The paradise of the Christian soul/Chap. III. Of patrons to be chosen out of the number of the saints, and honoured day by day with a particular devotion.
CHAPTER III.
OF PATRONS TO BE CHOSEN OUT OF THE NUMBER OF THE SAINTS, AND HONOURED DAY BY DAY WITH A PARTICULAR DEVOTION.
Out of the number of the saints select for thy love and imitation one or more patrons, and by them offer up all thy works daily to God. Recommend thyself to their patronage every morning and evening, and many times during the day, especially in difficult and adverse circumstances, and in times of danger and temptation. Let them be, as it were, judges and witnesses, but especially directors of your actions. For the philosophers’ counsel already cited in reference to angels, holds good also with regard to the saints.
And when the Church celebrates their festivals, then do not forget to honour devoutly thy patrons as their client, by a particular exercise of piety, as fasting the day before, alms corporal or spiritual, greater diligence in prayer, chastisement of the flesh, &c. The holy patrons who are thus honoured and propitiated will not fail their clients in their difficulties and necessities.
A DAILY EXERCISE.
Or recommendation of one’s self to God and one’s holy Patrons.
God the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us,
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Michael, the Archangel, Pray for us.
My holy Angel Guardian, Pray for me and protect me.
In like manner, enumerate and invoke thy other Patrons. Then make thy prayer as follows:
OBLATION OF ONE’S SELF TO GOD.
O most dear Lord Jesus Christ, in union with the love with which thou didst recommend and offer thyself for our salvation to the eternal Father when dying on the cross; and by the example of the three Wise Men who, soon after thy birth, offered to thee with fervent affection of heart the three mystical gifts; and by the love with which all thy saints and elect have ever pleased thee and served thee: I, an unworthy sinner, offer to thee, my God and Creator, three small gifts, which, however trivial, of supreme right are due to thee alone: my understanding, my memory, and my will.
I offer thee my body and soul, with the state of life to which thou hast vouchsafed to call me.
I fully and purely apply all my thoughts, words, and actions to the greater glory of thy name, my own salvation, and the edification of my neighbour.
From my heart I implore thee, most merciful Jesus, by the tenderness of thy eternal goodness, by the love which procured thy cry to Thy Father to be heard according to thy devotion, and by the sweet love with which thou didst so mercifully receive the three Wise Men with their gifts; by all the mercy and goodness thou hast displayed towards the wretched and the sinner from the beginning of the world to this very hour, I beg of thee to regard me also with the eyes of thy mercy, and to receive favourably my offering, however unworthy; and so to guide me henceforward by thy effectual grace, that all things within and around me may be directed and ordered to thy glory, and to my own and my neighbour’s salvation. For my soul’s desire is, to please thee and be united to thee now and for evermore.
OBLATION OF ONE’S SELF TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.
Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God, confiding in the tenderness of thy maternal heart, unworthy as I am to serve thee, I choose thee this day, in the presence of my angel guardian and the whole court of heaven, to be my mother and mistress, patroness and advocate; and henceforward I firmly resolve to serve thee faithfully, and to be eternally united to thee and to thy Son. I adjure thee, most holy mother, by the love with which thy Son, when at the very point of death, recommended himself to his Father upon the cross, but thee to his disciple and his disciple to thee, to take me under thy care and protection, and to be with me in all the dangers and difficulties of my whole life; but chiefly to assist me at the hour of my death. Amen.
RECOMMENDATION TO HOLY PATRONS.
O my holy patrons, objects of my special choice and love! with my whole heart I recommend myself to you by the love of our Lord Jesus Christ; and I implore you by the peculiar and unspeakable love of almighty God, with which from all eternity he chose you to be his friends, and predestined you to be heirs of his glorious kingdom. And I adjure you by the abundant and efficient grace of God, with which he forearmed you on the way, and prepared you for glory.
For, though set in this vale of misery, and in this frail flesh, yet, clothed with power from heaven, you stood steadfast against all your enemies; nor were any deceits of the world, allurements of the flesh, or wiles of the devil, able to separate you from the love of Christ Jesus; but with constancy you adhered to him to the end, even to the death; and, therefore, as invincible champions, you now reign with Christ your leader, and triumph in glory.
