of the earth on those who desire then; I desire and seek the great treasure of Thy love alone.\u00a0 I love Thee, my Jesus; I love Thee, infinite Goodness.\u00a0 Thou art all my riches, my whole satisfaction, my entire love.<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 My Jesus, Thou hast given Thy whole self to me; I give my whole self to Thee!<\/p>

VISITA A MARIA<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0My Lady, St. Bernard calls thee \u201cthe ravisher of hearts.\u201d He says that thou goest about stealing hearts by the charms of thy beauty and goodness.\u00a0 Steal also my heart and will, I beseech thee: I give them wholly to thee: offer them to God with thine own.<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 Mother most amiable, pray for me!<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0\u00a0A PR\u00c1TICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/p>

XVIII.\u00a0 HE THAT LOVES JESUS CHRIST IS NOT VAIN OF HIS OWN WORTH, BUT HUMBLES HIMSELF, AND IS GLAD TO BE HUMBLED<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0It was the saying of St. Teresa, \u201cThink not that thou hast advanced far in perfection till thou considerest thyself the worst of all, and desirest to be placed below all.\u201d And on this maxim the Saint acted, and so have done all the Saints; St. Francis of Assisi, St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, and the rest, considered themselves the greatest sinners in the world, and were surprised that the earth sheltered them, and did not rather open under their feet to swallow them up alive; and they expressed themselves to this effect with the sincerest conviction.\u00a0 The Blessed John of Avila, who from his earliest infancy had led a holy life, was on his death-bed; and the priest who came to attend him said many sublime things to him, taking him for what indeed he was, a great servant of God and a learned man; but Father Avila thus spoke to him: \u201cFather, I pray you to make the recommendation of my soul, as of a criminal condemned to death; for such I am.\u201d This is the opinion which Saints entertain of themselves in life and death.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We, too, must act in this manner, if we would save our souls, and keep ourselves in the grace of God till death, reposing all our confidence in God alone. \u00a0The proud man relies on his own strength and falls on that account; but the humble man, by placing all his trust in God alone, stands firm and falls not, however violent and multiplied the temptations may be; for his watchword is: I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me. <\/em>\u2014 (Phil. iv. 13). \u00a0The devil at one time tempts us to presumption, at another time to diffidence: whenever he suggests to us that we are in no danger of falling, then we should tremble the more; for were God but for an instant to withdraw His grace from us, we are lost.\u00a0 When, again, he tempts us to diffidence, then let us turn to God, and thus address Him with great confidence: In thee, O Lord, have I hoped, I shall never be confounded. \u2014<\/em> (Ps. xxx. 2). \u00a0My God, in Thee I have put all my hopes; I hope never to meet with confusion, nor to be bereft of Thy grace. \u00a0We ought to exercise ourselves continually, even to the very last moment of our life, in these acts of diffidence in ourselves and confidence in God, always beseeching God to grant us humility.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0 JESUS DELIGHTS TO COME TO US IN HOLY COMMUNION<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Oh, how delighted Jesus is to be united to our souls!\u00a0 To excite souls to receive Him He exhorts them to do so by many invitations.\u00a0 Venham, comam o meu p\u00e3o e bebam o vinho que preparei para voc\u00eas<\/em>. \u2014 (Prov. ix. 5).\u00a0 Comam, amigos, e bebam<\/em>, \u2014 speaking of this Heavenly Bread and Wine.\u00a0 These invitations all proceed from the ardent desire Jesus has to come to us in this Sacrament.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Eat, O friends, and drink, and be inebriated, my dearly beloved<\/em>. \u2014 (Cant. v. 1).\u00a0 The \u201cfriends,\u201d that is, beginners, who scarcely enjoy the Divine friendship, when they receive the Holy Communion, feed indeed on the Flesh of Jesus Christ, but they eat with labour; while those who are on the way to perfection eat with less difficulty.\u00a0 But by the “dearly beloved” are meant the perfect, who, inebriated with holy love, live almost out of the world, forgetting all things, even themselves, and think only how they may love and please their God.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0My beloved Jesus, I am not yet perfect, but Thou canst make me perfect.\u00a0 I am not dear to Thee, and it is my own fault, because I have been ungrateful and unfaithful; but Thou canst make me dear to Thee by inebriating me this morning with Thy love.\u00a0 Thy kingdom come<\/em>. \u2014 (Matt. vi. 10).\u00a0 Come, my beloved Lord, and take possession of my whole soul.\u00a0 Establish Thy kingdom in me; so that Thou alone mayest reign in me, that Thy love alone may command me, and that Thy love alone may I obey.\u00a0 Inebriate me, inebriate me entirely; make me forget all creatures, myself, my interests, and all, that I may love nothing but Thee, my God, my Treasure, all my Good, my All!\u00a0 May I sigh for Thee alone, seek Thee alone, think of Thee alone, and please Thee alone.\u00a0 Do this by the merits of Thy Passion.\u00a0 This only do I ask of Thee; for this I hope.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I found him whom my soul loveth. \u00a0I held him, and I will not let him go. \u2014 <\/em>(Cant. iii. 4). \u00a0So ought every soul to say who is united with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament: Creatures, depart from me! \u00a0Go out altogether from my heart! \u00a0I loved you once because I was blind; now I love you not, nor can I ever love you again. \u00a0I have found another Good, infinitely more delightful than you. \u00a0I have found in myself my Jesus, Who has enamoured me of His beauty. \u00a0To this Love I have given myself entirely. \u00a0He has already accepted me, so that I am no longer my own. \u00a0Creatures, farewell! \u00a0I am not, nor shall I ever again be yours; but I am and shall always be Christ\u2019s. \u00a0He, too, is mine, and will always be mine: I held him and I will not let him go.<\/em>\u00a0 Now I have pressed Him to my heart, receiving Him in the Holy Communion; for the future I will hold Him with my love, and will not let Him leave me again.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Permit me, sweet Saviour, to embrace Thee so closely that I may never more be separated from Thee. \u00a0Behold, I press Thee to myself, my Jesus! \u00a0I love Thee! \u00a0I love Thee! \u00a0Oh, that I could love Thee worthily! \u00a0I wish that my only happiness and repose should be to love Thee and please Thee. \u00a0Do Thou command all creatures to leave me, and not to disturb me. \u00a0Say to them: I adjure you, do not arouse or waken my love. <\/em>\u2014 (Cant. viii. 4). \u00a0Ah, if I do not wish it, creatures cannot enter in to disturb and divide me from Thee. \u00a0Strengthen, then, my will; unite my miserable heart to Thy Divine Heart that it may always will what Thou willest. \u00a0Do this, Lord, by Thy merits.<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0\u00a0CORAM SANCTISSIMO<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

