3. Act of Petition for Light.
Eternal Father, for the love of Jesus and Mary, grant me light in this meditation, that I may profit by it.
Then say a Hail Mary to the divine Mother, and a Glory be to the Father in honor of our angel guardian and of our holy patron.
Then read the point of Meditation, and be sure to meditate, at least occasionally, on the Passion of Jesus Christ. Whilst reading, stop at the passages which strike you the most. It must also be understood that the fruit of prayer does not so much consist in mediating, but rather in producing: I. Affections, for instance of humility. confidence, love, sorrow, offering, resignation, etc.; II. Prayers, and especially imploring God to grant us perseverance and His holy love; III. Resolutions to avoid some particular sin and to practise some particular virtue. The Conclusion is made thus:
I. I thank Thee, O God, for the lights Thou hast given me.
II. I purpose to keep the resolutions I have made.
III. I beg Thy grace to fulfil them.
Nor must we ever forget to recommend to God the holy souls in purgatory, and all poor sinners. We must never omit our accustomed meditation, whatever coldness or weariness we may feel over it; for St. Teresa says, " To do so would be to cast ourselves into hell with our own hands. So long as a soul perseveres in prayer." she adds, "I hold it for certain that the Lord will bring it to salvation."
4. Prayer to Avoid Sin.
MY God! The enemies of my soul will not cease to fight against me till death. Unless Thou dost assist me. I shall lose Thee again. Ah! through the merits of Jesus Christ. I ask for holy perseverance, do not permit me to be separated from Thee. And I ask the same grace for all those who are at present in the state of grace. I hope, with certainty in Thy promise, that Thou wilt give me perseverance if I will continue to ask it from Thee. But I fear that in my temptations I shall neglect to have recourse to Thee, and that thus I