From my heart, O my holy patrons, I rejoice with you, and congratulate you upon your glory and happiness; and I praise God for having so loved you, and given you the victory. But my soul meanwhile sighs and pants after you with groaning and trembling, amid so many enemies and risks to salvation; entreating you, by the tender mercy of God, and the happy exaltation you now enjoy in heaven, to remember your Ghent; and, as faithful patrons, to obtain for me from the Most High the effectual grace of God, that so I may follow your steps, bravely withstand my foes, the world, the flesh, and the devil, and never yield to their power or deceit; but, like you, may persevere to the death in constancy to Christ my Saviour; and so order my mortal life, as to be united to you here in grace, and. hereafter in glory, and praise God in your company for ever and ever. Amen.
RECOMMENDATION AND OBLATION
To the three holy Kings and Magi, whose bodies are religiously preserved and honoured at Cologne.
O holy Magi, illustrious kings, first-fruit of the Gentiles, and honoured patrons! I beseech you by the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereby, kings yourselves, you were so beloved and charmed by the King of kings, that you left your thrones, and despised the perils and hardships of a lengthy journey, to visit and adore the King of heaven and earth when born at Bethlehem. I beseech you by the heavenly grace which mercifully preceded you, when you so fervently and zealously sought the new-born Saviour, whom you so piously and reverently adored when found; and, eluding the treachery of wicked king Herod, returned happily to your own country.
I beseech you by your eminent virtues of faith, devotion, and charity, which you then so admirably displayed, having not only your eyes enlightened by the star, but your souls by the newly-risen Sun of Justice himself. For though you saw him lying, a little wailing infant, in a mean stable, in a lowly shed, yet with strong and undoubting faith you acknowledged him the Lord of majesty most high; with your mystical gifts you nobly honoured him as the King of heaven and earth, and by falling down on your faces to the ground, you humbly adored him as God your Creator.
By those virtues, and by the love and gentleness with which the Saviour, when born to us a little infant, received you with your gifts, I beseech you to take me under your protection, and to obtain for me of Christ three precious gifts, of which I stand in the utmost need: a lively faith, a firm hope, and a fervent charity.
Obtain for me also the three most necessary virtues of spotless purity, sincere humility, and true piety; that, thus bountifully endued with these gifts by Christ, I may so much the more readily and acceptably offer him in return the trivial gifts and endowments that I possess: the incense of fervent prayer, the myrrh of mortification, and the gold of charity or good works. To his greater glory, who is King world without end. Amen.
PRAYERS TO THE SAINTS.
From F. Canisius, S. J.
A prayer that may refer to any holy Apostle.
Blessed be thou, O Lord, the never-failing source of all blessings, who hast chosen thy holy apostles before all the saints to be the first-born of thy Son, the first heralds of the gospel, and the pillars and foundations of the Christian Church; that, by their saving doctrines and Wonderful works, the knowledge of the Catholic Faith might be spread abroad among Jews and Gentiles, and over the whole world.
Most humbly, therefore, I implore thy majesty, that, as we continue founded by thee on the rock of apostolical confession, called to the unity of the faith by the same princes of religion, and assembled together in the house of the Church: so, with firm and thankful hearts, we may hold fast their apostolic doctrine and traditions, and follow their holy conversation in leading blameless lives; above all, uniting fervent charity and constant patience to our Christian profession.
Holy N., apostle of Christ, preacher of, and martyr for, the truth, intercede for us, and obtain by thy prayers that, by the extinction of diverse and strange doctrines, the Catholic Faith in its integrity may flourish again throughout the world; and that I, resting within the terms of apostolic preaching and tradition, may never in my whole life deem any thing more ancient than the love of Christ and the unity of his Church. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer that may refer to any holy Martyr of Christ.
I will bless the Lord, because he is so glorious, mighty, and wonderful in his saint N., who shines so brightly both in the militant and the triumphant Church.
His life was precious upon earth, more precious his death, but most precious of all the glory with which the eternal King has crowned his soldier in heaven, who fought to the death in the cause of faith and justice, because he was founded on a firm rock, and sparkled like gold that is tiled in the furnace.
O invincible wrestler of Christ! not the allurements of this life, nor the snares of thy enemies, nor the pain of thy punishments, nor the cruelty of thy tormentors, could separate thee from the love that is in Christ Jesus. O holy N., pray for us, that, by the love of God, we may overcome every opponent, ourselves first, and afterwards death itself; and that, like thee, we may fearlessly drink of Christ’s chalice, as we desire to be crowned with thee by our common Lord in heaven.
A prayer that may refer to any holy Confessor.
O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, and Brightness of the saints, we give thee hearty thanks for having set so many shining lights, or rather burning torches, in thy Church; that they who live in thy house, and need the light of others, may be enlightened every where by the words, counsels, virtues, examples, and writings of the saints.