SIXTH VISIT<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also<\/em>. \u2014 (Luke xii. 34).\u00a0 Jesus Christ says that where a person esteems his treasure to be, there also he keeps his affections.\u00a0 Therefore the Saints, who neither esteem nor love any other treasure than Jesus Christ, centre their hearts and their love in the Most blessed Sacrament.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0My most amiable Jesus, hidden under the sacramental veils, Who for the love which Thou bearest me, remainest night and day imprisoned in this Tabernacle, draw, I beseech Thee, my whole heart to Thee, that I may think of none but Thee, that I may love and seek and hope for Thee alone.\u00a0 Do this by the merits of Thy Passion, through which I seek and hope for it.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ah, my sacramental Lord and divine Lover, how amiable and tender are the inventions of Thy love to gain the love of souls!\u00a0 O Eternal Word, Thou, in becoming Man, wast not satisfied with dying for us; Thou hast also given us this Sacrament as a Companion, as Food, and as a pledge of Heaven.\u00a0 Thou reducest Thyself so as to appear amongst us, at one time as an Infant in a stable, at another as a poor Man in a workshop, then as a Criminal on a gibbet, and now as Bread on an altar.\u00a0 Tell me, couldst Thou invent other means to win our love?
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O infinite Goodness, when shall I really begin to correspond with such refinements of love?\u00a0 Lord, I will live only to love Thee alone.\u00a0 And of what use is life to me, if I do not spend it wholly in loving and pleasing Thee, my beloved Redeemer, Who hast poured out Thy whole life for me?\u00a0 And what have I to love if it is not Thee, Who art all beauty, all condescension, all goodness, all loving, all worthy of love?\u00a0 May I live only to love Thee!\u00a0 May the mere remembrance of Thy love dissolve my soul with love!\u00a0 May the very names of\u00a0Crib<\/em>\u00a0e\u00a0Cross<\/em>\u00a0e\u00a0Sacrament<\/em>\u00a0inflame it with the desire to do great things for Thee, O my Jesus, Who hast indeed done and suffered such great things for me!<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 Grant, O my Lord, that before I die I may do something for Thee!<\/p>

VISITA A MARIA<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0As a fair olive-tree in the plain<\/em>. \u2014 (Ecclus. xxiv. 19).\u00a0 I am, says Mary, the beautiful olive-tree from which the oil of mercy always flows.\u00a0 And I stand in the plain that all may see me.\u00a0 \u201cRemember,\u201d let us say in the words of the prayer of St. Bernard, \u201cO most compassionate Mary, that it has never been heard of in any age, that any one having recourse to thy protection was abandoned by thee.\u201d\u00a0 Most merciful Queen, such a thing was never heard of, that any one having recourse to thy aid was abandoned; I will not be the first unfortunate creature who, having recourse to thee, was abandoned.<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 O Mary, grant me the grace always to have recourse to thee!<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0\u00a0A PR\u00c1TICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/p>

XIX.\u00a0 HE THAT LOVES JESUS CHRIST IS NOT VAIN, BUT HUMBLES HIMSELF, AND IS GLAD TO BE HUMBLED<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0But it is not enough, in order to be humble, to have a lowly opinion of ourselves, and to consider ourselves the miserable beings that we really are; the man who is truly humble, says Thomas \u00e0 Kempis, despises himself, and wishes also to be despised by others.\u00a0 This is what Jesus Christ so earnestly recommends us to practise, after His example: Learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart<\/em>. \u2014 (Matt. xi. 29).\u00a0 Whoever styles himself the greatest sinner in the world, and then is angry when others despise him, plainly shows humility of tongue, but not of heart.\u00a0 St. Thomas Aquinas says that a person who resents being slighted may be certain that he is far distant from perfection, even though he should work miracles.\u00a0 The Divine Mother sent St. Ignatius Loyola from Heaven to instruct St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi in humility; and behold the lesson which the Saint gave her: \u201cHumility is a gladness at whatever leads us to despise ourselves.\u201d Mark well, a gladness;<\/em> if the feelings are stirred to resentment at the contempt we receive, let us be glad, at least, in spirit.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And how is it possible for a soul not to love contempt if she loves Jesus Christ, and beholds how her God was buffeted and spit upon, and how He suffered in His Passion! \u00a0Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others struck his face with the palms of their hands. \u2014 <\/em>(Matt. xxvi. 67). \u00a0For this purpose our Redeemer wishes us to keep His image exposed on our altars, not indeed representing Him in glory, but nailed to the Cross, that we might have His ignominies constantly before our eyes; a sight which made the Saints rejoice at being vilified in this world. \u00a0And such was the prayer which St. John of the Cross addressed to Jesus Christ, when He appeared to him with the Cross upon His shoulders: \u201cO Lord, let me suffer, and be despised for Thee!\u201d \u00a0My Lord, on beholding Thee so reviled for my love, I only ask of Thee to let me suffer and be despised for Thy love.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0 HOLY COMMUNION THE GREAT GIFT OF JESUS CHRIST TO MAN<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Take ye and eat: this is my body<\/em>. \u2014 (Matt. xxvi. 26).\u00a0 Let us consider how great a Gift Jesus Christ has bestowed upon us in giving us His entire Self to be our Food in Holy Communion.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Consider how great a Gift Jesus Christ has bestowed upon us in giving us His entire Self to be our Food in the Holy Communion.\u00a0 St. Augustine says that Jesus, though He is the Almighty God, yet could give us no more: \u201cOmnipotent though He is, He could give no more.\u201d\u00a0 And St. Bernardine of Sienna adds that no greater treasure can be in the heart of man than the Body of Christ: \u201cWhat greater treasure can a soul desire or achieve than the most holy Body of Jesus Christ?\u201d\u00a0 The Prophet Isaias exclaims: Tornar suas obras conhecidas entre o povo<\/em>. \u2014 (Is. xii. 4).\u00a0 Publish, O men, the loving invitations of our good God!\u00a0 If our Redeemer had not given us this Gift, who could ever have asked It of Him?\u00a0 Who could ever have dared to say to Him: Lord, if Thou wilt make us know Thy love, conceal Thyself under the species of bread, and allow us to feed on Thee?\u00a0 This very idea would have been reckoned folly.\u00a0 \u201cWould it not have been thought madness,\u201d says St. Augustine, \u201cto say: Eat My Flesh, drink My Blood?\u201d\u00a0 When Christ announced to His disciples this gift of the Most Holy Sacrament, which He intended to leave them, they could not bring themselves to believe, and many left Him saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat . . . This saying is hard, and who can hear it?<\/em> \u2014 (John vi. 53-61).\u00a0 But what men could never have imagined, the great love of Jesus Christ has thought of and accomplished.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0St. Bernardine says that our Lord has left us this Sacrament as a Remembrance<\/em> of the love He showed us in His Passion: \u201cThis Sacrament is a memorial of His love.\u201d\u00a0 And this agrees with what St. Luke records of the words of Jesus Christ Himself: Do this for a commemoration of me<\/em>. \u2014 (Luke xxii. 19).\u00a0 St. Bernardine adds that the love of Our Lord was not satisfied in sacrificing His life for us: before He died, He was constrained by this very love to give us the very greatest of all His gifts, by giving us Himself to be our Food: \u201cIn that excess of fervour, when He was ready to die for us, He was forced by exceeding love to do a greater work than He had ever yet accomplished, to give us Himself to be our Food.\u201d
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O my Jesus, what has led Thee to give Thy whole Self to be our Food?\u00a0 After this Gift, what hast Thou left to give us to force us to love Thee?\u00a0 O Lord, give us light, and make us know how excessive is the love which has made Thee reduce Thyself into Food to unite Thyself with us poor sinners.\u00a0 That Thou thus givest Thyself wholly to us is a reason why we should give ourselves wholly to Thee.\u00a0 My Redeemer, how could I have offended Thee Who hast loved me, and Who didst leave nothing undone to win my love?\u00a0 Thou didst become Man for me, Thou didst die for me, and didst make Thyself my Food; tell me what remains for Thee to do.\u00a0 I love Thee, O Infinite Goodness, Infinite Love!<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Abbot Guerric says that Jesus has shown in this Sacrament the last effort of His love: \u201cHe poured forth upon His friends all the power of His love.\u201d \u00a0The Council of Trent expresses it still better in saying that in the Blessed Eucharist Jesus, \u201cas it were poured forth the riches of His love towards man.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What a proof of love it would be considered, says St. Francis de Sales, if a prince, being at table, should send a poor man a portion of his own dish; and how much more if he should send him his whole dinner! \u00a0But what would be thought if he should send him a portion of his own flesh? \u00a0Jesus, in the Holy Communion, gives us not only part of His table, not only part of His Body, but His whole Body; Take ye and eat: this is my body. \u00a0<\/em>And with His Body He gives us also His Soul and His Divinity. \u00a0\u201cIn short,\u201d says St. John Chrysostom, \u201cHe has given Himself wholly, and for Himself He has reserved nothing.\u201d \u00a0And the angelical Doctor says: \u201cGod has given us in the Holy Eucharist all that He is, and all that He has.\u201d \u00a0Behold this great God, Whom the whole world cannot contain, exclaims St. Bonaventure in admiration, makes Himself our Prisoner in the Holy Sacrament: \u201cHe Whom the whole world cannot contain is our Captive!\u201d \u00a0And if our Lord gives us His whole Self in the Blessed Eucharist, how can we fear that He will ever deny us any grace we ask of Him? \u00a0How<\/em> hath he not also, with him, given us all things? <\/em>\u2014 (Rom. viii. 32).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lord, come often into my soul, inflame me wholly with Thy holy love, and make me forget all else, to think of and love none but Thee. \u00a0Most holy Mary, pray for me, and by thy intercession make me worthy frequently to receive Thy Son in His ever-blessed Sacrament.<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0\u00a0CORAM SANCTISSIMO<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

SEVENTH VISIT<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Eis que estou com voc\u00eas todos os dias, at\u00e9 a consuma\u00e7\u00e3o do mundo<\/em>. \u2014 (Matt. xxviii. 20).\u00a0 Thus our loving Shepherd, Who has given His life for us who are His sheep, would not separate Himself from us by death.\u00a0 Behold me, He says, beloved sheep, I am always with you; for you I have remained on earth in this Sacrament; here you find me whenever you please, to help and console you by My presence.\u00a0 I will never leave you until the end of the world; as long as you are on earth.\u00a0 The Bridegroom, says St. Peter of Alcantara, wished to leave His bride company, that she might not remain alone during so long an absence; and therefore He left this Sacrament in which He Himself, the best companion He could leave her, remains.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0My sweetest Lord, my most amiable Saviour, I am now visiting Thee upon this altar; but Thou returnest me the visit with far other love when Thou dost enter my soul in the Holy Communion.\u00a0 Thou art then, not only present to me, but Thou becomest my Food; Thou unitest and givest Thy whole self to me, so that I can then say with truth: My Jesus, Thou art now all mine.\u00a0 Since, then, Thou givest Thyself all to me, it is reasonable that I should give myself all to Thee.\u00a0 I am a worm, and Thou art God.\u00a0 O God of love!\u00a0 O love of my soul! when shall I find myself all Thine, in deeds, and not in words only?\u00a0 Thou canst do this; by the merits of Thy Blood increase my confidence, that I may at once obtain this grace of Thee, that I may find myself all Thine, and in nothing my own.\u00a0 Thou graciously hearest, O Lord, the prayers of all: hear now the prayers of a soul that indeed desires really to love Thee.\u00a0 I desire to love Thee with all my strength, I desire to obey Thee in all that Thou willest, without self-interest, without consolations, without reward.\u00a0 I wish to serve Thee through love, only to please Thee, only to content Thy Heart, which is so passionately enamoured of me.\u00a0 My reward will be to love Thee.\u00a0 O beloved Son of the Eternal Father, take possession of my liberty, of my will, of all that I possess, and of my entire self, and give me Thyself.\u00a0 I love Thee, I seek after Thee, I sigh after Thee; I desire Thee, I desire Thee, I desire Thee!<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 My Jesus, make me all Thine own.<\/p>

VISITA A MARIA<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Our own most amiable Lady, the whole Church proclaims and salutes thee as, \u201cOur hope!\u201d Thou, then, who art the hope of all, be also my hope.\u00a0 St. Bernard called thee \u201cthe whole ground of his hope,\u201d and said: \u201cLet him who despairs hope in thee.\u201d\u00a0 Thus also will I address thee: My own Mary, thou savest even those who are in despair; in thee I place all my hope.<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 Mary, Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me!<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0\u00a0A PR\u00c1TICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/p>