And because, among other confessors, thou hast highly exalted holy N., to be both an example and patron to many, we beseech thee to accept the aid of his prayers in our behalf, that we may perfectly confess with thy confessors the Catholic Faith, not only with our heart and mouth, but also in our life and works; and in knowing and doing the Lord’s will, may shine like burning lights in thy house on every side, and ever glorify thy name: who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
To any holy woman, especially a virgin.
Let us praise our God, because, among other miracles of his power, he has performed many wonders even in the weaker sex, by variously adorning them with different excellent endowments of grace and virtue; but chiefly by implanting in weak and tender vessels so noble and masculine a courage, that they despised a tyrant’s threatenings of death and torments, and went to death as though it were to feasting and pleasure.
These wonderful works of God I this day honour, especially in thee, O most beloved spouse of Christ, N.!
And I humbly beseech thee, by the grace which Christ has so largely bestowed upon thee, to obtain for me greater grace to enable me to please God, and to fulfil my vocation; but chiefly to make daily progress in true faith, charity, and patience; to overcome worldly allurements and carnal pleasures by the love of holy continence and abstinence; and to think nothing sweeter than Christ’s yoke, or dearer than his love, until, in the enjoyment of a happy immortality, I unite with thee in praising God for ever.
A prayer to any Saint, of whatever degree.
From my soul I give thee joy, O N., saint of God, because the eternal King has wonderfully crowned thee with glory and honour in heaven, and associated thee with the princes of his supreme oourt in his kingdom on high.
And because thou hast no cause to be anxious for thyself, I beseech thee to take care of us thy brethren, and of thy unfailing charity lovingly to procure for us what thou knowest to be chiefly necessary to enable us to lead a good and a happy life.
Succour us by thy intercession, who are set in the so great perils of this life, and in the midst of enemies, that, purified from all stains of sin, we may safely come to you in cur common home, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
An ancient prayer, very generally addressed to all the Saints of the Church triumphant.
O Lord, we beseech thee that all thy saints may everywhere assist us, and gladden us by their intercession, that while we celebrate their merits, we may experience their patronage. Grant us peace in our time, and cast away all iniquity out of thy Church. Prosper the way, the wills, and the actions of us and of all thy servants, to the attainment of thy salvation. Requite our benefactors with endless blessings, and give eternal rest to all the faithful departed. Through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ON THE DUE OBSERVANCE OF THE FESTIVALS OF THE SAINTS.
From St. Bernard.
There are three things to he attentively considered with regard to the festivals of the saints: first, the saints assistance; secondly, his example; thirdly, our own shame. His assistance, because, if powerful on earth, he is still more powerful before the face of the Lord his God; for if he compassionated sinners, and prayed for them while he lived here, he prays the Father now for us so much the more fully, in proportion to the truer knowledge which he has of our miseries; for that happy home has not lessened, but enlarged, his charity. For though he can suffer no more, he can still have mercy, which is all the more tender now that his existence is passed before the fountain of mercy itself. His example, too, should be considered; because, as long as he was seen upon earth, and conversed with men, he swerved neither to the right nor to the left, but kept the royal road, till he came to Him who says, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Remark the humility of his works and the authority of his words, and you will see how brightly he shone among men, both by word and example, and what footsteps he left behind him for us to walk in without going astray.
But we should reflect even more earnestly upon our own shame; because he was a man like us, framed with the same passions, and out of the same clay as ourselves. How is it then thought not only difficult but impossible to do the works that he did, and to follow in his footsteps f Brethren, let these words make vs ashamed and tremble together, that possibly this shame may bring us glory, this fear give birth in us to grace.
These are they who have gone before us, whose progress was so wonderful along the ways of life, that we can hardly believe them to have been men. We should therefore at once be glad and ashamed on the festivals of the saints ; glad, because our patrons have gone before us ; ashamed, because we are unable to follow their example.[1]
LITANY OF ALL THE SAINTS.
Collected out of Holy Scripture.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaveD, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, the chosen Mother of God, called blessed among women, and throughout all generations,
| All ye holy angels, who stand ever before God, ready to praise and obey him, and to minister to men, | Isa. vi.; Heb. i. |
| All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets who with many prayers and sighs desired the coming of the Messias, and by different figures and prophecies foreshowed it. | Gen. xlix. Isa. vii. et passim. |
| All ye holy Apostles and Disciples of the Lord, | |
| Who have left all things and followed Christ, | Matt iv. |
| Who are made princes over all the earth, born to be sons instead of fathers, patriarchs, and prophets. | Ps. xliv. Pray for us. |
| Who spread the sound of the gospel over all the earth, | Ps. xviii. |
| Who were sent to the lost sheep , of the house of Israel, | Matt x. |
| Who were hated by all men for the name of Christ, | Ibid. |
| Who rejoiced that you were counted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus, | Acts v. | |
| Who were sent as sheep in the midst of wolves, | Matt. x. | |
| Who continued with Christ in his temptations, | Luke xxii. | Pray for us. |
| Who were witnesses of all the actions of Christ, and privy to his secrets, | Acts ii. | |
| Who, being weak and ignoble according to the flesh, were chosen by Christ to confound the power and wisdom of the world, | 1 Cor i. | |
| Who, when endued with power from on high, and strengthened by the Holy Ghost, boldly confessed Christ, | Luke xxiv. | |
| Who obeyed God rather than men, | Acts v. | |
| Who, with great power, gave testimony of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, | Acts iv. | |
| Who, being illiterate and ignorant men, amazed the council of the Jews, | Ibid. | |
| Who shall sit on twelve seats, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, | Matt xix. | |
| All ye holy Martyrs, | ||
| Who suffered persecution for living holy in the world, | 2 Tim. iii. | |
| Who gloried in the cross of our Lord, | Gal. vi. | |
| Who in your patience possessed your souls, | Luke xxi. | |
| Who hated your lives in this world, and kept them to life eternal, | John xii. | |
| Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, | Heb. xi. | |
| Who had trials of mockeries and stripes, bands and prisons, were stoned, cut asunder, and variously tempted, | Ibid. | |
| Who are come out of great tribulation, and have washed your robes in the blood of the Lamb, | Apoc. vii. | |
| Who have suffered persecution for justice’ sake, and now safely possess the kingdom of heaven, | Matt v. | |
| Who shall stand with great constancy against those who have afflicted you, | ||
| Whom not force, nor fraud, nor death |
| That we may strive, as thy saints have done, to enter by the narrow gate, | Luke xiii. | |
| That thy peace, which surpasseth all understanding, may keep our hearts and minds, | Phil. iv. | We beseech thee, hear us. |
| That we may exhibit ourselves, as the ministers oi God, in much patience, | 2 Cor. vi. | |
| That under just and pious kings and rulers, we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all piety and chastity, | 1 Tim. ii. | |
| That thou wouldst make us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light, | Col. i. | |
| That we may go with confidence to the throne of thy grace, and obtain mercy in seasonable aid, | Heb. iv. | |
| That, with all thy blessed in heaven, we may praise and exalt thee above all for ever, | Dan. iii. | |
| Lamb of God, who, &c. |
A PRAYER TO ALL THE SAINTS.
The Saints shall rejoice in glory, they shall he joyful in their beds.
Hail, all ye elect and be-, loved of God, angels and all ye blessed, predestined from all eternity to glory, and to the possession of the greatest goods of the Lord in the land of the living, strengthened in all grace, and now possessed of your heavenly reward.
For you now rejoice in the sight of the most holy Trinity face to face, and praise him incessantly with unspeakable joy.
Hail first, O my most holy Lady! Mother of my Lord, Queen of heaven and earth, our patroness and advocate, Virgin Mary.
Hail also, my angel-guardian, to whose care and protection the divine goodness
has committed me.
Hail, all my beloved patrons, especially N. and N., to whom I now and ever most humbly recommend myself.
I praise, honour, and make my requests to you, however unworthy; and to the increase of your glory and your joy, I offer you the source and treasure of all salvation and of all good, the most tender heart of Jesus Christ our Lord.
From my heart I give thanks to God, that he has chosen you and justified you by his infinite grace; that he has prevented you with the blessings of his goodness, and that he has preserved you on the way from every hindrance to your salvation, and so at length made you happy in glory. I give eternal thanks to God for all the gifts and favours which he has, and will bestow upon you, in time and in eternity.
Oh, happy friends of God, obtain for your client full pardon of my sins, and perfect self-denial, that I may follow in your footsteps along the narrow way. By you, also, I humbly implore the peace of God, or calmness of soul, which surpasses all understanding: the inward and sincere love of God, which inflamed you bravely and gloriously to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil, and all the adversities of this life.
Pray for me, I beseech you, now, and at the hour of death, when I depart hence to stand before the terrible tribunal of the supreme judge; that he may not enter into judgment with me, but may judge me according to his infinite mercy; that so I maybe finally admitted into your most happy company, in the Jerusalem which is above, where we may together praise our God and Lord, and exalt him above all for ever. Amen.
- ↑ Sermon on the Vigil of SS. Peter and Paul