XX.\u00a0 HE THAT LOVES JESUS CHRIST IS NOT VAIN, BUT HUMBLES HIMSELF, AND IS GLAD TO BE HUMBLED<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0St. Francis de Sales said, \u201cto support injury is the touchstone of humility and of true virtue.\u201d\u00a0 If a person aspiring to spirituality practises prayer, frequent Communion, fasts, and mortifies himself, and yet cannot put up with an affront, or a biting word, what is it a sign of?\u00a0 It is a sign that he is a hollow reed, without humility and without virtue.\u00a0 And what indeed can a soul do that loves Jesus Christ, if she is unable to endure a slight for the love of Jesus Christ, Who has endured so much for her.\u00a0 Thomas \u00e0 Kempis, in his golden little book of the Imitation of Christ<\/em>, writes as follows: \u201cSince you have such an abhorrence of being humbled, it is a sign that you are not dead to the world, have no humility, and that you do not keep God before your eyes.\u00a0 He that has not God before his eyes is disturbed at every syllable of censure that he hears.\u201d Thou canst not endure cuffs and blows for God \u2013 endure at least a passing word.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh, what surprise and scandal does that person occasion, who communicates often, and then is ready to resent every little word of contempt! \u00a0On the contrary, what edification does a soul give that answers contempt with words of mildness, spoken in order to conciliate the offender; or perhaps makes no reply at all, nor complains of it to others, but continues with placid looks and without showing the least sign of indignation! \u00a0St. John Chrysostom says that a meek person is not only serviceable to himself but likewise to others, by the good example he sets them of meekness in bearing contempt: \u201cThe meek man is useful to himself and to others.\u201d\u00a0 Thomas \u00e0 Kempis mentions, with regard to this subject, several things in which we should practise humility.\u00a0 He writes as follows: \u201cWhat others say shall command an attentive hearing, and what you say shall be taken no notice of. \u00a0Others shall make a request and obtain it; you shall ask for something and meet with a refusal.\u00a0 Others shall be magnified in the mouths of men, and on you no one shall bestow a word. \u00a0Such and such an office shall be conferred on others, but you shall be passed by as unfit for anything. \u00a0With such like trials the Lord is wont to prove His faithful servant, and to see how far he has learnt to overcome himself and to hold his peace.\u00a0 Nature, indeed, will at times not like it; but you will derive immense profit thereby, if you support all in silence.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0 THE LOVE OF JESUS IN GIVING US HIMSELF IN HOLY COMMUNION<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Most Holy Sacrament is the Gift of God’s pure love.\u00a0 Jesus had already given Himself to us in many ways; as our Companion, our Master, our Father, our Light, our Example, our Victim.\u00a0 \u201cIt was the last effort of love when He gave Himself to be our Food.\u201d \u2014 (St. Bernardine).<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Let us consider the great love Jesus has shown us in giving us Himself in the Holy Eucharist.\u00a0 The Most Holy Sacrament is the Gift of pure love.\u00a0 According to the Divine decree it was necessary that our Redeemer should die in order to save us, and should by the sacrifice of His life, satisfy the Divine justice for our sins; but what necessity was there that Jesus Christ, after dying for us, should leave us Himself to be our Food?\u00a0 Yet, thus His love willed.\u00a0 St. Laurence Justinian says His excessive charity alone led Him to institute the Most Holy Sacrament, only to make us understand the immense love He bears us; and this is precisely what St. John writes: Jesus, knowing that his hour was come that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end<\/em>. \u2014 (John xiii. 1).\u00a0 Knowing that the time had come for Him to quit this world, Jesus would leave us the greatest possible proof of His love, which was this Gift of the Most Blessed Sacrament, as we are taught in these words, Ele os amou at\u00e9 o fim<\/em>; that is, \u201cwith extreme love He loved them to the utmost,\u201d as Theophylact and St. Chrysostom explain it.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0And we must observe what the Apostle mentions, that the time in which Jesus Christ was pleased to leave us this Gift was the very time of His Death: The Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye and eat; this is my body<\/em>. \u2014 (1 Cor. xi. 23, 24).\u00a0 While men were preparing scourges and thorns, and a Cross to put Him to death, our loving Saviour wished to leave us this last proof of His love.\u00a0 And why did He institute this Sacrament when He was going to die, and not before?\u00a0 St. Bernardine says that He did so because \u201cthe last marks of love given by dying friends remain more easily in our memory, and are more dearly cherished.\u201d The Saint adds that Jesus Christ had already given Himself to us in many ways; He had made Himself our Companion, our Master, our Father, our Light, our Example, and our Victim: \u201cIt was the last effort of love when He gave Himself to be our Food; for He gave Himself to be united completely to us, as food and he who eats it are united; so that our Redeemer was not satisfied with merely uniting Himself to our human nature, but He was pleased to find in this Sacrament the means of uniting Himself to each of us in particular.\u201d
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O infinite love of Jesus, worthy of infinite love!\u00a0 Ah! my Jesus, when shall I love Thee as Thou hast loved me?\u00a0 Thou couldst do nothing more to make me love Thee; and I have forsaken Thee, O infinite Good, for the sake of vile and miserable goods!\u00a0 Ah! enlighten me, my God, and discover to me always more and more the greatness of Thy goodness, that my whole soul may be enamoured of Thee, and that I may labour to please Thee.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 St. Francis de Sales says: \u201cThere is no action in which we may more perfectly see the tenderness and love of our Saviour than in this, in which He, as it were, annihilates Himself, and reduces Himself into Food, to penetrate our souls, and unite Himself to the hearts of His faithful.\u201d \u00a0\u201cSo that,\u201d says St. John Chrysostom, \u201cwe unite ourselves, and are made one body and one flesh with that of the Lord, on Whom the Angels dare not fix their eyes.\u201d \u00a0The same Saint adds, \u201cWhat shepherd ever fed his sheep with his own blood? \u00a0But why do I speak of shepherds? \u00a0There are many mothers who give their children to others to be nursed; but He acts not thus, He feeds us with His Own Blood.\u201d \u00a0But why did He make Himself our Food? \u00a0Because, says the Saint, He loved us ardently, and so desired to unite Himself to us and to become one and the same thing with us: \u201cHe mingled Himself with us that we might be one thing with Him: for this is the property of those who ardently love.\u201d \u00a0Thus, then, did Jesus Christ will to perform the greatest of all miracles \u2013 He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, he hath given food to them that fear him<\/em> (Ps. cx. 4, 5) \u2013 in order to satisfy the desire He had of remaining with us and of uniting our hearts to His own Most Sacred Heart. \u00a0\u201cOh, how wonderful is Thy love, Lord Jesus!\u201d exclaims St. Laurence Justinian; \u201cThy desire is to incorporate us so entirely with Thy own Body, that our heart and soul may be inseparably united to Thine own.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The great servant of God, Father de la Colombiere, used to say: If anything could shake my faith in the mystery of the Eucharist, I should not doubt the power, but the love which God shows us in His Sacrament. \u00a0If you ask me how bread becomes the Body of Jesus \u2013 how Jesus is to be found in many places \u2013 I reply, God can do all things. \u00a0But if you ask me how God can love man to such an excess as to become his Food, \u2013 I can only answer that I do not understand it, and that the love of Jesus cannot be comprehended.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But, O Lord, it seems that such an excessive affection as to reduce Thyself to Food is not becoming Thy majesty. \u00a0St. Bernard answers that love makes the lover forget his own dignity; and St. Chrysostom answers similarly, that love does not seek what is suitable when it wishes to make itself known to the beloved: \u201cLove neglects reason; and goes where it is led, not where it ought.\u201d \u00a0The angelical St. Thomas was, then, right in calling this the Sacrament of Love, and the Pledge of Love; and St. Bernard, in calling it \u201cthe Love of loves.\u201d\u00a0 So was St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi in calling Maundy Thursday, on which day this Sacrament was instituted, \u201cthe day of love.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I love Thee and I thank Thee, O my Jesus, my Love, my All; and I wish to unite myself frequently to Thee in this Sacrament, in order to detach myself from all things, and to love Thee alone, Who art my Life. \u00a0Through the merits of Thy Passion, assist me, O my Redeemer! \u00a0O Mother of Jesus, and my Mother, do thou, too, assist me; beg of Jesus to inflame my whole heart with His holy love.<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0\u00a0CORAM SANCTISSIMO<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

EIGHTH VISIT<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0To every soul that visits Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament, He addresses the words He said to the Sacred Spouse: Arise, make haste, my love, my dove, my beautiful one, and come<\/em>. \u2014 (Cant. ii. 10).\u00a0 Thou, O soul, that visitest Me, arise<\/em> from thy miseries; I am here to enrich thee with graces.\u00a0 Make haste<\/em>, approach, come near Me; fear not My majesty, which has humbled itself in this Sacrament in order to take away thy fear, and to give thee confidence.\u00a0 My beloved<\/em>, thou art no longer My enemy, but My friend, since thou lovest Me and I love thee.\u00a0 My beautiful one,<\/em> My grace has made thee fair.\u00a0 And come<\/em>, draw near and cast thyself into My arms, and ask Me with the greatest confidence whatever thou willest.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0St. Teresa says that this great King of Glory has disguised Himself in this Sacrament under the species of bread, and that He has concealed His majesty to encourage us to approach His divine Heart with greater confidence and affection; let us unite ourselves to Him, and let us ask Him for graces.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O Eternal Word made Man, and present for my sake in this Sacrament, what joy should be mine now that I am in Thy presence, Who art my God, infinite Majesty and infinite Goodness, and Who hast so tender an affection for my soul!\u00a0 Ye souls who love God, wherever you may be, either in Heaven or on earth, love Him for me also.\u00a0 Mary, my Mother, help me to love Him.\u00a0 And Thou, most loving Lord, make Thyself the object of all my love.\u00a0 Make Thyself the Lord of my entire will; possess my entire self.\u00a0 I consecrate my whole mind to Thee, that it may always be occupied with the thought of Thy goodness; I also consecrate my body to Thee, that it may help me to please Thee; I consecrate my whole soul to Thee, that it may be all Thine.\u00a0 Would, O Beloved of my soul, that all men could know the tenderness of the love Thou bearest them, that all might live to honour Thee and to please Thee, as Thou desirest and deservest.\u00a0 Grant that, at least, I may always live enamoured of Thine infinite beauty.\u00a0 From this day forward my desire is to do all that I can to be pleasing to Thee.\u00a0 I now resolve to abandon everything, be it what it may, as soon as I perceive that it displeases Thee, however much it may cost me, even should it be necessary for this purpose to lose all, or even to lay down my life.\u00a0 Fortunate indeed shall I be, if I lose all to gain Thee, my God, my Treasure, my Love, my All!<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 Jesus, my love, take all that I have; take full possession of me.<\/p>

VISITA A MARIA<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Whoever is a little one, let him come to me<\/em>. \u2014 (Prov. ix. 4).\u00a0 Mary invites all children who need a mother to have recourse to her, as to the most loving of all mothers.\u00a0 The devout Nieremberg says that the love of all mothers is but a shadow in comparison with the love which Mary bears to each one of us.\u00a0 My Mother, Mother of my soul, thou who lovest me and desirest my salvation more than any other after God \u2013 O Mother, show thyself a Mother!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 My Mother, grant that I may always remember thee!<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0\u00a0A PR\u00c1TICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/p>

XXI.\u00a0 HE THAT LOVES JESUS CHRIST IS NOT VAIN, BUT HUMBLES HIMSELF, AND IS GLAD TO BE HUMBLED<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0It was a saying of St. Jane Frances de Chantal that \u201ca person who is truly humble takes occasion from receiving some humiliation to humble himself the more.\u201d Yes, for he who is truly humble never supposes himself humbled as much as he deserves.\u00a0 Those who behave in this manner are styled blessed<\/em> by Jesus Christ.\u00a0 They are not called blessed who are esteemed by the world, who are honoured and praised as noble, as learned, as powerful; but they who are spoken ill of by the world, who are persecuted and calumniated; for it is for such that a glorious reward is prepared in Heaven, if they only bear all with patience: Blessed are you when they shall revile you and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you untruly for my sake: be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in heaven<\/em>. \u2014 (Matt. v. 11, 12).
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O Incarnate Word, I entreat Thee, by the merits of Thy holy humility, which led Thee to embrace so many ignominies and injuries for our love, deliver me from all pride, and grant me a share of Thy humility.\u00a0 And what right have I, O Jesus, to complain of any affront whatever that may be offered me, after having so often deserved hell?\u00a0 O my Jesus, by the merit of all the scorn and affronts endured for me in Thy Passion, grant me the grace to live and die humbled on this earth, as Thou didst live and die humbled for my sake.\u00a0 For Thy love I would willingly be despised and forsaken by all the world; but without Thee I can do nothing.\u00a0 I love Thee, O my sovereign Good; I love Thee, O Beloved of my soul!<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The grand occasion for practising humility is when we receive correction for some fault from superiors or from others. \u00a0Some people resemble the hedgehog; they seem all calmness and meekness as long as they are not touched; but no sooner does a superior or a friend touch them, by an observation on something which they have done imperfectly, than they forthwith become all thorns and answer warmly, that so and so is not true, or that they were right in doing so, or that such a correction is quite uncalled for: in a word, to rebuke them is to become their enemy; they behave like persons who rave at the surgeon for paining them in the cure of their wounds. \u00a0\u201cMedicanti irascitur \u2013<\/em>\u00a0they are angry with their physician,\u201d writes St. Bernard. \u00a0\u201cWhen the virtuous and humble man is corrected for a fault,\u201d says St. John Chrysostom, \u201che grieves for having committed it; the proud man on the other hand, on receiving correction, grieves also; but he grieves that his fault is detected; and on this account he is troubled, gives answers, and is angry at the person who corrects him.\u201d\u00a0 This is the golden rule given by St. Philip Neri, to be observed with regard to receiving correction: \u201cWhoever would really become a saint must never excuse himself, although what is laid to his charge be not true.\u201d\u00a0 And there is only one case to be excepted from this rule, and that is when self-defence may appear necessary to prevent scandal. \u00a0Oh, what merit with God has that soul which is wrongfully reprehended, and yet keeps silence, and refrains from defending herself! \u00a0St. Teresa said: \u201cThere are occasions when a soul makes more progress and acquires a greater degree of perfection by refraining from excusing herself than by listening to ten sermons; because, by not excusing herself she begins to obtain freedom of spirit, and to be heedless of whether the world speaks well or ill of her.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I love Thee, O my Jesus, and I hope, through Thee, to fulfil my promise of suffering all for Thee \u2013 affronts, betrayals, persecutions, afflictions, dryness, and desolation. \u00a0Enough it is for me if Thou dost not forsake me, O sole object of the love of my soul. \u00a0Suffer me never more to estrange myself from Thee. \u00a0Enkindle in me the desire to please Thee. \u00a0Grant me fervour in loving Thee. \u00a0Give me peace of mind in suffering for Thee.\u00a0 Give me resignation in all contradictions. \u00a0Have mercy on me. \u00a0I deserve nothing; but I fix all my hopes in Thee, Who hast purchased me with Thine own Blood.\u00a0 And I hope all from thee, too, O my Queen and my Mother Mary, who art the refuge of sinners!<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0 O CORA\u00c7\u00c3O AM\u00c1VEL DE JESUS<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Heart of Jesus is all pure, all hoy, all full of love towards God and towards us.\u00a0 Every perfection, every virtue reigns in this Heart.\u00a0 This is the Heart in which God Himself finds all His delight.\u00a0 O amiable Heart of Jesus, Thou dost well deserve the love of all hearts.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0He who shows himself amiable in everything must necessarily make himself loved.\u00a0 Oh, if we only applied ourselves to discover all the good qualities by which Jesus Christ renders Himself worthy of our love, we should all be under the happy necessity of loving Him.\u00a0 And what heart among all hearts can be found more worthy of love than the Heart of Jesus?\u00a0 A Heart all pure, all holy, all full of love towards God and towards us; because all Its desires are only for the Divine glory and our good.\u00a0 This is the Heart in which God finds all His delight.\u00a0 Every perfection, every virtue reigns in this Heart; \u2013 a most ardent love for God, His Father, united to the greatest humility and respect that can possibly exist; a sovereign confusion for our sins, which He has taken upon Himself, united to the extreme confidence of a most affectionate Son; a sovereign abhorrence of our sins, united to a lively compassion for our miseries; an extreme sorrow, united to a perfect conformity to the Will of God; so that in Jesus is found everything that is most amiable.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O my amiable Redeemer, what object more worthy of love could the Eternal Father command me to love than Thee?\u00a0 Thou art the Beauty of Paradise, Thou art the Love of Thy Father, Thy Heart is the throne of all virtues.\u00a0 O amiable Heart of my Jesus, Thou dost well deserve the love of all hearts; poor and wretched is that heart which loves Thee not!\u00a0 Thus miserable, O my God, has my heart been during all the time in which it has not loved Thee.\u00a0 But I will not continue to be thus wretched; I love Thee, I will always continue to love Thee, O my Jesus.\u00a0 O my Lord, I have hitherto forgotten Thee, and now what can I expect?\u00a0 That my ingratitude will oblige Thee to forget me entirely and forsake me forever?\u00a0 No, my Saviour, do not permit it.\u00a0 Thou art the object of the love of God; and shalt Thou not, then, be loved by a miserable sinner such as I am, who have been so favoured and loved by Thee?\u00a0 O lovely flames that burn in the amiable Heart of my Jesus, enkindle in my poor heart that holy fire which Jesus came down from Heaven to kindle on earth.\u00a0 Consume and destroy all the impure affections that dwell in my heart and prevent it from being entirely His.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Some are attracted to love others by their beauty, others by their innocence, others by living with them, others by devotion. \u00a0But if there were a person in whom all these and other virtues were united, who could help loving him? \u00a0If we heard that there was in a distant foreign country a prince who was handsome, humble, courteous, devout, full of charity, affable to all, who rendered good to those who did him evil; then, although we knew not who he was, and though he knew not us, and though we were not acquainted with him, nor was there any possibility of our ever being so, yet we should be enamoured of him, and should be constrained to love him. \u00a0How is it then, possible, that Jesus Christ, Who possesses in Himself all these virtues, and in the most perfect degree, and Who loves us so tenderly, how is it possible that He should be so little loved by men, and should not be the only object of our love? \u00a0O my God, how is it that Jesus, Who alone is worthy of love, and Who has given us so many proofs of the love that He bears us, should be alone, as it were, the unlucky One with us, Who cannot arrive at making us love Him; as if He were not sufficiently worthy of our love! \u00a0This is what caused floods of tears to St. Rose of Lima, St. Catherine of Genoa, St. Teresa, St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, who, on considering the ingratitude of men, exclaimed, weeping: \u201cLove is not loved!\u00a0 Love is not loved!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O my God, grant that I may only exist to love Thee, and Thee alone, my dearest Saviour. \u00a0If at one time I despised Thee, Thou art now the only object of my love.\u00a0 I love Thee, I love Thee, I love Thee, and I will never love any but Thee! \u00a0My beloved Lord, do not disdain to accept the love of a heart which has once afflicted Thee by my sins. \u00a0Let it be Thy glory to exhibit to the Angels a heart now burning with the love of Thee, which hitherto shunned and despised Thee. \u00a0Most holy Virgin Mary, my hope, do thou assist me, and beseech Jesus to make me, by His grace, all that He wishes me to be.<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0\u00a0CORAM SANCTISSIMO<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

NINTH VISIT<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0St. John says that he saw our Lord girt up with a golden girdle, which supported His breasts: I saw the Son of Man girt about the breasts with a golden girdle<\/em>. \u2014 (Apoc. i. 13).\u00a0 Thus also is Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar, with His breasts all filled with milk; that is to say, with the graces which, in His mercy, He desires to bestow upon us.\u00a0 And as a mother whose breasts are overcharged with milk goes about seeking children who may draw it off, and relieve her of its weight, so also does He call out to us, You shall be carried at the breasts<\/em>. \u2014 (Is. lxvi. 12).
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Venerable Father Alvarez saw Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with His hands filled with graces, and seeking to whom He might dispense them.\u00a0 Of St. Catharine of Sienna it is related that when she approached the Most Holy Sacrament she did so precisely with the same loving avidity with which a child flies to its mother’s breast.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O most beloved and only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, I know that Thou art the object most worthy of being loved.\u00a0 I desire to love Thee as much as Thou deservest to be loved, or at least as much as a soul can ever desire to love Thee.\u00a0 I fully understand that I, who am a traitor and so great a rebel to Thy love, deserve not to love Thee, neither do I deserve to approach so near to Thee as I now an in this church.\u00a0 But I feel that Thou, for all this, seekest my love.\u00a0 I hear Thee say: Meu filho, d\u00ea-me seu cora\u00e7\u00e3o<\/em>. \u2014 (Prov. xxiii. 26).\u00a0 Amar\u00e1s o Senhor teu Deus de todo o teu cora\u00e7\u00e3o<\/em>. \u2014 (Matt. xxii. 37).\u00a0 I understand that it is for this end Thou hast spared my life, and not sent me to hell, that I might be converted and turn all my affections to Thee.\u00a0 Since, then, Thou art pleased that even I should love Thee, oh, yes, my God, I will do so.\u00a0 Behold, here I am!\u00a0 To Thee I yield myself up: I give myself to Thee: I love Thee.\u00a0 O God! all goodness, all love, I choose Thee for the only King and Lord of my poor heart.\u00a0 Thou desirest it, and my will is to give it to Thee: it is cold, it is loathsome; but if Thou acceptest it, Thou wilt change it.\u00a0 Change me, my Lord, change me; I will no longer dare to live as I have hitherto lived, ungrateful, and with so little love towards Thine infinite Goodness, which loves me so much and deserves an infinite love.\u00a0 Enable me to supply form this day forward all the love I have hitherto failed to bear Thee.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 My God, my God, I will love Thee!\u00a0 I will love Thee!\u00a0 I will love Thee!<\/p>

VISITA A MARIA<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0In all things like to her Son Jesus, is His Mother Mary; and as she is the Mother of Mercy, she is thrice happy when she succours and consoles the miserable.\u00a0 So great is the desire of this Mother to bestow graces on all that Bernardine de Bustis says \u201cshe desires more to do us good and to impart to us graces than we can desire to receive them.\u201d<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 Hail, our hope!<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0\u00a0A PR\u00c1TICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/p>

\u201cCharity is not ambitious.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

XXII.\u00a0 HE THAT LOVES JESUS CHRIST DESIRES NOTHING BUT JESUS CHRIST<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0He that loves God does not desire to be esteemed and loved by his fellow-men: the single desire of his heart is to enjoy the favour of Almighty God, Who alone forms the object of his love.\u00a0 St. Hilary writes that all honour paid by the world is the business of the devil.\u00a0 And so it is; for the enemy traffics for hell when he infects the soul with the desire of esteem; because, by thus laying aside humility, she runs great risks of plunging into every vice.\u00a0 St. James writes that, as God confers His graces with open hands upon the humble, so does He close them against the proud, whom He resists.\u00a0 God resists the proud, and gives his grace to the humble<\/em>. \u2014 (James iv. 6).\u00a0 He says, He resists<\/em> the proud, signifying that He does not even listen to their prayers.\u00a0 And certainly, among the acts of pride we may reckon the desire to be honoured by men, and self-exaltation at receiving honours from them.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We have a frightful example of this in the history of Brother Justin the Franciscan, who had even risen to a lofty state of contemplation; but because, perhaps \u2013 and indeed without a perhaps \u2013 he nourished within himself a desire of human esteem, behold what befell him. \u00a0One day Pope Eugenius IV sent for him; and on account of the great opinion he had of his sanctity, showed him peculiar marks of honour, embraced him, and made him sit by his side. \u00a0Such high honours filled Brother Justin with self-conceit; on which St. John Capistran said to him, \u201cAlas, Brother Justin, thou didst leave us an angel, and thou returnest a devil!\u201d \u00a0And, in fact, the hapless Brother becoming daily more and more puffed up with arrogance, and insisting on being treated according to his own estimate of himself, he at last committed murder. \u00a0Afterwards, becoming apostate, he fled into the kingdom of Naples, where he perpetrated other atrocities, and there he died in prison, an apostate to the last. \u00a0Hence it is that a certain great servant of God wisely said that when we hear or read of the fall of some towering cedars of Libanus, of a Solomon, a Tertullian, an Osius, who had all the reputation of saints, it is a sign that they were not wholly given to God, but nourished inwardly some spirit of pride, and so fell away.\u00a0 Let us therefore tremble when we feel arise within us an ambition to appear in public, and to be esteemed by the world; and when the world pays us some tribute of honour, let us beware of taking complacency in it, which might prove the cause of our utter ruin.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal: \u00a0O CORA\u00c7\u00c3O GENEROSO DE JESUS<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0It is a characteristic of good-hearted people to desire to make everybody happy, and especially the most distressed and afflicted.\u00a0 But who can ever find one who has a better heart than Jesus Christ?\u00a0 He is infinite Goodness itself, and has therefore a sovereign desire to communicate His riches to us: Comigo est\u00e3o as riquezas... para que eu possa enriquecer aqueles que me amam<\/em>. \u2014 (Prov. viii. 18, 21).<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 Who can ever find one who has a better heart than Jesus Christ?\u00a0 He is infinite Goodness itself, and has therefore a sovereign desire to communicate His riches to us.\u00a0 Comigo est\u00e3o as riquezas... para que eu possa enriquecer aqueles que me amam<\/em>.\u00a0 For this purpose Jesus made Himself poor, as the Apostle says, that He might make us rich: Ele se tornou pobre por causa de voc\u00eas, para que, por meio da pobreza dele, voc\u00eas se tornassem ricos<\/em>. \u2014 (2 Cor. viii. 9).\u00a0 For this purpose also He chose to remain with us in the Most Holy Sacrament, where He remains constantly with His hands full of graces, as was seen by Father Balthazar Alvarez, to dispense them to those who come to visit Him.\u00a0 For this reason also He gives Himself wholly to us in Communion, giving us to understand from this that He cannot refuse us any good gifts, since He even gives Himself entirely to us: How hath he not also, with him, given us all things?<\/em> \u2014 (Rom. viii. 32).
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ah, my Jesus, Thou hast not refused to give me Thy Blood and Thy life, and shall I refuse to give Thee my miserable heart?\u00a0 No, my dearest Redeemer, I offer it entirely to Thee.\u00a0 I give Thee all my will; do Thou accept it, and dispose of it at Thy pleasure.\u00a0 I can do nothing, and have nothing of my own, but I have this heart which Thou hast given me, and of which no one can deprive me.\u00a0 I may be deprived of my goods, my blood, my life, but not of my heart.\u00a0 With this heart I can love Thee; with this heart I will love Thee.\u00a0 I beseech Thee, O my God, teach me a perfect forgetfulness of myself.\u00a0 Teach me what I must do to arrive at Thy pure love, of which Thou in Thy goodness hast inspired me with the desire.\u00a0 I feel in myself a determination to please Thee; but in order to put my resolve into execution, I expect, and implore help from Thee.\u00a0 It depends on Thee, O loving Heart of Jesus, to make entirely Thine my poor heart, which hitherto has been so ungrateful, and through my own fault deprived of Thy love.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the Heart of Jesus we receive every good, every grace that we desire: In all things you are made rich in him . . . so that nothing is wanting to you in any grace. <\/em>\u2014 (1 Cor. i. 5, 7). \u00a0And we must understand that we are debtors to the Heart of Jesus for all the graces we have received \u2013 graces of Redemption, of vocation, of light, of pardon; the grace to resist temptations, and to bear patiently with contradictions; for without His assistance we could not do anything good: Without me you can do nothing. \u2014 <\/em>(John xv. 5).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And if hitherto, says our Saviour, you have not received more graces, do not complain of Me, but blame yourself, who have neglected to seek them of Me: Hitherto you have not asked anything; . . . ask, and you shall receive. \u2014 <\/em>(John xvi. 24). \u00a0Oh, how rich and liberal is the Heart of Jesus towards every one that has recourse to Him! \u00a0Rich unto all that call upon him. \u2014 <\/em>(Rom. x. 12). \u00a0Oh, what great mercies do those souls receive who are earnest in asking help of Jesus Christ. \u00a0David said, For thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild, and plenteous to all who call upon thee. \u2014 <\/em>(Ps. lxxxv. 5). \u00a0Let us therefore always go to this Heart, and ask with confidence, and we shall obtain all we want.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh, grant that my heart may be all on fire with the love of Thee, dear Jesus, even as Thine is on fire with the love of me. \u00a0Grant that my will may be entirely united to Thine, so that I may will nothing but what Thou willest, and that from this day forth Thy holy will may be the rule of all my actions, of all my thoughts, and of all my desires. \u00a0I trust, O my Saviour, that Thou wilt not refuse me Thy grace to fulfil this resolution which I now make prostrate at Thy feet, to receive with submission whatever Thou mayest ordain for me and my affairs, as well in life as in death. \u00a0Blessed art thou, O Immaculate Mary, who hadst thy heart always and entirely united to the Heart of Jesus. \u00a0Obtain for me, O my Mother, that in future I may wish and desire only what Jesus wills and what thou willest.<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0\u00a0CORAM SANCTISSIMO<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

TENTH VISIT<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O foolish ones of the world, says St. Augustine, miserable creatures, whither are you going to satisfy your hearts?\u00a0 Come to Jesus, for by Him alone can that pleasure which you seek be bestowed.\u00a0 \u201cUnhappy creatures, whither are you going?\u00a0 The good you seek for comes from Him.\u201d\u00a0 My soul, be not of the number of these foolish ones; seek God alone: \u201cseek for that one Good in which are all good things.\u201d \u00a0And if thou desirest soon to find Him, behold, He is close to thee; tell Him what thou desirest, since for this end it is He in in the ciborium, to console thee, and to grant thy prayer.\u00a0 St. Teresa says that all are not allowed to speak to their king; the most that can be hoped for is to communicate with him through a third person.\u00a0 To converse with Thee, O King of glory, no third person is needed; Thou art always ready in the Sacrament of the Altar to give audience to all.\u00a0 Whoever desires Thee, always finds Thee there, and converses with Thee face to face.\u00a0 And even if anyone at length succeeds in speaking with a king, how many difficulties has he had to overcome before he can do so!\u00a0 Kings grant audiences only a few times in the year; but Thou, in this Sacrament, grantest audience to all night and day, and whenever we please.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O Sacrament of love, Thou Who, whether Thou givest Thyself in the Communion, or dwellest on the altar, knowest, by the tender attractions of Thy love, how to draw so many hearts to Thyself, who, enamoured of Thee, and filled with amazement at the sight of such love, burn with joy, and think always of Thee, draw also my miserable heart to Thyself; for it desires to love Thee, and to live enslaved by Thy love.\u00a0 For my part, I now and henceforward place all my interests, all my hopes, and all my affections, my soul, my body, \u2013 I place all in the hands of Thy goodness.\u00a0 Accept me, O Lord, and dispose of me as Thou pleasest.\u00a0 I will never again complain, O my Love, of Thy holy dispensations; I know that, as all take their source in Thy loving Heart, they will be full of love, and for my good.\u00a0 It is enough for me to know that Thou willest them; I will them also in time and eternity.\u00a0 Do all Thou willest in me and with me; I unite my entire self to Thy will, which is all holy, all good, all beautiful, all perfect, all loving.\u00a0 O will of my God, how dear art Thou to me!\u00a0 My will is ever to live and die united to and bound up with Thee.\u00a0 Thy pleasure is my pleasure.\u00a0 I will that Thy desires be also my desires.\u00a0 O my God, my God, help me; make me henceforward live for Thee alone; make me will only what Thou willest, and make me live only to love Thy amiable will.\u00a0 Grant that I may die for Thy love since Thou hast died and become Food for me.\u00a0 I curse those days in which I did my own will, so much to Thy displeasure.\u00a0 I love Thee, O Will of God, as much as I love God, since Thou art one with Him.\u00a0 I love Thee, then, with my whole heart, and give myself all to Thee.<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 O will of God, Thou art my love.<\/p>

VISITA A MARIA<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The great Queen says, Comigo est\u00e3o as riquezas... para que eu possa enriquecer aqueles que me amam<\/em>. \u2014 (Prov. viii. 18, 21).\u00a0 Let us love Mary if we would be rich in graces.\u00a0 The writer who signs himself \u201cIdiota\u201d styles her \u201cthe treasurer of graces.\u201d\u00a0 Blessed is he who has recourse to Mary with love and confidence.\u00a0 My Mother, my hope, thou canst make me a saint; from thee I hope for this favour.<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ejac<\/em>.\u00a0 Mother most amiable, pray for me!<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0\u00a0A PR\u00c1TICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/p>

XXIII.\u00a0 HE THAT LOVES JESUS CHRIST DESIRES NOTHING BUT JESUS CHRIST<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Let us be especially on our guard against all ambitious seeking of preference, and sensibility in points of honour.\u00a0 St. Teresa said, \u201cWhere points of honour prevail, there spirituality will never prevail.\u201d\u00a0 Many persons make profession of a spiritual life, but they are worshippers of self.\u00a0 They have the semblance of certain virtues, but they are ambitious of being praised in all their undertakings; and if nobody else praises them they praise themselves.\u00a0 In short, they strive to appear better than others; and if their honour be touched, they lose their peace, they leave off Holy Communion, they omit all their devotions, and find no rest till they imagine they have got back their former standing.\u00a0 The true lovers of God do not so behave.\u00a0 They not only carefully shun every word of self-complacency, but, further, they are sorry at hearing themselves commended by others, and it is their joy to see themselves held in small repute by the rest of men.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That saying of St. Francis of Assisi is most true: \u201cWhat I am before God, that I am.\u201d \u00a0Of what use is it to pass for great in the eyes of the world, if before God we be vile and worthless? \u00a0And on the contrary, what matters it to be despised by the world, provided we be dear and acceptable in the eyes of God? \u00a0St. Augustine thus writes: \u201cThe approbation of him who praises, neither heals a bad conscience, nor does the reproach of him who blames wound a good conscience.\u201d \u00a0As the man who praises us cannot deliver us from the chastisement of our evil doings, so neither can he who blames us rob us of the merit of our good actions. \u00a0\u201cWhat does it matter,\u201d says St. Teresa, \u201cthough we be condemned and reviled by creatures, if before Thee, O God, we are great and without blame?\u201d \u00a0The Saints had no other desire but to live unknown, and to pass for contemptible in the estimation of all. \u00a0Thus writes St. Francis de Sales: \u201cBut what wrong do we suffer when people have a bad opinion of us, since we ought to have such of ourselves? \u00a0Perhaps we know that we are bad, and yet wish to pass off for good in the estimation of others.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\u21d1 \u00a0<\/a>\u00cdNDICE<\/a>
<\/em>\u21d0 SEMANA DE PENTECOSTES<\/em><\/a>
\u21d2 SECOND WEEK AFTER <\/em>PENTECOSTES<\/em><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

VOLUME III – PART I, pp. 102-145 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Morning Meditation:\u00a0 HOLY COMMUNION THE MEANS OF PERSEVERANCE IN DIVINE GRACE \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0St. Denis says that when Jesus Christ comes to a soul in Holy Communion, He brings … Continuar lendo <\/i><\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4884,"parent":0,"menu_order":87,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9248","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9248"}],"version-history":[{"count":143,"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13152,"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9248\/revisions\/13152"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}